Welcome to Edinburgh, the world's leading festival city.
Edinburgh International Science Festival
Time: 6 April to 20 April
Edinburgh International Science Festival, founded in 1983, is the world's first public science festival. The two-week festival gives audiences amazing experiences through a diverse program of inspiring events. Alongside the annual festival in Edinburgh, the organization has a strong focus on education and runs a touring program that visits schools around Scotland throughout the year.
Edinburgh International Book Festival
Time: 10 August to 20 August
Edinburgh International Book Festival is the largest public celebration of the written word in the world, which was first held in 1997. Every August around 1,000 writers and thinkers from across the world gather with the audiences in Edinburg. Here book lovers can rub shoulders with world-renowned authors --- or just relax in the sunshine with a deckchair, a drink and a favorite read.
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Time: 19 October to 31 October
Beginning in 1989, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival is the largest storytelling event in the world. Drawing heavily on traditional tale-tellers from Scotland — as well as international guests with stories from their own cultures, the festival is a very special celebration of the oral tradition. Skilled storytellers draw their audiences in, bringing together past and present, real and unreal, for an attractive 10 days.
Edinburgh International Children's Festival
Time: 25 May to 2 June
Edinburgh International Children's Festival is the one dedicated specifically to children. It brings some of the world's best theatre, dance and plays made for young people to Edinburgh for nine days of inspiring and entertaining shows and special events. The Festival began in 1980 and is now spread over 10 activity fields, attracting a loyal audience of 10,000 families, schools and artists.
1.What is the duration of Edinburgh International Science Festival?
A.About one week. B.Less than 10 days.
C.About two weeks. D.More than half a month.
2.What can the tourists do in Edinburgh International Book Festival?
A.Meet world-famous authors. B.Buy all their favorite books.
C.Relax by listening to stories. D.Share stories with audiences.
3.Which festival has the longest history?
A.Edinburgh International Science Festival.
B.Edinburgh International Book Festival.
C.Scottish International Storytelling Festival.
D.Edinburgh International Children's Festival.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
In 2012, Mary Davis, who works at an enrichment center .for young children, and her husband, Ari Kadin, who is in property management, were expecting their first child when Davis miscarried （流产）. They were desperately heartbroken. But the couple, who were volunteering with adults in a Skid Row homeless shelter, refused to let their heartbreak break them.
"In 2013, our child would have been one year old,” says Davis, 38, "and we kept seeing these kids at the shelter, and I said to my husband, 'We couldn't throw a birthday party for our child, so let's do it for these kids. '"
They took over a room in the Union Rescue Mission and filled it with streamers （飘带）， gifts, a cake — all the makings of a great party. Since then, the couple has thrown a party every month. They routinely attract 250 kids and their parents. An hour before each party, volunteers arrive to set up the decorations and activities: face painting, balloon artists, a DJ, cake, and pizza. There are small presents for the kids celebrating their birthdays that month, but Davis makes sure there are more than enough to go around.
"I remember a mom came with her two kids," Davis says, “and her child had a birthday. We had an extra gift for her—pink headphones. The little girl was so excited that she was jumping up and down. And her mom …she's crying, 'Yesterday was her birthday. I had nothing to give her. I really didn't expect a birthday party for my child.'"
Doing her best to normalize（使正常化）these kids' lives is both heartwarming and bittersweet. Davis says, "If you look down, you see so many homeless people on the street, which reminds you that these kids don't get to leave this area after the party. "It may be why, after throwing 88 parties, she still cries after each one.
1.Why did the couple volunteer in a Skid Row homeless shelter in 2013?
A.Because they love children.
B.Because they are warm-hearted.
C.Because they enjoy the procedure of helping others.
D.Because they didn't want to be stuck in the pain of loss.
2.What do we learn from the passage?
A.Davis' child is 8 years old now.
B.The kids' parents are volunteers in the shelter.
C.Davis always prepares to get more presents for the kids.
D.The mother was very grateful to the couple for what they did for her kid.
3.How long have the couple volunteered to hold parties for the kids according to the passage?
A.Less than 6 years.
B.Less than 7 years.
C.Nearly 7 and a half years.
D.Nearly 8 years.
4.What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A.The kids won't leave the shelter after the party.
B.Davis doesn't want the kids to be homeless again.
C.Davis always sees many homeless people on the street.
D.Davis cries after each party because she suffers a lot in the volunteer activities.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Anyone who would like to check their vision from the comfort of their own home may be interested in a new automated eye test called the EyeQue VisionsCheck. The new technology is a device that is used with a smartphone to help check your vision whenever you like.
The device tests your eyes and gives you a number that tells you how good or bad your eyesight is. You can then take this result to an optician (验光师)to order a pair of glasses. It is more than just an eye check — you'll be able to measure and store results of your pupillary distance, get details at eyeque.com or in-app, upload prescriptions to compare vision history and use it to order your glasses online.
The new device is from a startup company called EyeQue. It has been used to test the eyes of 50,000 people. The company says the patented technology has shown all-time accuracy and received praises from many of the users over the past two years. The simple device costs just $30. An updated version will come out later this year and will cost between $50 to $70.
