1 . It’s common knowledge that the woman in Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous painting seems to look back at observers, following them with her eyes no matter where they stand in the room. But this common knowledge turns out wrong.

A new studying that the woman in the painting is actually looking out at an angle that’s 15.4 degrees off to the observer’s right-well outside of the range that people normally believe when they think someone is looking right at them. It other words, said the study author, Horstmann, “She’s not looking at you.” This is somewhat ironic, because the entire phenomenon of a person’s gaze (凝视) in a photograph or painting seeming to follow the viewer is called the “Mona Lisa effect”. That effect is absolutely real. Horstmann said. If a person is illustrated or photographed looking straight ahead, even people viewing the portrait from an angle will feel they are being looked at. As long as the angle of the person’s gaze is no more than about 5 degrees off to either side, the Mona Lisa effect occurs.

Horstmann and his co-author were studying this effect for its application in the creation of artificial-intelligence avatars (虚拟头像) when Horstmann took a long at the “Mona Lisa” and realized she wasn’t looking at him. To make sure it wasn’t just him, the researchers asked 24 people to view images of the “Mona Lisa” on a computer screen.

So why do people repeat the belief that her eyes seem to follow the viewer? Horstmann isn’t sure. It’s possible, he said, that people have the desire to be looked at, so they think the woman is looking straight at them. Or maybe the people who first coined the term “Mona Lisa effect” just though it was a cool name.

1. What is generally believed about the woman in the painting “Mona Lisa”?

A．She attracts the viewers to look back.	B．She seems mysterious because of her eyes.
C．She fixes her eyes on the back of the viewers.	D．She looks at the viewers wherever they stand.

2. What gaze range in a painting will cause the Mona Lisa effect?

A．

B．

C．

D．

3. Why was the experiment involving 24 people conducted?

A．To confirm Horstmann’s belief.

B．To create artificial-intelligence avatars.

C．To calculate the angle of Mona Lisa’s gaze.

D．To explain how the Mona Lisa effect can be applied.

4. What can we learn from the text?

A．Horstmann thinks it’s cool to coin the term “Mona Lisa effect”.

B．The Mona Lisa effect contributes to the creation of artificial intelligence.

C．Feeling being gazed at by Mona Lisa may be caused by the desire for attention.

D．The position of the viewer in the experiment will influence the viewers’ judgement.

2 . So often we find ourselves on autopilot—waking up in the same home, putting on the same clothes and taking the same transportation to the same-old job.    1    And while it’s perfectly natural for humans to stick to routine, there’s much to be discovered beyond the limits of our comfort zones.

There is no exception to a man aged 53.    2    He knew it was going to be hard to find another job. He also knew it was now or never to pursue his lifelong dream of owning his own restaurant. But he was too old to compete with the young and too weak to do any labor work.

    3    He didn’t want to spend his rest life sitting around and feeling pity for himself. Also, Mrs. Mockenhaupt actively encouraged him to move on, considering it a perfect chance for two of them to start their own business with plenty of time and without the disturbance of children.

    4    Brian found just what he wanted eight blocks from home—an existing cafe that was underperforming and whose owner was highly motivated to get out of his lease (租期).    5    But the problem was that he had never financially planned for this day. He had to borrow money from friends and relatives. After that, he changed the name to Black Dog Coffee, and made it alive again. Eighteen years later, they’re still there and doing better than ever. Brian says he’s extremely grateful for the decision to make a change.

A．Then came the opportunity.

B．The thought filled him with anxiety.

C．That was exactly what Brian needed.

D．Even our New Year’s decisions to change hardly make it.

E．With the support of his family, he took a job in the local cafe.

F．Several weeks after consideration, he decided to have a change.

G．Brian Mockenhaupt got laid off from a senior management position.

3 . Selfie Drone

Drone X Pro is a shining star on the drone(无人机) market. Here's why it's gone viral.

How does Drone X Pro work?

Start by installing the Drone app to your smartphone(Android or iOS). It takes just minutes. After that, just place the battery in your drone and launch the app. You're now ready to fly your Drone X Pro!

Why is this drone so special?

