1 . In January, 2021, the ice-making work on the ”Ice Ribbon“, a landmark venue for the Beijing Winter Olympics, was completed.
In the Winter Olympics, where races can be won or lost by a small time gap, tiny imperfections in the ice can make all the differences. ”It’s not just a hunk of ice like you’d normally think of, like ice cubes sitting in your freezer,“ told Kenneth Golden, a U. S. mathematician who studies the structures of ice. ”It’s a much more fascinating and complex substance than people would normally think.“
The first step for building any ice rink is to purify the water to remove dissolved solids like salts and minerals. Such impurities don’t fit in the regular hexagonal(六边形的)structure of ice that forms as water freezes. The purer the water, the more consistent the ice surface.
In addition to the need for excellence in the raw materials of ice-making, technology is also very important, As one of the most advanced technologies for winter sports venues, a carbon dioxide cooling technology has been applied on a large scale for the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. CO2 , is not new when it comes to ice-making. However, it has been gradually replaced by the man-made refrigerant, like Freon.
With increasing attention toward climate change, the old refrigerant has come into use again. As an element of the atmosphere, CO2, doesn’t damage the ozone layer. Although CO2 is a greenhouse gas, its greenhouse effect is much lower than that of other synthetic refrigerants. The Winter Olympics venues adopted CO2 instead of Freon as a refrigerant in ice-making, which will reduce carbon dioxide emissions greatly.
”We believe these technological innovations will bring Beijing 2022 to spectators all over the world in a more impressive way.“ told Gao Bo from the Media Operations Department of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
1. What is the result of impurities in water for ice-making?| A．The water isn’t able to freeze completely. |
| B．The quality of the ice will be affected. |
| C．The ice surface will be more consistent. |
| D．It’s likely for athletes to fall on the ice. |
| A．It’s the most advanced technology for ice-making. |
| B．CO2 is more efficient than other refrigerants. |
| C．CO2 is more environmentally friendly than Freon. |
| D．CO2 has already existed in the atmosphere. |
| A．Unclear. | B．Opposed. | C．Doubtful. | D．Favorable. |
| A．The Beijing Winter Olympic Games Are Coming |
| B．Beneath Olympic Ice |
| C．The Use of Refrigerants in Olympic Games |
| D．The Structure of Ice |
2 . As the new snow season starts, enthusiastic skiers and snowboarders can’t wait to hit the trails. Among them is 11-month-old Wang Yuji, who can barely walk. A video of the girl standing on a snowboard and sliding down a hill in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, went viral on the Internet recently.
Fan Xueyin, Yuji’s mother, said it was her daughter’s first time to try snowboarding. She said she and her husband were both born in the 1980s, live and work in Beijing, and love outdoor sports such as cycling, camping and running. They hope Yuji will learn to share those interests.
“As China will host the Winter Olympics soon, we are really encouraged to try ice and snow sports,” Fan said. Recently, we learned to snowboard for the first time, so we also brought our child, with the mentality of trying something new.
“Our family’s philosophy has always been that we encourage our child to do whatever sports we do. We don’t choose sports that we don’t know how to do ourselves. I went snowboarding with her dad, so we got her a little snowboard too.”
They initially considered waiting until Yuji was a little older, but Fan said “she really loved it”. Fan said the family has visited Thaiwoo Ski Resort in Zhangjiakou’s Chongli district many times. “Yuji has got along very well with the staff and neighbors,” she said. “Unlike living in the city, it’s wonderful for her to be able to play outside three or four hours a day here.”
1. What does the underlined phrase “went viral” in the first paragraph probably mean?| A．Aroused argument. | B．Caused disagreement. |
| C．Broadcast rapidly. | D．Infected virus. |
| A．They hoped their children would share those interests. |
| B．The couple was eager to learn to snowboard. |
| C．The Winter Olympics will take place in China soon. |
| D．The child wanted to experience something new. |
| A．Set an example for the child to follow. |
| B．Encourage the child to do whatever she likes. |
| C．Provide all that parents can to meet the child’s needs. |
| D．Develop the child’s skills in an all-around level. |
| A．They got tired of living in the city for long. |
| B．It is more suitable for doing sports than other resorts. |
| C．The girl could meet new people and play heartily there. |
| D．The first time to ski in it impressed Yuji most. |
3 . With the completion of the Beijing Winter Games, the city has become the first in the world to host both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
As Beijing normally doesn’t have much snow in winter, artificial snow has been used at venues for the Beijing 2022 Olympic winter Games.
