Universities have finally promised to end grade inflation(膨胀)after a growing number of first-class degrees led to accusations of dumbing down.The percentage of firsts handed out has doubled in the last decade,with 24 percent of graduates now awarded the top grade,compared with 12 percent in 2008.

Universities UK(UUK)is today promising for the first time to handle the problem and check the endless rise in the number of firsts dealt out.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds welcomed the move and warned any university producing an unreasonable rise in top degrees will face intervention(介入)from the regulator Office for Students.He said artificial grade inflation ust be stopped and warned quality must not be cast aside to build up an institution's reputation.

As part of a package of measures,universities have agreed to follow a new framework specifying what a student must demonstrate(展示）to achieve a certain grade.They have promised to ensure the standards will stretch and challenge all students,and protect the value of qualifications.

It comes after UUK admitted for the first time in November that tutors may be under pressure from both students and their bosses to inflate degree results.Staff may be tempted(诱惑)to hand out more top marks because they fear bad reviews in student feedback surveys,it said,while institutions could be motivated to do so to improve their position in national rankings.

Critics have long warned the trend weakens employers confidence in the system,as they cannot pick out outstanding candidates to hire.

A UUK investigation discovered 43 percent of first-class degrees last year were likely to have been awarded due to factors such as grade inflation.

Professor Dame Janet Beer,president of UUK,said,"The UK higher education sector has a world- leading reputation,so it is critical to protect the value of a university degree." UUK's promise will be in place for the 2019-2020 academic year.

1.What does the underlined phrase"dumbing down"in Paragraph 1 mean?

A.Less reputable.

B.More difficult.

C.Less challenging.

D.More accessible.

2.Why do universities plan to end grade inflation?

A.To toughen students up.

B.To rebuild their reputation.

C.To restore employers' confidence.

D.To maintain their competitiveness.

3.What does the president of UUK think of the move?

A.Complicated.

B.Valuable.

C.Controversial.

D.Challenging.

4.What can be a suitable title for the text?

A.Universities promise to stop grade inflation

B.Universities take measures to win a reputation

C.Why does grade inflation appear in universities?

D.How does grade inflation in universities affect graduates?

    The race to 5G is on. All four major US carriers now have some form of 5G wireless, although it’s all limited roll-outs in only a few cities, mostly using expensive phones that won’t support future nationwide 5G networks. We’re tracking the roll-outs monthly on our Race to 5G page.

The early 5G roll-outs are more like a public test than a final product. AT＆T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are all using technologies that only travel about 800 feet from a cell site, which means there isn’t much coverage. All four carriers are waiting for upgrades（升级）to their base stations that will improve coverage, speed, and reliability. Around the end of this year or the beginning of 2020, AT＆T, Verizon, and T-Mobile all intend to launch 5G networks that use the existing 4G spectrum（频谱）, which will have slower speeds but broader coverage.

We’ve tested AT＆T in Dallas and Las Vegas Sprint in Dallas and New York; Verizon in Chicago, New York, and Providence; and T-Mobile in New York. Every month, we’ve been seeing better performance and more new devices. It’s messy. It’s very early days. And if you like new technology, it’s very exciting.

In previous mobile transformations, we’ve seen most of the big changes happening years after the first announcement. Take 4G, for instance. The first 4G phones in the US appeared in 2010. But the sorts of 4G applications that changed our world didn’t appear until later. So following that plan. While we’re getting a little bit of 5G right now, you should expect the big 5G applications to crop up around 2021 or 2022.

5G stands for fifth-generation-cellular（蜂窝状的）wireless, and the initial standards of it were set at the end of 2017. But a set of standards doesn’t mean that all 5G will work the same-or that we even know what applications 5G will enable. There will be slow but responsive 5G, and fast 5G with limited coverage.

1.What is the present state of 5G in the US？

A.Initial exploration. B.Great improvement.

C.Wide application. D.Extensive promotion.

2.Why does the author take 4G for example？

A.To persuade carriers to give up 5G.

B.To remind people of 4G’s importance.

C.To prove 5G takes time to make a greater difference.

D.To show 5G has failed to meet expectations.

3.What’s the author’s attitude to 5G？

A.Cautious. B.Skeptical.

C.Opposed. D.Objective.

4.What’s the best title for the text？

A.Race to 5G B.5G is coming

C.How fast is 5G？ D.What is 5G？

    Most human beings are kind,good-natured beings who will hep someone out in need if they are able to,especially if that someone is a little kid.Travis Sattler is one of those human beings.

The 18-year-old didn't think twice about helping a little boy who walked up to the counter at Freddy's Frozen Custard where he'd been working for a year.The little boy named Johnny Smith had just finished eating with his mother when he walked up to the counter where Travis was working as the cashier(收银员）。He ordered an ice cream."Once I told him the total, he was counting his change and all of his money, and then he handed everything to me.But he didn't have enough money to pay for it. He was maybe $2 short,"Travis said.

