Directions: Read the following passage. Summarize the main idea and the main point(s) of the passage in no more than 60 words. Use your own words as far as possible.
When Everything Gets Smart
It still feels magical to light up your living room by saying “Alexa, turn on the lights.” Tech companies are adding internet connections to just about everything you can imagine. Cars, door locks, toasters, refrigerators, toothbrushes, motorcycle helmets. More and more technology powers are taking part in this trend — known by “the internet of things.”
There is no denying that smart technology will lead to conveniences. You can use voice commands to turn on the lights, coffee maker and music. You can get reminders from your toothbrush to brush and tips on how best to do it. Thanks to the internet of things, you could live like the Beast in the Disney movie, with animated objects around taking care of your every need. That’s the appeal of smart homes for most people, and why they are supposed to be a $27 billion market by 2021.
However, the facts are not always so rosy. The smart objects in your home can be a source of annoyance. Usually people have to download dozens of different apps to a smartphone to control everything, which means creating an account for each one of those apps. The fantasy of the smart home is that it will save us time and effort. But the trouble involved in getting various devices from different companies to work together means that many things may take longer to do.
Worse still, there may be security risks. Smart home systems are part of a larger suite ( 套 ) devices, apps, websites and spaces that collect and analyze personal data about users. To get the full benefits of smart home systems, users must share their locations, routines, tastes in music, shopping history and so forth. It might manage your digital life quite well. On the other hand, however, providing so much personal information benefits companies like Amazon. As they gain access to users’ personal information, they may capitalize on ( 获 利 ) it in the form of targeted advertisements. Perhaps that’s why Wired magazine says, “Amazon’s next big business is selling you.”
Smartened everything comes with broader security concerns. Unsecured devices connected to the “internet of things” can be targets for hackers. Access to smart devices might provide hackers a well-spring of useful data, including information about when users are home — or not.
Considering the disadvantages, why not slow down a bit as we head toward an uncertain future?
Directions: Read the following passage. Fill in each blank with a proper sentence given in the box. Each sentence can be used only once. Note that there are two more sentences than you need.
What Your “Age” Says About You
Imagine, for a moment, that you had no birth certificate and your age was simply based on the way you feel inside. How old would you say you are?
Like your height or shoe size, the number of years that have passed since you first entered the world is an unchangeable fact. 1.
Scientists are increasingly interested in this quality. They are finding that our “subjective age” may be essential for understanding the reasons why some people appear to be energetic as they grow old — while others fade.
2. It is now well accepted that people tend to mature as they get older, becoming less extroverted ( 外 向 的 ) and less open to new experiences. These personality changes are often considered more obvious in the people with older subjective ages.
However, those who feel younger than they really are also become more reliable and less neurotic ( 神 经 质 的 ) as they gain the wisdom that comes with greater life experience. But it doesn’t come at the cost of the energy and vigor of youth. It’s not true that having a lower subjective age leaves us frozen in a state of permanent immaturity.
Feeling younger than your years also seems to come with a lower risk of depression and greater mental wellbeing as we age. 3. Most people felt about eight years younger than their actual chronological age (实际年龄). But some felt they had aged — and the consequences were serious. Feeling between 8 and 13 years older than your actual age resulted in an 18-25% greater risk of death over the study periods, and greater disease burden — even when you control for other demographic ( 人 口 学 的 ) factors such as education, race or marital status.
4. However old you really are, it’s worth questioning whether any of those limitations are coming from the within.
A.It also means better physical health.
B.One of the most interesting aspects of the research has explored how subjective age interacts with our personality.
C.Some studies have explored the potential physical consequences of this difference.
D.These findings can give us all a view of the way our own brains and bodies endure the passing of time.
E.But everyday experience suggests that people often don’t experience ageing the same way.
F.Many researchers are now trying to study how this knowledge might help us live longer.
China has long been tipped to be the next Silicon Valley, but now the finances and support are in place to make it happen.
