Japanese scientists and technology companies are coming up with new ways to deal with employee shortages in delivery service. How exactly? By introducing a robot that can deliver food to your home. A Japanese company ZMP has launched robot tests recently.
The ZMP's delivery robot in the process of testing is a red box that measures 109 cm and 133 cm in heights and lengths respectively. It is designed to carry up to 100 kilograms of anything with a approximate speed of 4 miles an hour. It has its own navigating system and a map, sensors(传感器)and cameras that allow it to self-drive. These, for now, are its main technical abilities. The next developments will be control of food temperature, and perhaps，voice control and speaking abilities.
The robot will be tested together with a local sushi(寿司)delivery company Ride on Express Co. Upon making a sushi order, customers will receive codes on their smart phones that will allow them to unlock the robot and get their orders out. Similar testing attempts have been undertaken by Domino's Pizza in Australia, where they tested a delivery robot a year ago.
In any case, before robots are able to deliver food or any other goods to real customers, massive testing on public roads or in the public air space will have to take place. While it is in the government's best interest to make up for the shortage of delivery in the Japanese labor market, it is clear that self-driving machines of any kind will not be permitted on the roads until they are fully tested and proven safe enough for public roads. According to the experts, this could take another 3 to 5 years.
In any case, robot delivery is not such a distant future after all, and recent developments show that there is significant market demand for such type of delivery.
1.How do Japanese handle the employee shortages in delivery service?
A.By raising employment and working hours.
B.By employing science and technology.
C.By increasing the salary.
D.By delivering more at a time.
2.What is the second paragraph mainly about?
A.The introduction of delivery robots.
B.The usage of delivery robots.
C.The basic data of delivery robots.
D.The appearance of delivery robots.
3.What's the reaction of Japanese government to delivery robots?
A.Being critical of the technology.
B.Ignoring the development.
C.Being a little bit hesitated.
D.Becoming great interested.
4.What can be the best title for the text?
A.Robot Delivery：New Tests in Japan B.Robot Delivery Coming to Use in Japan
C.Employee Shortage in Delivery in Japan D.Latest Automatic Service：Robots
Stephen Hawking was regarded as one of the most brilliant physicists in history. His work on the origins and structure of the universe, from the Big Bang to black holes, changed the field greatly. His best-selling books also appealed to a number of readers.
Stephen Hawking had a challenging life. He was born in England on Jan.8, 1942-300years to the day after the death of the astronomer Galileo Galilei. He attended University College, Oxford, where he studied physics, despite his father’s urging to focus on medicine. Hawking went on to Cambridge to research cosmology.
In early 1963, just before his 21st birthday, Hawking suffered from a serious disease more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was not expected to live more than two years. Completing his doctor’s degree did not appear likely. Yet, Hawking had overcome the great difficulties, not only attaining his Ph. D. but also building new roads into the understanding of the universe in the decades since.
Hawking continued at Cambridge after his graduation, serving as a research fellow and later as a professional fellow. In 1974, he was inducted（正式就职）into the Royal Society, a worldwide fellowship of scientists. In 1979, he was appointed Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, the most famous academic chair in the world.
As the disease spread，Hawking became less mobile and began using a wheelchair. Talking grew more challenging and, in 1985, an emergency tracheotomy（气管切开术）caused his total loss of speech. A speech-generating device was constructed at Cambridge, combined with a software program, serving as his electronic voice and allowing Hawking to select his words by moving the muscles in his cheek. Hawking died on March 14, 2018.
1.What greatly influenced the field Stephen Hawking studied？
A.Stephen Hawking’s best-selling books.
B.His research on the Big Bang and black holes.
C.Stephen Hawking’s talent.
D.The origins and structure of the universe.
2.What does the underlined word “cosmology” in paragraph 2 mean?
A.A research on time. B.A subject of medicine.
C.A study about universe. D.A project in Cambridge.
3.What happened to Stephen Hawking in early 1963?
A.He became world famous. B.He achieved his doctor’s degree.
C.He was badly affected by a serious disease D.He built new roads into the understanding of the universe.
4.How did Stephen Hawking express himself finally?
A.By using a speech-generating device. B.With the help of an operation.
