1 . In 1670, two Scottish doctors set up a garden in the city of Edinburgh to find out connections between plants and medicine. That first garden wasn’t very big — about the size of a tennis court. Fast-forward 350 years, and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) now covers an area bigger than 1,000 tennis courts. The RBGE’s goal is to “explore, conserve and explain the world of plants for a better future”.

After doctors and distant cousins Robert Sibbald and Andrew Balfour graduated from university in the mid-17th century, they shared the goal of improving Scottish medicine by looking into botanical (plant-related) research. They found some land near Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh and started to collect plants. They taught students how to grow exotic (外来的) plants and use them to make medicines. As the collection expanded (增加), the garden moved to different sites, including what is now Edinburgh’s Waverley Station.

In 1823, the garden was moved to its current location in Inverleith, a suburb of Edinburgh. It took three years to move the collection of plants and trees using specially built machines. The Tropical Palm House was built in 1834, and it was joined by the larger Temperate Palm House in 1858. Both are still popular with visitors. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the RBGE continued to search for new specimens (标本) from around the world.

The RBGE has about 13,500 species of living plants in its collection today. The herbarium — a collection of dried and protected species — includes more than three million plant samples, which represent more than half of the world’s known plants. The oldest specimen dates back to 1697. Experts continue to recognize new species each year, as well as growing plants that are extinct in their own habitats. The RBGE also works with botanical gardens around the world, including in Africa and South America, and supports them with conservation projects, education and training.

1. Why did Robert and Andrew build up the garden?

A．To teach people some knowledge about exotic plants.

B．To do research on plants and medicine.

C．To protect endangered wildlife.

D．To practice their tennis skills.

2. When was the Tropical Palm House set up?

A．In the mid-17th century.	B．In the 20th century.
C．In1834.	D．In1858.

3. What do we know about the RBGE?

A．It has made achievements in growing extinct plants.

B．It has collected less than half of all known plants.

C．It is going to expand its sites in other countries.

D．It collects native plants only.

4. What is this text mainly about?

A．How the RBGE has expanded.	B．The progress of saving endangered plants.
C．Why a botanic garden was built.	D．An introduction to the RBGE.

2 . Top running routes in the USA

Holidays for some people are all about relaxing on the beach but for others, it’s important to be out and about. Walking and running holidays allow travellers to explore the beauty of a country and get plenty of fresh air without spending too much money. Here are some of the most beautiful running routes (路线) in the USA — you may want to give these a go.

Mammoth Lakes

An area favoured by athletes from all over the world, Mammoth Lakes offers amazing views and plenty of trails (小路) along with a healthy running community for active travellers to explore. Well-known track coaches Joe Vigil and Bob Larsen brought marathon superstars to the area in 2001 and ever since, it has trained 12 Olympians who have earned two Olympic medals as well as three major marathon wins.

Three Rivers Heritage Trail

Perfect for runners who like a bit of variety on their route, the Three Rivers Heritage Trail offers 24 miles of path going through a number of neighbourhoods, popular shopping and entertainment districts (娱乐区) and green space providing the perfect guide to the city on two feet.

Naples

Naples is well-known for its high-end shopping, world-class culture and high-class dining. The best running trail is along Gulf Shore Boulevard and Gordon Road, with views of the white sandy beaches and water, and some of Naples boutique hotels and holiday homes.

Barr Trail

The Barr Trail is a trail that began as a way to enter mining (采矿) areas on Pikes Peak and later developed into a tourist trail. It starts in Manitou Springs, a little tourist town just west of The Springs, and climbs to the top of Pikes Peak in about 12 miles and 7,400 feet of vertical (垂直的) gain. This is not an easy route so be sure to pack the right supplies and rest when you need to.

1. What might you experience in Mammoth Lakes?

A．Running like an Olympian.

B．Meeting your favourite stars.

C．Taking part in a major marathon.

D．Being trained by Joe Vigil and Bob Larsen.

2. On which route can runners eat delicious food?

A．Three Rivers Heritage Trail.

B．Barr Trail.

C．Mammoth Lakes.

D．Naples.

3. Which route provides different places and helps you know the city well?

A．Mammoth Lakes.

B．Barr Trail.

C．Naples.

D．Three Rivers Heritage Trail.

4. Which route passes along a coastline?

A．Naples.

B．Barr Trail.

C．Mammoth Lakes.

D．Three Rivers Heritage Trail.

5. Who might be interested in the Barr Trail most?

A．Coal miners.	B．Window shoppers.
C．Competitive swimmers.	D．Experienced adventurers.

3 . Touchdown spaces are simple work spaces that may be employed as a replacement for a larger office.     1    They can also refer to a cubicle (小隔间) in a business setup that provides a place for individuals to work. Rental agreements can be signed on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

    2    One cubicle may have a telephone, some type of Internet access, a desk, and a chair. An overhead light may also be provided. In addition, the individual space will be supplied with any other items needed, such as printers, pencils, notepads, and other tools which are common in an office environment.

One ideal customer for a touchdown space is someone who is starting his or her own business and wants a space outside the home for work-related tasks.    3    However, renting a cubicle is often much less expensive and may include some of the amenities (便利设施) that come along with a rented office space.

A touchdown space is also taken advantage of by business people who are in town for a short period of time. Rather than working in a hotel room, the visiting business professionals will rent a desk for them during their stay in town.     4    

Not every city recently offers touchdown spaces as a replacement for larger offices.     5    One of the best ways of locating a rental touchdown space is identifying any business setup resources within the town locally.

A．However, the idea is really gaining more attention.

B．They can be a rented work space within a working office.

C．Doing so allows these people to separate work time from personal time.

D．Touchdown spaces often include a few basics needed for doing business.

E．In today’s office environments, different tasks require different work spaces.

F．Touchdown spaces, at the very least, require a table, a chair, and Internet access.

G．They usually have limited money, and renting even a small office is not practical.

4 . Even though these monuments are extremely well known, they hold secrets that not many people are aware of.

Empire State Building

On the 103rd floor of the Empire State Building in New York, there is a secret observation deck that not a lot of people know about. To access the balcony, you have to take a series of elevators and then a very steep, narrow staircase. The observation deck isn’t open to the public, but many celebrities have been photographed there.

Eiffel Tower

There is a secret apartment and office at the very top of the Eiffel Tower that has just recently become open to the public. In 1889, Gustave Eiffel, the engineer of this famous Paris landmark, built himself a private apartment and office. It has been restored and has wax models of Gustave, his daughter, and American inventor Thomas Edison on display.

Statue of Liberty

There is actually a room in the torch of the Statue of Liberty that showcases breathtaking views of the city. People used to be able to visit that room until 1916 when German agents blew up a nearby wharf (码头). The explosion sent broken pieces into the raised arm of Lady Liberty, making the staircase up to the hidden room unsafe.

Disneyland

Hardcore Disney fans might think they know all of the secrets of the park, a famous U.S. landmark, but many haven’t heard of Club 33. This exclusive restaurant is hidden behind an unmarked door in Disneyland’s New Orleans Square. If you want to dine here on your next trip to Disneyland, don’t get your hopes up. It costs $25,000 to join the club, plus an annual fee of $12,000.

1. What do the monuments have in common?

A．They are all in Europe.

B．They all have skyscrapers.

C．They are all the best-known.

D．They all hide little-known secrets.

2. Which of the four has the easiest access?

A．Disneyland.	B．Eiffel Tower.
C．Statue of Liberty.	D．Empire State Building.

3. Which can be used to replace the underlined word “exclusive” in the last paragraph?

A．Attractive.	B．Expensive.
C．Wonderful.	D．Beautiful.

5 . San Francisco has some of the best restaurants anywhere — and one of the most unique, the top pizza restaurant in the city, is also one of the first to be owned and operated totally by deaf people.

Melody and Russell Stein opened the place in 2011. Their 900-degree wood-fired oven (炉) is the best they could find, and so is every ingredient, from sauce to sausage, to cheese, some of which come from Italy. “We also make it in-house,” said Melody. “And if that doesn’t make you hungry, I don’t know what will,” added Russell.

And for the customers who show up there night after night, food is only part of the experience. Unlike other restaurants, noise isn’t a problem, and neither is communication; pointing at the menu works just fine. And you can even phone in a takeout order. A green light on the wall signals an incoming call. An operator picks it up, and translates your order in sign language by a special TV. But this is about a lot more than serving hungry customers.

Tracy Smith, a reporter, asked Melody, “How important is it to you to have an all-deaf staff?” “Oh, it’s very important,” she replied. “If a hearing person, say, doesn’t get on well here, they can find a job tomorrow, while all the deaf people here have to look for years and still can’t find a job. That’s when I decided I would have a totally deaf team, even if they have no work experience.”

Melody comes from a restaurant-owning family from Hong Kong, and she met Russell at Gallaudet University.

Now they’re looking to franchise (获得特许经销权), with a little help from the Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD). It’s a good investment (投资), says CSD’s Brandi Rarus.

Rarus said, “People often think that deaf people don’t have much to offer, or are less valuable, or less worthy in some ways. But when you come to this place, you see that’s not true.”

1. How does Russell feel about the food in his restaurant?

A．Confident.	B．Disappointed.
C．Surprised.	D．Uncertain.

2. Who is most likely to be employed by Russell’s restaurant?

A．A food journalist.

B．A top university graduate.

C．A deaf girl with little work experience.

D．A man good at communicating with others.

3. What does Rarus think of Russell’s restaurant?

A．It tops the local restaurants.

B．It will close down sooner or later.

C．It needs to employ hearing workers.

D．It makes people see things differently.

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

A．Enjoying Pizza in Russell’s Restaurant

B．The Rise of Deaf-owned Business

C．All-deaf Pizza Restaurant Is All-good

D．Building Bridges Through Communication

6 . Can you imagine the bad guy Megatron (威震天) chatting non-stop about small household affairs with a human being? Well imagine no longer as Universal Studios Beijing’s newest “employee,” Megatron himself, has earned social media fame on Chinese platforms such as Sina Weibo and Douyin for doing just this.

Searches for videos featuring the giant Transformer have increased. as Chinese netizens enjoy seeing him joke and amuse visitors at Universal Studios Beijing. “It must be a comedian who was from some stand-up comedy club and took a part-time job at Universal Studios,” one Sina Weibo user commented, representing the voices of many others.

Visitors who have had the chance to enter the park have recorded many videos of their experience and recommending interesting sights to netizens, who have been eagerly waiting to try out the park for themselves.

“Why are you alone here? Where is your boyfriend? Why did he stand so far away? Does he refuse to tell others about your relationship?” Megatron says in one video clip as he talks with a young woman standing in front of him to take pictures.

The Megatron suit is actually quite complicated. The performer wears the mechanical armor(盔甲)and interacts with the outside world via a remote control with a voice-changing microphone, according to 36kr.com.

The popularity of Megatron online has made many people more interested in visiting the park. “When I visited the Universal Studios during the weekend, there was a huge line of visitors waiting to take photos and talk with Megatron in the Transformers section,” a Beijing father of a 3-year-old boy said.

Many people who are still waiting to get into the park have said that the robot will be their first stop. “He is so different from the bad guy image in the movie. He’s cute.” a university student who has been won over by Megatron’s charm noted.

1. What do we know about the Megatron in Universal Studio Beijing from the passage?

A．Tourists are scared of its bad guy image.

B．It is a part-time comedian from a stand-up comedy club.

C．People who didn’t visit the park don’t know about Megatron.

D．Its personalities are different from those in the movie Transformers.

2. Why is Megatron in Universal Studio Beijing so popular according to the text?

A．It likes talking with young women.

B．The Movie Transformers is of great popularity.

C．It is very entertaining and approachable to the visitors.

D．Its armor and voice are cool with full sense of technology.

3. Which word can NOT be used to describe Megatron according to the passage?

A．Humorous.

B．Enthusiastic.

C．Appreciative.

D．Delightful.

4. Where does this text most probably come from?

A．A science fiction.

B．A travelling column.

C．A movie magazine.

D．A TV interview.

7 . 用括号内所给词的适当形式补全对话
L=Lily　J=James
L: Wow, your new house is so beautiful! And all the rooms are decorated in an elegant style.
J: Thank you. You know, it took us nearly five months to complete the decoration of the house. And all the furniture     1    (select) carefully by my parents.
L: That’s great. But why did you paint your walls light blue? Is it a colour that can make you relaxed?
J: I’m not sure, but my family     2    (like) the colour, so we painted the walls light blue.
L: No wonder. Your brother’s clothing     3    (be) very up to date. What does he do? Is he a barber?
J: No. As a matter of fact, he is a singer and his audience     4    (be) mainly young people. Last year, my brother was invited to sing a song at our class’s New Year Party, and all my class     5    (impress) by his performance.
L: Wow, that’s cool. I’m looking forward to watching his performance.

8 . I'm ashamed to say that,as the years have gone by,I haven't taken the time to walk around my neighborhood. Sure.I'm out and about all the time but always in the car to my way out of the neighborhood.

The main reason is that I don't love my neighborhood anymore.I'm referring to the place,not the people. My street used to come to an end in a forest. We would walk the dogs in the forest that always had nice,seasonal flowers and shrubs(灌木)coming up all year round. Now it's gone and been replaced(取代)by a forest of high-rise buildings.

Pretty down because of some annoying( 频人 的） office work these days.I decided I just had to get out and walk today. It started at the building "forest". I still felt pain in my heart from the sight and I missed those days of walking the dog and taking in the beauty of the trees and shrubs and flowers.

As I continued on, though.I came across this. .

Some very artistic children created some lovely, colorful artwork and I couldn't help but think they must have been trying to make me and everyone else just feel better. It certainly worked on me. Thank you,thoughtful artists!

At one point,I saw a man walking across one of the wider, busier streets. I shouted,"I just wanted to say hi to someone!" He answered,looking very friendly and happy,smiling and waving（挥手）.

As I walked near the last couple of streets of my walk, the winds began to blow. There were dark clouds behind me so I decided to head home. Luckily, the rain didn't come down until I was resting on the sofa.""

