【推荐1】New technology means that we no longer have to wait for anything. Therefore, you would expect waiting rooms to be filled with a lot of people complaining. However, a newspaper survey suggests that people regard these spaces as a place of refuge, a window in their tightly scheduled lives. Here are some of the stories that people told.

A   Ella Doroudy, subway station. Friday 5 p.m.

We’ve been at the beach all day, and now we’re on our way home. We don’t have to wait very long, because we checked the schedule so we got here with about 15 minutes to spare. I just hang out and chat with my friends until the train comes. Waiting with other people is easier because it’s easier to kill time when you have someone to talk to.

B   Caroline Lacey, dentist’s office. Tuesday 3 p.m.

I don’t really get nervous about a visit to the dentist, but since these two fillings came out I’ve been in great pain. The office is bright and cheerful, so it’s pretty calming. I usually pass the time by browsing through magazines. I’ve been coming to the dentist only when I need to, but I’m going to have to start coming regularly.   

C   Renata Oliveira, model casting. Tuesday 2 p.m.
I was a little bit late today, which ended up being OK because some of these girls have been waiting for hours. You can’t help but look around at everyone else—you look at the other girls and think: “I wonder if they’ll like her better than they like me.” While I’m waiting, I’m thinking: “Oh, come on. I don’t have all day!”                           
D   Paul Thomas, hospital, waiting room. Wednesday 2 p.m.

I feel pretty all right while I’m waiting here, to be honest. It’s something I’ve been doing since my motorcycle accident seven years ago. I’ve had about 32 operations so far. This time I’m here for one more in my foot. It’s no use coming in thinking you’re going to escape in five minutes, so I just sit back and people watch.

1. What are the four people talking about?

A．How they like to wait.	B．Why they hate waiting.
C．Unhappy experience of waiting.	D．Different reasons for waiting long.

2. Which of the following people kill the waiting time by talking with others?

A．Ella Doroudy.	B．Caroline Lacey.
C．Renata Oliveira.	D．Paul Thomas.

3. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

A．Ella Doroudy waited at the subway station for more than half an hour.

B．Caroline Lacey doesn’t think the dentist’s office is relaxing enough.

C．Renata Oliveria failed in the model competition because she was late.

D．Paul Thomas has got accustomed to waiting in the waiting room.

【推荐3】Tabichi’s father, uncle, and cousins have all worked as teachers. He could see that his relatives were making a real difference to people’s lives and wanted to do the same. So for the past 12 years, Tabichi has worked as a math and science teacher in the hope that his lessons will give students a chance to improve their situations.

However, working at a remote village school in Kenya hasn’t been easy. The unique challenges and obstacles have forced Tabichi to find unique solutions for his students. The school only has one computer and unreliable Internet access. The school also has no library or laboratory. To make matters worse, there are not enough books for all the students and the school is desperately in need of more teachers. Most of the students are not able to concentrate, because they haven’t had enough meals at home.

One of the other major challenges that Tabichi faces is keeping kids in school as long as possible. So Tabichi spends most of his time outside of the classroom working on ways to keep kids in school. When the 36-year-old gets the feeling that a student is at risk of dropping out, he works to persuade families to put more value in education. To help those in poverty afford food, uniforms, and books, Tabichi also gives away 80 percent of his salary. Despite all the obstacles he faces, Tabichi is credited for improving the school and keeping much of the village’s youth in school. He has also managed to set up science clubs and addressed food insecurity issues.

Thanks to his tireless work, his students have excelled. In recent years, students have won national and international science competitions. In March of 2022, Tabichi was voted the best teacher in the world and won the prize of $1 million.

1. What inspired Tabichi to be a teacher?

A．The high salary of teachers.	B．His father’s demand on him.
C．Contributions a teacher can make.	D．His relatives encouragement.

2. What do you know from the passage?

A．There are abundant teachers in Tabichi’s school.

B．Tabichi’s teaching ways are popular with the students.

C．Most of the students are eager to learn in Tabichi’s class.

D．Tabichi faced many difficulties when working in the school.

3. What occupied Tabichi’s most time?

A．Giving students the best lessons.	B．Helping students get rid of poverty.
C．Persuading students not to drop out.	D．Getting students away from any risk.

