1 . Money might not grow on trees, but it seems that furniture does! Gavin Munro, a UK-based designer, has come up with a brilliant alternative to cutting beautiful trees and converting them into furniture.
He first came up with the idea of growing furniture when he was working as a gardener in California and also made furniture with washed-up driftwood on the side.
After several attempts, he finally managed to develop a model chair using four trees. Munro is now tending to a small 2.5 acre “furniture forest” of 400 trees in a field north of Derby, England. He uses specially designed plastic frames to make young oak and ash trees into the shapes of chairs, tables, frames, or lamps.
A forest that grows furniture sounds like a setting right out of Alice in Wonderland, but there’s nothing magical about it, just a lot of hard work. The forest consists of rows upon rows of trees covered in blue plastic molds, converting them into furniture as they grow. Once they take the desired shape, they are cared for until thick, mature and ready for harvest.
After harvesting, each piece is planned (刨平) and finished to show off the wood grain inside. “It’s an art form in itself, keeping track of everything,” Munro said.
The entire process takes about four to eight years, resulting in fully functional, organic, eco-friendly furniture, and more long-lasting than anything else on the market. They are grown and grafted (嫁接) into one solid piece without any joints that loosen over time. As Munro puts it, “These pieces of furniture could last for centuries.”
Quality isn’t an issue with forest-grown furniture, but maintenance and scalability (可伸缩性) certainly are. For now, Munro expects to grow 50 pieces a year, with the first lot of chairs available for purchase in mid-2017, priced at $3,700 each.
1. The first paragraph mainly serves as ___.| A．comment | B．praise |
| C．introduction | D．background |
| A．while serving as a gardener | B．while relaxing at home |
| C．while studying in California | D．when he grow up |
| A．Rich imagination. | B．Perfect design. |
| C．Large irrigation. | D．Hard work. |
| A．an essay | B．a report |
| C．a novel | D．a diary |
2 . Camp All-Star
Welcome to Camp All-Star, your No. 1 summer sports camp for kids! Located on the famous Kents Hill School campus by the beautiful lake, Camp All-Star hosts kids from around the world. When thinking about your next overnight summer camp, consider the best—Camp All-Star!
Great Sports Summer Camps for Kids
Camp All-Star stands out among the successful camps in the U.S. We have the best sports fields and courts to make your child’s sports camp experience a successful one. Your child can enjoy playing for hours in any of our more than 30 sports and activities each day. Our camper to staff rate is three to one, which makes it possible for children to receive more careful instruction.
We have a wide variety of activities and sports to choose from: fishing, dance, basketball, soccer, baseball, and tennis. Boys and girls, aged 8-16, can customize their own schedules in our 2, 3, 4 or 6 week summer camp session for kids.
The aim of Camp All-Star is to develop athletic skills, encourage abilities in leadership, fair play and team work, and provide a fun, rewarding and memorable summer sports camp experience. Our staff have the experience and qualified training necessary to ensure that your child has a successful, memorable and enjoyable time at our summer camp.
Call Today About Our Overnight Summer Camps for Kids
Don’t let your kids waste another summer playing video games and sitting around. Let them enjoy their time and get some exercise at our exciting and friendly summer sports camp. Information for our upcoming camps can be found on our website. For additional information or questions, contact us today. We hope your kids can join us at Camp All-Star!
1. Camp All-Star stands out among the others because ___________.| A．it is surrounded by a beautiful lake |
| B．it provides various activities and sports |
| C．it offers timely information on its website |
| D．it allows children to play outside all day long |
| A．To fire kids’ imagination. | B．To build up kids’ confidence. |
| C．To develop kids’ leadership skills. | D．To promote kids’ self-control. |
| A．A newspaper. | B．A guidebook. |
| C．A news report. | D．A textbook. |
3 . It’s not possible to stay together with loved ones all the time. Sometimes family members have to be far away from each other. During that time they might face something terrible. Although we know what they are suffering, being far away makes it harder to help and comfort (安慰) loved ones. There is no use worrying a lot about them. Keeping a positive attitude of support is more helpful than getting into worrying about the person. I think it is what I can do to help my loved ones.
