1 . You can’t just rely on textbooks to learn English, if you want to learn a foreign language well. Actually, you need an excellent language environment. This does not mean that you have to move abroad or live with foreigners. It is also a good way to read the original books, and the best and most reliable ones are the classics. Here are four famous books. Let’s see which one you are most interested in.
Ulysses
Ulysses did “stream of consciousness” before the term existed, and it’s also a complicated (难懂的) novel filled with references, wordplay, confusing jokes, and intense, personal reflections by the characters.
Moby-Dick
Moby-Dick has a fame for being very dull. Melville’s novel wasn’t received well on publication (it took decades before people really started to realize how great it is), and the negative evaluation (评价) is repeated every year when students are forced to read it.
Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice is a masterpiece in the literary world, being the inspiration, basis, and model for so many modern novels. You’re probably more familiar with its plot (情节) and characters than you think. For a book written in the early 19th century, its modernity is surprising only until you realize this is the novel that in many ways defines what a modern novel is.
The Big Sleep
It’s true that the book is written in what seems to modern audiences like a self-consciously tough style, peppered with old-fashioned expressions, and the plot is famously complicated, even for a mystery. It actually has several loose ends that never get solved, but it doesn’t matter.
1. Which book failed to be popular at first?| A．Ulysses. | B．Moby-Dick. | C．Pride and Prejudice. | D．The Big Sleep. |
| A．It is full of confusing jokes. | B．It is famous for its dullness. |
| C．It is a typical modern novel. | D．It has some mysterious (神秘的) ends. |
| A．A textbook. | B．An English magazine. |
| C．A travel brochure. | D．A novel. |
2 . Everyone loves astronauts. Whether actual or fictional, astronauts are seen as the best and bravest humankind. So you have to admire the courage of authors Donald Goldsmith and Martin Rees who argue that, in almost all cases, space exploration is too important to leave to imperfect human beings. They write, “Robots can go bravely where humans rightly fear to set foot.”
In The End of Astronauts: Why Robots Are the Future of Exploration, they challenge the three most common rationales(根本原因) for putting humans in space.
First is the belief that “humans in space can do more, and more efficiently, than robots can.” The authors focus much of their book on proving it wrong. The second and third rationales have less to do with efficiency than with “ambition and inspiration”. That is, humans must satisfy their urge(强烈的欲望) to explore the unknown, and “Humans in space add to our understanding of the space and ourselves.”
As scientists, the authors don’t have much patience for arguments based on unclear urges. They are cool to the idea that colonizing(移民于) space has much value to humans. They are more open to the idea that spaceflight might aid in deepening our understanding of the human species.
While we might be excited at the thought of human footprints on a distant planet, astronomers(天文学家) care more about getting data they can work with. So, at its heart, The End of Astronauts is an argument about return on investment(投资):For the cost of a single human journey to Mars, the authors point out, we could launch dozens of unmanned missions.
To support their point, the authors remind us of the remarkable discoveries made by robotic missions to explore the solar system over the past six decades, and they emphasize the risks which future human space explorers will face. In all, their book is a readable and useful contribution to this long-standing debate.
1. Who do Donald and Martin think is the fittest to explore space?| A．Astronauts. | B．Humans. |
| C．Astronomers. | D．Robots. |
| A．Encourage humans to be ambitious. |
| B．Deepen humans’s understanding of space. |
| C．Show how the two authors question the rationales. |
| D．Prove humans can explore space more efficiently. |
| A．It tracks human footprints on distant planets. |
| B．It mainly focuses on the return on investment. |
| C．It shows the worry about unmanned missions. |
| D．It appeals to space explorers to brave challenges. |
| A．The End of Astronauts is well worth reading. |
| B．Human explorers will face greater risks in the future. |
| C．All the remarkable space discoveries were made by robots. |
| D．The End of Astronauts is a contribution to space exploration. |
Mom was busy in the kitchen when my brother Marco and I got home from school on Friday. “Did you remember your grandmother’s coming today?” She asked. “Sure, Mom,” we laughed. “Didn’t you notice we cleaned our rooms?” Mom smiled and continued, “Thanks. I know I shouldn’t be nervous, but my mother hasn’t been here for almost six years! As I was growing up, her house always looked perfect. So I want everything to be well.”
“Perfect,” I said with a smile. “What else can we do to help before she gets here?”
Mom looked around,“You two could set the table. Use the good bowls. And be very careful with the glasses Grandma gave to us before you were born!”
