1 . A new study by scientists at Utrecht University concludes that about half of global wastewater is treated, rather than the previous estimate of 20%. Despite this promising finding, the authors warn that treatment rates in developing countries are still very low.
Humans and factories produce vast quantities of wastewater per day. If not properly collected and treated, wastewater may severely threaten human health and pollute the environment.
The authors use national statistics to estimate volumes of wastewater production, collection, treatment and reuse. “Globally, about 359 billion cubic metres of wastewater is produced each year, equivalent to 144 million Olympic-sized swimming pools,” says Edward Jones, PhD researcher at Utrecht University. “About 48 percent of that water is currently released untreated. This is much lower than the frequently announced figure of 80%.”
While the results show a more optimistic outlook, the authors stress that many challenges still exist. “We see that particularly in the developing world, where most of the future population growth will likely occur, treatment rates are falling behind,” Jones explains. “In these countries, wastewater production is likely to rise at a faster pace than the current development of collection and treatment basic facilities. This poses serious threats to both human health and the environment.”
The main problem, especially in the developing world, is the lack of financial resources to build basic facilities to collect and treat wastewater. This is particularly the case for advanced treatment technologies, which can be extremely expensive. However, the authors highlight potential opportunities for creative reuse of wastewater streams that could help to finance improved wastewater treatment practices.
“The most obvious reuse of treated wastewater is to increase freshwater water supplies,” Jones states. Treated wastewater reuse is already an important source of irrigation water in many dry countries. However, only 11% of the wastewater produced globally is currently being reused, which shows large opportunities for expansion.
“But freshwater increasing is not the only opportunity,” says Jones. “Wastewater also has large potential as a source of nutrients and energy. Recognition of wastewater as a resource, opposed to as ‘waste’, will be the key to driving improved treatment going forward.”
However, the authors stress the importance of proper monitoring of wastewater treatment factories, accompanied by strong legislation (法律) and regulations, to ensure that the reuse of wastewater is safe. The authors also acknowledge public acceptance as another key barrier towards increasing wastewater reuse.
1. According to the author, the meaning of treating wastewater lies in ________.| A．encouraging new scientific findings |
| B．estimating volumes of wastewater production |
| C．ensuring human health and protecting the environment |
| D．measuring how much wastewater is produced globally per day |
| A．equal | B．harmful | C．useful | D．friendly |
| A．treated wastewater can’t be used as irrigation water |
| B．wastewater production in developing countries is falling |
| C．the treatment of wastewater is more serious than estimated |
| D．public recognition plays an important role in wastewater reuse |
2 . How to Deal with FOMO in Your Life
FOMO, or “fear of missing out,” is becoming increasingly common and can cause significant stress in your life. It applies to anything from a party to a promotion at work and affects just about anyone. It always involves a sense of helplessness that you are missing out on something big.
With social media becoming popular, FOMO has become more obvious. As more research on FOMO is conducted, we are getting a clearer picture of how it affects us.
Moreover, one study found that the fear of missing out was linked to a greater smartphone and social media usage.
Rather than trying to connect more with people on social media, why not arrange to meet up with someone in person? Making plans with a good friend, or doing anything social that gets you out with friends can be a nice change of pace.
| A．It can help you to shake that feeling that you are missing out. |
| B．The idea that you might be missing out on a good time is not new. |
| C．Rather than focusing on what you lack, try noticing what you have. |
| D．The picture is not pretty, as there are many negative effects of FOMO. |
| E．Smartphone usage was related to fears of negative evaluations by others. |
| F．Smartphone and social media have made the FOMO phenomenon worse. |
| G．Understanding where the problem lies can be a great first step in overcoming it. |
3 . An Incredible Journey
Ian William Halliwell was born on the 24th of April 1958, in Wigan UK. Just like most people have dreams, so did Ian.
Ian started playing Golf in 1972 and has been a keen golf player throughout his life. He participated in golf tournaments in many countries, dreaming of trying to get in the Senior Tour. But life has other plans.
In 1996, Ian was diagnosed with a brain tumor on his left side. As a result of the disease, his right-side hearing was lost. The talented player had to put a hold on his passion for a while. However, he knew he would come out stronger. In 1997, after going through two major surgeries, Ian recovered from the deadly illness.
But another disease completely turned his life over. In 2006, he suddenly had a stroke (中风) which was so critical that it ended with him being severely disabled to the extent that the doctors told him that he might not walk ever again, let alone playing Golf.
Upon realizing that he has lost the chance of playing the Senior Tour, he was heartbroken. But it wasn’t powerful enough to destroy the high-spirited individual. Ian took it as a challenge. He not only decided to start writing but also creating stroke awareness and promoting Golf for the disabled.
With the optimistic thinking of “A disability is not an inability,” Ian became a part of the British Inclusive Golf, which works to bring together the disabled and non-disabled players and create golf-related events.
Ian has donated a large number of his life earnings to The Stroke Association. While spending a huge deal of time creating vast funds for the organization, Ian has played a huge role in enlightening others on how his recovery was aided by Golf, promoting the affected ones to make sure of the effective sport.
