1 . Eyes can speak
Much meaning can be conveyed, clearly, with our eyes, so it is often said that eyes can speak.
The same is true in our daily life. If you are stared at for more than necessary, you will look at yourself up and down to see if there is anything wrong with you.
Looking too long at someone may seem to be rude and aggressive.
However, when two people are engaged in a conversation, the speaker will only look into the listener’s eyes from time to time to make sure that the listener does pay attention to what the former is speaking.
Actually, eye contact should be made based on specific relationships and situations.
| A．That’s what normal eye contact is all about. |
| B．But things are different when it comes to staring at the opposite sex |
| C．Therefore, continuous eye contact is limited to lovers only. |
| D．On the contrary, it will give him away. |
| E．After all, nobody likes to be stared at for quite a long time. |
| F．Do you have such kind of experience? |
| G．If nothing goes wrong, you will feel annoyed at being stared at that way. |
2 . It can be tough to pull kids away from their computers and mobile devices these days. While they’re playing games, wouldn’t it be great if they could be learning at the same time? Good educational apps offer fun challenges that teach specific grade-level skills. Here are four that combine fun and learning.
Understanding Math($3.99; iOS)
Understanding Math goes beyond basic comprehension to gain a deeper understanding of the whys and hows of math. The app tracks your child’s progress to determine strengths and weaknesses in different skill areas, and you can customize(订制)your child’s learning experience to suit the needs.
Word Creativity Kit($2.99; iOS)
Word Creativity Kit aims not only to make creative writing fun but also build up grammar rules. The app presents a series of words from seven categories, such as space or fantasy. Kids add their own words to finish the complete thoughts that these words have inspired.
Barefoot World Atlas($4.99; iOS)
Barefoot World Atlas helps kids learn about geography and world cultures with a touch of the screen. Each region features a set of sub-topics, from wildlife and natural features to native people, landmarks, and architecture. These facts and illustrations are delivered in photographs, sounds, and hundreds of mini videos.
My Grades & Homework($0.99; iOS)
A combination of grades and homework tracker, My Grades & Homework can help your child stay organized and on top of the progress in school. A convenient calendar and course list format and offer a glance at your child’s assignment schedule that he or she might not normally get from standard homework planners.
1. Which app is beneficial to children’s writing skills?| A．Understanding Math. | B．Word Creativity Kit. |
| C．Barefoot World Atlas. | D．My Grades & Homework. |
| A．They need purchasing when downloaded. |
| B．They help children improve their grades. |
| C．They make studies fun because of mini videos. |
| D．They inform parents of their children’s progress. |
| A．To wish readers to bring in more similar apps for children. |
| B．To encourage parents to allow their students to play apps. |
| C．To design the educational apps to combine fun and learning. |
| D．To introduce four educational apps for readers to buy and use. |
3 . Sidney Keys, 14-year-old, has started a youth-led book club program, with the support and help of his mom, to help empower (给予...力量) both himself and many other boys with mental or physical problems through literature.
“I used to have a really bad stutter (结巴) and perform badly in school and I would get laughed at for it,” Sidney Keys, the founder of the book club Books N Bros said. “Reading was kind of my escape from my stutter because in my head I was able to imagine things and play out all the events clearly.” He said,“I wanted to start up Books N Bros so that I could talk to other people, especially boys, about books I love in a relaxing way because it’s like a brotherhood.”
The reading club that he started at just 10 years old now has over 250 “bros” aged 7 to 13 from the U.S. and Canada, most of whom are changing actively and positively. Marvels Hero Project, which reveals (展示) the remarkable, positive change young men make in their communities across the country and turns them into superheroes, selected Keys to be featured in the Disney series.
“I always wanted to read books that had characters that looked like me, but now I see a comic book with me in it,” Keys said.“It’s unbelievable that my friends and teachers all call me my superhero name.”
As for the future of Books N Bros, Keys and his mom hope to expand the programs reach throughout the country.“Getting Books N Bros in schools across America, we don’t want transportation to be an issue for getting that physical brotherhood and bond. It just benefits so many people, and it keeps me going,” Keys explained.
1. What’s the main reason for Sidney Keys to build the club Books N Bros?| A．His mother’s support. |
| B．His poor school performance. |
| C．His own sufferings. |
| D．His desire to talk to people. |
| A．Because he was called a superhero by people. |
| B．Because he made a difference to others. |
| C．Because he was brave to face his shortcomings. |
| D．Because he looked like a role in the Disney series. |
| A．Confused. | B．Curious. | C．Anxious. | D．Proud. |
| A．How Sidney Keys and Books N Bros affect other people. |
| B．How Marvels Hero Project creates a superhero. |
| C．How a teenager gets help from Marvels Hero Project. |
| D．How a music club becomes a hit across America. |
4 . Ai-Da sits behind a desk, a paintbrush in her hand. She looks up at the person posing for her, and then back down as she applies another drop of paint onto the canvas(画布). A lifelike portrait is taking shape. If you didn’t know a robot produced it, this portrait could pass as the work of a human artist.
