【推荐2】This past fall, my husband and I stopped into the local Aldi for shopping. While checking out, I did my usual practice of replying to the cashier's usual "How are you today?" with a short but real answer. Then I looked at her and said, "And how are you doing?" and waited kindly and expectantly for an answer.

She was a little surprised, but then she got started. As it turned out, her elderly grandfather was the most important in her mind, but he had been struggling lately and in hospital. Her worry was obvious, despite her bravery. "I know he is ninety-one, but "Her voice turned into a sad whisper before she caught herself." If it won't offend (冒犯) you, I will pray for him," I said. "Oh, thank you!" she replied.

Several weeks or so in the future, we wound up in her line again. After the usual "How are you?" I paused, then quietly asked, "I hope this is not a bad question, but how is your grandfather doing?"

I could tell she had to think a moment to place me and to recall why I was asking. Then her face split into a huge smile full of light, and she started excitedly telling us about how he was a tough old bird, how he had recovered, and was doing well. She kept bubbling over even after we had moved to the bagging area.

I was amazed at how something so seemingly small meant so much to her, but it makes sense, really. Sometimes all we need is for someone to see us and care, to care if we are hurting and to celebrate with us in our joy.

Taking the time to listen when we ask, "How are you?" is such an almost small action only taking a few moments out of our day, yet how important that tiny amount of time can be!

We really are all in this together.

1. Why did the cashier feel a little surprised at the word by the writer?

A．Because she didn't know how to answer her greeting at all.

B．Because she was in deep thought of her grandfather completely.

C．Because she was praying for her grandfather in the heart then.

D．Because she hadn't thought the writer greeted her with great concern

2. What does the phrase "kept bubbling over" in paragraph 4 really mean?

A．Continued bubbling.	B．Talked on and on.
C．Moved here and there.	D．Greeted to us all the time.

3. What can we learn from the story?

A．When meeting, greet each other

B．Greeting warmly, reward fully.

C．a warm greeting makes a difference.

D．Treat anybody like your relatives.

【推荐3】I used to be really frustrated when I got "trapped" in the train station in New York. When this happened, I spent time "observing" people and found that the New York City trains formed "an underground NYC".

I met all kinds of people there. Sitting in trains coming from suburban boroughs (区) like Queens and Brooklyn, I saw babysitters and housekeepers, in white or pink uniforms, carrying a shopping bag with lunch and another prettier bag for their makeup. Some gentlemen in suits get squeezed (挤) in between ladies, reading the New York Times, holding Starbucks coffees and a piece of napkin.

The passengers' skin color would get lighter as the train went from suburban areas to uptown NYC. Clothes brands changed from "Nike" and "Babyphat" to "Armani" and "Prada".

Getting lost is not embarrassing at all. Even New Yorkers who have lived in the city for 20 years need to check out the map before going to a new place by train. People from other states are just as confused as foreigners when they are "thrown" underground.

It was funny when people carrying big backpacks and holding maps, asked me where they could transfer while I was trying to find an exit. "I'm sorry. I am trying to find my way out too." I felt really bad about not helping them. To my surprise, the two guys with blue eyes didn't look disappointed at all. They laughed and told me, "Oh, we are wondering if there's really an exit because we have been walking around here for 10 minutes and we still don't know where to transfer to the uptown train!"

NYC trains are just like doors rotating (旋转) on and on. If I hadn't got lost several times, I might not have had the chance to stop and see what was happening outside my block.

1. According to the article, what kind of people has the author seen in the subway?
a. babysitters and housekeepers in uniforms
b. people wearing "Armani" and "Prada"
c. gentlemen with newspapers and coffee
d. tourists with big backpacks and maps
e. foreign women carrying a shopping bag with lunch and their makeup

A．abcd	B．abce
C．bcde	D．acde

2. Which of the following statement is TRUE about the author according to the article?

A．She found observing people in NYC trains quite frustrating.

B．She came to be grateful for the time when she lost her way in the subway.

C．She realized that only foreigners like her got trapped in the subway.

D．She was embarrassed when getting lost in the station.

3. What is the main idea of the article?

A．One of the author's exciting experiences of taking the subway in NYC.

B．The author's observation of various people in the subway.

C．The author's feelings about the busy life in uptown NYC.

D．The author's complaint of the subway service in NYC.

【推荐1】The private automobile (私家车) has long played an important role in the United States. In fact, it has become a necessary and important part of the American way of life. In 1986, sixty-nine percent of American families owned at least one car, and thirty-eight percent had more than one. By giving workers rapid transportation, the automobile has freed them from having to live near their place of work. This has encouraged the growth of the cities, but it has also led to traffic problems.

For farm families the automobile is very helpful. It has made it possible for them to travel to town very often for business and for pleasure, and also to transport their children to distant schools.

Family life has been affected (影响) in various ways. The car helps to keep families together when it is used for picnics, outings, and other shared experiences. However, when teenage children have the use of the car, their parents can’t keep an eye on them. There is a great danger if the driver has been drinking alcohol or taking drugs, or showing off by speeding or breaking down traffic laws. Mothers of victims (受害者) of such accidents have formed an organization called MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). These women want to prevent further tragedies (悲剧). They have worked to encourage the government to limit the youngest drinking age. Students have formed a similar organization, SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving) and are spreading the same message among their friends.

