1 . SHOULD WE FIGHT NEW TECHNOLOGY?

This morning, I saw the shocking headline: “Passenger Dies When Car Crashes in Driverless Mode”.In the article, a lot of people said that the public should oppose the idea of developing driverless cars.They said that some advances in technology were unnecessary and could even be dangerous.Hence, we should cease accepting technology just because it is new.The newspaper reported that the car company had already apologized for the accident, but the families of the deceased said it was not enough.Nevertheless, the company still claimed that most people would be travelling in driverless cars one day soon.

On the one hand, there are many different groups of people around the world who live happily in the absence of new technology.Probably the most well known are the Amish, a group of Christians living in rural America.They do not own or drive cars, watch TV, or use the Internet.They have lived mainly as farmers since the 18^th century, and they will probably be living the same way in the distant future.They advocate a simple life with an emphasis on hard work, family, and community.They think that is better than caring about luxuries or following the lives of the rich and famous.It could even be argued that the Amish’s quality of life is better since they live in and appreciate the natural environment rather than living in large, polluted cities.

On the other hand, new technology has provided people everywhere with many benefits over the years.For example, the latest weather-tracking computer programs give people lots of warnings about potential natural disasters, which saves many lives.Moreover, the Internet has made it possible for friends and family to keep in touch easily even if they are on opposite sides of the world.It has also made finding opportunities in life much easier, as it allows people to make larger networks of friends through using social media.

Personally, I have benefited quite a lot from technological advances.I found my career as an AI designer through a social media network.My health monitor, which I wear all the time, has also helped me get into the best shape of my life.Of course, when new technology changes the way we live, it can be a scary prospect.Nevertheless, I will always look on the positive side of change and accept it rather than resist it.

1. What can we learn from the first paragraph?

A．A person died in an accident while driving his brand-new car.

B．The relatives of the victim would never accept the apology.

C．Many people took a negative attitude to this new technology.

D．The company was very concerned about the future of this new technology.

2. What is the author’s purpose in mentioning the Amish in the second paragraph?

A．To persuade us to follow their natural living style.

B．To tell us the Amish prefer a harmonious and peaceful life.

C．To prove people can still live better without new technology.

D．To advocate a simple life with family and community by hard work.

3. According to the third paragraph, which of the following benefits is not talked about?

A．Monitoring people’s physical health.

B．Providing chances in life more easily.

C．Predicting the earthquake and tsunami.

D．Helping people contact each other easily.

4. The underlined word “prospect” in the last paragraph probably means __________.

A．resistance

B．future

C．advance

D．positivity

5. Why did the author decide to write about the passage?

A．The author wanted to praise the advantages of new technology.

B．The author wanted to show his supportive idea of new technology.

C．The author wanted to criticize the disadvantages of new technology.

D．The author wanted to arouse people’s concern about new technology.

2 . As I enter my 40s, I’ve noticed many of my parents’ generation think social networking is something they are simply unable to understand. They fear that, should they try, they will somehow get it wrong; they will say the wrong thing, do the wrong thing or behave in a way that causes embarrassment. But there are some secrets of social media for them to consider.

Here’s the first secret: everyone feels this way. I recently met a young actor who was complaining that her work demands that she join Microblog, but she always feels like she doesn’t have anything smart to say. It’s the same resistance (抵制). I hear from the older generation, who, however, have somehow believed that age is the barrier (障碍), rather than the differences of personal taste.

Here’s the second secret: everybody uses it for more or less the same reasons. Older generations often sign up to stay in touch with children and relatives. We talk about this kind of communication like it’s some old-fashioned activity, but it is exactly why younger people use social media. The truth is that most people use social media to gently keep an eye on one another, to see how those they care about are doing without needing to ring them up on the phone every night.

And this is the last secret: everyone gets to use them in their own way. Newcomers—younger and older—who worry about “getting it right” are thinking that there’s a right way to get them. But actually there isn’t. Personally, I talk a lot on Microblog. And some people post nothing and they use social media every day as readers. Social media companies would rather see people decorating their networks with pictures and posts, but there’s no rule against being a fly on the wall. It’s also a fine way to get involved.

Were quick to forget that the web wasn’t invented by 13-year-olds; it was created by today’s seniors. I’d never try forcing those with no interest in social networks to use Microblog. But don’t let the talk of age divides put you off. There’s nothing to stop the older generation from joining in the network their own generation created.

