1 . A 63-year-old Chinese carpenter’s traditional skills have become an unexpected Internet hit as he creates woodwork with a single piece of wood, without glue, screws or nails. Wang De wen, known as “Grandpa Amu” on YouTube, has been praised as the modern day Lu Ban, a well-known Chinese structural engineer during the Zhou Dynasty, thanks to his rich carpentry(木工手艺) knowledge.
Grandpa Amu’s most popular video, which shows him making a delicate wooden arch bridge, has gone viral on YouTube, gaining more than 40 million views. “If you do something, you have to love it, and you have to be interested in it; however, being interested doesn’t mean there’s only happiness and no pain.” Grandpa Amu shared when talking about his excellent carpentry skills.
His most popular works include a folding stool, a model of the China pavilion from the 2010 Shanghai Expo, and an apple-shaped interlocking puzzle, known as a Lu Ban lock. Grandpa Amu follows an ancient Chinese mortise and tenon(榫卯) technique, which means no nails or glue are involved in the entire process of building the arch bridge.
The master carpenter has also made several wooden toys for his grandson using the same technique. His young grandson’s favorites include a walking Peppa Pig and a bubble blowing machine. Attracting over 1.17 million fans on YouTube, Grandpa Amu’s videos so far have gained more than 200 million views.
His wonderful woodworking skills, using the same mortise and tenon joints found in the Forbidden City, were developed from the age of thirteen as a way of supporting his family in East China’s Shandong Province. “The grandson is so happy, as there have been so many fine and unique toys made by grandpa from an early age,” commented one netizen; while another said “It’s amazing. I hope these traditional crafts can be passed on!”
1. Why is Grandpa Amu regarded as the modern day Lu Ban?| A．For his simple words. | B．For his popular videos. |
| C．For his carpentry skills. | D．For his excellent arch bridge. |
| A．Theory is from pracitce. | B．Success depends on love. |
| C．Excellent skills lie in hard work. | D．Happiness comes from interest. |
| A．No nails or glue. | B．Delicate design. |
| C．The apple shape. | D．The wooden material. |
| A．Being popular means more fans. | B．Perfect skills earn more money. |
| C．Supporting family needs more skills. | D．Traditional crafts deserve passing on. |
2 . If you are planning a tour to France, September is one of the best choices. Not only will you get to enjoy plenty of sunshine and warm weather, but the tourist season is beginning to wind down-which means cheaper airfares, lower prices at hotels, and fewer crowds. If this is your first trip to France , here is some handy information to help you!
Visiting Museums
Many museums in France have extended opening hours during the summer to adapt to the extra tourists from home and abroad, and some museums also have extended opening hours into September. Wandering around the Louvre（卢浮宫）will take you into a wonder world, where you can enjoy world- famous art. Going out of the Louvre, you can walk to the modern and fashionable Chumps Elysees to do some shopping.
Taking a Cruise（乘船游览）
The temperatures are slightly lower, but plenty of sunshine makes for perfect conditions to enjoy a barge cruise on the canals of France. Willi such comfortable weather and beautiful scenery at this time of year, nothing equals hanging out on the deck of a barge.
Wine Tasting
September is the beginning of the grape harvest season in France meaning there are plenty of wine- related events and festivals around the country. So September is a great time to visit the vineyards(葡萄园） around the country and go wine tasting. The Bordeaux, Loire and Burgundy regions are all lovely and great places to visit vineyards. Besides that, going to the castles of the Loire region between visiting vineyards on such warm and sunny days is also very enjoyable.
Besides the above, riding a bike through France's villages is also a welcome activity for young visitors in September. So, don't hesitate and start to plan your September trip to France now.
1. When do many French museums extend their opening hours?| A．In Jan. & Feb.. | B．In Apr. & May . |
| C．In Aug. & Sep.. | D．In Nov. & Dec.. |
| A．Bordeaux. | B．Loire. | C．Burgundy. | D．Champs Ely sees. |
| A．Warm but crowded. | B．Cool but much noisy. |
| C．Cold and less noisy. | D．Sunny and less crowded. |
Should you have your baby’s DNA sequenced? What keeps you awake? Step inside the Hall of Human Life. the Museums new biology exhibition, and encounter such far-reaching questions on an amazing journey inside the human body. Through digital media and personal interaction, you become “part of the story”, as you contribute your own data in a process of learning and discovery.
A Birds World(Permanent Exhibit)
This exhibit features the Museums extraordinary collection of birds，displaying over 300 species in New England. Here, you can learn to interpret the bird language taking place just outside your window at home.
