1 . As data and identity theft becomes more and more common, the market is growing for biometric(生物测量) technologies—like fingerprint scans—to keep others out of private e-spaces. At present, these technologies are still expensive, though.

Researchers from Georgia Tech say that they have come up with a low-cost device(装置) that gets around this problem: a smart keyboard. This smart keyboard precisely measures the cadence(节奏) with which one types and the pressure fingers apply to each key. The keyboard could offer a strong layer of security by analyzing things like the force of a user’s typing and the time between key presses. These patterns are unique to each person. Thus, the keyboard can determine people’s identities, and by extension, whether they should be given access to the computer it’s connected to—regardless of whether someone gets the password right.

It also doesn’t require a new type of technology that people aren’t already familiar with. Everybody uses a keyboard and everybody types differently.

In a study describing the technology, the researchers had 100 volunteers type the word “touch” four times using the smart keyboard. Data collected from the device could be used to recognize different participants based on how they typed, with very low error rates. The researchers say that the keyboard should be pretty straightforward to commercialize and is mostly made of inexpensive, plastic-like parts. The team hopes to make it to market in the near future.

1. Why do the researchers develop the smart keyboard?

A．To reduce pressure on keys.	B．To improve accuracy in typing.
C．To replace the password system.	D．To cut the cost of e-space protection.

2. What makes the invention of the smart keyboard possible?

A．Computers are much easier to operate.

B．Fingerprint scanning techniques develop fast.

C．Typing patterns vary from person to person.

D．Data security measures are guaranteed.

3. What do the researchers expect of the smart keyboard?

A．It’ll be environment-friendly.	B．It’ll reach consumers soon.
C．It’ll be made of plastics.	D．It’ll help speed up typing.

4. Where is this text most likely from?

A．A diary.

B．A guidebook

C．A novel.

D．A magazine.

2 . For Canaan Elementary’s second grade in Patchogue, N.Y., today is speech day, and right now it’s Chris Palaez’s turn. The 8-year-old is the joker of the class. With shining dark eyes, he seems like the kind of kid who would enjoy public speaking.

But he’s nervous. “I’m here to tell you today why you should … should…” Chris trips on the “-ld,” a pronunciation difficulty for many non-native English speakers. His teacher, Thomas Whaley, is next to him, whispering support. “…Vote for …me …” Except for some stumbles, Chris is doing amazingly well. When he brings his speech to a nice conclusion, Whaley invites the rest of the class to praise him.

A son of immigrants, Chris stared learning English a little over three years ago. Whaley recalls (回想起) how at the beginning of the year, when called upon to read, Chris would excuse himself to go to the bathroom.

Learning English as a second language can be a painful experience. What you need is a great teacher who lets you make mistakes. “It takes a lot for any student,” Whaley explains, “especially for a student who is learning English as their new language, to feel confident enough to say, ‘I don’t know, but I want to know.’”

Whaley got the idea of this second-grade presidential campaign project when he asked the children one day to raise their hands if they thought they could never be a president. The answer broke his heart. Whaley says the project is about more than just learning to read and speak in public. He wants these kids to learn to boast (夸耀) about themselves.

“Boasting about yourself, and your best qualities,” Whaley says, “is very difficult for a child who came into the classroom not feeling confident.”

1. What made Chris nervous?

A．Telling a story.	B．Making a speech.
C．Taking a test.	D．Answering a question.

2. What does the underlined word “stumbles” in paragraph 2 refer to?

A．Improper pauses.

B．Bad manners.

C．Spelling mistakes.

D．Silly jokes.

3. We can infer that the purpose of Whaley’s project is to _________.

A．help students see their own strengths

B．assess students’ public speaking skills

C．prepare students for their future jobs

D．inspire students’ love for politics

4. Which of the following best describes Whaley as a teacher?

A．Humorous.

B．Ambitious.

C．Caring.

D．Demanding.

3 . Need a Job This Summer?

The provincial government and its partners offer many programs to help students find summer jobs. The deadlines and what you need to apply depend on the program.

Not a student? Go to the government website to learn about programs and online tools available to help people under 30 build skills, find a job or start businesses all year round.

Jobs for Youth

If you are a teenager living in certain parts of the province, you could be eligible(符合条件) for this program, which provides eight weeks of paid employment along with training.

Who is eligible: Youth 15-18 years old in select communities(社区).

Summer Company

Summer Company provides students with hands-on business training and awards of up to $3,000 to start and run their own summer businesses.

Who is eligible: Students aged 15-29, returning to school in the fall.

Stewardship Youth Ranger Program

You could apply to be a Stewardship Youth Ranger and work on local natural resource management projects for eight weeks this summer.

Who is eligible: Students aged 16 or 17 at time of hire, but not turning 18 before December 31 this year.

Summer Employment Opportunities(机会)

Through the Summer Employment Opportunities program, students are hired each year in a variety of summer positions across the Provincial Public Service, its related agencies and community groups.

