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 |
SHE dresses in saggy (宽松的) pants and is crazy about the pop star, Rain. Bin Xue is in love with South Korean culture. The 19-year-old from Sichuan Province feels a strong connection with the neighboring country.
"The two nations have a long history of friendship and there are many similarities between them," she said. "But Koreans are iron-willed, and we could learn this quality from them."
Bin is not the only Chinese deeply affected by Korean culture. A recent survey shows that most Chinese teenagers think highly of their eastern neighbor.
However, Koreans do not view the Chinese in the same good light. In a recent survey, only 5.5 per cent of Korean teens thought the Chinese people friendly.
The survey among high school students in China, Japan, South Korea and the United States, was conducted in 156 high schools. More than 7,000 teenagers were questioned on success, family, their self-identity (自我意识), as well as their opinions about the world at large.
Results showed that most Korean teens gave a low score to the Chinese for patriotism (爱国心), responsibility and honesty. In their eyes, Chinese people are not hard-working and don't obey the rules.
"The result is surprising, but it does reflect a real information gap between teenagers in the two countries," said Lei Li, a psychology professor from the Capital Normal University.
Experts say that Chinese students' positive feelings about South Korea were a result of the booming (繁荣) popularity of Korean pop music. Korean movies and TV series have flooded China. And 73 per cent of the Chinese respondents said they watched Korean TV serials and cartoons.
On the other hand, Lei added, Korean teenagers don't have much access to China. The survey found that only 6.7 per cent of Korean students have ever read Chinese books or news magazines or watch Chinese TV programmes.1
Professor Lei thinks that Chinese teens should give themselves a better basis for appreciating the cultures of their neighbors. It's not enough to simply enjoy their music, TV and fashion sense. "The survey shows that Chinese teens should make friends with their foreign peers . They shouldn't judge other countries by their media alone," said Lei.
Luo Xi'er, 17, from Hunan Province, hopes Chinese people can improve their image. "In my opinion, it is the bad behavior of Chinese tourists which has destroyed our image abroad," she said.
The girl has read several online articles in which Koreans put Chinese tourists' bad manners under the spotlight. "I would like to go to South Korea some day and show them that most Chinese are good-mannered."
1. Most Chinese teenagers think highly of South Korea because _____.
A. they are crazy about pop stars in South Korea
B. Korean people have certain qualities they respect
C. there are many similarities between China and South Korea
D. all of the above
2. Korean teens probably have low opinions of Chinese because ______.
A. they are friendly and iron-willed B. they don't know much about China
C. they hate Chinese because of historical conflicts
D. they only watch Korean TV serials and cartoons
3. According to professor Lei, ______.
A. Chinese teens should not enjoy the pop music of South Korea
B. Chinese teens should help Korean peers learn more about China
C. we should prevent Korean movies and TV series from flooding in China
D. we should have a better understanding of Korean peers
4. We can infer from the survey _________.
A. Chinese teenagers think highly of South Koreans
B. most Korean teens gave a low score to the Chinese
C. it is necessary to strengthen cultural communications
D. bad behavior of Chinese tourists destroyed our image abroad
Beverley had been feeling dull, bored and a bit out of it. He mentioned his mood (state of mind) when going to Andrew for a sports massage. He wondered whether he should take up Tai Chi. But Andrew didn’t think so.
“Tai Chi is great for people who want to feel grounded, but that isn’t your problem,” he said. “What you need is something more exciting, like dancing.”
In future, therapists (理疗专家) may well suggest that you fight your sadness with a course in kickboxing, and family doctors might suggest that you take a rest in the mountains instead.
We’ve long been aware that exercise has benefits beyond the physical ones; that activity can relax you, and help psychological well-being by reducing stress, anxiety and sadness.
Now some trainers and sports psychologists are going further and examining how to identify the correct exercise for a client’s (当事人) specific state of mind and personality.
Professor Stuart Biddle, an exercise and sports psychologist based at Loughborough University, England, has researched the effects of exercise on moods.
One of his findings was that, if your problem is low self-esteem, weight training should be your bag. “Working with weights builds strength,” he says, “and creates a stronger body image.”
