1 . Crosstalk, a traditional form of comic storytelling, is making a comeback in China’s tea houses and theaters.
Audiences can laugh the night away every Saturday at the Qianxiangyi Teahouse in Tianjin, entertained by the apprentices(徒弟) of Hou Baolin, Ma Sanli or Yin Shoushan—all leading crosstalk artists of years past—for only 20 yuan.
The success in Tianjin has also caused the rejuvenation（复活）of crosstalk in Beijing and other places.
Although the art form originated in Beijing in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Tianjin became a place where rising stars formed their styles and new pieces were tried out. The city was well-known nationwide for the quality of its crosstalk performances.
Known in Chinese as xiangsheng (literally, “face and voice”), crosstalk was the chief form of comedy throughout most of the 20th century. In the old days in Tianjin and elsewhere, temple fairs and market were the main places for crosstalkers to perform, although they occasionally also appeared in teahouses or theaters.
Crosstalk pieces draw on every aspect of Chinese culture, from history and folk tales to social issues of the time. Although there’re hundreds of traditional pieces, they’re constantly rewritten to suit the times and the audience, while new works are written as well. It’s one of the features that have made crosstalk a public art form throughout its history.
“Crosstalk was in the doldrums（萎靡不振）with competition from other art forms, especially TV,” said Wang Xiaochun, headmaster of the Northern Storytelling Arts School of China (NSAS). “But it has regained its status with crosstalk fans, especially young people, growing aware of its rare qualities.”
“More and more students are coming to NSAS to study crosstalk, including some girl students,” said Wang. “We’re sure that crosstalk will have a strong market.”
1. What does crosstalk mean in Chinese?| A．Storytelling. | B．Face and voice. | C．Folk tale. | D．Dialogue. |
| A．Crosstalk first arose in Tianjin. |
| B．Crosstalk was mainly performed at teahouses in the past. |
| C．Crosstalk was the most popular art form in the 20th century. |
| D．Crosstalk didn’t appear until the Qing Dynasty. |
| A．it is a popular traditional art after all |
| B．the pieces contain some famous folk tales |
| C．the crosstalkers make it return to teahouses |
| D．the pieces are made to suit the times and the audience |
| A．Negative. | B．Doubtful. | C．Optimistic. | D．Cautious. |
2 . The Internet has both advantages and disadvantages.
Now we can communicate with a person who is sitting in another part of the world almost for free. There are plenty of online messenger services that offer this service. With the help of such service, it has become very easy to establish a kind of global friendship where you can share your thoughts and explore other cultures.
Access to information is one of the biggest advantages of the Internet. Almost any kind of information on any topic under the sun can be found on the Internet. Search engines like Google or Yahoo are at your service on the Internet. You can find almost any type of data on almost any kind of subject.
Entertainment is another popular reason why many people like to surf the Internet. There are numerous games that may be downloaded from the Internet for free. Chat rooms are popular because users can meet new and interesting people. When people surf the web, they can find numerous things. Music, hobbies, news and more can be found and shared on the Internet.
Much service is now provided on the Internet such as online banking, job seeking, purchasing tickets for your favorite movies, and hotel reservations. But there are also disadvantages. If you use the Internet, your personal information such as name, address, credit card number, etc. might be accessed by other people. Virus threat is another problem. Virus attacks can end up crashing your whole hard disk, causing you much headache. Pornography is perhaps the biggest threat related to children’s healthy mental life. There are thousands of pornographic sites （色情网站）on the Internet that can be easily found.
On the whole, the Internet’s advantages overweigh its disadvantage.
1. What is this passage mainly about?| A．Do’s and don’ts on the Internet. |
| B．Sevice offered on the Internet. |
| C．Information offered on the Internet. |
| D．Advantages and disadvantages of the Internet. |
| A．make friends with people from other countries conveniently |
| B．find any type of data on any kind of subject |
| C．buy very cheap things online from other countries |
| D．download whatever we want for free |
| A．Your computer might be attacked by viruses. |
| B．You may receive a lot of unwanted emails. |
| C．Ponography might harm children’s health. |
| D．Your personal information might be stolen. |
| A．the Internet isn’t very useful to children |
| B．the Internet is safer to use than people think |
| C．People don’t know how to make use of the Internet |
| D．the Internet has more advantages than disadvantages |
The Palace Museum has announced that all entrance tickets are now being sold online, a move
October 2nd was the first day the museum, also known as the Forbidden City, sold all
A trial of the online ticketing service began on September 25th, 2011. Last year, around 77 percent of the tickets
Since 2012, the museum
4 . Engineers at Zhejiang University have created China's first brain-like computer, named Darwin Mouse, which can copy the way a human brain works and solve complex calculations while using a small amount of the energy used by traditional supercomputers.
