1. How does the woman usually go to work?
A.By bike | B.By car | C.By bus |
A.Almost every day. | B.Once a week. | C.Once a month. |
A.It’s expensive. |
B.It takes too much time. |
C.It is too dangerous. |
A.To a train station. |
B.To the woman’s office. |
C.To a sports shop. |
2 . The mystery of how groups of fire ants survive floods has puzzled biologists for many years. But now scientists have worked out how the ants stick together in order to build a kind of raft (筏) that helps them to float easily for days.
The fire ant lives in the rainforests of Brazil, where heavy rainfall can cause flooding twice daily. In order to stick together as a colony (群体) during these floods, the fire ants hook (钩) their legs and mouths together to create a living and breathing material that floats for hours, or even weeks, if necessary, until floods go down.
These so-called fire-ant rafts contain nearly 200 bodies per square inch; they can grow to be as large as garbage bin lids (盖) in the case of large colonies, but more often, they grow to the size of small plates. The ants gather themselves quickly in response to an emergency, and can organize thousands of bodies in less than two minutes, according to study researcher David Hu. “They are all acting together, and there are so many of them that they are really becoming a single material.” said Professor Hu.
They found that living fire ants within a raft always changed their positions in response to forces, such as the push of a stick or a drop of rain in nature. “This responsiveness allows the fire ants to deal with small rocks or bursts of waves while floating.” Hu said.
The raft is also self-healing, so that if one ant is removed from the raft, others move in to fill the space.
When in danger of drowning, a colony of the tiny creatures-thousands of them-will save themselves by joining forces and forming a raft. Though insects do insect things, we human beings could learn a thing or two about teamwork from the awesome fire ant.
1. What is the main idea of the passage?A.Tiny creatures can survive disasters. |
B.Fire ants work together to survive floods. |
C.Teamwork is important for human. |
D.Rafts help fire ants live in nature. |
A.By joining a colony. | B.By floating for a long time. |
C.By hooking parts of their bodies. | D.By living and breathing together. |
A.They can be formed in a short time. |
B.They are usually the size of garbage bin lids. |
C.They will be separated in case of forces. |
D.They move to some spaces when in danger. |
A.A news report. | B.A brochure. |
C.A story book. | D.A magazine. |
3 . As cities balloon with growth, access to nature for people living in urban areas is becoming harder to find. If you’re lucky, there might be a pocket park near where you live, but it’s unusual to find places in a city that are relatively wild.
Past research has found health and wellness benefits of nature for humans, but a new study shows that wildness in urban areas is extremely important for human well-being.
The research team focused on a large urban park. They surveyed several hundred park-goers, asking them to submit a written summary online of a meaningful interaction they had with nature in the park. The researchers then examined these submissions, coding (编码) experiences into different categories. For example, one participant’s experience of “We sat and listened to the waves at the beach for a while” was assigned the categories “sitting at beach” and “listening to waves.”
Across the 320 submissions, a pattern of categories the researchers call a “nature language” began to emerge. After the coding of all submissions, half a dozen categories were noted most often as important to visitors. These include encountering wildlife, walking along the edge of water, and following an established trail.
Naming each nature experience creates a usable language, which helps people recognize and take part in the activities that are most satisfying and meaningful to them. For example, the experience of walking along the edge of water might be satisfying for a young professional on a weekend hike in the park. Back downtown during a workday, they can enjoy a more domestic form of this interaction by walking along a fountain on their lunch break.
“We’re trying to generate a language that helps bring the human-nature interactions back into our daily lives. And for that to happen, we also need to protect nature so that we can interact with it,” said Peter Kahn, a senior author of the study.