The drone is about the size of a large screen smartphone. It's so small that it fits into any pocket or handbag!

Here's the best part: flying is extremely easy. There's no experience required to fly this drone. You can easily control and fly this drone, even if you've never flown a drone in your life. Flying the drone is smooth and natural as riding a bike. Our friend's son came over to the office, and he figured out how to fly the drone in just minutes. You can't imagine how stable and smooth his controls are!

Once you own this drone, you can enjoy amazing HD pictures of nature, friends, and families. It's a blast!

How much does it cost?

Now, Drone X Pro sells for $150 each online and two at a discount of 80%. It's a great deal! If you're not satisfied, return it and you can get your money back.

Because of the easy use, portability, low price, and small size, it's absolutely worth it! Just imagine amazing pictures and videos you'll be taking with your new Drone X Pro. If you've never flown a drone before, this is the time to start!

Call now! 400-800-7832 or order yours from the official website www. Drone X Pro. com.

1. What makes Drone X Pro different from the other drones?

A．It isn’t hard to control.	B．It is of high quality.
C．It needs no power to drive.	D．It is unnecessary to install.

2. How does the ad prove flying Drone X Pro easy?

A．By giving a specific example.	B．By sharing some experience.
C．By stating its operating steps.	D．By telling an unforgettable story.

3. How much should you pay to purchase two such drones online?

A．$120.

B．$150.

C．$240.

D．$300.

4 . If you’ve ever had to chop an onion，you probably know that it’s one of the most annoying cooking experiences．It just fills your eyes with tears．Scientists and farmers have been working on a solution to this problem for decades，and they’ve apparently come up with a tearless onion．

Called the“Sunion”，this new vegetable is the result of a natural cross-breeding program that’s been going on farms in Nevada and Washington since the 1980s．It’s supposedly a sweet，mild-tasting onion that doesn’t leave that strong，pungent aftertaste，but what really sets it apart from most other onion varieties is that it doesn’t cause teary eyes when it’s chopped．

When you cut into a normal onion，it releases a compound called lachrymatory-factor synthase，and’when that hits your eyes，your body produces tears．Now，the interesting thing about regular onions is that the amounts of lachrymatory-factor synthase increase the longer the vegetables are stored，so the older they，the more you cry．In Sunions，on the other hand，the levels of that annoying compound drop the more time goes by，until it no longer has any effect on your eyes when you cut it．

That’s what Sunion growers are claiming anyway，but reports from those lucky enough to have tried them seem to confirm these claims．The Huffington Post had three of its reporters chop some Sunions，and apparently，none of them shed a single tear．According to the Washington Post，they don’t have the pungency of regular onions and are so sweet that you can eat them“like popcorn”．

So the good news is that tearless onions are now a real thing．The bad news is that they are currently only grown in Washington and Nevada，and even though they are sold nationwide，they are still in relatively short supply．The first Sunion batches hit the shelves of grocery stores in December，but we’11 probably start seeing them in most grocery shops and supermarkets in the next few years，as more people learn about them．

1. What is special about the Sunion?

A．It’s easily chopped．	B．It’s sweet and tastes strong．
C．It’s tearless and mild．	D．It’s grown nationwide in the USA．

2. How does the author introduce the Sunion in Paragraph 3 ?

A．By comparison．	B．By telling a story．
C．By giving examples．	D．By asking questions．

3. What does the underlined word“pungency”in Paragraph 4 mean?

A．Round shape．	B．Strong smell．
C．Special character．	D．Medical function．

4. What can we conclude from the last paragraph?

A．The Sunion has been largely on the market．

B．The Sunion is still on trial at present．

C．The Sunion will soon be grown worldwide．

D．The author is confident about the future of the Sunion．

5 . Today, China has conducted its first 3D printing experiment in space in a newly launched spacecraft, which was put into low-Earth orbit by China's Long March 5B heavy lift carrier rocket.

Video broadcast on CCTV showed that the printer has printed a flat section of a honeycomb-shaped (蜂巢状的) structure as well as a symbol of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, the parent company of the China Academy of Space Technology. The experiment was done by a 3D printer, developed and built by its Beijing Spacecrafts Manufacturing Factory inside the prototype of China's new-generation manned spacecraft.

