Most of London's national museums are completely free of charge. So without cost to worry about, these are the must-see museums for art lovers on their first trip to London.
National Portrait Gallery
PHONE +44 20 7306 0055
Where else but the National Portrait Gallery can you find oil paintings of the Bronte sisters and William Shakespeare alongside black and white photographs of the Spice Girls and a mixed media portrait of J.K. Rowling? Featuring a collection of famous British people from the Tudor period to the present day, the National Portrait Gallery is a must for those who like British culture.
Science Museum
PHONE +44 33 3241 4000
Ideal for left-brainers, London's Science Museum celebrates scientific, technological, and mathematical achievements — but that makes it sound so serious. With interactive exhibits, flight simulators, an IMAX theater, and even a milkshake bar, a trip to the Science Museum is far from the boring science lessons from back in the day.
Churchill War Rooms
PHONE +44 20 7416 5000
The Imperial War Museum is a collection of five museums and sites. One of the collection' s most fascination inclusions is the Churchill War Rooms. Walking through the underground labyrinth （迷宫）of war rooms is literally walking in the footsteps of Sir Winston Churchill and his war cabinet during WWII
Natural History Museum
PHONE +44 20 7942 5000
Once the home to African elephant specimens and surprising casts of a Triceratops and Diplodocus, the museum' s main hall now floats the real skeleton of a blue whale high above visitors’ heads. Though no longer in the entry hall, you can still find dinosaurs here, such as the first fossil ever found from a T. rex.
1.Which is the best choice for J.K. Rowling’s fans?
A.National Portrait Gallery. B.Science Museum.
C.Churchill War Rooms. D.Natural History Museum.
2.What can people do in Science Museum?
A.View the arts of the Tudor period. B.Enjoy a film in an IMAX theater.
C.Learn about the war history of Britain. D.Watch the skeleton of a blue whale.
3.Which number should be called if you’ re interested in dinosaurs?
A.44 20 7306 0055. B.44 33 3241 4000.
C.44 20 7416 5000. D.44 20 7942 5000.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
This happened several years ago when I was still quite new in the city. I was doing my grocery shopping one day, and when I wanted to pay for my things, it turned out that I didn't have enough funds on my bank account for the things I’d chosen. It seemed something had been paid from my account that I had forgotten about.
I was so embarrassed and ashamed. There was a queue forming behind me. I became very flustered（慌乱的）and very close to tears. I tried to quickly pick some things out that weren’t so urgent for me to buy. The cashier（收银员）, a patient, elderly man, saw how upset I was and gently said, “Please, don't worry about picking out groceries to leave behind and you can pay me back for the difference another day.” I immediately refused since I didn't know him, but he insisted he would pay for the difference because he also had daughters and sometimes life could be hard. I thanked him greatly while I packed my things. I asked him what his name was so I could bring the money another day. He said, “Just ask for Baba（Father）and everyone calls me that here.”
I came back a few days later with the money, a thank-you card, and some homemade cookies. I asked a young salesman if he'd seen the old man and he immediately told me, “Oh! That must be Baba!” It was clear that he was very familiar with him. I explained what had happened and he nodded. "Yes, that is something he would do. He is a bit of an extra father to all of us working here, too. He isn't working today but I will make sure he gets this."
Thank you, Baba, for looking out for me that day, and for taking good care of your coworkers, too! I think it is people like Baba that make the world beautiful.
1.What happened to the author as she went shopping?
A.She forgot to bring money with her.
B.She regretted choosing something expensive.
C.She couldn't afford the goods she had picked.
D.She couldn’t remember the password of her account.
2.What did the author try to do to solve her problem?
A.To make herself calm down.
B.To give up some high-priced things.
C.To remove some items less necessary.
D.To take out all the goods she had chosen.
3.Which of the following probably can best describe the old cashier?
A.Shy and honest. B.Talented and friendly.
C.Generous and hardworking. D.Kind and warm-hearted.
4.Which of the following would be the best title for the text?
A.Every job is meaningful. B.We need people like “Baba".
C.Giving is a kind of happiness. D.An embarrassing shopping experience.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
How many afternoons have you slowly moved over to the office coffee machine and wondered: Is this really my fourth cup of the day? Or wait, is it my fifth? We've all been there, but a new study shows refilling your cup too often could be hurting your health.
