1 . Life will probably be very different in 2050. First of all, it seems that TV channels will have vanished by 2050. Instead, people will choose a programme from a “menu” and a computer will send the programme directly to the television. By 2050, music, films, programmes, newspapers and books will come to us in the similar way.

In many places, agriculture is developing quickly and people are growing fruit and vegetables for export. This uses a lot of water. Therefore, there could be serious shortages of water. Some scientist predict that water could be the cause of wars if we don’t act now.

In the future, cars will run on new, clean fuels (燃料) and they will go very fast. Cars will have computers to control the speed and there won’t be any accidents. Today, many cars have computers that tell drivers exactly where they are. By 2050, the computer will control the car and drive it to your destination. Also, by 2050, space planes will fly people from Los Angeles to Tokyo in just two hours.

Some big companies now prefer to use robots that do not ask for pay rises or go on strike, and work 24 hours a day. They are also easy to control. And they never argue with people. They can be easily used in a variety of places — factories, schools, offices, hospitals, shops and homes.

Scientists will have discovered how to control genes (基因). Scientists have already produced clones (克隆) of animals. By 2050, scientists will be able to produce clones of people and decide how they look and how they behave. Scientists will be able to do these things, but should they?

1. Which of the following best explains “vanished” underlined in paragraph 1?

A．Settled.

B．Spread.

C．Disappeared.

D．Decreased.

2. What does paragraph 4 intend to show?

A．Robots can work in different places.

B．Robots have much to be improved.

C．Robots work for humans for free.

D．Robots have many advantages.

3. What does the author want to express in the last paragraph?

A．He probably disagrees with the idea of human cloning.

B．He is looking forward to using of cloning technology.

C．The scientists have already discovered how to control genes.

D．The scientists will face many difficulties of controlling genes.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．High-tech Cars	B．Life in the Future
C．Is Cloning Really Good?	D．Are You Ready for the Future?

2 . What will man be like in the future--in 5000 or even 50,000 years from now? We can only make guesses, of course, but we can be sure that he will be different from what he is today, for man is slowly changing all the time.

Let us take an obvious example, Man, even five hundred years ago, was shorter than he is today. Now, on average, men are about three inches taller. Five hundred years is a relatively short period of time, so we may assume that man will continue to grow taller. Again, in the modern world we use our brains a great deal. Even so, we still make use of only about 20% of the brain’s capacity. As time goes on, however, we shall have to use our brains more and more, and eventually we shall need larger ones! This is likely to bring about a physical change too: the head, in particular the forehead, will grow larger.

Nowadays our eyes are in constant use. In fact, we use them so much that very often they become weaker and we have to wear glasses. But over a very long period of time it is likely that man’s eyes will grow stronger.

On the other hand, we tend to make less use of our arms and legs. These, as a result, are likely to grow weaker. At the same time, however, our fingers will grow more sensitive because they are used a great deal in modern life.

But what about hair? This will probably disappear from the body altogether in course of time because it does not serve a useful purpose any longer. In the future, then, both sexes are likely to be bald (光秃的).

Perhaps all this gives the impression that future man will not be a very attractive creature to look at! This may well be true. But in spite of all these changes, future man will still have a lot in common with us. He will still be a human being, with thoughts and emotions similar to our own.

1. The passage mainly tells us that ________.

A．humans need’t wear glasses in the future.

B．man’s life will be different in the future.

C．future man will look quite different from us.

D．man is growing taller and uglier as time passes.

2. Which of the following is closest to the underlined word “assume” in Paragraph 2?

A．predict

B．think

C．compete

D．know

3. It can be inferred from the passage that ________.

A．future life is always predictable (可预测的)

B．human beings will become less attractive in the future

C．less use of a bodily organ (器官) may lead to its degeneration (退化)

D．human beings hope for a change in the future life

4. Future man will be similar to us in ________.

A．Colour and height	B．size and appearance
C．thought and observation	D．thought and emotion

3 . The future home is something that people have talked about for decades. Because the future home idea inspires our imagination, scientists and engineers have been working hard to develop different systems to make houses “smarter”.

The video camera at the entrance recognize visitors using facial recognition. The facial recognition software of the future home will not only recognize friends, but strangers as well. And the software in the future home will run the strangers faces against a database of criminals.

