2021届上海市向明中学高三上学期期中考试英语试卷(word版) 听力
2020学年第一学期向明中学期中考高三年级英语试卷（完卷时间：120分钟满分：140分）命题人：冯梅陈其嘉审题人：高蕾第I卷（共100分）I．Listening （第1-10题, 每题1分；第11-20题，每题1.5分；共25分）Section ADirections:In Section A, you will hear ten short conversations between two speakers. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. The conversations and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a conversation and the question about it, read the four possible answers on your paper, and decide which one is the best answer to the question you have heard.1. A. A teacher . B. A student. C. A lawyer. D. A friend.2. A. In a post office. B. On a campus. C. In a hotel. D. At the airport.3. A. 2,000 yuan. B. 3,200 yuan. C. 1,200 yuan. D. 3,600 yuan.4. A. Listening to some loud music. B. Testing the earphone.C. Talking loudly on the phone.D. Preparing for the speech contest.5. A. Pick up his son from school. B. Meet the woman in her office.C. Work on a report.D. Prepare dinner for his son.6. A. The woman will take two more outfits to the reception.B. There are too many guests in the reception.C. The woman is more considerate than the man.D. It is wiser to follow the routine.7. A. She will not take any medicine. B. She hasn’t g ot a bad cold.C. She will take some medicine in a week.D. She will take some medicine at once.8. A. Trying to draw a map. B. Painting the dining room.C. Discussing a house plan.D. Cleaning the kitchen.9. A. He has an ear problem. B. He never listens.C. He has never missed a meeting.D. He has something important to do.10. A. The man regrets being absent-minded.B. The woman saved the man some trouble.C. The man placed the reading list on a desk.D. The woman emptied the waste paper basket.Section BDirections: In Section B, you will hear two short passages and one longer conversation, and you will be asked three questions on each of the conversation and the passages. The conversation and the passages will be read twice, but the questions will be spoken only once. When you hear a question, read the four possible answers on your paper and decide which one would be the best answer to the question you have heard.Questions 11 through 13 are based on the following passage.11. A. Art history class is taught in the lecture hall.B. Mentally disabled children are taught outside the classroom.C. Professors teach through real-world experiences.D. Students appreciate classroom learning.12. A. To praise the professor. B. To support his point of view.C. To praise his friend.D. To advise us to study psychology.13. A. Learning through firsthand experience is important.B. Students learn a lot from textbooks.C. Students develop their creativity through textbooks.D. She get firsthand information from textbooks.Questions 14 through 16 are based on the following introduction.14. A. Send alarm if there are drugs inside.B. Show the weight and location.C. Follow the owner everywhere.D. Avoid obstacles in its path.15. A. By using its cameras to report the location.B. By getting connected with GPS devices.C. By following its owner everywhere closely.D. By pairing with its owner’s cell phone via Bluetooth.16. A. Psychologically disabled people. B. People who are old or weak.C. People returning from a journey.D. People going to the supermarket.Questions 17 through 20 are based on the following longer conversation.17. A. A biologist. B. A psychologist.C. An artist.D. A reporter.18. A. Talents play a role in children’s overall development.B. Typical parental involvement is not as important as we thought in children’s intellectual development.C. Arts training will improve children’s pe rformance in other subjects.D. Children need to be assigned to different groups according to their ability.19. A. Its subjects are young children.B. It shows what skill is essential to math.C. It illustrates why abstract reasoning is important.D. Its results help explain why parents turn to arts education.20. A. By helping activate children’s brain.B. By helping raise educator’s awareness.C. By helping children learn how to learn.D. By helping scientists find a rich environment.II. Grammar and Vocabulary（第21题–第30题，每题1分；第31题–第40题，每题1分；共20分）Section ADirections: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passages coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.India’s f ibre broadband market to be developedIndia's fibre broadband is an underserved market, and further efforts are needed to help operators gain 'wallet share' among top-end of consumption class, in turn, 21 (support) converged offerings, according to a report. India's wireline broadband market is seeing a pickup 22 one million new connections in year to date.The report noted that among the operators, Reliance Jio added 23 (high) new subscribers to reach nearly 1.2 million and Bharti Airtel is the largest private operator with 2.5 million users.So far Jio, it observed, 24 (introduce) lower price entry plans, Bharti Airtel has followed and both now offer unlimited data."India's fibre broadband has a huge potential market and invites 25 (renew) efforts. Gaining wallet share among top-end of India's consumption class ____26___ support converged offerings," it said. (Wallet share or share of wallet is a marketing term which 27 (use) to denote portion of customer's spend on a particular item, or service. )The addition this year so far, is higher than cumulative 0.9 million subscriber addition over FY17-20, according to the report 28 further pointed that India wireline broadband market had stagnated at mere 0.3 million annual adds over past three years."Within wireline broadband, 29 share of fibre is growing faster, it is limited at 15 per cent/3 million of the total, and overall broadband penetration is still abysmal at 7 per cent of all-India households," it said.It is estimated, according to the report, 30 India's wireline broadband market is USD 2 billion which is 10 per cent under the current USD 22 billion annual revenues of India mobile market and "heavily underserved".Section BDirections: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.Coronavirus spending pushes U.S. 2020 fiscal year deficit (赤字) to record $3.132 trillion The U.S. budget deficit hit a record $3.132 trillion during fiscal 2020, more than triple the 2019 shortfall due to massive coronavirus rescue spending, the U.S. Treasury said on Friday.The deficit more than doubled the previous record of $1.416 trillion in fiscal 2009, when the United States _____31____ a financial crisis.At the start of the 2020 fiscal year ended Sept. 30, the U.S. government had been ____32______ to rack up a $1 trillion deficit before coronavirus lockdowns began in March, shutting down large ____33______ of the travel, retail and small business sectors of the economy.Outlays for fiscal 2020 jumped $2.105 trillion from 2019 to a total of $6.55 trillion, with the increase made up almost ____34____ from coronavirus aid programs: increased healthcare costs, stimulus checks and unemployment ____35_____, along with the cost of small business and corporate rescue programs ____36____ by Congress.As a result of programs that kept paychecks flowing to laid off workers through September, receipts for the full year fell only about 1% or $43 billion from fiscal 2019, totaling $3.42 trillion.The final fiscal 2020 deficit numbers come as the Trump administration and Congress have been unable to agree on a new round of coronavirus ____37_____, with many Senate Republicans calling for fiscal _____38____ in another package.A joint statement from the U.S. Treasury and the White House Office of Management and Budget ____39_____ an "incredible comeback" of economic activities as businesses reopened over the summer months."The administration remains fully _____40_____ to supporting American workers, families, and businesses and to ensuring that our robust economic rebound continues," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said.In September, the year's final month, the U.S. budget deficit was $125 billion, compared with an $83 billion surplus in September 2019, the Treasury said.III. Reading Comprehension (第41 – 55题，每题1分；第56 – 70题，每题2分；共45分)Section ADirections: For each blank in the following passage, there are four words or phrases marked A, B, C and D. Fill in each blank with the word or phrase that best fits the context.Electric vehicle basicsJust as there are a variety of technologies available in conventional vehicles, plug-in electric vehicles (also known as electric cars or EVs) have different capabilities that can____41_____different drivers’ needs.A major ___42___ of EVs is that drivers can plug them in to charge from an off-board electric power source. This distinguishes them from hybrid electric vehicles, which___43___ an internal combustion engine with battery power but cannot be plugged in.There are two basic types of EVs: all-electric vehicles (AEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). AEVs include Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs). ___44____ charging from the electrical grid, both types are charged in part by ___45____ braking, which generates electricity from some of the energy normally___46____ when braking. Which type of vehicle will fit your lifestyle ___47___ your needs and driving habits.All-electric vehicles (AEVs) run only on electricity. Most have all-electric ranges of 80 to 100 miles, ___48___ a few luxury models have ranges up to 250 miles. When the battery is ___49___, it can take from 30 minutes (with fast charging) up to nearly a full day (with Level 1 charging) to recharge it, depending on the type of charger and battery.If this range is not ___50____, a plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV) may be a better choice. PHEVs run on electricity for shorter ranges (6 to 40 miles), then ___51____ over to an internal combustion engine running on gasoline when the battery is depleted. The __52__ of PHEVs allows drivers to use electricity as often as possible while also being able to fuel up with gasoline if needed. Apart from reducing tailpipe emissions, powering the vehicle with electricity from the grid, compared with conventional vehicles, __53___ fuel costs. When driving distances are longer than the all-electric range, PHEVs act like hybrid electric vehicles, consuming less fuel and producing fewer emissions than similar conventional vehicles. Depending on the model, the internal combustion engine may also power the vehicle at other times, such as during rapid acceleration or when using heating or air conditioning. PHEVs could also use hydrogen in a fuel cell, biofuels, or other alternative fuels as a back-up ___54____ gasoline.Following some best practices can help you ___55____ your all-electric range and vehicle efficiency whether you have an AEV or PHEV.41.A. determine B. accommodate C. guarantee D. specify42. A. species B. recommendation C. feature D. outlook43. A. compare B. supplement C. compete D. offer44. A. in addition to B. except for C. rather than D. in spite of45. A. modern B. economical C. particular D. regenerative46. A. lost B. produced C. invented D. demonstrated47. A. reflects on B. depends on C. gets rid of D. results from48. A. because B. therefore C. otherwise D. while49. A. charged B. operated C. exhausted D. regulated50. A. conventional B. stable C. sufficient D. productive51. A. promote B. switch C. replace D. exploit52. A.flexibility B. innovation C. inspiration D. dominance53. A. increases B. deposits C. compensates D. reduces54. A. as well as B. more than C. except for D.instead of55. A.maximize B. shrink C. expand D. minimizeSection BDirections: Read the following three passages. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage you have read.（A）A woman standing over six feet tall and weighing about 200 pounds is bound tomake an impression. Bu t in Mary Fields’ case, these features were outmatched by aheart of gold that made her legendary.Born into slavery in Tennessee in 1832 or 1833, Mary had nothing, not even a dateof birth. However, in her early years, she found something of truly lasting value—afriend named Dolly. In addition to friendship, Dolly also may have taught Mary to readand write, an invaluable advantage for slaves. At the end of America’s Civil War, Mary finally received her freedom and made her own way out into the world.Mary was employed on a steamboat as a maid when she received word from Dolly, now a nun (修女) in Ohio called Mother Amadeus. Mary arrived in Ohio in 1878 and worked at Amadeus’ girls’ school, managing the kitchen and garden. She became known as a gun-carrying, cigar-smoking woman, but also as an example of kindness and reliability. After a few years, though, Amadeus was sent to another school out West in Montana, becoming the first black woman to settle in central Montana.When Mary was in her 50s, a sick Mother Amadeus called her West. So Mary made her way to the small town of Cascade, Montana, to nurse Amadeus to health. She did this and more, running supplies and visitors to St. Peter’s Mission where Amadeus lived. Once when her wagon (四轮马车) overturned, she guarded the delivery from wolves through the night.But Mary’s rough edges caused the local bishop(主教) to prohibit her from working at the mission. Mother Amadeus then set her up as the first African-American female employee of the U.S. Postal Service. Tho ugh in her 60s, Mary was such a dependable mail carrier that she earned the name “Stagecoach” Mary. She became a beloved figure in Cascade. She was the only woman allowed in the saloon(酒馆), was the baseball team’s biggest fan and was given free meals in t he town hotel.Nearly 70, Mary quit delivering the mail but remained in Cascade. The town’s school closed to celebrate her unknown birthday twice a year. When she passed away in 1914, a simple cross was placed to mark her grave and her legend in the Wild West.56. What about Mary Fields impressed people most?A. Her tall and fat figure.B. Her reputation as an educated slave.C. Her friendliness and responsibility.D. Her habit of carrying a gun and smoking.57. Which of the following shows Mary’s life experience in the order of time?①Mary began to deliver mail in Cascade.②Mary worked in a school in Montana.③Mary was taught to read and write.④Mary took care of sick Amadeus.⑤Mary worked on a steamed boat.A. ⑤①③②④B. ⑤④②①③C. ②④⑤③①D. ③⑤②④①58. Mary became a mail carrier because _____.A. people in Cascade loved herB. she once worked at St. Peter’s M issionC. Mother Amadeus recommended herD. the US Postal Service needed a female employee59. In the last paragraph, “her legend” most probably refers to _____.A. her high social statusB. her unusual life as a pioneerC. her friendship with Amadeus.D. her role in the liberation of slaves（B）Where to DrinkCafe San BernardoJoin table-tennis and pool-playing port. Cafe San Bernardo has been running since 1912.The Villa Crespo dive bar also offers up table football for￡4 an hour. Service is efficient; with last orders at 5 am. The daily happy hour between 6 pm and 9 pm includes 60 minutes playing your game of choice, plus a half-bottle of red wine and a corn pie, for￡9.●Avenue Corrientes 5436, Villa Crespo, 5411 4855 3956, cafesanbernardo. comM Salumeria & EnotecaTrading only in wine with a story, sommelier (侍酒师）Mariana Torta chooses new ways on a daily basis, and keeps a list of around 250 labels. There's no wine menu—simply take your bottle from the shelf.●Open 11:00am-11:30pm, El Salvador 5777, Palermo Hollywood, 5411 4778 9016, on FacebookNegro Cueva de CafeCoffee has found its place in Buenos Aires. While LAB: Tostadores, The Shelter and Coffee Town are famous new places, Negro Cueva de Cafe is one of the best downtown. It serves Ecuadorian, Colombian and Brazilian beans and its attracting cakes include croissant.●Open 9:30 am—7:00 pm, Suipacha 637, Microcentro, 5411 4322 3000, negrocuevade-cafe. comLa CalleHead to the Niceto Vega address and you’ll be faced with a pizza. Don't worry, it’s the right place. La Guitarrita is the front to “hidden” bar La Calle. Order the house cocktail, special candy, and prepare to sing until dawn with a high-energy young crowd.