He met her at a party. She was outstanding; many guys were after her, but nobody paid any attention to him. After the party, he invited her for coffee. She was surprised, so as not to appear rude, she went along.

As they sat in a nice coffee shop, he was too nervous to say anything and she felt uncomfortable. Suddenly, he asked the waiter, “Could you please give me some salt? I'd like to put it in my coffee."

They stared at him. He turned red, but when the salt came, he put it in his coffee and drank. Curious, she asked, "Why salt with coffee?" He explained, "When I was a little boy, I lived near the sea. I liked playing on the sea. I could feel it salty, like salty coffee. Now every time I drink it, I think of my childhood and my hometown. I miss it and my parents, who are still there."

She was deeply moved. A man who can admit that he's homesick must love his home and care about his family. He must be responsible. She talked too, about her faraway hometown, her childhood, her family. That was the start to their love story.

They continued to date. She found that he met all her requirements. He was tolerant, kind, warm and careful. And to think she would have missed the catch if not for the salty coffee! So they married and lived happily together. And every time she made coffee for him, she put in some salt, the way he liked it.

After 40 years, he passed away and left her a letter which said:

My dearest, please forgive my life-long lie. Remember the first time we dated? I was so nervous that I asked for salt instead of sugar. It was hard for me to ask for a change, so I just went ahead. I never thought that we would hit it off. Many times, I tried to tell you the truth, but I was afraid that it would ruin everything.

Sweetheart, I don't exactly like salty coffee. But as it mattered so much to you, I've learnt to enjoy it. Having you with me was my greatest happiness. If I could live a second time, I hope we can be together again, even if it means that I have to drink salty coffee for the rest of my life.

21. She accepted his invitation for coffee because_______

  A. she fell in love with him                   B. she didn’t want to be impolite

  C. no one paid attention to him               D. no one else was interested in her

22. Why the man asked for some salt was because ____________ 

  A. salty coffee made him miss his parents. 

  B. he want to catch the attention of the lady.

  C. he was so nervous that he made a mistake 

  D. he was telling a lie on purpose.

23. What might be the women’s feeling after she read the letter?

  A. moved               B. cheated            C. hurt                  D. angry

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

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

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

While the pie in the video looks delicious enough to attract any pizza lover, Anjan Contractor is far from ready for astronauts. That’s because he still has to find a solution to make the food container in the printer last for 30 years. Though that may sound unrealistic, actually it is not. Anjan Contractor believes that the only way that is possible is that the water is removed from all the ingredients and then they are reduced to the powder form. This, as you can imagine, will not be so easy. But, while the printer may not be ready for space, it certainly looks ready enough for people on earth. Hopefully, NASA and Contractor will consider selling it to those not fortunate enough to go to Mars!

24. Why does the author mention the things that astronauts in space cannot do?

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

  B. To show they live a difficult life there.

  C. To show their life is boring in space.

  D. To introduce the topic of the text.

25. NASA offered $125,000 to Anjan Contractor mainly to ________.

ziyuanku.com  A. create some new type of 3-D printer

  B. attract more companies to work for NASA

  C. help astronauts in space enjoy fresh pizza one day

  D. produce pizza in large quantities to earn great profits

26. The biggest challenge that Anjan Contractor is faced with now is probably that ________.

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

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

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

  D. he cannot make the food container last for decades

27. What’s the best title of the passage?

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

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

  C. NASA is working on making pizza for common people

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

Can dogs and cats live in perfect harmony in the same home? People who are thinking about adopting a dog as a friend for their cats are worried that they will fight. A recent research has found a new recipe of success. According to the study, if the cat is adopted before the dog, and if they are introduced when still young (less than 6 months for cats, a year for dogs), it is highly probable that the two pets will get along swimmingly. Two­ thirds of the homes interviewed reported a positive relationship between their cat and dog.

ziyuanku.comHowever, it wasn't all sweetness and light. There was a reported coldness between the cat and dog in 25% of the homes, while aggression and fighting were observed in 10% of the homes. One reason for this is probably that some of their body signals were just opposite. For example, when a cat turns its head away it signals aggression, while a dog doing the same signals submission.

In homes with cats and dogs living peacefully, researchers observed a surprising behavior. They are learning how to talk each other's language. It is a surprise that cats can learn how to talk “dog” ，and dogs can learn how to talk “cat”．

What's interesting is that both cats and dogs have appeared to develop their intelligence. They can learn to read each other's body signals, suggesting that the two may have more in common than we previously suspected. Once familiar with each other's presence and body language, cats and dogs can play together, greet each other nose to nose, and enjoy sleeping together on the sofa. They can easily share the same water bowl and in some cases groom (梳理) each other.

