1 . Want to know what we can do to help make our city a better place to live in? Why not take part in “Clean & Green weekend”? Join us, and you can make new friends and help protect the environment at the same time.
Park Life
Do you like playing and relaxing in the park with your friends? If so, why not take the chance to come with us and tidy up the park when you go? To add some fun, there is a gift for the person who collects the most rubbish! Meet us at the south entrance to Taohe Park at 9 a.m. next Saturday if you want to join in.
The Air You Breathe
A great way to make the air we breathe cleaner is by planting lots of trees！It is a fact that trees slowly filter (过滤) a lot of pollutants (污染物) from the air. So come and help us plant some new ones in Fenhe Park at 2 p.m. next Sunday.
War on Graffiti(涂鸦)
Some people think graffiti is cool. Well, it is not! The best way to stop buildings from becoming totally covered in ugly graffiti is to fix it as soon as possible. And that is exactly what we are going to do. We are repainting the school walls from 1 p.m. on Saturday. You don’t have to bring any tools, just remember to wear some old clothes!
1. The main purpose of “Clean & Green Weekend” is to ________.| A．have a nice weekend | B．offer the chance to have fun |
| C．help students meet old friends | D．make our city more beautiful |
| A．draw pictures well | B．bring some tools with us |
| C．wear some old clothes | D．wear some new clothes |
| A．on a school notice board | B．in a fashion magazine |
| C．in a travelling magazine | D．on a hospital notice board |
2 . Animal rights activists respect animals because they understand animals have a place in the world. Zoos, especially the ones that are doing everything right, become a headache for the animal rights activists.
Zoo supporters argue that they save endangered species and educate the public, but many animal rights activists believe the costs are more than the benefits, and the violation(违反) of the rights of the individual animals is unreasonable. Roadside zoos, petting zoos, and smaller animal exhibitors tend to offer narrow space for the animals, keeping them in pens or cages. Sometimes, a tiger or bear will live with cold concrete（混凝土）and metal bars for their entire lives. Larger, trusted zoos try to avoid these operations by offering excellent treatment to the animals. However, to animal rights activists, the problem is not how well the animals are treated, but whether we have a right to limit (限制）them for our delight or “education”.
To zoo supporters, by bringing people and animals together, zoos educate the public and promote an appreciation of the animals, encouraging people to protect the animals. Zoos save endangered species by bringing them into a safe environment, where they are protected from poachers(偷猎者), habitat loss, hunger, and predators(捕食者). Many zoos also have various programs for endangered species. In the wild, these individuals might have trouble finding mates and multiplying(繁殖). A good zoo provides an enriched habitat in which the animals are never bored, are well cared for, and have plenty of space. Besides, zoos are a tradition, and a visit to a zoo is a healthy, family activity.
In the case of zoos, both sides—animal rights activists and zoo supporters will argue that their side saves animals. Whether or not zoos benefit the animal community, they certainly do make money. As long as there is need for zoos, they will continue to exist. We can start by making sure that conditions are the best possible for the animals who are limited to zoos.
1. Which of the following statements do the zoo supporters agree with?| A．Zoos can offer all the animals foods when they are in trouble. |
| B．Zoos give people more chances to educate animals. |
| C．Zoos enable animals to live longer without any sickness. |
| D．Zoos can protect animals and provide room for educating. |
| A．Zoos will be improved. |
| B．Zoos will have no place in the world. |
| C．Zoos will hold fewer animals. |
| D．Zoos will not make profits. |
| A．Endangered species in zoos. | B．Arguments for and against zoos. |
| C．Zoos’ advantages and disadvantages. | D．People and animals in zoos. |
| A．A science book. | B．A news report. |
| C．A travel brochure. | D．A book review. |
3 . Renewable energy projects, including onshore and offshore wind and solar farms, have so far been subsidized（资助）by government support schemes. This has led to some to complain that clean energy is pushing up bills.
However, the most recently approved offshore wind projects will most likely operate with ‘negative subsidies’—paying money back to the government. The money will go towards reducing household energy bills as the offshore wind farms start producing power in the mid-2020s.
This is the conclusion of an analysis by an international team led by Imperial College London researchers published today in Nature Energy.
Lead researcher Dr Malte Jansen, from the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial, said: “Offshore wind power will soon be so cheap to produce that it will undercut fossil-fueled power stations and may, be the cheapest form of energy for the UK. Energy subsidies used to push up energy bills, but within a few years cheap renewable energy will see them brought down for the first time. This is an astonishing development.”
The analysis for five countries in Europe, including the UK, focused on a series of government auctions（拍卖）for offshore wind farms between February 2015 and September 2019. Companies that want to build wind farms bid in the auctions by stating the price at which they will sell the energy they produce to the government.
These are known as ‘contracts for difference’ or CIDs. If a company's bid is higher than the wholesale electricity price on the UK market once the wind farm is up and running, then the company will receive a subsidy from the government to top up the price.
However, if the stated price（规定价格）is less than the wholesale price, then the company will pay the government back the difference. This payback is then passed through to consumer's energy bills, reducing the amount that homes and businesses will pay for electricity.
The winning companies said they could build new offshore wind farms for around £40 per megawatt hour（MWh）of power. This was a new record set by these wind farms with bids 30 percent lower than just two years earlier.
1. What does the passage mainly talk about?| A．Offshore wind farms to be built in the UK could reduce household energy bills by producing electricity very cheaply. |
| B．Offshore wind farms will not be subsidized by government in the near future. |
| C．The importance of CDs. |
| D．The operation of negative subsidies |
| A．will stop producing power in the mid-2020s | B．are paying money back to the government |
| C．will help reduce household energy bills | D．will all operate with negative subsidies' |
| A．The renewable energy projects will lead to some to complain that clean energy is pushing up bills. |
| B．The company whose bid is less than the wholesale electricity price will receive a subsidy. |
| C．The stated electricity price is now higher than the wholesale electricity price. |
| D．Fossil-fueled power will be soon produced cheaply, |
| A．Curious. | B．Pessimistic. | C．Indifferent. | D．Optimistic. |
| A．A science fiction. | B．A financial magazine. |
| C．An advertisement | D．A science report |
4 . When Kirk Alexander went missing for 11 days, an unlikely savior came to his rescue： his neighborhood pizza store.
Almost every night for more than ten years. Kirk Alexander, 48, of Salem, Oregon ordered a late dinner from his local Domino's pizza store. He had no signature order. Sometimes he would call for a salad, sometimes a pie, sometimes chicken wings. The only sure thing for the staff of the Silverton Road Domino's was that they would see Alexander's name show up on their online ordering site sometime between 11 p. m. and midnight several times a week.
Until suddenly, for nearly two weeks at the end of April 2016, they didn't.
It was a slow Saturday night on May 7th when Domino's general manager Sarah Fuller felt she could no longer ignore Alexander's recent absence.
“I went and looked up to see how long it had been since he last ordered,” Fuller told KATU. com. “It was 11 days, which was not like him at all.”
Fuller knew Alexander worked from home, and neighbors said he rarely left. She also knew that he had suffered some health issues in the past. Something, Fuller worried, was wrong.
Around 1 a. m. on Sunday. May 8, Fuller sent longtime delivery driver Tracey Hamblen to stop in at Alexander's home. Hamblen approached Alexander's door as he had countless times before and knocked. He could plainly see that Alexander's TV set was on, as were his lights; but after several minutes, Alexander still didn't answer the door.
Hamblen rushed back to the store to relay the upsetting developments to Fuller. She encouraged Hamblen to dial 911. Soon, officers were on their way.
When deputies from the Marion County Sheriff's office arrived at Alexander's house, they heard a man “calling for help from inside the residence, deputies said. They broke the door down, and found Alexander on the floor in need of immediate medical attention. One day later, and they might have been too late.
Alexander was rushed to Salem Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition shortly after the dramatic rescue. In the following weeks, Fuller, Hamblen, and other store employees went to visit him with flowers and cards, noting that Alexander greeted them with knowing smiles.
