| 1. 难度：中等 | |
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Can robots be creative? British art gallery owner Aidan Meller thinks so. He hopes to begin answering that question with a robot called Ai-Da. Meller is watching the building of all Ai-Da’s parts by engineers at Engineered Arts, a company based in Cornwall, England. The engineers believe the robot will be able to make pictures of people from sight with a writing instrument in her hand. Meller wants the robot to perform like a human artist. After seeing Ai-Da’s head being carefully brought to life by specialists who were connecting individual hairs to form eyebrows, Meller said, “She’s going to actually be drawing and we’re hoping to then build technology for her to paint.” But also as a performing artist, “she’ll be able to communicate with audiences and actually get messages across, asking those questions about technology today,” he added. Ai-Da’s robotic head may still be separate from her body, but her movements are very alive. Cameras in each of her eyeballs recognize human body parts. Ai-Da will make eye contact and follow you around the room, opening and closing her mouth as you do. If you get too close, the robot will back away, closing and then opening her eyes as if in shock. The specialists are using the company’s Mesmer lifelike robot technology to create her head. Once finished, Ai-Da will have a mixed-race appearance, with long dark hair and manmade skin. The teeth and skin inside her mouth will come from a 3-D printer. Marcus Hold works at Engineered Arts. He said Mesmer “brings together the development of software mechanics and electronics to produce a lifelike face with lifelike gestures in a small human sized package.” Ai-Da will make her first public appearance at an exhibition called “Unsecured Futures” at the University of Oxford. Some of her pictures are expected to appear at another show in London later this year. 1.How will Ai-Da do when you get very close to her? A.Keep still. B.Step back. C.Run away. D.Speak aloud. 2.Which of the following is Ai-Da good at? A.Taking care of the old. B.Communicating with persons. C.Doing housework. D.Making up like humans. 3.What may be the best title for the text? A.Ai-Da, a Creative Robot B.Meller, a Great Engineer C.Ai-Da Makes Painting Easier D.Meller Helps Robot Cleverer
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| 2. 难度：中等 | |
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Are you wondering whether it’s worth going for a little jog? Don’t hesitate, and get your sports shoes on. A new study shows that proper running lowers the risk of death before the normal time. In a survey of 14 previous studies from the US and Denmark, the group of researchers from institutes in Australia and Finland concluded that running would probably lead to improvements in population health and longevity（长寿）.The studies involved 232,149 participants over time periods ranging from 5. 5 to 35 years. On the whole, people running any distance were related with a 27% lower risk of death from all causes than those who did not, the study shows. Running was also related with a 30% and 23% lower risk of death from cardiovascular（心血管的）disease and cancer. Previous studies had concluded “inconsistent findings” about whether running could lower the risk of death before the normal time, according to the researchers. Lead researcher Jim White, a professor at Victoria University in Melbourne, told CNN: “Our recent findings may encourage physically inactive individuals to take up running and those who already run to keep on doing it.” He added that doctors may be encouraged by our findings to promote running as a part of “lifestyle medicine”. In their paper, which will be published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the researchers say health professionals are sometimes wary of promoting running because vigorous（剧烈的）use of it has been linked with sudden heart death. Jim and his team deny this by noting that the benefit of running outweighs the risk. However, they did say advice should be given on a case — by — case basis, as running might not be appropriate for everyone. Although running has a clear health benefit, the researchers point out that higher “doses” of running may not reduce the risk of death further. According to the WHO s guidelines, adults aged between 18 and 64 should take 150 minutes of gentle exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week. 1.What did the new study focus on? A.The benefit of jog. B.People’s lifestyles. C.People’s living conditions. D.The popularity of jog. 2.What will the study contribute to according to Jim? A.Doctors’ quicker treatment. B.People’s losing weight. C.People’s involvement in running. D.Researchers’ promotion of sport. 3.What does the underlined word "wary" in paragraph 5 mean? A.Certain. B.Tired. C.Cautious. D.Confident.
