1 . The four people have persuaded companies to give them £250,000 worth of toys and food — for nothing. And next Monday, they are going to
According to them, it is remarkably easy to get toys and food to
The four friends
Their first successful “kindness act” was to help
The Kindness Offensive tries to
| A．lead | B．attach | C．distribute | D．apply |
| A．carrying out | B．working out | C．making out | D．bringing out |
| A．children | B．customers | C．strangers | D．friends |
| A．give in | B．give off | C．give up | D．give away |
| A．wealthy | B．countless | C．guiltless | D．aimless |
| A．initially | B．finally | C．unfortunately | D．naturally |
| A．launched | B．concluded | C．advertised | D．gathered |
| A．look forward to | B．pay attention to | C．break | D．stick to |
| A．strategies | B．intentions | C．methods | D．routines |
| A．found | B．obtain | C．realize | D．affect |
| A．status | B．power | C．shelter | D．peace |
| A．unwillingly | B．eagerly | C．patiently | D．passively |
| A．avoid | B．double | C．encourage | D．oppose |
| A．kindness | B．bravery | C．selfishness | D．accuracy |
| A．though | B．unless | C．until | D．if |
2 . Rap music has long been the poster child for negativity in society for a number of decades. It has been criticized (批评) in the media and seen by a good number of people as a bad influence on citizens in general. The lyrics might have something to blame in this regard as they often seemingly celebrate violence as well as drugs and alcohol. The reality is that rap music is greatly misunderstood. In spite of the negativity that often surrounds it, however, rap music can have a positive influence on listeners.
One of these positive effects is that it has been used as a great unifier of diverse populations around the world. It started as a subculture among African American communities in America but it is now a phenomenon of global culture. As a matter of fact, it isn't only limited to African American communities, as non black communities make up seventy five percent of the global rap audience. Its infectious rhythms, catchy beats, and relatable lyrics hold universal attraction that goes beyond cultural and language barriers.
Rap has also been vital in promoting social and political awareness among the youth of today. Rap music educates people from different points of views and raises many social issues. Rap is channel (渠道) for people to speak freely about their view on political or social issues and by doing so, it encourages teenagers to become concerned and aware of these issues. A few of them that rap has created awareness in are racial discrimination (歧视), the importance of education and believing in your dreams.
Rap music is entertainment (娱乐) and should not be treated any differently than any other form of entertainment out there. If critics of rap music still believe that rap only sends negative messages, they should listen closer. The bottom line is that all rap music is not degenerate (堕落的) and consideration should be taken when analysing the message that the music is presenting
1. Why is rap music often connected with negativity?| A．It has long been the poster child for negativity. |
| B．It has shown a bad influence on citizens in general. |
| C．It seems to celebrate violence as well as drugs and alcohol. |
| D．It started as a subculture among African American communities. |
| A．Its positive influence on listeners around the world. |
| B．Its engaging music elements like rhythms, lyrics and beats. |
| C．Its continuous promotion of social and political awareness. |
| D．Its African American culture that fascinates non black communities. |
| A．By making social issues more entertaining. |
| B．By providing a platform to voice their opinions |
| C．By stressing the importance of education and dreams. |
| D．By drawing teenagers’ attention to racial discrimination. |
| A．Rap music is now unfairly treated. |
| B．Rap music is suitable for everyone. |
| C．Rap music is difficult to understand. |
| D．Rap music is simply for entertainment. |
3 . Australia Day, on 26 January, is in memory of the day in 1788 when Captain Arthur Phillip, commander of the First Fleet of 11 British ships, arrived at Sydney Cove to mark the birth of the colony (殖民). Every year, many in this nation of 24 million people gather on beaches and around barbeques to celebrate. From boats competitions, camel races, to outdoor concerts, Australians mark a public holiday more popularly treated as a late summer festival than the serious national day its founders intended it to be — a unifying celebration of the good fortune of being Australian and the values that unite the nation: freedom, independence, a fair go, mateship.
However, not all Australians feel the same about the day. Recently there has been much controversy over the correctness of celebrating on this date. Native Australians, in particular, have long referred to this date as "Invasion (入侵) Day" or "National Day of Mourning (哀悼)" in protest of the arrival of the British peoples. They mourn their ancestors who suffered and died during colonization. There has even been a growing push to change the date of the national celebration, a move popular with younger Australians but less so with older generations.
In response to the protests, the Australian government has recognized the traditional owners of the lands on which Australia Day activities take place, in the hope that Australians from all backgrounds come together to celebrate Australia as a multicultural society. "Our desire is that Australia Day is a time for inclusion, as well as an opportunity for greater understanding," one officer from The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts said.
