1 . At the time of writing this, it's been eight days since I moved into my dorm room at Montclair State University. Commuting (通勤) or going online completely is not an option for me. I can't drive a car. And I am studying journalism, which is difficult to practice with online-only classes.

Few people are on campus. The school is doing phased move-ins. For the safety of students and staff,you have to fill out charts and forms telling the school exactly where you go and when you will move in.

Housing was not a big concern because the on-campus population has been halved. I moved in at the earliest time I could: Aug. 10. During that time, the only people I saw were joggers wheezing up the many hills around my school. To get my double room, I had to fill out an abundance of paperwork. I agreed that in the event that I get COVID-19, I'll move to a single room completely lacking in human contact, besides food delivery and online classes.

And then there was the food situation. It's unknown whether dining options will be open in time for our classes next week, and if they are, how they will be handled. The tables I spent many hours sitting at with friends have all but disappeared. There are plenty of floor signs at the canteen for all students to follow. Instead of sitting down to eat, it was grab-and-go. Pick whatever you want, and an employee will pack it for you in a box and a plastic bag.

But here on campus, it's the calm before the storm. Somehow, society hasn't collapsed. Cats and dogs are not raining from the sky. Pigs aren't flying. Right now, it's like a nature reserve. I've seen more birds, deer and squirrels than humans here.

My bizarre (怪异的) college situation leaves me with sleepless nights. Much like this whole pandemic (疫情),everything is just one day at a time.

1. What are students from Montclair State University required to do?

A．Report their whereabouts.	B．Fill out application forms.
C．Take online courses at dorms.	D．Move in as soon as possible.

2. Why did the author feel confident of getting a double room?

A．He was infected with COVID-19.

B．There were not so many applicants.

C．He came earlier than any other students.

D．He submitted all the necessary paperwork.

3. What can we learn about the food situation?

A．Food will be delivered by an employee.

B．Students will have more choices next week.

C．Students are not allowed to eat at the canteen.

D．The canteen provides more tables and floor signs.

4. Which word best describes the author's attitude to the future?

A．Optimistic.	B．Concerned.
C．Relaxed.	D．Indifferent.

2 . Growing up, we are constantly reminded that young people are heavily affected by technology. We are the “antisocial club”, those who prefer to text our friends in the same room rather than make eye contact with them. And even though never-ending studies reveal to us the extent of our social media addiction, we should at least consider that it’s not only our young people’s problem any more.

There’s the rise of the Instagram mums, who like to post an abundance of cute baby pictures, share their mom feelings along the way and show their wonderful lifestyles. They are the so-called “Facebook mum generation”, a growing group of parents that like to overshare.

While all of this might be fine, and even a little humorous, new research suggests that parents’ technology addiction is negatively affecting their children’s behavior. According to the study, 40% of mothers and 32% of fathers have admitted having some sort of phone addiction. This has led to a significant fall in verbal interactions within families and even a decline in mothers’ encouraging their children.

There is no denying that I get annoyed when receiving the words “I’ll be with you soon” from a parent, when all I want to do is ask one question. But, at the same time, every day leaving the room to wait until my father is finished with his “serious business” (Farmville), has now become the norm. Whether you want to escape your disturbing children for a bit, or want to stay up late flicking through Twitter, know that wanting to do all of these is normal. We, your children, know how addictive it can be and how difficult it is to switch off. But before telling us to put our phones away at the table or even worse, listing statistics of how damaging social media can be for us, maybe lead by example, considering how much time you spend on the phone and how this is impacting your children and your relationship with us. Maybe in this way we can work on our addiction together.

1. From Paragraph 1, we can know that teenagers nowadays ________.

A．enjoy socializing with their friends	B．send messages to their friends every day
C．hate to make eye contact with their friends	D．are heavily addicted to their mobile phones

2. What does the author think of mums’ oversharing?

A．Boring.

B．Selfish.

C．Funny.

D．Meaningful.

3. The underlined word “norm” in Paragraph 4 probably means ________.

A．security

B．standard

C．routine

D．custom

4. What’s the main purpose of the article?

A．To share the author’s own experience with the readers.

B．To call on parents to get rid of their own media addiction.

C．To reveal that parents are always addicted to mobile phones.

D．To show the author’s dissatisfaction with parents’ phone use.

