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 . Top 4 Colleges Whose Graduates Earn the Most Money
Who says college isn’t worth it? Graduates of each of these 4 small colleges can look forward to cashing in when they hit the job market.
Amherst College: Amherst, Massachusetts
Average earnings: $82,000
Harvard may be the more selective and well-known university in the state, but it’s Amherst College’s graduates who are pulling in the salary. It’s known as one of the “Little Ivies”. Despite Amherst’s tiny size (2,000 undergraduates in total), its alumni (校友) network is well-connected and involved with the student body, which helps explain why graduates get top job opportunities.
Lafayette College: Easton, Pennsylvania
Average earnings: $81,000
Another Little Ivy, Lafayette College graduates about the same number of students as Amherst each year. Those graduates make nearly as much as Amherst graduates based on Zippia’s research. It’s entirely possible that Lafayette’s success in getting its graduates good jobs is that it’s one of the few liberal arts (文科) colleges of its size that also offer its students engineering degrees.
Helene Fuld College of Nursing: New York, NY
Average earnings: $79,300
Nurses are in very high demand, according to Indeed, and that demand is expected to remain strong. This contributes to the high pay offered to this nursing school’s graduates. So does its location in New York City, where salaries (and the cost of living) are higher.
Bates College: Lewiston, Maine
Average earnings: $75,700
Another small liberal arts college — and Little Ivy — Bates offers, among other things, a small teacher-to-student rate. It is also noted that Bates has one of the most beautiful campuses around, helping draw a highly driven student body.
1. What makes graduates from Amherst College get good jobs?| A．School location. | B．Help from schoolmates. |
| C．Tiny size of the college. | D．School recommendation. |
| A．They have to pay high tuition fees. | B．They need high living costs. |
| C．Nurses are greatly respected. | D．Nurses are in great need. |
| A．Similar earnings. | B．Beautiful campuses. |
| C．The same type of college. | D．The same number of students. |
| A．Fashion & Entertainment. | B．Military & Science. |
| C．Education & Culture. | D．Food & Nutrition. |
3 . 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. |
4 . Thanks to this new hands-free suitcase, carrying around heavy luggage may soon become a thing of the past. Designed by an Israeli company NUA Robotics, this “smart” suitcase will follow you everywhere you go.
The carry-on suitcase, currently a prototype, connects to a smart phone app via Bluetooth. It has a built-in camera sensor that can “see” you and follow you around on flat surfaces like airport floors. It comes with an anti-theft alarm to prevent someone carrying it away when you’re not looking and it has a backup battery that you can use to charge all your devices.
“It can follow and carry things for people around while communicating with their smart phone, and avoiding obstacles,” explained Alex Libman, founder of NUA Robotics. “We’re combining sensor network, computer vision, and robotics. So if you download our app, press the follow-me button, the luggage recognizes the specific user and knows to follow and communicate.”
NUA is still testing the device and trying to improve features like speed and customization, but they hope to make the suitcase available to customers in a year’s time. If it proves successful, they want to use the Bluetooth pairing technology to automate lots of other devices, like shopping carts at the supermarket. These devices are especially meant to be useful to the physically disabled and elderly. “Any object can be smart and robotic,” Libman said, “We want to bring robots into everyday life.”
The Israeli tech company made it clear that the finished product will look just like a regular suitcase. They’re planning to partner with a carry-on luggage maker, since the device that makes it “smart” weighs just 2.5 pounds and can be fitted on old-fashion luggage.
With NUA’s smart suitcase, carrying round heavy luggage isn’t a burden. But how their invention will handle tough obstacles like stairs? It will be interesting to wait.
1. According to the passage, the “smart” suitcase _______.| A．can go everywhere | B．is on sale now |
| C．can make our hands free during traveling | D．was designed by Alex Libman |
| A．It is an Israeli tech company producing mobile phones. |
| B．It has improved the features of the device. |
| C．It will make the suitcase available to customers in a month. |
| D．It wants to bring more smart and robotic devices into everyday life. |
| A．A text-book. | B．A website. | C．A biography. | D．A poster. |
5 .
