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。

Senior citizens are the first to come to our mind when you think of hearing loss,  but in a recent report,  hearing professionals worry teenagers will soon outnumber aging adults 1. it comes to living with hearing loss.

The rise in popularity of personal audio devices from iPods to smart phones has had dangerous effect on the ears of those who use them most,  teenagers! A research 2. (conduct) by the World Health Organization finds that nearly 50% of teens 3. (fall) into the habit of exposing themselves to unsafe levels of sound so far.

A sound is considered unsafe when it goes beyond 85 decibels (分贝). At that level, it takes just 8 hours of listening over your lifetime to cause damage. The louder the sound is, the 4. (little) time it takes to cause damage. Because hearing loss is 5. (typical) considered a health problem for the elderly, it is difficult to convince already stubborn teenagers that they really are doing damage 6. their ears.

Young adults 7. have been exposed to loud noise over a period of time may have some hearing loss symptoms. Their 8. (able) to learn is compromised, and they may have difficulty developing social skills.

In an effort to help teens better protect their hearing, we suggest 9. (set) volume limits on personal audio devices. 10. is also good to limit the amount of time exposed to noise and to take listening breaks to give the ears a rest.

    I stood in the front of the classroom like a specimen(标本） under examinations  of 23 pairs of eyes. I  began stuttering(结巴）and gave wrong answers to some questions.

In the summer of 2016, I worked as an assistant teacher at a children's day camp.Lacking in experience，I _______ to create weekly lesson plans.Kids shouted at each other in class.Sometimes，I had to pull apart kids who were _______ each other.The rare moments of_______ came only after my booming calls for attention. Every day was a _______ between  me  and these wild little creatures.

One day I suddenly _______ that I was supposed to teach them instead of being led by the nose. It was time to do something to change the _______. I was older, more knowledgeable, and most _______, I had more authority. The next day，I firmly_______into the classroom and stood in the front_______.The students studied me curiously. But I did not stutter this time. It________ me that the class went smoothly without being  ________ for the first time. From that day on，they gradually started to pay attention. Some ________started calling me “Ms. Amy”. Seeing a sign of respect in their wild eyes was like getting ________ for my achievements. I was finally acting as an authority figure. The ________ I received also increased my self一confidence. It made me believe that I had the________. to overcome difficulties.

One month after my summer job ________, I went back to visit the students. I saw the ________ kids running around in the classroom. ________，their playful shouts were a different kind of music to my ________now. Instead of the unpleasant sound I heard the first day，this was a________ song that played during my march to self—confidence.

1.A.refused B.failed C.struggled D.hesitated

2.A.calling on B.fighting with C.staring at D.learning from

3.A.patience B.promise C.thought D.silence

4.A.battle B.difference C.link D.joke

5.A.hoped B.realized C.regretted D.remembered

6.A.suggestion B.occasion C.situation D.decision

7.A.importantly B.interestingly C.naturally D.hopefully

8.A.burst B.slipped C.rushed D.stepped

9.A.anxiously B.cautiously C.eagerly D.calmly

10.A.surprised B.embarrassed C.disappointed D.amused

11.A.puzzled B.encouraged C.disturbed D.observed

12.A.just B.even C.ever D.still

13.A.recognition B.information C.evaluation D.discussion

14.A.trust B.sympathy C.pride D.respect

15.A.chance B.right C.ability D.intention

16.A.continued B.ended C.started D.returned

17.A.same B.special C.poor D.normal

18.A.Therefore B.However C.Besides D.Otherwise

19.A.heart B.eyes C.ears D.soul

20.A.popular B.complex C.strange D.unique

Questions to Ask Before Getting Your Child a Cellphone

At what age should you get your child a cellphone? 1. However, before you decide to add your child to your family plan, ask yourself these questions.

2.

If you and your child are not often apart beyond school hours, a cellphone may not be a serious necessity, but if he is independent or involved in extracurricular (课外的) activities outside your home, a cellphone could be useful, especially during emergencies as a convenient means of communication with you.

Does your child understand the cost?

Make sure your child understands the cost of having a cellphone. 3.Some options to help control costs include prepaid and postpaid phones, setting a monthly budget for your child.

How can you keep your child’s phone usage safe and under control?

Before you get your child a phone, you should discuss what it can be used for, rules he is expected to follow and consequences if he fails to follow them. 4.

5. If you prefer to take an extra step towards monitoring his phone use, these application programs to allow you to track your child’s mobile activity.

A.Who needs a cellphone?

B.You ask your child to make use of his cellphone for learning.

C.Also, educate yourself on what social media apps are popular with teens.

D.According to Pew Research Center, the average age is between 12 and 13.

E.How can you determine whether or not to buy a cellphone for your child?

F.Also be sure that he can be trusted to stay within his limits from month to month.

G.For example, is the phone only to be used to call family, or can it be used socially?

    Dutch officials toasted on Tuesday the opening of what is being called the world’s first 3D-printed concrete bridge, which is meant to be used by cyclists. There was applause as officials wearing hard hats and workmen’s jackets rode over the bridge on their bikes at the opening ceremony in the southeastern town of Gemert.

“The bridge is not very big, but it was rolled out by a printer which makes it unique,” Theo Salet, from the Eindhoven University of Technology, told Dutch broadcaster NOS. Work on printing the bridge, which has some 800 layers, took about three months after starting in June and it is made of pre-stressed concrete, according to the university. “One of the advantages of printing a bridge is that much less concrete is needed than in the conventional technique in which a mould (泥浆) is filled,” it said on its website, adding “a printer deposits the concrete only where it is needed.”

The eight-metre (26-foot) bridge crosses a water-filled channel to connect two roads, and it was tested for safety to bear loads of up to two metric tons in cooperation with the BAM Infra Construction company. Although designed for bikes, it could take up to 40 trucks, the designers said “We are looking to the future,” said the head of BAM, Marinus Schimmel. “3D printing meant fewer rare resources were needed and there was significantly less waste,” he added.

The Netherlands is among countries, with the United States and China, taking a lead in the cutting-edge technology of 3D printing, using computers and robotics to construct objects and structures from scratch without using much traditional manpower. Last year a Dutch architect unveiled (提示) a unique 3D printer with which he hopes to construct an “endless loop” building. And a Dutch start-up called MX3D has begun printing a stainless-steel bridge, of which a third is already completed. The aim is to finish printing by March and lay the bridge over an Amsterdam canal in the future.

1.According to the text what makes the bridge unique?

A. It adopts 3D printing

B. It opens only to cyclists.

C. It is made of new material.

D. It uses much less concrete.

2.According to Marinus Schimmel. the bridge ________.

