1 . Blind people have long desired for brightness, but scientists don’t have the technology. To bring that one step closer to reality, Zhiyong Fan, a materials scientist of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, developed a new artificial eye recently. The device, which is about as sensitive to light and has sharper vision and a faster reaction time than a real eyeball, may outperform human eyes.
The human eye owes its wide field of view and clear eyesight to the retina (视网膜) — an area at the back of the eyeball covered in light-detecting cells. The design for a new artificial eye is based on the structure of the human eye and uses a friendly light-sensitive material. At the back of the eyeball, an artificial retina is lined with Nan scale light sensors (纳米级光感器). Those sensors measure light that passes through the lens (晶状体) at the front of the eye. Wires attached to the back of the retina send signals from those sensors to the processor, similar to the way nerve networks connect the eyeball to the brain.
“In the future, we can use this to replace damaged human eyes,” says the lead designer. In theory, this artificial eye could see more clearly than the human eye, because the artificial retina contains about 460 million light sensors per square centimeter while a real retina has about 10 million light-detecting cells per square centimeter. Besides, the artificial eyeball records changes in lighting faster than human eyes can — within about 30 to 40 milliseconds, rather than 40 to 150 milliseconds. Although its 100-degree field of view isn’t as broad as the150 degrees a human eye can take in, the device can see as well as the human eye in poor light.
Hongrui Jiang, an electrical engineer at the University of Wisconsin, though, thinks engineers need a much more practical and efficient way to produce vast series of tiny wires on the back of the artificial eyeball to give it superhuman sight, which is super hard to achieve.
1. Why does Zhiyong Fan develop the artificial eye?| A．To replace people’s real eyeballs. | B．To gain a sharper vision. |
| C．To help the blind regain their eyesight. | D．To help normal eyes perform better. |
| A．The design of the artificial eye. | B．The structure of the human eye. |
| C．The advantages of the artificial eye. | D．The material used for the artificial eye. |
| A．They have the same structure. |
| B．The artificial eye may see more clearly. |
| C．The human eye sees better in weak light. |
| D．The artificial eye takes in a broader view. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Favorable. | C．Unconcerned. | D．Satisfied. |
2 . On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicted that 42% of Americans could be overweight by 2030. Our expanding bodies not only lead to a medical problem, but also endanger personal safety in some situations — in an airplane crash, for example, according to a recent article in The New York Times.
The New York Times’ Christine Negroni reports that engineers and scientists are questioning whether airplane seats are designed to protect overweight travelers. Government standards (标准) for airplane seat strength — first set more than 60 years ago — require that the seats be made for a passenger weighing 170 pounds. Today, the average American man weighs nearly 194 pounds and the average woman 165 pounds.
Negroni reports:
“If a heavier person completely fills a seat, the seat is not likely to behave as designed during a crash,” Robert Salzar, the leading scientist at the Center for Applied Biomechanics at the University of Virginia. “The energy that is built into the aircraft seat is likely to be overpowered and the passengers will not be protected properly” .
“Nor would the injury be limited to that passenger only,” Dr. Salzar said. “If a seat or a seat belt fails,” he said, “those people who are seated nearby could not be safe from ‘the uncontrolled movements of the passenger’.”
Most complaints about airplane seats focus on their lack of comfort and high ticket price, and whether overweight passengers should be made to buy two seats. But The New York Times’ article brings up another reason to feel anxious about flying. Investigators got in touch with the airplane seat and seat belt makers, but they refused to talk about the problem. Experts agreed that crash testing should be done with over-weighted dummies (人体模型). Both airplane seats and seat belts should be tested, they said.
Fortunately, however, according to Nora Marshall, a senior adviser at the National Transportation Safety Board, the board’s investigators have never seen an accident involving a commercial plane in which the weight of a passenger was a problem.
1. What is the article in The New York Times mainly about?| A．The size of airplane seats and seat belts. |
| B．Safety of overweight airplane passengers. |
| C．Airplane crashes. |
| D．A medical problem caused by being overweight. |
| A．overweight passengers should buy two seats |
| B．the government should help produce safer planes |
| C．standards for airplane seat strength should be raised |
| D．passengers should know how to protect themselves |
| A．airplane seat makers have taken action now |
| B．there are few complaints about airplane seats |
| C．those seated near the overweight may suffer, too |
| D．only a small number of airplane accidents result from the overweight |
| A．Why do passengers Feel Anxious about Flying? |
| B．Will 42% of Americans Be Overweight by 2030? |
| C．When Will the Overweight Enjoy Their Flight? |
| D．Are Airplane Seats Safe Enough for the Overweight? |
3 . “Everything happens for the best,” my mother said whenever I faced disappointment. “If you can carry on, one day something good will happen. And you’ll realize that it wouldn’t have happened if not for that previous disappointment.”
