Brooke Martin’s golden retriever(金毛猎犬) Kayla hated being left alone or separated. She would howl, pace, and chew on things. Brooke learned that other people had the same problem with their pets. She wondered: ―What if you could talk to your dog if you were gone?
Working with her father in their garage, the 16-year-old came up with several ideas. Finally, she invented a device that allowed pet owners to video chat with their pets! She calls the device iCPooch. ―The dog doesn’t have to answer the call,explains Brooke. ―It comes up immediately on the screen on their end. It’s a two-way audio and video—you can see and hear each other.With a click of a button you can even send the dog a treat!
Her invention has earned her a spot competing against nine other finalists in a young scientist competition for middle-school students. These finalists, selected based on their short video presentations, are working with mentors over the summer before heading to the final competition in St. Paul, Minn.
After Martin’s video put her among the 10 finalists in the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, she was paired with Delony Langer-Anderson, a product development scientist in 3M’s consumer health care division. ―I just lead her down the product development path,Langer-Anderson told Live Science. This path includes guidance on how to test the potential product, which combines a video chat device that answers immediately on the dog’s end with a dog treat device the owner can remotely activate.
One thing I have thought about a lot is, what happens if while the device is on the floor, what if your dog knocks it over, or scratches the screen? Martin said. She and Langer-Anderson discussed this, and Martin is now testing materials at a local dog shelter by taping them to the dog house floors to see how well they withstand sharp teeth and claws.
The finalists create models they can test, with the guidance from a mentor. Their projects include a fuel cell that transforms cut grass into electricity and an app that rewards drivers for not texting or calling. Langer-Anderson tries to help the students work through the scientific method, testing their hypothesis, in a determined way, ―so the kids don’t get buried in data.she said.
Which of the following would be the best title of the text?
| A．“iCPooch” wins in a young scientist competition. |
| B．A 16-year-old girl invents a device for dog hunger. |
| C．A man-made device lets people chat with their pets. |
| D．A kid-invented device calm dogs’ separation anxiety. |
“iCPooch”calms pet dogs by ________.
| A．allowing video chat |
| B．making dogs sleep |
| C．answering the call |
| D．giving them food |
What is the probable meaning of the underlined word “mentor”
| A．competitor | B．assistant | C．instructor | D．companion |
What do the inventions of the finalists have in common?
| A．They are all new inventions dealing with pets. |
| B．They are possible solutions to everyday problems. |
| C．They cope with the problems related to computers. |
| D．They are all accomplished through individual work. |
When Paul was a boy growing up in Utah, he happened to live near a copper smelter(炼铜厂), and the chemicals that poured out had made a wasteland out of what used to be a beautiful forest. One day a young visitor looked at this wasteland and called it an awful area. Paul knocked him down. From then on, something happened inside him.
Years later Paul was back in the area, and he went to the smelter office. He asked if they had any plans or if they would let him try to bring the trees back. The answer from that big industry was “No.”
Paul then went to college to study the science of plants. Unfortunately, his teachers said there weren't any birds or squirrels to spread the seeds. It would be a waste of his life to try to do it. Everyone knew that, he was told. Even if he was knowledgeable as he had expected, he wouldn’t get his idea accepted.
Paul later got married and had some kids. But his dream would not die. And then one night he did what he could with what he had. As Samuel Johnson wrote, “It is common to overlook what is near by keeping the eye fixed on something remote. Attainable good is often ignored by minds busied in wide ranges.” Under the cover of darkness, he went secretly into the wasteland and started planting.
And every week, he made his secret journey into the wasteland and planted trees and grass. For fifteen years he did this against the plain common sense. Slowly rabbits appeared. Later, as there was legal pressure to clean up the environment, the company actually hired Paul to do what he was already doing. Now the place is fourteen thousand acres of trees and grass and bushes, and Paul has received almost every environmental award Utah has. It took him until his hair turned white, but he managed to keep that impossible vow he made to himself as a child.
46.When Paul was a boy, _____.
A. he had decided never to leave his hometown
B.the economy of Utah depended wholly on the copper smelter
C. no laws were made to protect the environment against pollution
D. he had determined to stop the copper smelter polluting the area
47.Why did Paul go to college to study the science of plants?