A. fails to bear heavy loads more safely

B. needs no concrete and mould

C. is designed for bikes and trucks

D. is cost-efficient and eco-friendly

3.According to the last paragraph, which of the following statement is true?

A. The 3D-printed bridges are all designed for bikes.

B. 3D-printed construction saves much human labor.

C. United States and China develop slowly in 3D printing.

D. The stainless-steel bridge by MX3D has been put into use.

4.What is the best title for the text?

A. The Value of the 3D Printing Technology

B. The Netherlands Leads the Way in 3D Printing

C. World’s First 3D-printed Bridge Opens to Cyclists

D. 3D Printing is Widely Used in Building Bridges

    Breathing dirty air comes at a high price. Air pollution lowers the average life spans (寿命) by a year worldwide and in more polluted parts of Asia and Africa, dirty air shortens lives up to twice that much. Scientists shared their new findings in Environmental Science & Technology Letters. The study used data gathered in 2016 as part of a project known as the Global Burden of Disease and was the first major country-by-country look at the connection between the length of life and what’s known as fine PM.

Air pollution has been linked to many health problems. Most earlier studies had looked at how tiny air pollutants affected rates of illness or death. Joshua Apte is an environmental scientist at the University of Texas at Austin. By looking at life expectancy (预期寿命), his team had hoped to make the threat easier to understand. PM2.5 is what scientists call tiny particles (颗粒) of pollution in the air. Higher levels of PM2.5 can cause health problems and cut months, if not years, from the average length of life. This analysis shows how pollution affects life expectancy in different parts of the world.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends limiting PM2.5 to 10 micrograms per cubic meter of air. Apte’s group calculated how holding pollution to this low level would help people. In countries with very dirty air, meeting this standard would lengthen people’s lives. However, in countries whose air already meets this standard, the study shows no gain in life expectancy. In other words, meeting the WHO standard won’t reduce health costs resulting from dirty air because even below 10 micrograms per cubic meter, pollution still causes serious risks. Meanwhile, the scientists compared how other threats including smoking and cancer shorten the length of life across the globe.

1.What is special about the study?

A.It won recognition from a professional journal.

B.It discussed health problems caused by air pollution.

C.It gathered lots of data for the Global Burden of Disease.

D.It analyzed the link between life spans and PM by country.

2.What is Joshua Apte’s team trying to do?

A.Help people better understand air pollution.

B.Study life expectancy in different countries.

C.Know how small air pollutants affect health.

D.Deal with different kinds of health problems.

3.What will happen if a country limits PM2.5 to 10 micrograms per cubic meter of air?

A.People’s life spans will surely increase. B.It will get strong support from the WHO.

C.People’s health may not be much improved. D.It will guarantee people clean air.

4.What might be discussed in the following paragraphs?

A.How cleaning up the air can lengthen lives.

B.How air pollution shortens lives by country.

C.How other threats shorten life expectancy.

D.How all the countries deal with severe pollution.

    William Lindesay has been interested in the Great Wall of China since seeing it in a school atlas（地图册）as a child in England. I vividly recall seeing in the " Oxford School Atlas" the Great Wall with its battlement symbol. From that moment, I had in my mind that when I grew up I'd go to China and walk along the Great Wall from end to end.

Lindesay's about 3 ,000-km solo run along the Great Wall began in 1987. Running the length of the wall was a brave expedition, venturing into sparsely populated regions where there was little chance of help if the runner had an accident. During another trip, Lindesay and his team ventured deep into the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. The explorers almost died from dehydration(脱水） . In total, Lindesay estimates in an interview that he has spent about 1,600 days of his life, or four full years, on the Great Wall in all seasons.

Lindesay and his wife, Wu Qi, whom he got to know and fell in love with during his trips in China, had a farmhouse at the foot of the wall. During his exploration, he noticed some sections of the wall were badly damaged and covered with litter. Modernization and development were making the situation even worse. "Some people say it will take generations to change; I say we don't have generations of time. It's got to be much quicker, " he said. Lindesay always carries a garbage bag with him in the wilderness, picking litter along the way. Lindesay uses a garbage bag as his calling card. The cloth bag bears a set of nine simple guidelines in Chinese, which calls on people to observe while traveling or camping outdoors : "Take your own garbage home" "Pick up? litter left by othersDon't damage plants or flowers, or pick fruit" and lots more.

1.What sparked William Lindesay's dream of exploring the Great Wall?

A.Seeing a movie about the Great Wall.

B.Experiencing a war for the Great Wall.

C.Surfing a website about the Great Wall.

D.Admiring the Great Wall in the school atlas.

2.What does the underlined word "sparsely" mean?

A.Remotely. B.Rarely.

C.Frequently. D.Largely.

3.What worsened the situation of the Great Wall?

A.The destroyed ecosystems. B.Waste caused by farms.

C.The increasing tourists. D.Modernization and development.

4.What sort of man was William Lindesay?

A.Strong - willed and selfless. B.Determined and grateful.

C.Warmhearted and impolite. D.Considerate and optimistic.

    We have many trips for you to explore the world your way. Our travel ideas are as diverse as the world itself and are designed to let you experience it. Please start with the following four trips.

Athens and Crete Explorer

Visit Greek’s famous capital, Athens, and its largest island, Crete, on this Greece vacation. In Athens, tour the iconic Acropolis and head to nearby Delphi to see the home of the ancient Oracle, before flying to the island of Crete where you can explore its capital, Heraklion, and enjoy its world-famous diet of seafood and cheese.

Duration: 8 Days    Prices From: US$ 892

Trip Type: Romance & Honeymoon, Tailor-made Travel Ideas

London for Families

Designed to thrill people of all ages, this family London vacation explores the sights, history and magic of this great city. Visit the world of Harry Potter, the original Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, and take the Original London Sightseeing Tour.

Duration: 9 Days       Prices From: US$ 634

Trip Type: Family Vacations, Stopovers/City Breaks, Tailor-made Travel Ideas

Australia & New Zealand

Explore the two most popular cities of Australia and New Zealand on this air-land tour. Start in Sydney, where you’ll tour the Sydney Opera House, sail across the famous harbour, and see koalas and kangaroos at Taronga Zoo. Then head on to Auckland where you’ll explore the twin harbours, learn about Maori traditions, and enjoy unbeatable views of the landscape.

Duration: 11 Days       Prices From: US$ 1,999

Trip Type: Vacation Packages with Airfare

Classic Egypt

This tour is a true classic designed to give the traveler with limited time a superb introduction to the civilization of Ancient Egypt, focusing on the Nile and its importance to the people. The ancient land of Egypt inspires the imagination like no other. Unlock the land of the Pharaohs on this 9 day journey along the Nile.