1. What is the original purpose of Australia Day?| A．To observe a late summer festival. |
| B．To honor the arrival of the British. |
| C．To celebrate national identity and values. |
| D．To mourn the natives who suffered during colonization. |
| A．Debate. | B．Defence. | C．Faith. | D．Puzzle. |
| A．They mourned the suffering of native Australians. |
| B．They recognized native Australians’ independence. |
| C．They protested against native Australians’ ownership of the land. |
| D．They brought loss of life and hardship among native Australians. |
| A．More Australia Day activities will be organized. |
| B．The date of Australia Day will soon be changed. |
| C．The protests of changing the date have already been settled. |
| D．Australia Day should be celebrated with understanding and respect. |
1.端午节的时间；
2.端午节的活动（吃粽子，赛龙舟等）；
3.端午节的意义。
注意：1.写作词数应为80词左右。
2.可以添加适当的细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear Jack,
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
5 . For many kids, the Internet is at their fingertips. From computers to smartphones, a web of information is open to them. According to a new report, about three out of four kids aged 12 to 15 connect the Internet using a mobile device from time to time. Many younger kids are online too.
Julian Zeitlinger, 9, from New Jersey, uses his computer to watch videos and play games. To keep him safe online, his parents monitor his web use and discuss Internet safety with him. “I ask my parents whether something is nice or bad.” Julian says.
Mobile devices offer more ways than ever to share personal information. The information can be dangerous in the wrong hands. A study found that 62% of children aged 8 to 17 have had an unpleasant online experience.
Have you ever had to enter a parent’s e-mail address when signing up for a website? That safety measure is there because of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act(COPPA). The law says sites for kids under 13 cannot collect personal information, such as a phone number or full name, without a parent’s permission.
This July, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will update COPPA for the first time since the law was created in 1998 when there were no smart phones. The nature of the way kids get online has changed, FTC lawyer Phyllis Marcus said.
When the changes take effect, COPPA will apply to mobile devices and newer forms of advertising. It will expand what falls under “personal information” to include videos, photographs, and services that give users location.
COPPA doesn’t cover everything that can go wrong online. That is why kids and parents need to know what to look out for and to stop and think before sharing information online.
“There is a misunderstanding that if a site is following COPPA, it is totally safe,” says privacy expert ShaiSamet. He runs kidSAFE, which checks whether a site meets kidSAFE standards and is safe. “It’s important that kids know how useful the Internet is but that it also can be dangerous if you are not careful.” he adds.
1. Julian’s parents monitor his web use to make sure ______.| A．he stays safe on the Internet |
| B．he doesn’t play computer games |
| C．he controls his online time |
| D．he doesn’t watch too many videos |
| A．It says no to any kind of advertising. |
| B．It prevents users from making their location public. |
| C．It covers everything that goes wrong online. |
| D．It broadens the concept of personal information. |
| A．formal websites are comparatively safe |
| B．the Internet is becoming safer and safer |
| C．COPPA can ensure their complete safety |
| D．daily checks prevent future online problems |
| A．To ask parents to look out for their kids. |
| B．To talk about online safety for children. |
| C．To introduce a new law. |
| D．To sell an online product. |
| A．She’s only interested in modern cities. |
| B．She prefers to explore the nature. |
| C．She’ll visit the Grand Canyon with a friend. |
7 . Torsongan Bullik, a 28-year-old athlete, has gone from being an amateur (业余的) cyclist to a professional cross-country skier. In Wenquan county he spent his childhood, when his athletic
In 2012, his father
But he was determined and kept testing his
Although he didn’t make the final list for the Winter Olympics, he
| A．spirit | B．talent | C．strength | D．figure |
| A．elected | B．scored | C．finished | D．missed |
| A．reduced | B．grew | C．disappeared | D．promoted |
| A．interest | B．curiosity | C．emotion | D．awareness |
| A．awarded | B．lent | C．borrowed | D．gifted |
| A．successful | B．demanding | C．tough | D．meaningful |
| A．fitness | B．pains | C．limits | D．confidence |
| A．celebrated | B．achieved | C．expected | D．announced |
| A．Frankly | B．Obviously | C．Generally | D．Surprisingly |
| A．looking for | B．picking up | C．watching over | D．trying out |
| A．familiar | B．typical | C．alarming | D．significant |
| A．rewards | B．problems | C．challenges | D．risks |
| A．keep up with | B．come up with | C．put up with | D．make up with |
| A．pretended | B．served | C．applied | D．competed |
| A．survive | B．share | C．continue | D．recover |
8 . On Monday, I walked into a conference center and, instead of flashing a card with my name and photo, I positioned myself in front of a head-height camera the size of my fist. Seconds later, the screen read: “PLEASEENTER.” No one scanned the digital pass on my phone. Facial-recognition software did all the work.
As facial recognition appear in more public places including airports and concert places, you might be wondering how you’re supposed to feel about it.
Companies providing face matching software often tout (鼓吹) speed, convenience, security and contactless benefits for customers. Most also stress that it’s only a choice. While the answer comes down to the individual, you should ask yourself: Do you want this firm to store your biometric (生物统计的) information? Are you getting something useful in return?
Facial recognition works by creating a map of your face. The map contains your unique measurements — the distance between your forehead and chin, or between your eyes. They are then changed into code called a face print. However, a company that stores your face data could have an entirely different purpose than what you agreed to. Besides, you can’t always track where your face ends up: one company sold facial-recognition tech based on billions of images collected from Facebook, LinkedIn and other sources.
