2 . Next-generation fitness equipment and robots help you cook dinner. Those are a few of the countless new products expected to be shown next week at CES, the annual tech conference that typically sets the tone for the biggest trends of the year. Home automation, health and 5G will once again be hot topics, but many companies will also introduce pandemic-specific features to reflect our increased time at home.

Each year, reporters, exhibitors and investors typically explore Las Vegas showrooms filled with giant TVs, smart cars and robots, but CES will be online only for the first time in its 54-year history due to Covid-19.

The Consumer Technology Association, the nonprofit behind the four-day event starting Monday, said 1,800 exhibitors from around the world will fill its "digital venue" this year—a number that's down significantly from 4,000 in-person exhibitors last year. The move will allow tech companies from countries which have never attended before to take part in the online exhibition, but could also make it harder for smaller companies to get noticed without a physical showroom.

Registered attendees will be able to stream and re-watch keynotes from companies such as Verizon (VZ) and General Motors (GM), tune in to breakout sessions — about how, for example, technology is playing a role in vaccine deployment—and search through a registry of exhibitors to watch new product presentations.

It'll lack some of the signature ingredients of the trade show, such as hands-on time with the latest small machines and networking. But the technology that makes our lives more connected and convenient will still gain popularity.

1. What are the new products mainly connected with?

A．People’s daily life.	B．Everyday busy work.
C．The popularity of 5G.	D．Countless housework.

2. What do we know about the tech conference?

A．It takes place every two years.	B．It attracts fewer exhibitors this year.
C．It is held mainly on the Internet.	D．It prohibits small companies to attend.

3. What’s the author’s attitude towards the move?

A．Supportive.

B．Disappointed.

C．Doubtful.

D．Casual.

4. Where are the text possibly from?

A．A brochure.

B．A textbook.

C．A newspaper.

D．A guidebook.

3 . A city in Netherlands is planning to construct a pretty bike path made of recycled wood.

The first of its kind in the world, the path near the city of Emmen will be surfaced not with the usual asphalt（沥青） but with wood chips packed together with organic resin(有机树脂).

The idea behind the path is to cut the use of conventional, less eco-friendly materials such as concrete, which is very difficult to recycle.And the creation of the wood chips will require no direct cutting down of trees; the company leading the experiment, Grontmij, plans to use waste products from sawmills(锯木厂).

The idea of creating a permanent road from a material that is celebrated for its biodegradability(生物降解性)might seem ridiculous. But the engineers working on the path insist that the wood and resin surfacing will stay in good condition for a long time, with a working life at least as long as concrete or asphalt. Rudi van Hedel, project manager of bio-based economy at Grontmij, explained that the light weight of the material also makes it far easier to move.

However, van Hedal said, “At present, the material costs of the path are higher than those of traditional paths made of asphalt or concrete, but the construction costs are comparable or perhaps slightly cheaper. We expect that as production ability increases, the costs will go down. In the future, we hope to use bio-fibres(生物纤维)that are cheaper than the wood fibres we’re currently experimenting with, and we expect that biodegradable materials will be able to compete with asphalt and concrete.”

1. What can we learn about the path?

A．It uses some asphalt.	B．It aims to protect trees.
C．It is a pioneering project.	D．It is being built by a sawmill.

2. What do the engineers stress about the path in Paragraph 4?

A．Its material is heavy in weight.	B．It can stay in service for long.
C．Its length may break a record.	D．It is environmentally friendly.

3. According to van Hedal, what is a disadvantage of wood fibres?

A．Their production process is complex.	B．They are not as hard as asphalt.
C．They are not always available.	D．Their costs are relatively high.

4. Where is the text most likely from?

A．A diary.

B．A novel.

C．A magazine.

D．A guidebook.

4 . Roboticists at the University of California San Diego have developed an affordable, easy to use system to track the location of flexible surgical robots inside the human body. The system performs as well as current state of the art methods, but the whole system, including the robot, magnets and magnet localization setup, costs around $100. Many current methods also require exposure to radiation, while this system does not.

The system was developed by Tania Morimoto, a professor of mechanical engineering at the Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego, and mechanical engineering Ph. D. student Connor Watson.