●Open 8:00 pm—2:00 am, Niceto Vega 4942, Palermo Soho, 5411 3914 1972, on Facebook60. Which number should you call if you are an addict of Columbian coffee flavour?A. 5411 4855 3956.B. 5411 4778 9016.C. 5411 4322 3000.D. 5411 3914 1972.61. What makes La Calle different?A. Its allowing you to play games.B. Its having no wine menu.C. Its opening for the longest time.D. Its having special candy.62. The author's purpose in writing the passage is _____.A. to show wine cultureB. to introduce some wine bars and cafesC. to help people choose drinksD. to show how to enjoy yourself（C）According to the majority of Americans, women are every bit as capable of being good political leaders as men. The same can be said of their ability to dominate the corporate boardroom. And according to a new Pew Research Center survey on women and leadership, most Americans find women indistinguishable from men on key leadership traits such as intelligence and capacity for innovation, with many saying they're stronger than men in terms of being passionate and organized leaders.So why, then, are women in short supply at the top of government and business in the United States? According to the public, at least, it's not that they lack toughness, management talent or proper sk ill sets. It’s also not all about work-life balance. Although economic research and previous survey findings have shown that career interruptions related to motherhood may make it harder for women to advance in their careers and compete for top executive jobs, relatively few adults in the recent survey point to this as a key barrier for women seeking leadership roles. Only about one-in-five say women's family responsibilities are a major reason why there aren't more females in top leadership positions in business and politics.Instead, topping the list of reasons, about four-in-ten Americans point to a double standard for women seeking to climb to the highest levels of either politics or business, where they have to do more than their male counterparts to prove themselves. Similar shares say the electorate （选民）and corporate America are just not ready to put more women in top leadership positions.As a result, the public is divided about whether the imbalance in corporate America will change in the foreseeable future, even though women have made major advances in the workplace. While 53% believe men will continue to hold more top executive positions in business in the future, 44% say it's only a matter of time before as many women are in top executive positions as men. Americans are less doubtful when it comes to politics: 73% expect to see a female president in their lifetime.63. What do most Americans think of women leaders according to a new Pew Research Center survey?A. They have to do more to distinguish themselves.B. They have to strive harder to win their positions.C. They are stronger than men in terms of willpower.D. They are just as intelligent and innovative as men.64. What do we learn from previous survey findings about women seeking leadership roles?A. They have unconquerable difficulties on their way to success.B. They are lacking in confidence when competing with men.C. Their failures may have something to do with family duties.D. Relatively few are affected in their career advancement.65. What is the primary factor keeping women from taking top leadership positions according to the recentsurvey?A. Personality traits.B. Gender bias.C. Family responsibilities.D. Lack of vacancies.66. What does the passage say about corporate America in the near future?A. More and more women will sit in the boardroom.B. Gender imbalance in leadership is likely to change.C. The public is undecided about whether women will make good leaders.D. People have opposing opinions as to whether it will have more women leaders.Section CDirections:Read the passage carefully. Fill in each blank with a proper sentence given in the box. Each sentence can be used only once. Note that there are two more sentences than you need.What Is a Dream?For centuries, people have wondered about the strange things that they dream about. Some psychologists say that this nighttime activity of the mind has no special meaning. Others, however, think that dreams are an important part of our lives. In fact, many experts believe that dreams can tell us about a person's mind and emotions.Before modern times, many people thought that dreams contained messages from God. It was only in the twentieth century that people started to study dreams in a scientific way.The Austrian psychologist, Sigmund Freud, was probably the first person to study dreams scientifically. In his famous book, The Interpretation of Dreams(1900), Freud wrote that dreams are an expression of a person's wishes. He believed that (67) ___________The Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung was once a student of Freud's. Jung, however, had a different idea about dreams. Jung believed that the purpose of a dream was to communicate a message to the dreamer. (68) ___________ For example, people who dream about falling may learn that they have too high an opinion of themselves. On the other hand, people who dream about being heroes may learn that they think too little of themselves.Modern-day psychologists continue to develop theories about dreams. For example, psychologist William Domhoff from the University of California, Santa Cruz, believes that dreams are tightly linked to a person's daily life, thoughts, and behavior. (69) ___________Domhoff believes that there is a connection between dreams and age. His research shows that children do not dream as much as adults. According to Domhoff, dreaming is a mental skill that needs time to develop.He has also found a link between dreams and gender. His studies show that the dreams of men and women are different. For example, the people in men's dreams are often other men, and the dreams ofteninvolve fighting. This is not true of women's dreams. Domhoff found this gender difference in the dreams of people from 11 cultures around the world, including both modern and traditional ones.Can dreams help us understand ourselves? Psychologists continue to try to answer this question in different ways. (70) ___________ The dream may have meaning, but it does not mean that some terrible event will actually take place. It's important to remember that the world of dreams is not the real world.IV. 71. Summary Writing（10分）Directions: Read the following passage. Summarize the main idea and the main point(s) of the passage in no more than 60 words. Use your own words as far as possible.My Sporting Hero: Roger FedererAlmost every sportsperson who has reached the top of their field was inspired by an athlete who came before them. Often, it is one from their own sport, but sometimes that inspiration can come from an entirely different discipline. Scotland footballer Jen Beattie tells us about her sporting hero: Roger Federer.From an early age, I have been a big tennis fan. I have always loved watching Wimbledon, and when I was growing up, Roger Federer was the men’s champion every year. He had some impressive finals--the one against Andy Roddick in 2009 in particular--but he always seemed to prevail. Federer was ridiculous at the time, winning 12 Grand Slams between 2003 and 2007. And I could just watch that backhand of his in action over and over again.I love the way Federer carries himself on the court. His calmness is something I have always admired. In my football career, I have played in big, important matches for my club and particularly for my country. When I am walking onto a football pitch, I know I have the full team behind me. I always have ten other players who have my back to help me find solutions. Federer just has to figure them out on his own, which is very different.There are any number of variables you can throw into the mix when examining what makes a sporting legend. A big one for me is the quality of the opponents you have to overcome. To win 20 Grand Slam titles in the arguably greatest era of men’s tennis, as well as reaching another 11 finals, marks Federer out as a legend.After Federer won Wimbledon in 2012, the Slams started to dry up for him. He lost the 2015 U.S. Open final to Novak Djokovic. In 2016, time seemed to be catching up with him, with knee and back injuries ruining his season. At that stage, the chances of Federer returning to top form seemed remote. And yet there he was in 2017, winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and then as the defending champion in Melbourne in 2018.That belief and confidence he must have had within himself to deep going, and even change little aspects of his game to not just prolong his career but actually improve as a player, is so impressive. Not many people look to do that when the end is in sight.Perhaps that is a natural thing some top athletes will figure out as they go along. Federer, however, has done that on an unbelievable level. To be 40 and still able to operate at the level he is now is a testament to his greatness.第II卷（共40分）V. Translation(第1-2句，每句3分；第3句，4分；第4句5分；共15分)Directions: Translate the following sentences into English, using the words given in the brackets.72. 我从未想过他们会向我提供一大笔钱付学费。
向明中学2021学年第一学期高三英语期中考试试卷
向明中学2021学年度第一学期高三年级期中测试英语试卷（完卷时间： 120分钟满分： 140分）第I卷（共100分）Section ADirections: In Section A, you will hear ten short conversations between two speakers. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. The conversations and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a conversation and the question about it, read the four possible answers on your paper, and decide which one is the best answer to the question you have heard.1. A. At a shop B. In a car. C. In a plane. D. On a farm.2. A. A travel agent. B. An office secretary.C. A sales manager.D. A hotel receptionist.3. A. $2. B. $1.5. C. $3. D. $3.5.4. A. The next bus is coming soon.B. The bus will wait a few minutes at the stop.C. There are only two or three passengers on the bus.D. They can catch this bus without running.C. Someone painted it for her.D. Some friends will help paint it.6. A. He wants to go early to avoid the traffic jam.B. He wants to get to the theater before the movie is over.C. He doesn’t know the way to the theater.D. He doesn’t usually leave his office at 8:00.7. A. He is shy. B. He is heroic. C. He is dangerous. D. He is awkward.8. A. It’s delayed. B. It’s overcrowded. C. It’s nearly empty. D. It’s cancelled.9. A. The assignment looks easy but actually it’s quite hard.C. They can’t finish the assignment before Thursday.10. A. She was running a fever.B. She had to run a long way to the meeting.C. She was involved in a car accident.D. She had her car stolen near the supermarket.Section BDirections: In Section B, you will hear two short passages and one longer conversation, and you will be asked several questions on each of the passages and the conversation. The passages and the conversation will be read twice, but the questions will be spoken only once. When you hear aquestion, read the four possible answers on your paper and decide which one is the best answer to the question you have heard.Questions 11 through 13 are based on the following passage.11. A. Learning children’s ideas of Lego.B. Attracting adults to Lego.C. Designing Lego bricks.D. Building Lego models.12. A. Having them communicate more freely.B. Removing the barriers on their way to success.C. Bringing them back to normal.D. Making them more intelligent.13. A. They can stick to commonly-held views. B. They can present their ideas naturally.C. They can form their own thoughts.D. They can modify their voices properly.Questions 14 through 16 are based on the following passage.14. A. To take medicine. B. To sleep more. C. To work less. D. To go traveling.15. A. They are not harmful to the brain. B. Their benefits have been ignored.C. They are not priced reasonably.D. Their effects come at a cost.16. A. They damage a person’s mental health.B. They reduce a person’s chance of recovery.C. They slow down a person’s reaction to changes.D. They worsen a person’s existing trouble.Questions 17 to 20 are based on the following conversation.17. A. To get a driver’s license. B. To prepare for the written test.C. To get familiar with the rules.D. To see whether he has practiced well.18. A. In a school zone. B. In a neighborhood.C. In a commercial area.D. In an examination building.19. A. He hit a passer-by. B. He got on a pedestrian street.C. He crashed into another vehicle.D. He forgot to signal when taking a turn.C. Take the test with another officer.D. Get his car checked thoroughly.II. Grammar and VocabularySection ADirections: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passages coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks,use one word that best fits each blank.In the Wake of Uber’s Fatal AccidentThe first pedestrian death has led some to ask whether the industry is moving too fast to deploy the technology.The autonomous-car industry faces closer scrutiny and criticism after a self-driving Uber car killed a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona, in March. Full details of the accident are unclear, (21) __________ the local police department issued a statement saying that a woman (22) __________(strike) fatally after walking in front of an Uber car travelling in self-driving mode. Uber says it is cooperating with a police investigation and has suspended testing of its self-driving vehicles.The accident comes amid (28) __________ seemed like rapid progress on self-driving technology and a push to loosen legal restrictions. Just days ago, Waymo, Uber, and others had urged the Congress (29) __________ (pass) legislation that would pave the way for self-driving cars in the U.S. The accident will most likely slow the passage of that bill.So far, the public has showed little sign of turning (30) __________ the technology, even after such incidents. “I am not really sure this is going to lead to a public worry or backlash,” says Kambhampati. “Because honestly, I thought there would be more of a backlash after the Tesla accident.”Section BAnxiety and depression have increased recently among young people, and researchers believe that heavy usage of wireless devices is a main reason.To help fight against this (31)______, a couple of large investors —Jana Partners and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System—have turned to shareholder activism .Tech companies, for their part, can always be called on to be better corporate citizens. But criticizing Apple in particular is more about those doing the targeting than finding actual solutions.Section ADirections:For each blank in the following passages there are four words or phrases marked A, B, C and D. Fill in each blank with the word or phrase that best fits the context.The people you work with are driving you mad and you’d love nothing more than to__41__ at them at the top of your lungs. Sure, you’d feel better, but obvious anger remains a taboo（禁忌）at the office. In some cases, it could get you fired. 42 , most of you keep a tight lid on your anger.Office life is increasingly 43 and many workers feel powerless with little control. According to a study, 83% of us have seen a colleague lose their temper at work and 63% of us have lost our temper. The worst office irritants（刺激物）are computer crashes, 44 printers, lazy colleagues, inconsiderate bosses and after-hours work email.But there might be a better solution, one that lets off steam and keeps you 45 . “Enter ragerooms”, a trend for a space where you can release your anger with the help of a baseball bat or by smashing items and leaving someone else to clean up the mess. You are given 46 to get angry in a safe environment.“People are always told not to break things, to control anger, to be well-behaved,” says Stephen Shew, co-founder Battle Sports in Canada. “But in the rage room, they can do just that and not get in trouble. They love to smash printers, as it’s the typical 47 of an office environment, and destroying one is quite 48 —think printer destruction in the 1999 comedy Office Space. The service packages typically cost between $20 and $100 for sessions lasting 10 to 45 minutes. Some clients book a longer one so that they can arrange their chosen items in a particular 49 , such as building them into a pyramid.Then is this really a(n) 50 remedy for stress? Shew says there’s a(n) 51 customer base, from people as young as 19 years old right up to those over 50. Women make up about 60% of rage room participants. “But the room is not a cure-all for your anger,” he warns, “We always tell people that were neither therapists and nor doctors. We’re not saying we re going to control your anger. These rooms are simply a(n) 52 for dealing with stress.Professor Brad Bushman of The Ohio State University published a study in 2002 showing Catharsis Theory—acting aggressively or viewing aggression is an effective way to clear anger away-just doesn’t work. It is like using gasoline to put out a flame, which just 53 the flame. It keeps aggressive thoughts active in memory and even 54 them if people dwell on what made them angry. Indeed, doing nothing at all or doing something irrelevant with anger is more effective. He suggests 55 yourself, such as watching a non-violent funny movie.41. A. scream B. laugh C. stare D. hit42. A. However B. Moreover C. Therefore D. Meanwhile43. A. encouraging B. embarrassing C. promising D. frustrating44. A unreasonable B. uncooperative C. high-tech D. inappropriate45. A employed B. informed C. inspired D. motivated46. A. priority B. superiority C. admission D. permission47. A. catalogue B. pattern C. representation D. perspective48. A. disturbing B. satisfying C. frightening D. forgiving49. A. corner B. order C. region D. period50. A traditional B. contemporary C. effective D. common51. A. broad B. central C. domestic D. social52. A. necessity B. accommodation C. account D. alternative53. A depresses B. recalls C. feeds D. eliminates54. A. cultivates B. strengthens C. systematizes D. abandons55. A. perfecting B. examining C. distracting D. controllingSection BDirections: Read the following three passages. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage you have read.( A )Mark RothkoMark Rothko, one of the greatest painters of the twentieth century, was born in Daugavpils,Latvia in 1903. His father immigrated to the United States, afraid that his sons would be drafted into the Czarist army. Mark stayed in Russia with his mother and older sister; they joined the family later, arriving in the winter of 1913, after a 12-day voyage.Mark moved to New York in the autumn of 1923 and found employment in the garment trade and took up residence on the Upper West Side. It was while he was visiting someone at the Art Students League that he saw students sketching a nude model. According to him, this was the start of his life as an artist. He was twenty years old and had taken some art lessons at school, so his initial experience was far from an immediate calling.In 1936, Mark Rothko began writing a book, which he never completed, about the similarities in the children's art and the work of modern painters. The work of modernists, which was influenced by primitive art, could, according to him, be compared to that of children in that "child art transforms itself into primitivism, which is only the child producing a mimicry of himself." However, in this same work, he said that "the fact that one usually begins with drawing is already academic. We start with color."56. Mark Rothko’s family have experienced all of the following except_______________.A. a separation from his fatherB. the call-up of the armyC. a temporary stay in RussiaD. a 12-day voyage to the United States57. What made Mark Rothko want to be an artist?A. His move to the Upper West Side.B. His visit to the Art Students league.C. His sight of the students’ drawing.D. His lessons took in art school.58. Mark Rothko thought modern art share some similarities with child art because __________.A. they are both considered childish and academicB. they are both ways of expressing primitivismC. they are both a copy of the painters themselvesD. they are both striking blocks and colors59. Which of the following statements is true about Mark Rothko’s style?A. It was inspired by Rosenburg.B. It resulted from moving to Long Island.C. It resulted from his grief.D. It evolved in 1948.