1 . At Sho Farm in northern Vermont, farmers Melissa Hoffman and Shawn Smith work hand in hand with the land and its inhabitants, and among them are hundreds of ducks. The ducks at Sho Farm are not being raised to be killed for food. Rather, they are naturally involved in farming operations, helping to manage pests and add fertilizer (肥料) to the soil.
In the beginning, Hoffman, who has a background in organic farming and ecology action, worked with ecologists and biologists to survey the plants and wildlife all around the area. This was “to understand who was living here, so that everything we did was in relationship to the life already here,” he says.
So, at Sho Farm, focus is placed on living harmoniously alongside other life and working with traditional ecological knowledge. Food is seen not as a commodity (商品) but as a relationship with land and life.
The methods of food production at Sho Farm, as well as the farmers’ philosophy of working with rather than against nature, are in sharp contrast to most modern agricultural systems. And that’s the point. “We’ve been talking a lot about the broken food system and the consequences of it to the environment, to wildlife, to the animals in animal agriculture and to human health,” says Hoffman, adding that it’s not just the food system that’s broken. “It’s the relationship between humans, non-human animals, land and nature.”
The ducks play a vital, integrated role on the farm, explains Hoffman, by naturally providing pest control, fertilizer and (fuel-free) land maintenance (维护), just as by-products of their existence. “We noticed where we summered groups of ducks and parts of the food system that were not doing very well. The following year, the food system was efficiently improved,” he says.
It’s a symbiotic relationship that works well. “Animals don’t have to be part of a farm in a commodity sense. They can be part of the farm as a partner,” Hoffman says. “They are wonderful partners.”
1. Why did Hoffman do a survey in the beginning?| A．To get familiar with the surroundings. |
| B．To have a good relationship with other people. |
| C．To live in harmony with other life on the farm. |
| D．To have a good understanding of organic farming. |
| A．The causes of the broken food system. |
| B．The reasons for Hoffman’s farming methods. |
| C．The changes in modern agricultural systems. |
| D．The process of food production at Sho Farm. |
| A．Animals are treated well at Sho Farm. |
| B．Animals are not to be sold for money. |
| C．People and animals play the same role in organic farming. |
| D．People and animals work together and benefit each other. |
| A．Efficient. | B．Modern. | C．Natural. | D．Economical. |
2 . Music is known to have a great deal of mental and physical benefits on humans. From helping to treat physical medical problems to relieving stress, music can be extremely beneficial in helping to improve health.
Animals may have a great deal of stress.
Music can be extremely beneficial for animals in high stress situations.
| A．It can create a space for them. |
| B．The same goes for our furry friends, too. |
| C．They could be stressed for a variety of reasons. |
| D．It would be a beneficial practice for all parties. |
| E．Another place where music can be helpful is in car rides. |
| F．There are ways that you can identify stress in your animals. |
| G．It’s no wonder loud noises can cause dogs and cats so much stress. |
3 . Music is present in any part of the world, and it is appreciated and felt everywhere. Without its presence, life could be boring. Studies show that music is good for your body and mind.
Music can increase pain management. Listening to music can help increase your pain tolerance (耐痛性).
●
●Music can reduce anxiety and depression
●Music can improve self-expression and communication. Self-expression and communication are an important part of the human experience, especially when it comes to basic emotional and mental health needs.
| A．Music can improve heart health. |
| B．Music can increase your heartbeat rate. |
| C．Here are some benefits of music treatment. |
| D．They are two common pains in your daily life. |
| E．It has been proved to be helpful for anxious and depressed people. |
| F．Listening to music can also help decrease the strength of your pains. |
| G．For kids weak in both areas, music treatment can help develop their relative skills. |
4 . Sherry Gao is pouring coffee made from single-origin beans, hoping that her Mandarin Coffee Stand in the city of Pasadenawill, California introduces you to your new favorite coffee and turns your preconceptions about Chinese coffee beans upside down.