Before agreeing to the use of biometric data, Josef Kittler, a professor of machine intelligence at the University of Surrey in the U. K., recommends finding out three things: the purpose of collecting your data, what happens to your face image once you no longer need the service, and how the data is removed.
Face scanning will become more popular in our travels and entertainment, as well as other areas such as education and banking. We’ve just begun to understand the advantages and disadvantages.
1. What’s the author’s purpose of writing the first paragraph?| A．To tell the development of facial recognition. |
| B．To show the convenience of facial recognition. |
| C．To describe the author’s daily routine in the office. |
| D．To introduce the change of the author’s working style. |
| A．By collecting a person’s fingerprint. | B．By scanning the eyes of an individual. |
| C．By making a digital copy of a person’s face. | D．By analyzing the voice patterns of an individual. |
| A．It may cause data misuse. | B．It has a limited database. |
| C．It lacked relevant service. | D．It is not convenient enough. |
| A．Face scanning will be improved in the future. | B．We only use face scanning for entertainment. |
| C．Face scanning is already common in all areas. | D．We are still in the early stage of face scanning. |
9 . With iconic landmarks (地标) and architectural marvels, Seattle is one of the best places to visit in the Pacific Northwest. The following best-selling tours will make your trip a trip to remember.
Sightseeing Bus Tour☆3.6 (647 reviews)
This tour will give you the chance to see the highlights of Seattle at your own pace. With a one-day or two-day ticket, you can hop on and hop off the open-top double-decker bus at any stop and listen to an audio guide throughout the journey.
Chef Guided Food Tour☆4.9 Exceptional (902 reviews)
This chef-guided food tour will take you to explore Seattle’s food culture in two hours. You will start with a bite of yogurt featuring local dairy. Next, you stop by for a quick snack of dried apples and cherries, followed by tasting a cup of award-winning thick soup. You will also learn where the chefs get their produce from, and see the production of cheese on-site.
Harbour Cruise Tour☆4.7 Exceptional (730 reviews)
Starting from Seattle’s central waterfront, this one-hour Seattle harbour cruise will take you along the shoreline, enjoying views of the Seattle skyline. You’ll view the Seattle Great Wheel, Seattle Aquarium, Olympic Sculpture Park and Myrtle Edwards Park from the boat. Additionally, you’ll see the Olympic Mountain range and a 14,410-feet-tall volcano, located 60 miles southeast of Seattle.
Underground History Tour☆4.6 Fabulous (1224 reviews)
This two-hour, small-group tour will take you into the attractive world beneath Seattle’s streets. You’ll travel along the underground pathways constructed over a century ago and learn interesting details about Seattle’s early history from your knowledgeable guide.
1. Which tour is the best choice if you are a foodie?| A．Underground History Tour. | B．Chef Guided Food Tour. |
| C．Harbour Cruise Tour. | D．Sightseeing Bus Tour. |
| A．Admire various landmarks. | B．Go on a hike. |
| C．Learn Seattle’s history. | D．Listen to an audio guide |
| A．A blog post. | B．A travel journal. |
| C．A tour advertisement. | D．A news report. |
10 . Eating out seems to have been as popular 5, 000 years ago as it is today, with archaeologists in Iraq uncovering an ancient tavern dating back to 2,700 BC. Researchers working in the ancient city of Lagash discovered the pub. It was hidden just 19 inches below the surface, which was split into (分成) an open-air dining area and a room with benches, an oven, ancient food and even a 5,000-year-old “fridge”.
They first found themselves in the open courtyard space, an area that was difficult to dig, being “open and exposed to the outdoors,” according to Reed Goodman, an archaeologist from the University of Pennsylvania. After returning to the ancient courtyard a few months later, field director Sara Pizzi from the University of Pisa, widened the trench (沟渠) instead of digging straight down in one spot.
The team discovered the industrial-sized oven, an ancient “fridge” to keep food cool, and dozens of bowls, many containing fish, showing the purpose of the courtyard to be an outdoor dining area.
Previous diggings focused on religious architecture and understanding the elites (上层人士) , but Holly Pittman, director of the Lagash Archaeological Project, concentrated on non-elite areas during these latest diggings to make people have a broader understanding of ancient cities. “Uncovering the pub supports the opinion of Pittman and her team that society was not organized into just elites but included ordinary people, ” Goodman said.
The discovery provides evidence into how people lived in this ancient city-state. It shows that even thousands of years ago, people enjoyed gathering in public places to socialize and enjoy food and drink.
1. What does the underlined word “tavern” in paragraph 1 refer to?| A．Pub. | B．City. | C．Bench. | D．Container. |
| A．By digging straight down in one spot. |
| B．By broadening the trench in the courtyard. |
| C．By making a hole in the middle of the outdoor space. |
| D．By splitting the open-air dining area into different parts. |
| A．It discovers the earliest settlers in Lagash. | B．It shows the social activities of the elites. |
| C．It reflects the life of the ancient ordinary people. | D．It focuses on studying religious architecture. |
| A．To share a travel experience. | B．To analyze a historical event. |
| C．To show the wisdom of ancient people. | D．To introduce an archaeological discovery. |
