1 . Compean was no stranger to Los Angeles National Forest. He’d hiked the park several times. But after hiking along a
As dusk
Compean climbed to a higher
Sixty miles away in Ventura County, Ben Kuo was reading a tweet
“There’s an amazing amount of information you can get from satellites, ”says Kuo. The first thing he
Thanks to Kuo’s
| A．new | B．familiar | C．old | D．primitive |
| A．burst | B．came | C．fell | D．sank |
| A．turned out | B．turned to | C．turned up | D．turned down |
| A．maintaining | B．remaining | C．presenting | D．restoring |
| A．spot | B．basin | C．peak | D．top |
| A．power | B．signal | C．battery | D．sign |
| A．exhibited | B．conveyed | C．exposed | D．attached |
| A．slowly | B．steadily | C．frequently | D．quickly |
| A．about | B．in | C．from | D．of |
| A．looking for | B．deciding on | C．pointing out | D．counting on |
| A．predict | B．release | C．comprehend | D．identify |
| A．trees | B．flowers | C．grass | D．woods |
| A．precise | B．accurate | C．surrounding | D．subsequent |
| A．noticed | B．thought | C．mentioned | D．watched |
| A．while | B．so | C．instead | D．because |
| A．continued | B．accelerated | C．deepened | D．proved |
| A．original | B．clear | C．perfect | D．complete |
| A．entered | B．matched | C．finished | D．differed |
| A．specific | B．rough | C．special | D．sustainable |
| A．thank | B．envy | C．owe | D．contribute |
“ Rachel Pettingill! ”
As Truman came home from school, he repeated the name in his head. Throughout third grade and the year before, Rachel Pettingill had earned the highest science grade in the class. Truman was used to being second best.
“ But science is my thing, ” he declared.
Truman’s parents were scientists, and he would be a scientist. That was just a fact. Somehow, with only one week and one assignment left before break, they were neck and neck. Dead even.
The subject of the project was beehives (蜂窝). As his teacher had explained, to earn an A+, he needed a “ new angle. ”
Truman pushed open the front door to find his four-year-old brother, Bryan, playing his paper towel tubes on the living room floor, hard at work.
Bryan leaped to his feet. “ Truman, help me build a city! ”
“ I’d like to, but I have to do a report on beehives. Bryan. Sorry. ” Truman stepped carefully between the tubes. He went to his room, dropped onto the bed, and studied the ceiling.
“ Rachel Pettingill! ”
Her report would be extraordinary.
“ Truman? I know where there’s an old beehive. ” Bryan poked his head in. “ Follow me. ”
They marched to the firewood. Bending down, Bryan pointed out the hive deep inside the tree. Truman carefully removed the hive from its hole.
Back in his room, Truman sat at his desk, turning the delicate hive under a lamp. Each cell was a perfect hexagon (六角形). How did the bees fit the cells together so neatly? And how did they make each cell six-sided? Could they count?
“ Boys, dinner’s ready! ” his mother called.
As he walked to have dinner, his foot came down on something strange.
“ Truman! You’re ruining my city! ” Lost in thought, Truman hadn’t seen Bryan settle in behind him with a mess of paper tubes. Bryan began to cry. Loudly. He gathered an armful of his tubes, threw them into a sink and ran sobbing into the living room.
Truman sighed and gathered the rest of the tubes in both hands.
注意：
1.所续写短文的词数应为150左右；
2.至少使用5个短文中标有下划线的关键词语；
3.续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好；
4.续写完成后，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。
Paragraph 1:
As he held the tubes over the wastebasket, they suddenly reminded him of something.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2:
Truman ran to the living room and gave his brother a big hug.
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3 . You can tell a lot about people’s general state of mind based on their social media feeds. Are they always tweeting（发微博）about their biggest annoyances or posting pictures of particularly cute kitties? In a similar fashion, researchers are turning to Twitter for clues about the overall happiness of entire geographic communities.
What they’re finding is that regional variation in the use of common phrases produces predictions that don’t always reflect the local state of well being. But removing from their analyses just three specific terms -- good, love and LOL - greatly improves the accuracy of the methods.
“We’re living in a crazy COVID-19 era. And now more than ever, we’re using social media to adapt to a new normal and reach out to the friends and family that we can’t meet face-to-face.” Kokil Jaidka studies computational linguistics at the National University of Singapore. “But our words aren’t useful just to understand what we, as individuals, think and feel. They’re also useful clues about the community we live in.”
One of the simpler methods that many scientists use to analyze the data involves correlating words with positive or negative emotions. But when those records are compared with phone surveys that assess regional well-being, Jaidka says, they don’t paint an accurate picture of the local zeitgeist（时代精神）.
Being able to get an accurate read on the mood of the population is no laughing matter. “That’s particularly important now, in the time of COVID, where we’re expecting a mental health crisis and we’re already seeing in survey data the largest decrease in subjective well-being in 10 years at least, if not ever.”
