1 .

Building a better tree house — TREEHOTEL HARADS, SWEDEN Tree houses aren’t generally equal to splendor(壮丽). But the seven cabins at Sweden’s Treehotel could easily give The Swiss Family Robinson a run for its money. To begin with, the outside is extraordinary: one resembles a UFO, another resembles a bird’s nest, and the bottom of the latest cabin — named the 7th Room     — features a life –size photograph of the canopy(天蓬似的树荫) view. Inside, the cabins are equipped with fashionable, minimalist furniture and comfortable lounge areas. Although some guests may have to travel to a separate facility to shower, fans argue that that’s a small sacrifice to make for a one-of-a-kind camping experience.

An ancient forest reborn — AMANYANGYUN, SHANGHAI When Chinese businessman Ma Dadong discovered that a forest of ancient camphor trees would be destroyed in China’s Jiangxi Province, he undertook a mission to relocate thousands of them to the outskirts of Shanghai — 700 km away — where they now surround 24 Ming Dynasty style suites and several villas (别墅) at Amanyangyun, which opened in January, 2018. It also nods to the past, making use of recycled wood and brick from centuries –old homes. Facilities include a club lounge, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a spa and a variety of luxurious dining spaces, including a 200 – seat banquet hall. Calligraphy (书法) lessons and tea ceremonies are available to help guests feel part of “this monumental story”.

1. What does the author say about the Treehotel?

A．It is a seven-story building.	B．It has an in-built shower.
C．It has unique design features.	D．It is expensively decorated inside.

2. What can guests do in Amanyangyun?

A．Attend a fitness class.	B．Pick tea leaves themselves.
C．Learn the history of the Ming Dynasty.	D．Admire ancient Chinese architecture.

3. From which is the text probably taken?

A．An exhibition review	B．A travel website.
C．A hotel comment.	D．An official report.

2 . Fungi(菌类) are a group of organisms that have no leaves or flowers. In fact, fungi do not even share the green color that most other plants display. Scientists say that there are over 1.5 million different species of fungi in the world. One interesting thing is that they often interact with other organisms in order to survive. These relationships are at times beneficial to both organisms. Other times, the fungus benefits without causing harm to the other organism.

At first, many gardeners would be concerned to know that their plants were colonized (聚居) by a fungus. This is because some fungi can cause plants to die. In fact, the Irish Potato Famine was caused by a fungus that killed entire crops of potatoes. However, many plants actually depend on certain types of fungi to stay fit. The reason for this has to do with how fungi gain food. Unlike green plants, fungi cannot make their own food. They must absorb minerals from the soil, and when they do this, they draw the nutrients closer to the roots of the plant, so the plant is able to use them as well. The fungus also benefits from this relationship. Using the minerals from the soil, as well as sunlight, the plant is able to produce sugar and other nutrients: Then the fungus absorbs the nutrients from plant roots and uses them to survive.

Still, for some fungus species, contact with other organisms is essential. And though the fungi do not provide any benefits for the other organism, they do not harm it either. One example of this is a species called pilobolus. This fungus relies on other animals to help it reproduce. The pilobolus grows in animal waste. When it becomes mature (成熟的), it shoots its spores (孢子) away from the waste pile. The spores land in the grass where there are cows. The spores are eaten by the animal but do not grow while inside the stomach. They travel through the body of the animal until they are passed in another area, where they continue to grow.

1. What does the underlined word “they” in Paragraph 1 refer to?

A．Organisms.

B．Scientists.

C．Species.

D．Fungi.

2. What can we conclude from Paragraph 2?

A．Fungi can make their own food.

B．Fungi can’t survive without plants.

C．Fungi neither benefit nor harm plants.

D．Fungi are sometimes dangerous for crops.

3. Why does the author mention cows in the last paragraph?

A．To show how fungi can be harmful.

B．To prove that fungi can be found anywhere.