Test your observation skills and see if you can get past different birds without them alerting(发信号)other animals to your presence. Learn to identify birds from a distance by recognizing unique flight patterns. Practice your flying technique in the Bird Walk.
Butterfly Garden(Permanent Exhibit)
Walk among the free-flying residents of this warm conservatory. It is a wonderful opportunity to get close to a variety of living butterflies from New England and across the globe. The “Emergence Box” offers a window into the butterfly behavior. Look inside to see hanging chrysalides (蝶蛹)transform into adult butterflies. Tickets are required and visitors should reserve at least two weeks in advance.
1. How can you become part of the story in the Hall of Human Life?| A．By keeping awake. | B．On an funny journey. |
| C．By answering questions. | D．Through offering the personal data. |
| A．Learn the bird language. | B．Watch all bird species. |
| C．Make your flying technique better. | D．Send signals to birds. |
| A．Hanging chrysalides. |
| B．Getting close to butterflies. |
| C．Keeping the conservatory warm. |
| D．Observing butterflies through its window. |
4 . Education has always been a hot topic among parents as it is directly related to the. future of their children.
Competition between parents over children’s education may start from the kind of animated series children watch. For some parents, watching foreign animated shows is better than watching domestic ones.
Domestic shows have their own advantages. They can help children learn traditional Chinese culture and history.
| A．Take Journey to the West for example. |
| B．This can also be applied to other things. |
| C．A case in point can help understand this. |
| D．It’s by no means an easy task to form a sense of superiority. |
| E．Such a sense of superiority may make them look down upon others. |
| F．By watching the former, children can learn English at the same time. |
| G．How to educate children can be a sweet but painstaking task for parents. |
5 . Writer Walter Benjamin argued that what makes certain works of art great is that they contain a mysterious “aura（气息）”. This mystery is part of what makes the works wonderful. However, since the late 1990s, with the spread of high-quality digital photography, there have been many discoveries about famous paintings.
Hieronymus Bosch has been at the centre of art-historical controversy（争论）this year. After an exhibition at the Noordbrabants Museum in the artist’s hometown, a new exhibition at the Prado in Madrid is on the way. The Noordbrabants displayed 17 existing Bosch paintings, while the Prado now exhibits 24. The difference is the result of digital discoveries, first accepted at the Noordbrabants show.
Artists did not regularly sign their works until the 19th century, and attribution（归属）based on a work’s style leaves room for error. Since artists always worked in studios or workshops, students would develop a style very similar to that of their master. Then again, later artists learned by copying past masters, sometimes so well that it’s hard to tell the difference. However, attribution can change, especially when new technology comes to light.
In the case of the Bosch discoveries, some researchers found evidence that led them to downgrade（降级）the attribution of certain works. Extracting the Stone of Madness, which was originally going to be lent by the Prado to the Noordbrabants, is listed as “by Bosch”, and considered to have been painted between 1501 and 1505. But the researchers informed the Prado that they would be listing the painting as “by the workshop or a follower of Bosch”, and dating it 1500-1520 （Bosch died in 1516）. The museum’s director Miguel Falomir said, “It is unacceptable to request a painting as a Bosch and then show it as something different.”
One of the beautiful things about art history is that it can never be an exact science. Digital art-historical discoveries have led to controversy rather than resolutions（问题解决）. The evidence is there, but it’s up to us how we explain it.
1. Why are some artworks great according to Walter Benjamin?| A．They didn’t survive in history. | B．Their styles are kind of mystery. |
| C．They leave room for imagination. | D．Their creators were not well-known. |
| A．It owns the paintings by Bosch. |
| B．It was convinced by the researchers. |
| C．It broke the agreement with the Prado. |
| D．It borrowed all Bosch paintings from the Prado. |
| A．Find out the signature hidden in the picture. |
| B．Consult the museum that has been displaying it. |
| C．Interview the followers of the master who did it. |
| D．Analyze its style and the year when it was created. |
| A．Digital discoveries explain art in a better way. |
| B．Museums have a fierce debate on Bosch paintings. |
| C．Hieronymus Bosch paintings become controversial. |
| D．Digital discoveries destroy the beauty of art history. |
6 . Here at VOA Learning English, we love to help those who teach English make learning more interactive, student-centered and fun. Besides our quizzes, downloadable lesson plans and other materials, there are other creative ways to use our programs in your classroom. Let’s start with speaking activities.
Beginners: Using the Day in Photos
Every day, VOA Learning English posts fascinating photos from around the world. We call it the Day in Photos.
Here’s a speaking activity that will inspire even the shyest beginning speakers to talk to their classmates. With students sitting in pairs, show an image on the screen. Have one student describe what she sees in the image. Then, have the other student imagine what the people or animals in the photo are thinking or saying.
