1 . Whether you are crazy about cycling or not, when it comes to purchasing a bike, the choice is endless, making it tough to know what to go for. Here are the best buys on the market right now.
Boardman CX Comp
This is a cross country bike, and it’s so multi-functional that you can handle any terrain(地势) on it, making it a great choice for those wanting to try various cycling subjects. If you leave on the thick tires it comes with, it can ride on various paths and can even handle some less demanding mountain bike routes. Alternatively, put on thin, smooth tires and treat it as a road bike. It has a basket and conics with Shimano Sora gears(变速器), which are outstanding for its price.(£650, IIalfords)
Planet XRT-58 V2
Planet X is based in Yorkshire, which means you’d probably have to buy this bike without seeing it. But it’s worth it, because this is an excellent machine at a lower price. Planet X is a highly rated manufacturer and this model comes with Shimano Sora gearing.(£585, Planet X)
Specialized Allez E5
Specialized is one of the biggest and most popular brands in cycling, and this is its hugely popular primary road bike. It comes with solid components from front to back and you'll look great out on the road.(£ 75, Evans Cycles)
Boardman Road Team Carbon
If you can push your budget(预算) further still, this bike is worth the extra investment. The frame(框架) is made entirely from carbon, which is lighter, faster and more comfortable than the composition metal(复合金属) models above and gives you an all-round and more enjoyable ride. It also means that if you get really serious about cycling, you don’t have to upgrade as quickly as you would with a cheaper bike. Besides, it also comes with Shimano Sora gearing.(£800, Halfords)
1. What is special about Boardman CX Comp?| A．Its light frame. | B．Its firm tires. |
| C．Its various functions. | D．Its reasonable price. |
| A．Planet XRT-58 V2. | B．Specialized Allez E5. |
| C．Boardman CX Comp. | D．Boardman Road Team Carbon. |
| A．Planet X RT-58 V2 has been sold out so far |
| B．Boardman CX Comp is just a mountain bike. |
| C．Specialized Allez E5 is designed for senior cyclists. |
| D．Boardman Road Team Carbon is made by a special material. |
| A．Travel. | B．Advertisement. |
| C．Health. | D．Culture. |
2 . Every week in China, millions of people will sit in front of their TVs watching teenagers compete for the title Character Hero, which is a Chinese-style spelling bee. In this challenge, young competitors must write Chinese characters by hand. To prepare for the competition, the competitors usually spend months studying dictionaries.
Perhaps the show’s popularity should not be a surprise. Along with gunpowder and paper, many Chinese people consider the creation of Chinese calligraphy(书法) to be one of their primary contributions to civilization. Unfortunately, all over the country, Chinese people are forgetting how to write their own language without computerized help. Software on smart phones and computers allows users to type in the basic sound of the word using the Latin alphabet. The correct character is chosen from a list. The result? It’s possible to recognize characters without remembering how to write them.
But there’s still hope for the paint brush. China’s Education Ministry wants children to spend more time learning how to write.
In one Beijing primary school we visited, students practice calligraphy every day inside a specially decorated classroom with traditional Chinese paintings hanging on the walls. Soft music plays as a group of six-year-olds dip brush pens into black ink. They look up at the blackboard often to study their teacher’s examples before carefully attempting to reproduce those characters on thin rice paper. “If adults can survive without using handwriting, why bother to teach it now?” we ask the calligraphy teacher, Shen Bin. “The ability to write characters is part of Chinese tradition and culture,” she reasons. “Students must learn now so they don’t forget when they grow up.” says the teacher.