3 . It’s possible to admire Oprah Winfrey and still wish Harvard hadn’t awarded her an honorary doctor of law degree and the commencement speaker spot at yesterday’s graduation. There’s no question Oprah’s achievements place her in the temple of American success stories. Talent, charm, and an exceptional work ethic have rarely hurled anyone as far as they have this former abused teenage mother from rural Mississippi who became one of the world’s most successful entertainment icons and the first African-American female billionaire.

Honorary degrees are often conferred on non-academic leaders in the arts, business, and politics. Harvard’s list in recent years has included Kofi fi Annan, Bill Gates, Meryl Streep, and David Souter. But Oprah’s particular brand of celebrity is not a good fit for the values of a university whose motto, Veritas, means truth. Oprah’s passionate advocacy extends, unfortunately, to a hearty embrace of fake science. Most notoriously, Oprah’s validation of Jenny McCarthy’s claim that vaccines cause autism has no doubt contributed to much harm through the foolish avoidance of vaccines.

Famous people are entitled to a few failings, like the rest of us. And the choice of commencement speakers often reflects a balance of institutional priorities and aspirations. Judging from our conversations with many students, Oprah was a widely popular choice.

But this vote of confidence in Oprah sends a troubling message at precisely the time when American universities need to do more to advance the cause of reason. As former Dean of Harvard College, Harry Lewis, noted in a blog post about his objections. “It seems very odd for Harvard to honor such a high profile popularizer of the irrational… at a time when political and religious nonsense so jeopardize the rule of reason in this allegedly enlightened democracy and around the world.”

As America’s oldest and most visible university, Harvard has a special opportunity to convey its respect for science not only through its research and teaching programs but also in its public affirmation of evidence-based inquiry.

Unfortunately, many American universities seem awfully busy protecting their brand name and not nearly busy enough protecting the pursuit of knowledge. A recent article in The Harvard Crimson noted the shocking growth of Harvard’s public relations arm in the last five years and it questioned whether a focus on risk management and avoiding controversy was really the best outward-looking face of this great institution.

As American research universities begin to resemble profit centers and entertainment complexes, it’s easy to lose sight of their primary mission: to produce and spread knowledge. This mission depends on traditions of rational discourse and vigorous defense of the scientific method. Oprah Winfrey’s honorary doctorate was a step in the wrong direction.

1. What do we learn about Oprah Winfrey from the passage?

A．She was a distinguished graduate of Harvard School of Law.

B．She worked her way to success in the entertainment industry.

C．She used to abuse her children when she was a young mother.

D．She achieved her fame through persistent advocacy of fake science.

2. Why does the author think it inappropriate for Harvard to confer an honorary degree on Oprah Winfrey?

A．She did not specialize in the study of law.	B．She was known as a supporter of fake science.
C．She was an icon of the entertainment industry	D．She had not distinguished herself academically.

3. What is the author’s regret about many American universities?

A．They show inadequate respect for evidence-based inquiry.

B．They fall short of expectations in teaching and research.

C．They all attach too much importance to public relations.

D．They are tolerant of political and religious nonsense.

4. What does the author think a prestigious university like Harvard should focus on?

A．Cultivation of student creativity.	B．Defense of the scientific method.
C．Liberation of the human mind.	D．Pursuit of knowledge and truth.

4 . Speed-reading is a crucial skill in the Internet age. We skim over articles, e-mails and tweets to try to _________ key words and the essential meaning of a certain text. _________ with information from our electronic devices, it would be impossible to cope if we read word by word, line by line.

But a new trend calls on people to _________ and enjoy reading slowly, using the linear (线性的) pattern, left-to-right sequence.

A recent story from The Wall Street Journal reported on a book club in Wellington, New Zealand, where members meet in a cafe and turn off their smartphones. They _________ comfortable chairs and read in silence for an hour.

Unlike traditional book clubs, the _________ of the Slow Reading Club isn’t exchanging ideas about a certain book, but to get away from electronic devices and read in a quiet, _________ environment. According to the Journal, the Wellington Book Club is just one example of a movement _________ by book lovers who miss the old-fashioned way of reading before the Internet and smartphones.

Slow readers, such as The Atlantic’s Maura Kelly, say a regular reading habit sharpens the mind, improves concentration, _________ stress levels and deepens the ability to empathize (有同感).

Some of these benefits have been backed up by science. _________, a study of 300 elderly people published by the journal Neurology last year showed that regular engagement in __________ activities like reading slowed the rate of memory loss later in life.