Anger management, meanwhile, demands bursts of explosive (爆发性的) activity, from sports such as boxing or tennis.
This is because anger makes the body release（释放）adrenaline (肾上腺素), which causes heart rate and blood pressure to rise and muscles to become tighter —— the physiological changes required if you are to defend yourself.
Research shows that the “punch-bag (用拳头击打沙袋)” method of releasing disappointment and anger through hitting a boxing opponent (对手) or tennis ball, can help with fighting issues.
They have also found that teamwork is good for self-esteem and that those who are brought together to work in a social setting become more lively.
Which type of exercise will best help is, of course, down to the individual. Clearly, before you can find the best physical activity for yourself, you have to know your needs.
Ask yourself a few questions such as: What do I need in my life? Which issues are difficult for me? Am I sad or troubled? Only then can you decide whether you need taking up, or taking down.
1. Why did Andrew think Beverley shouldn’t take up Tai Chi?
A. Because Beverley was too weak. B. Because Beverley was too foolish.
C. Because Beverley’s mind was out of control. D. Because Beverley lacked activity.
2. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. Psychologists haven’t realized the relationship between exercise and health.
B. People have already realized the relationship between exercise and spirits.
C. Boxing and tennis are the best ways to increase one’s self-esteem.
D. Trainers and psychologists don’t agree with each other on exercise.
3. Professor Stuart Biddle thinks that ____ .
A. anger should be examined by doctors B. anger should be taken away by medicine
C. anger should be given off by activities D. anger should be held back by oneself
4 The main idea of this passage may be ____ .
A. sports build up your body B. sports are helpful to your mind
C. heart trouble is due to anger D. anxiety and sadness are harmful to you
Have you ever wondered why birds sing? Maybe you thought that they were just happy. After all, you probably sing or whistle when you are happy.
Some scientists believe that birds do sing some of the time just because they are happy. However they sing most of the time for a very different reason. Their singing is actually a warning to other birds to stay out of their territory.
Do you know what a ‘territory’ is? A territory is an area that an animal, usually the male, claims as its own. Only he and his family are welcome there. No other families of the same species are welcome. Your yard and house are your territory where only your family and friends are welcome. If a stranger should enter your territory and threaten you, you might shout. Probably this would be enough to frighten him away.
If so, you have actually scared the stranger away without having to fight him. A bird does the same thing. But he expects an outsider almost any time, especially at nesting（筑巢）season. So he is screaming all the time, whether he can see an outsider or not. This screaming is what we call a bird’s song, and it is usually enough to keep an outsider away.
Birds sing loudest in the spring when they are trying to attract a mate and warn others not to enter the territory of theirs.
You can see that birds have a language all their own. Most of it has to do with attracting mates and setting up territories.
1. Some scientists believe that most of the time bird’s singing is actually________.
A. an expression of happiness B. a way of warning
C. an expression of anger D. a way of greeting
2. What is a bird’s ‘territory’?
A. A place where families of other species are not accepted.
B. A place where a bird may shout at the top of its voice.
C. An area for which birds fight against each other.
D. An area which a bird considers to be its own.
3. Why do birds keep on singing at nesting season?
A. Because they want to invite more friends.
B. Because their singing helps frighten outsiders away.
C. Because they want to find outsiders around.
D. Because their singing helps get rid of their fears.
4. How does the writer explain bird’s singing?
A. By comparing birds with human beings. B. By reporting experiment results.
C. By describing birds’ daily life. D. By telling a bird’s story.
Think about it
Escaping a fire is a serious matter. Knowing what to do before a fire breaks out can save a life. For example, people should know the safety measures to take before opening a hall door during a fire. Also, make sure everyone knows how to unlock doors that may be in the escape path. At times, a key is needed to unlock a door from the inside. So, keep the key in the lock. Or, you can put the key on a key ring and put it where it can be found easily.
If you live in a flat, know the ways you can use to get out. Show everyone in the family these paths. Remind everyone of the importance of using stairways or fire escapes, not lifts.
