1 . In Europe, nine out of ten students study a foreign language. In the United States, only one in five does. From 1997 to 2008, the number of American middle schools offering foreign languages dropped from 75percent to 58 percent. From 2009 to 2013, one American college closed its foreign language program; from 2013 to 2017, 651 others did the same.

At first glance, these statistics look like a tragedy (悲剧). But I am starting to accept the strange idea that maybe they are not. What is changing my mind is technology.

I was in Belgium not long ago, and I watched various tourists from different nations use speech translation apps to change their own languages into English and French. The newer ones can even reproduce the tone of the speaker’s voice.

I know a foreign language is a window into a new way of understanding the world. But even beyond the fact that this idea has been rather oversold, can we really say the low level of French or Spanish we and our classmates usually picked up in school really gave us a new look into the world and our lives in it? And if our goals are more limited and practical --- for instance, getting directions to the bus station in Rome-technology now makes that possible at the press of a button. With a smart phone and an app, foreign languages will no longer present most people with the challenge they once did. Learning to speak a new language well will be necessary for those who want to engage with (从事) literature or media in the original language, as well as those of us who find pleasure in it just because they are “there”. Strange as that is, it is in its way a kind of progress.

1. What is the author’s opinion about the drop in foreign language learning in the United States?

A．It is a tragedy that needs to be avoided.

B．It is an unacceptable situation that harms society.

C．It is a challenge that will be overcome in the future.

D．It is a positive development due to advanced technology.

2. What is the author’s attitude towards the idea that learning a foreign language gives us a new look into the world?

A．Unconcerned.

B．Doubtful.

C．Curious.

D．Supportive.

3. How does technology influence language learning for practical purposes?

A．It makes the process easier and within reach.

B．It provides an easy way to understand the world.

C．It removes the need for language learning altogether.

D．It improves the traditional methods of language learning.

4. Which of the following questions can be answered in the text?

A．What challenges do translation apps bring to language learning?

B．Why is it still necessary to learn foreign languages in the digital age?

C．Will translation apps make learning foreign languages old-fashioned?

D．How can technology help us learn foreign languages more efficiently?

2 . I had spent some time in the morning talking to my granddaughter about being “generous”. She had a lot of chocolates. I asked her if she had thought about how she was going to ________ her good fortune with her sister? “No!” she said.

That’s why I ________ her to share, and why it’s good to be generous. Not sure if she was convinced, we then ________ out on the town, in Sydney. I wanted to show her Chinatown and shop at the markets.

After shopping I took her to a ________. She is a fussy (挑剔的) eater. She was having a good time and even tried some new ________ while I taught her how to ________ chopsticks.

I noticed a man sitting near me having lunch. Then he got up to ________ and upon leaving he paid for our ________. The shop owner checked with us if that was OK. I was so ________. Then he was gone before I really had ________ to thank him. My 9-year-old granddaughter was really ________ by this. We were then also gifted dessert by our waitress. Good ________ came in pairs.

Upon leaving I ________ them $5. Then I said to my granddaughter “we don’t really need a ________ lunch, do we? So now we have to pay our good fortune forward to someone else.” She got money ________ and was looking for a homeless person.

1.

A．discuss

B．argue

C．share

D．play

2.

A．warned

B．encouraged

C．ordered

D．forced

3.

A．wiped

B．watched

C．set

D．headed

4.

A．restaurant

B．cinema

C．shop

D．theatre

5.

A．drinks

B．tastes

C．cakes

D．tables

6.

A．use

B．choose

C．enjoy

D．recognize

7.

A．hide

B．escape

C．explain

D．leave

8.

A．room

B．meal

C．goods

D．taxi

9.

A．moved

B．confused

C．annoyed

D．stressed

10.

A．money

B．excuse

C．time

D．permission

11.

A．frightened

B．puzzled

C．touched

D．embarrassed

12.

A．chances

B．things

C．services

D．customers

13.

A．tipped

B．owed

C．showed

D．borrowed

14.

A．delicious

B．cheap

C．rich

D．free

15.

A．exactly

B．absolutely

C．shily

D．immediately

3 . Playing tennis might add years to your life, according to a new study of Danish men and women. The study found that adults who frequently participate in tennis or other racket (球拍) and team sports lived longer than people who were spending a lot of time sitting down. They also lived longer than people who took part in activities such as jogging, swimming and cycling. The results raise interesting questions about the role that social interactions might play in enlarging the benefits of exercise.

No one doubts that being physically active improves our health and can extend our longevity (寿命). But whether some activities might be better than others remains in argument. One widely publicized 2017 study of more than 80,000 British men and women found that those who played racket sports like tennis tended to outlive those who jogged.

The researchers widened their inquiry and looked at a variety of sports and their associations with life. To start, they turned to the same data resource they had used for the jogging study, the Copenhagen City Heart Study. The study’s participants had all completed health exams and lengthy questionnaires about their lifestyles and whether and how often they took part in some sports common in Denmark, including cycling, swimming, running, tennis, soccer and, perhaps unexpectedly, badminton.

According to the data, cycling added an average of 3.7 years to riders’ lives, compared to sedentary Danes. Running added 3.2 years while tennis 9.7 years. These associations remained unchanged even when the researchers controlled for people’s education, socioeconomic status and age.

“Why and how some sports might add more years to people’s lives than others is impossible to know from this kind of observational study,” says Dr. James O’Keefe, a study co-author. “But we know that social support probably has unique effects on helping people get more benefits from the exercise.”

For now, people who run or ride alone might consider finding a group or partner to work out together. “Raising your heart rate is important for health,” he says. “But it looks like connecting with other people is, too.”

1. According to the passage, which activity may help people live longer?

A．Cycling.	B．Running marathon.
C．Swimming.	D．Playing badminton.

2. What does the underlined word “sedentary” in the fourth paragraph mean?

A．Inactive.

B．Outgoing.

C．Depressed.

D．Easygoing.

3. Which may Dr. James O’Keefe recommend according to the last paragraph?

A．Exercising alone.	B．Working out together.
C．Working out regularly.	D．Raising one’s heart rate.

4. It is suggested in the passage that ________.

A．women who prefer team sports live longer than men

B．people’s education and socioeconomic status affect their longevity

C．the reason why some sports might add more years to people’s lives is still unknown

D．80,000 Danish men and women participated in the survey

4 . It was late July and except for a few thin, white clouds the sky was a bright blue. The sun was ________ on the green grass giving it a golden colour. Birds were ________ flying to and from their homes feeding their ________ growing babies. The air was full of the smell of freshly-cut grass and the sweet smell of ________. In the field behind my house, I could see sheep ________ grass by the edge of the woods.

Our black cat, Alice was sleeping under the shade (阴凉) of our Maple tree, without noticing the little rabbit that was ________ along in the field behind my home. I could see the trees, flowers, and plants along the side of the ________. All of this beauty was here for me just as I ________ outside. Filled with all this, my heart felt so ________. I breathed in the sweet, cool, morning air and walked without ________ in the grass, experiencing nature. I knew that a heat wave was on the way so I wanted to enjoy the comfort of the morning and ________ all of these wonderful gifts of nature creation.

Just then a lovely, yellow butterfly flew down and ________ on a flower right in front of me. It beat its ________ and I smiled. It flew up, circled my face and then was blown away by the gentle ________. A peace filled me as I received the message of nature. And I ________ nature for this beautiful day, this beautiful world, and this beautiful life.

1.

A．appearing

B．moving

C．shining

D．burning

2.

A．easy

B．busy

C．happy

D．difficult

3.

A．entirely

B．actually

C．definitely

D．rapidly

4.

A．flowers

B．vegetables

C．plants

D．trees

5.

A．touching

B．eating

C．searching

D．smelling

6.

A．jumping

B．warning

C．fighting

D．looking

7.

A．house

B．village

C．farm

D．road

8.

A．worked

B．stepped

C．relaxed

D．played

9.

A．weak

B．sad

C．full

D．calm

10.

A．shoes

B．words

C．question

D．doubt

11.

A．take in

B．sweep away

C．hand out

D．give up

12.

A．hunted

B．walked

C．rushed

D．landed

13.

A．legs

B．wings

C．back

D．head

14.

A．water

B．power

C．wind

D．sound

15.

A．improved

B．protected

C．praised

D．thanked

5 . Online Event: How to be a human

Venue

Online event | Thursday, 8 September 2024 | 18.00-19.00 BST

Humans are strange creatures. Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of eight, Camilla created her own handbook for understanding humans.

Camilla Pang, biologist and author

Camilla Pang is the author of the book Explaining Humans, a memoir (自传) that uses scientific principles to understand human behaviour through the lens (视角) of someone who has autism and ADHD. Her latest book Perfectly Weird, Perfectly You is a scientific guide to growing up for children, published in March 2022.

What’s included in your ticket:

※Live lecture lasting 60 minutes including Q&A with Camilla Pang

※On-demand access to a recording of the lecture and Q&. A for 12 months

※Extra content from New Scientist

Being Human (Series tickets available)

About the series: What makes us human? What skills and concepts do humans have that separate us from the rest of the animal kingdom? And how did they arise? The “Being human” series from New Scientist will explore the beginnings of all the things that make us human, over the course of four virtual events. The series will feature the following talks:

※Origin of love: Anna Machin | 5th May 2024 (now available on-demand)

※The dawn of language: Sverker Johansson | 9th June 2024

※The evolution of childhood: Brenna Hassett | 7th July 2024

※How to be a human: Dr Camilla Pang|8th September 2024

Save 20% off the standard ticket price by purchasing all 4 live online “Being Human” lectures (also available on-demand) or purchase single tickets for £25 per lecture(early booking rate), to hear from the finest minds in science in 2024.

1. What can you do when you attend the online lecture?

A．Take exams to test your knowledge.	B．Communicate with the speaker.
C．Make friends with other students.	D．Ask for a book written by the speaker.

2. Who would interest you if you like the origin of language?

A．Anna Machin.	B．Brenna Hassett.
C．Dr Camilla Pang.	D．Sverker Johansson.

3. How much do you pay if you buy all 4 live online lectures?

A．￡20.

B．£50.

C．￡80.

D．￡100.

6 . 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。

Body language is an important part of     1     (communicate). If you wish to communicate well, then it makes sense to understand how you can use your body to say what you mean.

Different culture usually makes different body language. Chinese often greet others with a firm handshake, but Americans like a loving hug instead. Russians like to kiss on their     2     (friend) cheek. Some body language also have     3     same meaning in different countries     4     we speak different languages. Smiling is one of them. Take care     5     your body language, then you may make a good impression.

Body language     6     (use) by people for sending messages to one another. It is very useful because it can help you make yourself easily     7     (understand). When you are talking with others, you are not just using words, but also using expressions and gestures. For example, waving one hand     8     (be) to say “Good-bye.” A smile and handshake show welcome, and     9     (clap) hands means congratulations. Nodding the head means agreement, but shaking the head means disagreement. The gestures are accepted both by Chinese and foreigners as having the same meanings.

When you use a foreign language, it is very important to know the meanings of     10     (gesture) and movements in the foreign country.

7 . Reasons to Put on Your Rollerblades and Hit the Pavement

Rollerblading (旱冰) is great for building balance, strengthening muscles, and improving mental health. It’s also a cheap, fun, and eco-friendly way to get your daily exercise in.

It’s fun

We all know that we should be exercising several times a week, and picking a workout that is fun naturally motivates us to get up and get going.     1     The top benefit of rollerblading is exercise in ways that are fun, soul-filling, and mental health-improving.

It’s cheap

Rollerblading is also a great exercise choice because it costs very little.     2     There’s no need to pay for a monthly gym membership or expensive equipment. Rollerblades cost a lot less than a bike.

It’s eco-friendly

    3     Rollerblading is much faster than walking and can take you up to ten miles. Maybe that’s why some Viennese citizens are choosing to use this sustainable (可持续的) activity for their means of transportation.

Skater and climate activist, Gerhard Ladstatte explains why he started Friday Night Skating, a free street skating event. “We want to move without burning fuel.” People looking for an oil-free way to get to a workplace that isn’t too far from home, while combining daily exercise into their routine, can consider rollerblading to work.     4    

It’s good for your mental health

Like any form of aerobic exercise, skating is associated with a number of wellness benefits.     5     By fixing your attention on both the body and its surroundings, you can shift focus away from negative thought patterns and anxieties. Rollerblading can also increase self-confidence and positive feelings.

A．In other words, rollerblading has it all.

B．Exercise and fresh air can reduce stress.

C．Not only is skating cheap, it also benefits nature.

D．All you need is a pair of skates and some safety equipment.

E．Rollerblading is an exciting way to get in fresh air and exercise.

F．It’s easy to see why so many people are discovering the joys of skating.

G．Unlike a bicycle, you don’t need to find a place to store your skates while you work.

8 . Along the streets of Malabon in the Philippines, Marilene Capentes pushes a cart every morning except Sundays. The city of Malabon is just north of the capital, Manila.

Capentes is a waste picker. She collects bags of separated garbage, placing food waste in one container. This material will be turned into compost (堆肥) at the local recycling center. The rest of the waste goes into separate containers. The recyclable materials are later sold.

Capentes said the heavy rubbish used to be all mixed together. Then a few years ago, a local environmental nonprofit (非盈利机构) started asking people to separate their rubbish.

The Mother Earth Foundation in the Philippines is a member of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, called GAIA. The organization wants to avert food waste from going to landfills. Food waste gives off biogas (沼气) as it breaks down. Biogas is a powerful greenhouse gas.

At a material recycling center in Malabon, organic (有机的) waste collected from households is turned into compost. This material then goes into a community garden to grow vegetables. Some of the food waste is broken down into biogas. This biogas is then used to cook vegetables for waste workers to eat.

There are challenges in establishing these systems in new places. It costs money to set up a facility for composting. People, including local officials, have to be educated on the importance of separating waste. Containers have to be provided to families that cannot buy more than one.

And sometimes separating organic waste is not thought to be important. Also, unlike recyclables and metals, there is not a large market for organic materials. Therefore, waste workers must be paid for the system to work. But these problems can be solved. More people are making the connection between reducing biogas and fighting climate change.

1. Why is food waste separated from other waste?

A．To sell it for money.	B．To cook vegetables.
C．To feed it to animals.	D．To turn it into plant food.

2. What does the underlined word “avert” mean in paragraph 4?

A．Remove.

B．Prevent.

C．Select.

D．Protect.

3. What does the author intend to tell in paragraph 6?

A．Difficulties to build the new systems.	B．Importance of building the new systems.
C．Conditions required for the new systems.	D．Arguments over building the new systems.

4. What’s the author’s attitude towards separating organic waste?

A．Critical.

B．Grateful.

C．Optimistic.

D．Doubtful.

9 . Why does the man choose the guitar?

A．He wants to be different.

B．He wants to be like his friends.

C．He thinks it is cool to play the guitar.

10 . 汉译英
1. v.采纳；采用；领养_______________
2. adj.稀少的；珍贵的 _________________
3. n. 愤怒；怒气vt.使生气；激怒 ________
4. adj. 可靠的；可信赖的 ______________
5. n. 焦虑；担心   __________________
6. adj.含盐的，咸的 _______________
7. vi. 陪伴；陪同；伴随；为…伴奏_______
8. vt.克服；解决；战胜 ___________________