Mother was right, as I discovered after graduating from college in 1932. I had decided to try for a job in radio, then work my way up to sports announcer. I hitchhiked (搭便车) to Chicago and knocked on the door of every station-and got turned down every time. In one studio, a kind lady told me that in most cases big stations couldn’t risk hiring inexperienced person. “Go out in the remote areas and find a small station that’ll give you a chance,” she said. I went back home to Dixon, Illinois.
While there was no radio-announcing jobs in Dixon, my father said Montgomery Ward had opened a store and wanted a local athlete to manage its sports department. Since Dixon was where I had played high school football, I applied. The job sounded just right for me.
But I wasn’t hired. My disappointment must have shown. “Everything happens for the best,” Mom reminded me. Dad offered me the car to hunt for jobs. I tried WOC Radio in Davenport, Iowa. The program director, a wonderful Scotsman named Peter MacArthur, told me they had already hired an announcer.
As I left his office, my frustration boiled over (沸溢，发怒). I asked aloud, “How can a fellow get to be a sport announcer if he can’t get a job in a radio station?” I was waiting for the elevator when I heard MacArthur calling, “What was that you said about sports? Do you know anything about football?” Then he stood me before a microphone and asked me to broadcast an imaginary game. The preceding autumn, my team had won a game in the last 20 seconds with a 65-yard run. I did a 15-minute boost to that play, and Peter told me I would be broadcasting Saturday’s game!
On my way home, as I have many times since, I thought of my mother’s words: “If you carry on, one day something good will happen. Something wouldn’t have happened if not for that previous disappointment”.
1. What is concluded from the passage is that ______.| A．the frustration of the author prevented him from performing well at WOC Radio |
| B．both of the author’s parents showed support when he was trying to search for a job |
| C．Peter MacArthur recognize the author’s talent in broadcasting after reading his resume |
| D．the author lost all his hope and courage when he was turned down by Montgomery Ward |
| A．he showed no confidence at the stations | B．there were no job available at the stations |
| C．he had no experience in radio broadcasting | D．there were too many people competing with him |
| A．requirement | B．encouragement | C．enjoyment | D．amazement |
| A．No cross, no crown | B．Prevention is better than cure |
| C．Well begun is half done | D．Rome was not built in a day |
4 . With more people concerned about the environment, you can expect to see many more electric vehicles( EVs电动汽车) on the road in future.
Since they’re powered by electricity, EVs also apply full power as soon as the driver hits the accelerator (加速器).
Of course, there are also disadvantages. Most EVs can drive over 200 miles on one full charge.
| A．There are many benefits of owning an EV. |
| B．At that point, though, they need to be recharged. |
| C．Many drivers also report that EVs feel more secure. |
| D．This may help them speed up faster than gas-powered cars. |
| E．As the name suggests, electric vehicles rely on electricity alone. |
| F．Many people prefer EVs because they can reduce their stress. |
| G．So what is it like to drive an electric vehicle instead of a gas-powered car? |
5 . Counting stars is pretty difficult in areas with lots of light, like major cities. A study says even in the clearest skies, you’re still seeing turbulence (涡流) in the atmosphere that makes stars twinkle. Want a truly perfect view of outer space? An international research team has found the spot, but you’ll need to wrap up warm. It’s in Antarctica!
According to the University of New South Wales, turbulence causes light coming from stars to bend as it reaches the Earth’s surface. That instability( 不稳定) in the air makes stars twinkle.
The location in Antarctica, however, has so little turbulence that it hardly interferes (干扰) with the light from stars, making the view extraordinarily clear. The Chinese-led research team built a system of telescopes on the top of a plateau(高原), named Dome A, which sits 4,000 feet above sea level.
“Dome A is the highest point in the central plateau of Antarctica, and the atmosphere is extremely stable here, much more so than anywhere else on Earth,” says UNSW Professor Michael Ashley. “The result is that the twinkling of the stars is greatly reduced, and the star images are much sharper and brighter. In fact, this special place even has advantages over the famous Hubble Space Telescope.”
“Satellites are a lot more expensive,” the astronomer explains. “But another advantage of making Earth-based observations is that you can always add the latest technology to your telescope on the ground. In space, everything is delayed (延迟). So you end up with technology in space lagging that on the ground by 10 years or more.”
One of the biggest advantages Dome A’s location has is that winter nights in Antarctica are very long. In fact, scientists will be able to track stars continuously since some nights in midwinter last for almost 24 hours.
