In a computer age, a broadband Internet connection is very popular now.Whether cable or mobile broadband, today's connections are many times faster than those in the early days.Videos play smoothly, complex websites load quickly, and files download much faster than ten years ago. And the files are much bigger too.

There's a hidden problem：you have to live near enough to a major city to get broadband Internet. If you don't, it's slow dialup access for you. And for those living really far away，there may be no Internet access at all.

Technology experts often talk about the “last mile” problem, which refers to the difficulty of bringing Internet access to remote locations. In cities and suburbs(郊区), it's relatively easy to provide access for everyone. It is much more difficult to deliver access to those living far from cities，especially in developing countries. Internet service providers，for their part，have been reluctant to provide access to sparsely (稀疏地) populated areas. The handful of Internet users they would reach wouldn't cover the expense.

But every year，technological advancements allow of more and more Internet users.Most broadband connections today run over existing cable TV and telephone lines although these technologies aren't available everywhere.

Some companies have delivered the Internet over standard power lines.Advancements in cheaper and more efficient fiberoptic cables(光缆)promise to bring extremely fast Internet connections to more users.Still, the “last mile” problem remains hard to deal with.There will always be somewhere that doesn't have an affordable broadband connection. But someday that might not matter. If span>the rapid progress in cellphone technology has any indication, it may not be too long before an Internet connection simply follows you wherever you go.

【1】Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A．Internet connections have been popular everywhere.

B．Internet service providers are willing to care about rural customers.

C．The problem of Internet access hasn't been completely dealt with.

D．Computers can't become popular in developing countries.

【2】Paragraph 4 mainly tells us that technological advancements ________.

A．make TV and telephone available everywhere

B．bring great change to people's everyday life

C．bring faster Internet connections to users

D．make it possible for more people to use the Internet

【3】What may eventually settle the “last mile” problem?

A．The broadband connection's getting faster.

B．The rapid progress in cellphone technology.

C．More and more Internet connections.

D．More and more Internet users.

【4】The best title for this passage may be “________”．

A．Internet Connection Problems

B．Internet Connections Need Improving

C．Progress in Internet Connections

D．Internet Connections Today

Since the 1970s, scientists have been searching for ways to link the brain with computers.Braincomputer interface (BCI) technology could help people with disabilities send commands to machines.

Recently, two researchers, Jose Millan and Michele Tavella from the Federal Polytechnic School in Lausanne, Switzerland, demonstrated(展示) a small robotic wheelchair directed by a person's thoughts.

In the laboratory, Tavella operated the wheelchair just by thinking about moving his left or right hand. He could even talk as he watched the vehicle and guided it with his thoughts.

“Our brain has billions of nerve cells. These send signals through the spinal cord(脊髓) to the muscles to give us the ability to move. But spinal cord injuries or other conditions can prevent these weak electrical signals from reaching the muscles.” Tavella says. “Our system allows disabled people to communicate with external world and also to control devices.”

The researchers designed a special cap for the user. This head cover picks up the signals from the scalp(头皮) and sends them to a computer. The computer interprets the signals and commands the motorized wheelchair.The wheelchair also has two cameras that identify objects in its path. They help the computer react to commands from the brain.

Prof. Millan, the team leader, says scientists keep improving the computer software that interprets brain signals and turns them into simple commands. “The practical possibilities that BCI technology offers to disabled people can be grouped in two categories：communication，and controlling devices.One example is this wheelchair.”

He says his team has set two goals. One is testing with real patients, so as to prove that this is a technology they can benefit from.And the other is to guarantee that they can use the technology over long periods of time.

【1】How did Tavella operate the wheelchair in the laboratory?

A．By controlling his muscles.

B．By talking to the machine.

C．By moving his hand.

D．By using his mind.

【2】Which of the following shows the path of the signals described in Paragraph 5?

A．scalp→computer→cap→wheelchair

B．computer→cap→scalp→wheelchair

C．scalp→cap→computer→wheelchair

D．cap→computer→scalp→wheelchair

【3】The team will test with real patients to________.

A．make profits from them

B．prove the technology useful to them

C．make them live longer

D．learn about their physical condition

【4】Which of the following would be the best title for the text?

A．Switzerland, the BCI Research Center

B．New Findings about How the Human Brain Works

C．BCI Could Mean More Freedom for the Disabled

D．Robotic Vehicles Could Help to Cure Brain Injuries

While astronauts in space get to do many exciting things, they miss out on ordinary things that we all take for granted—being able to walk on firm ground, hanging out with family and digging into a slice of hot steaming pizza. Though not much can be done about the first two things, there may soon be a solution to the third one, thanks to this cool 3D pizza printer!

About a year ago, NASA offered $125,000 to Anjan Contractor, a 3D technology expert，to build a device(设备) that would allow astronauts to make pizza on demand. The mechanical engineer promised that his invention would produce pies in large quantities that looked, tasted and even smelled like pizza made in common ovens.

