1 . Diversity has always been a topic that arouses a wide range of reactions, from real enthusiasm (usually among the underrepresented) to eye-rolling or complete unfriendliness. However, over the following few years, not only did the representation of women on FTSE-100(富时100指数) boards more than double but the mindset shifted in the UK. This was no longer a special interest issue but everyone’s issue.

But we’re now at crossroads. The gender issue in particular is a well-worn subject but not yet one we have mastered. Yes, there are more female world leaders and company directors, but many women tell me they feel discouraged about their prospects. They can’t see the link between their own reality and gender equality efforts that often seem targeted at a narrow group of white, privileged and highly educated women, rather than at all women.

I am optimistic that the next breakthrough is within reach. Technology has changed how we work, communicate and influence. Command & control power structures are rapidly breaking down, and emerging instead is a more inclusive notion of power. Leaders today need to be able to connect. This is good news for people who are empathetic, who are collaborative-qualities that are often described as feminine, although obviously men can exhibit them too.

Women of my generation who’ve made it to senior roles had to fit in with past practices to succeed. Today, we have an unprecedented opportunity to reinvent the rules, to create new ways of working, living and bringing up families. We no longer need to give in: instead, we can change the system.

But a new danger comes. The diversity agenda has gone off track and we need to remind ourselves of the basics again. Diversity is about being different, and inclusion is about welcoming those differences. Somehow that has become confused with the opposite notion, that valuing people as equals means preventing our differences.

1. What is people’s attitude towards diversity?

A．Indifferent.

B．Supportive.

C．Negative.

D．Divided.

2. Why do many women feel disappointed about their future?

A．Because they can not enjoy gender equality.

B．Because the gender issue is a well-worn subject.

C．Because they have not mastered the gender issue.

D．Because there are more female company directors.

3. What can we infer from paragraphs 3&4?

A．Ability to connect with others is crucial to leaders.

B．Women of my generations needn’t adapt to past practices.

C．Women instead of men are more empathetic and collaborative.

D．Command & control power structures are replacing inclusive ones.

4. What is the potential risk of gender equality?

A．Welcoming differences.	B．Lacking diversity.
C．Including unfairness.	D．Causing unfriendliness.

2 . After growing up in the foster (寄养) care system, Shanté Elliott is working to help others transition(过渡，转变) out of it. Elliott is no stranger to the foster care system. She was forced to change schools and adapt to different homes over and over again before finally being adopted at the age of 13. Elliott became the first member of her family to graduate college, double majoring in literature and communication and earning a master’s in education policy. Today she is pursuing her doctoral degree.

Elliott knows the challenges facing teenagers within the foster care system. “Often, teenagers are not viewed as children but as adults,” she recently told Reader’s Digest. “Think about it—most families looking to adopt want to adopt an infant or a young child, so they can experience developmental milestones with the child.”

There are ways to help foster children without becoming a foster parent, but finding permanency is still what most foster youth need most. And for those who age out of the system without finding those forever homes, there are additional challenges to face. According to Youth.gov, these kids are at greater risk of homelessness, health problems, dropping out of school and legal issues, all of which can make succeeding in adulthood more difficult.

Elliott wants to see that stigma end. “We need to change the national dialogue around this in a way that highlights the needs of older children. All foster-involved children want consistent homes. Potential families need to realize this.”

It’s a reality Elliott is passionate about helping others realize. “The need for protection, love, opportunity, and safety has no age limit. If more teenagers were adopted, youth would have more successful long-term outcomes after foster care.” That’s something these older foster kids who found their forever homes can prove.

1. How was Elliott’s early adoptive life?

A．Difficult.

B．Busy.

C．Strange.

D．Successful.

2. Why do foster families prefer infants or young children to teenagers?

A．Because teenagers are too old to be fostered.

B．Because infants lack personal experience and education.

C．Because parents can become part of the children’s growth process.

D．Because they want to foster children without becoming foster parents.