1. How did Fuller sense that something was wrong?| A．She knew Alexander had serious health problems. |
| B．Alexander hadn't ordered chicken wings for nearly 2 weeks. |
| C．Alexander had never before broken his routine in the store for 10 years. |
| D．Alexander had disappeared from the store's ordering system for about 2 weeks. |
| A．Hamblen was fond of knocking at Alexander's door. |
| B．Hamblen was more than an acquaintance to Alexander. |
| C．Every time Hamblen arrived at Alexander's house, he would knock first. |
| D．When Hamblen had enough time in the past, he would go to Alexander's house. |
| A．Life. | B．Technology. | C．Healthy. | D．Entertainment. |
| A．Born in distress, die in peace | B．Details determine success or failure |
| C．Even the wise are not always free from error | D．Better late than never |
5 . Healthy, shiny hair is an attainable goal for many people. What you eat can bring luster and strength back to your hair. A balanced diet filled with so-called superfoods like certain fruits and oils treat your hair from the inside out.
Oils
The omega-3 fatty acids in eggs, walnuts, and fatty fish like salmon help make hair shiny. These oils can also be obtained through some vegetable oils or flaxseed oil, but are found in higher amounts in oily fish and eggs. The protein in these foods also helps hair grow strong and healthy. Also found in eggs are B12 and biotin, both of which are essential for healthy skin, nails, and hair.
Avocado
Avocados contain high amounts of vitamin E. Only 2 ounce of a medium-size avocado contains 8 percent of your daily recommended intake of vitamin E. If you don’t like to actually eat avocado, you can make an avocado mask to put on your hair. Vitamin E helps to keep your hair color bright and prevents split ends.
Coconut Oil
The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are used differently by your body than other saturated fats. An added benefit of coconut oil is its ability to make your hair shiny and healthy. Use coconut oil to cook your chicken or seafood, add it to your salad, or put it directly on your hair as a mask. Coconut oil’s anti-fungal agents also help protect against and treat dandruff and other scalp problems.
Vitamin C Fruits
Fruits high in vitamin C, such as oranges, peaches, pineapples, strawberries, and kiwi - help maintain healthy hair and fight against free-radical damage from the environment to protect your hair against pollutants. Make sure to eat lots of fruits high in vitamin C. You can also apply the juices of these fruits directly to your hair by mixing it into your shampoo.
1. According to the passage, eggs contain a lot of essential nutrients needed by healthy hair EXCEPT ________.| A．biotin. | B．flaxseed oil. | C．B12. | D．omega-3 fatty acids. |
| A．Avocados are rich in Vitamin E, which helps keep your hair brightly coloured. |
| B．Oranges are rich in Vitamin C, which protects your hair from pollutants. |
| C．To have healthy shiny hair, you can either eat superfoods or apply them to your hair. |
| D．Coconut oil is high in saturated fats and sugar, which can help treat scalp problems. |
| A．Beauty and skin care. | B．Life and society. |
| C．Food around the world. | D．News abroad. |
6 . From this issue, we explore why the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute hasn't turned up anything since its founding in the 1980s. (See page 30 for more.) We asked our Facebook followers: Do you think that astronomers will find evidence of alien life in your lifetime?
Loran McCormick: 1 think they already have it. Judging by the sudden industrialization, I figure they found something that's probably been here since before humans walked the Earth.
Jens Avery: We may find life, but it may not want anything to do with us. We are not very advanced and can't even get along with each other.
Steven Buhrow: I think the more important question is — will any government ever publicly admit it in our lifetime? I fully believe that we could discover alien life today and the government would simply say the public is not ready for this information.
Jenna Walsh: I think we already see it, but just don't realize what it is. Intelligent alien life probably doesn't want anything to do with the disaster that is Earth at this point, so no doubt they're playing it safe and observing from a safe distance.
Christopher Harvey: By alien life, do you mean intelligent alien life? Then no. It would be extremely hard to find, short of them coming down to Earth. But if you mean unintelligent alien life, like bacteria or single cell, we might.
