Music |
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Little Red Katy B Katy B has clearly made it to the world stage since the release of her 2011 debut (首次) album On a Mission. Three years later, she’s fully established herself as a dance floor singer. On her new album Little Red, the 24-year-old British singer sounds more confident and assured, and finds meaningful connections in club-friendly songs with real heart. |
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Here’s to the Good Times Florida Georgia Line The debut album of the US country duo (两人搭档) was released in late 2012, but it didn’t gain popularity until almost a year later when the single (单曲) Cruise became a chart-topping hit. The song is certainly excellent for its catchy chorus and overall country/rock sound, but the rest of the album is also full of energy and emotion. |
Games |
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Toca Cars The new gaming app made by children’s app developer Toca Boca is just as fun for adults. It’s simple to pick up and play. Players choose a racer and then start steering (操舵) it around a virtual environment simply by touching the screen. The game also allows players to create the racing ground from scratch (白手起家) by placing buildings and objects. |
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Jet Car Stunts 2 The free gaming app by True Axis is the long-awaited sequel to the physics-based racing and stunt (绝技) car game that was a hit way back in 2009 in the App Store. This new installment expands on the original game with new tracks, cars, and game modes that are both fun and addictive. |
The newspaper’s special column is to inform the readers of ________.
A.some brief accounts of new computer games |
B.some up-to-date information about entertainment |
C.the introduction of some celebrities and their works |
D.the introduction of catchy chorus and overall rock sound |
We can infer from the Music that ________.
A.the last three years has witnessed Katy B going up to the world stage |
B.the single Cruise that became a chart-topping hit was released in early 2013 |
C.the US country duo gained their popularity on the release of their debut album |
D.in her debut album On a Mission Katy B sings club-friendly songs with real heart |
Which of the following is true of the Games?
A.Toca Cars is enjoyed by children and adults alike. |
B.Jet Car Stunts 2 was a hit in 2009 in the App Store. |
C.Both of the games provide confidence for car racers. |
D.Both games offer players chances to create new racing grounds. |
For my grandmother’s 70th birthday, my family and I visited South Korea. While there, I was attentive to Korean high schools and students.
I was surprised by how different Korea’s public high schools are from America’s. Korean high schools can be all-girls, all-boys or co-ed (男女同校的) unlike our standard co-ed high schools. There are three grades: “go 1” (10th), “go 2” (11th) and “go 3” (12th). ‘‘Go” is the first syllable of the word “go-deung-hakkyo", which, simply translated, is “high school”.
In America, unless you want to go to a private school, you don't have to take an entrance exam. In Korea, however, students must take a test to get in because of the many choices of schools.
Another difference I couldn't help but notice was the students' appearance. With very few exceptions, all wear uniforms. A name tag (标牌) with the student's name, grade and homeroom number must also be worn. Girl's skirts can't be above the upper part of the knee, and it is forbidden to dye (染) your hair or wear accessories (装饰品) except small earrings. There are strict regulations for appearance to achieve neatness, and it seems the only freedom students have is with their choices of hair style, socks and shoes.
The final difference was the setup of the classes. There may be 40 students in a classroom, but the number can be less or even more, depending on the population of the town or city. Although there are many students per classroom, they are very close, which I think is a result of not changing classrooms for different subjects. There are no levels in the subjects and the teachers are the ones who switch classrooms. They just have ten-minute breaks between subjects. In each class, students are ranked by their grades. This causes strict competition, and Korean students do a lot of studying. To help them, all schools have extra study classes after school. One other fact that helped me appreciate living in America is that Koreans have school on Saturdays. Although it's only a half day, I think I speak for most Americans when I say we could never imagine ourselves in school on a Saturday.
Korea's public high schools are clearly different from America's. I had imagined them to be just like our schools, but now I have a clear picture of how different they are.How many main differences are mentioned between Korea's public high school and America's?
A.3. | B.4. | C.5. | D.6. |
It seems that the writer_______.
A.is familiar with the education system of high schools in Korea |
B.is fond of Korean students' appearance |
C.prefers the high school life of America to the one of Korea |
D.feels it common to have lessons on weekends |
What does the underlined word "setup" in paragraph 5 probably mean?
A.Arrangement. | B.Size. |
C.Number. | D.Outline. |
According to the rules, the students of Korea can _______.
