In order to have a polite conversation, we used to follow the advice — make our conversation go around the weather and your health. But these days, with climate change and vaccine (疫苗) problems, those subjects — are not safe, either. Every conversation may lead to a fight.

Pew Research did a study of 10,000 American adults, and they found at this moment, we are less likely(可能) to listen to each other. Depending on what we already believe, we make decisions about where to live, who to marry and even who our friends are going to be. A conversation needs a balance(平衡) between talking and listening, and somewhere along the way, we lost that balance.

Now, part of that is because of technology, such as the smartphones. They are either in your hands or close enough for you to get quickly. According to the Pew Research, about one third American teenagers send more than a hundred texts(信息) a day. And many of them, almost most of them, are more likely to text their friends than they are to talk to them face to face.

There’s a great piece in The Atlantic. It was written by a high school teacher named Paul Barnwell. He gave a communication project to teach students how to speak on a special topic. But he failed to make it and said: “I realize kids spend hours each day connecting with ideas and each other through screens, but they hardly discover their communication skills. It might sound like a funny question, but we have to ask ourselves. Are there any 21st-century skills more important than being able to make a real conversation?

【1】It used to be safe to talk about________in a polite conversation.

A.healthB.childcareC.food

【2】What can we learn from the study of Pew Research?

A.People make their own decisions by listening to others.

B.We probably like talking with friends face to face better.

C.There isn’t a balance between talking and listening now.

【3】About 30% American teenagers send ________ texts a day.

A.more than 1000B.about 500C.Over 100

【4】The last paragraph mainly talks about ________.

A.some communication skills

B.a project by Paul Barnwell

C.a magazine called The Atlantic

【5】What is the best title of the passage?

A.Why not have a conversation now?

B.How can we speak politely?

C.What can we do with smart phones?

This means Chinese students no longer need to take the SAT, ACT or TOEFL. However, Chinese students must find ways to show their English skills. If they want to take part in Adelphi's international program and Louisiana State University’s global program, they must first finish eight weeks of English-language lessons, starting in October. After passing the exam, they can start their first year at one of the universities.

Since 2015, US universities have more accepted gaokao scores as part of the application(申請) process for Chinese students, but they still need either a basic English test score or to pass an interview.

“Chinese students at the university have achieved better grades than their US classmates, and that’s why we prefer students from China,” Shawn O’Riley, leader of the College said. “We have around 300 Chinese students and plan to increase the number. We also offer scholarship, from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on their gaokao score.”

Todd Ellwein, the director of Louisiana State University’s global program, said students who get high scores in the gaokao are not only the best students in China but also the world. The gaokao is a good way of choosing good students, and a high score in the exam means good basic knowledge, patience and a strong ability to deal with high pressure and compete with others.

Shi Yan, from Chivast Education International, said many universities in Hong Kong, Europe, Australia and Canada, have already made the gaokao an admission criterion(錄取標(biāo)準(zhǔn)), too.

【1】When do the English-language lessons in these two universities begin?

A.In October.B.In November.C.In September.

【2】Why do some US universities like Chinese students better?

A.Because they are usually smarter in the universities.

B.Because their grades are better than the US classmates’.

C.Because they find ways to show their English skills.

【3】What does the underlined word “scholarship” mean in Chinese?

A.學(xué)者B.學(xué)業(yè)C.獎學(xué)金

【4】According to the passage, a high score means a lot EXCEPT ________.

A.high pressureB.good basic knowledgeC.much patience

【5】The purpose of the passage is________.

A.to introduce China’s national college entrance exam, gaokao

B.to encourage more young people to enter American universities

C.to tell people the growing popularity of gaokao around the world

【1】When was the candidate(應(yīng)試者) born?

A.25 August 2007B.27 July 1988C.03 April 1991

【2】Which of the following is true according to the report card?

A.The highest score comes from reading.

B.The writing score is higher than that of speaking.

C.The candidate got 7.0 at overall band score.

