1 . If you think of the jobs that robots could never do, you would probably put doctors and teachers atop of the list. It’s easy to imagine robots and factory workers. But are we underestimating what robots can do?

In some cases, they already do better than doctors at diagnosing illness. Also, some patients might feel more comfortable sharing personal information with a machine than a person. Could there be a place for robots in education after all?

British education expert Anthony Seldom thinks so. He even has a date for the robot takeover of the classroom:2027. He forecasts that robots will do the main job of disseminating knowledge and teachers will be like helpers. Intelligent robots will read students’ faces, movements and even brain signals. Then they will pass the information on to each student in the way he or she can understand.

However, it’s not a popular opinion. Most people think it’s impossible that robots will have the ability to really connect with humans like another human can.

One thing is certain, though. A robot teacher is better than no teacher at all. In some parts of the world, there aren’t enough teachers and 9%-16% of children under the age of 14 don’t go to school. That problem could be partly solved by robots because the owners can teach anywhere.

Being a teacher is a difficult job and teachers often feel overworked. Perhaps the question is not “Will robots replace teachers?” but “How can’t robots help teachers?” Teachers spend a lot of time doing non-teaching work, including more than 1 hour a week marking homework. If robots could cut the time teachers spend marking homework and writing reports, teachers would have more time and energy for the parts of the job humans do best.

1. What does the author mainly intend to show in the first paragraph?

A．Robots can do creative work.

B．Robots will replace doctors soon.

C．Robots work better than humans.

D．Robots can do more jobs than imagined.

2. What does the underlined word “disseminating” in paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．Storing.	B．Spreading.
C．Analyzing.	D．Replacing.

3. Which word best describes the public’s attitude to Anthony Seldom’s forecast?

A．Unacceptable.	B．Uncreative.
C．Unconcerned.	D．Reasonable.

4. What’s the main idea of the text?

A．What robots are never able to do.

B．What the weaknesses of robots are.

C．Whether robots will evolve by themselves.

D．Whether robots will completely replace human teachers.

2 . A quick look at Instagram will show you thousands of girls sharing their clothing of the day. Many of these girls are sharing completely new clothes every day. And they’re feeling the pressure to never repeat clothes. This attitude of not being able to wear something again after sharing it on Instagram is far too common. It is a sad thing when some girls feel sorry for appearing in the same clothes more than once on Instagram.

Clothes businesses push new “must –haves” every week, which adds to the pressure to keep up. Clothes have been so cheap because of the competition between clothes businesses that it’s shockingly easy to buy new clothes every day. These clothes businesses have made it possible for a normal person to never be seen in the same clothes twice. Often the quality of these clothes is so low that they don’t even survive the wash so there is no chance of that second wear.

Consider everything that goes into making a single piece of clothing-for example: plenty of water, energy and petrochemicals, finishing and labor of each worker throughout making it. It’s shocking to think after all this, a piece of clothing might be worn once, maybe twice, and then thrown away so that they can follow fast fashion.

The fashion of throwing clothes away after use needs to change. Proudly post the same clothes you’ve worn before online. Get creative with mixing and matching, and borrow from friends for special times. The possibilities are endless so there’s no need to shop frequently.

1. What is a sad thing according to the first paragraph?

A．Some girls like showing off on the Internet.

B．Some girls spend too much time on social media.

C．Some girls care too little about their appearances.

D．Some girls feel ashamed to post the same clothes online again.

2. What leads to the girls’ wearing the same clothes only once?

A．Online shopping.	B．Parents’ pressure.
C．Clothes businesses.	D．Laziness to wash clothes.

3. Why does the author mention how a single piece of clothing is made?

A．To show fast fashion’s great effect.

B．To tell us we should treasure clothes.

C．To show the development of the clothes industry.

D．To tell us we should have our own dressing styles.

4. What does the author want to do in the last paragraph?

A．Offer reasons.	B．Give suggestions.
C．Give encouragement.	D．Promote a fashion brand.

3 . These devices, along with many others, made the list of tech-related items available this holiday season.

Theragun Mini

The Theragun Mini is essentially a massage (按摩) gun that provides up to 2,400 beats per minute to relax muscles after a workout to prevent soreness. The device is designed for quietness and can last around two hours on a full charge; $199.99 at theragun.com.