Who is eligible: Students aged 15 or older. Some positions require students to be 15 to 24 or up to 29 for persons with a disability.

1. What is special about Summer Company?

A．It requires no training before employment.

B．It provides awards for running new businesses.

C．It allows one to work in the natural environment.

D．It offers more summer job opportunities.

2. What is the age range required by Stewardship Youth Ranger Program?

A．15-18.

B．15-24.

C．15-29.

D．16-17.

3. Which program favors the disabled?

A．Jobs for Youth.	B．Summer Company.
C．Stewardship Youth Ranger Program.	D．Summer Employment Opportunities.

4 . Journey Back in Time with Scholars

Classical Provence(13days)
Journey through the beautiful countryside of Provence，France，with Prof. Ori Z. Soltes. We will visit some of the best-preserved Roman monuments in the world. Our tour also includes a chance to walk in the footsteps of Van Gogh and Gauguin. Fields of flowers, tile-roofed(瓦屋顶)villages and tasty meals enrich this wonderful experience.
Southern Spain(15days)
Spain has lovely white towns and the scent(芳香)of oranges，but it is also a treasury of ancient remains including the cities left by the Greeks，Romans and Arabs. As we travel south from Madrid with Prof. Ronald Messier to historic Toledo，Roman Merida and into Andalucia, we explore historical monuments and architecture.
China’s Sacred Landscapes(21days)
Discover the China of “past ages,” its walled cities，temples and mountain scenery with Prof.   Robert Thorp. Highlights(精彩之处)include China’s most sacred peaks at Mount Tai and Hangzbou’s rolling hills，waterways and peaceful temples. We will wander in traditional small towns and end our tour with an exceptional museum in Shanghai.
Tunisia(17days)
Join Prof. Pedar Foss on our in-depth Tunisian tour. Tour highlights include the Roman city of Dougga，the underground Numidian capital at Bulla Regia, Roman Sbeitla and the remote areas around Tataouine and Matmata，uique for underground cities. Our journey takes us to picturesque Berber villages and lovely beaches.
1. What can visitors see in both Classical Provence and Southern Spain？

A．Historical monuments.	B．Fields of flowers.
C．Van Gogh’s paintings.	D．Greek buildings.

2. Which country is Prof. Thorp most knowledgeable about？

A．France.

B．Spain.

C．China.

D．Tunisia.

3. Which of the following highlight the Tunisian tour？

A．White towns.

B．Underground cities.

C．Tile-roofed villages.

D．Rolling hills.

5 . I have a special place in my heart for libraries. I have for as long as I can remember. I was always an enthusiastic reader, sometimes reading up to three books a day as a child. Stories were like air to me and while other kids played ball or went to parties, I lived out adventures through the books I checked out from the library.

My first job was working at the Ukiah Library when I was 16 years old .It was a dream job and I did everything from shelving books to reading to the children for story time.

As I grew older and became a mother, the library took on a new place and an added meaning in my life. I had several children and books were our main source(来源) of entertainment. It was a big deal for us to load up and go to the local library, where my kids could pick out books to read or books they wanted me to read to them.

I always read ,using different voices ,as though I were acting out the stories with my voice and they loved it !It was a special time to bond with my children and it filled them with the wonderment of books .

Now, I see my children taking their children to the library and I love that the excitement of going to the library lives on form generation to generation.

As a novelist, I’ve found a new relationship with libraries. I encourage readers to go to their local library when they can’t afford to purchase a book. I see libraries as a safe haven(避风港) for readers and writers, a bridge that helps put together a reader with a book. Libraries, in their own way, help fight book piracy(盗版行为) and 1 think all writers should support libraries in a significant way when they can. Encourage readers to use the library. Share library announcements on your social media. Frequent them and talk about them when you can.

1. Which word best describes the author’s relationship with books as a child?

A．Cooperative.

B．Uneasy.

C．Inseparable.

D．Casual.

2. What does the underlined phrase “an added meaning” in paragraph 3 refer to?

A．Pleasure from working in the library.

B．Joy of reading passed on in the family.

C．Wonderment from acting out the stories.

D．A closer bond developed with the readers.

3. What does the author call on other writers to do?

A．Sponsor book fairs.	B．Write for social media.
C．Support libraries.	D．Purchase her novels.

4. Which can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Reading: A Source of Knowledge

B．My Idea about writing

C．Library: A Haven for the Young

D．My Love of the Library

6 . A housewarming party is a special party to be held when someone buys or moves into a new apartment or house. The person who bought the house or moved is the one who throws the party. The party is a chance for friends and family to congratulate the person on the new home.     1     And it is good time to fill the new space with love and hopeful presents.

    2     Some people register a list of things they want or need for their new home at a local stores. Some common things people will put on a gift registry include kitchen tools like knives and things like curtains. Even if there isn’t a registry, a good housewarming gift is something to decorate the new house with, like a piece of art or a plant.