But Travis wasn't about to let this boy walk out of the restaurant without his ice cream.So,he pulled out his credit card and told the boy to take the ice cream away."He had a big smile and the widest eyes when he ran back to his mom and told her what happened,"Travis said.

About 30 minutes later,the little boy walked up to Travis and handed him a note before walking out of the restaurant with his mom.It says,"Thank you for being so nice and paying for my ice cream.We need more people like you."The note also had a $100 bill folded in it.

＂I think I brightened up their day,"Travis said.And Travis's boss couldn't be more proud of him. He gave him an extra $100 bill as well and sent him some goodies.

1.How did Johnny feel when Travis paid for the ice cream?

A.Worried. B.Delighted.

C.Nervous. D.Confused.

2.Which of the following can best describe Travis?

A.Curious. B.Humorous.

C.Hard-working. D.Kind-hearted.

3.What can we learn from the text?

A.Johnny's mother couldn't afford the ice cream.

B.Travis has helped many people in the restaurant.

C.Travis Sattler's boss praised him for his behaviour.

D.Johnny's mother wrote to Travis and sent him a $2 bill.

4.What does the author want to show through Travis's story?

A.What goes around comes around.

B.Kindness does need to be rewarded.

C.A small act of kindness makes a big difference.

D.Happiness is more than the mere possession of money.

    If you're a college student looking for part-time jobs to make extra money,there are plenty of perfect choices for you.

Graphic Design(平面设计）

You can become a graphic designer to make money online it you have some basic graphic design skill. You can do lots of different tasks like creating business cards,or designing websites for businesses and individuals.

Pay rates can vary anywhere from$50 to150 per hour,depending on your skills and experience Online Tutoring

Online tutoring is one of the best part-time jobs for students.You can tutor students of all ages in any subject you have knowledge in.

Pay rates for tutoring jobs online vary.You can earn anywhere from$10 to$50 per hour based on your skills,experience and the subject you teach.

Remote Data Entry

Remote data entry jobs are simple to do.These jobs don't require any degree or special skills to get started.The main skills you need to have are accuracy and fast typing.

Pay rates for online data entry jobs can vary.You can earn around$10-$16 per hour.Fast typing Is necessary for earning more per hour.

Video Editing

If you can create attractive videos,you may as well edit videos.Video editors with experience are in high demand as websites like YouTube need high quality videos to gain more views.If you have some experience in video editing then you can make good money as a video editor.

You can earn anywhere from$25 to$50 per hour,depending on your skills.

Yo can do these jobs at any time convenient for you,meaning they can be managed along with your study.

1.If you want to get a relatively well-paid job,you should apply to be

A.a video editor B.an online tutor

C.a data entry clerk D.a graphic designer

2.Which of the following jobs needs no special skills?

A.Remote data entry. B.Online tutoring.

C.Graphic design. D.Video editing.

3.What do the four jobs share?

A.They offer a fixed pay.

B.They don't require experience.

C.They don't require relevant skills.

D.They offer flexible working hours.

最近 The Researchers 杂志对 2,000 人进行调查发现，现在的年轻人走路很少，这对于他们的健康不利。现在请你把这个发现写一篇英语短文 ，以提醒身边的人们要重视运动， 关注健康。

短文内容包括：

1. 研究发现：18-24 岁的年轻人中有四分之一平均每天步行不到 5 分钟；

2.  原因：① 很多人把步行少归咎于科技的发展；② 有些年轻人觉得没有人一起散步也是步行少的一个原因；

3. 你的建议。

注意：

1. 词数 120 左右；

2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

根据所给句子和所学语法、词汇知识填空，每空一词。

1.Mozart’s birthplace and the house _______ he composed The Magic Flute are both museums now.

2.It remains to be seen _______ the new teaching method is more effective.

3.I will call you early next week to schedule an interview _______ your convenience.

4.COVID-19 has been spreading around the globe _______  (cause) over 270,000 deaths.

5.Although I am three years senior _______ Bryan, he looks much older.

6.Richard loves Chinese Kungfu and is often seen _______  (practise) on the playground.

7.The village has changed beyond recognition, with rows of factories built on _______ used to be farmlands.

8.Janet dislikes _______ when people talk about others’ privacy in public.

9.If you are unsure about what to do next, you _______ as well consult your adviser.

10.I need to plan well. After all, ten thousand dollars _______ (be) not a small sum.

根据中文或首字母提示填出正确的单词，每空一词。

1.One of the main _______ (功能) of this organization is to promote people’s awareness of ocean pollution.

2.Standing at a c _______ of her life, Carrier was highly cautious about her decision.

3.A balanced diet daily proves to be b _______ to our health.

4.More about the _______  (起源) of the universe has yet to be discovered.

5.During his election c _______ , Donald Trump promised to put the economy of the United States back on its feet.

6.Sharing videos online has made some users unable to d _______ between the virtual world and the real one.

7.As the speaker continued her story, the laughter from the audience _______  (逐渐消失).

