1 . Facial recognition software has found an unlikely new application: scanning the faces of thousands of British children in school canteens.

Nine schools in North Ayrshire will today start taking lunch payments by scanning the faces of pupils, claiming that the new system speeds up queues and is more secure than the card payments and fingerprint scanners they used previously. “It’s the fastest way of recognising someone at the till,” said David Swanston, the managing director of CRB Cunninghams, the company that installed the systems. “In a secondary school you have around a 25-minute period to serve potentially 1,000 pupils. So we need fast productivity at the point of sale.” He said the average transaction time was cut to five seconds per pupil.

However, privacy campaigners say there is little need to spread out facial recognition technology, which has been criticized for often operating without gaining approvals from the owners. Swanston argued that CRB Cunningham’s system, which uses cameras to check against coded face-print modes stored on servers at the schools, was different from live facial recognition systems that scan through crowds to identify faces. Live facial recognition has previously caused debate after being used by schools for security or to monitor attendance.

North Ayrshire committee said that 97 percent of children or their parents had given agreement for the new system. “Pupils often forget their PINs and unfortunately some have also been the victim of PIN cheating, so they are supportive of the planned developments and appreciate the benefits to them,” the council said.

But some parents said they were unsure whether their children had been given enough information to make their decision, and suggested that peer pressure had also played a role.

1. What can we infer from Swanston’s word?

A．He speaks highly of the system.

B．The software is intended to promote the sales.

C．The technology has previously caused debate.

D．The system will be helpful when the students forget their PINs.

2. What is not the advantage of the facial recognition software?

A．It speeds up the queues.

B．It is safer than the previous payments.

C．It operates without being approved of.

D．It benefits the pupils who often forget their PINs.

3. What’s the author’s attitude to the application of facial recognition technology?

A．Supportive	B．Disapproved
C．Objective	D．Critical

4. What does this passage mainly talk about?

A．Facial recognition has been the best way adopted so far.

B．Parents disagree with the application of facial recognition system.

C．The facial recognition system can benefit the pupils who are forgetful.

D．Schools speed up canteen queues with facial recognition technology.

3 . A new technology project in southern Greece is helping visitors experience the ancient birthplace of the Olympic Games.

The project used Augmented Reality (AR) to recreate temples and competition areas in the ancient city of Olympia. It was recently launched in the city, one of the world’s major archaeological sites. Augmented Reality is a technology that can project computer-created imagery onto special eyeglasses. Through the eyeglasses, the images appear along with other physical objects in the environment.

The project is a partnership between American software maker Microsoft and Greece’s Ministry of Culture and Sport. The ministry helped Microsoft map and build virtual representations of Olympia. The city was used for nearly a thousand years to host the games in ancient Greece that served as the model for the modern Olympics. The experience provides users the chance to virtually walk through the ruins of Olympia. At the Olympic Museum in Athens, people can also use Microsoft’s AR headsets for a similar experience.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis joined a group of schoolchildren who were using the app for the first time. “I’m absolutely thrilled that we’re able to present to the world a completely new cultural experience utilizing technology to recreate the ancient world of Olympia, ” Mitsotakis told the media.

Students from a local middle school looked at statues and structures that were brought to life on their phones. One of the children, Panagiotis Christopoulos, called the project “impressive”. “I think it can help with teaching in schools, ” the student said. They were able to virtually visit inside and outside settings to explore where ancient Olympians had competed in different sports.

The project began 18 months ago with a series of imaging flights to help map areas across Olympia. Microsoft is to build several data centers in and near Athens as part of a $ 1 billion investment agreement with the Greek government.

1. What can users do with the eyeglasses?

A．Move physical objects.

B．Take photos of the ruins of Olympia.

C．Take part in the virtual Olympic Games.

D．Be on a virtual visit to the ruins of Olympia.

2. What does the underlined word “utilizing” in paragraph 4 mean?

A．Using.	B．Determining.
C．Replacing	D．Recycling

3. What will Microsoft do according to the last paragraph?

A．Develop advanced operating systems.

B．Help the Greek government plan the city.

C．Make an agreement with other companies.

D．Spend lots of money establishing data centers.

4. Which can be the best title for the text?

A．Greece Will Open a New Olympic Museum

B．Digital Project Brings Olympics Birthplace to Life

C．The AR Glasses Helps You See More about the World

D．The Olympic Museum in Athens Will Create a Virtual Map

4 . Here are four destinations that have to be included in any trip to the northeastern city Harbin.

Igloos(冰屋)at Harbin Ice-Snow World

At Harbin Ice-Snow World, you can not only see the world-famous ice architecture, but also have great fun! You can have hotpot at igloo restaurants, enjoying the product of both ice and fire, and go down the world’s longest ice slide.

The Sun Island Snow Expo

The Sun Island Snow Expo is the world’s largest snow sculpture(雕塑)art show. You can play in the snow as well as admire the art made from it. Tourists from the south might be surprised by the bright sunshine reflected in the snow, so don’t forget the sunscreen. This is a good place to toss water into the air and watch it turn into ice immediately. Find a safe place with no one nearby, and enjoy the unique phenomenon.

Yabuli Ski Resort

One place you shouldn’t miss when visiting Harbin is Yabuli Ski Resort, where you can ski down snow-covered mountains. Yabuli Sun Mountain Resort is surrounded by mountains and forests. The snow is thick and moderately hard. There are junior, middle and senior ski runs. Professional staff are available to improve your skiing ability and give you an experience of a lifetime.

The Harbin Grand Theatre

It might not be part of an ordinary tourist plan, but it is worth an extra night in Harbin! The winter is cold and the night is long, so why not go to the theatre? Northerners consider it a romantic thing to do in winter. Harbin was listed by the United Nations as a music city in 2010. Harbin Grand Theater is where artistic souls defrost a little to share their love of art.

