1 . Barcelona’s opera house has celebrated its reopening to the public since the coronavirus pandemic (新冠疫情) put the world into a huge horror, but their opening night had an unusual audience. For its first concert, the theater refused the usual crowd of people and instead packed the house with plants. Yes, that’s correct. All 2,292 seats at the Gran Teatre Liceu were occupied by leafy green plants.
The idea was put forward by conceptual artist Eugeno Ampudia and was broadcast live on the theater’s website. These lucky ficus trees, palms, and Swiss cheese plants—which were brought in by local nurseries (苗圃) — got the pleasure of hearing Puccini’s Crisantemi performed by the UceLi Quartet string musical group.
Ampudia hopes that his idea and the work will inspire people to think more deeply about their relationship with nature and the concept of sustainability (持续性). “We are at the end of an era and that means that we have to change certain patterns,” he shares. “We don’t live in the same world as 90 days ago, and this means we have to reflect on everything that we do.”
As plants can respond to different vibrations (震动) caused by music, they certainly weren’t a passive audience—even if they weren’t able to give applause. Now that the concert is over, each plant will be given to a different frontline healthcare worker who helped guide the country through its battle with the coronavirus.
The moving concert is a continuation of the Liceu’s mission to create a dialogue between music and the visual arts. Pictures and a video of the performance taken by Ampudia will now become part of La Caixa contemporary (当代的) art collection.
1. What was the special part of the concert?| A．It had only 2,292 seats. |
| B．It made the world fall in horror. |
| C．It gave plants opportunities to enjoy music. |
| D．It welcomed audience with plants to come. |
| A．Barcelona | B．Eugeno Ampudia |
| C．the Gran TeatreLiceu | D．the Uceli Quartet |
| A．We didn’t do very well in dealing with nature. |
| B．The healthcare workers were more important. |
| C．The plants should have the equal rights. |
| D．We did everything in a wrong way. |
| A．Daily Hero. | B．Teens’ Life. |
| C．Art Around the World. | D．Animals and Plants. |
2 . Need quick help with your homework? Let Real Kids direct you to the best sites on the Web.
※ An Introduction to Shakespeare
Tales From Shakespeare
Go to this site if you’re studying Shakespeare and looking for an introduction to his work. The site includes different plays by Shakespeare, which you can click on and read as stories.
Recommended by Alyssa Zuna
※ Powerful People
The White House
If you have homework or a research project on the President and the White House, this is an excellent site to visit. It is filled with video and pictures, including tours of the White House.
Recommended by Tiana Jackson
※ Reading Resources
Reading Rainbow
This is a great place to find books for younger children. And there’s also information on buying books and national reading programs.
Recommended by Rosemary Compton
※ The ABCs of Writing
Edmonton Public Schools
This is a good place to go if you are having trouble with your writing. All you do is click on one of the writing steps, and it explains the step and gives you tips. The site has links to other pages with writing steps for different grade levels.
Recommended by Zack Dale
1. Where can you most probably read these passages?| A．In a news report. | B．On a book list. | C．On a radio program list. | D．On a website. |
| A．Powerful People | B．Reading Resources |
| C．Tales From Shakespeare | D．The ABCs of Writing |
| A．Alyssa Zuna. | B．Tiana Jackson. | C．Zack Dale. | D．Rosemary Compton. |
| A．these websites can help you communicate internationally |
| B．these websites are meant for students in high grades |
| C．all these websites are educational and helpful to children |
| D．all of these websites include some interesting pictures |
3 . All the efforts you put into studying at university may not have been enough—because robots could be coming for your job. A new study finds that as many as 800 million workers could be replaced by robots by 2030.
The study from the McKinsey Global Institute estimates that between 400 million and 800 million individuals could be replaced by automation(自动化) or robots and need to find new jobs by 2030 around the world. It estimates that 30 percent of the hours people spend on working globally could have been automated by that time.
Those most affected will be people who work in predictable environments doing tasks such as operating machines and preparing fast food. Those who make a living by collecting and processing data also face a high risk of being replaced by robots. But people who work in less predictable environments such as gardeners, plumbers, and childcare staff face a smaller risk, because their roles are technically difficult to be automated and often command relatively lower wages, which makes automation a less attractive business proposition(商业提议).
