1 . As of 2020, the world's biggest lithium-ion (锂离子) battery is hooked up to the Southern California power grid and can provide 250 million watts of power, or enough to power about 250,000 homes. But it's actually not the biggest battery in the world: these lakes are.
Wait - how can a pair of lakes be a battery? To answer that question, it helps to define a battery: it's simply something that stores energy and releases it on demand. The lithium-ion batteries that power our phones, laptops, and cars are just one type. They store energy in lithium ions.
How do the two lakes store and release energy? First, one is 300 meters higher than the other. Electricity power pumps that move billions of liters of water from the lower lake to the higher one. This stores the energy by giving the water extra gravitational potential energy. Then, when there's high demand for electricity, valves (阀门) open, releasing the stored energy by letting water flow downhill to power 6 giant turbines that can generate 3 billion watts of power for 10 hours.
Unfortunately, neither of the giant batteries we've talked about so far is big enough to power multiple cities. The two lakes setup requires specific geography, takes up a lot of land, and has high upfront costs to build. The giant lithium-ion battery in California can power about 250,000 homes, yes, but only for an hour. Lithium-ion batteries also require certain heavy metals to make. These resources are limited, and mining them causes environmental damage. Inventors all over the world are rising to the challenge of making batteries that can meet our needs - many of them even weirder than the two lakes.
1. Why is the world's biggest lithium-ion battery mentioned in Paragraph 1?A.To make a comparison. |
B.To introduce the topic. |
C.To stress its importance. |
D.To declare a fact. |
A.With the help of the pumps, the two lakes store energy. |
B.The water flow by itself to release the stored energy. |
C.The two lakes setup is able to power multiple cities. |
D.Lithium-ion batteries are environmentally friendly. |
A.Inventors' worries. | B.Inventors' efforts. |
C.Stranger batteries. | D.New challenges. |
A.Battery Inventors Face New Challenges. |
B.The World's Biggest Battery Looks Nothing Like a Battery |
C.Giant Batteries Fail to Meet Our Needs. |
D.Newly-invented Batteries. |
2 . Ways to Put Down Your Smartphone
For most people, when they wake up in the morning, the first thing coming to their mind is to find their smartphone. If it is the same to you, it is time for you to put your smartphone down.
Pick up a newspaper
Read a newspaper and be amazed at how relaxing it is to read through the day's news. We will find our attention has increased and we will enjoy reading it.
Take your old radio out again, plug it in, and be amazed at how vital radio still can be. More importantly, you won't be attracted to check other apps and websites.
Cut off social media ties
We love Facebook or Twitter to communicate with friends and relations.
Today, it seems nearly impossible to put your phone down for 60 minutes. However, whether dining at home or out on the town, stick to (坚持) a no-device policy.
A.Here are the results of giving up using your smartphone. |
B.Here are some quick and easy ways to put them aside. |
C.And don’t be worried about the cost. |
D.Listen to the news report |
E.Just check in at your lunch break or at the gym. |
F.To make it stick, you can place phones in the center of the table. |
G.Listen to the radio. |
3 . Rome can be pricey for travelers, which is why many choose to stay in a hostel (旅社). The hostels in Rome offer a bed in a dorm room for around $25 a night, and for that, you’ll often get to stay in a central location (位置) with security and comfort.
Yellow HostelIf I had to make just one recommendation for where to stay in Rome, it would be Yellow Hostel. It’s one of the best-rated hostels in the city, and for good reason. It’s affordable, and it’s got a fun atmosphere without being too noisy. As an added bonus, it’s close to the main train station.
Hostel Alessandro PalaceIf you love social hostels, this is the best hostel for you in Rome. Hostel Alessandro Palace is fun. Staff members hold plenty of bar events for guests like free shots, bar crawls and karaoke. There’s also an area on the rooftop for hanging out with other travelers during the summer.
