1 . Programs that drive the digital experiences today seem to turn to contents that are popular, and they are unable to tell facts from fictions. And due to the fact that anyone can post anything they want online, unconfirmed reports and irresponsible and unchecked contents are common in the online world.
The problem is so common that the British newspaper The Independent has a whole page contributed to news about fake news, along with Mashable’s social media and a growing number of others.
During the past days when most kids used textbooks that had been edited and reviewed responsibly before they were used, the need for students to check their sources was not great. Today, it’s different. Students use the Internet for research, and teachers and parents can’t keep them away from bad contents all the time. And they’re on their own as they get older. They have to master information literacy, the skills of recognizing bad information, identifying good information, and understanding the difference between the two.
There are people and organizations dealing with the problem and developing information for Internet searchers, both adults and children. The website of Encyclopedia Britannica, for example, has provided Internet searchers with extra information at the top right of their results page. The move was intended to make people slow down and think twice before accepting search results as facts.
Fake news is here to stay. We all need to fight. We can start with awareness and a few rules: don’t make the web full of bad information: don’t spread or share information if you aren’t sure about it. And be mindful of how we use information: practice information literacy. And human curiosity is of great importance in this fight against misinformation. Curiosity drives learning and makes people question information. We need everyone to join in researching and questioning for the truth.
1. What problem is described about the online world?| A．We are given too much information. |
| B．Useless results often show up first online. |
| C．The Internet includes much fake information. |
| D．Fake news is spread purposely to attract searchers. |
| A．The need for information literacy. | B．Different generations’ learning style. |
| C．How networks affect today’s students. | D．Why fake contents exist on the Internet. |
| A．It marks the facts. | B．It provides more details. |
| C．It corrects the search results. | D．It alarms searchers if necessary. |
| A．It is hard to clean up all fake news. | B．We can’t speak freely in cyberspace. |
| C．People should be forced to follow the rules. | D．We should keep curious to discover the truth. |
2 . From Italy to Indonesia, major restoration works are underway to preserve and improve some of the world’s most historic sites.
Italy
It’s seen beasts, battles and bloody executions, and now the world’s most iconic arena is seeing…a floor. An architecture company has decided to restore the Colosseum’s floor to its former glory and allow visitors to admire the 1,950-year-old building from its centre, where gladiators once fought. Set for completion in 2023, the 32,300 square feet surface will be made up of narrow pieces of wood that can let light and air into the rooms beneath.
England
Hadrian’s Wall marks its 1,900th anniversary next year and is set to receive £30m in government and charity funding, with the goal of improving transport links and upgrading visitor centres. It’s hoped the wall will become one of the nation's top landmarks. Key to the strategy is its Game of Thrones connection — the Wall in George R. R. Martin’s novels was inspired by a visit to the site.
France
After numerous setbacks following the 2019 fire, the restoration of Notre-Dame cathedral is set to pick up the pace this summer. Charity Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris has set up an appeal for donations to help preserve the church’s treasures. Donors can choose where their money goes — whether it's on artworks, holy relics or the famous ugly character.
Indonesia
Coral reefs are among the planet’s oldest ecosystems, but they face a dangerous future. At the Sheba Hope Reef, off the island of Sulawesi, 19,000 reef stars, seeded with 285,000 coral fragments, have been planted as part of what’s praised as the world’s biggest coral restoration project. The scheme is led by cat food brand Sheba, whose aim to ensure a sustainable fish population benefits cats, as well as the 500 million people whose livelihoods depend on reefs.
1. What restoration work is underway in Italy?| A．The restoration of the Colosseum’s floor. | B．The restoration of the gladiators. |
| C．The restoration of Notre-Dame cathedral. | D．The restoration of Hadrian's Wall. |
| A．It was set for completion in 2023. | B．It was interrupted due to the 2019 fire. |
| C．It has received £30m from government. | D．It still needs a lot of money and donations. |
| A．Italy. | B．England. | C．France. | D．Indonesia |
3 . During the annual political sessions, environmental protection was definitely among the biggest concerns. Actually, it was also an issue that ancient Chinese paid great attention to. In fact, the world’s earliest environmental protection concept, ministry and laws were all born in China. So how did the ancient Chinese protect the environment?
In early ancient China, environmental protection was promoted to the political level. Xunzi, a famous thinker in Warring States Period, brought up the concept of “managing state affairs through environmental protection”. He stated in his book that vegetation should not be damaged at will. Guan Zhong, an official 400 years ahead of Xunzi, was also an environmental protection expert. During his term of office, he claimed that “a King who cannot protect his vegetation is not qualified to be a king”.
