Over a hundred years ago in 1911, something strange was found in the glaciers of Antarctica. Grilffith Taylor—an Australian geologist, had discovered a blood red steam pouring out of the ice cascades（瀑布）of Talor Glacier! Popularly known as the Blood Falls, scientists had not been able to find the reason behind the blood red liquid flowing through the ice---until recently. The mystery of the Blood Falls had finally been solved.
When these falls were first discovered, scientists had believed that the red colour came from a large amount of red algae（海藻）concentrated in the water. Red algae contain a pigment（色素）which reflects red light, making the algae appear red.
This theory made sense, until it was later found that algae do not play a part in the red color of the flowing liquid at all. What really causes Talor Glacier’s waters appear blood red, is the presence of iron oxide in the liquid. The waters of the blood falls are rich in salt and iron content, and when this water comes in contact with the air, it turns red—just like rust! The water in these falls is often referred to as “brine” by scientists because of the high salt content in the water.
This reasoning behind the red colors of the falls was found back in 2003. However, the entire mystery had not yet been solved. How is it then, that the Blood Falls are not frozen?
Researchers at the University of Colorado and University of Alaska found that inside the glacier, there was a network of channels and reservoirs that move the water around. Salt water has a lower freezing temperature. In addition, when any substance undergoes a change in state, it gives off heat. Therefore, the brine actually warm itself up while it’s freezing! How this works, is that when the brine is flowing through the Talor Glacier, some of it does freeze. As a result of changing state from liquid to ice, the brine gives off heat. This heat is enough to keep the rest of the rest of the brine in liquid form, which is why it flows out of the glacier.
Incredible new chemistry facts found, any mystery solved!
1.According to the text, the red algae theory was once considered ________.
A.ridiculous B.reasonable
C.impractical D.complex
2.Why does the Blood Falls look red in colour?
A.Because there is too much salt and iron in its water.
B.Because its liquid is rich in red algae.
C.Because the following liquid reflects and sunlight
D.Because the air is thin and rare in Antarctica.
3.What is the main reason for the Blood Fall’s not freezing?
A.The water continued flowing constantly.
B.There is too much salt in the water.
C.The brine gives off heat while freezing
D.Temperatures aren’t high enough for flowing water.
4.What is the passage mainly about?
A.The discovery of the blood glacier.
B.The birth of the Talor Glacier.
C.The flowing red water in Antarctica.
D.The mystery of the Blood Falls.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
What does the man want to do?
A.Take it easy. B.Finish his work. C.Get something to eat.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
What does the woman suggest the man buy?
A.A dress. B.A purse. C.A jacket.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
When does the man want to go to the library?
A.On Saturday. B.On Sunday. C.On Monday.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Where does this conversation most likely take place?
A.At a clothing store. B.At a laundry place. C.At a restaurant.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
How does the woman respond to the man?
A.She is disappointed. B.She is impressed. C.She is optimistic.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Why won’t the woman’s sister come to dinner?
A.She has to work late. B.She has an appointment. C.She’s in another town.
2.How does the man feel about the dinner tonight?
A.He is very excited. B.He is a little disappointed. C.He is quite angry.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Where does the woman plan to go?
A.San Francisco. B.Sacramento. C.Los Angeles.
2.What is the best way to see California according to the man?
A.Go there by plane.
B.Take the train along the coast.
C.Go through the center of California.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Why did the man fall asleep?
A.He is sick. B.He works at night. C.His class was boring.
2.Why does the man have to work?
A.To pay for school. B.To pay his debts. C.To pay his hospital bill.
3.Where will the man probably go next?
A.To a class. B.To the financial aid office. C.To the student employment office.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.How did the woman get the computer?
A.She ordered it. B.She borrowed it. C.It was a gift.
2.What surprises the man about the computer?
A.The size. B.The price. C.The color.
3.What did the woman do in the café today?
A.She talked with a friend.
B.She worked on her résumé.
C.She looked for a job there.
4.How does the woman feel about noisy cafés?
A.She dislikes the noise. B.She ignores the noise. C.She is inspired by the noise.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What is true about the Great American Beer Festival?
A.It’s the oldest beer festival in America.
B.It’s the cheapest beer festival in the world.
C.It’s the largest beer festival in America.
2.How many companies will attend the festival?
A.Tens of thousands. B.Hundreds. C.Thousands.
3.According to the talk, what is Sticky Fingers?
A.An American beer. B.An organic cheese. C.The name of a beer company.
4.How old are people allowed to enter?
