1 . It was about 10 p.m. when Janice arrived at the train station. She jumped into her car and began the 20﹣minute drive home. She'd traveled the route so many times that she almost knew every bump on it. But out of nowhere on that awful night,a car T-boned her car,moving her backward onto the railroad tracks. She sat in her car，frightened by the impact and the vehicle's airbags.
As this happened，Peter was getting ready for bed. He'd just closed his book when he heard glass coming from not far outside his bedroom window. A volunteer firefighter and retired teacher，Peter never stopped to think. He grabbed a flashlight and ran out of the door. "Any firefighter would have done what I did" he said. "We're always on duty."
The first car he came upon was the one that hit Janice. Once Peter concluded the driver was OK，he looked around and spotted Janice's car straddling(横跨)the railroad tracks. And then he heard the bells signaling an oncoming train and saw the headlight of the train.
Peter dashed to Janice's car and banged on the driver's side window. She just looked at him，her eyes unfocused. "I don't know where I am" she said.
"Honey，you're on the railroad tracks" Peter shouted. "We have to get you off right now!" He pulled on the handle，but the door was jammed shut. The train,traveling at 65 mph，was running toward them. Peter ran to the passenger side and threw open the door. He pushed aside the airbags,grabbed Janice's arms，and pulled her toward him across the passenger seat until he could help her out and speed walk her to safety. Within six seconds,he estimated,the train plowed into the car. "It was like a Hollywood movie." Peter said.
1. What caused Peter to run out of the door？| A．The sound of a fire alarming. |
| B．The noise of glass flying in his direction. |
| C．The sound of two cars exploding. |
| D．The noise of his bedroom window broken. |
| A．He carried her out of her car. |
| B．He broke the driver's window and pulled her out. |
| C．He pushed her car off the tracks. |
| D．He pulled her out of car and supported her to safety. |
| A．Entertainment. |
| B．Travelling. |
| C．Society. |
| D．Education. |
2 . Living in a city can be stressful. But some people in Bogota, Columbia have found a place to help ease stress and get a peaceful break from busy life. The place is a protected park for hummingbirds (蜂鸟) .
The park sits at the top of Monserrate Hill, east of the city, in a place known as the Paramuno corridor. The area contains a forest that has turned into a peaceful place for both people and birds. As the hummingbirds fly from flower to flower, some people study the animals through binoculars. Others take pictures with cameras or phones. “Sometimes it doesn’t seem real because we are close to a city of eight million citizens who produce noise every day,” said Camilo Cantor, a caretaker in the park. His job is to mix water and sugar that is put in bird feeders along a 300-meter path. Cantor explains, “You can hear noise from the city, the generation of pollution and aggressiveness.” But, he adds, the park is a special place, like an oasis. It is a place where people can go to release stress and forget about the pressures of city life.
Visitors to the park can see between 25 to 35 different species of birds, Cantor said. Ten years ago, the hill was completely deforested, meaning there were not any trees left on it. But workers began to replant local trees and flowers to bring the forest back to life. Presently, there are 115 species of birds, including 18 kinds of hummingbirds and some migratory (迁移的) species. Hummingbirds are only found on the American continent and Columbia is home to many different kinds.
1. What can you learn about the park in Paragraph 2?| A．It sits east of the Paramuno corridor. | B．It is in the charge of Camilo Cantor. |
| C．It annoys the people with lots of noise. | D．It is a peaceful place for people and birds. |
| A．To inform the readers of the development of a park in Columbia. |
| B．To encourage readers to live in harmony with the hummingbirds. |
| C．To introduce a park where people can ease stress and get relaxed. |
| D．To compare the past and the present situation of the hummingbirds. |
| A．Life. | B．Economy. | C．Entertainment. | D．Education. |
3 . Wine and beaches, fireworks and music... our readers recommend some fantastic festivals.
Festa delTUva e del Vino, Italy
Set on the beautiful shores of Lake Garda, this grapes and wine festival takes over the small town of Bardolino for four days every October. With local wines, food, art projections, fireworks and live music. people come from miles around to celebrate. First and foremost，it’s about great wine，but it’s worth visiting to soak up the great atmosphere.
Free，1-5 October
Quest festival, Vietnam
This is a weekend camping festival held just a 40-minute drive from Hanoi, bringing together locals and visitors in a celebration of underground live and electronic music culture. Held in the beautiful Son Tinh campsite, there are usually about 30 local and international DJs and 10 bands. There are also workshops, pop-up cafes, fire performances, dancing and much more.