Ian has authored the book “The Social Golfer,” published in 2008. The book has successfully raised a total of £ 20,000, which the former golf player has donated to The Stroke Foundation. Ian also wrote “Living the Dream,” published in 2012. The book was an extension of the journey of his recovery, intending to inspire the readers.
Ian is a man of bravery. How he fought to recover from the deadly illness, followed by the stroke, is nothing but an incredible journey that is an inspiration to people.
1. What happened to Ian in 2006?| A．He lost his right-side hearing. |
| B．He recovered from a deadly illness. |
| C．He published the book “The Social Golfer”. |
| D．He was disabled and couldn’t walk any more. |
| A．Ian stopped playing golf after getting a brain tumor |
| B．Ian was destroyed mentally and physically by a stroke |
| C．Ian participated in golf tournaments throughout his life |
| D．Ian donated a lot of his money to The Stroke Association |
| A．Determined and devoted. | B．Confident and humorous. |
| C．Generous and enthusiastic. | D．Responsible and independent. |
| A．Hard work pays off. |
| B．Nothing is to be got without pain. |
| C．Man should be the master of his own fate. |
| D．Contribution to the society requires responsibility. |
4 . Places You Should Visit in China in Summer
There are definitely some places in China that add romance to the days and nights. We have listed the best places that are especially brought to life by summer. All our tours can be customized (定制). We will create a trip for your summer vacation according to your requirements.
Yunnan Province — a Colorful Fairyland
Yunnan has a year-round spring-like climate. You will have a cool summer trip here. Start from Kunming to see the wonderful Stone Forest, enjoy a relaxing tour along the lakeshore of Erhai in Dali, visit the Old Town of Lijiang, and take a cable car ride to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Finally, immerse yourself in mysterious eastern atmosphere of Shangri-La and Pudacuo National Park.
Recommended Tours：
8-Day Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La Tour
7-Day Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La Tour
6-Day Lijiang to Shangri-La Tour
Inner Mongolia — Vast Grasslands
Inner Mongolia has vast grasslands where you can enjoy horse riding and hiking. During the short summers, grasslands stretch as far as the eye can see. It is also the best time to take a desert hiking tour. The 2021 Summer Naadam Festival is scheduled to take place in Xilamuren Grassland from July 23 to July 30, 2021. Our 5-Day Inner Mongolia Grass & Sand Tour is a great way to attend this grand event.
Recommended Inner Mongolia Tours:
5-Day Inner Mongolia Grass & Sand
4-Day Authentic Mongolian Nomad Experience Tour
Chengdu — Meet Cute Pandas
The lovely giant pandas are the No. 1 reason to come. If you want a deeper panda experience, you can join in a giant panda volunteer program. See our 2-Day Wolong Red Keeper Volunteer Program Tour.
Jiuzhai Valley, with cool weather, is the best time to see its waterfalls and green lakes.
Mount Emei is one of the most well-known summer destinations thanks to its pleasant weather, the inspiring natural scenery and the influence of the Buddhist culture.
Recommended Tours：
7-Day Chengdu, Mount Emei and Jiuzhaigou Scenic Tour
5-Day Chengdu, Leshan and Mount Emei Tour
2-Day Wolong Red Keeper Volunteer Program Tour
1. What can you do in Yunnan?| A．Visit an old town. | B．Ride a horse and hike. |
| C．See waterfalls and green lakes. | D．Enjoy mysterious dragon culture. |
| A．2-Day Wolong Red Keeper Volunteer Program Tour. |
| B．8-Day Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La Tour. |
| C．4-Day Authentic Mongolian Nomad Experience Tour. |
| D．7-Day Chengdu, Mount Emei and Jiuzhaigou Scenic Tour. |
| A．recommend coolest places in summer |
| B．attract tourists to customize tour service |
| C．introduce characteristics of China’s cities |
| D．report China’s multicultural development |
The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise. However, its role in learning
Xu Yuanchong dedicated his career to building
7 . Mary was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s (阿尔茨海默症) in 2013. With Mary’s condition slowly
Sean was
Seeing the great
People thought Mary would be a
| A．worsening | B．satisfying | C．reducing | D．disappearing |
| A．nervous | B．positive | C．creative | D．brave |
| A．relaxed | B．puzzled | C．worried | D．amazed |
| A．recover | B．study | C．understand | D．regret |
| A．challenge | B．confidence | C．improvement | D．difficulty |
| A．traveling | B．talking | C．working | D．training |
| A．make | B．enjoy | C．present | D．change |
| A．fortune | B．shame | C．burden | D．test |
| A．listened | B．complained | C．turned | D．given |
| A．direction | B．support | C．love | D．acceptance |
8 . Art and science may seem like opposite things. One means the creative flow of ideas, and the other means cold, hard data-some people believe. In fact, the two have much in common. Now, a study finds art can help students remember better what they have learned in the science class.