An EyeQue spokesman said the device was better than going to visit an optician. He said, "The reason for that is when you go to the eye doctor it's one moment in time. You may be having a bad day. You may be nervous. The doctor may be in a hurry. What we do is different measures over time. We are able to average it out, and we get a better result." However, the spokesman said the device wasn't a replacement for the optician. An optician will check for things the device cannot check for, like some eye diseases.
Renu Thapar, an optician said, "The EyeQue, used correctly and regularly, could actually speed up identification of problems which an optician could then help with. But VisionCheck. cannot completely substitute a regular eye test. After all, the condition of the eyes can be very complicated; you'd better see a medical professional."
1.What is the basic requirement for using this new technology?
A.Using a smartphone.
B.Consulting an optician.
C.Measuring pupillary distance.
D.Ordering glasses from their official website.
2.According to the EyeQue spokesman, why is their result more accurate?
A.It can identify eye diseases. B.It is a single professional test.
C.It is the average of multiple tests. D.It has the most advanced technology.
3.What can we learn from Renu Thapar's words?
A.The test results of VisionCheck are not reliable.
B.Frequent use of EyeQue may speed up eyes' problems.
C.VisionCheck should be used with the help of an optician.
D.VisionCheck can't completely replace a regular eye test.
4.What can be the best title for the text?
A.A New Way to Restore Eyesight
B.EyeQue VisionCheck DIY Eye Test
C.A New Device to Check for Eye Diseases
D.EyeQue VisionCheck, Substitue of Regular Eye Test
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
As the COVID-19 pandemic （新冠肺炎）rages, with ongoing lockdown （封城）measures affecting millions of people around the globe, levels of air pollution are falling dramatically in many parts of the world. This trend has been highlighted by a new report published by Swiss company IQAir looking at ten key global cities that normally suffer from high levels of pollution.
The report compared measurements from ground-based monitoring stations regarding a type of pollutant known as PM2.5— tiny inhalable particles measuring 2.5 micrometers or smaller that are emitted （排放）by various sources such as vehicles and power plants. It found significant falls in nearly all the locations listed.
This is, perhaps, not surprising considering the large decreases in vehicle traffic and industrial activity that have occurred with lockdown measures imposed （实施）on these cities.
The report examined data collected over a three-week period for each city while they were under lockdown conditions. IQAir then compared these measurements to the same time period for the years between 2016 and 2019.
IQAir found that nine out of the ten cities in the report experienced significant reductions in PM2.5 compared to the same period for 2019. Those with historically higher levels of PM2.5 pollution saw the greatest drops including New Delhi （-60 percent） Seoul （-54 percent） and Wuhan （-44 percent）. Besides, seven of the cities saw reductions in PM2.5 of 25 to 60 percent compared to the same period last year.
Wuhan—where the COVID-19 pandemic was first identified—experienced the cleanest air on record for February and March. The city was placed under one of the strictest lockdowns in the world on January 24, which was only lifted after 10 weeks.
Unfortunately, these sharp improvements in air quality have coincided （同时发生）with significant economic disruption, suffering and loss of life across the globe. Furthermore, experts warn that without sustained action to control pollution once the crisis ends, levels will likely rebound, as has been witnessed following previous economic downturns.
1.The levels of air pollution in the nine cities drop dramatically probably because .
A.the global economy suffers downturns
B.vehicle traffic and industrial activity decrease sharply during the pandemic
C.the governments of these cities take effective measures to reduce air pollution
D.people around the world have raised their awareness of environmental protection
2.Why does the author list the numbers in paragraph 5?
A.To show the data from IQAir are true.
B.To make a comparison between the cities.
C.To show the significant reductions in levels of air pollution.
D.To prove the measures carried out in these cities are effective.
3.What does the underlined word "disruption” in the last paragraph mean?
A.destruction B.eruption
C.break D.construction
4.What is the main idea of the passage?
A.The introduction of PM2.5.
B.The COVID-19 pandemic has caused great loss across the globe.
C.IQAir measured the air pollution levels in major global cities during the pandemic.
D.Air pollution has fallen significantly in nine major global cities during the pandemic.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Traditional Chinese Culture
Chinese culture is over 5000 years old. 1.
The spirit of the tea ceremony
Xi Hu Long Jing （West Lake Dragon Well） and Yunnan Pu'er have long been, world famous. 2. .The spirit of the Chinese tea ceremony captures the Chinese attitude towards life and spirituality. These are the things that people all over the world can benefit from.
A handful of good tea leaves with some boiling water and a set of lovely tea ware are the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon and gain some insight into the wisdom of this ancient civilization.
3.
During the 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, many different flavors, styles, and cuisines （烹饪）have developed based on traditional philosophy and culture. This ancient food culture has had a direct impact on the countries, such as Japan, Mongolia, South Korea, Thailand, and Singapore. It has benefited billions of people around the world through such innovations as Chinese vegetarian culture, tea culture, vinegar, pasta medicated diets, ceramic tableware, and the use of soybeans in the diet.