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| 3. 难度：中等 | |
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Light pollution is blocking a starry view of the night sky for more than half of people across England, a research has found. Fifty-seven percent of stargazers（观星者）struggled to see more than 10 stars, while just 2% of participants said they experienced a truly dark sky making them be able to count more than 30,9 according to the research by the Campaign to Protect Rural England （CPRE）. People in the countryside were encouraged to count how many stars they could see with eyes within the constellation （星座）of Orion, which is visible only in the winter months. Campaigners said the results of the star count, supported by the British Astronomical Association, showed the problem of light pollution and how it affected one of the countryside’s most magical sights—a dark, starry night sky. They said the results of the research to map England’s night skies suggested more could be done by the government, local councils and the general public to reduce the negative effects of artificial light from streets and buildings. Emma Marrington, dark skies campaigner at the CPRE, said “We’re hugely grateful to the people who took the time to get out and take part in our star count. But it’s deeply disappointing that the vast majority were unable to experience the natural wonder of a truly dark sky blanketed with stars. Without any action, our night sky will continue to be lost under a covering of artificial light, ruining the health of the natural world.” She added: “The star count results show just how far-reaching the light from street lights and buildings can be seen. Light doesn’t respect boundaries, and careless use can see it spread for miles from cities.” She suggested better-designed lighting, street light dimming（暗淡）systems and part- night lighting where some street lights are turned off during the small hours should provide an opportunity to limit the damage caused by light pollution, reduce carbon emissions and save money. 1.What effect does the light pollution bring about to England? A.It leads the stars to disappear. B.It makes the countryside dim. C.It makes the environment terrible. D.It prevents the people seeing stars. 2.What causes the light pollution according to the text? A.More and more buildings. B.Less and less outdoor activities. C.The overuse of artificial light. D.The spread of light in the countryside. 3.How does Emma feel about the stargazers’ efforts? A.Disappointed. B.Surprised. C.Regretful. D.Appreciative. 4.What is Emma’s suggestion for dealing with the light pollution? A.Using street lights wisely. B.Turning off lights at night. C.Spreading light further. D.Changing the streets1 design.
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| 4. 难度：中等 | |
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When it comes to helping students learn and mature, there are several ways to increase their well-being. Although your children may be succeeding in the classroom, there are a few things that you still can do. Encouraging physical activity is the first thing you can do. More and more children do not participate in sports after school. It’s important for you to encourage mobility with sports that are played after class. You should find sporting equipment, basketball courts and play areas where kids can increase their well-being. 1. Secondly, you can provide proper nutrition for your children. It’s important for your children to receive proper nutrition both inside and outside of the home. 2. You’d better make it a point to provide enough nutrition for their proper development and growth. 3. Many parents fail to stop children from using smart phones and computers. There are some institutions that even encourage too much screen time as a way to teach children or keep them entertained. You should help the children remain excited without sitting in front of a screen throughout the day. Last but not the least, monitoring bullying （欺凌）is also an essential part. Bullying continues to remain a common problem in some schools, making it important that the environment that your children grow in holds a high standard. 4. It’s important to examine the school life as a whole to determine what factors are missing. 5.. You may determine how well they adjust to the world around them and succeed in life. A. You should provide kids with fresh food. B. Besides, you’d better limit their screen time. C. It will encourage children to focus on their study. D. In addition, try your best to give them more freedom. E. This will reduce the risk of health conditions that include obesity. F. You can advise teachers to keep a practice of looking for bullying. G. Parents play a significant role in children’s growth and well-being.
