1 . It’s perhaps the world’s most famous underwater attraction that remained in film and in legend: the Titanic. But now experts say the ocean liner, once a wonder of the high seas, is falling to pieces.
Capt. Alfred McLaren, the scientist who in July led the most recent expedition to the ship’s underwater grave, said his team saw clear signs of the accelerating damage of the wreck (残骸). There was damage likely caused by rust and sea life, and the captain’s cabin had collapsed.
“I was absolutely astonished,” McLaren said.
Worse still, the fallen mast (桅杆) that crushed the ship’s deck is believed by many to be the result of an unapproved salvage (打捞) operation. “It was almost depressing to see how quickly she was getting worse,” McLaren says. “I would be really surprised if there’s very much standing up from the bottom, two decades from now.”
Ed Kamuda, who runs the Titanic Historical Society in Springfield, Mass., says adventure tourists — who pay $36,000 each to visit the wreck — are also contributing to the destruction of it.
“This is something I expected. I just didn’t expect it to happen so quickly,” Kamuda said. “People are going down just as an ego trip to say ‘I was there.’ All this takes a fare on the ship.”
The Titanic has sat at the bottom of the Atlantic since it sank after hitting an iceberg on its maiden voyage on April 14, 1912. More than 1,500 people died that night. The ship came to rest at the bottom of the freezing North Atlantic, more than 2 miles beneath the waves. The wreck was discovered in 1985, and since then it has been repeatedly visited by treasure hunters.
But still some scientists say those divers, and other thrill seekers are not necessarily to blame for the Titanic’s current problems.
Capt. Craig McLean of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration went on an expedition to the Titanic in June as part of a government study that is monitoring the condition of the ship. He says it’s unclear what part of the damage is from Mother Nature and which is from human nature.
“It’s too early and there isn’t enough evidence to put our fingers on anything,” McLean said.
Regardless, most agree there’s little that can be done for this most famous of wrecks. And soon, the mighty Titanic could well be lost again.
1. McLaren expected that in twenty years _______.| A．Only a minor part of the wreck would remain as it is |
| B．The wreck would be getting worse at a faster speed |
| C．Only salvage operation with the purpose of research would be approved |
| D．The wreck would be completely destroyed by unapproved treasure hunters |
| A．To contribute to the breaking down of the Titanic. | B．To help finance the preservation of the Titanic. |
| C．To satisfy their curiosity and adventurousness. | D．To better understand the history of the Titanic. |
| A．Visitors should not be prohibited from the Titanic and other famous wrecks |
| B．The influence of the thrill seekers on the wreck will finally be determined |
| C．The government should contribute more to the monitoring of the Titanic |
| D．The damage of the Titanic is not necessarily attributed to the adventure tourists |
| A．promising | B．discouraging | C．controllable | D．vague |
2 . In 2011, some students at the University of Maryland saw a large amount of food going to waste on their campus. They were so
Up to now, FRN has
The chapter of FRN at the University of Maryland works to
“Our
| A．relaxed | B．delighted | C．concerned | D．confused |
| A．label | B．replace | C．waste | D．redistribute |
| A．need | B．love | C．decline | D．check |
| A．came back | B．came down | C．came into being | D．came to an end |
| A．promising | B．challenging | C．limited | D．outdated |
| A．agreed | B．prepared | C．regretted | D．grown |
| A．donations | B．meals | C．chapters | D．teachers |
| A．supply | B．insecurity | C．recognition | D．disappearance |
| A．doubted | B．rejected | C．postponed | D．submitted |
| A．medicine | B．shelter | C．food | D．trip |
| A．aid | B．assess | C．identify | D．investigate |
| A．temporarily | B．smoothly | C．randomly | D．toughly |
| A．collect | B．eat | C．order | D．sell |
| A．priced | B．sorted | C．tasted | D．cast |
| A．bank | B．home | C．company | D．school |
| A．living | B．difference | C．fortune | D．profit |
| A．extra | B．dirty | C．purchased | D．expensive |
| A．blind | B．harmful | C．adaptable | D．friendly |
| A．allowed | B．promoted | C．decreased | D．received |
| A．side | B．double | C．opposite | D．individual |
Gather a couple of friends and take a leisurely walk through the streets—this is
4 . For centuries, in the countries of south and Southeast Asia the elephant has been an intimate part of the culture, economy and religion, and nowhere more so than in Thailand. Unlike its African cousin, the Asian elephant is easily domesticated (驯化). The rare so-called white elephants have actually lent the authority of kingship to its rulers and until the 1920s the national flag was a white elephant on a red background. To the early Western visitors the country’s romantic name was “Land of the White Elephant”.
