Zero gravity looks cool. But what about the thing no one likes to talk about? Yes, that is right: going to bathroom. Zero gravity makes this everyday task quite a challenge. Astronauts have to be toilet-trained all over again.
The Apollo astronauts raised themselves off the seat of their chairs and stuck a clear plastic bag to their back sides with sticky strips. A second astronaut watched closely to be sure no waste matter escaped the seal. (You would not want that stuff floating around the cabin!) When the deed was done, the astronaut cleaned up with a piece of plastic attached to the inside of the bag, removed the bag, dropped a disinfectant pill in with the waste matter, and put the whole thing, sealed, into a special container.
Donald W. Rethke, an engineer for Hamilton Standard Space Systems, developed a more private way to answer nature’s call: the space toilet. It is somewhat like the kind of toilet one would find on commercial airplanes --- with unique adaptations for zero gravity, of course. For instance, it has thigh bars that keep the astronaut from floating off the seat.
The astronaut (male or female) defecates (排便) in a bag and urinates (排尿) in a hose. Solid and liquid wastes are kept separated because at least 85% of the urine is recycled and, yes, after careful filtration, used for drinking and other purposes. (Water is always in demand in space.) A vacuum sucks the waste materials into the toilet, where the waste is compacted into hamburger-like patties for easy storage. Although not exactly like an earthbound visit to the toilet, it is at the very least much more private than in the early days of space travel.
1.According to the first paragraph, the lack of the gravity can turn something as simple as _______ into a major challenge.
A. eating B. taking baths
C. sleeping D. answering nature’s call
2.How did astronauts use toilet systems in the Apollo days?
A. None of the waste was separated as it is now.
B. Solid waste was compressed and stored on board.
C. The toilet units used water to remove the waste through the system.
D. The astronauts each used their own private restroom.
3.To ensure the user remains seated, the toilet comes equipped with _______
A. a plastic bag B. a sticky strip
C. a wide hose D. a thigh bar
4.What can be inferred from the fact that most of the astronauts’ urine is recycled?
A. The recycled water tastes better.
B. Water is limited on the space shuttle.
C. It is very convenient to get their urine recycled.
D. Space science includes recycling urine.
Today, paper-making is a big business. But it is still possible to make paper by hand, since the steps are the same as using big machines.
You should use paper with small amounts of printing. Old envelopes are good for this reason. Colored paper also can be used, as well as small amounts of newspaper. Small pieces of rags or cloth can be added. These should be cut into pieces about five centimeters by five centimeters.
Everything is placed in a container, covered with water and brought to a boil. It is mixed for about two hours with some common chemicals and then allowed to cool. Then it is left until most of the water dries up. The substance left, called pulp(纸浆), can be stored until you are ready to make paper.
When you are ready, the pulp is mixed with water again. Then the pulp is poured into a mold. The mold is made of small squares of wire that hold the shape and thickness of the paper. To help dry the paper, the mold lets the water flow through the small wire squares.
After several more drying steps, the paper is carefully lifted back from the mold. It is now strong enough to be touched.
The paper is smoothed and pressed to remove trapped air. You can use a common electric iron used for pressing clothes.
1.It is suggested that we “should choose paper with small amounts of printing” to_____.
A. make paper by ourselves
B. renew the old envelopes
C. make various colored paper
D. create our own newspaper
2.Whether the paper is strong enough to be touched is determined by _____.
A. how long the pulp is stored
B. how thick the paper is
C. how much water remains
D. what type of chemicals are used
3.When the paper is lifted from the mold, it is time to _____.
A. make it smooth B. make it strong
C. decorate it D. use an iron
4.The passage is most probably intended to _____.
A. introduce the history of paper-making
B. describe the process of paper-making
C. compare the ancient with the modern paper-making
D. argue about the possibility of paper-making by hand
阅读理解
The Minions
These yellow creatures become a big hit for their cuteness of loving bananas, nonsense words and silly movements. When you watched Despicable Me (2010), did you predict the Minions would later become the main attraction? From background characters and then main characters, their success proves good animated creations can take on a life of their own spin-offs(续集)
The penguins
The penguins were originally just sidekicks in Madagascar(2005). But in 2008 they took leading roles in their own TV series, and in 2014 starred in the film Penguins of Madagascar. The penguins’ wit, sarcasm and crafty composure not only adds attraction to the kid-friendly franchise, but also serves adult audiences well. So it's not surprising that they got their own movie.
Scrat
A small and furry squirrel with a long tail from animated movie Ice Age(2002), Scrat has won people’s hearts with its persistence in acorns. It is a big part of its(Ice Age’s) enduring appeal. He demands a lot of nuts, but he is a superstar, and he does his own stunts. Scrat now has his own animated shorts, extended scenes and mini-movies.
Puss in Boots
Originally a fairy tale written by French author Charles Perraut, Puss in Boots features a cat that helps his low-born master gain wealth and power through trickery. The cat later appeared in the Shrek franchise. In 2011, he had his own movie fittingly titled Puss in Boots.
1.According to the text, an adult is more likely to enjoy the character ______.
A. the Minions B. the Penguins
C. Scrat D. Puss in Boots
2.Which is close in meaning to the underlined word ‘sidekicks’ in the second part?
A. assistants B. leading players
C. standers-by D. minor roles
3.What do the four characters have in common?
A. They have contributed most to the success of their original films.
B. They have proved that the audience usually favor cute animals
C. They have completely stolen the show with their own series.
D. They have shown their shared qualities of honesty, loyalty and unselfishness.
书面表达
假如你是李华，你的美国网友Tom想要了解一下你所在学校的校园布局，请你根据自己的校园给他写一封e-mail，描述一下你的学校，并简单表达你对学校的情感。
注意:1.词数100左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3.不要提及学校名称；
4.开头语和结束语已经为你写好，不计入总词数。
Dear Tom，
How I miss you! I'd like to introduce the layout of my school to you.
Best wishes!
短文改错
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。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏词符号（∧），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仅限一词；
2.只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
Dear Mandy，
I'm not doing well in my lessons at school，especial in maths. My dad says I must try hard because he wants me go to university. He thinks I'm lazy，but it's not true. I work really hard，often study late into the night! I've tried to talk to my mother，but she always said I have to work as hard like my brother does. My brother doesn't study very hard，and he always gets excellent grades. It's not fair!
The only thing I like it is art. My teacher says I'm the best student she's had for year. When I told my dad，all he said was，“ You mustn’t waste your time in art. You must focus your mind on your lessons! ”
I'm feeling quite puzzling as to what to do now. Would you please help me out?
Thanks a lot!
Yours sincerely， Lisa
语法填空
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或所给单词的正确形式。
When I was starting my own business, I always those successful businessmen either offline 1. online about their experiences. The best advice I ever got was similar to this statement: You are 2. (respond) for you own experience.
Soon I realized that this is true for everything in life.
In my opinion, one of mistakes that we make as 3. (human) is to look up to someone as our “role model”. Although the concept of “role model” is good, 4. it can potentially lead to can be dangerous. We always try to convince 5. (we) that if we copy their success story then we will be naturally end 6. with the same success. This isn’t true at all. It’s their experience that made them what they are. You can’t repeat that. Once I 7.(open)a firm to make electronic devices, and I regarded Bill Gates as my role model. I had thought that years later I would be as successful as him. But the result was just contrary to my 8. (expect), and I failed. As time went on, I realized that different persons have different strong points, abilities and capabilities. So stop 9. (try) to copy others’ experiences, but build your own. Enjoy what life throws at you and make the 10. (well) out of it.