The future home will also have smart application appliances (家电) as well. There will be a vast networking system connecting them. Ovens, microwaves and refrigerators will be controlled automatically, so remote cooking will be a possibility and meals are prepared for your arrival.

There will also be a green systems in place such as saving and reusing washing water and bathwater. Plants and people may receive pure or mineralized (含矿的) drinking water.

If you think this future home idea is pie in the sky or science fiction, then think again. Most of the systems described here are either in development or already out in the market. Future homes may not be standard yet for the middle class but this is not as far ahead as many people would think.

1. What can the facial recognition software be used for in the future houses?

A．Greeting friends.	B．Collecting criminals information.
C．Recognizing visitors.	D．Following dangerous criminals.

2. Which of the following indicates the future house is environment-friendly?

A．Facial recognition software.	B．Remote cooking.
C．Smart refrigerators.	D．Saving and reusing water.

3. What does the underlined word “standard” in the last paragraph mean?

A．Attractive.

B．Common.

C．Special.

D．Excellent.

4. What is the best title for the passage?

A．Smart future home

B．A smart networking system

C．Software in future home

D．Various household appliances

4 . When I was a boy growing up in New Jersey in the 1960s, we had a milkman delivering milk to our doorstep. His name was Mr. Basille. He wore a white cap and drove a white truck. As a 5-year-old boy, I couldn’t take my eyes off the coin changer fixed to his belt. He noticed this one day during a delivery and gave me a quarter out of his coin changer.

Of course, he delivered more than milk. There was cheese, eggs and so on. If we needed to change our order, my mother would pen a note — “Please add a bottle of buttermilk next delivery” — and place it in the box along with the empty bottles. And then, the buttermilk would magically (魔术般) appear.

All of this was about more than convenience. There existed a close relationship between families and their milkmen. Mr. Basille even had a key to our house, for those times when it was so cold outside that we put the box indoors, so that the milk wouldn’t freeze. And I remember Mr. Basille from time to time taking a break at our kitchen table, having a cup of tea and telling stories about his delivery.

There is sadly no home milk delivery today. Big companies allowed the production of cheaper milk, thus making it difficult for milkmen to compete. Besides, milk is for sale everywhere, and it may just not have been practical to have a delivery service.

Recently, an old milk box in the countryside I saw brought back my childhood memories. I took it home and planted it on the back porch (门廊) . Every so often my son’s friends will ask what it is. So I start telling stories of my boyhood, and of the milkman who brought us friendship along with his milk.

1. Mr. Basille gave the boy a quarter out of his coin changer to __________.

A．show his magical power	B．pay for the delivery
C．satisfy his curiosity	D．please his mother

2. What can be inferred from the fact that the milkman had the key to the boy’s house?

A．He wanted to have tea there.	B．He was a respectable person.
C．He was treated as a family member.	D．He was fully trusted by the family.

3. Why does home milk delivery no longer exist?

A．Nobody wants to be a milkman now.	B．It has been driven out of the market.
C．Its service is getting poor.	D．It is not allowed by law.

4. Why did the author bring back home an old milk box?

A．He missed the good old days.	B．He wanted to tell interesting stories.
C．He needed it for his milk bottles.	D．He planted flowers in it.

6 . In the future, people may travel to Mars（火星)by water-powered spaceship! Today's spaceships are fine for getting things into space, but they are not so good at travelling long distances. These spaceships burn chemical fuels(燃料)and they are very expensive. Scientists say that a water-powered spaceship could make the trip to Mars much cheaper. The idea is just in the planning stages now, but scientists think such a spaceship could be developed soon.

The key to the water-powered spaceship is the engine(发动机).Regular engines push spaceships by burning fuel. The water engine will use steam, created by solar panels(太阳能板)that heat water to a high temperature. Of course, the spaceship will have to carry a lot of water for the long trip to Mars.

Today's spaceships could not carry that much water. But scientists think that a spaceship blown up like a balloon will be able to.

One Us company has already developed a spaceship like this. These spaceships are made of a strong material. Two of them have already been sent up into space, using rockets and then later filed with air. “Balloon” spaceships could be very large and carry enough water for a long trip. With the “Balloon” spaceships, enough water could be carried to power the engines and grow food during the trip. And the people on the spaceship might even get to take a hot bath!

