In every gym class I've taken, I felt like the odd one out. Opening the door, I hesitantly asked, “Is this where the HIIT class is?” The instructor yelled, “Grab a dumbbell and yoga mat. We're late for warm-up!” Breathing heavily on the mat, I wasn't sure if I'd make it through the hour.
Glancing around the room, I seemed to be the only one struggling. Everyone else, in their tightly fitted gym wear and not a sign of sweat to be seen, looked as if they belonged. I, on the other hand, with my messy hair and oversized clothes, wondered why I had ever bothered coming.
Earlier that year, I had decided to give fitness a real shot. All my life, exercise had been a foreign concept and in school, gym class was a place of guaranteed embarrassment and humiliation.
I nervously showed up to my university gym for spin class (动感单车课程) on a Sunday morning. I had considered canceling multiple times, but I told myself that showing up was all that mattered.
The instructor was incredibly kind. Within minutes of seeing my weak form, he knew I was new to the class. He walked us through all the various positions on the bike multiple times.
The first time I tried to stand on the bike pedals, I felt my legs shake and immediately sat down. But with each class, my comfort on the bike grew and I became less focused on how I looked and more focused on looking inward. Whether I needed to think about something bugging me, dream about the future or just mindlessly pedal, spin class became my hour a week just for me.
The more I spun, the more I realized how powerful my body was. For what felt like the first time, I was proud of my body's capabilities.
After nine months of spinning, I wanted to challenge myself again. And that's how I found myself in the high-intensity class. If spin class got me used to moving my body, then HIIT class taught me that I have to continuously work to build my fitness and tackle my insecurities.
In all, what truly matters is showing up, not what you wear or your fitness abilities. Because once you show up, the rest gets easier, one sweaty adventure at a time.
1. Why did the author feel like the odd one out in the gym class?(no more than 10 words)2. What does the underlined part mean in paragraph 3?(no more than 10 words)
3. What did the author realize about her body after attending spin class for nine months?(no more than 6 words)
4. Why did the author decide to challenge herself by attending a high-intensity class? (no more than 12 words)
5. What message does the author convey in the text? How does it inspire you?(no more than 25 words)
2 . Just how bad of a mother am I, I silently wondered, as I watched my 13-year-old son deep in conversation with Siri. Gus has autism (自闭症), and Siri, Apple's “intelligent personal assistant” on the iPhone, is currently his BFF(Best Friend Forever). Obsessed with weather formations, Gus had spent the past hour exploring the difference between isolated and scaltered thunderstorms—an hour during which, thank God, I didn't have to discuss with him myself. After a while I heard this:
Gus:“You're a really nice computer.”
Siri:“It's nice to be appreciated.”
Gus:“You're always asking if you can help me.Is there anything you want?” Siri: “Thank you, but I have very few wants.”
Gus: “OK. Well, good night!”
Siri: “See you later!”
That is Siri. She does not let my communicatively impaired son get away with anything. When Gus discovered there was someone who would not only find information for him related to his various obsessions but would also be willing to tirelessly discuss these subjects, he was hooked.
She is also wonderful for someone who does not pick up on social cues: Siri's responses are not entirely predictable, but they are predictably kind—even when Gus is rude. I heard him talking to Siri about music, and Siri offered some suggestions. “I don't like that kind of music.” Gus snapped(厉声说). Siri replied, “You're certainly entitled to your opinion.” Siri's politeness reminded Gus what he owed Siri. “Thank you for that music, though.” Gus said.
My son's practice conversations with Siri are starting to translate into increased facility with actual humans. Yesterday I had the longest ever conversation with him. Admittedly, it was about different species of turtles which might not have been my choice of topic, but it was back and forth, and followed a logic. For most of my son's 13 years of existence, this has not been the case.
Indeed, many of us wanted an imaginary friend when we were young, and now we can all have one not entirely imaginary anytime we wish to. In a world where the commonly held wisdom is that technology isolates us, it's worth considering another side of the story.
The developers of intelligent assistants recognize their potential usefulness for those with speech and communication problems, and some are currently pondering new ways in which the assistants can help. “For example, the assistant would be able to track eye movements and help the autistic learn to look you in the eye while talking." said William Mark, vice president of the company from whom Apple purchased the technology behind Siri. “See, that's the wonderful thing about technology. Getting results requires a lot of repetition. Machines are very, very patient."