The significance of this research on cats and dogs may go beyond pets—to people who don't get along, including neighbors, colleagues at work, and even world superpowers.  If cats and dogs can learn to get along, surely people have a good chance.

28．The underlined word “swimmingly” in Paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ________.

  A. early                   B. smoothly                 C. quickly        D. sweetly

29．Some cats and dogs may fight when________.

A. they are cold to each other

B. they look away from each other

C. they misunderstand each other's signals

D. they are introduced at an early age

30．It is suggested in Paragraph 4  that cats and dogs ________.

A. have common interests               B. are less different than was thought

C. have a common body language          D. are less intelligent than was expected

31．What can we human beings learn from cats and dogs?

A. We should learn to live in harmony.  B. We should know more about animals.

  C. We should live in peace with animals.      D. We should learn more body languages.

Many science fiction stories tell about explorers arriving in a new world who use some kind of high-tech device to test for breathable air or signs of life. But here on Earth, science fiction is becoming reality through a new sampling technology called environmental DNA (eDNA). Scientists can use it to identify rare species, or estimate fish populations with just a little air or water. Scientists study the genetic material released by living creatures. Essentially they can take a sample of soil, air or water, and they can sequence (排序) the DNA out of it and tell you what is there.

EDNA can be used to identify the creatures that live in a certain place. Besides, it can confirm the presence or lack of a specific creature. The cost of gene sequencing has reduced greatly in recent years, which makes DNA testing more widely available

Caren Goldberg, who heads the new eDNA lab at Washington State University, is one of the first biologists to take the technology from the testing period to actually using it.

“It is extremely useful for species that are really hard to find. I have spent many hours looking for species that I was pretty sure were there—looking under rocks, looking in water, doing all kinds of surveys.”

Caren Goldberg sees eDNA as a way to get answers more efficiently, safely and with less destruction compared to traditional survey techniques. Until recently, scientists depended on netting or using an electric current to temporarily catch fish.

This newer way is becoming popular around the world. Animal experts in Vietnam are using the eDNA to find the last, wild Yangtze giant softshell turtles. On the Caribbean island of Trinidad, it is being used to find endangered golden treefrogs.

Scientists working with it say they do not expect robots to replace field biologists anytime soon. But the old-fashioned field work could soon be more targeted. A related research goal is to show how long environmental DNA can last and how far it can travel in different environments.

32 DNA testing is widely used mainly because ________.

  A. its cost has reduced greatly

  B. its result is more accurate

  C. its procedure is easy to run

  D. it frees biologists of hard work

33. What is Caren Goldberg’s opinion on eDNA?

  A. It’s hard to put it in actual use.

  B. It's helpful only in a limited way.

  C. It takes more time to get the results.

  D. It may cause less damage to species.

34. What does the underlined sentence mean in the last paragraph?

  A. The old-fashioned field work would be more popular.

  B. The old-fashioned field work would face more difficulties.

  C. More research will be made on the old-fashioned field work.

  D. It is still uncertain to confirm the effects of eDNA testing.

35. What would be the best title for the passage?

  A. Science Fiction Makes Space Exploration Much Easier

  B. Science Fiction Becomes Reality for Species Surveys

  C. Species Surveys Are More Awesome Than You Think

  D. Environmental DNA testing Contributes To Our Society

If you go into the forest with friends who are older than you, stay with them.      36      If you do get lost, this is what you should do.

      37    Don't try to find your friends-let them find you. You can help them to find you by staying in one place.

     38    Give them a signal (信号) by shouting three times. Stop. Then shout three times again. Any signal given three times is a call for help.

Keep up the shouting, always three times together. Then the people who hear you will know that you are not just making noise for fun. They will let you know that they have heard your signal. They will give two shouts.      39   

If you don't think you will be found before nights comes, get some branches (树枝).Try to put them together so that they make a little house. Cover up the holes with branches that have lots of leaves. Make yourself a soft bed with leaves and grass.

     40    You should leave your little branch house to look for a river. Don't just walk away. Make a trail (痕迹) for yourself so you find your way back. Do this by picking off small branches and dropping them as you walk.

A. Survive the woods

B. When a signal is given twice it is an answer to a call for help.

C. There is another way you can help your friends or other people to find you.

D. Sit down and stay where you are.

E. How can you get the food you need in the woods alone?

F. What should you do if you get hungry or need drinking water?

G. If you don't, you may get lost.