Ai-Da produces portraits of sitting subjects using a robotic hand attached to her lifelike figure. She’s also able to talk, giving detailed answers to questions about her artistic process and attitudes towards technology. She even gave a TEDx talk titled “The Intersection of Art and AI” in Oxford several years ago. Ai-Da’s creators have also been experimenting with having her write and perform her own poetry.
But how are we to interpret Ai-Da’s output? Should we consider her paintings and poetry original and creative? Are these works actually art?
What discussions about AI and creativity often overlook is the fact that creativity isn’t an absolute quality that can be defined, measured and reproduced objectively. When we describe an object-for instance, a child’s drawing—as being creative, we project our own assumptions about culture onto it. Indeed, art never exists in isolation. It always needs someone to give it “art” status. And the criteria for whether you think something is art are formed by both your expectations and broader cultural conceptions.
If we extend this line of thinking to AI, it follows that no Al application or robot can objectively be “creative”. It is always we—humans—that decide whether works created by AI are art.
Some may see robot-produced paintings as something coming from creative computers, while others may be skeptical, given the fact that robots act on clear human instructions. In any case, attribution (归属)of creativity never depends on technical arrangement alone—no computer is objectively creative. Rather, the attribution of computational creativity is largely inspired by contexts of reception. Through particular social information, some people are inspired to think of AI output as art, systems as artists, and computers as creators. Therefore, as with any piece of art, your appreciation of AI output ultimately depends on your own interpretation.
1. What can we learn about Ai-Da?| A．She has a complex many-sided personality | B．She beat others in the debate on art and AI. |
| C．She is capable of drawing high-quality portraits. | D．She can write poems without being programmed. |
| A．That art is content-based. | B．That art can take many forms. |
| C．That creativity is closely related to cultures. | D．That creativity is often measured subjectively. |
| A．Every coin has two sides. | B．Great minds think alike. |
| C．Four eyes see more than two. | D．Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. |
| A．Is AI-created Art Really Art? | B．Will People Accept AI Artists? |
| C．Can We Use AI to Create Portraits? | D．Do We Need to Improve AI’s Creativity? |
5 . The whale, as big as a locomotive(火车头) jumped out of the water, spinning(旋转) as though for joy, before jumping back under the waves. We watched the scene(场景) silently in astonishment, never having been so close to such a huge, fast-moving creature. It seemed almost possible to count the small shellfish on the whale’s skin.
In early December, gray whales, blue whales, and others had just started heading around the tip of Baja California, Mexico, moving as a community from the Pacific Ocean to the Sea of Cortez. It’s in that protected waterway that pregnant whales give birth to their babies. Other whale babies, born the year before, could be seen sailing behind. All whale babies get two trips like this with their mom before they’re ready to start having babies of their own and making the journey on their own.
We’re in one of several small powerboats, sent out by Scuba Caribe, which carries on such tours in Cabo San Lucas. The whales seemed to be, at times, less than 100 feet from our boat when they rushed out of the water. At other times, they would get much closer and swim beside the boat.
“What if one lands on us?” a woman next to me wondered. Fernando Del Toro, the Destination Manager of Scuba Caribe said, “We haven’t had any incident (事件) of whales jumping over our boats as we always keep our distance. We’re sure they themselves are probably careful not to crash into boats. Such an accident would probably also cause them much harm.”
“Everyone can enjoy this magical trip,” said Del Toro. “However, we do not recommend(推荐) it for kids under 5 years old,” he added.
Though conditions on the water vary, our trip was wonderful. Even when the boat sped up to catch up with the whales, there was little need to “hang on”, and some of us remained standing throughout most of the trip. Still, you may want to pack medicine for those who might get seasick while bouncing(颠簸行进) along the waves.
1. How does the author start the text?| A．By telling a story. | B．By asking questions. |
| C．By describing a scene. | D．By giving background information. |
| A．A description of the author’s journey. |
| B．A list of best places for whale-watching. |
| C．An introduction to the travelling of whales. |
| D．A suggestion on taking a whale-watching tour. |
| A．It is suitable for all ages. |
| B．It is much too dangerous. |
| C．It may cause serious damage to wildlife. |
| D．It should be done from a proper distance. |
| A．It was smooth in general. |
| B．It was tiring in particular. |
| C．It was destroyed by a storm. |
| D．It was terrible due to his seasickness. |
6 . Washington DC Sightseeing
With so much to see in DC, you don’t want to miss out by exploring on your own. With these adventures, you can guarantee that you’re not missing anything!
