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Task 1

My husband and I recently went to Disney World with our children and grandchildren.We had a wonderful time and lots of sweet memories together.One day，we came to an attraction where children can drive the cars.I noticed a car with a father and his son who looked about even.They rolled down the hill at the beginning，and then as they neared，the car lurched（突然向一側(cè)傾斜）a few times and then stopped.

The young driver looked panicky， “I can't do it.”

His father quietly said， “Yes， you can.”

“No.I can't!”

“Yes， you can， son.”

The little guy was almost in tears， “I CAN'T! ”

With deep patience， the father said， “Son， you can do this.I'm going to help you.”

Then he talked him through starting the car.And a few moments later with the father helping his son，the two went smoothly on their way down the track.

The scene brought tears to my eyes because I can't imagine how many times my father had to do that with me.I can hear the conversations in my mind， “Father， what you've asked me to do is too big.I can't do this.”

And that sweet whispered to my soul， “Yes， you can.”

Then every time things got hard or when I had failures along the way，I'd reply， “See，I told you I can't do it.”

He'd reply， “You can.”

Time and time again he's patiently encouraged me on the journey.And just like that little boy's dad，my sweet father has said， “Michelle， you can do this.I'm going to help you.”

That's where the true strength comes from.I'm strongly aware that I can't do things under my own power， but when father comes beside me and provides wisdom and strength， there's no way I can fail.

I'm so grateful to my father who travels with me.

1.What did the author do one day?

A.Learned to drive from her father. B.Visited Disney World.

C.Taught children how to drive. D.Traveled to an attraction with family.

2.How did the father help his son about seven?

A.By encouraging him patiently.

B.By forcing him to drive bravely.

C.By whispering to his ear sweetly.

D.By providing wisdom and strength.

3.Who did the scene remind the author of?

A.Her children. B.Her husband. C.Her father. D.Her mother.

Task 2

The morning after an evening fight with my then three-year-old daughter，I couldn't wait to get her to school.I was tired from the anger，and her inability to communicate because of her slowed language development.

As I accompanied her into the car，I felt desperate.Nothing was right with our world.She'd been born around the same time the nation was witnessing the birth of another Great Recession（經(jīng)濟(jì)蕭條）.My job and my house had been victims.Then this happened.My child's language delay was identified，but doctors struggled to properly diagnosis her.I felt like we both needed to be rescued.

I returned that afternoon as disenchanted with the little girl I loved as when I left.Walking slowly toward the school's playground gate，I found her preschool teacher racing to greet me.

“You should have seen her today! ”His breathy words were supported by excitement.I didn't interrupt.“See that climber.” He pointed to a piece of wooden playground equipment that looked like a rock wall.I nodded. “Well， every day since she started school， she's tried and failed to make it to the top.” He took a breath.“And today she made it! ”

He expressed his joy just like he'd witnessed her conquering （征服）Mount Everest! “She cheered and celebrated!I wish I'd recorded it!”His words comforted me.My daughter had conquered her mountain.

As she ran toward me，I recognized something I hadn't before.I saw her perseverance.I saw her strength.I saw a hero.

Everyday greatness celebrates ordinary people who do unusual things in big and small ways，showing courage， kindness，love and selflessness.We encourage you to click these brief accounts and invite you to share your own story in our community.

1.Why was the author's daughter rushed to school?

A.The mother was busy with her work as a doctor.

B.The mother had a fight with the daughter last night.

C.The mother broke down when dealing with her daughter.

D.They had to sell and leave their house due to Great Recession.

2.Which of the following best explains “disenchanted” underlined in paragraph 3?

A.Disturbed. B.Dissatisfied. C.Distrusted. D.Disappointed.

3.What made the little girl's preschool teacher feel excited?

A.That she succeeded in conquering Mount Everest.

B.That she managed to climb up the wooden climber.

C.That she got the first place in the school sports meeting.

D.That she developed the ability to communicate normally.

4.Where is the text probably taken from?

A.On the radio. B.From a magazine.

C.From a school paper. D.On the Internet.

Task 3

James T.Green thought he was having a panic attack.

