1、When Gitanjali Rao shared how she likes “finding solutions to real problems”, it was hard to imagine this dynamic 11-year-old girl could settle a problem that has escaped scientists for years.In just three months, Rao came up with a device(装置)that can replace the costly and lengthy tests currently used to reliably determine lead(铅) levels in our fresh water. Inspired by the current litigation (诉讼)in Flint, Michigan, a case of water pollution from 2014 to 2015, Rao designed a new testing system that resu lted in her being named America’s Top Young Scientist for 2017.Rao had been following the water problem for about two years. She was amazed by the number of people affected by lead pollution in water and wanted to do something to change this. Gitanjali spent months trying to convince local high schools and colleges to give her lab time to continue her experiment. At home, Gitanjali worked on her project in the “science room” she asked her parents to create for her. Rao has created a device that uses three parts: a cartridge, a Bluetooth reader and an app. To put it simply, the cartridge contains carbon nanotubes(纳米管) that react to lead. This reaction is then registered by the Bluetooth reader, which sends a signal to a mobile app that can tell you immediately if your water is safe to drink.Rao appropriately named the device Tethys after the Greek goddess of fresh water, and is hoping to make a little improvement to get the device on the market. While we may not be aware of any lead pollution present in our aging pipelines, lead poisoning can cause delays in physical and mental development. With Rao believing that the “purpose of science is to make a difference”, her incredible invention could make a difference to millions of people in the United States.1.Wh at do we know about Rao’s device?A.It’s cheap and quick.B.It’s cheap and inaccurate.C.It’s expensive and reliable.D.It’s portable and time-consuming.2.What made Rao have the idea of designing the device?A.Her parents’ suggestions.B.The name of the Greek goddess.C.Her interest in settling real problems.D.The water pollution litigation in Flint.3.What do the carbon nanotubes function as?A.Sending immediate signals.B.Recording the reaction results.C.Cetecting the presence of lead.D.Showing the water quality results.4.What does the author think of Rao’s invention?A.It will lead Rao to make a fortune.B.It will help millions of Americans drink safe water.C.It will promote the development of science in America.D.It will soon settle the lead-polluted problem thoroughly.2、We know that our smartphones are expertly-designed distraction devices that weaken our efforts to resist. But, we also know that resistance is important if we’re ever going to find a workable middle ground with our phones – and a recent has served up another reason to strengthen our resolve.Here it is: when you pick up your phone while doing anything mentally challenging, you're handicapping your brain’s ability to recharge and performance predictably decreases.That’s the conclusion of a study that put roughly 400 college students to task solving challenging word puzzles. When they were about halfway through, the researchers allowed most of the students to take a break either using their phones, using a computer or reading a print circular. Other students were told to just keep on working without any sort of break.The results showed that the students who took a break with their phones were the worst performers of all the groups. They took 19% longer to finish the tasks and they solved 22% fewer word-problems than all the other groups combined. In fact, the cell-phone group’s efficiency and processing speed was about the same as the group that took no break.The reason offered by the researchers isn’t merely because digital devices are inherently engaging(迷人的), but because our smartphones are attention gates into so many otherattention-catching areas, each pulling our mental energy in different directions.This research stresses that we ignored the energy reduction from using our smartphones, and that we were over-confident about what our brains can handle. We also overlooked the emotional connection we'd developed with our phones. It's no longer just a device. It's a companion.“It is important to know the costs associated with reaching for this device during every spare minute,” Kurtzberg added. “We assume it’s no different from any other break – but the phone may carry increasing levels of distraction that make it difficult to return focused attention to work tasks.”1.What does “resolve” in Pa ragraph 1 refer to?A.Finding a workable phone.B.Resisting using phones.C.Making full use of phones.D.Upgrading personal phones.2.The underlined word “handicapping” in Paragraph 2 probably means ___________.A.strengtheningB.performingC.weakeningD.changing3.What can we learn from the research?A.There are two groups of students in the research.B.All the students can not take a break in the research.C.The cell-phone group did best in solving the puzzles.D.Students have to complete word puzzles before the break.4.What’s the main idea of the Paragraph 6?A.The phone is no longer favored by people.B.The phone is not as powerful as expected.C.People cannot connect emotionally with phones.D.People didn’t fully understand the effect of phones.3、Many Americans think of driverless cars as a futuristic technology that will revolutionize travel in cities and along state highways. But recent experiments are proving that autonomous