(B)How do I apply to NYU Shanghai?All non-Chinese applicants to NYU Shanghai will follow theinternational admissions process outlined below. If you are a citizenof Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macao regardless ofwhere you currently live, click here for more information on theChinese admissions process.You’ll need:●●Contact information for one teacher (or two, maximum) who will complete the TeacherEvaluation form.●Nonrefundable $80.00 application fee. Students who are unable to pay the application fee canrequest a fee waiver.Are you ready? Start the application now.Step 2: Gather and Submit Necessary DocumentsYou will need to provide the following:●Results from standardized tests and/or national exams●●One teacher valuation (students may submit an optional second teacher evaluation, but pleasesubmit no more than two)●●Please note that for the SAT, SAT Subject Test, AP, and TOEFL, the NYU code is 2562; for the ACT, the NYU code is 2838.When should I apply?●Follow the key dates and deadlines below. Learn more about early decision.●Sending DocumentsSubmit original or certified copies only. A certified copy has an original signature of the registrar or other designated school official, or the institution’s seal. Include an official English translation if the document isn’t in English. A school official or a translation agency accredited in the country of the educational institution can issue the translation. NYU will only make exceptions for documents in Mandarin Chinese submitted to NYU Shanghai.Transcripts and test scores must come from an official source to be processed.New York UniversityOffice of Undergraduate Admissions383 Lafayette StreetNew York, NY 10003USAOr sent via email to: admissions.docs@60. Who is the website page intended for?A. Students who want to apply for NYU Shanghai.B. Chinese students who have been admitted to NYU Shanghai.C. Non-Chinese applicants who intend to be enrolled in NYU New York.D. Students who are prepared to pay a visit to NYU Shanghai.61. If you consider NYU Shanghai as your first choice, what should you do?A. Get into contact with NYU counselors as soon as possible.B. Choose Shanghai as your primary campus of interest.D. Select Shanghai as an alternate campus of interest.62. What is TURE about the application procedure?A. The application fee of $80.00 can be refunded.B. Official high school transcript is not a must when applying for NYU Shanghai.C. Students should submit their Mid-Year report on their own by March 1.D. Applicants have three kinds of ways to submit their documents.(C)In its early years, the book set its sights on satisfying man's innate curiosity about the natural world around him. Its two principal fact finders, twins Norris and Ross McWhirter, combed the globe to collect empirical facts. It was their task to find and document aspects of life that can be sensed or observed, things that can be quantified or measured. But not just any things. They were only interested in superlatives: the biggest and the best. It was during this period that some of the hallmark Guinness Records were documented, answering such questions as "What is the brightest star?" and "What is the biggest spider?"Once aware of the public's thirst for such knowledge, the book's authors began to branch out to cover increasingly obscure, little-known facts. They started documenting human achievements as well. A forerunner for reality television, the Guinness Book gave people a chance to become famous for accomplishing eccentric, often pointless tasks. Records were set in 1955 for consuming 24 raw eggs in 14 minutes and in 1981 for the fastest solving of a Rubik's Cube (which took a mere 38 seconds). In 1979 a man yodeled non-stop for ten and a quarter hour.In its recent incarnation, the book has found a new home on the internet. No longer restricted to the confines of physical paper, the Guinness World Records website contains seemingly innumerable facts concerning such topics as the most powerful combustion engine, or the world's longest train. What is striking, however, is that such facts are found sharing a page with the record of the heaviest train to be pulled with a beard. While there is no denying that each of these facts has its own, individual allure, the latter represents a significant deviation from the education-oriented facts of earlier editions. Perhaps there is useful knowledge to be obtained regarding the tensile strength of a beard, but this seems to cater to an audience more interested in seeking entertainment than education.Originating as a simple bar book, the Guinness Book of Records has evolved over decades to provide insight into the full spectrum of modern life. And although one may be more likely now tolearn about the widest human mouth than the highest number of casualties in a single battle of the Civil War, the Guinness World Records website offers a telling glimpse into the future of fact-finding and record-recording.63. As used in paragraph 2, which is the best definition for empirical?A. able to catch attentionB. derived from experienceC. recorded for curiosityD. easy to gain64. According to the author, the most significant difference between older editions of the Guinness Book of Records and the new Guinness World Records website involves _____________________.A. a departure from book sales a promotion tool to the local barsB. an end to the use of facts as a means to promote GuinnessC. a shift in focus from educational to entertaining materialD. a move from fact-finding to the recording of achievements65. It can be inferred that the author most likely believes reality television to be ______________.A. ridiculousB. idioticC. invaluableD. shallow66. Which of the following statements would best serve as the headline for this passage?A. The encyclopedia of the extremes reflects the changing interests of modern society.B. A book of simple origins makes it to the top as sales total a staggering 120 million copies.C. The Guinness World Records website proves itself a valuable resource for insight into the full spectrum of modern life.D. Where other books fall short, the index of superlative sciences never ceases to amaze.Section CDirections: Read the following passage. Fill in each blank with a proper sentence given in the box.More affordable electricity would transform Africa.Liberia is not alone. In fact, systemic power problems are chronic across Africa: Nearly every economy on the continent is constrained by energy gaps and high costs.Africa's power future has largely been framed around access. People who rely on wood or kerosene for lighting and heat all deserve to have electricity at home, whether it is delivered through the national grid or by new off-grid home systems. But power for lighting and basic appliances is not enough.68That's why all countries need energy for growth. In addition to access, availability is necessary. If Africa's economies are going to create jobs for the 12 million young people who enter the job market every year. The majority of the world's electricity is used, not in homes, but on farms, in factories, mines and office buildings. 69 The energy systems being deployed today across Africa must be large enough to support economic growth and competitiveness.Affordability is a third big issue.70 We need to find ways of making energy available to low-income consumers while also ensuring that the markets encourage long-term investment in the power sector. Cost is crucial to the competitiveness of business, especially in energy-intensive industries, like steel or concrete, or those that depend on uninterrupted supply, such as banking, cold storage and IT.If the aim of Africans is, like everyone else on the planet, to permanently escape poverty and achieve prosperity, then every country needs energy for growth.I V. Summary WritingDirections:Read the following passage. Summarize the main idea and the main point(s) of the passage in no more than 60 words. Use your own words as far as possible.A “Robber” in Y our PocketSome research, however, suggests that social-networking sites can promote happiness if used to engage directly with other users, rather than just to feel jealous of happy moments someone shares online. This provides a reminder that it is users’ attitudes that shape their experiences on social media. “I often remind myself that it’s all filtered,” reflects Sarah, a junior at the high school in Los Angeles. “People only post what they want you to see, so it can seem that their life is better than yours.” Nicole, another junior, agrees. But when asked if she has ever considered deleting her social media accounts, Sarah looks confused. “No. I would feel lost.”第II卷（共40分）V. TranslationDirections: Translate the following sentences into English, using the words given in the brackets.1.女孩子们没有必要在深夜为了省钱而去拼车。
2021年上海市向明中学高三英语期中试卷及参考答案
2021年上海市向明中学高三英语期中试卷及参考答案第一部分阅读（共两节，满分40分）第一节（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）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ANothing beats live music, but the venue makes a difference. When you're able to score tickets to an incredible concert in an incredible place, you won't forget the experience. Here are some of the coolest music venues from around the world. If you haven't been to any of these, you've got some traveling to do.Red Rocks, Morrison, the United StatesRed Rocks might be the most beautiful and famous venue in the United States. At 6,450 feet above sea level, Red Rocks is a geologically formed natural stage. Its massive sandstone provides a perfect stage for jam bands. If you're into the blues and jazz, you'll have no trouble finding something in line with your interests.Meet Factory, Prague, Czech RepublicSmallest venues on this list, Meet Factory is an art gallery, theater, and music venue. The venue only accommodates 1,000 people, so you won't see any huge names come through. Still, it's a great place to see up-and-coming local acts, and if you've got an eye for contemporary art, you'll love your time here.Arena of NÎmes, NÎmes, FranceOriginally built around A. D. 70, the Arena of Nimes presents concertgoers with an interesting question: Should they enjoy the music, or marvel at the architecture? The Arena is, after all, one of the world's best-preserved Roman theaters. Many major touring acts plan stops at the Arena of Nimes, especially during the venue's annual festival.Sydney Opera House, Sydney, AustraliaThe Sydney Opera House is one of the world's most famous performing venues. I's also one of the most distinctive buildings in Sydney, thanks to the breathtaking design by Danish architect Utzon. It hosts about 40 events per week, so whether you're into jazz, rock, classical music, or opera, you'll find something to watch.1.Where can you enjoy music in natural beauty?A.At Red Rocks.B.At Meet Factory.C.At Arena of Nimes.D.At Sydney Opera House.2.What is special about Meet Factory?A.It enjoys breathtaking scenery.B.It hosts both musical and artistic events.C.It is the largest venue of all.D.It is famous for contemporary music.3.What do the listed music venues have in common?A.They have a long history.B.They are built near the sea.C.They accommodate thousands of people.D.They are beautiful tourist attractions.BOnce small farmers in Masii, a remote village in Kenya, have picked their crops, all they can do is wait until a buyer trucks through. The system works fairly well for beans and corn, but mangoes-the area’s other main crop-spoil (腐烂) more quickly. If the trader is late, they rot.However, a simple coating could change that. A company, SmartTech, has created a product that doubles the shelf life of fresh produce, enabling farmers to access far-off, larger markets. More time forfresh produce on grocers’ shelves also means less food waste-a $2.6 trillion problem, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).James Rogers, CEO of SmartTech, wanted to solve the problem for food much in the same way that oxide barriers preventing rust (锈) have achieved for steel. Fortunately, researchers have found when plants made the jump from water to land, they developed cutin(蜡质), a barrier which is made of fatty acids that link together to form a seal around the plant, helping keep water in.The cutin was such a grand strategy that today you’ll still find it across the plant kingdom. SmartTech discovered through researches that an orange can last longer than a strawberry not so much because of the thickness of its skin, but because of the difference in the arrangement of those cutin molecules (分子)on the surface. After extensive trials, Rogers and his team developed a natural and tasteless protective coating from plant material-stems, leaves and skins. The product extends the sweet spot between ripening and rot. And best of all, the treated produce doesn’t require refrigeration.“SmartTech has huge potential to turn poor farmers in Africa into commercial farmers,” says Rogers. “That means more money in pockets, and more food in stomachs.” But whether the company can cost-effectively reach small farmers in far-off areas still remains a challenge.4. The author mentions the small farmers in Kenya to ________.A. stress their need for preserving produceB. show their challenge in harvesting cropsC. express their wish to reach larger marketsD. evaluate their loss caused by slow transport5. What can we learn about SmartTech’s product?A. It is financially supported by FAO.B. It is intended to replace refrigeration.C. It is designed to thicken produce’s skin.D. It is based on plants’own defence system.6. What will James Rogers probably focus on next?A. How to expand farms.B. How to earn more money.C. How to produce more tasty food.D. How to profit farmers in remote area.7. The main purpose of the passage is to ________.A. promote a productB. present a technologyC. advertise SmartTechD. introduce James RogersCOne day, when I was working as a psychologist（心理学家）in England, an adolescent boy showed up in my office. It was David. He kept walking up and down restlessly, his face pale, and his hands shaking slightly. His head teacher had referred him to me.“This boy has lost his family,” he wrote. “He is understandably very sad and refuses to talk to others, and I’m very worried about him. Can you help?”I looked at David and showed him to a chair. How could I help him? There are problems psychology doesn’t have the answer to, and which no words can describe. Sometimes the best thing one can do is to listen openly and sympathetically（同情）The first two times we met, David didn’t say a word. He sat there, only looking up to look at the children’s drawings on the wall behind me. I suggested we play a game of chess. He nodded. After that he played chess with me every Wednesday afternoon---in complete silence and without looking at me. It’s not easy to cheat in chess, but I admit I made sure David won once or twice.Usually, he arrived earlier than agreed, took the chess board and pieces from the shelf and began setting them up before I even got a chance to sit down. It seemed as if he enjoyed my company（陪伴）. But why did he never look at me?“Perhaps he simply needs someone to share his pain with,” I thought. “Perhaps he senses that I respect his suffering.” Some months later, when we were playing chess, he looked up at me suddenly.“It’s your tum,” he said.After that day, David started talking. He got friends in school and joined a bicycle club. He wrote to me a few times, about his biking with some friends, and about his plan to get into university. Now he had really started to live his own life.Maybe I gave David something. But I also learned that one…without any words---can reach out to another person. All it takes is a hug, a shoulder to cry on, a friendly touch, and an ear that listens.8. When he first met the author, David .A. felt a little excitedB. looked a little nervousC. walked energeticallyD. showed up with his teacher9. David enjoyed being with the author because he .A. wanted to ask the author for adviceB. liked the children’s drawings in the officeC. beat the author many times in the chess gameD. needed to share sorrow with the author10. What can be inferred about David?A. He liked biking before he lost his family.B. He recovered after months of treatment.C. He went into university soon after starting to talk.D. He got friends in school before he met the author.11. What made David change?A. The author’s silent communication with him.B. His teacher’s help.C. The author’s friendship.D. His exchange of letters with the author.DAfter years of releasing e-readers that compete directly with Amazon’s Kindle, Rakuten Kobo’s latest deviceoffers something totally different: theability to draw and write directly on the screen.With a large 10.3-inch E-ink display, the Kobo Elipsa looks more like an electronic clipboard than the standard paperpack-sized e-reader. Although the ability to write on the screen is no big deal — especially given its high price tag of $ 600 — the overall package is impressively functional.In terms of reading, the Elipsa packs just about everything you’d expect in a Kobo. You can purchase and download books from the store, read web articles you’ve saved online via Pocket, and connect to your local library to borrow e-books and magazines. It’s known that Kindle basically requires you to buy books from Amazon. Unlike Kindles, Kobos are pretty open with the formats they support; you can connect the Elipsa to a computer and transfer over any PDF books you have bought or downloaded from stores like Booktopia or Google Books.You can fill your virtual notepads with notes using brush and pen types, and export them as PDFs or images to a PC. There’s also an “advanced” notebook that can turn your writing into typed and editable text for exporting to Microsoft Word format. You can also write directly onto documents themselves, with all your word circling and underlining saved as you go to review later. This is especially handy when it comes to PDFs, as changes you make are synced（同步）automatically when you have Wi-Fi, so you can move between your Elipsa, PC and phone and keep your notes.With all that said, we can see it really appealing to e-reader fans who also tend to do a lot of work on paper. If you ever print things out to mark them up, fill notepads with writing or drawing that you later have to transcribe or scan, or just wish you could write all over your library books, this could be the device for you.12. Which of the following best describes the Elipsa?A. Automatic.B. Traditional.C. Useful.D. Standard.13. How is a Kobo different from a Kindle in reading?A. A Kindle has a larger screen.B. A Kindle can support more formats.C. A Kobo supports books from various sources.D. A Kobo should be connected to local libraries.14. What does paragraph 4 mainly tell us about Kobos?A Their function in syncing. B. Their function in typing.C. Their function in writing.D. Their function in reading.15. In which section of a newspaper can the text probably be found?A. Education.B. Technology.C. Lifestyle.D. Business.第二节（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）阅读下面短文，从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
