I needed to buy a digital camera, one that was simply good at taking good snaps (快照), maybe occasionally for magazines. Being the cautious type, I fancied a reliable brand. So I went on the net, spent 15 minutes reading product reviews on good websites, wrote down the names of three top recommendations and headed for my nearest big friendly camera store. There in the cupboard was one of the cameras on my list. And it was on special offer. Oh joy. I pointed at it and asked an assistant, “Can I have one of those?”? He looked perturbed (不安). “Do you want to try it first?” he said. It didn’t quite sound like a question. “Do I need to?” I replied ,“There is nothing wrong with it？” This made him look a bit insulted and I started to feel bad. “No, no. But you should try it,” he said encouragingly. “Compare it with the others. ”
I looked across at the others: shelves of similar cameras placed along the wall, offering a wide range of slightly different prices and discounts, with each company selling a range of models based around the same basic box. With so many models to choose from, it seemed that I would have to spend hours weighing X against Y, always trying to take Z and possibly H into account at the same time. But when I had finished, I would still have only the same two certainties that I had entered the store with: first, soon after I carried my new camera out of the shop, it would be worth half what I paid for it; and second, my wonderful camera would very quickly be replaced by a new model.
But something in the human soul whispers that you can beat these traps by making the right choice, the clever choice, the wise choice. In the end, I agreed to try the model I had chosen. The assistant seemed a sincere man. So I let him take out of my chosen camera from cupboard, show how it took excellent pictures of my fellow shoppers… and when he started to introduce the special features, I interrupted to ask whether I needed to buy a carry-case and a memory card as well.
Why do we think that new options still offer us anything new? Perhaps it is because they offer an opportunity to avoid facing the fact that our real choices in this culture are far more limited than we would like to imagine.The shop assistant insisted that the writer should________.
| A．try the camera to see if there was anything wrong with it. |
| B．compare the camera he had chosen with the others. |
| C．get more information about different companies. |
| D．trust him and stop asking questions. |
What does the writer mean by “it would be worth half what I paid for it ”(paragraph 2)
| A．He should get a 50% discount. |
| B．The price of the camera was unreasonably high. |
| C．The quality of the camera was not good. |
| D．The camera would soon fall in value. |
The writer decided to try the model he had chosen because he________.
| A．knew very little about it. |
| B．didn’t trust the shop assistant |
| C．wanted to make sure the one he chose would be the best. |
| D．had a special interest in taking pictures of his fellow shoppers. |
It can be inferred from the passage that in the writer’s opinion__________.
| A．people waste too much money on cameras |
| B．cameras have become an important part of our daily life |
| C．we don’t actually need so many choices when buying a product |
| D．famous companies care more about profit than quality |
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
C
There's a new frontier in 3D printing that's beginning to come into focus: food. Recent development has made possible machines that print, cook, and serve foods on a mass scale. And the industry isn't stopping there.
Food production
With a 3D printer, a cook can print complicated chocolate sculptures and beautiful pieces for decoration on a wedding cake. Not everybody can do that - it takes years of experience, but a printer makes it easy. A restaurant in Spain uses a Foodini to "re-create forms and pieces" of food that are "exactly the same," freeing cooks to complete other tasks. In another restaurant, all of the dishes and desserts it serves are 3D-printed, rather than farm to table.
Sustainability(可持续性）
The global population is expected to grow to 9.6 billion by 2050, and some analysts estimate that food production will need to be raised by 50 percent to maintain current levels. Sustainability is becoming a necessity. 3D food printing could probably contribute to the solution. Some experts believe printers could use hydrocolloids(水解胶体) from plentiful renewables like algae(藻类) and grass to replace the familiar ingredients(烹饪原料). 3D printing can reduce fuel use and emissions. Grocery stores of the future might stock "food" that lasts years on end, freeing up shelf space and reducing transportation and storage requirements.
Nutrition
Future 3D food printers could make processed food healthier. Hod Lipson, a professor at Columbia University, said, "Food printing could allow consumers to print food with customized nutritional content, like vitamins. So instead of eating a piece of yesterday's bread from the supermarket, you'd eat something baked just for you on demand."
