1 . When I was nine years old, I loved to go fishing with my dad. But the only thing that wasn't very fun about it was that he could catch many fish while I couldn't catch anything. I usually got pretty upset and kept asking him why. He always answered, "Son, if you want to catch a fish, you have to think like a fish." I remember being even more upset then, because I'm not a fish! I didn't know how to think like a fish. Besides, I reasoned, how could what I think influence what a fish does?
As I got a little older I began to understand what my dad really meant. So, I read some books on fish. And I even joined the local fishing club and started attending the monthly meetings. I learned that a fish is a cold-blooded animal and therefore is very sensitive to water temperature. That is why fish prefer shallow waters to deep waters because the former is warmer. Besides, water is usually warmer in direct sunlight than in the shade. Yet, fish don't have any eyelids (眼皮) and the sun hurts their eyes. The more I understood fish, the more I became effective at finding and catching them.
When I grew up and entered the business world, I remember hearing my first boss say, "We all need to think like salespeople." But it didn't completely make sense. My dad never once said, "If you want to catch a fish you need to think like a fisherman." What he said was, "… you have to think like a fish." Years later, with great efforts to promote long-term services to people much older and richer than me, I gradually learned what we all need is to think more like customers. It is not an easy job. I will show you how in the following chapters.
1. Why was the author upset in the fishing trips when he was nine?| A．Because he could not catch a fish. | B．Because his father was not patient with him. |
| C．Because his father did not teach him fishing. | D．Because he could not influence a fish as his father did. |
| A．To read about fish. | B．To learn fishing by oneself. |
| C．To understand what fish think. | D．To study fishing in many ways. |
| A．in deep waters on sunny days | B．in deep waters on cloudy days |
| C．in shallow waters under sunlight | D．in shallow waters under waterside trees |
| A．it easy to think like a customer | B．his father's fishing advice inspiring |
| C．his first boss's sales idea reasonable | D．it difficult to sell services to poor people |
2 . If you are a sci-fi movie fan, there are some sci-fi films that are worth seeing.
Stowaway
Stowaway is the story of a mission to Mars and a spaceship that has too many passengers. With the journey planned for only a certain number of people, well, you can see where this is headed. This sci-fi movie directed by Joe Penna takes us on a journey we will be able to risk.
Robopocalypse
David H. Wilson, author of 2011’s Robopocalypse, has been compared to sci-fi writers like Michael Crichton and Robert A. Heinlein. The film tells the story of a robot named AIX in the near future. It has the face of a pure (纯真的) child, but its heart is not pure. One day, he took control of the global network and directed the machines and weapons (武器) made by human beings to fight against human beings. Steven Spielberg was in charge of this film for years until it changed hands in 2017 to director Michael Bay.
Voyagers
The biggest problem with space travel is the long distance. In Voyagers, 30 men and women go on a multi-generational voyage in search of a new home. The mission gradually gets into madness. The people don’t know if the real threat they face is what’s outside the ship or who they’re becoming inside it. The film’s director Neil Burger describes the film as Lord of the Flies for a new generation.
After Yang
Based on Alexander Weinstein’s short story Saying Goodbye to Yang, this film is set in the future where robotic children help raise human children as live-in help. But when one robotic family member, Yang, becomes non-responsive, a father and daughter will do everything they can to save its life. Starring Collin Ferrell and directed by Kogonada (director of Columbus), this could be one of the smartest sci-fi films.
1. Which movie is your best choice if you like Joe Penna?| A．Stowaway. | B．Robopocalypse. |
| C．Voyagers. | D．After Yang. |
| A．Safe. | B．Boring | C．Unpleasant. | D．Tiring. |
| A．They both tell a story about a robot. |
| B．They both mention a mission in space. |
| C．They are both smart sci-fi films of the year. |
| D．They are both based on a full-length novel. |
3 . Being stuck at home doesn’t mean that learning stops. In fact, it's just the opposite. Here are some activities and resources to foster (促进) kids' imagination and build their curiosity at home.
Let's Get down to ScienceThe science lab at school may be closed, but kids can still put on goggles and a white lab coat and learn at home. This Test Tube Experiment Kit will make them feel like a genius in no time. Kids will get the chance to learn about basic chemistry, physics, and more by creating pop-resistant bubbles, bouncy balls, and other objects.
To Infinity (无穷) and BeyondEarth is a part of the Milky Way, but do kids know how many galaxies there are in the universe? There are so many fun and fascinating things to learn about space that the possibilities truly go to infinity and beyond. A great way to start your child's educational space adventure is with this Discovery Real Life Sticker and Activity Book: Space.
Take a Walk on the Wild SideBiology class is in session! Here's kids' chance to get up close and personal with a great white shark without putting on a wetsuit. This 4D Great White Shark Anatomy Kit allows them to get an inside look at what makes these predators of the deep so powerful. And then take an even deeper dive into a shark's world with I'm a Shark.
