Have you ever heard a rumor spread around by students at your school? Rumors, like fake news, can often misinform individuals and lead them to believe false information.
In an attempt to settle this problem, the country of Singapore has passed a bill that bans companies and individuals from publishing false information online.
This law, known as The Protection From Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill, has caused a public outcry (强烈的抗议), as the government has been given the power to remove content that it considers inaccurate or against the public’s interest.
Since Singapore’s citizens are part of different racial and religious groups, the government fears that rumors or fake news can increase tensions within an already small country.
With the new law coming into effect, Singapore’s government now has the authority to monitor news sites, social media platforms, and other databases of information to determine whether the content is falsified. The government can order for the removal of fake news, and publishers of this information can receive prison time and fines up to one million Singapore dollars!
Critics fear that the bill threatens their freedom of speech and freedom of expression. Since national issues and world news are generally discussed on online platforms, many are concerned that this new bill will prevent individuals from talking freely and having healthy conversations.
Several companies, including Google, Facebook, and Twitter, have offices situated in Singapore, meaning that the new law will affect their company operations. Social media companies in Singapore could face a decline in activity, as users may fear posting their opinions and being punished by the government.
Others are concerned that the law does not clearly state what a “false statement” is. Such an ambiguity might allow the government to misuse their power, even though the intention is to curtail the mow of false information and rumors throughout Singapore.
This law does give rise to several concerns related to freedom and privacy and it will be interesting to see what Singapore’s government will do to deal with this problem.
1.Why are some people against the bill?
A.They think the bill can’t get rid of fake news.
B.They belong to different racial and religious groups.
C.They think their freedom of speech may be harmed.
D.They don’t want to increase tensions in their country.
2.What does the government have the right to do under the new law?
A.Punish publishers of fake news.
B.Monitor telephone conversations.
C.Prohibit certain people from going online.
D.Fine fake-news makers any amount of money.
3.How will the new law affect social media companies in Singapore?
A.Their users’ privacy may be disturbed.
B.Their income will increase very slowly.
C.Their illegal activities will come to light.
D.Their social media may become less active.
4.What does the underlined word in paragraph 8 probably mean?
A.prove B.accelerate
C.promote D.decrease
A few years ago, my husband Charlie and I had marital problems. Growing family responsibilities and financial worries took a toll on us and we began arguing frequently, often late into the night.
However, neither of us could take the step that would end our eleven-year marriage and bring heartbreak to our three young children. Deep down we knew we still loved each other, so we determined to work it out. Through countless discussions, we began to close the gulf. The more honest we were, the closer we became.
When I felt we were reaching solid ground, I asked my husband to give me an “eternity (永恒) ring”. It was not so much the ring I wanted; it was the reassurance (保证) I thought it would bring.
We went shopping on a beautiful summer day. We walked hand in hand along a row of jeweler’s shops. Finally I found a ring I liked. While waiting for it to be adjusted, the jeweler took my left hand and glanced at my engagement ring. “May I clean it for you?” he asked. “It really doesn’t sparkle like it used to.” Charlie said as I slipped the ring off my finger. A few minutes later the jeweler was back. The ring shone like new!
On the drive home, I didn’t take my eyes off it. I forgot all about the eternity ring. I just couldn’t believe how this old ring suddenly sparkled the way it had the day Charlie gave it to me. I had taken it for granted these past years, but with a little polish it could still make my heart beat fast.
And that’s the way it is with a marriage. You have to work at keeping it polished and new, or else the grime (污垢) of the passing years will hide the joy. I put my hand on the seat between us and spread my fingers. Charlie covered my hand with his. I felt I was lucky to be able to see the sparkle in something gold when I thought I needed something new.
1.Why did the author and her husband decide to solve the problems?
A.They were a famous couple. B.They didn’t want to divorce.
C.The problems were not serious. D.They had experience in doing so.
2.What does the underlined part in paragraph 3 probably mean?
A.free of trouble B.arriving at a square
C.wealthy and generous D.in good relationship
3.Why did the author forget all about the eternity ring on their way back home?
A.Her husband kept it for her. B.They didn’t actually pay for it.
C.The old ring’s light attracted her attention. D.The couple were talking all the way merrily.