However, it’s not all doom for the future of employment. The Study notes that automation sometimes allows workers to remain employed in a different position. “Even when some tasks are automated, the employment rate in those occupations may not decline because workers may perform new tasks,” McKinsey &Company wrote in a release on its website.
It noted that China has the largest number of employees who would need to switch occupations, up to 100 million if automation was adopted rapidly, or 12 percent of the 2030 workforce. The numbers are higher in more advanced economies, with up to one-third of the 2030 workforce in America and Germany needing to switch occupations, along with nearly half of the 2030 workforce in Japan. Countries which fail to prepare workers for transition to new jobs will feel the impact of a rise in unemployment and depressed wages, according to the study.
1. Why will lots of people need to find new jobs by 2030 around the world?| A．They don’t put efforts into their study at university. |
| B．The world’s working population is on the steady rise. |
| C．They will be paid less with the development of technology. |
| D．Robots or automation will take the place of their positions. |
| A．Machine operation. | B．Fast food cooking. |
| C．Childcare in kindergarten. | D．Data collection. |
| A．Estimated figures. | B．Public opinions. |
| C．Financial reports. | D．Website contents. |
| A．Education. | B．Business. | C．Lifestyle. | D．Technology. |
4 . We’ve got a list of teen scientists from a variety of fields.
Jack Andraka
Jack Andraka created a biosensor for cancer that he says is 168 times faster, 26, 667 times less expensive and 400 times more sensitive than technology nowadays.
He’s the youngest person to have spoken in front of the Royal Society of Medicine.
Taylor Wilson
Taylor Wilson was the youngest person to achieve nuclear fusion (核聚变). He was inspired by The Radioactive Boy Scout, a novel in which a kid tries and fails to build a nuclear reactor.
Taylor thought he could do better. Long story short, he wanted to build a small nuclear reactor. And he did it at the age of fourteen. He received a Thiel Fellowship, which gave him $100,000 to work on his own research.
Sara Volz
Sara Volz performed experiments in which she grew algaebased on their oil output for the purpose of growing them as biofuel (生物燃料). This research is especially important as the world continues to search for a way to lessen our dependence on non-renewable energy. She won the top prize of $100,000 in the Intel Science Talent Search.
Daniel Burd
Plastic usually takes thousands of years to decompose (降解), but this high school student Daniel Burd managed to do it in three months.
In an experiment, he mixed plastic bags and a special kind of dirt together, and found that they did decompose faster. He then performed tests to find the bacteria responsible for decomposing the plastics.
His solution only produces water and small amounts of carbon dioxide. He says it could easily be used elsewhere.
1. Who designed a medical instrument?| A．Sara Volz. | B．Daniel Burd. | C．Jack Andraka. | D．Taylor Wilson. |
| A．A novel by a kid. | B．Plastic pollution. |
| C．Energy shortage. | D．A story book. |
| A．It won him a $100,000 prize. | B．It is environmentally friendly. |
| C．It was completed in three months. | D．It is widely used in everyday waste. |
| A．Sara Volz is the youngest person to spoken in front of the Royal of Medicine. |
| B．Plastic often takes hundreds of years to decompose. |
| C．Two of them have won the same amount of money to continue their research. |
| D．Daniel Burd’s solution will be hard to be used in our daily life. |
| A．A guidebook. | B．A magazine. |
| C．An advertisement. | D．A dictionary. |
5 . Drinking tea at least three times a week could reduce the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease(心管疾病) and is linked with a longer and healthier life, at least in China, a new study suggests. Chinese researchers found the health benefits associated with tea were more obvious for drinkers of green, rather than black tea, and for those who had been drinking tea regularly over a longer period of time. The benefits were also clearer among men, the study indicated.
Researchers looked at data from 100 902 Chinese people with no history of heart attack or cancer and divided them into two groups: habitual drinkers who drank tea three or more times a week,those who never drank tea, and those who drank it less regularly. They followed up with them after a seven-year period.
Their analysis found that regular tea drinkers had a 20%lower risk of having heart disease and stroke,and a 22%lower risk of dying from heart disease and stroke. Specifically, they found that regular tea drinkers could expect to live 1.26 years longer at age 50 than those who did not regularly enjoy a cup of tea.