To find out why , Jaidka and her team analyzed billions of tweets from around the United States. And they found that among the most frequently used terms on Twitter are LOL, love and good. And they actually throw the analysis off. Why the disconnect?
“Internet language is really a different beast than regular spoken language. We’ve adapted words from the English vocabulary to mean different things in different situations.” says Jaidka. “Take, for example, LOL. I’ve tweeted the word LOL to express irony, annoyance and sometimes just pure surprise. When the methods for measuring LOL as a marker of happiness were created in the 1990s, it still meant laughing out loud.”
“There are plenty of terms that are less misleading,” says Jaidka. “Our models tell us that words like excited, fun, great, opportunity, interesting, fantastic and those are better words for measuring subjective well-being.”
1. The researchers turn to social media feeds to ________.| A．help with the analysis of people’s subjective well-being |
| B．integrate into a mainstreamed lifestyle more quickly |
| C．prove the disconnect between language and emotions |
| D．collect specific terms associated with specific zeitgeist. |
| A．It didn’t reflect the mood of the entire geographic community |
| B．It didn’t match the assessment result of the phone surveys. |
| C．It didn’t consider the features of Internet language. |
| D．It didn’t take the regional variations into account. |
| A．Face-to-face communication is never replaced to ensure happiness. |
| B．Internet use is to blame for the decrease in subjective well-being. |
| C．Internet language should be originally used as a source of scientific analysis. |
| D．Less misleading words should be used in assessing subjective well-being. |
| A．Internet Shock Need A Break | B．Underlying LOL Never Fade Away |
| C．Virtual Mirror Of Era Being | D．Gulf Between Old And New |
4 . Walking or running outdoors, people usually see rubbish all over the ground. Well, some people are doing something about it.
A Swedish man named Erik Ahlström, started the movement in 2016. He moved to Stockholm from a small community(社区) in northern Sweden. Each day he would ride his bike to work. He became worried about the amount of rubbish and litter he saw each day on his way to work. So, he took matters into his own hands. He began picking up the rubbish.
Today, plogging is an official activity, which is becoming more and more popular. People of all ages are welcome to plog. Exercise while helping your community.
Along with cleaning up the environment, there may be another reason to choose plogging instead of just jogging. You may get a better workout. One fitness app, Lifesum, records one hour of plogging as burning 288 calories.
As can be seen, cities around the world now hold plogging events. The goal is to spread the idea that littering is not acceptable. People would think twice before dropping a garbage on the ground.
| A．And that is how plogging was born! |
| B．In other words, plogging is equal parts of exercise and community service. |
| C．There are people all around the world doing this. |
| D．They are plogging! |
| E．You get to know your neighbors. |
| F．And plogging does good to your mental health. |
| G．Usual jogging burns about 235 calories. |
5 . Seminole was far too accustomed to the business. Everyone sympathized with him depending an long hours minimum wage, and ill-mannered customers. Although struggling to pay his rent he still went all out to make those lucky enough to sit at his tables laugh. The day was going quick.
He was exhausted when he arrived to work the next day, but he went about his daily duties, putting on a brave face as customers complained about the food or questioned the bill. Usually as he prepared to close for the night, a couple of customers would sit down and order drinks. Most of the crew had left by closing time, but Seminole stayed to serve. Eventually, the last round was ordered and he gave them the bill. The minimum tip was suggested on the receipt. “Tomorrow will be better,” murmured he.
But luck wasn’t on his side. Evening approaching, a group of teenagers stepped in. Thankfully, they were polite and respectful. Their cheerful behavior began to rub off on him. As always, he did his best to make their dining experience a pleasant one.
Once they finished their dishes, he placed the bill on the table, accompanied with some candies. They placed their notes on the receipt and left smiling. When he returned to clear the table, he was shocked. The teenagers only left a tip of $3, but their total bill was more than $100. He'd gone above and beyond serving the tasty dishes. Ho would they be so rude?
Later that week, he struggled to let go of the awkward memories. He arrived at work and expected it to like any other, but there was something left behind the desk for him--a two-page handwritten letter from the teenagers with $18 attached, in which they explained they were unaware of the tipping practice due to it being their first time out alone. Everything suddenly made sense.
Seminole was so touched by their gesture that he uploaded a picture of the letter sharing their admirable efforts. Web visitors voiced their opinions, and the reaction was more than positive.
1. Why did Seminole wear a brave face?| A．To serve better. | B．To relax himself. | C．To sell more drinks. | D．To gain a reputation. |
| A．Ignorance of tipping culture. | B．Dissatisfaction with the meal. |
| C．Gratitude for Seminole’s service. | D．Misunderstanding of tipping practice. |
| A．One good turn deserves another. | B．Actions speak louder than words. |
| C．Honesty can turn into an opportunity. | D．It is better to make things right than not. |
6 . Creative Vacation Travel Ideas
Couch Surfing
Those who are bohemians(豪放的人) at heart can travel the world and make new friends using the couch-surfing system. Couch-surfing networking sites allow travelers to research and connect with people in cities around the world who offer up their couch or guest room to strangers. Staying with the people is free of charge, though you will be expected to pay for your own food and entertainment. Most hosts will accommodate a pair of travelers, and the system is safer for inexperienced couch surfers.