For many Americans the automobile is a necessity. But for some, it is also a mark of social position and for young people, a sign of becoming an adult. Altogether, cars mean very much to Americans.

1. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the text?

A．Cars have encouraged the growth of the cities.

B．Cars can bring families together when they go for picnics.

C．Cars have enabled people to live far from their place of work.

D．Cars help city families to transport their children to faraway schools.

2. What has been done to deal with the problem of drunk driving?

A．Parents have paid more attention to their children.

B．Some organizations have been set up against drunk driving.

C．Mothers have tried to persuade their children not to drink alcohol.

D．University students have asked the government to solve the problem.

3. We can infer from the text that          in America.

A．it will be more difficult for people to get new cars

B．parents will not allow their children to have their own cars

C．the government will encourage people to use public transportation

D．cars will still be popular though they have caused many problems

【推荐2】Vehicles on our roads are now mostly petrol and diesel (柴油) cars, but their days cannot continue for much longer. A recent university study found that current electric cars could be used for 87 percent of daily car journeys in the US. That figure could rise to 98 percent by 2020.

One hurdle to the widespread adoption of electric cars has been “range anxiety” — drivers’ concerns about running out of electricity on a journey. While petrol stations are conveniently located across national road systems, the necessary network of electric charging stations is still being developed. That said, charging points are becoming increasingly common throughout the USA.

Attitudes towards electric vehicles have changed greatly over the last few years. Not that long ago, electric cars were met with distrust, and their high prices drove customers away. Thanks to improvements in battery capacity, recharging times, performance and price, the current generation of electric cars are starting to persuade picky consumers. Plug-in cars will soon give internal combustion engine (内燃机) models a run for their money.

As well as development on the road, electric vehicles are taking to the seas and skies. Electric boats are among the oldest methods of electric travel, having enjoyed several decades of popularity from the late 19th to the early 20th century before petrol-powered outboard motors took over. Now, the global drive for renewable energy sources is bringing electric boats back. Steps towards electric air travel are also being made, with Airbus and NASA among the organizations developing and testing battery-powered planes. The experiments could soon make commercial electric flight a reality.

Electric vehicles do not produce any emissions (排放). If the US could replace 87 percent of its cars with electric vehicles, it would reduce the national demand for petrol by 61 percent. However, because of the production processes and the generation of electricity required to charge these vehicles, they cannot claim to be completely emission-free. That said, as many countries continue to increase their use of renewable energy sources, electric vehicles will become even cleaner.

1. What does the underlined word “hurdle” probably mean in Paragraph 2?

A．Obstacle.

B．Intention.

C．Worry.

D．Stage.

2. What will the future of plug-in cars be like?

A．They will suffer disbelief because of battery capacity.

B．The high price will put the future of electric cars at risk.

C．They will not be widely promoted because of picky customers.

D．They will compete with petrol and diesel cars fiercely for markets.

3. What can we learn about in Paragraph 4?

A．The history of electric travel.

B．Different ways electric vehicles can be used.

C．Reasons why the world needs more electric cars.

D．The trend that more people have interest in electric cars.

4. What is a suitable title for the text?

A．Potentials of Petrol and Diesel Cars	B．Challenges Facing Electric Cars
C．A Cleaner Future on the Road	D．Best Means of Transportation

【推荐1】As I walked into the George Eastman Museum’s Dryden Theater, I felt as though I had stepped into a time machine. On the way to the traditional, old-timey box office, tons of vintage movie posters and the theater entrance made me feel like I was on Broadway. As everyone took their seats, an older gentleman who looked like he walked straight out of the 1920s gave the attendees a historical background of the film we were seeing-The Barker.

The film itself, which was released in 1928, is considered a “part-talkie”. Before films included synchronized (同步的) sound, films were played with live accompaniment and contained subtitles to add context. With the invention of synchronized sound, films slowly added talking dialogue in scenes throughout the film; these films were considered “part-talkies”.

The Barker, which explores the lives of carnival workers, is the talking debut (首次登场) of all of the main cast. The film was revolutionary not only for the technology but also for the actors. My film experience consists of mostly talkies, so when I finished The Barker, I felt like I witnessed something brand new for the first time.

The experience I had at Dryden Theater was unlike any movie-going experience I had ever had. The music, the film, and the atmosphere itself were completely unique! Since viewing films has gradually been switched to streaming services, especially since the pandemic, this has both increased the accessibility of films and stripped us of reliance on a social experience to watch a movie-one that attending The Barker reminded me of.

“Barbenheimer”, a phenomenon that contrasts the obvious differences in the recently released movies Barbie and Oppenheimer, allowed us to return to the movie-going adventure. Finally, everyone wanted big screens and surround sound rather than the tiny screens in bedrooms. More importantly, we were all able to interact with a piece of content alongside other people. “Barbenheimer” brought back the pastime of going to the cinema-one that I think we should continue to engage in. I say we take a page out of the 1920s playbook and return to the cinema.