Duration: 9 Days    Prices From: US$ 1,495

Trip Type: Classics (Bestsellers), Tailor-made Travel Ideas

1.Which trip is more likely taken by a newly-married couple?

A.London for Families. B.Australia & New Zealand.

C.Classic Egypt. D.Athens and Crete Explorer.

2.From the text, it can be learnt that all the four trips ________.

A.have the same trip type B.take more than one week

C.take more than US$ 1000 D.enjoy their famous diet

3.Where is the text probably taken from?

A.A travel brochure. B.A science fiction.

C.A storybook. D.A textbook.

Translation

1.说到故宫新开的火锅餐厅， 许多网民指责其过度商业化。 （ accuse）

2.在二十世纪五十年代，尽管他对古典音乐心怀热情，但他不得不向现实低头。 (despite)

3.学术造假如此致命，一个小事就可以毁了一个好不容易建立的名声。 （So）

4.一个有远见的领导能让其员工客服软肋，发挥潜能， 齐心协力，从而打造一支高效的团队。 （thus ）

Summary Writing

We Girls Can Do Anything-Right , Barbie!

Barbie, the 11,5 inch fashion doll from Mattel Toys, Inc., is one of the most popular toys in history. The success and longevity, practically unheard of in the toy industry, makes Barbie one of the hottest American popular items of the twentieth century. The product’s endurance is due to its inner play value. With imagination, as well as hands, a child can use the doll in many ways; it becomes whatever she wants.

Affordability of the fashion has also been a factor in Barbie’s popularity. The Live Action dolls of 1971, dressed in rock and roll outfits, were among the first in which the appeal could be obtained only by purchasing the doll.

Early on, critics alleged that Barbie over-emphasized beauty, fashionable dress, and the acquisition of material things. In 1964 the National stated, “She is a social climber and a tedious self-lover.” Two years later a critic attacked Barbie’s obsession with fashion in Women’s Wear Daily.

The company claimed that Barbie was never intended to be a role model for girls. But like all dolls, Barbie replicates the human body and therefore human characteristics are projected onto it. Girls playing with the doll were unaware that their collections of Barbie’s dresses were of haute couture(高级时装) in nature, but they recognized similar styles in their mother’s closets. Girls also understood low neck dress and skintight pants like Barbie herself, represented the world of grown-ups, a world they were preparing to enter.

The doll is many things to many people. Barbie’s negative aspects cannot be denied, but she can be a vehicle for growth.

    Many of us have already lost the “race against the machines” - we just don’t know it yet. That is the conclusion of new research by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Unlike most studies into the impact of automation, this one does not rely on informed guesswork about what machines will be able to do in 20 years’ time. 1. They are literacy, numeracy and problem-solving with computers - and compares our performance against the abilities of machines. The results are sobering, but rather than a reason to despair,

In the survey a group of computer scientists was given the same test and asked which questions computers could answer, using technology that exists but has not necessarily been rolled out yet in the workplace. The conclusion? Almost a third of workers use these cognitive skills daily in their jobs and yet their competency levels have already been matched by computers. About 44 per cent are still better than the machines. The remaining 25 per cent have jobs that do not use these skills every day.

There are two caveats. First, the OECD only asked computer scientists how well they thought machines could do. 2.. Second, just because technology exists does not mean it will be deployed quickly in the workplace. It depends on how easily it can be made operational, how much it costs relative to the value it creates, and whether companies have the appetite to invest.

3..  Stuart Elliott, the author, concludes that in 10 to 20 years, only workers with very strong literacy and numeracy skills will be comfortably more proficient than computers. At the minute, only about one in 10 working-age adults in OECD countries are of this standard.

It is true that the education systems in most countries have been raising their game: younger people tend to have better skills than older people (the UK being one notable, and worrying, exception). But even if you take the most skilled generation in the most skilled country - young people in Finland - two-thirds still do not meet these top levels of literacy and numeracy. 4..

The risks to workers from ever smarter computers are clear, but the opportunities will lie in maximizing the value of their human skills. For some people, such as talented chefs, the battle is already won. Others might need to harness the computers to leverage their human talents.

A.And yet, the implication of the study are hard to dismiss.

B.on many of these fronts, computers are behind humans, if they are in the race at all.

C.Technology does not necessary mean doom to all but the highest skilled.

D.Instead it takes three basic and compares our performance against the abilities of machines.

E.Apart from astonishing improvement in education, it looks like only a minority of people can win this race.

F.The result would be more alarming if machine were actually put to the test.

    War is expensive and it is bloody. That is why America's Department of Defence wants to replace a third of its armed vehicles and weaponry with robots by2015. Such a change would save money, as robots can be much cheaper to replace than people. Just as importantly for the generals, it would make waging war less prey to the politics of body bags. Nobody mourns a robot.

The US military already routinely uses robotic aero planes known as unmanned aerial vehicles ( UAVs ). In November 2001 two missiles fared from a remote-controlled Predator UAV killed Mohammad Atef, al-Qaeda's chief of military operations and one of Osama bin Laden's most important associates, as he drove his car near Kabul. But whereas UAVs and their ground-based equivalents, such as the machinegun-toting Sword robots, are usually controlled by distant human operators, the Pentagon would like to give these robots increasing amounts of autonomy, including the ability to decide when to use lethal force.

To achieve this, Ronald Arkin of the Georgia Institute of Technology, in Atlanta, is developing a set of rules of engagement for battlefield robots to ensure that their use of lethal force follows the rules of ethics. In other words, he is trying to create an artificial conscience. Dr Arkin believes that there is another reason for putting robots into battle, which is that they have the potential to act more humanely than people. Stress does not affect a robot's judgment in the way it affects a soldier's.

His approach is to create what he calls a "multidimensional mathematical decision-space of possible behavior actions". Based on inputs ranging from radar data and current position to mission status and intelligence feeds, the system would divide the set of all possible actions into those that are ethical and those that are not. If, for example, the drone from which the fatal attack on Atef was launched had sensed that his car was overtaking a school bus, it might then have held fire.

There are comparisons to be drawn between Dr Arkin's work and the famous Three Laws of Robotics drawn up in the 1950s by Isaac Asimov, a science-fiction writer ,to govern robot behaviour. But whereas Asimov's laws were intended to prevent robots from harming people in any circumstances, Dr Arkin's are supposed to ensure only that they are not unethically killed.

This is an admirable goal in theory, but even if ethics can be neatly encoded into software, pitfalls remain. Although a completely rational robot might be unfazed by the chaos and confusion of the battlefield, it could still make mistakes. Surveillance and intelligence data can be wrong, and conditions and situations on the battlefield can change.

1.America’s military force wants to replace people with robots NOT because ________.

A.war cost a lot and it is bloody

B.people show sympathy for a person not a robot

C.. the armed vehicles and weapons are too expensive

D.the general would receive less criticism from the masses

2.Which of the following statements is True?