1. What can tourists do when they visit the igloos?

A．Ski down the mountains.

B．Eat in a restaurant made of ice.

C．Enjoy some ancient architecture.

D．Throw and watch water turn into ice immediately.

2. What does the author remind tourists to do when they visit the Sun Island Snow Expo?

A．Stay in a safe place alone.	B．Make a snow sculpture.
C．Apply sunscreen.	D．Live in an ice architecture.

3. Which place has professional staff to help with your skiing ability?

A．Igloos(冰屋)at Harbin Ice-Snow World.	B．The Sun Island Snow Expo.
C．The Harbin Grand Theatre.	D．Yabuli Ski Resort.

5 . Technology is likely to play a big part in reaching its climate goals in the future.

Fusion is the process that fires the sun. But some experts say it could someday power our homes. Fusion happens when the nuclei (核) of two atoms are subjected to extreme heat. This leads to the formation of a new larger atom and large amounts of energy. One problem is the process itself requires a large amount of energy. Developers of the technology haven’t yet performed a fusion reaction that releases more energy than it requires. In addition, running an electric power plant of fusion would require the resulting heat to be contained in an economical way.

Advanced nuclear plants would be smaller than today’s massive nuclear reactors. Experts say they could be used in rural areas and could take over for wind and solar power when the sun goes down or the wind dies. But advanced nuclear reactors are difficult and costly to build. Critics say they would also create more waste. And they would run on uranium (铀), which could make some advanced reactors more appealing to militants (激进分子) seeking materials to make weapons.

Currently, there are 15 direct air capture plants operating worldwide, getting CO directly from the air and puts the gas underground. The costs are currently high. But supporters say those costs will fall as the technology improves. They also say tax breaks for businesses could help the technology. But critics say offering large credits could actually lead to more plants continuing to burn fossil fuels.

Hydrogen (氢) can be mixed with natural gas to make a cleaner-burning fuel. This could power a fuel cell vehicle. Such a vehicle would release environmentally friendly water vapors.

So-called clean hydrogen can be produced using energy methods such as wind and solar. But those methods are more costly than “grey hydrogen”, which is made with fossil fuels. Geothermal power plants capture heat up to 370 degrees Celsius far below the earth’s surface. The heat creates steam that can turn turbines (涡轮机) to produce electricity. But the technology would need to greatly expand to become a major alternative to fossil fuels.

1. How does the author develop the passage？

A．By analyzing the cost.

B．By introducing the values.

C．By weighing the positive and negative.

D．By following the order of great importance.

2. What can we learn from the text？

A．Carbon Capture is in the theoretical stage.

B．Nuclear fusion has been widely used in families.

C．Grey hydrogen belongs to environmental protection energy

D．The advanced nuclear plants have hidden dangers of making weapons.

3. What technology is suitable for countries having the heat in the interior(内部)of the earth？

A．Geothermal power.	B．Carbon Capture.
C．Advanced Nuclear.	D．Fusion and Hydrogen.

4. What is the best title for the text？

A．New Issues Facing Climate Goals

B．Develop New Energy According to Local Conditions

C．What Are the Future Development Goals of Clean Energy？

D．Which Technologies Could Help the World Reach Its Climate Goals？

8 . 假如你是Jerry，你的朋友Tom正要减肥，现在向你询问如何能成功减肥。请根据以下要点给他回封信，并表达你希望他早日减肥成功。
1）积极的心态；
2）均衡的食谱；
3）定期体育运动；
4）最关键的在于坚持。
注意：1)词数100左右；开头语和结束语已为你写好，不计入总词数。
2)可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
参考词汇：塑造身材 shape a figure     定期的 regular
Dear Tom,

How nice to hear from you!

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Jerry

9 . New England holds some special museums. They are devoted largely or entirely to the work of just one person. And they are the artists’ birthplaces or onetime homes. Here are four examples of such museums.

Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum

The name Cyrus E. Dallin (1861-1944) might not be familiar, but several of the artist’s sculptures (雕塑) are, especially those related to Native Americans. A good example is his “Appeal to the Great Spirit” standing in front of the Museum of Fine Arts. Born in Utah, he lived in Arlington for the final four decades of his life. The museum is in the Jefferson Cutter House, an 1830 Greek styled building.

Norman Rockwell Museum

Rockwell (1894-1978) was America’s well-known artist. The museum, founded in 1969, moved into its present location, Robert A.M. Stern-designed building in 1993. Its 998 paintings and drawings are the largest single collection of Rockwell's artworks.

Kids 16 and under: free; adults: $20; the old: at a 10% discount (折扣)

Edward Gorey House

Edward Gorey (1925-2000) was an artist, but he was also an author and clothes designer. Gorey bought this 18th-century house in 1979 and lived there for the rest of his life. Edward Gorey House is also known as the Elephant House. Gorey had respect for animals. The activities of the house, from art education to exhibits, show Gorey's support of animal well-being.

Gibert Stuart Birthplace and Museum

Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828) is responsible for what may well be the most familiar work of any American artist, His drawing of George is the basis of the first president’s portrait (画像) on the dollar. Stuart painted more than a thousand portraits throughout his life.

1. What do we know about Cyrus E. Dallin?

A．He built the Jefferson Cutter House.

B．He lived in Arlington for half a century.

C．He was best known for his Greek styled sculptures.

D．He created famous works related to Native Americans.

2. How much will an old couple pay to enter Norman Rockwell Museum?

A．$36.

B．$40.

C．$60.

D．$72.

3. Where can visitors learn some history of American money?

A．Edward Gorey House.	B．Norman Rockwell Museum.
C．Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum.	D．Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum.