1 . For the past 10 years I have been cycling on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Every summer vacation, I spend a month biking across the plateau.

In 2014, I set out on a cycle route with five other people in the far west of the Tibet autonomous region. Our 2,000-kilometer route started in Lhasa in the east, passed through the northern part of the prefecture (辖区) and ended in the west.

Titled the “top of the Roof of the World”, the plateau, which has a small population, has incredible scenery. Travelers can see the snowy mountains, clean blue lakes, lots of animals during the day, and clear, starry skies at night.

The route consists of dirt, even broken stones and paths, which have been formed over time by passing vehicles. Animal attacks are a potential risk in the wild. One night, we had to camp near a forest where there were potential animal attacks, especially from wolves. We found a house in a locked yard, but no one answered our calls from the gate. It was the time of the seasonal migration, so maybe the people had moved to another place for better water and grass. Then we had to camp outside. One of us was very experienced and careful. He placed some hay bales (干草捆) alongside the wall and said that if something dangerous happened, we could use them to jump into the yard and shelter (躲避) in the house.

Luckily, we didn’t meet any wolves or other animals, though we could hear them calling. Animal attacks remain a major cause of injuries on that route. Before the trip, we read online that a traveler had been bitten by wolves. The temporary “step” our companion built made us feel safer.

1. Which one is true according to the first two paragraphs?

A．The author often take part in recycling race.

B．Whenever the spring comes, the author will recycle to Tibit.

C．In 2014’s cycling route, the author set out from Lhasa.

D．In 2014’s cycling route, the author rode eastern form west.

2. What does Paragraph 3 mainly talk about?

A．Why the plateau is called the “top of the Roof of the World”.

B．Why it’s hard to travel around the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

C．The small population of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

D．The beauty of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

3. What does the underlined word “potential” mean in Paragraph 4?

A．Slight.

B．Terrible.

C．Possible.

D．Additional.

4. Why did one of them put hay bales beside the wall?

A．To make them feel safer.

B．To keep themselves warm.

C．To feed cows for the villagers.

D．To help the villagers make a fire.

3 . The British Museum

Welcome to the British Museum to experience cultures across the globe, from the origin of human history to the present. The entry can be gained for free if applied on our website.

◆ Open today: 10:00-20:30
◆ Last entry: 19:30
Plan your visit

Book tickets and plan your day including exhibitions, facilities, access, food and travel. Book your free ticket to guarantee Museum entry and receive key information and updates before your visit.

Galleries

Please note that galleries in the Museum may be closed for maintaining clean or private events. All planned closures will be listed on the Visit page. Occasionally we may need to close galleries at short notice for safety reasons. We regret that in these cases we’re not always able to inform the public in advance.

Family visits

Families with children of all ages can enjoy a range of free gallery activities.

◆ Take on a Museum Mission

You can wander through selected galleries and complete five challenges. Find a variety of objects within the gallery, perform for a video using a phone or tablet, discuss an object, look closely at collection highlights, and pose for a photo shoot alongside the objects.

◆ Embark on a Museum Explorer Trail (路径)

Involving the whole family, each trail dives into interesting objects. Trails include Journey Across Japan, Africa Around the World, Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt, Fantastic Creatures and more.

◆ Explore with a Themed Backpack

This unique experience allows visitors under 16 to explore the museum in a fun way. Jobs in Roman Britain, best for ages 7-11, sees kids match modern objects with ancient objects; Sensory Support Backpack provides resources and ideas to support young visitors aged 3–11 with additional sensory needs in a busy museum environment; Little Feet, a backpack for kids under 5 for use in any area of the museum is also worth trying.

1. How could the visitors get entry to the museum?

A．By informing the staff in advance.	B．By applying on the Internet.
C．By sending email s to apply for entry.	D．By buying tickets at the door.

2. Why are the galleries closed at short notice?

A．For keeping clean.	B．For personal activities.
C．For security issues.	D．For controlling visiting.

3. What can visitors do in Jobs in Roman Britain?

A．Having some discussions.	B．Taking photos of objects.
C．Doing the object matching.	D．Wandering around galleries.

4 . Where will you go next? Our editors and explorers pick some most exciting destinations for the year ahead. Grab your bags and go!