The printer, named the Space-Based Composite Material 3D printing System, uses carbon fiber-reinforced materials to autonomously print objects. It is installed in the reentry module of the experimental spaceship, and will be brought back to Earth once the module returns.

The printer features advanced technologies in material modeling, precision control and automation. Once the space-based 3D printing technology becomes operationally ready, it can extensively benefit space programs as astronauts can use it to manufacture a lot of things they currently need to obtain from resupply flights by cargo spacecraft.

Wang Yanan, editor-in-chief of the Aerospace Knowledge magazine, said the 3D printer will be very useful in extended space missions, such as those in a space station, because it will allow astronauts to make components quickly and conveniently in space. The technology will save future space journeys considerable resources and costs.

In fact, the device is not the only representative of 3D printing onboard the prototype.

A CubeSat deployer, designed and made through 3D printing by CoSats Space Technology, is also carried by the spacecraft to check the adaptability of 3D-printed equipment in space. CoSats Chief Operating Officer Bai Ruixue said the 3D-printed deployer is much lighter and stronger than its counterparts and it will have huge potential in the space industry.

1. What did the video broadcast on CCTV show to the audience?

A．The process and the products of the 3D printing.

B．The name and the shape of the 3D printing.

C．The significance of the 3D printing technology.

D．The relationship between the two companies.

2. What if a component is broken in the space station in the future?

A．It will be sent by spaceship back to Earth for repair.

B．The astronauts can fix it conveniently by hand on the spot.

C．The astronauts can make one using 3D printing and replace it.

D．It will be unloaded and abandoned in space.

3. Why is the last paragraph mentioned?

A．To introduce the CubeSat deployer produced in space.

B．To explain the advantages of the 3D printing in space.

C．To show the adaptability of 3D printing in space.

D．To indicate a bright future of 3D printing in space.

4. What can be the most suitable title for the text?

A．3D Printing Experiment Conducted in Space

B．3D Printing Set to Help Ease Space Trips

C．3D Printing Launched by Long March 5B

D．3D Printing—a New Way to Explore Space

6 . Every week, two converted blue buses packed with children’s books carefully drive along the streets of Kabul, avoiding areas where deadly explosions are common. These travelling libraries stop off at schools in different parts of the city, delivering a wealth of reading material directly to youngsters who have limited access to books.

“A lot of schools in our city don’t have access to something as basic as a library,” says Freshta Karim, a 27-year-old Oxford University graduate who was inspired to start Charmaghz, a non-profit organization, in her home city having grown up without many books herself. “We were trying to understand what we could do to promote critical thinking in our country.”

While for many people a bus or train journey presents a rare opportunity to get stuck into a book, in some cities public transport is being used as means of getting books to communities that need them most. Afghanistan, for example, has one of the world’s lowest literacy rates, with only three in 10 adults able to read, according to UNESCO. The majority of public schools in Kabul do not have libraries and the city’s libraries do not offer many children’s books. For Karim, buses were a cost-effective, efficient way to get books to children.

Charmarghz rents them from a state-owned bus company. “We go to nearby schools,” she says. “We try to stop inside communities rather than on the main streets where explosions often happen.”

The organization is funded by donations from local business and communities, and also rents a third bus that acts as a mobile cinema. Over 600 children visit the buses each day to read, socialise and play games. “They are often very excited,” she says. “Our biggest challenge is that so many children want to come inside the bus, but we can’t have all of them in one day.”

1. Why does Freshta Karim set up the organization?

A．To raise money for the poor.	B．To recycle abandoned buses.
C．To build libraries for the local schools.	D．To offer the children more reading opportunities.

2. What is special about Charmarghz?

A．It’s funded by UNESCO.	B．It’s a state-owned organization.
C．It buys buses from a company.	D．It aims to inspire critical thinking.

3. What is the most pressing problem for Charmarghz?

A．Deadly explosions.	B．Poor public transport system.
C．Shortage of travelling libraries.	D．Lack of support from the government.

4. Which of the following best describes Freshta Karim?

A．Caring and courageous.	B．Humorous and ambitious.
C．Demanding and enthusiastic.	D．Honest and hardworking.