A.Atef was killed by two missiles fired from a remote-controlled manned aerial vehicle.

B.The department of force already uses UAVs with relatively high autonomy.

C.The study done by Dr. Arkin is similar to Three Laws of Robotics.

D.In Arkin’s opinion, a soldier’s judgment can be affected but robot’s won’t.

3.What’s the main idea of this article?

A.Ronald Arkin is developing a set of rules to increase autonomy.

B.Ronald Arkin is making efforts to create an artificial conscience.

C.Atef was precisely bombed by a remote-controlled Predator UVA.

D.There are comparisons between Dr. Arkin’s work and Three Laws of Robotics.

4.What’s the author’s attitude about Arkin’s approach?

A.His approach is an admirable goal and it can be realized.

B.Robot would fight without any mistakes in the battlefield.

C.Dr. Arkin’s approach is ethical and faultless.

D.Robots are not substitute for people in the battlefield.

    When you leave retirement planning too late, it may be difficult to start putting aside adequate funds in the years when you have other financial commitments.

The Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board conducted a Facebook contest (apps.facebook.com/areyoureadysg) last year, collecting stories and anecdotes others have to share on their difficulties in managing their finances, relating to cash flow, housing, healthcare and retirement.

Thankfully, there is now an easy way to start with the latest CPF Board initiative, Are You Ready(AYR). Launched in 2011, AYR is designed to encourage Singaporeans to kick-start their financial and retirement planning.

Through tools, talks and games, AYR provides an informative and interactive way for Singaporeans to understand the importance of retirement planning; and take an active role in working towards it.

AYR revolves around 4 checklists built upon 4 key messages:

Managing your cash flow

A basic step in financial planning, this puts you in a better position to consider other aspects of retirement planning and adequacy.

Buying a house within your means.

This theme focuses on helping Singaporeans understand the principles of prudence and affordability in making their most expensive financial commitment.

Taking charge of healthcare costs

Singaporeans need to plan ahead to be financially and physically prepared for health uncertainties.

Securing your retirement

Increasing life expectancy means putting a financial plan in place as early as possible; to be financially independent in old age.

1.The purpose of Are You Ready initiative is to ___________.

A.stimulate the interaction among Singaporeans.

B.provide an incentive to contribute more in work

C.inspire Singaporeans to jump off in retirement planning.

D.familiarize Singaporeans with the financial system

2.Which of the following might the author most agree with?

A.The effort to buy a house made people hold off on buying other items.

B.With people living longer, people have to save more money for retirement.

C.Health issue turns out to be the biggest consideration in retirement.

D.Retirement requires people withdraw excessive income to maintain flexibility.

3.What might be the best title for the passage?

A.Are You Ready-Hand-on Approaches

B.Real-life Stories -Pressing Financial Burdens

C.A Light for Singaporeans-Early Retirement

D.Let It Go-Retirement Planning

    Amazon has suddenly withdrawn its plans to build a satellite headquarters in New York City, citing growing opposition of local elected officials in a shifting political climate.

The decision marks a stunning reversal just three months after Amazon crowned Long Island City, Queens, one of two winners of a highly public nationwide search in which hundreds of communities vied for the tech group’s investment.

By losing Amazon, New York will sacrifice an estimated 25,000 jobs -paying an average annual salary of $150,000 each- as well as a signature victory in a broader effort to transform the financial services capital into a technology hub to rival Silicon Valley.

Amazon’s about-face is a particular setback for governor Andrew Cuomo, who led the company’s recruitment and touted its November decision as the city’s biggest-ever economic development win.

At the same time, it appeared to confirm the dominance of a progressive wing of the Democratic party, led by the recently elected Queens representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who was suspicious of Amazon’s arrival. Ms, Ocasio-Cortez questioned its opposition to organized labor and whether local citizens would benefit from its jobs.

Amazon officials said the decision to abandon New York had been taken recently, and would not discuss what role, if any, Jeff Bezos , the company’s founder, played in the move.

“The commitment to building a headquarters required positive, collaborative relationships with state and local officials who will be supportive over the long term,” Amazon wrote in a blog post. “While polls show that 70 percent of New Yorkers support our plans and investment, a number of state and local politicians have made it clear that they oppose our presence and will not work with us.”

Amazon said it did not intend to reopen the search process for a replacement. Instead , company officials expect to spread the jobs they planned to locate in Queens around existing Amazon facilities in Boston, San Diego, Vancouver and the Bay Area.

1.Amazon drew back from setting up a satellite headquarters in that __________.

A.there is a widespread public objection.

B.the political climate is favorable to revolution.

C.a number of state and local politicians changed their tunes.

D.Long Island lost the fierce competition for the investment.

2.The underlined word “about-face” is closest in meaning to _________.

A.victory B.reversal

C.investment D.support

3.Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A.Amazon reoriented itself from a financial center to a technology hub.

B.Jeff Bezos was to blame for his mistakes in decision-making.

C.Andrew Cuomo had prejudice against Amazon’s new headquarters plan.

D.Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez was cautious in response to Amazon’s plan.

4.What is the passage mainly concerned with?

A.Amazon relocate its new facilities in Queens.

B.Amazon drops plans for headquarters in New York City.

C.Amazon seeks to cooperate with state and local politicians.

D.Amazon is under fire for withdrawing the plan for a facility.

    President Coolidge’s statement, “The business of America is business,” still points to an important truth today-that business institutions have more prestige(威望) in American society than any other kind of organization, including the government. Why do business institutions___________ this great prestige?

One reason is that Americans ___________ business as being more firmly based on the ideal of ___________ than other institutions in society. Since competition is seen as the major ___________ of progress and prosperity by most Americans, competitive business institutions are _________. Competition is not only good in itself, it is the means by which other basic American ___________ such as individual freedom, equality of opportunity, and hard work are protected.

Competition ___________ the freedom of the individual by ensuring that there is no monopoly(垄断) of power. In contrast to one all-powerful government, many businesses compete against each other for _________. Theoretically, if one business tries to take unfair advantage of its customers, it will lose to competing business which treats its customers more fairly. Where many businesses compete for the customers’ dollars, they cannot afford to ___________ them like inferiors or slaves.

A __________is often made between business, which is competitive, and ____________, which is a monopoly. Because business is competitive, many Americans believe that it is more supportive of freedom than government, even though government leaders are elected by the people and business leaders are not. Many Americans believe, then, that competition is as important, or even more important, than democracy in preserving ____________.