He took a break from work to walk around the block during a stressful day，and noticed he felt out of breath climbing up a small hill.This isn't normal，Green thought.He had become a regular biker in recent months and wasn't exactly out of shape.He sat down at his desk，and looked at the Apple Watch on his wrist.His heart rate was through the roof，and the Heart-Watch app he was using to check his pulse was flashing warnings.Maybe it was something more serious，he thought.

Although he had blood clots （血栓）in his lungs a few years back，he had been taking medication，and doctors said that it was an unusual condition for someone in their mid-20s.Still，the symptoms this time were much less severe，and he was feeling stressed，so his mind didn't automatically jump to blood clots.Green's doctor told him it sounded like anxiety.But then he showed her his heart rate recorded by the Apple Watch.

“This is my normal heart rate，” Green told her， pointing to the graph in the app,“This is where my heart is now.There's something wrong.”

The doctor ordered a CT scan.The blood clots in his left lung had returned.An ambulance rushed Green to the emergency room，where he was pumped full of blood thinners （稀釋劑）.He didn't need surgery this time，but doctors told him that if he had waited，a clot could have killed him.

Green isn't the only person who has discovered a serious health condition after seeing heart rate data on a smartwatch.And he won't be the last.Currently，smartwatches from Apple and others can tell you your heart rate and track your workouts.But these companies want to go beyond the basics by developing ways to tell you when something is wrong.In fact，it's already happening.

1.What is abnormal for Green this time?

A.He was on holiday. B.He breathed heavily.

C.He was out of shape. D.He decreased physical activity.

2.What really caused the severe symptoms of Green this time?

A.Tiredness. B.Anxiety.

C.Work stress. D.Blood clots.

3.Which of the following confirmed his extremely serious problem?

A.He himself. B.His doctor.

C.The Apple Watch. D.The CT scan.

4.What is the text mainly intended to tell us?

A.Smart watches are saving lives.

B.Smart watches are your doctors.

C.Uses in health about smart watches.

D.Cases in saving lives about smart watches.

Task 4

Government intelligence agencies have a plan to build computers that store information inside DNA and other organic molecules （分子）.

Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity （IARPA） announced plans to develop “tabletop”-sized machines that can store and retrieve （取回）data from large batches of polymers（聚合物）—a term that refers to a wide variety of long，string-like molecules.Polymers can store data in individual atoms or groups of atoms.

The project is an attempt to solve a basic problem of the modern era:the vast and growing costs of data storage.Data centers around the world sucked up 416.2 terawatt（兆兆瓦）hours of electricity in 2016.That's about 3 percent of the global supply，and it accounts for 2 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

A 2016 paper found that DNA，in particular，could store computer information more densely，require less energy，and survive higher and lower temperatures than conventional hard drives.The authors of that paper reported on the success of prototype（雛形）of DNA computers that used the genetic molecules for both longterm storage and random access memory （RAM）.

But no one has yet figured out how to handle DNA data storage on large scales.

IARPA officials said the new effort， called Molecular Information Storage， will be broken up into three periods:a two-year program to figure out how to store data in DNA or other molecules at high speeds，a twoyear program to figure out how to retrieve that data at high speeds，and a two-year effort to develop an operating system that can run on that DNA.

Many of the technologies IARPA wants to develop are untested at these scales，so it's unclear how far away that proposed “tabletop device” really is.

1.What would be the best title for the text?

A.Store Data on DNA Computers

B.Develop Computers of Future

C.Polymers Used to Store Data

D.Information Stored in DNA

2.Which of the following best explains “sucked up” underlined in paragraph 3?

A.Consumed. B.Stored. C.Delivered. D.Produced.

3.What can Molecular Information Storage do compared to traditional hard drives?

A.Produce and save less energy

B.Store more information faster.

C.Be better for the environment.

D.Control temperatures more easily.

Task 5

A calorie is a unit of energy，not a measure of weight or nutrient density.The calories you see on nutrition labels， however， are actually kilocalories， or kcals.Food packaging always refers to kcals， even though it just says “calories”.One kcal is the amount of energy required to heat 1 kilogram of water by 1 degree Celsius.Calories in our food all come from one of the three nutrients:fat，carbohydrates and protein.