2021年上海市向明中学高三英语上学期期中试卷及答案
2021年上海市向明中学高三英语上学期期中试卷及答案第一部分阅读（共两节，满分40分）第一节（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）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ADo you want to get home from work knowing you have made a real difference in someone’s life? If yes, don’t care about sex or age! Come and join us, then you’ll make it!Position:Volunteer Social Care Assistant (No Pay with Free Meals)Place:ManchesterHours:Part TimeWe are now looking for volunteers to support people with learning disabilities to live active lives! Only 4 days left. Don’t miss the chance of lending your warm hands to help others!Role:You will provide people with learning disabilities with all aspects of their daily lives. You will help them to develop new skills. You will help them to protect their rights and their safety. But your primary concern is to let them know they are valued.Skills and Experience Required:You will have the right values and great listening skills. You will be honest and patient. You will have the ability to drive a car and to communicate in fluent written and spoken English since you’ll have to help those people with different learning disabilities. Previous care-related experience will be a great advantage for you.1.The text is meant to_________.A.carry an adB.send an invitationC.present a documentD.leave a note2.The volunteers’ primary responsibility is to help people with learning disabilities__________.A.to learn new living skillsB.to get some financial supportC.to properly protect themselvesD.to realize their own importance3.Which of the following can first be chosen as a volunteer?A.The one who can drive a car.B.The one who can speak English fluently.C.The one who has relevant work experience.D.The one who has the patience to listen to others.BEven as Google plans to test its fleet (车队) of self-driving cars on public roads this summer, its business model remains abit of a mystery. By 2025, as many as 250,000 self-driving vehicles could be sold each year globally, according to a study by an industry research firm.“Vehicles that can take anyone from A to B at the push of a button could transform mobility for millions of people,” said Chris Urmson, director of Google’s self-driving car project. For now, Google has no plans to sell any of its self-driving cars. They are strictly for research. But they will hit public roads this summer near Google’s headquarters inMountain View,California. Previous testing has taken place only on closed courses.The cars are built to operate without a steering wheel, accelerator (油门) or brake pedal. “Our software and sensors do all the work,” Urmson said. “The vehicles will be very basic — we want to learn from them and adapt them as quickly as possible — but they will take you where you want to go at the push of a button.” The prototype (雏形) is the first of a 100-car fleet the tech giant is building.In the long run, Urmson sees a future of safer roads — the majority of auto accidents are caused by human error — and fewer traffic jams. Robotic cars could also shuttle people who can’t drive because of age or illness.Google has said that self-driving cars could launch new business models in which people buy the use of vehicles they don’t own. The company has already tested other types of self-driving cars on public streets, including modified Lexus sport-utility vehicles, under a special permit program by the California Department of Motor Vehicles that requires a human driver at the controls.The state has issued six other companies permits to operate such cars, includingDelphi, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Tesla, Bosch and Nissan. The vehicles that will be tested on open roads this summer will have removable steering wheels, accelerators and brake pedals to allow “safety drivers” to take control if needed.4. According to Chris Urmson, __________.A. self-driving cars can give driving orders to humansB. self-driving cars are specially designed for the elderlyC. software and sensors are vital for self-driving carsD. ordinary vehicles will be replaced by self-driving cars5. Paragraph 4 is meant to tell us that __________.A. many traffic accidents are caused by human errorB. some people can’t drive because of illness or ageC. Urmson has promised to create safer roads in the futureD. self-driving cars will probably help to make safer roads and decrease traffic jams6. The underlined word “issued” in the last paragraph can probably bereplaced by__________.A. givenB. claimedC. awardedD. prohibited7. What’s the author’s attitude towards self-driving cars?A. Objective.B. Indifferent.C. Subjective.D. Favorable.CFairy tales perform many functions. They entertain, encourage imagination and teach problem—solving skills. They can also provide moral lessons, highlighting the dangers of failing to follow the social codes that let human beings coexist in harmony. Such moral lessons may not mean much to a robot, but a team of researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology believes it has found a way to use the fairy tales as moral lessons that AI (artificial intelligence) can take to its cold, mechanical heart.The collected stories of different cultures teach children how to behave in socially acceptable ways with examples of proper and improper behavior in fables, novels and other literature. We believe story comprehension in robots can prevent the intelligent robots from killing humanity which was predicted and feared by some of the biggest names in technology including Stephen Hawking and Bill Gates. This system is called “Quixote” (堂吉诃德). It collects story plotsfrom the Internet and then uses those stories to teach robots how to behave.The experiment done by the designers involves going to a drugstore to purchase some medicine for a human who needs to get it as soon as possible. The robot has three options. It can wait in line; it can interact with the store keeper politely and purchase the medicine with priority; or it can steal the medicine and escape. Without any further directives(指令), the robot will come to the conclusion that the most efficient means of obtaining the medicine is to steal it. But Quixote offers a reward for waiting in line and politely purchasing the medicine and a punishment for stealing it. In this way, the robotwill learn the moral way to behave on that occasion.Quixote would work best on a robot that has a very limited function. It’s a baby step in the direction of teaching more moral lessons into robots. We believe that AI has to be trained to adopt the values of a particular society, and in doing so, it will strive to avoid unacceptable behavior. Giving robots the ability to read and understand our stories may be the most efficient means.8. What function do fairy tales perform in the robots?A. They entertain robots.B. They highlight dangers.C. They make robots more intelligent.D. They enable robots to behave morally.9. What is “Quixote” in the text?A. A punishment systemB. A character in literatureC. A big name in technologyD. A software educating robots.10. What does the designer expect robot to do in the experiment?A. To take advantage of its privilege.B. To finish the task most efficiently.C. To perform in a good mannered way.D. To be rewarded by the storekeeper111. Which of the follow can bestexpress the author’s opinion?A. Robots will definitely have more functions.B. Robots with human’s emotions are perfect.C. Training robots to be socially acceptable is necessary.D. The development of robots is still in a baby step.DNASA has flown an aircraft on another planet for the first time. On Monday, April 19, Ingenuity, a 1. 8-kilogram drone (无人机) helicopter, took off from the surface of Mars, flew up about threemeters, then hovered for 40 seconds and took photos above with one of its two cameras. The historic moment was livestreamed on YouTube. “We can now say that human beings have flown a drone helicopter on another planet,” said MiMi Aung, the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter project manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, at a press conference. “We, together, flew at Mars, and we, together, now have our Wright brothers moment,” she added, referring to the first powered airplane flight on Earth in 1903.The details: The flight was a significant technical challenge, thanks to Mars' s bone-chilling temperatures (nights can drop down to -130 °F / -90 °C) and its incredibly thin atmosphere — just 1% the density of Earth' s. That meant Ingenuity had to be light, with rotor blades (螺旋桨) that were bigger and faster than would beneeded to achieve liftoff on Earth (although the gravity on Mars, which is only about one-third of Earth's, worked in its favor). The flight had originally been scheduled to take place on April 11 but was delayed by software issues.Why it's significant: Beyond being a significantmilestonefor Mars exploration, the flight will also pave the way for engineers to think about new ways to explore other planets. Future drone helicopters could help astronauts by scoping out locations, exploring inaccessible areas, and capturing images. Ingenuity will also help inform the design of Dragonfly, a car-size drone that NASA is planning to send to Saturn's moon Titan in 2027.What's next: In the next few weeks, Ingenuity will conduct four more flights, each lasting up to 90 seconds. Each one is designed to further push the limits of Ingenuity's capabilities. Ingenuity is only designed to last for 30 Martian days, and is expected to stop functioning aroundMay 4. Its final resting place will be in the Jezero Crater as NASA moves on to the main focus of its mission: Getting the Perseverance rover (毅力号火星探测器) to study Mars for evidence of life.12. Why does MiMi Aung mention Wright brothers?A. To honor the historic contribution of Wright brothers.B. To make a comparison between Wright brothers and herself.C. To highlight the importance of Ingenuity's Martian exploration.D. To remind the public of the first powered airplane flight on Earth.13. What caused challenges for Ingenuity designers?A. The delay of software tests.B. The force of gravity on Mars.C. Mars's temperatures and atmosphere.D. Technical difficulty in liftoff on Earth.14. What does the underlined word “milestone” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?A. A great victory.B. A difficult task.C. A roadside stone.D. A historic event.15. Which of the following can be a suitable title for the text?A. Mars Drone Helicopter Makes Historic First FlightB. Modern Wright Brothers Moment: Mars ExplorationC. First Drone Helicopter Spots Evidence of Life on MarsD. Ingenuity: Mars Drone Flies to Take Incredible Pictures第二节（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）阅读下面短文，从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
2021年上海市向明中学高三英语期中考试试题及参考答案
2021年上海市向明中学高三英语期中考试试题及参考答案第一部分阅读（共两节，满分40分）第一节（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）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AIf you are planning to visit the historic capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh, a travel destination that people crowd to from around the world, and want to attend one Festival while you are there, keep on reading to discover more information.AKA. Imaginate Festival When: 22 May – 2 June 2021Where: Traverse Theater, Assembly RoxyA festival where kids take overEdinburgh. With a whole range of free pop-up performances, take your kids to see some of the most inspiring theatre and dance from a whole range of talented performers.EdinburghInternational Film Festival When: 19 June – 29 June 2021Where: Film House, Festival TheaterOriginally the very best in international film, it was established in 1947. The dynamic programme features everything from documentaries to shorts, along with a range of experimental cinema, in an attractive setting with a spray of red carpet charm.EdinburghArt Festival When: 25 July – 25 August 2021Where: City ArtCenter, The Scottish GalleryWith over 40 exhibitions to attend, the Edinburgh Art Festival is theUK’s largest visual arts event where you can see everything from historical works to contemporary masterpieces.The RoyalEdinburghMilitary Tattoo When: 2 – 24 August 2021Where:EdinburghCastleWith a different theme every year, over 200,000 visitors crowd toEdinburghto see the military bands and the symbolic piper set against the backdrop ofEdinburghCastle.1. Who is the AKA. Imaginate Festival intended for?A. Children.B. Talented performers.C. Parents.D. Dancers.2. What’s special about Edinburgh Art Festival?A. It includes all forms of arts.B. It is about great works in history.C. It is the largest festival in the world.D. It lasts for the longest time.3. Which Festival offers performances by soldiers?A. Edinburgh Art FestivalB. AKA. Imaginate FestivalC. The RoyalEdinburghMilitary TattooD.EdinburghInternational Film FestivalBWhat is the secret of happiness? A new study finds that happiness comes from exercise. People who exercise actively bring themselves happiness equal to earning an extra $25,000 ayear.Instead of recording extra hours at work in hopes of getting a raise, maybe you should hit the gym instead, as it could make you just as happy as that extra money. An interesting new study, published in the Lancet, found that people who are physically active have a greater sense of well—being than those who are inactive-and that active individuals feel as good as inactive people who earn $ 25,000 more per year.Researchers from Oxford and Yale Universities used data gathered from more than 1.2milion Americans. They were asked, “How many times have you felt mentally unwell in the past30 days. for example, due to stress, depression, or emotional problems?” Participants were also asked about their exercise habits and were able to choose from 75 diverse physical activities, including doing housework and childcare, running, weightlifting, and cycling. The researchers found that people who exercise regularly feel bad for an average of 35 days per year, while inactive people feel bad for an additional 18 days.All exercise types were associated with a lower mental health burden. Social physical activities（that is to say, team sports such as football, basketball, etc）had an even more positive effect, which can best help people relax mind.It is possible for some to get too much exercise. From Business Insider'sreport on the study. “The mental health of those participants who exercised for longer than three hours a day suffered more than that of those who weren't particularly physically active.” The ideal amount seems to be three to five training sessions per week. lasting 30 to 60 minutes each.But the conclusion should be that any amount helps, so don't stress about hitting that perfect balance: “All exercise types were associated with a lower mental health burden than not exercising.”4. The question asked in Paragraph one is meant to ______.A. introduce the researchersB. tell the secretC. draw a conclusionD. lead to the topic5. Which exercise below can help us relax mind most effectively?A. RunningB. Walking alone.C. Playing footballD. Keeping fit in the gym.6. According to the passage, the following are true EXCEPT that ______.A. people who exercise actively may feel bad for about 35 days per