Tablets（平板电脑） are useful devices, but their b...

Tablets（平板电脑） are useful devices, but their big screens always make them as a burden to carry around without a bag. Wouldn’t it be great if there were a phone with the powers of a tablet that could be folded up and fit neatly into the hand? Now something like a tablet-shaped but foldable（可折叠的） phone is about to become available. In February, Samsung and Huawei both introduced foldable phones, the Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X separately, to the public for the first time. Mobile phone use has entered the “foldable future”, the Verge noted.

The technology could change our lives in significant ways. These devices, due to their bendable screens, give us the larger screens we want but still fit easily into the pocket. The technology could change other devices too. For example, we could make TVs that stick to walls like posters, or fold up easily to hide away in drawers, which could help increase available space to the maximum. In a keynote address, Justin Denison, Samsung’s senior vice president, called the foldable screen “the basis for the smartphone of tomorrow”. “It’s a blank canvas (画布) for us to do something beautiful together,” he said.

So is there nothing to stand in the way of the foldable future? According to tech news website Android Authority, the necessary displays were difficult to produce. In 2012, nine out of ten foldable screens produced were defective or unusable. Today, that 10 percent rate has been improved to almost 90 percent. However, at present these foldable devices are expensive. For example, the price of Huawei Mate X is 17, 500 RMB. That's a price that few people will be able to afford.

But if the foldable device isn’t going to change the world overnight, there is no doubt that it is coming. Patrick Moorhead, an industry expert told The Verge, “Few are debating if foldable mobile displays are the future of smartphones; the only question is when and by whom.”

1.What do we know about foldable devices?

A.They are too big to fit into the pocket.

B.They could bring us much convenience.

C.They have become available in January.

D.They are a burden to carry around without a bag.

2.What can we learn from Denison’s words?

A.The foldable screen has great potential.

B.The technology could change other devices too.

C.There must be many problems with the technology.

D.The production of foldable phones will soon decrease.

3.What does the underlined word in Paragraph 3 mean?

A.complete B.proper

C.imperfect D.normal

4.What can be a suitable title for the text?

A.Types of foldable phones.

B.The coming of foldable devices.

C.Popular devices on the market.

D.Difficulties in producing foldable phones.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

More than a quarter of parents use a device to track or monitor their kids’ online activity, finds a survey from Common Sense Media and Survey Monkey. It’s far more than the percentage of teens (15%) who think their parents are tracking or monitoring what they do online. Whether all that snooping（调查）is effective seems unclear. Only 30% of teens who responded to the survey said their parents were “extremely” aware or “very” aware of what they do online. By comparison, 52% of parents believed they were “very” aware of their kids’ web activity.

“There’s a pretty big difference between parents who say they know and what kids say parents know,” said Michael Robb, director of research for Common Sense Media. The online survey was among a national sample of 884 teens and 3,282 parents of teens.

Options for tracking kids’ online activities vary from tools for your router capable of tracking the websites users visit to apps letting you review your child’s smart phone call logs and text messages.

Devorah Heitner, author of the book Screen Wise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) In Their Digital World, suggests mentoring kids about best online practices instead of monitoring. If parents do choose to monitor, they should talk with their kids first. “You have to really ask yourself what you think you’re going to learn by monitoring your kid,” she said, “What’s your plan of action if you see something that concerns you?”

Other findings from the survey: Snapchat is the app that causes the most anxiety for parents. The survey found 29% said the messaging apps make them most nervous, followed by Facebook at 16%.Teens don't like Facebook as much as Snapchat or Instagram. More than three-quarters of teens said they use both messaging apps, but only 49% said they use Facebook, while 42% said they use Twitter.

Robb said Common Sense Media plans to partner with Survey Monkey on future online polls because the pace of technology is so rapid. “These surveys will be a quicker way to take the pulse of parents and teens.”

1.Which of the following is true according to the survey?

A. Snapchat is the biggest worry for both parents and kids

B. Some parents choose to use apps to track their kids’ online activity.

C. Twitter will cooperate with Facebook on future online polls.

D. Kids are aware that over 25% of parents use a device to track their online activity.

2.By mentioning “There’s a pretty big difference between parents who say they know and what kids say parents know” in Paragraph 2,the author intends to ________.

A. inform that the snooping seems to be ineffective

B. warn that the kids are being monitored by their parents

C. predict that more and more parents will monitor their kids’ online activities

D. indicate that the number of parents tracking teens online is beyond the kids’ imagination

3.Which of the following opinions will Devorah Heitner most probably agree with?

A. Parents had better not monitor their kids’ online activities.

B. Parents should communicate with their kids while monitoring their online activities.

C. Parents need to ask their kids permission before guiding them about online activities.

D. Parents must often reflect on their purpose of monitoring their kids’ online activities.

4.What can be inferred from the passage?