4.What does the author mainly want to express in the last paragraph?
A.We tend to prefer new objects to old ones.
B.One should remain thankful for what he has got.
C.Marriage should be constantly polished.
D.We should try to rediscover the true value of old objects.
Butterfly Garden (Permanent Exhibit)
Walk among the free-flying residents of this warm conservatory. It is a wonderful opportunity to get close to a variety of living butterflies from New England and across the globe. The “Emergence Box” offers a window into the butterfly behavior. Look inside to see hanging chrysalids (蝶蛹) transform into adult butterflies. Tickets are required and visitors should reserve at least two weeks in advance.
A Bird’s World (Permanent Exhibit)
This exhibit features the Museum’s extraordinary collection of birds, displaying over 300 species found in New England. Here, you can learn to interpret the bird language taking place just outside your window at home.
Test your observation skills and see if you can get past different birds without them alerting (发信号) other animals to your presence. Learn to identify birds from a distance by recognizing unique flight patterns. Practice your flying technique in the Bird Walk.
Hall of Human Life (Permanent Exhibit)
Should you have your baby’s DNA sequenced? What keeps you awake? Step inside the Hall of Human Life, the Museum’s new biology exhibition, and encounter such far-reaching questions on an amazing journey inside the human body. Through digital media and personal interaction, you become “part of the story’, as you contribute your own data in a process of learning and discovery.
BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life (Temporary Exhibit Now Open!)
BODY WORLDS comes to the Museum of Science with a new chapter, Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life. Don’t miss this truly unique opportunity to look within yourself and gain a whole new perspective on what it means to be alive. More than one hundred preserved human specimens reveal the wonders of human development and show how poor health, good health, and lifestyle choices can shape your body.
1.Which exhibit do you need to book in advance?
A.Butterfly Garden B.A Bird’s World
C.Hall of Human Life D.BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life
2.What can you do in A Bird’s World?
A.Improve your own flying technique.
B.Communicate with birds in body language.
C.Watch digital media showing birds’ history.
D.See different birds from all over the world.
3.What is special about BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life?
A.It is related to human body.
B.It lasts for only a limited time.
C.It is the most visited exhibition in the world.
D.It has something to do with the growth of life.
假定你是中学生李华，你的笔友Peter 来信询问你最近的学习情况，请你给他写封回信，内容包括：
1.有学习压力，得以缓解；
2.弱势学科得到提高；
3.未来的学习计划；
要求：1.字数100词左右；
2.可适当增加情节，以使行文连贯。
Dear Peter,
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
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。错误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（A），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限--词
2.只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
Hope everything goes well with you. In terms of your unhealth lifestyle, I'm writing to give you some suggestion.
First of all, green and nutritious foods are necessary to our daily life, without that we can't build a healthy body. However, it's time that you can eat more fruits and vegetables rather than fast food. Drinking water instead of coke cola is wise choice. Second, you're supposed to cut down the time spending on the electronic products, which it is beneficial to your eyes and brain.
The last point to bear in mind is that early to bed or early to rise will make a man healthy, wealthy and wisely. Hope my advice can benefit you.
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。
Thanks to the Chinese government scholarship, I was able to come to China and realize my dream as1. international student. In my two years of Master's study, I collected a bunch of wonderful memories.
One of them was joining a hiking marathon or climbing to the top of a mountain. I did not win the marathon, 2. the sight of the beautiful landscapes along the way was enough for me. In China, I found that hiking was one of the best leisure 3.(activity) of Chinese people.
The visit 4. Zijin Mountain last year was the most challenging yet very memorable to me because of the bad weather in winter and the long hours of journey5. ( reach) the top. The temperature at that time reached a freezing point. My hands were stone cold and my face6. (go) very pale. When we reached the top, it was just so 7.(attract). The sunset view was the best of all. One of my friends took a photo of 8.(I) and my Chinese friend as if we were sharing the sun with our hands. We stayed on top for a while, until we felt that we should be leaving before we would 9. (total) freeze to death.
I believe that 10. (climb) mountains gives someone a sense of direction and a motivation to reach your goal no matter how hard or unimaginable it could be.
