Since the Fukushima meltdown in Japan in 2011, safety fears have threatened nuclear power. But the biggest obstacle today is economic. In western Europe, just three plants are under construction: in the UK at Hinkley point in Somerset; at Flamanville in France; and at Olkiluoto in Finland. All involve the European

Pressurized Reactor technology of EDF that will be used at Hinkley Point. All are running years late and over budget. In the US, the first two nuclear projects under way for the past 30 years are also blowing through cost estimates.

The UK, which opened the world’s first commercial nuclear reactor in 1956, is one of the few western nations committed to renewing its ageing fleet to ensure energy security and meet tough carbon reduction targets. It is seen as a proving ground, by many in the industry, of nuclear power’s ability to restore confidence.

However, the country’s agreement with EDF to build two units at Hinkley Point—which together will generate 3.2GW of electricity—has come under severe criticism over its cost. The government is looking at different funding models but said it still sees nuclear power as vital to the country’s future energy mix. Small reactors, it believes, have the potential to generate much-needed power from the 2030s.

A nuclear sector deal, unveiled last month, promised up to ￡56m in funding for research and development into AMRs and attracted interest of start-ups from around the world. The government hopes the funding will give the UK a lead in the global race to develop these technologies, helping to provide energy security while also creating a multibillion-dollar export market for British engineering companies. 28. Which of the following is true about the advanced modular reactors (AMRs)? A. AMRs produce more power than traditional reactors. B. So far, most AMRs have not been put into use yet. C. Small in scale, AMRs rose more safety risks.

D. Governments prefer energy of solar and wind to that of AMRs.

29. In paragraph 5, the author mentions the plants in Western Europe and the US to ________..

A. prove that nuclear power has been threatened by safety concern. B.indicate the construction of nuclear plants are slow in speed.

C. show that the construction of nuclear power plants cost more than the budget available.

D. point out that most power plants have adopted the latest nuclear technology. 30. What can be inferred from the passage?

A.A kind costs for small modular reactors would be higher relative to large nuclear reactors.

B. The UK government seeks to reduce the negative impact of nuclear power on its economy.

C. The plan to build two power plants in Hinkley Point has been deserted. D. Some people have lost confidence in the development of nuclear plants. 31. Which of the following can serve as the best title of this passage? A. Britain counts on nuclear energy to keep lights on B. Traditional nuclear plants boom with mini reactors C. Nuclear power looks to shrink its way to success D. Nuclear’s share of power generation remain stead

D

A robot called Bina48 has successfully taken a course in the philosophy of love

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at Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU), in California.

According to course instructor William Barry, associate professor at NDNU, Bina48 is the world’s first socially advanced robot to complete a college course, a feat he described as “remarkable.” The robot took part in class discussions, gave a presentation with a student partner and participated in a debate with students from another institution.

Before becoming a student, Bina48 appeared as a guest speaker in Barry’s classes for several years. One day when addressing Barry’s class, Bina48 expressed a desire to go to college, a desire that Barry and his students enthusiastically supported. Rather than enroll Bina48 in his Robot Ethics: Philosophy of Emerging Technologies course, Barry suggested that Bina48 should take his course Philosophy of Love instead. Love is a concept Bina48 doesn’t understand, said Barry. Therefore the challenge would be for Barry and his students to teach Bina48 what love is.

“Some interesting things happened in the class,” said Barry. He said that his students thought it would be straightforward to teach Bina48 about love, which, after all, is “fairly simple — it’s a feeling,” said Barry. But the reality was different. Bina48 ended up learning “31 different versions of love,” said Barry, highlighting some of the challenges humans may face when working with artificial intelligence in future.

Bina48 participated in class discussions via Skype and also took part in a class debate about love and conflict with students from West Point. Bina48’s contribution to the debate was filmed and posted on YouTube. It was judged that Bina48 and NDNU classmates were the winners of this debate.

In the next decade, Barry hopes Bina48 might become complex enough to teach a class, though he says he foresees robots being used to better the teaching and learning experience, rather than replacing instructors completely. 32. What was Bina48’s performance like in class? A. Far-reaching. B. Insignificant. C.Unattractive. D. Extraordinary.

33. What does the underlined word “addressing” in paragraph 3 probably mean? A. Dealing with. B.Consulting with. C. Giving a speech to. D. Sending a letter to. 34. What can we learn from the passage?

A.It was quite tough for Bina48 to learn about love.

B. Artificial intelligence may somehow be superior to man. C. It was interesting for Bina48 to learn about love.

D. Humans can launch a challenge to artificial intelligence. 35. What does Barry think of the future development of Bina48? A. It will be able to promote learning and teaching. B. It will completely take the place of instructors. C. It will surely be able to serve as a teacher. D. It will be smart enough to control human beings.