Competition in business is also believed to __________ the ideal of equality of opportunity. Competition is seen as an open and fair race where success goes to the swiftest person ____________his or her social class background. Competitive success is commonly seen as the American ____________ to social rank based on family background. Business is therefore viewed as an expression of the idea of equality of opportunity rather than the aristocratic(贵族的) idea of inherited privilege.

1.A.qualify B.restrict C.impress D.possess

2.A.refer B.view C.reflect D.confirm

3.A.competition B.cooperation C.admiration D.determination

4.A.result B.component C.source D.resource

5.A.estimated B.respected C.admitted D.rejected

6.A.manners B.cultures C.values D.customs

7.A.protects B.builds C.illustrates D.presents

8.A.profits B.savings C.costs D.funds

9.A.attend B.treat C.serve D.charge

10.A.comment B.complaint C.choice D.contrast

11.A.department B.government C.business D.economy

12.A.security B.prices C.freedom D.discipline

13.A.strengthen B.define C.cherish D.supervise

14.A.as a result of B.by means of C.in terms of D.regardless of

15.A.contribution B.solution C.alternative D.appeal

Grammar and Vocabulary

Universities Show “ Red Card” to English Majors

An increasing number of Chinese universities are showing English the “red card” and sending it off the academic playing field. Just last month, five more universities announced that they would no longer offer English as a major, 1. CET-4 (大学英语四级考试) will still be required for graduation.

At first sight, it may appear that these universities are downgrading the importance of learning English. In actual fact, they are responding to the economic reality 2.English majors do not have good job prospects after graduation. And the same holds true for graduates in other Arts majors.

According to MyCOS, the Beijing-based education research group, English graduates, along with those in history, literature and law, have 3.(low) starting salaries and lowest employment rate. Engineering, economics and science graduates have better job prospects and make twice as much money, with IT graduates 4. (make) the most.

In 5. 1980s, the Chinese government made the study of English a priority as part of its reform and opening-up policy. English majors were in high demand in business and in government because people with good English-language skills were so rare. Today, about 350 million Chinese have studied, or are studying, English. Ten million of them 6. (consider) functionally bilingual. So, when an employer looks at a graduate’s résumé , it is assumed that he or she has good English skills.

However, for those of you who truly love English, you should not be discouraged. The demand for English teachers is still high at all levels of education, 7.in public schools and in private institutions.

Zhang Lu  is probably familiar to most of you as the elegant young woman 8.  (see)  standing or sitting slightly behind top government officials when they meet leaders from English-speaking countries. Zhang is a translator. In 2015, she made 54 overseas trips accompanying various leaders such as Li Keqiang. Over the years, she has been the official Chinese/English translator 9.major international conferences.

Zhang studied English and law at university. She 10.(plan) to be a teacher, but her skills attracted the attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs . They offered her a job in the diplomatic service . It is not the career she had planned, but her abilities enabled her to grasp the opportunity.

So, if English is really your passion, let Zhang be your model and just choose a university that has not shown it the “red card.”

阅读下面短文，根据其内容写一篇60词左右的概要。

Look inside any family home in the evening, and you might see a typical enough scene: Mom and Dad, each on their own laptop or tablet, streaming movies, catching up on work or maybe answering emails on their smartphones. Meanwhile, one child is chatting online with one school friend while texting another. The other is playing a video game with a friend on the other side of the city at the same time. Each member of the family is totally absorbed in his or her own piece of technology.

According to some experts, the effect of technology on human relationships is worrying as technology becomes a substitute for face-to-face human relationships. It appears to be the case that many people would much rather spend time with their electronic gadgets(电子产品) than with one another. Young people say it is difficult to get their parents’ attention and they have to compete with smartphones, tablets and other technology.

However, a report from the Pew Internet and American Life Project offers a more helpful and encouraging view, suggesting that far from replacing human contact, technology can actually better family relationships. Just over half of the 2,253 people surveyed agreed that technology had enabled them to increase their contact with distant family members and 47 percent said it had improved the communication with the people they lived with. Moreover, even the closest members of families need time away from each other at some point to seek their own interests. Family members who might otherwise have sat in separate rooms can now be in the same one while still occupying a different mental space.

Look back at our typical family scene above. Is it any different from four people reading their own books? Or is it driving families apart? Where technology will lead us remains to be seen. Yet there is no need to worry. As a matter of fact how it affects our family relationships depends on our attitude toward technology.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

假定你是李华，你受学生会委托给英国来你校交流的学生Michael写一封邮件，邀请他观看一部英语短片Growing Together，邮件内容包括：

1. 介绍短片内容：学校的发展；

2. 告知放映时间、地点：1月20日晚上6:00、学校大礼堂 (conference hall)；

3. 欢迎对短片提出意见。

注意：

1. 词数80左右；

2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Dear Michael,

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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。

The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, is the second-largest art museum in the world after the Louvre, France, both of which 1. (visit) by millions of people 2. (annual). Hermitage holds not only artistic treasures but also 3. collection of living history as well.

The Hermitage was built as part of the royal Russian family’s Winter Palace. Empress Elizabeth had cats brought in 4. (rid) the several palace buildings of mice. The cats 5. (do) their job well and were given homes in the basements of the buildings and the title of Hermitage cats.

The 74 Hermitage cats live at the museum 6. they now lead an extremely 7. (comfort) life. A press secretary is in charge of the cats, with three full-time caretakers 8. (attend) to their every need. There are even kitchens for preparing meals for the cats 9. every cat has its own preference. This may all seem over the top, but Russian and foreign visitors alike love seeing the Hermitage cats while admiring some of the world’s 10. (great) artistic treasures.

    Frey is on her way to the Pottery (陶器) Workshop in Shanghai. She willingly ______ the training courses of the workshop every Tuesday.

After five weeks of ______, she is eager to take home the first bowl she makes with her own hands as a (n) ______ souvenir. She’s enjoyed every minute at the workshop. She feels very comfortable in the workshop, which creates a ______ atmosphere like classroom in which people from different backgrounds gather ______ to create their works. As a foreigner, Frey has adopted pottery making to ______ her own ideas and thoughts. “The whole process of making a pottery piece may look rather ______ to a beginner, but I still keep on,” Frey says.

Sharing the same enthusiasm, Maggie Guo, a former clothes ______ and now a housewife is trying to complete her "pottery dream". “I ______ to study pottery when I applied to university many years ago, but I eventually got engaged in clothes design, which became my ______,” Guo says. Now, after years in that field, she still ______   learning pottery. She attends the workshop to finally realize the ______ she had put on the shelf for so many years. I am always surprised and happy to see the final works of my own, and it ______ me to learn the real meaning of being an artist.”

They both think more people should ______ into the world of pottery making to experience the ______ of creativity with simple materials.