C.By using body language. D.With the help of some people.
Where can you volunteer your time? Check out these 4 activities for excellent volunteer opportunities that require no previous experience.
Animal Rescue Shelters
Local animal shelters always need volunteers. Brush up your office skills by answering emails or phone calls, and providing general administrative assistance. Try making some connections among the staff or offering your dog walking services to the pet owners. It makes for a great part-time job, and plus, may turn into a full-time one.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity offers locally targeted volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in developing experience in home repair and building maintenance, check out its A Brush With Kindness campaign or the Women Build program, designed specifically to help women learn construction skills. Your experience can contribute directly to team-building and leadership ability.
Local Libraries
As a teenager, I volunteered at my local library for a few hours a week for a school project. I liked it so much that I ended up volunteering every week and developed a life-long love of books. Libraries badly need help to organize shelves and assist readers, and you may sometimes help set up and run public events, such as author signings and book fairs.
Art Museums
If you love art, working in a museum can be an invaluable experience. You can surround yourself with timeless works of art, soak up knowledge, and acquire administrative skills meanwhile. Get involved in the community by volunteering for family programs and children’s activities at your local museum.
1.What is an extra advantage when you volunteer in animal shelters?
A.Owning your favorite pet free. B.Becoming a full-time dog walker.
C.Helping to build up your knowledge base. D.Contribute to your own leadership ability.
2.Where can you learn skills of bettering your home?
A.At Habitat for Humanity. B.At a local animal shelter.
C.At a local library. D.At an art museum.
3.What is badly needed for local libraries?
A.Helping design posters. B.Helping with public events.
C.Organizing large book fairs. D.Organizing books on the shelves.
阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写，使之构成一个完整的故事。
Gold and brown leaves crunched (嘎吱响) under Dora’s boots as she made her way down the sidewalk. She couldn’t wait to be home. The autumn cold wind was bad, but it was not nearly as hard to bear as the cold she felt in her heart.
She couldn’t forget the way she had frozen in front of the class today. Mr. Roberts divided the class into groups to do presentations. Each person in the group would speak for five minutes in front of the class. Today was Dora’s turn. Her legs trembled all the way to the front of the classroom. Her hands shook so badly that she couldn’t read her notes. As Dora spoke, her voice became softer. Mr. Roberts kindly ended Dora’s part of the presentation even though she had clearly not finished. He also asked Dora to stay for a moment after class.
“Dora, I know you’re shy, but you worked hard on this project. I’d hate to see you give up on yourself.” Mr. Roberts suggested, “If I give you another chance tomorrow, do you think you can find your courage?”
Dora nodded. She went as quickly as she could to her next class. She kept her head down and hoped the school day would end soon.
Arriving home, she found Mom baking in the kitchen. When Mom baked, Dora always watched and chatted with her. Mom always said it was Dora’s company that made her baked goods taste so sweet. Mom studied Dora’s face as she came into the kitchen. “What’s wrong, Dora?”
Tears shone in Dora’s eyes. She told the whole story. Mom was silent for a moment. “Why is it that you can talk to me about anything and everything, but you can’t talk to your classmates?” Mom asked, sliding the round cake pans into the oven. She set the timer and then said, “Let me show you something.”
注意:
1. 所续写短文的词数应为150词左右；
2. 至少使用5个短文中标有下划线的关键词语；
3. 续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好；
4. 续写完成后，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。
Paragraph 1:
Dora followed Mom to her room.
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Paragraph 2:
The next day Dora again walked to the front of the classroom to give her presentation.
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假设你是李华，你的美国朋友Tom在来信中提到对中国唐诗感兴趣，并请求你介绍一位你最喜欢的唐代诗人。请你给Tom回信，内容包括诗人简介及你喜欢他的原因。
注意：
1. 词数100左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
Dear Tom,
You have told me that you are very interested in how we Chinese celebrate our traditional festivals. With the Dragon Boat Festival around the corner, ____________________________________________________________________
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Yours sincerely,
Li Hua
考试之后，我一定是听上去洋洋得意，说考题实在太简单了，我肯定能取得好成绩。（汉译英）