1. What can we learn about the Character Hero?| A．It’s open to people of all ages and all walks. |
| B．It’s the most-viewed TV programs in China. |
| C．It aims to spread Chinese culture to the world. |
| D．It draws great public attention across the country. |
| A．Chinese people don’t refer to dictionaries very often. |
| B．Chinese people no longer use brush pens or practice calligraphy. |
| C．Chinese people are using the Latin alphabet instead of the characters. |
| D．Chinese people needn’t write by hand as often with the help of technology. |
| A．necessary for adults to survive in China |
| B．a requirement made by the Education Ministry |
| C．helpful to keep Chinese tradition and culture alive |
| D．an ability to be developed only when you are students |
| A．A news report. | B．A science report. |
| C．An advertisement. | D．Children’s literature. |
3 . Since you can't get to theaters, museums, galleries, music venues or opera houses during these difficult days due to coronavirus, instead they'll come to you. Here's a list of some of Europe's best-known museums.
Louvre Museum in Paris
As the most visited museum in the world, it offers virtual tours online. It also has a number of "Visitors Trails" in different themes, designed to give an overview of the scope and wealth of the museum's collections. Each trail is based on a selection of works that characterize a period, an artistic movement or a theme, including the artworks from JAY-Z and Beyoncé's music video.
Schirn Museum in Frankfurt
It has digitally opened its current exhibition, now closed due to the virus, called "Fantastic Women" (scheduled from February 13 to May 24), highlighting the works of 34 women artists and their contributions to Surrealism (超现实主义), including Frida Kahlo, Leonora Carrington, Leonor Fini, Dorothea Tanning and Dora Maar.
Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam
Are you looking for ways to entertain your children with an educational twist? Then the Van Gogh will bring the great artist to you and also invite you to a virtual visit inside the Museum. The museum explores the painter's life, his relationship with his brother Théo, his passion for Japan and also his mental illness. Everything is in high definition.
Of course, a range of recent opera and ballet productions are also available, with the hope to give pleasure to as many people as possible. Please get more information at www. forbes. com.
1. The works in "Visitors Trails" are chosen according to ________.| A．Periods | B．Collections | C．Sites | D．Artists |
| A．JAY-Z's. | B．Leonardo Da Vinci's. |
| C．Van Gogh's. | D．Leonora Carrington's. |
| A．A report. | B．A website. | C．A magazine. | D．A textbook |
4 . Beaches are not only great for lying on and doing water sports, and in fact one of the best ways of enjoying them is a classic beach walk. Here at iWantSun.co.uk we’ve been searching the globe to find you the world’s best and most famous beach walks, and here’s our pick of the top. Click on the most interesting walks and join our tourist program.
The Footpath of the Gods, Amalfi Coast, Italy
The name says it all really and you truly feel excited there, walking along this wonderful mountain path, which offers some of the most striking views on the planet. The path begins at the town of Bomerano to charming Positano along the UNESCO World Heritage area of the Amalfi Coast. The whole walk will take you about four and a half hours to complete and pass over narrow rocky paths.
Sydney’s Great Coastal Walk, Australia
Sydney’s coastline is one of the most beautiful and diverse landscapes in the world. Here you have national parks, historic sites, shining and quiet beaches all in one place. Sydney’s Great Coastal Walk runs all the way from Barren Joey in the north to Royal National Park in the south and takes an unbelievable seven days to complete. However, if you’re not up to doing the full walk, there are many different parts of the walk that you can do right in the city itself. Walking from the city’s famous Bondi Beach to the sweeping curve(大半径曲线) of Bronte Beach takes just an hour, which takes in some top scenery.
Great Ocean Walk, Australia
The Great Ocean Walk covers 104km along Victoria’s famous Great Ocean Road, located on the southern coast of Australia, from the holiday town Apollo Bay to the splendid Twelve Apostles. The Twelve Apostles are the area’s famous stone landmarks which stand out like giants from the sea. The walk passes through a range of landscapes and sights, from national parks, famous surfing spots and deserted beaches, to wild coastlines, waterfalls, lush forests, historic lighthouses and ghostly ship wrecks. Day walks and shorter three-hour walks such as The Wreck Beach Walk or the Lighthouse Cemetery and Lookout Walk can also be enjoyed.
