Creating Young V&A

When the V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green was founded in 1872, it was East London’s first public museum. Today, we are transforming this beloved building into a new national museum of design and creativity dedicated entirely to children.

Relaunching later this year as Young V&A, the museum will be a place to imagine, play, create, debate and design. Young V&A will help children to develop abilities such as creative thinking, problem-solving and collaboration through imaginative, hands-on gallery displays and creative programming for schools, families and community groups.

How you can help

In a climate of growing inequality and reduced funding for the arts, it is vital that we support young people’s creative development. We rely on your generous donations and are thankful for your support. Whether you can give £ 25 or £ 25, 000, all donations will help to complete this project.

* £ 25 could buy books for the new Reading Room.

*£75 could buy sensory materials to help bring the collectian to life for young visitors.

* 150 could conserve and display an international object in the permanent galleries.

* 5000 could help furnish the new creative studios in the Learning Centre.

Ways to give

* To pay by debit, credit card, use the QR code, visit www. vam. ac. uk or call 020-7942-2905 to speak to a member of the Development team.

* Return a completed donation form or post a cheque directy to the museum or hand it in at the V&A Membership Desk or the Members’ Room.

*To find out about donating by bank transfer, making a regular monthly donation, or   to make a larger gift, please email the Development team at appeals@ vam. ac.uk.

1. Who are the target visitors of Young V&A?

A．Dancers.

B．Seniors.

C．Art lovers.

D．Children.

2. What can a donation of £ 75 do for the project?

A．Repaint the Reading Room.	B．Help bring the collection to life.
C．Conserve an inspirational object.	D．Furnish the new creative studios.

3. How can people donate by cheque?

A．Send a cheque to the museum.	B．Scan a QR code.
C．Call 02079422905.	D．Email the Development team.

Despite the bad reputation of sharks, they are crucial to the health of the marine ecosystem and can even help fight climate change.

In the shallows of Shaik Bay, Western Australia, seagrass is food for the sea cows, which can weigh as much as 500 kg and eat roughly 40 kg of seagrass a day. Sea cows are a rich source of food for tiger sharks. By keeping the sea cow population controlled, tiger sharks here help the seagrass grow sustainably. A booming seagrass meadow stores twice as much CO₂ per square mile as forests typically do on land.

But tiger shark numbers are declining. Off Australia’s northeast coast of Queensland, tiger sharks are estimated to have fallen by at least 71 percent, largely due to overfishing. A reduction in tiger sharks means more seagrass consumed by herbivores (食草动物) and less carbon stored in sea vegetation. This raised the question: What if they were absent from the Shark Bay — would the seagrass-dominated ecosystem survive?

To find out, researcher led by Rob Nowicki of Florida International University, spent time in Eastern Australia, where shark numbers were lower and sea cows ate seagrass largely undisturbed. “When uncontrolled, sea cows can rapidly destroy wide areas of seagrass.” said Nowicki.

Those findings emphasized that tiger sharks were playing an important role in preventing the reduction of seagrass in Shark Bay. If their populations continue to decline, the resilience of carbon-rich ocean ecosystems will likely decrease.

          When it comes to stimulating shark numbers, there have been movements toward more sustainable fishing, but a large percentage of the industry have not changed their methods, which is a reason why the population of many marine top predators (捕食者) continues to decline.

Aside from supporting sustainable fishing, Nowicki said the only way to truly protect marine life is to reduce our global greenhouse gas emissions. “Ultimately, if we are going to protect our ecosystems in the centuries to come, we are going to need to solve climate change while undertaking species protection at the same time.”

8. Why are tiger sharks vital to the marine ecosystem?

A．They feed on various sea animals.	B．They can store large amounts of CO₂.
C．They can prevent the loss of seagrass.	D．They influence marine species’ health

9. What does the underlined word “resilience” in Paragraph 5 mean?

A．Remark.

B．Recovery.

C．Bother.

D．Accident.

10. What is the main cause of the population reduction of many top predators?

A．Unsustainable fishing.	B．Lack of protection.
C．Climate change.	D．Loss of seagrass.

11. What’s the purpose of the text?

A．To tell the number of tiger sharks is decreasing.

B．To show climate change causes the loss of seagrass.

C．To tell environmental protection is at the top of the agenda.

D．To show tiger sharks are vital to the health of the marine ecosystem.