1. Why did we ask the Facebook followers the question?| A．To question the efficiency of SETI. |
| B．To confirm the appearance of aliens on earth. |
| C．To ensure the existence of aliens. |
| D．To complain about the failure to find aliens. |
| A．Loran McCormick. | B．Steven Buhrow. |
| C．Jenna Walsh. | D．Christopher Harvey. |
| A．An album. | B．A science fiction. |
| C．A magazine. | D．A travel guide. |
7 . Broken Hill was recently awarded one of Australia’s rare National Heritage (遗产) listings, but is that reason enough to make the journey?
Broken Hill, in western New South Wales, is hardly up there as a place of interest of international reputation(名声). It’s miles from anywhere, boiling hot and lacks the more attractive elements that often make a place popular---for example, beautiful beaches, great accommodation(膳宿). But Broken Hill’s reputation is growing with its recent National Heritage Listing award.
We asked Broken Hill mayor to tell us what makes Broken Hill so great. These are some reasons he gave us to visit :
Perfect light
Broken Hill offers breathtaking scenery to discover and explore. The lively colours and perfect light have attracted film-makers and artists here for decades. From the wonders of the day comes an amazing light show at night.
The locals
We are always happy to greet people from “away”. In fact we love it when people come to town to visit. We are a friendly people who make you feel welcome. And we are pretty proud of our city.
The Palace Hotel
The home of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and just a great Broken Hill iconic(标志性的) pub. You can star in your own movie in the centre of town. It is a world-famous landmark and a good water hole for those nice warm days.
The living desert and sculptures
Located 9 km from the city, Broken Hill features 12 sandstone sculptures by artists from around the world as well as local artist Badger Bates. It displays the breathtaking beauty of the real outback (内地).
1. What is the real purpose of writing this passage?| A．To encourage readers to pay a visit to Broken Hill. |
| B．To explain the causes of awarding Broken Hill. |
| C．To list the reasons for Broken Hill’s greatness. |
| D．To express the author’s pride for Broken Hill’s award. |
| A．Its friendly local people. | B．Its Palace Hotel. |
| C．Its National Heritage Listing Award. | D．Its sandstone sculptures. |
| A．Traditional food and friendly locals | B．Pleasant climate and perfect light |
| C．Beautiful beaches and lively sculptures | D．Splendid Hotel and friendly locals |
| A．World news | B．Fashion show | C．Art | D．Travel |
8 . The computer is a powerful tool. With it, teachers can improve the classroom experience in a variety of ways. But misuse of the computer will probably result in disadvantages.
To investigate the way technology is being used in our school district, I recently spoke with Jeanine Lowell, who teaches social studies at Lake Town Middle School. Mrs. Lowell informed me that computers have helped to increase students’ motivation and prepare them for life in a technological society. “These kids are probably going to be using some kind of computer system when they graduate from high school,” Lowell noted. “It’s important that we provide a proper introduction to them in the classroom.” Lowell also observed that the computers have made it easier to promote different areas of learning, so that students can work on a project or topic that relates to more than one subject.
With all of these benefits, however, come a few shortcomings. Although Mrs. Lowell has nearly wallpapered her room with warnings that state: “The computer is NOT A TOY”, not everyone in the class agrees with this idea. Some students get easily distracted (分心) by the internet and are quite good at making it look as if they are doing work when they are really checking their email or watching videos. “You’ve got to be three steps ahead,” she told me, “if you want to stay on top of what they’re actually doing on the computer.”
Some schools use some type of blocking software to ensure that students cannot access improper sites at school. More complex programs use a server-based, network-wide program instead of software that runs on personal computers. Research has shown that in a way these server-based blocking programs provide better security, because some students can disable the software on a personal computer.
However, there is no replacement for the watchful eye of a good teacher like Jeanine Lowell. There are also no electronic cure-alls for any of education’s many challenges. Technology is a useful tool, but that is all it is: a tool.