If you have interest in any of the above places, please contact us, and we can give you the best services.
1. What are the distinct characteristics of Sydney’s Great Coastal Walk?| A．It takes more than a week to complete. |
| B．It really has the longest coastline in the world. |
| C．It provides visitors with a variety of great landscapes. |
| D．It starts from Barren Joey in the south. |
| A．Apollo Bay is at the end of the Great Ocean Walk |
| B．visitors have various walking choices in the Great Ocean Walk |
| C．the Twelve Apostles stand below the surface of the sea |
| D．most visitors have to finish the 104 km walk quickly |
| A．an online advertisement | B．travel magazines |
| C．a handbook to tourists | D．a poster in a foreign travel agency |
5 . What do you usually do to comfort your friends when they are feeling sad or depressed? You probably pat them on the back or shoulder, or maybe you give them a big, warm hug.
We used to think that knowing when and how to comfort others was an ability that only humans have. But scientists have discovered that apes （猩猩）have this ability, too. Two researchers from Emory University in Atlanta, US, went to an Ape Protection Centre in Congo to study bonobos （倭黑猩猩）,which are closely related to humans.
The researchers analyzed the bonobos' reactions after more than 370 cases of stressful situations, such as fights and losing temper, and found that some bonobos rushed to hug those that were screaming after being attacked, just like humans would have done.
However, researchers said that not all bonobos were able to comfort others. In the protection centre, many bonobos are orphans （孤儿）whose mothers were killed by hunters. They were found to be more anxious in times of tension and have greater difficulty controlling their own emotions, malting them worse at reaching out to help friends in need.
"Orphans, who have not had the benefit of a mother helping them handling their emotions, are much worse al comforting others,” Professor Frans de Waal, one of the researchers, told The Telegraph. "Bonobos with moms were able to curb their negative emotional reactions more quickly. Therefore, they pay more attention to others.” This pattern mirrors the way that human children have been found to react. Those who seem more capable of handling their own emotions—for example, the ones who can calm themselves down more quickly after upsetting experiences—are usually better at expressing their concerns for others .
1. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?| A．Orphan bonobos never give a hand to friends. |
| B．There were 370 bonobos involved in the research. |
| C．Moms play a significant role in handling kids' emotions. |
| D．The ability to comfort others is unique to human beings. |
| A．express | B．observe | C．hide | D．control |
| A．A science journal | B．A travel leaflet |
| C．A literature review | D．A science fiction |
| A．To uncover the mystery of Apes. |
| B．To inform readers of a new study. |
| C．To provide better protection for Apes. |
| D．To compare human behaviors with Apes. |
6 . Schuylerville High School students have a broad range of interests, which are reflected by the number of clubs and organizations in which our pupils participate. Here are some of the most popular clubs.
Environmental Club
Open to students in grades 9-12
Advisor: Mrs. Flores
The High School Environmental Club is open to all students interest increasing environmental awareness throughout the school. Activities include: recycling, environmental competitions, volunteering with green schools and outdoor events. This run student club collects and recycles paper products throughout the school building.
Freshman Class
Open to students in grades 9-10
Advisor: Mr. winslow
The freshmen class participates in several activities throughout the year to raise money for the class account. The class officers meet once a month to discuss business that affects the entire class. All members of the freshman class are encouraged to participate in some type of community service during the year.
Literary magazine
Open to students in grades 10-12
Advisor: Mr. Sgambati
Members of the Literary Magazine collect, edit and often contribute to the body of student work. Literary Magazine meetings will also give students the opportunity to share and receive feedback on the creative pieces that they re working on, as well as the chance to learn about writing practices and strategies.
Mock Trial Team
Open to students in grades 11-12
Advisor: Mrs. Lewis
Mock Trial is an after-school activity that helps students develop useful knowledge about the law. Students play out all the roles and use general rules of evidence and fact explanations in a school court. They will work with a real lawyer and an advisor to further understand the court process.