Alyssa thought a lot about what she would ___________ on the first day of school. Her parents said the first impression(印象) was ___________ so Alyssa wanted to look nice. Alyssa and her mom went shopping to buy her new clothes. In one store Alyssa saw a beautiful bow tie (領(lǐng)結(jié)) and wanted to buy it. Mom said bow ties were for boys, but Alyssa didn’t ___________. They also bought a white dress. Alyssa thought it would look cool with the bow tie.

On the morning of the first day of school, Alyssa met her ___________ on the school bus. “Is that bow tie your brother’s?” the kids said. “No,” Alyssa said. “It’s ___________________.” “But bow ties are for boys’’, they all said. Alyssa felt embarrassed.

Then a new girl got on the bus. “A bow tie! That’s so _________.” She looked at Alyssa, “and I like your bow tie! It is very cool. You must be very creative.” Alyssa didn’t feel _________ anymore. She liked being creative. After that, when someone said bow ties were for boys, she would reply, “Bow ties are for ________________, especially when you are creative, like me.”

【1】A.becauseB.andC.but

【2】A.likedB.forgotC.suggested

【3】A.eatB.wearC.see

【4】A.interestingB.importantC.impolite

【5】A.careB.thinkC.understand

【6】A.classmatesB.teachersC.brothers

【7】A.hisB.hersC.mine

【8】A.strangeB.activeC.cool

【9】A.happyB.lonelyC.embarrassed

【10】A.anyoneB.someoneC.everyone

Note-taking is a skill that can help you do well in all your schoolwork. 【1】 But unluckily, most students don’t know how to take notes.

★Write down key facts. You can copy them or write down the most important facts of all in class. Different teachers do things differently. For example, some teachers may focus on(關(guān)注) lots of dates and facts in class, but they only write the important ones on the blackboard. Other teachers may not write anything down. 【2】 You have to listen for the key information and write it down as quickly as possible. Drawing mind maps may be a good choice at this time.

★【3】 If your teacher speaks too fast and you can’t follow what he is saying, you can ask him after class.

★Compare. Comparing your notes with your classmates’ can be good for your learning. It can also help you and your classmates correct some mistakes.

★Organize(組織). Note-taking also needs organization. 【4】 And you can find everything easily when a test comes.

★Good note-taking takes time. If you decide to recopy your notes every evening, you’ll surely have less time to watch TV. In this way, you’ll have time in the coming test.

A.It can make it easy for you to review what you learned.

B.Ask your teacher to repeat what you miss.

C.Keep notes for each subject in one notebook.

D.But they may say something important again and again.

E.And they will send all the notes to you.

A: Hi, Helen! Would you like to go to the Orange Isle to see fireworks with me?

B: 【1】, but I have to go to the English Corner.

A: English Corner? 【2】?

B: Sure. I can work in groups with native speakers to practice my spoken English there.

A: Sounds like fun! 【3】?

B: Twice a week. We have something different to talk about every time.

A: Do you think it’s useful?

B: Yes. I made lots of progress. Now I feel it's much easier to talk with foreigners.

A: Wonderful. 【4】?

B: I usually go there with my classmates. We are all excited about it. And we do have great fun going there.

A: How I wish I could be there with you today. But I have to go now.

B: It doesn’t matter. You can go with us next Monday.

A: 【5】. See you then.

B: See you!

—I think the ________ cars we drive, the less pollution our city will have.

A.fewerB.lessC.more

【2】 Li Shu is 30 years old. He doesn't have much education, but he is strong and hard-working. He has worked as a truck driver since he left school.

【3】 Melody is a university student. She's kind and patient. She always volunteers to help others during her holiday.

【4】 Tommy is a father who has 2 children. He used to work in a clothes factory. Now he wants to find a job in Guangzhou so that he can take care of his children after work.

【5】 Qian Yong studied in nursing profession in Zhongshan University. He has two years' experience in the local community clinic.

A.Psychological Doctor Wanted

Yuanguang Company is in lack of a psychological doctor. Must be good to workers.

B.Courier(快遞員) Wanted

SF Express needs a young healthy man who can carry delivery. Must have a driving license.

C.School Doctor Wanted

Xingguang Kindergarten is looking for a school doctor with more than one year's experience.

