1 . No one can fail to stand in awed admiration of the great discoveries of history — Newton’s laws of motion; Kepler’s principles of planetary movement, Einstein’s general theory of relativity. Equally awe-inspiring are artistic creations in painting, theatre, music and literature, which have also been brought about by discovery through personal efforts. What do these extraordinary achievements of well-known scientists and artists have to do with problem solving?

A great scientific discovery or a great work of art is surely the result of problem-solving activity. The solution to a problem, we are told, often comes to thinkers in a “flash of insight (顿悟)”, although they may have been turning the problem over in their minds for some time. As a particular form of problem solving, these creative acts are based on the broad knowledge gained in the past, whether this be of the “public” sort known to science, or of the “private” sort known to the artist.

Many creative thinkers state that they have completely devoted themselves to the subject matter of the problem, often over fairly long periods of time. Indeed, it would be strange if they had not done this. Nothing in such statements supports the idea that there is anything very different about the problem solving that leads to discoveries of the great contributions to the society. The act of discovery, even in the relatively predictable sense that it occurs in everyday learning, involves a “sudden insight” which changes the problem situation into a solution situation. As we have seen, everyday discovery also requires that the learner have the knowledge of the rules gained in the past, which is involved in the solution.

1. Newton, Kepler and Einstein are mentioned in the first paragraph to ______.

A．bring about the subject of the discussion

B．explain that scientists are more creative

C．show the difference between science and arts

D．prove that arts require more personal efforts

2. While knowledge from the past plays an important role in their achievements, thinkers sometimes also depend on their ______.

A．artistic tastes	B．sudden insight
C．admiration of discoveries	D．scientific experiments

3. What does the underlined word “this” refer to?

A．Great contributions to the society

B．Long-time study of the subject matter.

C．Various statements about problem solving.

D．Complete devotion to artistic creation.

4. We may conclude from the passage that ______.

A．it is more likely to make scientific and artistic discoveries in everyday learning

B．a sudden insight and knowledge from the past are required in making discoveries

C．scientific discoveries or artistic creations are usually unpredictable in nature

D．knowledge of the rules in the past is often developed in the changes of situation

2 . Whenever we are planning to buy something online, most of us prefer to look at the reviews first. We imagine that they have been left by shoppers like us who want to share their knowledge with others, so the reviews would be of great value to us.     1     Some of them are writing positive review s in return for a payment or gifts from the maker. How do we know this?

A careful study of thousands of reviews on a popular shopping website showed that a surprisingly large number of reviewers gave either four-or five-star ratings to the product. Two-or three-star ratings both accounted for less than ten percent of the total, which looked suspicious (可疑的).     2     Not everything being sold on the shopping website could be first class! We all know that some false information is provided. Some products that you buy on shopping website can be terrible. You would expect therefore to see a variety of scores.     3    

It seems that anyone who writes a large number of good review s is given a special treat by the shopping website.     4     How should a shopper reply to all these “wonderful” reviews? The best thing to do is to have access to a website run by some organizations such as Which in the UK. The Which product evaluation is based on strict tests carried out by experts and then on reviews by trusted shoppers who are Which members. They are not allowed to take free gifts from makers.

    5     So, a good and responsible organization seems to be the best answer.

A．So why are most reviews positive?

B．Reviews differ from person to person.

C．However, not all reviewers are like this.

D．So how can we tell true review s from false ones?

E．These “top” reviewers are then given free products.

F．Shoppers need protection from misleading reviews.

G．If those reviews were true, a broader spread of ratings would be given.

3 . The Chinese people have developed the habit of ordering more dishes than they can eat when inviting guests for dinner in a restaurant, because if all the plates are empty at the end of the dinner, it would be considered a matter of shame to the host. Surveys show that as much as 35 million tons of food is wasted in China every year.

To solve this problem, the “Clean Your Plate” campaign was launched in 2013 and got a positive response from restaurant owners, the public, and governments at different levels. More and more waiters are now reminding diners to stop ordering more if they have ordered enough to make them full. Also, most restaurant owners nowadays provide free boxes with which the diners can carry the leftovers (剩菜) home.

The “Clean Your Plate” campaign has become popular along with the “save water” and “go green” activities. However, since it takes generations for people to change their bad habits, it’s too early to celebrate its success. Instead, more attention should be paid to preventing food waste at home.