A. It is too young for kids to go online.

B. Teens don’t like Facebook at all.

C. Michael Robb is confident of the future online polls.

D. Common Sense Media plans to partner with Survey Monkey in the future.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Must-read Books that Are Hitting the Big Screen This Year

The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman

Starring: Jessica Chastain and Johan Heldenbergh

Release Date: July 31, 2017

This true story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Ackerman artfully retells the story of Jan and Zabinski and how they used their zoo to save over three hundred people from the Nazis. After their zoo was bombed, they managed to hide people in animal cages, giving animal names to their guests and human names to their animals. This is one story we truly hope lives up to the hope on film.

The Lost City of Z by David Grann

Starring: Sienna Miller and Robert Pattinson

Release Date: August 14,2017

Looking for adventure? This story is just what you need. The book(and film) tells the tale of British explorer Percy Fawcett and how he ventured into the Amazon jungle in 1925, never to return. It's an enchanting mystery that we can’t wait to see play out on screen.

The Dinner by Herman Koch

Starring: Richard Gere and Rebecca Hall

Release Date: October 5,2017

We always say we'd do absolutely anything for our kids, right? The story begins with two couples politely, eating dinner together, avoiding a conversation about their children who have committed a horrific act. As the story goes on, you'll see just how far these parents will go to protect the ones they love.

The Circle by Dave Eggers

Starring: Emma Watson and Patton Oswalt

Release Date: November 28,2017

A young woman, Mae, is hired to work for a powerful Internet company and Feels like she's hit the job jackpot. The facility is very advanced, lively, and a bit wild. Mae's story begins as one of ambition but soon tums into a heart-racing story of suspense.

1.Why did Jan and Zabinski put people in animal cages?

A.To offer them living places B.To treat them as animals

C.To avoid being bombed D.To hide from the Nazis

2.Who plays the role of a modern white-collar woman?

A.Emma Watson B.Rebecca Hall

C.Sienna Miller D.Jessica Chastain

3.When can you go to see the film if you enjoy adventure stories?

A.In July B.In August

C.In October D.In November

4.Which of the following is related to parents' raising kids?

A.The Zookeeper's Wife B.The Lost City of Z

C.The Dinner D.The Circle

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Every day it seems that people are coming up with new and innovative ways to use mobile devices like cellphones and smart phones. Researchers at Princeton University are looking for new ways to measure a person’s sense of wellbeing with mobile devices.

To gain a better understanding of how cellphones and other mobile devices can measure our sense of happiness, the research team conducted a study that was published recently in the journal Demography. To gather data for their study, the team created an application for mobile devices using the Android operating system.

Once the app was developed, the researchers invited people to download it and take part in their study. Over a three-week period, the research team was able to collect data from some 270 participants living in 13 countries.

Participants came not only from the United States, but also from other nations like Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Over the course of the study, participants received occasional text questions from the researchers that asked “How happy are you?”. Along with recording their response, the app used the mobile device’s built-in GPS to keep track of the participant’s location.

The study participants were asked to rate their current state of happiness on a scale of zero to five. As they gathered data from the information collected through the application, the researchers then were able to create new methods that could help provide a better understanding of how our surroundings can influence our emotional well-being.

The researchers learned that mobile devices can provide an effective way to quickly grab information that, because of today’s active lifestyle, can be difficult to record. Being able to quickly grab this information was something the researchers felt was important. They said feelings and emotions that were recorded as they were happening were most likely to be more honest and precise than using other methods like writing down how they felt on a piece of paper after the fact.

1.Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

A. The study the team conducted has not been published yet.

B. About 270 people from 13 countries participated in the study.

C. The participants didn’t need to download the app to participate.

D. None of the participants came from the United Kingdom.

2.What did the researchers find vital as to rate people’s sense of happiness from the passage?

A. Recording people’s feelings and emotions quickly.

B. Writing down how they felt on a piece of paper.

C. Answering the text question “How happy are you?”

D. Knowing how the surroundings affect people’s happiness.

3.The underlined word in the first paragraph probably refers to ______.

A. emotion　　　　　 B. wealth

C. happiness　　　　 D. technology

4.The best title of the passage is most likely to be “_______”.

A. People’s Sense of Happiness Related to Mobile Phones

B. Scientists Track Happiness with Cellphones

C. Methods to Rate People’s Happiness

D. A Better Understanding of People’s Sense of Happiness

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

1.The purpose of this passage to ________．

2.According to the passage, we can know that ________．

3.Which of the following is true about the apps?

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Many of the big world sports events are _______by wealthy big companies, who hope to advertise their companies or their products.

A. organized　　　 B. arranged　　　　 C. hosted　　　 D. sponsored

高二英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析

In the near future, we may be using our eyes to operate our smart-phones and tablets, even when it comes to playing popular games like Fruit Ninja.