8.The meeting had to be canceled due to the a _______ of the boss.

9.Some believe classic works have nothing to do with _______  (当代的) life for they were written so long ago.

10.Though he had failed his driving test twice, Marc decided to make a third a _______ at it.

阅读下面短文，在空白处填入 1 个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Robots have certain advantages compared to humans: They are efficient, tireless, can be repaired when 1. (damage) and they never get sick. This last trait ( 特 征 ) has made them the star during our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic ( 流 行 病 ). For example, ultraviolet-light-disinfection robots are being 2. (wide) used to clean hospital corridors and wards ( 病 房 ). This is 3. some experts say that the COVID-19 outbreak is the “tipping  point” (临界点) for robots start to replace humans in certain jobs. According to futurist Martin Ford, even when the pandemic is over, people 4. (prefer) to  go  to a place that has fewer  human 5. (employ) and more machines because they feel they can 6.  (low) overall risk.

7., this doesn’t mean that robots beat humans in every aspect. The human contact between doctors and patients is still important. Doctors comfort the patients and give advice 8. guides them through hard decisions while robots are only doing routine tasks, like cleaning  and  giving  tests. 9.might be true that robots have certain advantages 10. humans, but they are still secondary (次要的) to human interaction.

    I work as a waiter at a hotel. Last night, an elderly white, seemingly _______ couple entered the restaurant. My co-worker greeted and _______ them in a friendly way. We usually take charge of our own _______, but when we are _______, we help each other out.

I was _______ the customers at another table when the elderly husband _______ to me that they were ready to order. I usually find it _______ when people go out of their way to make their order, especially when we are super busy. But once I took the couple’s _______ I understood why.

The husband began ordering, stuttering (结巴) to a degree I’d never heard before. It was very clear that he had a _______ disorder. I could tell the wife had told her husband very extensively what she wanted, as a(n) __________ for him to practice ordering. It took him quite a while to order. Meanwhile, she was just sitting there, looking proud and __________ despite her husband’s endless stuttering.

Honestly, the whole thing just did something to me. It was beautiful and made me realize that a huge part of love is ____________, patience and support. She could have made the order and made things a lot __________ for her husband and avoided the __________ from other tables, but she didn’t. __________, she supported him and was proud to see him __________ the order.

The whole thing also __________ me that life isn’t always __________ for everyone. These rich people seemed to have everything, but they also have __________ they have to face daily. But I’ve learnt that life isn’t about waiting for the storm to __________, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.

1.A.blind B.nervous C.courageous D.wealthy

2.A.searched B.surveyed C.seated D.consulted

3.A.tables B.meals C.dishes D.bookings

4.A.tired B.busy C.considerate D.anxious

5.A.appealing to B.cheering up C.waiting on D.looking after

6.A.said B.signaled C.shouted D.explained

7.A.natural B.delighted C.impressive D.impolite

8.A.menu B.order C.tip D.bill

9.A.mental B.hearing C.speech D.breath

10.A.way B.tradition C.excuse D.target

11.A.satisfied B.attractive C.absent-minded D.strict

12.A.thankfulness B.forgiveness C.acceptance D.pity

13.A.cheaper B.easier C.fairer D.funnier

14.A.smiles B.stares C.greetings D.questions

15.A.Besides B.Otherwise C.Thus D.Instead

16.A.analyze B.take C.complete D.fail

17.A.reminds B.scares C.encourages D.urges

18.A.normal B.smooth C.hopeful D.painful

19.A.danger B.choices C.criticism D.problems

20.A.pass B.strike C.direct D.change

iPads vs Textbooks

What if you could have your whole backpack at the touch of your fingertips? In the first month of the Apple iPads release, 25million were sold! People all over the world use iPads for all sorts of different things, but one of their finest qualities is the ability to be a textbook. 1.

To begin with, iPads are less expensive. Textbooks become outdated and schools have to buy new books, but with an iPad schools can update them for free. 2. Schools don’t have to spend $500 every year for iPads because they last a while and can be updated.

3. Students usually have multiple classes, which results in multiple textbooks. Heavy backpacks filled with books can cause back problem. A solution to that is an iPad, which only weighs 1.33 pounds and can hold all of a student’s textbooks.

Third, schools should get rid of their textbooks and get iPads because they have more capabilities. Some might think all of the apps are distracting, but the apps actually make iPads more efficient. 4. Textbooks cannot do those tasks, but iPads can easily do them with just a tap of the fingertip.

Lastly, iPads are a better choice for schools instead of textbooks because these devices allow students to access their learning anywhere at any time. 5. With iPads, they find it easier to get their homework done.

In conclusion, schools should get rid of their clumsy textbooks and switch to iPads. iPads have allowed this generation to have their entire backpack in the palm of their hands.

A.Second, iPads cost less and are more popular.

B.These tablets are perfect for busy students.

C.Therefore, they can use the saved money for other programs.

