In an unmanned supermarket,a customer waits to pay.With the use of advanced digital payment technology, including biological recognition and in-depth learning,the man leaves in a minute.There's no cashier in the store.At a large university,students use a hand-scanning machine that authorizes their entry into the gym.Those people are using “smart machines” which identify people by their physical characteristics.These new devices use fingers,hands, faces,eyes and voices.Some machines may even use smells.This new technology,called biometrics,gets information from parts of the body.
In the past,biometric machines were used mainly in government agencies or in prisons.But now that the cost of the technology is lower,these machines are starting to be used everywhere,from border services to schools.
Some people,however,are concerned that these machines will mean the destruction of personal privacy.They worry that the machines will get personal information about them.“I know it seems like these machines are invading our privacy,but actually,biometric machines help to protect it,”says Jay Tarkett,who works at a company that develops the machines.“They can be used instead of passwords on a computer,for example.They can also identify criminals at airports.So,really,they help to promote public safety,and all the information stored is kept confidential by the machine itself.”
Some people don't like the idea of using fingerprints because they associate them with criminals,and feel like they are being accused of something.In addition,they don't work for some people,such as bricklayers,who wear down their fingerprints.Yet,face recognition does work well because the subject doesn't really have to do anything.To cash a check at a bank,for example,the customer has to do nothing more than look at a machine similar to an automatic teller.If the face matches the picture kept on fie,the customer gets the money with no problems.The need to carry identification with you from place to place,then,would all but cease.
It has been found that the hand scan works well in the college gym.Before this machine was used,students at the college entered the gym using cards similar to credit cards.The problem was that students often lost or forgot their cards.With the hand-scanning machine,however,the problem was solved right away.
But the machines are still new,and there can be problems.For example,voice recognition works on the phone, but it is not precise,and can be tricked.Another constraint（限制）we notice,with machines that use face recognition in particular,is that they can be fooled if people color their hair or gain a lot of weight.However,this particular problem may be solved by a new type of technology that scans a person's iris,the colored part of the eye.It can even identify the person from a few feet away,recognizing a customer as he or she approaches the ATM.
1.What's the author's intention by presenting two examples in Paragraph 1?
A. To stress how smart machines work.
B. To bring in the topic of the passage.
C. To show the popularity of smart machines.
D. To introduce the convenience smart machines offer.
2.Why don't people like using finger-prints while using the machine?
A. They want to keep their mistakes a secret.
B. They don't want to damage their fingers.
C. They are afraid of losing money in the bank.
D. They are afraid of being thought of as criminals.
3.Why are biometric machines starting to be used in many fields?
A. They are not as expensive as they were.
B. They no longer invade people's privacy.
C. People enjoy face and voice recognition.
D. Criminals are often hidden at airports.
4.What is the author's attitude towards the new technology?
A. Worried. B. Bitter.
C. Optimistic. D. Satisfied.
5.What is the passage mainly about?
A. An introduction to biometric machines.
B. An advertisement for biometric machines.
C. A brief description of hand scanning machines.
D. An analysis of biometric machines' value in economy.
Every one can try his best to achieve.We don't need to be the best,but to tough out the limits of what we are capable of.I gained this belief from my third grade teacher,the mast special honored,trustworthy,and loved person in my life.
Mr.Myrus was always perfectly dressed and spoke with the belief that talking to eight-year-olds didn’t mean he had to sacrifice proper statements or grammars.And he was demanding but he wasn't unreasonable or cruel.He simply felt that no matter what your best was,you should achieve it.
As luck would have it,I met him again as my eighth grade math teacher.I was not,nor ever will be,gifted in math. I remember my struggles in class."I don't know the answer,"I would say,"I can’t do it!"“Perhaps you don't know the answer,”he would say quietly."Do you think we might figure it out together?How do you know what you can do until you try?"
Mr.Myrus lived around the comer,and I would often stop by to talk while he worked in his garden.I knew there was someone who let me know that if I had really tried,that was enough.
"Don't be so hard on yourself,"he'd say."Stop blaming yourself.Did you try your best?Well,then you're not a failure,"he often told me these words.
Mr.Myrus died in 1978.I had never thought about his death.He was too young.I felt sorry.But when I think about him now,I don't feel so sorry.He taught me to be kind,not only to others,but to myself.He taught me my own value.He taught me about honor,about truth,and about doing my best—and that all feelings and beliefs have dignity and deserve respect.And of all the things I know,this I believe: We can't all be “the best”,but we can,each of us,be our best,and I know that's true because Mr.Myrus told me that.
1.What can we learn about Mr.Myrus according to the passage?
A. He is usually hard on the students.
B. He is responsible for his students and his teaching.
C. He is a person who isn't particular about what be wears.
D. He sometimes is cruel and unreasonable to his students.
2.What does the underlined word “demanding” in Paragraph 2 most probably mean?
A. Strict. B. Serious.
C. Critical. D. Careful.
3.Why did the author think he was a lucky dog?
A. He had got a great belief from his teacher.
B. Mr.Myrus trad been his teacher for eight years.
C. He became interested in math because of Mr.Myrus.
D. He developed a good relationship with Mr.Myrus.
4.What can be inferred from Paragraph 3?
A. Mr.Myrus thought it very easy to learn math.
B. The author preferred other subjects to math.
C. The author was ashamed to admit his poor math.
D. Mr.Myrus helped the author build up his confidence.
5.What can we conclude by reading the passage?
