2 . Dede Gardner was born in Chicago in 1967 and studied English at Columbia University. Seventeen years after her graduation, she worked as President of Plan B Entertainment, a production company started by Brad Grey.

At Plan B, Dede finds stories to make into films. Jeremy Kleiner, who is now co-president of Plan B, says Dede was his mentor (导师) before he joined her as a producing partner. “I’ve had the honor to work with her for almost 20 years,” he says. “She’s just a one-of-a-kind person in so many ways. She is very brave and views storytelling as the focus of her films.”

This year, Dede is the only woman to have won two Best Picture Oscars, for Moonlight and 12 Years a Slave. Before, together with Kleiner, she won seven films to Best Picture nominations (提名) including Selma in 2015, The Big Short in 2016 and Minari in 2021.

“Basically, whatever Dede does, it turns to gold,” says Jessie Buckley, one of the stars of Women Talking. “Dede has also changed the culture of making movies. She is always there to make the set feel comfortable when we are obviously coming across difficult things. She’s a great example to follow. She’s very careful with protecting the workers’ voice.”

Dede is actually exploring a much healthier and kinder way to make movies. She’s a producer who consciously thinks about creating a set where there is care. That includes making sure there are therapists (治疗专家) on set for all the workers in case there are emergencies happening.

1. Who set up the company Plan B Entertainment?

A．Brad Grey.	B．Dede Gardner.
C．Jessie Buckley.	D．Jeremy Kleiner.

2. What does Dede value most in her films?

A．Storytelling.

B．Action.

C．History.

D．Adventure.

3. Which film made Dede get a nomination for Best Picture in 2015?

A．Moonlight.

B．Selma.

C．The Big Short.

D．Minari.

4. What impression has Dede left on those around her?

A．She is strict with her partners.	B．She always avoids difficulties.
C．She is successful and thoughtful.	D．She is a medical expert.

3 . Unlike most of her peers who left their rural hometowns, 34-year-old Ning Fenfang left her job in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province in 2017 and worked as a village official in her hometown— a mountainous village in Cili county in Zhangjiajie, Hunan province. Now she farms over 66.7 hectares of land.

Seeing much of the farmland had been deserted, Ning resigned from her post in 2020 and became a full-time farmer, renting the farmland and hiring villagers to work it. She founded a centre for housewives in the village to work her farmland during busy hours.

“It’s never easy,” said Ning. It is very rare for young people to become farmers in rural areas, as farming is labor-intensive and requires constant work in the mud. What’s more, farming is often seen as a job “unsuitable” for both the post-90s generation and women in general. Her decision to become a farmer confused many of her fellow villagers and farming was much more difficult than she had imagined. She experienced tremendous pain due to the intensive labour. At first, she didn’t farm much through lack of farming knowledge, so she didn’t feel pressured to succeed. Later, she decided to expand the scale and spent millions of yuan. “Most of the money is borrowed from banks, families and relatives, so there is no turning back,” she said. Weighing up the pros and cons, her husband ultimately gave up his business to work with her.

She has tried to turn farming into a “trendy” job. Instead of traditional farming methods which rely on human labor, Ning promotes mechanized farming, such as using harvesters, cultivators and drones. She also plans to explore the agricultural tourism resources in Zhangjiajie for children living in urban areas to experience farming.

Being elected to the 14th National People’s Congress has motivated Ning to feel responsible for fellow farmers. “NPC deputies from the grassroots need to consider rural farmers’ needs and bring their voices to the two sessions,” Ning said.

1. What can be inferred from the passage?

A．Ning facilitated the development of local agriculture.

B．Ning was once elected to the 14th National People’s Congress.

C．Ning was pessimistic about her work and her future in Hangzhou.

D．The locals found her decision to become a farmer realistic at first.

2. What’s Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．Ning gradually expanded the scale of her business.

B．Ning lacked adequate knowledge about agriculture.

C．Ning did what it took to invest heavily in her business.

D．Ning faced more challenges in farming than she had figured.

3. What sets Ning’s farming apart from traditional farming?

A．The expansion of agricultural dimensions.

B．The restriction of agricultural implements.

C．The employment of agricultural machinery.

D．The exploration of agricultural tourism resources.

4. Which of the following can best describe Ning Fenfang?

A．Desperate and considerate.	B．Humble and dynamic.
C．Persevering and innovative.	D．Sensitive and aggressive.

4 . “The mountains are calling and I must go” — the famous quote is from John Muir(1838-1914), who is described as “the wilderness poet” and “the citizen of the universe.” He once jokingly referred to himself as a “poet-geologist-botanist and ornithologist (鸟类学家)-naturalist etc. etc.!” He is known as the Father of American National Parks.