Lenovo Smart Clock Essential

The Lenovo Smart Clock Essential basically is a digital alarm clock attached to a Google smart speaker, which allows you to adjust settings with only your voice or play music. The simple LED display shows the time, weather and day of the week, and it has a built-in night-light. Its battery has a charge life of about half a month with continuous use. Starts at $29.99 at lenovo. com.

Fitbit Versa3

Fitbit’s newest smartwatch offers built-in GPS tracking for those who prefer to log their exercise outings without the need to carry a phone. If your focus is fitness, the Versa, which has a large, color touchscreen display, could be considered a less expensive option to Apple’s smartwatch. The Versa’s battery can last up to six days; $229.95 at fitbit. com.

Amazon Echo Dot and Echo Dot Kids

The fourth generation of Amazon’s smart speaker now has a round shape and comes in two editions: regular and one for kids. It operates the same way as other smart speakers in the Echo line, allowing users to ask the device to play music or give the latest news headlines. The kids version comes with a free subscription to Amazon Kids+, which has access to child-friendly digital books and games. Its battery can last around seven hours on a full charge, starting at $49.99 at amazon. com.

1. Whose battery can work the longest time on a full charge?

A．Fitbit Versa 3.

B．Theragun Mini.

C．Lenovo Smart Clock Essential.

D．Amazon Echo Dot and Echo Dot Kids.

2. What do Theragun Mini and Fitbit Versa 3 have in common?

A．They both offer built-in GPS.

B．They both have a color touchscreen.

C．They both can be got at the same website.

D．They are both suitable for workout lovers.

3. What can we do with Echo Dot Kids?

A．Purchase any digital books.

B．Keep us informed of homework.

C．Subscribe to Amazon Kids+ for free.

D．Download some videos from the Internet.

4 . Once, a rich man drove his expensive car with full speed. Listening to the music ______, he didn’t pay attention to the traffic sign. A bad car accident happened to him. He was ______ with blood all over. And then, he was admitted to the best ______ of the town.

When he opened his eyes, he couldn’t move his body even an inch. The doctor came to his bed and asked, “How are you feeling, sir?” He shook his head with much ______. The doctor softly comforted him that he would certainly recover but it would take time because of his ______ and several other diseases.

A few days later, he could ______ to speak. When the doctor visited him again, he became too ______ and said, “Doctor, please do something so that I can be ______ the hospital. I would spend as much money as you want.”

“Sir, I am trying my best but the recovering process is ______,” the doctor continued, “while driving, you are supposed to ______ the traffic regulations. That you are wealthy doesn’t ______ you could spend the money as you pleased. Your unhealthy eating habits have brought you some ______, which put you into trouble.”

When the man recalled his past deeds, he regretted for his own acts. He realized that money could do nothing but supply some temporary ______. Wealth is nothing before health! He felt ashamed of his ______! “Thank you for your guidance, doctor! Please ______ my ignorance!”

1.

A．regularly

B．obviously

C．confidently

D．attentively

2.

A．delighted

B．unconscious

C．thrilled

D．unconcerned

3.

A．restaurant

B．company

C．hospital

D．organization

4.

A．difficulty

B．satisfaction

C．courage

D．relief

5.

A．attitudes

B．disabilities

C．models

D．injuries

6.

A．prepare

B．happen

C．continue

D．manage

7.

A．powerful

B．impatient

C．embarrassed

D．discouraged

8.

A．released from

B．accustomed to

C．satisfied with

D．engaged in

9.

A．slow

B．practical

C．different

D．normal

10.

A．explain

B．observe

C．consider

D．repeat

11.

A．demand

B．guarantee

C．mean

D．prove

12.

A．illnesses

B．surprises

C．disadvantages

D．fears

13.

A．curiosity

B．freedom

C．pleasure

D．stress

14.

A．pride

B．dishonesty

C．anxiety

D．appearance

15.

A．punish

B．reconsider

C．criticize

D．forgive

5 . Jean was a single mother with a young son. She taught the first grade and worked very hard. She drove a small old car. One August, the teachers returned from a summer break to see Jean drive up to school with three children. The two girls were Jean’s former students who had lost their parents. They did not want to enter a foster care center. They turned to Jean-their first grade teacher-for help. Though she and her son lived in a small house, Jean took the girls in.

During lunch, while other teachers shared life stories, Jean never complained about her new responsibilities. She did, however, speak about her car. With three children to transport, the car was too small and slow. It even burned engine oil. Jean needed something new. However, she couldn’t buy one with three children in her home.

As a good friend, I listened to her concerns. At that time, I did not have much money. But I wanted to help Jean buy a car. An idea hit me when I watched a TV show.