1. What phenomenon does the author describe at the beginning of the text?A.Pocket parks are now popular. | B.Wild nature is hard to find in cities. |
C.Many cities are overpopulated. | D.People enjoy living close to nature. |
A.To compare different types of park-goers. | B.To explain why the park attracts tourists. |
C.To analyze the main features of the park. | D.To find patterns in the visitors’ summaries. |
A.Walking is the best way to gain access to nature. |
B.Young people are too busy to interact with nature. |
C.The same nature experience takes different forms. |
D.The nature language enhances work performance. |
A.Language study. | B.Environmental conservation. |
C.Public education. | D.Intercultural communication. |
4 . From Marrakech to Cape Town, Africa has so much to offer. Here are some top destinations to discover in this fascinating continent.
Kruger National Park
Bursting with a diverse array of wildlife in large numbers, Kruger is considered South Africa’s best park for a reason. In addition to the awesome amount of nature on display, the amenities are also fantastic, with a great array of lodges and camps to suit all kinds of budgets. Kruger is also heaven for birdwatching, so there’s something to excite everyone.
Victoria Falls
Next, we’ve got one of the wonders of the natural world. The colossal Victoria Falls sits on the Zambia and Zimbabwe border. As November marks the start of the rainy season, it’s the perfect time to visit, as the falls will be at their most dramatic! Book onto one of Tripbeat’s Victoria Falls multi-day camping adventures to explore the amazing landscape and animals.
Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is another fantastic choice for safari. Instead of jeeps, boats are the best way to get around this watery wilderness, and perfect for getting up close to hippos and crocodiles. Botswana is also a great place to explore African cuisine, with delicious dishes like Vetkoek, a type of burger normally served with curry, thyme, and chilli sauce.
Cape Town
Our last recommendation is one of three capitals. Relax at the Victoria and Alfred waterside area where you can visit the Museum of Contemporary African Art, or join a walking tour to discover more about the area’s history that dates to the17th century. If you only do one thing, visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for18 years. It offers a sobering insight into the history of the anti-apartheid activists’ life and imprisonment.
1. Visitors who want to plan an economical trip may go to .A.Victoria Falls | B.Cape Town |
C.Kruger National Park | D.Okavango Delta |
A.Travel. | B.History. | C.Location. | D.Food. |
A.Victoria and Alfred. | B.Robben Island. |
C.Botswana. | D.Zambia and Zimbabwe border. |
5 . It’s the year 2140 and two kids ride their surfboards in the heart of Manhattan, near the point where Sixth Avenue meets Broadway. If you are familiar with this junction you will know it is far from the US’s current coastline. But in Kim Stanley Robinson’s novel New York 2140, Manhattan is flooded after continuous climate change causes the sea level to rise by 15.25 m.
Robinson’s 2017 climate fiction novel belongs to a new kind of novel, which tells “the story of the next century”. It might be helping readers across the world comprehend the situation in which we currently find ourselves.
Climate change is an indescribable crisis to make sense of. Drop some poisonous chemicals in a river now and you will see dead fish within days, but what do you witness when you release (释放) carbon dioxide (CO2)?
“This is where fiction comes in: it brings the abstract data closer to home by focusing on the face sand stories in these futures. Show readers a detailed account of a climate-changed future,” says Robinson, and they have an easier time imagining it. “Science fiction gets people thinking in a way that another report on climate change doesn’t,” says Shelley Streeby, a professor of Literature and Ethnic Studies at UC San Diego. “It helps people feel not only about what might be coming, but also about the present. It is about taking certain conditions that exist nowadays, extending them into the future and throwing a bunch of characters into their midst.”
In the search to adopt climate change as a topic, writers are doing what they do best: trying to tell a good story. Sometimes they write with a touch of optimism as they negotiate the current crisis. But even with this optimism, these writers want to make sure the world knows they, at least, are paying attention.
