1 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

A drama series named “Medal of the Republic”    1     (lead) to enthusiastic discussion on Chinese social media over the last few months. It claimed people’s attention before it was broadcast on September 26, 2021. According to the series’ chief director Zheng Xiaolong,    2    (compare) with most drama series that tend to document the whole life of the featured individual, this series focuses specially on the individuals’ most     3     (shine) moments.

The series tells heart-warming stories about     4     first group of eight recipients（接受者）of the Medal of the Republic,    5     is the country’s highest honor. They have made great     6     (contribute) to the development of the People’s Republic of China.

Among the recipients are Tu Youyou, awarded with the 2015 Nobel Prize,    7     Yuan Longping who is known as Chinese “father of hybrid rice” and six other remarkable heroes.

“Medal of the Republic”    8    (center) on these heroes’ devotion to their careers and continuous efforts to improve Chinese people’s lives. Through the patriotism（爱国精神）and     9     (they) never-give-up spirit displayed by the honorees, the series hopes to inspire the younger generation     10     (dramatic) to fulfill their mission on the road to the great rejuvenation（复兴）of the Chinese nation.

2 . Analysis of the trial of the four-day working week has revealed great efficiency, reduced stress and increased staff engagement, fueling hopes that a better work-life balance for employees could be in sight.

Perpetual Guardian, a New Zealand financial services company, switched its 240 staff from a five-day to a four-day week and maintained their pay. Productivity increased in the four days when they worked, so there was no drop in the total amount of work done, a study of the trial released on Tuesday revealed. The trial was monitored by academics at the University of Auckland and the Auckland University of Technology. The eight-week experiment was closely watched by employers and policymakers around the world. “This is an idea whose time has come,” said Andrew Barnes, Perpetual Guardian’s founder. “We need to get more companies to give it a go.”

The government has conducted a study of the possibility of four-day weeks. However, research points to the complexity of achieving productivity gains in major industries such as retail(零售), where being present is a key part of the job. Smaller companies experimenting with four-day working weeks have found performance was better in the first few weeks as excitement about the project took hold, before falling slightly. “The biggest concern is ensuring that the full-time introduction of the policy doesn’t lead to self-satisfaction, as there is a risk that peopled productivity will slip back,” said Tammy Barker, a branch manager who was part of the trial. “Therefore, we’ve spent a lot of time making sure every person in every team has their own plan as to how they’re going to maintain and even improve productivity.”

According to Jarrod Haar, a professor of human resource management at the Auckland University of Technology, significantly lower job stress was reported with four-day working weeks. “Beyond wellbeing, employees reported their teams were stronger and functioned better together, more satisfied with their jobs, more engaged, and that they felt their work had greater meaning,” he said. “It is really a great way to make employees be more committed to the organization and less likely to look elsewhere for a job.”

1. What changes took place in Perpetual Guardian during the experiment?

A．The length of daily working hours	B．The amount of pay per week
C．The efficiency of the employees	D．The work done per month

2. What does the government’ research on the four-day working week probably reveal?

A．Some workers may become lazy.	B．The policy doesn’t suit all industries.
C．The four-day working week won’t work.	D．Many employers don’t approve of the trial.

3. How did Tammy Barker deal with the concern about the policy?

A．By making plans for each of the employees.

B．By dividing all the employees into different teams.

C．By helping every employee get satisfaction from the work.

D．By encouraging every employee to be responsible for their plan.

4. What’s Jarrod Haar’s attitude towards the four-day working week?

A．Unclear.

B．Concerned.

C．Approving.

D．Negative.

3 . The technology research company International Data Corporation, or IDC, has predicted a huge surge in total worldwide data in the coming years. It predicted world data demand will grow from 33 zettabytes（泽字节）in 2018 to 175 zettabytes by 2025. The world is about to have a serious data-storage problem that will only become more severe over time.

Several companies say they are exploring a possible solution. They suggest using genetic material, DNA, to store data. Experts have estimated data stored by DNA systems could be one billion times as many as those held in traditional electronic devices of comparable size.