3. What is paragraph 3 mainly talking about?

A．Homeless children will drop out of school.

B．People don’t want to become foster parents.

C．There are some ways to help foster children.

D．Children without forever homes may suffer in the future.

4. What can we learn from the last two paragraphs?

A．Few teenagers want to find forever foster homes.

B．It’s easy for teenagers to find forever foster homes.

C．Teenagers are supposed to be offered permanent homes.

D．Only teenagers need protection, love, opportunity and safety.

3 . While many parents are being forced into homeschooling for the very first time because of COVID-19, we’ve been doing it successfully with our child since 2017.

Our son Silas was attending a school, which we were happy with. That changed. When every day Silas came home from school, he would crawl under a piece of furniture and weep for half an hour.

Despite our best efforts in communication with his teachers and the administration for over a year, we couldn’t seem to improve the situation. We made the decision to enroll him to start at a new school the following fall and brought him home to finish the lessons of the spring semester.

After a little time went by, we realized that our 8-year-old son blossomed into a peaceful and joyful person. As much as we wanted to try the new school in the fall, he wanted to keep homeschooling. We agreed, as we decided it would be foolish to change something that was working so well.

After going to bed at 9 p. m. on weeknights, Silas woke up at about 7a. m. without an alarm, because he was thrilled to hop on the computer and get his schoolwork done. Why? So that he could have free time on electronics. He was allowed screen time after finishing all his schoolwork and housework. He got quite a bit of time most days to play video games. At 5 p. m., he must be off his device, and we brought it into our bedroom to minimize temptation. He was really good about observing the rules, and I thought he was happier for having limits.

1. What did the writer do when his son cried afterschool?

A．He quarreled with the teachers.	B．He asked his son to quit school.
C．He sought help from the school.	D．He helped his son finish the lessons.

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

A．Burst.

B．Grew.

C．Stayed.

D．Faded.

3. Why was Silas excited to do his schoolwork?

A．Because he liked studying very much.

B．Because he woke up so early every day.

C．Because he did not want to do housework.

D．Because he could spare time playing video games.

4. How did the writer prevent his son from playing too long on the computer?

A．By locking him into his bedroom.	B．By monitoring him to obey the rules.
C．By throwing away the electronic devices.	D．By keeping him doing homework all day.

4 . The co-working movement has seen explosive market growth over the past decade. These four global co-working hotels are leading the way.

Public a Isrotel (Herzliya, Israel)

Situated in the center of a thriving high-tech hub, Israel’s Public a Isrotel is the first choice for guests seeking the synergy of modern friendliness and working spaces. The well-equipped sixth floor co-working space is framed by scenic sea views and has been uniquely designed to deliver an effective working atmosphere.

Hotel Tryp(Dubai, UAE)

Here, hotel guests mix alongside local businessmen in a comfortable, urban setting built to ignite inspiration. The expansive space incorporates biophilic design to fill nature into the working environment—a method proven to improvement al well-being and productivity.

Selina(Bogota, Colombia)

For teams and solo travelers on a tight budget, Selina in Bogota bridges the gap between boutique hotel and hostel. The space is equipped with stylish industrial fixes: wooden bench tables, Edison bulbs, exposed pipes, open spaces, and brick walls help foster an innovative state of mind.

Hotel Phoenix Biltmore (Phoenix, USA)

The hotel invites guests and non-guests to enjoy its work space, where all the resources helpful to productivity are readily available. A 20-seat high table section is a working area by day and bar by night; a small library provides computers, printers, and office supplies; and a cafe where remote workers can enjoy free coffee and biscotti.

1. Where should you go to enjoy a beauty?

A．Herzliya.

B．Dubai.

C．Bogota.

D．Phoenix.

2. Which hotel is suitable for guests without much money?

A．Publica Isrotel.	B．Hotel Tryp.
C．Selina.	D．Hotel Phoenix Biltmore.

3. What is special about Hotel Phoenix Biltmore?

A．Hotel guests can both work and drink at night.