1. Who helped the audience know better about the historical background of The Barker?

A．A star who was cast in the movie.

B．A man who had a look of the past.

C．An elderly gentleman from the 1920s.

D．A staff member working at the box office.

2. Which of the following is true of “part-talkies”?

A．The Barker is a “part-talkie”.

B．“Part-talkies” are totally silent.

C．“Part-talkies” involve live accompaniment.

D．The films before The Barker are “part-talkies”.

3. What does the underlined word “stripped” in paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．Accused.

B．Informed.

C．Robbed.

D．Warned.

4. What does the author suggest?

A．Having more big screen experiences.

B．Interacting more with people around us.

C．Engaging in “Barbenheimer” and watching The Barker.

D．Reading more vintage playbooks before watching movies.

【推荐2】Earlier this week, I wrapped up (圆满完成) a 5-day trip in San Francisco. I woke up a few hours before sunrise, drove through the darkness and out of the city, hiked for 30 minutes to the top of a hill overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, and snapped(拍摄) this photo. As I stood there soaking in the early morning light, I was reminded of an important lesson.
When I arrived in San Francisco, I told myself, “Just take photos as you do other things.” My primary goal was to meet with friends and so I figured I could take pictures as we walked around the city. This resulted in exactly zero photos worth sharing. I had vague ideas like, “I’d like to do some street photography,” but I never went out with the intent of photographing something specific. Finally, on the last morning, I went out with the intent of capturing a specific picture and I ended up with something worth sharing. My mistake was that I assumed that because I wanted to take photos, I would end up getting a desirable result.
How often do you do this in your own life? We go to the gym to “work out” without trying to become better at something specific. We wish that we were more creative, but never work on a particular project. When you commit to a task, however, then the next step is obvious. You want to take a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge at sunrise? Next step: find a good spot. You’ve found a good spot? Next step: wake up early and drive there.
This is perhaps the most shocking thing: if box yourself in, then you’ll begin to break out and achieve something greater than you ever imagined.
1. What’s the author’s original purpose of the trip?

A．To take pictures.	B．To attend lessons.
C．To visit friends.	D．To enjoy sunrise.

2. What lesson did the author learn?

A．A given task leads to achievement.

B．Stick to your own decision.

C．Get ready for challenges.

D．Hard work pays off.

3. What are you advised to do first when you want to get stronger physically?

A．Make a detailed outline.

B．Go to work out immediately.

C．Discuss the ways with coaches.

D．Choose a certain muscle group.

4. What’s the function of the last paragraph?

A．To introduce a new topic.

B．To draw a conclusion.

C．To make a suggestion.

D．To ask readers to reflect on something.

【推荐3】It was decades ago, but it's still one of the most memorable conversations of my life. On a long, slow train rattling north, with nothing to do but watch the rain, the guy sitting opposite began trying to talk to me. Like most young women who have learned the hard way to be cautious of strangers, I reacted coldly. But curiosity took over when he said that he was just bored, and liked talking.

So that's what we did, for hours and hours, since he turned out to be very talkative. When the train eventually pulled in, we didn't swap numbers—it was a conversation strictly of its time—but I still think about it occasionally on long, boring journeys, before getting a phone out and scrolling silently like everyone else. Rarely can a person cheerfully break the social taboo（禁忌）about talking to strangers without any trace of ill intention but life would be more interesting if more of us knew how to do it

And that's why I feel it ridiculous about a campaign launched this week to heal bitter national divides by encouraging Britons to talk to each other. Obviously, it takes more than a small talk over garden fences to unite a divided nation now. More people live alone than they did a generation ago, and we socialise increasingly through screens instead of bothering to call. In reality, social media platforms designed to bring people together have unknowingly fueled the division.

It is true that the "tube chat" campaign of a few years back failed in its attempt to make Londoners talk to each other on public transport. But even city residents who would normally die rather than make eye contact with strangers still happily join the large crowds of people by the Thames for the New Year's Eve fireworks. They would get a far better view at home on TV—it's not really about the fireworks, but being part of social engagement.

There's no guarantee that this latest attempt to reconnect will succeed, but I hope that my temporary train friend then is still talking, wherever he is now.

1. What led the author to start the talk with the guy on the train?

A．Her growing interest in communication.

B．Her typical easygoing personality

C．Her habit of chatting with strangers.

D．The intention of the train journey.

2. What has made talking to strangers a social taboo among the Britons?

A．A lack of basic communicating skills.

B．The absence of common topics.

C．The concern for personal safety.

D．The addiction to social media

3. How does technology affect people's mutual connection?

A．It is bringing people together in a larger sense.

B．It is positively helping break the national boundaries.

C．It has made people more divided than connected.

D．It is the key driving force of removing divisions.

4. What does the highly-attended firework show indicate?

A．Tube chat campaign can never make it.

B．TV programs at home are not appealing.

C．The charm of the fireworks is hard to resist.

D．People's desire to connect is still alive.