1 . As the U. K. and nations across the world mourn (哀悼) the death of Queen Elizabeth II, several aspects of the queen’s 70-year reign have been resurfacing over the past few days. From her personal life to her colonial legacy to her beloved dog — many are attracted by the life of the monarch (君主) . According to some experts, part of people’s attention towards the Royal Family not only comes from their respect for the queen but also from the trend of celebrity worshipping (名人崇拜) .

The idea of the British Royal Family taps into a collective desire for something that seems extraordinary, as opposed to the banality (平庸) of one’s own life, Cheryl Thompson, an assistant professor at the School of Performance at Toronto Metropolitan University, told Global News.

Thompson said the fairytaleish aspect of the British Royal Family is what attracts people, adding that many are attracted by their luxury weddings, seemingly perfect lives and the media attention that follows. “People have grown up hearing about fairy tales with princes and kings and queens,” she said. “So, you would imagine the castle has to be amazing compared to the two-bedroom apartment that you live in with your family … that whole idea of having servants upstairs, the luxuriousness of the dinner table — just brings all of that back into people’s imagination.”

Cele Otnes, head of the Department of Business Administration at the University of Illinois, said the Royal Family is “a complex brand” that is different from what one would normally associate with celebrities.

“They are a global brand that people love all over the world”, explained Otnes.

“They’re luxury”, she said. People far and wide are “very interested in the drama and the tension that happens in the Royal Family.”

“I think another one of the reasons the queen was so popular is that although everyone knew she was extremely wealthy, she didn’t show off her wealth.”

1. According to Thompson the fairytaleish aspect of the Royal Family lies in ________.

A．their life style	B．their political performance
C．their charity image	D．their social status

2. Which is not the reason why Otnes said the Royal Family is a different complex brand?

A．Because they are very likely to call our attention.

B．Because they live a luxurious and admirable life.

C．Because they are keen on charity.

D．Because they are very modest with their fame and wealth.

3. What’s the passage mainly about?

A．Mourning the death of the queen.	B．Analyzing the popularity of the queen.
C．Showing our admiration to the queen.	D．Stating the global importance of the queen.

4. How is the passage organized?

A．By making comparisons.	B．By giving examples.
C．By listing facts.	D．By quoting experts’ ideas.

2 . Too much smartphone use is an obviously 21st century issue. Countless people spend their days endlessly scrolling(滑动)from one social media app to the next. Many argue there’s an easy solution: place it in silent mode(模式).

Now, however, researchers find that this method can actually backfire for certain people. Study authors report people checked their phones more often when their phones were in silent mode. Particularly, participants who scored high in “fear of missing out, or FoMO” and “need to belong” personality tests checked their phones the most after placing them on silent. In some cases, they stayed on their phones for longer as well.

This work is based on data collected from the screen time monitoring tool of 138 iPhone Users. Researchers focused on how two different psychological traits (特征) may influence how people act in response to placing their phones on either silence or vibrate (震动). To be more exact, researchers analyzed people who tend to pay special attention to gathering information from others(FoMO), and people with a strong desire to keep interpersonal relationships (need to belong).

Unbelievably, compared to audio-alert (语音提示) or vibrate modes, each participant checked their phones more often when it was in silent mode. When the phone’s sound and vibration was on, the groups checked their phones 52.9 times daily on average. when their phones were silent, that average rate nearly doubled to 98.2 times a day.

Participants with high levels of FoMO checked their phones roughly 50 times daily when their phone was on vibrate, while in silent mode, they checked their phones about 120 times daily, and they also tended to keep scrolling much longer if their phones were in silent mode.

Participants with high levels of the need-to-belong trait actually didn’t check their phones more in silent mode, however, they did stay on their phones longer if the phones were in either silent or vibration-only mode.

After all, smartphone use habits vary from person to person. Researchers conclude the first step toward developing healthier tech habits for everyone is understanding that different people react to apps, notifications, and various tech features differently.