In Central America, scientists have made some recent discoveries about the ancient Maya people. These findings show that the Maya developed their civilization centuries earlier than experts thought. While Europe was still in the midst of the Dark Ages, these Maya had charted the heavens, evolved the only true writing system native to the Americas and were masters of mathematics and calendar. Without advantage of metal tools, beasts of burden or even the wheel, they were able to construct vast cities. Their legacy in stone, which has survived in an impressive fashion at places, lives on as do the seven million descendants (后嗣) of the classic Maya civilization

Scientists have made some recent discoveries about the ancient Maya people. Experts call the time between the year 250 and the year 1900 the Classic Maya Period. It was a period of great civilization Until now, scientists think that earlier Maya people were simple farmers. The discoveries show that they used writing, drew pictures and built complex structures. Three separate teams made the discoveries in the rainforest of Guatemala (危地马拉).

Scientists have found some things they say are more than 2000 years old. For example, a team found two masks inside the main pyramid in a city. These masks are three meters tall. They are cut in the image of a sun god. The Maya used the pyramid as a temple. The masks may have been a part of ceremonies led by a king.

At Waka, scientists found the burial place of a woman they think was a Maya queen. They believe she ruled more than 1,200 years ago. Her bones were lying on a stone table. Many jewels surrounded her remains. The team also found pieces of green stone that appeared to be the remains of the kind of war helmet worn by rulers. Scientists say the discovery will help them understand how Maya womet shared power with men. Not many burial places of important royal women have been found. Also in northern Guatemala, scientists found a stone showing an 8th-century king playing a game of ball with visiting rulers. It is the third such stone found at the city of Cancuen. They also found large pieces of stone with writing and pictures of leaders. A Guatemalan expert called it one of the greatest masterpieces of Maya art ever discovered in Guatemala.

12. The scientists’ findings show that _________ according to Paragraph 1.

A．Maya people lived a simple life in Guatemala in the midst of the Dark Ages

B．the Maya developed their civilization centuries earlier than experts thought

C．Maya people succeeded in their legacy from generation to generation

D．the classic Maya civilization are the most attractive in the world

13. Which of the following is the most valuable according to the passage?

A．Two masks inside the main pyramid in a city.

B．A burial place of a woman.

C．A stone showing an 8th-century king.

D．Large pieces of stone with writing and pictures of leaders.

14. How is the text organized?

A．Supporting examples—Argument—Explanation.

B．Opinion—Discussion—Important description.

C．Main idea—Conclusion—Supporting examples.

D．Introduction—Supporting examples—Comparison.

15. What might be the most suitable title for the text?

A．Earlier Development of Maya	B．The Greatest Discovery
C．Imagination About Maya	D．A Scientific Adventure

Unlike a tourist, a traveler is someone who wants to experience another culture and avoid “tourist traps” and other less authentic experience.     16    . And you must connect with locals for advice and new friendships.

Study your travel destination before leaving. Knowing the history and culture of where you’re going will help you connect with the locals, be more travel-conscious, and improve your experience overall.     17    , and then look into local newspapers and documentaries if possible.

    18    . You don’t have to stop someone random on the street to get advice from a local. Ask your taxi drivers, waiters, and hotel receptionist where they recommend. Whether you want day trip, food, nightlife, or other advice, the locals can help!

Try free activities like riding bicycles and hiking. These types of activities are often overlooked during vacations because of the need to do everything “important” in any given city.     19    . Similaly, hiking in forests and parks can be a beautiful and relaxing way to connect with the culture.

Travel alone.     20    . Sometimes, you’ll make temporary friends, otherwise, they might be friends you stay in contact via social media or messaging. But sometimes, travelling alone and meeting someone else in a foreign place lead to a friendship that can last a lifetime.

A．Research your travel destination and pack appropriately

B．But biking around a city gives you a great view and a sense for the city’s life and vibrancy

C．Start researching by reading guidebooks

D．Ask locals for advice

E．You can share your destination with your friends

F．Push yourself outside of your comfort zone by traveling alone and relying only on yourself

G．To embrace the traveler in you, focus on the culture of the country or city you’re visiting

Not long ago my daughter’s favorite shoes were cut with a knife. She cried. I took them to a shoemaker to get them ______ . The young apprentice (学徒) ______ at the cuts quickly and said, “I can do nothing except ______ the uppers.” The master looked at them and said, “If you trust me, I will ______ more cuts to both of the shoes.” I was ______ and asked why. He ______, “As if the cuts were made on purpose for special style.” I didn’t fully understand him, but I decided to ______ the shoes there.

