1 . Going into my Ph. D. program, I knew I loved to communicate science to the public as much as I liked doing science. But research soon consumed most of my time. Gradually, I felt I was losing touch with the bigger picture of why science matters.

To escape, I spent a weekend with some friends. They were excited to share stories about the latest books they’d consumed. But I couldn’t remember the last book I had read for fun. And I found myself mostly talking about my research. As I struggled to convey its broader relevance, I noticed the enthusiasm in my voice disappeared. “Is my Ph. D. killing my love of science?” I thought. I knew I had been living in a scientific bubble（泡泡）, but that bubble seemed to grow smaller and smaller as the weekend progressed.

When I returned home. I resolved to read more for pleasure. I was recommended a science fiction book, so I started with that. It was like nothing I had ever read before. I was really into it. I was blown away by the scientifically reasonable technologies and scenes. It was refreshing to think about science in a new way.

I kept reading science fiction in the years after I finished my Ph. D. But I still hadn’t gotten back to communicating science to the public. Then, one night I found myself in a conversation with my new colleagues about science fiction concepts. One invited me to speak at the pop culture lecture.

When the day came. I felt nervous until I saw the eager attendees. After I finished, I was surrounded with enthusiastic audience. It suddenly occurred to me that this was my path back to science communication. Since then, I’ve given more than 20 talks, exploring concepts like genetic engineering and brain-machine interfaces.

For young researchers. it’s easy to slide into a scientific bubble. I’m glad science fiction gave me a way to break out. It not only provided something fun to do in my spare time. It also helped me professionally, fueling my ability to communicate the wonders of science to the public.

1. What did the author realize at that weekend?

A．He couldn’t fit in a new environment.	B．His memory was declining with time.
C．He lost passion for science communication.	D．His knowledge was only a scientific bubble.

2. Why did the author like science fiction?

A．He wanted to find inspirations from it.	B．He wanted to put his knowledge to use.
C．It could explain many physical phenomena.	D．It offered him a new angle to look at science.

3. Which word can be used to describe the lecture?

A．Successful.

B．Unique.

C．Classic.

D．Common.

4. What is the aim of this passage?

A．To introduce science fiction.	B．To prove how important science is.
C．To emphasize the author’s love for science.	D．To show how science fiction helped the author.

2 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

In China, Laba Festival marks the beginning of preparations for the Spring Festival. Laba Festival reminds one     1     Laba porridge and Laba garlic. But where did this festival come from? How was it celebrated     2     (tradition)? Let’s go back in time and find out.

In the Shang Dynasty or even before, the festival was celebrated as “Lari”. People presented animals as offerings to the gods and ancestors,     3    (pray) for a good harvest in the next year. The tradition was slightly changed during the Han Dynasty     4     people started holding feasts and arranging family reunions during the festival to have fun and value life. The “Lari Festival”     5    (value) highly in the Tang Dynasty. A number of poems     6    (write) in that period of time have shown how the festival was celebrated at that time.

Laba porridge was first mentioned in a book from the Song Dynasty. According to the record, temples in the capital started to cook and serve bowls of Laba porridge with various types of grains and nuts, and sent     7    (they) to the visitors. Ordinary people also cooked this kind of porridge and     8    (distribute) it in their neighborhoods. Since the Qing Dynasty, distribution of Laba porridge at Yonghe Lamasery, popularly known as the Lama Temple, in Beijing is one of the most famous     9     (activity) on the day.

The     10    (celebrate) of Laba Festival gradually spread from the court to the ordinary people during the past thousands of years. It is a part of the tradition now and people share the joys and expectations of the coming year.

4 . Dust off your suitcase to set up your out - of - office. The UK has some hidden places worthy of a short vacation. The following are the stylish accommodations you can choose during your vacation.

The Cow Shed in Woodbridge

Mixing caravan (大篷车) life and camping together, the Cow Shed could only be designed in a child’s imagination. And of course, it’s situated on a farm to provide the full experience. It sleeps up to four guests, with the interior giving you warm, rustic (淳朴的) atmosphere. Toilet and shower facilities are located on the grounds.

The Badger Pod in Achiltibuie

If you really fancy going off- grid (脱离电网), this Badger Pod in Achiltibuie, Scotland, is the place for you. A small, remote village on the North - West coast of the Scottish Highlands, you’ll be far away from all your day - to - day stresses. Sleeping two guests in an outsized bed, it is perfect for a couple’s retreat away from the family.

The Moon Conker in Llanafan- fawr

Located in a small rural village in Wales, the Moon Conker is the perfect place to unwind and rest away from busy day - to - day life and be at one with nature. Sleeping two guests in a super king - sized bed for extra comfort, you can observe the night sky through one of the many skylights in the Conker.

The Riverside Cabin in Cornwall

Found right on the edge of a stream in prime, picturesque Cornish countryside, the Riverside Cabin is the kind of delightful escape many people dream of. This place is cosy yet airy. It’s just a 20- minute drive to Falmouth, an art y coastal town that’s full of small independent bars and restaurants.

1. What is special about the Cow Shed in Woodbridge?

A．It is located on a farm.	B．Its toilet is put on the grounds.
C．It has home y atmosphere.	D．It combines caravan life with camping.

2. What do the four places have in common?

A．They are on the coast.	B．They sleep up to four guests.
C．They are imaginative in shapes.	D．They allow travelers to embrace nature.

3. Where can the text be found?

A．In a history book.	B．In a travel brochure.
C．In a geography magazine.	D．In an adventurous story.

5 . Humans visiting Mars will likely happen within the next 15 years. However, it will be a nine-month journey one way. And dehydrated (脱水的) food for space missions, which is less nutritious than fresh food and difficult to pack too much, isn’t ideal for feeding humans in the long term. Finding a way to feed humans on Mars is, therefore, critical before anyone steps on the Red Planet.

A recent study offered a practical method for growing nutrient-rich vegetables by drawing upon an ancient farming technique, intercropping, used by the Mayans centuries ago. Intercropping, as opposed to monocropping, consists of multiple plants being grown together in the same fields.

Researchers compared three different crops — tomatoes, carrots and peas — in Mars-like soil called regolith, soil and river sand, all by monocropping and intercropping. The researchers believed they would complement each other. Tomatoes provide climbing support for peas and shade for carrots, while peas fix nitrogen (氮) in soil by turning it into food for plants. Carrots, in turn, improve water and nutrient intake.

There were 60 pots of plants in total in Mars-like greenhouses. In all three soil types, all the crops grew. Tomatoes did especially well in the intercropping regolith. However, the peas and carrots were not fans of sharing a pot with tomatoes in the regolith, producing decreased yields. There’re several possible reasons. Tomatoes are “heavy feeders” likely taking nutrients from the peas and carrots. Additionally, the bacteria working together with peas for nitrogen-fixing couldn’t survive in the regolith, resulting in the peas not being able to fix nitrogen for neighboring crops.

This study, however, is still promising to researchers, as they’ve come up with ways to adjust the regolith. Besides, intercropped plants did better in the river sand than monocropped plants, proving intercropping would be beneficial to agriculture on Earth as well, especially in places where soil is becoming sandier. Not just astronauts on Mars, but many communities on Earth have plenty to learn from the Mayans.

1. Why is farming a vital requirement for exploring Mars?

A．It ensures an increased yield of food on Mars.

B．It provides a source of relaxation for astronauts.

C．It supplies astronauts with fresh and nutritious food.

D．It tests the effects of Martian soil on Earth-based crops.

2. What does the underlined word “complement” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Isolate.

B．Supply.

C．Reply.

D．Harm.

3. What may cause the decreased pea and carrot yields in the regolith?

A．The peas failed to fix nitrogen.	B．The tomatoes took up too much space.
C．They were sensitive to the Mars-like soil.	D．They were not exposed to enough sunlight.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Mars: the New Frontier for Agricultural Innovation

B．The Advantages and Challenges of Growing Crops on Mars

C．Intercropping Helps Sustainable Martian Agriculture Come True

D．Agriculture on Mars Is Possible Thanks to Mayan Farming Practices

6 . I took a trip to visit New York with my dad after graduating from high school. One of the places on his list for us to visit was a “rare violin shop”. We made our way down the crowded streets and stopped in front of a tall building.

This building was not what I had pictured. I’d been imagining a street-level shop, open to the public, with some interesting and older violins on display. As we walked inside, we were greeted by a receptionist who asked if we had an appointment, since they were by appointment only. I wanted the ground to swallow me whole and decided to give up the visit. However, my dad eagerly told her, “No, we didn’t but, my daughter plays the violin with her high school orchestra. And we would love to just pop inside and browse! Don’t mind us!”

The receptionist gave him an odd look but excused herself to talk to a well-dressed man, who told us that since he had no other appointments right now, he would love to give us a tour.

The starting price for a violin here, we found out, was 10 thousand dollars. He showed us around a very private-feeling and swanky-looking condo (奢华的工作间) , pointing out a room where he casually mentioned he would chat with Joshua Bell when he came by. My jaw was on the floor the entire time.

At the end, the man picked up a Stradivarius and asked me to play a string while he held it. And he triumphantly said, “There! Now you’ve played a Stradivarius.”

I don’t remember the man’s name, but meeting him is a real stroke of luck for me and I’m grateful that he decided to show a no-appointment, non-customer visitor around. His warm behavior helped inspire me to continue pursuing my instrument after high school!

1. What kind of violin shop had the author expected to visit?

A．Tall and magnificent.	B．Mysterious and odd.
C．Popular and fascinating.	D．High-end and professional.

2. How did the author feel after being greeted by a receptionist?

A．Proud.

B．Embarrassed.

C．Guilty.

D．Depressed.

3. According to Paragraph 4, what might Joshua Bell be?

A．A receptionist.

B．A celebrity.

C．A salesman.

D．A shopkeeper.

4. What can be concluded from the passage?

A．The shop overprices its customers.	B．Stradivarius is a mass-market brand.
C．The author enjoys her visit to the shop.	D．The well-dressed man is a great violinist.

8 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What job would the woman do?

A．Cook meals.

B．Do house work.

C．Take care of children.

2. How many hours would the woman work a week?

A．14 hours.

B．25 hours.

C．40 hours.

3. What can we learn about the woman from the conversation?

A．She is well qualified for the job.

B．She has a big family to support.

C．She has several children.