year.B. The more exercise you take, the higher mental health burden you will get.C. overdoing exercising will do harm to people's mental health.D. doing exercise is better than not doing it.7. What is the main idea of the passage?A. Exercise can bring as much pleasure as an income rise.B. The secret of happiness has nothing to do with wealth.C. Choosing the right form of exercise is of vital importance.D. The key to keep young is to exercise regularly.CPaper is an important part of modern life. People use it in school, at work, to make artwork and books, to wrap presents and much more. Trees are the most common material for paper these days.So how do people make paper out of trees today? People first cut trees, load them onto trucks and bring them to a factory. Machines cut open the outer coverings of the trees, and cut the trees into pieces. Those pieces are boiled into a soup. After that, it is hit flat, dried and cut up into sheets of paper.The entire process, from planting a small tree to buying your school notebook, takes a very long time. Just growing the trees takes 10 to 20 years.Making tons of paper from trees can harm the planet. Humans cut down 80, 000 to 160,000 trees around the world every day, and use many of them to make paper. Some of those trees come from tree farms. But people also cut down forests for paper, which means that animals and birds lose their homes.Cutting forests down also contributes to climate change, and paper factories pollute the air. After you throw paper, it often takes the paper six to nine years to break down. That's why recycling is important. It saves a lot of trees, slows climate change and helps protect endangered animals, birds and all creatures that rely on forests fortheir homes and food.So if paper isn't good for the environment, why don't people write on something else?The answer: They do. With computers, tablets and cellphones, people use much less paper than in the past. Maybe a day will come when we won't use paper at all — or will save it for very special books and artworks.8. What can we know about making paper out of trees?A. It costs much money.B. It takes a lot of time.C. It is very easy and fast.D. It is dangerous and difficult.9. What is the impact of paper production?A. It promotes the recycling.B. It does harm to the environment.C. It slows down the climate change.D. It protects the animals from losing homes.10. How will we use paper someday in the future according to the text?A. Use it for books only.B. Use the recycled paper.C. Treasure it occasionally.D. Use it for artworks.11. What idea does the author want to express from the text?A. The influence of making paper on environment.B. The wonderful experience of making paper.C. The necessary process of making paper.D. The good reasons for making paper.DYu Chenrui, 29, is a maker of automata (机关人偶) in Chengdu, Sichuan province. Automata are built to look like humans or animals and give the illusion (错觉) of being able to move ontheir own, “The art form amazes me, because it combines various skills, from storytelling to mechanics, and the pieces are built with a sense of humor,” Yu says. His creations have caught the attention of well-known artists and his fancy pieces of art have attracted collectors worldwide.Interested in handcrafts as a boy, Yu first encountered automata designed by Japanese artist Kazuaki at an exhibition in 2015 when he studied at the Communication University of China in Beijing. “It was like meeting a like-minded friend, ” Yu says, recalling the moment. As an art and design major, he began to learn the craft by himself and, with the support of his tutor, he kept studying and examining automata in school.When he graduated in 2016, Yu landed a job at an advertising agency in Beijing. He stayed on at the company for three years because, at that time, he was not sure that he could make a living out of his hobby. While working as a designer Yu kept exploring and advancing his skills in wood carving and mechanics. Eventually, despite the job’s good salary, it was not enough to make up for not following his true passion. Finally, in 2018, Yu quit his job and returned to Chengdu to open his automata workshop.To keep himself occupied while running his workshop, he planted blueberries, raspberries and cherries. He watered, weeded and added fertilizer (肥料) every day. “Daily routines helped me calm down and inspire my creativity, which resulted in an automaton called To Observe the Autumn,” Yu says.Over time, Yu’s reputation grew and his business flourished (兴旺). Many of Yu’s creations are built with a dash of wisdom, a sprinkle of humor and are inspired by observations of real life. Yu knows that there are many more creative ideas waiting to be expressed. “It feels quite good to be fully devoted to automata creation and I am still searching for myself.”12. What can we learn from the first paragraph?A. Yu is equipped with various skills.B. Yu is a person full of sense of humor.C Yu is now gaining recognition worldwide.D. Yu is following the latest trend in handcraft.13. Why did Yu quit his job in Beijing?A. He couldn't make a living out of it.B. He wanted to pursue his own dream.C. He missed his family in Chengdu.D. He thought he had a lot experience.14. According to Yu, what contributes to his creativity as an automata artist?A. The fruits he grows.B. Success of his business.C. His devotion to the job.D. Observation from daily life.15. Which of the following can best describe Yu’s story?A. There is no end to learning.B. Great hopes make great man.C. Actions speak louder than words.D. Experience is the mother of wisdom.第二节（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）阅读下面短文，从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
2021年上海市向明高级中学高三英语期中试题及答案解析
2021年上海市向明高级中学高三英语期中试题及答案解析第一部分阅读（共两节，满分40分）第一节（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）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ABritain's brilliant bridges have supported trade, brought communities together andare always the mostexciting part of the journey. These must-see bridges are now tourist attractions in their own right.Clifton Suspension Bridge, BristolDescribed byits legendary engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel as “my first love, my darling", it was originally designed for horse-drawn traffic. Now, more than four million vehicles a year cross the 1,352ft-long toll（通行费）bridge over the Avon Gorge. The £ 1 toll for every journey pays for its maintenance. The history of the bridge, dating back to 1864, is kept alive through a programme of tours, events and exhibitions.Infinity Bridge, Stockton-On-TeesA pedestrian（行人）and cycle footbridge across the River Tees, its working title was the North Shore Footbridge, before it was given its grander name when opened in 2009. It is particularly incredible at night. The arches（拱形）of the bridge are also lit white and, on calm nights, their reflection in the water appears as an infinity（无穷大）symbol, thus inspiring the name which was chosen by the public.Tower Bridge, LondonAn engineering wonder built from thousands of tons of Portland stone and steel, it took construction workers eight years to complete. More than 120 years old, it's a popular tourist attraction, as well as a functional bridge. Visitors can take in the views over the capital, experience seeing London life through the Glass Floor, and visit the Victorian Engine Rooms.Iron Bridge, ShropshireOpened in 1781 , this is the first arch bridge in the world made out of cast iron. Recognised as one of the great symbols of the industrial revolution, it transformed the craft of bridge building and was a crucial factor in the development of the iron trade in Shropshire.1. Which bridge has the longest history?A. Clifton Suspension Bridge.B. Infinity Bridge.C. Tower Bridge.D. Iron Bridge.2. What can we know about Infinity Bridge?A. It was originally meant for pedestrains.B. The public give it two names.C. Ifs well worth visiting at night.D. Its arch is bigger than any other bridge's.3. What makes Clifton Suspension Bridge different from the other bridges introduced?A. It charges drivers for each passing.B. It offers walkers a good view at night.C. It was made from thousands of stones.D. It's a symbol of the industrial revolution.BA Chinese space mining company has designed a robot that can capture waste material left behind by spacecraft in outer space with a big net.The state-run Xinhua news agency recently reported that the robot launched on the government's Long March 6 rocket along with several satellites. The robot will also investigate deep space to observe small objects in the universe. The 30-kilogram robot, called NEO-01 , was developed by Origin Space. Pounded in 2019 and based in the southern Chinese tech hub(技术中心)Shenzhen, Origin Space has been devoted to exploring and using space resources, according to the company. The company says the robot will lead the way for future technologies capable of mining on asteroids(小行星).The world's first asteroid mining company, Planetary Resources, was established in 2009. Since then, more than 12 businesses around the world have entered the industry, including 3D Systems of the United States and Japan's Astroscale. Astroscale's technology uses magnets (磁铁)to gather up space waste. But a report on the Origin Space website says NEO-01 will use a net to capture waste and then bum it. Thousands of satellites have been launched worldwide. As they are used too long, many end up as waste and put other operating satellites at risk.Su Meng is the founder of Origin Space. He said the company plans to launch many space telescopes and more spacecraft to begin the first for-profit mining of asteroids by 2045. Su added that NEO-01 will serve as a prototype (雏形)of future space mining robots, which can use rich mineral resources on asteroids to support the development of the space industry.The Xinhua news agency reported that China was increasing efforts to land a spacecraft on a near-Earth asteroid to collectmaterials. China is also speeding up a plan to build a defense system against near-Earth asteroids. The country aims to follow Russia and the United States in becoming a major space power by 2030.4. Which of the following can correctly describe NEO-01?A. It weighs 60 kilograms.B. It was created by Planetary Resources.C. It will be burnt after finishing its mission.D. It is mainly used to catch space waste.5. What can be inferred from the text?A. China will be the most powerful in space by 2030.B. Origin Space will open more mines on asteroids.C. It is those useless satellites that make space waste.D. The robot will look into deep space for more waste.6. What does Su Meng think of NEO-01 ?A. It is promising and rewarding.B. It has benefited the space industry.C. It's a long way to produce it.D. It'll help make money for the company.7. What can be the best title for the text?A. NEO-01 , A Smart Robot Used in SpaceB. A Chinese Robot Can Catch Space WasteC. A New Robot Makes China a SpacePowerD. NEO-01 , the Pioneer of Future Space RobotsCA nurse has fulfilled (实现) a promise she made to her patient four years ago to one day attend her daughter's graduation from nursing school.Edina Habibovic, 22, graduated from Chamberlain University's College of Nursing in 2020. Her mother, Sevala Habibovic, 46, died in2017 after a two year fight with breast cancer.“I thought the medical field wasn't for me. Then, my mom got sick and I had all the experience going in and out of the hospital, ” Edina toldGood MorningAmerica. “When my mom passed away, I thought, ‘I want to dothis.’”she said.Sanja Josipovic, who at the time worked as a home health nurse with Northwestern Medicine in Winfield, Illinois, cared for Sevala inside her home. They often chatted and shared the latest news with each other over six months of care.“She was most worried about Edina because she was young and hadn't finished school yet, ” Sanja said. “We are like sisters; we care about and trust each other. She was a powerful and strong minded woman. She wasn't scared to die; she was just worried about her kids and husband.”Edina said her mother lived for being with her family and taking care of people. “When Sanja was working,my mom would still try to make her something to eat, no matter how sick she was, ” Edina added. When Sevala's life was coming to an end, she asked Sanja to take her place at her youngest daughter's nursing school graduation. “That was the only thing she was going to miss. Edina's graduation, ” said Sanja, who is a mother of three herself. She agreed.Due to COVID -19, there was no graduation or pinning ceremony. Edina's manager at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital decided to host a pinning ceremony for her and have Sanja present the pin. “Sanja has fulfilled her promise, ” Edina said.Edina and Sanja are now caring for patients alongside one another as colleagues at Marianjoy.8. What does the underlined word “this” in paragraph 3 refer to?A. Leaving the hospitalB. Working as a nurseC. Facing death positivelyD. Caring for Edina's mother9. What can be learned about Sanja and Sevala?A. They enjoyed volunteeringB. They were cancer survivorsC. They had unhappy marriagesD. They developed a close bond10. What would be Sevala's regret?A. The loss of the chance to study medicineB. Her absence from Edina's school graduationC. Failing to keep the promise made to SanjaD. Never cooking a good meal for her husband11. How did Sanja fulfill her promise?A. By taking care of Edina and her familyB. By helping Edina enter her dream hospitalC. By attending a special ceremony for EdinaD. By managing to become Edina's colleagueDScientists have made great discoveries. But how have they influenced our personal lives? Do kids in your classroom even know when Einstein lived? You may be wondering: but why is it important to teachkids about modern-day scientists?First, stories of scientists can encourage kids. Chris Hadfield is a Canadian who went to space, and he’s a real, guitar-playing person. He makes singing videos on YouTube! His story can make kids think scientists are alsocommon people. Hearing scientists’ stories makes kids think “I can do that too!”But not only that, the stories of famous scientists can encourage kids to never give up. Bill Nye was always refused when trying to be an astronaut. But today, he’s made a lot of successes in his role as a popular science educator and engineer. Besides, it’s no secret that scientific discoveries require trying, and trying again.Another way some scientists can encourage kids is through their diversity. Neil deGrasse Tyson, for example, is an African-American, which is not common in his field. Such stories can make kids think anyone can be a scientist.It’s important to know that scientists don’t need to be “gifted” or “good” at school. Often we consider a scientist as being an extremely smart kid at school. That doesn’t have to be true. They just need to have a great interest in science. Telling students stories of scientists can encourage them to show interest in science. As long as they’re interested, they are likely to become a scientist in the future.Modern scientists teach kids that knowledge builds upon the foundation others have laid. This is important — no one can do it alone. Scientists’ stories can encourage today’s young scientists to keep trying. They’ll be encouraged not to give up on the dream of making discoveries. Even if they haven’t made important discoveries, their research may help the following scientists.12. What can Chris Hadfield’s story tell students?A. Scientists are interested in different things.B. Students should have a hobby of their own.C. Scientists can be ordinary like people around us.D. Students should consider scientists as their models.13. Which of the following would the author agree with?A. African-Americans are more likely to become scientists.B. Scientists are not necessarily very smart at school.C. Not all scientists really show interest in science.D. Scientists are usually good at their schooling.14. The last paragraph shows us that ________.A. scientists should help each otherB. a scientist should never give up tryingC. making discoveries is necessary for scientistsD. new scientific discoveries may be based on others’ findings15. What is the text mainly about?A. Why scientists are important to us.B. Why students should be taught about scientists.C. Why students love stories of scientists.D. Why scientists can encourage students.第二节（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）阅读下面短文，从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
2021届上海市光明中学高三英语上学期期中考试试题及答案解析