Mariale Hardiman, an education specialist at Johns Hopkins University, noticed that students who used art in the classroom listened more carefully. They might ask more questions. They might volunteer more ideas. What’s more, students seemed to remember more of what they had been taught when their science lessons had involved(涉及) art. To prove that, Hardiman teamed up with some researchers and six local schools.
In the experiment, the researchers worked with teachers in 16 fifth-grade classrooms. They provided traditional science lessons and art-focused ones. In a traditional science class, for example, students might read aloud from a book. In the art-focused one, they might sing the information instead.
The team randomly assigned(随机分配) each of the 350 students to either a traditional science classroom or an art-focused one. Students then learned science using that way for the whole unit-about three weeks. When they changed to a new topic, they also changed to the other type of class. This way, each student had both an art-focused class and a traditional one. Every unit was taught in both ways, to different groups of students. This enabled the researchers to see how students did in both types of classes.
The team found that students who started off in a traditional class performed better after they moved into an art-focused class. But those who started off in an art-focused class did well even when they went back to a traditional science class. These students appeared to use some of the art techniques(技巧) after going back to a traditional class. Classroom teachers reported that many students continued to sing the songs that they learned after finishing the unit. “The more we hear something, the more we retain it,” Hardiman says. “It suggests that the arts may help students apply creative ways of learning on their own.”
1. Why did Mariale Hardiman do the study?| A．To prove the importance of art at school. |
| B．To see if art might improve science learning |
| C．To find a way to help her students learn better. |
| D．To know how to encourage students to ask questions. |
| A．Take two types of classes. | B．Learn three units in total. |
| C．Learn two topics for three weeks. | D．Choose what they’d like to learn. |
| A．Finish. | B．Express. | C．Improve. | D．Memorize. |
| A．Art helps students develop creativity. |
| B．Art-focused classes interest students a lot. |
| C．Art can make science easier to remember. |
| D．Art has something in common with science. |
9 . Careers in science are generally believed to be too complex for students who aren’t talented or clever enough, but Seott Kelly, commander of the International Space Station, would prove it’s
As a kid, he was abstracted and uninterested in science and all other
That all
After so many years of daydreaming, it wouldn’t be
So we need to stop
| A．unusual | B．abnormal | C．wrong | D．illegal |
| A．schedules | B．goals | C．subjects | D．students |
| A．work on | B．set about | C．think about | D．focus on |
| A．reach | B．acknowledge | C．fulfill | D．observe |
| A．finished | B．realized | C．happened | D．changed |
| A．Inspired | B．Disappointed | C．Satisfied | D．Shocked |
| A．gave up | B．made up | C．formed into | D．got into |
| A．possible | B．difficult | C．easy | D．wonderful |
| A．planned | B．practiced | C．arranged | D．exchanged |
| A．Particularly | B．Surprisingly | C．Fortunately | D．Eventually |
| A．principle | B．deal | C．competition | D．compromise |
| A．real | B．former | C．formal | D．last |
| A．commenting | B．breaking | C．furthering | D．making |
| A．apply | B．ignore | C．return | D．handle |
| A．forced | B．expected | C．equal | D．willing |
10 . On a recent trip to Quebec, I slept over at the only ice hotel in North America.
Upon check-in, I was directed to a sweet woman nestling warmly next to the fireplace, who kindly reminded us that there would be no lockers or Internet access and that we’d better eat a heavy meal.
Following her advice, we ate everything on our plates at dinner even if we were full. But we couldn’t free us from our anxiety at that point. When dessert came, we started calling other hotels to see if they had any openings. When the eighth hotel we called wanted to charge us about $80 more than the online price, we just decided to go back to sleep on a bed of ice.
Once in the room, we began trying to figure out how to get comfortable in a room full of ice. Have you tried taking off your shoes in a room in which the floor is ice and not get your socks wet? It took me three yoga (瑜伽) positions to get this accomplished.
Rolling around to get all the way into the bag. I zipped myself up and said my good nights. And then I felt this sharp pain in my head. My hat had metal bands on it. The metal was getting cold in the...well...cold. I took my hat off and my head started to get cold. I sunk down further into my sleeping bag and thought to myself, “Well, at least if I die in here, it will be in my sleep.”
The next thing I knew, the hotel staff was giving us a real wake up call (they stand outside your room and tell you to get up! ).
The reward of having slept in a hotel made of ice? Now, no matter who is complaining and what the problem is, my response can be, “Did you sleep in an ice hotel? On a genuine bed of ice? No ? I did!”
1. Why did the author start calling other hotels when dessert arrived?| A．He was not satisfied with the dessert. | B．He wanted to compare the prices. |
| C．He was worried about sleeping on ice. | D．He meant to figure out his lucky number. |
| A．taking off the shoes | B．practicing yoga |
| C．rolling around the room | D．keeping socks dry |
| A．It made him suffer when worn. | B．It was likely to cause death. |
| C．It didn’t fit in the sleeping bag. | D．It was too cold for him to wear. |
| A．He regretted sleeping over at the ice hotel. | B．He showed genuine preference for ice beds. |
| C．He would never reply to others’ complaints. | D．He took pride in this unique experience. |