Famed documentary filmmaker Ken Burns recently said, “As we got to know him… he was among the highest individuals in America; I’m talking about the level of Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., and Thomas Jefferson— people who have had a transformational effect on who we are.”

So where is the quote from? Well, John Muir was a productive writer. Whether he was writing poetry or simply letters to his family, John Muir was always putting pen to paper. The quote is from within one of his many letters written to his sister:

September 3rd, 1873 Yosemite Valley Dear sister Sarah, I have just returned from the longest and hardest trip I have ever made in the mountains, having been gone over five weeks. I am weary, but resting fast; sleepy, but sleeping deep and fast; hungry, but eating much. For two weeks I explored the glaciers of the summits east of here, sleeping among the snowy mountains without blankets and with little to eat on account of its being so inaccessible. After my icy experiences, it seems strange to be down here in so warm and flowery a climate. I will soon be off again, determined to use all the season in carrying through my work—will go next to Kings River a hundred miles south, then to Lake Tahoe and surrounding mountains, and in winter work in Oakland with my pen. Though slow, someday I will have the results of my mountain studies in a form in which you all will be able to read and judge them. The mountains are calling and I must go, and I will work on while I can, studying incessantly (永不停息地). I will write again when I return from Kings River Canyon. Farewell, with love everlasting. Yours, John

1. What can we learn from John Muir’s self-description in paragraph 1?

A．He longed to expand his own career.

B．He enjoyed his involvement in nature.

C．He wanted to find his real advantage.

D．He valued his identity as a poet most.

2. What did Ken Burns mainly talk about?

A．Muir’s political influence.	B．A documentary film on Muir.
C．Muir’s historic significance.	D．The social circle around Muir.

3. How did Muir feel when writing the first paragraph of his letter?

A．Relieved but regretful.	B．Exhausted but content.
C．Excited but lonely.	D．Defeated but hopeful.

4. Why must John Muir go into mountains again?

A．To go on with his mountain studies.

B．To seek freedom from social connection.

C．To attend an appointment in Oakland.

D．To experience the hardship of wilderness.

5 . For any little girl of energy and spirit, to be ladylike is painful. To sit up straight, wear gloves and speak only when spoken to is pure torture. Fortunately, that was not a difficulty Jane Withers faced. From the age of six she was paid to talk loud, walk awkwardly and answer back directly. She could blow out her cheeks until her eyes disappeared almost into her head.

Her films had titles like Always in Trouble, Arizona Wildcat, The Holy Terror and Rascals. She played characters called Ginger, Pepper. Corky and Peg Gurgle, usually orphans (孤儿), who were forced into over-fancy schools, criminals’ hideouts or desert islands, but would take charge and, after a struggle, come up winning. Her mother worried that people would hate her for playing such bad-mannered characters.

But the opposite happened. She became wildly popular. Shops were filled with Jane Withers shoes, dresses and dolls. Like many child stars, she made far more from such goods than from her 38 films.

She might not be as pretty as Nancy Drew, the top girl detective of the age, but like her she could ride a horse, ice skate and speak French. And, better than her, she could mimic (模仿) anyone. Another pleasant surprise she gave the studio was that away from filming she was very well behaved. If she liked a role, she went for it politely, and said thank you.

She was expected to be an actress even in the womb and was sent to the Atlanta radio shows at the age of three. She was just given $5 a week as pocket money. For every two dolls she was sent, one had to be given to a needy child. Her parents insisted that they should live only on the money they brought home.

Of course, the Hollywood dream didn’t last long. She got so sick of playing child parts that at 15 she published her own story, Small Tor um Deb and retired completely from Hollywood in 1947 at 21.

1. What does the underlined word "torture" in paragraph 1 mean?

A．Suffering.

B．Joy.

C．Luck.

D．Entertainment.

2. Which of the following best describes Ginger, Pepper, Corky and Peg Gurgle?

A．Talented.

B．Handsome.

C．Polite.

D．Troublesome.

3. What can be inferred about Jane’s parents?

A．They don’t love their daughter.	B．They are very strict.
C．They don’t want her to be an actress.	D．They are really selfish.

4. When was Small Town Deb published?

A．In 1926.

B．In 1932.

C．In 1941.

D．In 1947.

6 . Robert van Gulik was born on August 9, 1910 in the Netherlands. His mother came from a family of musicians and piano makers, a fact that greatly influenced Robert’s life. His father was a physician in army, a position which required frequent foreign postings (派驻). The family lived in various areas of the East Indies for most of Robert’s youth. This experience contributed to his appreciation for cultures and mastery of several languages.