Another study published last year in Science showed that reading novels helps people understand others’ mental states and beliefs, a crucial skill in building __________.

Slow reading means a(n) __________ to an uninterrupted, linear pattern, in a quiet environment free of __________. Aim for 30 minutes a day, advises Kelly from The Atlantic. “You can squeeze in that half hour pretty easily if only during your free moments — whenever you find yourself __________ firing up your laptop to check your favorite site, or scanning Twitter for something to pass the time — you pick up a meaningful work of literature,” Kelly said. “__________ your e-reader, if you like. Kindles make books like War and Peace less heavy, and also ensure you’ll never lose your place in the book.”

1.

A．highlight

B．grasp

C．determine

D．underline

2.

A．Flooded

B．Armed

C．Obsessed

D．Impressed

3.

A．unlock

B．uncover

C．unplug

D．unpack

4.

A．straighten in

B．rise from

C．shift in

D．sink into

5.

A．point

B．cause

C．impact

D．duty

6.

A．protected

B．interactive

C．relaxed

D．addictive

7.

A．defined

B．urged

C．initiated

D．performed

8.

A．increases

B．maintains

C．evaluates

D．reduces

9.

A．In brief

B．For example

C．Above all

D．By contrast

10.

A．recreational

B．professional

C．intellectual

D．educational

11.

A．confidence

B．endurance

C．awareness

D．relationship

12.

A．return

B．answer

C．end

D．barrier

13.

A．misunderstandings

B．sufferings

C．obstacles

D．distractions

14.

A．purposely

B．automatically

C．occasionally

D．leisurely

15.

A．Cope with

B．Reach for

C．Believe in

D．Stick to

5 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入1个适当单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

A man in Jinan was sentenced     1     three years in prison with three years’ reprieve(缓刑) because he intentionally threw three beer     2    (bottle) out of his 10-storey window on July 17.

The incident has drawn a lot of attention with people     3     (question) the severity(严重) of the sentence, because no one     4    (hurt) by his action. Those holding such a view probably do not realize how much harm an object falling or     5    (throw) from a high-storey building can do. Experiments have shown that even an egg that falls from the     6    (four)floor can badly wound someone. And when the     7    (high) is raised to the 25th floor, an egg can kill.

The problem is     8    (increasing) more serious with the number of high-storey buildings increasing. By the end of 2017,     9     number of high-storey buildings in China reached 347,000, of     10     over 6,000 are more than 100 meters tall. Both numbers are the highest in the world.

The harm that can be done by throwing objects out of windows has not received its deserved attention yet.

6 . The proportion of teenage and young adults smokers in China has been increasing rapidly in recent years, which is an alarming trend, the president of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Wang Chen said on Thursday.

Last year, 18.6 percent of people aged 15 to 24 in China were smokers, compared with 12. 5 percent in 2013 and 8.3 percent in 2003, Wang Chen said at a news conference on tobacco control. In contrast, tobacco prevalence among adults as a whole has been declining steadily in recent years-the percentage of smokers aged 15 and older last year in China was 26.6 percent, down from 27.7 percent in 2015, according to a report released by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention in May. Despite a general decline, the smoking rate in China is still higher than in most other countries, Wang said.

“What is most worrisome is the rising prevalence of tobacco among young people, which represents a country’s future,” he said. “Young smokers are very likely to keep the habit for their entire lives, which can cause huge health and economic consequences.”

Smoking has been regarded as a major culprit in many chronic diseases, and tobacco control has played a significant role in health promotion efforts made in recent years by the Chinese government, which aims to reduce the smoking rate for people aged 15 and older to 20 percent by 2030.

Wang said a lot of young people are still not aware of the harmful effects caused by smoking, and more education is needed to reduce the rising smoking rate. In addition, tobacco advertisements and rampant smoking footage in films and television series can also encourage smoking among teenagers and young adults, and they should be banned. “Key groups, such as medical staff, schoolteachers, government officials and parents, should take the lead in quitting smoking to help create a nonsmoking environment for teenagers and young adults,” he said.

1. What can we know from the numbers listed in para. 2?

A．Adult smokers has been increasing steadily.

B．People aged 15 and older are more likely to smoke.

C．The numbers of young smokers has been rising rapidly.

D．Smoking rate in China is higher than any other country.

