1 . A company called Loon is partnering with Telkom Kenya, Kenya’s third-largest cell service company. The company is using balloons to deliver the Internet to people across Kenya.

Loon’s balloons are basically floating cell towers. And they are massive—each is about as big as a tennis court. The balloons float about 20 kilometers above the Earth. The huge plastic balloons can float for up to 100 days, running on solar power. Loon is using 35 balloons to make the Internet easily accessible around 50,000 square kilometers of Kenya.

Delivering Internet via balloons seems fragile. In fact, Internet service delivery from the stratosphere (平流层) is highly effective. Rather than fight against the wind, the balloon teaches itself to find a favorable wind current. At altitude, network coverage footprints can be more widespread, and coverage can be shifted as demand changes. In addition, there’s less ground-based engineering construction; developers can avoid more trouble in laying cables or wires. More importantly, service interruptions are possibly more controllable. A provider doesn’t have to trace faults through remote ground infrastructure (设施). Backup balloons could be staged, waiting to be placed into service.

Now some Kenyans are using the service to watch videos, look at websites, and make video and voice calls. Others beef a bit, saying that Loon’s service covers areas of Kenya that already have some cell phone service, instead of remote, poorly-connected areas in the north. Loon says it will speed up the process. After Kenya, Loon plans to use its balloons in other parts of the world. Many people will be watching Loon’s Kenya project carefully to see if it succeeds in a way that could be repeated in other countries.

Before this, Loon’s balloons were used mainly to provide Internet service to disaster victims in Puerto Rico, following Hurricane Maria, and in Peru following an 8.0 magnitude earthquake.

1. What is the function of the floating cell towers?

A．Receiving signals from satellites.

B．Keeping electric wires connected.

C．Bringing Internet access to Kenyans.

D．Relaying television signals to distant areas.

2. What is the third paragraph mainly about?

A．A major drawback of using balloons.

B．Benefits from repair and construction.

C．A reason for making use of the stratosphere.

D．Advantages of the Internet-enabled balloons.

3. What is people’s attitude towards Loon’s future projects?

A．Unconcerned.

B．Disappointed.

C．Expectant.

D．Satisfied.

4. What’s the best title for the text?

A．Is Choosing Balloons a Better Way?

B．Balloon-powered Internet Service in Kenya

C．Loon’s Internet Service During Emergencies

D．Will Unequal Internet Connection Be Addressed?

2 . Get a taste of the high life with our pick of London’s best spots to enjoy cocktails in the clouds now that bars are reopening on July 4.

Boundary Rooftop

Boundary Rooftop offers rooftop drinking in style, with a glass roof for protection from the bad weather and impressive panoramic (全景的) views of London. There’s restaurant seating for 48, with diners choosing from grills and lighter meals downstairs.

Open for bookings: 5-11 p. m. Mon.-Thur., noon-11 p. m. Thur.-Sun.

Radio Rooftop Bar

One of London’s most popular rooftop bars, with striking views across the River Thames and London’s impressive skyline. From sunrise to sunset, guests can enjoy the changing views of the capital ranging from the Shard and St Paul’s downstream to the London Eye and Big Ben in the west. Radio offers signature cocktails and a Mediterranean menu including seasonal, locally sourced items.

Open for bookings: noon-11:30 p. m. daily.

Roof East

Roof East offers rooftop lovers a little bit of everything, from the usual cocktails and street foods to batting cages and mini golf courses—all of which are open to the public. Feed and water yourselves at The Barbecue Club under the stars and pick the bottomless popcorn option.

Open for bookings from June 26.

Bussey Rooftop Bar

This rooftop space is perhaps better known for its citizen cinema Rooftop Film Club (whether it’s appearing here this year is yet to be confirmed), but it also hosts some serious summer parties. Plenty of plants, flowers, cocktails, beers and street foods make this spot more than a back-up plan while nearby Frank’s Café is closed.

Booking information to be confirmed.

1. Which of the following can stay open in all weathers?

A．Roof East.	B．Boundary Rooftop.
C．Radio Rooftop Bar.	D．Bussey Rooftop Bar.

2. What can guests do at Roof East?

A．Play mini golf.	B．See an exciting film.
C．Enjoy London landmarks.	D．Have panoramic views of London.

3. What do we know about Bussey Rooftop Bar?

A．It serves high-quality coffee.	B．It is not bookable now.
C．It gives parties all year round.	D．It is well known as a film location.

3 . The Sahara Desert

Location

Filling nearly all of northern Africa, the Sahara Desert measures approximately 3, 000 miles from east to west and between 800 and 1, 200 miles from north to south.     1     The Sahara Desert is bordered in the west by the Atlantic Ocean, in the north by the Atlas Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, in the east by the Red Sea, and in the south by the Sahel.

Landscape

The Sahara Desert features iconic sand dune (沙丘) fields, which cover about 15 percent of the entire desert’s surface and lie primarily in the north-central region.     2     A few examples include crescent (新月形的) dunes, linear dunes, transverse dunes and star dunes. These dunes, with their various forms, raise many questions about the dynamics of their formation.