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. |
| A．Attend a fitness class. | B．Pick tea leaves themselves. |
| C．Learn the history of the Ming Dynasty. | D．Admire ancient Chinese architecture. |
| A．An exhibition review | B．A travel website. |
| C．A hotel comment. | D．An official report. |
6 . PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
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Shipping Questions:
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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.
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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 |
| 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 |
| A．A webpage | B．A guide |
| C．A review | D．A newspaper |
7 . The English-language version of Wikipedia has almost six million articles. And if you’re a cheating student, that’s six million essays already written for you. But plagiarism isn’t really an effective way—just type the text into a search engine and the game is over. Then what about having a ghostwriter compose your final essay?
“Standard plagiarism software cannot detect this kind of cheating.” said Stephan Lorenzen, a data analyst at the University of Copenhagen. In Denmark, where he’s based, ghostwriting is a growing problem at high schools. So Lorenzen and his colleagues created a program called Ghostwriter that can detect the cheats.
At its central part is a neural network trained and tested on 130,000 real essays from 10,000 Danish students. After reading through tens of thousands of essays labeled as being written by the same author or not, the machine taught itself to possess the characteristics that might spot cheating. For example, did a student’s essays share the same styles of punctuation? The same spelling mistakes?
By examining inconsistencies like those, Ghostwriter was able to seek out a cheated essay nearly 90 percent of the time. The team presented the results at the European Meeting on Artificial Neural Networks, Computational Intelligence and Machine Learning. There’s one more aspect here that could help students. Your high school essays probably get better over time as you learn to write and the machine can detect that. The final idea is to detect students who are at risk because their development in writing style isn’t as you would expect. Teachers could thus give extra help to kids who really need it, while sniffing out the cheaters too.
1. When a student wants to cheat in writing an essay, ________.| A．his cheating may be detected in a certain way |
| B．essays offered by Wikipedia can’t be downloaded |
| C．he won’t hire a ghostwriter to write one for himself |
| D．ghostwriting can be detected by standard plagiarism software |
| A．Its components. | B．Its weaknesses. |
| C．Its influences. | D．Its working theory. |
| A．It never fails to find out a cheated essay. | B．It can detect a student’s progress in writing. |
| C．It can help a student to correct his pronunciation. | D．It can give extra help instead of teachers. |
| A．A guidebook. | B．A magazine. |
| C．A novel. | D．A diary. |
8 . Young trees don’t just grow; they develop a personality and learn more about their environment and how they should best behave in it. They also help each other out whenever there’s trouble.
Personality, just as among people, varies among trees. Some are anxious, some bold. On the author’s land, there are three oak trees growing close together. One of the oak trees always starts to shed its leaves two weeks earlier than the others. Since they all experience the same temperature, the same soil and the same length of day, such variables can’t be the explanation. So what’s happening? Well, this tree is simply more careful than the others. Whoever holds on to their leaves longer can do more photosynthesis(光合作用) and store more nutrients. However, the longer a tree keeps its leaves, the higher the risk of injury.
Not only do trees make their own decisions, they also learn from their mistakes. A tree, for example, keeping its leaves too long during one year will never make this mistake again. This leads to several other conclusions:trees must notice the temperature and the length of the day and be able to save their experiences somewhere. Obviously, trees don’t have brains, but it is thought that in the sensitive tips of their roots they keep track of information and experiences.
But trees aren’t only clever when it comes to caring for themselves. They also support each other whenever there’s trouble by giving warnings and even taking care of sick and weak conspecifics with nutrients. For example, one time the author found a very old tree stump. Its insides had rotted a long time ago to topsoil. But the wood on the outside of the stump was still living. How was this possible? Well, the stump was nourished by its neighbors with nutrients from the root system, and had been for at least 400 years!
Why do trees do such a thing？It’s simple: it’s better together. Trees need the forest; it protects them from storms, provides the right microclimate and warns them of attacks.