Weekend tickets about £25, 6-8 November
Estiv al Switzerland
This is a free festival of jazz which takes place in the first weekend in July in the pretty squares and lakeside beaches and parks around the southern Swiss town of Lugano. The palm trees and summer air to see some of Europe’s up and coming jazz bands and enjoy Swiss
Free, every July
Irish Redhead Convention, County Cork
A friendly gathering for all red-haired people is held in the small seaside village of Crosshaven where redheads from all over the world take part in light hearted events. There’s live music, art exhibitions, lectures and of course the traditional Parade of Redheads through the village led by the newly crowned Redhead King and Queen.
Free, Every August
1. Jennifer, a girl with red hair, may be interested in ________.| A．Estival. | B．Quest festival. |
| C．Festa deirtlva e del Vino. | D．Irish Redhead Convention. |
| A．They offer local food. |
| B．They have fireworks. |
| C．They are free of charge. |
| D．They have music activities. |
| A．In a textbook. |
| B．In a magazine. |
| C．In a news report. |
| D．In a research paper. |
4 . Online programs to fight depression are already commercially available. While they sound efficient and cost-saving, a recent study looked at computer-assisted cognitive (认知的) behavioral therapy (CBT) and found that it was not that helpful in handling depression.
Traditional CBT is considered as an effective form against depression, helping people challenge negative thoughts and change the way they think in order to change their mood and behaviors. However, online CBT programs have been gaining popularity, with the attraction of providing low-cost help wherever someone is able to use a computer.
A team of researchers from the University of York conducted a survey with 691 depressed patients from 83 physician practices across England. They were divided into three groups: one group received only usual care from a physician while the other two groups received usual care from a physician plus one of two computerized CBT programs. After four months, the patients using the computerized CBT programs had no improvement in depression level over those who were only getting usual care form their doctors, mainly because depressed patients are not likely to get involved in online programs and stick with them.
“It’s an important, warning note that we shouldn’t get too carried away with the idea that a computer system can replace doctors and therapists (治疗师),” says Christopher Dowrick, a professor of primary medical care at the University of Liverpool. “We do still need the human touch or the human talk, especially when people are depressed.”
Being depressed can mean feeling “lost in your own small, negative, dark world,” Dowrick says. Having a person, instead of a computer, reach out to you is particularly important in battling that sense of separation. “When your feeling is more easily hurt, you’re even more in need of a caring human being,” he says.
1. What has made online CBT programs increasingly popular?| A．Their good effects on fighting depression. |
| B．Their easy and cheap use by patients. |
| C．The low efficiency of traditional CBT. |
| D．The attraction of going online. |
| A．online CBT is more likely to cure depression |
| B．traditional CBT has no improvement in depression |
| C．depressed patients fail to keep up the online treatment |
| D．the combination of traditional and online CBT is most effective |
| A．It can take the place of doctors. |
| B．It should not be ignored in primary care. |
| C．Its effectiveness should not be over valued. |
| D．Its advantages should be encouraged by doctors. |
| A．Science and Technology | B．Culture and Society |
| C．Business and Advertisement | D．Health and Fitness |
5 . The race to introduce the first commercial flying taxi is officially on. Google, Boeing and Porsche are among 20 companies testing their machines, laying the groundwork for wider production and starting to encourage government officials to bring autonomous all-electric vehicles into the skies in just a few years. Lilium, a German start-up company, has raised more than US $100 million from investors. Its prototype jet—which is still seeking certification from European regulators—is able to take off and land like a helicopter, and is quiet enough "to land in some areas that are traditionally off-limits to aircraft"—even midtown Manhattan.
However, the possibility of air vehicles over New York already represents a clear and present danger to public safety. New York skies are already filled with helicopters. Since 1983, there have been at least 30 helicopter crashes in the city. “There are several challenges to overcome before commuters are flying through the air,” said Dalvin Brown in USA Today. Many of the vehicles now being imagined require “magical electric batteries that doesn't exist—yet.” The best that anyone can do right now with an electric battery is 20 minutes of flight. An even bigger obstacle is gaining approval from the FAA(American Federal Aviation Administration), which has strict rules and guidelines for small aircraft, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
That's why the first practical commercial tests of autonomous taxis are likely to be outside the US, said Jeremy Bogaisky on Forbes.com. “EHang became the first company to receive approval from Chinese aviation regulators to establish an autonomous air-taxi service in Guangzhou.” To succeed in the US, air taxi companies will need much more than that. Taking a small aircraft through the regulatory forest of safety certification to production can cost US $75 to US $100 million.