A.go to different high schools without exams |
B.wear any clothes except uniforms at school |
C.attend different classes as they like |
D.have different hair styles |
Northern Lights Tour
Located in the middle of the northern lights belt, Tromso can offer some of the highest levels of northern lights activity on earth. Perhaps Tromso is the world's best place for a Northern Lights Tour.
Join one of our Northern Lights Holidays this winter. It could become one of the greatest experiences in your life.
DESTINATION Tromso county, Norway.
PRICE $450 per person
WHEN 2th September until 31st March.
PICK-UP Each evening at 6 PM outside your hotel.
DROP-OFF Earliest at 12 AM. When we have a sighting we often stay out later, at no extra cost.
SIZE OF GROUP Maximum 8 participants is recommended and normal, but not absolute. A small group allows more freedom in terms of chasing the northern lights.
INCLUDED
- Transportation each day in a comfortable car
- A meal each day
- All necessary equipment such as snowshoes, flashlight, water-filled bottle, woolen underwear, a warm, hat, warm shoes, warm stockings, and reindeer skin to lie on, if needed.
- A guide who will do anything necessary to find the northern lights.
EXCITING CHASE
A Northern Lights Holiday means an intense and exciting chase--to the coast or deep into the wild, perhaps even to the Finnish border. Each day on a Northern Lights Tour we contact meteorologists shortly before departure to get accurate information. In order to find out where we will have best chances to see the northern lights.
WE GUARANTEE A GREAT TRIP
The northern lights are unpredictable, but we guarantee that we will do everything to find it. Patience is a keyword on Northern Lights Tour.
ECO-TOURISM
We offer ecologically sustainable and responsible tours. Travelling in small groups is an essential part of the ecotourism concept, as small groups have lesser impact on nature and will not disturb the wildlife unnecessarily.A small group is preferred for the following reasons EXCEPT that _______.
A.a small group is free to run after the northern lights |
B.a small group has less effect on nature |
C.a small group can save the travel cost |
D.a small group will not disturb wildlife |
The underlined word “it” refers to “_______”.
A.the northern light tour | B.patience |
C.equipment | D.the northern light |
We can infer that_______.
A.if tourists stay out late, they have to pay more |
B.every tourist group is not sure to see the northern lights |
C.every tourist group get the money back if they don’t see the northern lights |
D.the northern lights can be seen every day from 20th September to 31st March |
The passage is most likely to be taken from a(n) _______.
A.advertisement | B.news report |
C.science textbook | D.tourist brochure |
Aside from doing schoolwork and studying, American students must also participate in various extra-curricular activities. Many students get involved in their communities by doing volunteer work at various local organizations. In fact, the school I attend even requires students to perform a certain number of hours of volunteer work per semester. It is part of our study hall(自修课) grade, as well as a graduation requirement.
There are many places to do volunteer work in the community. Some of my classmates volunteer at the local animal shelter, the community table (which provides free meals for needy families), charity(慈善) stores, and many others. Finding a suitable place to volunteer usually depends on what’s available, as well as personal interests. For example, a friend of mine who enjoys swimming volunteers at the recreation center to teach young children how to swim.
With all these options out there, I ended up doing most of my volunteer work at a school library and a non-profit bookstore called Friends of the Library. This bookstore sells donated books at cheap prices, and all the profits made are donated to the local library.
I thought it was very fitting that I do my volunteer work at a library and a bookstore, because reading has always been very important to me. I love working in the bookstore now, because every sale we make helps our public library expand, and gives it the funds needed to purchase new books.
I think everyone should have the opportunity to read, and that we each should do our part to help those who don’t have the chance. There is a charity event, called One Book for A Window of Opportunity, in which Chinese students can donate a book to the children of the poor village Fangmaping. They don’t have a lot of resources, so reading can be a challenge.Tofind out more about this event, please visit: http://bbs.enfamily.cn/thread-739278-1-1.html.This passage is written by _____.
A.a Chinese student | B.an American student |
C.a Chinese teacher | D.an American teacher |
This passage is supposed to write to ____.
A.villagers in Fangmaping | B.the writer’s parents |
C.Chinese readers | D.American readers |
The writer chose to do volunteer work at _____.
A.a local animal shelter | B.a charity store |
C.a recreation center | D.a library and a bookstore |
By writing the article, the writer hopes to _____.
A.meet the graduation requirement |
B.look for another volunteer job |
C.get more chances to read |
D.encourage people to offer help |
MUMBAI, India —The children in their party clothes on the stage were very excited when they received the award. And the two of them said, "It’s unbelievable!"