“If you want to wait for nature ensured the smooth running of the Winter Games, provide you with all of the required materials to ski on, you risk not being able organize a competition, ”the former International Ski Federation (FIS) freestyle coordinator Joseph Fitzgerald told Xinhua.
Artificial snow has been commonly seen in the Olympic Winter Games for decades ever since its first use in Lake Placid, New York, in 1980. Artificial snow has many benefits. It’s fairer and safer for athletes, competing during each event Competition snow requires a higher density (密度) than recreational snow in order to meet the requirements of the FIS. Different from natural snow, certain characteristics of the artificial snow can be easily changed to meet the qualities and needs of different competition venues (场地).
Snow machines at the Beijing 2022 Winter Games all ran on renewable energy. “We have designed the latest in snow-making. It’s very efficient in terms of energy consumption and the use of water,”Davide Cerato , an Italian mountain operation expert in charge of snow-making in Zhangjiakou, told China Daily. “Water used for snow-making only comes from rainfall and surface run-off, and it can be recycled, Wei Qinghua, the mountain operation manager at the Zhangjiakou, told Shine, a Shanghai-based news platform. A sewage (污水) treatment station has also been established to process the sanitary (卫生的) sewage from the competition zone into recycling water for plant-watering and toilet use, Sun Xianghui, an engineer from Beijing Beikong Jing’ao Construction Corporation, told Xinhua.
1. Which of the following does Joseph probably agree with?| A．The Winter Games should not only rely on natural snow. |
| B．Organizers are advised to use artificial and natural snow. |
| C．Natural snow can bring risks and challenges to winter sports. |
| D．The required material for the Winter Games is hard to obtain. |
| A．High requirements and qualities of the FIS. |
| B．Artificial snow’s better quality than natural snow. |
| C．The advantages of artificial snow in competitions. |
| D．The wide use of artificial snow in the Winter Games. |
| A．They are very environmentally friendly. |
| B．They can produce certain types of rainfall. |
| C．They process the sewage for watering plants. |
| D．They use sanitary sewage and recycling water. |
4 . After months of expectation, the official mascot (吉祥物) of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games－a giant panda-inspired cartoon character－made its first public debut with cheers at Beijing’s Shougang Ice Hockey Arena(首钢冰球馆).
The panda is named “Bing Dwen Dwen” in Chinese. Bing means “ice” in Chinese, while Dwen Dwen suggests “health and cleverness” －characteristics also shared by pandas. Pandas are perhaps the most recognized animal species in China, organizers said.
“Pandas combine China’s traditional culture and its modern appearance together with winter sports elements in a fascinating image that shows our great expectations for the Games and shows that we welcome the world,” said Beijing Mayor Chen Jining.
“I have already seen the mascot and from what I’ve seen, it’s a wonderful choice,” IOC (国际奥委会)President Thomas Bach said before introducing the character. “The mascot really takes in the best elements and characteristics of China and the Chinese people. It will be a great ambassador for the country and the 24th Winter Olympics.”
The ring of light surrounding the mascot’s face is suggestive of ice and snow tracks, as well as the flowing “ribbons” (丝带) of the National Speed Skating Oval(国家速滑馆). The oval is one of two new competition sites in downtown Beijing expected to become a landmark of the Games, according to its chief designer Cao Xue.
The introduction of the mascots marks the key point of a journey that began in August 2018, when Beijing organizers started a global design competition for the mascots. A total of 5,816 designs were received from 35 countries, and were reviewed by Chinese and international experts in a comprehensive evaluation and selection process.
The new mascot will serve as spirited symbol of the Games that will take place in the three zones of downtown Beijing, the suburban district of Yanqing and co-host city Zhangjiakou in surrounding Hebei province.
