1 . The world produces around 359 million tons of plastics each year. Plastics are certainly a big problem, but they don’t necessarily have to be. There are many ways we could set plastics on a different lifecycle. One that I have been working on is turning plastics into a hardy, reliable and sustainable building material.
Most people believe that plastics recycling is severely limited: only a few types can be recycled at all. This is unsurprising. The proportion(比例)of plastics that are recycled is minimal. But all polymers(聚合物)are, technologically, recyclable. Some of them can be used again and again to produce the same goods. Some can technically be reprocessed into new materials for different applications.
The problem is that recycling much of this plastic waste is currently unprofitable. But the amount of these materials all over the world is large and keeps on growing. What if this plastic waste could be used to produce something useful to the society? Many universities and business people are attempting to do this. Most solutions target mixed plastic waste and suggest applications different from the original ones. For example, several groups have developed building materials made of plastic waste. Plastics are strong, durable, waterproof, lightweight and recyclable—all key properties for construction materials. So what if all of this plastic waste could be turned into building materials for low-income populations? Existing initiatives are promising, but not yet reproducible on an industrial scale.
I study plastic waste with the aim of finding interesting ways to remove it from the environment. From agricultural waste to concrete waste, mixed with recycled plastics, there are many ways to obtain materials to produce bricks and other useful elements for buildings. So perhaps plastics are not necessarily the problem. They can be part of a pathway towards a more sustainable way of living.
1. What’s people’s common belief about plastic recycling?| A．Almost all plastic waste can be reused. | B．The methods are quite limited. |
| C．Not many kinds of plastics are recyclable. | D．The amount is unbelievably large. |
| A．Plastic waste is on the decline globally. |
| B．Recycling plastics doesn’t make money now. |
| C．Plastic buildings have been largely constructed. |
| D．New applications of plastics haven’t been found. |
| A．They can resist water and won’t last long. |
| B．They can be reproduced in large quantity. |
| C．They satisfy the needs of low-income people. |
| D．They meet most demands of building materials. |
| A．Positive. | B．Anxious. |
| C．Doubtful. | D．Critical. |
2 . It is generally accepted that blind people are limited when it comes to enjoying beautiful things around them. This month the Utrecht Central Museum in the Netherlands offered an unusual art exhibition called The Blind Spot. This exhibition was accessible to the visually disabled. Sighted visitors are encouraged to wear a blindfold on their eyes as they experience the artworks. This exhibition excited the other senses other than the visual sense. Visitors could look at artworks as expected. Besides, they could also touch and smell them. The show was designed to provide a better experience for museumgoers with poor eyesight.
The Blind Spot recreated existing famous paintings, but with extra dimensions, such as sound and smell. Visitors could even get a “feel” for the art, which included touchable elements.
Visitor Farid el Manssouri seemed to enjoy his experience. He smiled as he moved his hands over cheese, grapes and bread，part of the representation of a famous 1610 painting by Floris van Dvck. “The first thing that struck me was the smell. I could really smell the fragrant cheese, and I touched it too.” Manssouri said. Manssouri wondered how the food did not fall from its unbalanced position. “That was really surprising to feel... I guess it was glued on pretty well,” Manssouri said.
Artist Jasper Udink ten Cate and designer Jeroen Prins created The Blind Spot. They said they were inspired by an experience they shared with a blind visitor at an art show one year ago. “One day, somebody who could not see was there. At the place we served food out of this work, and we helped her touch the artwork. She was blind and she had a lot of feelings. She was touched. So we bad the realization, ‘Wow, we have something.’ That moment was the starting point to actually create this exhibition.” ten Cate said.
The museum's head Steffie Maas said The Blind Spot was an impressive experiment on the way to more such improvements.
1. What are visitors with normal vision encouraged to wear to experience the artworks?| A．Gloves. | B．Signs. | C．Eye covers. | D．Face masks. |
| A．Only blind visitors were allowed in. | B．The exhibits could be heard or smelled. |
| C．Original famous paintings were on show. | D．The artworks were copies of famous paintings. |
| A．A famous 1610 painting. | B．A blind visitor's recommendation. |
| C．Realization of more sense dimensions. | D．A previous experience with a blind visitor. |
| A．Favorable. | B．Skeptical. | C．Negative. | D．Ambiguous. |
3 . According to the US economist Robert Gordon, all the “impressive stuff” has been created; we have run out of the big, life-changing ideas needed to encourage rapid economic growth and engineers are now only just making slight changes. Inventions such as mobile phones, Gordon says, have had less impact than, for example, the invention of indoor plumbing (管道系统).