Today, however, the story is very different. Out of work and out of land, the Thai elephant struggles for survival in a nation that no longer needs it. The elephant has found itself more or less abandoned by previous owners who have moved on to a different economic world and a westernized society. And while the elephant’s problems began many years ago, now it rates a very low national priority.
How this reversal from national icon (圣像) to neglected animal came about is a tale of worsening environmental and the changing lives of the Thais themselves. According to Richard Lair, Thailand’s experts on the Asian elephant and author of the report Gone Astray, at the turn of the last century there may well have been as many as 100,000 domestic elephants in the country. In the north of Thailand alone it was estimated that more than 20,000 elephants were employed in transport, 1,000 of them alone on the road between the cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Saen. This was at a time when 90 percent of Thailand was still forest — a habitat that not only supported the animals but also made them necessary to carry goods and people. Nothing ploughs through dense forest better than a massive but sure-footed elephant.
By 1950 the elephant population had dropped to a still substantial 13,397, but today there are probably no more than 3,800, with another 1,350 roaming free in the national parks. But now, Thailand’s forest covers only 20 percent of the land. This deforestation is the central point of the elephant’s difficult situation, for it has effectively put the animals out of work. This century, as the road network grew, so the elephant’s role as a beast of burden declined.
1. Thailand was once called “Land of the White Elephant” because ______.| A．white elephant is rarely seen and thus very special |
| B．white elephant was a national symbol until the 1920s |
| C．white elephant has helped kings to gain the ruling authority |
| D．this name was so romantic that it was popular among visitors |
| A．Because the elephants are no longer useful to their owners. |
| B．Because their owners are westernized and neglect them. |
| C．Because the government pay s little attention to the problem. |
| D．Because there are too many elephants and too few jobs. |
| A．There were 100,000 domesticated elephants at the turn of the last century. |
| B．20,000 elephants were employed in transport in Thailand at the turn of the last century. |
| C．By 1950 the elephant population in Thailand has been quite small. |
| D．Today the elephant population is estimated at 5,150. |
| A．a travel magazine | B．a history book |
| C．a research report | D．an official announcement |
5 . You scroll through Instagram and like every post you see. You read an acquaintance’s story as soon as they post it. You leave a comment on a post or two. Then it hits you: Didn’t you just leave a comment on that person’s post yesterday? And the day before that? And last week?
An Instagram creep is someone who offers unprompted significant attention online to certain individuals they’ve taken an interest in. It is a strategy to send a signal of affection -whether it is to a romantic partner, or a close friend, but it can also be perceived as being too much, too interested and too involved. At worst, it might be seen as being possessive, as the person absolutely has to be the first to comment, to establish his importance in front of others.However, not every Instagram creep has the same intentions, with some lighthearted and innocent. “For example, people who have a higher frequency of being online may have a higher likelihood of seeing the posts quickly, “said Maryanne Fisher, a psychology professor at St.Mary’s University in Canada. “In a way, it could be simply an exposure effect.”
“If you feel like you’re the creeper, there’s a quick way to fix the problem. Resisting the urge to comment or like every post would be helpful,” Fisher said. It’s important to be aware that while you might be doing it to express affection, it can be perceived as being possessive. You should ask yourself what your intention is. What need is getting met by that behavior? If it makes the recipient feel uncomfortable and excessive, that should be attended to. If it’s a pattern and if it’s a “need”, then there might be something more significant going on.
All told, remember that anything you put on the Internet has consequences. If you think you’re being creepy even for a second, take time to separate yourself from it.
1. Who is likely to be an Instagram creep?| A．An old man unfamiliar with social media. |
| B．A young guy having a preference for a certain brand. |
| C．A woman having a tendency to talk online with friends. |
| D．An adult who is paying special attention to his friend’s Instagram update. |
| A．Ways to fix the problem. |
| B．Effects on the recipients. |
| C．Possible reasons for being creepy. |
| D．Differences between serious and lighthearted creepers. |
| A．The person likes the behaviour. |
| B．The person wasn’t aware of that. |
| C．The person might not feel at ease. |
| D．The person might feel like the creeper. |
| A．Less is more. |
| B．Look before you leap. |
| C．Love me,love my dog. |
| D．Put the cart before the horse. |
6 . After bikes and umbrellas are made sharable across China, some companies started eyeing the fitness market, so shared gym rooms have hit the streets in Beijing.
