As an internet influencer, there seems to be nothing special about Miquela Sousa. The 19-year-old lives in Los Angeles, US, posts pictures of herself sporting fashionable looks, and has just made her way into the March edition of Vogue magazine. But Miquela isn’t real – she is an electronic character.
Her fans don’t seem to mind – she has 855,000 followers on US social networking platform Instagram. And her first single Not Mine – yes, she “sings” too – also reached No 8 on music streaming (流媒体) platform Spotify last August.
It’s kind of curious that in a time when authenticity (真实性) and “being real” are valued more than ever, “fake” celebrities like Miquela are appreciated and seen as icons (偶像).
Perhaps the reason for Miquela’s popularity lies behind the fame of a similar star, Hatsune Miku. This 16-year-old animated(动画的) singer from Japan has held singing concerts not only in her home country but also in the US and China.
Even though Hatsune’s no more than a 3-D figure projected (投射) onto the stage, her fans are more than willing to pay to actually see her “in person”, because to them, she’s better than human singers. “She’s rather more like a goddess: She has human parts, but she transcends human limitations. She’s the great post-human pop star,” wrote reporter James Verini on Wired magazine.
Critics may say that 3-D stars could never replace humans, but when it comes to being authentic, are humans really the best example of how to do it?
Most of us edit our photos before posting them online, and we tend to create a fantasy that we’re living a perfect life by letting people only see the brighter side of it.
“Miquela is no less real to me than any other internet stranger with whom I’ve interacted,” wrote reporter Leora Yashari on the website Nylon. “Her existence in itself represents a new breed (种类) of influencer – someone who is breaking the boundaries of what is real and what is fake.”
1.What is the best title of the passage ?
A.A character with animated talents. B.A computer-generated role model.
C.A new sports star with fashionable looks. D.An experienced life-like dancer.
2.What does the word “ transcend” in paragraph 5 means？
A.take over B.look like C.go beyond D.hold up
3.What is the purpose of the author when he mentioned Hatsune Miku?
A.To show the similarities 3-D stars share. B.To make a comparison with Miquela Sousa.
C.To explain why 3-D stars are well received. D.To stress how 3-D stars go beyond human limitations.
4.What message does the passage agree with ?
A.Animated heroes could match the authenticity of humans one day.
B.3-D stars are not as real as human celebrities.
C.Human celebrities have greater influence than animated ones.
D.3-D icons can also be as influential and authentic as humans’.
When you open your closet (壁橱), chances are that you will see some unwanted clothes lying in the corner. But instead of throwing them away, wouldn’t you rather give them a second chance to shine? Well, people around the world are doing just that.
This spring, upcycled denim (牛仔布) and sustainable (可持续的) lace are gaining popularity. They are part of the “ethical” (合乎道德的) and “sustainable” trends that have become the biggest buzzwords in fashion in recent years, the Guardian reported.
Upcycling, according to sustainability website TriplePundit, is a way to process an old item to make it just as good, or even better, than it was originally. For example, you could turn some old pajamas (睡衣) into a new summer dress.
Among upcyclable fabrics (面料), denim is one of the most comfortable and fashionable. That’s why many people like to create their own unique upcycled denim items, such as cutting a headband (头带) from a denim shirt.
Many fashion companies have also joined the trend. For example, there are upcycled denim companies that combine the spirit of vintage (复古的) denim with the principles of sustainability. “For as long as denim has been around, we have found ways to reuse it and upcycle it,” US stylist Kelly Nagel told fashion website sulky.com. “Denim is such a great fabric for so many things, and I especially love it when it has been ‘worn-in’ (磨平的). That is when denim has the most character.”
Lace is another timeless fabric that can be repurposed. According to the Guardian, it can be created from recycled fishing nets and other nylon (尼龙) waste products and used for making elegant dresses or beautiful decorations.
