Beginning with Chinese efforts to explore and connect with Central Asia, the Silk Road consisted of massive small routes and was named after the silk cloth the Chinese produced. 1. Through these routes, Chinese silk, porcelain, lacquer work and ironware were shipped to the West, while pepper, flax, spices, grape and pomegranate entered China.
2. They promoted flow of knowledge as well. Arab astronomy, calendar and medicine found their way to China, while China’s four great inventions and silkworm breeding spread to other parts of the world. 3. For example, Buddhism originated in India, blossomed in China and was enriched in Southeast Asia. Confucianism, which was born in China, gained appreciation by European thinkers such as Leibniz and Voltaire. Herein lies the appeal of mutual learning.
The ancient silk routes witnessed the busy scenes of visits and trade over land and ships calling at ports. Along these major routes, capital, technology and people flowed freely. 4. The ancient prosperous cities and ports developed, so did the Roman Empire as well as Parthia and Kushan Kingdoms. The Han and Tang Dynasties of China entered the golden age. The ancient silk routes brought prosperity to these regions and contributed to their development.
Some regions along the ancient Silk Road used to be a land of milk and honey. Yet today, these places are often associated with conflict, crisis and challenge. 5. Now, the Belt and Road Initiative intends to build an open platform of cooperation and a broad community of shared interests. It will not only achieve economic growth and balanced development, but also connect different civilizations. Mutual understanding, mutual respect, and mutual trust among different countries will be boosted.
A. More importantly ideas were also exchanged.
B. The ancient silk routes were not only for trade.
C. Goods, resources and benefits were widely shared.
D. Such state of affairs should not be allowed to continue.
E. However, silk was just one of many goods traded on these routes.
F. Large empires provided stability and protection for the trade routes.
G. The Silk Road was never an actual road, or even a single massive trade route.
Henry Stanley is perhaps best known for his expedition into Africa to find Dr. David Livingstone, but that’s not the only rescue mission he undertook. In December 1886, Stanley set off into Africa on what would be his last journey: an attempt to find and bring home a German zoologist named Eduard Schnitzer.
Schnitzer had taken the name “Emin Pasha,” in an attempt to be better received by those he was living among. Pasha was cataloging a host of recently-discovered plant and animal lifeforms when fighting broke out in the Sudan. Pasha withdrew to Equatoria, at about the same time the Emin Pasha Relief Committee was formed. In addition to the chief goal of bringing Pasha home, Stanley was also under orders from the King of Belgium to open up some new trade routes in the area.
The roundabout route the Committee ended up taking meant that by the time they finally found Pasha many members of the expedition were dead. Those that did survive were worn, ill, and starving by the time they found Pasha who, in comparison, was well-dressed, clean, and—by some accounts—smoking a three-year-old cigar when they finally found him. He was in need of some support and supplies, but he had neither intent nor desire to leave the area. Arguments arose, causing a firm hatred between Stanley and Pasha.
Stanley finally convinced Pasha to leave with the remains of the expedition, setting off on a demanding trip back through Africa. They finally met up with some German explorers, and made it back to the port town of Bagamoyo in 1889.
During the party they threw to celebrate their return to civilization, Pasha fell off a balcony and broke his skull. Stanley returned to Europe to receive commendations and congratulations, while Pasha slowly recovered from his unwanted rescue.
1.What may be the title of this passage?
A.Happiness was balanced by sadness B.Stanley’s best known expedition
C.A “successful” rescue mission D.A legend of Emin Pasha
2.What resulted in the deaths of the members of the expedition?
A.Hatred among the members led to bloody conflicts.
B.They were involved in a fighting with the local army.
C.The Committee was dismissed halfway through the mission.
D.The route they chose cost them too much time and supplies.
3.What does “commendations” mean in the last paragraph?
A.Criticism. B.Resignation.
C.Preparation. D.Credit.