7 . The following properties which the World Heritage Committee （世界遗产委员会）has decided to include on the List of World Heritage are under threat.

Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley （Afghanistan）

The cultural landscape and archaeological remains of the Bamiyan Valley stand for the artistic and religious developments which from the 1^st to the 13^th centuries characterized ancient Bakhtria. The area contains a number of Buddhist monastic ensembles, as well as strong buildings from the Islamic period.

Historic Centre of Vienna （Austria）

Vienna developed from early Celtic and Roman settlements into a Medieval and Baroque city, the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It played an important role as a leading European music centre, from the great age of Viennese Classicism through the early part of the 20th century. The historic centre of Vienna is rich in architectural buildings, including Baroque castles and gardens, as well as the late-19^th-century Ringstrasse lined with grand buildings, monuments and parks.

Okapi Wildlife Reserve （Democratic Republic of the Congo）

The Okapi Wildlife Reserve occupies about one-fifth of the Ituri forest in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Congo river basin, of which the reserve and forest are a part, is one of the largest drainage systems in Africa. The reserve contains threatened species of primates and birds surviving in the wild. It also has some amazing scenery, including waterfalls on the Ituri and Epulu rivers. The reserve is inhabited by traditional nomadic pygmy Mbuti and Efe hunters.

1. Which of the following heritage sites is located in Asia?

A．Okapi Wildlife Reserve.

B．Historic Centre of Vienna.

C．The Austro-Hungarian Empire.

D．Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley.

2. Who may get interested in Historic Centre of Vienna?

A．Music composers.

B．Birds researchers.

C．Modem building lovers.

D．Natural Scenery Photographer.

3. What do the three world heritage sites have in common?

A．They are all in danger.

B．They are closed to the public.

C．They feature lots of ancient buildings.

D．They are to be removed from the World Heritage List.

8 . I’m going through it right now. Last night one of our three family dogs was hit and killed by a car in front of my mother’s house. The dogs became, more or less, my mother’s surrogate children after her human children grew up and moved out and my father ran with a midlife crisis and left her. The one that was killed had bonded with my mother far more than the others.

She is extremely shocked. I loved the dog, but my true sadness currently results from having to watch my mother bear another tragedy after everything she has been through in her life. In the midst of all of this, I have to sincerely applaud the driver of the vehicle, which feels wrong, but it’s not.

I’ll start by stating it was not his fault. The dog ran after a deer into the road at night. In an effort not to hit the deer with his car, he changed direction, not seeing the dog, resulting in its death. He could have very easily continued on his way, but he did something that I hope I never forget.

In my eyes, he did the right thing. The driver pulled over, carefully wrapped our dog in a blanket he got from his car to preserve its dignity, and carried it up to my mother’s front door.

He was visibly shaking and very upset. He informed my mother of what happened and she broke down immediately. He comforted her the best a stranger could and waited with her while my sister rushed to her house. He left his information and offered assistance in any way he could.

Yes, he is the man who hit and killed our dog accidentally. What he really did was spare my mother, and potentially my sister, from coming across a horrible scene themselves while searching for the dog. He had so many choices that were far easier to make than what he chose. He did the right thing and for that, thank you, Stranger. You restored my faith in humanity.

1. What do we know about the dog killed by the driver?

A．It was killed by the driver on purpose.

B．It lost its life during a fight against a deer.

C．It was a particular favorite of the author’s mother.

D．It got killed by hitting the deer while running after it.

2. What does the underlined part “feels wrong, but it’s not” in Paragraph 2 probably mean？

A．The driver ought to answer for the dog’s death.

B．The author thought it sensible to praise the driver.

C．The author believed it was not the driver’s fault to kill the dog.

D．The driver should not take responsibility for the dog’s death at a11.

3. Which of the following can best describe the driver?

A．Self-condemned and considerate.	B．Calm and far-sighted.
C．Reliable and generous.	D．Irresponsible and unreasonable.

4. What may the author agree with?

A．Still waters have deep bottoms.

B．Those who are ready to believe are easy to cheat.

C．When the wound is healed，the pain is forgotten.