Capitol River Cruises (巡游)
This cruise allows you to see it in a whole new way by going down the Potomac River. The cruise lasts only forty-five minutes, and it can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Some of the sights that can be enjoyed while enjoying this cruise are the Key Bridge, the Memorial Bridge, the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria Bus Tour
It’s not easy to find beautiful grounds in Washington D.C., but this can be accomplished if you take a trip to Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria. This is a four-hour expedition with the primary focus being George Washington’s home. You will also have the option to venture down the Forest Trail, which is best suited for nature lovers.
DC After Dark
On your visit to Washington D.C., be sure to check out the DC Twilight Tour for a unique and enchanting view of some of the most famous sites! Stops include Union Station, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and the White House. What makes this three-hour guided tour truly unique is that you can get to see these wonderful historic sites illuminated (照亮) by the moonlight!
Comedy Walks Washington DC
Comedy Walks Washington D.C. is a great cruise that allows you to enjoy the nation’s capital in a new and exciting way. This is a walking tour and lasts for about one hour and thirty minutes. Some of the sights that will be seen are the White House, the Martin Luther King Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial.
1. Which tour favors those interested in the nature?| A．DC After Dark. | B．Capitol River Cruises. |
| C．Comedy Walks Washington DC. | D．Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria Bus Tour. |
| A．enjoying the Key Bridge | B．seeing the White House |
| C．appreciating some wonderful historic sites | D．visiting the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial |
| A．DC After Dark. | B．Capitol River Cruises. |
| C．Comedy Walks Washington DC. | D．Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria Bus Tour. |
7 . Jacky Hunt-Broers ma, who lost one leg to cancer, is seeking to break a world record by completing 102 marathon runs. She set her goal in mid-January. And since then, she has been running the distance of a marathon. Most of the time, she averages just over five hours to complete a run. If she keeps successfully completing marathon runs every day, she will reach her goal by April 28.
Until five years ago, she was not very active. But then she looked into running and decided to give it a try. The sport ended up being quite costly. Currently, she runs on an artificial leg made of a strong, light material known as carbon fiber. The material, which is designed specially for running, costs about $10, 000.
But Jacky says her investment has been well worth it. The biggest struggle used to be that she had to admit part of her body was gone. “Running really changed my life,” she said. “It helped me accept myself as an amputee (截肢者). It gave me a sense of freedom. I fell in love with the process of pushing my body further just to see what I could do.”
However, she has faced both physical and mental difficulties during her record-breaking attempt. On one recent day, Jacky said she felt like giving up at 24 kilometers and began to cry. “I had a total emotional breakdown. I was like, ‘I just can’t do this.’” she said.
Jacky is documenting her progress online and has also gained a large social media following. As she nears the end of her goal, Jacky is hoping to inspire a single thought in others. She tells people, “You’re stronger than you think and you’re able to do so much more.”
1. What is Jacky’s goal according to paragraph 1?| A．To defeat a deadly disease. | B．To break her 5-hour record. |
| C．To be a professional runner. | D．To finish 102 marathon runs. |
| A．Difficult but rewarding. | B．Interesting but challenging. |
| C．Enjoyable and eye-opening. | D．Stressful and time-consuming. |
| A．To prove her ability. | B．To encourage others. |
| C．To gain wider attention. | D．To increase her confidence. |
| A．Health is the key to happiness. |
| B．Actions speak louder than words. |
| C．Chance favours the prepared mind. |
| D．Nothing is impossible to a willing heart. |
8 . Apps to Help in a Disaster
Disasters almost always arrive unexpectedly. But there are computer apps to help people prepare for disasters. Some apps warn users when a disaster has taken place.
Siren GPS Mobile
The free Siren GPS Mobile app connects users to emergency (紧急事件) services at the tap of the screen. The app will let emergency workers know where the person in need is.
The app works over cellphone networks. But it also works on Wi-Fi if cellphone networks are down after an emergency.
Users can create a personal health report on the app to share with emergency services. This will provide information about medicines that users take, allergies (过敏反应) they might have and other medical information important to treatment decisions.
Life360
The Life360 app provides a service to keep the loved ones connected. Users can set up a network of people to share their location, chat and get informed when they are near someone in their network. People in the same network can use the app on iPhone and Android devices.
The app helps users communicate when they are in danger. The location sharing function can be suspended (暂停) when desired.
The Life360 app is free, with some services available for a fee.
Red Panic Button
When a person is in danger, the Red Panic Button app might help. This app can send a text message to chosen contacts providing the user’s location. You can also add a voice or video message or photo to your text and email.
This app can also be used to contact emergency services.