C．To explain how a type of fungus reproduces.

D．To give an example of animals that eat fungi.

4. From which is the text probably taken?

A．A biology textbook.	B．An animal magazine.
C．A research paper.	D．A finance report.

3 . Organic food is very popular. It is also expensive. Some organic food costs twice as much as nonorganic food. Some parents and pet owners pay up to 200 percent more for organic food while some people think organic food is a waste of money.

There is one main difference between organic and non-organic food. Organic farms do not use agricultural chemicals, such as pesticides (杀虫剂). This makes sure that the products are natural.

Some people think “organic” means “locally grown”. At the beginning, this was true. Over time organic farming became more difficult. The demand for organic food grew larger than the supply. Small companies had to sell out to large companies. There weren’t enough organic materials. This made it difficult for many organic companies to stay in business. Today, many large companies have an organic line of products.

Is organic food more nutritious? This is part of the debate. Many farmers and consumers believe it is. They think agricultural chemicals cause health problems, such as cancer. Many health experts disagree. Few studies prove that organic food prevents health problems. Health experts worry more about bacteria. These can come into contact with organic and non-organic food. Doctors recommend washing produce very carefully.

Most people agree that naturally grown food tastes better. Is tastier food worth the extra money? This is a matter of opinion. Whether it is healthier or not may require more research. However, organic consumers argue it is better to be safe than sorry.

1. Which is the NOT the advantage of organic food for most people?

A．safe.

B．cheap.

C．healthy.

D．tasty.

2. What is the doctors’ suggestion?

A．Reduce the use of pesticides．	B．Wash the food very carefully．
C．Grow organic food on your own.	D．Buy large companies’ products．

3. Which of the following problems about organic food do people debate on?

A．It is more nutritious.	B．It tastes better．
C．It contains more fat．	D．It has more bacteria．

4. Where does this text probably come from?

A．A chemistry paper．	B．A restaurant menu.
C．An advertisement．	D．A health magazine.

4 . 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.

2. What is Wang’s attitude towards his own research?

A．Optimistic.

B．Aggressive.

C．Doubtful.

D．Uncaring.

3. In what magazine can you read this text?

A．A travel magazine.	B．A science magazine.
C．A music magazine.	D．A sports magazine.

5 . 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.

2. We can infer from the TV series that Zhao Dehan__________.

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

3. Which of the following statements are TRUE about the TV series?
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

4. In which section can the passage be found in a newspaper?

A．Entertainment	B．Sports
C．Advertisement	D．Education

6 . Most of the sandstorms that had swept China last year originated from foreign land, a Chinese official in charge of desertification control said Monday. And the invasions (入侵) could partly explain the frequent sandstorms in the country in recent years despite its achievements in desertification control.

Since the start of last spring, the north and northwestern Chinese regions had been hit by 17 sandstorms, of which, a dozen came from foreign land.

Situated in the central-Asia sandstorm region, one of the world’s four largest sandstorm sources, China also suffers from sandstorms from outside the country while being blamed as a sand source to northeast Asia. The other three major sources are in Africa, North America and Australia.

The land suffering from desertification has been decreasing by 7,585 sq.km annually in China, and the area of sandy land has also been falling by 1,284 sq.km a year.

The shrinkage (收缩) forms a clear contrast to the fact that the land suffering from desertification and sandy feature was added by 10,400 sq.km and 3,436 sq.km late last century, respectively.

Currently, the desertification land in China makes up 2.64 million sq.km, accounting for 27.46 percent of the nation’s land, and its sandy land totals 1.74 million sq.km, accounting for 18.1 percent of the country’s total.

1. What does the underlined word “decreasing” mean in Paragraph 4?

A．Going up.	B．Going down.
C．Coming from.	D．Taking up.

2. Where do most of the sandstorms in China come from?

A．The northern Chinese regions.

B．The northwestern Chinese regions.

C．Foreign countries.

D．The western part of China.