As Mom prepared a big meal, Marco and I set the table. I taught Marco how to line up the forks on the left side of each p late and the knives and spoons on the right. In the center of the table, we placed a set of tall white candles. Then we stepped back and looked at our work. It seemed something was missing. “What’s missing?” I asked Marco.
“Napkins?” He asked. “And I don’t think Mom would want us to use paper ones!”
We both laughed. Marco opened a drawer and took out the nice cloth napkins Mom saved for special occasions （场合）. The soft white squares were folded in the middle, and we placed one on each plate. “Do you think that looks good enough?” I asked.
“No,” Marco answered. “Let’s make them look better. Remember the restaurant we went to last year? Their napkins were folded into different shapes! That was great!”
I nodded and unfolded the cloth napkin in front of me. “Look,” I said, pointing to the napkin, “These lines make special shapes. That gives me a great idea! Let’s do origami （折纸）. That’ll make the napkins unique!”
Marco looked confused, so I explained,“Origami’s a kind of folding art. People usually use paper, but you can use cloth. You make boats, birds or flowers just by folding. Nothing else is needed!”
注意：1．续写词数应为150左右；
2．请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Mom heard us and came to help.
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We placed a different origami napkin on each plate.
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4 . Covid-19 is not the first disease to migrate from animals to humans. The Black Death of the 14 century was spread by fleas (跳蚤). The H1N1 virus behind the epidemic of 1918 originated in birds. The list goes on.
In the last two decades alone, we’ve been haunted by zoonotic (人畜共患的) outbreaks, including SARS, MERS, Ebola, bird flu, and most recently, COVID-19 and monkey-pox. Some researchers are beginning to call this era a Pandemicene. A study published in the journal Nature in April suggests that climate change may be to blame.
“The study comes from a simple idea,” says Colin Carlson, a global change biologist and a lead author of the paper. Climate change is making many habitats inhabitable. When animals migrate toward cooler climates, they introduce viruses to new environments. “That leads to interesting problems from a viral standpoint,” says Carlson.
To predict displacement patterns, Carlson and his colleagues taught machine-learning models the kinds of habitats used by different mammals. The modeling software then predicted, under a range of possible climate futures, where such conditions might be found in 2070, he explains. Many animals will head to cooler mountains, or to coastal regions with mild climates; Indonesia, the Philippines, India’s Rift Valley, and Sahel region are all expected to have sky-high human population densities and biodiversity levels by the year 2070, making them easy to be affected by outbreaks of zoonotic disease.
Carlson and his colleagues paired these predictions with a model that analyzes why different animals share viruses. The same flight capabilities that make bats excellent mosquito-hunters and seed-spreaders, for example, also make them more likely to transmit diseases. And while it’s easier for viruses to spread between closely related species, even viruses for our distant relatives can find purchase in us, given enough opportunities for infection.
Carlson and his colleagues estimate that by 2070, there will be at least 3,000 instances of novel cross-species infection. Not all will become pandemics, but some will.
1. Why is this era called “Pandemicene” by researchers in paragraph 2?| A．Many species are disappearing from the earth. |
| B．The climate change has become unpredictable. |
| C．Habitats for wildlife are destroyed by human activity. |
| D．Disease transmitted from animals are troubling humans. |
| A．Infectious diseases are rarely related to animals. |
| B．Migration of animals can lead to viral outbreaks. |
| C．Livable places for wild animals should be protected. |
| D．Global population and density will reach the peak in 2070. |
| A．Viruses can be spread between distantly related species. |
| B．Bats’ flight capabilities make them immune to diseases. |
| C．Wild creatures are given many opportunities to spread disease. |
| D．Humans may be infected with different viruses at the same time. |
| A．Colin Carlson, a Global Change. Biologist |
| B．Climate Change, a Reason for Animal Migration |
| C．Habitat Protection, an Effective Way to Biodiversity |
| D． Cross-species Infection, a Big Threat to Human Beings |
I got through another long, annoying day teaching high school English via Zoom. Upon reaching my office, I pulled up my work email. There was a message from a woman who I didn’t know: Gigi Shepherd, who asked how she could join my class. “Was she a new teaching assistant?” I wondered. I’d never done any co-teaching. And I certainly wasn’t interested in doing it now with a stranger.
The email must be a mistake. Before I could figure it out, the principal called. She explained that Ms. Shepherd had got the passcode that would grant(同意) her admittance to my Zoom space.