A.18. B.20. C.21.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
The Nobel Prize Winners in Literature
Rabindranath Tagore( 1913)
Prize motivation: "because of his deep sensitive, fresh and beautiful poetry, with perfect skill, he has made his poetic thought, expressed in his own English words, a part of the literature of the West"
William Faulkner (1949)
Prize motivation: "for his powerful and artistically unique contribution to the modern American novel"
Ernest Miller Hemingway(1954)
Prize motivation: "for his mastery of the art of narrative, most recently demonstrated in The Old Man and the Sea"
John Steinbeck (1962)
Prize motivation: "for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humour and keen social perception"
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill(1953)
Prize motivation: "for his mastery of historical and biographical description as well as for brilliant speech skills in defending noble human values"
Claude Simon (1985)
Prize motivation: "who in his novel combines the poet's and the painter's creativeness with a deepened awareness of time in the description of the human condition"
Mo Yan (2012)
Prize motivation: “he, with dreamlike realism, combines folk tales, history and the contemporary".
Bob Dylan (2016)
Prize motivation: "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition"
1.Which writer won Nobel Prize for his poetry?
A.William Faulkner. B.Bob Dylan.
C.Rabindranath Tagore. D.Claude Simon.
2.Which writer won Noble Prize for his specific work instead of his lifelong achievements?
A.Ernest Hemingway. B.John Steinbeck.
C.William Faulkner. D.Winston Churchill.
3.Whose works will you turn to if you are interested in a song writing Nobel Prize winner?
A.Mo Yan’s. B.Bob Dylun’s.
C.Claude Simon’s. D.Rabindranath Tagore’s.
4.Who described real life experience in his historic works?
A.John Steinbeck. B.Mo Yan.
C.Ernest Hemingway. D.Winston Churchill.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Humans and gorillas shared evolution for 23 million years. Their paths separated only six million years ago. Research on how gorillas communicate can help us understand human language development.
Understanding how the brain works helps us see a connection between language development and non-verbal signs. These signs or movements include things like the way we move our hands or bodies or the different expressions our faces have in different social situations. A new study on gorillas showed that the right side of the body is controlled by the left part of the brain and it is also the location for language development.
Two cameras were used to film all of one ape’s movements. One of the first results was that gorillas use their right hands more when they are doing actions with their heads or mouths at the same time. This shows that there is a connection between how our brain works and the reason we use one side of our body more than the other. In addition, we can use the results of the study and our knowledge about brains to help us understand more about how language first developed in humans.
Dr Forrester, who did the study, says the results can be useful in other ways, such as understanding language development in children. For example, some children have serious illness called “autism” which can stop them communicating normally with people. It might be possible to use the same study method to find out which children have this illness when they are very young. Doctors will then be able to start treatment early.
1.Which of the following may have a connection with right-handedness?
A.Communication. B.Intelligence.
C.Social position. D.Social success.
2.What does the underlined word “it” refer to?
A.The right side of the body. B.The mouth.
C.The left part of the brain. D.The front part of the head.
3.Who might benefit most from the results of the study?
A.Photographers of gorillas. B.Zoo keepers.
C.Researchers on movement. D.Children with illness.
4.We can infer from the text that gorillas ___________.
A.prefer to use the right hand instead of the left hand
B.have a complex form of non-verbal communication
C.help us better develop our language abilities
D.share the same body language with humans
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
3D printing is becoming more and more popular. We are now able to create things we need very quickly and easily using 3D printers. But can you imagine printing food?
Some scientists are trying to revolutionize the dining experience by doing this. They hope that having a 3D printer in the kitchen will be as common as the microwave oven or blender.
Scientists say that it’ll be quite easy: you simply have to select a recipe and put the raw food ‘inks’ into the printer. You can also modify the instructions to make the food exactly how you want it. This means that it would be very quick and easy to create tasty and nutritious meals.
Using 3D printers to create your meals would also be saving the environment. There would be less need for traditional growing, transporting and packaging processes as food production would be a lot more efficient. For example, alternative ingredients (原料) such as proteins from algae, beetroot leaves and insects could be converted into tasty products.
Printing food could also help people who suffer from dysphasia (a swallowing disorder). They could program the printer to print softer versions of their favorite foods so that they would not have trouble in swallowing them.
However, some people think that a future of 3D food printing would be a disaster. It could take away many jobs, including those from growing, transporting and packaging food. Imagine a world where there was no need for farming or growing crops and the same tastes could be printed from a raw “food ink”. Likewise, traditional cafes and restaurants might lose business. Also, there are concerns about the nutritional value of printed food: is it really possible to be get the nutrients we need from food-based inks and gels (凝胶)?
What’s more, cooking and eating together with family and friends has long been a traditional and enjoyable activity. It is hard to imagine a world where the pleasure of cooking is dead and meals can be created at the touch of a button.
