1 . There are more than 10 million people in the world who are unable to speak and they depend on computerized equipment to provide their voices. But because there are so few recorded voices for them, the same voice used by the physicist and writer Stephen Hawking is used by little children.

When speech scientist Rupal Patel was at a meeting and saw a young girl talking to a grown man and both were using the same computer voice, she knew something had to be done. So Patel worked to create custom (定制的) voices for custom people. To start the process, a voice donor (捐赠者) records a series of short stories and sentences. They don’t record every single word a person might say, but they typically cover all the different combinations of sounds that happen in language.

The process might take between five and seven hours, but it doesn’t have to be done all at once and it can be done in the donor’s home. The voice donor can start, stop and pick up whenever it’s convenient. They’re encouraged to record from the same place each time so the sound is continuous. Those recordings are then divided into little pieces of speech to be kept in a database (数据库). The person who will receive the voice also records a few special sounds. Patel’s team then searches the voice database for a perfect voice match. Finally, that donated voice is joined with the receiver’s sounds, which makes a custom voice.

So far, more than 14,000 speakers from 120 countries have contributed to what the company, VocaliD, calls “The Human Voicebank”. People who want to donate can record from anywhere they have a computer or phone, sharing their voice with anyone who needs it or even banking it for themselves. “English speakers from English-speaking countries share their voice as part of our Human Voicebank because they want to help bring speech to the speechless,” VocaliD spokesperson Elisabeth Nuboer said. “We have voice donors all over the world, ranging in age from 6 to 91 and welcome everyone and all your wonderful voice.”

1. How do the speechless people speak, according to the passage?

A．They write their words on paper.

B．They use computerized equipment.

C．They depend on body language.

D．They type their words on phones.

2. What caused the problem that Rupal Patel discovered at a meeting?

A．There were so few recorded voices.

B．No recorded voices were for children.

C．Recorded voices didn’t sound perfect.

D．Recorded voices were not easy to understand.

3. Why do the speechless ones who want to get the donated voice also need to record a few special sounds?

A．Because they also need to make a contribution to the database.

B．Because their special sounds will be needed for the study in the future.

C．Because their throats need to be examined before using special equipment.

D．Because Patel’s team needs their special sounds to get a perfect voice match.

4. Which of the following can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．English-speaking voice donors are more important than others.

B．English is the main language in VocaliD’s Human Voicebank.

C．Many people around the world are willing to help the speechless.

D．The donor whose age is below six will be refused by the company.

2 . Some of Harry Potter’s stories have been made into movies. After a long search, the filmmakers found Daniel Radcliffe to play the part of Harry in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The movies turn out to be a big success. Have you ever read Harry Potter’s adventures?     1    .

The boy wizard

Harry Potter is an unhappy 11-year-old boy. He lives with his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon Dursley and their awful son Dudley.

Harry is a wizard, but he doesn’t know it!     2    . They both died in the fighting with the evil wizard Voldemort when Harry was just a baby. Harry was hidden in the unmagical Dursleys to protect him from Voldemort.

Harry’s adventures begin when he is accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, he meets adults like Headmaster Albus Dumbledore and Groundskeeper Rubeus Hagrid. He also befriends schoolmates like Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, and meets rivals like Draco Malfoy.     3    , a game a little like soccer that is played on flying broomsticks.

The Harry Potter novels tell the adventures of Harry at Hogwarts. Each book covers one school year in Harry’s life, starting at age 11.

Success story

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was a big success.     4    . It was then published in North America with a slightly different title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The story was very popular there, as well.

Other books about Harry followed: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The novels have been translated into more than 30 languages and have sold millions and millions of copies.     5    !

A．His mother was a witch and his father was a wizard

B．Once you have read about Harry Potter, you will understand him easier

C．Harry is also quite brave, though he still has fear

D．It won Prizes for Children’s Literature in the United Kingdom

E．If not, then let’s quickly introduce him

F．He learns magic and how to play Quidditch

G．The arrival of a new Harry Potter book is a worldwide event

3 . Debbie Parker Solo Recent Work at Latrobe Artspace

Talented and award-winning artist Debbie Parker is excited to be one of the first artists exhibit in the ALL NEW Latrobe Artspace in October!