My daughter has been working full-time during summer about 10 hours a day. She has to study hard for a big entrance exam. At first, like most people, I wanted to try to solve the problems and analyse (分析) the situation, Was there a better way of time management? Was there a better way of studying for this test? However, that was not always helpful. Sometimes, it even gave more pressure to her. Sometimes it might sound like there was something wrong to fix. However, it was just tiring at the end of the day. What would be the kind thing to do in this situation. It was hard to read someone’s mind. I decided to just chat with her online and to send a hug emoji (表情) this time. It seemed more suitable than talking about solutions. Giving space can also be an act of help, comfort and kindness.
It was a fun and meaningful experiment to actively think about kind things to do rather than let it happen naturally. I’ve realized it and I’m grateful for this chance to share online. Give it a try too and you’ll enjoy sweetness.
1. What can we learn from the first paragraph?| A．Worry is the best comfort to a loved one. |
| B．It is impossible to love someone around us. |
| C．The distance helps you do more to loved ones. |
| D．It’s no use worrying a lot about loved ones not around us |
| A．By talking about solutions. | B．By analysing all problems. |
| C．By buying a gift for her. | D．By giving simple emojis online. |
| A．A website. | B．A newspaper. |
| C．A life journal. | D．A speech report. |
4 . It’s 3 o'clock and you’ve been hard at work. As you sit at your desk, a strong desire (欲望) for chocolate overcomes you. You try to busy yourself to make it go away. But it doesn’t. Here is another situation. Perhaps you are not feeling well. The only thing you want to eat is a big bowl of chicken soup, like your mom used to make when you were sick as a child. Food cravings are a strong desire for a specific type of food. And they are normal.
Scientists at the website How Stuff Works compare hunger and cravings this way. Hunger is a fairly simple connection between the stomach and the brain. They even call it simply “stomach hunger.” When our stomachs burn up all of the food we have eaten, a hormone (荷尔蒙) sends a message to one part of the brain for more food, which controls our most basic body functions such as thirst, hunger and sleep. The brain then produces a chemical to start the appetite (食欲) and you eat. Hunger is a function of survival.
A craving is more complex. It activates (刺激) brain areas related to emotion, memory and reward. These are the same areas of the brain activated during drug-craving studies. Because of this, some scientists call food cravings “mind hunger.” People often crave foods that are high in fat and sugar. Foods that are high in fat or high in sugar produce chemicals in the brain. These chemicals give us feelings of pleasure.
In a 2007 study, researchers at Cambridge University found that “dieting or controlled eating generally increases the possibility of food craving.” So, the more you refuse yourself a food that you want, the more you may crave it. However, fasting is a bit different. They found that eating no food at all for a short period of time reduced food cravings.
So, the next time you crave something very special, know that it’s the fault of your brain, instead of your stomach.
1. The author describes two situations in the first paragraph to ________.| A．deepen the understanding of hunger | B．report the discovery of craving study |
| C．introduce the topic of the whole passage | D．remind readers of their own special food |
| A．It shows food is connected with emotion. | B．It makes sure that a person survives hunger. |
| C．It means the stomach functions well. | D．It proves the brain decides your appetite. |
| A．The drop of chemicals. | B．The increase of food desire. |
| C．The refusal of fat and sugar. | D．The disappearance of appetite. |
| A．Education. | B．Entertainment. |
| C．Science. | D．Economy. |
5 . Got 48 hours to relax yourself? You’ll make full use of your timeand have great fun at these amazing destinations.
Alabama: Gulf Shores
For relaxing weekend getaways in Alabama, head south to the white-sand beaches of Gulf Shores. Get on the water for some deep-sea fishing. History lovers can get a lesson in the Civil War along a 90-mile path with more than a dozen historic sites.
Alaska: Homer
How does fresh seafood sound? You’ll find it in Homer, located in south-central Alaska, which is either a short flight or a great four-hour scenic drive on the Seward Highway from Anchorage. Get your fill of fishing in Kachemak Bay, explore local trails and enjoy exceptional birding in this remote natural setting.
Arizona: Sedona
Adventurous types can get their fill in the magical red rocks of Sedona, which is said to be the location of healing centers of energy. People flood to the area to meditate, practice yoga and more. Sedona also offers fantastic hiking, off-roading, biking, and even climbing.
