Computer technology is still developing rapidly. The computer of the future will continue to increase in value and performance while decreasing in cost. It will become smaller, but faster and more powerful.
It is possible to make some guesses about what the future of the computer will look like, based upon the types of technologies that are being developed now. A lot of progress has already been made in some of these new technologies, but some are still in their earliest stages and may not be ready for use for years. Two of the most interesting areas of computing that are currently being developed are quantum computing (量子计算) and nanotechnology (纳米技术).
Quantum computing is one possibility for the future of the computer that could make computers run far faster than even the quickest computers do today. Quantum computers could be able to do what modern supercomputers are unable to do by using transistors that are able to take on many states at the same time.
Nanotechnology could also change the face of computing, by creating computers that could be very powerful, though they are tiny in size. These computers could be incorporated (并入) into everyday objects, including electrical appliances (电器), clothes and even the human body. We will be able to use computers in new and unimaginable ways. They will become a part of our lives rather than simply being a box that is used only for specific purposes, such as work.
Quantum computing and nanotechnology will be able to play new roles, which will make us live greener lives, as well as enjoy better health and happier lives.Which of the following can NOT describe the computer of the future properly?
| A．Much smaller. |
| B．Much faster. |
| C．More powerful. |
| D．Less valuable. |
According to the text, quantum computing _____.
| A．has been put in use so far |
| B．can make computers run by themselves |
| C．can reduce the cost of computers |
| D．will work by using transistors |
We can learn from the text that nanotechnology will _____.
| A．create much smaller computers |
| B．be used in electrical appliances and clothing |
| C．change the structure of computers |
| D．make computers just serve specific purposes |
The text is mainly about _____.
| A．what nanotechnology is |
| B．what quantum computing is |
| C．what the future of the computer is |
| D．what future computers can bring us |
St James’s Palace has announced that while Miss Middleton will wear a wedding ring. Prince William has chosen not to.
Rings are typically exchanged by couples during their wedding to represent commitment （承诺）to each other. Does it matter if husbands don’t wear a wedding ring?
Prince William’s father wears one, his grandfather doesn’t and their decisions weren’t seen as strange. But reactions to Prince William’s decision show that wedding rings for husbands are now the norm. One young man, who spoke to the BBC, thinks William is setting a bad example, saying: “I think it’s disgraceful （不光彩的）. It’s a tradition. You have to wear a ring really. And for someone of the royal family to do that, it’s not right. “
Broadly speaking, modem husbands tend to wear their wedding rings as a symbol of loyalty and faithfulness. So not wearing one can seem unusual or even dishonest to some, although men haven’t always worn them.
The wearing of wedding rings has been the done thing for centuries among wives but only became common practice among husbands during World War II. Men fighting overseas usually wore them as a reminder of wives and families back home.
Wearing rings is a safety issue（问题） for men in certain manual jobs. But how does William explain his decision? A royal officer has said he “isn’t one for jewelry”.
According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?
| A．There is going to be a royal exhibition of jewelry. |
| B．Wearing rings among husbands and wives is tradition at all times. |
| C．All the male members of British royalty don’t wear wedding rings. |
| D．Wearing rings is a safety guarantee for some manual jobs. |
What is the author’s attitude towards Prince William’s decision?
| A．Subjective. | B．Objective. | C．Approving. | D．Disappointed. |
By saying “he isn’t one for jewelry”, the royal officers meant that _____.
| A．Prince William is a person who doesn’t like wearing jewelry. |
| B．Prince William isn’t a person who is crazy about collecting jewelry. |
| C．Prince William considers jewelry penniless. |
| D．Prince William doesn’t wear a wedding ring for safety. |
What would be the best title for this passage?
| A．To Wear Wedding Rings or Not |
| B．Complaint about British Royal Disgraceful Behavior |
| C．The History of Wearing Wedding Rings |
| D．No Ring for Wills |
Lily，Susan, David, Chris和Michael分别计划假期去景点旅游，阅读下面旅游杂志上的6个旅游广告（A、B、C、D、E和F），从中找出符合5位兴趣爱好的最佳选项，并在答题纸上将该选项标号涂黑。选项中有一项是多余选项。Lily：I enjoy shopping, dining and nightlife. I want to surf and learn about Hawaiian culture.
Susan：I like a relaxed lifestyle. I want to take a scenic helicopter and watch the amazing eruptions( 火山喷发) of red-hot lava.
David：I like a relaxed and simple lifestyle.
Chris：I like surfing and mountain-climbing and enjoy shopping, dining and nightlife.
