It was eight o’clock on a cold spring night. Our apartment was full of the artwork of an energeic five-year-old. The house was in a mess.
I was so tired that night. I had depended on a walking stick to go anywhere for seven weeks, recovering from an operation, and I couldn’t find a way to cheer myself up.
The phone rang - for the sixth time in less than an hour. I knew who it was. My mother had been suffering from dementia (痴呆). Though we visited her every few days, she believed that her daughters had not visited in months. She thought that her friend Jimmy never wanted to see her again, but he called her and visited weekly.
She had no idea that she had repeated the things she was about to say a million times today and a million times the day before. She had no idea that I had an operation, nor could she remember her own grandaughter’s name. She forgot most of her own past and she drifted in the present. Also, she was lonely.
This time I cast my anger at the easiest target: my mother, the very victim of this chance horror. “Mom!” I shouted. “We visited two days ago! You have to believe me, and even if you don’t, I cannot talk anymore! Everything is fine!”
Silence. Then: “I was only calling to say hi. Why are you shouting?!” she continued. “Do you have a minute?”
“No, Mom, I don’t. I can’t stand this!”
I sat on the couch, defeated. I was suddenly aware of all that my daughter was watching me shouting at my mother and losing my patience. I have failed at being a good example to my daughter.
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。
My daughter approached me, saying, “Can I talk to Grandma Ellie?”
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After many kissing noises, they eventually hung up.
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2 . We bought a Shamrock trailer (房车) in the fall of 2019 in anticipation (期待) of our three-month journey to Baja, Mexico. The camper (露营车) would be home base for all the fun and adventure our family, myself, my husband and our three teenagers, would have all the way.
It took three days to drive from Calgary to Las Vegas and the temperature went from negative 30 to 15 °F-a miracle! But by the time we made it to San Diego, California, we had visited two RV mechanics to fix water leaking from the water tank and a bed heater blowing up. Thankfully, while we waited for repairs, we could listen to waves lapping on the shore.
Eventually, we crossed the border into Mexico at Tijuana and pushed our way down the shore coast. While we swam, ate Mexican food and watched sunsets, the Shamrock kept throwing us surprises. We all learned to savor (尽情享受) the good moments while dealing with the bad.
Driving through Utah, our truck began making noises. The truck’s engine had completely broken, and we needed a new one. We holed up (躲) in St. George, Utah, to wait for repairs. One evening, we were heating up dinner when the oven let out a big WHUMP! The whole camper shook.
After a few weeks, we left our truck in Utah—the engine repair wasn’t going too well—and drove home to Calgary. There could not have been five travelers so happy to stay in their house for two weeks.
Eventually, we hired someone to drive our truck and the Shamrock to Calgary, but he arrived with just the truck. The camper was causing problems, and the keys got lost, so it was left in Idaho. It’s still there; we recently marked its one-and-a-half-year anniversary of storage.
This brings me to the point of this essay: For Sale: A lively 30-foot Shamrock camper. Keeps you on your toes! Sleeps five. $9,000. Pick-up is somewhere in Idaho. Bring some tools to break into it.
1. What can we learn about the author’s self-driving tour?| A．The tour lasted for about one month. |
| B．They drove a Shamrock all the way during the tour. |
| C．Their truck stopped working when they arrived at San Diego. |
| D．They enjoyed the tour despite some unexpected problems. |
| A．Breakdowns. | B．Beautiful scenery. |
| C．Amazing functions. | D．Quality after-sales service. |
| A．Unhappy. | B．Serious. | C．Amusing. | D．Exciting. |
| A．To suggest the places to travel. |
| B．To advertise her Shamerock camper. |
| C．To record the happy moments in life. |
| D．To complain about her campers. |
3 . Why did humans evolve to walk upright? Perhaps because it’s just plain easier. Make that “energetically less costly,” in science-speak.