1.Which of the following best describes 3D food printing?
A.Quick and popular. B.Easy and efficient. C.Nutritious and tasty. D.Soft and convenient.
2.Why do some think that 3D food printing would be a disaster?
A.Traditional food would disappear. B.Many people could lose their jobs.
C.It would affect the people’s health. D.We could all eat the same food.
3.What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A.3D food printing will replace traditional cooking. B.The future of 3D food printing is uncertain.
C.It would hurt our tradition of food culture. D.3D food printing would be a failure.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
When you're dealing with a stressful situation or going through a hard time,people in your life can help you. When someone who cares knows what you're going through,it helps you feel understood and not so alone.1. Problems seem smaller when you talk about them with the right person.You can do better and find out solutions more easily when you share your problems.
There are lots of different ways to get and give help.2.other times you need advice on things.Help can be very easy,like a homework project.Or it can go on for a while,like teaching to bring up a failing grade or advising to get through a difficult personal situation.
It's likely you remember times someone helped you.3.Friends helped you get through sadness or deal with disappointment.Teachers might have guided you through the college application process.4.You might give a hand to your classmate who met difficulty.
Friends,parents,teachers and other adults can be great resources when you need help.There are also times when you need the extra help that a professional can provide best.Doctors can offer specialized help for a health problem. 5.
A.Having a right person means a lot.
B.Parents taught you to stop a bad habit.
C.Difficulties are everywhere in your life.
D.You need to learn to give help in the right way.
E.Sometimes you just want to hear an encouraging word.
F.Turn to the professional people for help when you need.
G.And you can also remember times when you helped others.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
I planted two seeds side by side in the soil in my backyard. The first says, “I want to grow! I want to send my roots _______ into the soil, and try to _______. I want to feel the _______ of the sun on my face!” and it grew. The second seed says, “I am _______. If I send my roots into the ground below, I don’t know what I will meet in the _______. If I push my way through the hard soil, I may _______ my small sprouts (芽). What if a small child may pull me _______ from the ground. No, it is much better for me to wait _______ safe.” A hen walking around for food found the waiting seed and _______ ate it.
I sometimes ________ myself -- What if I stop focusing on the worst and go for the ________? Most people can do ________ things if they have the confidence to take the ________. Yet most people don’t, there are lots of people ________ on the sofa saying: I’m going …They will do it when they are rich and when they get ________ and their children are perfectly grown.
The ________ is that your life can never be perfect. Part of it might be, though. Step away from the sofa sitters who are ________ a single perfect day to begin ________ their dreams.
Believe in yourself and know that you can do ________! However, those who ________ to risk get controlled by life finally.
1.A.high B.wide C.short D.deep
2.A.get up B.blow up C.pick up D.come up
3.A.warmth B.violence C.strength D.coolness
4.A.happy B.afraid C.wrong D.excited
5.A.sky B.sea C.dark D.bright
6.A.damage B.grow C.help D.touch
7.A.in B.down C.up D.on
8.A.though B.once C.when D.until
9.A.frequently B.kindly C.seriously D.immediately
10.A.blame B.ask C.answer D.control
11.A.worst B.smallest C.best D.farthest
12.A.unusual B.humorous C.boring D.useless
13.A.food B.money C.risk D.invitation
14.A.walking B.jumping C.sitting D.standing
15.A.married B.rich C.young D.handsome
16.A.quality B.truth C.dream D.advantage
17.A.spending B.organizing C.suffering D.waiting
18.A.realizing B.reaching C.hurting D.affecting
19.A.both B.nothing C.little D.anything
20.A.start B.accept C.refuse D.employ
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。
I am the shared bike. I’d like to be on the street to serve for people. They can ride me just via a mobile app. But horrible things happen a few days ago. Several people stole some of us with paying their bills on the app but treated us badly. They broke my saddle and even threw my friends everywhere. We felt angry for which those bad guys had done. Thanks to some kindly people, we received careful “treatment”. Now, you help as well as the whole society’s attention is what we need most. We are designed to help people who are stuck the heavy traffic. We are neither toy nor private vehicles. Please obey the basic rules.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
假定你是李华,准备参加在你市举办的“一带一路”国际青少年文化节志愿者招聘活动。活动主办方要求能够熟练运用英语。请你用英文写封信,推荐自己。
内容包括:1.你的自荐理由
2.你对活动的理解。
注意: 1.词数100左右;
2.可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯
3.开头和结尾已为你写好,不计入总词数。
生词提示:一带一路 the Belt and Road
Dear Sir,
Thank you for reading my letter.______________________________________________________________
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难度: 中等查看答案及解析