1. What is the function of the first paragraph?A.To give background on a story. |
B.To promote the novel New York 2140. |
C.To lead to the topic of climate fiction. |
D.To show the influence of climate change. |
A.By inferring. | B.By comparing. |
C.By analyzing. | D.By imagining. |
A.Approving. | B.Cautious. | C.Negative. | D.Doubtful. |
A.Climate Crisis: No Longer a Forecast |
B.The Future World: More Promising |
C.New York 2140: A New Type of Novel |
D.Climate Fiction: A Reminder of Climate Change |
You might hear about Cinco de Mayo parties. But even though celebrations of Cinco de Mayo,
So what does Cinco de Mayo celebrate? On the morning of May 5, 1862,6,000 French soldiers
Now the people of Puebla, Mexico, observe the holiday Cinco de Mayo to celebrate this victory. The holiday is also widely celebrated in the United States. Americans use the celebration to honor the battle as well
In the United States, people attend
7 . The wind is cold and raindrops fall. Bill Porter pays little attention to the bad weather. He’s a door-to-door salesman. With heavy steps, he stops at the first house. He rings the bell. A young woman comes to the door. “Hello.” “No, thank you.” She shuts the door. Porter’s expression never changes. People might not buy now. Next time. Maybe.
He makes his way up and down the hills. His bag is heavy. His hand hurts. His brain was damaged when he was born, which caused a disorder to his nervous system that affected his speech, hands and walk.
He walks on. He knocks on a door. A man walks out from the back yard where he’s gardening. He often buys, but not today, he says, as he walks away. Then Porter is on his way. No sale. No sale. No sale.
Finally, a middle-aged woman invites Porter inside. They chat easily about what has recently happened in the neighborhood. After a few minutes, Porter takes off his hat and raincoat and sets them on a chair. Out come the glasses and the brochures.
“We have a new kind of pepper (甜椒).” “No.” “Hot spices (调味香料)?” “No.” “All natural, pure pasta toppings (意面浇料).” He looks at the customer. She’s teetering and just needs a push.
“Sure would make a nice gift.” He studies her face, searching for clues as to what she needs to hear. “Nothing man-made.” “Really? How much is a set?” she asks. “$22.99, and they go a long way.” “OK, I’ll give it a try.”
Porter removes his glasses and places everything in his bag. He pulls on his coat and hat and follows the woman to the front door. He turns to her and says, “And I thank you.”
He arrives home after 7 p. m. Today was not profitable. He tells himself not to worry. Four days left in the week. He eats at the kitchen table and listens to the radio. He hears the rain pound on the street. He must dress warmly tomorrow. Soon he’s sleepy with great care he climbs the stairs (楼梯) to his bedroom. In time, the lights go off. Morning will be here soon.
1. In what way is Porter different from other salesmen?A.He has physical disabilities. | B.He sells products to the disabled. |
C.He has received excellent training. | D.He is fully trusted by his customers. |
A.He makes a sale. | B.They make small talk. |
C.He visits a man’s backyard. | D.They walk around the neighborhood |
A.Unhappy with the result | B.Unable to make up one’s mind. |
C.Having little patience to wait longer. | D.Showing little confidence in oneself |
A.Brave and generous. | B.Honest and patient. |
C.Polite and positive. | D.Clever and caring. |
Bob and I hung out the whole summer, running in the field, swimming in the lake and exploring everywhere joyfully.
It was a typical summer afternoon. Bob suggested we skip a language lesson to play basketball. Ahal I would show my defense, lay-ups and three-point shooting. I loved to explore, I loved sports, and I loved basketball most. I believed I would be the next LeBron James.
But my passion for sports came to a sudden stop when I began experiencing extreme back pain later that day. After several visits to doctors, finally I was told that a spine(脊柱) surgery was necessary. Unfortunately, the surgery accidentally damaged my spinal cord(脊髓). I was in the ward hanging face down to relieve the pressure on my spine.
After four-month rehabilitation training(康复训练) in hospital, reality slowly set in—I was unable to walk again. I couldn’t believe this should have happened to me, that it wasn’t possible to recover, that I wouldn’t become a famous basketball player, that my life as I had known it, was over. My future would be chained to a wheelchair. I was just 16 years old!