“We found that the protective effects of habitual tea consumption were very obvious and robust across different outcomes for men, but only mild for women,”Dr.Dongfeng Gu from China’s National Center for Cardiovascular Disease.
“One reason might be that the proportion of habitual tea consumers among men was approximately two and a half times as high as that among women,” Gu said. Some 48%of the men in the study were regular tea drinkers, compared with 20%of women.
1. What can be learned about the research from Paragraph 1?| A．Drinking tea regularly benefits people’s health. |
| B．Drinking black tea brings more health benefits. |
| C．Men always live longer than women by drinking tea. |
| D．People can prevent all diseases by drinking tea. |
| A．Protective. | B．Strong. | C．Gentle. | D．Beneficial |
| A．Fewer men like drinking tea. | B．Men spend more money on tea. |
| C．Men drink more tea than women. | D．Fewer women may live no more than 50. |
| A．An advertisement. | B．A poster. | C．A guidebook. | D．A magazine. |
6 . There is a famous story about how Walt Disney was inspired to build Disneyland. The story goes that during an afternoon visit to Griffith Park located near the Burbank Studios, Walt took a seat while his two young daughters rode the merry-go-round. Walt thought there should be a place where both children and their parents could enjoy spending some time together in an environment that would be both entertaining and pleasing to the eye, so with this thought came the idea for Disneyland.
Walt's original plan was to build an eight-acre park located near the Burbank Studios that would be a place for his employees and their families. Those plans were put on hold because of the start of World War II. By 1952, Walt had created a special department that was devoted to planning his dream.
Finally in 1953, the first steps in building the park happened when Walt employed the Stanford Research Institute to make a survey to determine the best possible location for the future park. Considering population growth and the future freeway construction(建设),they finally found a location in Anaheim and 160 acres of land were bought for the site of the new park.
The building of the park was very expensive and to collect money for the project, Walt developed the idea of the ''Walt Disney's Disneyland'' television show. It turned out to be a marvelous idea—not only gaining the money to build the park but also presenting the park to the American public.
Construction officially began on July 21,1954, and it was an ambitious(野心勃勃的)building schedule of less than one year to complete the new park for the projected opening day. Walt watched over the park's construction and progress continued with just a few minor hold-ups. Finally，the park was ready for the Opening Day on July17,1955.
1. What inspired Walt Disney to build Disneyland?| A．The special design of Griffith Park. | B．A trip to a park with his daughters. |
| C．Requests from his family and employees. | D．The idea to build a park for his daughters. |
| A．Walt Disney's personal preference. | B．The natural environment. |
| C．The advice of the public. | D．Local traffic. |
| A．It was smooth generally. | B．It was affected by World War II. |
| C．It was completed later than expected. | D．It was influenced by a shortage of money. |
| A．A diary. | B．A novel. | C．A magazine. | D．A guidebook. |
7 . For some of us who long to travel, it can be difficult to find someone to journey with. Friends and family members are tied down in jobs, struggling to save money, and don't always want to go to the same places. The solution, of course, is to go it alone.
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne is a hot-spot travel destination, which has beautiful beaches as well as busy and lively city life. Australia as a whole is considered a safe destination for international travel, and because of that, many solo (单独) travelers go there. Melbourne is incredibly easy to get around because you can walk or bike practically anywhere!
Thailand
Thailand is great for solo travelers-perhaps because it is one of the Buddhist mentality, which promotes equality among the sexes. Thailand is known for its friendly hospitality, and as a travel hot-spot, there are plenty of chances to meet other like-minded travelers. Overall known for being very cheap, especially in the north, it's a good choice if you want to get away on a budget.
Bhutan
Bhutan is one of the most cultural countries in the world. It is also home to the world's highest unclimbed peak，Gangkhar Puensum. The mountain is sacred（神圣的）and entry is only possible on a pre-booked tour，where you are accompanied around by your own personal guide. Plastic bags have been banned in Bhutan since 1999 and in 2004, it became the first country in the world to outlaw tobacco.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a great place if you're looking for adventure, with surfing, volcanoes and other recreational activities. You'll never get a chance to feel lonely because there's an abundance of exciting adventures to experience! Costa Rica has never seen political unrest, class struggles or revolutions commonly associated with other Latin American Countries. What's more, it doesn't have or need an army because it's such a peaceful country.