Michael：I love outdoor activities and want to take a scenic helicopter.
| A Oahu Island – the gathering place Home to 80 per cent of Hawaii’s people, Oahu lets you enjoy the bustling and colourful city life of Honolulu, and world-famous Waikiki beach. Glamorous Waikiki is the main place for sun and surf. Otherwise go swimming, snorkeling, or relax and sunbathe on the many other fabulous beaches. Oahu is the place to be for shopping, great dining and great nightlife! But if nightclubs aren’t your scene, you may like to visit the museum at Pearl Harbour, or climb Nuuanu Oali mountain to find the best view of the whole island. |
| B Hawaii – the big island Hawaii is also the name of the biggest island of the group. If you’d like a more relaxed lifestyle with friendly locals, then the Big Island has plenty of room for you. Take a helicopter ride around snow-capped Manna Kea, the highest mountain in the world if you measure from the ocean floor. Or visit Kilauea, the world’s largest active volcano（活火山）. Hawaii’s dramatic black lava landscape even include beaches with black sand. |
| C Kauai – the garden island Small and uncrowded, Kauai is the perfect gateway for families and couples looking for a peaceful holiday. It has world-class golf courses, with great views! This island is ideal for those who love outdoor activities. The beautiful green Na Pali cliffs and coast are a great place to go camping, hiking and horse riding. You can go kayaking on the river, or take scenic helicopter flights. |
| D Maui – the rainbow island Maui combines beautiful scenery with luxury resort-style living. No matter where you stay, you’ll see many wonderful rainbows. Of course there are the lovely beaches for snorkeling, surfing and whale watching, but you can also hike up Haleakala, the world’s largest inactive volcano. The town of Lahaina offers a lu’au - a fun evening of hula dancing and traditional banquet. It isn’t as busy as Waikiki, but there are still plenty of shopping, fine restaurants and nightlife. |
| E Lanai – Hawaii’s best-kept secret Far away from the crowds, this island offers you a totally relaxing experience. It is a haven for all kinds of wildlife. You can go fishing on the deserted beaches, or just laze there. Maybe you can climb Lanaihale mountain. From the top you can see all the other islands. |
| F Molokai – very different The lifestyle here lets you understand the way Hawaii was many years ago. If you’re looking for a total escape from a busy city life, this is definitely the place. Forget shopping, fancy dining and nightlife. Let a guide bring you on a horseback or bicycle tour of the rugged but beautiful scenery. Hike over the stunning cliffs of the Kalaupapa peninsula. The most important thing to do on Molokai, though, is relax and slow down. |
Nowadays, there’s a lot of debate about single sex education since it has begun to regain its popularity recently. According to long term studies of children from around the world, students achieve more and learn better in single sex schools.
An Australian study of 270,000 students found that both boys and girls performed much higher on standardized(标准化) tests when they attended separate schools. During an experiment in Virginia in 1995, 100 eighth graders were separated just for math and science courses. Almost immediately, the girls began to achieve more, become more confident and take part more often in class activities.
In 2001, a British study concluded that nearly every girl regardless of (不论) her ability or socio-economic status performed better in single sex classrooms than co-ed ones. The study of 2,954 high schools and 979 primary schools showed that while boys at the lowest levels in study improved the most in single sex schools, single sex education was particularly beneficial (有益的) to girls. Every one of the top 50 private elementary schools and top 20 private high schools in Britain are single sex schools.
Girls became more confident in themselves as students and earned higher scores on their College Board and Advanced Placement examinations. A quarter of the female members of the US Congress and one-third of all female members of Fortune 100 boards graduated from all-women’s colleges.
While the statistics are not as dramatic for boys, however, boys tend to soften their competitive edge and become more cooperative in a single sex setting. They can just be boys and not worry about what the girls might think.
Single sex education has a pleasant way of encouraging children to be fearless, to be curious, to be enthusiastic --- in short, to just be themselves. Children are subjected (屈从于) to pressures from every quarter to become adults before they are ready to do so. They grow up too quickly. Why not let them be children for a few more years? Single sex education with its gentler, more controlled social atmosphere is just the right answer for many children. With the experiment in Virginia in 1995, the writer wants to show that .
| A．single sex education has become popular in recent years |
| B．the effect of single sex education on girls is immediate |
| C．students at separate schools are better prepared for standardized tests |
| D．both boy and girl students achieve more and learn better in single sex schools |
According to the article, which of the following statements about single sex education is TRUE?