1. What did the author feel when she watched her son having a deep conversation with Siri about thunderstorms?| A．Concerned but helpless. | B．Excited and overjoyed. |
| C．Guilty but relieved | D．Hopeless and surprised. |
| A．He had always dreamed of having an imaginary friend. |
| B．He shows no interest in anything that is not related to weather. |
| C．He has trouble communicating with others because of his illness. |
| D．He has been friends with Siri since he was diagnosed with autism. |
| A．setting a fixed bedtime routine |
| B．exploring his special interests |
| C．shaping his logic while talking |
| D．improving his interaction with people |
| A．Siri makes people feel much lonely in modern society. |
| B．Siri sometimes provides better assistance than people. |
| C．Siri has a better academic performance than the author. |
| D．Siri is likely to be an effective cure for her son's autism. |
| A．Intelligent assistants will be more widely employed in the future. |
| B．The use of intelligent assistants will likely be limited to autistic people. |
| C．Machines are more skilled and patient at communication than humans. |
| D．William Mark was critical of the future development of intelligent assistants. |
3 . The original Blade Runner film took place in an imagined Los Angeles 2019, a futuristic city where acid rain fell from skies crowded with "skimmers": flying cars that zipped along aerial highways. Since the film's 1982 debut, technology has advanced in ways that Hollywood might never have predicted.
In fact, flying cars are real—and they could shape how we commute, work and live over the coming decades. Advances in battery energy density, materials science and computer simulation have spurred the development of a range of personal flying vehicles.
While these aircraft may not look exactly like Blade Runner's imaginings, they are also not all that far off either. Far smaller than a commercial plane, most are designed with rotors (螺旋桨) instead of wings, which allow for vertical takeoffs and landings. Most importantly, these vehicles are designed to offer faster commutes than traditional modes of transit for individuals, especially in cities with heavy traffic.
At the moment, the autonomous urban aircraft market is still a bit of a Wild West. Dozens of start-up companies are competing to develop commercial jetpacks, flying motorbikes and personal air taxis. Meanwhile, aviation (航空) authorities are currently hashing out the policies and safety standards that will govern this new realm of transport.
Germany-based Volocopter, for instance, has marketed its VoloCity craft as the first commercially licensed electrically powered air taxi, a vehicle which will eventually be able to run without a pilot.“It's like an Uber Black or any other premium service,” says Fabien Nestmann, vice president of public affairs at Volocopter.
With a few key differences, that is. Initially, the VoloCity will only have room for a single passenger. That will mean a higher cost per ride at first. But eventually, says Nestmann, the company's goal is to make the cost competitive with, say, an Uber Black. “We don't want this to be a toy for the wealthy, but rather part of a well-integrated journey for anyone in an urban area," he says." Everyone should have the option to walk, be driven, cycle or fly."
Increasing numbers of flying cars will naturally give rise to a changing layout in the way our cities are structured as cities grow taller, rooftop landings expand and air highways connect super sky-scrapers, freeing up space below. Fewer cars on the ground will reduce congestion (交通拥堵) and may give rise to parks and green spaces. “In the long run—2045 and onward—businesses and green spaces will become much more integrated.” says Kopardekar. “While we may not ever eliminate metros and roads, we might be able to reduce their footprint with these machines.”
1. What does paragraph 3 mainly talk about?| A．The advantage and disadvantage of flying cars. |
| B．The features of today's real flying cars. |
| C．The prospect of flying cars in crowded cities. |
| D．The differences between flying cars in real life and the film. |
| A．a terrible mess | B．a big challenge |
| C．something in rapid growth | D．something in the early stages |
| A．They will increase traffic congestion and reducc grcen spaces. |
| B．They will lead to more integrated businesses and green spaces. |
| C．They will require the expansion of roads and metros in cities. |
| D．They will eliminate the need for traditional modes of transit. |
| A．Its design was inspired by the flying cars in the film Blade Runner. |
| B．It is designed with wings, allowing for easy takeoffs and landings. |
| C．It will become ultimately driverless, making it fully autonomous. |
| D．It can accommodate multiple passengers with competitive pricing. |
| A．Blade Rmer's flying cars will eventually replace all other vehicles |
| B．It will be hard for aviation authorities to regulate autonomous aircraft |
| C．Volocopter is the first company to develop electric air taxis |
| D．The widespread use of flying cars will lead to changes in city design |
4 . This Is What a Scientist Looks Like
A project called “I Am A Scientist” is giving high school students the opportunity to interact with modem-day researchers —breaking down barriers like race, gender and personal interests. You'll get to have a close-up look at the work they are doing. Below are stories from some of the scientists involved in the program.