Arkansas: Hot Springs
Relax and renew in Arkansas’ hot waters in Hot Springs, an art community with Art Deco architecture that is also the home of Hot Springs National Park. Make time for a visit to Bathhouse Row, a National Historic Landmark of eight bathhouses, and Superior Bathhouse Brewery, which produces beer made of the hot spring water inside the National Park. Don’t miss these National Parks that are off the beaten path.
1. Which activity can be found in both Gulf Shores and Homer?| A．Going fishing. | B．Taking a flight. |
| C．Enjoying beautiful birds. | D．Visiting historic sites. |
| A．Its bathhouses. | B．Its paths. |
| C．Its self-made beer. | D．Its architecture. |
| A．A diary. | B．A survey. | C．A novel. | D．A magazine. |
6 . For some of us, the excitement of seeing a performance at a European opera house is just not enough. Fortunately, opera houses throughout Europe open their backstage doors to the public. Take advantage of these opportunities to look behind the scenes of some of the world's great opera houses.
Teatro alla Scala Opera House Tours—Milan
Discover the activities within the opera house on a backstage tour of the La Scala theater in Milan. The tour also includes an overview of the history of the theater and guides you through the auditorium(观众席) and the theater boxes.
Paris Opera House Tours—Paris
While it is possible to walk around the public areas of the beautiful Paris Opera House on your own, guided tours are also offered and are led by an English-speaking guide. During the 90- minute tour, you will learn about the theater's history and its architecture. You will also have an opportunity to visit the grand staircase.
Royal Opera House Tours—London
It is one of the most comprehensive of the opera house tours in Europe. The guide at the Royal Opera House takes you through sections of the backstage area to the props (道具) room, where workers build the sets, the costume shop and the ballet studios. There's a chance that you will even catch the ballet dancers backstage in practice in their big ballet studio.
La Fenice Opera House Tours—Venice
Teatro La Fenice in Venice offers a couple of options for visitors. A self-guided tour of the beautiful halls and grounds with a voice guide is available at the box office. Guided tours are also available with an expert that will explain the history of the opera house from its origins to its rebuilding.
1. In which opera house might you be able to see a costume shop backstage?| A．The Teatro alla Scala Opera House | B．The Paris Opera House |
| C．The Royal Opera House | D．The La Fenice Opera House |
| A．They all offer free guided tours. |
| B．They all open their backstage areas to the public. |
| C．They are all free to the public. |
| D．They are all located in France. |
| A．In a sports magazine | B．In an adventure novel |
| C．In a history book | D．On a culture website |
"You may wonder, Sir Percival,”said Laura calmly, “if I am going to ask to be released (免除）from my promise to many you. I am not going to ask this. I respect my father's wishes too much.”
His face relaxed a little, but one of his feet kept beating the carpet.
"No, if we are going to withdraw. (退出）from our planned marriage, it will be because of your wish, not mine.
“Mine?” he said in great surprise. “What reason could I have for withdrawing?’
"A reason that is very hard to tell you," she answered. "There is a change in me.”
His face went so pale that even his lips lost their color. He turned his head to one side.
"What change?" he asked, trying to appear calm.
“When the promise was made two years ago,” she said, 44 my love did not belong to anyone. Will you forgive me, Sir Percival, if I tell you that it now belongs to another person?”
“I wish you to understand, “Laura continued, “that I will never see this person again, and that if you leave me, you only allow mc to remain a single woman for the rest of my life. All I ask is that you forgive mc and keep my secret."
‘I will do both those things, “he said. Then he looked at Laura, as if he was waiting to hear more.
"I think I have said enough to give you reason to withdraw from our marriage, “she added quietly.
“No. You have said enough to make it the dearest wish of my life to marry you, ” he said.
1. How did Percival feel during his meeting with Laura?
| A．Angry. | B．Calm. | C．Nervous. | D．Excited. |
| A．Laura had once promised to marry Percival |
| B．Laura's father wished to end her marriage |
| C．Percival had been married to Laura for two years |
| D．Percival asked to be released from the marriage |
| A．a novel | B．a report | C．a diary | D．an essay |
