Japan's biggest airline is betting that the future of travel isn't traveling at all. For the last month, a married couple has been interacting with a robot—called an Avatar—that's controlled by their daughter hundreds of miles away. Made by ANA Holdings Inc., it looks like a vacuum cleaner with an iPad attached. But the screen displays the daughter's face as they chat, and its wheels let her move about the house as though she's really there.
“Virtual travel” is nothing new,of course.Storytellers, travel writers and artists have been stimulating the senses of armchair tourists for centuries. It's only in recent decades that frequent, safe travel has become available to the non- wealthy.
Yet even as the world's middle classes climb out of the armchair and into economy-class seat, there are signs of a post-travel society emerging. Concerns about environmental sustainability cause loss to airlines which release much carbon. And the aging of abundant societies is both restricting physical travel and creating demand for alternative ways to experience the world. For the travel industry, virtual reality offers an attractive response to these trends.
Of course, new technologies encourage far-out claims. ANA doesn't plan to start selling Avatars until next year. Profits, too, will probably be difficult to make: By one estimate, the global market for this kind of technology will be worth only about $300 million by 2023. By contrast, ANA's traditional travel business brought in more than $19 billion last year.
But if the business value for virtual vacations is still weak, the market for technologies that bridge physical distances between families and coworkers seems likely to only expand. ANA's robots may not replace its airplanes any time soon, but they ll almost certainly be a part of travel's high-tech future.
1.Why does the author use the example of a couple interacting with a robot?
A.To show the Japanese are crazy about travel.
B.To indicate virtual travel begins to enter people's real life.
C.To show the couple are very enthusiastic over robots.
D.To express the close relationship between the couple and their daughter.
2.Which of the following is the possible reason for virtual travel's appearance?
A.Storytellers, travel writers and artists have been using it for centuries.
B.Frequent and safe travel has become available to the ordinary people.
C.People are worried about the air pollution caused by airlines.
D.More and more people lose interest in travel.
3.What can we learn about Avatars from the last two paragraphs?
A.They will be put on the market soon.
B.They will bring ANA a lot of money,
C.They will replace ANA's airplanes soon.
D.They are almost unavoidable in travel's future.
4.What can be a suitable title for the text?
A.Your Next Travel May Be Virtual
B.Easy Travel in the Future
C.Virtual Travel Benefits
D.Air Travel Disappearing
America’s latest superhero Austin Perine, who calls himself President Austin, is now taking the country by storm. But he is not a typical superhero. Two things set him apart: He doesn’t fight human enemies, but hunger and homelessness. Also, he’s only four years old.
Our superhero’s origin story started from the day when TJ Perine, his father, took Austin to the Firehouse Ministries, a local shelter that provides housing, food and other services for the homeless. As they drove by the building, they saw a group of 25 homeless men standing on the street corner. That day, Austin used his allowance to buy each man a sandwich and handed the food out himself with his slogan, “ Don’t forget to show love!”
After he returned every week for five weeks in a row, word of Austin’s kindness spread through social media. Austin and TJ could feed 25 to 50 people at a time before, and now, thanks to community support, they can feed 800 to 2,000 people.
But Austin isn’t merely filling stomachs. He has been improving the lives of the homeless people he meets. On that first trip to Firehouse Ministries, TJ and Austin talked to a poor man named Raymont. The respect Austin showed for him touched 41-year-old Raymont, who regained his confidence in life and finally found a job with the help of TJ. All that was made possible because a little boy took the time to care.
Austin’s passion has become his family’s calling. After raising money through a GoFundMe page, Audrey, TJ’s mother established the nonprofit Show Love Foundation, dedicated to fighting homelessness. She now serves as president, and TJ oversees public relations for the foundation full time. They offer medical and mental health care as preventive steps against homelessness.
As for President Austin, he continues to give out food, smiles, and his inspirational message of love. “It makes me feel like I’m saving the day,” he said proudly.
1.Why has Austin become well-known to the entire country?
A.He has super power to fill the stomachs of the homeless.
B.He fights hunger and homelessness at such a young age.
C.He has removed the poverty of the local community.
D.He has chosen an impressive and unique name.
2.Why does the author introduce the example of Raymont in Paragraph 4?
A.To show Austin’s positive influence.
B.To persuade people to live off their own.
C.To prove the personal ability of Austin’s father.
D.To describe the difficult situation of poor people.
3.Which of the following can replace the underlined word “dedicated” in Paragraph 5?
A.exposed. B.opposed. C.devoted. D.addicted.
4.What is the author’s attitude towards what Austin does?
A.Sympathetic. B.Humorous. C.Approving. D.Considerate.