He was an eager academic, collector of art and manuscripts (手稿), and translator of ancient writings. He studied and trained to become a master musician on the Chinese guqin and eventually wrote two books on the instrument. Similarly, his skills as an artist in the traditional Chinese style and knowledge of calligraphy were extraordinary. He wrote and published a number of non-fiction, scholarly articles and books on Chinese music, art, and literature, as well as Chinese culture and traditions.

Although he also wrote essays and short stories, Robert remained best known for his Chinese mysteries. In 1940, Robert came across an 18th-century Chinese novel that would take his career down an unplanned pathway and result in the public fame he never expected. The novel, titled Four GreatStrange Cases of Empress Wu’s Reign, was a fictional account of the deeds of Judge Dee, one of the heroes of traditional Chinese detective fiction, and was set during the 7th-century Tang Dynasty. Interested, Robert not only translated the novel into English, but he explored the history of Chinese Penal Code (刑法) and other legal literature of the period. It was not until 1949 that Robert was able to publish his translation Dee Goong An (狄公案): Three Murder Cases Solved by Judge Dee. Robert’s Chinese mysteries include over 10 novels and short-story volumes, recording the career of Chinese detective called Di Renjie. Interestingly, the tales first found fame in oriental (东方的) editions, before being translated into English in 1957.

1. What helped Robert develop the ability in several languages?

A．His eagerness for art and ancient writing.

B．His mother’s good family background.

C．His appreciation for cultures and languages.

D．His living in different parts of the East Indies.

2. What does paragraph 2 tell us about Robert?

A．His hobbies.

B．His skills.

C．His books.

D．His achievements.

3. Why does the author mention the 18th-century Chinese novel?

A．To recommend a Chinese mystery fiction to us.

B．To show the factor leading to Robert’s great fame.

C．To help us learn about the 7th-century Tang Dynasty.

D．To value the development of Chinese detective fictions.

4. Which proverb can best describe Robert’s translation of Dee Goong An: Three Murder Cases Solved by Judge Dee?

A．Better late than never.	B．Attitude is everything.
C．Practice makes perfect.	D．Rome was not built in a day.

7 . “When I was young, I had so much energy and I loved building stuff. If I had an idea, I had to build it right away using whatever I could find around me.” says Danish recycle artist Thomas Dambo. When Dambo was just seven years old, he bought some materials from the local market to construct a game room in his parents’ basement. As a teenager, he built a “crazy” castle in his backyard.

Decades later, 42-year-old Dambo is proudly surveying his latest creation: a troll (巨人) called Little Lui. Towering at five meters tall, Little Lui is one of the six trolls hidden in secret corners of the Peel Region of Western Australia as part of Thomas Dambo Giants of Mandurah, an Australian-first exhibition, which will be on show for at least a year. Dambo has made many impressive trolls, which have found homes in the United States, Belgium, China, Denmark, South Korea and so on.

“For me, trolls represent the voice of nature,” Dambo says. This deep respect for the natural world is a central message of Dambo’s practice. Dambo’s troll are made almost entirely from locally sourced recycled wood: their faces from secondhand furniture and their hair from branches and leaves. Taking about 750 hours to complete, each troll is constructed out in nature.

“We are slowly turning the world into a landfill. I hope that by visiting the trolls, people will think of rubbish as a resource. I think it’s really important that the next generation is connected to nature.” Dambo says. “That’s why I tried to design the trolls to appeal to younger people. I want people to be inspired to play and experiment, and to realize they don’t need a lot to create something big and beautiful. Go out, go around the corner and take advantage of whatever is there — you will find a lot of adventure in your own backyard.”

1. Which of the following can best describe young Dambo?

A．Creative.

B．Generous.

C．Independent.

D．Courageous.

2. What do you know about Little Lui?

A．It is kept underground.	B．It is Dambo’s first creation.
C．It will be shown to the public.	D．It will be sent to foreign countries.

3. Which aspect of trolls does paragraph 3 highlight?

A．Their basic theme.	B．Their artistic value.
C．Their expensive materials.	D．Their building procedures.

4. What does Dambo intend to do with his trolls?

A．Inspire more people to take adventures.

B．Encourage the young to approach nature.

C．Help people spend less time playing games.

D．Call on the young to save natural resources.

9 . One of the most popular city walk routes in Shanghai is Fuxing Road in the downtown area of the city. With sycamore trees giving shade from the sunlight, the street is home to many historic buildings of special significance to China. Among them is the former residence of a legendary Chinese architect.