B．Hotel guests can access various office facilities.

C．Hotel guests can talk with the local businessmen.

D．Hotel guests can see modern industrial buildings.

5 . I left Denmark for the United States for a research abroad experience during my Ph. D. I hadn’t made any friends by that point so I decided to ask another Ph. D student in my office whether they’d meet up outside work. He looked at me, smiled, and then uttered “Yes.”     1     I had finally conquered my shyness and dared to step out of my comfort zone.

My university encourages Ph. D students to spend time abroad, so I planned from the beginning to work at a U. S. university for six months.     2     But I was also afraid that my shy self would keep me from getting to know people, leading to a level of sadness and loneliness that would eventually force me to abandon the adventure and go back to Denmark.

    3    Finding myself in a foreign country without my habitual life terrified me. My sister advised me to go to campus every day. So later, every weekend, I would plan outings with at least one person, whether it be going out for a meal, visiting a museum, traveling to another city, or going on a hike.     4     I suddenly felt much less lonely. Even little interactions at work helped me feel part of a community. By the end of my time in Atlanta, I felt so comfortable that I actually had mixed feelings about going home.

I returned to Denmark last May, feeling fulfilled by my time abroad. I was able to travel to new places, meet interesting people, and learn new professional skills.     5     I encourage every young scientist to do a research stay abroad—and to have the courage to open up to people while you’re there.

A．The advice made a huge difference.

B．It was a little thing, but it was a victory.

C．The initial few months in America were difficult.

D．I had wanted to make more efforts to get to know people.

E．I built up a small group of friends—from both within and outside the office

F．I also came to appreciate the benefits of stepping outside my comfort zone.

G．I was excited to travel, improve my English, and expand my scientific network.

6 . The world’s first named heat wave hit Seville, Spain, pushing temperatures past 110 degrees Fahrenheit and earning the most severe tier (级别) in the city’s new heat wave ranking system. Heat wave “Zoe” has brought burning temperatures to the southern part of the country for the last few days, particularly the area where Seville is located.

Zoe is the first named heat wave to hit Seville since it officially used a new system last month to name and rank heat waves, similar to hurricanes (Climatewire, June 22). Only the most severe heat waves get names, named this year in reverse (颠倒的) alphabetical order. After Zoe come Yago, Xenia, Wenceslao and Vega. The worst of the heat is expected to begin tapering off (减弱) today, but it has already posed a significant risk to human health.

Seville’s new ranking system takes a three-tiered approach to categorizing heat waves, with Category 1 as the lowest ranking and Category 3 as the most severe. The system has specific criteria for each category, involving not only daytime temperatures, but also nighttime lows, humidity and the heat’s expected effects on human health.

Spain has been struggling with extreme temperatures for much of the summer already. High heat broke local records around the country last month, and the first two weeks of June were the hottest on record in the country. Across the continent, this year was Europe’s second hottest June on record. Extreme heat returned again earlier this month. Cities across Spain broke monthly temperature records and wildfires broke out on the landscape.

Climate change is causing heat waves to become more frequent, more severe and longer-lasting all over the world, increasing the risks to human health. Seville’s new naming and ranking system is intended to raise public awareness about the dangers of extreme heat.

1. What can we know about Zoe?

A．It’s the most severe heat wave in the world.	B．Its power is similar to the hurricane on June 22.
C．It has had a negative influence on human health.	D．It’s the first heat wave hitting Seville, Spain.

2. What does Paragraph 3 mainly talk about?

A．The effect of heat waves on human health.	B．The way and standard of sorting heat waves.
C．The approaches to dealing with heat waves.	D．The present situation of extreme heat in Spain.

