In the near future, IoT (Internet of Things) will drive huge innovation (革新) in the way our food is grown. Plants will have a “voice”, not a human voice, but a voice based on data that can tell people, computers, and machines when, for example, they are thirsty, or need more sun, medicine, etc.
Take vertical (垂直的) farms, for example. Farming is moving indoors where the growth of plants can be monitored and controlled. The facilities are built vertically, so growing areas can be put in piles. This greatly reduces the amount of land needed for farming.
From an IoT point of view, vertical farms are connected in two ways. First, small sensors (传感器) in the soil or connected to plants tell a control system exactly how much light, water, and nutrients are needed to grow the healthiest crops. Sensors will also tell vertical farmers when crops are nearing their peak for harvesting at just the right time to make sure it’s still fresh when it reaches its final destination.
Second, vertical farms will be connected to other networks and information systems, including databases that track local demand. For example, local restaurants may input when they need fresh food supplies. And vertical farmers could get that information so they know which crops to grow in what quantities. This type of IoT system would have been unimaginable a generation ago.
Today, vertical farms are being experimented. Yet, the numbers point to a bright future for the industry, especially as the world’s population continues to grow. For example, Green Sense Farms in Chicago is able to harvest crops 26 times a year using 85 percent less energy, one-tenth the water, and no pesticides. A side benefit of lower energy use is lower CO2 output of two tons per month, with the added benefit of creating 46 pounds of oxygen every day.
1.What is the main idea of the text?
A.Voice machines help plants speak up.
B.Farmers are all turning to vertical farming.
C.IoT has brought great innovation to our future life.
D.Vertical farms driven by IoT are a future for agriculture.
2.How do sensors attached to plants work?
A.By recording farmers harvesting crops.
B.By monitoring farmers working their fields.
C.By analyzing information to preserve crops.
D.By passing information on to a control system.
3.According to Paragraph 4, the IoT system can help ________.
A.expand the output of crops B.match supply with demand
C.determine the needs of farmers D.move restaurants onto farms
4.What is the author’s attitude towards the future of vertical farming?
A.Negative. B.Indifferent. C.Optimistic. D.Doubtful.
Every year, hundreds of millions of Monarch Butterflies (黑脉金斑蝶) from Canada and the United States journey as far as 2, 500 miles to the forests of Michoacan, Mexico, a place which has the world’s largest insect migration. It’s such a breathtaking sight, but as always, human greed is threatening to destroy it.
The Monarch Butterflies start to arrive in Michoacan in late October to make their winter home in the trees high up in the mountains of the natural reserve. Once there, they gather together in large masses. These masses often become so heavy that they cause tree branches to bend or even break. But there’s a purpose of all these massing - it allows the butterflies to survive in the low nighttime temperatures at these high altitudes.
The Michoacan Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary (保护区) is most impressive during the months of February and March, just before the winged insects begin their long journey home.
Mexico’s Butterfly Forest is a shelter protected by law, and one of the country’s most popular sights, but that hasn’t stopped people from slowly but steadily destroying it.
Illegal woodcutting in the heart of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve has been a longstanding problem, but criminals are rarely brought to justice. They are often set free after paying some money.
Just last month, an even greater threat rose in Michoacan’s butterfly home. The country’s largest mining corporation gained the right to reopen an old mine in the heart of the monarch reserve. Experts believe that if the mine is reopened, it will likely spell the end of this magical place.
And as if all this wasn’t bad enough, the increasing use of herbicides (除草剂) in the American corn belt has led to the decrease of a plant which is essential to the monarchs’ development from egg into butterfly.
1.When do the Monarch Butterflies begin to fly back to Canada?
A.In January. B.After March. C.In October. D.In December.
2.What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 2 refer to?
A.The weather. B.The reserve. C.The massing. D.The forest.
3.What can we know about the protection of Monarch Butterflies in Mexico?
A.It is very satisfying.
B.It should be strengthened.
C.It cost the government a lot.
D.It has saved many butterflies.
4.What can we infer from the last two paragraphs?
A.Monarch Butterflies have a worrying future.
B.America has many mines waiting for exploration.
C.Monarch Butterflies live in the centre of an old mine.
D.The use of herbicides will let Monarch Butterflies lay fewer eggs.
It was a rainy day. I had no desire to drive up the winding mountain road to my daughter Carolyn’s house. But she had insisted that I come to see something at the top of the mountain.
So here I was, although unwilling to make the two-hour journey through fog and rain. After lunch, my daughter requested me to drive her to Barage. After a ten-minute drive，we parked the car and got out. We walked along a path that was thick with old pine needles. Huge black green evergreens towered over us. Gradually the peace and silence of the place began to fill my mind. Then we turned a corner and stopped--and I gasped in amazement.