Indeed, fashion holds up a mirror to society. Now, the fashion industry cares not only about creating new looks, but also about its impact on the environment. “Choosing better fabrics is essential to us transforming this industry for the better,” Clara Vuletich, a Sydney-based sustainability expert, told the Guardian. “If you consciously decide to purchase clothes made using a recycled material or an exciting new fiber (纤维), such as cruelty-free leather (皮革) made in a lab, you are supporting companies creating new markets, and avoiding the negative impacts associated with conventional textiles (纺织品).”
1.What is likely to be the most suitable title for the passage?
A.Unwanted clothes to shine B.Denim or lace ,which is getting more popularity?
C.Fashion, a mirror to society. D.Trend for recycled fashion
2.What is the idea lying behind upcycled denim and sustainable lace?
A.Making use of advanced production techniques.
B.Making money for charity with unwanted clothes.
C.Being more friendly to the environment.
D.Changing fashion trends as quickly as possible.
3.Why does Kelly Nagel think denim is especially suitable for upcycling?
A.It is a material that lasts a long time. B.It shows character after being worn in.
C.It matches well with many other fabrics. D.It is the cheapest fabric to upcycle.
4.What is the last paragraph mainly about?
A.How fashion reflects social changes. B.How fashion benefits from social development.
C.The bright future of the fashion industry. D.Potential problems of upcycling.
Organic food is very popular. It is also expensive. Some organic food costs twice as much as nonorganic food. Some parents and pet owners pay up to 200 percent more for organic food while some people think organic food is a waste of money.
There is one main difference between organic and non-organic food. Organic farms do not use agricultural chemicals, such as pesticides (杀虫剂). This makes sure that the products are natural.
Some people think “organic” means “locally grown”. At the beginning, this was true. Over time organic farming became more difficult. The demand for organic food grew larger than the supply. Small companies had to sell out to large companies. There weren’t enough organic materials. This made it difficult for many organic companies to stay in business. Today, many large companies have an organic line of products.
Is organic food more nutritious? This is part of the debate. Many farmers and consumers believe it is. They think agricultural chemicals cause health problems, such as cancer. Many health experts disagree. Few studies prove that organic food prevents health problems. Health experts worry more about bacteria. These can come into contact with organic and non-organic food. Doctors recommend washing produce very carefully.
Most people agree that naturally grown food tastes better. Is tastier food worth the extra money? This is a matter of opinion. Whether it is healthier or not may require more research. However, organic consumers argue it is better to be safe than sorry.
1.Which is the NOT the advantage of organic food for most people?
A.safe. B.cheap. C.healthy. D.tasty.
2.What is the doctors’ suggestion?
A.Reduce the use of pesticides． B.Wash the food very carefully．
C.Grow organic food on your own. D.Buy large companies’ products．
3.Which of the following problems about organic food do people debate on?
A.It is more nutritious. B.It tastes better．
C.It contains more fat． D.It has more bacteria．
4.Where does this text probably come from?
A.A chemistry paper． B.A restaurant menu.
C.An advertisement． D.A health magazine.
Some American National Parks
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
The 28th American president Theodore Roosevelt established the park to escape the reminder of his mother and wife, who died of illness on the same day. The park has three main areas -- the South Unit, the North Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch（大农场） Unit. In the South Unit, visitors can drive along the Scenic Loop road. It offers many places to see wildlife and the surrounding badlands. Many visitors st op to look at Painted Canyon（峡谷）. Trails near the canyon offer visitors a chance to see animals, from the huge American bison to small black-tailed prairie dogs. The North Unit also offers several hiking trails. The third area of the park is what Roosevelt described as his "home ranch."
Olympic National Park
The park is located in the western state of Washington. It is on the Olympic Peninsula, in the northwest part of the state. The park covers more than 400,000 hectares. It has several different ecosystems. Visitors will find temperate rainforests, glacier-covered mountains, and almost 120 kilometers of wild coastline. Olympic National Park has meadows and lakes. It has glacier-fed rivers and mountain peaks that rise more than 2,300 meters. To protect the nature of the area, President Grover Cleveland declared the Olympic Peninsula's forests as the Olympic Forest Reserve in 1897. And in 1938, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the bill that established the Olympic National Park.