According to a record in Qing dynasty, the environmental protection ministry in early ancient China was called “Yu”, standing both for the institution and the official title. Although most of its functions were similar to such ministries today, the administration range of it was much larger, including the mountains, forests, rivers, lakes and so on.
The nine ministries established by Shun, an ancient Chinese emperor, already included “Yu”, the environmental protection ministry. The first “Yu” official was a man called Boyi, who was indeed an environmental protection expert. He was a capable assistant to Dayu, an ancient Chinese water-control expert. He invented wells, protecting people’s drinking water from pollution. He knew a lot about animals and also called for animal protection.
Environmental protection laws dated back to the ruling period of Dayu, which was more than 4,000 years ago. During his rule, he issued a ban, forbidding people to cut down wood in March or catch fish in June, the time when they were supposed to boom.
In Spring and Autumn and Warring States Period almost 3,000 years ago, “environmental protection laws” appeared in its true sense in Qin, which was recorded in Law of Fields and regarded as China’s earliest “environmental protection laws”.
1. What can we know about Xunzi?| A．He was against any destruction of vegetate on. |
| B．He was an environmental protection expert. |
| C．He removed the disqualified king from the position. |
| D．He brought up the thought of environmental protection. |
| A．The ministry of Yu. | B．The Qing dynasty. |
| C．The term of office of Yu. | D．The modern environmental ministry. |
| A．Shun. | B．Boyi. | C．Xunzi. | D．Guan Zhong. |
| A．Politics and Environment | B．The Earliest Environmental Laws |
| C．Dayu — a Great Environmental Protector | D．How the Ancient Chinese Protect the Environment |
4 . Bei Bei’s 2019 departure from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, to join the giant panda breeding program in China’s Wolong Nature Reserve, left a big blank for fans. What made the loss of the adorable panda even more upset was the belief that his mother, Mei Xiang, was too old to have more cubs. However, on August21, 2020, the 22-year-old proved experts wrong by giving birth to a healthy cub.
“Giant pandas are an international symbol of endangered wildlife, and with the birth of this precious cub we are thrilled to offer the world a much-needed moment of pure joy,” said Steve Monfort, director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. “Because Mei Xiang is of advanced pregnant age, we knew the chances of her having a cub were slim. However, we wanted to give her one more opportunity to contribute to her species’ survival. I am incredibly proud of our animal care and science teams, whose expert knowledge and skills in giant panda behavior were vital to this conservation success.”
The zookeepers, who witnessed the “miracle” birth on the live panda camera, say Mei Xiang took to her new cub instantly and has since been seen lovingly caring for it. Nutrition is significant for the survival of the precious cub. Newborn pandas, which weigh just three to five pounds at birth, are unable to crawl or see for about two months. They, therefore, entirely rely on the mother’s warmth, milk, and protection. It will be several days before the cub, whose sex is still unknown, can be brought out from its mother for a thorough physical exam. However, thus far, the cub, which can be heard squawking on the live camera feed, appears to be perfectly healthy.
The newborn’s parents, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, are part of the Zoo’s cooperative breeding agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association. Similar to its brothers and sisters-Tai Shan, Bao Bao, and Bei Bei-upon turning four, the new baby panda will be sent to China to try to increase the numbers of the endangered species, which currently total just 1,864 specimens in the wild.
1. Why was Bei Bei sent to China in 2019?| A．To reunite with his mother Mei Xiang in China. |
| B．To satisfy fans' desire in Wolong Nature Reserve. |
| C．To give birth to a cub in Wolong Nature Reserve. |
| D．To make contributions to the breeding of its species. |
| A．Mei Xiang's advanced age. | B．Mei Xiang's good physical health. |
| C．The efforts of the science team. | D．Careful management of the zookeepers. |
| A．The cub was blind due to an unexpected rare illness. |
| B．The cub’s parents were looking after it at present. |
| C．Panda lovers saw the birth of the cub on a live camera. |
| D．The zookeepers were not sure about the sex of the cub. |
| A．Four. | B．Five. | C．Six. | D．Seven. |
| 赞成 | 1.作业、学习压力减小； 2.有更多的时间培养自己的兴趣爱好； 3.…… |
| 反对 | 1.业余时间多了，一些孩子可能会打游戏； 2.只有努力学习，才能打下更扎实的基础； 3.…… |
| 你的看法 | …… |
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
参考词汇：双减 double-lightening the burden
6 . 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 |
7 . 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 |
8 . 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. |
9 . “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. |
10 . 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. |