Information about living things is stored in DNA using four different kinds of molecules（分子）. They can be represented by the letter codes A, T, C and G. Researchers have discovered that data can also be stored within DNA in the sequences of these letters. Electronic devices, however, store information in a two-letter code that produces combinations of ones and zeroes.

In order to make DNA storage succeed, digital information has to be changed to DNA storage and then back to digital data. One company working on DNA storage development is Microsoft. The company announced earlier last year that it had shown the first “fully-automated” DNA storage system. The research team from Microsoft and the University of Washington reported it had successfully encoded the word “hello” in pieces of DNA and changed it back to digital data. A chemical process is used to get the DNA into a storage device.

Microsoft said DNA storage systems can not only store more data, but also hold data for much longer periods of time. For example, DNA samples from the ancient bones of animals and humans have proven that the material can last thousands of years in tough conditions.

Experts from the World Economic Forum have praised recent developments in DNA storage technologies. But the organization says much more work needs to be completed before DNA storage systems can effectively compete with electronic ones. Currently, the systems are costly and the processing time can be very long.

1. What does the underlined word “surge” in Paragraph I mean?

A．Loss.

B．Exchange.

C．Increase.

D．Share.

2. What makes DNA have bigger storage ability?

A．Its bigger size compared with electronic devices.

B．Its way of storing information in a four-letter code.

C．Its function of combining letters freely.

D．Its self-reproduction characteristics.

3. What is implied in Paragraph 4?

A．Developing DNA storage needs support from big companies.

B．The DNA storage system has drawn worldwide attention.

C．The DNA storage system faces great challenges.

D．Using DNA to store data can possibly be a reality.

4. What can we learn from the text?

A．Researchers need to perfect the systems greatly.

B．Experts are supportive of the electronic devices.

C．Experts are dissatisfied with the recent advance in the systems.

D．Researchers need financial support to develop the systems.

4 . Simon Groot, a seed expert of the Netherlands, is credited with introducing high-quality, disease-resistant vegetable seeds to more than 60 countries including the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia. He was awarded the World Food Prize on Monday.

Developing seeds has been the Groot family business for a long time. He is the sixth generation of, what is called, a seedsman. He began his search for better vegetable seeds to help farmers in Southeast Asia in 1981. When he was 47, his family’s company had just been taken over by a larger corporation.

Sixteen years earlier, he had made his first trip to Indonesia. There, Groot learned that vegetable seeds which were developed for the moderate climate of Europe, did poorly when planted in the hot tropics（热带地区）. He thought there was a great possibility of introducing hybrid（杂交的）vegetables to the area. The area lacked vegetable seed developers who were trying to create hybrids for the local climate.

“It was neither charity nor business. It was a passion for providing farmers all over the world with good seeds,” said Groot. Now 85, he said developing seeds has always concerned him, “I noticed the seed quality in that part of world was so much below our standards and below achievable standards.” He added that he “could not stand” that the farmers there did not have better seeds.

At the time, farmers in Southeast Asia usually saved seeds from season to season. That was because the seeds available for sale were often old. Those seeds were usually from Europe or North America and did not grow well in their tropical climate. This meant that the farmers ended up with smaller crops, and lower quality that changed greatly from season to season. The plants also could easily become infected with diseases.

Groot received the $250, 000 World Food Prize during an award ceremony at the Iowa Capitol.

1. What do we learn about Groot from Paragraph 2?

A．He learned vegetable feeds did poorly in Europe.

B．He carried on a business of several generations.

C．He has introduced seeds to countries worldwide.

D．He turned his family’s company into a larger one.

2. What drove Groot to develop new vegetable seeds?

A．Doing charity.	B．Making money.
C．Support from farmers.	D．Sense of responsibility.

3. What was the challenge for farmers in Southeast Asia?

A．Having no access to high-quality seeds.

B．Having no financial support for better seeds.

C．Lacking advanced technology for growing crops.