But this is a misunderstanding of how engineers work. There is no “Wow!” moment. The development of new technology happens little by little. You build upon the work of those before you, thinking about what could be done better and what could be improved. It’s an unending task. Michael Faraday invented the first electric motor. But Faraday’s breakthrough followed William Sturgeon’s invention of the electromagnet (电磁铁), and Alessandro Volta’s invention of the battery before that. Faraday would have expected future engineers to pick up the baton (接力棒) later down the line.
Reduced energy supplies, increasing populations and mass urbanization keep clever young engineers awake at night. Those, for example, who enter the yearly James Dyson Award invent things that solve these problems and more. The 2012 winner Dan Watson designed a clever system of escape rings for fishing boat nets that deals with the issue of overfishing — not an exciting topic, but his invention is exceptional. Human inventiveness remains unreduced in the face of new global challenges.
Our problem is patience. We expect new technology at a rate like never before. I can’t tell you the world’s next big invention. Last week brought news that we’ve invented a new way to deal with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Next week may bring a major development in another field. The biggest thing holding invention back is our impatience. With enough time and support, bright young engineers will develop exciting new technology to solve the world’s trickiest problems. Many have already begun.
1. Why does the author mention what Robert Gordon says?| A．To introduce the topic. | B．To illustrate a new invention. |
| C．To provide background information. | D．To express his opinion about the topic. |
| A．New technology has been developing step by step. |
| B．New inventions fail to deal with new global challenges. |
| C．Michael Faraday set a good model for William Sturgeon. |
| D．Technology helps future engineers achieve success smoothly. |
| A．His young age. | B．His patience with technology. |
| C．His effort to solve real world problems. | D．His wish to win the James Dyson Award. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Uncaring. | C．Disapproving. | D．Optimistic. |
4 . Table tennis may not seem a reasonable option for someone with no arms — but Ibrahim Hamadtou doesn't believe in limits. The 48-year-old Egyptian Paralympian breaks the barrier by holding the paddle (球拍) in his mouth and using his right foot to serve the ball.
Hamadtou, who lost his arms in a train accident at the age of ten, was drawn to table tennis after being challenged by a friend. "I was once watching a match between two of my friends," Hamadtou explains. "They disagreed on a point, When I counted the point in favor of one of them, the other player told me, 'Mind your own business as you will never be able to play.' It was that statement that fired me up to decide to play table tennis."
It took Hamadtou three years to master the sport. He says the biggest challenge was figuring out the best way to control his body. "I was trying first to use the bat under the arm, and I also tried using other things, which weren't working so well. Finally, I tried using my mouth. It took me nearly a year of practice to get used to holding the paddle with my mouth and making the serve. With practice and playing regularly, this skill was improved."
The Egyptian's incredible talent came to light in 2014 when he was awarded the best Arab Athlete of the year. He won a silver medal at the 2016 African Championships, qualified for his first Paralympics in 2016 at 43, and then again for the 2020 Tokyo Games at 48.
The inspiring athlete says, "The disability is not in arms or legs but to give up in whatever you would like to do."
1. What made Hamadtou take up table tennis?| A．His passion for table-tennis. | B．His ambition to prove himself. |
| C．His willingness to inspire others. | D．His suffering in a train accident. |
| A．Serving the ball with his mouth. | B．Holding the paddle under his arm. |
| C．Practicing strengthening his muscles. | D．Playing the game with the right body parts. |
| A．He was recognized as a gifted player at 41. |
| B．He was awarded the best athlete in Africa. |
| C．He won a medal in the 2020 Tokyo Games. |
| D．He realized his dream of winning a gold medal. |
| A．Well begun is half done. | B．Love breaks down barriers. |
| C．Success gives people delight. | D．Nothing is impossible to a willing heart. |
5 . Communication is essential for people to share information, form relationships and strengthen those relationships. However, ineffective communication can lead to conflicts. Communication barriers can prevent two people from making their points understandable to each other.