1. What does the underlined word “debut” in paragraph1 mean?| A．Design. | B．Appearance. | C．Understanding. | D．Attention. |
| A．Surprising. | B．Entertaining. | C．Satisfying | D．Interesting. |
| A．The origin of the mascot image. | B．The introduction to the mascot designer. |
| C．The hard work behind the mascot design. | D．The hidden meaning of the mascot image. |
| A．The Mascot of the 24th Winter Olympic Games |
| B．A Historical Moment of the Winter Olympic Games |
| C．A Lovely Panda Welcomes the World |
| D．Comments on the Mascot of the 24th Winter Olympics |
5 . Directions, luggage delivery, tasty food. Those are some of the things we’ve seen robots offering at the media center of Beijing Winter Olympics. And most of the robots we’ve seen here aren’t made to look human. Instead, they present a wide range of looks.
Two of the most advanced robots regularly operate in crowded space. One greets visitors, answers questions and offers to guide people through the crowds. Another one cleans the carpeted hallways of the main press center. It speaks to passersby in a woman’s voice. It seems to be speaking English. But we can make it out well, because it also plays joyful music while its two front brushes are clearing dust and dirt like a street-sweeper.
Don’t assume these robots work all hours just because they’re robots. They have carefully managed schedules. For example, the snack robots just go around the media center for about 15 minutes every hour—usually only between noon and 17:00.
Another kind of robots helps out with logistics(物流) at the media center. These robots can carry up to 300 kilograms of goods, move freely along the relatively empty halls and automatically(自动地) recharge themselves. They send unique codes through text messages to the receivers when the delivery has arrived. Then they can pick up the goods with the codes.
There are even COVID-fighting robots, which move around pre-programmed areas spreading chemicals. Food ordering, making and serving in the dining room are fully automatic too. Reporters from around the world can enjoy various food options here.
In short, robots play an outstanding role in the Beijing Winter Olympics. But the most important goal is to reduce direct contact(接触) between people.
1. What can the robots do according to paragraph 2?| A．Sing and dance at the entrance. | B．Guide people in crowded areas. |
| C．Cook and serve in the dining room. | D．Deliver goods and recharge automatically. |
| A．They look like street-sweepers. | B．They show up every 15 minutes. |
| C．They cook food on site for the guests. | D．They have pre-programmed schedules. |
| A．To reduce direct human contact. | B．To promote made-in-China robots. |
| C．To meet the challenge of labor shortage. | D．To test the skill of AI technologies. |
| A．A Wonderful Day at 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics |
| B．Helpful Robots at Beijing Winter Olympics Media Center |
| C．Robots’ Important Roles at 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics |
| D．A Unique Robot Show at Beijing Winter Olympics Media Center |
6 . After months of expectation and secrecy, the official mascot (吉祥物) of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games — a giant panda — inspired cartoon character — made its first public debut with cheers at Beijing’s Shougang Ice Hockey Arena.
The panda is named “Bing Dwen Dwen” in Chinese. Bing means “ice” in Chinese, while Dwen Dwen suggests “health and cleverness” — characteristics also shared by pandas. Pandas are perhaps the most recognized animal species in China, organizers said.
“Pandas combine China’s traditional culture and its modern appearance together with winter sports elements in a fascinating image that shows our great expectations for the Games and shows that we welcome the world,” said Beijing Mayor Chen Jining, who also serves as an executive president on the organizing committee.
“I have already seen the mascot and from what I’ve seen, it’s a wonderful choice,” IOC President Thomas Bach said before introducing the character.” “The mascot really takes in the best elements and characteristics of China and the Chinese people. It will be a great ambassador for the country and the 24th Winter Olympics.”
The ring of light surrounding the mascot’s face is suggestive of ice and snow tracks, as well as the flowing “ribbons (丝带)” of the National Speed Skating Oval. The oval is one of two new competition sites in downtown Beijing expected to become a landmark of the Games, according to its chief designer Cao Xue.
The introduction of the mascots marks the key point of a journey that began in August 2018, when Beijing organizers started a global design competition for the mascots. A total of 5,816 designs were received from 35 countries, and were reviewed by Chinese and international experts in a comprehensive evaluation and selection process.
The new mascot will serve as spirited symbol of the Games that will take place in the three zones of downtown Beijing, the suburban district of Yanqing and co-host city Zhangjiakou in surrounding Hebei province.
