1 . Science is increasingly central to our lives — from its role in creating day-to-day objects such as the smartphones in our pockets, to the big challenges of tackling disease, addressing climate change and focusing on biodiversity loss.

Many of the changes that the discipline brings are hugely beneficial, but they often come with potential downsides that demand public debate. Will artificial intelligence take people’s jobs or destroy elections with false news? How fast can we practically achieve a net zero economy?

For the crucial public debate that is needed on all this to take place, we must have a scientifically literate population. But there is a divide between the scientifically minded and those who choose not to engage with science.

It saddens me that our culture now views science as difficult, which discourages many from taking an interest in it. A British Science Association (BSA) survey recently suggested that only around a third of 14- to 18-year-olds find scientists inspirational or consider the subject to be relevant to their lives.

In fact, science is interlinked with every aspect of our existence and people from all walks of life and of all ages should be able to access it easily. The invention of the printing press was crucial to the Enlightenment because it democratised (普及) knowledge. So, in this increasingly science-centred world, the same attention should be given to popular science writing as is given to other forms of literature.

The Royal Society Science Book Prize is the only one in the world to promote popular science writing. Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time, which was shortlisted (把……列入入围名单) for the prize in 1989, was written for readers who had no prior knowledge of physics and has since become a universally recognised text on the universe.

Democratising science has never been more important. There are so many scientific stories to be told that can help us better understand ourselves. A society equipped with a solid understanding of the issues of the day is a society more able to respond to them in a better way.

1. What does the underlined part “all this” in paragraph 3 refer to?

A．Beneficial scientific advancements.

B．Challenges facing human beings.

C．Potential downsides of science.

D．Disagreements between scientists and the public.

2. What does the BSA survey reveal about the majority of British young people?

A．They have great respect for scientists.

B．They feel disconnected from science.

C．They know little about the Enlightenment.

D．They wish to land a career in the scientific field.

3. Why has A Brief History of Time been well-received according to the author?

A．It won an international book prize.

B．It focused on important life issues.

C．It was written by a highly-honoured author.

D．It democratised knowledge about the universe.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．The crisis of science in our modern life

B．We must rely on science to tackle our problems

C．Popular science books have never been more important

D．Public debate about science could never be more necessary

3 . My experience with reading, as a child, probably differs from most people in my position. Nearing 40 years of age, I am finally at a point in life when I can honestly say I _________reading.

Growing up in Anthony, I gave my mother and primary school teachers headaches because I had no _________to read. This was especially troubling to my mother, who was _________ a teacher. She was an eager reader._________, my lack of enthusiasm did not sit well with her.

Though I wasn't a fan of reading growing up, I was, and still am,_________with sports. My TV watching was almost only sports. On the ________ occasion I did read something, it was ________. My mom had a(n) ________. She began leaving the sports page from the morning paper out for me and buying sports magazines and books of my favorite players. ________, she met with my teachers and shared her“plan”with them. Before I knew it, I was reading regularly.

Looking back, I am _________that my mom persevered in _________me to my literary niche (归宿). Had she _________me to read selections I had no interest in, I may have never developed the love of reading I have today.

Fast forward to today and I ________myself principal (校长) of that elementary school I attended so many years ago in Anthony. My experience ________me to reach out to all of my students and provide them with every opportunity to ________.

1.

A．enjoy

B．regret

C．avoid

D．finish

2.

A．room

B．time

C．chance

D．desire

3.

A．more than

B．other than

C．rather than

D．less than

4.

A．Instead

B．However

C．Therefore

D．Otherwise

5.

A．familiar

B．fascinated

C．satisfied

D．careful

6.

A．final

B．present

C．sad

D．rare

7.

A．hand-written

B．custom-made

C．sports-related

D．state-published

8.

A．dream

B．idea

C．task

D．excuse

9.

A．Patiently

B．Previously

C．Additionally

D．Strangely

10.

A．fearful

B．hopeful

C．forgetful

D．thankful

11.

A．cheating

B．following

C．guiding

D．inviting

12.

A．forced

B．taught

C．encouraged

D．reminded

13.

A．call

B．find

C．show

D．fancy

14.

A．persuades

B．warns

C．challenges

D．drives

15.