Unlike common gyms that provide large, open spaces for many members to share at the same time, the newly built shared gym rooms are small, stand-alone rooms for a person to use, often set up near living communities.
Every four-square-meter room is equipped with a treadmill (跑步机), an air cleaner, a mirror, a television and an air conditioner, and users can let down the curtains for privacy. When exercising, users can listen to music, watch movies and check emails by connecting to the Internet by the screen fixed on the treadmill. There’s no shower or washbasin.
Similar to using a shared bike, users can locate a shared gym room by smartphone application, book a room in advance and then need to scan a QR code for use. A refundable deposit (保证金) of 99 yuan is required, and users are charged 1 yuan every 5 minutes.
The shared gym rooms are created by Misspao, a Beijing-based technology company founded in July. Within several months since it was founded, the company has already raised over 100 million yuan, Yicai Global reports. The idea of the shared fitness experience is not entirely nascent. Last December, the Shanghai-based technology company VRUN set up shared treadmills in office and apartment buildings.
The sharing economy is still becoming popular in China. According to Yicai Global, confident investors are pouring millions into sharing start-ups. In March, the State Information Center published a report which predicts that the total value of China’s sharing economy will see a yearly growth of 40% in the coming years, and it is expected to make a great contribution to the country’s GDP.
1. What makes the shared gym room different from the common one?| A．Holding one person at a time. | B．Standing in the living zone. |
| C．Offering open spaces. | D．Having some advanced equipment. |
| A．Let down curtains for privacy. | B．Pay 100 yuan first. |
| C．Use a smartphone. | D．Have a shower before exercise. |
| A．Simple. | B．Popular. | C．Satisfying. | D．New. |
| A．To advertise a technology company. | B．To introduce shared gym rooms. |
| C．To support the shared gym rooms. | D．To predict the future of shared gym rooms. |
7 . One third of adults over 65 in America have never used the Internet, and half don’t even have Internet access at home. In San Francisco, “the center of tech”, 40% of older adults do not have basic digital literacy skills.
This situation is becoming appalling as over 10,000 Americans turn 65 every single day. By 2050,22% of Americans will be 65 or older. Meanwhile, technology is developing very fast. This means that a large number of people will be unable to proficiently use emergent technology.
Many people believe that seniors aren’t required to participate in our tech future because they’ll be retired and relaxed soon. But this is the farthest thing from the truth. Baby boomers are currently experiencing a different boom: With more people getting older than ever before, their life expediencies are also increasing dramatically. With medical advancements, the number of American people projected to live into their 90’s has doubled since 1965.
However, they don’t have strong financial or educational support. This is not a problem; it’s a crisis. More than half of employees over 50 have been laid off in what’s being called ”forced retirement“. And few organizations are actively helping older employees make the transition from full-time jobs to part-time ones. For those fortunate enough to be employed, 3 out of 5 older workers experience prejudice.
The easiest solution is to teach digital literacy. If baby boomers want to survive the forthcoming retirement crisis, they should get enough digital knowledge and skills to operate today’s tools and tomorrow’s platforms. With every crisis comes an opportunity. Tutoring, customer service, editing, research, book-keeping, and other virtual assistance-based work open the doors. But again, digital knowledge is first required to live in our high-tech society and gig economy. So try to get more online and navigate the growing number of sites and apps.
1. What does the underlined word “appalling” probably mean in paragraph2?| A．Confusing. | B．Terrible. | C．Controllable. | D．Inspiring. |
| A．A crisis after retirement. | B．Being knocked out in the future. |
| C．Failing to receive good healthcare. | D．Tending to double their life expediencies. |
| A．The features of high-tech jobs. | B．The way out for baby boomers. |
| C．Potential industries in the future. | D．The importance of developing technology. |
| A．Have a good sense of crisis. | B．Avoid retiring at an early age. |
| C．Look for many part-time jobs. | D．Improve digital literacy actively. |
8 . At the Noori Convenience Store LaShanda Calloway, a 27-year-old man, was lying unconscious on the floor, badly wounded and in desperate need of help, and yet the five people present in the store walked past him and carried on with their shopping. The truth of the matter was that this type of occurrence wasn’t
We all like to think that we can
Studies have shown that the bystander effect is caused by several different
We also
So how do people manage to reverse the trend and intervene? What stimulates them into action? And what causes other people to bury their heads in the sand?