2. What does the underlined word “culprit” in para. 4 probably mean?

A．reminder	B．issue
C．cause	D．crisis

3. What’s Wang Chen’s attitude to the phenomenon?

A．objective	B．concerned
C．indifferent	D．relieved

4. What’s the text mainly about?

A．Smoking rate among youth is rising.	B．Smoking accounts for many chronic diseases.
C．Smoking is harmful to our environment.	D．Smoking footage in films should be banned.

7 . Despite being used by 1.34 billion people each year, traveling on the Tube in London can actually be quite lonely. An unwritten rule encouraging silence, mixed with classic British reserve, means that even though you’re packed into enclosed space wit hundreds of other people, the morning trip can leave you feeling somewhat lonely.

One London resident, however, is trying to change this. “You get on the Tube here and it’s completely silent and it’s strange,” says Jonathan Dunne, an American living in London, who has started a campaign of giving out badges (徽章) with the slogan “Tube Chat?” last month, encouraging travelers in London to get talking to one another.

Although Dunne says he’s received mostly positive responses, there are always exceptions.

Londoner Brian Wilson responded with a campaign of his own, handing out 500 badges with the words “Don’t even think about it” on them. “ I can’t stand the idea of having to talk to strangers on the Tube on my way to work,” he said.

Michael Robinson, a student from London, agrees. “Being on the Tube is the only peace and quiet some people get on their journeys to and from work. It doesn’t need to be spoiled by people coming up and chatting to you,” he says.

“People assume that I just walk up and talk to strangers, which I don’t, but it’s been a great way to meet people you would never have normally spoken to,” Dunne says.So if you ever end up using public transport in London, why not say hello to the person next to you? Just make sure to check for a badge first.

1. Which partly leads to the silence on the Tube in London?

A．The government’s rule.	B．People’s desire for quiet.
C．British people’s personality.	D．Awareness of personal privacy.

2. What can the badge with “Tube Chat?” be seen as?

A．A request for keeping silent.	B．A special way of greeting someone.
C．A signal of avoiding being disturbed.	D．An encouragement to start a conversation.

3. Why does the author mention Brian and Micheal?

A．To stress the importance of communication.

B．To show not everyone agrees with Dunne’s idea.

C．To prove Londoners are speechless on the Tube.

D．To state the disadvantages of chatting with strangers.

4. What’s the best title for the passage?

A．Silence on the Tube!

B．Tube Chat or Not

C．Lonely Travel in the London Tube

D．Tube Passengers Wearing Badges

8 . It was the morning before I was presenting a paper at an academic conference in Paris. Unexpectedly, the babysitter I’d _________ for to watch my daughter texted to say she couldn’t _________ it. Worried I’d have to cancel the _________, I asked the organizers, two men, if they knew of any last-minute babysitters.

“_________ her!” they said. “We’ll watch her well.”

So, with uncertainty and anxiety, I did. While I presented my _________ in a theater hall, they entertained my daughter by letting her draw on the whiteboard and _________ on the walls. During the Q&A, my daughter demanded to be _________. As she sucked, her diaper (尿布) leaked onto my trousers. Afterward, several people came up to me to _________ me for my bringing her. A woman said that one of her favorite _________ was bringing her daughter to her workplace.

Unfortunately, my experience is not the ____________ practice. For most working women, bringing their children to work or having a flexible ____________ is not an option. When flexibility is offered, it comes with a huge ____________: advancement to higher positions is less likely for parents, usually mothers, who ____________ flexibility. In 2016, only 200 companies had official ____________ allowing children to ____________ at a workplace during working hours. ____________, bringing children to work is a rising phenomenon.

__________, in bringing this generation of children to working events or offices, I’m sure we’re teaching them a valuable lesson about work-life ____________. My hope is that, when these children become leaders, they’ll ____________ we didn’t shut them out of work spaces. ____________, they will build the policies for a fairer and more enjoyable workplace.

1.

A．arranged

B．looked

C．care

D．provided

2.

A．change

B．like

C．make

D．plan

3.

A．conference

B．presentation

C．announcement

D．conversation

4.

A．Accompany

B．Support

C．Comfort

D．Bring

5.

A．dream

B．life

C．work

D．choice

6.

A．just

B．even

C．yet

D．still

7.

A．sheltered

B．fed

C．freed

D．amused

8.

A．forgive

B．thank

C．praise

D．blame

9.

A．memories

B．requirements

C．challenge

D．preparations

10.