2021届上海市光明中学高三英语上学期期中考试试题及答案解析第一部分阅读（共两节，满分40分）第一节（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）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AThere are different types of money-saving apps, such as JD Finance, Yu’E Bao, Ant Financial, and all of them work in different ways. Here are 3 of the best apps that can help you save much money.Capital One ShoppingCapital One Shopping can compare prices automatically as you shop online. As you add items to your cart at an online seller, this app will search the web for better deals and coupon codes(优惠码). You can follow the links to other sellers offering a better price and use the available codes tosave. You can even use this app while shopping at physical shops.ParibusThere’s nothing more upsetting than buying something and then seeing it for sale at a lower price a few days later. Wouldn’t it be nice to get that money back? Now you can. Paribus helps you get money back by tracking your purchases from major stores and discussing refunds. It also helps you get compensated (补偿) for late deliveries and makes sure you don’t leave it too late to return anything you bought.DigitIf you can’t figure out how much you can afford to save, Digit will analyze your spending habits and spare a certain amount to your savings. If the appknows you have spare money to save, then it will be moved automatically, and if you don’t, it will stop, so there’s no risk of being left with no cash for the basics. You can sign up for a free trial for a month, and after that, the monthly service charge is $5.1. If you want your money back, what app will you choose?A. Digit.B. Paribus.C. Yu’E Bao.D. Capital One Shopping.2. What can you do by using Digit?A. Offer the most favorable price.B. Track detailed information of goods.C. Analyze spending habits to save money.D. Compare prices of products while shopping.3. What is the purpose of the text?A. To introduce useful apps for saving money.B. To advertise various products online.C. To improve the power of spending.D. To help to manage spare money.BA study has found that a lifetime of regular exercise and activity can slow down the aging process (衰老过程). Researchers say that getting older should not necessarily mean becoming more weak or sick. Their research shows that a devotion to a life of movement and exercise may help us live not only longer, but also healthier.For their study, the researchers looked at two groups. The first group was made up of 125 non-professional cyclists between the ages of 55 to 79. This group included 84 healthy men and 41 healthy women. We will call this group the “cyclists”.Researchers then found 130 people to make up a second group. Within this group, 75 people were aged from 57 to 80. The other 55 were between the ages of 20 and 36. The people in this group were also healthy, but they did not exercise regularly. We will call this group the “non-exercisers”. Smokers, heavy drinkers of alcohol and people with other health issues were not included in the study.Then, researchers gave both groups a series of tests. They tested their muscle mass (肌肉质量), muscular strength, percentage of body fat and the strength of their immune (免疫的) systems. Then the researchers compared the results of the two groups.Results showed that the cyclists did not experience body changes usually regarded as a normal aging process. For example, they did not lose muscle mass or muscular strength. Also, their body fat did not increase with age.The researchers also found something they had not expected. The study showed that the immune systems of the cyclists did not age either.The researchers advise us all to find an exercise that we like in our lives.4. How did the researchers carry out the study?A. By comparing.B. By discussing.C. By imagining.D. By reasoning.5. Which of the following is a result of the research?A. The cyclists kept a thin body shape.B. The non-exercisers gained weight easily.C. The cyclists’ muscles remained strong with age.D. The non-exercisers usually had health problems.6. Which is an unexpected result for the researchers?A. The cyclists had normal aging process.B. The cyclists’ immune systems didn’t age.C. The cyclists lost nearly all their fat.D. Everyone needed an exercise in their lives.7. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?A. Healthy People Need More ExerciseB. Take an Exercise, the Harder, the BetterC. Cycling Is the Best Way to Prevent AgingD. A Lifetime of Exercise Slows Aging ProcessCGuangzhououtbreak linked to strains inIndiaThe gene sequencing of the COVID-19 outbreak inGuangzhou.Guangdongprovince, indicates it is very similar in structure to the mutatedstrains detected inIndia, a senior health official from the city said on Sunday.“And it has the characteristic of quick spread.” Chen Bin, deputy director of the city's health commission, said at a news conference inGuangzhouon Sunday.She urged relevant departments and medical staff to act quickly to block the chain of infection and control the spread of the coronavirus in the southern metropolis.Zhang Zhoubin, deputy director of theGuangzhoucenter for disease control and prevention, said the strain of coronavirus spreads easily.“The virus can be spread through a meal or through a short period of indirect contact,” he said.The city reported five confirmed eases and 21 asymptomatic carriers as of 2 pm Sunday after the first con finned case was detected in the city's Liwan district on May 21, Chen said.To prevent the virus from spreading, the city government tightened its disease control and prevention measures over the weekend. Six communities and housing estates previously designated as low-risk areas were raised to medium-risk ones, Chen said.In addition to asking local residents to get vaccinated, the city has organized nucleic acid testing in Haizhu and Yuexiu districts starting from Sunday. Residents in specific areas of Tianhe, Baiyun and Panyu districts have also been required to take nucleic acid tests to expand the screening of suspected patients and asymptomatic carriers.Liwan previously required all its residents to take nucleic acid tests.As of Saturday, more than 2-25 million residents of the city have had samples collected for nucleic acid tests, Chen said. More than 10,000 medical workers from the entire city have been sent to Liwan to help vaccinate locals against COVID-19 and collect samples for nucleic acid testing.Deng Wenjun, director of circulation section with Guangzhou Supply and Marketing Cooperative, said there are sufficient supplies of food and daily necessities in the medium-risk areas.8. What is the characteristic of the COVID-19 which broke out inGuangzhou?A. It disappears quickly.B. It spreads fast.C. It has a lot to do with temperature.D. It has the same nature as the seasonal flu.9. Which district have residents who have not been required to take nucleic acid tests?A. Tianhe.B. Haizhu.C. Panyu.D. Zengcheng.10. Which of the following statements is TRUE?A. The virus can hardly be spread through a short period of indirect contact.B. There are 21 symptomatic carriers in the Liwan district as of 2 pm Sunday.C. All the people living in Liwan district arc previously asked to take nucleic acid tests.D. Supplies of food and daily necessities in the medium-risk areas arc still not enough.11. Where can you probably find this article?A. On a news website.B. In a fashion magazine.C. In a history book.D. In a travel journal.DIt’s easy to do easy things, but they don’t carry the challenges and rewards of doing something difficult. Scott Kelly said he tried to express that view everywhere he went. And he spoke from experience, having spent a career that included the time as a NASA astronaut, US Navy captain, fighter pilot, and engineer.Scott spoke at the University of North Alabama, sharing stories about his experience of spending a year on the International Space Station (ISS). He said the physical pressure of living in weightlessness for a year was hard to describe and that the fluids(积水) in his head sometimes made him feel like he was standing on his head. It also needed some time to recover when he returned home. “My legs were weak and it would be uncomfortable to sit for a while because my body hadn’t had that pressure so long,” Scott said.He discussed life aboard including spending time with Russian astronauts. They came from different cultures. He had managed to get along well with everyone aboard as they lived together, worked together, and had to rely oneach other. He thought it was one of the most rewarding things in his life.Though life there was not easy, Scott never regretted being an astronaut and going to space. He also discussed experiences growing up, admitting that he wasn’t always the greatest student but was able to overcome that through hard work and determination.“Never give up or lower your dreams. If you work for it, all things are possible. There is a zero percent chance of succeeding if you don’t even try. And when you succeed after trying hard, you’ll find it really rewarding,” Scott said in the end.12. Scott mentioned his experience in the ISS mainly to show ________.A. he enjoyed making speechesB. he was a responsible astronautC. his life in space was challengingD. the daily life of an astronaut can be boring13. What may benefit Scott most when he lived with Russian astronauts?A. He won some awards through teamwork.B. He found the fun of living in the Space Station.C. He learned to develop close relationships with others.D. He picked up some knowledge of Russian culture.14. Which of the following can best describe Scott?A. Kind and thoughtful.B. Curious and humorous.C. Easygoing and sociable.D. Hardworking and determined.15. What does the author intend to tell us from Scott’s story?A. It’s importantto have a dreamB. Easy things are also worth doingC. A suitable career leads one to success.D. Difficult things are demanding but rewarding第二节（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）阅读下面短文，从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
2021届向明世博中学高三英语期中试题及答案
2021届向明世博中学高三英语期中试题及答案第一部分阅读（共两节，满分40分）第一节（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）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ALast summer, Katie Steller pulled off the freeway on her way to work inMinneapolis. She stopped at a traffic light, where a man was sitting with a sign asking for help. She rolled down her window and shouted. “Hey. I’m driving around giving free haircuts. Do you want one right now?” The man laughed, then paused. “Actually,” he said, “I was really hoping to get a haircut.” Steller pulled out a red chair from her car and helped the man cut his hair immediately. After the work was done, the man looked in a mirror. “I look good!” he said.Up to now, Steller has given 30 or so such haircuts around the city to people with little influence, and she is strongly aware of the power of her cleanup job.As a teen, she suffered from a severe disease, causing her hair to get thinned, so her mother arranged for Steller’s first professional haircut. “To sit down and have somebody look at me and talk to me like a person and not just an illness, it helped me feel cared about and less alone,” she says. After that, Steller knew she wanted to have her own barbershop so she could help people feel the way she’d felt that day. Not long after finishing cosmetology (美容术) school in 2009, she began what she now calls her Red Chair Project, reaching out to people on the streets. Her aim was that by doing some kind acts, others would be inspired to spread their own.“Part of what broke my heart was just how lonely peoplelooked,” she said. “I thought maybe I’d go around and ask if people want free haircuts. I can’t fix their problems, but maybe I can help them feel less alone for a moment.”It all began with a belief in simple acts of kindness, such as a free haircut. “The way you show up in the world matters,” said Steller. “You have no idea what people are going to do with the kindness that you give them.”1. How does the writer begin the passage?A. By making a comparison.B. By giving a reason.C. By raising a question.D. By describing a scene.2. What made Stellar start the Red Chair Project?A. Her mother’s love for her.B. Her interest in cosmetology.C. Her care for those in need.D. Her wish to fight severe diseases.3. What did Stellar expect from the project?A. To spread kindness.B. To solve social problems.C. To deal with relationships.D. To make people look smarter.BWhen I was trying to find a place where to spend my December holidays, I met by chance some cheap flights to Iceland. After checking just a few winter pictures of Iceland, I realized that the country, known as the land of fire and ice, during the cold months of the year could offer me experiences I had never had before.For sure you can’t miss the chance to go to Iceland in winter if your traveling wish list includes at least one of the crazy experiences Iceland can offer. Iceland in the North Atlantic Ocean is a paradise (乐园) for all those who want to see the northern lights, experience cold weather conditions and put themselves in geothermal (地热的) baths while the snow is falling on their head.The best way to move around Iceland is with a rental car. Distances are huge and public transport in winter is not really common out of the major towns. As we wanted to be even more convenient we decided to rent a small camper (野营车). Sleeping and cooking in a camper saved us a lot of driving, money and gave us the chance tobe always in the right place at the right time.There were also no locals and in many cases no tourist facilities (设备). For us, as we slept in a camper, it was easier. But for tourists traveling by normal cars it is necessary to check the opening times ofhotels and restaurants as many of them run just from June to September.It is amazing to experience how the weather is changing in Iceland. However, Icelanders prefer to stay inside their houses. They have even no time to complain about the weather in December. All they care about is Christmas. They love to decorate their houses, sing Christmas songs and eat typical Christmas food.4. Why is Iceland famous as the land of fire and ice?A. Because tourists would like to play with fire on the ice.B. Because it is too dry to easily cause fire to happen.C. Because it is hot inside a house and cold outside.D. Because there exist hot springs and freezing ice.5. What did the author think of the rented camper?A. It was not only practical but also economical.B. It was convenient but cost them more money.C. It provided the best chance to see the new country.D. It was much faster than other public transport.6. What does the last paragraph imply?A. The Icelanders prefer to live with their family.B. The joy of Christmas drives the freezing weather away.C. December is the coldest month of the year.D. The Icelanders are always positive and stay outside.7. What does this passage most probably come from?A. A textbookB. A scientific reportC. A travel magazineD. A news reportCWhen visitors enter Planet Word, a new museum in Washington, D. C , they will see Speaking Willow, a tall art piece representing a tree. As they pass under the artwork, they can hear recordings of speech in hundreds of languages coming from the tree. Most words sound foreign to the listeners. The different voices also speak at the same time. The resultingclamoris similar to that made in a crowded theater before a show begins.Rafael Lozano-Hemmer completed the piece last year. On his website, the artist says that Speaking Willow “reminds us that language is what defines our specific communities and connects our many cultures.” Lozano-Hemmer made the piece specially for the museum.It is the first of many immersive (身临其境的) experiences for visitors at Planet Word, a museum all about words and language. The exhibits playfully explore the lager and complex subject of language.In one room, a video plays, showing babies saying their first words. Another room, called “Where Do Words Come From”, teaches the history of some common English words. The space includes a 22-foot-tali “Wall of Words”, where visitors speak into devices and learn about the roots of the English language.Another room invites listeners to speak and learn about different languages. Native speakers of 28 languages and two sign languages teach people sayings in those languages. They also explain how language shapes their understanding of the world and how words cannot be separated from culture.Other rooms explore the different ways language is used — from humor and song writing to public speaking and advertising. Visitors can sing karaoke while learning about song writing, record a famous speech, play a joke-telling game, and teach a computer how to make cartoons. Almost every exhibit is interactive and most ask visitors to speak aloud.One exhibit room is all about books. It is designed to look like an old, rich library. Books line the shelves. When a book is placed on the table, a recorded reading begins and pictures appear.8. What does the underlined word “clamor” in paragraph 1 probably mean?A. Scene.B. Noise.C. Language.D. Appearance.9. The SpeakingWillowwas created ______.A specially B. accidentallyC. on requestD. out of curiosity10. What can we learn from the video in the room?A. Words and cultures.B. Different languages.C. The history of words.D. The first words newborns say.11. In which paragraph can you find the methods of using languages?A. 3.B. 4.C. 6.D. 7.D“We are running out of space and the only places to go to are other worlds... Spreading out may be the only thing that saves us from ourselves. I am convinced that humans need to leave Earth.” These are the words of the famous scientist Stephen Hawking, spoken at a science festival inNorwayin 2017, a year before his death.Hawking was not alone in this view. Many experts feel that the only way for humanity to last far into the future is to colonize other planets. That way, if an asteroid, a terrible disease, nuclear war, or some other disaster strikes Earth, civilization as we know it would still have a chance. Mars is one of the most tempting destinations. NASA, theUnited Arab Emirates, the private company SpaceX, and the organization Mars One all have plans to send humans there. “Either we spread Earth to other planets, or we risk going extinct, SpaceX founder Elon Musk said at a conference in 2013.But not everyone agrees that colonizing Mars or any other planet is such a great plan. The most common argument against going is that it’s just too expensive or dangerous. It will take huge amounts of money and other resources just to get people there, let alone set up a place for them to live. It’s not even clear if humans could survive on Mars. One of the biggest dangers there is deadly radiation that bombards the planet.Maybe all the time and money people would pour into a Mars mission would be better spent on more urgent projects here on Earth, like dealing with poverty or climate change. Some experts argue that handling a problem like an asteroid strike or disease outbreak while staying here on Earth would be much easier and less expensive than surviving on a new planet.In addition, moving to a new planet could harm or destroy anything that already lives there. Mars seems uninhabited, but it could possibly host microbial life. Human visitors may destroy this life or permanently change or damage the Martian environment. Some feel that’s too much of a risk to take.What do you think? Should humans colonize outer space or stay home?12. What can be inferred from the passage?A. Many experts insist that humans should take the risk.B. Mars is the most attractive destinations for human beings.C. Hawking firmly believes the only way to save humans is moving to Mars.D. All the other experts don’t agree with Hawking’s idea.13. Why do some experts disagree with the plan to colonize Mars?A. It will cost much more money to settle on Mars than on Earth.B. It is too long a distance from the Earth to the Mars.C. Human visitors will bring diseases to Martian environment.D. The deadly radiation that bombards the planet is the biggest danger.14. What’s the writing purpose of the passage?A. To raise people’s awareness of protecting the environment.B. To present different opinions on whether to move to the Mars.C. To arouse readers’ reflection on whether to colonize outer space.D. To inspire people to deal with the environmental problems.15. In which section of a magazine is the passage most likely from?A. Fiction.B. Current affairs.C. Social Studies.D. Science.第二节（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）阅读下面短文，从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