Cultural Diversity
People belong to different cultures and this can cause cultural clashes(冲突) very easily. It is important to be very careful and talk without hurting their beliefs about culture.
Perceptual(感知的) Contrast
The perceptual communication barrier occurs when you say something in a casual or flat tone(语调). People with whom you are having a conversation might think that you are not serious or interested in the topic that you are talking about. As a result, they no longer listen to you attentively.
Language Barrier
Thus, it is important to use simple words and easy grammar. Don't use fancy words as this will only lead to misunderstandings.
| A．Learn about different languages. |
| B．It is important to have a positive tone and body language. |
| C．Make sure to state your point and say only what's required. |
| D．This can cause misunderstandings and even damage relations. |
| E．Another common communication barrier is the language barrier. |
| F．Different people hold different attitudes toward the language barrier. |
| G．Instead, explain things more simply rather than making them complex. |
6 . The Munfords were moving into a house they bought. They wanted to see if all the furniture was in good condition before they used it. James Munford was
James and his wife, Clarrisa, who are both retired thought the coins are
“We really didn’t know anything about the
The home’s
The Munfords are still unpacking and their furniture just arrived last week, so they haven’t had a
| A．trying | B．repairing | C．removing | D．checking |
| A．trouble | B．money | C．effort | D．time |
| A．specially | B．actually | C．probably | D．exactly |
| A．got | B．put | C．gave | D．held |
| A．closets | B．drawers | C．cases | D．coins |
| A．return | B．collect | C．sell | D．examine |
| A．number | B．origin | C．value | D．use |
| A．believe | B．care | C．understand | D．agree |
| A．generous | B．real | C．kind | D．former |
| A．named | B．paid | C．rewarded | D．praised |
| A．attempt | B．hope | C．hurry | D．demand |
| A．missing | B．old | C．dangerous | D．secure |
| A．struggled | B．decided | C．helped | D．promised |
| A．place | B．means | C．chance | D．desire |
| A．choices | B．problems | C．suggestions | D．surprises |
It was yearbook day and I rushed into the hall madly. I had waited nearly a week for my chance to see my picture in the school publication. I was a freshman in high school and we each had an hour to sign each other's yearbooks. I sat down at a table, waiting for people to start coming over in groups to get their yearbooks signed and to sign mine. A boy came up to where I was sitting. I had seen him around. He had buckteeth（龅牙），and wore a pair of glasses. He rocked back and forth nervously and seemed painfully unsure of himself. He was so pale that it hurt to look at him. I was not entirely sure what was wrong with him,but I knew he spent his time with a special helper because he couldn't do everything himself. Little did I know that this boy would completely change my life.
He came up to me nervously, asking in an almost pleading（恳求的）way,＂Can you sign this?"
I looked at my friends who just looked at me and shrugged. To tell the truth, I didn't want to do that because of his appearance.
Thinking for a few seconds,I took his yearbook, not knowing what to write. I saw that there was the name "Ricky Sanders" printed on the front cover. So I wrote:
Ricky, I think you're a really nice kid, and I hope you have a great summer. Have lots of fun during the break.
---Will
I put down the yearbook and turned around to get some signatures from some of the others when I noticed my yearbook was gone. I looked around and saw Ricky sitting at the end of the table with my yearbook in his hands.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
He looked up calmly and just said,“Sign!”I saw that he was trying to put a signature in my yearbook. It took him nearly five minutes and when I got my yearbook back, there was a “RICKY” written in capital letters.
Paragraph 1
Ricky handed me my yearbook and smiled, really happy.
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Paragraph 2:
It was amazing,and Ricky was excited.
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8 . The Hope Festival is a not-for-profit music festival supporting different charities each year. It kicks off the summer music festival season and is a place to have a great time! The Hope Festival is a celebration of love and life and originally started 30 years ago as a wedding party. Today it is an energetic festival in which you can grab some great food, listen to live music and enjoy the joys of camping! The Hope Festival starts officially at 12 noon on Friday but you may arrive any time on Friday. If you like an extra night in a tent, you can arrive on Thursday afternoon and pay £10 per person to the farmer for camping.