Noor Al-Alusi, Epidemiologist (流行病学家)“I am driven by a deep desire to help others. I believe that all people have a fundamental right to health care.”
Her work: During the Zika ( 寨 卡 病 毒 ) epidemic, AI-Alusi met with the communities that had been hardest hit by the virus, using data and mathematical models to keep them safe and healthy.
She wants to know: What makes diseases spread? How do we make sure that everyone has what they need to fight back against diseases?
Background: Al-Alusi was born in California but her parents immigrated from Iraq. This experience provided her with an understanding of the health needs of the immigrant community.
Ryoji Amamoto, Neurobiologist (神经生物学家)“I'm a huge sports fan. I study animals that can regrow their brains. I'm a licensed scuba diver but a terrible swimmer.”
His work: Amamoto studies the tiny but amazing brains of animals that have a superpower —the ability to regenerate. He learns what factors help these special brains regrow, so that we can try to treat diseases like Parkinson's (帕金森病) and the damage the brain can suffer from injuries such as concussions (脑震荡).
He wants to know: How is it possible for some animals to regenerate their organs? Can we find a way for humans to regenerate their own brains?
Background: Amamoto lived in Japan until the age of eight, when his family moved to Chicago. He had to overcome major language barriers which saw him shift between speaking English at school and Japanese at home.
Yamicia Connor, Physician Scientist“I once competed in a robot competition. I'm a doctor who studies ways to improve women's health.”
Her work: Connor is a doctor at a hospital in Boston where she studies cancer cells in a lab using microscopes and computers, but she also works directly with patients who are undergoing tests for new cancer treatments.
She wants to know: How can we tackle cancers that specifically affect women? How can we use medicine to improve the lives of women?
Background: Growing up in Florida, Connor was into her schoolwork and loved to put on plays with her friends.
1. What is one of the scientific research topics that Noor Al-Alusi is interested in?| A．How can we regenerate human brains like some animals do? |
| B．How can we improve women's health using medicine? |
| C．What makes diseases spread and how to fight back? |
| D．How can we tackle cancers specifically affecting women? |
| A．Because he competed in a robot competition. |
| B．Because his family moved to Chicago from Japan. |
| C．Because he studied how to regenerate human brains. |
| D．Because he preferred Japanese to English. |
| A．Studying the spread of diseases affecting women. |
| B．Boosting women's health via medical treatments. |
| C．Researching the regeneration of organs in animals. |
| D．Developing new cancer treatments for people. |
| A．They all come from immigrant families and have faced language barriers. |
| B．They have diverse personal interests, showing a well-rounded lifestyle. |
| C．They are driven by a passion for science and a desire to help people. |
| D．They have overcome significant challenges to pursue their scientific careers. |
| A．To demonstrate that scientists have uninteresting lives outside of their work. |
| B．To show scientists lead diverse lives with varied personal interests and hobbies. |
| C．To emphasize only people with specific personal traits can become scientists. |
| D．To encourage highschool students to get closer interaction with some scientists. |
5 . Teenagers are perhaps those who are most susceptible (易受影响的) to peer pressure. In simple terms, peer pressure is what drives you to do something, whether it is negative or positive, in order to feel liked and respected by your peers.
We’re constantly warned against peer pressure, given its negative connotation (含义). It’s often the main cause that makes you give in when someone tries to convince you to skip school with them, or to try and get away with cheating, stealing, etc.
On the other hand, however, peer pressure has the capacity to have a positive influence over young lives. We go to volunteering events when our friends do. We study more when we hear that our friends got high marks on the last exam. We go to the gym because we see our friends getting more fit and want to become more physically attractive or healthy ourselves.
