1 . Are you a moviegoer? If, like me, you’re a fan of film, then there’s no better place to watch something than on the big screen at the cinema. You enter the dark theatre and take your seat, ready to be entertained. But while you are absorbed in some movie magic, many others are now getting their film fix at home.
Over the last few years, cinemas have seen a comeback. Customers have been attracted by comfortable seats, and lots of choice of things to watch. Multiplexes in particular can screen up to twenty films at the same time, suiting all different tastes. In addition, 3D and even 4D movies can give the audience an extra immersive experience. So, what’s not to like about a trip to the cinema?
One answer to that question is convenience. Rather than going out, it’s so much easier to stay in and watch movies on a TV screen via an online streaming service. There’s plenty of choice, and it’s relatively cheap as well. But, personally, I find there’re too many distractions, and watching at home is not such an event. I miss the cinema!
The coronavirus pandemic has put the future of cinemas under the spotlight. Some have had to close because of reduced ticket sales. In the UK, it’s brought about a surge in TV watching and online streaming. It’s reported that half of UK adults will keep and continue using their new streaming subscriptions.
This isn’t great news for cinemas. They rely on the release of a big blockbuster to bring the crowds back, but the launch of new films, such as James Bond: No Time To Die, are being delayed. Disney has released its $200m blockbuster, Mulan, online instead of in movie theatres. John Fithian, from the National Association of Theatre Owners, told Variety magazine: “This idea of waiting out the pandemic to make your movies more profitable doesn’t make sense to me. There won’t be as much of an industry left to play your movies in if you do that.”
1. What’s mainly talked about in paragraph 2?| A．Why people don’t like to go to the cinema. |
| B．What has helped cinemas make a comeback. |
| C．How cinemas have developed in the last few years. |
| D．Whether cinemas can remain popular in the future. |
| A．It can hardly suit all different tastes. | B．It’s time-consuming due to distractions. |
| C．It offers a variety of films free of charge. | D．It’s not as enjoyable an experience as going to cinemas. |
| A．Sudden increase. | B．Short-term benefit. |
| C．potential influence. | D．Fierce competition. |
| A．The release of blockbusters cannot bring the crowds back. |
| B．The pandemic hasn’t had a great effect on the film industry. |
| C．Delaying the release of blockbusters can bring in more profits. |
| D．Releasing films online is an alternative during the pandemic. |
2 . Auckland University Online Education — What to Expect
Most Auckland University (AU) online programs are 100 percent online so that students do not come to the school campus. Instead, AU has designed a media - rich, easy - to - use learning environment through a Learning Management System (LMS).
● Discipline (纪律)
With disciplined work habits, you are likely to succeed as an online student. It is up to you to log on to your course and meet your own deadlines.
● Time Management
In order to earn competitive grades, plan on spending a minimum of 20 - 25 hours a week on each course. AU courses operate on a seven - week schedule, with start dates in January, March, May, July, September and November. Students are able to complete two courses per semester by taking one seven - week course at a time.
● Professional Connections
Many of the AU faculty (教员) who teach online have connections to industry, so the online learning environment ensures access to diverse expertise and practice. It includes an extensive network of professionals in a variety of industries.
“I work as an IT manager. And right from the very beginning, every class I took was relevant to what I was doing at work. The wide range of courses gave me a strong foundation for my career development.”
— Jim Heilman, Computer Information Systems graduate
● Technology
It goes without saying that technology plays a vital role in online learning. You will need a high - speed Internet connection and basic computer skills. For specifics, please click here to visit our Technology page.
1. How long does it take to complete one course?| A．Seven weeks. | B．One semester. |
| C．Several months. | D．At least 20 - 25 hours. |
| A．To recognize an excellent graduate. |
| B．To set a good example to other learners. |
| C．To prove benefits of professional connections. |
| D．To show effective methods of online learning. |
| A．A course brochure | B．A college website. |
| C．An academic magazine. | D．A science report. |
3 . More than a decade ago, the UK’s Royal Society offered f1million to the first person in the world to create a chemical-free product. No one has yet claimed the money because it is impossible. Water is a chemical. So is your tea. Yet there is still so much confusion about everyday products, from cleaning sprays to cosmetics. While some are labeled as chemical free, others declare they are non-poisonous, natural and eco-friendly.