The Gaze Group has been developing eye-controlled computer technology for nearly 20 years. But those devices have been firstly designed to help those with disabilities, and are very expensive.

“After a while, we figured out that probably the best way is to go for a mass-market way,” says Gaze’s Sune Alstrup Johansen. “where everybody would have this available.”

Johansen and some of his colleagues have formed a new company, the Eye Tribe, which is hoping to develop the technology on a mass commercial level.

The technology works when combined with the computing device toward the user’s face. After making sure of the user’s eye movements, the technology is then able to easily find where a person’s eyes are moving, and then allow the eyes to control a cursor (光标).

“Our software can then determine the location of the eyes and know where you’re looking on the screen to make sure what you’re looking at,” reads an explanation on the Eye Tribe site.

There has been a gradual change toward hands-free technology in recent years, particularly in the gaming world. Recently Xbox released the Kinect device, which lets users control their Xbox and play certain games using only their hands, legs and voices. But sill, most of these devices have been more of a gimmick than a practical way to use one’s hands to control a mobile device. Johansen said a replaceable filter (滤光器) would be a cheap, convenient way for most consumers.

And even as companies like The Eye Tribe work to create such a product for the average user, making the eye-controlled technology more accessible and less expensive will have similar benefits for physically disabled users.

For more articles on modern science, please CLICK here.

1.Which of the following is the main idea of the passage?

A. An introduction of a new device.

B. An introduction of smart-phones.

C. An introduction of eye-controlling technology.

D. An introduction of a new technology for the disabled.

2.The underlined word “gimmick” probably means ________.

A. truth

B. phone

C. trick

D. review

3.According to the passage, we can learn that ________.

A. the eye-controlling technology was first developed for the blind.

B. there is no such a phone as we can use only with our eyes at present

C. the present developing of the technology will bring no good

D. the eye-controlling technology is only intended for the disabled people

4.This passage is probably taken from ________.

A. an experiment report

B. a science fiction

C. a school textbook

D. a science website

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Advances in artificial intelligence and the use of big data are changing the way many large companies recruit (招募) entry level and junior management positions. These days, graduates’ CVs may well have to impress an algorithm (算法) rather than an (human resources) manager.

While algorithms supposedly treat each application equally, experts are divided about whether so-called robo-recruitment promises an end to human prejudice in the selection process —or whether it may in fact add to it.

“AI systems are not all equal,” says Loren Larsen, chief technology officer for HireVue, which has developed an automated video interview analysis system. “I think you have to look at the science team behind the work,” says Mr Larsen.

The problem, experts say, is that to find the best candidates an algorithm has first to be told what “good” looks like in any given organization. Even if it is not given criteria that seem discriminatory, a powerful machine-learning system will quickly be able to copy the characteristics of existing workers. If an organization has favoured white male graduates from well-known universities, the algorithm will learn to select more of the same.

The growing dependence on automation to judge suitability for everything from a loan to a job worries Yuriy Brun, an associate professor specializing in software engineering. “It takes a lot of the time for a company to put out software but it doesn’t know if it is discriminatory” he says. Prof Brun explains that, considering the use of big data, algorithms will unavoidably learn to discriminate.

Many of those working with robo-recruiters are more optimistic. Kate Glazebrook, the leader and co-founder of Applied, a hiring platform, says her task is to encourage hiring manager to move away from such indicators of quality as schools or universities and move to more evidence-based methods. When candidates complete tests online, Applied hides their names and shows the tests the candidates have completed, question by question, to human assessors. Every stage of the process has been designed to remove prejudice.

With the same aim, Unilever decided in 2016 to switch to a more automated process for its graduate-level entry programme. Unilever worked with HireVue, Amberjack, which provides and advises on automated recruitment processes, and Pymetrics, another high volume recruitment company, which developed a game-based test in which candidates are scored on their ability to take risks and learn from mistakes, as well as on emotional intelligence. Unilever says the process has increased the ethnic diversity of its listed candidates and has been more successful at selecting candidates who will eventually be hired.

“The things that we can do right now are impressive, but not as impressive as we’re going to be able to do next year or the year after,” says Mr Larsen.

Still, robo-recruiters must be regularly tested in case prejudice has occurred without anyone realizing it, says Frida Polli, the leader and co-founder of Pymetrics. “The majority of algorithmic tools are most likely causing prejudice to continue existing. The good ones should be examined.”

1.What’s the purpose of adopting automated recruitment processes according to the passage?

A. For the sake of fairness.

B. For the purpose of cutting down costs.

C. To relieve the pressure of staff.

D. To favor graduates from well-known universities.

2.The automated process Unilever adopted in 2016 for its graduate-level entry programme ________.

A. was found to have prejudice

B. was copied by many other companies

C. scored the candidates on their ethnic backgrounds

D. turned out to be less or not racially discriminatory

3.According to Mr Larsen, robo-recruitment ________.