Water

    3     Its age-old rivers are the Nile and the Niger. The Nile rises south of the Sahara and empties into the Mediterranean. The Niger rises southwest of the Sahara and flows northeastward into Mali.     4     It is the expansive but shallow Lake Chad, a body of water that lies at the southernmost edge of the Sahara. Other lakes hold a salty stew of undrinkable water.

Climate

Across the Sahara Desert, the annual average rainfall equals no more than a few inches or fewer. In the summer, daytime air temperatures often soar to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, with the hottest air temperature meteorologists have ever recorded — 136 degrees — occurring at EL Azizia, Libya, on September 13, 1922.     5     In the winter, freezing temperatures may occur in the northern Sahara Desert, and milder temperatures across the southern Sahara Desert. Snow may fall occasionally in some of the higher mountain ranges and rarely, on the desert floor.

A．No rain at all may fall for several more years.

B．It has a total area of some 3,320,000 square miles.

C．The dunes usually take on varied and complex forms.

D．Star dunes form under winds that blow from several directions.

E．The Sahara Desert has some lakes, but only one with drinkable water.

F．The Sahara Desert has only two permanent rivers and a handful of lakes.

G．Under the clear skies, the temperature may fall 40 degrees or more during an evening.

4 . — “Can you smell anything unusual?”
— “Yes. I can smell something ________.”

A．burning

B．is burning

C．having burnt

D．burnt

5 . 假如你是高二学生李华，最近在英语课堂上学习了有关幽默的知识。请你用英语写一篇关于幽默的好处的演讲稿。要点如下：
1.有助于学习；
2.促进身体和心理健康；
3.减轻学习和生活压力；
4.促进与他人的友谊。
注意：
1.词数100左右；
2.可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
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6 . 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。

China’s latest war epic The Battle at Lake Changjin has rocketed to     1     top of China’s box office during the opening days of the country’s long National Day holiday period.

The film     2     (release) on Thursday and had already earned approximately $82 million by 6 p.m. local time Friday, according to local ticketing app Maoyan, which projects the film will finish its run with a total     3     well over $500 million. China’s National Day holiday period stretches over the Oct. 1-7 period and is     4     (typical) one of the country’s biggest box office windows of the year.

The     5     (power) start all but assures that The Battle at Lake Changjin will emerge as the weekend’s biggest earner at the worldwide box office,     6     (beat) MGM’s much anticipated Bond installment No Time to Die,     7     is forecast to pull in $80 million to $100 million from more than 50 global     8     (market). Battle at Lake Changjin will easily top $150 million from just one market — China.

    9     (produce) by Bona Film Group and state-backed film companies Shanghai Film Group and Huaxia, The Battle at Lake Changjin is believed     10     (be) China’s most expensive film ever made, with a production budget of over $200 million.

7 . When I was a boy, we lived 4 miles outside of town. We lived next to the forest and I would spend hours every day playing in it with the oak (橡树) and maple trees as my companions. I would climb up their limbs, sit in their shade, and feel their peace.

That is why it was so hard for me when I found myself to be a lumberjack as a young man. It wasn't just the back breaking work, the long hours, and the low pay. It was also seeing day after day beautiful trees that had grown for half a century being sawed (锯) up and cut into flooring. Still, I couldn't help but think that they looked a lot more lovely as living trees reaching up to Heaven than as dead flooring lying under my feet.

One afternoon after a long day's work, I was feeling particularly down and depressed.I decided to take a walk in the woods like I had as a boy in hopes of lifting my spirits and calming my soul. As I walked along with my aching back and tired body, I longed for those happy childhood days. I dropped my head frustratedly and looked down at the dirt. That is when I saw it: a single, red oak acorn (橡子) that had somehow survived the hungry deer and squirrels all winter long.Then I remembered something I'd read once: “Eventually an acorn becomes a forest!” I smiled, bent down, dug up a handful of dirt, and planted that little acorn, feeling peace and joy warming my heart. Then I walked back home happy once again to be a part of God's green earth.

In this life we all start out as an acorn, but whether we become a forest or not is up to us. God gives us this glorious life here to grow, learn, laugh, love,share, smile, and help others to do the same.Embrace this gift of life. Use it to every day stretch your soul towards Heaven and create a mighty forest of love.

1. Which of the following can best describe the author's childhood?

A．Carefree

B．Dull.

C．Plain.

D．Miserable.

2. What does the underlined word “lumberjack” mean in the second paragraph?

A．A person who plants trees.

B．A person who waters trees.

C．A person who cuts trees.

D．A person who protects the forest.

3. What did the author do when walking in the woods?

A．He climbed up an oak tree.

B．He planted a little oak acorn.

C．He came across a book he had ever read.

D．He found some hungry deer and squirrels.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Accepting the gift of life.

B．Taking a walk in the woods.

C．Experiencing a typical working day.

D．Refreshing the unforgettable memory.

8 . Taking notes is a useful way for students to improve their learning. Good notes can help students finish their homework more quickly and get better grades in exams.     1     Here are some suggestions to solve the problem.