Let your kid take advantage of this time at home and find new ways to keep exploring the world around him.
1. What is common among these activities above?| A．They are all performed outdoors. |
| B．They are all associated with physics. |
| C．They all recommend some resources for kids to study. |
| D．They are all carried out by the way of experimenting. |
| A．The Test Tube Experiment Kit. |
| B．Discovery Real Life Sticker and Activity Book: Space. |
| C．The 4D Great White Shark Anatomy Kit. |
| D．I'm a Shark. |
| A．To gain financial benefits. | B．To save kids from boredom. |
| C．To explore new technologies. | D．To inspire kids to study at home. |
4 . You probably know who Marie Curie was, but you may not have heard of Rachel Carson. Of the outstanding ladies listed below, who do you think was the most important woman of the past 100 years?
Jane Addams (1860-1935)Anyone who has ever been helped by a social worker has Jane Addams to thank. Addams helped the poor and worked for peace. She encouraged a sense of community (社区) by creating shelters and promoting education and services for people in need. In 1931, Addams became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Rachel Carson (1907-1964)If it weren’t for Rachel Carson, the environmental movement might not exist today. Her popular 1962 book Silent Spring raised awareness(意识) of the dangers of pollution and the harmful effects of chemicals on humans and on the world’s lakes and oceans.
Sandra Day O’Connor (1930-present)When Sandra Day O’Connor finished third in her class at Stanford Law School, in 1952, she could not find work at a law firm because she was a woman. She became an Arizona state senator (参议员) and in 1981, the first woman to join the U. S. Supreme Court (最高法院). O’Connor gave the deciding vote in many important cases during her 24 years on the top court.
Rosa Parks(1913-2005)On December 1,1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Rasa Parks would not give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. Her simple act landed Parks in prison. But it also set off the Montgomery bus boycott (抵制). It lasted for more than a year, and kicked off the civil-rights movement. “The only tired I was, was tired of giving in,” said Parks.
1. What is Jane Addams famous for in history?| A．Her social work. | B．Her teaching skills. |
| C．Her efforts to win a prize. | D．Her community background. |
| A．Not having training in law. | B．Her little work experience in court. |
| C．Her identity as a woman. | D．Her poor financial conditions. |
| A．Jane Addams. | B．Rachel Carson. |
| C．Sandra Day O’Connor. | D．Rosa Parks. |
| A．They are highly educated. | B．They are truly creative. |
| C．They are pioneers. | D．They are peace-lovers. |
5 . Empathy (同理心) is one of those strange qualities — something almost everyone wants, but few know how to truly give or receive it. In a world where self-satisfaction is emphasized, it is in short supply but high demand. This is all the more reason to teach the next generation what it means to have empathy for those around them.
What Is Empathy? — Many people confuse sympathy and empathy, but they are two distinct values. Empathy is not just the ability to understand someone's feelings; criminals often take advantage of people by appearing to understand their feelings and subsequently gaining their trust. Empathy is more than that. Not only is it the ability to recognize how someone feels, but it also values and respects the feelings of another person. It means treating others with kindness, dignity, and understanding.
Kids Need To See Adults Show Empathy — While some children are gifted with naturally kind hearts, in most cases kids need to see empathy modeled by the adults around them. It begins with the way parents relate to their children. Parents who show an interest in the things that matter to their kids and respond to emotions in a positive and caring way are teaching the skill of empathy.
Meet Emotional Needs — When children have their emotional needs met, two things happen. They learn how to meet the emotional needs of others and they are anchored in what they are receiving, meaning that they are secure enough to give to others when the need arises but first they need to receive. An empty jug cannot fill a cup.
It's a good idea to talk to kids about emotions and how other people experience them. Give their emotions names (for example, jealousy, anger, and love) and teach them that these are normal. Talk to them about how to handle emotions in a positive way and point out situations where other people are experiencing emotions. Teach them about respecting the emotions of others and show them how to act in a situation where a response is required.
1. Why is it that the next generation are taught to have empathy?| A．Because people tend to center themselves. | B．Because everyone lacks empathy. |
| C．Because empathy is a strange quality. | D．Because it's better to give than to receive. |
| A．When a mathematician is calculating the area of a farmland. |
| B．When a teacher is comforting a student about his failure in exams. |
| C．When a criminal is cheating a victim. |
| D．When a dancer is dancing to music. |
| A．An empty jug is too small to hold a cup. |
| B．It's a must to talk to kids about emotions. |
| C．Adults should set an example to kids. |
| D．Kids give empathy with their emotional needs met first. |
| A．How to train kids to have empathy. |
| B．How to distinguish sympathy and empathy. |
| C．How to help kids finish empathy-related tasks. |
| D．Whether kids can be trained to be more empathetic. |
6 . An Australian professor is developing a robot to monitor the health of grazing cattle, a development that could bring big changes to a profession that's relied largely on a low-tech approach for decades but is facing a labor shortage.