1. The underlined word “backfire” probably means_________.

A．have little effect	B．cause some trouble
C．have the opposite effect	D．be highly beneficial

2. What do we know about people with high levels of FoMO when their phones were in silent mode?

A．They checked their phones almost as often as usual.

B．They reacted differently from people with the need-to-belong trait.

C．They stayed on their phones longer than people with the need-to-belong trait.

D．They showed healthier tech habits than people with the need-to-belong trait did.

3. What’s the author’s attitude towards this research?

A．Objective.

B．Doubtful.

C．Uncaring.

D．Unclear.

4. Which section of a newspaper may this text appear?

A．Entertainment.

B．Education.

C．Scientific discovery.

D．Health.

3 . In this day and age, digital devices (数码产品) have become a significant part of our daily lives.     1    

But while these devices do make people’s lives easier, there are things to look out for in using these technologies. One is how digital devices seem to be taking over people’s social relationships.

You might have noticed how everyone is engaged in their devices during family gatherings or get-togethers with friends. While they were constantly clicking on their portable devices, real conversations are becoming rare.     2    

So if you want to spend quality time with each other, you and your friends and family need to sacrifice screen time.

    3     When you’re hanging out with your friends, make it a policy that all devices should be turned off. Of course, everyone should agree on this ahead of time to avoid any misunderstanding.     4     This could also be a house rule when you have dinner with your family or during any other event with relatives.

Another option could be to turn devices on silent mode (模式), just in case someone is expecting an urgent call or important text. It sounds simple, but turning our eyes away from the screen may be more difficult than you think.     5     And while we may be able to carry on a conversation while playing a game, this is definitely going to cause a loss to the quality of the time we spend with others.

By removing digital devices in the background, you and your friends can concentrate on what’s really important—spending time with each other.

A．Turning off your digital devices is a good first step.

B．They’re also driving us away from people around us.

C．People can therefore concentrate on what they are doing.

D．Thus, the opportunity to strengthen connections might be disappearing.

E．It seems so natural to reach for your phone or device before doing anything.

F．They are used for a variety of tasks, whether it’s ordering food or booking a flight.

G．And everyone must be willing to obey the rule or else the purpose would be defeated.

4 . Everyone fails from time to time. We try to learn from our mistakes and move on, leaving them behind. But one museum is doing quite the opposite. It’s a showcase for failure, both famous and forgotten.

Inspired by the Museum of Broken Relationships in Croatia, Samuel West, a psychologist from Sweden, decided to make our silly mistakes public. He founded the Museum of Failure in 2017. Now the museum is hitting the road, with a travelling exhibition in Shanghai from Jan 18 to March 17. The Museum will exhibit over 100 “failed” products from big-name companies such as Nokia, Apple and Coca-Cola.

“I really hope you see that these big brands that everybody respects screw up too,” West told The New York Times. “I hope that makes you feel less nervous about learning something new.”

West’s opinion isn’t new. The famous German-American physicist Albert Einstein once said,   “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” This idea has been eagerly accepted by big companies in the US. Silicon Valley, for example, is the home of some of the world’s most innovative (创新的) tech companies. A common slogan is, “Fail fast, fail often.”

However, there are reasons for this. “The best companies are those that encourage failure, welcome out-of-box thinking and allow employees to make mistakes and see what happens,” wrote Simon Casuto of Forbes.

This may lead to carelessness and a lack of effort. Some people are skeptical of this so-called “culture of failure.” They are worried that if failure becomes ‘a badge (奖章) of honor”, as Wired magazine put it, it may even be seen as “uncool” when someone tries to reduce the risk of failure.

“Sometimes people hide behind failure, when they could have prevented it,” wrote Anna Isaac of The Telegraph.

So it’s important that you set apart the two kinds of failure—the kind that shows laziness or incompetence and the kind that takes you forward. The key is whether you’ve learned something from your mistakes.