vehicles also have the potential to improve the quality of life for millions of Americans underserved by traditional modes of transportation, such as the elderly and disabled, so long as lawmakers make smart policies that pave the way for innovation.A retirement community in San Jose, Calif. , which has been transformed by a small fleet of driverless taxis, shows the potential of self-driving cars to transform people’s lives. Built by a tech start-up called Voyage, the modified Ford Fusions are currently limited to a two-mile road, but residents are already having the benefits of these autonomous vehicles, which allow them to participate in social activities they would otherwise be unable to enjoy simply because they could not get to them.When the trial run finally expands to 15 miles of road, these residents—whose average age is 76—will also have a convenient and reliable new way to appointments. As these cars continue to serve residents there, it is easy to understand why California is moving to simplify regulations for the industry.In Michigan, forward-thinking policies have the potential to unlock other hidden benefits of autonomous vehicles, especially for those with physical disabilities. The Michigan Disability Rights Coalition has strongly advocated for the development of this technology, saying that it could give people with disabilities greater opportunities in the workforce and enable them to lead more fulfilling, independent lives.Many recognize that autonomous vehicles will be the future of transportation, but it is too often overlooked that this future cannot arrive fast enough for millions of Americans who are forced to depend on others for day-to-day travel. The policymakers should follow the lead of places like California and Michigan, and pass rules and regulations to unlock these hidden benefits of driverless cars.1.What’s the attitude of most American people to the future of autonomous vehicles?A.Curious.B.Doubtful.C.Indifferent.D.Optimistic.2.What is the modified Ford Fusion?A.A kind of autonomous vehicle.B.A fleet of driverless taxis.C.A road for driverless cars.D.A retirement community.3.What are examples in California and Michigan to prove?A.Driverless cars’ disadvantages.ernments’ right decisions.C.Benefits to the aged and the disabled.D.The regulations are forward-thinking.4.What does the author attempt to inform us in the last paragraph?A.The benefits of driverless cars have been fully unlocked.B.Regulations should go hand in hand with driverless technology.C.The concept of autonomous vehicles has been widely recognized.D.The weak groups are often overlooked despite technology advances.4、 A 27-year-old inventor, Joco Paulo Lammoglia, has come up with a new device named the AIRE mask, which is capable of converting the wind energy provided by the wearer’s breath into electrical energy. This means breathing has become a source of renewable energy. The inspiration for the invention came from his watching children blowing on pinwheels(玩具风车).The device is worn like a mask equipped with tiny wind turbines(涡轮机) and it can work its magic even while people are sleeping, jogging or hanging around,since energy is created from one’s breath. The principle of this AIRE mask is simple. The invention uses the wind flow createdby breathing and changes it into energy that can charge mobile phones and iPods. Simply put this mask connected to your mobile phone on your face. The rest takes place naturally through your breath that provides power to run turbines which produce electricity.Lammoglia explained how useful he hopes the AIRE will become. He said, "I hope to bring the concept into production and reduce the carbon footprint. It can be used indoors or outdoors, while you’re sleeping, walking,running or even reading books. " Apart from saving energy and contributing to the environmental protection, it also encourages thepractice of physical exercise. This is an entirely all-time renewable energy source. Its energy is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.Lammoglia explained why he thought the AIRE was so useful, saying, "Though many of our modern devices offer benefits, they tend to consume a high amount of electrical energy. This may cause environmental problems, especially if the energy used by these devices is obtained from non-renewable energy sources.The AIRE mask will be the future cheaper energy source of charging mobile phones. It would save energy and allow people to never have to worry about their phone dying unless they stop breathing.1.The underlined word “converting” (Para. 1 ) is closest in meaning to ___________.A.chargingB.convincingC.exchangingD.transformingmmoglia would most probably agree that the AIRE mask __________.A.consumes a high amount of energyB.will account for environmental damageC.is a good solution to energy issuesD.is available in the shop now3.Which of the following is the best title for the passage?A.An electronic maskB.A breath-powered deviceC.A new renewable energy sourceD.An air-purifying device5、A new keyboard can tell whether you are its owner. The keyboard records information about the typing pattern and sends it to a computer program. The program then checks to see if the typing pattern and sends it to a computer program. The program then checks to see if the pattern matches the right user, If not, an alarm sounds, and the computer locks the typist out. It locks out anyone else, even if than person knows password. What’s more, this device needs no batteries. It