Much of the Western world imports its coffee from Africa and South America. But Gao hopes that throwing light on Yunnan-sourced coffee could expose customers to the coffee-producing region and help to break down prejudice against the beans, which for decades, until only a few years ago, were primarily used for instant products.
“We wanted to highlight Chinese coffee because a lot of people never had Chinese coffee before,” Gao said. “Some have the mindset that it’s bad or it’s cheap, but that’s not the case anymore. It’s been changing so much over the last decade.”
Recent experimentation with processing, such as the addition of fruit or sugarcane molasses during the production, is leading Yunnan’s coffee to more flavorful results. “Every time a new product comes in, it tastes better than the last one,” Gao said.
Farmers in China have grown tea for more than 3,000 years, but coffee has been grown there for only about a century in small quantities, with an uptick in the 1980s with government involvement. And the turn of the century and the 2010s saw a sharp growth with international corporations investing in the region’s crops, initially for use in instant coffee.
But in the last 10 to 15 years, tastes and demand for specialty and high-grade coffees emerged, especially from local growers and shops. The domestic demand for China-grown coffee has risen so dramatically that Gao says it’s now much more expensive.
To further connect with the community, Gao hopes to one day host classes for interactive how-to events. After all, she says, the Yunnan coffee tastes excellent when made in one’s own kitchen with a pour-over system and she hopes it’s only a matter of time before home specialty coffee enthusiasts catch on too.
1. What’s a misunderstanding of Chinese coffee beans?| A．They are of poor quality. |
| B．They have limited producing areas. |
| C．They have a mild taste. |
| D．They are used for flavored coffee. |
| A．Output. | B．Increase. |
| C．Option. | D．Investment. |
| A．Offer community members coffee for free. |
| B．Buy a pour-over system for her shop. |
| C．Teach people to make Chinese coffee at home. |
| D．Keep up with home specialty coffee fans. |
| A．Entertainment. | B．Health. |
| C．Education. | D．Business. |
5 . With gas prices rising and airport security lines snaking longer than ever, why not book your next domestic vacation on a train? Compared to other alternatives, it’s comfortable and relaxing. Here is some advice on how to make a trip by rail as pleasant as possible.
Plan ahead. Most long-distance trains, especially the sleeping car accommodations, sell out very quickly.
Use a travel agent. Consider turning your travel plan over to a travel agent and letting him double-check all the details, make suggestions, and then handle the actual reservations. A good one can sometimes find you discounted tickets.
Bring a blanket. When you’re riding on trains, you won’t be provided with a blanket for free, even if your trip is an overnight one.
Arrive early. Most trains operate just once a day and some run only three times a week, so missing yours can be a disaster.
Have fun.
| A．Train trips aren’t for impatient types. |
| B．You’ll have views from both sides of the train. |
| C．The temperature on rail cars is often hard to control. |
| D．That’s particularly true during busy summer months. |
| E．You might have to wait longer than 24 hours to catch the next one. |
| F．Chances are the cost will be a lot less than the cost of one bedroom. |
| G．He may also book you in a sleeping car that’s right next to the diner. |
6 . How do you feel about exams? Is it the one thing you dread or an experience you relish because it’s your time to shine? Every year, many young people sit exams and whether they love or loathe them, most of them will face some anxiety in the lead up to the big day.
If you’re anxious about your exams, don’t worry, you’re not alone. It might seem like a stressful time when the pressure is onto pass that all-important test but take a deep breath and absorb some good advice from people who’ve been through the same experience as you.
Eating the right food can feed your brain and keep you alert. Nutritional therapist Kerry Torrens recommends making breakfast the most important meal of the day. She recommends eating energy-giving oats and eggs, which contain a nutrient called choline - thought to help cognitive performance and improve memory as we age. And don’t forget to drink lots of water to keep you hydrated - some research even suggests students who take water into the exam hall may even improve their grades.
One thing I know I always need is a good night’s sleep to help me work and think better the next day and that’s what’s recommended for anyone preparing for their exams. If you get good sleep your memory is better and that means you can retain the information you have revised. And it’s good to wind down before bedtime too - no watching TV or chatting on social media!