1. The underlined phrase “screw up” in Paragraph 3 probably means_________.

A．suffer failures	B．like taking risks
C．work together	D．encourage innovation

2. West founded the Museum of Failure mainly to _________.

A．help people avoid failure	B．encourage people to try new things
C．amuse people with silly products	D．teach people how to learn from failure

3. Why are some people against the “culture of failure”?

A．It will cause great waste of resources.

B．It will lead to lots of impractical ideas.

C．People may fear to try again after failure.

D．It may give people excuses to make less effort.

4. What does the author think of failure?

A．All failures deserve respect.

B．Failure shows lack of effort and ability.

C．Failure is good if it teaches us something.

D．The best companies seldom make mistakes.

5 . Just as China sets the world pace in e-commerce (电子商务), it’s doing the same for live streaming. More than 100 million viewers watch a live online video event every month. As an e-commerce tool, the live streaming format typically involves a famous person showing a product and answering questions from a digital audience. It takes place in real time (实时) and usually on a smartphone, which accounts for some 95% of e-commerce activity in China.

China is filled with live streaming webcasts, much of it non-commercial, such as young people discussing their lives, offering diet tips, etc. But live streaming has also become one of the most cost-effective tools for e-commerce in China.

Why are consumers and brands both hugging live streaming?

First, there’s a functional advantage to live streaming. It allows experts to show the product being used, to show various techniques, and to point out the results. There’s also a feeling of authenticity (真实性) that comes from live streaming because the audience can interact (互动) with the experts by asking questions in real time.

Consumers feel that they are actually handling the product themselves. Instead of picking a product off a shelf, they are now part of the process, shaping the outcome from the convenience of the living room sofa. The best live streaming allows room for a joke, or even a small mistake. After all, this is how friends talk with one another. As consumers grow in experience and taste, they would rather participate in a chat. Live streaming invites the brand into the home in much the same way you would invite a friend.

Consumers often feel a sense of empowerment (赋予权力). The brand must react quickly and positively to viewers in real time because consumers have the power to hold them responsible for their products through questions.

Live streaming can also be particularly effective for new-to-market brands who do not have the ability to create a buzz because it provides a guarantee that the product is used, accepted and loved.

1. What is the purpose of live streaming as an e-commerce tool?

A．To chat with young people about life.

B．To promote products on smartphones.

C．To offer tips on healthy eating on the web.

D．To communicate with audience on the phone.

2. Which of the following is a reason for live streaming’s popularity?

A．It allows real-time interaction between customers and the brand.

B．It empowers customers to decide who are responsible for products.

C．It makes sure that new-to-market brands become best selling goods.

D．It offers chances for customers to pick products off shelves by themselves.

3. The underlined phrase “create a buzz” in the last paragraph probably means

A．attract the attention of the pubic	B．introduce their products effectively
C．be responsible for their products	D．react quickly and positively to consumers

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

A．China Is Leading the World in E-commerce

B．Differences between Offline Business and Live Streaming

C．China’s Live Streaming is Booming — Here’s How It Works

D．Want to Experience a New Way of Living? Join in Live Streaming!

6 . It was about 10:15 p.m. Janice Esposito got off the train at the Bellport, New York, got into her car and began driving home. She had traveled the route(线路) so many times that she almost drove automatically: a left onto Station Road, then a left on Montauk Highway, and then—bang! Out of nowhere a car crashed into Esposito’s car, pushing her backward some 100 feet onto the railroad tracks. Injured but mostly shocked by the crash and by the airbags that popped up, she got stuck in the vehicle.

As it happened, Pete DiPinto was getting ready for bed when he heard the crash coming from not far outside his bedroom window. A volunteer firefighter and retired teacher, DiPinto, 64, never stopped to think. He grabbed a flashlight and rushed out. “Any firefighter would have done what I did,” he said. “We’re always on duty. ”

The first car he came upon 2,000 feet from his front yard, was the one that had hit Esposito. Once making sure the driver was OK, he looked around and spotted Esposito's car straddling (骑跨) the railroad tracks. And then he heard a bell sound, which signaled a coming train. DiPinto rushed to Esposito’s car and hit on the driver’s side window. She just looked at him, “I don’t know where I am,” she said.