Mostar, Bosnia

Partially destroyed during the Bosnian War (1992-1995) , history-rich Mostar still bears scars of the past. Wander around and you’ll pass newly renovated apartments next to buildings riddled with bullet holes. Local and intemational artists regularly decorate the abandoned structures with colorful murals. Mostar’s most tangible image of peace is the 16th-century Stari Most, rebuilt in 2004. It connects the city’s predominantly Christian Croat west side with the mainly Muslim Bosniak east.

Tohoku, Japan

Less than three hours by train from Tokyo, home of the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, Tohoku features pristine forests, gorges and crater lakes, thousand-year-old temples and shrines, and venerable local festivals— yet less than 2 percent of international travelers come here. For skiers, Tohoku regularly records some of the planet’s heaviest snowfalls, and resorts such as Appi Kogen are exhilaratingly uncrowded.

National Blue Trail, Hungary

Hungary is a dream hiking destination thanks to the country’s National Blue Trail. It’s part of the nearly 6, 500-mile European long-distance walking route E4, which begins in Spain and ends in Cyprus. So, while you could use the Blue Trail as a launchpad for an epic, cross-Europe trek, Hungary’s historic route is best experienced as a singular destination.

Zakouma National Park, Chad

Home to a rapidly growing African elephant population— some 559 in 2019 and a thousand expected by 2024-Zakouma National Park is an under-the-radar African safari destination. The park’s location, in southeastern Chad, one of the world’s least visited countries, makes Zakouma a best-kept secret— one worth sharing to help ensure its continued success.

1. Which destination fits you best if you are fond of hiking?

A．Mostar.

B．National Blue Trail.

C．Tohoku.

D．Zakouma National Park.

2. What do Tohoku and Zakouma National Park have in common?

A．They are both far from the city’s capital.	B．They are very famous for local festivals.
C．They are less popular and attract fewer tourists.	D．They are the best choices for sports enthusiasts.

3. In which section of a newspaper can the text be found?

A．Environment.

B．Travel.

C．Culture.

D．Business.

5 . Ancient builders across the world created structures that are still standing today, thousands of years later. Yet the concrete that makes up much of our modern world has a lifespan of around 50 to 100 years. A growing number of scientists have been studying materials from long-ago eras, hoping to uncover how they’ve held up for millennia.

Many researchers have turned to the Romans for inspiration. Starting around 200 BCE, the architects of the Roman Empire were building impressive concrete structures that have stood the test of time. Even in harbors, where seawater has been battering structures for ages, you’ll find concrete basically the way it was when it was poured 2,000 years ago. Most modern concrete starts with Portland cement, a powder made by heating limestone and clay to super-high temperatures and crushing them. That cement is mixed with water to create a chemically reactive paste. Then, blocks of material like rock and gravel are added, and the cement paste mixes them into a concrete mass. According to records from ancient architects, the Roman process was similar. The ancient builders mixed materials like burnt limestone and volcanic sand with water and gravel, creating chemical reactions to stick everything together.

In a study published earlier this year, Admir Masic, a civil and environmental engineer, proposed that this power comes from blocks of lime that are scattered throughout the Roman material instead of being mixed in evenly. Researchers used to think these blocks were a sign that the Romans weren’t mixing up their materials well enough. Instead, after analyzing concrete samples from Privernum—an ancient city outside of Rome — the scientists found that the blocks could fuel the material’s “self-healing” abilities. When cracks form, water is able to flow into the concrete, Masic explained. That water activates the leftover lime, leading to new chemical reactions that can fill in the damaged sections.

The ancient architectures suggested using extracts from local chukum and jiote trees in the lime mix. When researchers tested out the recipe, they found the resulting plaster was especially durable against physical and chemical damage.

Studies have found all kinds of natural materials mixed into structures from long ago: fruit extracts, milk, cheese curd, beer, even dung and urine. The paste that holds together some of China’s most famous structures—including the Great Wall and the Forbidden City — includes traces of sticky rice.

“Some of these ancient builders might have just gotten lucky”, said Cecilia Pesce, a materials scientist at the University of Sheffield in England, “They’d throw just about anything into their mixes, as long as it was cheap and available.”

Today’s builders can’t just copy the ancient recipes. Even though Roman concrete lasted a longtime, it couldn’t hold up heavy loads: “You couldn’t build a modern skyscraper with Roman concrete,” Cecilia said. “It would collapse.” Instead, researchers are trying to take some of the ancient material’s specialties and add them into modern mixes.

1. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A．Lime blocks in Roman concrete indicate poor mixing of materials.

B．Ancient Roman concrete structures have witnessed a long history.

C．Modern builders are confused about the Roman method of construction.

D．The concrete used in modern structures has a lifespan of over 200 years.

2. What is proposed as a possible explanation for the self-healing abilities of Roman concrete?

A．The uniform mixing of lime in the concrete.

B．The use of extracts from chukum and jiote trees.

C．The addition of whatever was within reach in the mix.

D．The scattering of blocks of lime throughout the material.

3. The passage mentions that today’s builders can’t simply copy ancient recipes because ______.

A．ancient recipes were not well-documented

B．ancient materials were too expensive

C．ancient materials couldn’t hold up heavy loads

D．ancient builders used materials that are no longer available

4. According to the passage, why do some researchers believe ancient builders included various natural materials in their mixes?

A．To enhance the beauty of the structures.

B．To make the construction process more cost-effective.

C．To create structures that were resistant to chemical damage.

D．To follow ancient traditions without considering effectiveness.

7 . Moscow, the capital of Russia, is the place to explore Russian culture, history, foods and buildings. Unsure where to find all these things? Read on.

The St. Basil’s Cathedral

The St. Basil’s Cathedral (教堂) was built from 1555 to 1560. It is possibly the best known sight in Moscow thanks to is candy-colored, unique design. You can even go inside the Cathedral and attend one of the regular services.

The Kremlin

The Kremlin is the oldest part of Moscow and the first written mention of the Kremlin dates back to 1147. It has served as the official home of the president of the Russia since 1991. The impressive red walls that surround the Kremlin protect some of the most amazing cathedrals in Moscow. You can see attractive clothing, treasures and weapons (武器) from ancient times.

The Red Square

Built in the late 1500s, the Red Square must be visited during the day and night to see it in all its shining beauty. Walk around the walls of the Kremlin, visit the beautiful Kazan Cathedral and Historical Museum and you can even see Lenin’s well-kept remains.

The TV Tower

Opened in 1967, the Ostankino Tower, more commonly known as the TV Tower, is a television and radio tower in Moscow. It was once the tallest freestanding (独立式的) tower in Europe. It is currently the tallest freestanding building in Europe and seventh tallest in the world and offers the best views over the whole of Moscow.

1. Which has the longest history in Moscow?

A．The St. Basil’s Cathedral.

B．The Kremlin.

C．The Red Square.

D．The TV Tower.

2. What can visitors do on the Red Square?

A．Attend a service in the Cathedral.

B．Admire clothing from ancient times.

C．Pay a visit to the Historical Museum.

D．Enjoy the best views of Moscow.

3. What is special about the TV Tower?

A．It was opened to the public in 1991.

B．It was the tallest tower in the world.

C．It is the oldest attraction in Moscow.

D．It is the seventh tallest in the world.

9 . Green architecture is designed in an environmentally-friendly way. Many people think interest in green architecture has only begun in recent years.     1    Our ancient ancestors were intelligent. They also knew the fact that green architecture is more able to fit in with nature and more practical.

    2     These include heating and cooling, water usage, environmental quality and energy usage. Architects can deal with all of these in various ways, all of which are designed to increase efficiency without affecting the function of the building.

To make it, much of green architecture focuses on building intelligently. For example, plumbing systems (管道系统) may be designed to use less water while still functioning normally.     3    

Many architects build environmentally to show people that it’s possible. And they want to show the fact that being environmentally-friendly does not have to make a building bad-looking.     4    A courtyard with plants, for example, can be nicer to view.

The green design can be kept in mind when we build various future buildings, ranging from a private home to a tall office building. Green designs can also be applied to remodeling (改造) and repairing existing buildings.     5     Many governments are thus encouraging remodeling and repairing instead of building new ones.

A．The goal is to make a building prettier.

B．Not many buildings have great green designs.

C．A green building’s design need solve many problems.

D．In fact, humans have tried green architecture for thousands of years.

E．After all, pulling down a building can quite damage the environment.

F．Actually, many of the green designs can make a building more beautiful.

G．And smart lighting would turn off when people are not around to save energy.