Though the technology is still in its early stages, experts say it could be used to run large, real-time simulations(模拟) and make new discoveries in chemistry, medicine and neuroscience. It could also be used to revolutionise computer design, leading to more powerful and efficient artificial intelligence.
Pan Gang, a professor at the university's College of Computer Science and Technology, said neuromorphic(神经形态的) computing has been a focus of the international scientific and engineering communities for some time and is considered one of the key methods to overcome the major computing challenges for artificial intelligence. Darwin Mouse represented a "major milestone achievement" in China's brain-like computing technology.
In late 2018, the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom upgraded its neuromorphic supercomputer SpiNNaker to use a million processors, enabling it to perform 2 trillion actions a second. This allowed the machine to run extremely large-scale real-time simulations, such as modelling parts of the brain. Darwin Mouse uses significantly fewer processors thanks to the latest developments in brain-like chips made in China, allowing it to perform far better.
Another advantage is low energy costs. When information is transmitted, only neurons that receive and process the signals are activated, while other neurons stay asleep, similar to how a brain works. As a result, the energy consumption can be reduced to a small part of that of conventional supercomputers.
"We hope to keep evolving the Darwin series neuromorphic computer towards reaching human levels of intelligence, thus achieving more powerful artificial intelligence with significantly less energy use. It is hopeful that brain-like computers will make their way into our daily lives as the hardware and the software for the technology mature," Pan said.
1. Which can be inferred about Darwin Mouse?| A．Brain-like and easy to operate. | B．Powerful and energy-saving. |
| C．Traditional but efficient. | D．Advanced but impractical. |
| A．To show it can run more complex simulations. |
| B．To prove no computers can compare with human brains. |
| C．To stress the importance of brain-like chips. |
| D．To highlight the advantage of Darwin Mouse. |
| A．Positive. | B．Sceptical. | C．Tolerant. | D．Objective. |
| A．Outstanding Engineers of China |
| B．The Brain-Like Computer Makes Its First Appearance in China |
| C．Darwin Mouse, a Famous Mouse |
| D．Artificial Intelligence Has a Bright Future |
Lisa was preparing lunch in the kitchen while her three-year-old son, Barney, was playing by himself in the back garden.
Suddenly, she
Lisa took up
Lisa beat the snake continuously,
After the snake was
It was
6 . America has long been opposing adequate poverty policies because of its strong worry of thinking that the poor are responsible for their own situations, but a child poverty is too harmful and punishing to ignore. I, and a growing number of scholars, believe there is a solution: the government should give monthly cash allowances(津贴), without conditions, to every family with kids. (Higher-income families would have much of the money taxed away.)
A mountain of evidence now shows that poverty can lead to cognitive(认知的) and emotional damage in children. Despite policies that have expanded access to insurance, poor kids are still less healthy than the rest of the young population. They also drop out of school at higher rates, earn less money over time and are incarcerated(监禁) far more often than their better-off peers. That should be enough for us to recognize the moral tragedy that is child poverty, but we should note the broad effect too: reliable analyses show that the nation’s GDP is up to $1 trillion lower because of child poverty.
Poor children have many needs, but research shows that money may matter most. For example, a 2013 review of dozens of studies by London School of Economics researchers found that “Poorer children have worse cognitive, social-behavioral and health outcomes in part because they are poorer, and not just because poverty is related to other household and parental characteristics”.
It can also help reduce family stress and help parents provide a psychologically raising environment in which learning and social development can breed.
The historian Michael Katz correctly notes, “One of the odd aspects of the history of writing about poverty is the avoidance of the simple view that people are poor because they lack money,” yet both the left and the right defamed(诽谤) direct cash aid as a waste and a cause of laziness and abuse. It is good that Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang has stressed the benefits of a universal basic income, quoting studies that show such cash allowances do not cause the avoidance of work, but his plan could cost $2.8 trillion a year and the poor would have to return welfare assistance like food stamps to receive the money. For far less money—about $100 billion—the number of children living in official poverty could be cut in half. Such a policy would be a humane(人道的), practical, efficient victory for a nation too willing to neglect its poor.