“You’re on the railroad tracks,” DiPinto yelled. “We have to get you off right now!” The train was traveling at a speed of 65 miles per hour toward them. The driver’s door couldn’t be opened due to the crash, so DiPinto ran to the passenger side. He threw open the door, pushed aside the airbags, seized Esposito’s arms, and pulled her toward him across the passenger seat until he finally got her out and walked her to safety as quickly as he could. Within seconds, the train crashed into the car. “It was like a Hollywood movie, ” DiPinto told reporters the next day.

“Last night, ” said Greg Miglino Chief of the South Country Ambulance, “the hero arrived in pajamas(睡衣), not in a fire truck. ”

1. What can we know about the accident from the first paragraph?

A．Esposito was not familiar with the road.

B．Esposito was driving too fast.

C．The crash was violent.

D．It should have been avoided.

2. Why was the situation so dangerous?

A．Esposito was badly injured.

B．Esposito was about to be hit by the train.

C．Esposito was firmly stuck in the car.

D．The driver’s door couldn’t be opened.

3. What does Greg Miglino really mean?

A．He is praising DiPinto’s heroic action.

B．DiPinto didn’t act as professionally.

C．A firefighter should be ready any time.

D．Fire trucks are not enough for emergencies.

4. What is the best title of the passage?

A．A Terrible Accident.	B．A Brave Firefighter.
C．A Broken Car.	D．A Narrow Escape.

8 . If you wear glasses, chances are you are smarter. Research published in the famous British journal Nature Communications has found that people who displayed higher levels of intelligence were almost 30 percent more likely to wear glasses.

The scientists studied the genes of thousands of people between the ages of 16 and 102. The study showed intelligence can be connected to physical characteristics. One characteristic was eyesight. In out of 10 people who were more intelligent, there was a higher chance they needed glasses. Scientists also said being smarter has other benefits. It is connected to better health.

It is important to remember these are links which are not proven causes. Scientists call this correlation. Just because something is linked with something else does not mean one of those things caused the other. And it’s worth noting that what constitutes intelligence is subjective and can be difficult, if not impossible, to measure.

Forget genes though. Plenty of proof shows wearing glasses makes people think you are more intelligent, even if you do not need glasses. A number of studies have found people who wear glasses are seen as smarter, hard-working and honest. Many lawyers use this idea to help win their cases. Lawyer Harvey Solves explained this. Glasses often their appearance. He said sometimes there has been a huge amount of evidence showing that the clients he was defending broke the law. He had them wear glasses and they weren’t found guilty.

Glasses are also used to show someone is intelligent in movies and on TV Ideas about people who wear glasses have begun to shift. People who do not need glasses sometimes wear them for fashion only. They want to look worldly or cool. But not everyone is impressed by this idea, though. GQ magazine said people who wear glasses for fashion are trying too hard to look smart and cool. However that hasn’t stopped many famous people from happily wearing glasses even if they do not need them. Justin Bieber is just one high-profile fan of fashion glasses.

1. What does the new study show?

A．Wearing glasses is related to higher IQ.

B．Wearing glasses can make people clever.

C．People wearing glasses are healthier.

D．People wearing glasses are smarter

2. What does the underlined word in Paragraph 3 mean?

A．Shift.

B．Cause.

C．Consequence.

D．Connection.

3. Some lawyers ask their clients to wear glasses in court because it can          .

A．mislead the witnesses	B．highlight clients’ qualities
C．create a moral image	D．prove the clients’ innocence

4. What is people’s attitude towards those who wear glasses for fashion?

A．Mixed.

B．Supportive.

C．Negative.

D．Unconcerned.

9 . On October 23, 2016, David Pologruto, a high school physics teacher, was stabbed by his smart student Jason Haffizulla. Jason got straight A’s and was determined to study medicine at Harvard, yet this was his downfall. His physics teacher gave Jason a B, a mark Jason believed would undermine his entrance to Harvard. After receiving his B, Jason took a butcher knife to school and stabbed his physics teacher.