1. At which club can you take part in the community service?| A．Environmental Club. | B．Freshman Class. |
| C．Literary Magazine. | D．Mock Trial Team. |
| A．To encourage students to be lawyers. | B．To develop students’ writing skills. |
| C．To explain all kinds of facts at school. | D．To help students learn more about laws. |
| A．A news report. | B．A school website. |
| C．A research paper. | D．A science magazine. |
7 . If Confucius(孔子)were still alive today and could celebrate his September 28 birthday with a big cake, there would be a lot of candles. He'd need a fan or a strong wind to help him put them out.
While many people in China will remember Confucius on his special day, few people in the United States will give him a passing thought. It's nothing personal. Most Americans don't even remember the birthdays of their own national heroes.
But this doesn't mean that Americans don't care about Confucius. In many ways he has become a bridge that foreigners must cross if they want to reach a deeper understanding of China.
In the past two decades, the Chinese studies programs have gained huge popularity in Western universities. More recently, the Chinese government has set up Confucius Institutes in more than 80 countries. These schools teach both Chinese language and culture. The main courses of Chinese culture usually include Chinese art, history and
philosophy(哲学). Some social scientists suggest that Westerners should take advantage of the ancient Chinese wisdom to make up for the drawbacks(缺陷)of Western philosophy. Students in the United States, at the same time, are racing to learn Chinese. So they will be ready for life in a world where China is an equal power with the United States. Businessmen who hope to make money in China are reading books about Confucius to understand their Chinese customers.
So the old thinker's ideas are still alive and well.
Today China attracts the West more than ever, and it will need more teachers to introduce Confucius and Chinese culture to the West.
As for the old thinker, he will not soon be forgotten by people in the West, even if his birthday is.
1. The opening paragraph is mainly intended to______________.| A．provide some key facts about Confucius |
| B．attract the readers' interest in the subject |
| C．show great respect for the ancient thinker |
| D．prove the popularity of modern birthday celebrations |
| A．have a great interest in studying Chinese |
| B．take an active part in Chinese competitions |
| C．try to get high scores in Chinese exams |
| D．fight for a chance to learn Chinese |
| A．Forgotten Wisdom in America |
| B．Huge Fans of the Chinese Language |
| C．Chinese Culture for Westerners |
| D．Old Thinker with a Big Future |
| A．a personal biography | B．a history paper |
| C．a cultural newspaper | D．a philosophy textbook |
8 . Ride-sharing services are thought to help to reduce pollution since fewer people use private vehicles and cause carbon dioxide．However, a new study has found that these services result in much more pollution than other kinds of private and public transportation．Ride-sharing trips also draw passengers away from more environmentally-friendly methods of travel, like public transportation, walking or biking, the study found．
Several studies in recent years have suggested that ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft can worsen traffic problems in cities, which continue to have high rates of private vehicle ownership．
The new study, carried out by the nonprofit group Union of Concerned Scientists, represents an attempt to center on how ride-sharing services affect pollution．The research examined the effects of ride-sharing services on seven of America's largest cities．Overall, the researchers reported that ride-sharing trips now “result in about 69 percent more climate pollution on average than the trips they replace”．The study notes that the same passengers could have chosen to travel by bus, train, bike, scooter(小型摩托车)or on foot．
One of the big reasons they give for this result is that ride-sharing vehicles are often driven with no passengers in the car．This happens when drivers are either waiting for rider requests, are on the way to pick up passengers or are driving between pickups．
This situation, known as“deadheading” takes up about 42 percent of the ride-sharing driving activity, the study found．The researchers said that “deadheading” results in about 50 percent more carbon dioxide than one person driving in a private vehicle．
The study urges services like Uber and Lyft to increase the number of electric vehicles on the road and to improve connections to public transportation centers．The two companies already operate businesses that offer electric scooters and bikes and have begun to include public transportation information in their systems．In some cities, they have also promoted vehicle electrification．
1. According to the text, it is generally thought that car-sharing services _____________．| A．lower the price of private cars | B．guarantee a healthier lifestyle |
| C．greatly cut down travel expenses | D．are environmentally-friendly |
| A．The so-called “deadheading”． | B．The old way vehicles travel． |
| C．The huge number of passengers． | D．The unfamiliar ride-sharing trips． |
| A．It is opposed by ride-sharing services． | B．It is actually of practical significance． |
| C．It requires improving in the long term． | D．It earns much money for Uber and Lyft． |
| A．Travel． | B．Technology． | C．Economy． | D．Environment． |
9 . Scientists blame greenhouse gases for being a major cause of climate change around the world. This is because greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere and make the planet warmer.