To work out whether products contain harmful chemicals, which are harmful or dangerous to us or the planet, we need to look at the bigger picture of how something is produced and where it ends up after we have used it. Our homes are just a snapshot of a complex global supply chain. Your handbag may not be dangerous, but direct exposure to the chromium salts used in commercial leather factories can cause uncomfortable conditions in people involved in its production. And the chlorine bleach that gets washed down the toilet? That is poisonous to animals relying on water.
Labels are so full of jargon, however, that identifying what is good and what isn’t can feel impossible. A starting point is to not be tricked by marketing words. Even the term “sustainable” has no official definition, so for green credentials look for proof of claims in the form of certificates, such as Cradle to Cradle, which ensures the chemicals used are safe for people and the environment, and that they get reused in the production process.
Also be skeptical about labels focusing on what a product doesn’t contain, such as “paraben-free” or “no harmful substances”. Real transparency is about making clear the things that are used to make products, not taking our attention away from them.
Therefore, until long-term effects on people and the planet are investigated, we should choose brands that are fully transparent and call for clearer labeling from the rest.
1. Why does the author mention the UK’s Royal Society?| A．To explain a concept. | B．To lead to a topic. |
| C．To provide a solution. | D．To make a prediction. |
| A．Production process may be harmful to producers. |
| B．Daily items at home are dangerous to the planet. |
| C．Commercial leather factories reflect a complex global supply chain. |
| D．Health conditions of consumers are supposed to be attached importance to. |
| A．By relying on marketing words. | B．By identifying product brands. |
| C．By focusing on product packaging. | D．By checking on authorized certifications. |
| A．Favorable. | B．Intolerant. | C．Cautious. | D．Unclear. |
4 . Coming upon a clear - cut in an old forest is a shocking experience. Tees large and small are collapsed one above the other in pile, and the ground is covered with the tracks of heavy machinery. Such was the scene when forest activist Zack Porter and I hiked a newly built logging (伐木) road in Green Mountain National Forest.
Clear - cutting in the American forests has long been widespread. But now, the Forest Habitat Creation Project represents new reasoning which is hotly debated - that clear - cutting benefits native creatures. The thinking is that clear - cutting done wisely can mimic natural disturbances, for example, from insect invasions or from storms overturning older trees that produce what ecologists call Early Successional Habitats - places where young trees and bushes get the upper hand and animals that depend on such habitat thrive.
The project also states that forests “can only be saved by being destroyed” - by keeping them young. Timber (木材) interests are enthusiastic about the approach because it lets them profit from cutting trees while claiming the significance of conservation. Hunting groups favor it because a younger, less thick forest makes it easier to find the game and birds they're tracking.
Nevertheless, Porter says, “Allowing some of the oldest standing trees in New England to be removed is equal to dereliction of duty on the part of the government, who sees the forests as commodities (商品).” “Forests can produce clean water, clean air, carbon storage, and biodiversity that we need,” he continues as we walk among lovely mixed hardwoods and evergreens that are cut down for logging. “We shouldn't be removing them for short - term gain.”
In this sense, Zack Porter's description of logging for wildlife for short - term gain - the short - term gain of favoring habitat for species people today want to see and hunt - is reasonable.
1. How does the author start the text?| A．By presenting some ideas. | B．By listing some evidence. |
| C．By comparing different views. | D．By stating his own experience. |
| A．Profits can be made from logging. |
| B．Clear - cutting is beneficial to the wildlife. |
| C．The conservation of forest is of significance. |
| D．Clear - cutting can cause natural disturbances. |
| A．Fulfillment. | B．Promise. | C．Misconduct. | D．Exposure. |
| A．A New Approach to Forest Protection |
| B．A Hiking Experience in the Logging Road |
| C．How to Build Early Successional Habitats? |
| D．Is Clear - cutting Forests Good for Wildlife? |
5 . There is a popular saying in the English language: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Well, that is not true. Unkind words, name-calling or even the so-called “the silent treatment” can hurt children as much as being physically hit, sometimes even more so. A recent study of middle school children showed that verbal (言语的) abuse by other children can harm, the development in the brain. The study was a project of researchers at Harvard Medical School in Massachusetts. Researcher Martin Teicher and his team studied young adults, aged 18 to 25. These young men and women had not ever been treated in a cruel or violent way by their parents. The researchers asked the young people to rate their childhood exposure to verbal abuse from both parents and other children. Then the researchers performed imaging tests on the brains of the subjects.