In 1990， the U.S.government passed the Nutritional Labeling and Education Act， which means that before any packaged food in the U.S.hits the shelves，food scientists have to measure its nutrients and calories.One way to do this is with a tool called a bomb calorimeter （量熱計）.This tool directly measures the amount of energy that a food contains.To use this tool，scientists place the food in question in a sealed container surrounded by water and heat it until the food is completely burned off.Scientists then record the rise in water temperature to determine the number of calories in the product.

Food scientists also rely on a calculation developed by the 19th century U.S.chemist Wilbur Atwater to indirectly estimate of the number of calories in food products.Calorimeters don't take into account that humans lose some calories through heat and feces （排泄物）.Atwater's experiments found that proteins and carbohydrates each have about 4 calories per gram and fats have 9 calories per gram，that is，the 4-9-4 system.

However，some experts say that the Atwater system is outdated and inaccurate.A 2012 study found that the energy content of certain foods， such as nuts， cannot be accurately calculated by the Atwater system.Besides， it does not take into account the digestive process， but assumes complete conversion of nutrients to energy.

1.What can we learn about the unit of energy on nutrition labels?

A.It shows calories. B.It uses kcals.

C.It reads kilograms. D.It employs degrees.

2.What should be done to determine the number of calories according to calorimeter?

A.Heat the food until the food is completely burned off.

B.Take calories through heat and feces into consideration.

C.Depend on the calculation developed by Wilbur Atwater.

D.Calculate the amount of energy in food products directly.

3.What does the author intend to do in paragraph 4?

A.Summarize the previous paragraphs.

B.Provide some advice for the readers.

C.Add some background information.

D.Introduce a new topic for discussion.

4.What would be the best title for the test?

A.How Are Calorie Calculated

B.How Do You Lose Weight by Calories

C.Standards to Determine Calories in the Food

D.Nutrients and Calories Listed on a Food Label

Task 6

When people see machines that respond like humans，or computers that perform amazing feats of strategy，they sometimes joke about a future in which humanity will need to accept robot overlords.But buried in the joke is a seed of unease.Science fiction writing and popular movies have shown us about artificial intelligence （AI） that exceeds the expectations of its creators and escapes their control， eventually outcompeting and enslaving humans or targeting them for extinction（滅絕）.

Even in the real world， not everyone is ready to welcome AI with open arms.In recent years， as computer scientists have pushed the boundaries of what AI can accomplish，leading figures in technology and science have warned about the frightening dangers that artificial intelligence may pose to humanity，even suggesting that AI capabilities could destroy the human race.

But why are people so frightened about the idea of AI?

Elon Musk is one of the famous voices that have raised red flags about AI.In July 2017，Musk told attendees at a meeting of the National Governors Association， “I have exposured to the very cutting-edge AI，and I think people should be really concerned about it.I keep sounding the alarm bell.But until people see robots going down the street killing people， they don't know how to react， because it seems so impossible.”

Earlier， in 2014， Musk had labeled AI “our biggest existential threat，” and in August 2017， he declared that humanity faced a greater risk from AI than the terrorists.Physicist Stephen Hawking，who died on March 14， also expressed concerns about AI， telling the BBC in 2014 that “the development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race.”

1.What are top scientists in AI worried about?

A.It's ability of impressive fests.

B.It contributes too much to movies.

C.It may end the human race some day.

D.It's capability to bury our seeds in jokes.

2.What is “red flags” in paragraph 4?

A.Questions. B.Warnings. C.Complaints. D.Wonders.

3.In Stephen Hawking'opinion，AI could______

A.be a great threat to human beings.

B.learn the human emotions like fear.

C.predict the future of the human race.

D.compose horrible tales into scary stories.

4.The text is probably taken from a research paper in_______

A.Technology. B.Health. C.Planet earth. D.Human nature.

Task 7

The gut（內(nèi)臟）-brain connection is mostly known for its role in controlling the amount of food we eat， with the gut signaling to the brain when we've had enough.But a new study published June 5 suggests that the gut-brain connection may also play an important role in forming memories about where places and objects are located in our environment.The new study was done in rats，but the findings could translate to humans.

The gut and the brain mainly communicate through the vagus（迷走神經(jīng)）nerve.