Nine-year-old, Rubina Ali, and Azharuddin Ismail, 10, were living a very different life and obviously loving every minute of it. The two, some of the child stars of the Oscar-winning Slum dog Millionaire(《贫民窟的百万富翁》)movie, know the Indian slums very well. That was where they grew up, and it is where they will return at the end of their Hollywood dream trip.
But before going back home, there was an interview with the host, Ryan Seacrest. During the interview they smiled and repeated their disbelief in what was happening to them. To their surprise, their movie won first place in the Oscars. When the two received the award, it was late morning in the children’s home city of Mumbai, where family, friends and many fellow residents of the slums watched the result from Hollywood.
"I don’t really know what the Oscars are," Rubina’s mother said. "I’m just glad my daughter looks happy, though she told me she missed Indian food."
"Our children lead a dog’s life," Rubina’s mother said, pointing out the rubbish everywhere, the open drains (下水道) and the lack of education opportunities.
In a few days they will be back in Mumbai and back in the slums which are their home. Fortunately, according to media reports, the movie’s director, Danny Boyle, has promised to help the children he chose from the slum and make sure they will go to a proper school.
The two don’t need to worry about their daily lives because of the Oscar success of Slum dog Millionaire. But the poverty and lack of opportunity —the central theme of the movie—is always all around. Which of the following is NOT true about the two children?
A.They were both excited about receiving the award. |
B.They had been having a difficult life in India. |
C.They were interviewed before they went back home. |
D.They were the only two child stars in the movie, Slum dog Millionaire. |
When the children attended the Oscar ceremony in Hollywood, their family and friends were _______.
A.doing what they did as usual |
B.watching TV in Mumbai |
C.seeing the movie Slum dog Millionaire |
D.having a family party |
What can we infer from the text?
A.The two children have played in other movies before. |
B.Rinoms’s mother also went to the Hollywood. |
C.Rubina may not get used to the American food. |
D.They will travel to other countries before returning home. |
What will happen to the two children after they return to India?
A.They will go back to the miserable life. |
B.They will play in movies as famous actors. |
C.They will leave school to learn acting. |
D.They will have a better education. |
A Robot Fish has been developed by National University of Singapore’s researchers from the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering.This robot fish has movements which have been inspired by the movements of the carp(鲤鱼).
There are various purposes that it can be used for.It can help in underwater archaeology ( 考古学 ).For example, it can enter a sunken city where human divers cannot enter.Just like a fish , it can also look at all the comers of particular wreckage.This robot can also be used for general purposes such as detection of leakages in a pipeline or for laying down communication cables across oceans.It also has possible military uses.
In order to copy carp movements, Mr.Fan studied the movements of the fish for around 3 months.He studied all the different movements of carp using different cameras and then converted these movements mathematically to transfer this data to the robot using many actuators(驱动器).
Professor Xu commented on the robot that the current models that copy fish movements are capable only of 2D movements which limits their capability as they are not able to dive into water.He said that his model is the first model with 3D movements which allows it to dive as well as float with the help of its fins, just as a normal fish would do.Hence, this fish model robot has much greater movement capability.It would be much harder for enemies to detect as compared to traditional ones when used for military purposes.
The researches want to make their robot fish even smaller, more realistic while adding more sensors such as GPS and video camera to it.This will improve its autonomous 3D movement.They are also planning to test the fish by giving it more difficult tasks such as detecting various objects.The author gave an example in paragraph 2 _____.
A.to introduce the Robot Fish can help in underwater archaeology |
B.to show the Robot Fish can be used for general purposes |
C.to show the Robot Fish can lay down communication cables across oceans |
D.to tell us the Robot Fish has possible military uses |
Which is NOT true about the 3D Robot Fish?
A.It is capable of diving into water. |
B.It cannot dive into water. |
C.It can float using its fins. |
D.It is difficult to detect. |
What' s the main idea of the last paragraph?
A.The researchers will give the robot more difficult tasks. |
B.The researches want to make their robot smaller. |
C.The researchers are going to test the robot. |
D.The researches plan to improve the robot. |
Which of the following would be the best title for the text?
A.First Robot Fish with Autonomous 3D Movement used widely |
B.First Robot Fish with Autonomous 3D Movement treading the ocean |
C.First Robot Fish with Autonomous 3D Movement created in Singapore |
D.First Robot Fish with Autonomous 3D Movement's general purposes |