“Continuum medical robots work really well in highly constrained (受限的) environments inside the body,” Morimoto said. “But it becomes a lot harder to track their location and their shape inside the body.” The researchers used existing magnet localization methods, which work very much like GPS, to develop a computer model that predicts the robot’s location.

GPS satellites ping (发送) smartphones and based on how long it takes for the signal to arrive, the GPS receiver in the smartphone can determine where the cell phone is. Similarly, researchers know how strong the magnetic field should be around the magnet placed in the robot. They rely on four sensors that are carefully spaced around the area where the robot operates to measure the magnetic field strength. Based on how strong the field is, they are able to determine where the tip of the robot is.

Morimoto and Watson went a step further. They then trained a neural network to learn the difference between what the sensors were reading and what the model said the sensors should be reading. As a result, they improved localization accuracy to track the tip of the robot. “Ideally we are hoping that our localization tools can help improve these kinds of growing robot technologies. We do want to push this research forward so that we can test our system in a clinical setting and eventually translate it into clinical use,” Morimoto said.

1. What be learnt about the system according to the text?

A．It’s complex.	B．It’s low-cost.
C．It’s delicate.	D．It’s radioactive.

2. What is Paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．The system’s working principle.

B．The function of GPS satellites.

C．The reason for inventing the system,

D．The necessity of inventing the system.

3. What do Morimoto and Watson expect of the system?

A．It’ll be environmentally-friendly.	B．It’ll be sold on the Internet soon,
C．I’ll be easy for us to operate.	D．It’ll be tested with real patients.

4. Where is this text most likely from?

A．A diary.	B．A guidebook.
C．A magazine.	D．A novel.

5 . Welcome to SummerCamps.com; find and book the very best summer camps. Your children are precious so we offer the highest quality of camps that will meet each child’s needs and interests.

Catalina Sea Camp

Sea Camp offers three one-week sessions to boys and girls aged 8-13 and two three-week sessions to teens aged 12-17. Our hand-picked instructors create an atmosphere of fun and excitement while leading campers to a host of ocean adventures, marine(海洋的) biology, and social summer camp activities.

Address: Toyon Way, San Bruno, California 94066

Phone: 800-645-1423

Camp Cayuga

Camp Cayuga is a private summer camp for children aged 6 to 16. The camp is on a 350-acre land in the Pocono Mountains of Northeast Pennsylvania, just outside the village of Honesdale. It’s a 3-hour drive from New York City to Philadelphia.

Address: 321 Niles Pond Road-Suite ISC, Honesdale, Pennsylvania 18431

Phone: 908-470-1224

Camp Rockmont

Camp Rockmont is a Christian summer camp for boys, aged 6-16, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Rockmont’s duty of developing boys into healthy young men is accomplished through age-appropriate skills, activities, and challenges that help campers to know themselves better.

Address: 375 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain, North Carolina 28711

Phone: 828-686-3885

Primitive Pursuits Overnight Camps

Primitive Pursuits Overnight Camps offer week-long Summer Adventure Overnight Camps in New York’s Finger Lakes to your children aged 11-15. Campers experience a week of nature-based skills training, inspiring challenges, and fun activities under the guidance of skilled instructors.

Address: 611 County Rd 13, Van Etten, New York 14889

Phone: 607-272-2292

1. If a boy is curious about sea creatures, which camp should he go to?

A．Catalina Sea Camp

B．Camp Cayuga

C．Camp Rockmont

D．Primitive Pursuits Overnight Camps

2. Where should a girl of 7 go for camping?

A．Toyon Way, San Bruno.

B．611 County Rd 13, Van Etten.

C．375 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain.

D．321 Niles Pond Road- Suite ISC, Honesdale.

3. You can find this passage from           .

A．a magazine	B．the Internet
C．a textbook	D．a newspaper

6 . Our ships boast a sea of vacation possibilities for every guest. Like the chance to learn Italian, salsa dancing (萨尔萨舞), or the recipe (食谱) for a perfect martini (马提尼酒). To conquer the rock climbing wall and ice skate on the equator. Or slow things down with a hot stone massage (按摩) and duty-free designer shopping. See, do and learn more at sea than you ever thought possible.

North Star

The exclusive North Star promises to heighten your worldview. Simply step into the North Star’s closed, jewel-shaped capsule and gently climb over 300 feet above sea level. Take in breathtaking views of the ocean, the ship, and the exciting destinations that we visit.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean is teaming up with World Wildlife Fund to save our oceans and protect sea life. Join us in making a difference by symbolically adopting a sea turtle or get involved with numerous other activities both on board and ashore, like the Walk for Sea Turtles. Together we can turn the tide.

SeaPlex

SeaPlex is not only the largest indoor active space at sea, but also the most modern and creative. By day, experience a circus school and flying trapeze (高空秋千), as well as a full-size regulation (正规的) basketball court. By night, the first-ever bumper car (碰碰车) and roller skating offerings at sea will deliver thrills, with music provided by a floating DJ booth that hovers above the activity happening below.

Rock Climbing

Rise to the occasion and take on our signature rock climbing wall. From beginners to speed climbers, everyone can enjoy an unparalleled view from 40 feet above deck. Included in your fare, no reservation required.

1. If you are willing to have a good view of the ocean or sea from above, what should you try?

A．North Star.	B．Royal Caribbean.
C．SeaPlex.	D．Rock Climbing.

2. Who are especially interested in SeaPlex?

A．People who are fond of eating delicious food.

B．People who want to have a turtle as a pet.

C．People who want to save some money.

D．People who want to listen to music while playing.

3. Where is this article probably taken from?

A．A letter.	B．An advertisement.
C．A personal diary.	D．A newspaper article.

7 . 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.

8 . 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.

2. What is the doctors’ suggestion?

A．Grow your own food.	B．Reduce the use of pesticides.
C．Make sure the food is clean.	D．Buy large companies’ products.

3. Which of the following do most people agree on organic food?

A．It tastes better.	B．It is easier to grow.
C．It contains more fat.	D．It is more nutritious.

4. Where does this text probably come from?

A．A recipe book.	B．A chemistry paper.
C．A medical report.	D．A health magazine.

9 . It’s 3 o'clock and you’ve been hard at work. As you sit at your desk, a strong desire (欲望) for chocolate overcomes you. You try to busy yourself to make it go away. But it doesn’t. Here is another situation. Perhaps you are not feeling well. The only thing you want to eat is a big bowl of chicken soup, like your mom used to make when you were sick as a child. Food cravings are a strong desire for a specific type of food. And they are normal.

Scientists at the website How Stuff Works compare hunger and cravings this way. Hunger is a fairly simple connection between the stomach and the brain. They even call it simply “stomach hunger.” When our stomachs burn up all of the food we have eaten, a hormone (荷尔蒙) sends a message to one part of the brain for more food, which controls our most basic body functions such as thirst, hunger and sleep. The brain then produces a chemical to start the appetite (食欲) and you eat. Hunger is a function of survival.

A craving is more complex. It activates (刺激) brain areas related to emotion, memory and reward. These are the same areas of the brain activated during drug-craving studies. Because of this, some scientists call food cravings “mind hunger.” People often crave foods that are high in fat and sugar. Foods that are high in fat or high in sugar produce chemicals in the brain. These chemicals give us feelings of pleasure.

In a 2007 study, researchers at Cambridge University found that “dieting or controlled eating generally increases the possibility of food craving.” So, the more you refuse yourself a food that you want, the more you may crave it. However, fasting is a bit different. They found that eating no food at all for a short period of time reduced food cravings.

So, the next time you crave something very special, know that it’s the fault of your brain, instead of your stomach.

1. The author describes two situations in the first paragraph to ________.

A．deepen the understanding of hunger	B．report the discovery of craving study
C．introduce the topic of the whole passage	D．remind readers of their own special food

2. What do we learn about food craving?

A．It shows food is connected with emotion.	B．It makes sure that a person survives hunger.
C．It means the stomach functions well.	D．It proves the brain decides your appetite.

3. What’s the likely result of dieting?

A．The drop of chemicals.	B．The increase of food desire.
C．The refusal of fat and sugar.	D．The disappearance of appetite.

4. In which part of a newspaper can you see this passage?

A．Education.	B．Entertainment.
C．Science.	D．Economy.