3. Why are heat waves named and ranked in Seville?

A．To distinguish their different types.	B．To raise our awareness of good health.
C．To remind us to get ready for them.	D．To help the public know about their dangers.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．Zoe—the World’s First Named Heat Wave

B．The Most Severe Tier Heat Wave Hitting Seville

C．Climate Change—the Major Contributor to Heat Waves

D．Reasons for More and More Frequent Extreme Heat Waves

7 . A simple gel (凝胶) collects water out of thin air! This innovation works well in dry climates, promising drinking water to those living with water shortage.

The gel was invented by a team of scientists and engineers at the University of Texas. Combining two simple ingredients, the gel is inexpensive to produce. Just one kilogram of gel can absorb up to six liters of water in a dry climate. For those living in a climate with relative humidity (湿度), one kilogram of gel can collect up to 13 liters of water a day.

“This new work is about practical solutions that people can use to get water in the hottest, driest places on Earth,” said Professor Guihua Yu. “This could allow millions of people without easy access to drinking water to have water producing equipment at home that they can easily operate.”

Countries are currently using available bodies of water to create drinking water, according to the study. These include removing salt from ocean water and using water purification technologies. Yet there are plenty of small water drops in the atmosphere that can be harnessed as a reliable resource.

Researchers have collected fresh water from fog and dew (露水), but that only serves areas with high humidity. With one third of the population living in dry places with very low humidity, a workable solution is of great importance. Scientists have been able to obtain water from desert air, but these methods have low yields (产量) and use lots of energy. In fact, this gel is a great improvement from previous water harvesting technologies. The maximum water harvested has been 5. 87 liters in places with relative humidity.

This new gel doubles this amount, uses no energy and is simple to operate and it can be molded into a shape or size that best suits the user. Scientists are planning on making a thicker gel that will increase the yield, which is most important in making this technology a practical solution to drought (干旱). Easy-to-use and inexpensive, the hope is that this super gel will offer access to clean drinking water to dry places around the world.

1. What can we infer from Professor Guihua Yu's words?

A．He is in charge of the research.	B．He is promoting this achievement worldwide.
C．He has been concerned about drinking water safety.	D．He speaks highly of the new technology.

2. What does the underlined word “harnessed” in Paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．Used.

B．Enjoyed.

C．Considered.

D．Shared.

3. What do researchers think of getting fresh water from fog?

A．It is workable.

B．It has limitations.

C．It is of great importance.

D．It has a bright future.

4. What is the key to making this new technology workable?

A．Sufficient funds.

B．Experienced researchers.

C．Increased output.

D．Easy operation.

8 . If you’re looking for some thrills, Britain’s theme parks are great places to spend a summer’s day. Here’s our guide to four best theme parks in the UK and the reasons you’ll love them.

Thorpe Park, Surrey

Thorpe Park is probably Britain’s scariest theme park. Built on an island in an artificial lake, it offers several aquatic-themed rides including Tidal Wave, Colossus and Nemesis Inferno. Another big attraction is Derren Brown’s Ghost Train, a high-tech version of the fairground rides that terrified generations of British children.

Cost: Tickets start from £30

Crealy Adventure Park, Devon

Beautiful English countryside and some fun rides: what’s not to like? Crealy Adventure Park is home to the 12-metre high Twister rollercoaster offering 310 metres of twists and turns. It also offers more wet and soft thrills in the form of the Tidal Wave log flume, which drops you and your fellow riders 40 feet into a pool of water.

Cost: Tickets start at £16

Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool

This theme park is home to the UK’s tallest rollercoaster, looping (环形) coaster and suspended looping coaster—so if you are an adrenaline junkie then this one is for you.

Cost: Tickets start at £27

Chessington World of Adventures, Chessington

You can combine a visit to this theme park with a visit to Chessington’s famous zoo (home to more than 1, 000 animals)—but the thing to do at Chessington is to challenge yourself to go on the Dragon’s Fury spinning coaster that has a vertical turn.

Cost: Tickets start at £28

1. Which item has existed for decades?

A．Tidal Wave.	B．Nemesis Inferno.
C．Dragon’s Fury spinning coaster.	D．Derren Brown’s Ghost Train.