A. is good enough for wide use now

B. is not suitable for practical use now

C. will do better and better in the near future

D. will completely replace HR staff within two years

4.Frida Polli stresses in the last paragraph that algorithmic tools ________.

A. need routine checks

B. will unavoidably have prejudice

C. are mostly good and effective

D. must be combined with human staff

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Those who are used to looking through thousands of books in big bookstores may find Japan’s Morioka Shoten a little strange. That’s because this tiny bookstore that is located in Ginza, Tokyo sells only a single book at a time.

Opened in May 2015, Morioka Shoten is the brainchild of Yoshiyuki Morioka. The experienced bookseller began his career as a bookstore clerk in Tokyo’s Kanda district before branching out to open his own store. It was here while organizing book readings that he realized that customers usually came into the store with one title in mind. Morioka began to wonder if a store could exist by selling many copies of just one single book. In November 2014, he partnered with his two friends, to establish a unique bookstore with the idea of “A Single Room, A Single Book.”

Like its offering, the bookstore is simple. The selections that are picked by Morioka change weekly and vary widely to attract customers with different interests. Recent choices include The True Deceiver, an award-winning Swedish novel by Tove Jansson, Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales, and a collection of artist Karl Blossfeldt’s photography of plants. Morioka has also chosen books written by famous Japanese authors Mimei Ogawa and Akito Akagi.

To highlight his only offering, Morioka often uses clever methods. For example，when selling a book about flowers, he decorated his shop with the ones that had been mentioned in the book. He also encourages authors to hold talks and discussions so they can connect with customers. Morioka says his goal is for the customers to experience being inside a book, not just a bookstore!

Risky as the idea might seem, things appear to be going well. Morioka says he has sold over 2,100 books since he opened it. Things can get better considering that his bookstore is becoming increasingly popular not just among the locals but also visitors from other countries.

1.What inspired Morioka to open such a bookstore?

A. A Swedish novel　　 B. His present partner

C. A bookstore clerk　　 D. His working experience

2.Why is Morioka Shoten unique?

A. It is popular with foreigners　　 .

B. It sells books of different topics.

C. It is decorated with colorful flowers.

D. It sells various copies of a book in a week.

3.Why does Morioka encourage authors to hold talks?

A. To introduce his bookstore.

B. To advocate his philosophy.

C. To make books better understood.

D. To help readers connect with each other.

4.What’s the author’s opinion about the bookstore’s future?

A. Risky　　 B. Optimistic

C. Unpredictable　　 D. Hopeless

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Those who are used to looking through thousands of books in big bookstores may find Japan’s Morioka Shoten a little strange. That’s because this tiny bookstore that is located in Ginza, Tokyo sells only a single book at a time.

Opened in May 2015, Morioka Shoten is the brainchild of Yoshiyuki Morioka. The experienced bookseller began his career as a bookstore clerk in Tokyo’s Kanda district before branching out to open his own store. It was here while organizing book readings that he realized that customers usually came into the store with one title in mind. Morioka began to wonder if a store could exist by selling many copies of just one single book. In November 2014, he partnered with his two friends, to establish a unique bookstore with the idea of “A Single Room, A Single Book.”

Like its offering, the bookstore is simple. The selections that are picked by Morioka change weekly and vary widely to attract customers with different interests. Recent choices include The True Deceiver, an award-winning Swedish novel by Tove Jansson, Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales, and a collection of artist Karl Blossfeldt’s photography of plants. Morioka has also chosen books written by famous Japanese authors Mimei Ogawa and Akito Akagi.

To highlight his only offering, Morioka often uses clever methods. For example，when selling a book about flowers, he decorated his shop with the ones that had been mentioned in the book. He also encourages authors to hold talks and discussions so they can connect with customers. Morioka says his goal is for the customers to experience being inside a book, not just a bookstore!

Risky as the idea might seem, things appear to be going well. Morioka says he has sold over 2,100 books since he opened it. Things can get better considering that (考虑到) his bookstore is becoming increasingly popular not just among the locals but also visitors from other countries.

1.What inspired Morioka to open such a bookstore?

A. A Swedish novel　　

B. His present partner

C. A bookstore clerk　

D. His working experience

2.Why is Morioka Shoten unique?

A. It is popular with foreigners .　

B. It sells books of different topics.

C. It is decorated with colorful flowers.

D. It sells various copies of a book in a week.

3. Why does Morioka encourage authors to hold talks?

A. To introduce his bookstore.　

B. To advocate（倡导） his philosophy.

C. To make books better understood.　

D. To help readers connect with each other.

4. What’s the author’s opinion about the bookstore’s future?

A. Risky　 　　　　　　　　　　 　　 B. Optimistic　

C. Unpredictable 　　　　　　 D. Hopeless

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析