The study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that drinking six or more cups of coffee per day may increase your risk of heart disease by up to 22%. Researchers from the University of South Australia also found a specific gene, called CYP1A2, which enables people to consume caffeine faster than those without it.
Overall, the researchers found that people who drank six or more cups of coffee a day were 22% more likely to develop cardiovascular （心血管的）disease, compared to those who drank one to two cups daily. The study authors believe that coffee （in large quantities） and heart problems may be linked because excess caffeine consumption can cause high blood pressure, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Most people would agree that if you drink a lot of coffee, you might feel nervous and irritable （易怒的）.That's because caffeine helps your body work faster and harder, but it is also likely to suggest that you may have reached your limit for the time being. That doesn't mean that any and all coffee is bad for your heart, however. In fact, the researchers also found that participants who didn't drink coffee at all — and those who drank decaf — also had higher rates of heart disease （11% and 7% higher, respectively） than those who drank one to two cups per day. Previous research has found coffee is rich in antioxidants （抗氧化物质） and may reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
1.What does the new study find?
A.People like to drink coffee in the office.
B.Coffee is more popular than tea among young people.
C.People tend to drink more coffee in the afternoon.
D.Too much coffee may be harmful to people.
2.What makes people take in caffeine faster?
A.The healthy dietary pattern. B.The specific gene CYP1A2,
C.The high blood pressure. D.The antioxidants in coffee.
3.What does the underline word “excess” mean in the third paragraph?
A.Extra. B.Less. C.Proper D.Average.
4.What does the author consider most important for drinking coffee?
A.The brand of coffee. B.The container of coffee.
C.The amount of coffee. D.The flavor of coffee.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
An increase of just 2°C in global temperatures could make the world considerably drier and more desert-like, new research has warned.
More than a quarter of the world's land surface, home to more than 1.5 billion people, would become more arid and droughts and wildfires could be widespread. Limiting global warming to 1.5℃ would dramatically reduce the percentage of the Earth's surface affected, scientists found.
“Aridification (干旱化) would emerge over 20 to 30 percent of the world's land surface by the time the global temperature change reaches 2℃”，said Dr Manoj Joshi from the University of East Anglia’s School of Environmental Sciences and one of the study's co-authors.
The research team studied projections from 27 global climate models and identified areas of the world where aridity will greatly change. The most affected areas are parts of South East Asia, Southern Europe, Southern Africa, Central America and Southern Australia. These areas are home to more than .20 percent of the world's population — that’s over 1.5 billion people.
The study looked at the current rate of global temperature increase and compared it to data from before the industrial revolution. The world has already warmed by 1℃since then. Two thirds of the affected regions could avoid significant aridification if warming is limited to 1.5℃, researchers found.
The Paris Agreement, which was first signed in 2015, is an international agreement to control climate change. It hopes to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2℃ and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5℃.
But the local protectionism makes it possible that the world may become drier and the horrific scenes of the Californian wildfires may become more common. The fire burned more than 440 square miles of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties and destroyed more than 1,000 structures after breaking out in early December.
1.What should we do to prevent aridification?
A.We should limit the temperature rise to 2°C.
B.We should limit the temperature rise to 1.5°C.
C.We should limit the industrial development.
D.We should limit the global population.
2.Which country is most likely to be affected by aridification?
A.China. B.Russia. C.Canada. D.Philippine.
3.Why does the author mention the Californian wildfires in the text?
A.To show the harm of aridification.
B.To emphasize the loss of the fire.
C.To support the local protectionism.
D.To tell us wildfires are common.
4.What is Dr Manoj's attitude towards the global temperature change?
A.Indifferent. B.Approving. C.Concerned. D.Unclear.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
How to Communicate as a Family
In today's busy world, many families struggle to see each other. That does not mean that our need for family has decreased. Most of us still long for a united family.1.. Below are tips on it.
Use effective communication skills
Each member of the family should feel important and valued. 2.. In order for your family members to hear your needs, you have to express them. Be polite but honest with your family during discussions.
Listen intently
3.. Your family members will feel loved if their point of view is heard and respected. Avoid talking over your family members, and instead, listen to what they are saying.
