1 . Having worked in the space station core module Tianhe for three months-the longest-ever human space mission in the Chinese history, three “taikonauts” of the Shenzhou-12 crew returned to Earth on Friday, hitting a new milestone in China's space exploration.
China's first self-developed space station, Tiangong, is independently constructed and operated by the country, demonstrating the country's breakthroughs in technologies concerning the astronauts' long-term stay and health care, recycling and life support system, supply of space materials and operations, as well as in-orbit maintenance.
As scheduled, the Tianzhou-3 cargo craft and the Shenzhou-13 manned spaceship will also be launched later this year todockwith the Tianhe module, and another trio of astronauts will stay in orbit for six months. For 2022, China is considering over a blitz of space missions, including the launch of the Wentian and Mengtian lab modules, two cargo spacecraft and two crewed spaceships, for the building of Tiangong, which is planned to be completed next year.
The two decades saw China launch seven manned spacecraft, two cargo spacecraft, Tiangong-1 experimental space lab and Tiangong-2 space lab, and send 12 astronauts into space, with the first “two steps” achieved, and the construction of Tiangong will mark a new peak of China's space technology.
The China Manned Space Agency has worked with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs to invite UN members for scientific experiments aboard the Tiangong station. As the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA)chief scientist for human exploration and operations Julie Robinson put it, “Increased scientific access to space is of scientific benefit globally, no matter who builds and operates platforms.”
There is no limit for the vast universe, nor for humanity's exploration endeavors. Tiangong, as a new outpost(前哨)in space and a platform for cooperation, will be China's gift and contribution to all humankind.
1. What's the name of the China's space station?| A．Tianhe. | B．Tiangong. | C．Shenzhou. | D．Tianzhou. |
| A．Help. | B．Work. | C．Deal. | D．Connect. |
| A．China failed to achieve the first “two steps”. |
| B．There are many Tiangong experimental space labs. |
| C．Chinese scientists are still making Tiangong completed. |
| D．12 astronauts and 9 cargo spacecraft have been sent into space. |
| A．A China's space station. |
| B．China advances closer to ‘space station times’. |
| C．The construction of Tiangong. |
| D．Shenzhou XII crew returns to Earth successfully. |
2 . For most people, below-freezing temperatures generally put a stop to outdoor exercise, but Siberian native Boris Fyodorov is not most people.
Minutes after the calendar ticked over to this past 2014 New Year’s Eve, Fyodorov set off on a solo, out-and-back marathon run from his home in the Siberian village of Oymyakon, completing the 26.2-mile course — his first marathon — in just over five hours. During the run he experienced temperatures as low as -38℃. And that was just the way he wanted it.
“I heard about other marathons around the globe, naming themselves ‘the coldest’, like the most recent North Pole marathon with runners going at -28℃.” Fyodorov told the Siberian Times. “I thought surely this cannot be right. Our Oymyakon is the coldest inhabited place in northern hemisphere (半球). Why don’t we arrange a marathon here?”
Oymyakon is widely considered to be one of the coldest places on the planet, and its record — low temperature of -68℃, recorded in 1933, is tied for the coldest recorded temperature for any inhabited place on Earth. The average January temperature in the area is -50℃.
Not only did Fyodorov finish the marathon in high spirits, but he also wants it to be colder the next time he tries it. “I really want to organize the next Oymyakon marathon in January when the air goes down to -50℃ or -60℃.” he said.
Fyodorov is not the first person to take on a cold-weather athletic challenge like this. In addition to the North Pole Marathon, taking runners on an out-and-back tour from Russia’s Bellingshausen Station, the Antarctica Marathon is held every year in late February. A second Antarctica event — the Ice Marathon — has been held at -80F degrees south since 2006.
1. What’s the best title of the passage?| A．Sports in cold areas of the world |
| B．Freezing cold is not too cold for an ice runner |
| C．The North Pole Marathon |
| D．The Antarctic Ice Marathon |
| A．It is not cold enough. | B．The distance is a little shorter. |
| C．The runners are too slow. | D．It sets a new world record of marathon. |
| A．Because Fyodorov is more popular in Oymyakon. |
| B．Because Fyodorov loves Oymyakon and plans to live there. |
| C．Because Oymyakon is one of the coldest places in the world. |
| D．Because Oymyakon has the best route for a marathon. |
| A．the North Pole Marathon is held in Russia every year |
| B．the Ice Marathon is the biggest marathon in the world |
| C．Fyodorov is planning an Antarctica Marathon |
| D．similar marathons have taken place in cold parts of the world |
3 . Jeremy Savage, aged 17, and Ian Marshall, aged 16, went to the Rocky Mountains with their parents for the weekend. On Saturday morning, the two boys decided to climb Cathedral Mountain by themselves while their parents relaxed at the campsite. After three hours, they reached the top with no problems.
However, trouble began when they started the climb down the mountain. On one very dangerous part of the path, Ian fell three metres off the side of the path. Jeremy was able to climb down to where Ian was. Ian was badly injured and could not move. Jeremy had to decide what to do. He needed help, but he did not want to leave his friend. He used water from his own bottle to clean the dirt and blood from Ian’s face and hands. He tried to help Ian stand up, but Ian’s right leg was hurting too much. They had to wait and hope that someone would come and help them.
When the boys did not return to the campsite that evening, their parents became very worried. They got in touch with park workers and began searching for the boys. Soon more than 20 people were looking for the boys.
As night fell, the boys were still missing. While they waited for help to arrive, Jeremy gave Ian his food and water and he let Ian lie on his jacket so he would be more comfortable. As the evening grew darker, Ian told Jeremy to leave him and go back to their parents, but he still did not leave. Jeremy thought it was too dangerous for Ian to be alone. The night was cold and windy, and Jeremy used his jacket and an extra shirt to keep Ian warm.
At sunrise, Jeremy decided that the only way to help his friend was to carry him. So, they started the long climb back to their parents. Sometimes Jeremy carried Ian on his hack. Sometimes he carried him in his arms. Finally, after four hours, they arrived at the campsite where their parents were waiting. “I will always remember what Jeremy did for me,” said Ian. “He saved my life. That is the greatest thing that a person can do for his friend.”
1. What happened to Ian on his way down the mountain?| A．Ian fell three miles off the side of the path. |
| B．Ian climbed down to where Jeremy was. |
| C．Ian was badly injured and could not move. |
| D．Ian decided what to do because Jeremy was injured. |
| A．Because they knew the boys got injured. |
| B．Because the boys returned to the campsite with wounds. |
| C．Because they needed water and food. |
| D．Because the boys did not return to the campsite that evening. |
| A．Jeremy gave Ian his food and water. |
| B．Jeremy let Ian lie on his jacket so he would be more comfortable. |
| C．Jeremy left Ian alone to find some help. |
| D．Jeremy used his jacket and an extra shirt to keep Ian warm. |
| A．Four hours. | B．One night. |
| C．Two days. | D．About 24 hours. |
4 . A new coronavirus, a cousin of the SARS virus, has infected more than 200 people since the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December. Scientist Leo Poon, who first decoded the virus, thinks it likely started in an animal and spread to humans. The World Health Organization offered guidance to countries.
What is a coronavirus
Coronavirus symptoms
The viruses can make people sick, usually with a mild to moderate upper respiratory (呼吸的) tract illness, similar to a common cold. Coronavirus symptoms include a runny nose, cough, sore throat, possibly a headache and maybe a fever.
For those with a weakened immune system, the elderly and the very young, there’s a chance the virus could cause a lower, and much more serious, respiratory tract illness like a pneumonia or bronchitis.
How it spreads
Viruses can spread from human contact with animals.
| A．Here are several suggestions for you about a coronavirus. |
| B．There are a handful of human coronaviruses that are known to be deadly. |
| C．Scientists think MERS started in camels, according to the WHO. |
| D．Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that are common among animals. |
| E．There are all kinds of coronaviruses existing in the world. |
| F．Here are several things you should know about a coronavirus. |
| G．They can last for a couple of days. |
5 . Go. Stop. Go. Stop. The travel signals in my head were conflicting. “Are you sure you want to head to Greece this November with Kathleen?” asked my husband. “The weather could be unpleasant.”
“You must go,” said my friend Larry, who talked about having spent Thanksgiving on Santorini. “It’s a wonderland. ”
With his encouraging words, I booked our flights to Athens and included two Greek islands: Santorini and Grete.
A sunny Saturday afternoon welcomed us to Eleftherios Venizelos Airport in Athens. During the next few days Kathleen and I tried a lot of unknown-to-us foods. No annoying lines of tourists either as we saw sights on the Athens “A” list.
And then came Wednesday. The flight to Santorini was yo-yoed by wind gusts of up to 40 miles an hour. Fira, usually a much-photographed tourist destination, was chilly, rainy... empty. With rain beating our faces, Kathleen and I headed for our hotel and checked in for a three-night stay.
“This isn’t how I want to spend my holiday,” said Kathleen. “Maybe Crete isn’t experiencing the same storm. Can we fly out later today? ”
Her question mirrored my own thoughts. But we couldn’t leave. We’d just arrived. Payments for the hotel and rental car would be lost, and costly last-minute plane reservations needed. “Let’s not decide right now,” I suggested.
During the next few days, we drove around despite the showers. At a restaurant named Poseidon, on our third night, we waited and waited for dinner. “Your dinner will be out shortly. The chef was busy studying something beautiful,” our waiter explained.
Seeing our puzzled look, the waiter then said, “He went out for a smoke, saw a beautiful girl and began to chat…”
Suddenly, Kathleen laughed. Instead of complaining, she leaned back and out came a loud, happy sound.
An attitude adjustment into grace, I realized, had been happening since our arrival. “You know, Mum, you can’t live a positive life with a negative mind,” she said.
Grace surrounds us. The challenge is to let go of anxieties and worries, the tendency to complain. A sunny attitude can let grace shine.
1. What did the author’s husband think about her trip to Greece?| A．It was pleasant. | B．It was ill-advised. |
| C．It would be costly. | D．It would be eye-opening. |
| A．Delightful. | B．Busy. |
| C．Struggling. | D．Annoying. |
| A．To wait for sunny days. | B．To avoid wasting money. |
| C．To enjoy the off-season. | D．To deeply explore the place. |
| A．The role of grace. |
| B．The benefits of travelling. |
| C．The power of positive thinking. |
| D．The importance of understanding. |
6 . The University Science Library
The University Science Library holds collections in Engineering, Geography, Life Sciences, Management, Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
Self-service facilities are provided for borrowing, renewing and returning one week and standard loan books. There is also a dedicated self-service Short Loan Collection for overnight loans. Print journals are not borrow able in the Science Library.
Borrowing, Renewing and More
Four quick and easy to use loans machines are located in the Learning Laboratory on the ground floor. Just scan the barcode on the back of your Library card and enter your PIN number (set initially as 4 digits, DDMM of your birthday) to borrow and renew your books, to check reservations and view your Library account.
Returning
The Learning Laboratory also has two machines for returning one week and standard loan books (including books borrowed from Store). Unlike an ordinary book drop, the machines will clear the books from your Library account immediately. When you have returned all of your books, the machine will produce a receipt for your records.
Remember that you can return as many books as you want, but only one at a time.
Short-loan collection room
Short loan books are currently stored in the cafe on the ground floor. Please use the machine in this room to borrow and return books.
Cafe
We have a cafe on the ground floor of the Science Library selling hot and cold drinks and cold snacks, but please remember that eating is not permitted in the reading rooms on the upper levels.
Opening hours:
Monday: Open from 08:45
Tuesday — Friday: 24 hour opening
Saturday: 24 hour opening until 21:00
Sunday: 11:00-21:00 (holders of the University Library cards only)
1. What subject may not be covered in the University Library?| A．Literature. | B．Biology. |
| C．Chemistry. | D．Geography. |
| A．Both food and books are sold in the cafe. |
| B．Eating is only allowed on the ground floor of the University Library. |
| C．All the books and magazines in the University Library can be borrowed. |
| D．All the books can be returned at a time by using the machines in the Learning Laboratory. |
| A．Sunday | B．Monday |
| C．Thursday | D．Saturday |
7 . A couple of weeks ago, my grandfather was explaining his favorite expression, “Nothing is ever easy.” The following day, as I tried to complete my clay’s work, I happened to
It is not only time that we tend to underestimate…we don’t account for unexpected costs. We often imagine what can work in our
If you can
Of course, there should be
| A．arrest | B．notice | C．fly | D．attract |
| A．describing | B．exploring | C．removing | D．warning |
| A．changed | B．failed | C．cleared | D．ended |
| A．cleaning up | B．turning up | C．looking up | D．making up |
| A．awful | B．worrying | C．tiny | D．big |
| A．favor | B．dream | C．trip | D．reason |
| A．successful | B．helpful | C．positive | D．negative |
| A．observed | B．promised | C．unexpected | D．planned |
| A．seriously | B．perfectly | C．obviously | D．partly |
| A．task | B．result | C．fact | D．belief |
| A．find | B．know | C．refuse | D．accept |
| A．story | B．relief | C．life | D．chance |
| A．take | B．count | C．bring | D．keep |
| A．course | B．college | C．grade | D．role |
| A．difficult | B．easy | C．complicated | D．annoying |
| A．improved | B．fallen | C．recorded | D．organized |
| A．agreements | B．decisions | C．experiments | D．preparations |
| A．acknowledge | B．accomplish | C．predict | D．remember |
| A．age | B．face | C．path | D．view |
| A．friend | B．helper | C．bird | D．bee |