D.Moreover, in high school, textbooks have an average of 4.8 pounds each.

E.iPads have already replaced textbooks in over 600 American counties.

F.Schools have every reason to do away with their school books and switch to iPads.

G.iPads absorb the need to buy calculators, dictionaries, and other items that are found within the device.

    The different parts of a health-care system have different focuses. A hospital’s stroke unit monitors blood flow in the brain. The cardiac (心脏的) unit is interested in that same flow, but through and from the heart. The data is effective in its own field, but for the most part has little relevance to other bits of the body and conditions.

Apart from all this, the instruments that doctors use to monitor health are often expensive, as is the training required to operate them. That combined cost is too high for the medical system to scan regularly, for early signs of illness.

A research project called AlzEye, run from Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, may change this. It is attempting to use the eye as a window through which to detect signals about the health of other organs. The doctors in charge of it, Siegfried Wagner and Pearse Keane, are linking Moorfields’ database of eye scans, which offer a detailed picture of the health of the retina (视网膜), with information about other aspects of its patients’ health collected from other hospitals around England.

The data set includes every one of the 300,000 patients who visited Moorfields between 2008 and 2018 and was over the age of 40. The idea is to examine changes to people’s eyes within that ten-year period, and link these with, say, the appearance of Alzheimer’s disease in the same patient.

Drs Wagner and Keane are searching for patterns in the eye that betray the appearance of disease elsewhere in the body, and are focusing first on Alzheimer’s disease. They will seek such patterns with the help of algorithms (程序) that can spot far tinier variations. They may, it should be remembered, never find such patterns. Although there is evidence that the back of the eye does change as its owner develops Alzheimer’s, it may be that the changes are too small to be detected reliably enough for diagnosis (诊断). If such patterns could be recognized reliably, though, the potential impact would be huge. Even in rich countries, between 50% and 80% of Alzheimer’s cases go undiagnosed. Moreover, even if the technique does not work for Alzheimer’s, it might work for something else. Dr Wagner and Dr Keane therefore plan further searches for patterns related to strokes and heart disease. Even one relevant pattern would contain a remarkable diagnostic leap forward.

If it does work, the technique the two researchers are recommending will be cheap to carry out. An indication of how cheap is the project’s total budget of just £15,000. Also, the equipment and algorithms to perform an eye scan are available to anyone, through cloud-computing services like Google and Amazon.

1.What is the disadvantage of the traditional way to monitor health?

A.Doctors are only interested in their own fields.

B.It can’t find early signs of illness effectively.

C.It can’t offer all-around health information.

D.Hospitals can’t afford the equipment and training.

2.Drs Wagner and Keane use eye scans to _______.

A.decide whether the patients’ retinas are healthy

B.compare Moorfields’ database with other hospitals’

C.find the connections between eye changes and disease

D.explore the use of algorithms in detecting Alzheimer’s

3.The underlined word “betray” in Paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to _______.

A.change B.show

C.cause D.prevent

4.What do we learn about the AlzEye project?

A.It examines the lifelong changes to 300,000 patients’ eyes.

B.It can correctly diagnose Alzheimer’s cases by scanning eyes.

C.It may be applied in finding other diseases besides Alzheimer’s.

D.It provides cloud-computing services with Google and Amazon.

    Small talk—the likes of “What do you have there? Popcorn?” or “The weather today is beautiful, isn’t it?”—is meaningless and a waste of time, according to some people. But scientists believe that it is actually more useful than it may appear to be.

One example comes when you are on a train or a plane. The thought of talking to the stranger sitting beside you can be scary, because you know the conversation is sure to be awkward. But a study by the University of Chicago in the US found that people who chat to strangers enjoy a better ride than those who sit in silence or occupy themselves with their phones.

In the study, researchers asked people at Chicago train stations to start conversations with fellow travelers. Most of them refused to do so at first because they expected not to get a friendly answer. But the result turned out to be just the opposite—most strangers were not only willing to be talked to, but also pleasant to talk to.

“Human beings are social animals,” Nicholas Epley, one of the lead researchers, told Live Science. “Other people are people, too. And it turns out that they’d like to get to know you.”

Apart from making you happier, small talk with strangers can also help you feel connected to your surroundings. Previous studies found that when people are frequently smiled at, made eye contact with and spoken to at coffee shops, they tend to have a stronger sense of belonging instead of feeling like they are being ignored and left out.

And if you are already comfortable enough to make small talk with strangers, you should try to develop it into something “bigger”.

A 2010 study proved that having a deep and meaningful conversation gives you even more happiness than small talk. Participants in the study—79 college students—reported after the four-day experiment that they were much happier when they had a third as much small talk and twice as many in-depth conversations.

But deep conversations can start with small talk, can’t they? So the first step is to start talking, no matter how casual the topic is. And who knows, maybe an opening line as simple as “I like your hat” could lead to a serious conversation in which you learn something new from a stranger.

