第一套
综合写作
主题：banning plastic water bottles
阅读：
1. Preserve the environment 环保
2. Benefit people’s health 健康
3. Save money 省钱
听力：
1. 其他饮料瓶也会用到塑料，甚至更厚。
2. 人们会买很多高糖高热量的饮料。
3. 商店会抬高其他产品价格。
学术讨论
高中生是否要强制学习校外有用技能？
Dr. Gupta
Some educators are recognizing that regular classes at school may not be enough to prepare students for careers and for life. Because of this, they recommend that all high school students be required to spend a specific number of hours learning useful skills outside school. Others think that this requirement is not appropriate for all students. Which view do you agree with? Why?
Andrew
I believe that it is important to learn some skills outside school, but I disagree that this should be a requirement.
Claire
I think that learning outside the classroom is a necessity, and I agree that it should be required.
第二套
综合写作
主题：Whether the Ancestors of Mammals on Madagascar Island Arrived there from the African Mainland between 60 million and 20 million Years Ago
阅读：
1. Land mammals normally cross the sea only by accident; Several individuals of the same species making the crossing together is an even rarer accident. 陆地动物只是偶然会跨海；并且好几只同物种的动物一起跨海就更罕见了。
2. The sea currents near the mainland African coast where the mammals supposedly came from do not flow toward Madagascar. 洋流并不流向马达加斯加。
3. A 400-kilometer journey would have taken too long for animals to survive. 400千米的路程过于遥远。
听力：
1. Mammals living in Madagascar are the descendants of only four species. Four successful crossings can happen over such a long period. 马达加斯加的哺乳动物是四个物种的后代，在这么长的时间里，4次成功的跨海是有可能发生的。
2. Millions of years ago, currents flew towards Madagascar. 几百万年前，洋流是流向马达加斯加的。
3. Mammals can slow down their metabolism. 哺乳动物会放缓它们的新陈代谢。
学术讨论
全民新闻是否会对于新闻行业或者读者产生负面影响？
Dr. Gupta
Nowadays, people no longer need a degree in journalism or a professional connection to a news outlet to express their views and ideas to a wide audience. Some people believe citizen journalism negatively affects the field of journalism and readers. Do you agree with this viewpoint? Why or why not?
Kelly
I am concerned that someone who has not been taught professional practices may mislead readers in a harmful way.
Paul
I think we benefit today because many different points of view are shared on social media.
第三套
综合写作
主题：Whether Genetic Modification can create better crops
阅读：
1. 种植转基因植物可以保护环境，不用使用除草剂。
2. 可以提高产量，帮助农民提高收入。
3. 转基因作物可以被改造，以包含人们饮食中缺少的额外营养素。
听力：
1. 这种基因也会助长野草的繁殖，破坏生态平衡。
2. 农民往往使用的是去年的旧种子，买新的种子可能会更费钱。
3. 饮食中缺少的营养素可以通过吃蔬菜和水果来解决。
学术讨论
政府如何鼓励更多使用电车？
Dr. Gupta
What policy or initiative you would recommend that governments implement to encourage more use of electric vehicles?
Kelly
Offer financial support to encourage places such as shopping districts to install a large number of free charging stations.
Paul
Set aside lanes on the high-traffic roadways that only electric cars could use.