1. According to the author, what is the best approach to declare war on poverty?| A．Big tax reduction. | B．Unconditional cash aid. |
| C．Reemployment project. | D．Shifting attitude among people. |
| A．There is a causal impact of childhood poverty on a country’s GDP performance. |
| B．It forces a burden on the family and prevents a positive family environment. |
| C．Children brought up in poverty are likely to suffer from disorders in brain. |
| D．Most poor children achieve less and exhibit more problem behaviors later. |
| A．Andrew Yang is highly thought of for the $2.8 billion plan for the poor. |
| B．Much importance has been placed on child poverty across the America. |
| C．Politicians are afraid that government relief will decrease labor motivation. |
| D．The traditional wisdom holds people have themselves to blame for poverty. |
| A．The historical suffering of the poor. |
| B．Push for the poor to save themselves. |
| C．An appeal for child poverty approach. |
| D．A positive new deal to help poor children. |
7 . Professor Heinz Wolff, who has died aged 89, was a bioengineering pioneer. He established the discipline, named it and, in a 60-year career, made significant contributions to medical research. But to the British public, he was best known as the “dotty scientist” who fronted The Great Egg Race, a BBC show in which colour-coded teams were set engineering challenges (the first was to transport an egg in a vehicle powered by rubber bands). With his trademark bow tie, half-moon glasses and Mittel-European accent, he looked really like Professor Branestawn, as described by W. Heath Robinson. Yet while he cheerfully exploited his reputation as an “odd egghead”, he was very serious about his work and inspired thousands of young people to consider scientific careers.
Born in Berlin in 1928, Heinz Wolff was the son of Jewish parents. His mother died in 1938, and the next year the family fled. They arrived in Britain on the day war was declared. “We really cut it rather fine,” he said on Desert Island Discs in 1998.After leaving school, he worked as a technician at the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford, where he invented a machine to count red blood cells, and then at the National Institute for Medical Research’s pneumoconiosis (尘肺) research unit in Cardiff, where he designed a means of measuring dust levels in coal miners. He went on to study at University College London and graduated with a first in physics and physiology. Then, in 1983, he founded the Institute for Bioengineering at Brunel University. His particular interest was in technologies to improve the lives of older people, but he was also heavily involved in space research and worked as an adviser to the European Space Agency.
Wolff had made his first appearance on TV on Panorama in 1966, encouraging Richard Dimbleby to swallow a “radio pill”. On The Great Egg Race, which ran from 1979, his task was to get opponent teams representing organizations such as the chemical company ICI. Challenges included building a hovercraft(气垫船) from a lawnmower(割草机), and inventing a bicycle that could ride on water. Marks were awarded for entertainment value and technical accomplishment. The show ended in the mid-l980s, but Wolff continued to judge scientific competitions, on TV and elsewhere. A natural entertainer with an inexhaustible curiosity about the world, he said he’d be happy to dress up as a clown if it got children interested in science.
1. What does the underlined sentence “We really cut it rather fine” in paragraph 2 mean?| A．We fled from Germany in time. | B．We settled down at the cost of punishment. |
| C．We led a comfortable life in Britain. | D．We didn’t have much time for the declaration. |
| A．He used to major in physics and physiology. |
| B．His family left Berlin after World War II began. |
| C．He invented a machine while in University College London. |
| D．His interest lay in helping those living in war-stricken areas. |
| A．he could keep being curious about the world |
| B．he could combine entertainment and technology |
| C．he could help arouse children’s interest in science |
| D．he could appear on TV to judge scientific competitions |
| A．Aggressive. | B．Passionate. | C．Optimistic. | D．Pioneering. |
8 . HOLIDAY FUN AT THE POWERHOUSE
Join in the holiday fun at the powerhouse this month linked to our new exhibition, evolution&Revolution: Chinese dress 1700s to now. DON'T FORGET our other special event, the Club Med Circus School which is part of the Circus (马戏团)! 150 years of circus in Australia exhibition experience!
●Chinese Folk Dancing: Colorful Chinese dance and musical performances by The Chinese Folk Dancing School of Sydney. Dances include: The Golden stick dance and the Chinese drum dance. A feature will be the Qin Dynasty Emperor’s court dance. Also included is a show of face painting for Beijing Opera performances.
Sunday 29 June and Wednesday 2 July in the Turbine Hall, at 11:30 am &1:30 pm.
●Australian Chinese Children’s Arts Theatre: Well-known children’s play experts from Shanghai lead this dynamic youth group. Performance include Chinese fairy tales and plays.
Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 July in the Turbine Hall, at 11. 30 am &1. 30 pm.
●Chinese Youth League: A traditional performing arts group featuring performance highlights such as the Red scarf and Spring flower dances, and a musician playing Er Hu.
Sunday 6 to Tuesday 8 July in the Turbine Hall, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.
●Kids Activity: Make a Paper Horse: Young children make a paper horse cut-out. (The horse is a frequent theme in Chinese painting, indicating a kind of advancement.) Suitable for ages 8-12 years.
Saturday 28 June to Tuesday 8 July in the Turbine Hall, 12:00 pm to 1:00pm.
●Club Med Circus School: Learn circus skills, including the trapeze (空中飞人), trampolining (蹦床) and magic. Not only for children over 5. There are 40 places available in each I hour and these must be booked at the front desk, level 4, on the day.