2. How much should a couple pay if they are to visit Blackpool Pleasure Beach?

A．£32.

B．£54.

C．£56.

D．£ 60.

3. Which park will an animal lover probably choose?

A．Thorpe Park, Surrey.	B．Crealy Adventure Park, Devon.
C．Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool.	D．Chessington World of Adventures, Chessington.

9 . How to deal with stress at school

Stress is part of students’ life. While some stress can help inspire them to get work done, too much stress can cause problems with health, sleep and brain function. Now when you feel your stress building up inside, how can you manage it?     1    .

Work out your own learning ways

Students learn in different ways and have different learning styles. Some do homework all at once, while others need to take some breaks.     2    . However, other students remember well in the evening. So work out your best learning ways and you’ll feel relaxed.

Stay healthy and get enough sleep

    3    . As a result, their performance in school and work can suffer. Exercising, eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep do good to school performance. When you take care of yourself, you just feel better!

    4    

Share your problems and how you are feeling and dealing with a parent, friend, teacher, or doctor. When you talk your stress out with some friends, chances are that some of them are going through the same thing and they might have some ideas to share. Besides, it helps to know you’re not alone.

Give yourself a break

You should feel good about taking break.     5     Some people find that quiet activities like reading a book or watching TV are the best way to relax. Others prefer more active breaks: working on personal projects, exercising like yoga or Tai Chi, Listening to music or spending time outdoors.

A．Talk to others.

B．Share your happiness.

C．Some students remember well in the morning.

D．Try one or more of the following.

E．Sometimes you feel tired.

F．And only you can say which activities work best for letting you relax.

G．Many students don’t focus on their health

10 . While waiting in bus stations, airports or parks, some people are busy with a friendly conversation, and others read newspapers, comics (漫画), novels and pocket books. That was many years ago.

Today everyone uses smartphones, tablets and laptops at home, work and school. Exactly, it improves our communication, social media, entertainment and provides convenience to work. The computers, Interweb, and smartphones have become part of our everyday life.

However, the publishing houses suffer terrible losses, and the comics industry is out of business, for everyone goes digital and gadget (小玩意) dependent.

Especially in the COVID-19 times, the sales (销售) of PC, laptops and gadgets suddenly went up quickly. Because of health safety problems, people chose to shop online. Moreover, education happens through Online Distance Learning, which forced parents to buy desktops and smartphones. Yet behind the benefits and use of these modern gadgets is a sad reality. Many students lose the face-to-face conversation power. skills in public speaking, and social skills.

Another problem is health. The young generation today spends so much time on gadgets inside homes. They don’t live the traditional healthy outdoor life. The result is eyesight problems and enjoying very little sunlight.

For workers, too much exposure (暴露) to video call meetings has damaged their health. What’s more, many of us are expected to continue working at home.

Modern information technology (IT) has really-affected our way of life. In the COVID-19 times, these products of modern technology have protected us from public exposure and direct interaction with people. However, its continuous use can also harm people’s health and interest. Thus, we should take control of IT application in our life and not allow IT to endanger our health and safety.

1. What is the purpose of Paragraph 1?

A．To give tips on how to make good use of our time.	B．To draw readers’ interest in traditional ways of life.
C．To serve as the background information of the text.	D．To provide readers with a typical life scene many years ago.

2. What do we know from the second paragraph?

A．A smartphone is more useful than a computer.	B．Without information technology, we can’t communicate
C．We are not able to work or study with no computers.	D．Information technology brings people many benefits.

3. What problem can IT gadgets cause?

A．Many students talk little face to face.	B．Many publishing houses turn to IT business.
C．Many parents are forced to learn to use IT gadgets.	D．Many workers are out of work and have to stay inside.

4. Which is the best title of the text?

A．How did COVID-19 affect information technology?

B．How does modern information technology affect us?

C．How did modern technology become part of our everyday life?

D．How do people make use of modern technology?