Youth Station HostelIf you’re looking for cleanliness and a modern hostel, look no further than Youth Station. It offers beautiful furnishings and beds. There are plenty of other benefits, too; it doesn’t charge city tax; it has both air conditioning and a heater for the rooms; it also has free Wi-Fi in every room.
Hotel and Hostel Des ArtistesHotel and Hostel Des Artistes is located just a 10-minute walk from the central city station and it’s close to all of the city’s main attractions. The staff is friendly and helpful, providing you with a map of the city when you arrive, and offering advice if you require some. However, you need to pay 2 euros a day for Wi-Fi.
1. What is probably the major concern of travelers who choose to stay in a hostel?A.Comfort. | B.Security. |
C.Price. | D.Location. |
A.Yellow Hostel. | B.Hostel Alessandro Palace. |
C.Youth Station Hostel. | D.Hotel and Hostel Des Artistes. |
A.It gets noisy at night. | B.Its staff is too talkative. |
C.It charges for Wi-Fi. | D.It’s inconveniently located. |
增加:在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧),并在其下面写上该加的词。
删除:把多余的词用斜线(\)划掉。
修改:在错的词下划一横线,并在该词下面写上修改后的词。
注意:1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词;
2.只允许修改10处,多者(从第11处起)不计分。
The other day, I was invited my friend Sam's home for dinner. I felt a bit surprised when I saw Bill there. It was two month since we two had quarreled, so I was embarrassing and didn't know how to do. I sat down on the sofa but began to watch TV. Later Sam came to ask I to make up with Bill. Until then I don't realize that Sam had arranged the meeting on purpose. I went up to Bill and greeted him warmly, smiled at him. He looked very happy and talked with me excited. That night, we had a great fun together.
5 . Almost everything was fantastic in the camp except for a girl, Elizabeth. When I saw her sitting alone in the hot sun at lunch, I asked her to eat with us under a
It
“What do you like to do for fun?”I asked, trying to make small
“I get it, ” I said. “I don’t always know how to
After that, Elizabeth seemed to get along well with us, and I think she actually
Next time, if someone is unfriendly, give him a second
A.tall | B.shady | C.warm | D.pretty |
A.suggestion | B.help | C.symbol | D.order |
A.turned over | B.turned in | C.turned out | D.turned down |
A.unfair | B.unfit | C.unfriendly | D.uncertain |
A.decided | B.agreed | C.pretended | D.managed |
A.seemed | B.appeared | C.looked | D.happened |
A.Guess | B.Suppose | C.Believe | D.Determine |
A.changes | B.adjustment | C.talk | D.mistake |
A.jog | B.work | C.live | D.walk |
A.replied | B.insisted | C.complained | D.shouted |
A.unless | B.though | C.until | D.since |
A.happily | B.coldly | C.sadly | D.luckily |
A.silence | B.pain | C.peace | D.trouble |
A.lay | B.sat | C.ate | D.fell |
A.still | B.yet | C.already | D.ever |
A.crazy | B.alone | C.kind | D.unique |
A.ruin | B.recognize | C.repair | D.handle |
A.sweat | B.tears | C.kisses | D.face |
A.enjoyed | B.planned | C.hated | D.avoided |
A.life | B.bird | C.chance | D.try |
6 . "What kind of rubbish are you?" This question has brought about complaints over the past months in Shanghai. On July 1st, 2019, the city introduced strict trash-sorting rules. Residents must divide this waste into four separate groups and throw it into specific public bins.
Shanghai is faced with an obvious environmental problem. It produces 9 million tons of rubbish a year, and the number is rising quickly. Like other cities in China, it has relied on trash pickers to pick out whatever can be reused. But as people get wealthier, fewer of them want to do such dirty work. The waste, meanwhile, just keeps piling up.
