Antarctica (南极洲) is the coldest, driest and windiest place on our planet. What would it be like to live and work there? On Oct. 15th, 2019, 50 Chinese scientists set sail from Shenzhen, heading for Antarctica. This was our country's 36th Antarctic expedition. The ship, Xuelong 2, is the first icebreaker made in China. Xuelong 2 is one of the world's best research icebreakers.
It can sail to any place around the world in one trip without refueling (加燃料). It can work in temperatures as low as -30%℃. It is the first in the world to use two-way ice-breaking technology, which means that it can break the ice while moving forward or backward.
Because of Antarctica's special environment, scientists from around the world have been there to do studies for many years. The study of Antarctica's geology (地质) is also important. Rock in Antarctica can tell scientists what the weather was like a long time ago. And they can help scientists understand how the earth has changed over time. There are also many wild animals, such as penguins and seals. Scientists can learn how animals live in cold places by studying them.
As we all know, life in Antarctica is not easy－it's cold and sometimes dangerous. But scientists say it's still quite fun. For example, some scientists study how penguins walk, what they eat and why they move from one place to another. They are excited to see the cute animals playing around. They hope their studies can help protect them.
Xuelong 2 finished its tasks and returned to Shanghai on April 22, 2020.
1.How many Chinese scientists headed for Antarctica on Oct 15th, 2019?
A.Fifteen. B.Nineteen. C.Fifty. D.Two hundred.
2.Xuelong 2 is ______.
A.the first icebreaker made in the world
B.the first in the world to use two-way ice-breaking technology
C.one of the best research icebreakers in China
D.the second icebreaker made in China
3.According to Paragraph 3, scientists study ______ in Antarctica.
A.how the weather has changed B.the geology and wild animals
C.the original plants D.how the rock disappeared
4.Which of the following best describes scientists’ life in Antarctica?
A.Not easy but still quite fun. B.Dangerous and boring.
C.Hard and dangerous. D.Safe but quite tiring.
The expression “down to earth”（脚踏实地） means being open and honest. It is easy to get on with someone who is down to earth. A down-to-earth person is the opposite of someone who acts important or proud.
Down-to-earth people could be important members of society. But they do not consider themselves to be better than others who are less important. A person who is filled with his own importance and pride is said to have his nose in the air.
Americans use another expression that is similar in some ways to down to earth. The expression is both feet on the ground. Someone with both feet on the ground is a person with a good understanding of reality（现实）. He may have dreams, but he does not allow them to have influence on his understanding of what is real.
The opposite kind of person is one who has his head in the clouds. Someone with his head in the clouds is a person whose mind is not on what is happening in real life. Such a person may be called a day-dreamer.
When we have both our feet on the ground and when we are down to earth. We do not have our noses in the air. We act honestly and openly to others. Our lives are like the ground below us—solid（牢固的）and strong.
1.A down-to-earth person could be ________.
A.social and proud B.good and opposite
C.real and important D.strong and changeable
2.The expression “has one’s nose on the air” means _________.
A.眉飞色舞 B.目中无人 C.瞻前顾后 D.春风得意
3.This passage mainly talks about _________.
A.the use of some expressions B.dreams and achievements
C.the lifestyle of honest people D.honesty and understanding
4.If you want to understand what is real in life, you have to _________.
A.get along with other people easily B.learn from those who are down to earth
C.be a good dreamer with quick mind D.have both your feet on the ground
Have you tried to run or walk for exercise and then given up? If you answered yes, you should try a new kind of exercise: aquatic (水中的) exercise. Aquatic exercise is like exercise on land, but you do it in a swimming pool. More and more people are trying aquatic exercise.
Aquatic exercise feels easier than exercising on land. Why? You weigh about 90% less in the pool. It is better for your knees than running or walking. Water is about 1, 000 times thicker and heavier than air. To move through the water, your body has to work four times as hard. As a result, you can burn more calories (卡路里).
In fact, most people say they feel more relaxed in the water. They stop thinking about the things that make them worried. They feel in control of their bodies. The cool, quiet environment makes them feel good.
But what if you are afraid of the water? No problem! There is nothing to worry about. Aquatic exercise is safe and easy to learn. It doesn't require any special skills. You don't even need to know how to swim. Aquatic exercise is for everyone.
1.What is Paragraph 2 mainly about?
A.Difference between air and water. B.Weight change of one's body.
C.The advantages of aquatic exercise. D.The ways to do aquatic exercise.
2.What do most people think of aquatic exercise?
A.Relaxing. B.Worrying. C.Challenging. D.Boring.
3.According to the text, aquatic exercise is _____.
A.done in groups B.fit for everyone
C.difficult to learn D.done with special skills
4.In which part of a magazine can we read the text?
A.Culture. B.Health. C.Nature. D.Travel.
Cut Your Hair for Them!
Who are we? & Who do we help?
We’ re Locks of Love, a public organization that provides hairpieces
(假发) to children who are under age 15, from poor families in the United
States and Canada, and experiencing long-term hair loss from some illness.
What’s their life like without hair?
These children have lost more than their hair. Many are laughed at by classmates, feel shy or upset for their hair loss, or even have given up normal childhood activities such as swimming or going to the park.
What will their life be like with hairpieces?
Wearing a hairpiece is certainly not a cure (治疗) for these children, but it can help them become confident in their everyday life.
How can you help?
Cut your hair for them! The least length for a hair donation (捐赠) is 10 inches (25.4 cm). All donations must be mailed to Locks of Love at: 234 Southern Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33045
For more information about the donation, visit the website: http://locksoflove.org
1.Which child can get help from Locks of Love?
A.A 14-year-old child in England. B.A 16-year-old child in Canada.
C.A 9-year-old child in the U.S. D.A 6-year-old child in France.
2.Locks of Love can help the children .
A.become confident B.go back to school
C.become clever D.grow new hair
3.How can we help the children?
A.Write letters to them. B.Cut our hair for them.
C.Do activities with them. D.Help them with their study.
学习能力——学习方法
As we all know, English is an important subject in middle school. Everyone knows that they must learn English well, but some people don't know how to learn it well. Here are some suggestions which may help you with your English.
The biggest problem is people's own fear. They worry that they won't say things correctly or that they will look foolish so that they don't speak English at all. Don't be afraid of being laughed at. Only if we aren't afraid of making mistakes can we learn English well.
The fastest way to learn something is to do it again and again until you get it right. Learning English needs practice. Don't let a little fear stop you from getting what you want.
The best way to learn English is to have a good environment. Take notes in English, put English books around your room, listen to English radios, watch English news, movies and TV programs. Speak English with your friends whenever you can. The more English materials that you have around you, that faster you will learn it.
Many people think that exercises and tests aren't much fun. However, by doing exercises and taking tests you can really improve your English. If_you_never_test_yourself,_you_will_never_know_how_much_you_are_making_progress.
1、2题完成句子；3题简略回答问题；4题找出并写下全文的主题句；5题将文中画线句子译成汉语。
1.The biggest problem of learning English is________.
2.________ is needed in English learning according to the Paragraph 3.
3.What is the best way to learn English?
__________________________________________________________
4.________________________________________________________
5.________________________________________________________
Monday, I, an, have, exam, will, next
___________________________________________________________.