Red Panic Button is free, but extra features are available for a fee*
First Aid by American Red Cross
The free First Aid app by the American Red Cross helps guide users in giving first aid to the injured people. The app can also help with information to help plan for droughts, floods, storms and more.
Watch videos and take tests within the app. Users can switch the app from English to Spanish.
1. Which is not the feature of the Siren GPS Mobile app?| A．It connects users to emergency services. |
| B．It is useless if your cellphone network is down. |
| C．Rescuers can get your health information through it. |
| D．Rescue workers can know where the injured person is. |
| A．Watch over your loved ones’ movements. |
| B．Keep connected with those in your network. |
| C．Share your health information with doctors directly. |
| D．Get hospital information immediately when in danger. |
| A．Siren GPS Mobile. | B．Life360. |
| C．Red Panic Button. | D．First Aid by American Red Cross. |
9 . Some Sightseeing Tours
Tour A: Bath & Stonehenge, £39
It includes entrance fees to the ancient Roman bathrooms and Stonehenge. Visit the city with over 2,000 years of history and Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent and the Costume Museum. Stonehenge is one of the world’s most famous monuments dating back over 4,000 years.
Tour B: Oxford & Stratford, £36
It includes entrance fees to the University St Mary’s Church Tower and Anne Hathaway’s house. Oxford: It includes a guided tour of England’s oldest university city and colleges. Look over the “city of dreaming spires (尖顶)” from St Mary’s Church Tower. Stratford: It includes a guided tour exploring much of the Shakespeare wonder.
Tour C: Windsor Castle & Hampton Court, £37
It includes entrance fees to Hampton Court Palace, a guided tour of Windsor and Hampton Court, Henry Ⅷ’s favourite palace. Free time to visit Windsor Castle (entrance fees not included). With 500 years of history, Hampton Court was once the home of four kings and one queen. Now this former royal palace is open to the public as a major tourist attraction. Visit the palace and its various historic gardens, which include the famous maze (迷宫) where it is easy to get lost!
Tour D: Cambridge, £33
It includes entrance fees to the Tower of Saint Mary the Great. It also includes a guided tour of Cambridge, the famous university town, and the gardens of the 18th century.
1. Which tour is the most expensive?| A．Tour A. | B．Tour B. | C．Tour C. | D．Tour D. |
| A．They include a free tour of a church. |
| B．They offer a chance to visit some gardens. |
| C．They include a guided tour of a university. |
| D．They encourage visitors to know Shakespeare. |
| A．Meet a king. | B．Visit a palace. | C．Build a maze. | D．Live in a castle. |
10 . Gabriela worked for a multinational company as a successful project manager in Brazil. Later she was transferred to manage a team in Sweden. She was excited about her new role but soon realized that managing her new team would be a challenge.
Despite their friendliness, Gabriela didn’t feel respected as a leader. Her new staff would question her proposals openly in meetings. When she gave them instructions on how to carry out task, they would often go about it in their own way without checking with her. When she announced her decisions on the project, they would continue giving their opinions as if it were still up for discussion.
What Gabriela was experiencing was a cultural shock in expectations. Dutch psychologist Geert Hofstede uses the concept of “power distance” to describe how power is distributed in different cultures. In her previous work environment, Gabriela was used to a high power distance culture where power is respected. In such a culture, leaders make the big decisions and are not often challenged. Her Swedish team, however, were used to working in a low power distance culture where employees often work together with their bosses to find solutions and make decisions. Here, leaders act as coaches who encourage independent thought and expect to be challenged.
When Gabriela became aware of the cultural differences between her and her team, she took the initiative(主动权)to have an open conversation with them about their feelings about her leadership.
Pleased to be asked for their thoughts, Gabriela’s team openly expressed that they were not used to being told what to do. They enjoyed having more room for initiative and creative freedom. When she told her team exactly what she needed them to do, they felt that she didn’t trust them to do their job well.
With a better understanding of the reasons behind each other’s behaviour, Gabriela was able to make adjustments to her management style. Finally she effectively motivated her team to achieve their goals.
1. What problem did Gabriela face with her Swedish team at the beginning?| A．Her Swedish staff didn’t understand her instructions. |
| B．Her authority was challenged by her Swedish staff. |
| C．They were always refusing to follow her directions. |
| D．They looked down upon her because she was a female. |
| A．Professional spirit and risk-taking behaviour. |
| B．Independent thinking and friendly atmosphere. |
| C．Active participation and creative thinking. |
| D．Competitive spirit and mild character. |
| A．Kind but changeable. | B．Strict but trustworthy. |
| C．Flexible and communicative. | D．Stubborn and forceful. |
| A．Birds of a feather flock together. | B．Don’t judge a book by its cover. |
| C．Two heads are better than one. | D．When in Rome, do as Romans do. |