4.What does the author want to convey by mentioning “smoking a three-year-old cigar”？
A.Pasha was in good condition. B.Pasha ran out of supplies.
C.Pasha felt delighted at their arrival. D.Pasha was addicted to tobacco.
A block chain is a data structure that stores time-ordered data in an ever-growing list, like an accounting ledger (分类账簿). The block chain data structure is maintained using a distributed, peer-to-peer network of computers with no central “master”. As with many new concepts, block chain technology generates much optimism and also a huge amount of interest and excitement. Just what is it good for?
In short, block chains may improve any process where people need to access, confirm, send or store information securely. This information could be a person’s identity, a product’s shipment history or digital property like money.
Typical databases, spreadsheets (电子数据表), and ledgers store information about objects, people, and the interactions between them. Much of the world’s information, from credit card transactions to medical and financial records, is stored in these types of systems.
These types of systems have considerable, well-documented weaknesses that arise from their being centralized. A centralized record is hard to understand and is exposed to unauthorized access or distribution. It is also, because it is a ‘master’ copy, exposed to permanent changing or deletion.
Block chains are also used to store information. Crucially, however, they differ in two ways.
First, information is parceled up into blocks and sealed. Bitcoin, for example, which is the most famous practical example of a production block chain, stores all transactions across the network every ten minutes or so in a single, newly formed block. Each block is then added to the previous one to form a chain.
Second, this “chain of blocks” is not stored centrally. Instead, each block is copied and distributed around an entire network of peers - be they individuals, public institutions, or businesses - using distributed ledger technology. (The terms “block chain” and “distributed ledger” are often used interchangeably; for the sake of clarity, block chain technologies tend to employ distributed ledger technology.)
Each time someone adds a new block to the chain, meanwhile it is added to everyone’s copy.
1.What is the biggest strength of a block chain?
A.It promotes people’s enthusiasm about new technology.
B.It strengthens the security of processing information.
C.It enables people to store more data in time order.
D.It stores a large part of world’s information.
2.The typical systems used to store information are weak in that ________.
A.they are difficult to operate B.they can be accessed easily
C.they have a central “master” D.they store considerable documents
3.The passage is developed mainly by ________.
A.making comparisons B.giving examples
C.making a list D.showing the effect and causes
4.What’s the author’s purpose in writing the passage?
A.To analyze the weaknesses of typical systems.
B.To encourage the popularity of the block chain.
C.To introduce the new concept of the block chain.
D.To compare the two different data structures.
Jem was twelve. He was difficult to live with, inconsistent, moody. His appetite was enormous, and he told me so many times to stop annoying him. I consulted Atticus: “Reckon he’s got a tapeworm?” Atticus said no, Jem was growing. I must be patient with him and disturb him as little as possible.
This change in Jem had come about in a matter of weeks. Several times he went so far as to tell me what to do. After one argument when Jem shouted, “It’s time you started bein’ a girl and acting right!” I burst into tears and fled to Calpurnia.
“Don’t you worry too much over Mister Jem—” she began.
“Mister Jem?”
“Yeah, he’s just about Mister Jem now.”
“He ain’t that old,” I said. “All he needs is somebody to beat him up, and I ain’t big enough.”
“Baby,” said Calpurnia, “I just can’t help it if Mister Jem’s growin’ up. He’s gonna want to be off to himself a lot now, doin’ whatever boys do, so you just come right on in the kitchen when you feel lonesome. We’ll find lots of things to do in here.” She seemed glad to see me when I appeared in the kitchen.
But summer came and I received a letter from Dill. It said he would not come this summer. I was not used to his absence. I stayed miserable for two days.
As if that were not enough, the state legislature (立法机关) was called into emergency session and Atticus left us for two weeks. There were sit-down strikes in Birmingham; bread lines in the cities grew longer, people in the country grew poorer. But these were events remote from the world of Jem and me.