1. What does Thomas Bach think of the mascot?| A．Surprising. | B．Entertaining. | C．Satisfying | D．Puzzling. |
| A．The origin of the mascot image. | B．The introduction to the mascot designer. |
| C．The hard work behind the mascot design. | D．The hidden meaning of the mascot image. |
| A．The Mascot of the 24th Winter Olympic Games |
| B．A Historical Moment of the Winter Olympic Games |
| C．Bing Dwen Dwen: a Lovely Panda Welcomes the World |
| D．Comments on the Mascot of the 24th Winter Olympics |
The Chinese capital, the first city in the world to host the summer and the winter Olympic Games, has come up with innovative high-tech standards for Beijing 2022, delivering China’s promise to hold a “simple, safe and splendid” event.
As the Winter Olympic Games continue in China, some of the different technologies are being used in Beijing. Journalists reporting on the Winter Olympics are offered the chance to sleep on the job thanks to the high-tech cabins (房舱) at the Beijing media centre. The 20 sleep rest cabins were developed by China’s Keeson Technology Corp, and with a simple scan of their phones, journalists can use them for power naps for up to an hour.
The spacious cabins are equipped with the same type of beds provided for the athletes. The smart beds with sensors can collect information on things like breathing and heart rates. Users can adjust the position of the beds, which have a massage setting, by using a remote control or their phone. The beds also have controls to permit users to choose different sleeping positions, including one called “zero gravity”, which is especially designed for the Beijing Winter Games. Raising the head 15 degrees and legs by 35 degrees is beneficial for blood circulation and able to help the users to relieve stress and get a good night sleep. So far, thirty to forty people a day have used the cabins at the Beijing media centre. The cabins are fully cleaned after each use.
The sleep rest cabins are just one of a number of innovations at the Games. The city has gone to great lengths to make the Winter Olympics a smart sports experience.
1. According to the passage, what high-tech equipment is provided to journalists at the Beijing media centre?2. How do you understand the underlined part "power naps" in the second paragraph?
3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
The smart beds have many functions, such as treating breathing and heart diseases, providing massage setting and permitting zero gravity sleeping position.
4. There are many other high-tech products used in our daily life. Please introduce another high-tech product. (In about 40 words)
8 . This year, several young athletes have shone brightly at the Beijing Winter Olympics, giving us a glimpse of their generation’s nature.
Obviously, the young generation is filled with “brave warriors” who want to challenge impossibilities and push boundaries. Freestyle skier Gu Ailing is a good example. After she finished strong in the first two jumps in the women’s free-ski Big Air event, it was certain that she could get a medal. But instead of taking heed of it, the 18-year-old skier pushed herself to the limit. On the last jump, Gu decided to attempt a difficult trick: a left double cork 1620—four and a half rotations in the air—before landing. “I have never done the ‘left 16’ before. I hadn’t prepared much for it apart from two days on the air bag,” Gu told China Daily, “but I felt it was a chance.”
But for these young athletes, the sport is never just about scores, but also about having as much fun as possible.
Born in the US, Gu faced criticism and doubts for representing China in the Beijing Winter Olympics. When questioned by The Guardian, the girl said bluntly she wasn’t trying to make everyone happy. “I’m an 18-year-old girl out here living my best life. I’m having a great time.” Gu said. “It doesn’t really matter if other people are happy or not, because I feel I’ m doing my best and I’m enjoying the entire process.”
Gu’s good friend, Chinese snowboarder Su Yiming also shares a similar attitude. He takes sports as a way to have fun. After he was judged to have lost the gold to Canadian athlete Max Parrot in the men’s slopestyle final, the 17-year-old didn’t feel upset. Instead, he was happy to have the chance to compete with his idol.
“When I was on the podium hugging Max Parrot, it felt unreal,” Su told China Daily. “All I did today was enjoy the runs and concentrate on my tricks. As long as I am on my snowboard I am happy.”
1. The phrase “taking heed of it” underlined in paragraph 2 can be replaced by ______.| A．playing it safe | B．taking a risk |
| C．avoiding mistakes | D．taking part in it |
| A．She didn’t perform well. | B．She is a post-00. |
| C．She was an American. | D．She isn’t easy-going |
| A．Not mentioned. | B．Gu Ailing. | C．Su Yiming. | D．Max Parrot. |
| A．The young generation shares a similar attitude. |
| B．Young athletes show the nature of the young generation. |
| C．Young Chinese dare to push the limits but also enjoy their career. |
| D．Young athletes have shone brightly at the Beijing Winter Olympics. |
9 . For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, and in China, the Olympic and Paralympic Games Beijing 2022 will use natural carbon dioxide (CO2) refrigeration systems at four of their ice sports competition and training venues.