A．read

B．speak

C．choose

D．play

4 . Relationship skills and social skills are referred to as “skills” for a reason — they require learning, practice, and improvement. Here are the best relationship books on the market, according to a licensed mental health counselor.

Best for Communication: 4 Essential Keys to Effective Communication in Love, Life, Work — Anywhere!

In this day and age, we could all use a refresher in terms of basic communication skills. This award-winning book — filled with how-to guides and exercise challenges — is a great place to start. Written with all kinds of relationships in mind, including family, dating, friendships, and even work relationships, it’s designed to help you improve empathy, listening skills, and communication skills.

Best for Socializing: How to Become a People Magnet

Social anxiety is a common issue in our modern-day world among all age groups. This book, written by award-winning author Marc Reklau, provides 62 simple strategies (策略) to help you improve your social skills in everything from first impressions to deeper relationships. With a variety of strategies available, you can choose the ones that are best suited for your needs. This book is also beneficial for those working in sales or customer service — industries that frequently handle complaints or require making connections.

Best for Problem-Solving: I Hear You: The Surprisingly Simple Skill Behind Extraordinary Relationships

In this bestselling book, author Michael Sorensen put relationship problem-solving skills into a three-hour read. It reads more like a conversation to help users understand the value of listening and validation in relationships.

Best for Personality Types: The Enneagram for Relationships: Transform Your Connections with Friends, Family, Colleagues, and in Love

The Enneagram is one of the fastest-growing personality assessments and concepts in the world right now, and rightfully so. There are nine different personality types with up to 27 subtypes to help you understand yourself — aiding in connection with those closest to you.

1. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To point out the importance of relationships.

B．To encourage people to improve social skills.

C．To call for the understanding between people.

D．To introduce 4 relationship books to readers.

2. What is special about How to Become a People Magnet?

A．It focuses on problem-solving skills.

B．It offers strategies about social skills.

C．It deals with all kinds of relationships.

D．It’s written by an award-winning author.

3. Which one should people hoping to understand themselves choose?

A．4 Essential Keys to Effective Communication in Love, Life, Work — Anywhere!

B．How to Become a People Magnet.

C．I Hear You: The Surprisingly Simple Skill Behind Extraordinary Relationships.

D．The Enneagram for Relationships: Transform Your Connections with Friends, Family, Colleagues, and in Love.

5 . FREE BOOKS BY CHINA ON THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19

Ten Tips to Fight Monsters

Author: Dong Ruihan

Description: Dad leaves 10 tips to help us fight the virus. Who will win the battle? The story will gently teach kids how to prevent the disease in a language that they can easily understand. It will help them remain calm in this stage of the epidemic(疫情), and encourage them to help family members to prevent the disease.

Agan Will Win

Author: A Jiao

Description: Told by Chun Ni, Agan Will Win is a story about how Agan, the character of Wuhan’s well-known street food hot dry noodles, fights against the virus and finally wins. Unfortunately infected(感染) with the virus, Agan remains positive and optimistic to the doctors, and at last he defeats the virus. This is a warm and caring picture book that comforts people who are having a difficult time during the epidemic.

Waiting for Dad to Come Home

Author: Chen Ying

Description: The book speaks highly of the front line medical workers for their fighting spirit in battle against COVID-19. The book touches readers with storylines and characters having strong sense of social responsibility, trying to plant that responsible seed in their mind.

A Special Spring Festival

Author: Gao Jing

Description: This book pictures a special Spring Festival during the outbreak of COVID-19. It tells a story of an ordinary family in China, centering around the little boy’s confusion(困惑): why he is not allowed to play outside home. Through reading, both children and grown-ups may cherish more the simplest pleasure in life, be appreciative and try to do all they can do to help.

1. Who is the book Ten Tips to Fight Monsters mainly for?

A．Parents.

B．Children.

C．Teachers.

D．Doctors.

2. Which author describes and praises doctors fighting against COVID-19?

A．Dong Ruihan.

B．Gao Jing

C．A Jiao.

D．Chen Ying

3. Which book teaches people to be thankful and helpful?

A．Agan Will Win.	B．Ten Tips to Fight Monsters.
C．A Special Spring Festival.	D．Waiting for Dad to Come Home.