1. Where is this passage most likely from?| A．A newspaper. | B．An advertisement. |
| C．A novel. | D．A diary. |
| A．Improved motivation in the classroom. |
| B．Opportunities for learning across different subjects. |
| C．Increased preparation for the future use in the workplace. |
| D．Convenience of sharing ideas with people living across the globe. |
| A．post warning signs throughout the classroom |
| B．use blocking software on personal computers |
| C．monitor what students do on the computers carefully |
| D．use server-based software programs on personal computers |
| A．It does more harm than good. |
| B．It is only supported by experts. |
| C．It contributes to teaching in some way. |
| D．It is more beneficial to teachers than students. |
9 . Do you remember the last time you received a postcard? The UK’s family-owned oldest postcard firm, which has been publishing postcards and calendars since 1880, will close this December. The reason? It says instead of penning a card, people are putting photos up on Facebook or Instagram or using WhatsApp to show friends and family at home just how much fun they’re having.
If you get a postcard from someone who’s away somewhere, it’s as much the thought that they’ve gone through the hassle (麻烦) of choosing a postcard, working out where to get a stamp from, finding a postbox and then the postcard making that journey through to you. That’s the value of the postcard. But that time has gone.
Brothers Charles and Harry Salmon, the fifth generation of the family to run the firm, said the popularity of social media had had a huge impact on the business. People are also tending to take shorter holidays, meaning they are likely to have arrived home long before their postcards. As a result the business was no longer viable.
“Increasingly challenging trading conditions and changes to the nature and size of the market for its publications have resulted in uncertainty over the future of its trade,’’ the brothers wrote in a letter to suppliers and newsagents.
As a result they were announcing a proposal to withdraw from publishing. The number of postcards sold each year is reported to have seen a sharp decline to about five million from 20 million just 25 years ago. But the firm said that as well as the drop in the number of postcards sent, “we have also had to consider that there are no more members of the family who wish to join the business.”
1. What’s the value of sending a postcard?| A．It’s a symbol of sympathy. | B．It’s a journey of love. |
| C．It’s an act of patience. | D．It’s a way of passing time. |
| A．likely to exist. | B．worthy of praise. |
| C．short of money. | D．possible to change. |
| A．UK’s oldest postcard firm set to close. |
| B．Postcard industry booming in the future. |
| C．UK’s postcard firm through a tough time. |
| D．Postcard industry needing support to survive. |
| A．A book review. | B．A business column. |
| C．A hi-tech advertisement. | D．A finance report. |
10 . The 15-day Spring Festival is the biggest holiday of the year for many Chinese to leave from their jobs to travel home and see their loved ones. But along with gathering come a lot of traditions aimed at making sure the year ahead is lucky and happy.
Here are some key dos and don’ts that many Chinese follow before and after the Lunar New Year.
DOs
Set off fireworks
The more fireworks or firecrackers you set off, the better.
Not only do you light up the night sky with a symphony of color, but the loud banging sounds are thought to scare off evil spirits.
Eat dumplings
Eating dumplings is a popular tradition in northern China because dumplings not only taste good but also look like pieces of gold.
Clean your home
Sweep, mop, vacuum, steam-do anything and everything to make sure your home is clean before the midnight on Lunar New Year eve. The aim here is to free your home from any bad luck that’s accumulated over the past year.
DON’Ts
Wash or cut your hair
Leave your hair as it is on the first day of the New Year.
The Chinese character for hair is the same first character in the word for prosperity(发达).
This means washing or cutting it off is seen as washing your fortune away.
Clean post-New Year
Cleaning of any kind on the first day is strictly forbidden.
You clean your home to avoid any bad luck before the New Year - now you want to be sure not to wipe, sweep or wash away any of the good luck that arrives after midnight.
Buy books
It’s bad luck to buy them during the 15-day Spring Festival.
The Chinese word for "book" (shū) sounds exactly the same as the word for "lose’"-so buying a book is considered an invitation to bad luck.
Also, avoid giving books as gifts to anyone, because it’d be like wishing bad luck upon them.
1. Why is the Spring Festival the best time for many Chinese people according to the text?| A．They can enjoy a lor of delicious dishes. |
| B．They can get together with their family members. |
| C．It’s time for them to say good-bye to the past year. |
| D．The festival will bring them good luck and happiness. |
| A．setting off fireworks | B．enjoying tasty dumplings |
| C．cleaning your home | D．leaving your books untouched |
| A．Advertisement. | B．Literature. |
| C．Culture. | D．Travel. |