1. Why is the view of stars extraordinarily clear in Antarctica?| A．Because stars appear bigger there. |
| B．Because turbulence hardly exists there. |
| C．Because there is little air pollution there. |
| D．Because more light coming from stars arrives there. |
| A．Based on. | B．Linked to. |
| C．Competing with. | D．Falling behind. |
| A．It sits 4,000 feet above sea level. |
| B．It has very long winter nights there. |
| C．The famous Hubble Space Telescope is there. |
| D．Telescopes there are equipped with the latest technology. |
| A．Business. | B．Environment. |
| C．Science. | D．Tourism. |
6 . Borrowing Rules of Some Public Libraries
General Borrowing Rules
Borrowing Periods
*3 weeks for books and magazines
*2 weeks for new books
*1 week for entertainment DVDs
*1 week for documentary DVDs
*3 days for new DVDs(with stickers)
Renewals (续借)
All items except DVDs, Interlibrary Loan items, and new books may be renewed once if no one is waiting for them. Renewals may be made by calling 794-4244 ext. 4721.
Limits on Borrowing Rules
Adults(18 and over)may borrow
*30 items total from any of the Vineland, Bridgeton, and Millville libraries
*5 books from Vineland Public Library on any one topic for 3 weeks
*4 entertainment DVDs for 1 week
*4 documentary DVDs for 1 week
*6 magazines for 3 weeks
First-time borrowers are limited to 2 items.
Children(17 and under)may borrow
*30 items total
*3 books on one topic
*4 videos or DVDs
*6 magazines
Fines
*15 cents per day for adult books, magazines and music CDs
*35 cents a day for new books(14-day loan from the New Book shelves)
*$2.00 per day for overdue videos and DVDs
*10 cents per day on children’s materials and Audio Books
*10 cents per day on all other library materials
Borrowers are responsible for the replacement cost of any damaged or lost items. A $3 processing fee will also be charged.
1. How long may a borrower keep a new DVD?| A．Three days. | B．One week. |
| C．Two weeks. | D．Three weeks. |
| A．Adults. | B．Children. |
| C．New borrowers. | D．Ones damaging items. |
| A．15 cents. | B．30 cents. |
| C．35 cents. | D．70 cents. |
7 . The West Philadelphia Tool Library
Who are we?
The West Philadelphia Tool Library (WPTL) lends tools to community members so they can perform simple home repairing tasks, tend their yards and gardens, build furniture, start projects, and learn new skills in a safe and affordable manner.
Where are we?
We are on the west side of S. 47th Street about 200 feet south of Woodland Avenue.
WPTL open hours
Monday through Thursday: 5:30 pm-8:30 pm
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 9:00 am-3:00 pm
Sunday: 12:00 pm-3:00 pm
Become a member
To join the Tool Library, stop by during hours of operation to complete the application, or join today by completing the on-line application.
After joining, but before you borrow your first tools, we will ask you to show us two forms of identification, including one that is a government-issued ID photo (like a driver’s license) and one that includes your current address. We also ask you for the names and phone numbers of two references (担保人), who know you well and who could guarantee your reliability in returning tools timely.
Your membership application is not complete until you pay your membership fees. We ask that you pay between $20 and $50 per year based on your income. Consider becoming a Lifetime Member for $400 if you can afford it. The money you pay will help the Tool Library buy more tools that you can borrow.
1. What can we know about the West Philadelphia Tool Library?| A．It collects tools from the locals. | B．It helps the locals repair their tools. |
| C．It provides the locals with a tool lending service. | D．It sells garden tools to local community members. |
| A．At 10:00 am on Tuesday. | B．At 6:00 pm on Wednesday. |
| C．At 9:00 pm on Friday. | D．At 8:30 am over the weekend. |
| A．Complete the application. | B．Visit it during hours of operation. |
| C．Hand in the application in person. | D．Supply WPTL with some tools. |
8 . Around 60 young students from colleges in Britain participated in the Wokstar 2022 contest, with the final six battling for the top prize in Liverpool’s Lu Ban restaurant. Jean Claudine Villaneuva, a 29-year-old student at Middlesbrough College in northeastern England, became the first Wokstar winner.
For over 20 years, Villaneuva had specialized in British and French cuisine (烹饪) before his love turned to Chinese cooking.
“Wokstar is a fantastic new competition aimed at students across the UK. Our role here at Lu Ban is to talk about Chinese cuisine, Chinese culture, and introduce it to the rest of the UK. We thought, what better way to do that is to run a specifically Chinese cooking competition,” said Lu Ban’s head chef Dave Critchley. “We have had colleges from all over the country competing, and really, it’s about showcasing how fantastic Chinese cuisine is.”
