An exciting landing process of Chang'e-4 lunar probe (月球探测器 ) was seen through the monitor at Beijing Aerospace Control Center in Beijing, Jan. 3, 2019. It touched down on the far side of the moon at 10:26 a.m. Beijing Time, becoming the first spacecraft soft-landing on the moon's unknown side never visible from Earth.
China's Chang'e-4 probe has started the exploration on the far side of the moon thanks to the relay satellite that provides a communication link with ground control. The relay satellite, named Queqiao, meaning Magpie Bridge, after a Chinese legend (传说 ) , was launched on May 21, 2018, and became the first communication satellite operating in the halo orbit, nearly 500,000 km from the earth. It can also provide communication for probes from other countries. The relay satellite will also be used for scientific and technological experiments. The maximum distance between the satellite and the Chang'e-4 probe on the far side of the moon is 79,000 km. The satellite processes data from the probe and sends it to Earth.
The satellite can stay in its orbit for a long time due to its relatively low fuel consumption, as the earth's and moon's gravity balances its orbital moving. While in orbit, it can "see" both the earth and the far side of the moon.
The concept of using a relay satellite in the halo orbit was first put forward by U.S. space experts in the 1960s, but was realized by Chinese space engineers.
Researchers hope to use the cameras on the satellite to record asteroids (小行星 ) hitting the far side of the moon. To control the cost of the Chang'e-4 probe, the relay satellite was designed to be relatively small, weighing about 400 kg.
Researchers had just 30 months to develop the satellite, putting them under high pressure. To promote public interest in space exploration, the China National Space Administration invited people to write down their wishes for lunar and space exploration, and the relay satellite carries the names of tens of thousands of participants and their messages.
1.What do we learn from the second paragraph?
A. The relay satellite was launched on Jan. 3, 2019.
B. Chang'e-4 probe was the first communication satellite.
C. The relay satellite only explores the far side of the moon.
D. The relay satellite can handle data from Chang'e-4 probe.
2.Why was the size of the relay satellite relatively small?
A. To reduce the cost as much as possible.
B. To make it circle Moon for a longer time.
C. To avoid being crashed by other satellites.
D. To follow American space experts' advice.’
3.What made researchers suffer from great stress?
A. Few people interested in the exploration on the moon.
B. The relay satellite carrying too much equipment.
C. Their lacking enough time to develop the relay satellite.
D. People's never being optimistic about the relay satellite.
4.What is the main idea of the text?
A. China is a new space power after the USA.
B. Chang'e-4 probe lands on Moon's far side.
C. Chinese space engineers make much progress.
D. Space exploration is a dangerous challenge.
Spotify can tell if you're sad. Here's why that should scare you. Want to figure out if someone is a patient with a mental disability: Ask them what their favorite song is. A New York University study last year found that people who loved Eminem's Lose Yourself and Justin Bieber's What Do You Mean? were more likely to have trouble with mental disabilities than people who were into Dire Straits.
Over the past few years, Spotify has been improving the ability to analyze information to help businessmen target consumers with advertisements made specially for their needs. They conclude this from the sort of music you're listening to, combined with where and when you're listening to it, along with third-party data that might be available.
Now, to be clear, there's nothing significantly illegal about what Spotify is doing with your information. I certainly don't think that they are working with shadowy consulting firms to serve you ads selling a culture struggle while you're listening to music that suggests you might be in a terrible situation. However, I find it disappointing that our personal, private moments with music are increasingly being turned into information points and offered to advertisers.
You can see where this could go, can't you? As ad targeting gets ever more accurate, businessmen will have the ability to target our feelings in potentially improper ways. According to one study, you are more likely to spend more on a product if you're feeling sad. You can imagine some companies might take advantage of that. And on that note, I'm feeling a little down about all this. Head off to treat myself to something expensive.
1.What's the purpose of the first paragraph?
A. To introduce a new song. B. To draw readers' attention.
C. To help more patients. D. To promote a new medium.
2.Spotify improves its ability to analyze information to .
A. provide services for the government B. work with shadowy consulting firms
C. get listeners' personal information D. help businessmen attract consumers
3.What's the author's attitude towards Spotify?
A. Uncertain. B. Supportive. C. Positive. D. Dissatisfied.
4.Who is the text probably designed for?