Challenges
Despite recent advancements in 3D food printing, the industry has many challenges to overcome. Currently, most ingredients must be changed to a paste(糊状物) before a printer can use them, and the printing process is quite time-consuming, because ingredients interact with each other in very complex ways. On top of that, most of the 3D food printers now are restricted to dry ingredients, because meat and milk products may easily go bad. Some experts are skeptical about 3D food printers, believing they are better suited for fast food restaurants than homes and high-end restaurants.
（1）What benefit does 3D printing bring to food production?
| A． |
It helps cooks to create new dishes. |
| B． |
It saves time and effort in cooking. |
| C． |
It improves the cooking conditions. |
| D． |
It contributes to restaurant decorations. |
（2）What can we learn about 3D food printing from Paragraphs 3?
| A． |
It solves food shortages easily. |
| B． |
It quickens the transportation of food. |
| C． |
It needs no space for the storage of food. |
| D． |
It uses renewable materials as sources of food. |
（3）According to Paragraph 4, 3D-printed food _____________.
| A． |
is more available to consumers |
| B． |
can meet individual nutritional needs |
| C． |
is more tasty than food in supermarkets |
| D． |
can keep all the nutrition in raw materials |
（4）What is the main factor that prevents 3D food printing from spreading widely?
| A． |
The printing process is complicated. |
| B． |
3D food printers are too expensive. |
| C． |
Food materials have to be dry. |
| D． |
Some experts doubt 3D food printing. |
（5）What could be the best title of the passage?
| A． |
3D Food Printing: Delicious New Technology |
| B． |
A New Way to Improve 3D Food Printing |
| C． |
The Challenges for 3D Food Production |
| D． |
3D Food Printing: From Farm to Table |
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
B
When I was 17, I read a magazine article about a museum called the McNay, once the home of a watercolorist named Marian McNay. She had requested the community to tum it into a museum upon her death. On a sunny Saturday, Sally and I drove over to the museum. She asked, "Do you have the address? ""No, but I'll recognize it, there was a picture in the magazine. "
"Oh, stop. There it is!"
The museum was free. We entered, excited. A group of people sitting in the hall stopped talking and stared at us.
"May I help you?" a man asked. "No," I said. "We're fine." Tour guides got on my nerves. What if they talked a long time about a painting you weren't that interested in? Sally had gone upstairs. The people in the hall seemed very nosy(爱窥探的), keeping their eyes on me with curiosity. What was their problem? I saw some nice sculptures in one room. Suddenly I sensed a man standing behind me. "Where do you think you are?" he asked. I turned sharply. "The McNay Art Museum!" He smiled, shaking his head. "Sorry, the McNay is on New Braunfels Street." "What's this place?" I asked, still confused. "Well, it's our home." My heart jolted(震颤). I raced to the staircase and called out, "Sally! Come down immediately! "
"There's some really good stuff(艺术作品）up there."She stepped down, looking confused. I pushed her toward the front door, waving at the family, saying, "Sorry, please forgive us, you have a really nice place." Outside, when I told Sally what happened, she covered her mouth, laughing. She couldn't believe how long they let us look around without saying anything.
The real McNay was splendid, but we felt nervous the whole time we were there. Van Gogh, Picasso. This time, we stayed together, in case anything else unusual happened.
Thirty years later, a woman approached me in a public place. "Excuse me, did you ever enter a residence, long ago, thinking it was the McNay Museum?"
"Yes. But how do you know? We never told anyone. "
"That was my home. I was a teenager sitting in the hall. Before you came over, I never realized what a beautiful place I lived in. I never felt lucky before. You thought it was a museum. My feelings about my home changed after that. I've always wanted to thank you."
（1）What do we know about Marian McNay?
| A． |
She was a painter. |
| B． |
She was a community leader. |
| C． |
She was a museum director. |
| D． |
She was a journalist. |
（2）Why did the author refuse the help from the man in the house?
| A． |
She disliked people who were nosy. |
| B． |
She felt nervous when talking to strangers. |
| C． |
She knew more about art than the man. |
| D． |
She mistook him for a tour guide. |
（3）How did the author feel about being stared at by the people in the hall?
| A． |
Puzzled. |
| B． |
Concerned. |
| C． |
Frightened. |
| D． |
Delighted. |
（4）Why did the author describe the real McNay museum in just a few words?