Critchley said that in its founding year, the competition involved over 60 students. “I must say that the quality we’ve seen so far has been pleasantly surprising. I think it’s the enthusiasm and the love for Chinese food that is really inspiring. It’s great to see people getting really involved in this and really celebrating not just the food of China, but also the culture around it. And what we looked for in our finalists and our winner was actually someone who does understand the importance of Chinese cuisine.”
Critchley’s interest in Chinese cuisine started when he worked in Asian restaurants in Manchester before becoming head chef at Lu Ban.
“I was flown over to Tianjin in northern China, where I worked with some amazing chefs. It really opened my eyes. It was a life-changing experience and I have not looked back since,” he said.
1. Who took part in the Wokstar 2022 contest?| A．Exchange students in China. | B．Cooks in the Lu Ban restaurant. |
| C．Young students in the world. | D．College students in the UK. |
| A．To discover more talented cooks. |
| B．To understand Chinese cuisine and culture. |
| C．To attract more customers to Lu Ban restaurant. |
| D．To allow chefs to exchange their amazing cooking skills. |
| A．The great success of the contest. |
| B．The real importance of Chinese cuisine. |
| C．The richness of traditional Chinese culture. |
| D．The growing popularity of Chinese history in Britain. |
| A．To share a pleasant experience. |
| B．To recommend a healthy lifestyle. |
| C．To report a Chinese cooking competition. |
| D．To persuade readers to come to love Chinese food. |
9 . Benefits of Target com Membership
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Shop exclusive deals especially for you
Your Target account comes with special member-only deals.
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Target members get to shop-select sale events with exclusive early access to great limited-quantity deals.
Target Benefits by Membership Level
| Target | Target+ | |
| How to Qualify | Free to join | $1,500 in purchases per year |
| Discounts | 1% discount | 2% discount |
| Points on Purchases | 1 point per $1 spent | 2 points per $l spent |
| Free Shipping | Accumulate 100 points to get $1 return | |
| Free shipping On purchases $35 and up | Free shipping No minimum purchase required | |
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| Birthday Gift | Yes | Yes |
1. What website is Target. com?
| A．A study website. | B．A shopping website. |
| C．A database website. | D．A dating website. |
| A．Birthday present. | B．Unconditional returns. |
| C．Access to special sales. | D．Unconditional free shipping |
| A．$1.5. | B．$2.5. | C．$3. | D．$6. |
10 . T. S. Eliot wrote of “Distracted from distraction by distraction /Filled with fancies and empty of meaning.” T. S. Eliot never had a smartphone.
Neither did I for a long time. No Facebook account; not even email. But according to my date of manufacture, I’m supposed to be a digital native. Perhaps it’s because by the age of 20 I was living in the Welsh countryside with no signal and no Wi-Fi.
When I finally fell into the digital world, I fell hard. Unlike my friends for whom social media and mobile technology had grown and flowered around them, for me it was a sudden immersion. I got Facebook, Twitter and Gmail accounts at the same time that I got an iPhone 4. I would check my phone; five minutes later I would check my phone again. I was addicted and it started to affect my relationships with friends and family
One night, without a word, I abandoned my iPhone and bought a Nokia 3310 and became the talk of the town. Soon I became aware that not only had I stolen secret time back from the hurried days, but somehow a secret space as well. I could stretch out, free to think again, to be wholly creative and to learn meaningfully.
But, wherever I went I got bloody lost. Wandering blindly around London, only to miss appointments, became a frequent pastime (消遣). What did we do before Google Maps? I was useless. The change was worth it, though. I’ll sound like an overstatement but I think it changed my life. My choices are broader and healthier because I’m not being screamed at all day.
I bought a new Samsung phone last week. I had been scared of the rate of progress, crying: “Stop the train! Stop the madness.” But I want to be part of building the future, and to do that, you’ve got to swim in contemporary waters. Rejecting the modern world doesn’t help anyone. It slows you down and I need to be efficient. Time will tell whether I’ve mastered the wisdom to reject constantly checking my phone.
1. What can be learned about the author when she lived in the Welsh countryside?| A．She read a lot of T. S. Eliot. | B．She had no friends to talk with. |
| C．She had no access to the Internet. | D．She was afraid of the digital world. |
| A．She thought she needed a spare phone. | B．She found her iPhone stopped working. |
| C．She wanted to attract people’s attention. | D．She hoped to break her smartphone addiction. |
| A．She led a simple and healthy life. | B．She found her life was in a mess. |
| C．She spent more time with her friends. | D．She became an example for other people. |
| A．To seek wisdom. | B．To stop her madness. |
| C．To keep pace with the times. | D．To get back to the real world. |