Almost every Chinese family has a “waste bin”. Unfortunately, I happen to be the “waste bin” of my family. I used to enjoy eating leftovers until I heard an expert on TV saying that it causes cancer. Many doctors say the same thing. But later, I saw other experts doing experiments and concluding that food cooked hours ago or even a day ago shows no obvious increase in carcinogenic particles(致癌颗粒) if stored properly. Their disagreement has left me confused. I have no idea who is right, but I am clear that if all the leftovers are thrown away as suggested by some experts, it would be a big waste of food.

1. Why was the “Clean Your Plate” campaign launched?

A．To invite guests for dinner.	B．To save people’s face.
C．To reduce food waste.	D．To stop unbalanced diet.

2. What is the effect of this campaign on people?

A．Waiters are reminded to stop ordering more.

B．Free boxes are provided by most restaurant owners.

C．People are eager to change their bad habits earlier.

D．People pay more attention to preventing food waste at home.

3. What does the author think of the leftovers?

A．Eating leftovers causes cancer.

B．Leftovers should be thrown into the waste bin.

C．Throwing all the leftovers would be a big waste of food.

D．Properly stored leftovers won’t cause damage to health.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．An introduction to a campaign.	B．The ways to deal with leftovers.
C．An explanation of food waste.	D．The eating habits of Chinese.

4 . Movie stars might think their lives are private after leaving the acting location, but they ought to know that they have much power over their audience. The power gives them an ability to change people, events, even history, making them to have the responsibility of being good role models.

With time going on, movie stars become celebrities (名人) and in the process get a large number of fans. Some of them follow their deeds, dress, and act like them. In reality, they want to be like their favorite movie stars. If a movie star engages in acts that the society does not approve, those who look up to them, especially the teens, will do the same. Movie stars should be responsible for what they do and say as following the actions is now simpler because of social media. It is important to behave like a role model even when they think no one is watching.

Nobody is perfect, and movie stars also have had their down moments. They may not have been good role models at the time, but they can change the narrative by doing the right things. They can also turn the past shortcomings into positives by opening up about problems and how they overcame the challenges. And their audience can learn to discuss their problems and seek help.

People starring in movies are the target of companies to promote their products or services for a fee. Their celebrity status is a reason enough to think beyond the payment. A movie star should not recommend something that will influence the way teens live negatively. It would be wrong to promote something like sweetened drinks or foods without health benefits. Movie stars face problems like other people, but because of their influence, they have a responsibility to be role models in the public eye.

1. What is the second paragraph mainly about?

A．Fans often follow their stars’ dress and hobbies.

B．Celebrities’ actions spread fast on social media.

C．Movie stars should be responsible for their fans.

D．Movie stars’ acts have a great impact on their fans.

2. How should movie stars deal with their down moments?

A．Lie to fans by making up a story.

B．Do the right things to overcome the problems.

C．Cover their problems with good movies.

D．Post their problems online to seek help.

3. Which is the author’s advice to celebrities?

A．Don’t tell problems to the public.

B．Don’t play roles that have a negative impact on teens.

C．Don’t ask for payment when promoting products.

D．Don’t recommend unhealthy drinks or foods.

4. What is the author’s purpose of writing this article?

A．To tell movie stars how to help people in need.

B．To stress movie stars’ impact on teens.

C．To call on movie stars to be good role models.

D．To advise movie stars to open up about their problems.

5 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What did the woman do with the thief?

A．She did as he asked.

B．She fought with him.

C．She pretended not to see him.

2. What did the thief steal?

A．A necklace.

B．Some money.

C．Nothing.

3. What does the man advise the woman to do?

A．Keep a dog.

B．Call the police.

C．Fit a home alarm system.

4. What does the man say about the woman?

A．She is puzzled.

B．She is brave.

C．She is frightened.

6 . The big French pet care company AgroBiothers Laboratoire will no longer sell very small containers for raising fish.

The company has a 27 percent share of the French market for products used by people who raise animals at home. But it said it would no longer sell any fishbowls that hold less than 15 liters of water. They will only offer four-sided ones.

The company said it was animal abuse (虐待) to put fish in small bowls without added oxygen and filtration. Filtration is the process of removing small waste from the water with a device.

AgroBiothers chief Matthieu Lambeaux recently used the term “impulse”—meaning a sudden strong desire to do something—to describe why many adults buy goldfish. “People buy a goldfish for their kids on impulse, but if they knew what torture it is, they would not do it. Turning round and round in a small bowl drives fish crazy and kills them quickly,” Lambeaux added.

Goldfish can live up to 30 years and grow to about 25 cm in large aquariums (养鱼缸) or outdoor ponds. But in very small bowls they often die within weeks or months. Lambeaux said goldfish are social animals that need other fish, lots of space and clean water. He added that having an aquarium requires some special equipment and knowledge.