From the top of the mountain to the slopes and valleys, were rivers of daffodils(水仙) in full bloom. A sea of amazing colors, like a carpet before us. It looked as though the sun had tipped over and spilled gold down the mountainside. At the center hung a waterfall of purple hyacinths. Here and there were breathtaking tulips.
A riot of questions filled my mind. Who created such beauty? Why? How?
As we approached the home. We saw a sign that read “Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking.” The first answer was: “One Woman--Two Hands, Two Feet, and Very Little Brain.”The second was: “One at a Time.”The third: “Started in 1958.”
I was so moved by what we had seen. “She changed the world,” I said, not getting over the shock. “One bulb(球茎) at the time. She started almost 40 years ago, probably just the beginning of an idea, but she kept at it.”
“Imagine,” I added, “if I had a vision and worked at it，just a little hit every day, what might I have accomplished?”
Carolyn looked sideways at me, smiling. “Start tomorrow,” she said,”Better yet, start today.”
1.Why did the author decide to visit her daughter？
A.She missed her very much.
B.She didn’t want to disappoint her.
C.She must pick her up.
D.She has an urge to look at the sea of flowers.
2.What does the underlined word “hyacinths”in Paragraph 3 probably refer to?
A.A kind of flowers. B.Famous waterfalls.
C.Mountain springs. D.A name of a place.
3.What did the author learn from the sign?
A.Easier said than done.
B.Well begun, half done.
C.Women can shake the world.
D.Little steps add up to big success.
4.What is the best title of the passage？
A.An Amazing Trip to Barage
B.A Moving Story of a Mother’s Love
C.A Special Sign on the Way Home
D.A Valuable Lesson From a Woman
Philadelphia offers a ton of attractions that are suitable for people of every age and here are some family-friendly attractions.
Spruce Street Harbor Park
Spruce Street Harbor Park, one of the best urban beaches in America, is an outdoor heaven on the Delaware River waterfront. Visitors can relax in a hammock, play on the playgrounds, and play games like table tennis and giant chess. Don’t miss out on the park at night, when colorful LED lights hanging from treetops make the entire area bright.
Blue Cross River Rink
Offering ice skating in the winter and roller skating in the summer, Blue Cross River Rink creates a fun, outdoor experience for the whole family. Visitors can play on the nine-hole mini-golf course during the summer, and enjoy eats and drinks from the on-site(现场的)bar and restaurant all year round.
Sesame Place
Big Bird, Elmo and the other stars of Sesame Street come out and play at Sesame Place, the only theme park in the nation starring the popular TV show’s most lovable characters. A water park, interactive activities, parades, fireworks and shows add to the fun.
Once Upon a Nation Storytelling Benches
On summer days, uniformed and professional storytellers at 13 storytelling benches throughout Philadelphia’s Historic District entertain visitors with true, free, three-to-five minute tales about the colonial(殖民的)era as part of Once Upon a Nation. Children can pick up a Story Flag at any storytelling bench, and then collect a star from every storyteller on their journeys. Flags with all the stars can get free rides on the Parx Liberty Carousel at Franklin Square.
1.Who would most probably go to Spruce Street Harbor Park?
A.People who are fond of colorful lights.
B.People who have a preference for skating.
C.People who want to have a relaxing day.
D.People who are interested in water activities.
2.Which place would fans of Big Bird be interested in?
A.Sesame Place.
B.Blue Cross RiverRink.
C.The Parx Liberty Carousel.
D.Spruce Street Harbor Park.
3.What can we know about Philadelphia Storytelling Benches?
A.It can be visited all year round.
B.It is available at a small charge.
C.It is educational for children.
D.It is aimed at serving the public.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What is one reason for children gaining weight in the summer?
A.Hot weather. B.Lack of sleep. C.Watching TV.
2.How many meals do a lot of children have every day in the summer?
A.One. B.Two. C.Three.
3.What do most children choose to do when they are left by themselves?
A.Go outside and play.
B.Read books at home.
C.Play computer games.
4.What does the speaker suggest parents do?
A.Prepare good food for their children.
B.Spend more time with their children.
C.Pay attention to their own habits.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What does Simon study at Oxford?
A.English. B.History. C.Physics.
2.What is Simon’s first novel mainly about?
A.His father’s work as a reporter.
B.His experience in South Africa.
C.His volunteer work in Vietnam.
3.What does Simon plan to do after graduation?
A.Go on to study abroad.
B.Find a job in Vietnam.
C.Write his second novel.