There is a growing consensus ( 共 识 ) that while Silicon Valley is not about to disappear anytime soon, its next biggest rival is already on the verge of bursting onto the international scene — not in the US, nor in the EU, but in Asia. More specifically, China.
This is not just an observation based on the rise of companies like Alibaba, Baidu and Tencent. It is grounded in a more widespread move to fund start-ups in Asia to the point where more money is being invested there than in Europe. Just five years ago, Europe and Asia are neck and neck in terms of investment.
In 2013, Europe made slightly more deals, 1550 compared to Asia’s 1071, but the total value of investment was $7bn. Just five years later, Asia is now four times the size of Europe with twice as many deals carried out.
Between 2013 to 2018, the number of deals in Asia increased nearly fivefold, and their value leapt to $81bn, compared to the $21bn raised in Europe. The Asian figure also shows that the continent is closing the gap on the US which saw $105bn worth of deals.
One of the main reasons that makes the country so attractive is not just the huge growth in investment and high education standards, but also local and national governmental support benefiting tech companies.
In fact, one of the conclusions of a recent Fortune tech conference was that China’s tech companies will soon be beating American companies on their home turf. One of the reasons is that investors believe US immigration policy is making it more difficult for the best talent around the world to find work there. Plus, Chinese companies are now able to start paying salaries that can keep pace with those on offer in Silicon Valley.
Hence, when Ian Roger, Chief Digital Official at luxury group LVMH was asked where he thought the next Facebook or Google would come from, he suggested it would be a close call between Silicon Valley and China. The latter had the investment that is needed as well as a hard work culture of a six-day week. It also has a superb education system and a huge population.
As Silicon Valley appears to be heating up a little too hard for some people, China would appear to be warming up at just the right pace.
1.What does the expression “on the verge of ” in paragraph 2 refer to?
A.on the way of B.on the list of
C.on the condition of D.on the point of
2.Which of the following is NOT a reason why China attracts foreign investment in tech companies?
A.High education standards. B.Huge growth in investment.
C.Support from the government. D.Higher salaries than those in Silicon Valley.
3.It can’t be inferred from the passage that ________.
A.the US immigration policy is strict but talent-friendly
B.Ian Roger believes the next Google might come from China
C.employees of Baidu might be accustomed to overwork
D.Chinese tech companies can provide highly competitive salaries now.
4.What is the passage mainly about?
A.The total value of investment in Asia is four times that in Europe.
B.Finances, high education standards and support make it possible for China to become the next Silicon Valley.
C.Asia attracts worldwide best talents to tech companies.
D.American tech companies will soon be beaten by those in China.
These are pages pasted on a college bulletin board. It lists part-time job vacancies on campus this semester.
Bilingual Secretary Wanted
Our International Exchange Department requires one part-time bilingual secretary for our office. He / She must be native Mandarin with excellent English competence (better with Japanese). We ask for 8 hours a week (from Monday to Saturday), and working schedule is
negotiable. However, English corners are arranged on Thursdays, and therefore we need you to be on site from 3pm to 5pm. Attractive salary and good benefits package, including chances to exchange to foreign countries, are offered to junior and senior year students with excellent secretarial skills, the ability to communicate, an outgoing personality and a strong sense of responsibility.
Please hand in applications with photo, and email to uniied@gmail.com, or call 400-800-100 during office hours to get further information.
International Exchange Department
Advanced Math Teaching Assistants in Need
The Mathematics Department is looking for two Advanced Math teaching assistants. The job is mainly to help freshmen students to deal with math assignments and projects, as well as prepare them for final exams in Week 16.
We hope those applying for the position could meet the following requirements. First, it’s necessary for the applicants to be skilled at math. Second, he/she should have at least 2 As in math-related courses with GPA no less than 4.0. Third, the job asks for excellence in both professional skills and patience.
For those who are interested in the position, please send your résumé to unimd@gmail.com before September 15th.
