1 . It started 30 years ago with a squirrel. A few months after I moved into a building in downtown Manhattan, my next-door neighbor, Nicole Figaro, knocked, asking for help with a squirrel that had gotten into her apartment.
I
In 1997, I took care of my partner during his
My father
A.put out | B.found out | C.scared out | D.handed out |
A.inviting | B.suggesting | C.permitting | D.offering |
A.buying | B.making | C.delivering | D.leaving |
A.friend | B.mail | C.phone | D.conversation |
A.worked. | B.traveled | C.jogged | D.packed |
A.gifts | B.plants | C.cakes | D.toys |
A.determination | B.positivity | C.ambition | D.experience |
A.best | B.big | C.final | D.lucky |
A.asked | B.lost | C.owed | D.returned |
A.sick | B.worried | C.disappointed | D.upset |
A.brought | B.drew | C.saw | D.appreciated |
A.moved out | B.turned up | C.passed away | D.set off |
A.postponed | B.hit | C.happened | D.settled |
A.looked | B.voted | C.fought | D.shopped |
A.A. flat | B.family | C.sore | D.wall |
2 . Today, plastic is used in almost everything, from shopping bags and bottles to chairs and cars. Plastic has conquered the world. But do you know how it was first made?
The first man-made plastic was created by Alexander Parkes, who introduced it at the 1862 Great International Exhibition in London. It was called Parkesine, and it was made from plant materials. Once heated, it could be molded, and it held its shape when cooled. Also, it could be made colored or transparent. However, it was too expensive to produce for common use.
In the 19th century, billiards(a game played on a cloth-covered table)was so popular that a lot of elephants were being killed for their ivory, which was used to make billiard balls. So, people tried to find a substitute. A U.S. billiard ball company offered a prize of S10, 000 to the person who could design the best substitute for natural ivory. In 1866, Joh
Wesley Hyatt created Celluloid while trying to win the prize. Although he failed to win, Celluloid was later used to make many products, including false teeth, piano keys, and ping pong balls.
In 1909, Leo Backeland created Bakelite. Made entirely of artificial materials, it was the first true plastic. It was inexpensive, and it kept its shape when heated. Soon, it was being used in many things, including electrical products and jewelry. Since then, many other plastics have been developed.
Today, most plastics are produced from non-natural materials made from petroleum. They are light, flexible, strong. and cheap. Despite all these advantages, there is one problem: plastic waste breaks down slowly and toxic chemicals can leak from it. Therefore, people are trying to develop less harmful plastics.
1. How did Parkesine differ from other plastics motioned in the text?A.It was popularly used. | B.It was flexible and cheap. |
C.It could break down quickly. | D.It was made from plant materials. |
A.Plastics could be easily got from plants. |
B.Bakelite could be heated without changing shape. |
C.Plastics made from petroleum have few advantages. u |
D.Celluloid was used to make billiard balls in the 19t century. |
A.The disadvantages of plastic. |
B.Different products made from plastic. |
C.A chemist studying the history of plastic. |
D.The kind of eco-friendly materials to make plastic. |
A.How to Make Plastic | B.The Inventors of Plastic |
C.From Plant to Petroleum | D.New materials to Make Plastic |
3 . Sharks may be able to smell blood from miles away, but they probably don't know how red it is. It is likely that they only see the world in black and white according to a study that is the first to look into sharks’ visual systems.
A team at the University of Western Australia studied the visual systems of many different species of sharks and what they have found is diversity in eye design that mirrors the ecological and behavioral diversity of the shark species. The team looked at the retinal cells of 17 species of sharks caught from Queensland and Western Australia and found out that the cells are responsible for sharks’ color blindness.
According to the study, these animals are color-blind due to the light receptors they have got in their eyes. There are two main types of light-sensitive ceils to allow animals to see: rod cells help measure brightness because they are highly sensitive to light and allow night vision but cannot tell colors apart, while various types of cone cells help distinguish colors. They looked at the structure of sharks' rod and cone cells in the retina. Human eyes come with red, green and blue cone variations, while sharks appear to have just one kind of cone cell.