One day, Jean received an invitation to a TV show. She was surprised but decided to attend it. Midway through the show the host called Jean to the stage. He explained he had received a letter, knowing her need for a new car. The audience listened to the details of Jean’s story and were all moved. Then the host said that Jean would receive a new car for her family. Cheers filled the studio and Jean shook with disbelief.

Six hundred miles away, I watched the joy of it all from the television in my living room. Jean’s big heart taught me many lessons that year. I did nothing but share her story.

1. What can we infer about Jean according to the first paragraph?

A．She was a driver.

B．She was very kind-hearted.

C．She knew the girls’ parents.

D．She wanted to sell her small car.

2. What troubled Jean?

A．She found it hard to raise kids alone.

B．She couldn’t afford to buy a new car.

C．She couldn’t spare more time for her students.

D．She had no time to transport her kids to school.

3. Why did Jean receive an invitation to the show?

A．The author turned to the show for help.

B．The school rewarded her for her hard work.

C．The school wanted to make her story known.

D．The show picked some single mothers to report randomly.

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

A．A Letter from My Friend

B．Helping My Friend Get a Car

C．Inviting My Friend to a Show

D．A Single Mother with Three Kids

6 . Urban rewilding projects are attracting nature back into our cities, from creating city butterfly grasslands to building unlikely homes for deadly birds. The middle of London’s busy West End doesn't seem like the likeliest location for one of the UK’s rarest birds. There are only approximately 20-40 breeding pairs of black redstarts in the country. But in recent years, without being artificially introduced into the area, this rare bird has started to make a home in this crowded part of Central London.

The black redstart isn’t the only unexpected species of wildlife to start living in urban landscapes. Moths, butterflies, woodpeckers and even serotine bats, more commonly found in the countryside, have also been on the rise in this part of London. These changes are the result of increasing efforts to transform urban areas from wildlife dead-spots into attractive, practical homes for nature alongside citizens. One new initiative is even trying to get offices to keep bees.

Urban rewilding initiatives often have multiple levels of benefit—greener spaces not only make people happier, but they also help solve water drainage (排水) problems and prevent flooding, as well as providing a home for bees and other animals. But perhaps one of their most valuable features is to make us feel more connected with nature and be more aware of our relationship with the environment.

The long game is not just to build green compromises into existing city areas, but to shift what development looks like in a city. Until recent years, urbanisation has meant turning green areas grey with the concrete, asphalt and glass of traditional buildings. That transformation has unsurprisingly ended up being bad for our mental well-being, physical health, environment, ecosystems and wildlife. Rewilding is one way to completely change that process: prioritizing (按重要性排列) plants and animals first, and paving the way for the benefits to our health, well-being and the urban environment that follow.

1. Why are black redstarts referred to in Paragraph 1?

A．To stress the importance of rare birds.

B．To show urban rewilding has paid off.

C．To suggest their love for living downtown.

D．To prove man lives in harmony with nature.

2. What can be learnt about serotine bats?

A．Their homes have completely changed.

B．People build more homes for them.

C．Their population is increasing in cities.

D．They are uncommon in urban areas.

3. What is the author’s attitude to urbanization?

A．Critical.	B．Approving.
C．Ambiguous.	D．Objective.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Wildlife Is Coming Back to Cities.

B．Urban Rewilding Benefits Both Man and Wildlife.

C．Man Is Making Efforts to Project Wild Animals.

D．We Need More Urban Rewilding Projects for Nature.

7 . 阅读下面短文, 在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Chinese archaeologists announced Saturday that some new major discoveries have been made at the legendary Sanxingdui Ruins site in Sichuan Province.

Archaeologists have found six new sacrificial pits(祭祀坑) and unearthed more than 500 items     1     (date) back about 3,000 years at the Sanxingdui Ruins. The new pits sit next to two sacrificial pits    2    (discover) in 1986. Together they form an area in    3    people of the ancient Shu   civilization offered    4     (sacrifice) to heaven, earth and their ancestors, and prayed for prosperity and peace.

The pits are rectangular(矩形的),     5    areas ranging between 3.5 square meters and 19 square meters. So far, archaeologists    6     (dig) out various cultural items from four of the pits, including pieces of gold masks, gold foil, bronze masks, bronze trees, ivory and jade.     7    rest of the newly discovered pits are still under excavation.