Tuesday 1 to Saturday 5 July at 11:30 am &1:00pm.
Enjoy unlimited free visits and many other benefits by becoming a Family member of the Powerhouse. Our family membership covers two adults and all children under the age of 16 years at the one address.
Members receive Powerline, our monthly magazine, discounts in the shops and the restaurants, as well as free admission to the Museum. All this for as little as $50,000 a year! Call (02) 92170600 for more details.
1. When can you watch the Chinese drum dance?| A．On July 2. | B．On July 3. | C．On July 6. | D．On July 8. |
| A．Kids Activity | B．Chinese Youth League |
| C．Children's Arts Theatre | D．Club Med Circus School |
| A．Calling (02) 92170600. | B．Gaining family membership. |
| C．Coming for the holiday fun. | D．Paying Powerline $50,000 a year. |
9 . Teenage diver Quan Hongchan set the women’s 10-meter platform final alight on Thursday when she scored perfect 10s in three of her five dives to win the gold medal.
Snacks, game machines and medical services have
As the youngest athlete among China’s delegation, Quan
The baby-faced Quan, the latest prodigy of China’s diving training system,
Quan
Quan said she wanted to “
Quan’s efforts have
A hospital in her hometown Zhanjiang, Guangdong province announced that it would provide a full range of
A hospital official said they were
Several amusement parks, zoos and resorts said they would offer lifetime free
A local businessman even offered 200,000 yuan in cash to Quan’s father, but was declined.
Over past three days after Quan’s winning, her family has received floods of guests coming around to offer congratulations, many sending boxes of the snacks and game machines that Quan likes.
“She
Former men’s Olympic champion gymnast Li Xiaopeng
The passion for the young champion’s family, however, has appeared to become overly heated after some fans and internet
Reports claimed some live-streamers even intended to climb up the trees planted at her house and take a jackfruit as souvenir.
A
| A．watered | B．poured | C．dropped | D．flied |
| A．smart | B．talented | C．friendly | D．foolish |
| A．treatment | B．cure | C．diagnose | D．test |
| A．amused | B．frightened | C．feared | D．amazed |
| A．common | B．plain | C．incredible | D．usual |
| A．barely | B．suddenly | C．immensely | D．fairly |
| A．occupy | B．guide | C．dominate | D．attract |
| A．excitedly | B．fortunately | C．suddenly | D．immediately |
| A．came into being | B．came to light | C．came to life | D．came to power |
| A．spend | B．change | C．borrow | D．make |
| A．paid up | B．paid for | C．paid off | D．paid back |
| A．medical | B．sports | C．psychological | D．mental |
| A．shocked | B．confident | C．interested | D．proud |
| A．give out | B．speak out | C．help out | D．put out |
| A．time | B．pass | C．seats | D．lines |
| A．receives | B．shares | C．accepts | D．deserves |
| A．created | B．copied | C．posted | D．read |
| A．littering | B．dropping | C．throwing | D．casting |
| A．celebrities | B．friends | C．neighbors | D．students |
| A．resident | B．doctor | C．conductor | D．grocer |
10 . I’ve been a volunteer in the Macmillan@Glasgow Libraries programme for just over a year. I got involved because I was looking for something to volunteer for after I retired from work. I thought being a Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Volunteer might be a good way to do that by using some of the skills I learned at work.
At one time, I felt I made a real difference when a lady come to use the service. She was very upset, but she was not the person with cancer. It was her partner. She had lots of things on her mind. We, together with a counselor, had a chat about her to help deal with all the emotions she felt. We knew we could arrange something, so we discussed with her what could be done for her family. She was relieved that we could get something arranged for her and liked the fact that we managed to get the ball rolling during her visit.
The good thing about having the services in the library is that the environment is non-clinical and therefore more relaxing than the hospital or doctor’s surgery. The team in the library are not medically trained. That means we do not use big words or medical terms very often.
It’s great that the people who volunteer all work well together, helping each other to get a solution for people who come in. It’s good to have to team at the other end of the phone whenever we get something unusual. It is a pleasure to be able to help as a volunteer.
1. What can we infer about the author?| A．He is a retired doctor. |
| B．He is volunteering in a hospital. |
| C．He is a counselor in cancer. |
| D．He has fought against cancer before. |
| A．Because she was affected by cancer. |
| B．Because her husband suffered from cancer. |
| C．Because she didn’t know how to treat cancer. |
| D．Because she had a poor relation with her husband. |
| A．They do well in teamwork. | B．They receive medical training. |
| C．They all waited to be helped. | D．They often meet unusual things. |
| A．To call on readers to do voluntary work. |
| B．To show us how to help those in trouble. |
| C．To share his experiences as a volunteer. |
| D．To teach us how to take care of cancer patients. |
