1 . If you are crazy about paintings, you shouldn’t miss the following four famous masterpieces which have stood the test of time.
The Arnolfini Portrait
Jan van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait, an oil painting on wood produced in 1434, in which a man and a woman hold hands with a window behind him and a bed behind her, is undoubtedly one of the masterpieces in the National Gallery, London. This painting is as visually interesting as it is famed. It is also an informative document in fifteenth-century society, through Van Eyck’s heavy use of symbolism—while husbands went out to engage in business, wives concerned themselves with domestic duties.
The Starry Night
Vincent van Gogh painted The Starry Night, oil on canvas, a moderately abstract landscape painting of an expressive night sky over a small hillside village, during his 12-month stay at the mental hospital near Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France between 1889 and 1890. When the Museum of Modern Art in New York City purchased the painting from a private collector in 1941, it was not well known, but it has since become one of Van Gogh’s most famous works.
The Harvesters
The Harvesters is an oil painting on wood completed by Pieter Bruegel the Elder in 1565. It depicts the harvest time which most commonly occurs within the months of August and September. Nicolaes Jonghelinck, a merchant banker and art collector from Antwerp, commissioned this painting. The painting has been at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City since 1919.
Guernica
Guernica, a large black-and-white oil painting, was painted by the Cubist Spanish painter, Pablo Picasso in 1937. The title “Guernica” refers to the city that was bombed by Nazi planes during the Spanish Civil War. The painting depicts the horrors of war and as a result, has come to be an anti-war symbol and a reminder of the tragedies of war. Today, the painting is housed at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofaí in Madrid.
1. Which of the following paintings was produced earliest?| A．The Arnolfini Portrait. | B．The Starry Night. |
| C．The Harvesters. | D．Guernica. |
| A．It was painted on wood in oil. |
| B．It wasn’t widely recognized before 1940s. |
| C．It described the painter’s life in hospital. |
| D．It was given away to the museum by a private collector. |
| A．Pieter Bruegel the Elder. | B．Vincent van Gogh. |
| C．Jan van Eyck. | D．Pablo Picasso. |
2 . 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. |
3 . The world food safety could be in danger because of a number of food production shocks (冲击), according to an Australian study.
The researchers from the University of Tasmania found that there were 226 shocks in the area of food production across 134 nations and the frequency has been increasing over the past 50 years.
According to Cottrell, a researcher from the University of Tasmania, the main causes behind the shocks are different. For crops, extreme weather events such as floods and no rain for a long time play the biggest part. Weather also plays a role in livestock(家畜)production, but disease plays a bigger role. Disease also leads to aquaculture(水产业)shocks, while in the ocean most of the food shocks are caused by overfishing.
“When we look at the food production systems, covering crops, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture,” Cottrell said, “we find that crops and livestock are more easily affected than aquaculture. And some countries in South Asia are more frequently affected than others.”
The effects of production shocks reached far away from where they happened. When one means of food production is greatly reduced, it will cause unexpected results. “The India got a lot of food production shocks in crops and livestock, largely because of floods,” Cottrell explained. “If countries like India are shocked and the rice production is much smaller, they’ll probably send less goods to another country. And that shock suddenly starts to affect all the trade partners of the major producers as well.”
According to what Cottrell said, while the international community faces a great challenge to these problems, steps taken now can help fight against unexpected shocks in the future. “This can be done through measures such as food store systems so that they are better able to deal with the effect which is caused by problems such as climate change.” said Cottrell.
1. What do we know about food production shocks?| A．Their causes are different in different production areas. |
| B．Some diseases are the main cause. |
| C．Extreme weather is the biggest shock. |
| D．Overfishing is the main cause. |
| A．Livestock in Australia. | B．Crops in Australian. |
| C．Fisheries in India. | D．Livestock in South Asia. |
| A．To show India sells a lot of crops to other countries. |
| B．To show the shocks can cause unexpected results. |
| C．To show Indian shocks are more often. |
| D．To show India has a lot of flood. |
| A．Results Caused by the Problem of Global Food Safety |
| B．Measures Solving the Problem of Global Food Safety |
| C．Production Shocks Threatening Global Food Safety |
| D．The Importance of Global Food Safety |
4 . Do you want to buy books? Here are some choices.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Publication date: October 6, 2015
Laura Numeroff (Writer)
Price: $ 5.46
Sale: $ 4.87
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is one of the most popular children’s books of all time. This book is a great first introduction to the series of If You Give a Mouse… It is perfect for story time and beginners to read.