The Hope Festival has the following attractions:
Over 70 live acts and 3 music stages including the Main Stage, the Windmill-Inn Bar Stage and the Festival Folly Stage — place to the Hope's Got Talent competition.
The Piano Tent — a great place to enjoy some amazing prepared music!
The Campfire — warm yourself by our campfire.
The Kids Workshops Tent — great fun and games for the kids of the festival where they make their costumes for our Kids Procession at midday on Sunday. The Kids Procession ends with a magic show performed in the Piano Tent on Sunday afternoon.
We also have cafes, juice bars and licensed bars with great real ale.
Note: NO DOGS are allowed on site!
There is a £10 increase in adult ticket prices if you want to buy tickets at the box office. Tickets are refundable up to 30 days before the event, and available to purchase until Wednesday 23rd May at 11 p.m., subject to availability.
1. What can we know about the Hope Festival?| A．It starts at 12 noon on Thursday. | B．It focuses on a wedding celebration. |
| C．It has a history of about three decades. | D．A family will be charged ￡10 if camping. |
| A．In a licensed bar. | B．In the Piano Tent. |
| C．In the Kids Workshops Tent. | D．On the Main Stage. |
| A．Pets are not allowed in. | B．The admission fee is £10 per person. |
| C．Kids should take their own costumes. | D．The prices of adult tickets paid at the box office are higher. |
9 . Whether you want to impress a new teacher, or just chat with a new acquaintance, knowing how to start a conversation can help you feel more comfortable and confident.
No matter what the situation is, you can find something positive to say. Comment on the weather, the food, or the event itself. Saying something as simple as you hope your conversation partner has a good time also is a good way to get a conversation rolling. People tend to respond better to a positive subject rather than a negative one. Staying positive also helps put others at ease.
It can be difficult to try to talk to someone when it feels that you have little in common. In these situations, getting the other person to talk about his or her own interests, work, or expertise can be a useful way.
Learning how to start a conversation is an important skill that can help you build social connections. It can be difficult initially, particularly if you struggle with shyness or social anxiety.
| A．If you put the skills into practice |
| B．Instead of pushing your fears away |
| C．Everyone feels some level of fear in social situations |
| D．Eye contact will make your partner feel embarrassed |
| E．Try to think of every interaction as a practice session |
| F．People often enjoy talking about things they are passionate about |
| G．People will be more interested in continuing a conversation with you |
Some researchers think there might be a connection between UFOs and angel sightings. They say the angels and heavenly figures might actually have been extraterrestrials(外星人)。
After his experience in the 1980s with "the most beautiful thing" he ever saw, Lewis might agree with that assessment.
It was a Saturday morning in Mariposa, California, and Lewis had to work that day. The air was fresh from a cool rain the night before, and the morning sky was bright with a few scattered clouds.
"I was heading out to my car in the back parking lot of the apartment complex where I lived when I noticed someone kneeling next to my car," Lewis says. "This person saw me and quickly stood up holding a crowbar(撬棍),"
The young man was quite obviously astonished by Lewis's interruption, and although Lewis sensed the boy was up to no good, it hadn't yet hit him what he was doing. Then Lewis looked through the passenger window of his car and saw that the steering wheel column had been stripped(脱去)of its cover. He realized that the young man was trying to steal his car.
"I asked him what he was doing," Lewis recalls, "He gave me a lame story about his friend's car being stolen last night and that my car looked like his friend's and so on. I didn't want to hear it. I told him I was going to call the police, which I did on my cell phone."
Lewis dialed 911 and gave the dispatcher(调度员)the address. He told the would-be thief that the police were on their way and warned him not to leave. "If he did, I wasn't going to try to stop him because he had that crowbar," Lewis says.
As Lewis was questioning the young man, trying to detain(扣留)him, he began to notice three rather large clouds in a single-file formation that were almost overhead.
"Then I saw it," he says."A shiny object exited from the first cloud and entered the next and then came out of that one. It was shiny, like brightly polished objects, moving at a good speed. I couldn't make out the shape."
注意：1.续写词数应为150左右；
2.请在答题卡的相应位置作答。
By this time, Lewis was so distracted by the UFO.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________"As it sailed overhead, some of the arms and legs would move up and down, giving the impression of being alive!"
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