Because this gut-brain axis（軸）is typically engaged only when an animal is eating，the researchers thought that this function could serve animals in remembering where good food was in their environment.This could be important for the animals to remember where they are in space，so that they could find that food again.The researchers set up several tasks that challenged the rats to find and remember either locations or objects in the space around them.In one experiment， for example， the researchers shone a bright light that would be annoying enough to urge a rat to search for an escape.With a complete vagus nerve，the rats were able to remember where the location was if they'd previously found it and gone there.

But if the gut-brain connection was surgically altered，the rats had trouble remembering where an escape location was，even though they had previously been there，the researchers found.Similarly，when the scientists had the rats try to find objects that the animals had previously located，they had difficulty if their vagus nerve was blocked from sending signals.

When the researchers looked at the brains of the rats that had altered vagus nerves，they found that there was decreased activity in the hippocampus（海馬體）， an area of the brain involved with specific types of memory.That includes helping the animal figure out its own position in space and that of other rats and objects.Specifically，the rats had decreased numbers of several proteins in the hippocampus that are responsible for creating new neurons （神經(jīng)元）and connections between neurons.These proteins therefore also play a role in forming memories.

1.What does the new study published June 5 find?

A.The gut-brain connection is through vagus nerves.

B.Your guts remember where you had a good meal.

C.The gut-brain connection really counts in memories.

D.The gut-brain connection translates to humans.

2.Why is a bright light used?

A.To force a rat to find a way out.

B.To frighten a rat to eat less food.

C.To scare a rat to forget the location.

D.To help a rat remember the objects.

3.Which of the following best explains “altered”underlined in paragraph 5?

A.Connected. B.Blocked. C.Located. D.Found.

4.Which of the following are responsible for making memories?

A.Guts. B.Proteins. C.Vagus nerves. D.Neurons.

Task 8

When I was 21 years old,I moved to the United States to pursue my master’s in Computer Science at the University of Southern California.While my friends and family were happy for my opportunity,most of my family thought that I would never come back,including my dad.Up until my move,my relationship with my father was disconnected,like a plug(插頭)lying just inches away from the outlet.

The day of my farewell to the United States was the first time I saw my dad differently.He had a look in his eyes expressing extreme sadness,and at the same time,total happiness.Sadly,that was also the last time I saw my father’s mind was clear.

Now that I reflect upon the situation,I believe my dad might have known that something was wrong with him.He had already experienced more than serious forget-fulness.As in tune with my own body as I am,today I would give anything to just see him smile and to see his mind was clear again.

Unfortunately,all I want for my dad today are me-mories.Suffering from dementia(癡呆),he doesn’t remember or even recognize me.However,the more he forgets,the more I remember.Long-buried small and seemingly worthless events would be constantly noticeable for me,as I care for my father.

Since I can’t have my father the way I remember him,I try to find pieces of him in myself.I see him most in my passion for climbing.I still remember driving with him to the local mountains almost every single weekend when I was growing up.Like me,he was fond of the Himalayas,and spent a significant time in the snow.He loved the mountains,nature and wilderness.That gene has been passed on to me.Even though my father enjoyed driving,and I prefer to climb,our love for the Himalayas is the common spiritual bond that connects us.My father gave me the mountains,and I will repay him by climbing them in his honor.

1.Before the author left for the United States,___________.

A.he was worried about his father’s health

B.he was kind of disappointed with his father

C.he was astonished at his father’s expression

D.he lacked good communication with his father

2.The author has a wish that____________.

A.he had kept his father company when climbing

B.he would see his father in a healthy state now

C.he would climb the Himalayas with his father

D.he hadn’t gone to the United States

3.While taking care of his father,the author___________.

A.was sad to see his father suffering from pain

B.helped his father remember many past stories

C.recalled many details about his father

D.tried to learn more about what dementia is

4.What can be inferred from the text?

A.The author is a person of wide interests.

B.The author’s father used to be a very cautious man.

C.The author prefers climbing to nothing else.

D.The author’s father used to be an outdoor person.

Task 9

Running on the beach can certainly be a good thing.It's definitely different from running on the pavement，a track or trails with soft surfaces.