How can someone as smart as Jason do something so dumb? Studies show there is little or no connection between IQ and emotional intelligence.

During my early university years, I regarded myself as an intelligent guy. I got good marks in mathematics, physics, and other subjects. I thought such skills would surely give me a bright future. After one year of study with decent marks, I began to see two major classes of students. The first category of students turned up to few lectures, partied every weekend, enjoyed a great social life, and did minimal work to pass courses. The second category of students were intelligent and hard workers who got good grades and were very focused on their studies. Surely would these intelligent and hard-working students find the great jobs before the other lazier class of students?

Not so. Students are often shocked upon graduation that their qualifications are not as important as they once thought. Graduates enter the workforce only to realize that co-workers hate them and less intelligent people are the ones receiving promotions (晋升).

Educational skills are useless in some industries when interpersonal skills are absent. You can have great ideas, theories, and solve complex problems, but if you cannot effectively communicate with your colleagues, you will face difficult situations. It’s not that people dislike you because of your intelligence; it’s that people dislike you because you’re rude and not understanding. The intelligent person with poor communication skills is unaware of others’ emotions.

1. Jason Haffizulla stabbed his physics teacher because ________.

A．he was not smart enough at studies	B．he was unfairly treated by his teacher
C．he got a worse mark than usual	D．he was disappointed with his downfall

2. What does the underlined word “undermine” mean?

A．limit	B．help
C．destroy	D．benefit

3. Intelligent people are hated because ________.

A．they are not considerate enough

B．they are envied for their intelligence

C．they can solve more complex problems

D．they can’t settle the challenges they meet

4. What can we learn from this text?

A．What kind of students can succeed in college.

B．Smart people have poorer communication skills.

C．Intelligent students will meet more challenges at work.

D．Smart students should balance their IQ and emotional intelligence.

10 . Nowadays there is less and less contact between the old and the young. There are many reasons for this, but the result is the same: increasing numbers of children without grandparents and old people who have no contact with children. And more old people who are lonely and feel use- less, along with more and more families with young children who desperately need more support. It’s a major problem in many societies.

That’s why intergenerational programmes, designed to bring the old and the young together, are growing in popularity all over the world, supported by UNESCO and other local and international organisations. There are examples of successful initiatives all over the world. Using young people to teach IT skills to older people is one obvious example. Using old people as volunteer assistants in schools is another, perhaps reading with children who need extra attention.

One successful scheme in France is combining a residential home for the elderly with a creche/nursery school in the same building. The children and the residents eat lunch together and share activities such as music, painting, gardening and caring for the pets which the residents are encouraged to keep. In the afternoons, the residents enjoy reading or telling stones to the children and, if a child is feeling sad or tired, there is always a kind lap to sit on and a cuddle (依偎). There are trips out and birthday parties too.

The advantages are enormous for everyone concerned. The children are happy because they get a lot more individual attention and respond well because someone has lime, for them. They also learn that old people are not different or frightening in any way. And of course, they see illness and death and learn to accept them. The residents are happy because they feel useful and needed. They are more active and more interested in life when the children are around and they take more interest in their appearance too. And the staff are happy because they see an improvement in the physical and psychological health of the residents and have an army of assistants to help with the children.

1. What is the social problem talked about in Paragraph 1?

A．A generation gap.	B．Caring for children.
C．Intergenerational contact.	D．The support for the aged.

2. What do the programmes mentioned in Paragraph 2 aim to do?

A．Make the old take care of children.

B．Help the old people learn new things.

C．Encourage the young to care for the old.

D．Increase contact between the old and the young.

3. What is special about the scheme in France?

A．Joining an elderly house with a kindergarten.

B．Hiring old people as child - care workers.

C．Helping children face misfortunes bravely.

D．Using children to accompany the old.

4. In which aspect does the scheme benefit the old?

A．It builds up their strength.

B．They live a healthier life.

C．It creates a family atmosphere.

D．They are closer to their relatives.