Germany and several other European countries have long banned (禁止) fishbowls, but France has no laws on the problem.

Lambeaux explained the company’s decision further by saying, “We cannot educate all our customers by explaining that keeping fish in a bowl is terrible. We consider that it is our responsibility to no longer give customers that choice.”

“There is demand for fishbowls,” he said, “but the reality is that what we offer children is the possibility of seeing goldfish die slowly.”

1. What makes the French company stop selling certain fishbowls?

A．Their size.	B．Their price.
C．Their weight.	D．Their popularity.

2. What does the underlined word “torture” probably in paragraph 4 mean?

A．Progress.	B．Pleasure.
C．Difficulty.	D．Suffering.

3. What is paragraph 5 mainly about?

A．The age goldfish can reach.	B．Costs of keeping goldfish.
C．Proper living conditions for goldfish.	D．The advice on how to choose fishbowls.

4. What does the company prefer to do based on Lambeaux’s words?

A．Raise the price of the fishbowls.	B．Remove the chances of harming goldfish.
C．Keep goldfish outside in the wild.	D．Educate parents to care for goldfish.

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。

It all began with a video showing a professor at a Chinese university several months ago. Standing before a classroom which     1     (fill) with eager students, she humorously said, “Princesses, please take your seats.” This video swiftly went viral on social media,     2     (cause) a fresh wave known as “princess literature”.

Actually, the word “princess” carries much     3     (important), especially for Gen Zers,     4     were brought up on “princess” stories and films such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Frozen.     5     (traditional), a princess was seen by the public as     6     irresponsible and proud figure. And they were even considered as the “the Lost Generation”.     7    , many of today’s “princesses” are independent, struggling for self-worth and exploring positive values.

“The popular phrase, ‘Princesses, please xx’, was appreciated by the youth, not only for its humor but for the     8     (emotion) value it offered to us”, said a college student when interviewed.

While many of recent Chinese Internet phrases     9     tangping, or “lying flat”, and foxi, or “Buddha-like”, reflects the discouraging attitude of young people, this phrase serves as a positive way     10     (adapt) to various pressures in their lives.

10 . Today, there are more humans on Earth than ever and nature is in freefall. In just 50 years, wildlife populations have dropped on average by 69 percent. In the same period, our population has doubled, and demand for non-living and living material from Earth has grown six times. The biggest contributors to biodiversity (生物多样性) loss are habitat destruction and over-development of species, both driven by completely unsustainable consumption (不可持续的消耗) and caused by increasing human numbers. It is important that we address this over-consumption, and that means thinking seriously the influence our species’ population growth is having on the breakdown of the natural world.

December’s biodiversity summit (峰会) in Canada didn’t meet the challenges we face. Only two of the 23 topics are intended to address consumption and speak of “greatly reducing overconsumption”. But the message is unclearly defined and unquantified (未被量化的), short of necessary facts for any real application. Given all the goals of the former biodiversity protection plan were missed, it is truly impossible to imagine that governments will gather the bravery to catch the chance.

In November last year, our population reached 8 billion and there are predictions that it will reach 10.4 billion in the 2080s. The goal of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity is for us to live “in harmony (和谐) with nature” by 2050. Let me make it clear: there is no doubt that the 1.7 billion more people predicted will make this greatly harder to achieve. However much we try to reduce our consumption and our influence, every plan and rule that moves us forward will have a gradually lower influence.

And let me say it again: it isn’t about any particular humans among those billions, this is about us as a species of resource-consuming organism.

We must now ensure governments deal with their tasks with great efforts instead of any short-sighted, short-term solutions. Tolerating (忍受) the cruel idea that economic growth is the answer to our problems, and totally ignoring unsustainable population growth, must end. Or we all die.

1. What’s the function for the first paragraph?

A．To conduct a survey.	B．To explore the reason.
C．To introduce the topic.	D．To discuss a problem.

2. What can we learn from the summit in Canada?

A．It is far from contenting the author.	B．It has pointed the way to our future.
C．It clears up many people’s confusion.	D．It helps deal with the consumption issues.

3. How does the author present his idea in paragraph 3?

A．By giving examples.	B．By showing data.
C．By making comparisons.	D．By defining a concept.

4. The author advises us to ________.

A．Tolerate existing issues and wait.

B．Put population growth in second place.

C．Expect economic growth to solve the problem.

D．Let governments adopt effective solutions wisely.