A．unique

B．rare

C．random

D．common

11.

A．schedule

B．gathering

C．body

D．entertainment

12.

A．decision

B．idea

C．attitude

D．risk

13.

A．invent

B．request

C．ignore

D．understand

14.

A．policies

B．predictions

C．explanations

D．assumptions

15.

A．grow up

B．wake up

C．show up

D．cheer up

16.

A．Lastly

B．Instead

C．Thus

D．However

17.

A．Eventually

B．Personally

C．Differently

D．Gradually

18.

A．balance

B．competition

C．outcome

D．interest

19.

A．conclude

B．expect

C．remember

D．question

20.

A．In other words

B．On the other hand

C．In a similar way

D．As a result

9 . “Alexa, what’s 5 minus 3?” A 6-year-old boy recently asked that question in a video, which was popular on Twitter. Alexa, Amazon’s voice-started assistant, delivered a quick answer: 2.

It’s cute, but it raises a question that’s been on the minds of many parents and educators lately: How do virtual assistants like Alexa affect children’s learning experiences?

Clint Hill, an English teacher, says in his classrooms he often sees “children quietly talking into their phones and asking Google or other services to spell some complicated words that they don’t know.” But Hill says he doesn’t mind. “I struggle with spelling, and spellcheck on my word processing has been a lifesaver for me.” he says. “I think being able to use those technological aids is not hurting anybody,” Hill adds.

But some experts say it’s not just about learning basic math or spelling. “One of the best gifts we can give our children is doing that kind of problem-solving together,” says Diane Levin, a professor of applied human development. Levin says it’s important for children to learn to struggle—even just a little—with challenges. “They will use those skills that they’re learning for all kinds of things that come along,” Levin says.

How much concern should parents have over Alexa and their children? Every new wave of technology, from calculators to TV sets, causes a panic about its effect on children, and nostalgia (怀旧) for the past, says Dimitri Christakis, an expert in child health, behavior and development.

But he says that a child watching television is having a completely passive experience. Because new technology is interactive, “it helps understand how the world works,” Christakis says. “But while watching television, you play no role in the content,” Christakis says.

Still, he agrees that this debate is about much more than knowing what 5 minus 3 is. It’s also about developing the patience to solve problems. “That ability to stay focused,” he says, “is one of the most important developmental skills that children acquire.”

1. What can be inferred from Hill’s words?

A．Technological aids are helpful.

B．His students don’t use their brains.

C．His students aren’t focused in class.

D．Spelling is really difficult for small children.

2. What can we learn about technological aids in Levin’s opinion?

A．They fail to solve problems.

B．They give children challenges.

C．They present a threat to teachers at school.

D．They are harmful to children’s development.

3. Which of the following would Christakis agree with?

A．New technology affects children most.	B．New technology tends to cause worries.
C．Television has been a thing of the past.	D．Today’s parents are too concerned.

4. What does Christakis stress about children in the last paragraph?

A．Their ability to interact with others.	B．Their ability to learn from the past.
C．Their ability to study technology.	D．Their ability to pay attention.

10 . It's an attractive habit for young people to glance at their smartphone rather than make eye contact with someone and make conversation. There is so much to look at photographs, social media feeds, messages and emails.     1    

First, there have been many claims about the damage looking at screens does to our eyesight. Some people feared staring at a small bright box could make us short-sighted or lead to headaches.     2    

But a new study says time in front of computers and phones might not be as bad for young people as many think. Research by the Oxford Internet Institute examined data from more than 17,000 teenagers in the UK, Ireland and the United States. Their study concluded that most links between life satisfaction and social media use were of little importance.     3     Professor Przybylski, director of research at the institute, said, “99.75% of a persons life satisfaction has nothing to do with their use of social media.” The research found that families, friends and school life play a key role.     4    

So, does this mean young people can spend longer time looking at social media? Dr Max Davie, officer for health improvement, calls the study a "small first step". But he said there were other things to consider. For example, your sleep, exercise and time with the family or friends may be affected by screen time.     5    

A．But is it really good for them?

B．It's no wonder they are glued to their screens.

C．This is a real problem for children and young people.

D．Self﹣harm could prove damaging to their mental health.

E．Only less than 1% of the teenagers' life was seriously affected.

F．The researchers are confident that the bad effects are very small.

G．Perhaps, deciding what is the right amount of screen time is up to a personal judgment？