So how do we cultivate a culture of positive peer pressure? The examples listed above are bonded together by a pair of common themes: friendly competitiveness and egalitarianism (平等主义).
As children we were motivated by our teachers to obtain as many stars for our good behavior as we could possibly get. This worked because as humans, we love to have a feeling of accomplishment, especially when competing against those with relatively equal abilities and capacities. We’re negatively reinforced to work harder when we’re falling behind because we want to keep up and not get left behind. As long as the competition doesn’t grow to be too aggressively fierce, and as long as the playing field between competitors is relatively equal, this kind of competition can promote and improve the frequency of good behavior. Even if we’re not the winner, we still want to be on the same level as most so as not to feel left out.
In my opinion, one of the most impressive things in my high school was the positive peer pressure we experienced against drunk driving. People planned out who the designated driver would be before a party and saw him or her as someone to be respected. Likewise, if someone planned on drinking without having someone that was sober (清醒的) who could drive them home, the host would sometimes let that person drive to the party and sleep over with their car parked in the driveway.
Above all else, what most adolescents want, and frankly crave, is acceptance. Since the definition of what is “cool” and what is not is malleable (有延展性的) and within our control, we can create a culture of positive peer pressure that promotes values that are in our own best interests, and that starts with how each of us acts individually
1. Why is it easy for teenagers to be subject to peer pressure?| A．Because they are more sensitive than adults. |
| B．Because they are very respectful in this period. |
| C．Because they are unable to tell right from wrong. |
| D．Because they are eager to gain peer recognition. |
| A．To support the author’s opinion. |
| B．To give a summary of the passage. |
| C．To introduce the topic of the argument. |
| D．To make the author’s argument objective. |
| A．Encouraging teens to compete aggressively with their peers. |
| B．Motivating teens to study harder when their friends excel academically. |
| C．Reinforcing negative behavior in order to make teens keep up with peers. |
| D．Creating a feeling of accomplishment when engaging in risky activities. |
| A．Students pressuring others to skip school and engage in risky behaviors. |
| B．Planning for a designated driver before parties to prevent drunk driving. |
| C．Allowing students to drive home after drinking without a sober driver. |
| D．Encouraging competition between friends to see who can drink the most. |
| A．The Comparison between Positive and Negative Peer Pressure |
| B．The Ways to Resist Negative Peer Pressure |
| C．The Power of Positive Peer Pressure |
| D．The lmpact of Competitive Pcer Pressure |
6 . When I suggested my 13-year-old try tennis, she quickly shot me down. “I’m not
Still, I was undiscouraged. I was convinced that
Midway through summer, we stayed at home one afternoon, really bored. “Do you want to play tennis?” I asked. “Sure,” she said. Arriving at the
I started by hitting a ball over the net, and Julianna took a big swing and
Now we always find time to play tennis. We’re both eager for an activity that can
Playing tennis together has not only improved our
| A．mindful | B．incredible | C．sporty | D．refreshed |
| A．progression | B．commission | C．admission | D．diversion |
| A．knock out | B．work out | C．figure out | D．leave out |
| A．agreement | B．insight | C．resistance | D．isolation |
| A．releasing | B．identifying | C．reproducing | D．nurturing |
| A．emerged | B．shone | C．interfered | D．worked |
| A．parking | B．court | C．source | D．milestone |
| A．dragged | B．turned | C．inched | D．headed |
| A．divide | B．hate | C．affection | D．objective |
| A．acquired | B．fell | C．missed | D．grabbed |
| A．imagination | B．alternative | C．urge | D．appeal |
| A．holding | B．scratching | C．removing | D．charging |
| A．illustration | B．pattern | C．measurement | D．frequency |
| A．desperately | B．disappointedly | C．specifically | D．widely |
| A．fuel | B．target | C．transmit | D．ease |
| A．relevant | B．negative | C．prospective | D．personalized |
| A．friendship | B．bond | C．rivalry | D．tension |
| A．beyond | B．beneath | C．unlike | D．excluding |
| A．individual | B．solitary | C．shared | D．separate |
| A．worked through | B．set aside | C．got rid of | D．reflected upon |
7 . What could well extend your life, and might assist you in the life to come? Answer: singing in a choir. It’s not a new discovery: there are endless studies on the subject.