D．Failing to export their produce to western countries.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Business Has Been Passed from Generation to Generation

B．Vegetable Seeds for Hot Areas Have Been Created

C．Family Business Serves Farmers in Southeast Asia

D．World Food Prize Goes to Dutch Seed Developer

5 . National Parks Recreational Vehicle Trips

Trip 1: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands&Capitol Reef

Visit the five Utah’s national parks. Activities include going boating on the Colorado River, and hiking Angels Landing for an impressive view of Zion Canyon. One thing is guaranteed：you’ll see the Milky Way, the pale white band of stars across the sky at night, like never before in this beautiful area of the country.

Available: Apr. 1 to Oct. 23; Duration: 8 to 13 nights

Price（for up to 4 guests): $4, 990-9, 840

Trip 2: Banff&Jasper

Travel along the Icefields Parkway which connects the parks and towns of Banff in Alberta, Canada, Lake Louise and Jasper Lake. Book a ride in a big snowcoach（雪车）onto the Athabasca

Glacier, and take a flight-seeing tour over the huge icefields that cover the area of the Rocky Mountains.

Available: Jun. 15 to Sept. 15; Duration: 8 to 13 nights

Price (for up to 4 guests): S5, 260-6, 080

Trip 3: Mount Rushmore & Colorado

This trip is perfect for anyone interested in America’s history, from forts to huge rock carvings of historical figures. Starting in Denver, your journey will take you through Colorado and into Wyoming.

Available: Start as early as Feb. 1 to Oct. 10; Duration: 8 to 13 nights

Price（for up to 4 guests): $5, 124-7, 880

Trip 4: Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon

Start your journey in the Bay Area and then head cast to Yosemite with its impressive waterfalls, and towering cliffs（悬崖）. Combine your visit to Yosemite with stops at Sequoia National Park to see the five largest sequoia trees in the world, and Kings Canyon.

Available: May 19 to Oct 8; Duration: 8 to 13 nights

Price（for up to 4 guests): $5, 224-9, 540

1. What’s special about the five Utah’s national parks?

A．The beautiful starry sky.	B．The impressive waterfalls.
C．The rich history of America.	D．The adventurous activities.

2. Which of the following trips will be suitable for tourists available in March?

A．Banff & Jasper.

B．Mount Rushmore & Colorado.

C．Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon.

D．Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands & Capitol Reef.

3. In what aspect do the four vehicle trips have something in common?

A．The location.	B．The tourist activities.
C．The nights included in the trip.	D．The target groups of tourists.

6 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填人适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。

The Twenty-four Solar Terms shows the relationships between the universe, seasons, climate and agriculture,    1     is a unique creation by Chinese ancestors. In the early development of agriculture people began to explore rules of nature since agricultural     2     (produce) was highly subject to seasonal changes. As the east Asian traditional lunar calendar is a “lunisolar(日与月的)calendar”,     3     is, it’s developed according to the running and operation of the sun or the moon, it can not    4     (full) reflect the circle of the sun.    5    , China is an agricultural society and we have to strictly know the circumstance about the sun operation. With farming completely carried     6    according to the sun, our ancient ancestors added a separate calendar     7     (reflect) the sun cycle. Thus, the Twenty-four Solar Terms that can indicate the changes of seasons and climate     8     (come) into being, and it was used to guide sowing, harvest and other agricultural     9     (activity). Up to now, it     10     (function) as an essential tool to guide farming in China.

7 . The evidence shows that being lonely is bad for your physical and mental health. But with support from groups and specialists — and even the Internet — you needn't deal with it on your own.

Recognize the impact of loneliness

It is clear that loneliness has become such a pressing public health concern.     1     It is also associated with increased risk of heart disease, stroke and blood pressure, as well as dementia (痴呆).

Work out exactly why you are lonely

The Mental Health Charity Mind mentions two main factors that can cause loneliness: someone either not having enough basic social contact or, despite being surrounded by people, not feeling understood, listened to or cared for.     2     It could give you a better idea of how to work through your feelings of loneliness.