Part-time Job Recruitment
Dr. Jessica Smith Mathematics Department
Technology Support Department lacks several assistants to work at its help desk.
Contents: A customer service job — answering questions, helping people solve their computer problems, providing basic teaching to new users, etc.
Requirement: the Advanced Computer Test certificate; good interpersonal skills; enthusiasm.
Work hours: from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
early mornings (6 a.m.-9 a.m.): 2 persons mornings (9 a.m.- 12 a.m.): 1 person
afternoons (12 p.m.- 6 p.m.): (full)
evenings (6 p.m. - 11 p.m.): (full)
late nights: (11 p.m.-2 a.m.): 2 persons weekends: 3 persons
If you are interested, please come to Luking Library 2F (East Side) Room 213 and fill the forms. An interview will be arranged afterwards. New position for the next semester will be released in December.
Mr. Luke Johnson Technology
Support Department
www.examly.cn
1.If you get the position as a secretary, you ________.
A.have to assist in English corner
B.have a tight schedule during the week
C.have the chance to be an exchange student in foreign universities anytime during university
D.must be a native English speaker who can speak fluent Chinese
2.Why are there so many job vacancies in Technology Support Department?
A.Because the interview is challenging.
B.Because applicants have to fill in complicated forms.
C.Because applicants have to work irregular hours.
D.Because the Advanced Computer Test certificate is too difficult to obtain.
3.Which of the following statements is correct according to the advertisements?
A.The advertisements can be found on the school website.
B.Call for further information of math teaching assistants before September 15th.
C.More job vacancies in the Mathematics Department will be available in December.
D.The International Exchange Department needs a communicative and responsible secretary.
Tea, the most typical of English drinks, is a relative latecomer to British shores. Although the custom of drinking tea dates back to the third millennium (一千年) BC in China, it was not until the mid-17th century that the drink first appeared in England. It was the Portuguese and Dutch traders who first imported tea to Europe, reaching the Continent by the way of Venice around 1560, with regular shipments by 1610.
Curiously, it was the London coffee houses that were responsible for introducing tea to England. One of the first coffee house merchants to offer tea was Thomas Garway. He sold both liquid and dry tea to the public as early as 1657. Three years later he issued a broadsheet advertising tea at £6 to £10 per pound, touting ( 兜 售 ) its virtues at “making the body active and lusty (健壮的)”, and “preserving perfect health until extreme old age”.
Tea gained popularity quickly in the coffee houses, and by 1700 over 500 coffee houses sold it. This distressed the pub owners, as tea cut their sales of beer, and it was bad news for the government, who depended upon a steady stream of revenue (税收) from taxes on liquor sales. By 1750 tea had become the favoured drink of Britain’s lower classes.
A 1676 act taxed tea and required coffee house operators to apply for a license. This was just the start of government attempts to control, or at least, to profit from the popularity of tea in Britain. By the mid-18th century the duty on tea had reached a ridiculous 119 percent. This heavy taxation had the effect of creating a whole new industry — tea smuggling ( 走 私 ). Ships from Holland and Scandinavia brought tea to the British coast, then stood offshore while smugglers met them and unloaded the precious cargo in small vessels. The smugglers, often local fishermen, secretly moved the tea inland through underground passages and hidden paths to special hiding places. One of the best hiding places was in the local church!
Even smuggled tea was expensive, however, and therefore extremely profitable, so many smugglers began to adulterate (掺假) the tea with other substances, such as willow and sloe leaves. Used tea leaves were also redried and added to fresh leaves.
Finally, in 1784 William Pitt the Younger introduced the Commutation Act, which dropped the tax on tea from 119% to 12.5%, effectively ending smuggling. Adulteration remained a problem, though, until the Food and Drug Act of 1875 brought in severe punishment for the practice.
1.According to the passage, tea drinking _______.
A.is the favorite pastime of the Dutch
B.is an important British tradition
C.was well-received by the Portuguese centuries ago
D.could be found everywhere in the world in 1560
2.Who might be annoyed by the popularity of the tea?