1. What’s the author’s purpose of writing this passage?

A．To share with us his personal experience using social media.

B．To explain why the old generation don’t use social media.

C．To free the old generation from fearing using social media.

D．To tell us a few secrets of social media that he discovered.

2. The expression “a fly on the wall” in the 4th paragraph refers to            .

A．people who prefer reading online books

B．people who cause trouble to others

C．people who post many fancy pictures

D．people who simply observe others’ posts

3. According to the author, which is a reason for old people’s fear using social media?

A．They believe they may be trapped in embarrassing situations.

B．They have no particular interest in social networking.

C．They prefer staying in touch with relatives in real life.

D．They have no idea which contents to post online.

4. Which of the following may best describe the structure of this passage?

A．	B．
C．	D．

3 . The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is mostly a desert. However, this has not stopped the country from creating great building projects. On September 26, UAE officials announced another ambitious project — Mars Science City. Expansive deserts and miles of coastline provide plenty of options for safe rocket launches (发射). And its position on the Earth makes it especially appealing as the spin of the Earth provides an extra push, meaning less fuel is needed to get payloads into orbit. All these seem to make it possible.

The Mars City Project, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, or BIG, will provide a realistic model to simulate (模仿) living on the surface of Mars, the red planet. It is part of the UAE’s Mars 2117 Project to lead the global race to land humans on Mars and be the first to build a settlement there. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai, says, “The UAE seeks international support to develop technologies that benefit humans, and lay the foundation of a better future for more generations to come.”

Built outside Dubai, the 1.9 million square feet city is expected to cost $135 million. It will consist of several dome-shaped laboratories, similar to the ones imagined for the first Mars settlers. Scientists from around the word will be invited to conduct research to come up with methods to create food, water and energy, using techniques which can be copied onto the red planet. The living spaces, where the researchers can live for up to a year, will simulate the planet’s conditions as much as possible.

The research city will also include a museum featuring famous space achievements to help educate and inspire children to undertake space exploration and discovery. To discover whether the construction method works on Mars, the museum’s walls will be 3D printed using the sand from the nearby desert. Now, if they would only add some living quarters for the general public to experience life on Mars without leaving Earth, life would be perfect.

1. What can we conclude about the United Arab Emirates?

A．It is short of fine weather.

B．It is a nice place for launching.

C．It can provide adequate fuel supply.

D．It has the greatest architects in the world.

2. What will scientists do in the laboratories?

A．Educate visitors on trips to Mars.

B．Develop the Mars settlers’ imagination.

C．Find ways to produce food, water and energy on Mars.

D．Create a climate-controlled environment for future use.

3. Why will the museum’s walls be 3D printed?

A．To show famous space techniques.

B．To make full use of the nearby desert.

C．To inspire children to love exploration.

D．To test building skills used by Mars settlers.

4. What’s the best title for the text?

A．UAE to Build Mars Science City

B．UAE’s Great Exploration of Mars

C．UAE to Build First Mars Settlement

D．UAE’s Scientistific Contribution to Humans

4 . How to change the world

You want to change the world, but you aren’t sure where to start. First, remember that changing the world can mean so many different things.

Understand what's wrong.

    1    The world is such a big place, so you won't be able to change much if you don't understand what's going on out there. Try to learn about what is happening both home and abroad.

Know that change doesn't come overnight.

    2    Try to live your values each day, even if you don't see much appreciable change on a day-to-day level. Work hard and don't give up.
       Start small.

Find ways to make a difference every day. It may feel as though you are just one tiny part of a huge system. At first, you almost certainly will be. Be patient.    3    . Try to put your activism into practice and make it a reality.

    4    

Write letters to newspapers; post an article, video, or idea on the internet; wear a T-shirt. If you think that it is important and worthy of attention, try to raise awareness(意识) by telling as many people as you can.

Consider a career.

Think about which sort of job might put you in the best position to change the world.     5    There are a lot of ways to get paid for adding value to the world. Start researching to find jobs in fields that feel valuable.

A．Read the news.

B．Spread the word.

C．All things begin small

D．Remember that you don’t need to do it alone

E．You could be a teacher, a reporter, or something else.

F．There are other, less public ways to show your support!

G．Don’t expect to change the world with one big heroic act.