But there was a specific angle to this latest study done by Oxford Brookes University researchers, which compared the collective experience of choral singing to that of taking part in team sports. Choirs apparently win hands down. And as someone who since childhood has used singing as an excuse to stay off the sports field, I take no issue with that.
In fact, I take no issue with any of these piles of research. The only thing I find annoying is that such an endlessly repeated truth results in relatively little action from the kind of people who could put it to good use. Not least, in government.
From time to time I get invited as a music critic to the launch of some program to encourage more collective singing among school-age children. Expert s like Howard Goodall usually turn up. Then, six months later, everything goes quiet.
The hard fact is that most state schools don’t bother much with singing. They say they don’t have the resources or the time. And even when a worthwhile singing project drops into their lap, they turn it down. I know a woman named Golda who’s been trying hard to organize a performance of Benjamin Britten’s The Little Sweep — perhaps the greatest work for young children to sing together. But has she found her local schools responsive? Sadly not: it was all too much trouble.
I got the chance to tour with a choir at age 11. It opened a world to which an 11-year-old from unfashionable parts of east London doesn’t generally get access. It spoke possibilities. All the physical and mental pluses are a happy bonus. But the joy of access to that world of music is what counts.
Just think: if we could finally get Britain’s children singing. we wouldn’t need university researchers. We’d just do it, and be all the better for it.
1. What does the underlined part “take no issue with” in Paragraph 2mean?| A．Feel confused about. |
| B．Make no comment on. |
| C．Get unfamiliar with. |
| D．Have no objection to. |
| A．Most children think little of singing. |
| B．Most children prefer singing to doing sports. |
| C．Most schools attach little importance to singing. |
| D．Most schools don’t have the money or the time to form a choir. |
| A．She couldn’t find a choir to join. |
| B．She failed to win local schools’ support. |
| C．Howard Goodall turned down her invitation. |
| D．The government was unwilling to provide resources. |
| A．Eye-opening. |
| B．Identity-awakening. |
| C．Soul-comforting. |
| D．Character-shifting. |
| A．To review the latest study on singing. |
| B．To advocate choir singing for children. |
| C．To recommend musical works for the young. |
| D．To compare the benefits of recreational activities. |
It’s May, which means that millions of students are getting ready to receive their college diplomas. Grace Bush is one of them. Grace is just 16 years old — at the age when most teenagers have not even completed high school, Grace has graduated from Florida Atlantic University（FAU）with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. What’s even more astonishing is that the brilliant girl received her high school diploma from Florida Atlantic High School a week after she had graduated college!
While pursuing two diplomas would have been enough to keep most kids busy, Grace, who graduated with a 3.86 grade-point average, seemed to even find time to play the flute for two bands.
Though this youngest FAU graduate has attracted national attention with her unique accomplishments, for Grace, this is not deviant. That’s because she comes from a family of overachievers. Her 19-year-old sister Gisla, who is currently pursuing a master’s degree, also graduated at 16, while her 17-year-old sister Gabrielle, is already pursuing her master’s degree and is scheduled to graduate from FAU this summer.
Grace’s education began when she was a toddler（刚学会走路的孩子）. She learned to read by snuggling（依偎）close to her two sisters while they were being taught and was proficient by the time she turned two. From then on, her mother decided to include Grace in all the school sessions she had with her two elder sisters. Not surprisingly, by the time she turned 13, the home schooled girl was ready for high school and college.
Grace plans to return to FAU in the fall to pursue a master’s degree. Following that, the young girl wants to obtain a law degree and pursue a career that she hopes will end as a judge on the U. S. Supreme Court.