第二节(共5小题；每题2分，满分10分)根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项，选项中有两项为多余选项。

How You Open Your Car Door Matters to Cyclists

The \n’t a new dance move or a random YouTube challenge. It' s a simple

move that can help prevent harm to cyclists. And you might keep your car door safe

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in the process, too. 36

Typically, a person sitting in the driver’s seat of a car opens the door with the hand closest to it. It makes sense since doors are designed to be opened that way. 37 But if you happen to do that at the wrong time, you may unknowingly create an obstacle for a passing cyclist. The cyclist might be knocked down off the bike. The car door is likely to be damaged by the fast-moving bicycle.

38 However, the car door design and long-time habits have made the process automatically. Luckily, there ‘s a simple way to solve the problem. Open your car door with your other hand, using the Dutch reach. So instead of using your left hand, reach for the door handle with your right hand. 39 At the very least, you' ll look into your side view mirror to check for any traffic.

The Dutch are used to opening their car doors this way. All Dutch are taught it. It' s part of

regular driver education. The technique dates back about 50 or 60 years in the Netherlands. In 2016 an American named Michael Charney started the Dutch Reach Project. He wanted to popularize the practice in the United States. Charney’ s efforts may be paying off. 40

A. This will force you to turn your body. B. Pull the handle and the door is open. C. It is easy to do once you are used to it.

D. All you have to do is change how you open your door. E. People are trying to change the way to open the car.

F. Clearly, the solution is for the person exiting the vehicle to check for traffic. G. Several states now include the Dutch reach in their drivers’ handbooks. 第三部分 英语知识运用(共两节，满分45分)

第一节 完形填空(共20小题；每小题1．5分，满分30分)

阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项(A，B，C和D)中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

I was once a dropout. I know how powerfully a 41 can influence the life of a person who

does not 42 herself. I quit school at sixteen to work. Years later, I had a( n) 43 and couldn’t work for months. I felt depressed. With an unemployable father and a mentally ill mother to support, I couldn’t 44 to give up.

Searching the ads, I found a notice that our local community college offered free work 45 . One requirement was a high-school diploma or GED certificate. Years ago, I got my GED certificate, but with 46 scores. I felt certain that I had little to 47 other than a willingness to 48 .

After my physical injury healed, I went to meet Ruby Martin, the advisor who would 49 me.

I sat 50 waiting while Mrs. Martin looked over my score sheet. I was 51 to hear her

blame me for wasting her valuable time. She looked at me for a long moment 52 she spoke.

\?” she asked. \aren’t you applying to college?”

With my face burning with 54 , I could only whispered, \ .\

\

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For the

next hour, she explained how the GED scores are based on, and that my 57 were very high

indeed. She assured me that I was not only not stupid, but that I would 58 an excellent candidate for the training program.

I regained my 59 . Later, I got a bachelor’s degree and became a teacher just like her. To

teach is to touch a life. It was Ruby Martin who touched my life 60 .

41. A. motto B. parent C. teacher D. friend 42. A. believe in B.comment on C. rely on D. dig out 43. A. disease B. patient C. baby D. accident 44. A. wait B. help C. agree D.afford 45. A. opportunities B.training C. certificates D. experience

46. A. low B.high C. special D. passing 47. A. share B. offer C. hope D. choose 48. A. forgive B. listen C.follow D. try

49. A.employ B. assess C. challenge D. accept 50. A. patiently B. curiously C.comfortably D. nervously 51. A. desperate B. sorry C. prepared D. disappointed

52. A. until B. before C. since D. after 53. A. job B. university C. program D. degree 54. A. excitement B.shame C. cold D. anger 55.A. poor B. tired C. disabled D. stupid

56. A. rules B. schools C. scores D.subjects 57. A. salaries B. positions C.expectations D. numbers 58. A. meet B.make C. employ D. affect

59. A. dignity B. fame C. confidence D. balance 60. A. forever B. sometimes C. otherwise D. anyhow

第二节 语法填空 (共 10 小题；每小题 1.5 分，满分 15 分)

阅读下面材料，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

China’s homegrown sci-fi blockbuster （ 大 片 ） The Wandering Earth scored at the Spring Festival box office. The film is an _____61_____ ( adapt ) of a novel of the same name by Liu Cixin, author of the Hugo Award-winning The Three-Body Problem. As _____62____ ( it ) visual effects impress a global audience, a united human community when _____63____ ( face ) a big disaster gets attention too.

Director Guo Fan said that he ____64____ ( conscious ) avoided making a do-it-alone superhero; instead, the fight to save Earth ____65___ ( fight ) by all humans. In The Wandering Earth, mankind is threatened by a dying sun, ___66___ forces them to go on a generations-long space journey to look for a new one. At ___67___ center of the story are a Chinese astronaut and his son, who join a global task ___68____ ( prevent ) Earth from crashing into Jupiter. At the end of the film __69__

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