1.A.conducts B.attends C.instructs D.intends

2.A.activities B.skills C.findings D.classes

3.A.special B.traditional C.original D.initial

4.A.familiar B.stable C.pleasant D.dull

5.A.secretly B.regularly C.nervously D.perfectly

6.A.express B.introduce C.advocate D.acquire

7.A.reasonable B.artificial C.typical D.complex

8.A.collector B.performer C.designer D.advertiser

9.A.meant B.predicted C.pretended D.continued

10.A.entertainment B.motivation C.consideration D.career

11.A.ends up with B.looks forward to C.catches up with D.looks up to

12.A.value B.possession C.dream D.victory

13.A.adapts B.allows C.reminds D.expects

14.A.break B.move C.step D.turn

15.A.celebration B.impression C.principle D.magic

    One of the great benefits of being able to record sound is to make books available for listening. With the appearance of audio recordings, many people were able to hear literary classics read aloud. Audio books are, of course, books read aloud and recorded to be listened to on some kind of player. As sound technology has changed, audio books have changed, as well. 1. Now, books are also available on audio tape or CD.

Talking books are books created for people who have sight problems. Some of these talking books often need special players to be used. Many visually damaged people are able to receive players for free. 2.

CD technology has caused great changes in the talking book industry, since more data can be written on a single disc. 3. So the visually damaged person has a multi-use machine.

4. Some are even read in the form of a play, in which different actors take the parts of the characters in the book. They may also have sound effects or music to help improve the listening experience.

Some book clubs have started offering audio books as part of their services. Libraries also have audio books available and they may also be purchased online or at any book store. 5. Those who feel they do not have time to enjoy the pleasure of a good book may find audio books to be the next best thing.

A.They are no longer available only on volumes.

B.Many talking book players will also play music CDs.

C.Audio books are popular with travelers and busy individuals.

D.Many audio books also feature famous actors reading the books.

E.People can listen to a personal music player whenever they want.

F.It is an affordable option if you typically listen to more than one book a month.

G.These players enable them to play their talking books independently, without the help of a sighted person.

    When you were at school, the last thing you probably wanted to do was to spend your weekends going to work. There was homework to do, sport to play and fun to have. But our parents probably persuaded us to find a job to earn some money and get some life experience. When I was a teenager I had a paper round: delivering newspapers to people’s homes.

Today in the UK you are allowed to work from the age of 13, and many children do take up part-time jobs. It’s one of those things that are seen almost as a rite of passage (成人仪式) .It’s a taste of independence and sometimes a useful thing to put on your CV (简历). Teenagers agree that it teaches valuable lessons about working with adults and also about managing their own money.

Some research has shown that not taking up a Saturday or holiday job could be deleterious to a person later on. A 2015 study by the UK Commission on Employment and Skills found that not participating in part-time work at school age had been blamed by employers’ organizations for young adults being ill-prepared for full-time employment, but despite this, recent statistics have shown that the number of schoolchildren in the UK with a part-time job has fallen by a fifth in the past five years.

So does this mean that British teenagers are now afraid of hard work? Probably not. Some experts feel that young people feel going out to work will affect their performance at school and they are under some pressure now to study hard and get good exam result and a good job in the long term. However, Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, told BBC News that “Properly regulated part-time work is a good way of helping young people learn skills that they will need in their working lives.” In reality, it’s all about getting the right balance between doing part-time work and having enough time to study and rest.

Many young people actually want to work because it gives them a sense of freedom. One 13-year-old girl called Rachel, who has a Saturday job in a shop, told the BBC that “I enjoy my job because I’m earning money and it helps me socialize with people I work with.” That seems like something worth getting up for a Saturday morning. Did you do a part-time job when you were at school?

1.What can we conclude from Para 2?

A.Students taking up part-time jobs are more independent.

B.Taking up part-time jobs can help students save money.

C.Taking up part-time jobs is good for students in many ways.

D.Children over 13 in the UK must take up part-time jobs.

2.The underlined word “deleterious” in Para 3 means _________.

A.important B.harmful

C.threatening D.beneficial

3.Which of the following might Geoff Barton agree with?

A.Students with good grades and no study pressure can do part-time jobs.

B.Students should put all their energies into their studies.

C.The more part-time jobs they do, the more beneficial it is for students.

D.It is good for students to do part-time jobs as long as they are proper.

4.Which of the following can be a suitable title for the text?

A.Should schoolchildren have part-time jobs?

B.What kind of part-time job should schoolchildren do?

C.What benefits can part-time jobs bring to schoolchildren?

D.Why do British schoolchildren show less interest in part-time jobs?

    Online programs to fight depression are already commercially available. While they sound efficient and cost-saving, a recent study reports that they’re not effective, primarily because depressed patients are not likely to engage with them or stick with them.

The study looked at computer-assisted cognitive(认知的) behavioral therapy (CBT) and found that it was no more effective in treating depression than the usual care patients receive from a primary care doctor.

Traditional CBT is considered an effective form of talk therapy for depression, helping people challenge negative thoughts and change the way they think in order to change their mood and behaviors. However, online CBT programs have been gaining popularity, with the attraction of providing low-cost help wherever someone has access to a computer.

A team of researchers from the University of York conducted a randomized(随机的) control trial with 691 depressed patients from 83 physician practices across England. The patients were split into three groups: one group received only usual care from a physician while the other two groups received usual care from a physician plus one of computerized CBT programs. Participants were balanced across the three groups for age, sex, educational background, severity and duration of depression, and use of antidepressants(抗抑郁药).

After four months, the patients using the computerized CBT programs had no improvement in depression levels over the patients who were only getting usual care from their doctors.

“It’s an important, cautionary note that we shouldn’t get too carried away with the idea that a computer system can replace doctors and therapists.” says Christopher Dowrick, a professor of primary medical care at the University of Liverpool. “We do still need the human touch or the human interaction, particularly when people are depressed.”

“Being depressed can mean feeling in your own small, negative, dark world,” Dowrick says. Having a person, instead of a computer, reach out to you is particularly important in combating that sense of isolation. “When you’re emotionally vulnerable(脆弱的), you’re even more in need of a caring human being.” he says.

1.Why have online CBT programs been increasingly popular?

A.Because of their easy and inexpensive access by patients.

B.Because of their effectiveness in fighting depression.

C.Because of their recommendation by primary care doctors.

D.Because of their attraction of changing mood and behavior.

2.What is the conclusion of the experiment done by researchers at the University of York?

A.The online programs are more advanced than regular care from physicians.

B.The combination of traditional CBT and computerized CBT is most effective.

C.Online CBT programs are as ineffective as regular care from physicians.

D.Online CBT programs have no advantages over regular care from physicians.

3.Which of the following can best convey Professor Dowrick’s advice on online programs?

A.They should be used to help people touch these patients.

