In a partnership with the 5 Gyres Institute, Trash Free Maryland took to the Chesapeake Bay in November to study the presence of micropiastics in the water. Setting out from Deale, Md., the research team collected seven samples by dragging a trawl (拖网) for an hour at a time. The trawl was fitted with a cone-shaped (锥形的) net, whose holes measure 330 microns (微米) wide, about the width of two to three strands of human hair. Water flows through the main opening and the fine mesh (网眼) of net ensures anything suspended in the water is trapped behind.
In seven samples, the net picked up algae (海藻) trash, foam and plastic. According to the 5 Gyres Institute representative, the first sample collected contained almost 10 times the amount of plastic than would be collected in a typical ocean sample. The plastic found in the Chesapeake Bay samples included bits of bags, sheeting, fishing line and microbeads, which are small plastic scrubbers found in face wash, toothpaste and cleaning products. Microbeads in particular are a major source of microplastics pollution worldwide. They are small enough to bypass water treatment systems’ filters (过滤器) and end up in waterways. Scientists warn that chemicals and toxins (毒素) absorbed by microbeads and other microplastics could be passed on to organisms who mistake them for food and eat them, and could then be passed up higher and higher on the food chain, eventually reaching humans.
1.What is the second paragraph mainly about?
A. The description of the trawl.
B. The basic data of the water samples.
C. The process of collecting water samples.
D. The introduction of Trash Free Maryland.
2.What does the underlined word “They” in the last paragraph refer to?
A. Bits of bags. B. Chemicals.
C. Microbeads. D. Micropiastics.
3.How does the author prove plastics pollution can be harmful to people’s health?
A. By analyzing the data. B. By making comparisons.
C. By giving some examples. D. By referring to scientists views.
4.What’s the author’s purpose in writing this passage?
A. To explain some new scientific terms to people.
B. To let people learn more about plastics pollution.
C. To urge governments to make environmental laws.
D. To tell people some new findings in scientific research.
Whenever we see a button, we are eager to press it because we know something will happen. This is true in most cases, for example on a doorbell and on the “on/off” button on the TV. But some buttons are actually fake, like the “close” button on a lift.
Many people are in the habit of pressing the “close” button because they don’t have the patience to wait for the lift doors to shut. But lifts’ “close” buttons are a complete scam (骗局), at least in the US － the doors will not close any faster no matter how hard you press.
It started in the 1990s when the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in the US, making sure that all lifts stayed open long enough so that people with disabilities could enter. Only US firefighters and repairmen can use the buttons to speed up the door-closing process if they have a code or special keys.
But to normal lift riders, the buttons aren’t completely useless. According to psychologists, fake buttons can actually make you feel better by offering you a sense of control.
“Perceived (能够感知的) control is very important. It reduces stress and increases well-being,” Ellen J. Langer, a psychology professor, said, “ having a lack of control is associated with depression.”
Experts have revealed that a lot of buttons that don’t do anything exist in our lives for this same purpose. For example, many offices in the US have fake thermostats (温度调节器) because people tend to feel better when they think they can control the temperature in their workplace.
Pedestrian(行人) crosswalk buttons don’t live up to their names either. Pressing them used to help make the traffic signals change faster, but that was before computer-controlled traffic signals were introduced.
But psychologists found it interesting that even when people are aware of these little “white lies”, they still continue to push fake buttons because as long as the doors eventually close, it is considered to be worth the effort.
“That habit is here to stay,” John Kounios, a psychology professor, said. “Even though I have real doubts about the traffic light buttons, I always press them. After all, I’ve got nothing else to do while waiting. So why not press the button in the hope that this one will work?”
1.What was the author’s main purpose in writing the article?
A. To describe some different kinds of fake buttons.
B. To analyze the functions of fake buttons.
C. To explore people’s different habits when it comes to pushing buttons.
D. To explain the advantages and disadvantages of fake buttons.
2.In America, the “close” buttons on lifts _______.
A. work only when people press them hard for a while
B. cannot speed up the process of closing the door in any case
C. are fake for the convenience of disabled people
D. were specially designed to give people a sense of control
3.The underlined part “for this same purpose” in Paragraph 6 refers to _______.
A. helping people to build up confidence
B. making people more patient
C. giving people perceived control
D. making people with depression feel better
4.According to John Kounios, people who press fake buttons ______.
A. don’t know that what they press is fake
B. should give up this habit
C. consider what they do to be meaningless
D. probably do so to kill time
It’s always exciting to think about the future and what kind of technology might exist in years to come. But what if that future is closer than you think?
The name Magic Leap is starting to spread across the Internet, and for a good reason. The Magic Leap technology company in the US has been working on something new and exciting, keeping it so secret that even the people working on the project have been hidden from the media. But recently they have started to release more information, and it seems that the future of computing is about to change dramatically.
Magic Leap’s preview shows the possibility of a classroom where you can interact with a miniature 3-D man and watch animals floating in front of your eyes. You could come face to face with fierce creatures like tigers and sharks, and more might be possible very soon.