A.Coffee house owners. B.Wine sellers.
C.Britain’s lower classes. D.Smugglers.
3.Which of the following statements about tea smuggling is TRUE?
A.Churches provided convenience for smuggling.
B.Fishermen and farmers contributed a lot to tea industry.
C.Underground passages and boats were ideal hiding places for tea.
D.The government encouraged tea smuggling for taxes on tea.
4.How was the order of the tea market finally restored in Britain?
A.By passing an act related to a tax rise.
B.By imposing mild punishment.
C.By punishing those who sold fake tea.
D.By mixing redried used leaves with fresh tea leaves.
How Saving Wildlife Benefits Humans
It’s no secret that we’ve lost an overwhelming number of species within that last four decades. These species have all but _____ due to overpopulation, deforestation, consumer culture, climate change, animal exploitation, and other harming sources — all brought about by mankind.
One of the first great rules of terrestrial (陆地的) biology is “no species is forever.” _____, this rapid loss of species today is estimated to be between1,000and 10,000 times higher than the natural extinction rate. As increasingly accepted theories have argued, we are now in the midst of the sixth great _____.
The Earth consists of plants, animals, water, land, the atmosphere, and humans. Biodiversity (生物多样性) _____ the health of the planet and has a great impact on all our lives. Reduced biodiversity means a future where food supplies are vulnerable (易受攻击的) to pests and disease, and fresh water is in short supply. If biodiversity _____ impacts our lives in such big ways, then our conservation (环保) efforts don’t just benefit the environment, they benefit us, too.
One convincing benefit that comes from wildlife conservation efforts is that it ensures food _____. Wildlife conservation promotes agricultural biodiversity, which plays an important role in building a secure and healthy food system. When agricultural biodiversity is _____ and land is cleared for agriculture, extensive habitat loss takes place, as well as undocumented loss of species and massive soil erosion (侵蚀).
Another benefit that comes from wildlife conservation is that these _____ protect human health. Conservation International reportsthat “more than 50 percent of modern medicines and more than 90 percent of traditional medicines come from wild plants and animals.” _____, a world that promotes healthy ecosystems and biodiversity provides crucial buffers (缓冲) between disease and humans. A number of studies have _____ reduced diversity among mammal (哺乳动物 ) species and overall decreases in biodiversity to an increase in the transmission ( 传 播 ) of animal-born diseases to humans.
Perhaps the most convincing benefit that comes from wildlife conservation is that it provides us with _____ whether it be economically or socially. Increasing biodiversity and healthy ecosystems improve agricultural productivity, thereby allowing farms to become more _____. Healthy ecosystems that are home to unique species _____ tourists from around the world, which helps the local economy and invites in a new fusion of investment.
Our unsustainable, unconscious, self-interested relationship with the environment has led us into an extremely destructible world. If we do not take action and _____ changing our ways, we are at risk of losing more vital and _____ ecosystems and biodiversity, or at least until the sixth great extinction claims one final species: our own.
1.A.changed B.existed C.disappeared D.evolved
2.A.Furthermore B.However C.Therefore D.Otherwise
3.A.extinction B.destruction C.evolution D.immigration
4.A.threatens B.localizes C.strengthens D.endangers
5.A.infrequently B.potentially C.regionally D.directly
6.A.management B.inspection C.development D.security
7.A.identified B.cultivated C.exploited D.valued
8.A.initiatives B.consequences C.intentions D.contributions
9.A.In addition B.After all C.In particular D.By contrast
10.A.adapted B.turned C.adjusted D.linked
11.A.protections B.opportunities C.services D.nutrients
12.A.standard B.welcome C.scarce D.profitable
13.A.discourage B.attract C.forbid D.protect
14.A.feel like B.keep on C.set about D.argue for
15.A.irreplaceable B.unpredictable C.unlimited D.imbalanced