A good way to reduce your stress is to write down your anxieties. This is something that Lisa Artis from the Sleep Council recommends because it can ‘free your mind’. She also says sitting on your bed when you’re cramming is not a good idea because then you associate that place with stress. Revising for exams can also sometimes seem relentless, so it’s good to take breaks and reward yourself will a small treat, like a cake or a quick run around the block. There comes a point when your brain can’t absorb any more information so you’ll also need to know when to stop.
But if all this talk about revising and exams is still stressing you out, be assured that there are some people who will always be more on edge than you: your parents! They’re there to support you but they’ll be biting their fingernails, worrying about you and the final results. So maybe you need to give them some advice - chill out, everything will be ok!
1. which can be the best title for the text?| A．eating a balanced diet before exams |
| B．having a good sleep before exams |
| C．dealing with exam stress properly |
| D．never worry about my study, parents |
| A．we should make breakfast by ourselves instead of eating out |
| B．eating the night food can contribute to a longer life |
| C．we’d better drink some water while taking exams |
| D．Most of us usually think little of breakfast |
| A．feeling at ease with your exam |
| B．revising on your bed before an exam |
| C．going out for a run in the neighborhood |
| D．turning to some students with the same experience |
| A．calm down |
| B．leave me alone |
| C．have a good sleep |
| D．take a deep breath |
7 . My new teacher is cool. Her name is Paula so we call her Miss Paula.
The first time we met her she said we are going to be good friends and that good friends are always nice to each other.
Miss Paula has been teaching us a lot of things. Some of us used to get in trouble for talking in the hallway (过道). Miss Paula says she can’t change the rule that we can’t make noise in the hallway but we can still talk to each other. She is teaching us sign language. I already know how to say “hello” and “how are you” with my hands. Now we love it when we have to walk somewhere and we are always quiet except for a laugh or two.
Miss Paula likes everybody even Sam and nobody likes Sam. He never does what he’s told but now he is doing better. Miss Paula says every single one of us is perfect and beautiful just the way we are. I guess that includes Sam.
This week at school was really the best ever. I didn’t even get in trouble when I thought I would because I spilled (洒) milk on my homework and had to hand it in when it was still wet. Miss Paula just smiled and asked “What’s this?” So I told her what happened. Miss Paula put it near the window to make it dry. She said the sun had been waiting for such an important job as this and would be happy to help us.
Well I have to go and get ready for bed now. I have school in the morning and I want to wake up early so I will have time to pick Miss Paula some flowers.
1. From the passage we know that Miss Paula ________.| A．is strict with the writer | B．changed the school rules |
| C．is very kind to her students | D．uses sign language in class |
| A．Sam dislikes his new teacher. | B．Sam has made some progress. |
| C．Sam is often praised by Miss Paula. | D．Sam is one of the writer’s best friends. |
| A．Bored. | B．Excited. | C．Relaxed. | D．Worried. |
| A．loves and respects her new teacher | B．is a bit afraid of her new teacher |
| C．always picks her teacher some flowers | D．wrote this article in the morning |
8 . In the last two school years, I wasn’t really interested in Science Research. I concentrated on my lessons but after class, I forgot everything. I’m surprised that this school year, I’m not like that anymore.
Science Research III is one of the subjects I’m learning while enjoying it. I was scared at first, thinking this would be the hardest subject for me during online class, but it turned out fun and I could study it well. I love the way Madam Ventura uses a whiteboard and I really appreciate her effort in making explanatory videos about our lessons.
I have learned a lot in research about types Ⅰ and Ⅱ mistakes, statistic (统计的) tools like z-test. Most importantly, I’ve learned how to write a research paper in IMRaD format with Patricia and Aindrea. Without the research paper writing, we wouldn’t have known each other. Overall, the lessons are challenging. Sometimes I have to watch the videos several times, but it is all worth it because our teacher told us that “Time spent learning is time well spent.”