1. Which is special about the Lilium prototype jet, according to the passage?| A．It's the most expensive model. | B．It's already available on the market. |
| C．It's suitable to be used in cities. | D．It's suitable for midtown Manhattan. |
| A．The problems to overcome. | B．Public concerns about safety. |
| C．Related official policies. | D．Potential market risks. |
| A．Quick and economical. | B．Strict and expensive. |
| C．Difficult and time-saving. | D．Unsafe and impractical. |
| A．Environment | B．Travel | C．Entertainment | D．Technology |
6 . There are over 60 zoos in England. We have collected hundreds of reviews, checked the zoo websites, researched several zoo•related resources and visited many of them by ourselves to giv e you this selection: 10 best zoos in England.
Chester Zoo Among top 15 zoos in the world, it is one of the most•visited and largest zoos in England. |
Whipsnade Zoo With more than 2,500 animals, it is one of the few UK zoos with elephants. |
Marwell Wildlife Full of African and Australian animals, there is surely a lot to see within very large grounds. |
Howletts Wild Animal Park It was set up as a private zoo at first and opened to the public later. The place looks very natural and you can get very close to the animals there. |
Port Lympne Wild Animal Park With Britain's largest number of African elephants, it offers truly African experiences. |
Colchester Zoo With 270+ species, it is very child•friendly and offers lots of h ands•on activities. |
Twycross Zoo It holds what is supposed to be the world's largest collection of apes (猿). There are also rare leopard species. |
Bristol Zoo Gardens This is a 175•year•old zoo with rare animals like fruit bats (果蝠). |
Paignton Zoo As home to a collection of around 2,000 animals and 1,600 plant species, it is one of the first places in England combining zoological and botanical (植物的) gardens. |
London Zoo As one of the oldest zoos in the world, it is well worth a visit. |
| A．visit the largest zoo in English. |
| B．watch the African and Australian animals. |
| C．experience hands-on activities. |
| D．have a close observation of the animals. |
| A．Howletts Wild Animal Park. | B．Colchester Zoo. |
| C．Twycross Zoo. | D．Paignton Zoo. |
| A．a science magazine. | B．an adventure fiction. |
| C．a travel guide. | D．a book review. |
7 . Researchers have discovered a protein that actually supports healthy brain function.
For many years, researchers have known that the human brain loses cells throughout our lives, part of the natural process of aging. In fact, we lose about 85,000 brain cells per day, that is one per second, over 31 million brain cells every year! This impacts every aspect of your life...how you think and how you feel.
Recently, scientists have made a significant breakthrough in brain health with the discovery that apoaequorin can support healthy brain function, help you have a sharper mind and think clearer.
Supports Healthy Brain Function
Apoaequorin is in the same family of proteins as those found in humans, but it was originally discovered in one of nature's simplest organisms——the jellyfish.
Supports a Sharper Mind
Now produced in a scientific process, researchers formulated this vital protein into a product called Prevagen. Prevagep is clinically shown to help with mild memory problems associated with aging.
Improves Memory
This type of protein is vital and found naturally in the human brain and nervous system. As we age we can’t make enough of them to keep up with the brain's demands. Prevagen supplements these proteins during the natural process of aging to keep your brain healthy. Prevagen comes in an easy to swallow capsule. It has no significant side effects and will not interact with your current medication.
Supports Clearer Thinking
Just how well does Prevagen work? In a computer assessed, double-blinded, placebo（安慰剂）controlled study, Prevagen improved memory for most subjects within 90 days.
Try Prevagen for yourself and feel the difference.
1. What is “Apoaequorin” according to the text?| A．A protein | B．A product | C．A jellyfish | D．A capsule |
| A．It may help with severe memory problems. |
| B．It can improve memory just within 90 days. |
| C．It has not any side effects. |
| D．It contains apoaequorin. |
| A．Science fiction |
| B．Literature works |
| C．A guidebook |
| D．A health magazine |
8 . Even if all fossil fuel emissions (排放) ended immediately, greenhouse gasses from the food we eat could drive global temperatures above internationally agreed warming limits, a new study has warned.
The system to feed Earth’s 7.7 billion people accounts for nearly a third of global total greenhouse gas emissions, including from land clearing and deforestation, fertilizer use and livestock.
Researchers in the United States and Britain said the only way to avoid devastating (毁灭性的) levels of warming would be to transform what we eat, how it is produced, and the amount we waste. “Our work shows that food is a much greater contributor to climate change than is widely known,” said co-author Jason Hill, a professor in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering at the University of Minnesota. “Fortunately, we can fix this problem by using fertilizer more efficiently, by eating less meat and more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts, and by making other important changes to our food system.”
The study in the journal Science forecasts future food system emissions using expected trends in population growth, dietary changes and the additional amount of land thought to be needed to feed the world.
The authors found that, if left untouched, these future food-related emissions would by themselves push Earth above the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming limit by 2050. By the end of the century, they would lift temperatures to nearly 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels -- the limit set in the 2015 Paris Agreement.