3. Which of the following is believed to be the sand source to northeast Asia?

A．China.	B．Africa.
C．Mongolia.	D．Australia.

4. In a magazine,the passage may be found in the column of                 .

A．entertainment	B．health
C．education	D．environment

7 . Auckland University Online Education — What to Expect

Most Auckland University (AU) online programs are 100 percent online so that students do not come to the school campus. Instead, AU has designed a media-rich, easy-to-use learning environment through a Learning Management System (LMS).

• Discipline

With disciplined work habits, you are likely to succeed as an online student. It is up to you to log on to your course and meet your own deadlines.

• Time Management

In order to earn competitive grades, plan on spending a minimum of 20-25 hours a week on each course. AU courses operate on a seven-week schedule, with start dates in January, March, May, July, September and November. Students are able to complete two courses per semester by taking one seven-week course at a time.

• Professional Connections

Many of the AU faculty who teach online have connections to industry, so the online learning environment ensures access to diverse expertise and practice. It includes an extensive network of professionals in a variety of industries.

“I work as an IT manager. And right from the very beginning, every class I took was relevant to what I was doing at work. The wide range of courses gave me a strong foundation for my career development.”

— Jim Heilman, Computer Information Systems graduate

• Technology

It goes without saying that technology plays a vital role in online learning. You will need a high-speed Internet connection and basic computer skills. For specifics, please click here to visit our Technology page.

1. How long does it take to complete one course?

A．Seven weeks.	B．One semester.
C．Several months.	D．At least 20-25 hours.

2. What is the purpose of mentioning Jim Heilman?

A．To recognize an excellent graduate.

B．To set a good example to other learners.

C．To prove benefits of professional connections.

D．To show effective methods of online learning.

3. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A course brochure.	B．A college website.
C．An academic magazine.	D．A local newspaper.

8 . PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Improve your health starting with your next meal. Scientists have recently discovered that many foods have true medicinal qualities. Their amazing findings give weight to the phrase, "You are what you eat.”

If you have ever wondered exactly what a well-balanced diet includes and how to put it together, this book is for you. In Recipes & Remedies （疗法）,you find delicious recipes and meal plans that make great nutrition easy.

You'll also get advice on treating common conditions with food. In addition to 2 weeks of healthful and delicious seasonal recipes, you will also find:

•Practical remedies to help you manage blood sugar

•Diet patterns that may help prevent and fight cancer

•Simple non-drug approaches to lowering cholesterol （胆固醇）

•Foods to help control blood pressure

•Easy remedies to ease stomachache

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Shipping Questions:

Not in a hurry? If you prefer to pay less money for shipping, you can order by mail. Send your check for the price of the book plus S3 for Media Mail shipping to:

Graedon Enterprises. Inc.

PO Box 52027

Durham. NC 27717-2027

Product Reviews

CHRISTINE   FROM NJNEW   JERSEY     FEBRUARY 17.2017                  5*****

I purchased this book about four years ago and wanted to tell you that my FAVORITE recipe is the Butternut Squash and Apple Soup. I look forward to tall when butternut squash and apples are in season so I can make this soup.

JANE     ST. LOUIS. MO                       JULY 4, 2016                                5*****

I eat a guacamole sandwich everyday on pumpernickel bread and it's not only delicious but I feel it's healthy and I have gained NO weight.

1. What is the passage intended for?

A．describing a product in detail	B．sharing comments about a book
C．advertising a book for sale	D．giving advice on food and recipes

2. What advice can you find in Recipes & Remedies?

A．how to go on a diet to keep healthy	B．how to keep fit through good diet
C．how to use food to cure cancer	D．how to take drugs to relieve pains

3. Where does the passage come from?

A．A webpage	B．A guide
C．A review	D．A newspaper

9 . London is great. It’s great. Rome and Paris are also fine places, but I knew as soon as we landed in London, this was the finest of the three.