The Wonderful Things You’ll Be
Publication date: August 25, 2015
Emily Winfield Martin (Writer)
Price: $7.64
Sale: $ 6.58
Brave, creative and clever, Emily Winfield Martin expresses all the loving things that parents think of when they look at their children. This is a book grown-ups will love reading over and over to kids.
Goodnight Moon
Publication date: January 23, 2007
Margaret Wise Brown (Writer)
Price: $ 7.64
Sale: $ 6.12
In a great green room is a little bunny (兔子) who is loved by generations (几代人) of readers and listeners. The quiet words and the gentle pictures make a perfect book for the end of the day.
Baby Touch and Feel: Animals
Publication date: January 21, 2008
DK (Writer)
Price: $13.62
Sale: $12.12
This is a book full of lovely bunnies and other animals. This is a gift that your little child is sure to like. Babies can practice recognizing animals and animals’ voices when they touch the pictures on the pages. With more than one million copies sold, Baby Touch and Feel: Animals is the perfect book for the child’s bookshelf.
1. Whom is If You Give a Mouse a Cookie fit for?| A．Kids who start learning to read. | B．Kids who like cookies. |
| C．Kids who like the mouse. | D．Kids who like being stars. |
| A．It shows how to raise animals. | B．It has beautiful pictures. |
| C．It is published earliest. | D．It talks about choosing a good book. |
| A．Help kids love animals. | B．Help kids recognize animals. |
| C．Help kids draw animals. | D．Help kids feed animals. |
5 . At present, there are over 36,000 McDonald’s restaurants around the world, but it started out as a small one. The McDonald brothers, Dick and Mac, opened the first McDonald’s in San Bernardino, California in 1948. The menu included hamburgers, soft drinks, pie, French fries, milk, coffee and milkshakes. Ray Kroc, a travel salesman, visited the store and became interested in it. The brothers said that they wanted to open stores in the whole country, and then Kroc became their first franchise agent (特许经销商) in 1954. Kroc opened up a restaurant for McDonald’s on April 15, 1955. That store came with a lot of difficulties in the beginning.
After dealing with the difficulties, McDonald’s started to spread to all over the United States. The McDonald brothers wanted to show their Speed Service System-what we call fast food. Customers were served at large windows in the front of the building. The houses of the first restaurants were red and white with two golden arches(拱)on the side to make the roof look less flat.
The McDonald’s menu in 1977 shows how different its food choices are from today. What’s more, today McDonald’s have digital screens to show menus again and again.
In 1969 McDonald’s changed the style of restaurants. This change is found on the first McDonald’s in Moscow, Russia in 1990. Crowds line up outside to get their first taste of a Big Mac.
With billions of people served, McDonald’s has played an attractive role shaping international culture since its first restaurant opened.
1. When was McDonald’s first set up?| A．In 1955. | B．In 1954. | C．In 1948. | D．In 1977. |
| A．The brothers’ wish. | B．His experience of running restaurants. |
| C．His interest in traveling. | D．One of the customers’ advice. |
| A．The arches can show their difference in the USA. |
| B．Customers liked large windows. |
| C．Customers enjoyed arches. |
| D．The arches can make the roof look less flat. |
| A．It is very popular at that time. | B．It is different from today’s food choice. |
| C．The reason why it was popular. | D．The change of McDonald’s style. |
6 . London and Paris are two of Europe’s biggest tourist destinations, just a few hours away from each other by road or rail and an hour’s distance by air. What about the train-ferry combination that many recall fondly from their childhoods? Well, though it’s budget-saving, this option is too time-consuming today, so better leave it to your memories. Since the UK is not part the Schengen Area, passengers need to go through passport control prior to boarding.
Air trips
Though flying between London and Paris is by no means recommended, there are still a few people traveling between the two dynamic cities by air. A very low one-way fare is possible through advanced booking, but of course it’s rare, and that doesn’t include the taxi and rail fares traveling to and from the airports.
* One-way fares from Paris can be as low as 49;
* From London, Air France flies with fares as low as £39(46), and British Airways as low as £48 (56).
Rail trips
The only direct train between London and Paris is the Eurostar, which travels 15 -17 times per weekday. Eurostar’s 2015 edition trains can make the journey in two hours at speeds of up to 320 km/h. Besides, they offer good seating space.
* Fares begin at a reasonable £58(68), round trip;
* The earlier you book, the more you save.