Panama City， Panama
For beach vacations that get you out of town and invite you and your family to dive into culture， consider a trip to Panama City． Here，you will enjoy beaches and city exploring． Book your stay at the Westin Playa Bonita， where you can book a room starting at ﹩222 a night． There are various programs，including beach Olympics， stargazing （天体观察）and Spanish lessons．
Jupiter， Florida
This place offers you quality time you can spend with your loved ones． Book your stay at Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa， with rates for a family of four starting at ﹩207 a night． Here， you can shoot baskets at the basketball courts，take a dip in the pool or teach your children beach yoga．
San Diego，California
The West Coast is a great spot for cheap beach vacations， so tell your family to pack their bags for a visit to San Diego． A cheap ﹩10 Uber ride from the airport will have you pulling up the Kona Kai Resort & Spa． Here，a family of four can stay in a Deluxe Guest Room starting at ﹩159 per night． Your kids can practice cannonballs at the pool after a visit to the world﹣famous San Diego Zoo．
Kihei Maui， Hawaii
For West Coasters who are growing bored with their backyard， fly to the islands of Hawaii． Stay at the Aston at the Maui Banyan， with a charge of ﹩179 a night for a family of four． Here，you'll witness some of the best sunsets of your life while your kids splash （戏水）in the Pacific， And if you're set on cooking a fancy meal， you'll enjoy suites that come with a full kitchen．
1.Which of the following charges you least a night？
A.The Aston at the Maui Banyan．
B.The Westin Playa Bonita．
C.The Kona Kai Resort & Spa．
D.Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa．
2.What can you do at the Aston at the Maui Banyan？
A.Admire beautiful sunsets．
B.Visit a world﹣famous zoo．
C.Observe fantastic stars．
D.Play some beach sports．
3.What is the common feature of the four destinations？
A.They all offer rooms with a full kitchen．
B.They are all intended for family trips．
C.They all pick up visitors from the airport．
D.They all provide bike riding on the beach．
假设你是李华，你的美国笔友John刚转入一所寄宿学校，他发来电子邮件向你询问如何与室友融洽相处。请根据以下内容，给他回一封电子邮件。要点：
1.你的建议；
2.说明理由；
3.表达祝愿。
注意：1. 词数100左右，开头和结尾已给出，但不计入总词数；
2. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear John,
I’m very glad to hear you’re studying at a new boarding school.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
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处错误，每句中最多有两处。错误涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号(Λ)，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 Jackie,
The school holidays are drawing to near. I feel very exciting at the thought that I am going to visit America in the holidays. It’s the first time for me to travel abroad on my own, but I need your help. I’d like to visit some areas of scenic beauty, such for mountains, rivers or forests, which I could enjoy the beauty of nature. Could you suggest several place for me to visit? Beside, I prefer to live in a hotel and I hoped the traffic isn’t too heavy. Perhaps you could help me book hotel.
I’m expecting to hear from you, and I’m looking forward to meet you in America.
Yours,
Zhang Nan
I was on my cellphone sharing my excitement about the stories we received for a new book about resolutions (决心). When I _______ my call, my 11-year-old son Bailey asked if he could write a story. I was surprised by his _______ and asked if he had “resolved”to do something _______ in his life. His reply _______ me. He said,“I have resolved to be nicer to younger children.”
Bailey has always been generous with older kids. _______, when it comes to younger kids, he falls _______. He gets angry when they touch his Lego creations or _______ to understand how to play his video games.
My husband and I have many friends with younger children who _______ regularly. Each time before they arrive, we tell Bailey how we would _______ it if he were more patient with the younger kids. He starts out great, but as the night wears on, his patience ________. I found it interesting that he was ________ making a change.
Later, I ________ our conversation and realized that Bailey had actually taken action. The last time our friend’s son, Brayden, ________, Bailey invited him to play with his Legos. Instead of getting angry that Brayden was not ________ correctly, according to Bailey’s ________, he allowed him to create his own version of an airplane. When playing video games, instead of telling Brayden he was too ________ to understand the concept, he gave him an unplugged (没插电的) ________ and let Brayden believe he was fighting alongside Bailey.
As parents, we often feel as if our ________ fall on deaf ears, but now I realize that my son has been listening all along. He is ________ to be a better person and I am ________ of him.
1.A.expected B.ended C.returned D.answered
2.A.concern B.talent C.request D.belief
3.A.different B.adventurous C.scientific D.enjoyable
4.A.puzzled B.embarrassed C.annoyed D.surprised
5.A.Therefore B.Instead C.However D.Besides
6.A.asleep B.sick C.impatient D.silent
7.A.agree B.fail C.tend D.manage
8.A.visit B.practice C.perform D.debate
9.A.handle B.appreciate C.recognize D.replace
10.A.pays off B.takes over C.reaches out D.wears out
11.A.casually B.normally C.innocently D.voluntarily
12.A.concentrated B.recalled C.counted D.commented
13.A.came over B.gave up C.showed off D.ran away
14.A.writing B.reading C.building D.sitting
15.A.standards B.situations C.memories D.experiments
16.A.weak B.nervous C.busy D.young
17.A.controller B.freezer C.computer D.lamp
18.A.assessments B.achievements C.instructions D.imaginations
19.A.pretending B.refusing C.training D.attempting
20.A.aware B.proud C.tired D.afraid