| A． |
The real museum lacked enough artwork to interest her. |
| B． |
She was too upset to spend much time at the real museum. |
| C． |
The McNay was disappointing compared with the house. |
| D． |
The event happening in the house was more significant. |
（5）What could we learn from the last paragraph?
| A． |
People should have good taste to enjoy life. |
| B． |
People should spend more time with their family. |
| C． |
People tend to be blind to the beauty around them. |
| D． |
People tend to educate teenagers at a museum. |
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
A
Fire Prevention Information
The University of Adelaide employs a full-time staff of fire prevention professionals. They inspect all campus buildings and test and maintain all sprinkler(喷水灭火装置）systems, fire alarms, and fire extinguishers (灭火器). They also provide educational programs or fire safety in the residence hall. Whenever you move to a new area, you should locate the fire alarm pull stations and the two exits nearest your room.
Fire Alarms
The floors of all campus buildings are equipped with manual(手动的）fire alarm systems which include fire alarm pull stations and pipes. Most are also equipped with automatic fire alarm systems consisting of heat detectors, smoke detectors and sprinklers. For your safety, never tamper with(胡乱摆弄）these systems. False fire alarms are illegal and may lead to imprisonment.
Fire Drills
A fire drill will be conducted in your residence hall every semester. During a fire drill, please do the following:
•Take your room key and ID, close and lock the door to your room.
•Exit immediately from the nearest emergency exit do not use a lift.
•Meet outside of your residence hall and wait for further instructions.
Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are located on each floor and in each apartment. Use a fire extinguisher only if you have been trained to do so. Irresponsible use of a fire extinguisher can create a dangerous situation for other residents and could result in damage to personal property. Misuse of a fire extinguisher will result in fines.
Smoke Detector
A smoke detector is on the ceiling in your room. Some buildings also have heat detectors on the ceilings. Do the following to ensure the safe operation of your smoke detector:
•If your smoke detector is working properly, the red light should be on. If the red light is not blinking（闪动），contact residence hall staff immediately.
•Do not cover or block your smoke detector in any way.
•If a smoke detector sets off an alarm and there is no fire or smoke, inform your hall staff.
（1）What is the main duty of the fire prevention professionals?
| A． |
To provide part-time jobs for students. |
| B． |
To lead the students to the nearest exits. |
| C． |
To check and maintain fire prevention equipment. |
| D． |
To train teachers to be fire prevention professionals. |
（2）What do the automatic fire alarm systems include?
| A． |
Pipes and smoke detectors. |
| B． |
Smoke detectors and sprinklers. |
| C． |
Fire alarm pull stations and pipes. |
| D． |
Sprinklers and fire alarm pull stations. |
（3）In a fire drill, the students should.
| A． |
rush quickly to a lift |
| B． |
gather at the nearest exit |
| C． |
shut the door and leave at once |
| D． |
wait for instructions in the hall |
（4）What do we know about the use of fire extinguishers?
| A． |
Using them wrongly results in punishment. |
| B． |
Irresponsible use of them can damage them. |
| C． |
Improper use of them can destroy the apartment. |
| D． |
Using them without a trainer present is forbidden. |
（5）To ensure the safe operation of the smoke detector, one should_________.
| A． |
contact the hall staff regularly |
| B． |
cover the things that burn easily |
| C． |
start the smoke detector in a fire |
| D． |
make certain the red light is working |
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
By the end of the century, if not sooner, the world's oceans will be bluer and greener thanks to a warming climate, according to a new study.
At the heart of the phenomenon lie tiny marine microorganisms (海洋微生物) called phytoplankton. Because of the way light reflects off the organisms, these phytoplankton create colourful patterns at the ocean surface. Ocean colour varies from green to blue, depending on the type and concentration of phytoplankton. Climate change will fuel the growth of phytoplankton in some areas, while reducing it in other spots, leading to changes in the ocean's appearance.
Phytoplankton live at the ocean surface, where they pull carbon dioxide (二氧化碳) into the ocean while giving off oxygen. When these organisms die, they bury carbon in the deep ocean, an important process that helps to regulate the global climate. But phytoplankton are vulnerableto the ocean's warming trend. Warming changes key characteristics of the ocean and can affect phytoplankton growth, since they need not only sunlight and carbon dioxide to grow, but also nutrients.