The use of the natural CO2 technology is replacing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), traditionally used to cool ice rinks（溜冰场）and proved to damage the earth’s ozone layer and contribute to global warming. HFCs have a warming impact that is up to four thousand times greater than CO2.
“The Olympic Games are first and foremost a sporting event, but with their global visibility, they also provide an important platform to showcase sustainable solutions, said Marie Sallois, IOC Director for Sustainability.
The use of natural CO2 refrigerants at the Games will help reduce carbon emissions equal to 3, 900 cars per year, cutting them to nearly zero. A similar carbon reduction could be achieved by planting about 1.2 million trees. The system also has a cooling efficiency that is 1.2 times higher than the traditional HFC refrigerants, and can maintain a temperature consistency of 0.5 degrees Celsius or less across ice surfaces, making the ice easier to skate on.
The carbon dioxide used for the technology is collected and purified from industrial waste gases, while the waste heat generated during the refrigeration process is recycled and used for the stadium’s ambient（周围的）heating, hot water for ice making and melting and showers, and the efficient control of indoor temperature and humidity all year around. It is estimated to save up to two million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually compared to the traditional HFC systems.
Beijing 2022 has committed to staging carbon-neutral Games, and the debut（首次亮相）of the new refrigeration technology is among many ways in which it is reducing the Games’ carbon footprint. Beijing 2022 will also power all its venues with renewable energy and use fuel-efficient and clean-energy vehicles for all passenger cars.
1. What do we know about HFCs?| A．It makes Earth warm. | B．It is a new technology. |
| C．It’s only used to cool ice rinks. | D．It will be used in Olympic Beijing 2022. |
| A．They can protect 1.2 million trees. |
| B．They cool more rapidly than traditional ones. |
| C．They will make carbon emissions zero. |
| D．They keep the temperature above 0.5 degrees Celsius. |
| A．It purifies its waste air. | B．It collects CO2 in the open air. |
| C．It controls indoor temperature. | D．It makes a good use of the waste heat. |
| A．Controlling. | B．Winning. |
| C．Holding. | D．Playing. |
10 . Here is a brief guide to every sport at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
Alpine skiing, 11 gold medals awarded
The disciplines include downhill, the fastest event; super-G, with more turns added; giant slalom (回转), still more turns; and slalom, the slowest and most technical event.
Biathlon (冬季两项), 11 golds
Take the endurance test of cross-country skiing and shake it up very few kilometers by having athletes stop to shoot at targets. Too many misses, and skiers must take a penalty lap. Germany, France, Sweden and Norway should dominate the medals.
Figure skating, 5 golds
The strong Russian team swept the top three spots in the women’s competition at the last world tournament, with now 17-year-old Anna Shcherbakova on top. American Nathan Chen’s potential duel (对决) with Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan, the 2014 and 2018 Olympic champion, could be a highlight of the Games.
In the pairs event, Sui Wenjing and Han Cong could bring the gold to the host nation.
Freestyle sking, 13 golds
There are six disciplines. In the aerials and the new big air event, skiers launch themselves of a ramp and perform flips (空翻) and spins. In half pipe, they perform in a U-shaped bowl, and in slope style, they ski down a course with rails and jumps. In moguls (雪上技巧赛), they ski over a bumpy course and are judged on turns, jumps and speed. The only event that is timed instead of judged is ski cross (障碍追逐赛), in which skiers race against one another in groups of four.
Speedskating, 23 golds
Long-track speed skating is dominated by the Dutch. They won seven of 14 gold medals in 2018 and eight of 12 in 2014. Short-track provided China with its gold of the 2018 Games. South Korea will also be a major contender.
1. How many disciplines does Alpine skiing include?| A．3. | B．4. | C．5. | D．6. |
| A．Russia. | B．Sweden. | C．Norway. | D．Germany. |
| A．Anna Shcherbakova won the first place at the last world toumament. |
| B．Nathan Chen’s potential duel with Yuzuru Hanyu could be a highlight. |
| C．Sui Wenjing and Han Cong could bring a gold to China. |
| D．The Dutch won 14 gold medals in long-track speedskating in 2018. |