I was glad I went out.

1. Why did the author seldom walk around his neighborhood?

A．He was a homebody.

B．He didn't like the environment.

C．He was too busy with his work.

D．He didn't get along with the people.

2. How did the author feel at the start of his walk?

A．Surprised.	B．Angry.
C．Lonely.	D．Sad.

3. What does the underlined word "It" in Paragraph 5 refer to?

A．Creating artwork.	B．Meeting famous artists.
C．What the children did.	D．How to cheer people up.

4. What happened during the author's walk?

A．He made a neighborly connection with a stranger.

B．He was caught in the rain suddenly.

C．He received children's artwork as a gift.

D．He came across an old friend.

9 . The Thai capital Bangkok isn't just a big city full of skyscrapers, shopping malls, and traffic. There are many beautiful spaces providing residents with fresh air and lots of healthy outdoor activities in landscaped areas.

Benjakitti Park

The park has dedicated 'bicycle and jogging tracks around the Lake Ratchada. The water's edge is nicely framed by some pretty plant life, with colourful flowers adding to the quietness. You'll also find skate tracks, a central pavilion with fountains, and an impressive half-circle courtyard that's popular for picnics.

Opening Time: Daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Benjasiri Park

Benjasiri Park is the place to be for sculpture lovers, with some of the best examples of Thai sculptures around the park reflecting historical features. The centrepiece fountain hosts multimedia water dance shows 3 times daily. The park offers outdoor sports facilities rarely found at other public parks in Bangkok, including a basketball court, roller skating/skateboarding rink, tennis court, and outdoor swimming pool.

Opening Time: Daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Chatuchak Park

Chatuchak Park offers something for everyone at this park. Some may walk or jog along the green tracks line, while others can appreciate nature in the Thai Literature and Herb Garden. The park's northern end has many tennis courts and soccer fields. While you're there, make sure not to miss the Train Museum and Youth Traffic Garden.

Opening Time: Daily from 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sanam Luang Park

Sanam Luang Park has been around since the founding of Bangkok in 1782. Take part in the kite flying festival in March in different shapes and sizes floating in the sky. On most days; you can enjoy a family picnic in the breezy late afternoon while watching an exciting game of volleyball.

Opening Time: Daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

1. Which park opens earliest every day?

A．Benjakitti Park.	B．Benjasiri Park.
C．Chatuchak Park.	D．Sanam Luang Park.

2. What is special in Benjasiri Park compared with the other three parks?

A．Colorful flowers.	B．Traditional sculptures
C．Soccer fields.	D．Walking tracks.

3. What do Benjakitti Park and Sanam Luang Park both have?

A．A tennis court.	B．Some skate tracks.
C．A volleyball court.	D．Some picnic spots.

10 . ART GALLERY GUIDES

Martin Lawrence Galleries

Distinguished as the largest contemporary collection in New York, the gallery contains works by Rembrandt, Picasso, Chagall, Keith Haring, Sam Francis, Takashi Murakami and others. Located in a two-floor space in the heart of SoHo, this gallery provides a great fine art buying experience for all ages.

Location: 457 West Broadway, New York, NY, telephone: 212-995-8865.

Email:soho@martinlawrence.com

BertaArt Studio Gallery

BertaArt Studio Gallery is the working studio and exhibition space for International award-winning artist Clara Berta. Her highly abstract paintings have been shown in the United States and collected worldwide.

Location: 816 South Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014, telephone: 818-692-0465.

Website:https://bertaart.com

Bill Lowe Gallery

For over three decades, Bill Lowe Gallery has served as a gate to global visual culture for art enthusiasts around the world. Our unique juxtaposition (并列) of style is expressed in exhibitions with great visual drama. This has earned the gallery recognition as a place for the cross-cultural point of beauty and meaning.

Location: 764 Miami Circle, NE, Suite 210, Atlanta, GA 30324, telephone: 404-352-8114.

Website: https://lowegallery.com

Baterbys Art Auction Gallery

Our art collection features limited pieces by 20th Century Masters like Picasso, Chagall, Modigliani, Matisse and Degas among others. We offer specialized services such as art renting and fine art home delivery.

Located: Orlando, FL, telephone: 888-682-9995.

Website: www.Baterbys.com

1. Where should visitors go if they want to buy artworks?

A．New York.	B．Los Angeles.
C．Atlanta.	D．Orlando.

2. What can visitors do at Bill Lowe Gallery?

A．See visual culture.	B．Meet famous artists.
C．Enjoy Clara Berta’s works.	D．Learn the history of Miami.

3. What is special about Baterbys Art Auction Gallery?

A．It has works by Picasso.	B．It is the oldest gallery.
C．It is an awarding-winning gallery.	D．It provides art rental service.