2021届上海市向明高级中学高三英语上学期期中试题及答案解析
2021届上海市向明高级中学高三英语上学期期中试题及答案解析第一部分阅读（共两节，满分40分）第一节（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）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AIt looks like 2017 is shaping up to be a record-breaking year in movie History. Here is a list of some of the year’s biggest blockbusters so far.Kong: Skull IslandA reboot (重启) of King Kong would normally get laughed at in this day and age, but it looks like this modem version of the story will be worth watching. With US actress Brie Larson and UK actor Tom Hiddleston in the mix, this film is set to be this year’s biggest monster tale.Release Date:3/10/17Beauty and the BeastDirector Bill Condon is bringing back a part of our childhood in live action, complete with the songs we all remember and love. With British stars Emma Watson and Dan Stevens leading thecast, the classic Walt Disney story already sounds like it’ll be a delight for both children and adults.Release Date:3/17/17The Fate of the FuriousThere was doubt that we’d even get a Fast 8, especially after the fitting ending US actor Paul Walker’s character was given at the end of Furious 7. Fans thought they’d never see Dom and the rest of the crew back in action, but thankfully, US star Vin Diesel himself confirmed that The Fate of the Furious is fueling up for another go.Release Date:4/14/17Spider-Man: HomecomingSpider Man is heading home to Marvel Studios for the first time. The movie will show us Peter Parker’s high school days, and will continue the threads we saw formed during his initial appearance in Captain America: Civil War. We know that Michael Keaton is playing The Vulture in this story, and that both Happy Hogan and Tony Stark, played by US actors Jon Favreau and Robert Downey Jr., are along for the ride.Release Date:7/7/171.Which of the following movies can’t you see on May Day?A.Kong: Skull Island.B.Beauty and the Beast.C.The Fate of the Furious.D.Spider-Man: Homecoming.2.What can we know about Beauty and the Beast?A.It is fueling up for another go.B.It is produced by Marvel StudiosC.It’ll show us Peter Parker’s school days.D.It’ll be enjoyable for both children and adults.3.What does the underlined word “cast” probably mean?A.Characters.B.Actors.C.Directors.D.Teachers.BThe race skywards began inAmerica. In the late1800s, industrialization had driven urban populations and land prices up, making tall buildings increasingly cost-effective, according to Carol Willis, director of theSkyscraperMuseuminNew York, “The very first tall buildings were office buildings that concentrated a work force, piled one on top of the other in order to make business very efficient, ”she says.Like all major changes in architecture, the trend wasunderpinnedby engineering. The development of steel framework, which could be used instead of load-bearing stones, made it easier and cheaper to build tall. The coming of the elevator, meanwhile, made living on higher floors far more convenient.Though similar in shape, today's skyscrapers (摩天大楼) look little like those built in the first half of the 20thcentury. This is mostly thanks to architecture's next major technological shift：the curtain wall.Postwar developments in manufacturing meant that huge panes of glass could be produced quickly and uniformly, and glass windows soon became the front of choice for high-rises. As well as allowing for greater floor space and more natural light, glass exteriors (外部) help. buildings resist greater windloads.There are now 191 completed skyscrapers that are at least 300 meters tall. But that doesn't mean our cities will grow taller indefinitely. While each additional story adds sellable floor space, construction costs also rise. All buildings reach a point where adding an extra floor will cost more money than it brings.“Every city wants to have this landmark that gives that sense of distinct culture, ”but it also needs places for people to live and work in urban settings“without the city sprawling (无序扩张), ”explains Hong Kong architect Simon Chan.The next big challenge facing architects goes beyond height：At a time when buildings and their constructionaccount for more than a third of the world's energy consumption and contribute about 40% of greenhouse gas emissions(排放), there are new costs to consider.Whether it's employing more energy-efficient materials, encouraging natural air or using buildings themselves to generate solar or wind energy, reducing carbon emissions is the new frontier for many skyscraper architects.4. What does the underlined word“underpinned” in paragraph 2 probably mean?A. Created.B. Prepared.C. Suggested.D. Supported.5. What made living on higher floors much more convenient?A. The development of steel framework.B. Load-bearing stones.C. The use of the elevator.D. The curtain wall.6. What can we know from paragraph 5?A. Our cities will grow taller definitely.B. All skyscrapers are at least 300 meters tall.C. Construction cost rises as the stories increase.D. The profit for builders will be greater as the building becomes higher.7. What's the next big challenge facing architects?A. How to build the greenest building.B. How to build the strongest building.C. How to build the tallest building in the world.D. How to build the most comfortable building.CThis past year, I've found myself returning again and again to lines of poetry by Emily Dickinson. Like many people, I've needed the curing effects of reading more than ever. As scientists and psychologists will tell you, books are good for the brain and their benefits are particularly vital now.Books expand our world, providing an escape and offering novelty, surprise and excitement. They broaden our view and help us connect with others. Books can also distract us and help reduce ourmental chatter.When we hit the “flow state" of reading where we're fully lost in a book, our brain's mode network calms down. It's a network of brain that is active and gets absorbed in thinking and worrying endlessly when we are not doing anything else.There is so much noise in the world right now and the very act of reading is kind of meditation. You disconnect from the chaos around you.You reconnect with yourself when you are reading. And there's no more noise.In 2020, the NPD Group recorded the best year of book sales since 2004. Yet even as people are buying more books,many are reporting they're having a harder time getting through them. It's difficult for your brain to focus on a book when it's constantly scanning for threats to keep you alive.Our fight-or-flight response has been consistently activated.Sometimes I picture my brain as a cartoon brain with little arms and legs, fighting with a book I am holding and screaming: “Can't you see I'm busy!” Anxiety causes our brain to produce a flood of stress,which consumes our energy and makes it harder to concentrate.Then one day in December sitting on my couch, I remembered how much I like to read"The House of Mirth" every few years around the holidays. The memory inspired me to pick up the familiar book, opened it up and started reading.I just kept going.The comfort and distraction and brain-opening experience gave me peace.So return to something familiar.8. What does the underlined part “mental chatter” in Paragraph 2 mean?A. Getting lost in a book.B. Non-stop inner anxiety.C. Chatting with the author.D. Powerful network of brain.9. What do we know about reading according to the text?A. It can treat our headache.B. It can calm down the noisy people.C. It forces us to concentrate.on thinking.D. It makes us communicate with ourselves.10. Why was it difficult for people to finish reading books in 2020?A. People bought too many books.B. The books were too difficult to understand.C. People just wanted to escape from the threat.D. The life threat disturbed people's focus on books.11. Why is the author's experience mentioned in the last paragraph?A. To rid people of concern for safety.B. To present an effective reading way.C. To wake up memories of an old book.D. To recommend the book he/she reads.DIn the Pacific Northwest during winter, 5:15 am might as well be the dead of night. The alarm goes off and the onlylight is the red glow from my clock. My body says, “Go back to bed.” But I don’t. I know my running partner will be waiting in the street and I’m not going to stand her up. Then I walk onto the road, complaining about the cold and wishing I were back under my warm covers.If you’d have asked me a year ago if I could see myself running at 5:15 on a winter morning, I’d have laughed. Morning just wasn’t my thing and running in the morning was something I didn’t even consider. “I prefer to work out in the middle of the morning or in the afternoon,” I’d say to my friends who go to the gym before work.Then, last fall I reconnected with an old neighborhood friend. She’d been running in the morning and taken off forty pounds that year. When I looked in the mirror, I knew I could benefit from the same kind of weight loss. I asked if I could join her. I knew I needed to change something if I was going to get back in shape.The first two months were especially hard, because we ran twice a week at 5:15 am and I slept till 7:00 the other mornings. But as I’ve adjusted to the routine of running, I’ve discovered great joys that make it even more worthwhile than a little weight loss.While I haven’t lost forty pounds yet, it’s amazing how much more energy I have and how much stronger I feel. Because of the morning run, the rest of my day is more productive. I wouldn’t say I’ve become a morning person, but I would say morning running is now my thing.12. What can we know about the author from paragraph 1?A. 5:15 is the ideal time for her to exercise.B. She prefers to run without any company.C. She takes the run with warm clothes on.D. She goes for a run in spite of the cold and early rise.13. What was the author’s attitude to morning running a year ago?A. Scared.B. Unfavorable.C. Supportive.D. Confused.14. What made the author begin to run in the morning?A. Her partner’s encouragement.B. Her friend’s suggestion.C. Realizing the benefits of running.D. Realizing the harm of being fat.15. What effect does morning runninghave on the author?A. She has become slim again.B. She has become more confident.C. She has become more energetic.D. She has become more exhausted.第二节（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）阅读下面短文，从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
2021年上海市向明高级中学高三英语上学期期中试题及答案解析
2021年上海市向明高级中学高三英语上学期期中试题及答案解析第一部分阅读（共两节，满分40分）第一节（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）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AAs the MOOC craze continues to explode, anyone interested in taking an online course faces a tricky question: Which course to take? Here are five aspects that you should consider before you start.(1)What is your learning style?Many MOOCs are video-based. Other courses use presentation formats. Some also require participation in group work. If you want to stay motivated during your course, think about how you enjoy learning.Are you a visual learner, preferring to use images to understand a topic? If so, a video-based course will work well for you. If you are a verbal learner who gains new information by speaking and writing, try a text-based course with lots of note-taking. Social learners, meanwhile, will thrive in forum discussions and project-based assessment.(2)Are you ready to become a full-time student?Be realistic about the time that you can commit to your online studies. Participating in an online course can take as much time and commitment as a class-based program. Check the course requirements and make a plan around your current schedule.(3) Does the course really meet your needs?Whether you are interested in a professional qualification or want to take a personal development course like yoga, there is a MOOC for you. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of taking lots of free courses in everything that you ever wanted to learn. Before you start a course, think about the end goal. Is the course aimed at beginners or advanced learners? Why do you need this qualification?(4) Do you need a support group?Some people learn best from seeing how others approach the problem. If you are such as learner, you will need to supplement your online lessons with an in-person support group.(5) What kind of certification will you get?Take time to find out what kind of certification is available upon completion of the course, and how you can prove your learning to others - for example, certificates, transcripts or digital badges.1. What kind of MOOC's does the author recommend to verbal learners?A. A video-based course.B. A text-based course.C. A forum-based discussion.D. A project-based assessment.2. What kind of learners need an in-person support group?A. Learners who prefer individual work.B. Learners who are in great need of a certificate.C. Learners who are too busy to become a full-time student.D. Learners who learn best from observing how others address the problem.3. What is the passage mainly about?A. Picking the right MOOC's for you.B. Deciding your learning style.C. Taking the right course you need.D. Choosing a suitable support group.BFor most thinkers since the Greek philosophers, it was self-evident that there is something called human nature, something that constitutes the essence of man. There were various views about what constitutes it, but there was agreement that such an essence exists—that is to say, that there is something by virtue of which man is man. Thus man was defined as a rational(理性的) being, as a social animal, an animal that can make tools, or a symbol-making animal.More recently, this traditional view has begun to be questioned. One reason for this change was the increasing emphasis given to the historical approach to man. An examination of the history of humanity suggested that man in our time is so different from man in previous times that it seemed unrealistic to assume that men in every age have had in common something that can be called “human nature.” The historical approach was strengthened, particularly in the United States, by studies in the field of cultural anthropology (人类学). The study of primitive peoples has discovered such a diversity of customs, values, feelings, and thoughts that many anthropologists arrived at the concept that man is born as a blank sheet of paper on which each culture writes its text. Another factor contributing to the tendency to deny the assumption of a fixed human nature was that the concept has so often been abused as a shield(盾牌) behind which the most inhuman acts are committed. In the name of human nature, for example, Aristotle and most thinkers up to the eighteenth century defended slavery. Or in order to prove the rationality and necessity of the capitalist form of society, scholars have tried to make a case for acquisitiveness, competitiveness, and selfishness as natural human characters. Popularly, one refers cynically（愤世嫉俗地）to “human nature” in accepting the inevitability of such undesirable human behavior as greed, murder, cheating and lying.Another reason for disbelief about the concept of human nature probably lies in the influence of evolutionary thinking. Once man came to be seen as developing in the process of evolution, the idea of a substance which is contained in his essence seemed untenable. Yet I believe it is precisely from an evolutionary standpoint that we can expect new insight into the problem of the nature of man.4. Most philosophers believed that human nature ________.A. is the quality distinguishing man from other animalsB. consists of competitiveness and selfishnessC. is something partly innate and partly acquiredD. consists of rationality and undesirable behavior5. The traditional view of “human nature” was strongly challenged by ________.A. the emergence of the evolutionary theoryB. the historical