1.Why are most people willing to have a talk during a trip, according to Nicholas Epley?

A.Most people are nice to strangers.

B.People are naturally curious about others.

C.People are afraid of loneliness or boredom.

D.People try to show their good side to strangers.

2.Which of the following is a benefit of small talk?

A.Wasting less time.

B.Developing useful contacts.

C.Disconnecting from phones for a while.

D.Feeling like being a part of your surroundings.

3.According to the 2010 study, in what way can people get more happiness from talking with strangers?

A.Starting with serious topics. B.Starting with casual topics.

C.Making it important and deep. D.Choosing pleasant surroundings.

4.What is the author’s attitude toward small talk?

A.Supportive. B.Negative.

C.Doubtful. D.Objective.

Open water swimming

I had only swum in open water a few times, and always in gentle lakes, so I wasn’t prepared for how rough Lake Windermere appeared on a cold day. A swimmer told me the water felt colder than it had been measured, and that the water was a bit rough. But I, along with 10,000 others, was about to complete the challenge.

Most of the people taking part were doing a one-mile race, and 10 races were planned over the weekend. There seemed to be a mix of open-water enthusiasts alongside complete beginners—which is precisely the aim of the swims, to get as many people as possible completing their own challenge. The oldest woman competing was 77, taking part in the two-mile race, alongside a man who last year had swum in every one-mile race.

I had chosen the third one-mile race of the day. There were over 600 people in my race. We were taken through an acclimatization area, a children’s paddling pool-sized part of the lake where we moved in to feel how cold the water was. “Not too bad” was everyone’s thought! Then we headed out towards the middle of the lake.

We’d been warned that the first 100 metres would be really rough. However, somewhere near the 750m mark I was still waiting for the calm; it felt more like swimming in the sea than a lake. I tried to focus on my breathing and technique, and just keep going. As I approached the 400m-to-go mark my lower right leg became painful. I recalled overhearing people talking about how they kept swimming through the pain, so I tried. But it didn’t work. I began to feel the entire leg tight and painful. I didn’t want to stop, so I bent my right knee and just kicked with the left leg.

Finally I saw the finishing post, and I just concentrated on getting there—still one-legged. My finishing time was 38 minutes 25 seconds but that didn’t matter—the atmosphere was fantastic and everyone felt a sense of achievement, whatever their time. I’m hooked, and want to give it another go. I’ve already signed up for my next open-water swim.

1.How did the author feel before the race?

A.Scared of the most challenging race.

B.Disappointed by the difficult conditions.

C.Concerned about the other swimmers in the race.

D.Determined to be as tough as the people around her.

2.Why does the author mention the two people in Paragraph 2?

A.To stress the importance of the race.

B.To praise the experienced swimmers.

C.To show the wide range of the participants.

D.To introduce the various events of the race.

3.The author suggests in Paragraph 4 that ______.

A.the race would cause breathing problems

B.the race became harder than she had expected

C.it was really necessary to prepare for tough swims

D.it would have been easier if she had taken others’ advice

4.What does the author talk about in the last paragraph?

A.Her confidence in her own ability.

B.Her pride in having swum so quickly.

C.Her eagerness to repeat the experience.

D.Her surprise at having managed to finish.

Monster Zoo

Monster Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the world, covering more than 15 km squares. It is home to more than 50 species of rare and native animals. The zoo is located 70 km from the city New South Australia.

Monster zoo was founded in 1983 as a breeding area (繁殖区). Officially open to the public in October 1993, Monster Zoo is now home to more than 500 animals.

Opening Hours

Monster zoo is open daily from 9: 30 am to 5: 00 pm with last entry at 3: 00 pm. The zoo is open every day of the year, including Christmas Day and all public holidays. The exception to this is if the forecast temperature for Monster Zoo is 40 degrees or above, it will be closed.

To get the most out of your visit we recommend setting aside a minimum of four to five hours to fully enjoy the Monster zoo.

Tickets

Child (4-14 years old) : AU $ 28. 50

Adult (15 years old and over) : AU $ 51. 75

Family / Mini Group: AU $ 132. 75

Meet the Keeper

Monster zoo offers various daily zoo keeper talks and animal feeds that give guests the chance to interact (互动) with our friendly workers and learn about the zoo’s unique residents.

Looking for a more unique animal experience? Consider booking a Behind the Scenes Animal Experience to come face to face with some of our special animal residents.

Café

Ketabi Café is open from 9: 30 am to 5: 00 pm daily and offers a variety of tasty treats, small snacks and hot meals.

Picnics

For those who prefer to bring their own meals, special picnic areas are available close to the Visitor Center. Please note that due to fire risk, the zoo does not allow for the use of BBQs.

1.What can we learn about the zoo from the text?

A.It is the largest zoo in the world.

B.It is open daily all year except Christmas Day.

C.It is open to the public ten years after it was founded.

D.It is home to more than 500 species of animals.

2.If three young men aged 12, 14 and 19 visit the zoo, how much will they pay?