There are still a lot to say about my whole experience in Science Research Ⅲ. Because of the research, I made new friends even if we didn’t see each other like in face-to-face classes. I have found discussions in classes really exciting. I admire that our teacher is always willing to go an extra mile to make sure we will learn. She is always considerate and approachable. Gradually, I changed, no longer just memorizing and forgetting. Science Research made me a true learner. I now learn by heart. I never thought I’d want to be a researcher, but now I am looking forward to future Science Research classes. I will never forget that this year is the time I became interested in Science Research.
1. What does Madam Ventura do?| A．A scientist. | B．A statistic expert. | C．A video maker. | D．A teacher. |
| A．Tiring and complex. | B．Amazing and creative. |
| C．Tough but worthy. | D．Strange but rewarding. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Positive. | C．Unclear. | D．Cautious. |
| A．The Interest in Science Research | B．My Review of Studying Science Research |
| C．My Favorite Science Research Teacher | D．A True Learner of Science Research |
9 . Anyone who has studied a foreign language knows how difficult it is to become really fluent.
Find a conversation partner
Try to find someone in your school who is a native speaker and ask him or her to meet with you regularly to have conversations in that language.
Watch TV
Try to find a foreign language TV station and watch often. At first the actors will seem to speak too quickly, but try to recognize a few words or phrases.
Go out and practice
If you are visiting a foreign country and trying to learn the language, you’ll want to take every chance to go out and practice.
| A．They actually became less fluent speakers. |
| B．Later it’ll become easier to follow the dialogues. |
| C．Any situation can be an interesting learning experience. |
| D．Are you trying to learn a new language in a foreign land? |
| E．Here are some suggestions to help you practice your language skills. |
| F．Each day make a habit of going to a place like a shop, restaurant or bank. |
| G．Talking to someone with whom you feel comfortable is a great way to get experience with actual usage. |
10 . A 2017 Gallup poll reported that 43% of employed Americans had spent at least some time working remotely, and the US Census data released in 2018 reported 5.2% of US workers being based entirely at home.
Even as working from home (WFH) becomes relatively commonplace, a new form of remote work is emerging: working from anywhere (WFA), in which employees can live and work where they choose, typically within a specific country, but in some cases, anywhere in the world with a reliable Internet connection. While many companies are just starting to consider allowing employees to work from anywhere, developed WFA programs can be found at firms such as Akamai Technologies Inc. and SAP SE.
Employees value the option to work remotely. A 2017 study even found that the average worker was willing to accept 8% less pay for the option to work from home. And with a work-from-anywhere policy, employers add even more value to employees by granting geographic flexibility. There is the significant difference: while a WFH employee can choose to pick the kids up from school or spend the lunch hour walking the dog, a WFA employee can do all of those and also relocate closer to aging parents or to a location with a lower cost of living.
In our experience, however, managers often worry about remote employees working less, multitasking, or mixing personal responsibilities with work. There are also concerns that allowing employees to work from anywhere could decrease communication and collaboration (合作) among co-workers and might limit the informal learning that typically happens in the office.
But one 2015 study by a Chinese travel agency found that when call center employees were shifted to working from home, their productivity increased by an average of 13%, apparently due to a reduction in break time and sick days combined with a more comfortable working environment. This finding raises the question: could employees in a work-from-anywhere program also benefit from similar productivity increases?
1. What does the underlined word “emerging” in the second paragraph mean?| A．Coming into existence. | B．Getting more popular. |
| C．Coming to an end. | D．Drawing attention. |
| A．Picking the kids up from school. | B．Relocating closer to aging parents. |
| C．Spending the lunch hour walking the dog. | D．Working more effectively. |
| A．It is more relaxing. | B．It is more flexible. |
| C．It is more productive. | D．It is more stressful. |
| A．What’s the difference between WFA and WFH? |
| B．Do you prefer WFA or WFH? |
| C．Is it time to let employees work from anywhere? |
| D．Who are suitable for WFA and WFH? |