1. What is Grace Bush interested in besides studying?（no more than 3 words）2. What does the underlined word “deviant” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?（only I word）
3. How did Grace Bush receive education before she was 13 years old?（no more than 5 words）
4. What does Grace Bush hope to be in the future?（no more than 6 words）
5. What do you think of Grace Bush and her two sisters? Please explain.（no more than 25 words）
9 . Only positive thinking is not enough to attain our goals. Our
In the 2008 summer Olympics, Michael Phelps was ready to
In psychology, the
Mental contrasting can make sure we consider realistic obstacles when
| A．concepts | B．evaluations | C．dreams | D．wishes |
| A．life | B．night | C．situation | D．path |
| A．break | B．establish | C．hold | D．write |
| A．shut off | B．stood against | C．filled with | D．took on |
| A．neglect | B．adjust | C．update | D．remove |
| A．and | B．but | C．as | D．if |
| A．slow | B．memorable | C．precious | D．short |
| A．prepare | B．rescue | C．refresh | D．control |
| A．contributed | B．discovered | C．kept | D．created |
| A．fact | B．turn | C．detail | D．addition |
| A．partly | B．precisely | C．generally | D．rapidly |
| A．counted | B．imagined | C．designed | D．remembered |
| A．trial | B．task | C．effort | D．practice |
| A．original | B．deep | C．positive | D．strange |
| A．requires | B．allows | C．urges | D．commands |
| A．unrealistic | B．accidental | C．desired | D．delayed |
| A．reforms | B．decisions | C．budgets | D．progressions |
| A．supporting | B．explaining | C．transforming | D．developing |
| A．warm | B．lead | C．remind | D．forbid |
| A．eventually | B．astonishingly | C．abruptly | D．secretly |
10 . How many times have you found yourself in conversations with friends, family members or loved ones and discovered that you had completely tuned out to what they were saying? How much of our attention are we truly giving to the people who are supposed to be important to us?
According to research cited by Wright State University, while most people believe they are good listeners who don’t need to improve their listening skills, the average person only listens at about 25 percent efficiency.
So why aren’t we better listeners? As a society, we may be growing more narcissistic (自我陶醉的). A 2007 study found a rise in self-centeredness and narcissism among college students. If we, as a culture, are becoming more self-centered, how can we, as individuals, work to become more caring and compassionate communicators?
We can begin by changing our attitudes toward conversations. As Stephen R. Covey wrote in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change, “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand but to reply.” A dialogue is an opportunity to learn, to see things from a new perspective, to open your eyes to new information and possibilities. Yet, too often we engage in conversation as if it’s a debate. We speak to hear our own voices — our own pre-existing opinions. In doing so, we tend to space out when spoken to. We wait, perhaps even patiently or politely, for the other person to finish, so we can say something we feel is of value.
Playwright Wilson Mizner said, “A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while, he knows something.” Listening doesn’t just expand our knowledge on an intellectual level; it enables us to have a more personal, in-depth understanding of our closest friends. Relationships are truly enriched by an equal back-and-forth exchange in communication. When these dynamics become more one-sided, we tend to lose interest and create distance in our friendships, with less trust established, less honesty exchanged.
Thankfully, we can all improve our listening skills. Maybe we aren’t as good a listener as we believe. Do we tend to focus too much on ourselves — both in positive and negative ways? Do we get distracted by an inner coach, rather than living in the moment and really engaging in what’s being said? As we learn to quiet that inner voice in our minds, we can start to open ourselves up to others, becoming better listeners, thinkers, lovers and friends.
1. What is the author’s purpose in showing the social phenomena in Paragraph 1?| A．To show most people are confident about their listening skills. |
| B．To express his concerns about people’s lack of attention when talking. |
| C．To introduce the fact that people have low efficiency of listening in life. |
| D．To provide some information about how people behave in conversation. |
| A．To prove college students have become more self-cenfered and narcissistic over time. |
| B．To show the belief in people’s listening skills is outdated and needs to be updated. |
| C．To provide an example of how society’s narcissism affects personal relationships. |
| D．To support the argument that society is becoming more self-centered and narcissistic. |
| A．People should listen to learn and see things from a new perspective. |
| B．A good listener is popular but does not necessarily know everything. |
| C．Most people listen with the intention to understand, not to reply. |
| D．We should speak to hear our own voices and pre-existing opinions. |
| A．Become focused. | B．Feel confused. |
| C．Be absent-minded. | D．Remain anxious. |
| A．The Decline of Listening in Modern Society |
| B．Improving Listening Skills for Better Relationships |
| C．The Impact of Narcissism on Social Communication |
| D．Why We Should Listen More and Speak Less |
