1 . Smartwatches and fitness trackers (健身追踪器) have gained popularity recently. These tools can record your daily steps, heart rates, etc.
It’s a struggle to overcome the addiction to fitness trackers.
Of course, failing to meet your daily goal can be discouraging. You might focus on your shortcoming rather than your progress. Another problem is that you might find yourself paying too much attention to the step number rather than how your body feels.
Therefore, if you’re spending too much time looking at your smartwatch, limit your daily step count to a comfortable level.
| A．How can you tell whether you’re addicted to your fitness tracker? |
| B．Actually this addiction to step count can be risky, mentally and physically. |
| C．Don’t overuse your smartwatch. |
| D．However, do you find yourself checking your steps and heart rates too often? |
| E．After all, reaching a daily step count can be so appealing. |
| F．Besides, you can find other things to do that don’t involve checking your fitness tracker. |
| G．It doesn’t covey what you’re really feeling. |
2 . Blowing Up Balloons with CO₂
Chemical reactions (化学反应) make for some great experiments. You can make use of the CO₂(carbon dioxide) given off by a baking soda (小苏打) and lemon juice reaction to blow up your balloon!
What you’ll need:
●Balloon ●About 40ml of water ●Soft drink bottle
●Juice from a lemon ●I teaspoon of baking soda
Instructions:
●Before you begin, make sure that you pull the balloon long to make it as easy as possible to blow up.
●Put the 40ml of water into the soft drink bottle.
●Add the baking soda and mix it with water.
●Put the lemon juice in and quickly put the balloon over the mouth of the bottle.
What’s happening?
If all goes well, then your balloon should inflate! Adding the lemon juice to the baking soda creates a chemical reaction and produces CO₂. The gas rises up and escapes (逸出) through the soft drink bottle. It doesn’t, however, escape the balloon, pushing it outwards and blowing it up.
1. Which of the following do you need for the experiment?| A．Two cups. | B．Apple juice. |
| C．250 ml water. | D．A teaspoon of baking soda. |
| A．Heat the water. | B．Drink some juice. |
| C．Blow up the balloon. | D．Pull the balloon long. |
| A．To describe an experiment. | B．To introduce a game. |
| C．To produce soft drinks. | D．To save some chemicals. |
3 . When it comes to a public library, you usually think of books and computers for people to use. You can even think of educational lectures and concerts that are often held in the library. But few people would expect to have a farm in the library.
But why not? After all, with rising costs, food safety is a community-wide issue. The Cicero Public Library near Syracuse in New York solved this problem by building a farm on its land. When Meg Backus saw all the open space in the library across the street from the building, he realized it could be used to benefit the community.
The farm was created in 2011 and in the beginning, 40 members of the library brought seeds (种子), water, and supplies to see if they could grow food on the land. It turned out that they could. To get the needed supplies for a larger farm, the library began to work with the organization Syracuse Grows Agency.
The community farm donates (捐赠) over 200 pounds of fresh produce (农产品) to local food banks every year. Half of the growing area is used as the Food Educational Garden. The other half is used by growers themselves. During the year, there are educational programs held at the library to teach people how to garden. There are also a lot of gardening books that can be used at the library.
Lauren Rosenstein, a worker of the library, said that she felt like she was giving something back to the community. “You’re really making a difference as a local community because you’re growing the food that people are eating.”
1. Why did Meg Backus build the farm?| A．To earn money. |
| B．To attract more readers. |
| C．To improve food safety. |
| D．To teach readers how to grow food. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Stressed. | C．Hopeless. | D．Confident. |
| A．Farmers’ life. | B．Food donation. | C．Gardening skills. | D．Food banks. |
| A．Make a Farm Popular | B．Turn a Library into a Farm |
| C．Meet the First Library Farm | D．Find a Job on a Library Farm |
4 . I turned off the classroom light, only to find a tearful Laura outside the door. “Sister Jo, can I talk to you? Do you have time?”
Switching the light on again, I smiled, “I always have time for you, honey.” Honestly speaking, Laura’s troubled face left me no choice. We sat in the empty classroom as she described the effect her dad’s alcoholism (酗酒) was having. I listened, handing her tissues (纸巾). After half an hour, she said, “I know you can’t do anything about it, but thanks for listening. My mom keeps saying, ‘He’s sick! Alcoholism is a disease!’” I gave her a hug. Then it hit me. Why hadn’t I taken Laura out walking with me?
The next day was just as lovely. “Today I’ll walk!” I promised. But at 3:00 pm, Brian was at the door. “Hi, can I talk to you?” “Sure,” I answered. “But it’s such perfect weather. Can we go for a walk?” We circled the small lake near our school and talked about helping emotionally (感情上) troubled kids.
On Laura’s next visit, she happily accepted my invitation to walk. I had a surprise for her. Classmate Tom had given me brochures (小手册) from Alateen. “Someone in your class said his uncle has the same problem.” I told Laura. “If I may share your story, he’ll drive you to Alateen meetings. By attending Alateen meetings, young people gain an understanding of alcoholism and feel the advantages of realizing they are not alone with an alcoholic parent.”