Intermediate（之间的）learners: Using Learning English TV
Learning English TV features two-minute videos on topics from science to politics to health. For intermediate learners, you can use pair work to have students make a summary of what they learn after watching the videos.
Advanced learners: Using Learning English TV
For this level, have students do the activity exactly as they did in the intermediate activity, but ask students to come up with three questions on additional things they’d like to learn about the topic. You can also use our video series America’s Presidents to set off discussion on debatable topics. Students can work in small groups to express their opinions on what they watched in the video.
Advanced learners: Using English at the Movies
These short series explore an idiom, or common expression.
Students can use the context（上下文）of the movie clip and its explanation-based on the multiple choice quiz in the video-to develop their understanding of the expression.
One fun activity is to have students create two-or three-person dialogues using the new idioms. They can act out or voice the dialogues in their groups or share the dialogues with the whole class.
1. What should a shy beginning speaker choose?| A．The Day in Photos. | B．Learning English TV. |
| C．America’s Presidents. | D．English at the Movies. |
| A．It covers broad topics. |
| B．It is designed for advanced learners. |
| C．It provides learners with common expressions. |
| D．It encourages learners to debate with each other. |
| A．How to practice our spoken English. |
| B．An English learning website-VOA. |
| C．Easy ways to bring fun to speaking activities. |
| D．How to use VOA Learning English for speaking. |
7 . Argentina soccer legend Diego Maradona has died aged 60 of heart failure on Wednesday. Heart failure is a chronic condition that gradually damages the heart's ability to pump blood. Fluid can build up in the lungs as a result — a condition known as pulmonary edema. It is an increasingly common problem that can be fatal.
Regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game, Maradona became a household name after inspiring his country to World Cup glory in 1986. He took center stage at the tournament with a memorable performance against England where he scored a symbolic goal that he later described as the "Hand of God".
The small forward out-jumped legendary keeper Peter Shilton and knocked the ball into the net. The goal was allowed to stand, though it was claimed to be a handball. Later in the very game he scored one of the best goals in history after weaving his way past seven English defenders.
His impressive career was also marked by numerous controversies and his notorious lifestyle led to alcoholism and addiction.
Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez announced three days of national mourning for the passing of the superstar, and posted a tribute to Maradona on Twitter. "You took us to the top of the world. You made us feel incredibly happy. You were the greatest of all. Thank you for having existed," it read.
Maradona will lie in honor for public viewing at Argentina's presidential palace. Fans headed to the streets across Argentina and in Naples on Wednesday to pay tribute to（悼念） their hero. Meanwhile, a minute's silence would be observed ahead of all European matches this week in honor of the Argentine.
"He will go down in history as someone who set football alight and thrilled global fans young and old with his brilliance and skill."
1. Why did the famous football player Maradona die?| A．Old age. | B．Heart illness. | C．Loss of blood. | D．Lung cancer. |
| A．His achievements in life. | B．His "Hand of God". |
| C．His great performance in 1986. | D．His legendary life. |
| A．good | B．bad | C．common | D．healthy |
| A．Respectful. | B．Unkind. | C．Impolite. | D．Friendly. |
8 . The fitness center offers a variety of activities for members of all ages throughout the week.
Activities for Monday 12 July, 2017:
Learn to swim. Classes for preschool children aged five and under start at 10 am. Classes last 30 minutes and parents must attend with their children. Don't forget to book in advance, as places are limited, and to pack some warm clothes for after the lesson.
Woman's aerobics（有氧运动）. Sessions are for one hour and begin at 10:45 am, led by Melissa. Come along and join us every Monday for an exhilarating hour of exercise and fun. Leave your kids at the nursery and take time out for yourself. Wear a tracksuit or something similar.
Lunch time yoga. Take a break at lunchtime （1:00-2:00 pm） for an hour of meditation and yoga. Enjoy the peace and quiet of our meditation room, and relaxing sessions designed for active people with busy lives. Use your own mat（垫子）for floor work or huy one from us with some money.
Family Shootaround. 10:00-5:30 pm. Family Shootaround is open for members and guests to bring the family out for basketball. Half court games are only during this time. There are no full court games during Family Shootaround hours. All participants must sign in at the front desk and wear a wistband during the play.