The study suggests that contrast against the background, rather than color itself, might be more important for object detection by sharks. Costumes that camouflage swimmers’ bodies in sea water are less likely to draw a shark’s attention than ones with bright, solid colors that emphasize their outline. “It’s the high contrast against the water rather than the color itself which is probably attractive to sharks,” said Professor Nathan Hart who led the study.
1. What does Paragraph 2 mainly talk about?A.Stressing the importance of the study. |
B.Showing the features of sharks’ eye design. |
C.Giving the process and the result of the study. |
D.Telling the functions of sharks’ visual systems. |
A.Their less sensitive rod cells. | B.Their lack of various cone cells. |
C.Their inability to tell apart colors. | D.Their strong sensitivity to brightness. |
A.The color plays a key part in sharks' detecting objects. |
B.You should make your outline stand out in the sea for your safety. |
C.You should be dressed in bright color to avoid sharks’ attention in the sea. |
D.Sharks are more interested in sharp contrast against the water rather than your body. |
A.To challenge a traditional belief. |
B.To inform us a scientific discovery. |
C.To amuse us with interesting information. |
D.To raise our awareness of protecting wild animals. |
4 . “Have you checked the oil in the car?” my father used to say to me, his way of “Hello, hope you are well.” Sometimes our phone calls would begin with a question about the oil and end with a question about the oil, with not a lot in between.
Fathers have a lot of love to give, but it’s often offered by means of practical advice. In my experience: It’s mostly about my car. “How’s the car running?” “Did you get it serviced?” My car — an old green Toyota Corona bought for $500 — was where my father showed his love.
Why can’t we fathers just say “I love you” or “It’s great to see you”? The point is: that’s exactly what we are saying. You just have to translate from the language that is Fatherlish. Listen closely enough and the phrase “I love you” can be heard in the slightly longer “I could come around Saturday and repair your chair.” The words “You made my life better from the moment you were born” may be hardly heard, but the main meaning is there in the more common “I’ll hold the ladder while you get the leaves down from the roof.”
When I was 17, I went on my first road trip — a friend and I in that old car. My father stood on the corner on a cold morning to say goodbye. “Highways are dangerous,” he said, “so don’t try overtaking anything faster than a horse and buggy. And take a break every two hours. And every time you stop for gas, you really should check the oil.” At the time we thought his speech was pretty funny and would sing “horse-and-buggy” every time I tried to overtake some other speeding cars.
Dad’s long gone now. But after all these years, I realize that had I owned a copy of the Fatherlish-to-English dictionary, I’d have understood that the speech my friend and I so carelessly laughed at was simply Dad’s attempt at love.
1. Why did the author’s father often ask about the car?A.To show his love for the car. | B.To see if there is enough oil. |
C.To express his care to his son. | D.To check the condition of the car. |
A.I love you deeply. | B.It’s great to see you. |
C.You made my life better. | D.I can check the oil for you. |
A.Outrunning. | B.Approaching. |
C.Crashing into. | D.Knocking over. |
A.He wanted to own a dictionary. | B.He regrets his childish behavior. |
C.He is sad about his father’s death. | D.He realized his father’s love then. |
5 . The world’s craziest festivals
Crazy festivals all over the world are out there just waiting to be celebrated. Join Cornelia Kumfert on a trip to the most unusual events taking place around the globe.
Burning Man Festival
Every year in Nevada (US) there is artwork and cunosities galore to marvel at when the Black Rock Desert changes into a mammoth art exhibition.
In August and September, some 70,00 people come here to celetrate the Burning Man Festival.
San Diego Comic Con
Surely superheroes don’t queue? Well, at San Diego’s Comic Convention they do. Each July hey open their dos to fans of Superman and other comic figures. More than 100,000 annual visitors have paid homage to their mythical heroes.