Scientists say the biggest advantage of such a spaceship would be cost. The “Balloon” spaceship uses water to push it through space and costs about one thirtieth of a normal spaceship. Such savings naturally encourage continued research into balloon spaceships and water engines. If these scientists are correct, we may soon be on our way to Mars in a spaceship powered by water.

1. Which sentence best describes the main idea of the passage above?

A．The key to the water-powered spaceship is the engine.

B．In the future, people may travel to Mars by water-powered spaceship.

C．One US company has already developed a spaceship like this.

D．Scientists say the biggest advantage of such a spaceship would be cost.

2. What do you think is omitted(省略)at the end of the underlined sentence?

A．use steam.

B．push spaceships.

C．heat water.

D．carry that much water

3. Besides growing food, what else might astronauts do with the rest of the water?

A．Take a hot bath.

B．Freeze dangerous things.

C．Blow up a balloon.

D．Change the surface of Mars.

4. On which website can we probably read this passage?

A．www. freedictionary. com/power.

B．www. mooc. cn/music.

C．www. chinadaily. com. cn/culture.

D．www. space. com/spaceflight.

7 . What will man be like in the future? How about in 5,000 or even 50,000 years from now? We can only make a guess, of course, but we can be sure that he will be different from what he is today.     1    

Let's give an example. Man, even 500 years ago, was shorter than he is today. Now, on the average, men are about three inches taller. 500 years is a relatively short period of time, so we may guess that man will continue to grow taller. Again, in the modern world we use our brains a great deal. Even so, we still make use of only about 20% of the brain's capacity(容量). As time goes on, however, we shall have to use our brains more and more---and finally we shall need even larger ones!     2     The head, in particular the forehead, will grow larger.

    3     In fact, we use them so much that very often they become weaker and we have to wear glasses. But over a very long period of time it is likely that man’s eyes will grow stronger. On the other hand, we tend to make less use of our arms and legs.     4     At the same time, however, our fingers will grow more sensitive because they are used a great deal in modern life.

But what about hair? It will probably disappear from the body altogether in course of time because it does not serve a useful purpose any longer. In the future, then, both sexes are likely to be bald.

Perhaps all this gives the impression that future man will not be a very attractive creature to look at!     5     He will still be a human being, with thoughts and emotions similar to our own.

A．Nowadays our eyes are in constant use.

B．This probably brings about mental changes.

C．These, as a result, are likely to grow weaker.

D．This is likely to bring about physical changes, too.

E．That's because man is slowly changing all the time.

F．As a result, future man will have little in common with us.

G．In spite of all these changes, future man will still have a lot in common with us.

8 . Everybody hates rats. But in the earthquake capitals of the world—Japan, Los Angeles, Turkey—rats will soon be the new best friends of humans.

What happens after an earthquake? We send in rescue dogs. Why? Because they can smell people. Dogs save lives. They help rescuers to find living people. But dogs are big and they can’t get into small spaces. So now a new research project is using a smaller animal to save lives: the rat.

How does it work? First the rat is trained to smell people. When this happens, the rat’s brain gives a signal. This is sent to a small radio on its back and then the rescuers follow the radio signals. When the rat’s brain activity jumps, the rescuers know that someone is alive. The rat has smelled that person.

Although there are already robots which can do this job, rats are better. Christian Linster at Cornell University, New York, says, “Robots’ noses don’t work well when there are other smells around. Rats are good at that.” Rats can also see in the dark. They are cheaper and quicker to train than dogs and unlike robots, they don’t need electricity!

The “rat project” is not finished, but Julie Ryan of International Rescue Corps in Scotland says, “It would be fantastic. A rat could get into spaces we couldn’t get to and a rat would get out if it wasn’t safe.” Perhaps for the first time in history people will be happy to see a rat in a building.