For starters，sand can be a challenge because it has an uneven surface and constantly shifts under your feet.As you push off， you're going to lose some of your push as the sand moves.So， you're not going to be able to push yourself forward as you would on a track or pavement.But this unevenness has an upside:It gives your body an extra workout，forcing you to engage muscles that don't get as much use during runs on firm surfaces.For instance， your feet， ankles， lower back and the muscles around your hips might feel sorer（疼）and more tired than usual after a beach run just because that surface is constantly moving and changing step by step.

You also might feel sore afterward because beaches tend to slope （傾斜）downward，toward the water.If you're going for a long run on the beach，you might notice that one side of your body—including your ankle，leg or knee—might feel sore because you're putting more pressure on it due to the slope.

Some beach runners tend to run barefoot.However， if you're not used to barefoot running， start slowly and don't run long distances at first.That's because running barefoot uses different muscles than running with shoes does， and it's important to strengthen these muscles and adapt your feet.Moreover， because sand can be rough， you can get blisters （泡） pretty easily from running barefoot.If you want to run barefoot，great，but ease into it.

Despite these challenges，running on sand can be a smart choice for athletes.Because sand has high shock absorptive qualities，running on it can decrease the impact on your body during high-intensity workouts.This could potentially lead to reduced muscle damage and less soreness.Women had less myoglobin（肌紅蛋白）—a protein that can be a sign of muscle inflammation（發(fā)炎）-in their blood after running on the sand than they did after running on grass.This suggests running on softer ground surfaces， such as sand，may reduce muscle damage.

1.Why do starters have difficulty running on sand?

A.The smooth surface makes them fall over easily.

B.The moving surface makes them energetically costly.

C.The sloping surface makes them press hard on bodies.

D.The watery surface makes them wet through frequently.

2.Which of the following best explains “upside” underlined in paragraph 2?

A.Advantage. B.Reason. C.Expectation. D.Challenge.

3.What should you avoid if you want to try running barefoot?

A.Starting slowly. B.Adjusting your feet.

C.Developing some muscles. D.Running long distances.

4.What's the unique benefit of running on sand to women?

A.Reduced muscle damage. B.Less soreness.

C.Increased workouts. D.Less myoglobin.

Task 10

Some spiders crawl（爬行）around your house，some jump across the lawn （草坪）—others take long flights.With aircraft fashioned from strands（縷）of silk，certain species of tiny spiders can take to the air in a process that scientists call“ballooning”.

Ballooning spiders were first recorded in the 17th century，Science magazine reported in April.But scientists didn't know until now exactly how these spiders take to the air.

In a new study， published yesterday （June 14） in the journal PLOS Biology， a group of scientists from the Technical University of Berlin placed 14 crab spiders on a round structure in a Berlin park to observe their behaviors in natural winds.The researchers then repeated their experiments in a wind tunnel in a lab.

The scientists found that the conditions had to be just right for these spiders to decide to take off，according to the study.The spiders first sensed the wind through hairs on their legs.Then，they further tested the wind conditions by lifting one，or sometimes both，of their front legs into the air for 5 to 8 seconds.Until they were satisfied with the wind conditions，they'd repeat the process，each time spinning their bodies in the direction of the wind.

When the spiders were finally ready to take flight， they raised their stomachs and spun their silk—each strand around 2 to 4 meters long （6.6 to 13 feet） —eventually forming a triangular sheet.With enough drag from the silk against the wind， the spiders could use these thin， silky kites to take off.During takeoff and throughout the flight， the spiders kept their legs stretched out， the scientists reported.

1.What can we learn about spiders?

A.All of them have the ability to take to the air.

B.We humans didn't know how they fly until now.

C.They first appeared on the earth in the 17th century.

D.Fourteen of them were used in a wind tunnel in a lab.

2.How do spiders become before taking off?

A.Bravery. B.Curious. C.Careful. D.Anxious.

3.Why does the author compare the spiders to kites?

A.Both of them fly with the help of the wind.

B.Both of them are dressed in strands of silk.

C.Neither of them can go without human's help.

D.Neither of them can stretch out their legs freely.

4.What is the text mainly about?

A.Spiders can fly high as a floating kite

B.Spiders can take off with strands of silk

C.Flying spiders test the winds before sailing on silky kites

D.Spiders take to the air against the winds just like balloons