A. He wanted to find out the best way to save the area himself.
B. He was interested in planting trees since he was young.
C.He wanted to get more knowledgeable people to help him.
D.He thought his knowledge would make his advice more persuasive.
48. What does the underlined phrase “the plain common sense” probably refer to?
A. That it was impossible for trees to grow on the wasteland.
B.That his normal work and life would be greatly affected.
C.That no one would like to join him in the efforts.
D.That he had to keep everything he did secret.
49.The message of the passage is that _____.
A.action speaks louder than words
B.perseverance(持之以恒) will work wonders
C.God helps those who help themselves
D.many hands make light work
I recommend flying to Washington D.C., our nation’s capital. Like Beijing this is the heartbeat of America. While in Washing D.C. you should check out the White House, the presidential monuments, Ford’s Theatre where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated(暗杀) and the US Capital building, which is the home of the US government.
When you’re ready to leave Washing D.C., go to Chinatown and jump on a bus up to New York. These buses are really cheap and convenient.
New York is like a fantasy world where you can do almost anything! My friend from Thailand said the best Thai food she ever ate was in New York City. So eat as much as you can, see a show on Broadway and climb the stairs of the Statue of Liberty. If you really want an American experience, eat a hot dog while you watch a New York Yankee’s baseball game.
Now, because you are my friends, I will recommend to you one of the great secret places in America: New Hampshire. Even though this is my home state, I am not biased(偏爱). New Hampshire is one of the most beautiful places in the world. In the fall, hike the White Mountains and be surprised at the bright red, yellow and orange leaves on the trees. In the winter, drink a warm glass of hot chocolate before you ski through freshly fallen snow. And in the summer take a boat out of Lake Winnipesauke and enjoy crystal(水晶般的) clear water.
Actually, you’ll have a good time just about anywhere.
71. The writer thinks visitors should take a bus to New York because ______.
A. the distance is short B. the trains are crowded
C. buses are really cheap and convenient D. New York is like a fantasy world
72. According to the passage, ______ is a real American experience.
A. seeing a show on Broadway
B. eating a hot dog while watching a baseball game
C. eating as much as you can
D. climbing the stairs of the Statue of Liberty
73. The author of this passage is from ______.
A. New York B. Houston C. Washington D.C. D. New Hampshire
74. The underlined word “you” in paragraph 4 really refers to ______.
A. writers B. visitors C. readers D. the writer’s friends
75. In ______, you can see the bright red, yellow and orange leaves on the trees.
A. autumn B. spring C. summer D. winter
Friends and Buddies
This program is planned for teenagers who have special needs with the goal of meeting within a community with other peers(同龄人). The purpose of the program is that it will lead to a better understanding of friendships. Gym, Swim, Surprise Guest, and Pizza are included. Ages 12-18, numbers of members are limited. Contact: Gloria Bass. This program is held 2 Fridays per month. Fees: $65/$85
Club Saturday Swim
This program is available to anyone aged 5-14 who is challenged by mental, physical, or emotional trouble. The program will be held each Saturday afternoon, 12:00-12:30 pm or 12: 30-1:00 pm. Fees: $136/$260
Sibshops (Ages 10-13)
Sibshops is a program for siblings(兄弟姊妹) of children with challenges. It includes group activities and talk treatment ways with the focus on improving sibling relationships and whole family happiness. Location: Hope Church, Wilton CT. Wednesday: 4:00-5:00 pm. Fees: $50/$65
Banana Splits
Banana Splits is an educational support group for children in family trouble. Children aged 9-13 will have the opportunity to meet other children whose parents have separated or divorced, learn to recognize feelings, think of healthy coping skills and have a place to share their struggles through verbal(语言的), physical, and artistic experiences. Location: Hope Church, Wilton CT. Tuesday:4:30-5:30 pm. Fees: $50/$65