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| 5. 难度：中等 | |
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“In family life, love is the oil that eases friction （摩擦）.” The words by Eva Burrows show the importance of ________ in my life. During my childhood many people came and went, but my grandfather ________ my life in several ways. He was loving and _________, following his dreams whatever difficulties he faced. The lessons I learned from his ________ have helped me battle through many struggles in my life. Baseball has always been one of my favorite, ________, during my junior year of high school, I received very little playing time ________ I began to think about quitting baseball. Just then my grandfather’s ________ said in my head, “You can’t give up now, it has just begun.” I remembered his ________. He was tenacious（顽强的）in the restaurant business where many people ________ year after year. Although his business failed once, he never ________ but continued to follow his dreams of being a successful entrepreneur（企业家）.Keeping my grandfather’s successful story in mind ________ my confidence, which gave me the ability to prove myself a ________ on the playing field. Off the baseball field, my grandfather taught me many ________ about the importance of family ________. Everyday he’d call simply to say “hi, ________ the value of keeping in touch with the family. Like my Grandpa, I try to keep the family ________ by organizing family dinners. As my sisters and brothers now live at various places around the country, I try to hold my grandfather’s family values of love and communication by calling them several times a week. By ________ his traditions, I feel I am bringing everyone together emotionally as well as physically. My sense of responsibility and adjustment are characters my grandfather has ________ to me. ________, on October 1st 2008 the great man I speak of passed away. He passed away but his ________ exists in me forever. 1.A.struggle B.work C.efficiency D.family 2.A.supported B.checked C.changed D.cared 3.A.available B.curious C.tough D.awkward 4.A.problems B.backgrounds C.responses D.examples 5.A.Also B.However C.Therefore D.Instead 6.A.so B.or C.for D.but 7.A.origin B.voice C.quality D.reputation 8.A.demands B.appearance C.stories D.function 9.A.cheered B.connected C.failed D.woke 10.A.gave up B.showed off C.turned up D.kept away 11.A.solved B.fueled C.protected D.tested 12.A.spot B.purpose C.project D.product 13.A.methods B.lessons C.skills D.sufferings 14.A.communication B.enjoyment C.education D.life 15.A.announcing B.discussing C.explaining D.stressing 16.A.wealthy B.confident C.considerate D.close 17.A.following B.joining C.hiding D.breaking 18.A.devoted B.promised C.passed D.added 19.A.Particularly B.Importantly C.Eventually D.Unfortunately 20.A.degree B.symbol C.potential D.influence
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| 6. 难度：中等 | |
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阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。 It’s Global Youth Service Day, the largest youth service and citizen movement in the world and the only one that celebrates the contributions 1. (make) by all youth aging from 5 to 25 through service. The Youth Engagement Team of United Way of Central Indiana is taking 2. (act) to advance the common benefits. When members found out that a small, rural town about 30 minutes northwest of Indianapolis, had the 3. (high) percentage of financially stressed households in the area, they decided to do something about it. Since the town doesn’t have a public library, the team built a Little Free Library, and prepared 100 snack bags with notes of encouragement words inside for kids 4. (involve) in the We All Matter after-school pro-gram. The 5. (child) will receive not only food for their bodies, but food for their minds as well, as the team is also donating books 6. (get) the library up and running. Serving 7. a young age promotes healthy lifestyles and choices, teaches life skills, 8. (improve) the community and encourages lifelong moral rules of giving. Are you ready? to join youth like these in making 9. difference? Youth Service America offers excellent resources and your local United Way can point youth to the people and places 10. need your support.
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| 7. 难度：中等 | |
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假定你是李华，你校新西兰交换生Peter给你发邮件询问即将举行的校运动会的相关信息。请你给他回一封电子邮件，要点如下： 1.时间和地点； 2.竞赛项目； 3.邀请他参加。 注意：1.词数80左右； 2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯； 3.开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。 Dear Peter, _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Yours, Li Hua
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| 8. 难度：中等 | |
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阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写,使之构成一个完整的故事。 The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read beneath an old willow tree. Not satisfied with life, I was upset. At this time, a young boy approached me. He stood right before me with his head tilting（倾斜）down, saying with great excitement, “Look what I found!” In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight, with its petals（花瓣）all worn. That’s because there was not enough rain or light. Wanting him to take his dead flower away and go off to play, I forced a small smile and then turned away. But instead of leaving, he sat next to my side and placed the flower to his nose and declared with certainty. He said, “It surely smells pretty and it’s beautiful, too. That’s why I picked it and it’s for you.” The flower before me was dying or dead. But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave. So I reached for the flower and replied, “Just what I need.” But instead of placing the flower in my hand, he held it midair without reason. It was then that I noticed for the first time the boy was blind. I heard my voice shake and my eyes were full of tears as I thanked him for picking the very best one. He smiled, and then walked off to play, unaware of the effect he had on my day. I sat there and wondered how he managed to see a self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree. Meanwhile, I felt confused about the reason why he tried to make me happy by showing the flower? Perhaps from his heart, he enjoyed the world with true sight.注意： 1.所续写短文的词数应为150左右； 2.应使用5个以上短文中标有下划线的关键词语； 3.续写部分分为两段,每段的开头语已为你写好； 4.续写完成后，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。 Paragraph 1: Through the kindness of the blind child, I achieved some new awareness. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Paragraph 2: Then I stood up and walked to the boy _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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