Zhuang Jun (1888-1990) was a groundbreaking Chinese architect known for his significant contributions to the field of architecture in China. Born in Shanghai, Zhuang’s architectural heritage continues to be celebrated today, particularly through his former residence on Fuxing Road West in Xuhui district. Designed by Zhuang himself and constructed in 1921, the three-story garden house shows his architectural talents with unique features such as tooth-shaped red bricks and bright orange window glasses. Despite being a private residence today, which is not open to the public, the house stands as a cultural relic preservation site, offering a glimpse into the life and work of this legendary architect.

Zhuang’s journey in architecture began with his studies in the United States at the University of Illinois, where he became the first Chinese student of the academy with a scholarship from the government. After his graduation in 1914, he returned to China. He played a key role in the development of architecture at Tsinghua University, where he helped design the campus and managed the construction of various buildings, setting the basis for modern construction science in China. Zhuang’s influence extended beyond Tsinghua, as he inspired many students to study architecture, becoming a driving force in shaping the future of the profession in China.

Throughout his excellent career, Zhuang designed a number of landmark buildings across China, including the Jincheng Bank building in Shanghai, which highlighted the artistic capabilities of Chinese architects. His devotion to the field was further shown through his involvement in establishing the China Architects’ Association in 1927, where he served as the first president. Zhuang’s architectural expert knowledge and leadership paved the way for Chinese architects to compete on a global scale, challenging the control of western colleagues in the industry.

1. Why does the author mention the city walk route in Paragraph1?

A．To arouse readers’ interest.	B．To introduce the topic.
C．To give an example.	D．To show a phenomenon.

2. Which of the following statements is true?

A．Zhuang Jun influences the architecture styles of the world.

B．Zhuang Jun constructed the campus of Tsinghua University.

C．People cannot visit Zhuang Jun’s former residence at present.

D．Zhuang Jun was the first Chinese to study in the United States.

3. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．Zhuang Jun’s artistic capabilities.	B．Zhuang Jun’s architectural works.
C．Zhuang Jun’s achievements as a leader.	D．Zhuang Jun’s influence on Chinese architecture.

4. Which of the following words can best describe Zhuang Jun?

A．Kind and careful.	B．Humorous and clever.
C．Devoted and talented.	D．Determined and brave.

10 . London native, Bodhana first became interested in chess to beat back boredom. Just five years old at the time, she quickly surpassed (超越) her father’s chess playing ability and began playing, and winning, in online chess games. Three years later, Bodhana made history as the top female chess player in Europe after she defeated grandmasters many times her age at the European Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship in December 2023.

Sivanandan Velayutham, Bodhana’s father, said that his daughter first became fascinated with chess at the age of five, when he brought home a second-hand chess set. Bodhana happened to see the knight (武士) lying around and it caught her interest. “I want the horse,” she told her father.

Bodhana’s father was happy to help and he taught her the chess basics that he’d learned in India. But it didn’t take long for his preschool daughter to beat him. “At the start, I might have won one or two games, but she soon knew the rules better than me and the tables quickly turned,” Velayutham said.

From the beginning, Bodhana strengthened what her father was teaching her with games and methods that she learned from YouTube videos. But when it became clear that she had a lasting interest and an unusual talent, her father enrolled in a local chess club for her, where she soon fell into the habit of practicing daily for an hour or more.

Last year, at one of Bodhana’s first ever tournament experiences, which was hosted by the English Chess Federation, she defeated a number of grandmasters.

A year later, Bodhana won the World Youth Chess Championship in the Under-8 Girls category. After defeating kids at her age, a few months later she went back to beating adults.

BBC shared Bodhana’s win at the European Blitz Chess Championship in December of 2023. There, she earned the title of best female player, scoring8.5/13, and earning widespread praise from other game masters.

1. What can be learned about Bodhana in paragraph 1?

A．Her considerate family.	B．Her amazing chess talent.
C．Her great luck in her career.	D．Her powerful self-study ability.

2. What caused Bodhana’s interest in chess in the first place?

A．Her father’s encouragement.	B．The interesting rules of chess.
C．An animal-shaped chess piece.	D．Education received in preschool.

3. What can we infer from paragraph 3?

A．Bodhana made her father lose face.	B．Bodhana’s father collected used chess.
C．Bodhana was sent to India to learn chess.	D．Bodhana’s father used to live abroad.

4. What made Bodhana start playing chess regularly?

A．Joining a local chess club.	B．Learning chess rules online.
C．Defeating a number of grandmasters.	D．Meeting with a second-hand chess set.