harvests all the person knows yo ur password. What’s more, this device needs no batteries. Itharvests all the energy it needs from the action of your typing. Besides, the keyboard is alsoself-cleaning and the keys are free of damage from water, oil and dirt.The keys of the new keyboard are made of the same inexpensive plastic that might be found on any other standard keyboard. But instead of being smooth, the keys have millions of tiny plastic nanowires(纳米线)on their surface area to every key, increasing the effective contact area betwee n the plastics and fingers. This ensures that there’s enough power to run the keyboard as someone types.Liming Dai, a scientist, did not work on the new keyboard, but he thinks the design could be important in getting better performance from a variety of devices. “It could also be applied to a touch screen, for instance,” Dai says. “Then smartphones and notepads could harvest energy from the action of someone typing or drawing.”“Future work might make the keyboard even more useful,” Dai adds. “A later des ign might build tiny capacitors(电容器)onto the nanowires,” he suggests. Capacitors are little devices that temporarily store electric charges. Those might then LEDs to light a Keyboard in the dark.Zhonglin Wang is a co-designer of the new keyboard. His team has build a working model of the keyboard. “If a company decides to fund(投资)its production, this keyboard could be in stores in as little as two years,” says Wang.1.How does the new keyboard tell whether you are its owner?A.By matching the typing pattern to the right user.B.By sending alarms to a computer program.C.By checking the right user's passwords.D.By recording information about the typing pattern.2.Why are there many nanowires on the surface of the keys?A.Toincrease the effective contact area.B.To improve the speed of typing.C.To make the keys smooth.D.To help produce power.3.What’s Dai’s attitude to the new keyboard?A.UnconcernedB.DoubtfulC.PositiveD.Critical.4.What is the best title for the text?A.A New Keyboard Made of NanowiresB.A New Keyboard Entirely Owned by youC.A New Keyboard's Future.D.A New Keyboard Powered by Typing6、The Intelligent Transport team at Newcastle University have turned an electric car into a mobile laboratory named “DriveLAB” in order to understand the challenges faced by older drivers and to discover where the key stress points are.Research shows that giving up driving is one of the key reasons for a fall in health andwell-being among older people, leading to them becoming more isolated(隔绝) and inactive.Led by Professor Phil Blythe, the Newcastle team are developing in-vehicle technologies for older drivers which they hope could help them to continue driving into later life.These include custom-made navigation(导航) tools, night vision systems and intelligent speed adaptations. Phil Blythe explains: “For many older people, particularly those living alone or in the country, driving is important for preserving their independence, giving them the freedom to get out and about without having to rely on othe rs.”"But we all have to accept that as we get older our reactions slow down and this often results in people avoiding any potentially challenging driving conditions and losing confidence in their driving skills. The result is that people stop driving before they really need to."Dr Amy Guo, the leading researcher on the older driver study, explains, "The Drive LAB is helping us to understand what the key points and difficulties are for older drivers and how we might use technology to address these problems."For example, most of us would expect older drivers always go slower than everyone else but surprisingly, we found that in 30mph zones they struggled to keep at a constant speed and so were more likely to break the speed limit and be at risk of getting f ined. We’re looking at the benefits of systems which control their speed as a way of preventing that."We hope that our work will help with technological solutions(解决方案) to ensure that older drivers stay safer behind the wheel.”1.What is the purpose of the Drive LAB?A.To explore new means of transport.B.To design new types of cars.C.To find out older driver's problems.D.To teach people traffic rules.2.Why is driving important for older people according to Phil Blythe?A.It keeps them independent.B.It helps them save time.C.It builds up their strength.D.It cures their mental illnesses.3.What do researchers hope to do for older drivers?A.Improve their driving skills.B.Develop driver-assist technologies.C.Provide tips on repairing their cars.anize regular physical checkups.4.What is the best title for the text?A.A new Model Electric CarB.A Solution to Traffic ProblemsC.Driving Services for EldersD.Keeping Older Drivers on the Road7、Many Android and iPhone owners use Google services on their mobile phones or tablets. One of the most widely used location(位置)services is Google Maps. When someone uses Google Maps, information about times and locations are recorded and stored.Google also uses tracking tools with other services. Weather apps, for example,are designed to identify a user's location to provide local weather information. Even some Google Internet searches can result in the collection of information about exactly where a person was when the search was made.Google says it collects the data to improve users' localized experiences. But such practices have also raised privacy concerns. Privacy activists have called on Google and other major technology