1 . Dr. Tatiana Erukhimova is a physics professor at Texas A&M who aims to show her students, especially the young women, that there are no limits.
Only 25% of physics undergraduate students are female. Perhaps it is because boys grow up playing with machines and making drawings of fast cars and rocket explosions. But girls are just as curious about the way the world works — they just haven’t jumped into the culture of chemical reactions, energy and magnetic force with as much enthusiasm. That is, until they see one of Tatiana’s videos showing the science behind real life’s magic. Tatiana is really one of the few living female examples they could follow.
Her videos get millions of views. She is a ball of energy with a short haircut, a Russian accent and a lively personality that makes physics accessible to the younger audience. Young girls are attracted to Tatiana’s attractive demonstrations the way they flock to pop concerts. This is real. This is science they can participate in. This is an open door to endless possibilities.
“These short clips are the spark that inspires,” Tatiana says with so much excitement that it lights up the room. Everything she does involves students. She believes the magic in learning is when your peers are part of the demonstration, when you are part of the teaching process.
“She wants everything to be a celebration of science,” says one of Tatiana’s former students. And indeed, the classroom is in a party atmosphere, with students cheering when amazed by Newton’s law of motion, demonstrated by a spinning bicycle wheel held upright by the professor. It’s hard to tell who is more delighted, Tatiana or her students. She is an attraction for female students who are graduating college and working in the sciences in higher numbers than ever before.
Dr. Tatiana’s story began in Russia and her parents were both physicists. After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Tatiana moved to Texas with her husband, also a physicist. They both teach at Texas A&M, and when Tatiana isn’t in the classroom, she is doing outreach with schoolchildren, amazing them with spinning lights that soon form words, liquid oxygen that shrinks objects and chemical reactions that expand matter to 10 times its size. But most importantly, she is expanding the audience of female physicists.
1. According to the passage, why do girls sometimes hesitate to jump into the culture of physics?| A．Lack of interest in chemical reactions. |
| B．Cultural differences in curiosity. |
| C．Absence of female role models. |
| D．Fear of liquid oxygen demonstrations. |
| A．They were made by a female physician. |
| B．They feature engaging demonstrations. |
| C．They are meant for Tatiana’s homeland. |
| D．They have received millions of likes online. |
| A．Appealing to students with fascinating demonstrations. |
| B．Teaching students some difficult physics concepts. |
| C．Explaining the history of Newton’s law of motion. |
| D．Encouraging girls to attend parties and pop concerts. |
| A．Female Professor Rejecting Gender Barrier |
| B．Russian Physicist and Female Scientists |
| C．Physics Professor Stimulating Girls’ Passion |
| D．The Significance of Online Short Videos |
2 . I recently attended a wedding in a rural area in north Italy, and guests were provided with a car and driver for the 90-minute journey into the hills. That was exciting: A private car! I could pretend I was rich! Since I’m not, though, I had no idea how much this trip actually cost. As a result, after our driver picked us back up at midnight, I secretly worried all the way home about tipping him.
I fished around nervously in my purse and realized that all I had was a $100 note, which I was keeping for an emergency. I had nothing smaller. And I had nothing else to offer but two chocolates from the wedding. So, I could tip the driver that $100 note or two chocolates. In the end, I chose the money.
The whole matter of tipping has long been a source of awkward interactions — and, for some travellers, mild anxiety — throughout the world. Tipping customs vary wildly from country to country. A friend in Rome tells me that Italians get hurt by big tips. “Leaving a big tip is considered impolite,” she adds, “I’ve had Italian friends make me take money back.”
It reminded me of my 100-dollar tip. What if I had annoyed the driver? So I decided to call the car company and ask them to pass on a message to the driver apologizing for the improper tip and explaining the situation.
To my surprise, the car company responded that the driver had actually called to express his gratitude for the unexpected big tip. He had apparently been having a tough week and the money had come at just the right time.
I was astonished. All my worry had been for nothing. What started out as a source of anxiety ended up being a heartwarming experience. I learned that sometimes it’s better to go with your feelings and be generous, even if it means taking a risk.
1. What did the author realize when she dug around in her purse?| A．She had spent 100 dollars on emergency. |
| B．She had to ask the driver for smaller changes. |
| C．She had nothing but two chocolates to offer the driver. |
| D．She had no smaller notes and might tip too high or too low. |
| A．To compare different tipping customs. |
| B．To share a personal story of her friend. |
| C．To show the possibility of upsetting the driver. |
| D．To demonstrate her rich knowledge on tipping. |
| A．He was annoyed by the large tip. | B．He appreciated the author’s generosity. |
| C．He was grateful and refused the money. | D．He was upset by the awkward interaction. |
| A．Follow your heart and good things are possible. | B．Better think carefully before taking action. |
| C．When in Rome, do as the Romans do. | D．A penny saved is a penny earned. |
3 . There’s no age limit on being an amazing model, and a great-grandmother in California is certainly proving that. Helene Simon, 99, was recently photographed as one of beauty brand Saie’s latest faces.
In the campaign images, she is seen wearing a crisp white blouse and a beaded necklace along with the cosmetic company’s newest products. She’s also seen showing a joyful smile and great model poses.