There are only two small things that I don’t like about London. First of all, everyone speaks English here. I had so much fun in Rome and Paris. There I could speak in foreign languages. In a word, I made a lot of friends. But here everybody can understand me. I don’t have any reason to start up a conversation with a stranger. And speaking of restaurants---- that is the other problem with London. The food here is not good at all! I haven’t had one good meal in the three days since we were here.

Since you asked me to write to you about everything I learned on this trip, here is what I’ve learned about London.

London’s population of eleven million makes it the second largest city in the world. It is bigger than New York but not as big as Tokyo. London is twice the size of New York. It has an area of 620 square miles!

The Thames River runs right through the center of the city. Someone once called the Thames “liquid history”. It is a very good name. Dozens of armies have crossed it over the past few thousand years. One of the first was the army of Julius Caesar two thousand years ago.

So far I have only had time to visit one neighbor-hood. It is called Bloomsbury. In fact there is a group of writers known as the Bloomsbury Group. It got its name because so many of them lived there. Virginia Woolf was one of them. I know how much you like her novels.

Baker Street is also part of Bloomsbury. Do you remember who once lived on Baker Street?when I asked Bob this question, he answered , “ A man who baked bread, right? Sherlock Holmes, of course, but I won’t have time to find his address. Maybe you will when you come.

1. We can learn from the first two paragraphs that ____________.

A．It is more difficult to begin a conversation in English in London than in any languages

B．The writer had made trips to Italy and France before he came to England

C．Of all the meals the writer has had in London, only one he thinks is good enough

D．The writer hates to talk to strangers who can speak English

2. According to the text, who once lived on Baker Street?

A．A man who baked bread.

B．Sherlock Holmes.

C．A group of writers

D．A friend of the writer’s

3. Where is the text most probably taken from?

A．letter	B．A diary
C．A guidebook	D．A business report

10 . NASA has big plans for returning astronauts to the moon in 2024, a stepping stone on the path to sending humans to Mars. But where should the first people on the Red Planet land? While there are lots of places on Mars scientists would like to visit, few would make practical landing sites for astronauts. Thanks to the researchers, their newly-published paper in Geophysical Research Letters will help by providing a map of water ice believed to be as little as an inch (2. 5 centimeters) below the surface.

Water ice will be a key consideration for any potential landing site. With little room to spare aboard a spacecraft, any human missions to Mars will have to harvest what’s already available for drinking water. Liquid water can’t last in the thin air of Mars. With so little air pressure, it turns from a solid to a gas when exposed to the atmosphere. On this planet, water ice is locked away underground. Buried water ice changes the temperature of the Martian surface, so the study’s authors relied on heat-sensitive instruments to find ice that astronauts could easily dig up. The authors of the new paper make use of data from spacecrafts to locate water ice that could potentially be within reach of astronauts on the Red Planet.

The paper’s lead author, Sylvain Piqueux of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California said, ‘‘We’re continuing to collect data on buried ice on Mars, aiming to find the best places for astronauts to land.” Piqueux is planning a comprehensive campaign to continue studying buried ice across different seasons, watching how the abundance of this resource changes over time.

1. What’s the benefit of the study?

A．To produce a map of the surface of Mars.

B．To help decide where to land on Mars.

C．To speed up the harvest of ice deep inside Mats.

D．To arouse attention to seasonal changes on Mars.

2. Why is water ice important for any landing site?

A．Because it is the source of power.

B．Because water only exists in the form of solid on Mars.

C．Because it can serve as drinking water.

D．Because astronauts are too busy to collect pure water.

3. How can heat-sensitive instruments tell the location of buried ice?

A．By measuring the surface temperature of Mars.

B．By digging up the surface of Mars.

C．By collecting the data of rocket fuel.

D．By calculating the amount of liquid in the air.

4. In which section of a website may this text appear?

A．Education.	B．Travel.
C．Sport.	D．Technology.