The company hopes to create new technology that mixes reality and virtual reality computing. This means that the way we interact with computers could change completely, and so could the gaming industry.
Imagine a game in which you can not only look after a dragon on a screen, but also see it walking around your home, feed it and play with it. This is a world where movies will make you jump as things come, flying at you. Rio Caraeff, the company’s chief content officer, said that instead of staring at a phone screen, “the world becomes your screen”.
All of this could be the next step for Magic Leap, and their newly-released video suggests so. The video shows a small elephant floating in the hands of its user, a virtual reality pet that the user can interact with. Exciting to think about, no?
It seems that the excitement has inspired other companies who are lining up to join in on this new project. The technology, called Cinematic Reality, is attracting the attention of large companies like Google, who are already investing large sums of money in the project hoping to see it become a reality.
1.Which of the following is TRUE about the Magic Leap technology company?
A. The company is working on new technology that could improve the future of computing.
B. The company keeps updating the media on its progress.
C. The company has just discovered a way to mix reality and virtual reality computing.
D. The company’s newly released video is about the interaction between a dragon pet and its user.
2.What could a classroom in the future look like, according to Magic Leap?
A. A miniature 3D man could take the place of teachers.
B. Students could be encouraged to raise a virtual reality pet on campus.
C. The gaming industry could be invited to help students improve their studies.
D. Students could interact with virtual reality animals.
3.How could Magic Leap’s technology change the world according to the article?
A. It could discourage people from playing a lot of computer games.
B. It could turn the whole world into an interactive screen for its users.
C. It could help people improve their ability to interact with others.
D. It could make it hard for people to distinguish between virtual reality and reality.[来
4.What is Google’s attitude toward the technology named “Cinematic Reality”?
A. Unconcerned. B. Optimistic.
C. Worried. D. Negative.
If you have a long holiday to spend, where can you go?
Nikoi Island, Indonesia
Less than 85km – but somehow a whole world away – from Singapore’s shining skyline lies Nikoi Island. Surrounded by white sandy shorelines and vivid coral reefs, Nikoi’s centre is hidden in rainforest, resulting in amazing biodiversity seen in its native plants, animal and bird life. Marrying traditional Indonesian craftsmanship with contemporary design, Nikoi boasts just 15 stilted(建于支柱上的) beach houses, all with breathtaking sea views, guaranteeing privacy and total escape from the daily grind.
Amanpulo, Philippines
The only property on Pamalican Island, the luxurious Amanpulo resort offers extremely impressive accommodation, with only access to over five kilometres of clean coral sand beach. Designed to resemble local Bahay Kubo homes, Amanpulo’s beachside, treetop and hillside villas all feature comfortable decks with hammocks(吊床) from which to enjoy the spectacular views of the greenish-blue sea below. Fill your schedule with Amanpulo’s signature aquatic adventures (including diving, windsurfing and sailing), recharge in the award-winning spa or feast upon locally caught seafood – the choice is yours.
Song Saa, Cambodia
Song Saa’s incredible ocean views, and breathtaking sunsets are a very typical example of pure paradise. Its 24 villas – each with their own sea-view private plunge pool – are designed to reflect the natural beauty of Cambodia’s coastline; built from recycled wood with straw roofs and driftwood furnishings, these presences are stylish proof of Song Saa’s admirable commitment to sustainability and conservation. You can choose to do as much or as little as you want here. With rainforest tours, island safaris and reef snorkeling, it just offers some of the activities that show this spectacular destination.
1.What can we see in the center of Nikoi’s Island?
A. Lands of desert. B. Streams and rivers.
C. Kinds of animals and plants. D. Tall buildings.
2.What can we learn about the Amanpulo’s villas?
A. They are made of bricks. B. We can have a good view of sea there.
C. They are very expensive. D. We can learn much historic stories from them.
3.What activity can you enjoy in Song Saa?
A. Surfing. B. White rafting.
C. Mountain-climbing. D. Rainforest tour.
假如你是李华，校学生会主席，得知著名英国教授Matrix在你校参加英语教师培训会（2018年3月28日—3月30日），特邀请Matrix在开会期间给你校学生做一个关于英语写作的讲座。
请按下列要点写一封邀请信：
1. 本人简介；
2. 讲座内容；
3. 表示感谢。
注意：1. 词数：100左右。
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
3. 参考词汇：学生会 the Students’ Union
培训会 training conference
Dear Professor Matrix,
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Yours sincerely,
Li Hua
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），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。
There is good news for you. Anyone visited Beijing will soon be able to visit the Forbidden City at night. The Palace Museum plans to extend their opening hours to make it more conveniently for tourists. Parts of the museum will stay open until night to allow more people experience China’s traditional culture before working hours. In addition, visitors will have an access to more area soon after the renovation (修缮) work is completed this year. Near 65% of the Palace Museum will then be open to visitors to mark the 90th anniversary of the museum. The Forbidden City, that was built at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, had undergone extensive (大量的) renovations over the past 10 years.