A. The author may have become a teacher.
B. The author liked to recall his childhood.
C. The author believed he would be the best of all.
D. The author ended up being a man of self-confidence.
Every May it happens.I drop to my knees,just outside the back door,raise my arms to the sky and shout,"That's it!I give up!Take my flower beds,you killer weeds!Blackberry vines（藤蔓）,this land is yours!Vines,climb up and kill my trees one by one!I’m done!”
Then I get up,lie down on the swing,and close my eyes.I'm sure I can hear the weeds growing and the vines creeping in（悄悄爬进）.I swear they are all laughing at me,too.They don't even have the manners to wait until I leave there.
There is no denying that gardens are battle zones in the spring.I blame it on those April and May rains.Once the heat moves in,I can control what gets watered and survives,but those early showers even out（平均分配）the battlefield.
Garden tools alone make it clear that gardening isn't an easy thing.My old cart seems to have the personality of a tank,and I'm pretty sure my spade is second cousin to a dagger.
By late June,both sides are worn down.I've given some of the yard over to the weeds—you just can't win them all.That's a battle for next year.There is no clear victory for me,but I've stood my ground for yet another season.
1.What is the best title of the passage?
A. A victory over weeds. B. My love for the yard.
C. A battle against weeds. D. The skills of gardening.
2.What does the underlined "it" in Paragraph 1 most probably refer to?
A. That heat moves in and evens out the battlefield.
B. That vines creep in and kill all the trees one by one.
C. That weeds take whole possession of the flower beds.
D. That the author gets exhausted from fighting against weeds.
3.What can we know from Paragraph 3?
A. Spring is the best time to kill weeds.
B. Spring's heal helps weeds to win the battle.
C. The rain makes it hard for the author to win her battle.
D. The spring rain makes the plants to suffer too much.
4.Why does the author compare her garden tools to weapons?
A. To show the power of the tools.
B. To stress the difficulty of gardening.
C. To describe the shapes of the tools.
D. To provide ways of gardening.
5.What can we learn according to the passage?
A. The author is exhausted by the battle and has finally given up.
B. The author has decided to battle with the weeds next year.
C. The author enjoys the battle with the weeds and expect another fight.
D. The author does not want to kill all the weeds since they are also helpful.
If you are looking for something fun and educational to do in Maryland,why not visit the Maryland Science Center?It is located at 601 Light Street,Baltimore,MD 21230.The ticket prices vary depending on ages,groups and the exhibits you choose.
Introduction
The Maryland Science Center is basically a museum,but it gives everyone a chance to learn through experience and play,rather than just glance at an exhibit.
Activities
You can learn about various topics,including outer space,the human body,dinosaurs,electricity,marine（海洋的）biology,energy,and much more.You can also take part in the interactive activities,such as racing bubbles,digging for dinosaur fossils,using puzzle pieces to construct cars,and so much more.
The Davis Planetarium（天文馆）
At the Davis Planetarium,you can lie back in a chair and look at the stars while still inside the Science Center. The stars will appear on the ceiling of the theatre as you watch them.
There are different shows to catch at the Davis Planetarium.You can learn about the galaxy and astronomy during the Dark Matters show.Learn about the stars and planets during the Sky Live show.The One World One Sky show allows children to explore the stars.The Live from the Sun show will teach you all about the hot sun.
The Kids Room
For children,they can't miss the Kids Room.They will be able to play in a water area,construct dams and water towers,push buttons,ring doorbells,build with blocks,and more,and definitely they will learn a lot.In addition,there is also an area for kids of two years old and under,where they can crawl,walk and explore safely with soft toys.
1.What do we know about the Maryland Science Center?
A. It charges different prices for parents and Children.
B. It is regarded as the most popular museum in Maryland.
C. It is a museum where there are many famous exhibitions.
D. It is mainly designed for children and their families to play together.
2.Which activity is not available in the Maryland Science Center?
A. Taking part in bubble competitions.
B. Learning the structure of the human body.
C. Watching famous science fiction films.
D. Gaining knowledge of marine creatures.
3.If you want to know why the sun shines,which show should you choose?
A. Dark Matters. B. Live from the Sun.
C. One World One Sky. D. Sky Live.
4.What can we learn about the Kids Room from the passage?
A. It is designed for parents who have children.
B. It provides a good opportunity for parents to relax.
C. Children there need to be accompanied by their parents.
D. It is a good place for children to learn and play at the same time.
5.Where is the passage most probably taken from?
A. A newspaper. B. A science journal.
C. A marketing report. D. A travel brochure（小册子）.
假定你是李华，你的好朋友Amanda将于后天乘机来上海大学做交换生，你因故不能曲浦东机场接她，请发邮件给她，内容包括：
1.表达歉意；
2.说明理由；
3.表达祝愿。
注意：1.词数100左右；2.可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；3.开头和结尾已为你写好，不计入总词数。
Dear Amanda,
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Yours sincerely,
Li Hua
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。错误涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2.只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
Dear Ms Jenkins,
I’m Li Hua, a Senior 3 student from No. 5 Secondary School. I would like to offer my apology for unable to teach you to make Chinese knot this Saturday.
The reason is that I have got a cold, but the doctor suggests that I must lie in bed for one week or so. But don’t worry. I had asked a friend of mine, Han Meimei, to go here instead. He is very experienced in making Chinese knots. She will drop on at your apartment at 9:00 this Saturday morning.
Please allowing me to say sorry again. I have the confidence what you can learn how to make Chinese knots. Wish you a good time!
Yours,
Li Hua