This exhibition features paintings inspired by Debbie’s leisurely walks in Mount Coot-Tha National Park. Each painting offers a different way of looking at a familiar Australian landscape.

Debbie never gets tired of developing new ideas from the pictures she takes of the local area and the result is a collection of expressive paintings celebrating the unique Australian landscape and local birds and flowers.

With over 25 years of experience as an artist. Debbie developed her expressionist style in the early 1990s. Since then, she has competed and exhibited around Australia. She has also completed workshops with well-known artists in Queensland. Her work has been recognized in national and local competitions.

Usually, Debbie would have been exhibiting in competitions around Australia throughout this year but COVID-19 has set new challenges for artists.

However, Debbie is looking ahead and can’t wait to meet you at her latest exhibition! She will be on-site from 6th to 11th October 2020 Tuesday to Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 10 am to 3 pm at the ALL NEW Latrobe Artspace. 134 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington Queensland 4064.

As we spend more time in our homes, consider buying a unique, affordable piece of art. Debbie’s unique drawing skills are sure to remain a talking point in your home for many years to come!

Got a question? Email Debbie on Debbie parker@bigpond.com or contact 040351 1268 to learn more about her artwork.

1. The exhibits are about _____.

A．Australian landscape	B．The relaxed life of locals
C．Unique Australian animals	D．Familiar items for daily use

2. What do we know about Debbie Parker?

A．She has won some international prizes.

B．She holds a private exhibition each year.

C．She earns national awards through her work.

D．She has run workshops in Queensland herself.

3. Which of the following should visitors know about the exhibition?

A．The exhibition lasts 7 hours each day.

B．They can meet some other artists there.

C．The exhibition takes place in Queensland.

D．Debbie and other artists’ artworks are for sale.

4 . During my visit to Xi’an, 1 met with a strange instrument. It has a loud and high-pitched (声调高的) sound, and is often used in traditional Chinese music ensembles (乐团), especially those that perform outdoors,     1    . He told me that it is a Chinese instrument called the suona. To find more information, I visited some Chinese online lesson websites.

Actually, the suona is a loud Chinese instrument, It’s loud and high-pitched sound is perfect for outdoor performances.     2     It is now widely used at traditional festival events, weddings and funerals (葬礼) in the countryside of North China.

    3     It was developed from Central Asian instruments such as the “surnay” or “zurna”, from which its Chinese name comes. A musician playing an instrument very similar to a suona is shown in a drawing at a historic place on the Silk Road in what is now the western Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, dating back to the third to fifth century CE.

The suona only has eight holes, and breath and fingers (手指) are all a performer depends on lo control the pitch and tone (音质).     4     The instrument looks simple, but it can vividly imitate (生动地模仿) the voice or singing of a human being or even the sounds of Chinese opera.     5     The eight-hale instrument has been called the “eight-eyed monkey” because like a monkey it is difficult to control.

A．Actually, it is difficult to master the suona.

B．The suona is beyond a musical instrument

C．The sound of the suona is also endangered.

D．It was used for festivals and military (军事的) purposes.

E．The suona was firstly introduced to China from Central Asia.

F．People use a metal mouthpiece to make an even louder sound.

G．I didn’t know the name of the instrument, so l asked my Chinese friend.

5 . The computer is a useful machine. It is the most important invention in many years. The oldest kind of computer is the abacus, used in China centuries ago, but the first large, modern computer was built in 1946. A computer then could do maths problems quite fast.

Today computers are used in many ways and can do many kinds of work. In a few years the computer may touch the life of everyone, even people in faraway villages.

In the last few years, there have been great changes in computers. They are getting smaller and smaller, and computing faster and faster. Many scientists agree that computers can now do many things, but they cannot do everything. Who knows what the computers of tomorrow will be like? Will computers bring good things or bad things to people? The scientists of today will have to decide how to use the computers of tomorrow.