    3    

Talking to friends and family is an obvious and easy path to handling loneliness, but if you feel you lack it, joining a club or socializing through hobbies or interests is a good way to meet new people and increase social interactions.

Get online

Spending time online obviously cannot replace all your real-life interactions, but it can help. The NHS recommends time online to older people experiencing loneliness. This might not be the glorious panacea (灵丹妙药) it immediately seems, however, more than one study has found a link between loneliness and time spent online.    4    

Increase meaningful social contact

It's all very well joining Twitter or volunteering at your local charity shop.    5     One study in 2011 found that elderly people who spent time with family were less lonely than those attending social groups with strangers. It is the perfect excuse to call your mum.

A．Meet new people

B．Speak to someone

C．And learning to change your thinking matters.

D．So it is important to add online chats to meetups.

E．It suggests figuring out which factor fits you best.

F．Loneliness can be as damaging as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

G．But some research suggests that who you spend your time with matters, too.

8 . In a non-smoking carriage Miss Emily Brent sat very upright which was her custom. She was sixty－five and she did not approve of lounging (虚度光阴). Her father, a Colonel of the old school had been particular about manners.

The present generation shamelessly relaxed in their carriage. Miss Brent sat in her crowded third-class carriage and wondered why everyone made such a fuss over things nowadays! They took pills if they couldn't sleep; they wanted easy chairs and the girls lay about half naked on the beaches in summer. Miss Brent’s lips set closely. She would like to make an example of certain people. She remembered last year's summer holiday.

This year, however, it would be quite different. Indian Island...Mentally she reread the letter which she had already read so many times.

Dear Miss Brent,

I do hope you remember me? We were together at Bellhaven Guest House in August some years ago, and we seemed to have so much in common.

I am starting a guest house of my own on an island on the coast of Devon. I think there is really an opening or a place where there is good plain cooking and a nice type of person. I shall be very glad if you could see your way to spending your summer holiday on Indian Island as my guest. Would early in August suit you? Perhaps the 8th.

Yours sincerely,

@#$

What was the name? The signature was rather difficult to read. Emily Brent thought impatiently:"So many people write their signatures quite illegibly."

Emily Brent thought to herself: "I shall be getting a free holiday at least." With her income so much reduced and so many loans not being paid, that was indeed something to take into consideration. If only she could remember a little more about Mrs or was it Miss Oliver?

1. What do we know from the first two paragraphs?

A．Miss Brent's father was once a teacher.

B．Girls dressed conservatively while swimming.

C．There is a generation gap between Miss Brent and the youngsters.

D．The passengers there would like to follow Miss Brent's example.

2. The letter sent to Miss Brent is to _________.

A．remind her of the good old days in the past

B．complain about her rudeness to the friends

C．invite her to taste food in Bellhaven Guest House

D．offer her an opportunity to be a guest on an island

3. What does the underlined word"illegibly"probably mean?

A．Carelessly.

B．Frequently

C．Hardly.

D．Actively.

4. What is Miss Brent’s decision?

A．She decided to go because she was familiar with the host

B．She hoped to have a good relaxation since it was free

C．She had to stay because she was trying to pay the loan

D．She planned to change her way of life for a better future

9 . As Amar Hanspal, Autodesk senior vice president, sees it, construction sites are orchestras (管弦乐队) without conductors. It’s difficult to know immediately if the violin solo started at the right time, if the concrete truck is where it needs to be, or if that wall was built in the right place. Real-time awareness has long been a challenge on construction sites. Time and money are lost to correcting flawed (有缺陷的) work. One group of workers may arrive only to have to stand around, wasting time, because someone else didn't complete his or her task.

Autodesk envisions drones (无人机) provide the leaders on construction sites with real-time information, leading to projects that are finished faster at a lower cost. The company, which makes software for 3D design and engineering, has invested in drone start-up Skycatch, which sees a huge opportunity in data from construction sites. With automated drones, a leader could analyze progress on a construction site far quicker than if a human was tracking progress.