“I loved being on set (在片场) ,” Simon said. “The photographer was incredible and so fun. It definitely was a treat to get my hair and make-up done.”
Simon actually happens to be Saie’s founder Laney Crowell’s great-grandmother, and Laney decided to ask Simon to model after her Instagram community responded with an overwhelming “yes” when she asked if her great-grandmother should be Saie’s next model.
This was Simon’s first-ever modeling performance, and when initially approached she said “absolutely not”. “I think I laughed it off. Then my great-granddaughter persisted and encouraged me to show the world that 99-year-old women should still be represented.”
Since making her modeling debut (首次亮相) , Saie has received lots of feedback. “Aw, this brought tears to my eyes!” “Hi Nanna, you are my goal,” someone commented. Another chimed in demanding, “More Nanna please!” another commenter said, “I love this post with all my heart. May she live to 120 !” Many others echoed the words with similar sentiments.
After receiving all the positive feedback from her first major make-up modeling performance, Simon said “It is such a thrill.” and she is so surprised by all of the people sending notes and messages that they have seen her images and are inspired by them. When asked if she would continue to do more modeling in the future, Simon happily responded, “Never say never!”
1. What does Simon think of the modeling process?| A．Interesting | B．Exhausting | C．Inspiring | D．Stressful |
| A．Simon has a great talent for being a model. |
| B．Simon is Laney Crowell’s great-grandmother. |
| C．Laney needed an elegant 99-year-old woman. |
| D．Laney’s fans agreed on her great-grandmother being the model. |
| A．She hesitated over it. |
| B．She thought little of it. |
| C．She accepted it happily. |
| D．She refused immediately. |
| A．Where there is a will there is a way. |
| B．God helps those who help themselves. |
| C．You should never set limits on yourself. |
| D．Your defeat now is your victory tomorrow. |
4 . Mr. Steven was a comic actor in his city, who was popular with audience. One day, he went home by subway. When he arrived home, Mr. Steven was surprised as he found somebody’s gold watch had
He was puzzled,
“Dear Mr. Steven”, it said, “It is
The policemen tried hard to find this elusive (神出鬼没的) pickpocket, but all their efforts were
The story was so
| A．expectedly | B．incredibly | C．fortunately | D．horribly |
| A．trying | B．managing | C．refusing | D．pretending |
| A．skill | B．equipment | C．clue | D．explanation |
| A．cause | B．adventure | C．accident | D．riddle |
| A．enveloped | B．delivered | C．folded | D．displayed |
| A．amazing | B．abnormal | C．apparent | D．vital |
| A．journalist | B．comedian | C．robber | D．pickpocket |
| A．costly | B．fake | C．valueless | D．fashionable |
| A．noticed | B．mentioned | C．remarked | D．overlooked |
| A．casually | B．secretly | C．publicly | D．aimlessly |
| A．at random | B．under control | C．in vain | D．for certain |
| A．turned up | B．showed off | C．crashed into | D．vanished into |
| A．decision | B．comment | C．conclusion | D．analysis |
| A．common | B．original | C．moving | D．cheerful |
| A．outlined | B．released | C．captured | D．deserted |
| A．name | B．gift | C．watch | D．letter |
| A．delighted | B．annoyed | C．thrilled | D．puzzled |
| A．presented | B．sold | C．awarded | D．lent |
| A．sell | B．return | C．keep | D．abandon |
| A．tie | B．replace | C．exchange | D．match |
增加：在缺词处加一个漏词符号（^），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
Our school encouraged is to experience some future careers last vacation. Some students choose to work as either cashiers in a store and waiters at a restaurant. I was one of the 500 student to join in the activity. I decided be an assistant in a photo studio because of I love taking photos. With the help of a advanced photographer in the studio, I opened my imagination in my daily work. I also developed practically skills which are necessary for them to face future challenges. The most important thing I’ve learned are to improve myself after I get my dream job.
6 . I found out one time that doing a favor for someone could get you Into a lot of
Later, after the test papers had been
Later on,I found out that she thought I had
| A．pleasure | B．trouble | C．advice | D．money |
| A．After | B．Before | C．Over | D．During |
| A．shouted | B．stated | C．whispered | D．questioned |
| A．leaned | B．bent | C．ran | D．walked |
| A．how | B．why | C．whether | D．where |
| A．proved | B．happened | C．placed | D．occurred |
| A．turned in | B．turned back | C．turned out | D．Turned up |
| A．broke up | B．handed out | C．stayed in | D．left out |
| A．shut | B．grow | C．set | D．put |
| A．aware | B．harmful | C．responsible | D．anxious |
| A．honesty | B．future | C．money | D．promise |
| A．ourselves | B．oneself | C．himself | D．themselves |
| A．carelessly | B．hardly | C．fully | D．seriously |
| A．knowing | B．forgetting | C．minding | D．wondering |
| A．failed | B．cheated | C．played | D．chatted |
| A．copying | B．asking | C．offering | D．ignoring |
| A．discuss | B．say | C．explain | D．mention |
| A．good | B．strange | C．easy | D．ordinary |
| A．As if | B．While | C．Once | D．Even if |
| A．hand | B．favor | C．present | D．assistance |