| A．Girls’ performances in single sex classrooms are determined by their ability and socioeconomic status. |
| B．In all-boys schools boys with the worst academic performances improved the most. |
| C．Single sex education was particularly helpful for boys. |
| D．There are more single sex schools than co-ed schools in Britain. |
In the article, the underlined phrase “soften their competitive edge” probably means .
| A．act in a kindly manner | B．become less competitive |
| C．lose interest in something | D．take advantage of something |
What is the main point of the article?
| A．Ways to reduce pressure and help children grow. |
| B．The reason why girls perform better than boys at school. |
| C．The advantage of single sex education. |
| D．The development of single sex education in different countries. |
A person steps on what seems like solid ground but discovers with horror that the ground is giving way underfoot. The person struggles desperately but is trapped. There is no escape. Slowly the person sinks deeper and at last is gone. The solid ground was solid only in appearance. It was actually quicksand, which is a deep mass of fine sand mixed with water.
How is quicksand formed? Water pushes up from below the surface and is held by the sand. The grains of sand are forced apart by the water. They cannot hold any weight. The subsurface water may have come from a spring, a river, or a stream. Sometimes pools of water near beaches become filled with sand. When the soil under these pools does not allow for good drainage(排水), the sand can become stretches of quicksand.
Is it true that a person who steps into quicksand is doomed to die? No, for people have fought their way from quicksand to firm land again. It is panic(恐慌) that creates the condition that can result in death, for the more a person struggles, the worse matters become. Quick movements will make the sand yield for a time, but then it rushes back and settles solidly around the body.
People trapped in quicksand should either lie back with arms outstretched, or not move at all. When the weight of the sand around his body has displaced equals that person’s weight, the victim will stop sinking. With feet held still, and with slow movements of the arms, as in the backstroke(仰泳) in swimming, people have managed to roll to safety and reach firm ground. Quick movements by a person trapped in quicksand will _______.
| A．help the person reach firm ground |
| B．help prevent panic |
| C．make the same sand yield temporarily |
| D．make the sand hold the person’s weight |
Quicksand is _______.
| A．a mass of fine sand mixed with water | B．formed only along rivers |
| C．found below subsurface water | D．solid ground |
Which statement does the article lead you to believe?
| A．Stretches of quicksand are found only under the sea. |
| B．People should never try to escape from quicksand. |
| C．It is hard to keep calm if you fall into quicksand. |
| D．Only heavy people can be trapped in quicksand. |
The passage mainly tells about _______.
| A．what solid ground looks like | B．the nature of quicksand |
| C．stepping into quicksand | D．escaping from quicksand |
A rat looked through a crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife opening a package. What food might it contain? He was alarmed to discover that it was a rat trap (捕鼠夹).
Going back to the farmyard the rat gave a warning: “There is a rat trap in the house, a rat trap in the house!” The chicken raised her head and said: “Excuse me, Mr Rat, I can tell this is a big concern to you, but it is of no business to me. I cannot be bothered with it.”
The rat turned to the pig and told him: “There is a rat trap in the house, a rat trap in the house!”“I am so very sorry, Mr. Rat,” sympathized the pig, “but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. I will make sure that you are in my prayers.”
The rat turned to the cow. She said, “Like wow, Mr. Rat. A rat trap. I am in grave danger. Duh?”
So the rat returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer’s rat trap alone.
That very night a sound was heard throughout the house, like the sound of a rat trap catching its prey (猎物). The farmer’s wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see that it was a poisonous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer’s wife.
The farmer rushed her to the hospital. She returned home with a fever. Now everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet (短柄斧) to the farmyard for the soup’s main ingredient.
His wife’s sickness continued so that friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them the farmer killed the pig.
The farmer’s wife did not get well. She died, and so many people came for her funeral that the farmer had the cow killed to provide meat for all of them to eat.
So the next time you hear that someone is facing a problem and think that it does not concern you, remember that when there is a rat trap in the house, the whole farmyard is at risk.The underlined word “dejected” in Paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to .
| A．disappointed | B．surprised | C．confused | D．doubtful |
Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the article?
| A．The chicken showed great concern for the rat. |
| B．The pig helped the rat get rid of the trap. |
| C．The cow didn’t care about what the rat said. |
| D．The snake was killed after being caught in the trap. |
We can conclude from the article that .
| A．the farmer’s wife got good treatment in the hospital |
| B．the farmer regretted setting up the rat trap |
| C．the rat was very wise in avoiding the trap |
| D．none of the other animals felt threatened by the rat trap |
What message does the story intend to convey?
| A．We should mind our own business. | B．Everything is related to something else. |
| C．Helping others is always a virtue. | D．We should treat animals in a friendly way. |