Many people appear to be bothered by the rules. Rubbish must be divided according to whether it is food, recyclable, dry or hazardous (有害的), the differences among which can be complex and confusing. Some have complained that they must put food waste straight in the required public bin, forcing them to tear open plastic bags and throw it by hand. Most annoying is the short scheduled time for throwing trash, typically a couple of hours, morning and evening. This means that people all go at the same time and anyone can keep an eye on what is being thrown out; no one wants to look bad.
People who fail obey the rules could be hit with fines of up to 200 yuan. For repetitive violators, the city can add black marks to their credit records, making it harder for them to get bank loans or even buy train tickets. However, citizens support the idea of recycling in general and say a tough campaign is necessary. "Slowly people will get used to it," says Li Chongjin of Fudan University.
1. What is the purpose of the first paragraph?A.To amuse the readers with a question |
B.To introduce a hot topic about trash dividing |
C.To present a social problem in Shanghai |
D.To offer a way to deal with the complaints |
A.trash-pickers | B.waste-throwers |
C.law-makers | D.rule-breakers |
A.Being forced to keep plastic bags open. |
B.Being required to tell different kinds of rubbish apart |
C.Being seriously punished for improper behavior |
D.Being asked to throw trash at the short scheduled time. |
A.Hopeful | B.Dissatisfied. |
C.Doubtful. | D.Uncaring |
注意:(1)可适当增加内容(如包扎伤口的操作细节),以使行文流畅;
(2)词数:100个左右。
8 . Are you an optimist(乐观主义者)or a pessimist(悲观主义者)? It seems that young people in China are more optimistic than youth in other countries.
Varkey Foundation, a UK non-profit organization, did a survey between last September and October. It asked 20,000 young people in 20 counties including China, the United States and the United Kingdom how they think and feel about the world. The survey found that 53 percent of those questioned in China think the world is becoming a better place, the highest percentage among the countries surveyed.
When asked why they felt hopeful for the future, 93 percent of Chinese youth think it's because of advances in technology. Medicine, renewable energy and computing may make life in the future easier. Some 64 percent of Chinese youth also think China is a good place to live. The biggest reason(29 percent)is that China is "a country in which anyone is able to get on if they work hard".
The survey also found young people in emerging economies are more hopeful about the future than those in developed countries. Following Chia, Indian youth were the second most optimistic(49 percent). Those in France, Italy and Turkey are the most pessimistic. The rise of global terrorism worries them most.
However, Chinese young people seem to worry about something else. As much as 82 percent of them worry about climate change. China is the only country out of the 20 in which climate change was the biggest cause of fear for future.
Vikas Pota of the Varkey Foundation took this as a good thing. Chinese youths are more aware than anyone of how serious the climate problem is and will be pressing for change, he told the South China Morning Post.
1. In the survey, about ___________ felt hopeful about the world.A.20 countries | B.10, 600 Chinese youth |
C.20, 000 young people | D.53 percent of Chinese youth questioned |
A.Technology advances quickly in China. | B.They have more abilities. |
C.China is a good place to live. | D.Working hard always helps in China. |
A.Young people in developed countries are more optimistic. |
B.The Indian youth is the most pessimistic in the survey. |
C.Global terrorism worries the young in countries like Italy. |
D.About 80 percent of Chinese youth care most about jobs. |
A.Chinese young people are more optimistic. |
B.The life in the future in China is easier. |
C.Chinese young people worry climate change most. |
D.The young people in developed countries are worried about terrorism. |
9 . Tired of seeing so much garbage along the bank of River Schie in Rotterdam, Dutch artist Tommy Kleyn decided to step up and do something about it. He alone organized a cleanup of the entire bank without leaving any garbage, proving that anyone can indeed make a difference if they want to.
Kleyn would cycle past a part of the Rotterdam riverway and see so much garbage along the bank. The situation troubled him, so he decided to spend 30 minutes every day cleaning the place up, filling one garbage bag a time. And when he posted pictures of his work on Facebook, a few of his friends volunteered to join as well. In five weeks, they had a 100-meter riverbank clean and completely rubbish-free.