1. Which place is suitable for travelers short of money?| A．Melbourne, Australia. | B．Thailand. |
| C．Bhutan . | D．Costa Rica. |
| A．You can climb the mountain without booking ahead. |
| B．You can prepare some plastic bags for your rubbish. |
| C．You can experience the rich culture there. |
| D．Smoking is allowed at the foot of the mountain. |
| A．A historical document. | B．A science magazine. |
| C．A travel guide. | D．A book review. |
8 . 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. |
9 . Alabama: Priester’s Pecans
Dessert in the South basically starts and ends with an ooey-gooey pecan(核桃) pie. Especially in Alabama, where the pecan is the official state nut. While there are plenty of farms that pick and package pecans, perhaps the most famous is Priester’s, a family-run business that’s been supplying Alabama with its favorite nuts for over seven decades.
Alaska: Salmon jerky
Forget beef jerky(肉干)—in Alaska, it’s all about the salmon jerky. Home to five different species of the flavorful fish (king, red, pink, silver, and chum), the northernmost state produces nearly one-third of the wild salmon consumed around the world. Bonus: Salmon is one of the seven healthiest fish you can eat.
Arizona: Saguaro cactus
The largest cactus(仙人掌) in the United States, the saguaro cactus is found only in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. Living to be up to 200 years old, the cacti, whose flower is also the state’s flower, are generally around 30 feet tall and can grow unlimited arms. Want to see for yourself? Visit one of these 10 outstanding desert escapes in America.
California: Wine Guide
It isn’t called “Wine Country” for no reason. Northern California, specifically Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley, produce over 60,000 registered wine labels, making vino(酒类产品) the state’s most valuable agricultural product. If you’re looking for the most popular varietals(优质酿酒葡萄汁), the top two frequently planted grapes are chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon.
1. How long has the Priester’s farm lasted?| A．About 7 years. | B．About 30 years. |
| C．About 70 years. | D．About 200 years. |
| A．Alaska. | B．Arizona. |
| C．Alabama. | D．California. |
| A．A library guide. | B．A news report. |
| C．A project handbook. | D．A travel guide. |
10 . Why do Americans struggle with watching their weight, while the French, who consume（消耗） rich food, continue to stay thin? Now a research by Cornell University suggests how life style and decisions about eating may affect weight. Researchers concluded that the French tend to（往往，倾向于） stop eating when they feel full. However, Americans tend to stop when their plate is empty or their favorite TV show is over.
According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, a health expert, the French see eating as an important part of their life style. They enjoy food and therefore spend a fairly long time at the table, while Americans see eating as something to be squeezed（挤出） between the other daily activities. Mercola believes Americans lose the ability to sense when they are actually full. So they keep eating long after the French would have stopped. In addition, he points out that Americans drive to huge supermarkets to buy canned and frozen foods for the week. The French, instead, tend to shop daily, walking to small shops and farmers’ markets where they have a choice of fresh fruits, vegetables, and eggs as well as high-quality meats for each meal.
After a visit to the United States, Mireille Guiliano, author of French Women Don’t Get Fat, decided to write about the importance of knowing when to stop rather than suggesting how to avoid food. Today she continues to stay slim and rarely goes to the gym.
In spite of（尽管） all these differences, evidence shows that recent life style changes may be affecting French eating habits. Today the rate of obesity — or extreme overweight — among adults is only 6%. However, as American fast food gains acceptance and the young reject（拒绝） older traditions, the obesity rate among French children has reached 17% — and is growing.
1. In what way are the French different from Americans according to Dr. Joseph Mercola?| A．They go shopping at supermarkets more frequently. |
| B．They squeeze eating between the other daily activities. |
| C．They regard eating as a key part of their lifestyles. |
| D．They usually eat too much canned and frozen food. |
| A．Americans and the French |
B．life styl e and obesity |
| C．children and adults |
| D．fast food and overweight |
_____.| A．by contrast （对比） | B．by space | C．by process（变化过程） | D．by classification（分类） |
| A．A TV interview | B．A food advertisement |
| C．A health report | D．A book review（书评） |