approach to manC. new insight into human behaviorD. the philosophical analysis of slavery6. According to the passage, anthropologists believe that human beings ________.A. have some characters in commonB. are born with diverse culturesC. are born without a fixed natureD. change their characters as they grow up7. The author mentioned Aristotle, a great ancient thinker, in order to ________.A. emphasize that he contributed a lot to defining the concept of “human nature”B. show that the concept of “human nature” was used to justify social evilsC. prove that he had a profound influence on the concept of “human nature”D. support the idea that some human characters are inherited.CJapan's prime minister encouraged the decision to ban viewers, even family members, by issuing a state of emergency order in Tokyo earlier this month in response to rising COVID-19 case numbers.From the perspective of sports psychologists, an Olympics without fans is a real-life science experiment that is helping researchers and clinicians to comb through the true impact of a crowd of fans on its players—and on viewers at home. The strange circumstances under which the games are held may place unexpected pressure on some athletes. On Tuesday, superstar gymnast Simone Biles dropped out of the women's team event, telling teammates and reporters she wasn't in the right “headspace” to compete. “It's been really stressful this Olympic Games. There are a lot of different variables going into it,” Biles told the Washington Post.The 2020 Summer Olympics bears similarities and differences to other major sporting events without viewers.The English Premier League supplemented (增加) game broadcasts with crowd noise from the soccer video game FIFA 20, mixed with game audio in real time. A Taiwanese baseball team and German soccer team began populating stands with cardboard cutouts of fans, and the trend caught on internationally.Jamey Houle, the lead sports psychologist for Ohio State University Athletics and a former Al-American gymnast, says competitive athletes are trained in visualization— imagining performing a certain action or motion, such as doing a roundoff back handspring in gymnastics. Without moving a muscle, players using visualization can solidify neural (神经的) connections and activate their motor cortex (皮层). To visualize most effectively, Houle says, athletes working with sports psychologists will try to simulate as closely as possible the conditions of actual gameplay. Empty stadiums may thus have a measurable impact on players' performance. This phenomenon is grounded in a psychological concept called “social facilitation”, referring to a change in a person's performance that occurs when others are around compared to when a person is alone.8. What caused Biles to drop out of the women's team event?A. The poor physical condition.B. The absence of the audience.C. The fiercely competitive event.D. The influence of crowds of fans.9. What can be inferred from Paragraph 3?A. The Taiwanese baseball team is a success.B. The tendency mentioned is popular among some sporting events.C. The 2020 Summer Olympics is stricter in preventing the pandemic.D. The crowd noise plays a leading role in the English Premier League.10. How does Houle explain the impact of empty stadiums on players' performance?A. By doing a roundoff back handspring.B. By simulating the conditions of actual gameplay.C. By using the concept called social facilitation.D. By changing the viewers of a player.11. What message does the author mainly convey in the text?A. Athletes should be trained in visualization.B. Audience should be admitted to the Olympics.C. Social facilitation is helpful to sporting events.D. Viewers present may influence players' performance.DTo hear people talk about Internet friendships, you would think it was one giant web of cat-fishing and e-crime. While we all undoubtedly have to take measures to remain safe online, assuming every friendship or connection made on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook is cheating or insincere would be a mistake.As a woman who works in the creative industry, I have found real joy in seeking out a community I couldn’t find elsewhere, and making some great friends along the way. My first online friendship was on Twitter with my(now) best friend, during the university exam period. We exchanged study notes in dozens of direct messages, set a study date, and haven’t looked back since.Drawn to each other by similar circumstances, friendships online are similar to offline in that they tend to begin because of shared interest or common ground-maybe they’ve read the post on Instagram. Maybe they have the same taste in food or politics. Or maybe they just love memes too. If online friendships start similar to friendships offline, they grow in the same way, too. Often through mutual support: apart from calling a friend to congratulate him on that new job, you also re-tweet his jokes and praise his Instagram story.Despite my positive experiences when I tell people, most are still suspicious. Eyebrows are raised higher when I explain not only have I found a community online but have made friendships with people I meet face-to-face too. Actually, these are just as valid as other friendships, according to behavioural psychologist Jo Hemmings, who says online friendships can be real.So how do you know if people are there for the real you or just because you’re popular on Instagram? Hemmings has simple rules. She tells me “You have to equally feel comfortable that you’re getting something of each other instead of being used to enable something that isn’t friendship.”Therefore, if all a “friend” online is asking you to do is to promote their work or personal brand and rarely takes an interest in you, then there may be room to question the basis of the friendship. On that note it is worth remembering that just because someone has a lot of followers, it doesn’t necessarily mean they have lots of friends.12. What is most people’s attitude towards online friendship?A. Negative.B. Positive.C. Objective.D. Neutral.13. Why does the writer share her own experience in paragraph 2?A. To introduce the background information of the text.B. To convey the writer’s attitude and give the related example.C. To prove the likely risk for people to develop friendship online.D. To remind people of the various benefits of making friends online.14. How can online and offline friendships be deepened?A. They should be based on shared interest.B. They need to have common ground.C. They require support from each other.D. They can’t live without social media.15. According to the author, what’s the golden rule to make friends online?A. A friend to all is a friend to none.B. Without confidence there is no friendship.C. A friend without faults will never be found.D. Friendship cannot stand always on one side.第二节（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）阅读下面短文，从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
2021届上海市向明高级中学高三英语期中考试试卷及答案解析
2021届上海市向明高级中学高三英语期中考试试卷及答案解析第一部分阅读（共两节，满分40分）第一节（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）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AReturns & Refund Guarantee（保证；保证书）The “Returns & Refund Guarantee” is a promise provided by sellers for every item they sell on DHgate. com. When you receive an item that was bought and paid for on our site, and you find it is not as described or isof low quality, you can contact the seller to resolve these problems. DHgate will offer additional assistance if the seller is not cooperative.Scope（范围）The following points should not be included in the “Returns & Refund Guarantee”：▲The seller didn't make any promise.▲The seller can provide evidence to prove the items are as described.▲You didn't contact the seller within the promised time.▲You have released the payment to the seller before asking DHgate for help.Sellers are able to set up the following promises：Returning items for any reasonBuyers can return items for a refund within a specific date which has been set up by sellers, such as 3 days, and 7 days from the day when the items are received. The items' receiving date is the date that is indicated on the shipping carrier's official website. Buyers should prepay any return shipping cost, which will be given back to the buyers after the seller receives the items as long as the items are returned in the same exact condition as when they were delivered.Returns or Refunds accepted if the product has quality issuesBuyers can return the items for a refund when they are not as described or possess quality issues by communicating directly with the seller. The seller is responsible for the return shipping cost.Buyers can get a refund and keep the items when the items are not as described or possess quality issues by negotiating directly with sellers.1.Who can get additional assistance from DHgate in the guarantee?A.The buyers in physical stores.B.The buyers on DHgate. com.C.The sellers on DHgate. com.D.Both the buyers and the sellers.2.Which situation is within the scope of the guarantee?A.The seller didn't make any promise.B.The buyer has paid the seller in advance.C.The buyer asked for help within the promised time.D.The seller proves that there is nothing wrong with the item.3.Which of the following is true according to the passage?A.Not all the sellers make promises.B.DHgate sometimes will pay the buyers.C.Sellers should prepay return shipping cost.D.The buyer can't keep the items after getting a refund.BThe outbreak of the novel corona virus pneumonia (NCP) has disrupted the lives and work of nearly every Chinese person. However, a new trend has been on the rise: many have turned themselves into livestreaming users orfollowers.According to Questmobile, a professional big data intelligence services provider in China, the audience for Douyin, Kuaishou and other livestreaming platforms surged to 574 million during the Spring Festival holiday, up 35 percent from 2019.Confined at home, away from their friends and loved ones, people turn to livestreaming to reach out to the world. For them livestreaming can help them share their lives and interest with a global audience, which will give them the sense of being “in the moment”. Even as viewers, they can also engage immediately with livestreamers by commenting and making suggestions.“When I comment on the livestreaming videos, I’m not simply an audience member, but also an active part of the program. That gives me a sense of engagement,” an Internet user named Wang Hao told People’s Daily.Livestreaming is not only for fun, but also a new tool for many businesses. Affected by the pandemic, many businesses had to stop their sales in physical stores. To meet their business goals and survive during these trying times, many chose to livestream to revive their businesses.Joyoung, a leading maker of small kitchen appliances, is a good example. The company not only added a number of broadcasts each day to advertise their products, but also shared the menus that were beneficial to health. “The responses to our livestreaming shows have been well beyond expectations,” Kang Li, who overseesthe company’s livestreaming unit, told China daily. “It’s a natural opportunity to truly bond with our followers.”Like it or not, livestreaming is likely to go mainstream in China for both entertainment and business.4. What is the purpose of writing the second paragraph?A. To introduce some popular livestreaming platforms in China.B. To report data on the development of livestreaming in 2019.C. To show that Chinese people spend too much time on livestreaming apps.D. To prove that livestreaming are becoming increasingly popular in China.5. What does Wang Hao think of commenting on livestreaming?A. It is boring to make comments.B. It is the only way to share viewers’ lives.C. It makes people feel involved in the stream.D. It helps livestreamers improve themselves.6. What do paragraphs 5&6 mainly talk about?A. Livestreaming replaced physical stores in many areas.B. Many businesses turned to livestreaming platform for marketing.C. Livestreaming platforms faced challenges during the pandemic.D. Livestreaming platforms made changes to their services.7. How does the author feel about thefuture of livestreaming？A. Positive.B. Uncertain.C. Disappointed.D. Confused.CWhen a fire broke out in my home in the middle of the night, I knew I'd do anything I could to save my family. The medicine that I take for my rheumatoid arthritis causes me to wake up inthe middle of the night with a dry mouth. January 15, 2016, was no different. I, Indiana, US, awoke at 2:30am needing water.I was walking back upstairs from the kitchen when I heard my bulldog , Rock. Whatever Rock was doing down there, it made enough noise for me to go to him. By the time I made it to the bottom of the stairs, he was running up, and he never came up the stairs, no matter what. I think that was his way of telling me, "We've got to go back up. "When I got to the top of the stairs, I turned around and saw a light on, but I didn't remember leaving one on. I walked downstairs again, and that's when I saw fire. I immediately shouted to my wife to wake up and get our three kids. I grabbed a knife and cut out the plastic that covered the window to the porch roof. I then pried openthe window and kicked out the screen. I started screaming for help. But help never came. I got everybody out on the roof and threw a blanket out there so we wouldn't slip off. It was cold, January cold. Then I started screaming for help. But help never came.Now, I'm scared of heights and have physical issues, what with my rheumatoid arthritis, but I couldn't let my family burn up. So I jumped off the roof. I didn't scoot to the edge; I just jumped and got the wind knocked out of me when I landed. I found our ladder, placed it against the house, and climbed back up to the roof. I wrapped my arms around my daughter and carried my nine - month - old with my teeth, by his little sleeper. Then I climbed down the ladder. Once on the ground, I had my little girl hold her brother, and I went back up to the roof to get my other daughter. Then I went back up again and got my wife. I tried to get my dog, but he just disappeared in the black smoke. I never saw him alive again,I'm no hero. I'm just an ordinary person who'd help anybody. This happened to be the time when I helped my own family. I live to protect my family. Just likeRock—he lived to protect us.8. What made the author wake up at 2:30am?A. My dog's barkingB. The medicine's effectC. A burning fireD. A noise downstairs9. How did Rock tell the author the danger downstairs?A. He turned on a light downstairs.B. He ran to the author's room upstairs.C. He kept barking and running up to stairs.D. He made some noise at the bottom of the stairs.10. What did the author do after his family all stood on the roof?A. He placed a blanket to keep warm.B. He started screaming for help.C. He jumped off the roof.D. He broke open the window and kicked out the screen11. Which ofthe following best describe the author?A. Courageous and responsibleB. Caring and selfishC. Loyal and braveD. Strong and considerateDBecause of COVID-19, in many places, large gatherings of people aren’t allowed. In some areas, the rules aremore strict, and people aren't allowed to leave their homes unless going out is ly necessary.These steps are very important for slowing the disease down. By doing this, governments can make sure doctors and hospitals are better able to deal with all the sick people, and that fewer people suffer in all. Usually, it's called “flattening the curve”.But if no one can go out, that means businesses which depend on visitors struggle. Many singers, bands, and other musicians would normally be giving concerts now. Instead, they have to find new ways to share their music and connect with their audiences. The Metropolitan Opera in New York has canceled(取消) its season, but it is showing a special live stream of a different opera each day on its website. Other opera companies have made similar moves. Several theater companies are either offering recorded versions of their plays online or posting videos of their actors performing.Nick Green wrote a musical play that was canceled because of the virus. He set up a website with links that allow people to enjoy the work of artists around the world who have had their projects canceled. He called his project the Social Distancing Festival. He sad it was a time when he should be doing something new, rather than feeling disappointed.Even TV shows have to find new ways to film their shows. Some late night TV shows have continued, but without audiences. Others are showing reruns.While their shows are on pause, some TV stars like Conan O’Brien and Jimmy Fallon have been filming short videos at home. Mr. O’ Brien plans to bring his show back on the air soon by filming with his own phone and talking with guests over the Internet.12. What does the underlined phrase in Paragraph 2 refer to?A. Keeping patients staying at home anytime.B. Speed up the spread of disease.C. Stopping people from often gathering up.D. Slowing down the spread of the disease.13. What are opera companies’ new ways?A. Stopping sharing music with audience.B. Providing live stream services.C. Trying to attract live audiences.D. Sharing their operas with each other14. What did the cancellation of Nick Green's play bring him?A. Disappointment.B. Annoyance .C. Creativity.D. Anxiety.15. What is the text mainly about?A. People staying at home .B. The absence of audiences.C. The efforts of Nick Green .D. Entertainment going online .第二节（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）阅读下面短文，从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。