Life in the twenty-first century
The World Future Society is a group of people from more than 80 countries who are interested in how modern technology is making our world better, and who write reports about how it will change our lives. The things that we will be able to do in the twenty-first century (since the year 2000) should help us live better lives in many ways, at home and at work, in our own country and around the world. Here are just some of them, put into five groups.
People
People may live for up to 120 years and use new technology to help when people go blind, deaf and have other problems. The number of people over a hundred years old could go from 135,000 today to 2.2 million people by 2050. By 2015 people think that 100 million workers will be able to work from home for a company in a different country by using the Internet.
Money
Worldwide e-business will become even more successful with online shops that sell special products for each person, which will be brought to their house the next day.
Environment
The technology for making energy from wind and the Sun is growing very quickly. In the future wind and Sun energy could become much cheaper and many more countries could use it. This would be very useful in poor countries. The air in big cities would also become much cleaner and healthier as a result.
Society and culture
The Internet will help to create more worldwide friendships. Families may spend more time together as people will be able to do 24-hour online banking and shopping.
Technology
The new science of “nanotechnology” (very small robots or machines) will make all sorts of products smaller and lighter. Very, very small machines could take away rubbish, make things in factories, and help inside the human body by taking away fat. By 2012 people will be able to wear these small machines that look like watches, which will give them lots of information about their body and keep them healthy.
1.What does the World Future Society do?
A. Look at how technology will make people happy.
B. Look at how technology will change the world.
C. Make technology work better for themselves.
D. Make small machines to make us healthier.
2. How will technology help people?
A. Help all people live for over 120 years.
B. Help disabled people to get jobs.
C. Make people healthier and live longer.
D. Help workers to use the Internet.
3.How will people go shopping?
A. In special shops.
B. Using the Internet at certain times.
C. Using the Internet any time of the day.
D. Using nanotechnology.
4. How will technology help the environment?
A. Poor countries will have enough energy.
B. Wind energy will be cheaper than Sun energy.
C. We will not need wind and Sun energy.
D. Wind and Sun energy will be cheaper.
5.The new science of “nanotechnology” will _______.
A. drive small machines to work for people
B. make good-quality watches
C. allow people to eat more
D. make very small products
Singapore’s public transport system (公共交通系统) is one of the best in the world, so you should have no problem finding your way around like a local (当地人). There are three main forms of public transport that you would find in any other major city—trains, buses and taxis.
TRAINS
Trains run from 6 a.m. to midnight. Single trip tickets start at 80 cents. If you buy an EZ-Link card for $15, you can ride the trains and buses all you like.
If you need more information, just call Transit Link on 1800 767 4333.
BUSES
There are several bus services in Singapore and fares (车费) start at 80 cents. Be sure to always ask the driver the cost of your ticket as he can not give changes.
If you need help, just call Transit Link on 1800 767 4333.
TAXIS
There are three main taxi companies—City Cab (6552 2222), Comfort (6552 1111) and Tibs (6552 8888). Booking (预订) can also be made easily by calling the numbers listed above.
RENTAL (租) CARS
Driving in Singapore is a pleasure and if you like to travel at your own pace, renting a car is a good choice. Renting takes away the hassle of getting to places around Singapore. Just sit back and enjoy the city. It also means you’ll get to see a lot more that a train or a bus won’t let you see.
For car rental, call Avis on +65 6737 1668.
1. If you need to find the bus number, you may call____________.
A. +65 6737 1668 B. 6552 8888
C. 1800 767 4333 D. 6552 2222
2.By an EZ-Link card, you can take____________.
A. both buses and trains B. only trains
C. both buses and taxis D. only rental cars
3.When you take a bus there, always remember to ____________.
A. take your own license with you B. ask the driver how much your ticket is
C. buy the bus map of Singapore D. book your ticket ahead of time
4.What does the word “hassle” mean in Chinese?
A. 麻烦 B. 乐趣 C. 景点 D. 费用
5.What do you know about traveling in Singapore from the passage?