Bus trips
The bus is by far the least expensive and longest way to travel between Paris and London. Eurolines and OUIBUS are two major bus lines traveling between the two capitals. The journey takes between seven and nine hours. Both lines advertise free Wi-Fi.
* One-way Eurolines fares begin at 15;
* One-way OUIBUS fares begin at 15 too, but early bird sales can even lower the fare.
1. Which way is probably the cheapest for a round trip?| A．By train-ferry. | B．By air. | C．By rail. | D．By bus. |
| A．Free booking. | B．Taxi pickup. |
| C．Good seating space. | D．Free Wi-Fi. |
| A．There are different competing companies. |
| B．They are cheaper if booked ahead of time. |
| C．They are more expensive from the Paris end. |
| D．There are still additional fees to be included. |
7 . There are many scholarships rewarding particular talents, so just find the right one that works for you.
■Spirit of Giving Scholarship
Deadline: July 31, 2021
Award Amount: $1,000
Overview: It is available to high school seniors and current college students. You must submit an essay of between 500 and 750 words on one of the following three topics: How have you advanced the spirit of giving? How has the spirit of giving affected you personally? How will your present education allow you to be of service to others?
■Ocean Awareness Contest
Deadline: June 15, 2021
Award Amount: Up to $1,500
Overview: It is open to students between the ages of 11 and 18. Students are invited to learn about the climate crisis and its impact on oceans, discover solutions and create work that explores hope in action.
Submissions are accepted in visual art, film, music, or poetry.
■Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
Deadline: September 19, 2021
Award Amount: $25,000
Overview: Essay contest on Ayn Rand’s novel, Atlas Shrugged. There are 59 prizes, and first prize is $25,000! To enter, submit an 800 to 1,600word essay on one of the specific topics about the novel, which can be viewed on the scholarship provider’s website.
■Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship
Deadline: October 31, 2021
Award Amount: $20,000
Overview: It is a scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors, who are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. Applicants must be expecting completion of a high school diploma at the time of application and planning to pursue a degree at a postsecondary institution.
1. What is required to win Spirit of Giving Scholarship?| A．Students aged from 11 to 18. | B．The capacity to lead and serve. |
| C．Submitting an essay. | D．Applying for it before October 31, 2021. |
| A．Spirit of Giving Scholarship. | B．Ocean Awareness Contest. |
| C．Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest. | D．CocaCola Scholars Program Scholarship. |
| A．Those studying in college. | B．Those to graduate from high school. |
| C．Those with a high school diploma. | D．Those in postsecondary institutions. |
8 . “Good morning,” the new teacher said. “I’m Ernesto Flores, your teacher for fifth grade. “In all his years in school, Julio had never heard a teacher use his or her first name. Of course, the students always found out what they were, but it was up to the students to discover this information for themselves.
“Now I’d like to find out who you are,” said Mr. Flores. He began to call the roll (点名) , starting with the boys. Julio shook his head. Teachers always began with the girls.
“Julio Sanchez,” called Mr. Flores, pronouncing it Hulio. That was the correct way to say the name in Spanish.
Several kids laughed. They had never heard Julio’s name pronounced without the J.
Mr. Flores looked up from the roll book. “Isn’t that how you say your name?” he asked Julio. “Or do you prefer Julio with a J?”
“At home, they call me Hulio. But at school everyone calls me Julio,” Julio said.
“Do you like two pronunciations of your name?” asked the teacher. “It’s a good Spanish name and you should be proud of it.”
Julio smiled. “I know,” he said, “but it doesn’t matter to me.”
“Are you sure?” asked Mr. Flores. “Your name is a very important part of you.”
Julio thought for a moment. “Okay,” he said. “From now on, everyone please call me Hulio. Puerto Rico, where I was born, used to be a Spanish colony (殖民地).”
“That’s right,” said Mr. Flores. “Can you tell us something about Puerto Rico?”
“I came here when I was only eight months old. I don’t remember anything,” Julio replied.
“I think you can interview your parents instead,” Mr. Flores said.
Julio nodded. It would be fun to learn more about the place where he had been born.
Julio had to admit (承认) that Mr. Flores was creative and interesting.