Bipedalism — walking on two feet — is one of the defining characteristics of being human, and scientists have debated for years how it came about. In the latest attempt to find an explanation, researchers trained five chimpanzees to walk on treadmill while wearing masks that allowed measurement of their oxygen consumption. The chimps were measured both while walking upright and while moving on their legs and knuckles. That measurement of the energy needed to move round was compared with similar tests on humans and the results are published in this week’s online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
It turns out that humans walking on two legs use only one quarter of the energy that chimpanzees use while knuckle-walking on four limbs. And the chimps, on average, use as much energy using two legs as they did when they used all four limbs.
However, there were differences among chimpanzees in how much energy they used, and this difference corresponded to their different gaits and anatomy. One of the chimps used less energy on two legs, one used about the same and the others used more, said David Raichlen, assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Arizona.
“What we were surprised at was the variation,” he said in telephone interview. “That was pretty exciting, because when you talk about how evolution works, variation is the bottom line, without variation there is no evolution.”
Walking, on two legs freed our arms, opening the door to manipulating the world, Raichlen said. “We think about the evolution of bipedalism as one of first events that led hominids down the path to being human.”
The research was supported by the National Science Foundation and the L. S. B. Leakey Foundation.
1. The underlined word “Bipedalism” means .| A．moving sideways | B．walking upright |
| C．walking on four legs | D．running fast |
| A．Masks protect chimpanzees from any harm. |
| B．Masks help chimpanzees walk steadily. |
| C．There was heavy smoke in the room. |
| D．Masks helped to measure how much oxygen chimpanzees consumed. |
| A．have no idea on how human walking on two legs came about |
| B．have had different views on why chimpanzees walk on four legs |
| C．have had different views on how human walking on two legs came about |
| D．have had similar views on how human walking on two legs came about |
| A．How did chimpanzees save energy? | B．Why didn’t chimpanzees walk on two legs? |
| C．David Raichlen researched into chimpanzees. | D．Different chimpanzees consume different energy. |
| A．conserve energy | B．differ from other animals |
| C．free their brains | D．strengthen their legs |
Pan Junfan, a one-legged man from East China’s Wenling City, sets a new world record in an extreme hiking competition through the Gobi Desert in Northwest China’s Gansu Province.
The 40-year-old
5 . In February, Dr. Robert Lefkowitz published a memoir (回忆录) called A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Stockholm: The Adrenaline-Fueled Adventures of an Accidental Scientist. As a physician and biochemist, Lefkowitz is a professor of biochemistry and chemistry at the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.
In a recent conversation via video, Lefkowitz said that he wanted his memoir to be “funny, interesting, and easy to understand”. In the book, Lefkowitz humorously describes his Journey from a cardiologist (or a heart doctor) to a biochemist.
Lefkowitz’s dream of becoming a doctor began when he was eight years old and growing up in the Bronx of New York City. After his father died of a heart attack, Lefkowitz made up his mind to be a cardiologist. He earned his medical degree at Columbia University.
Lefkowitz is no stranger to conducting experiments and making discoveries. He was awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize for Chemistry with Brian Kobilka. The two scientists were honored for their discoveries that could help unlock the secrets of many diseases.
When asked what played the most important role in his success, Lefkowitz mentioned about himself and he described himself as “reasonably intelligent and creative, hardworking, and not easily disturbed”. He added that being funny could also be very good for you and the people around you.
Before winning the Nobel Prize, Lefkowitz did countless experiments, and only 1 out of 50 turned out OK. “With difficult decisions I’ve had to make, I tend to make them with my heart rather than my head.” Lefkowitz said. “However, I don’t mean that deciding with your heart is always right.”
At age 78, the scientist has no plans for slowing down. “My body and mind are still working,” he said. “I want to continue running my lab at Duke University and writing and publishing research papers.”