A. A local has no trouble finding his way around.
B. It’s much cheaper to go around by bus than by train.
C. You can see a lot more in Singapore only by renting a car.
D. It’s very convenient for visitors to travel in Singapore.
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JLetter 1 Whatever I do, I always think about if other people will like it. How can I stop worrying about what they think? —Eva, 14, Illinois |
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JLetter 2 My dream is to be on the Olympic team for gymnastics. My dad thinks I started too late and I’ll never be able to make it. He puts me down, but I want his support. What should I do? —Erica, 9, Texas |
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JLetter 3 What should I do if I failed a test? I’m afraid to tell my mom because she might get mad at me and I can’t play soccer. And soccer is like the world to me. —Ashley, 12, Wisconsin |
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JLetter 4 I just moved and I’m kind of shy, so how do I make new friends? —Jessica, 11, Canada |
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Dr. Molly’s Answer ① You should tell him about your dream and that if you work really hard, it might happen even though you started late. The sooner you tell your dad how you feel, the sooner you’ll be able to work on making your dream come true. |
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Dr. Molly’s Answer ② Nobody knows you at your new school. You have nothing to lose, so gather up all your courage and go over to someone who looks friendly and introduce yourself. You can ask that person about your teacher or the other kids in your class to break the ice. Good luck! |
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Dr. Molly’s Answer ③ It’s better to tell your mom the truth than for her to find out another way. When you tell her, explain why you failed the test. Ask her if she can help you study in the future, so you’ll do better on your tests and also have time for the soccer you love. |
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Dr. Molly’s Answer ④ Just be yourself and try not to care about what others think. The more you think about it, the worse you will feel. Always act strong and confident. Even if you are a little unsure of something, don’t doubt (怀疑) your abilities to do things right. Just relax. |
1.Jessica ____________.
A. wonders how to make new friends
B. wishes to be on the Olympic team
C. is afraid to tell her mom about her failing a test
D. keeps worried about what other people think about her
2.____________loves playing soccer best.
A. Erica B. Eva C. Ashley D. Jessica
3.Erica’s dad doesn’t support her because he thinks she___________.
A. is a little shy and can’t do it well B. didn’t start at a very early age
C. is too young to be on the team D. doesn’t work hard
4. According to Dr. Molly, Eva should ____________.
A. hold on to her dream B. always tell the truth
C. be brave to say hello to others D. be confident of herself
5.Which is the correct order of Dr. Molly’s answers to the four letters?
A. ①④③② B. ③④②① C. ②③①④ D. ④①③②
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Xiao Shenyang was born in 1981 in Liaoning, China. He became famous after taking part in the CCTV Spring Festival Gala. He became a student of Zhao Benshan, a famous comedy actor, in 2006. He is good at Er Ren Zhuan, a popular folk (民间的) song-and-dance duet in northeast China. Many people enjoy his Er Ren Zhuan performances. |
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Can you find a ring in an egg? But Liu Qian, a well-known magician（魔术师） from Taiwan, found it in front of the audiences at 2009 CCTV Spring Festival Gala. Liu Qian was born in 1976. At the age of 12, he won Taiwan’s Youth Magic Competition. To make his performance better, he often performed on streets, roads and other places for people. |
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Jackie Chan was born on April 7, 1954. His parents called him “Chan Kongsang”, which means “born in Hong Kong”. In the early 1980s, Jackie went to Hollywood. Today, he is well- known all over the world. Many people like his action movies very much. |
1.When he was ____________ years old, Xiao Shenyang became a student of Zhao Benshan.
A. 23 B. 24 C. 25 D. 27
2.Where was Liu Qian born?
A. In Liaoning Province. B. In Taiwan.
C. In Hong Kong. D. In Beijing.
3.When did Liu Qian win Taiwan’s Youth Magic Competition?
A. In 1976 . B. In 1980. C. In 1988. D. In 2006.
4. Jackie Chan is a well-known ____________.
A. actor B. magician C. pianist D. player
5.Which of the following is WRONG according to the passage?
A. Zhao Benshan is a famous comedy actor.
B. Xiao Shenyang is younger than Liu Qian.
C. Jackie Chan was born in Hong Kong, China.
D. Liu Qian performed in the street to make money.
April 27 is a special day in Britain. It’s called Take Our Daughters to Work Day. It was __36__ to Britain in 1994 from America. On that day thousands of girls take a day __37__ school and go with one of their parents to their work places. By doing this, it can __38__ girls more about the society where they live.
Now the girls can have a close look at __39__ their parents are doing. This may help them to be calmer when they have to choose a __40__. Mary experienced a day of work at her mother’s office. This helped her __41__ her mother’s work better. She said that this made her feel more confident about her future.
Schools and many companies __42__ the activity, too. Some schools __43__ make the day a necessary part of school life.
Experts think that girls with more self-confidence are more likely to be __44__ than common girls. __45__ parents can set good examples both at work and at home for them, they will do better than others. Take Our Daughters to Work Day is surely a step in the right direction.
1.A. sent B. given C. brought D. taken
2.A. off B. at C. away D. of
3.A. talk B. keep C. teach D. make
4.A. which B. what C. that D. whom
5.A. place B. school C. friend D. job
6.A. thank B. understand C. praise D. remember
7.A. hold B. refuse C. choose D. support
8.A. just B. never C. even D. ever
9.A. successful B. polite C. friendly D. knowledgeable
10.A. Because B. If C. While D. Though
The World Expo (世博会) ____________ in Shanghai now.
A. being had B. is having C. is holding D. is being held