Chinese Confucianism
Confucianism has flourished during the last 2,500 of China's 5,000-year history. 4. . This school of thought has had the most profound and long lasting influence in China's history. Seventy-four Nobel Prize winners and many other highly respected scholars have stated that for the benefit of mankind's livelihood and development into the next century, these teachings should be promoted and adopted worldwide. 5. .
A.Chinese cuisine
B.Traditional Chinese culture
C.It has been the mainstay （支柱〉of this ancient civilization
D.They are pretty popular due to their superior color and flavor
E.The following three items of traditional Chinese culture have had a worldwide impact
F.This wonderfully rich food culture has also had an impact on Europe, America and Oceania
G.This would provide long lasting benefits for man, helping to ensure a peaceful and happy life
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
On Friday, March 15, 2019, hundreds of thousands of kids from over 80 countries skipped and took to the streets. However, the __ strike is not a protest against too much _____ or long school hours, but to __ government officials to take immediate action against climate change.
The worldwide youth environment movement _____ a teenager—16-year-old Greta Thunberg. The Swedish girl was first ____ to climate change when she was just eight years old. Her teachers showed her films of floating plastics in the ocean. __ polar bears and so on. She cried ____ all the films. Those pictures were __ in her head and she decided to take action. Over the next few years, the girl convinced her parents to ___their carbon footprint. Her mother, a world-famous singer, stopped __ even though it severely impacted her ___ In 2018, the young girl decided to take her __ to a national level. She organized a strike to increase climate change ______ From August 20, 2018 to September 9, 2018, Greta __ school and spent the days sitting outside the government building in central Stockholm. On the first day, she sat alone. And then on the second day, people started ____ her. After that, there were people there all the time. Greta now __ every Friday protesting outside the government building. She plans on continuing this until the Swedish government __ the environmental policies according to the Paris Climate Agreement. The girl has also become the __ face of the environmental debate. She has had meetings to __ climate change with several leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron. The teenager's movement has also inspired kids and teenagers worldwide to take up the ____ and finally led to the international protest on March 15,2019.
1.A.local B.global C.violent D.nationwide
2.A.homework B.housework C.teamwork D.deskwork
3.A.beg B.urge C.order D.prevent
4.A.went with B.communicated with C.began with D.agreed with
5.A.related B.addicted C.used D.exposed
6.A.swimming B.starving C.walking D.sleeping
7.A.above B.beyond C.across D.through
8.A.stuck B.interested C.lost D.absorbed
9.A.remove B.measure C.discover D.reduce
10.A.walking B.shopping C.driving D.exercising
11.A.career B.skill C.performance D.image
12.A.hobbies B.pleasures C.concerns D.gifts
13.A.happiness B.awareness C.business D.kindness
14.A.started B.attended C.skipped D.quitted
15.A.helping B.amusing C.feeding D.joining
16.A.wastes B.spends C.uses D.scarifies
17.A.updates B.maintains C.ensures D.reads
18.A.pretty B.rare C.strange D.familiar
19.A.discuss B.ignore C.promote D.spot
20.A.reason B.exam C.cause D.flight
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当单词或插号内单词的正确形式。
When HarmonyOS, the Chinese self-developed operating system for Huawei mobile devices, 1. (release) on August 9, it quickly became a hot topic on 2. (society) media.
Many believe it not only represents the rise of the country as a tech power, but also 3. (show) respect for classical Chinese culture by 4. (name) the system "Hongmeng" in Chinese.
Besides "Hongmeng", Huawei has also registered many of its 5. (product) under the names of legendary creatures from Chinese mythology. For example, the company’s server chip is called "Kunpeng", a mythical creature 6. changed from a fish into a giant bird.
In fact, Huawei is not alone in using traditional culture for modem enterprises. 7. (base) on the well-known work of classical Chinese mythology The Investiture of the Gods, Ne Zha is shown as a rebellious underdog, who has to overcome hardship and his dark fate to become a hero, 8. (like) his attractive heroic character in previous cinematic works.
As Global Times put 9.，“Ancient mythology has the power to stimulate contemporary imagination in young people." After all, imagination is 10. beginning of creation.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有 10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧),并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线(\)划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意： 1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2.只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。
Last Friday we students in the five grade were organized to offer service at the railway station. We were dividing into small groups to finish different tasks. Upon their arrival in the early morning, we soon got down to help the others. Some picked up rubbish on the ground and provides information for passengers. Some helped the passengers with heavy luggages, and the rest taught passengers what to use the ticket vending machine. Tired as we were, we felt happily when receiving thanks. It is believed that if by helping each other we will make the society better place.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
假定你是李华，暑假在澳大利亚悉尼歌剧院参观时结识了当地青年Jack,参观过程中他为 你提供了很多帮助。在你即将回国之际，给他写一封感谢信。内容包括：
1.感谢他的帮助；2.你的收获与祝福。
注意：
1.词数：100左右；2.可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
参考词汇：悉尼歌剧院Sydney Opera House
Dear Jack,
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
难度: 中等查看答案及解析