Show appreciation for each other
Taking family for granted is easily done.4.. Make it a point to tell each family member that you are thankful for them, and that you enjoy being a family.
5.
Everyone in your family is not going to agree on every issue. As a family, you have to be flexible and accepting of each person's point of view. Avoid arguing over little things such as who should take the trash out; instead, make a conscious effort to divide responsibilities and privileges （特权）fairly.
A.Agree to disagree
B.This includes you
C.Give and accept apologies
D.However, that unity does not always come easily
E.Most of them have been around most of your life
F.It is important that you hear your family members' concerns
G.Also remember that perfect unity will not exist all the time in any family
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Last night one of our 3 family dogs was hit and killed by a car in front of my mother's house.
The dogs became, more or less, my mother's substitute ____ after her human ones grew up and moved out. The one that was killed had ____ with my mom far more than the others. She is shocked and upset. I loved the dog, ____ my true sadness currently comes from having to watch my mother endure another ____ after everything she has been through in her life. In the midst of all of this I have to sincerely_____ the driver. It was not his fault. The dog chased a deer into the ____ at night. In an effort not to hit the deer he suddenly changed ____ , not seeing the dog, resulting in her death. The driver _____, carefully wrapped our dog in a blanket to ____ her dignity, and carried her up to my mother s front door* He was ____ shaking and very upset. He informed my mother of____ happened and she broke down immediately. He comforted her the best a stranger could. He left his ____ and offered assistance in any way he could.
What he really did was ____ my mother from hitting on a ____ scene herself while searching for the dog. He could have very easily continued on his way, but he did something that I hope I never forget. Thank you, Stranger. You restored my ____ in humanity.
1.A.children B.pets C.property D.belongings
2.A.kept B.helped C.bonded D.touched
3.A.besides B.while C.or D.but
4.A.incident B.tragedy C.situation D.scene
5.A.criticize B.comfort C.applaud D.blame
6.A.field B.road C.square D.room
7.A.mind B.wheel C.idea D.direction
8.A.pulled away B.took off C.pulled over D.pulled off
9.A.preserve B.develop C.hide D.cancel
10.A.suddenly B.casually C.accidently D.obviously
11.A.that B.how C.what D.why
12.A.goods B.information C.car D.house
13.A.spare B.separate C.ban D.tell
14.A.wonderful B.pleasant C.unforgettable D.horrible
15.A.energy B.faith C.decision D.doubt
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
假定你是李华，正作为交换生在伦敦一所学校学习。你的好友Eric邀靖你在校文化节上表演一段中国民族舞蹈或唱一首民歌。请给他回一封信，内容包括：
1.感谢邀请；
2.介绍将表演的节目；
3.表达期待。
注意:1.词数80左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。 续写的词数应为150左右。
You never know the difference you might make if you take the time to encourage someone. I gave up the idea of being a writer the summer before I started college. I’d been writing since I was five years old. My little friends wanted toys at that time, but I just wanted paper. Childhood passed and a box of short stories gave way to my middle school days. I wrote for a magazine and by the time I was in my eighth grade, half of the annual publications were written by me. Sometimes I'd dream about being a novelist, writing books that everyone might read. My dad was always sure that it would happen. When he read my poems or stories, his eyes welled up. "That's beautiful, honey,” he always told me. "One day, the entire world will know what a gift you have.” Those words encouraged me through high school to keep believing that writing was my calling.
But somewhere along the months of my senior year, I became disappointed. The crazy injustice in this world — bad guys getting buck out on the street and doing harm again and again, changed my mind.”I m going to be a lawyer in the future,” I told my parents. My dad’s face fell, but he kept his smile. "Whatever you do, you'll be brialliant at it," he said to me.
One of my first classes at college was Journalism 100. One day, the professor, Bob Scheibel, assigned us a story about an apartment fire. He gave us the facts and we had a few days to write a news story.
I was sure that I had gotten the facts right when I wrote the story. I didn’t expect much feedback. But a few days later, Bob Scheibel asked me to talk to him after class. Questions raced through my mind. What had I done wrong? Had I gotten the facts mixed up? Did I miss anything critical in the details? Five minutes after the class, I found myself in front of the professor. His eyes met mine with great seriousness.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析