Crying Baby Festival, Tokyo
At the Crying Baby Festival in Tokyo (Japan), sumo wrestlers do what they can to bring babies to tears.
Sadists run riot? Certainly not! It’s a 400-year-old tradition based on a Japanese proverb, which says that crying babies grow fastest and parents believe the event brings good health to their children.
Palio Contest, Siena
Fame and honour await the winner of the Palio contest in Siena (Italy).
In July and August, ten inhabitants of different districts of the city jockey for first place in a spectacular horse race.
The trophy goes to the contestant whose horse crosses the finishing line first—whether he’s still in the saddle or not.
1. Which of the festivals offers a view of art?A.Burning Man Festival. | B.Palio Contest, Siena. |
C.Crying Baby Festival, Tokyo. | D.San Diego Comic Con. |
A.On the basis of a proverb. | B.Based on a phrase. |
C.According to a story. | D.At the request of the public. |
A.A burning man show. | B.A comedy play. |
C.A horse race. | D.A baby-crying show. |
6 . “This material is called xiangyunsha,” said Song Fei, while she introduced a traditional cheongsam(旗袍) to customers in a flagship shop. “Dyed with pure plant extracts (提取物) and unpolluted river mud, the time-honored silk cloth is named ‘soft gold’ in the textile (纺织的) industry.”
To everyone’s surprise, the knowledgeable Song, who has unbelievable insights into cheongsam, a body-hugging one-piece Chinese dress for women, has practiced law for 10 years in Chengdu City. In 2017, she traveled to Suzhou to learn design and handicraft skills of cheongsam and traditional costumes, becoming a cheongsam designer.
At first, Song’s family and friends were not optimistic about her choice to switch from a distinguished career to an artistic field. Knowing little about clothing, Song met with a huge challenge. “The pain was unthinkable, but since I had chosen that profession, I had to stick to it. I want a career that I truly enjoy,” said Song.
Song returned to Chengdu with new skills and creative passion in 2019 and founded her design brand. “To be honest, compared with my previous job, this one is harder and leaves me with much greater financial pressure. But my sense of satisfaction is beyond comparison when my works are recognized and appreciated,” said Song.
“Traditional cheongsams are one-piece tailored dresses of Chinese origin that require making with natural materials by hand. However, modern cheongsams are often made with artificial materials and produced by machine,” Song said. “In the face of rapid social and economic changes, traditional cheongsams are receiving less attention due to the popularity of mass-produced cheongsams.”
To save the beauty of traditional culture, Song wants to blend people’s daily lives with time-honored handicrafts, believing that traditional culture should not be the zone of museums. She aims to pass on traditional Chinese culture, which is a meaningful type of work with social responsibilities.
1. Where did Song probably work in the past?A.In a design room for costumes. | B.At an office of legal affairs. |
C.In a museum of traditional culture. | D.At a flagship shop of cheongsams. |
A.Great financial pressure. | B.Persuasion from family and friends. |
C.Unthinkable pain from the former job. | D.Love for traditional costumes. |
A.The future development of cheongsams. |
B.The main producing process of cheongsams. |
C.The difference between traditional and modern cheongsams. |
D.The original materials of traditional and modern cheongsams. |
A.Combine. | B.Present. | C.Compare. | D.Exchange. |
7 . Are you searching for the latest device as a gift? Here, we offer a guide that will help you take a closer look at four of tech’s hottest categories.
Virtual reality
Virtual reality (VR), the most exciting tech development of recent times, has arrived. The Sony VR doesn’t require expensive phone and there are some devices you can purchase to enhance the experience. But if you’ve already got a PS4, you can enter the world of VR for just $400 (2780 yuan).
Wireless headphones
Combining ease of use with the ability to move around without limit, wireless headphones just make sense. The Bose QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones are worth a test drive. The headphones feature active noise cancellation. They can be easily purchased for less than $400 online.