And so, it became a pattern. Whoever came to chat after school was invited to walk. In the walks, these kids find relief from the pressure and frustrations (挫折) they face. And I’ve lost ten pounds!
1. Who has an alcoholic parent?| A．Laura. | B．Brain. | C．Tom. | D．Alateen. |
| A．Refusing to talk with Laura. | B．Turning off the classroom light. |
| C．Failing to walk with Laura. | D．Not giving Laura a hug. |
| A．Kind. | B．Honest. | C．Learned. | D．Brave. |
| A．She lost weight. |
| B．She learned to drive. |
| C．She no longer suffered from alcoholism. |
| D．She found relief from the pressure and frustrations. |
5 . Online Courses
Frontier Physics
Further your understanding of modern physics and discover how we can solve social problems by developing future technologies. On this course from the University of Washington, you’ll explore areas of the latest physics research. You’ll also look at some real-world physics applications (应用) to build your skills.
Period: three weeks
Weekly study: four hours
Successful Communication
Build practical communication skills and learn how to use and apply these skills to your life. On this seven-week course from the University of Michigan, you’ll discover and practice the four steps to successful communication, and learn strategies to do it better.
Period: seven weeks
Weekly study: two hours
Quality Improvement in Healthcare
Why is quality improvement in health and social care systems so difficult? Why is it so challenging to bring in new and better ways of organizing health and social care services?
Many reasons have been put forward. This course from the University of Chicago explores new and better ways of organizing health and social care services to improve quality.
Period: six weeks
Weekly study: three hours
How to Create Videos for Online Courses
On this two-week course from the University of Edinburgh, you’ll learn how to use your mobile phone to create online course videos.
Period: two weeks
Weekly study: two hours
1. How long does Frontier Physics last?| A．Two weeks. | B．Three weeks. | C．Six weeks. | D．Seven weeks. |
| A．Frontier Physics. |
| B．Successful Communication. |
| C．Quality Improvement in Healthcare. |
| D．How to Create Videos for Online Courses. |
| A．Take care of some patients. |
| B．Explore the latest physics technologies. |
| C．Make videos on your mobile phone. |
| D．Find solutions to poor social care services. |
6 . What does Beijing’s Palace Museum look like at night? Many people don’t know the answer to this question, as it closes at around 4:30p.m in winter and 5:00p.m in summer. However, to celebrate the Lantern Festival, Beijing’s Palace Museum opened its door to the public after dark——for two nights only. That’s a first in 94 years!
Although people could get free tickets on the museum’s website, it was difficult to get a ticket. The website even stopped working for a while because too many people visited it at the same time. Zhang Zhifu, a 77-year-old woman, received a ticket from the museum as a gift. “I grew up in Beijing and I visited the Palace Museum every year, but I never got to see it at night, It is truly an honor.” She said.
In the past celebrating the Lantern Festival was a tradition for the imperial(皇帝的)family.“We want to pass the tradition on and give people more festival experience.”Said Shan Jixiong, the head of the Palace Museum. On the night of February19th,2019, about 3,000 visitors spent the Lantern Festival in the Palace Museum.
1. Beijing’s Palace Museum closes at around 4:30 p.m in________.| A．spring | B．summer | C．autumn | D．winter |
| A．one night | B．two nights | C．three nights | D．four nights |
| A．too many people visited it at the same time. |
| B．there weren’t enough tickets |
| C．the Palace Museum was too crowded |
| D．no body wanted to see the Palace Museum at night |
| A．National Day | B．the Lantern Festival | C．the Dragon Boat Festival | D．Mid-Autumn Festival |
7 . To us it seems so natural to put up an umbrella to keep the water off when it rains, but at first the umbrella was not invented as protection against the rain. Its first use was as a shade against the sun! Nobody knows who first invented it, but the umbrella was used in very ancient times. Probably the first to use it were the Chinese in the eleventh century B.C.
We know that the umbrella was used in ancient Egypt and Babylon as a sunshade. And there was a strange thing connected with its use: it became a symbol of honor. In the Far East in ancient times, the umbrella was allowed to be used only by those in high office.
In Europe, the Greeks were the first to use the umbrella as a sunshade. And the umbrella was commonly used in ancient Greece. But it is believed that the first persons in Europe to use the umbrella as protection against the rain were the ancient Romans.
During the Middle Ages, the use of the umbrella practically disappeared. Then it appeared again in Italy in the late sixteenth century. And again it was considered as a symbol of power. By 1680, the umbrella appeared in France and later in England.
By the eighteenth century, the umbrella was used against rain throughout most of Europe. Umbrellas have not changed much in style during all this time, though they have become much lighter in weight. It wasn’t until the twentieth century that women’s umbrellas began to be made, in a whole variety of colors.
