1 . Scientists are urging that deep sea metal mining should be stopped temporarily. They warn in a report that it can cause severe damaging effects on Pacific Ocean areas.
The recently-released report examined more than 250 published studies on deep-sea mining. The research was examined by the Deep Sea Mining Campaign — a collection of not-for profit organizations. The report centers on mining activities related to small metallic particles(金属颗粒)，called nodules, found on the seabed. The material can contain different metals. Increasing demand for these metals has led to a rise in deep-sea mining operations. The metals are commonly used in battery manufacturing and other technology products.
However, the scientists warn that mining for these nodules will cause irreversible(不可逆的) damage to an ocean already under pressure. The operations will affect areas across the South Pacific, including the nations of Kiribati, the Cook Islands, Nauru, Tonga and Papua New Guinea.
The report notes that a moratorium is the only responsible way to move forward until certain conditions surrounding deep-sea mining can be met. The scientists are calling for additional study to fully understand the environmental, social and economic risks.
Andrew Chin is the report's lead researcher. He says in a statement that nodule mining will likely result in the loss of sea life and cause damage to deep seabeds for thousands of years. He adds that the operations can put people at risk who depend on the ocean and its continued health.
A company planning to be one of the first to carry out mining operations in the area is Canada's DeepGreen, which aims to begin by 2024. It seeks to mine metallic nodules to be used in power systems for electric vehicles. DeepGreen Chief Executive Officer Gerard Barron defended the company's plans in reaction to the report. He said deep-sea mining offered the best alternative to surface mining, which has long history of pollution and destroying forests and wildlife.
1. Why are deep-sea mining operations on the rise?| A．More metals are needed. | B．Surface mining is banned. |
| C．Battery industry is falling. | D．The seabed is easy to find. |
| A．Loose measure. | B．Thorough study. |
| C．Permanent deal. | D．Temporary stop. |
| A．Conditions surrounding deep-sea mining are great. |
| B．The damage caused by nodule mining is reversible. |
| C．Nodule mining can cause harm in various aspects. |
| D．People sure less likely to be affected by nodule mining, |
| A．Opposed. | B．Supportive. |
| C．Ambiguous. | D．Unconcerned. |
| A．introduce a new mining technology |
| B．inspire deep-sea mining |
| C．draw attention to environmental protecting |
| D．call on the stop of mining in the sea |
2 . It has been two months since I moved to China, but its digital advancement hasn’t stopped impressing me ever since. One of the major things that I cannot imagine living without anymore is mobile payment. There are two major mobile payment apps here, Alipay and WeChat Pay. Both have similar payment features, though WeChat has more like a social media. That’s why I will focus on this “super app”.
So far, I’ve been overwhelmed by how efficient life can be with WeChat. It is present in every aspect of people’s daily life, from paying water and electricity bills, meals, cinema tickets to calling a taxi, following news, and chatting with friends. Most merchants have adopted it, from tiny local street food stalls to high-end（高端的）stores. A cashier may be surprised if you do not pay with WeChat or Alipay at the grocers or in restaurants. And it seems like the entire payment industry has encouraged this shift to mobile payment, equipping payment terminals with QR code scanners to simplify payments. Mobile payments are so common here that I realize that I can perfectly survive if I forget my wallet at home one day because most days I just don’t take it out of my bag!
As mentioned earlier, WeChat is also a major social media platform with about one billion daily users, which is more than the entire population of European Union. So I have to say Chinese technological and digital development is a real miracle.
1. What does the underlined word “overwhelmed” mean in paragragh 2?| A．Encouraged. | B．Shocked. | C．Confused. | D．Panicked. |
| A．WeChat is more a social media than Alipay. |
| B．All merchants have adopted mobile payment. |
| C．A cashier may be surprised if you pay with WeChat or Alipay. |
| D．It causes trouble if you don’t take your wallet with you. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Favorable. |
| C．Opposed. | D．Uncaring. |
| A．The Different Opinions About Mobile Payment |
| B．The Development of Mobile Payment |
| C．The Popularity of Chinese Mobile Payment |
| D．Two Major Apps of Mobile Payment |
3 . Name-calling, teasing, pushing and fighting-whether you have gone through it or not, it is quite definite that these are the things that turn up in your mind when you hear the word "bullying". However, many of us know little about the serious, lasting harms bullying could cause.
If you've watched 13 Reasons Why, you'll understand the impacts that bullying can have. The second season of the popular US teenage drama was released on May 18. It tells the story of Hannah Baker, a high school student who takes her own life after she's picked on by fellow students, while others stand by and do nothing to help her.
One of the important messages audiences could get from the show is to treat people with kindness and respect. "It teaches us that every single thing we say and do has an impact on others, "news platform Odyssey concluded.
Some may think 13 Reasons Why exaggerates（夸大）the seriousness of school bullying, but according to the US National Center for Educational Statistics, more than 20 percent of US students were bullied in 2016, and only 36% of this group reported it.
NBA player Gerald Green opened up about being called "alien hands" during his teenage years due to his big hands. "Being bullied was embarrassing, " he said. "I still remember shying away from crowds and walking around with my hands in my pockets to evade the attention from my peers. "To get away with the teasing, he found his motivation by playing basketball and making a career out of it. But not everyone is so lucky to discover a release.