1. What directly motivated Lefkowitz to be a doctor?| A．His conversation with a cardiologist. |
| B．His father’s death from a heart attack. |
| C．His enthusiasm for a doctor’s memoir. |
| D．His poor physical health in childhood. |
| A．His good teamwork. | B．His family’s support. |
| C．His positive qualities. | D．His interest in research. |
| A．He suffered from a lot of failure. | B．He always succeeded as planned. |
| C．He considered them less challenging. | D．He couldn’t do them on his own. |
| A．Practice makes perfect. | B．Bad luck brings good luck. |
| C．You are never too old to work. | D．Experience is the best teacher. |
| A．A travel journal | B．A play review |
| C．A short story | D．A science magazine |
6 . Years ago, a neighbour kid kicked a football and broke a small
Over the years, I’d sometimes ask some advice from window companies. The plan was to upgrade to energy-efficient windows for the whole house, an
Then my wife had a job
I used some rust remover(除锈剂), sprayed all around the rusted frame, and gave it a
I could have fixed the problem for 12 the
| A．roof | B．window | C．door | D．curtain |
| A．salary | B．fame | C．passion | D．chance |
| A．accessible | B．official | C．expensive | D．energetic |
| A．order | B．balance | C．breath | D．reach |
| A．Therefore | B．Besides | C．However | D．Instead |
| A．replying | B．troubling | C．driving | D．reporting |
| A．difficulty | B．confidence | C．joy | D．harm |
| A．change | B．interest | C．habit | D．journey |
| A．polite | B．weak | C．weird | D．potential |
| A．defeated | B．fitted | C．broken | D．cured |
| A．lazy | B．strong | C．familiar | D．strange |
| A．disappointment | B．embarrassment | C．astonishment | D．encouragement |
| A．same | B．different | C．early | D．new |
| A．Frequently | B．Actually | C．Consequently | D．Unexpectedly |
| A．experiment | B．discussion | C．reaction | D．imagination |
7 . Have you ever wondered what happens to all of the old objects launched into space, such as rockets and satellites? It’s called space junk, and much of it is still out there now. According to NASA, the definition of space junk is “any man-made object in orbit (轨道) around Earth that no longer serves a useful function”.
One large piece of space junk, a disused rocket, hit the dark side of the moon on March 4. The rocket’s origin is not clear, but scientists know that it was massive – weighing about 3 tons. It must have left a large crater (坑), estimated 10 to 20 meters wide, on the moon’s surface. It won’t be visible right away, but scientists are trying to locate it. “We will find the crater, eventually,” Mark Robinson, lead investigator for NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera, told USA TODAY. “Depending on its location, it could take as long as 28 days.”
What’s significant about this space junk crash is that it draws attention to some of the potential dangers of space junk. First, the accumulation of space junk in Earth’s orbit means that satellites and the International Space Station (ISS) are at risk. In 2016, tiny space debris (残骸), smaller than a millimeter, caused a tiny chip in the ISS’ window. Imagine the damage that a larger piece of debris could cause. The European Space Agency website states that objects “up to 1 cm in size could disable an instrument or a critical flight system on a satellite” while objects over 10 cm “could shatter a satellite or spacecraft into pieces”. If this sounds terrifying, that’s because it is. Any collision with larger pieces of debris could be especially dangerous for manned spacecraft.
In addition to potential damage to spacecraft and satellites, space junk also poses a threat to the Earth itself. Crashes can send debris into the atmosphere where it can remain for many decades. Some powerful collisions can even send large debris hurtling (猛冲) toward Earth’s surface where it can affect the local environment. Leftover rocket debris can contain toxic materials that are harmful to plant and animal life. Some people in Siberia have even reported serious health problems after rocket debris landed in their regions in 2012, a local doctor told the BBC.
1. Which of the following can be regarded as space junk?| A．An abandoned space station. |
| B．A spacecraft orbiting the moon. |
| C．A crater on the moon’s surface. |
| D．A satellite working in low Earth orbit. |
| A．Tracking the rocket. | B．Locating the crater. |
| C．Cleaning up the space junk. | D．Finding out the rocket’s origin. |
| A．To compare the effects of debris of different sizes. |
| B．To prove the space debris problem is getting worse. |
| C．To illustrate the potential dangers of space junk. |
| D．To explain the necessity of removing space junk. |
| A．It’s likely to cause a global environmental crisis. |
| B．It can pose a lasting threat if it remains in the atmosphere. |
| C．It’s impossible to stop it from entering the atmosphere. |
| D．The toxic materials contained in space junk are the biggest threat it poses. |
8 . Roger Williams Park Zoo Visitor Guide
Zoo Manners
The zoo is a smoke free area. No balloons, balls, bikes, or roller skates allowed. Pets are not allowed—except guide dogs for blind. Stay on the pathways and do not place children on railing. Do not throw anything into the animal exhibits. Please help our conservation efforts by depositing trash and recyclables properly.