1. According to the passage, where was the umbrella probably first invented?| A．In ancient China. | B．In ancient Egypt. |
| C．In ancient Greece. | D．In ancient Rome. |
| A．Scientists already knew exactly who invented the umbrella. |
| B．The umbrella was first invented to be used as protection against the sun. |
| C．The umbrella changed much in style in the eighteenth century. |
| D．In Europe, the French were the first to use the umbrella as a sunshade. |
| A．As a protection against rain. | B．As a shade against the sun. |
| C．As a symbol of honor and power. | D．As women’s decoration |
| A．When and how the umbrella was invented. |
| B．Why the umbrella was so popular in Europe. |
| C．The meaning of the umbrella. |
| D．The history and use of the umbrella. |
8 . Just 30 to 45 minutes of exercise three times a week can make you feel much healthier and in control of your own life.
Take up running. Running releases endorphins and can make you feel great after you do it.
Take a yoga class. Yoga is not only great for you physically, but it will help you learn to regulate (管理，调节) your breath and your mind’s wanderings.
Join a team sport, like bowling, volleyball or softball.
| A．Take up hiking. |
| B．Swim a mile every other day. |
| C．Try setting a goal for yourself, like running a 5k or 10k race. |
| D．You’ll be able to make new friends and work out at the same time. |
| E．Stress can affect how you feel, think, behave and how your body function. |
| F．It is worth spending time learning different techniques for managing your stress. |
| G．Exercise can relieve stress, reduce depression and improve your cognitive function. |
9 . A national hero and a world number one in badminton, Lee Chong Wei is surely one of Malaysia's best-known athletes. He has received numerous medals. Lee and Nicol David, who is also a Malaysian player, received the title of Datuk due to the outstanding achievements they had brought to the country.
Having a strong will, Lee continually challenged himself to rise above the competitors, narrowly missing out on the gold medal and taking the silver at the 2012 London Olympics. He managed to win his ninth Malaysian Open title in 2013, breaking a record set by Malaysian athlete Wong Peng Soon in 1954; and in 2014, he had his fifth Japan Open title. Regrettably in late 2014, Lee Chong Wei was forbidden to compete for eight months after testing positive for drugs (药物). The World Badminton Federation (WBF), after investigations (调查) and a hearing, said that they did not think Lee Chong Wei tried to cheat on purpose, so he was allowed to continue to play. His world ranking suffered as a result of the punishment but he's making his way back up.
In 2016, Lee Chong Wei won his 11th Malaysian Open and fifth Malaysian Masters titles. He also beat Lin Dan in the semi-finals and World No.1 Chen Long in the finals of the Asian Badminton Championship to win the prize. He has become the World No.1 player and continued to act as a source of encouragement to future Malaysian athletes wishing to make a name in the world.
1. How did Lee play at the London Olympics?| A．He came in second. | B．He finished third. |
| C．He won a gold medal. | D．He broke a record. |
| A．He failed a drug test. | B．He hit a player on the head. |
| C．He cheated on purpose. | D．He fought with the coach. |
| A．Lin Dan. | B．Chen Long. | C．Wong Peng Soon. | D．Nicol David. |
| A．Life. | B．Education. | C．Sports. | D．Hcalth. |
10 . At the beginning of Grade Two, I joined the cross-country running team in our school.
When I came to the first practice, I was filled with optimism. But as the distance we ran in each practice gradually increased from three to four, to six miles, I realized with surprise that no matter how hard I tried, I wasn’t able to run as fast as others. In fact, I was one of the slowest on the team.
What was the point of putting myself through so much pain? After the first few weeks, I wanted to quit.
Then we had our first cross-country meet.
When we started the race, I felt the great pressure of expectations sink onto my shoulders. And after a while I stopped running and struggled to walk up the hill. But then I heard my coaches shouting my name from the top of the hill. I felt confused and embarrassed; why were they cheering for me? I was running terribly! As I tried my best to finish the race, I realized that my coaches didn’t care how fast I ran. Neither did my teammates. During the rest of the season, they were always on the sidelines of every race, cheering for me just as loudly as they’d cheered for the front runner.
From then on, I began to put my effort into supporting my teammates instead of focusing on my own performance. In that way, I celebrated my teammates’ victories as if they were my own; I felt their pain and exhaustion as if they were my own.
Cross-country running made me realize I don’t need to be the best to be successful in life. It taught me to value my relationships with people more than my relationship with my ego. It taught me to cheer for others even if I don’t know their names.
1. Why did the author want to give up after the first few weeks?| A．He had much pain in his knees. |
| B．He didn’t perform well in long-distance running. |
| C．He couldn’t get along well with others |
| D．He showed no interest in running. |
| A．Strict and hard-hearted. | B．Brave and adventurous. |
| C．Considerate and supportive. | D．Optimistic and humorous. |
| A．He lost himself in victories |
| B．He put more effort into his study |
| C．He received more support from his coaches |
| D．He started caring about his teammates |
| A．The importance of team spirit | B．The value of competition |
| C．The secret of winning a race | D．The benefits of doing sports |