Late last year, the engineer presented a video of his first prototype(原型) that begins by creating a single slice of dough(面团) that is cooked and printed at the same time. Then comes the tomato “sauce”—a mix of tomato powder, oil and water and finally, a protein slice that resembles cheese. While the video doesn't show the baking process, the inventor says that once the pizza is printed, it can be ready to be consumed in 7 seconds.

While the pie in the video looks delicious enough to attract any pizza lover, Anjan Contractor is far from ready for astronauts. That's because he still has to find a solution to make the food container in the printer last for 30 years. Though that may sound unrealistic, actually it is not.

Anjan Contractor believes that the only way thatis possible is that the water is removed from all the ingredients (配料) and then they are reduced to the powder form. This, as you can imagine, will not be so easy.But, while the printer may not be ready for space, it certainly looks ready enough for people on earth.Hopefully, NASA and Contractor will consider selling it to those not fortunate enough to go to Mars!

【1】Why does the author mention the things that astronauts in space cannot do?

A．To ask us not to take common things for granted.

B．To show they live a difficult life there.

C．To show their life is boring in space.

D．To introduce the topic of the text.

【2】NASA offered $125,000 to Anjan Contractor mainly to ________.

A．create some new type of 3D printer

B．attract more companies to work for NASA

C．help astronauts in space enjoy fresh pizza one day

D．produce pizza in large quantities to earn great profits

【3】The biggest challenge that Anjan Contractor is faced with now is probably that ________.

A．he has no money left to go on with his research

B．the pizza doesn't seem appetizing to pizza lovers

C．he has no way to make pizza that can last forthirty years

D．he cannot make the food container last for decades

【4】What's the best title of the passage?

A．NASA is trying its best to help astronauts eat better

B．Astronauts may soon be able to enjoy steaming hot pizza

C．NASA is working on making pizza for common people

D．A 3D pizza printer has been used to make pizza

Visit SeaWorld

There are sea life shows, adventure camps，thrilling rides and a water park. A great many activities are waiting for you at SeaWorld.

Windsurf (风帆冲浪) at South Padre

With miles of shallow (浅的)，calm water in the Lower Laguna Madre and strong winds conning off the Gulf of Mexico, South Padre Island is a windsurfer’s dream.

Swim at Barton Springs

Barton Springs is in the famous Zilker Park. It was formed when Barton Creek was built. Since its opening, Barton Springs has become one of the most popular swimming pools in the state.

Take part in an outdoor adventure

In the scenic Texas Hill Country, Lake Buchanan Adventures offers different kinds of activities, including boating, hiking, camping and more.

Camp and hike in Big Bend Park

Big Bend offers a great number of outdoor activities in an old way. Backpacking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, hiking, nature watching and camping — you name it. If it can be done outdoors, it can be done in Big Bend.

Enjoy saltwater fishing

Saltwater fishing in Texas is as good as anywhere else in the USA. More and more fishermen have been discovering this in recent years and packing their bags and rods (鱼竿）to make good use of Texas’ world-class saltwater fishery.

【1】The underlined phrase “the Lone Star State” in Paragraph 1 is another name for ________.

A. Texas B. San Antonio

C. South Padre D. Gulf of Mexico

【2】When you visit SeaWorld, you can enjoy the following EXCEPT ________.

A. sea life shows B. adventure camps

C. climbing D. exciting rides

【3】Where can you go if you want your windsurfing dream to come true?

A. San Antonio. B. South Padre.

C. Barton Springs. D. Texas Hill Country.

【4】From the passage you know that________ .

A. Barton Springs is the most popular in the USA

B. Lake Buchanan Adventures offers indoor activities

C. fishermen may get the best saltwater fish when fishing in Texas

D. Big Bend provides outdoor activities in an ancient way

Contrary to people's previous knowledge, it's food shortage not dietary preference that motivates birds to migrate thousands of miles back and forth between breeding and nonbreeding areas each year, a new research shows.

“It's not whether you eat insects，fruits or candy bars or where you eat them that counts，but how reliable that daytoday food source is，” said the study leader W．Alice Boyle of the University of Arizona.

To figure out the underlying pressure that drives some birds to leave home for the season，Boyle examined 379 related species of New World flycatchers(捕蝇鸟) and compared their sizes，food types, habitats, migratory behaviors and whether or not they fed in flocks.

To compare the birds，the researchers constructed a “supertree” showing the exact evolutionary relationships among different species.

A computer analysis then determined whether a particular species was migratory because it ran in the “family” or whether something in the bird's environment was forcing it to leave each season.Boyle and her colleagues found that food shortage was the number one issue that predicted a species' migratory behavior. “Food availability is the underlying pressure, not diet and habitat，” Boyle said.

An alternative strategy that the birds use to handle food shortage is to hunt in flocks, since a group is more likely to find a new source of food than an individual.

“If you suffer from food shortage, you have two options，” Boyle said.“You can either hunt with other birds or you can migrate.”