“It’s good news!” the principal said. “Our district is trying to improve teachers’ skills by placing experienced part-time teachers with new full-time educators. It means more help for you.”
“Can’t you put her in another classroom?” I said. “I’m just fine alone.”
“The assignments have been made,” she said. “This will be fine.”
Deep down, I disliked changes. When things didn’t go as I wanted, I tended to get anxious. That evening, I emailed the stranger, as I’d come to think of her, with directions for joining us online.
The next morning, my screen was filled with the image of Gigi’s husband, as he helped her sign on. Gigi looked to be about my age. I put her on the spot, asking her to teach a lesson supporting the students’ emotional needs. To my surprise, the students became cheerful and lively as Gigi led them in a discussion on ways to stay connected. “Remember-even when we’re apart physically from friends and family, we needn’t feel alone, " she said in a breathy, sweet yet deliberate(从容的) voice, like a grade schoolteacher. And all the students responded. That was totally different from my teaching style.
Her kind words weren’t reserved only for students. “What a wonderful lesson,” she said before we signed off. “I really like the way you express yourself, Lori,” she told me.
注意：1.续写词数应为150个左右;
2.请按照图如下格式在答题卡的相应位置做答。
After school that day, Gigi and I got to know each other.
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Since then, I had learned a lot from Gigi.
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6 . A company run by Google, called DeepMind, has found a way to predict diseases in people using artificial intelligence(AI). This is the name given to a computer system that can “think” for itself and perform tasks that usually require human intelligence such as problem-solving and decision-making.
Google DeepMind is an AI company that works with scientists, engineers and researchers to solve difficult challenges using technology. They say their aim is to advance science and benefit humanity, and their research includes finding ways to use technology to identify and treat diseases.
DeepMind’s new software, AlphaMissense, works by looking at DNA. This is a chemical found in all animals and plants that carries information about every living thing’s appearance and characteristics.
DNA is made up of four chemical “bases”. These are known as A, T, G and C. The order that these bases are arranged in is very important, because it provides the instructions for how a life-form will develop. If the bases aren’t in the right order, this can create something called missense mutations (突变). These are mostly harmless, but in some cases they lead to diseases, including sickle cell disease, which affects people’s blood, and cystic fibrosis, which affects lungs and digestive (消化的) systems.
There are millions of possible missense mutations. Scientists had only classified (归类) 0.1% of these as either benign or potentially (潜在的) disease-causing. However, the AlphaMissense software has now classified an impressive 89% of them. The DeepMind team have shared their findings in the hope that it will help doctors and scientists spot disease-causing mutations and start treating people sooner.
Genomics England (GE), a company that works with the NHS to analyse people’s DNA, has already tested the software. Dr Ellen Thomas, from GE, said it will help scientists “make sense of genetic data”, so that patients can get better treatments.
1. What can we learn about DeepMind from the first two paragraphs?| A．It mainly focuses on financial gains. |
| B．It works with various experts. |
| C．It has found a cure for all diseases. |
| D．It is a newly established company. |
| A．To arrange DNA bases in the correct order. |
| B．To solve challenges using artificial intelligence. |
| C．To classify missense mutations in DNA. |
| D．To treat diseases like sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis. |
| A．beneficial | B．mysterious | C．harmless | D．dangerous |
| A．Doubtful | B．Disappointed | C．Indifferent | D．Positive |
1. Where does the woman work?
| A．In a transport business. | B．In a shopping centre. | C．In a hospital. |
| A．By car. | B．By bus. | C．By train. |
| A．It is costly. | B．It is easy. | C．It is hard. |
| A．It is far from the shopping places. |
| B．There is a lot of noise. |
| C．The rents are high. |
8 . Ida Keeling was 67, weak and sick, when her daughter Cheryl suggested a run to her. Cheryl thought that maybe what would pull her mother out from dark cloud was something that would get her
Keeling lived a hard life when young, growing up
Keeling had sunk into a deep
It had been decades since Keeling had done any
She hasn’t stopped running since, and it’s no longer as
When she’s not running, she must be
She’s written a book about her
| A．working | B．starting | C．exercising | D．winning |
| A．poor | B．happy | C．out-going | D．depressed |
| A．met | B．left | C．married | D．lost |
| A．dream | B．depression | C．regret | D．relaxation |
| A．recover | B．slide | C．improve | D．disappear |
| A．believe | B．announce | C．worry | D．realize |
| A．running | B．decision | C．changing | D．preparation |
| A．mistakes | B．memories | C．analyses | D．habits |
| A．difficult | B．cool | C．boring | D．unsafe |
| A．anxiously | B．cheerfully | C．unwillingly | D．secretly |
| A．wandering about | B．doing housework | C．making friends | D．working out |
| A．regular | B．solid | C．daily | D．voluntary |
| A．aid | B．feel | C．slow | D．resist |
| A．achievements | B．puzzles | C．reflections | D．experiences |
| A．prospect | B．philosophy | C．potential | D．prediction |
9 . It was a warm summer afternoon in mid-July at the Jersey shore. My four-year-old son and I hit the sand and started our adventure with bucket in hand.