Kleyn's action has received great support online, and he has managed to turn it into a small movement. He has set up a Facebook page through which he challenges people to spend 30 minutes a year to fill a garbage bag with rubbish. "It feels great and you'll make a big difference," he wrote. "People are free to share their 'before' and 'after' pictures on the page. The challenge has attracted people in countries. The people came from as far as China to respond with their own photos and stories!"
"I want to show how easy it is to remove rubbish," he added. "Hopefully there will come a time when makers are thoughtful and their goods are no longer wrapped in layers of plastic."
Local officials praised Kleyn's work on the riverbank and helped him raise money for future projects as well. "People can sign up to help me one day a year. For this, they received a coupon, like going to a local restaurant at the lowest price. You can imagine what I've managed to do in 22 days, and what 22 men could do in a day." he said.
1. What happened after Kleyn posted pictures of his work on Facebook?A.Some of his friends were forced to join him. |
B.The whole riverbank was completely rubbish-free. |
C.His pictures received little attention from foreigners. |
D.His work on the bank of River Schie started to pay off. |
A.It has influenced many people. | B.It is opposed by local officials. |
C.It is difficult for Chinese to accept. | D.It has made people stop using layers of plastic. |
A.collecting rubbish bags | B.taking pictures of River Schie |
C.cleaning up the banks of River Schie | D.sharing pictures on the Internet |
A.River pollution in Dutch has been solved by Tommy Kleyn. |
B.A Dutch eco-hero proves that one man can make a difference. |
C.Environmental protection needs support from the government. |
D.Facebook plays an important role in environmental protection. |
10 . Summer Boarding Courses
Summer Boarding Courses(SBC)is an award-winning UK summer school provider for international students aged 11-17. Please join the students from over 100 countries.
SBC Canford Summer School(Ages 11-15)is located at Canford School,Tatler School Awards Public School of the Year 2019. It is within easy reach of the coastal town of Bournemouth and is one of the most popular UK destinations for English language learning outside of London.
Dates:Monday 6 July-Monday 10 August 2020 nam stt
Teaching Hours:15 Hours Per Week
Courses:General English,English Literature,Introduction to Business
Headington Oxford Summer School(Ages 13-16)is located in the beautiful city of Oxford, just a 30-minute walk from the city centre.It provides students with a wonderful setting in which to study and meet other students from around the world.
Dates:Saturday 4th July-Saturday 18th July 2020
Teaching Hours:20 Hours Per Week
Courses:General English,Summer Study,Global Young Leaders
SBC at Eton College(Ages 11-16),only 34 kilometers from London,provides students with the opportunity to study at one of the world’s most famous schools.Founded in 1440 by King Henry VI,Eton College has educated 20 British Prime Ministers as well as many authors,scientists,actors and explorers.
Dates:Monday 13 July-Monday 24 August 2020
Teaching Hours:15 Hours Per Week
Courses:General English,Mathematics,STEM(Science,Technology,Engineering,Maths)
Oxford College Summer School(Ages 15-17)gives students the chance to experience the very best of what Oxford has to offer.Students live and study in the famous university city of Oxford.For over 800 years it has been home to the leading academic minds in scientific and cultural studies.
Dates:Monday 6 July-Monday 17 August 2020./
Teaching Hours:15 Hours Per Week
Courses:Business&Leadership,Engineering,Medicine
1. Which school doesn’t provide General English?A.SBC Canford Summer School. |
B.Headington Oxford Summer School. |
C.SBC at Eton College. |
D.Oxford College Summer School. |
A.It has produced many heads of government. |
B.It has educated some leading academic minds. |
C.It has invited authors and scientists as educators. |
D.It has become a winner of Tatler School Awards. |
A.Ages 11-15. |
B.Ages 13-16. |
C.Ages 11-16. |
D.Ages 15-17. |