A. Internet users. B. Officials. C. Researchers. D. Managers.
The flowers are blooming and the birds are singing as Melinda sits in the rose garden of the nursing home. She is recalling old times as she waits for her family's arrival. The nursing home has been Melinda's new settlement ever since Thomas passed away a week ago. Thomas had fought a long and hard battle against lung cancer for three years. Unfortunately, he has broken the promise that he and Melinda had made: to be with each other for every birthday. Melinda knew this was unrealistic (不现实的) but agreed to the promise for Thomas's sake.
"Thomas, you are completely a dreamerl" Melinda shouted to Thomas as he dragged on about living on an island with his beautiful wife. That's what she loved about him most-he had a vivid imagination. They got married at age eighteen and began having children right away. Mary came within the year, followed by Thomas Benjamin II, Lilly-Ann, and Joseph "Little Joey" George. The family lived an exultant life filled with laughter and love.
"Mom!" Lilly shouted, but it really sounded like a howl. Melinda had lost herself in thinking about the life she had shared with her late husband. Lilly pushed her down the long dark halls of the nursing home until they arrived at the recreational room.
When the doors opened, Melinda put her hand over her mouth and was completely speechless. The room was crowded with the people nearest and dearest to her and the warmth and love was felt instantly. The night went on; stories and cocktails were shared and everything was perfect.
However, when Melinda caught a moment to herself she looked around at her family. With a smile on her face, she raised her Manhattan and called out for a toast. "This one is for you, Thomas, though you are not here."
1.Why did Thomas break his promise?
A. He was busy with his work. B. He died of lung cancer.
C. He had to serve in the army. D. He stopped loving Melinda.
2.Which of the following best explains "exultant" underlined in Paragraph 2?
A. Peaceful. B. Simple. C. Stressful. D. Happy.
3.What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A. Melinda' children forgot their father. B. Melinda was tired of noise.
C. Melinda missed her husband badly. D. Melinda liked to drink alcohol.
4.What can be a suitable title for the text?
A. A Particular Birthday B. A Woman at a Nursing Home
C. Memories of Old Days D. A Big Surprise for Melinda
Last year marked the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. There were events around the world in memory of those who died in the conflict. We have picked out three of them inEuropean countries. Let's take a look.
Belgium
In a park, the famous Belgian artist Koen Vanmechelen had an exhibition called Coming World, Remember Me. The work consisted of 600,000 individual(个别的) clay sculptures, one for each person killed during the World War. In the center of the exhibition was a big egg made of clay, symbolizing a new world.
UK
In a small town called Aldridge, almost 100 houses in one street were covered with 24,000 poppies and statues of soldiers. They stood for the men from the area who had been' killed in the war. The flowers were chosen because of a poem written by the Canadian doctor John McCrea in 1915. They made people think of fields of blood.
France
The British artist Guy Denning arrived in La Feuille, a small town in the northwest of France, to stick life-size drawings of soldiers who never came back home. Armed with glue and a brush, Denning stuck his drawings carefully on walls. Before long 112 men, mainly young adults, were brought back to mind, if not to life.
1.What do we know about Coming World, Remember Me?
A. It's the name of an exhibition. B. It's a film about World War I.
C. It's a work standing for peace. D. It's a sculpture made of clay.
2.Why were poppies chosen to symbolize the dead soldiers?
A. The British people preferred them. B. They showed the cruelty of war.
C. A Canadian doctor suggested them. D. The fields were filled with them.
3.How was the end of World War I marked in France?
A. A memorial to the dead soldiers was built.
B. 112 wounded soldiers in the war were helped.
C. Drawings of some dead soldiers were put up.
D. Young adults were encouraged to join the army.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What should the students bring with them on the bus to Camp Cazadero?
A. Their permission slips. B. Their lunch. C. Food and drinks.
2.When will the students go hiking in the forest?
A. After lunch on Friday.
B. After breakfast on Saturday.
C. Before the dance on Saturday.
3.What will the students do at the campfire?
A. Have a barbecue. B. Dance. C. Tell stories.
4.What do we know about the field trip?
A. The students will get back on Sunday moming.
B. The students will spend three nights in the open air.
C. The school organized Camp Cazadero last year.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Where does the conversation take place?
A. Ina restaurant. B. On a train. C. On a plane.
2.What can the man get if he wants to have something to eat immediately?
A. Salad. B. Fish. C. Cakes.
3.When does the bar open?
A. At 5:00. B. At 5:30. C. At 9:00.
4.What should the man do to make sure he getsa seat for dinner?
A. Get there by 7:00 p.m. B. Arrive there after 7:00 p.m. C. Make a reservation.
