What is the sky? How high is it? What color is it? What birds can live above it? These questions are difficult to answer, aren't they? In fact, the sky has no color. Then why does the sky look blue?

    We know that there is air around the world. When planes fly, they need air to lift their wings. Planes can't fly very high. That is because the air gets thinner when they go higher. The same will happen to us if we go high enough. If we go up about 1,200 kilometers from the earth, we'll find no air there. Some birds can fly into the sky as high as a plane, but they cannot fly or live without air.

    Looking up above us, you will see the blue sky with white clouds. It is usually light blue. The color would be bluer when you see on the top of a high mountain. And you will see fewer clouds in the sky between you and the sun. Sometimes the sky doesn't look blue. When the sun rises and falls, you will see red, orange and other colors in the sky, such are the most beautiful moments of the day.

    Who can see the colors of the sky high above the earth? The astronauts! They can see those beautiful colors of the sky from the outer space. However, before flying into the outer space, they sit in a spaceship high above the earth and there is no air at all. The sky would be that dark and its color would be black.

    Now you may understand that we see colors because the air scatters (使散射) the sunlight. Light travels through the air. Without air there would be no colors.

Scientists from Washington State University invented a robot. It could help old people with dementia (痴呆) or people who have difficulty living by themselves in their own homes.

The Robot Activity Support System, or RAS, uses sensors (传感器) to find out where its owners are, what they are doing and when they need help with daily activities. It runs around rooms to find people on its own and can even lead them to things like medicine or snacks in the kitchen.

At present, about half of the adults over 85 in the US need help with daily activities and the cost is nearly $2,000 billion every year. That's why scientists invented RAS. Scientists did a study to show how RAS could make life easier for older adults. In the study, they asked 26 young participants (参与者) to complete three activities in a smart home with RAS. The participants needed to walk the dog, take medicine and water house plants. When the sensors found someone was struggling with one of the things, RAS received a message to help. The robot then used its sensors to find the person and provide help.

When scientists asked the participants about the robot, someone said, "When I get older, I prefer to have one in my home." Others also thought so.

Boys and girls, do you have the habit of making resolutions before the new term starts? Read and have a look at the resolutions of Tony and three of his classmates. 

The Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, is an important festival in China. On that day, people sweep the tombs, mourning(悼念) their dead relatives. 

Qingming means clear and bright in Chinese. As one of the 24 seasonal division points(节气) in China，it is thought to1 farm work. It falls on April 4th to 6th each year. After the festival, the sun shines brightly and the2 rises up. There will be more rain. The trees and grass become green and nature is3 of life. It is a great time for farmers to plant. 

4 the climate(气候) is agreeable, a lot of people prefer to go out to enjoy nature. Flying kites and planting trees are popular activities5 that period. 

The willow (柳树) is an important plant in the festival. perhaps the most common and familiar one. People6 insert willow branches (插柳) under their roofs or make garlands (花环) out of the willow branches and wear them on their heads. on their heads. The willow, with strong power of life, is believed to 7 ghosts. With the fact that the8 of willow in Chinese is liu，9 to that of staying, willow is expected to make ancestors' souls(祖先的灵魂)10 . 

In ancient times, during the festival, people would go outing11 sweeping the tombs. poets would write about their12 , as well as interesting or unforgettable experiences they had during this time. Many 13 are still popular today. The Mourning Day, written by Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu (803-852), is a most14 one. Even a kid knows it. It reads:

A drizzling rain(毛毛雨) falls like tears on the Mourning Day;

The mourner's heart is going to15 on his way. 

Where can a wine shop be found to kill the sad hours?

A cowherd points to a village afar in apricot(杏) flowers. 

A： 补全46-48题信息。每空限填一词。

B： 补全49-50题信息，每空不超过3词。

①Do you find it hard to say"no" when someone asks you for help? Do you feel sorry when you have to tell people that you really can't help them? And do you often pretend(假装) to agree with people even though you think differently? If you answered"yes" to these questions, you may be a"people-pleaser".

②Being friendly and helpful is a good thing. It helps you build friendships. However, trying to please(取悦) others without considering your own happiness can make you stressed. Luckily, there are some steps that you can take to stop being a people-pleaser.

③To start with, it's important to know your limits(限度) and make"boundaries"(界限) in your life. Be clear about what you would like to do. You can also tell others that you are only available for a certain period of time.

④When someone asks you for help, tell hum or her that you need some time to think about it. Use this time to ask yourself: Do you really want to do this? How much time will it take? By giving yourself some time to think, you' ll be better able to truly decide if it's something you have the interest and time to do.

⑤People always try to please others because they have little confidence(自信) in themselves. They don't consider their own need and interest. In this situation, you can try meaningful self-talk. Remind yourself that you have dreams, too. You don't have to waste your time to do things that don't bring you joy.

⑥Making a sudden change can be hard, so start by taking small steps. You may, for example, send a message to say"no". Then, continue to say"no" face to face. Practice this in kinds of situations, such as talking to a salesperson or ordering at a restaurant.

⑦Stopping being a people-pleaser doesn't mean you have to give up being kind and helpful altogether. You can still do good things— but on your own situations.