I remembered the days not so long ago when a trip to the beach was just unbearable for my little boy. His sensitivities to sights, sounds, and touches would prevent us from enjoying everyday activities. My son, Will, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD自闭症谱系障碍). However, presently, we were able to walk along the edge of the water, looking for seashells to fill our red sandcastle-shaped bucket.
Will began picking up whatever shells he saw lying in the sand. After a while, I looked into the bucket and saw nothing but broken shells. “Will,” I said softly, “all of these shells are broken. You need to find shells like this,” I continued, as I held up a perfectly shaped clamshell with patience. Will gave me a puzzled look and continued on his way, gathering whatever shells he came upon.
I stopped, but this time I asked in a stern voice, “Will, why do you keep filling our bucket with broken shells?” He looked up at me with his big blue eyes and replied, “Mom, these shells are broken, but they are still beautiful.” He began pulling out different shells and commenting on their uniqueness. “This one is broken, but look, it has the color purple on it. Mom, none of yours have purple on them,” he said with such pride.
“And, Mom, this one looks like a smile when you hold it this way,” he said as he reached for another broken shell. “It reminds me of a clown. This one is round like the sun, and these ones are stuck together like butterfly wings...” my eyes gradually filled with tears.
“You’re right, Will,” I agreed. We walked along the beach, collecting only broken shells in our bucket and admiring their beauty.
1. What kept Will from going to the beach in the first place?| A． Lack of company. | B．Time limits. | C．Personal preference. | D．His medical condition. |
| A．Confused | B．Proud | C．Serious | D．Gentle |
| A．Because he was into the shells of enormous sizes. |
| B．Because he knew purple was the rarest color for seashells. |
| C．Because he regarded the purple shell unique though broken. |
| D．Because he was reminded of his favorite toy at home. |
| A．Chance favors those who are well prepared. | B．Beauty can still be found in imperfection. |
| C．Happiness in life is to move forward. | D．Experience is the father of wisdom. |
10 . There are some foods named after real people or events and each dish has a unique history behind its name. Here are some examples.
Kung Pao chicken
Ding Baozhen, a 19th-century Qing Dynasty official and governor of Sichuan Province, is the man who inspired this dish. The title originates from ‘Gong Bao’ which translates as ‘Palace Guardian’, his official title. The sweet and spicy fried chicken and peanut dish, flavored with chilies and Sichuan pepper, is said to have been a personal favorite.
Beef Wellington
In the 1960s, beef Wellington was a popular choice on menus. While it’s named after the Duke of Wellington, a British military hero who defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in1815, the dish of meat wrapped in bread was already commonplace. Its Duke-inspired name seems to have been added later.
Cappuccino
There’s not one person behind the name cappuccino but a whole group—the Capuchin. The brown color of their robes is said to have inspired coffee makers in 19th-century Vienna, where milk was first added to the drink. However, it didn’t get its signature foamy (泡沫的) top until later, in Italy, when espresso machines were invented.
Margherita pizza
One of the more simple pizzas but one that lasts, a margherita is a classic choice. A pizza base topped with cheese and tomato (the colors represent the Italian flag), it was created by Raffaele Esposito, the owner of a pizzaria in Naples, to celebrate Queen Margherita’s visit in1889. It may have existed before, but that is when it became popular.
1. Which dish is named differently from others?| A．Kung Pao Chicken | B．Beef Wellington |
| C．Cappuccino | D．Margherita Pizza |
| A．A military victory | B．A royal visit |
| C．A scientific discovery | D．An architectural landmark |
| A．On a cuisine website | B．In a scientific report |
| C．On a travel guide | D．In a personal diary |