1. Why did Julio shake his head?| A．The new teacher was a man. | B．The new teacher used his full name. |
| C．The new teacher asked him a question. | D．The new teacher started the roll with the boys. |
| A．They didn’t like Spanish. |
| B．They found that Julio had a funny name. |
| C．They didn’t expect Julio’s name to be called first. |
| D．They thought the teacher had made a mistake in pronunciation. |
| A．Find out more about his birthplace. |
| B．Learn how to pronounce his name correctly. |
| C．Use the new name his new teacher gave to him. |
| D．Discover more information about his new teacher. |
| A．Strict. | B．Proud. |
| C．Different. | D．Hardworking. |
9 . It’s known to all that coffee can make you feel more awake, and now it seems that coffee may also improve your maths skills. And the best news is that you don’t even need to drink it to see the improvements — you just need to smell it. Coffee is actually very healthy. It is loaded with antioxidants and beneficial nutrients that can improve your health. The studies show that coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of developing several serious diseases.
A new study by researchers from Stevens Institute of Technology has revealed that the scent of coffee may help your maths skills. Professor Adriana Madzharov, who led the study, said: “It’s not just that the coffee-like scent helped people perform better on analytical tasks, which was already interesting. But they also thought they would do better, and we proved that this expectation was at least partly responsible for their improved performance.”
In the study, 100 business students took a 10-question algebra test. Half the group took the test in the presence of a coffee-like scent, while the other half took the test in an unscented room. The results revealed that the group in the coffee-smelling room scored significantly higher on the test than those in the unscented room.
In a follow-up study, the researchers quizzed 200 new participants on their belief about various scents and their effects on human performance. Their answers showed that they believed they would feel alert in the presence of a coffee scent. This suggests that their expectations about performance may have influenced their improved skills.
The researchers believe that the findings could have major effects on the real world. Professor Madzharov added: “Olfaction is one of our most powerful senses. Employers, architects, building developers, retail space managers and others can use subtle scents to help shape employees’ or occupants’ experience with their environment. It’s an area of great interest and potential.”
1. Which of the following best explains “scent” underlined in Paragraph 2?| A．Smell. | B．Flavor. |
| C．Taste. | D．Fragrant. |
| A．Summarize the previous paragraphs. |
| B．Provide some evidence for the findings. |
| C．Add some background information. |
| D．Introduce a new topic for discussion. |
| A．200 new participants took a 10-question maths test. |
| B．100 business students thought they would feel more alert in the presence of a coffee scent. |
| C．150 new participants believed coffee have influenced their improved skills. |
| D．50 business students scored higher in the maths test with the presence of coffee than those without the scent of coffee. |
| A．Coffee is Very Healthy |
| B．The New Function of Coffee |
| C．The New Findings of Coffee Will Affect the World |
| D．The Scent of Coffee May Help One’s Maths Skills |
10 . One ambitious high school student knew exactly how to show his family that he got accepted into his dream college — by surprising them on Christmas Day.
Barrington Lincoln, class president at Lutheran High School North in Ferguson, got accepted into Morehouse College in Atlanta back on Dec.15th. But for months, he knew he wanted to make the news known in a big way to his mother and aunt, Lincoln told ABC News. “I thought of the surprise in October,” he said, adding that once he got accepted he would purchase two school T-shirts from Morehouse’s online store.
On Christmas Day, in a now video on Twitter, Lincoln, 17, gifted his mom Lisa McDonald and his aunt Shirley Gray the T-shirts with the school’s name on it. When the two sisters opened the gifts, they had no idea what they meant.
In the video, Lincoln nudges (用肘轻推) his family, “You know what that means right? I got in!” While McDonald falls heavily on the couch in delight, Gray asks, “You’ve been holding out on us?”
“I didn’t expect anything like that,” McDonald told ABC News. “It’s so satisfying to see him get the return on his studying.” “He always wanted to be the first in line and help everybody stay in line,” his mother added. McDonald said it’s especially sweet since she had to work an extra job to afford his private school after his father, a former Marine, passed away in 2015. Lincoln was only 15.
“All kids need to have quality education,” the mother added. “I am putting an investment in his future.”
1. What did Lincoln choose two T-shirts for his mother and aunt mainly for?| A．To show he loves them forever. |
| B．To tell them his academic success. |
| C．To give them a Christmas gift. |
| D．To show he had grown up already. |
| A．Embarrassed. | B．Satisfied. |
| C．Puzzled. | D．Disappointed. |
| A．You’ve been telling a lie to the two of us. |
| B．You’ve been longing to tell us the truth. |
| C．You’ve been keeping it a secret from us. |
| D．You’ve been playing a joke with two of us. |
| A．Lincoln bought the T-shirts in the local supermarket. |
| B．Lincoln’s parents could hardly afford his education. |
| C．The video had been popular before December 15. |
| D．Lincoln’s mother felt her efforts paid off at last. |
