The Broadcom MASTERS competition aims to find a balance between celebrating individual accomplishments and acknowledging that science seldom happens alone.The competition takes off when students from around the country are teamed up and have to solve a series of hands—on challenges in the spotlight.
Nowadays，kids are fed with“the myth of the lone scientist”，so placing such challenges in the middle school period has a huge potential for impact.The focus on teambuilding skills gets students excited before more fears and stereotypes(成见)set in.
The initial pool of qualified students comes from the participants in nation-wide science fairs.Those who score in the top 10％(about 1 0，000 kids)have the qualification to apply.The judges select the top 300 young scientists，and that group is finally narrowed to 30 finalists.
Selection at this stage is clearly an honor in itself，but it counts as step one for the finalists.They are then flown to Washington，D.C.and placed into teams of five for the hands-on part of the competition.Each team is made up of students with different talents and skills，including academic focus and experience.
Unlike the science fairs，where most of the work takes place behind the scenes and students share a polished outcome，the hands-on challenges create a space where the work is the competition itself.The students take up a range of challenges in science，technology，engineering，math and so on.Each of the challenges will need the insight and skills of multiple team members.
Judges observing the challenges aren’t just looking for outcomes but also for leadership，teamwork and problem solving.
The Broadcom MASTERS attracts increasing numbers of passionate and talented young people who are eager to take part in a program that helps them grow as scientists，engineers and inventors.It lets the students experience a sense of coming together with true peers.More importantly，it provides them with new skills to tackle future challenges.
1.What does the Broadcom MASTERS competition mainly focus on?
A. Individual accomplishments. B. Hands-on challenges.
C. Academic performance. D. Team work.
2.What does Paragraph 3 mainly tell us?
A. A large number of kids take part in the science fairs.
B. It’s not easy to be qualified as a member of the finalists.
C. The judges are too strict with the participants.
D. The nation-wide science fairs are well organized.
3.What can we infer from the text?
A. The Broadcom MASTERS competition has an increasing impact.
B. Middle school students prefer to challenge each other.
C. Students can learn more new skills from the Broadcom MASTERS.
D. The science fairs will be completely replaced by the Broadcom MASTERS.
4.What can be a suitable title for the text?
A. Learning to Take on Scientific Challenges
B. Outstanding Students are Publicly Honored
C. Bringing Individual Potential to a Team Opportunity
D. The Science Fair:A Platform Where Students’Dreams Take off
America’s latest superhero Austin Perine，who calls himself President Austin，is now taking the country by storm.But he is not a typical superhero.Two things set him apart:He doesn’t fight human enemies，but hunger and homelessness.Also，he’s only four years old.
Our superhero’s origin story started from the day when TJ Perine，his father，took Austin to the Firehouse Ministries，a local shelter that provides housing，food and other services for the homeless.As they drove by the building，they saw a group of 25 homeless men standing on the street corner.That day，Austin used his allowance to buy each man a sandwich and handed the food out himself with his slogan，“Don’t forget to show love!”
After he returned every week for five weeks in a row，word of Austin’s kindness spread through social media.Austin and TJ could feed 25 to 50 people at a time before，and now，thanks to community support，they can feed 800 to 2,000 people.
But Austin isn’t merely filling stomachs.He has been improving the lives of the homeless people he meets.On that first trip to Firehouse Ministries，TJ and Austin talked to a poor man named Raymont.The respect Austin showed for him touched 41-year-old Raymont，who regained his confidence in life and finally found a job with the help of TJ.All that was made possible because a little boy took the time to care.
Austin’s passion has become his family’s calling.After raising money through a GoFundMe page，Audrey，TJ’s mother established the nonprofit Show Love Foundation，dedicated to fighting homelessness. She now serves as president，and TJ oversees public relations for the foundation full time.They offer medical and mental health care as preventive steps against homelessness.
As for President Austin，he continues to give out food，smiles，and his inspirational message of love.“It makes me feel like I’m saving the day,”he said proudly.
1.Why has Austin become well—known to the entire country?
A. He has super power to fill the stomachs of the homeless.
B. He fights hunger and homelessness at such a young age.
C. He has removed the poverty of the local community.
D. He has chosen an impressive and unique name.
2.Which of the following can replace the underlined word“dedicated”in Paragraph 5?
A. Exposed. B. Opposed. C. Devoted. D. Addicted.
3.Why does the author introduce the example of Raymont in Paragraph 4?
A. To show Austin’s positive influence.
B. To persuade people to live off their own.
C. To prove the personal ability of Austin’s father.
D. To describe the difficult situation of poor people.
4.What is the author’s attitude towards what Austin does?
A. Sympathetic. B. Humorous. C. Approving. D. Considerate.
Feeding birds is a popular way to watch wildlife.But experts say it might put wild birds at risk.
Feeding birds is not necessary for their survival except in extreme weather conditions.Feeders(喂食器)can definitely help birds get through that kind of weather.But most birds eat insects and show little interest in bird feeders.For those birds，we can grow native plants in a natural environment.Birds which are fond of eating seeds will be more likely to come to feeders if there is some cover nearby.This lets them feed and then fly to protective areas，such as in trees.