"It's the place that changes the most, even down to an hour, "said Skycatch chief executive Christian Sanz of construction sites." We’re discovering things that we didn’t even know were problems on the field, which we're able to solve with data.

Sanz believes we're just at the beginning of automation's arrival at construction sites, and says Skycatch has only built 1 percent of what's possible. Autodesk's software provides a way to make use of all the information Skycatch's drones collect.

"You'll have machines on the ground that are going to be data aware, "said Sanz, whose drones deliver data within a centimeter of accuracy. "They’re not going to have a pilot seat; they’re going to be automated.”

In the construction site of the future, drones will regularly fly overhead, constantly taking photos. Software in the cloud will compare volumes to see how much dirt is moved, if a structure is built. Regular reports will be emailed to leaders on site, keeping them aware of progress.

Sanz expects an especially big impact of drone data in the developing world. His company also does work in mining, but sees construction projects as its biggest opportunity.

1. The first paragraph is developed mainly by __________.

A．telling stories	B．making comparisons
C．analyzing data	D．offering advice

2. What is the advantage of drones in the construction site?

A．It collects data that everyone can make use of.

B．It sells at quite a low price and saves a lot of time.

C．It analyzes the pictures taken by Autodesk's software.

D．It leads to efficient and economical construction work.

3. What is the main idea of the passage?

A．Drones can be taken advantage of for construction sites.

B．Drones are to construction what orchestras to conductors.

C．Drones are used on construction sites and received well.

D．Drones will replace workers to work more effectively.

4. Which column of a newspaper does this passage most probably come from?

A．Culture

B．Fashion

C．Technology

D．Health

10 . After 14 years, the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, the Nertherlands, finally announced the recovery of two Vincent van Gogh paintings on Friday, thanks to a recent operation by Italian police. “The paintings have been found! That I would be able to ever pronounce these words is something I had no longer dared to hope for.”said Axel Ruger, director of the Van Gogh Museum, at a press conference in Naples, Italy, where Italian police announced the success of their operation.

Vincent Willem Van Gogh (30 March 1853 — 29 July 1890) was a Dutch Post-impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art. In just over a decade he created about 2100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings, most of them in the last two years of his life. He sold only one painting during his lifetime and became famous after his suicide (自杀) at age 37, which followed years of poverty and mental illness. The two paintings are “Seascape at Scheveningen”, painted in 1882, and “Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen”, painted in 1884. Their authenticity (真实性) has been confirmed by experts of the museum.

According to Italian media reports, the paintings were discovered in a house belonging to an international drug dealer group based in Castellammare di Stabia, about 19 miles south-east of Naples

When the paintings were stolen in 2002, the lost was considered one of the “top 10” art crimes that year, according to British newspaper The Guardian. The paintings have no frames and show signs of some damage but remain “in fairly good condition,” the Van Gogh Museum said in a statement posted on its website. As further investigation and legal procedures on the local crime organization are underway, it's not clear when the paintings will be shipped to Amsterdam.

Ruger said he was hopeful and counted on the support of the Italian authorities

1. What does the underlined sentence probably mean?

A．Axel dared not to announce the news to the public.

B．Axel suspected that the paintings had been damaged.

C．Axel had given up on the recovery of the paintings.

D．Axel was confident that the thieves would be arrested.

2. What do we know about Van Gogh from the second paragraph?

A．He is pessimistic and ambitious.

B．He is talented and productive.

C．He is successful and wealthy.

D．He is generous and outspoken.

3. What can be learned from the passage?

A．Italy police knew the paintings were authentic.

B．The drug dealer stole the paintings and hid them.

C．The crime was the most shocking news in 2002.

D．The paintings haven't been returned to the museum.

4. What can be the best title of the passage?

A．Van Gogh, a Talented Painter

B．A Successful Operation by Italy Police

C．Lost Famous Paintings Regained

D．International Drug Dealers under Arrest