1. What can we learn from the first two paragraphs?| A．Fossil fuel emissions are mainly to blame for the increasing global temperature. |
| B．Most of the greenhouse gas emission comes from land clearing and deforestation. |
| C．Feeding global population leads to about one third of the greenhouse gas emission. |
| D．The emissions from the food we eat are greater than those from burning fossil fuels. |
| A．It is not known that food is a great contributor to climate change. |
| B．It is impractical to avoid devastating level of warming from food. |
| C．Changes to our food system will be necessary to solve climate change. |
| D．Future food-related emissions will push global temperature above the limit. |
| A．A research paper. | B．A science magazine. | C．A textbook. | D．A guidebook. |
9 . Experts studying the state of the Australian reef system-one of the seven natural wonders of the world-reported that it is disappearing faster than thought.
“We found the number of small, medium and large corals on the Great Barrier Reef has declined by more than 50 percent during the so-called bleaching episodes (白化期） since the 1990s,"said Terry Hughes of the University of Queensland, Australia. “The decline occurred in both shallow and deeper water and across nearly all species-but especially in branching and table-shaped corals.”
Branching and table-shaped corals provide build structures on the reef that are important for other sea life, such as fish. Their loss is reducing population sizes and sea food productivity. When ocean temperatures are too high, corals drive away their colorful symbiotic algae (共生藻类） that provide them with food-turning them a bleached white. If the ocean cools quickly enough, the algae can return. But if it stays too hot for too long, the corals begin to starve.
＂Both small and large reefs have become increasingly rare," said paper author Andy Dietzel of Queensland's ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies. “This indicates declines in reproduction, recovery potential of coral populations.”
The Great Barrier Reef consists of more than 2,900 individual reefs and some 900 islands-and is bigger than the entirety of the UK. The natural wonder is home to around 1,625 species of fish and 30 different types of whale and dolphin.
＂We used to think the Great Barrier Reef was protected by its size," commented Professor Hughes." But our results show even the world's largest and relatively well-protected reef system is increasingly compromised and in decline.”
1. What can we learn about the bleaching episodes from the passage?| A．The decline of corals occurred in all species. |
| B．Corals will never come back to life once bleached. |
| C．Reefs have increased in Australia with climate change. |
| D．The Great Barrier Reef plays a vital role in sea ecosystem. |
| A．Ambiguous. |
| B．Concerned. |
| C．Optimistic. |
| D．Indifferent. |
| A．A magazine. |
| B．A textbook. |
| C．A tourist brochure. |
| D．A science report. |
10 . If you like sun and heat, summer may be the best time to visit Italy, when you can expect lots of both! During summertime in Italy, you can enjoy plenty of bright sunshine, visit one of its many beaches, join in a summer festival, attend outdoor concerts and plays, and have more hours of daylight for adventures.
Summer is the height of tourist season in popular cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice, whose rich cultures and fine dining experiences offer visitors a chance to truly see and taste the beauty of Italian living. Keep in mind that in these cities, as with most places in Italy, you have to spend a lot of time outdoors in order to see them properly. Many museums are not air-conditioned, so ducking into a museum might not be a guaranteed way to cool off. If air-conditioning is a necessity for you, be sure to book a hotel that has it. Most hotels, even budget ones, offer it now, but be sure to verify (核实)—some might ask you to pay extra for the service.
Summer temperatures in Italy, especially in the south, can rise above 100 degrees (37.78 degrees centigrade) for days in a row. The climate is generally dry but central and northern Italy can be humid and afternoon thunderstorms are not unusual. To escape the heat, visitors can head to the beaches or mountains—be sure to check Italy Travel Weather before you begin packing for your trip.
Chances are that Italian cities can be extremely hot in summer, so it’s important for tourists to pack for the seasonal heat as well as be prepared for the sudden summer showers and thunder storms.
However, many religious sites, including the Vatican Museums in Rome, won’t allow you in wearing shorts, miniskirts or sleeveless shirts.
1. It can be learned from the passage that ________ .| A．it is rather wet and hot in southern Italy in summer |
| B．not all hotels in Italy supply air-conditioning service |
| C．summer is the best season to explore Italy for tourists |
| D．museums are a wise choice to avoid summer heat in Italy |
| A．Checking the weather to escape the terrible summer heat. |
| B．Going to beaches or mountains despite a thunderstorm. |
| C．Booking a hotel without air-conditioners to save money. |
| D．Appreciating Italy’s true beauty by spending much time outdoors. |
| A．An official document. | B．A travel magazine. |
| C．A science report. | D．A history book. |