    3     This is often appreciated since at a housewarming there isn’t a lot of food served. There are usually no planned activities like games at a housewarming party. The host or hostess of the party will, however, probably give all the guests a tour of their new home. Sometimes, because a housewarming party happens shortly after a person moves into their new home, people may be asked to help unpack boxes.     4    

Housewarming parties get their name from the fact that a long time ago people would actually bring firewood to a new home as a gift.     5     Now most homes have central heating and don’t use fires to keep warm.

A．This isn’t usual though.

B．It is traditional to bring a gift to a housewarming party.

C．You can also bring food or drinks to share with the other guests.

D．If you’re lucky enough to receive gifts, keep them in a safe place.

E．It also gives people a chance to see what the new home looks like.

F．The best housewarming parties encourage old friends to get together.

G．This was so that the person could keep their home warm for the winter.

8 . Jenifer Mauer has needed more willpower than the typical college student to pursue her goal of earning a nursing degree. That willpower bore fruit when Jennifer graduated from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and became the first in her large family to earn a bachelor's degree.

Mauer, of Edgar, Wisconsin, grew up on a farm in a family of 10 children. Her dad worked at a job away from the farm, and her mother ran the farm with the kids. After high school, Jennifer attended a local technical college, working to pay her tuition(学费), because there was no extra money set aside for a college education. After graduation, she worked to help her sisters and brothers pay for their schooling.

Jennifer now is married and has three children of her own. She decided to go back to college to advance her career and to be able to better support her family while doing something she loves: nursing. She chose the UW-Eau Claire program at Ministry Saint Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield because she was able to pursue her four-year degree close to home. She could drive to class and be home in the evening to help with her kids. Jenifer received great support from her family as she worked to earn her degree: Her husband worked two jobs to cover the bills, and her 68-year-old mother helped take care of the children at times.

Through it all, she remained in good academic standing and graduated with honors. Jennifer sacrificed(牺牲)to achieve her goal, giving up many nights with her kids and missing important events to study. ''Some nights my heart was breaking to have to pick between my kids and studying for exams or papers,'' she says. However, her children have learned an important lesson witnessing their mother earn her degree. Jennifer is a first-generation graduate and an inspiration to her family-and that's pretty powerful.

1. What did Jennifer do after high school?

A．She helped her dad with his work.

B．She ran the family farm on her own.

C．She supported herself through college.

D．She taught her sisters and brothers at home.

2. Why did Jennifer choose the program at Ministry Saint Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield?

A．To take care of her kids easily.	B．To learn from the best nurses.
C．To save money for her parents.	D．To find a well-paid job there.

3. What did Jennifer sacrifice to achieve her goal?

A．Her health.	B．Her time with family.
C．Her reputation.	D．Her chance of promotion.

4. What can we learn from Jenifer's story?

A．Time is money.	B．Love breaks down barriers.
C．Hard work pays off.	D．Education is the key to success.

9 . 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。

Decorating with Plants, Fruits and Flowers for Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is a     1     (celebrate) marking the end of the winter season and the beginning of spring. This is why decorating with plants, fruits and flowers     2     (carry) special significance. They represent the earth       3       (come) back to life and best wishes for new beginnings.

These are some of the most popular in many parts of the country:

Oranges: Orange trees are more     4     decoration; they are a symbol of good fortune and wealth. They make great gifts and you see them many times     5     (decorate) with red envelopes and messages of good fortune.

Bamboo: Chinese love their “Lucky Bamboo” plants and you will see them often in their homes and office.     6     (certain) during the holiday period, this plant is a must. Bamboo plants are associated     7     health, abundance and a happy home. They are easy     8     (care) for and make great presents.

Branches of Plum Blossoms (梅花): The     9     (beauty) long branches covered with pink-colored buds (蓓蕾) make fantastic decorations. The plum trees are     10       first to flower even as the snow is melting(融化). They represent the promise of spring and a renewal of life.

10 . 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。

On our way to the house, it was raining     1     hard that we couldn’t help wondering how long it would take     2    (get) there. It was in the middle of Pearl City.

We were first greeted with the barking by a pack     3     dogs, seven to be exact. They were well trained by their masters     4     had great experience with caring for these animals. Our hosts shared many of their experiences and     5    (recommend) wonderful places to eat, shop, and visit. For breakfast, we were able to eat papaya(木瓜) and other fruits from their trees in the backyard.

When they were free from work, they invited us to local events and let us know of an interesting     6    (compete) to watch, together with the story behind it. They also shared with us many     7    (tradition) stories about Hawaii that were     8    (huge) popular with tourists. On the last day of our week-long stay, we     9    (invite) to attend a private concert on a beautiful farm on the North Shore under the stars,     10    (listen) to musicians and meeting interesting locals.