66. If you have free time only on Saturday, you can go to ______.
A. Friends and Buddies B. Club Saturday Swim
C. Sibshops (Ages 10-13) D. Banana Splits
67. Activities on how to lead to a better understanding of friendships are held ______.
A. 2 Fridays per month B.12:00-12:30 or 12:30-1:00, Saturday afternoon
C.4:00-5:00 pm, Wednesday D.4:30-5:30 pm, Tuesday
68. If you go to Sibshops (Ages 10-13) , you can ______.
A. meet with other peers B. solve your mental problem
C. improve sibling relationships D. think of healthy coping skills
69. Which of the following is TRUE according to the four passages?
A. They are all in the same place. B. They are all free of charge.
C. They all hold activities each week. D. They are all intended for children.
70. The purpose of this passage is to ______.
A. help children deal with their trouble B. encourage children to be happy and brave
C. list some problems children meet with D. advertise some programs for children
One day, four lawyers were riding their horses along a country road. There had been a rain. Water was dripping(滴) from the trees, and the grass was wet. They rode slowly, talking and laughing. Suddenly they heard some noises from the tree above them. “What is the matter?” asked the first lawyer. “Oh, it’s only some old birds!” said the second lawyer. “The storm made one of the babies fall out of the nest. It is too young to fly, and the mother bird is very worried.” “What a pity! It’ll die down there in the grass,” said the third lawyer. “It doesn’t matter. It’s only a bird,” said the second lawyer. Then they rode on, talking and laughing as before. But the fourth lawyer, whose name was Abraham Lincoln, stopped. He got down from his horse and took the little one in his big warm hands.
“Never mind, my little fellow,” said Mr. Lincoln. “I will put you back in your little nest.” He climbed up the tree and put the bird softly into their warm little home. A few minutes later, Mr. Lincoln joined them again. His shoes were covered with mud and he was wet. Then the other three laughed at him. They thought it was foolish for a strong man to do so much just for a young bird. “Gentlemen,” said Mr. Lincoln, “I could not sleep tonight if I had left the helpless bird in the grass.” Later Abraham Lincoln became very famous as a lawyer. He also became the president of America. He was one of the greatest American presidents.
61. The reason why the mother bird was worried was that ______.
A. there was a rain B. the lawyers were under its tree
C. one of its babies fell out of the nest D. it could not fly
62. We can learn about the other three lawyers from the passage that ______.
A. the second lawyer was kind B. they were all cold-hearted
C. they did something to save the baby bird D. the third lawyer put the bird into its nest
63. The underlined phrase “little fellow” in paragraph 2 means ______.
A. the mother bird B. Lincoln’s little friends
C. the other three lawyers D. the baby bird
64. The other three lawyers laughed at Lincoln because ______.
A. he climbed the tree B. he was wet
C. his shoes were covered with mud D. they thought it foolish for him to do so
65. From the passage we know Lincoln ______.
A. liked riding horses B. was very kind and loved birds and animals
C. liked being laughed at D. wanted to be the president of America then
A driver stopped his car on a street side to have a rest. As he lay down in the seat and closed his eyes, a person came up and knocked at the window to ask the time. The driver opened his eyes and looked at his watch: “It’s 8: 05,” he said. Then he went to sleep again. But soon he was waken up again because a second person was knocking at the window. “Sir, do you know the time?” he asked. The driver looked at his watch again, and told him it was half past eight.
In this way, the driver thought he could not have a good rest, so he wrote a short note and stuck it on the window for all to see. It said, “I don’t know the time.”
Again, he lay down in the seat for his sleep. A few minutes later, a third person came and began to knock at the window, “Hey, sir,” he said. “It’s a quarter to nine.”
56. Where did the driver sleep?
A. At the window. B. In the street road. C. In his car. D. In his room.
57. How long had the driver been there when the third person called him?
A. 40 minutes. B. 25 minutes. C. 50 minutes. D. 70 minutes.
58. Why did the driver write a note and stick it on the window?
A. Because he didn’t know the time.
B. Because he didn’t want anybody to trouble him.
C. Because he needed somebody to wake him up.
D. Because he wanted somebody to tell him the time.
59. The third person knocked at the window to ______.
A. ask him the time B. ask him not to sleep
C. see if the driver was sleeping D. tell him what time it was
60. The driver ______ in his car.
A. had a good sleep B. had no seat
C. didn’t have a good rest D. always closed his eyes