From most homes and lower floors of a block of flats, escape through windows is possible. Learn the best way of leaving by a window with the least chance of serious injury.
In a home fire, windows are often theonly means of escape. The second floor window sill is usually not more than 13 feet from the ground. An average person, hanging by the finger tips, will have a drop of about six feet to the ground. Of course, it is safer to jump a short way than to stay in a burning building. Roll away from the building when you land.
Windows are also useful when you’re waiting for help. Often you’ll be able to stay in the room for several minutes if you keep the door closed and the window open. Keep your head low in the window to be sure you get fresh air rather than smoke that may have leaked into the room.
On a second or third floor, the best windows for escape are those which open onto a roof. From the roof, a person can either drop to the ground or await rescue. Dropping onto sidewalk or pavement might end in injury. Bushes, soft earth, and grass can help to break a fall. A rope ladder should be considered when the drop is too great.
In a town where the fire department acts quickly, it may be best to wait for rescue. Close the doors and wait by an open window for help. Shout for help. Be sure to close the door before opening a window. Otherwise, smoke and fire may be drawn into the room.
1. We can learn from the passage that windows are __________.
A. easily brokenB. easy to catch fire C. good escape paths D. useful to put out a fire
2. If you happen to be in a room during a fire, it’s a good idea to ________.
A. open a window B. use the lifts C. stand quite stillD. put out the fire
3. We can learn from the article that in a home fire______.
A. people should close the window and open the door
B. soft earth can reduce the chance of being injured
C.it’s always safer to jump out than to stay
D.rope ladders should not be used
4. What is the main idea of this article?
A.We can turn to the firemen during a fire.
B. We should keep in mind the escape paths.
C.People should know what to do before a fire breaks out.
D.People should find help as soon as possible during a fire.
III. 阅读理解
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从文后所给各题的四个选项中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
When you turn on the radio, you hear an advertisement. When you watch television, you hear and see an advertisement. If you turn the pages of a newspaper or magazine, again you find a advertisement. If you walk down the street, you see one advertisement board after another. All day, every day, people who want to sell something compete to catch your attention. As a result, advertisements are almost everywhere.
In the West, advertisements are the fuel that makes mass media（媒体）work. Many TV stations, newspapers, magazines, radio stations are privately（私人）owned. The government does not give them money. So where does the money come from? From advertisements. Without advertisements, there would not be these private businesses.
Have you ever asked yourself what advertising is? Through the years, people have given different answers to the question. For some time it was felt that advertising was a means of “keeping your name before the public.” And some people thought that advertising was “truth well told.” Now more and more people tend to define（定义） it in this way: Advertising is the paid, nonpersonal, and usually persuasive presentation of goods, services and ideas by identified sponsors through various media.
First, advertising is usually paid for. Various sponsors（赞助商） pay for the ads we see, read, and hear over the various media. Second, advertising is nonpersonal. It is not face-to-face communication. Although you may feel that a message in a certain advertisement is aimed directly at you, in reality, it is directed at large groups of people. Third, advertising is usually persuasive. Directly or indirectly it urges people to do something. All advertisements try to convince（说服） people that the product, idea, or service advertised can benefit them. Fourth, the sponsor of the advertisement must be identified. From the advertisement, we can see if the sponsor is a corporation, or a committee, or an individual. Fifth, advertising reaches us through traditional and non-traditional mass media. Included in the traditional media are newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and films. Non-traditional media include the mail, matchbox covers, and billboards.
1. The existence of the privately owned mass media depends financially on the support of ____ .
A. the government B. their owners’ families C. advertisements D. the audience
2. The passage seems to say that different definitions of advertising are given due to __ ____.
A. the change of time B. the subject of the advertisements
C. people’s age difference D. people’s different perspectives (角度)
3. According to the passage, who are most probably paying for the advertisements? __ ____.
A. Corporations. B. Committees. C. Individuals. D. All of the above.
4. According to the passage, which of the following statements about the features of advertisements is NOT true? _____.
A. Advertising must be honest and amusing B. Advertising is meant for large groups of people
C. There is the description of things advertised D. The sponsors are always mentioned