We were surprised one morning to see a cartoon picture of our father in The Montgomery Advertiser. It showed Atticus barefooted and in short pants, chained to a desk: he was diligently writing on a stone while some frivolous (轻佻的)-looking girls yelled, “Yoo-hoo!” at him.
“That’s a compliment (表扬),” explained Jem. “He spends his time doin’ things that wouldn’t get done if nobody did ’em.”
“Huh?”
In addition to Jem’s newly developed characteristics, he had acquired a maddening air of wisdom.
“Oh, Scout, it’s like reorganizing the tax systems of the counties and things. That kind of thing’s pretty dry to most men.”
“How do you know?”
“Oh, go on and leave me alone. I’m readin’ the paper.”
Jem got his wish. I departed for the kitchen.
1.Which of the following did NOT affect Scout’s life that summer?
A.Jem’s growing. B.Dill’s failing to come.
C.Atticus’ leaving for sessions. D.A cartoon in the newspaper.
2.What belonged to Jem’s newly developed characteristics that summer?
A.His tapeworm. B.His eating much.
C.His consistent mood. D.His abuse of Scout.
3.Scout hoped that Jem could return to normal if someone ________.
A.hit him heavily B.disturbed him
C.treated him badly D.made him independent
4.What happened outside the world of Jem and Scout that summer?
A.People went on strike by eating nothing. B.More people were waiting for food.
C.People went to the countryside. D.Atticus was chained to his office.
Summer is fleeting, just like the youth. But the books we read stay with us for the lifetime. Our editors independently research and recommend the following for teens to enjoy!
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
In Nazi Germany, 11-year-old Liesel Meminger is living outside of Munich when she discovers a book in the snow and it changes her life forever. She begins stealing books from Nazi and the mayor’s library. As she becomes fascinated with words, she begins writing about her life during this dangerous time. Beautifully-written and deeply moving, this novel stands out in the crowded field of Holocaust (大屠杀) literature. Despite the tragic and disturbing storyline, The Book Thief is filled with warmth, humor, and hope.
OCDaniel by Wesley King
This first-person narrative is told from the perspective of Daniel, a 13-year-old who tries to hide his obsessive compulsive disorder (强迫症) as he struggles to fit into the cruel world of middle school. Then he gets a note that puts him in the middle of a mystery. The plot revolves around the mystery, so it’s not too clinical and focused on OCD. Full of heartbreak and joy, as well as important lessons, OCDaniel is a thrilling novel that will definitely have you supporting Daniel and eagerly turning the pages.
Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance by Simone Biles
American Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles shares her inspiring and fascinating journey from her early childhood in foster care to the Olympic podium (领奖台). In her own words, Biles describes all hardships that she experienced along the way. Her attractive stories give insight into her determined spirit and positive attitude, even when under pressure. When reading Biles’ words, it’s difficult not to be motivated and encouraged to dream big and work hard.
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
A series of 13 books, A Series of Unfortunate Events, follows the Baudelaire orphans as they seek to reveal the mysteries of their family. Filled with many plot twists, appealing mysteries, and exciting adventures, this series manages to keep you hooked all the way through the last book. Lemony Snicket’s entertaining writing style and dark sense of humor make them fun reads.
1.If you are interested in the story of war time, you may choose the book written by ________.
A.Markus Zusak B.Wesley King
C.Simone Biles D.Lemony Snicket
2.When reading Daniel’s story, readers may find it ________.
A.humorous and mysterious B.sorrowful and joyful
C.hopeful and cheerful D.thrilling and inspiring
3.Which one of the books belongs to non-fiction?
A.The Book Thief.
B.OCDaniel.
C.Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance.
D.A Series of Unfortunate Events.
假如你是李华，请给你的外国朋友 Tom 写一封信，给他提一些汉语学习方面的好建议并陈述理由。 要点如下：1. 培养兴趣 2. 多阅读 3. 看中文电影
注意：1. 词数100词左右（信的开头和结尾已经给出，并不计入总词数）；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear Tom,
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Yours,
Li Hua