The images showed that the people who reported suffering verbal abuse from peers in middle school had underdeveloped connections between the left and right side of the brain. The two sides of the brain are connected by a large bundle of connecting fibers called the corpus callosum. This was the area that was underdeveloped.
The middle school years are a time when these brain connections are developing. So, unkind, hurtful comments from children or adults during this period have the greatest effect. The researchers tested the mental and emotional condition of all the young people in the study. The tests showed that this same group of people had higher levels of fear, depression, anger and drug abuse than others in the study.
The researchers published their findings online on the American Journal of Psychiatry's website.
Parents cannot control what other people say to their children, but they can prepare their children.
1. Why does the author use the popular saying at the beginning?| A．To show the power of words. |
| B．To introduce an opposite view. |
| C．To prove the author's argument. |
| D．To show ancient people's wisdom. |
| A．They were hurt by unkind words. |
| B．They performed poorly in imaging tests. |
| C．They had their brain slightly damaged. |
| D．They experienced no physical abuse at home. |
| A．Comments on the findings. |
| B．Approaches to further studies. |
| C．Suggestions to parents. |
| D．Different opinions on the matter. |
| A．Unkind words hurt the brain. |
| B．Verbal violence should be stopped. |
| C．The way we speak matters. |
| D．Words are worse than sticks and stones. |
6 . Learning math can something be difficult. Then math websites come to the rescue! We’ve gathered some of the best math websites for both students and teachers They will help keep students learning and having fun. If your students need extra help with their math, try one of the websites that are listed below.
Greg Tang Math
It tries to provide good math lessons for students as well as professional development for in-service teachers. It has games, puzzles ,and other resources, like free downloads, worksheets, and math centers.
Cost: free.
Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones, from Origo Education, is a special math website that combines printed and digital materials. It features problem-solving activities, methods, and practice. Teachers can also visit a professional blog that provides advice and support.
Cost: a small fee.
Arithmetic Four
Two users play a game in which each player tries to connect four game pieces in a row. The players answer math questions to connect the pieces. The teacher chooses how much time each player has to answer, the level of difficulty, and the type of math problem, and then gives marks to the users after the game.
Cost: free.
Front Row
It allows kids to practice math at their own level. It has more than 30,000 math questions and has a tool that can organize material at just the right level. Front Row also features lessons, assessments(评估), and reports for teachers.
Cost: free for teachers, and a small fee for upgrades and other features.
1. What do Greg Tang Math and Stepping Stones have in common?| A．They both encourage good teamwork. |
| B．They both offer professional help to teachers. |
| C．They both teach math through interesting puzzles. |
| D．They both allow users to talk with in-service teachers. |
| A．It provides excellent math lessons at low price. |
| B．It invites many experts to answer users’ questions. |
| C．It organizes various outdoor problem-solving activities. |
| D．It uses games to test students’ mastery of knowledge. |
| A．Front Row. | B．Arithmetic Four. | C．Stepping Stones. | D．Greg Tang Math. |
| A．Two o'clock. | B．Four o'clock. | C．Five o'clock. |
8 . Have you felt annoyed when a cellphone rings during the class? Something must be done to stop this. Now in New York City, USA, a rule is carried out in schools. Students can't even bring cellphones to school. Is it a good thing or not?
Anxious parents say that cellphones are an important tool in holding New York City's families together.
“I worry about it，” said Elizabeth Lorris Ritter, a mother of a middle school kid. “It's necessary in our everyday life. We have a washing machine. We have running water, and we have cellphones.”
Many American parents think they can contact their children on buses, getting out from subways, or walking through unknown places.
“I have her call me when she gets out of school，” said Lindsay Walt, a schoolgirl's mother. “ No one in New York is going to let their child go to school without a cellphone.”
What about the cellphone owners, the students? Most of the students say cellphones are essential and that they are like extra (额外的) hands or feet for them.
“I feel so empty，” said May Chom，14. “There is also no way to listen to music on the way to school without my phone. It will be a really, really boring trip.”