B.They should not be ignored in primary care.

C.Their effectiveness should not be overestimated.

D.Their use should be encouraged by doctors.

4.What is more important to an emotionally vulnerable person?

A.A positive state of mind. B.An advanced CBT program.

C.A devoted doctor. D.Human interaction.

    A shark moving around the coastline is normally a worrying sight，but this waterborne drone(无人机)threatens floating rubbish instead of people.

Developed by Dutch company RanMarine, the WasteShark takes nature as its inspiration with its whale shark-like mouth. Responsible for collecting waste, the drone will begin operations in Dubai Marina in November after a year of trials with local partner Ecocoast.

According to RanMarine, the WasteShark is available in both autonomous and remote-controlled models. Measuring just over five feet by three-and-a-half feet(1.5 meters by 1.1 meter)，it can carry up to 352 pounds of rubbish(159.6 kg)and has an operational battery life of 16 hours.

By 2016 there were approximately 150 million tons of plastic in the world's oceans. One paper from December 2014 estimated that over a quarter of a million tons of ocean plastic pollution was afloat.

"WasteShark also has the abilities to gather air and water quality data, remove chemicals out of the water such as oil，and heavy metals，and scan the seabed to read its depth and outlines，"said Oliver Cunningham, one of the co-founders of RanMarine. "Fitted with a collision-avoidance system, the drone uses laser imaging detection and ranging technology to detect an object in its path and stop or back up if the object approaches."

"Our drones are designed to move through a water system, whether it's around the perimeter(周边) or through the city itself. The drones are that last line of defense between the city and the open ocean," added Cunningham. "WasteSharks are operating in Dubai, South Africa and the Netherlands and cost $ 17,000 for the remote-controlled model and just under $ 23,000 for the autonomous model."

Dubai-based operator Ecocoast has two WasteShark drones. Co-founder Dana Liparts says they will clean waterfronts for clients including hotels and environmental authorities and that Ecocoast' intention is to have the collected rubbish recycled or upcycled. However, Liparts argues that cleaning waterways doesn't have a one-size-fits-all solution and requires a combination of new technology, preventative measures and changing people's attitudes towards littering.

1.What do we know about the WasteShark?

A. It can frighten sharks away. B. It is an ocean explorer.

C. It is a rubbish collector. D. It can catch fish instead of people.

2.What does Paragraph 4 mainly tell us?

A. The causes of ocean pollution. B. The dangers of using plastics.

C. The severity of ocean garbage pollution. D. The importance of ocean protection.

3.What will the WasteShark do with an approaching object?

A. Avoid crashing into it. B. Break it into pieces.

C. Swallow it. D. Fly over it.

4.Which of the following ideas does Liparts agree with?

A. The WasteShark should be used more widely.

B. More measures should be taken to make water clean.

C. The production cost of WasteSharks should be reduced.

D. People should take a positive attitude to new technology.

    It can be tough to pull kids away from their computers and mobile devices these days. While they' re playing games, wouldn't it be great if they could be learning at the same time? Good educational apps offer fun challenges that teach specific grade - level skills. Here are four that combine fun and learning.

Understanding Math ( $ 3.99 ； iOS)

Understanding Math goes beyond basic comprehension to gain a deeper understanding of the whys and hows of math. The app tracks your child's progress to determine strengths and weaknesses in different skill areas, and you can customize (订制) your child's learning experience to suit the needs.

Word Creativity Kit ( $2.99； iOS)

Word Creativity Kit aims not only to make creative writing fun but also build up grammar rules. The app presents a series of words from seven categories, such as space or fantasy. Kids add their own words to finish the complete thoughts that these words have inspired.

Barefoot World Atlas ( $4.99； iOS)

Barefoot World Atlas helps kids learn about geography and world cultures with a touch of the screen. Each region features a set of sub - topics, from wildlife and natural features to native people ,landmarks, and architecture. These facts and illustrations are delivered in photographs, sounds, and hundreds of mini videos.

My Grades & Homework ( $0.99； iOS)

A combination of grades and homework tracker, My Grades & Homework can help your child stay organized and on top of the progress in school. A convenient calendar and course list format and offer a glance at your child' s assignment schedule that he or she might not normally get from standard homework planners.

1.Which app is beneficial to children's writing skills?

A.Understanding Math. B.Word Creativity Kit.

C.Barefoot World Atlas. D.My Grades Homework.

2.What is the common part of the four apps?

A.They need purchasing when downloaded.

B.They help children improve their grades.

C.They make studies fun because of mini videos.

D.They inform parents of their children's progress.

3.What is the purpose of the text?

A.To wish readers to bing in more similar apps for children.

B.To encourage parents to allow their students to play apps.

C.To design the educational apps to combine fun and learning.

D.To introduce four educational apps for readers to buy and use.

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。

I’m originally from Orange County, California, where I had the pleasure and honor of serving as a Newport Beach ocean lifeguard for five seasons. Whenever I could, I got shifts working the Point. If you wanted to save lives, that's where you worked. The Point was known for its massive rip currents((激流)

So, late in a shift, I was working Tower 15. Two blocks to my right was another guard named Mike, working Tower 17. I'd known Mike for a number of years. Mike had a rough upbringing. You can tell just by looking at him. He has a number of really frightening tattoos (纹身)，and his bald head shows the scar he got from a broken beer bottle. Maybe he wasn't the friendliest guard on the beach. I admit, I didn't really get along with Mike. But everything he lacked in friendly appearance and social skills, he more than made up for in lifesaving ability.

He called me over the phone and said, “Hey, I got a couple kids. I gotta go give’ em a warning. Keep an eye on us. “

I said, “Sure, “ and hung up.

Anytime you get out of your tower, you're supposed to let somebody else know, in case a situation develops. And sure enough, as soon as he hung up the phone, a rip was snapped up under these two kids, and they're getting sucked out. Mike saw it before it's happening, and he's running full speed toward the ocean. I scanned the water. All I saw was two small. noses bobbing (上下浮动)in the water.

I dropped my binos(望远镜)and I called in and said,” “Double rescue 17-he's out. I'm going. “ Mike was already punching through the surf line. By now, the mother of the two kids realized what's happening. She's on her feet and screaming.

Paragraph 1:

Mike reached the kids-a brother and sister around eight or nine years old

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 2:

Then the mother glanced back and got her first good look at Mike, as well as his tattoos.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

假如你是李华，你的班上新转来一位英国同学John，他无法融入新的环境，感到很焦虑，请你写一封信告诉他应该如何解决，内容包括:

1.表示对他的理解；

2.尝试分析原因；

3.提出解决方法。

注意:1.词数80左右；

2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。

Researchers examined the benefits of singing among people with mental health conditions 1. (include) anxiety and depression.