1. When will Melissa be working?| A．From 10:00 am to 10:30 am |
| B．From 10:45 am to 11:45 am. |
| C．From 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. |
| D．From 10:00 am to 5:30 pm. |
| A．Lunchtime yoga. | B．Women's aerobics. |
| C．Learn to swim | D．Family Shootaround. |
| A．The need to sign in |
| B．The need to book in advance. |
| C．The need to bring something. |
| D．The need to become a member. |
9 . A work of art created by artificial intelligence (AI) has been sold by a major art seller for the first time. The print sold for an unexpectedly large amount of $432, 500. The artwork was bought during an auction (拍卖) Thursday at Christie’s, an art house, in New York City. Officials had predicted it would sell for between $7, 000 and $10, 000.
In a website post, Christie’s said the AI-created work was the first ever sold by a major auction house. It praised the sale as a signal of “the arrival of AI art on the world auction stage.”
The artwork, called “Portrait (肖像) of Edmond Belamy,” was made by a machine learning algorithm (算法). The AI system was created by members of an art group called Obvious in Paris, France. It shows the portrait of a man, looking similar to subjects shown in historical paintings. Christie’s described some differences of the AI-created work compared to other art it sells. For example, it said some parts of the face were not as clearly drawn as those painted by artists. Also some parts of the print were left empty. However, Christie’s sale organizer Richard Lloyd said the piece was very similar to many others sold over many years.
Three creators from the art group Obvious cooperated on the process that made the print. First they put a collection of 15,000 portraits into a machine learning system. The portraits were painted by artists from the time period between the 14th and 20th centuries. Then a tool called the “Generator” made a new image based on the information entered into the system. After that, another tool, called a “Discriminator”, attempted to find differences between the human-made image and the one created by the Generator. Then the image was improved. “The aim is to fool the Discriminator into thinking that the new images are real-life portraits. Then we have a result.” Obvious group member Hugo Caselles-dupre said in a statement.
1. It can be inferred from the text that___________.| A．the AI portrait received much recognition |
| B．there is little true artistic value in AI artwork |
| C．technology will one day replace human artists |
| D．there is no similar AI system for art at present |
| A．Artists. | B．Machines | C．Figures | D．Techniques. |
| A．To select useful information from real-life portraits. |
| B．To help the portrait more like a human-made one. |
| C．To put human portraits into the machine learning system. |
| D．To create a portrait based on paintings by human artists |
| A．The Secret of AI | B．AI Portrait Sold | C．Artwork and AI | D．AI Art at Christie’s |
10 . He Zehui, a Chinese nuclear physicist, accomplished great things in physics and became an outstanding scientist.
Her family is famous for producing three famous women scientists, including her two sisters. She graduated from Tsinghua University in 1936 with a degree in physics, and then went on to study at the Technical University of Berlin, where she was the top in her class, outperforming her future husband Qian Sanqiang — China's "father of the atomic bomb”. In 1940, she earned a Ph. D. in Engineering.
The couple made great discoveries in the field of uranium fission （铀核裂变），which drew global attention and earned them worldwide reputations, also marking a milestone in the development of China's experimental fission physics. Many Western media called the couple the “Marie Curie and Pierre Curie of China”・
As one of the pioneers in nuclear science and technology in China, Professor He contributed a great deal to nuclear physics. During the 1950s, she started the research and development of nuclear emulsions（核乳胶）in China and their research reached the advanced world level at that time. He and her research group took the lead in building China's first nuclear reactor and accelerator. She was awarded the first Award of the National Prize of Natural Sciences for making outstanding achievements in supporting the national program of nuclear weapon development.
Throughout her career, He conquered many obstacles, and was always on the front lines of China's science-related work. She published dozens of papers yet placed little value on personal fame. The world's top physicists recognized He as a famous scientist, “ Chinese Madame Curie”.
He passed away in Beijing in 2011 at the age of 97, nearly 20 years after Qian Sanqiang. She dedicated herself to science, living a simple life, always nurturing young researchers and maintaining the highest standards that she had always valued. She loved her country and science; to both she is now an icon.
1. What is the focus of paragraph 2 about He Zehui?| A．Identity background. | B．Character personalities. |
| C．Education experiences. | D．Profession competence. |
| A．He died following his wife in 1991. |
| B．He won the National Prize of Natural Sciences. |
| C．He assisted He Zehui to develop fission physics. |
| D．He is also a remarkable Chinese scientist. |
| A．For her great contributions to nuclear physics. |
| B．For her accomplishment in the atomic bomb. |
| C．For her continuous achievement in natural science. |
| D．For her research of nuclear emulsions. |
| A．Ambitious, talented, conservative and determined. |
| B．Unselfish, patriotic, indifferent to fame and devoted to science. |
| C．Aggressive, imaginative, strong in mind and kind in heart. |
| D．Knowledgeable, awesome, creative and sociable. |