A.AU $ 155. 25. B.AU $ 108. 75.

C.AU $ 85.25. D.AU $ 132. 75.

3.Where does this text most probably come from?

A.A health newspaper. B.An animal book.

C.A travel website. D.A fashion magazine.

阅读下面短文，根据其内容写一篇60词左右的内容概要。

In 1971, China’s first subway line in Beijing was formally put into operation. By December  2017, there were 171 subway lines stretching over 5,083 km in 35 cities on the Chinese mainland. Currently, China has the longest urban railway network in the world, which is predicted to surpass 6000 km by 2020.

The rapid development of China’s urban railway system reflects the country’s growing economic strength. The system has experienced the fastest growth over the past 15 years due to the investment of wealth accumulated from the reform and opening up in urban infrastructure construction. An urban railway system is expensive to build, with one kilometer of subway costing approximately 700 million yuan ($110 million). A city without economic strength cannot develop such an expensive system.

The progress in urban railway construction technologies has also contributed to the fast expansion of the infrastructure. Subway construction involves building underground tunnels, laying rails, manufacturing trains and the operation and management of subways. It is a systematic project which not only covers traditional infrastructure building but also modem electronics and information technology. China s railway construction technologies are the best in the world, with Chinese subway trains now exported to developed countries including the United States.

The expansion of Chinese cities has made it necessary to develop urban railway systems. Since the start of the reform and opening up, a large number of people have migrated to cities and the number of private cars has increased dramatically, resulting in serious traffic congestion. Building subways has become an important way to solve this problem.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the launch of China’s reform and opening up, and the rapid development of China’s urban railway system exemplifies the achievements made by the policy. As China furthers its opening up, it will continue to maintain steady and rapid economic growth and railway systems will be available in more and more cities.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

假定你是李华，你的美国笔友Tom来信说他对中医感兴趣，想来中国学习。请你给他回封 邮件，具体内容如下：

1.支持他的决定；

2.简单介绍中医及其优点；

3.学习中医的好处。

注意：1.词数80左右；

2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Dear Tom,

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

No more do you have to enter a bank to withdraw money or transfer it to someone. Many banks have already made transactions (业务，交易) possible online and 1. (access) to people everywhere. Companies like PayPal and Venmo have created platforms where people can send and receive money from any location 2. (use) the Internet.

Paying bills has also become simplified, thanks 3. technology. You can 4.(automatic) schedule payments when they are due rather than having to remember 5. (mail) a check. With your cell phone and a banking app, you can manage all of your necessary bill payments online.

Setting up automated payments through a banking app is especially helpful for seniors 6. may have memory problems. Caregivers or loved ones can help set up recurring (反复出现)bill payments so there’s never a question 7. or not a bill will be paid on time.

It’s even simple to pay for things using only your smartphone. With Apple Pay and Google Wallet, you don’t need to carry cash when you go shopping. These apps securely link your bank account to your mobile phone. The same 8. (machine) you use to swipe (刷磁卡) your credit card at the store now allow mobile payments from your phone.

Keeping up with all of these innovations may seem like 9. struggle, but these technologies can simplify your life to help you worry about far 10. (few) things.

With all of the payment capabilities available these days, you could leave home without your wallet be just fine

    The idea of being quarantined (隔离)hadn't seemed like a major issue until we all began to realize all of the things that get taken away when school goes. We had taken our "normal" lives for granted and this pandemic (流行病)was proof.1. Throughout our entire educational lives, we students have always jokingly said we wanted school to be cancelled. We didn't realize, however, that all the activities associated with being in school would be taken away too. School has an influence on so much more than we actually think.2.

While in my room, my sixth-grade cousin opened my door and expressed how she didn't want school to be cancelled because it was the only reason she left the house.3. This is when I began to acknowledge the true impact school has even on the youngest of children. As a sixth-grader, her only known duty so far was to go to school, learn, maybe participate in a sport or two, and socialize with others. When eating dinner my uncle shared with us that he has no work until April 15. My other aunt and uncle now had to play a larger role than ever imagined in the education of their children. Without one-on-one interaction with a teacher, it's crucial to ensure that their kids of ages 4 and 7 continue learning. During this school closure, parents and students alike have noticed the direct effect social media has on our reactions.4. Many of these opinions either contribute to hysteria (歇斯底里)or attempt to tell us that we may be overreacting.

5. This pandemic has effects of all different levels of significance, many of which can never be replaced nor made up. The death toll it has worldwide is even more frightening to think about. Everyone is affected in one way or another by this crisis, but let us not forget what school has taught us about ourselves as a community ... that we are stronger together.

A.Initially, everything seemed to be under control.

B.She explained how she would be bored without school.

C.It has provided us with friend groups, hobbies and passions.

D.Since this didn't affect us at all, we continued about our daily lives.

E.Opinions of all sorts are broadcast regardless of the accuracy they contain.

F.We took for granted the simplicity of walking across a stage with a diploma in our hands.