Salah Sukkarieh, a professor at the University of Sydney, sees robots as necessary given how cattlemen are aging. He is building a four-wheeled robot that will run on solar and electric power. It will use cameras and sensors to monitor the animals. A computer system will analyze the video to determine whether a cow is sick. Radio tags (标签) on the animals will measure temperature changes. The quality of grassland will be tracked by monitoring the shape, color and texture (质地) of grass. That way, cattlemen will know whether they need to move their cattle to another field for nutrition purposes.
Machines have largely taken over planting, watering and harvesting crops such as com and wheat, but the monitoring of cattle has gone through fewer changes.
For Texas cattleman Pete Bonds, it's increasingly difficult to find workers interested in watching cattle. But Bonds doesn't believe a robot is right for the job. Years of experience in the industry - and failed attempts to use technology - have convinced him that the best way to check cattle is with a man on a horse. Bonds, who bought his first cattle almost 50 years ago, still has each of his cowboys inspect 300 or 400 cattle daily and look for signs that an animal is getting sick.
Other cattlemen see more promise in robots. Michael Kelsey Paris, vice president of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, said a robot could be extremely useful given rising concerns about cattle theft. Cattle tend to be kept in remote places and their value has risen, making them appealing targets.
1. What is a problem with the cattle-raising industry?| A．Soil pollution. | B．Lack of workers. |
| C．Aging machines. | D．Low profitability. |
| A．Monitor the quality of grass. | B．Cure the diseased cattle. |
| C．Move cattle to another field. | D．Predict weather changes. |
| A．He wants to help them earn a living. | B．He thinks men can do the job better. |
| C．He is inexperienced in using robots. | D．He enjoys the traditional way of life. |
| A．Increase the value of cattle. | B．Bring down the cost of labor. |
| C．Make the job more appealing. | D．Keep cattle from being stolen. |
7 . Hard work really does pay off. Scientists find that perseverance（坚持不懈）leads to better grades and higher achievements in school.
“Being passionate（热情的）is not enough to ensure academic success,” says researchers, who ought of "courage" as a key to success. This is also regarded as effort in reaching long-term goals, and determination to continue one's efforts in spite of hardships.
Researchers think that the finding could help create new training to help children develop the skill and help ensure their future success.
Researchers from the Academy of Finland studied more than 2,000 students from Helsinki. They were followed through their academic career from 12 to 16, the sixth grade until the ninth grade in local school years. Researchers found that the factor that best predicts courage was related to goals, with previous academic achievements playing no role in developing the skill.
Professor Katariina Salmela-Aro, who led the study, said, “Courage means a young person is really interested in his or her studies and does not give up easily. A key element of courage is high perseverance when facing difficulties and hardships. The important finding is that these factors are the key to success and well-being. Our study shows the power of courage.”
Professor Salmela-Aro also thinks it is important to develop new practices and qualities to improve courage in teenagers. She added, "Young people should see everyday school work as part of their life in a broader context and establish achievable goals for themselves. Schools must also serve as a place where it is safe to fail and learn to deal with setbacks. One must not be discouraged by setbacks, but draw strength and new energy from them.
1. What can we learn about the research?| A．It takes at least three years | B．It helps students make progress. |
| C．It meets many difficulties | D．It follows 2,000 students abroad. |
| A．Focus on former grades | B．Achieve their dreams |
| C．Try all their best | D．Forget sadness |
| A．strengths. | B．difficulties. |
| C．weaknesses. | D．efforts |
| A．A picture book. | B．A literature book. |
| C．A geography textbook. | D．An educational magazine |
8 . It was just a normal day for Ruth Miller, a 63-year-old woman until everything went horribly wrong. She was walking to her car after shopping when the unthinkable happened.
Right as she was unlocking her car, a man quickly came up behind her and tried to wrestle her purse away. She was in a state of shock. Luckily she remembered she had her Safe Personal Alarm (SPA) on her purse, and since she was too scared to scream for help, she quickly reached for the alarm and pulled the pin (保险栓). Immediately her SPA started just screaming. The man didn’t know what to do! He froze for a second, and then ran away like a bat out of hell!
SPA is a safety device capable of creating a 125 dB sound that attracts attention and scares away potential attackers. To compare, it’s the same volume as a military jet during take-off.