1. What can we learn from the passage?| A．Many American parents don't think cellphones are necessary for the students. |
| B．Cellphones only bring troubles to the school life. |
| C．Cellphones connect children with their families when they are outside. |
| D．Cellphones can help students learn better. |
| A．Popular. | B．Necessary. |
| C．Smart. | D．Expensive. |
| A．To enjoy listening to music. | B．To make phone calls to their teachers. |
| C．To listen to some uptodate news. | D．To guide themselves to school. |
| A．The problems caused by using cellphones. |
| B．Parents' concern over students' study. |
| C．The debate about forbidding students to use phones in school. |
| D．The importance of using phones in school for children. |
9 . In the 1890s, Oscar Wilde tried to change the way men dressed. In summer, he said, the standard dark suits were too heavy and hot.
Did anyone follow his
Last week, Mayor of New York said he was concerned about New Yorkers in the heat. He suggested dressing
It didn’t seem
So the next day, I put on
My
After lunch, two young men were pointing at my shorts and
The next day I wore long pants again.
1.| A．Besides | B．Instead | C．Meanwhile | D．Otherwise |
| A．step | B．order | C．principle | D．suggestion |
| A．neatly | B．appropriately | C．comfortably | D．professionally |
| A．deal with | B．get rid of | C．scare away | D．keep up with |
| A．desires | B．expects | C．intends | D．continues |
| A．balanced | B．fair | C．beneficial | D．normal |
| A．waiting | B．considering | C．relaxing | D．suffering |
| A．shorts | B．stockings | C．jeans | D．glasses |
| A．proud | B．strange | C．excited | D．disappointed |
| A．stood up | B．caught up | C．took pictures | D．stepped aside |
| A．taken off | B．taken out | C．taken away | D．taken back |
| A．look | B．behavior | C．answer | D．description |
| A．chance | B．choice | C．reason | D．idea |
| A．laughing | B．leaving | C．praising | D．arguing |
| A．started | B．improved | C．happened | D．changed |
10 . When we see a person in trouble our immediate reaction is to lend a hand. But what if we se an animal in trouble, does the same rule apply?
This question was raised after a group of penguins were saved from an icy gully (峡谷) in Antarctica. It was filmed for the BBC wildlife series Dynasties. After seeing that a group of penguins had fallen into a gully and been trapped with their young the film crew were so concerned about their safety that they built a slope (斜坡) so that a few of the penguins could save themselves.
The case has taken the international media by storm. Viewers watching this film let out a sigh of relief. "I'm so glad. I understand not taking action directly involved, but a helping hand isn't bothering, right?" viewer Kathryn Shaw said on her Facebook.
However, others think human interference (干涉) is unnatural. "You can't have sunshine throughout your life. To have done anything else would only make matters worse," said the show's creator David Attenborough, according to The Times.
In this case, however, Mike Gunton, the executive producer of the series, said that this was a one-off situation. "There were no animals going to suffer by interfering. You weren't touching the animals and it was just felt by doing this. They had the chance not to have to keep slipping down the slope," he told the BBC.
Such cases are familiar to Paul Nicklen, wildlife photographer for National Geographic. He told Metro, "If it's ever a predator (捕食者) situation，no matter how gut-wrenching，you stay out of the way. Even when you're watching a male polar bear eat a baby bear."
"There's no rule book in those situations. You can only respond to the facts that are right there in front of you," Will Lawson, the show's director, told Daily Mail.
1. What has caused to a heated media discussion?| A．People's various comments on penguins. |
| B．The ways of helping the trapped penguins . |
| C．Some penguins' sufferings in a gully. |
| D．Ways of filming the series Dynasties. |
| A．Anxious. | B．Sad. |
| C．Annoyed. | D．Thrilled. |
| A．Shooting an eagle catching a snake. |
| B．Preventing a polar bear eating a baby bear. |
| C．Watching a lion attacking a deer. |
| D．Distracting a crocodile biting an antelope. |
| A．The Necessity of Lending a Hand to Animals in Trouble. |
| B．Suggestions on How to Save Animals in Trouble. |
| C．Effects of Human Interference on Animals in Trouble. |
| D．Opinions on Whether to Help Animals in Trouble. |