G.However, the impact the coronavirus has had on the world is a generation-changing event.

    When a laptop or smartphone battery starts losing its power, the only options are to buy an expensive replacement or just keep it plugged in all the time. But a woman Mya Le Thai may have found the solution to this problem.

Thai was frustrated that the batteries for her wireless devices degraded (退化) over time, until they failed to charge fully. She did not like having to keep her laptop connected to an electrical outlet to keep it powered on. So, she decided to do something about that problem. At first, she and her team at UC Irvine thought about inventing a new battery. But as they experimented, Thai discovered something that might permit lithium-ion (锂离子) batteries to last forever.

Lithium-ion batteries power most wireless devices. Over time, the batteries lose the ability to hold a charge. Most of these batteries have a lifespan of about 7,000 charging cycles before they die. One of the reasons lithium-ion batteries degrade is their use of nanowires to carry electricity. Nano wires are extremely thin. A human hair is thousands of times thicker, for example. Nano wires are extremely efficient carriers of electricity, which makes them useful in batteries.

But, Thai had a theory — the nanowires might last longer if covered with a gel (凝胶). She and her team tested this theory. “It was a long process and a lot of work,” Thai said. The team tried many coverings for the wires. PMMA, a type of plastic, was one of them. The nanowires were coated with PMMA and cycled through charging 200,000 times. The PMMA-coated nanowires showed no evidence of damage. The results suggest that batteries could last forever without losing charging ability.

Thai hopes to continue her research to understand why this gel works so well and to see if any other gel could create better results and she is enjoying the publicity about her discovery. She said she never expected her research to get media coverage. “It’s kind of cool,” she said. “I’m really glad people are showing interest in my work and not just in the work itself; but also in technology and energy.”

1.Why did Mya Le Thai work on lithium-ion batteries?

A.She disliked the batteries for her laptop.

B.Her team were ordered to invent a new battery.

C.Many people thought batteries were too expensive.

D.The batteries would soon fail to get fully charged.

2.What can we infer about nanowires?

A.They are too weak to carry electricity.

B.They are not suitable to use in batteries.

C.They Iasi exactly 7,000 charging cycles.

D.Their thinness is a cause of batteries degrading.

3.What was Thai and her team’s breakthrough?

A.Coating nanowires in a gel. B.A new kind of battery.

C.New materials for batteries. D.A new way of charging batteries.

4.What may be the best title for the passage?

A.Mya Le Thai discovered nanowires B.A woman invents a lasting battery

C.The options of batteries for wireless devices D.The reasons for batteries degrading

    Sleepiness and boredom lead to yawning (打哈欠), so it has long been believed that the action makes us feel more awake by stretching the muscles surrounding the lungs, or by bringing more oxygen to the blood and the brain. Yet in tests, breathing air with high levels of carbon dioxide or even pure oxygen made no difference to the frequency of yawns.

Another theory, proposed by the French physician Olivier, is that yawning improves the circulation of the fluid (液体) that surrounds the brain. As a result, we can focus better on a task. This might explain why athletes often yawn naturally before they compete.

Recently, though, a new explanation has appeared: Yawning is a way to cool the brain. Experiments led by Gordon Gallup at the University at Albany showed that people yawned far less when their head was cooled by a cold pack compared with holding a heated pack to their forehead The temperature of the brain rises when we are tired, so it is possible that yawning is a way to protect the brain from overheating due to tiredness.

But a strange thing is that when we see another person yawn, we catch it too. In other words, yawning is contagious.

How can we make sense of these different types of yawning? It’s possible that contagious yawning is something different, and might have a social purpose. Steven Palek and his colleagues at the University at Albany say that contagious yawning may be linked to our ability to understand what others want to do. If you are good at reading others’ facial expressions you are more likely to “catch” a yawn. Therefore, lonely people tend to be less affected by yawing, according to research by Atsushi Senju, now at Birkbeck, University of London.

So the simple act of yawning tursout to be surprisingly complex Has this research made you yawn yet?

1.Based on the theory of Olivier, yawning ________.

A.is caused by lack of sleep

B.contributes to concentration

C.is a way to bring more oxygen to the blood

D.increases the circulation of the fluid in lungs

2.The underlined word “contagious” in Paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to _________.

A.Infectious B.Influential

C. Attractive D.Comfortable

3.How is the passage mainly developed?

A.By making comparisons.

B.By listing different figures.

C.By providing explanations.

D.By telling personal experiences.

    Deciding to get her money’s worth out of the wedding dress on which she spent over $1,000, an Australian woman has been wearing her wedding dress, a year after her wedding.

43-year-old Tammy Hall adopted a new lifestyle—anti-consumerism (反消费主义) lifestyle in 2016, after a trip to India opened her eyes to how much we as a society consumed. She decided not to buy any new clothes or footwear for a whole year after she returned home to Adelaide, in Southern Australia, and she managed to make it.