They found people who took part in a community singing group improved their mental health and that the combination of singing and socialising was an important part of 2. (recover).

The grassroots action runs weekly singing workshops for the people 3. mental health conditions as well as the general public. It 4. (original) began at a hospital in 2005, 5. afterwards moved into the community. Around 120 people now attend four free workshops each week across Norfolk, two thirds of 6. have had contact with mental health services.

The research project followed the group for six months and 7. (undertake) interviews and focus groups with participants, organisers, and workshop 8. (leader).

The report shows how singing and socialising gave participants 9. feeling of belonging and wellbeing that often lasted a day or 10. (many), as well as improved social skills and confidence.

Running for a Dream

I will never forget that November day. It was hotter than normal. This was the _______ my father and I had waited so long for, because we had been working towards this race for three years. Dozens of familiar faces from church and school flashed across my view. They had come for me. I saw worry and excitement on my father’s face. Then the race began!

For the first two and a half miles， I felt _______ . I had never before been so ready for something. The weeks leading up to the race were filled with controlled _______and a strict diet. My friends hadn’t seen me in weeks, but they understood the _______ required to make my dream a reality. As in all of my races, I didn’t _______ out in the front, I loved the pleasure of passing people as my strength overtook their premature speed.

Then without warning, my strength began to decrease. Neck and neck with one of my greatest competitors, I could see the finish line. I had begun the final dash into _______ when my knees became weak and my legs gave way. Nothing I could do would make them _______ weight.

I watched as runners rushed by me. Although I knew my dreams of victory were destroyed, I had to finish the race. However, my legs hurt badly. With all of the _______ left in me, I got on my hands and knees and crawled(爬), inch by inch，across the finish line. Voices, both _______ and familiar, cheered me on. They gave me the courage to keep __________ until the very end.

The doctors were there in seconds, but my eyes searched the crowd for him. There was only one person I wanted to __________ to. I whispered, “I’m so sorry, Dad, I’m so sorry I __________ you.” He looked at me, saying, “You could never disappoint me. Sometimes these things just happen . All that matters is that you did your best.”

“But we worked so __________ . What about our dream?” He reached over for my hand and said, “Don’t you know that you are my dream and it has come true?”

It wasn’t long before my running shoes were back on, marking a __________ path for my journey, I learned that all of the miles, the tears, the sweat, and the pain my dad and I experienced together were not for a __________ . What I realized, though, was that to him, I was the greatest prize he had ever won.

1.A.dream B.weather C.result D.day

2.A.proud B.great C.nervous D.afraid

3.A.programs B.studies C.instructions D.practices

4.A.sacrifice B.potential C.patience D.attention

5.A.look B.move C.start D.come

6.A.relief B.spirit C.pleasure D.glory

7.A.give B.feel C.hold D.add

8.A.trust B.emotion C.strength D.confidence

9.A.loud B.foreign C.soft D.firm

10.A.going B.running C.fighting D.training

11.A.refer B.talk C.listen D.agree

12.A.frightened B.disturbed C.disappointed D.bored

13.A.late B.hard C.closely D.quickly

14.A.new B.near C.rough D.narrow

15.A.wish B.duty C.rank D.race

    The world is a colorful landscape of different languages, skin colors, and different cultures. It’s important to have a good understanding of different cultures in order to become a well-rounded person1.

One way is to read hooks written by authors from a particular culture. Reading works by authors who have a close relationship with a particular culture allows people to gain an authentic glimpse into the food, music, language, religion, and way of a life of a particular group of people.

2.

Another way to learn about different cultures is to try to learn a foreign language.3.A person can choose a language she has always wanted to learn and locate learning programs to help her master the language. Besides, one can enroll in a foreign language class in order to learn in a more formal setting. One can also try to visit areas of the city to establish social connection with native speakers of the language.

4.Seek out restaurants that feature authentic food from a variety of countries. Food is an important part of different cultures and allows people to gain deep understanding into a particular cultural group’s way of life.

Communicating with people from other countries through email or snail mail is another useful way to become familiar with different cultures.5.Various websites offer pen pal services, offering to connect individuals with pen friends around the world.

A. Stories based on a local culture expose one to a different culture.

B. Trying authentic food from a specific cultural group is also a great idea.

C. There are several ways to become knowledgeable about different cultures.

D.A variety of language-learning books, software, and audio programs is available,

E. The Internet has made it possible to communicate with others from different countries.

F. Making contact with native speakers of the language allows one to gain firsthand knowledge.

G. One way to develop this appreciation is to try to team about other cultures around the world.

    The idea that computers have some amount of “intelligence” is not new, says Ralph Haupter, the president of Microsoft Asia, pointing as far back as 1950 when computer pioneer Alan Turing asked whether machines can think. “So it has taken nearly 70 years for the right combination of factors to come together to move AI from concept to reality,” says Haupter.

It is predicted that the development of artificial intelligence will be the story of the coming generations, not just the coming year, but as 2019 gets underway, you’ll find AI will begin to touch your life in many ways according to some researchers.

“Personal assistant AIs will keep getting smarter. As our personal assistants learn more about our daily routines, I can imagine the day I need not to worry about preparing dinner. My AI knows what I like to eat, which days of the week I like to cook at home, and makes sure that when I get back from work all my groceries are waiting at my doorstep, ready for me to prepare that delicious meal I had been longing for.” ---Alecjandro Troccoli, senior research scientist, NVIDIA.

“Thanks to AI, the face will be the new credit card, the new driver’s license and the new barcode (条形码). Facial recognition is already completely transforming security with biometric capabilities being adopted, and seeing how technology and business are connected, like Amazon is with Whole Foods, I can see a near future where people will no longer need to stand in line at the store.” ---Georges Nahon, president, Orange Institute, a global research laboratory.

“2019 will be the year AI becomes real for medicine. By the end of the year we’re seeing solutions for population health, hospital operations and a broad set of clinical specialties quickly follow behind.” ---Mark Michalski, executive director, Massachusetts General Hospital.

1.What can we know about AI from the first two paragraphs?

A.People didn't expect AI to develop so rapidly.

B.The idea of AI just came up recently.

C.The concept of AI was put forward by Ralph Haupter.

D.It took more than 70 years to turn the concept into reality.

2.Who sees the future of AI doing housework instead of human being?

A.Alan Turing. B.Georges Nahon. C.Mark Michalski. D.Alejandro Troccoli.

3.What is Georges Nahon’s job?

A.Executive director of a hospital. B.President of a research laboratory.

C.Chairman of an energy corporation. D.Chief operating officer of a newspaper.

4.How is the passage developed?

A.By explaining cause and effect. B.By presenting research results.

C.By listing some predictions. D.By describing personal experiences.