Studies have shown that active bystanders have generally had a more tolerant and empathetic upbringing, which stimulates greater
That said, the bystander effect tends to
| A．remarkable | B．chaotic | C．consistent | D．respective |
| A．queue up | B．step in | C．stream by | D．take notice |
| A．brought into effect | B．held accountable | C．shown pity on | D．put to the test |
| A．causes | B．interventions | C．assumptions | D．motives |
| A．integrity | B．inaction | C．persistence | D．resignation |
| A．less eager | B．more suspicious | C．more qualified | D．less rigid |
| A．breath life into | B．keep pace with | C．attach importance to | D．make sense of |
| A．insisting | B．responding | C．evolving | D．submitting |
| A．cling to traditions | B．bear fruit | C．go with the flow | D．reverse the trend |
| A．Component | B．Restriction | C．Clarification | D．Fear |
| A．escalating | B．eliminating | C．facilitating | D．tackling |
| A．appeal | B．fascination | C．concern | D．perspective |
| A．integrate | B．influence | C．orient | D．compensate |
| A．imposing | B．dismissing | C．ignoring | D．recognizing |
| A．trouble | B．face | C．life | D．money |
9 . Back in the 1980s when monkeypox(猴痘)was still an extremely rare disease, scientists kept warning: Over time, the monkeypox outbreaks will increase. At that time, there were only about 50 monkeypox cases a year in West and Central Africa where people caught the disease mainly from direct contact with wild animals. Infection between humans was very limited. But in 2022, the world is facing the first international outbreak, with more than 5,000 cases reported in 44 countries within six months.
So how could the scientists know in the 1980s that monkeypox would grow in size and spread internationally?
Their warnings were based on the successful campaign against smallpox(天花), one of the deadliest diseases in human history, which killed up to 30% of the people infected. Thanks to a worldwide campaign, smallpox disappeared in the late 1970s. However, the end of smallpox opened the door for monkeypox to emerge.
Monkeypox, whose present version kills less than 1% of people infected, is closely related to smallpox. Having a smallpox infection-or a smallpox vaccine(疫苗)-offers really good protection against smallpox as well as monkeypox. Perhaps about 85% protection. But in the late 1970s, the world stopped vaccining people for smallpox. So over the past decades, human resistance to smallpox and monkeypox has dropped sharply.
“We’re actually at a point where our immunity against monkeypox is the lowest in thousands of years,” says Jo Walker of the Yale School of Public Health. Without some resistance against the disease, people are more likely to catch monkeypox from animals and spread it to someone else. So it is time that people who might come into contact with infected people were vaccined for monkeypox. Otherwise, it could become a permanent presence in the world, since every time there’s an outbreak the virus has a chance to figure out how to spread more quickly among people.
Indeed, this new outbreak in Europe may be a sign that the virus has changed-even if just a bit-and may be increasing its ability to spread among people.
1. What can be learned about monkeypox?| A．It can be more dangerous than smallpox. | B．It rarely spread from animals to humans. |
| C．The outbreaks were not serious in the 1980s. | D．Scientists are surprised by the present outbreaks. |
| A．The cause of the present outbreaks. | B．The disappearance of smallpox. |
| C．The potential danger of smallpox. | D．The treatment of monkeypox. |
| A．Kill all the infected wild animals. | B．Develop a special vaccine for treatment. |
| C．Lock down the infected countries. | D．Vaccine those in possible contact with the infected. |
| A．Skeptical. | B．Worried. | C．Overjoyed. | D．Uncaring. |
10 . Teenagers are especially likely to suffer loneliness. Here are some suggestions for speeding a recovery from loneliness.
Reach out to others, but start small. A smile and a friendly greeting for the student behind you in line at the cafeteria won’t make you best friends.
Find a safe place to make connections. If going to the school dance makes you feel like you just don’t belong, try joining a specialinterest group. Maybe it’s the drama club or the marching band.
Find other ways of making connections. Lonely people hunger for acceptance and friendship. Sometimes feeling accepted and liked comes more easily when you do something for others.
You get what you expect, so expect the best. If you expect others to be friendly, you will behave in similar ways.
| A．But it will make you both feel pretty good. |
| B．So consider becoming a volunteer. |
| C．Some teens aren’t so adaptable, however. |
| D．Encourage people to be friendlier to you. |
| E．Choose the right people. |
| F．For most young people, loneliness is only temporary. |
| G．Look for a group that allows you to join in gradually and cheerfully. |