Roaming African Hotel
The Shongololo Express is best described as a cruise(邮轮) on land. A fleet of air-conditioned, luxury trains transport travelers through Africa from south to north. The Express stops at prearranged locations of interests, similar to a cruise ship stopping at a port, and allows travelers a chance to get out and explore with the security of a group behind them. Meals and drinks are served on the trains, and there are common areas for socializing.
Underground Motel
Go under Down Under with a stay in the White Cliffs Underground Motel in New South Wales, Australia. The 30 guest rooms called dugouts are carved from supportive soft sandstone and ventilated(通风) with drilled vertical passages. The temperature is naturally regulated year round for a comfortable stay. The hotel includes an on-site restaurant. Guests may even request a personal tour of dugouts local citizens have built for their own homes.
Adventure Vacations
Adventure vacations are travel ideas that suit travelers who want to truly interact with the environment. The National Geographic compiles lists of the best adventure vacations around the world and also helps travelers book the vacations. You don't have to leave the country to have an adventure. The Florida Everglades, Glacier National Park in Montana, The Grand Canyon and The Gila Wilderness in Nevada are adventure vacations to suit the young and the young at heart.
1. What is one of the advantages of Couch Surfing?| A．Couch surfers can travel the world on the Internet. |
| B．Travelers need to share guest room with strangers. |
| C．Hosts will charge the guests nothing for accommodation. |
| D．The system is fit for those who have less travel experience. |
| A．The hotels offer free meal service to travelers. |
| B．Travelers are provided comfortable guest rooms. |
| C．Security staff accompanies travelers when getting out. |
| D．Guests have common areas for social events on the trip. |
| A．Couch Surfing. | B．Roaming African Hotel. |
| C．Underground Motel. | D．Adventure Vacations. |
1. What did the woman think about the movie?
| A．It was tense. | B．It was confusing. | C．It was disappointing. |
| A．Two. | B．Three. | C．Four. |
| A．She wants a drama. | B．She wants real stories. | C．She wants fewer pages. |
8 . Are you looking for some informative magazines? The following ones can surely meet your needs.
Mental Foss is a magazine full of bite-sized（small bits） trivia（琐事）and mostly short articles with really interesting facts that you'll want to share with others. The writing is fun and friendly, so it’s easy to understand the answers to the more difficult questions, like: What does outer space smell like? Why isn't cat food mouse-flavored? While the print edition of the magazine stopped publishing in 2016, you can still read Mental Floss online.
Reader's Digest is not actually about books reading. Instead, it is about people. Inside you'll find anecdotes—short, personal articles about things that have happened to people. There are stories in simple writing about everything from funny celebrity moments and inspiring personal store to funny jokes and articles.
Cricket and Cicada are easy-to-read literary magazines aimed at teenagers. Each issue is full of wonderful short stories and poems, and beautiful illustrations. Even though these are technically children's magazines, they are perfect for learning English because they have high quality writing.
Time is one of the most well-known magazines in the world. Inside you'll find news, beautiful photographs and everything you need to get a" deeper understanding of the world in which we live. "Since Time is very high quality and provides deep insight on many serious topics, it can also be difficult for English learners to read. If you have trouble understanding Time, try Time For Kids, which has similarly great content but is written in a simpler way.
1. What can readers obtain from Mental Floss?| A．They can be inspired by the comments on the magazine. |
| B．They can understand some tough facts in a funny way. |
| C．They can enjoy a variety of eye-catching pictures. |
| D．They can have a deep understanding about the current events. |
| A．The language is easy and friendly to readers. |
| B．The articles are mostly adapted from books. |
| C．The stories are all based on private experiences. |
| D．The topics are serious and difficult to comprehend. |
| A．It's of great help for English beginners. |
| B．It has two editions for readers to choose from. |
| C．People can have an access to it online. |
| D．It is perfect for teenagers who love anecdotes. |
9 . We arrived in Spain for the first time a few weeks ago. I decided to
“It’s such a problem to
| A．borrow | B．drive | C．buy | D．choose |
| A．leaving | B．making | C．returning | D．getting |
| A．sure of | B．satisfied with | C．interested in | D．used to |
| A．on my own | B．right away | C．in a hurry | D．on the way |
| A．accepted | B．wrote | C．signed | D．copied |
| A．best | B．nearest | C．quickest | D．cleanest |
| A．lately | B．directly | C．safely | D．slowly |
| A．after | B．with | C．around | D．towards |
| A．their way | B．the garage | C．their sight | D．the car |
| A．at last | B．once more | C．as usual | D．as well |
| A．prepare | B．continue | C．choose | D．remember |
| A．carefully | B．smoothly | C．quickly | D．differently |
| A．an error | B．a problem | C．an accident | D．a headache |
| A．when | B．why | C．how | D．what |
| A．For | B．Or | C．But | D．So |