1. The computer is a ______ machine.

A．helpful

B．strange

C．large

D．dangerous

2. The first large, modern computer was built about ______ years ago.

A．a few

B．forty

C．sixty

D．eighty

3. The computers of today are ______ than before.

A．bigger

B．fewer

C．smaller

D．taller

4. Computers can do ______.

A．everything

B．anything

C．nothing

D．lots of things

5. The scientists of today ______ how to use the computers of tomorrow.

A．may decide

B．must decide

C．can make

D．needn’t make

6 . Do women talk more than men?     1     According to the latest research from the United States of America, men and women talk such different languages that it is like people from two different cultures trying to communicate. Professor Deborah Tannen, of Georgetown University, has noticed differences in the style of boys’ and girls’ conversations from an early age. According to her study, little girls’ conversation is less clear than boys’ and expresses more doubts.     2    

These differences will continue into adult life, she says. In public conversations, men talk most and interrupt other speakers more than women do. In private conversations, men and women speak in almost equal amounts.     3     Professor Tannen believes that, for women, private talking is a way to establish and test intimacy. For men, private talking is a way to explore the power structure of a relationship.

    4     “When a woman teaches another woman,” says Professor Tannen, “she is more likely to take a sharing approach and to encourage her student to join in. When a man teaches a woman, however, he wants to show that he has more knowledge and power in conversation.     5    ”

Some scientists who are studying speech think that the brain is preprogrammed for language. As we are usually taught to speak by women, it seems likely that the brain must have a sexual bias in its programming; otherwise, male speech patterns would not arise at all.

A．And he uses his language to show this.

B．Do men talk in the same way as women?

C．However, they say things in a different style.

D．Women are far more silent than men in public conversations.

E．Little boys use conversation to establish status with their listeners.

F．More women are encouraged to help each other, talking about their doubts.

G．Teaching is one job where the differences between men’s and women’s ways of talking show.

7 . Galapagos Islands: Paradise for Animals

A trip to the Galapagos Islands will be the journey of your lifetime. The Islands are a group of 12 volcanic islands and numerous islets and rocks, off the Pacific coast of Ecuador. The area of the islands is 3,086 square miles, consisting of 13 major islands, of which 5 are inhabited. The islands are hilly, rising to a height of 5,000 feet. Even though the Galapagos Islands were formed about 4 to 5 million years ago, volcanoes are still active.

The islands have been known by many different names, including the “Enchanted Islands” because of the way in which the strong and swift currents make navigation difficult. Legend has it that there are sea monsters living on the islands. They control the sea. The islands are also named Giant Land Tortoises for those giant tortoises that live there.

The Island s interesting volcanic geology, as well as its rich plants and animals have been admired and studied by numerous travelers, scientists, and naturelovers. Scientists are still faced with a mystery how such a large diversity of species could develop in a remote location like the Galapagos Islands.

Galapagos has been called “a living museum and showcase of evolution”. The Islands are famous for their unique species, which are not found elsewhere. Best known are the huge tortoise and some species of lizards.The animals on the islands influenced British nature scientist Charles Darwin’ s ideas about evolution. He visited the islands in 1830. It was here that he made the major part of his observation that led to his theories on evolution and The Origin of Species. Many scientists have since carried out research on the islands.

The Galapagos Islands are ideal for adventure activities, whether your favorite adventures are snorkeling, kayaking, hiking or others, the Galapagos has activities for everyone.

1. From the first paragraph we know that ________.

A．the Galapagos Islands are volcanic islands

B．the Galapagos Islands are situated on the east of Ecuador

C．the Galapagos Islands are deserted islands

D．volcanoes on these islands are dead ones

2. According to the 2nd paragraph, the islands are named “Enchanted Islands” for the ________.

A．unique landscapes

B．diversity of plants and animals

C．difficult navigation due to the strong currents

D．legend about the sea monsters

3. Charles Darwin is mentioned in the 4th paragraph to ________.

A．tell readers Darwin once lived on Galapagos

B．show the importance of Galapagos to evolution

C．suggest that these islands have a long history

D．show there is a variety of species on these islands

4. The Galapagos Islands are famous for the following things EXCEPT ________.

A．the volcanic geology

B．the highly diverse wildlife

C．the birthplace of evolution

D．the different names

8 . Music can be a great mental rest, allowing you to relax and get lost in your favorite songs.     1     Here are some ways music can make you a better person and positively impact your everyday life.