But last year, as her wedding day approached, she faced a dilemma. She wanted to look good on the most important day of her life, but how could she spend a small fortune on the wedding dress she would only wear on that day?

“In the end I decided that if I was going to get a wedding dress, I’d make sure I could get my money’s worth,” Hall tells PA Real Life.

“The first time I wore it after the wedding was to vote in the Australian election in early 2019,” the 43-year-old adds. “Since then, it’s been to all sorts of places. Wearing it on a crowded train was especially funny, but I’ve worn it to do housework, to football games and to the gym.”

Hall says that she has got some strange looks from people, but no irritating comments. It may have something to do with the fact that the dress is not the fanciest, but she believes people are just too reserved to say anything. Anyway, she doesn’t really care, because she knows she has to hit the goal she has set and wearing the dress multiple times is the most reasonable way she could think of to make the most of her wedding dress.

Hall now plans to wear her wedding dress on a trip to Iceland that she and her partner will take nest summer.

1.Why did Tammy Hall adopt a new lifestyle?

A.To adapt herself to Indian life. B.To save money for her next trip.

C.To cut down her consumption. D.To get prepared for her wedding.

2.What did Tammy Hall do to get her money’s worth out of her wedding dress?

A.She brought fun to people with it B.She wore it repeatedly in daily life.

C.She tried to wear it to earn money. D.She got it exchanged    again and    again

3.What can we infer about Tammy Hall?

A.She has been struggling to make ends meet.

B.She has influenced people’s lifestyle widely.

C.She values her wedding dress less than her trips.

D.She is determined to turn her ideas into practice.

    The little boy with big brown eyes was waiting for us on the other side of the world. Ever since our adoption agency had _________ us, I’d been hurriedly _________ all the necessary paperwork. I made it a personal goal to never _________ the process. On one late afternoon in June. I rushed toward the closest FedEx office. I had some _________ to send overnight, and I wanted them to go out that day.

I thought I knew _________ the FedEx office was. I drove there as the minutes slipped away, only to find that the office was no longer _________ where I remembered it. Tears came to my eyes. This was _________ we all had a smartphone in our pockets. I had no way of _________ the correct location. _________ , I started driving toward home. I felt like a failure, as though I’d just __________ my new son to more days in an orphanage waiting for us.

Suddenly, I was __________ at a stoplight by an oversized box truck My anger turned to __________ when I saw the sign. It was a FedEx truck I __________ closely behind the truck. What were the __________ the truck would lead me straight to the FedEx office I was seeking?

It __________ the chances were good. Less than five minutes later, I saw a FedEx sign, and the truck made a turn into the parking lot. I had __________ in my eyes again.

Our documents went out that night. The truck driver __________ knew he was an angel for me that day. Three months later, we flew halfway around the world to __________ our son for the first time. We have been with him every day since.

Miracles are always around us __________ we are open to them. Sometimes, it’s a smile at the right time or a kind word. And every now and then, it’s even a big __________ that cuts us off in traffic.

1.A.debated B.challenged C.matched D.scanned

2.A.hiding B.completing C.evaluating D.underlining

3.A.delay B.start C.repeat D.simplify

4.A.gifts B.letters C.documents D.postcards

5.A.how B.what C.which D.where

6.A.locked B.located C.ranked D.repaired

7.A.before B.after C.since D.when

8.A.finding B.choosing C.describing D.showing

9.A.Bored B.Delighted C.Disappointed D.Surprised

10.A.compared B.sentenced C.appointed D.accompanied

11.A.kept up B.put down C.taken in D.cut off

12.A.guilt B.panic C.shock D.terror

13.A.ran B.arose C.walked D.followed

14.A.chances B.wonders C.doubts D.promises

15.A.turned off B.turned out C.broke off D.broke out

16.A.dust B.dirt C.tears D.sands

17.A.just B.never C.exactly D.immediately

18.A.free B.meet C.beat D.spoil

19.A.if B.although C.unless D.until

20.A.tree B.lie C.smile D.truck

His story of what happened that night didn’t ________ the witness’s version.

A.try out B.put off C.speed up D.correspond with

I think it is important for children to have brothers and sisters they can ________.

A.relate to B.split up C.drop off D.decide on

Our blood depends on us moving around to be able to _______ properly.

A.bleed B.bond C.crash D.circulate

I wasn’t aware that I would be paying-you certainly didn’t make it ________.

A.explicit B.ample C.diverse D.sharp

The details are not known but the ________ of these written agreements arc basically known.

A.organs B.outlines C.potentials D.patents

In America, a ________ lunch may consist of a burger or sandwich, a vegetable or fruit salad, a dessert, and a coke or coffee.

A.stable B.reasonable C.typical D.vital

To join the club, you have to ________ buy a minimum of six books a year.

A.undertake B.vote C.postpone D.evolve

When he needs time alone, he ________ to his private space at a nearby art studio to paint.

A.dials B.chokes C.bothers D.withdraws