1. Why does the author mention the three oak trees?| A．To illustrate trees can learn from experiences. |
| B．To show trees can make independent decisions. |
| C．To explain trees are quite supportive to each other. |
| D．To prove trees have the same personalities as humans. |
| A．Anxious and bold. |
| B．Smart and adventurous. |
| C．Helpful and wellbehaved. |
| D．Adaptable and supportive. |
| A．Give warnings. | B．Offer assistance. |
| C．Depend on others. | D．Provide nutrients. |
| A．A public lecture. | B．A science book. |
| C．An experiment report. | D．A travel journal. |
9 . Organic food is very popular. It is also expensive. Some organic food costs twice as much as non-organic food, but new parents and pet owners are willing to pay up to 200% more for organic food. However, there are people who think it 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. In many countries organic foods have special labels. These guarantee that the products are natural.
Some people think organic means locally grown. Originally 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 ingredients, such as grain and cattle. 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 professionals disagree. Few studies prove that organic foods prevent health problems. Health specialists worry more about bacteria, such as E.coli and salmonella. These can get into contact with organic and non- organic food. Doctors recommend washing produce very carefully. Handling meat carefully is important too.
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. What is probably the major concern of organic food consumers?| A．Price. | B．Safety. |
| C．Freshness. | D．Variety. |
| A．Grow your own food. | B．Reduce the use of pesticides. |
| C．Make sure the food is clean. | D．Buy large companies’ products. |
| A．It tastes better. | B．It is easier to grow. |
| C．It contains more fat. | D．It is more nutritious. |
| A．A recipe book. | B．A chemistry paper. |
| C．A medical report. | D．A health magazine. |
10 . Maybe you pop vitamins supporting brainpower, or stock upon these foods that boost brain health. But new guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology suggest there's something better you can do to keep your mind sharp.
A quarter of adults aged 80 to 84 experience mild cognitive (认知的) impairment, according to AAN. To address the widespread problem, a group of neurologists and Alzheimer's (阿尔兹海默氏症的) specialists went through existing studies to define the best ways to prevent and treat cognitive decline-and you might be surprised by what they included and what they didn't.
Surprisingly, the AAN guidelines don't include any medication (药物) or dietary recommendations. The authors stress that there haven't been any high-quality, long-term studies finding foods or medication can help cognitive decline. The guidelines also say doctors can consider suggesting cognitive training to patients with memory loss but not to rely on it. So far, the report's authors say the evidence is too inconclusive to say for sure if brain exercises, like memory and attention training or problem solving for everyday issues associated with memory loss, are beneficial. Still, these morning brain exercises can't do any harm.
But there was one big discovery from the new guidelines: Exercising just twice a week could improve cognitive decline. One study showed adults with mild cognitive impairment who did resistance training twice a week scored better on executive function and associative (联想的) memory tests than a group that worked on balancing, stretching, and relaxing.
What's more, another study had older adults attend either biweekly health classes or sessions of aerobics, strength training, balance exercises, and multitasking training. Six months later, the ones who'd exercised regularly scored better on cognitive health and memory tests, plus had less brain shrinkage.
AAN now recommends doctors tell patients with memory loss to exercise twice a week to keep their minds sharp. This is the best time to exercise if you want to improve your memory. It looks like you've got just one more reason to clear time in your schedule for a workout — even if it's only on the weekends.
1. What does the underlined word ''impairment'' in paragraph 2 refer to?| A．Error. | B．Decline. | C．Development. | D．Presence. |
| A．strength training | B．resistance training |
| C．exercises twice a week | D．brain exercise |
| A．Daily exercises are beneficial to Alzheimer. |
| B．The AAN guidelines attach importance to workout. |
| C．Medication is of significance in the AAN guidelines. |
| D．Stocking up on vitamins supporting brainpower means nothing. |
| A．Exercise. | B．Entertainment. | C．Science | D．Health |