D．Taking responsibility is the best policy.

9 . It’s a Saturday night, the kids are asleep and we have no plans. Before we fall into our routine and watch a movie, I try to talk my husband into playing a card game. Unconvinced, he continues tapping away on his phone. But just before disappearing into the social media rabbit hole, he has an idea. He looks over me and suggests, “Why don’t we try calling one of our friends?”

I look at him with raised brows, as if his suggestion is somewhat ridiculous and perhaps even socially unacceptable. You can’t just call someone out of the blue now…right? But then I realize in the not so distant past, this was the norm. My early teenage years saw me connecting with friends through a phone. We could chat for hours about the latest gossip and news, sometimes hiding under my blanket in order to avoid the chances of being caught by my parents. I could even memorize the phone numbers of loved ones then. I guess these days, they would be on my “Favorites” list in my smartphone.

Today, many of my “favorite” people are followed from a distance through social media, and even they very rarely—if ever—would get an actual call from me. The birth announcement by my oldest friend is received through scrolling the past pictures. The news of a divorce from a couple arrives after a photo of a woman led me on a search for more gossip. Bits of such information, may have been a part of my digital feed for years. The idea of actually picking up the phone to reconnect with a long-lost friend is a frightening one—even seeing the name of an old friend pop up in an incoming call can feel a little afraid.

I ask my husband, “Who would we call?” After tossing around a few names, we agree on some potential candidates—people whose lives have taken them in different directions, but with whom we still share deep friendships.

1. How does the author feel about her husband’s suggestion at first?

A．Excited.	B．Motivated.
C．Nervous.	D．Surprised.

2. With the phone, the author’s teenage years was_____.

A．difficult but interesting	B．peaceful and meaningful
C．pleasant and unforgettable	D．inconvenient but enjoyable

3. In the following days, the couple may ____.

A．share more of their private information with others

B．contact more long-lost friends through social media

C．have more personal communications with their friends

D．add more friends’ names to the contact lists in their phones

4. What’s the purpose of the passage?

A．To argue for the need of the contact of long-lost old friends.

B．To tell us about one of his unforgettable experiences.

C．To remind us to turn to phones to keep in touch with friends.

D．To persuade us to follow our friends through the social media.

10 . BEST BODY FITNESS

About us

You don’t want just gym membership. You want membership that means something. And that means you need support, expert help and a community.

Best Body Fitness isn’t just a gym: it’s full-service fitness membership made for you.

Here’s how it works:

STEP ONE: Your assessment

We begin with an assessment session. This is a chance for you to see what we do at Best Body. Our assessment plans are no-cost and no-risk. We’ll also make a training plan specifically for you.

STEP TWO: Your training

When you decide to become a Best Body member, we show you what to do, how to do it and why you are doing it. After a few sessions with an expert private trainer you will feel comfortable working out on your own. But don’t worry, we’ll always be nearby if you have questions.

STEP THREE: Your membership

Membership works on a month-to-month basis. There are no sign-up fees and no cancellation fees. Start and stop whenever you want. And the best part? Our fees are the most competitive in the whole downtown area.

STEP FOUR: Your community

At Best Body Fitness, we see everyone as part of a big team. And when you work with a team, you can do great things. Join any of our specialized classes, led by expert instructors. Come to our nutrition classes. Participate in our regular social events. Everything is included in your fee.

Finally, share some reasons why our members have chosen us over any other fitness centre in the city.

It’s so EASY

Easy to start, stop, cancel or refund membership

Easy to access — we’re open 24/7, we never close

Easy to do exercise — we have lots of equipment, no long wait

Easy to find — in the centre of town, near public transport and with parking

1. Which statement about Best Body Fitness is correct?

A．It provides you with a fitness assessment after training.

B．It offers you a customized training plan.

C．It allows you to work out without any fees.

D．It asks you to work out on your own.

2. What is the best part of Best Body Fitness?

A．Its price is quite good.	B．Its time is enough.
C．Its classes are no-risk.	D．Its trainers are experienced.

3. What type of writing does this text probably belong to?

A．News report.	B．Speech.
C．Announcement.	D．Advertisement.