companies to make it easier for users to turn off location services if they do not want to be tracked. In some ways, Google is clear about asking permission to use location information. For instance, Google Maps will seek approval from a user to give the app access to locations. If a user agrees to let Google collect location information over time, Google Maps will show this history in a "timeline" that shows the personas daily movements.Google also has a "Location Historysetting. The company says any user can turn off Location History at any time. And when Location History is turned off for a users account, it is turned off for all equipment linked to that Google account. But the AP (Associated Press) foundthis does not appear to be true, finding that Google continued to save location history even if a user had turned off Location History.Google states users can stop the saving of all location markers by turning off another setting, however, which is not clearly identified as being connected to location tracking. The setting is called "Web and App Activityn". It stores different kinds of information from Google apps and websites to a users Google account.1.Why does the author mention Weather apps?A.To stress Google sendees are widely used.B.To show many apps can track a users location.C.To prove Google collects users' data illegally.D.To advise people to stop using them.2.What is the voice from the privacy activists?ers should use the Internet less.B.Google should stop tracking users.C.Google should respect users' privacy.D.Google should turn off location services.3.What does the author indicate in paragraph 4?A.The Location History setting is difficult to find.B.The AP asks Google to remove Location History.C.Turning off Location History can avoid being tracked.D.What Google announces is hardly consistent with the fact.4.Which can best summarize the passage?A.Google still tracks you with Location History off.ing Google puts you into a dangerous state.C.Google services urgently need to get improved.D.Web and App Activity has endangered peopled life.8、Riding on an exercise bike at home may keep you in physical shape, but it can get pretty boring after a while. Aaron Puzey had been on his exercise bike for half an hour a day for years when he decided to look for a way to make it a bit more fun.With virtual reality technology widely available nowadays, all he needed to do was find a way of applying it to his needs. So he set out to build an app for the Samsung Galaxy Gear VR headset(头戴式视图器) which would allow him to hook it up to Google Street view and make it seem like he's cycling through different real-life locations.Building the app to download the 3D data from Street View and make it viewable in the VR headset was the toughest part of his project. Other than that, all he needed to do was tape a Bluetooth monitor to his exercise bike. Although the quality of the images sometimes leaves a lot to be desired, leaving complex scenes like trees looking like a mess, Aaron has been having a lot of fun on his journey.Aaron's project is obviously no substitute(替代品) for real outdoor cycling as it lacks things like the wind blowing in your face or the pain of battling an uphill climb, but it has given him a goal, as well as the chance to take in the beauty of places he might have otherwise never seen. It definitely beats staring at a wall or at the TV for 30 minutes, anyway.Obviously, Aaron's set up the officially allows him to ride a bike anywhere around the world. He says he has always wanted to see Japan, so once his ride comes to an end, he plans to start another one across the Land of the Rising Sun.1.Why did Aaron Puzey build the app?A.To invent a new kind of bicycleB.To participate in a competition.C.To satisfy the needs of the public.D.To add fun to his exercise bike routine2.Which of the following can best describe Aaron Puxey?A.Creative.B.Ambitious.C.Funny.D.Boring.3.What was the challenge for Puzey in his project?A.Changing the 3D data into pictures.B.Downloading the software from the Internet.C.Making the 3D data viewable in the headset.D.Taping a Bluetooth monitor lo his exercise bike.4.What might be the best title for the text?A.Cycling Across the World at HomeB.The Lazy Man and His Crazy IdeaC.A New Way of Cycling Without EffortD.A Substitute for Real Outdoor Cycling9、Many shopping malls now have special areas that offer shoppers their first chance to experience "VR technology". You may have entered one out of curiosity,or you may think it is just another piece of useless technology. Whatever your opinion,VR,or virtual (虚拟的)reality, is going to become a big part of our lives very soon.2016 saw the introduction of many fancy products in the world of VR,including Microsoft’s HoloLens and Samsung’s Gear VR. All of them offer an exciting look at the new realities and opportunities that VR brings. These,however, are the early days of a technology that is expected to go from strength to strength. And 2017 looks like it is going to be the year in which VR technology really takes off.For a start, using VR will become more normal in 2017. Microsoft and Intel have already discussed their plans for simpler and less expensive VR headsets."The idea of VR will stop being a sci-fi (science fiction) idea, and instead it will turn into an industry of real products used as ways to show off imagination, " said Andrew, a designer at US VR company, Survios. It is also expected that VR products will play a part in more common and