Voyageurs National Park
The state of Minnesota is known as the land of 10,000 lakes. Voyageurs National Park covers almost 88,500 hectares. About half of that surface is water. Much of the park is accessible only by boat. President Richard Nixon signed the bill that finally established Voyageurs as a national park in 1971. Nature and art meet at the Ellsworth Rock Gardens in the park. A carpenter and artist from Chicago named Jack Ellsworth built a summer home. He designed, built and created about 200 rock sculptures from native stone. Voyageurs National Park may be best seen at night. The most special light display on Earth is sometimes visible at Voyageurs.
Petrified Forest National Park
The word "forest" may mislead visitors. The park is in a desert. And the word "petrified" -- which can mean "afraid"-- may scare visitors away! But fear not. "Petrified Forest" gets its name from the trees that have, over millions of years, turned to stone. That natural process is called fossilization (化石化). The Petrified Forest National Park is one of the wonders of Arizona. The oldest geological formations in the park are about 227 million years old. Differently colored formations show different time periods. Long before humans entered the area, dinosaurs dominated. Petrified Forest National Park is a world-class area for fossil research.
1.If a traveler is interested in animal fossils, which park is the best choice?
A.Olympic National Park B.Petrified Forest National Park
C.Voyageurs National Park D.Theodore Roosevelt National Park
2.What is unique about Voyageurs National Park ?
A.People can experience different ecosystems within it.
B.The park was established by an American president.
C.Visitors can appreciate sculptures and light show.
D.Visitors can get close to various wild animals.
3.Which park has NO connections with American presidents?
A.Petrified Forest National Park B.Olympic National Park
C.Theodore Roosevelt National Park D.Voyageurs National Park
阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。续写的词数应为150左右。
The doctors sent my mother home to die. As a fifteen-year survivor of breast cancer, she had suffered two heart attacks when advanced cancer was found in her lung. The doctor told me sadly, "She has a few days, maybe a week. Her heart is weak and unstable. "Mom had struggled to raise three daughters while holding a full-time job, yet worked hard to maintain a warm home for her family. My plan for Mom’s final days was simple: she would live with love, and die with grace.
I took mother to my home, small but comfortable, which was a heaven to four cats and a dog. The animals had the run of my house. We equipped the bedroom with an electric hospital bed and an oxygen machine, which frightened the cats. I’d moved their furniture and the cats were annoyed. The dog, on the other hand, an immature dog with bad habits, was excited by all the changes in the house. He jumped up, barking. He is Otto who was not afraid of the hospital bed, the oxygen machine or the medical smells. Nor was he afraid of the weak woman who had scolded him. Otto jumped onto the foot of Mom's hospital bed, and stayed. With the exception of eating and using the litter box, Otto never left Mom's room.
Days passed and Mom started to rally. “Not unusual,” I was told, “a rally is often a sign of imminent death(回光返照)” I was heart-broken. But Otto would not give her up so easily. He used her improved condition to reposition himself from the foot of her bed to her side. Her thin fingers found his soft coat. He leaned into her body, as if holding tight the strings of her will to live. Though weak, she petted the dog and would not allowed me to take him. Days turned into weeks and Mom continued to fight.
Paragraph 1
Once, after the nurses had gone for the day, I heard the sound of Mom’s voice coming from her room. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2
Three years later, Mom together with Otto is still here, medicines and nurses long gone. __ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
假如你是李华，你的英国朋友Frank将来你校参加国际中学生汉语夏令营（International Chinese Summer Camp），请你写一封邮件告诉他相关信息，内容包括：
1.表示欢迎；
2.介绍活动内容；
3.你的期待。
注意：
1.字数80词左右
2.可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
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