D.Man Nurse Wanted

No.1 Renmin Hospital needs a man nurse. Majored in nursing in university. Must be responsible. Have two years' experience at least.

E.Psychological Teacher Wanted

A psychological teacher is needed in Zhuhai Middle School. Must major in psychology. Better have teaching experience.

F.Workers Wanted

Panyu Mask Factory in Guangzhou needs some workers urgently. Must be healthy and hard-working.

G.Volunteers Wanted

Qinxing Community needs some volunteers. Must be careful and patient. Help to take the temperature for people who enter the community during fighting against COVID-19.

The award also went to Chinese Organizations last 2 years. In 2018, Zhejiang Green Rural Revival Program won the Inspiration and Action award for its work to dealt with polluted waterways and damaged lands. In 2017, Saihanba Afforestation Community got the same award for turning barren sand into green hills.

Ant Forest users are encouraged to record their low-carbon footprint through daily actions like taking public transport or paying utility bills (水電費) online. For each action, they receive "green energy" points and when they get a certain number of points, a real tree is planted. Users will be able to view images of their trees in real-time via satellite.

In addition to planting trees, users can also get protected areas through the "ant forest" platform, explore new ways to help the poor and improve the living standards of local people through digital technologies.

Since Ant Forest launched in August, 2016, Ant Forest and its Non-governmental organization partners have planted some 122 million trees in China's driest areas, which include regions in Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Qinghai and Shanxi. The trees cover an area of 11. 2 million square kilometers, with the project becoming China's largest private sector(民間) tree-planting project.

【1】Which organization won 2019 Champions of the Earth Guardian Award?

A.The United Nations Environment Program.B.Ant Forest.

C.Zhejiang Green Rural Revival Program.D.Saihanba Afforestation Community.

【2】How do the Ant Forest users get a real planted tree?

A.By recording their low-carbon footprint through daily actions.B.By taking public transport.

C.By paying utility bills.D.By watering the trees.

【3】The underlined word "barren" means ________ in Chinese.

A.肥沃的B.綠色的C.黃色的D.貧瘠的

【4】According to the passage, which statements is NOT true?

A.Ant Forest is a project launched by AliPay in August, 2016.

B.Ant Forest have planted some 122 million trees in China's driest areas.

C.Ant Forest is becoming China's largest private sector tree-planting project.

D.Ant Forest is turning the green good deeds of 500 million people into real trees planted.

【5】The main idea of this passage is ________.

A.to tell us how to play Ant ForestB.to introduce Ant Forest

C.to make a review (評論) on Ant ForestD.to introduce Ant Forest's achievement

On the bunny hill (初學(xué)者滑雪道), there were a lot of children. I was worried to hit them ______ I didn't know how to stop my skis. So when I saw a little kid in front of me, I fell over to stop. After ______ hour or two, I was tired.

"Let's ______ up to the yellow ski run," Dad said. At the chair lift, we saw other people going up. "See, Beth, that's how you get on the lift," he said. Getting on the chair lift wasn't too ______. I laughed.

There were three stops. We came up to the first stop. The chair lift was moving very quickly. My dad got ______ . But by the time I was ready, it was too late! I turned around and watched as my father looked smaller and smaller while I went up the mountain alone. Help!

At the next stop, I knew I must move ______ this time. I remembered my plan from the bunny hill. Fall down! I tumbled (摔倒) in the snow, but at least I was on the snow again. A few minutes later, my dad ______. He was laughing, but I saw that he was worried. "Now we're on the blue run," he said. "It's not easy."

You guessed it, I fell down a lot. I realized ______ they called it a "blue" run. My legs and bottom were all black and blue, but I had learnt how to ski. ______ amazing Saturday!

【1】A.meB.mineC.myselfD.I

【2】A.soB.thoughC.ifD.because

【3】A.aB.anC.theD./

【4】A.goB.to goC.wentD.going

【5】A.hardB.harderC.hardestD.hardly

【6】A.offB.inC.upD.on

【7】A.fastB.fasterC.fastestD.the fastest

【8】A.appearsB.will appearC.is appearingD.appeared

【9】A.whichB.howC.whyD.when

【10】A.WhatB.What anC.HowD.How an