Lost Persons
If separated from your group ask any zoo employee or security guard for immediate assistance, or go directly to the Administration Building reception desk.
Facilities and Services
Enjoy a delicious meal at one of our two animal-themed café restaurants. Our Visitor Centre offers cards, books and toys so you can always remember your day at the zoo. There is also an hourly animal presentation near the Main Entrance where you can learn more about the animals, pet them and even take a picture with them.
Zoo Exhibit Game
Each animal exhibit will have information about the animal located there. You will get to learn about each animal’s habitat, their conservation status and some other quick facts. As you explore the zoo check off all the endangered animals you discover from the list below. Find them all and win a free T-shirt.
• Mountain Gorilla
• Chinese Alligator
• Snow Leopard
• white-winged Wood Duck
• Red Panda
• Giant Turtle
• Koala
Zoo Hours
Open Thursday—Monday from 10 am—4 pm.
Timed-entry ticket(定时门票) requirements continue to remain in effect for non-members.
1. Which of the following is allowed at the zoo?
| A．Riding your bike. | B．Taking your camera. |
| C．Bringing pet dogs. | D．Smoking cigarettes. |
| A．Main Entrance. | B．Visitor Centre. |
| C．Administration Building. | D．Nursing Centre. |
| A．Follow all the zoo rules. | B．Visit all the zoo’s exhibits. |
| C．Bring along another guest. | D．Find all the animals listed. |
| A．Enjoy delicious meals. | B．Watch animal presentations. |
| C．Sort and recycle garbage. | D．Buy some souvenirs. |
| A．8 am, Monday. | B．11 am, Tuesday. |
| C．2 pm, Friday. | D．7 pm, Sunday. |
Hemingway is one of the greatest American writers. He was born in 1899 in Oak Park, Illinois, son of a
During World War I, he served as an honorable junior officer in the American Red Cross Ambulance Crops and in 1918 was
In 1961, in illness, anxiety and deep sadness, Hemingway shot
10 . About one year ago, a couple with three children moved into the apartment next door to me. I often heard the parents
We often met in the hallway. I always greeted them,
I forgot to tell her how thankful I was for her
The next day there was a(n)
Now when we meet in the hallway we always greet each other, in a
Last night there was a heavy snow. I looked out at my car and
Isn’t it
| A．quietly | B．exciting | C．quickly | D．strangely |
| A．honest | B．angrily | C．frightening | D．kind |
| A．but | B．so | C．when | D．or |
| A．left | B．returned | C．moved | D．started |
| A．door | B．apartment | C．garden | D．room |
| A．holding | B．operating | C．removing | D．unlocking |
| A．unnecessary | B．important | C．favorite | D．curious |
| A．stay | B．drive | C．greet | D．hurry |
| A．waiting for | B．asking for | C．hunting for | D．calling for |
| A．as | B．until | C．since | D．although |
| A．politeness | B．kindness | C．eagerness | D．happiness |
| A．warmed | B．broken | C．cured | D．saved |
| A．note | B．picture | C．invitation | D．knock |
| A．afraid | B．aware | C．proud | D．sure |
| A．cold | B．lovely | C．unique | D．friendly |
| A．found | B．wondered | C．assumed | D．doubted |
| A．advice | B．attention | C．order | D．appointment |
| A．removed | B．moved | C．frozen | D．heated |
| A．disappointing | B．interesting | C．amazing | D．challenging |
| A．bigger | B．worse | C．better | D．more |