Two days later, I went to collect the shoes. At first ______, I found there were indeed more cuts on each shoe, but all of them were ______ with red thread around. The shoes looked more unique and interesting than ever. I couldn’t help but praise his ______.

Another time, my wife’s white skirt had an opening. My wife checked it ______ and said, “I’ll mend it myself.” Three days later, seeing the skirt again, I was shocked: the ______ had been repaired by thin and white thread and it looked like a flower. I ______ with praise, “It’s just as beautiful as a piece of art!”

“I got the ______ from that shoemaker. Patches (补丁) are supposed to be ugly, but a skillful person can make it look ______.” replied my wife.

What she said set me thinking: perfection is ______ to achieve in everything; patches are unavoidable, so is human’s life, which will ______ in the form of injury, disability or disease. Now that you can’t ______ the existence of them, all you can do and have to do is to deal with the ______ by patches and try your best to bloom a most beautiful flower on the wound, and that is the ______ of life.

21.

A．cleaned

B．repaired

C．sold

D．painted

22.

A．glanced

B．arrived

C．laughed

D．called

23.

A．comb

B．replace

C．congratulate

D．invent

24.

A．seize

B．cast

C．add

D．ferry

25.

A．delighted

B．convinced

C．dynamic

D．confused

26.

A．explained

B．expected

C．asked

D．whistled

27.

A．assume

B．arrest

C．leave

D．forget

28.

A．attempt

B．sight

C．hand

D．light

29.

A．occupied

B．filled

C．decorated

D．mixed

30.

A．regulation

B．plot

C．antique

D．skill

31.

A．angrily

B．bravely

C．carefully

D．curiously

32.

A．opening

B．substitute

C．boundary

D．scratch

33.

A．breathed

B．said

C．jumped

D．complained

34.

A．significance

B．truth

C．desire

D．idea

35.

A．primitive

B．perfect

C．horrible

D．cheap

36.

A．necessary

B．easy

C．disgusting

D．impossible

37.

A．hire

B．appear

C．miss

D．slip

38.

A．obtain

B．tap

C．change

D．classify

39.

A．wound

B．punishment

C．concept

D．advantage

40.

A．failure

B．meaning

C．system

D．border

阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Have you heard of the Huangjuewan Ovepass (立交桥)? It     41    (lie) in the city of Chongqing in China. It went through years of planning and actual construction work.

When its first few photos hit the Internet, many people were     42    (worry), wondering how less-experienced drivers could find their way with so many ramps (岔道) and routes to choose     43    . Some commented that you would     44    (force) to drive around the entire city if you took the wrong ramp. Others wondered whether their GPS systems would be of any help,     45    (consider) the five vertical levels the ramps are positioned on.

However, many people say the concerns about using the overpass don’t     46    (actual) exist. And Liu Bangjun,     47    worked as the lead designer, says the many ramps are necessary to make     48    easier to go over the overpass. Why?

Because the overpass connects many roads, designers have considered human error and added extra ramps     49    (assist) drivers in turning around faster. And in case of choosing the wrong route, drivers have     50    exit option within a few minutes, and it’s easy to see road signs. So althoughthe ramps go in many different directions, drivers shouldn’t be too worried.

51. 假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧)，并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线(\)划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1．每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2．只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。

To inspire us students to take exercise outdoor and build all of us up, so our school organized a sports meeting. Hundreds of students take an active part. The meeting included various events designing for all students. Among them the 4×100m relay made the strongest impression us. With great cheers, the athlete set out for the finishing line in high spirits. All the players presented our best performance during these events. Everyone felt happy with that they had gained from the activity. It taught us the meaning of unity, let us enjoy a colorful school life but made our friendship strong than before. We really hope our school can hold such interesting and useful activities more.

52. 假定你是李华，你校英文社团正在招募学生周日为外国来访者讲解校史，请你用英文给MissYang写一封申请信参与招募，内容包括：
1．写信目的；
2．个人优势；
3．希望被录取。
注意：1．词数100左右；
2．可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear Miss Yang,
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua