1 . Most young people are always on their phones, which may upset many people. ___________, a group called Girl Scouts are receiving _________ for setting up their first walk-in clinic for elderly people, who have difficulty understanding how to ___________ the secrets of their smart phones.

Each teen spent at least an hour of one-on-one time with their oldsters. Based on their _________ knowledge, each Girl Scout was assigned to ___________ different aspects of Android and Apple phones.

Some of the oldsters actually wanted to take part in e-commerce (电子商务), and needed help to _________ a payment account on their smart phones while others simply had _________ when learning how to send messages to their family members. "I was teaching this older woman how to _________, and the first thing she did was to send a message to her daughter,” one of the Scouts said. “How ___________ it was! It just made me feel really, really happy.”

In addition to arranging group lessons for all of the seniors to ____________ together at the end of the clinic, the youngsters even printed out brochures and guides for the seniors to take home in case ____________ seniors would encounter problems with their smart phones in the future.

The eighth graders earned their “Silver Award,, for their job. After experiencing the ____________ of their project, the girls hope to organize more ____________ in the near future. “Those girls were just great,” said Nancy, a great-grandmother who once ____________ the clinic. “They were ready for us and had a very mature attitude about answering our questions, and they ______________ the praise.

1.

A．Otherwise

B．Therefore

C．However

D．Besides

2.

A．service

B．praise

C．invitation

D．donation

3.

A．keep

B．untie

C．share

D．unlock

4.

A．technological

B．medical

C．psychological

D．physical

5.

A．record

B．teach

C．recall

D．investigate

6.

A．get back

B．set up

C．check out

D．pay off

7.

A．patience

B．luck

C．fun

D．trouble

8.

A．write

B．phone

C．text

D．read

9.

A．sweet

B．simple

C．rare

D．common

10.

A．play

B．live

C．talk

D．review

11.

A．amazed

B．experienced

C．confused

D．respected

12.

A．success

B．arrangement

C．change

D．pressure

13.

A．performances

B．clinics

C．clubs

D．competitions

14.

A．organized

B．managed

C．visited

D．funded

15.

A．needed

B．refused

C．enjoyed

D．deserved

2 . Make the most of the pleasant weather and enjoy the best walk of the year with friends and family. Use your 2 for 1 Entry in some of our favorite landscape gardens for a memorable day out.

Painswick Rococo Garden

Find beauty and quietness at the UK's only complete surviving Rococo Garden. Discover fanciful garden flowers, woodland walks, and beautifully framed (镶框) views across the valley. Dogs on short leads are permitted and the shop offers a range of seasonal and local produce.

Book at rococogarden.org.uk.

Open: closed 1-25 March, open 26-31 March, 10 am-4 pm, last entry 2:30 pm.

Nymans Garden

Walk down Spring Walk packed with seasonal flowers and pleasant smells, and enjoy the hedge (树篱) topped with frost. Routes include those with plenty of level paths to follow around the garden. Dogs are welcome every day from 1:30 pm, with a festive treat provided.

Book at nationaltrust.org.uk/ nymans.

Open: daily except 24-25 March, 10 am-4 pm.

Ventnor Botanic Garden

Even in early spring, there are typically over 200 varieties of plants to be seen flowering as you explore the 27 acres. Enjoy access to the coastal path and routes accessible for wheelchairs, and then warm up with coffee milk in the cafe afterwards.

Book at botanic.co.uk.

Open: daily except 25 March, 9 am-4 pm.

Gibside Garden

Enjoy walking paths at this Georgian landscape garden, featuring plenty of wildlife. Follow the winding river and turning valley for fantastic views. up with hot chocolate and delicious biscuits in the second-hand bookshop.

Book at nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside.

Open: daily except 24 and 25 March, 10 am-4 pm.

1. What do Painswick Rococo Garden and Nymans Garden have in common?

A．Valley views.

B．Frosty flowers.

C．Seasonal produce.

D．Pet permission.

2. Which garden favors people with walking disability?

A．Painswick Rococo Garden.	B．Nymans Garden.
C．Ventnor Botanic Garden.	D．Gibside Garden.

3. Where can the text be found?

A．In a research paper.	B．In a travel brochure.
C．In a science magazine.	D．In a geography textbook.

3 . The robots are alive, and now they can reproduce.

That’s not a continuation to “The Terminator” It's the latest result of research among scientists at Harvard and the University of Vermont. These xenobots, named for the African frog Xenopus laevis, could move around and display collective behavior.

The researchers took stem cells (干细胞) from the skin of frog and put them in salt water, where they came together into balls with a covering of cilia, which are similar to small hairs and enable the organisms (生物体) to move. The scientists noticed that these organisms, xenobots, would collect any particles (粒子) placed in the dish to make piles. They started to wonder whether the tiny robots would do the same thing with individual stem cells, so they conducted a test.

Knowing that xenobots5 shapes affect their behavior, the researchers tried to figure out which form would help the organism to reproduce repeatedly. They discovered that a “C” shape seemed to be the best. The C-shaped xenobots gathered individual stem cells into groups, which became xenobots of their own. This type of reproduction is based on the organisms’ movement, rather than growing and then forming a new being as other animals and plants do.

Xenobots are on an unusual line between living organisms and robots. They are organisms because they are made of stem cells and can reproduce. But they are also robots because they can move on their own and perform physical labor. Although most robots are made of metal, robots are given the definition not by their material, but by what they can do.

Before now, Kriegman, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University, said, “no one has been using living materials as self-moving, self-powered robots.” The researchers hope that the xenobots can help them better understand the process of reproduction —a fundamental quality of life —and how to control it. Faced with a world full of self-reproducing problems, such as Covid-19, Kriegman said studying xenobots could lead scientists closer to solutions.

1. What inspired the researchers to perform an experiment?

A．The position of particles.	B．The gathering of stem cells.
C．The movement of organisms.	D．The collective ability of xenobots.

2. What is special about the C-shaped xenobots reproduction?

A．It's repeated constantly.	B．It generates new beings.
C．It separates individual stem cells.	D．It's based on xenobots’ motion.

3. How are xenobots defined as robots?

A．By their function.	B．By their reproduction.
C．By their unique component.	D．By their physical appearance.

4. What can be inferred about the research from the last paragraph?

A．It could make a breakthrough.	B．It would bring scientists closer.
C．It could find the secret of reproduction.	D．It would discover the solution to Covid-19.

4 . College offers you many academic freedoms. You can develop existing passions and explore new interests-and find a major that will put you on the career path you want.

Computer Science

Not only will you lean more about computers-hardware and software, but you'll also learn about the applications of such knowledge. As a computer science major, you'll be exposed to areas such as robotics, natural language recognition programs,artificial intelligence, programming languages,numerical analysis, and gaming technology. Problem solving is a major component of computer science, no matter which section of the industry you want to pursue.

Communications

Communications majors tend to be great storytellers. You'll learn about oral and written messages, audience reaction, and the varied effects of different communication environments. It will prepare you for a wealth of career options in business, advertising, human resources, public relations,

government, education, media, and social services.

Economics

Economics is the study of choices - those of individuals, businesses, governments, and societies and how they choose to spend their time and money and otherwise allocate their resources. It is also an excellent preparation for a future in business, as well as for graduate studies in law, public policy,and international studies.

1. Who is this article intended for?

A．College applicants.

B．College graduates.

C．College professors.

D．College workers.

2. What does Computer Science mainly focus on?

A．Career choosing.

B．Problem solving.

C．Data analyzing.

D．Language programming.

3. What do Communications and Economics have in common?

A．They mean a higher salary.

B．They are both difficult to learn.

C．They prepare people for businesses.

D．They offer the choices of distributing their resources.

5 . Happiness is the most sought-after emotion. It is the reason for the existence of all beings. Happiness is not confined to the human world alone.     1    

A young child is happy when it is well fed and becomes sad when it is hungry. Even adults cannot resist the pleasures of food and associate this with happiness. A bar of chocolate, an ice cream treat, or a fancy spread at a buffet all bring happiness.     2     Plants that are watered and given enough nutrients will grow happily.

    3     Toys and gadgets, presents, and red packets bring unexpected joy. Even a pet cat or dog will show its happiness at being given a toy or plaything. A ball of wool or a plastic bone is all it takes.

Then, there is the house and the car, holidays abroad, a simple picnic, or even a movie that evokes happiness. Happiness is found in obtaining material things or indulging in recreational activities.     4     Why? Well, it all boils down to the individual. Money can buy happiness to a certain extent but when all is achieved, obtained, and bought, there comes a time for the true sense of happiness.

Many have sought it in ashrams and from wise men, but all it takes is an act of kindness and sharing. True happiness is eventually not in the receiving, possessing, and getting but in the giving. Giving time, things, labor to those around us, loved ones or strangers is the true happiness that lives on in our lives.     5     It doesn't have to be grand or expensive but has to be sincere and thoughtful. As Mark Twain once said, “The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.” So, go out there and cheer someone up!

A．Clothing and accessories bring happiness.

B．Making others happy is the core of being happy.

C．Animals and even plants seem to display happiness.

D．People are happiest when they are having a meal and some drink.

E．Everything we do is aimed at letting other people live more happily.

F．Different individuals have different definitions of happiness, though.

G．However, many are still not happy with all these trappings of luxury.

6 . What kind of people can become scientists? When a group of researchers posed that question to ninth-and 10th-graders, almost every student gave such responses as “People who work hard” or “Anyone who seems interested in the field of science.”

Many of these same students struggled to imagine themselves as scientists, citing concerns such as “I’m not good at science” and “Even if I work hard, I will not do well.” It’s easy for them to see a scientist’s work as arising from an inborn talent.

But for high school students, learning more about some struggles of scientists can help students feel more motivated to learn science. Researchers at Teachers College, Columbia University and the University of Washington designed an intervention to change students’ beliefs that scientific achievement reflects ability rather than effort by exposing students to stories of how accomplished scientists struggled and overcame challenges in their scientific efforts.

During the study, the students read one of three types of stories about Albert Einstein, Marie Curie and Michael Faraday. Intellectual struggle stories: stories about how scientists “struggled intellectually,” such as making mistakes while tackling a scientific problem and learning from them. Life struggle stories: stories about how scientists struggled in their personal lives, such as not giving up in the face of poverty or lack of family support. Achievement stories: stories about how scientists made great discoveries, without any discussion of coexisting challenges.

Researchers found that students who heard either type of “struggle stories” improved their science performance post-intervention, relative to students in the control group. The effect was especially pronounced for lower performing students, for whom exposure to struggling stories led to significantly better science-class performance than low-performing students who read achievement stories. In addition, students who read struggle stories reported feeling more personally connected to the scientists. By identifying a scientist’s struggles and introducing the growth mindset he or she applied to accomplish great works, the students were able to empathize(共情)with the scientists during their own struggles.

1. Why do students fail to imagine themselves as scientists?

A．They lack interest in science.	B．They don’t possess inborn talent,
C．They are short of confidence.	D．They have no ability to study science

2. What’s the purpose of the intervention?

A．To introduce some inspirational stories to students.

B．To expose students to scientists’ great achievements.

C．To ensure students will become scientists in the future.

D．To clear students’ misunderstandings of scientific work.

3. The underlined word “pronounced” in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to ________.

A．delicate

B．permanent

C．doubtful

D．apparent

4. What can we learn from the research?

A．Science ability has nothing to do with efforts.

B．Students are more motivated by achievement stories.

C．Scientists’ struggle stories can influence readers’ beliefs.

D．Low-performing students tend to feel connected to scientists.

7 . Hector is a UPS driver. He noticed that while he did his normal ________, the kid, Langston, looked sad because he never got a delivery.

Once Hector understood the cause, he ________ into action. Hector wrote a note to Langston's parents, ________: “This is Hector. I've seen your son many times and he seems very ________because he doesn't get any ________. So, I've bought something and put it in a ________. Just want to know his name.”

After getting all the ________needed from Langston's mom, Brooke, Hector ________up the next day and surprised Langston with the delivery. When opening up the box, Langston found a collection of ________and a bunch of candy. It doesn't get much better than that for a little boy.

After the ________was made, Langston's mother, Brooke, sent a follow-up text to thank Hector for his kindness. In his reply, Hector ________he had two daughters himself. He'd kept a bunch of toys over the years in their packaging. ________, when he met Langston, it was the perfect opportunity to put them to good use. He also mentioned Langston helped him remember how many kids had to ________the Cov-19 pandemic.

Before the Cov-19 pandemic, you probably didn't think too much about the people who delivered your packages. But in times of ________, delivery drivers like Hector have some of the most ________jobs!

1.

A．effort

B．order

C．message

D．route

2.

A．jumped

B．turned

C．broke

D．sank

3.

A．showing

B．writing

C．reading

D．meaning

4.

A．tensed

B．upset

C．amused

D．curious

5.

A．friends

B．package

C．goods

D．greetings

6.

A．parcel.

B．car

C．bag

D．box

7.

A．payment

B．schedule

C．information

D．budget

8.

A．took

B．rang

C．showed

D．held

9.

A．toys

B．books

C．puzzles

D．clothes

10.

A．delivery

B．talking

C．call

D．meeting

11.

A．realized

B．predicted

C．revealed

D．recognized

12.

A．Otherwise

B．Besides

C．Therefore

D．Meanwhile

13.

A．live through

B．live on

C．live by

D．live for

14.

A．disaster

B．pandemic

C．accident

D．conflict

15.

A．stressed

B．disturbing

C．awkward

D．important

8 . Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (麻省理工学院) have turned spider webs into music——creating an strange soundtrack that could help them better understand how the spiders output their complex creations and even how they communicate.

The MIT team worked with Berlin-based artist Tomas Saraceno to take 2D (two- dimensional) laser (激光) scans of a spider web, which were linked together and made into a mathematical model that could recreate the web in 3D in VR (virtual reality). They also worked with MIT’s music department to create the virtual instrument.

“Even though the web looks really random (随机)，there actually are a lot of inside structures and you can visualize (可视化) them and you can look at them, but it’s really hard to grasp for the human imagination or human brain to understand all these structural details,” said MIT engineering professor Markus Buehler, who presented the work on Monday at a virtual meeting of the American Chemical Society.

Listening to the music while moving through the VR spider web lets you see and hear these structural changes and gives a better idea of how spiders see the world, he told CNN. “Spiders use vibrations (振动) as a way to locate themselves, to communicate with other spiders and so the idea of thinking really like a spider would experience the world was something that was very important to us as spider material scientists,” Buehler said.

Spiders are able to build their webs without shelves or supports, so having a better idea of how they work could lead to the development of advanced new 3D printing techniques. “The reason why I did that is I wanted to be able to get information really from the spider world, which is very weird and mysterious,” Buehler explained. In addition to the scientific value, Buehler said the webs are musically interesting and that you can hear the sounds the spider creates during construction. “It’s unusual and eerie and scary, but finally beautiful.” he described.

1. What have MIT scientists done according to the passage?

A．They have translated spider webs into sounds.

B．They have made a mathematical model to produce webs.

C．They have created a soundtrack to catch spiders.

D．They have known how spiders communicate.

2. What can we know about spider webs from paragraph 3?

A．Their structures are beautiful and clear.

B．Professor Markus Buehler knows them well.

C．The American Chemical Society presents the result.

D．They are complex for people to figure it out.

3. In which field will the study be helpful?

A．virtual reality	B．printing
C．painting	D．film-making

4. What is the main idea of the passage?

A．It tells us that the music created by spiders is scary.

B．It shows how the researchers carry out the experiment.

C．It presents a new and creative way to study spiders.

D．It explains why scientists did the experiment.

9 . 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。

Many buildings along the Yangtze River have been destroyed during the flood season,     1     the Guanyin Pavilion (亭子) in the middle of the river has continued to stand tall even after more than 700 years. How does this ancient pavilion make     2    ? Described as “the first pavilion on the Yangtze River”, the Guanyin Pavilion     3     (build) in the Song Dynasty and then rebuilt in the Yuan Dynasty. Today, the pavilion     4     (sit) on a piece of dragon-shaped rock in the middle of the Yangtze River. Located outside the city of Ezhou, Hubei Province, the pavilion was constructed on a huge rock about 30 meters from the bank of the river.     5     (face) west, the pavilion is 24 meters long, 10 meters wide and 14 meters in     6     (high) . The base is made with a one-meter- high stone pile. The entire base is     7     (beautiful) combined with the rock, and the whole building is shaped     8     a boat in the direction of the flowing water. More importantly, a very strong stone wall was set up     9     (protect) the main body from the floods. The ancient pavilion is still standing more than 700 years later,     10     shows the wisdom of ancient Chinese people.

10 . Welcome to one-day private Beijing tour

Your private guide will pick you up in your hotel lobby at 8 am. If you'd like to start from the airport or the train station, we're happy to arrange a pick-up there.

Your journey will start at Tian'anmen Square. And your guide will provide you with an introduction to the history and architecture. Enjoy your time, taking photos there.

Later, enjoy the Forbidden City, which was home to 24 emperors in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Here there’ll be plenty of time to take photos, about 2 hours. After that, begin your tour of the Great Wall. You’ll travel for 1.5 hours from downtown to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Have a rest and enjoy delicious Beijing dishes for lunch at our well-selected local restaurant, Xinshuangquan. Your guide will order the dishes according to your preferences.

Around 1 pm, we will hike on the Mutianyu Great Wall. Your personal guide will walk with you on the Great Wall to give you some information. You’ll have free time to walk around after that. After the hike, we’ll drive back to downtown Beijing and transfer you to your hotel at 6 pm!

Trip Notes:

1. This tour is recommended for business tourists who can only stay in Beijing for one day. If your stop is only for 10-11 hours, we suggest skipping the Forbidden City and just having a day trip to the Great Wall.

2. The price you’re given is only for reference. The price may vary according to the location of your hotel. There’ll also be extra costs if your tour starts from or ends at the air- port or the train station.

1. What's the route of the one-day private Beijing tour in the text?

A．Mutianyu—Tian’anmen Square—The Forbidden City—Xinshuangquan.

B．Tian’anmen Square—The Forbidden City—Xinshuangquan—Mutianyu.

C．Xinshuangquan—Tian’anmen Square—The Forbidden City Mutianyu.

D．The Forbidden City—Tian’anmen Square—Mutianyu—Xinshuangquan.

2. Which of the following takes the tourists the longest hours?

A．Xinshuangquan.	B．The Forbidden City.
C．Tian’anmen Square.	D．The Great Wall at Mutianyu.

3. Who may be most interested in the one-day private Beijing tour?

A．People who are tight on time.

B．People who enjoy modern construction.

C．Foreigners who love anecdotes about Chinese dishes.

D．People who study ancient Chinese dialects.