Boost (增强) your creativity. Music is a creativity booster. When you turn up the songs that make you joyful, your brain gets more creative.     2     Find the music that makes you feel positive and cheered up, so your creative juices can flow.

Build cooperation and connection with people. Playing a musical instrument helps you connect with people with similar interests.     3    

    4     Music has a magic al power to promote emotions. Listening to joyful music lifts your happiness levels, which can make you more generous. It’s like a happy circle where feeling good makes you want to give back, and giving back makes you feel even better.

Improve physical health and performance.     5     Music improves our energy and endurance, and makes exercise more fun. And if you have your headphones on during works, you’re more likely to stick with your fitness routines.

A．Relieve stress and pains.

B．Make you happier and more generous.

C．Music can turn someone into a seriously big-hearted person.

D．It enables you to make new friends who share your music passion.

E．There’s a reason you play music in the background when you hit the gym.

F．It helps ease the pressure off your mind and puts it in a creation-ready mode.

G．While most people are addicted to music, few have considered the real impact of music.

9 . Top scientists have emphasized the importance of forest carbon sinks as having an irreplaceable role in reducing carbon in the atmosphere and ultimately combating climate change.

Yin Weilun, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and former principal of Beijing Forestry University, said that forests and grasslands hold a unique position in combating global climate change.

Forest carbon sinks are plants that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and fix it in vegetation or soil, thereby reducing concentration of the gas, Yin said.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Forestry and Grassland Carbon Sink Innovation International Forum, which is running parallel to the Zhongguancun Forum held in Beijing from Thursday to Tuesday, the scientist said that good forest management can increase carbon absorption capability.

Yin called for more research in forest management to ensure the sustainability of forests and their carbon sink capacity.

“The growth and development cycle of each tree species is different. For example, poplars (白杨木) reach their peak height in about 20 years. After that, they are unlikely to grow and the tree top will rot away.”

To use land efficiently, forest managers must cut down some rotten trees and replace them with young ones so that the forest system can maintain its ability to reproduce and act as a carbon sink, he said.

Yin also stressed the need for increasing forest reserves, grasslands and wetlands to enhance their ability to absorb carbon.

At the forum, Du Xiangwan, former deputy head of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said forests and grasslands can make multiple contributions to climate change mitigation as each cubic meter of wood growth can absorb an average of 1.83 metric tons of carbon dioxide, he said.

In addition, afforestation, grassland and wetland restoration, and desertification control not only protect biodiversity but also provide solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation, he added.

Last year, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration set up a carbon sink research institute to study the country’s potential for carbon sinks through forests and grasslands.

This research work will assess the spatial distribution of carbon sinks with the aim of understanding how to increase them, the administration said.

1. How does forest carbon sink function ?

A．By reducing carbon in the sky.	B．By absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
C．By absorbing carbon dioxide in vegetation or soil.	D．By reducing the spread of the gases

2. Good forest management is so important because       .

A．it can prevent tree cut.	B．it can ensure land availability.
C．it can maintain forest reproduction.	D．it can increase carbon absorption capability.

3. It can be inferred from the passage that       .

A．Forest carbon sinks can never be replaced in combating climate change.

B．If necessary, some trees must be cut down for the young growth.

C．The climate change is undergoing the worst situation in China.

D．More researches are needed to do for the forest management.

10 . Lying in the sun on a rock, the cougar(美洲豹) saw Jeb and his son, Tom, before they saw it. Jeb put his bag down quickly and pulled his jacket open with both hands, making himself look big to the cougar. It worked. This cougar hesitated, ready to attack Jeb, but ready to forget the whole thing, too.

Why did Jeb pull his jacket open when he saw the cougar?

A．To get ready to fight.

B．To frighten it away

C．To protect the boy

D．To cool down.