Digital cameras
While your phone has more functions, there’s no substitute(替代品)for a real camera. As small as your smartphone, the smooth design of the Fujifilm X70, $699 (4850 yuan), makes it the perfect companion. In China, Xiaomi’s mirrorless Yi M1 offers a more affordable option, available for just 2199 yuan.
Smartwatches
Watches, thanks to the mobile phone, were becoming unnecessary. Now the pursuit for fitness has helped the watch industry push forward. FitBit has been a leader in the sporty wearable field, and its new swim-proof Fitbit Flex 2 ($130) represents the best in the way of today’s fitness bands.
1. With a budget of $300, which of the following can you buy?A.Xiaomi Yi M1. | B.Fujifilm X70. | C.Fitbit Flex 2. | D.A Sony VR without a PS4. |
A.Its design. | B.Its function. | C.Its quality. | D.Its price. |
A.In a newspaper. | B.In a guide book. | C.In a research paper. | D.In a sports magazine. |
8 . Some documents have been making the rounds lately — where people who work various positions in different industries share how much they’re paid.
Bravo! It’s about time we blew up that old belief that salaries have to stay secret. This is not just a matter of curiosity. Having information about salaries can help narrow the gender wage gap, which has barely changed for more than a decade. Recently released date from the US Census Bureau shows that, on average, women working full time still are paid only 82 cents for every dollar paid to a man. And the gap is even wider for many women of color: Black women make 62 cents, and Latinas just 54 cents. What’s more, the pay gap even extends into her retirement. Because she earned less and therefore paid less to the social security system, she receives less in social security benefits.
Having greater access to salary information is helping to speed things up. A new research report by the American Association of University Women shows that the wage gap tends to be smaller in job sectors where pay transparency (透明) is a must. For example, among federal government workers, there’s just a 13 percent pay difference between men and women, and in state government, the gap is about 17 percent. But in private, for-profit companies, where salaries are generally kept under wraps, the gender wage gap jumps to 29 percent.
Fortunately, salary information is increasingly available on some websites. Certain companies and many human resources departments are pushing ahead with this practice. Of course, it’s going to take more than salary transparency to equalize earnings between women and men. But sharing salaries can and must be part of the solution. The more information women have about how jobs are valued — and what different people earn — the better they will understand their value in the labor market and be able to push for the pay they deserve.
1. Why are the figures mentioned in paragraph 2?A.To reveal the severity of gender wage gap. |
B.To confirm the previous belief about salaries. |
C.To satisfy readers’ curiosity about others’ salaries. |
D.To appeal to readers to share their salary information. |
A.The inequality between men and women. |
B.The need to keep salary information a secret. |
C.The advantage of working for the government. |
D.The benefit of making salary information public. |
A.Critical. | B.Favourable. |
C.Unclean | D.Negative. |
A.Why It Pays to Share How Much You Make |
B.Where Salary Information Difference Lies |
C.What It Takes to Realize Gender Equality |
D.How Woman’s Value Improves at Work. |
Ski resorts in northern China are seeing their business skyrocket, as winter sports
“When we opened a few years ago, there was no one here
Luo’s resort is not the only one in Zhangjiakou
Luo said that the increasing business has been supported by long—term investments by private businesses, as well as a national campaign to increase the
10 . Most of us wish to be liked by others. Increase the chances of someone liking you by smiling and being of good cheer when you’re around them.
Communicate honestly, but with tact (得体).
Respect yourself. Having healthy self-respect means you like yourself no matter what. When you’re communicating with others, avoid comparing yourself to others. Remind yourself of your strengths by listing them out to yourself.
A.Share your values and beliefs. |
B.Stand behind your values and beliefs. |
C.Self-respect is key to earning respect from others. |
D.It’s no easy to refuse to go along with a dangerous joke. |
E.Most people like others who are able to talk to them straight. |
F.If they can’t like you for who you are, they’re not worth the effort! |
G.It’s also a good idea to find out their interest’s and get them talking. |