real-life fields like fashion and film. For example, to enjoy the atmosphere and energy of the front row experience at a fashion show,fans will no longer have to go along in the flesh. Instead people will be able to enjoy the experience by just wearing a VR headset at home.You can also expect VR mirrors and fitting rooms sooner rather than later. "This is an especially good opportunity for brands looking to offer very personalized experiences," said Roy De Young from US-based marketing agency, PMX.1.Why do many shopping malls have areas for VR experiences?A.To collect shoppers5 opinions.B.To meet the demands of shoppers.C.To entertain shoppers with new technology.D.To introduce the new technology to shoppers.2.What does the underlined phrase "in the flesh" mean?A.in timeB.in personC.in lineD.in order3.What can we know about VR products from the passage?A.They are not expensive at present.B.They won’t be accepted for many years.C.They will meet more personal demands.D.They are being used almost everywhere.4.What may be the best title for the passage?A.VR Meets Our Life GoalB.VR Mirrors Are ComingC.VR Takes Over FashionD.VR Is Becoming Real10、We all know that Apple iPad is designed mainly for business people. But besides business people there are many other people who are interested in getting one. Students are veryinterested in the latest technology. So you cannot keep Apple iPad away from students.The question is: Should they buy an Apple iPad?Apple iPad has many features that would work for students, which means that students do not have to carry books for reference. They can use e-books because Apple iPad has a big screen that makes reading a pleasure. You can even write on iPad. So it works as an all-in-one tool that is so light that it can be put in any backpack. The battery life of Apple iPad is around 10 hours, which is clearly a good point for students. The touch screen is big and iPad does not create any noise while it is working. In a word, Apple iPad does have some features that would do good to students.However, students might have to slow down their work because Apple iPad struggles when it comes to doing many tasks at the same time. It would create a problem if the student has to take down notes quickly while the iPad does not allow him/her to work well. Another thing that students might not be happy with is that there is no keyboard.Though iPad has an on-screen keyboard, it might not be as useful as a real keyboard. Apple iPad has no USB port(端口)or SD card slot (插卡槽), which means students will not be able to share information quickly among themselves.Therefore, I don’t think it’s necessary for students to buy an iPad. It may n ot work as well as they expect. They can buy a netbook for their study. It would work better for them.1.What is the author mainly talking about?A.Who should buy an Apple iPad.B.What an Apple iPad can do for students.C.Whether Apple iPad can attract students.D.Whether students should buy an Apple iPad.2.According to the author, Apple iPad is mainly designed for_______.A.people who are in the business worldB.people who like reading books onlineC.students who hate taking books for referenceD.people who are interested in the latest technology3.While using Apple iPad, students________.A.can take down notes quicklyB.shouldn't use a real keyboardC.can’t put SD cards into itD.can share information quickly with others11、NASA might be famous for sending rockets up to space quickly. But it will be more famous for making your next holiday come more quickly.The space agency is working on a new plane, which could solve the problems of supersonic(超音速的) flight and vastly increase the speed of journeys abroad. If successful, the plane would be able to fly between New York and London in just three hours. And it would reduce the time spent flying other journeys by a half, since it could be used more broadly. Until now, the problem with such planes has been the sonic boom(声爆), made famous by the original Concorde. That happens when a plane reaches supersonic speeds.It is a thunderous noise that upsets people on the ground---- disturbing animals and even causing physical problems to materials and houses underneath. It was that effect that led Congress to ban such planes from being used over the US land, a decision that in turn was responsible for Concorde’s failing to be commercially used.In view of the problem, the space agency has developed a new technology and tried it out in wind tunnels, and now believes that it could be put to commercial use. That plane will fly as high as 55,000 feet---- far higher than normal planes---and make a sound of only 60 decibels. That’s far less than 90 decibels thrown out by normal planes, and is roughly in line with a car on the motorway or a busy restaurant.“As long as we can get endorsement from the general public, the plane will probably be something that’s acceptable,” said Peter Coen, project manager for NASA’s commercial supersonic research team, in a new Bloomberg report. “If we get approved, we will have thefull-sized version of the plane tried out and the plane will be put into use.”1.Why does the author mention Concorde?A.To suggest the rapid development of planes.B.To stress the negative effect of sonic booms.C.To introduce how a commercial plane is designed.D.To show Congress’ important role in making planes.2.What is the fourth paragraph mainly about?A.The basic data of the new plane.B.The working principle of the new plane.C.The problems of the new plane.。