Stephanie Dutkiewicz, a scientist in MIT's Center for Global Change Science, built a climate model that projects changes to the oceans throughout the century. In a world that warms up by 3℃, it found that multiple changes to the colour of the oceans would occur. The model projects that currently blue areas with little phytoplankton could become even bluer. But in some waters, such as those of the Arctic, a warming will make conditions riper for phytoplankton, and these areas will turn greener. "Not only are the quantities of phytoplankton in the ocean changing." she said, "but the type of phytoplankton is changing."
（1）What are the first two paragraphs mainly about?
| A． |
The various patterns at the ocean surface. |
| B． |
The cause of the changes in ocean colour. |
| C． |
The way light reflects off marine organisms. |
| D． |
The efforts to fuel the growth of phytoplankton. |
（2）What does the underlined word "vulnerable" in Paragraph 3 probably mean?
| A． |
Sensitive |
| B． |
Beneficial |
| C． |
Significant |
| D． |
Unnoticeable |
（3）What can we learn from the passage?
| A． |
Phytoplankton play a declining role in the marine ecosystem. |
| B． |
Dutkiewicz's model aims to project phytoplankton changes |
| C． |
Phytoplankton have been used to control global climate |
| D． |
Oceans with more phytoplankton may appear greener. |
（4）What is the main purpose of the passage?
| A． |
To assess the consequences of ocean colour changes |
| B． |
To analyse the composition of the ocean food chain |
| C． |
To explain the effects of climate change on oceans |
| D． |
To introduce a new method to study phytoplankton |
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
The problem of robocalls has gotten so bad that many people now refuse to pick up calls from numbers they don't know. By next year, half of the calls we receive will be scams (欺诈).We are finally waking up to the severity of the problem by supporting and developing a group of tools, apps and approaches intended to prevent scammers from getting through. Unfortunately, it's too little, too late. By the time these "solutions" (解决方案) become widely available, scammers will have moved onto cleverer means. In the near future, it's not just going to be the number you see on your screen that will be in doubt. Soon you will also question whether the voice you're hearing is actually real.
That's because there are a number of powerful voice manipulation (处理) and automation technologies that are about to become widely available for anyone to use .At this year's I/O Conference ,a company showed a new voice technology able to produce such a convincing human-sounding voice that it was able to speak to a receptionist and book a reservation without detection.
These developments are likely to make our current problems with robocalls much worse. The reason that robocalls are a headache has less to do with amount than precision A decade of data breaches (数据侵入) of personal information has led to a situation where scammers can easily learn your mother's name, and far more. Armed with this knowledge, they're able to carry out individually targeted campaigns to cheat people. This means, for example, that a scammer could call you from what looks to be a familiar number and talk to you using a voice that sounds exactly like your bank teller's, ricking you into "confirming" your address, mother's name, and card number. Scammers follow money, so companies will be the worst hit. A lot of business is still done over the phone, and much of it is based on trust and existing relationships. Voice manipulation technologies may weaken that gradually.
We need to deal with the insecure nature of our telecom networks. Phone carriers and consumers need to work together to find ways of determining and communicating what is real. That might mean either developing a uniform way to mark videos and images, showing when and who they were made by, or abandoning phone calls altogether and moving towards data-based communications-using apps like Face Time or WhatsApp, which can be tied to your identity.
Credibility is hard to earn but easy to lose, and the problem is only going to harder from here on out.
（1）How does the author feel about the solutions to problem of robocalls?
| A． |
Panicked |
| B． |
Confused |
| C． |
Embarrassed |
| D． |
Disappointed |
（2）taking advantage of the new technologies, scammer can ________.
| A． |
aim at victims precisely |
| B． |
damage databases easily |
| C． |
start campaigns rapidly |
| D． |
spread information widely |
（3）What does the passage imply?
| A． |
Honesty is the best policy. |
| B． |
Technologies can be double-edited. |
| C． |
There are more solutions than problems. |
| D． |
Credibility holds the key to development. |
（4）Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
| A． |
Where the Problem of Robocalls Is Rooted |
| B． |
Who Is to Blame for the Problem of Robocalls |
| C． |
Why Robocalls Are About to Get More Dangerous |
| D． |
How Robocalls Are Affecting the World of Technology |