The most important thing you need to do before a class is to prepare for the lesson.     2     And it can give you an idea of how to organize the information in your notebook. Besides, if there is something too difficult to understand, you will know to take more specific（具体的）notes about it.

    3     No matter which style you use, your notes should be clear at first sight!     4     Instead, write down the most important information, for example, main ideas and examples discussed in class.

To remember the information as much as possible, you’d better review your notes within 24 hours after your class. And at the end of your notes for each class, write a summary（总结）.     5    

Try to do better in taking notes, and then it will help you study better!

A．Many students have good ways to take notes.

B．Don’t write down every word the teacher says.

C．You need to find a style of note-taking that works best for you.

D．However, some students may not be sure how to take good notes.

E．This will help you much better understand what you have learned.

F．By doing this, you will be able to know what you are going to learn.

G．Some students are used to taking down the key information in class.

9 . A new study, out of Japan's Fukuoka University and presented at the American Academy of Neurology's72nd Annual Meeting in April,2020, is so interesting. The researchers found that playing ping pong may lead to significant improvements in Parkinson's symptoms.

“Ping pong, which is also called table tennis, is a form of aerobic (有氧的) exercise that has been shown in the general population to improve hand-eye coordination , sharpen reflexes, and stimulate the brain," said study author Ken-ichi Inoue, M.D., of Fukuoka University. “We wanted to examine if people with Parkinson 's disease would see similar benefits that may in turn reduce some of their symptoms. "

The study included 12 people (an average age of 73) with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease, who had been diagnosed with Parkinson's for seven years on average. The participants were tested at the beginning of the study to assess the type and degree of symptoms they had. They then had a ping pong session once a week. The sessions included stretching exercises and specific ping pong exercises led by experienced table tennis players from the department of Sports Science of Fukuoka University.

The symptoms were then assessed again at three months and six months (at the end of the study), and during that period participants experienced significant improvements in speech, handwriting, getting dressed, getting out of bed and walking. For example, it took participants an average of more than two attempts to get out of bed at the beginning of the study compared to an average of one attempt at the end of the study. They also had significant improvements in facial expression, posture, rigidity (僵硬), slowness of movement and hand trembles.

“While this study is small, the results are encouraging because they show ping pong, a relatively inexpensive form of therapy, may improve some symptoms of Parkinson's disease,” said Inoue. “A much larger study is now being planned to confirm these findings.”

1. Why does the author feel the new study is interesting?

A．Ping pong is a sport of great interest.

B．The process of the study is easy and relaxing.

C．The combination between sports and diseases is funny.

D．It excites curiosity that ping pong should improve Parkinson's.

2. Which aspect do the 12 participants have in common?

A．Age.

B．Gender.

C．Disease.

D．Degree.

3. How many times have the participants been assessed altogether?

A．1.

B．2.

C．3.

D．4.

4. What will Inoue probably do next according to the last paragraph?

A．Try other sports to draw new conclusions.

B．Get more people involved to further prove the findings.

C．Expand the range of diseases to match with ping pong.

D．Find out more connections between sports and diseases.

10 . Researchers reported a blind man who had received a gene of a light-sensing protein can now see and touch objects with the help of special goggles(护目镜).

His vision gains are modest—he cannot see colors or distinguish faces or letters. But if the treatment helps other study participants, it may offer advantages over other vision technologies for severely blind people. For scientists, the result is a milestone: the first published report of using a relatively new technology called optogenetics(光遗传学) to treat a disease in people. “It’s not the kind of vision people dream of, but it’s a big step,” said Jean Bennett of the University of Pennsylvania.

Optogenetics uses light to control neurons. Scientists add the gene to a light-sensitive protein called opsin(视蛋白) from algae or bacteria and then shine light on the cell to cause the opsin to change shape, which switches the neuron’s activity on or off. Since it was developed nearly 20 years ago, optogenetics has mostly been used as a tool to treat animals, brain diseases. But researchers hope it can one day treat diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and blindness.

“The eye is the simplest place to start because it is small and easy to access,” said Botond Roska, a physician-scientist at the University of Base.

The patients in the study have lost the retinal photoreceptor cells(视网膜感光细胞) that use human opsins to turn light into electrical signals relayed to the brain. But their eyes still have the cells that route these signals to the brain via the optic nerve. That means the patients could potentially gain vision by giving these cells a new kind of opsin.

1. What can we know about the result from paragraph 2?

A．It has shortcomings but is important.

B．It can be used to treat blind people now.

C．It is the conclusion of previous research.

D．It is a way to help people become modest.

2. Which is the key to the treatment?

A．New goggles.	B．Suitable opsin.
C．Natural proteins.	D．Retinal photoreceptor cells.

3. What can we infer about optogenetics from the text?

A．It can benefit both humans and animals.

B．Scientists have never focused on it before.

C．If has been used to treat animals’ blindness.

D．Patients should know something about it.

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

A．A Report on a New Protein

B．Ways to Help Patients Stay Healthy

C．Researchers Find Blindness Can Be Cured

D．A Treatment Helps Blind Men Regain Some Vision