Paul Davidson, the inventor of SPA, knows all too well the type of situation that Ruth found herself in. But that’s not the only type of situation that SPA helps protect against. Parents can give it to their kids as an extra means of protection. Teenagers can use it so they can feel safe walking home. Women can know ifs there when they have to use the parking lot at night. “My mother, who is 76 years old, carries it around in case she falls and needs to ask people for help. I only wish I’d have thought of it earlier,” said Paul.
The police have been recommending SPA since it first hit the market. In fact, since its launch, SPA has been in a state, shifting between in stock and sold out nearly every other week, and it’s also got tons of loyal followers worldwide.
1. What does the underlined part “the unthinkable” in Paragraph 1 refer to?| A．An attempted robbery. | B．A wrestling match. |
| C．An angry argument. | D．A car accident. |
| A．She fought violently. | B．She froze in great fear. |
| C．She cried desperately for help. | D．She sounded her safety device. |
| A．To imply the elderly need more care. | B．To suggest he cares about his mother. |
| C．To show SPA can be widely used. | D．To make an advertisement for SPA. |
| A．SPA is well received in the market. | B．People hesitate to pay for security. |
| C．SPA was sold out in the first two weeks. | D．The police seldom recommend products. |
9 . Sometimes very odd things show up in ordinary places. In the 1800s,a strange sight began to be reported by farmers. Then in the 1970s, this strange event began to happen more and more often. People travelled for miles to stand in the fields and take photos of something they couldn’t easily explain. What were they looking at? It was the crop circles—large and complex designs set into the middle of ordinary farm fields. No one could understand how these huge designs were made.
Crop circles are found most often in fields of wheat, corn, or rice. They are usually created overnight, although some are reported to have appeared during the day. They have been seen in more than 70 different countries. Scientists have found that the plants inside a crop circle are drier than the ones outside it. The plant stems (茎) are bent but not broken in most crop circles, and sometimes the soil in the design has more iron than the soil outside of the design. Unfortunately, these facts alone do not help scientists answer their questions about crop circles. These facts only make them more mysterious.
Some people believe crop circles are made by UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects) landing in farm fields. Others think aliens are leaving us messages in the beautiful designs. Still others believe Earth energy under the ground makes plants bend over in designs. Some people say they actually made the crop circles with special equipment. Scientists have found some crop circles that are certainly made by people, but they are usually a little different from other crop circles. So who makes crop circles and why they make them can’t be explained to this very day.
1. What does the underlined word “odd” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Big | B．Bad. |
| C．Unreal. | D．Unusual. |
| A．are made during the night |
| B．happen in the same places |
| C．are found in terrible places |
| D．have very frightening designs |
| A．Some crop circles are man-made. |
| B．UFOs help create some crop circles. |
| C．There actually are crop circles made by aliens. |
| D．Earth energy is one reason for crop circles’ appearance. |
| A．The History of Crop Circles |
| B．Different Designs of Crop Circles |
| C．Crop Circles: The Unsolved Mystery |
| D．Crop Circles: The Great Influence on Farms |
10 . Haley Curfman, 25, of Blackwell, Oklahoma, is a teacher at Blackwell Public School and last year she bought a plain(朴素的) white dress, which she set up a station in her classroom for her students to decorate, encouraging them to go and draw on the dress whenever they had free time. Haley set up a station at a table with the dress and some colored markers so that her students could draw on it, having first seen the idea on Pinterest.
After the kids had finished the design, she then surprised them all by wearing the dress to class, sharing pictures of herself in it on Facebook in a post that has since been shared over 200, 000 times.
For teachers looking to do something similar for their own students, Haley said that she bought the dress off Amazon for less than $ 20 about six months ago and pre-washed the dress before she started the project. She used markers from Walmart. But she said these things can be bought in other places. She said, “To do the project, I set up a station at a table with the dress and markers. It takes anywhere from two weeks to a month to complete as we just work on it here and there when time allows. You'd better give the students enough time so they don't have to hurry.”
“Teachers have been sharing their dresses, T-shirts, etc. with me that they've been creating since the 1950s with the same idea. It is amazing, and I love the fact that you are sharing them with me! Thank you all so much for your kindness and support,” she wrote on Facebook.
Asked why she came up with the idea, Haley told Scary Mommy. “We don't have art in our school, so, I always try to do little creative projects when possible.”
1. What did Haley use the plain white dress to do?| A．To teach her students painting. |
| B．To prepare for her presentation. |
| C．To ask her students to draw on it. |
| D．To help her students with their homework. |
| A．It took Haley by surprise. | B．It is kept by Haley at home. |
| C．It is the product of a new idea. | D．It has enjoyed popularity online. |
| A．Buy the same dress online. | B．Give the kids enough time. |
| C．Buy the same markers in Walmart. | D．Leave the finished work untouched. |
| A．To teach art to her students. | B．To show her idea on Pinterest. |
| C．To share it with other teachers. | D．To excite her students' creativity. |