The most common mistake people make with their bird feeders is that they put feeders in places where birds are easily frightened by passers-by，risk being hurt by cats，or risk flying into windows.
So set up a bird feeder at least one meter away from a window.That way，if a bird gets frightened，it won’t get killed when it hits the glass.Owners of cats should keep them inside home so they can’t hurt the birds.
Some birds are more aggressive at feeders.They eat a lot and do not leave much food for other birds.A solution is to put the food in more than one place by using different kinds of seeds or fruits.This can also increase the number and diversity of birds in your neighborhood.But don’t feed wild birds anything salty，like potato chips，or food that could choke them，like bread.
Pay attention to food quality and freshness.Unprotected food left too long in feeders will turn moldy(发霉)，which can kill wildlife.
Another word of advice:Always provide a supply of clean water for birds，but use care when looking for the right birdbath.If the birdbaths are too deep for birds，putting a few large stones in the water can give the birds a place to sit.
1.What’s the most common mistake about feeding birds?
A. Putting feeders in improper places. B. Providing food in inappropriate time.
C. Leaving feeders unprotected. D. Supplying dirty and deep water.
2.Which of the following may not be suitable for feeding birds?
A. Seeds. B. Bread. C. Fruit. D. Insects.
3.The author advises helping more birds by_________.
A. increasing the number of feeders
B. cleaning the birds with clean water
C. putting more large stones in the feeders
D. keeping aggressive birds away from the feeders
4.What is the text mainly about?
A. Problems with bird feeding.
B. Where to place bird feeders.
C. Popular ways of protecting wild birds.
D. How to feed wild birds safely and healthily.
Here are some best sellers of 2018 at Amazon.
The car
Fourteen-year-old Terry’s parents never pay him much attention.So when they both disappear after one of their all-too-frequent arguments，Terry isn’t exactly eager for them to come home.On his own，he fixes an abandoned car.Though he doesn’t know much about driving，he gets behind the wheel and heads west，with the intention of visiting an uncle in Oregon.It’s an exciting and sometimes dangerous journey.Along the way，he learns a lot about people，about America——and most importantly，about himself.
The Running Dream
Jessica thinks her life is over when she loses a leg in a car accident.
As she struggles to cope with her prosthesis(义肢)and many other difficulties，Jessica develops a close relationship with Rosa，a girl who has a cancer and sees right into Jessica’s heart.
With the support of family，friends，a coach，and her teammates，Jessica is able to run again.But that’s not enough for her now.She doesn’t just want to cross finish lines herself—she wants to take Rosa with her.
Have a New Teenager by Friday
Do you know this person?
His bedroom looks like a garbage dump.
She changes clothes three times before breakfast.
It seems that he／she never agrees with you.
Congratulations! You have a teenager in your home.But you needn’t feel helpless.In fact，you’re just five days away from your teenager asking.“What can I do to help?”Internationally recognized family expert Dr.Kevin Leman will help you get real results—really fast.
Boy Robot
Seventeen-year-old Isaak discovers the truth about his origin:a government—made human.But a deadly military force is trying to kill him.He and the other Robots can only find protection from the Underground—a secret network of Robots and humans working together to ensure a coexistent future.Isaak must decide whether to hold on to his humanity and face possible death or to embrace his true nature in order to survive.
If you are interested in any of the books，click here for further information:
https:／／www.amazon.com/.
1.Which book is a science fiction?
A. The Car. B. The Running Dream.
C. Have a New Teenager by Friday. D. Boy Robot.
2.Which of the following isn’t conveyed in The Running Dream?
A. Friendship. B. Modesty. C. Bravery. D. Determination.
3.Who is the book Have a New Teenager by Friday in tended for?
A. Experts. B. Teenagers. C. Parents. D. Teachers.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.Why did the woman quarrel with her neighbor?
A. He came home late. B. He was too noisy. C. He stayed up late.
2.How did the neighbor react after the speaker went to his apartment?
A. He changed for the worse. B. He admitted his misbehavior. C. He apologized to her.
3.What did the speaker do after arguing with her neighbor?
A. She gave him a gift.
B. She had a talk with him.
C. She watched a movie with him.
4.What is the speaker’s suggestion to Teddy?
A. Turning to the police for help.
B. Being patient and trying to stand it.
C. Writing a friendly letter to the neighbor.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Why is the man attracted by NBA games?
A. He is good at basketball skills.
B. His father is a fan of NBA games.
C. The result is changeable and unpredictable.
2.What does the woman usually do at weekends?
A. Stay in the dormitory. B. Go skating. C. Watch music videos.
3.Where will the woman spend this weekend?
A. At home. B. In the gym. C. In the dormitory.
4.What do the man and the woman have in common?
A. They both have favorite sports.
B. Their favorite sports are risky.
C. They practise their favorite sports together.