Back home, I learned how hard it was going to be to get around in a wheelchair. I withdrew from my friends and my basketball. At Bob’s repeated invitation, I agreed to go to our regular swimming hole. Unable to make it down the riverbank alone, I was too proud to ask for help. When I finally realized my pride would keep me away from people and sports I loved, I let Bob carry me on his back to the river’s edge.
Allowing others to help was a turning point. I realized my attitude was the biggest barrier I had to face. How could I expect others to see my potential if I didn’t see it myself? How could I realize my basketball dream if I withdrew into myself?
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。
One day, Bob took me to a wheelchair basketball game.
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With Bob’s encouragement, I decided to have a try at my dream.
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9 . As science and technology have developed, our lifestyle experienced changes. From the first telephone to the first medical drug (药物) every invention has significantly affected lifestyle across the world.
The Internet has changed the idea of shopping in our lives. The Internet has made it possible that you can choose and buy a product from different sellers at the same time.
For people who love traveling, the Internet is a friend in need and service. Now, we can make use of the power of the Internet to know more about travel destinations and even organize travel plans online. You can book hotels, tickets, and travel packages online.
With the wide use of the Internet today, even education is now possible from the comforts of your home. If you have an Internet connection and a computer, you can easily join an online education program.
Apart from these examples, there are lots of other areas where the Internet has worked wonders. With the development of science and technology, more and more areas are influenced by the Internet and the boom(繁荣)is expected to continue with the passage of time.
A.And the same is true for the Internet as well. |
B.Just do it at home, sit back, and pack your bags. |
C.Getting a job now has become easier, thanks to the Internet. |
D.It is not possible for you to visit all the places at a single time. |
E.So almost every area of our lifestyle is now impacted by the Internet. |
F.By buying online, you can save lots of time and get the latest products. |
G.Many world-famous schools now offer online education programs in various fields. |
10 . China is a colorful country with amazing places and cultures. In this blog, we will introduce five most attractive places that you can’t miss if you are planning to go for a travel in China!
Beijing
Beijing, the capital of China for over 850 years, is the first choice for many travellers. A perfect combination of classic elegance and modernity, it is the best Chinese destination to give you a better understanding of the country. You can wander around the Forbidden City to feel the dignity of the city; or you can walk along the criss-crossing hutongs and enjoy yourself in everyday local life.
Xi’an
If you want to feel the history of China over the past 1,000 years, you can go to Beijing; however, if you want to experience the 5,000 years’ history of this ancient, oriental land, Xi’an is the best travel destination in China. As one of the four major capitals of ancient civilisation (together with Athens, Cairo, and Rome), Xi’an is the home of Chinese civilisation. The Silk Road starts from here, stretching through West China to the Mediterranean.
Guilin
Guilin, a peaceful city lying in the hilly south-western area of the country, is among the top Chinese destinations for its extraordinary natural scenery. The unique karst landscape with its four features, namely green hills, clear water, fantastic caves, and oddly-shaped rocks, makes it a famous tourist attraction.
Chengdu
Visiting the lovely giant pandas must be on everyone’s to-do list when planning a tour of the best Chinese destinations. Many cities have zoos with space for pandas, but the best place to get close to them is Chengdu for sure! Visiting Chengdu is also a treat for food lovers. Jin li Street is a great place to have a taste of well-known Sichuan food. Besides, you can also enjoy the comfortable atmosphere.
1. What can you do in Beijing?A.Enjoy the oddly-shaped rocks. | B.Have a taste of Sichuan food. |
C.Walk around the Forbidden City. | D.Learn the history of the Silk Road. |
A.Beijing. | B.Xi’an. | C.Guilin. | D.Chengdu. |
A.Another attractive place in China. | B.The introduction to karst landscape. |
C.Tips for travelling around the world. | D.The contact information of a museum. |