According to statistics released by the US government, if someone prevents a bully, there's a 57% chance that the bullying will stop within 10 seconds. So if you ever witness bullying, consider stepping up and supporting the victim. As US actor Brandon Flynn, who stars in 13 Reasons Why, said, "Just because you're not the one getting bullied, it doesn't mean it's not your problem. "
1. What is the purpose of the last paragraph？| A．To add more statistics. |
| B．To call on eyewitnesses to take action. |
| C．To introduce a new topic of the discussion. |
| D．To give people advice about dealing with bullying. |
| A．Bullying isn't a serious problem in many schools. |
| B．School bullying can't cause too much pain. |
| C．Only a few people are concerned about bullying. |
| D．Many people who're bullied choose not to seek help. |
| A．Attract. | B．Focus. | C．Avoid. | D．Keep. |
| A．It overstates school bullying. |
| B．It was first shown on May 18. |
| C．It is mainly about school bullying. |
| D．It shows few people can report bullying. |
4 . Sitting on the “Roof of the World”, Mount Qomolangma National Nature Reserve is one of the world’s hotspots for biodiversity protection. Mount Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest, is to be measured again by a Chinese team to make sure its exact height after last official measurement.
“Conducting research and protecting the region can help us learn more about the origin and development of the earth, as well as our human-beings and wildlife,” said Cheng Pengfei, president of the Chinese Academy of Surveying & Mapping (CASM).
The weather in the Mount Qomolangma area changes frequently. While the maximum temperature in the tent is more than 20 degrees Celsius, or even 30 degrees Celsius at noon, it may start snowing in the afternoon, and a gale may spring up at night, even blowing away the tents. Those taking part in the mission are ready for the task after preparing thoroughly at the base camp.
The complex geological environment has formed diverse landforms in the area. Distinctive snow mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes and glaciers can be found. And the unique ecological environment has also established a special biological diversity.
1. What can we learn from the text?| A．The ecological environment around the Mount Everest has nothing to do with its biodiversity. |
| B．The height of Mount Everest has been measured before. |
| C．The weather in Mount Everest area is relatively steady with a small temperature change. |
| D．Learning more about wildlife in the area is one of the most important purposes of the research. |
| A．a name of an animal. | B．a kind of grass. |
| C．a strong wind | D．a name of a machine |
| A．In a geography textbook. | B．In a travelling brochure. |
| C．In a government report. | D．In a newspaper |
I needed to get some money so, after Christmas, I took a job in the clothes department at Graham’s for the first fortnight of the January sale. I can’t say that I enjoyed it, but it was an experience I’ll never forget.
I could never understand why there were so many things in the sales; where did they all come from? Now I know the secret! Firstly, there is the special winter stock (货物) and the stock that people buy all the year round; some of these things are slightly reduced. Secondly, there are the summer clothes they couldn’t sell last year; these are heavily reduced to clear them. Thirdly, there are cheap clothes bought in specially for the sales; these are put out at high prices ten days before the sale begins and then are reduced by 60% in the sale. Clever! Lastly, they buy in “seconds? (clothes not in perfect condition) for the sale and they are sold very cheaply.
When I arrived half an hour before opening on the first day of the sale, there was already a queue around three sides of the building. This made me very nervous.
When the big moment arrived to open the doors, the security guards, looking less confident than usual, came up to them, keys in hand. The moment they had unlocked the doors, they hid behind the doors for protection as the noisy crowd charged in. I couldn’t believe my eyes; this wasn’t shopping, it was a battlefield! One poor lady couldn’t keep her feet and was knocked over by people pushing from behind.
Clothes were flying in all directions as people searched for the sizes, colours and styles they wanted. Quarrels broke out. Mothers were using their small children to crawl(爬行) through people’s legs and get hold of things they couldn’t get near themselves.
Within minutes I had half a dozen people pushing clothes under my nose, each wanting to be the first served. Where had the famous English Queue gone? The whole day continued like that, but I kept my temper(脾气)! I was taking money hand over fist and began to realize why, twice a year, Graham’s were happy to turn their expensive store into a battlefield like this.
In the sale fever, people were spending money like water without thinking whether they needed what they were buying. As long as it was a bargain it was OK.
You won’t believe this but as soon as I got home I crashed out for four hours. Then I had dinner and went back to bed, fearing the sound of the alarm which would tell me to get ready for the second day of the sale.
1. What kind of clothes is likely to be sold 5% cheaper?
| A．Last summer’s clothes. | B．Clothes not in perfect condition. |
| C．Clothes bought in specially for the sales. | D．Clothes for winter. |
| A．The customers gave up the queuing for which the English are famous. |
| B．The customers kept their temper while looking for clothes they wanted. |
| C．Small children enjoyed crawling through people’s legs. |
| D．The security guards were fearless of the crowd. |
| A．There were too many clothes and they wanted to clear them in the sales. |
| B．They were eager to show that they were clever at doing business. |
| C．They could take the chance to raise the prices of all their clothes. |
| D．They wanted to make more money by having sales. |
| A．chatted with her friends | B．slept soundly |
| C．broke down | D．dined out |
| A．The Best Bargain. | B．Hunting for a job. |
| C．Sale Fever. | D．A Pleasant Fortnight. |