The discoveries have shown the distinctiveness of the Shu civilization and the    8     (diverse) of the Chinese civilization.

Literally meaning “Three-Star Piles”, the Sanxindui Ruins site is among China’s top ten    9     (archaeology) finds of the 20^th century. Covering 12 square km, the relics site, located in the city of Guanghan, about 60 km from Chengdu,     10     (believe) to be the remnants(遗迹)of the Shu Kingdom in ancient China.

8 . Usage and Bookings of Sports and Outdoor Facilities

Swimming Pools and Fitness Gyms

NUS (National University of Singapore) students who pay sports fees:

Students will need to register in Resource Booking System (REBOKS) to activate their free access to the swimming pools and fitness gyms. Thereafter, access will be via the NUS Student Matric Card.

NUS staff, registered guests and immediate family members of NUS staff i.e. spouse (配偶) and children: NUS staff, registered guests and immediate family members of NUS staff can access these facilities by buying any of the following items through REBOKS.

• Individual Membership

• Swimming Entry Tickets

• Tap & Go

Charges will be deducted (扣除) directly from e-Wallet.

US staff can access the swimming pools and fitness gyms using their staff card after purchasing one of the items above through REBOKS.

US registered guests and immediate family members of NUS staff can access the swimming pools and fitness gyms by using the QR Code found under their REBOKS profile.

Badminton Courts, Table Tennis Tables and Tennis Courts

Only NUS staff/students are allowed to book the badminton courts, table tennis tables and tennis courts.

Bookings can be done online through REBOKS and are non-transferable. Charges may be applicable to the bookings and usage of selected facilities.

Bookings for Organized Events/Competitions

NUS student organizations registered with the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) can book the sports facilities with endorsement (认可) from the respective   staff adviser with a form. NUS departments can also book the sports facilities with a form. Bookings should be made at least four weeks in advance and usage should be for the facilities' primary purposes.

1. How can an NUS student who pays sports fees access the swimming pools for free?

A．By using the QR Code.

B．By using swimming entry tickets.

C．By using individual membership.

D．By using NUS Student Matric Card.

2. Which of the following can book a tennis court?

A．NUS students.

B．Registered guests.

C．NUS staff's family members.

D．Professional tennis players.

3. What can we learn about bookings for organized events?

A．They must be done online through REBOKS.

B．They can be made no matter what the usage is.

C．They should be made at least 4 weeks in advance.

D．They cannot be transferred to other organizations.

9 . A Chicago woman's act of kindness helped homeless people stay warm.   Candice Payne _________20 hotel rooms on her credit card with a group of strangers following her.

Payne booked the hotel rooms after_________how life-threatening the sub-zero   temperatures would be for the Chicagoans without _________. She posted about it on social media and soon the_________ and   offers to   help   bring food   came   flooding in.   "_________ they didn't   know how to   or where to start to help, so I'm glad that I was able to be that_________," she said.

When temperatures_________to 22 degrees below zero, a   group of   homeless people   had to   abandon their tents near a highway. Payne and other volunteers dug_________into their pockets and paid for 60 rooms at a hotel on Chicago's South Side. And the volunteers built_________friendships even though most of them just met.

When Jermaine and Robert got the offer for a(n) __________bed, they were getting ready to sleep on the__________. "We don't get that type of help," Jermaine said. "I really needed them at that __________, so they came right in time." They hugged Payne and thanked her, touched by the__________kindness.

This volunteer group has been able to__________three nights at the hotel for about 80 people.

They're hoping to continue working together to help________ a more long-term solution.

1.

A．bought

B．took

C．charged

D．built

2.

A．checking

B．measuring

C．reporting

D．realizing

3.

A．home

B．choice

C．dream

D．job

4.

A．suggestions

B．instructions

C．donations

D．solutions

5.

A．Instead

B．Hardly

C．Fortunately

D．Maybe

6.

A．provider

B．connecter

C．organizer

D．manager

7.

A．reached

B．dropped

C．rose

D．fell

8.

A．deep

B．long

C．anxiously

D．hopefully

9.

A．amazing

B．surprising

C．amusing

D．lasting

10.

A．free

B．warm

C．attractive

D．expensive

11.

A．road

B．beach

C．street

D．mountain

12.

A．point

B．movement

C．place

D．hotel

13.

A．unexpected

B．unwritten

C．undelivered

D．unmeasured

14.

A．pay

B．receive

C．cover

D．enjoy

15.

A．determine

B．provide

C．design

D．accomplish