Now, a team of researchers has announced a successful experiment that turned carbon dioxide into useful liquid fuel. The researchers created a device, called a reactor, which changes carbon dioxide into a pure form of formic acid(甲酸). Formic acid is a substance (物质) found in ants and some other insects, as well as in many plants. It is used as an antibacterial material and in the processing of some kinds of clothing.
Haotian Wang led the research team. He said in a statement that the results of the experiment were important because formic acid is a major carrier of energy. So, the substance can provide a way to reuse carbon dioxide and prevent it from being released into the atmosphere. “It's a fuel-cell fuel that can generate electricity and send out carbon dioxide which you can grab and recycle again,” Wang said.
“Other methods for turning carbon dioxide into formic acid require intense purification processes,” Wang said. Such methods are very costly and require a lot of energy. The Rice University team said it was able to reduce the number of steps in the traditional process to create a low-cost, energy-saving method.
The researchers reported the reactor device performed with a conversion rate (转化率) of 42 percent. This means that nearly half of the electrical energy can be stored in formic acid as liquid fuel. The team said the reactor was able to create formic acid continuously for 100 hours with little degradation (退化) of the device’s parts.
Wang said the reactor could easily be used to produce other high-value products, including alcohol-based fuels. The researchers noted that the technology could also be a big help in solving another major energy problem—how to store large amounts of power in small places.
1. What do we know about formic acid?| A．It is a large amount of power. | B．It is high- value equipment |
| C．It can be found in ants. | D．It is a substance in clothing. |
| A．Optimistic. | B．Aggressive. | C．Doubtful. | D．Uncaring. |
| A．A travel magazine. | B．A science magazine. |
| C．A music magazine. | D．A sports magazine. |
10 . Zhao Dehan is an official who is in charge of examining and approving (负责审批）many energy projects in the country. He is known for being honest and loyal. He lives in an old house, wears simple clothes, and cycles to work every day. However, Zhao is actually corrupt. He has hidden more than 200 million yuan in cash in his house!
When the money was found, Zhao broke down and cried out, “I didn’t even spend a single penny of it! I’m the son of two poor farmers. I’m not used to spending money.” However, he later said that he liked the smell of cash, and “seeing it was like seeing crops”.
Zhao and his story is just one of the shocking cases in the Chinese TV series In the Name of People. Based on a novel of the same name by Zhou Meisen, the series brings many stories of corruption to light.
The show has become popular among millions of people since its broadcast. It has been regarded as a great success in the media.
1. What does the underlined word“corrupt” in the first paragraph mean?| A．Popular among people. | B．Using power illegally. |
| C．Generous with money. | D．Mean to others. |
| A．is an official with little power | B．comes from a farmer’s family |
| C．is honest and loyal | D．loves the feeling of spending money |
a. It’s about Zhao Meisen’s life experiences.
b. It’s based on a novel by Zhou Meisen.
c. People think highly of the show.
d. It warns people not to be a politician.
| A．ab | B．bc |
| C．cd | D．ad |
| A．Entertainment | B．Sports |
| C．Advertisement | D．Education |