【1】Birds were thought to migrate in order to ________.

A．seek their favorite food ina new place

B．avoid being constantly hunted

C．breed more young in a new place

D．adjust themselves to the changes of weather

【2】What is Paragraphs 3 and 4 mainly about?

A．The aim of the research.

B．The basis of the research.

C．The process of the research.

D．The findings of the research.

【3】The passage implies that ________.

A．the birds' food sources are getting rare in the world

B．the living surroundings are severe for birds

C．birds search for food separately

D．birds can survive only by hunting in flocks

【4】For what purpose does the author write the text?

A．Educating readers.

B．Informing readers.

C．Drawing people's attention.

D．Condemning the bad environment.

【1】We need friends ________.

A. because we must play with them

B. Because we must work with them

C. when we play and when we work

D. when we talk with them

【2】If we want to make friends, we should ________.

A. be politely to them

B. be friendly to them

C. be afraid of them

D. when we talk with them

【3】A friendly person is ________ other people.

A. interested in B. worried about

C. surprised at D. like them

【4】If we want to make friends with a new classmate, ________.

A. we can talk with them

B. we must try to help him

C. we can tell him about the other classmates in our class

D. A、B and C

【5】Which of the following is true?

A. No one needs friends. B. Everyone needs friends.

C. Only classmates need friends. D. Someone needs friends.

【1】Mr Smith made tests with __________.

A. different animals B. the monkey only

C. all the monkeys D. all of the cleverest animals

【2】There was some food in _______ of the small boxes.

A. some B. none

C. one D. each

【3】Mr Smith put a monkey and some boxes in a room because he wanted to know___________.

A. how much food monkey could find

B. how many boxes the monkey could carry

C. how long it would take the monkey to put its eye to the keyhole

D. how long it would take the monkey to find the food

【4】What was the monkey doing when Mr Smith was putting his eye to the keyhole?

A. The monkey was eating food.

B. The monkey was looking for food.

C. The monkey was eating on the other side of the door.

D. The monkey was looking at Mr Smith through the keyhole.

【5】Mr Smith is a ________.

A. teacher B. scientist (科学家)

C. doctor D. farm worker

增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（︿），并在其下面写出该加的词。

删除：把多余的的词用斜线（＼）划掉。

修改：在错的词下面划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。

注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词。

2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。

Today we had a chemistry test. I found the test difficulty, but I tried hardly to do it. Suddenly, my best friend Mary asking me to let her to copy my answers. After think for some time, I let her copy my answers. But after the test, all of us were called to the teacher’s office. The teacher was angry because we had same answers in the tests. We were warned not to cheat again so she would need to see our parents. I was very upset. I was just helping a friend. Why does she punish me?

All over the world mothers and fathers teach their children manners. Other children may have manners that are not like yours. There are all kinds of manners.

Many years ago, children who had good manners were seen and not heard. They kept quite quiet if grownups were talking. Today, wellmannered children have more freedom.

Sometimes good manners in one place are bad manners in other places.

Suppose you are a visitor in the land of Mongolia. Some friends ask you to eat with them. What kind of manners do they want you to have? They want you to give a loud “burp(打嗝)” after you finish eating. Burping would show that you like your food.

In some countries, if you give a loud burp, you are told to say, “Excuse me, please.”

In many places people like to eat together. But in some parts of Polynesia it is bad manners to be seen eating together.People show good manners by turning their backs to others while they eat.

What are manners like in an East African town? People try not to see you.They are being polite.You may see a friend. He may not see you at all.If you are polite, you will sit down beside him.You will wait until he finishes what he is doing. Then he will talk to you.

Suppose you visit a friend in Arabia.You should walk behind the other tents until you come to his tent. If you pass in front of the other tents, you will be asked into each one.People will ask you to eat with them. And it is bad manners if you say no.

Manners are different all over the world. But it is good to know that all manners begin in the same way. People need ways to show that they want to be friends.

【1】People turn their backs to others while they eat in some places in ________.

A．Mongolia B．an East African town

C．Polynesia D．Arabia

【2】In an East African town, people try not to see you.This is because ________.

A．they are not your friends

B．they don't want to talk with you

C．it is good manners

D．they are waiting for you to talk with them

【3】Sometimes good manners in one place are bad manners in other places.Which should be a supporting paragraph to the idea?

A．The first one. B．The second one.

C．The sixth one. D．The third one.

【4】The best title of the passage should be “________”．

A．Some bad manners

B．Different kinds of manners

C．The importance of manners

D．Some good manners

增加：在缺词处加一个漏词符号(∧)，并在其下面写出该加的词。

删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。

修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。

【1】You must keep us informing of how things are going here._____________

【2】In no case you can jump from the top of the high building, which is very dangerous.___________

【3】The annual income of school teachers in this place was assessed with $900._____________

【4】Do depend on that Chinese football will make us proud someday.__________

【5】The people wanted to accuse him stealing their purses._____________