1. In the world earthquake capitals, rats will become man’s best friends because________．

A．they can fully take the place of man’s rescue jobs to save more people

B．they can find the position of people alive who are trapped in buildings

C．they can serve as food for people alive who are trapped in buildings

D．they can get into small spaces that the dogs may fail to get into

2. The underlined word “signal” in the third paragraph has the closest meaning to the one in sentence “________”.

A．they left the room at an agreed signal

B．the policeman raised his hand to signal the driver to stop

C．he seemed to signal important changes in the US government policy

D．a signal failure resulted in the car accident

3. Rats have all the following advantages EXCEPT that ________.

A．they are more fantastic than other animals

B．they are less expensive to train than dogs

C．they don’t need electricity

D．they are small and can get into small spaces

4. After reading the passage, we can know ________.

A．rats have already taken the place of dogs in searching for people

B．the “rat project” has already been completed

C．people are very happy to see a rat in a building

D．people now still use dogs and robots in performing rescues

9 . Smart cities are coming. And you can be sure that hackers (黑客) won’t be very far behind. We’ve already gotten a glimpse of that future, as cities across the globe start to use technology to connect their services and people in ways that were science film just a few years ago. They are using sensors to collect data — such as traffic, garbage collecting, and road conditions —and then using that data to deliver services to more people and more efficiently.

But this rush to become a smart city has a major weakness: The more connected a city is, the easier it is to cyber-attacks. Hackers have, in recent years, effectively held cities hostage through ransom ware (赎金器), sometimes damaging critical systems for months at a time. The damage can cost millions to repair, as Baltimore and Atlanta have discovered.

And this is just the beginning. As cities add connectivity to their streetlights, power grids, dams, transit lines and other services, they are adding more targets that are possible to be hacked. What’s more, as additional information on people is collected, officials worry the result —lots of data could attract nation-states or terrorists who could use the data to launch physical and cyber war.

What cyber security lesson can’t be taught in this hack? For example: Don’t open email attachments from unfamiliar sources; don’t click on unrecognized links; don’t leave sensitive information visible on the walls or surfaces of your office.

But let’s just stick to the most important lesson: The information you share on social media can be used to profile and target you, whether that’s by engineering click bait (点击诱饵) aimed at your particular interests, guessing your password based on your birthday or figuring out your schedule and travels so that an intruder can access your home or office.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019 THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.

1. What did people use to think of smart cities?

A．It was the product of science.	B．It was sure to be popular.
C．It existed in imagination.	D．It improved people’s life.

2. What does the author intend to do in Paragraph 3?

A．Introduce the harm of hackers.

B．Show the danger of a smart city.

C．Add some background information.

D．Summarize the previous paragraphs.

3. What is officials’ attitude to big data?

A．It is convenient to provide service.

B．It is certain to bring about progress.

C．There are actually potential dangers.

D．There’s competition in high technology.

4. What does the underlined word "profile" in Para.5 mean?

A．Describe.

B．Protect.

C．Impress.

D．Fund.

10 . The idea of having car, a plane, drone(无人驾驶飞机) parked outside your home may not be as unlikely as it seems.

We are going to have personal air vehicles that are both cars and planes. At least that's Missy Cumming's vision of the future. It's basically the intersection of a drone with a robotic car, so your plane is also your car, but the quick development of technology is that you are actually driving neither.

Drones have a negative image in the media, says Cummings, because they are basically seen as spy cameras. But most people don't realize that when they are on a plane they are effectively travelling on a drone. The fly-by-wire technology that exists on all Airbuses and many crafts of Boeing is the exactly same technology that exists on drones.

The reason why drones are the answer to the future is that we are terrible drivers. Humans have a half-second lag(时滞) in almost any quick response that they need to have. Even a half- second delay can mean the difference between life and death, and computers and automated(自动化的) systems don't have that.

So, our transportation network of the future, both on the ground and in the air，will actually be safer when we turn it over to computers.

There really aren't any technological difficulties to this idea. The biggest difficulties we have in terms of giving up the car are psychological and cultural, but no new technology needs to be developed to have your own personal flying car. What we have to do is to improve production and reduce manufacturing costs.

People should be excited about this: it promises much in terms of safer travel, and people in parts of the world where the road and air networks are poor will be able to get the goods and services.

1. What is the meaning of the underlined word”intersection” in paragraph 2?

A．交叉

B．部分

C．交流

D．结构

2. What does the underlined word "that" in Paragraph 4 refer to?

A．The truth.	B．The difference.
C．The quick response.	D．A half-second delay.

3. What will most probably prevent the popularity of flying cars in the future?

A．Their being expensive.	B．Lacking advanced technology.
C．People's not accepting the idea.	D．People's failing to improve production.

4. What's the best title of the passage?

A．Future Vehicles	B．Future Flying Cars
C．An Answer to the Future	D．Safer Travel