4. Which of the following can best describe Tabichi?

A．Pitiful and trustful.	B．Diligent and intelligent.
C．Aggressive and ambitious.	D．Selfless and persistent.

【推荐1】Are you worried about the planet and tired of waiting around for things to change? Go ahead and take a closer look at the various options available to volunteer. for the environment!

Sustainable Agriculture

If you decide to volunteer for a sustainable agriculture project, you’ll definitely learn some interesting sustainable farming techniques. You will be learning these techniques from locals or teaching them to the local farmers so they can implement (实施) these techniques on their own.

Best Places to Volunteer: Central or South Africa, India, Nepal, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Marine Conservation

Volunteers’ for marine conservation should naturally be attracted to water. It’s important that you don’t fear diving and have a strong interest in learning to dive during your stay. While volunteering, your task as a volunteer will be to help research, maintain and grow the unique marine biology.

Best Places to Volunteer: The Bahamas, Cuba, Peru, South Africa, Indonesia, Spain and Italy.

Nature Conservation

Conservation projects are dedicated to protecting the natural environment of a specific location. Tasks here may vary greatly depending on the program but it will require volunteers to study the environment and learn about the local wildlife species. You’ll be monitoring the environment and retrieving data while taking action to preserve the local species of animals and plants.

Best Places to Volunteer: Madagascar, the Maldives, South Africa, New Zealand and Russia.

Renewable Energy and Water

Projects focused on energy and water create ways for communities to access sustainable energy and water sources. These programs are dedicated to designing system improvements and creating a sustainable supply of energy and water. It’s important for conservation volunteers to evaluate the needs of the community and implement actions to solve these issues.

Best Places to Volunteer: Peru, Costa Rica, EI Salvador, India and Cameroon.

Requirements: With so many subcategories and such a wide series of organizations, the required skill set will vary for each program. English is the main language on all projects so it’s important that conservation volunteers have a good understanding of English. For projects in South America, you will find it helpful to have a basic knowledge of Spanish.

1. If you want to volunteer for three projects in the same country, which country is the best choice?

A．Peru.

B．South Africa.

C．Indonesia.

D．India.

2. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A．Volunteers can learn farming techniques by carrying out these techniques on their own.

B．Volunteers should assess the requirements of the community to solve the issues of energy and water supply.

C．Volunteers at different conservation projects can perform the same tasks to protect the natural environment.

D．Volunteers can sign up for marine conservation project even if they are afraid of the water.

3. What is required in common to be a volunteer in any of the above programs?

A．Farming techniques.	B．Marine biology.
C．The English language.	D．Data retrieving.

【推荐3】In 2009, Kevin Pearce suffered a serious accident during snowboarding training. He struck his head on the edge of a half-pipe, resulting in a traumatic (创伤性的) brain injury (TBI), which changed the course of the then-22-year-old’s life.

His older brother Adam Pearce quit his job and moved across the country to help him through recovery. “What I remember most,” Kevin said, “is Adam being there and doing it all with me.”

Kevin eventually started doing yoga (瑜伽), and his family saw how it transformed him and gave him a sense of hope. “It was the first time I remember so clearly coming out of a class with him and just seeing in his face this new expression, this new person,” Adam said. “He started just feeling more confident and in more control.”

Traumatic brain injury affects the lives, of millions of Americans each year, including many who are living with long-term TBI-related disabilities. To bring hope to others and help them recover through yoga, Adam and Kevin co-founded the LoveYourBrain Foundation in 2014, The nonprofit offers week-long retreats (静修) and community-based yoga classes across the United States for people who have a TBI as well as their caregivers.

“I think people feel isolated after brain injury because they don’t feel able,” Kevin said. “At these retreats, people are given the space to face those deep challenges and express them and talk about them.” The organization also trains yoga teachers, giving them knowledge on how to work with those who have a TBL. To date, LoveYourBrain has reached more than 35,000 people.

Ultimately, the organization aims to create a safe space and supportive community where people with a TBI can recover together.

“Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I’d be here almost 13 years later after my accident,” Kevin said. “What this has taught me is that trauma and difficulties can be a powerful pathway for deeper learning and growth.”

1. Which of the following best describes Adam Pearce?

A．Demanding.

B．Caring.

C．Ambitious.

D．Humorous.

2. What can we learn about Kevin Pearce after he suffered an accident?

A．He moved to another country.	B．He refused his brother’s advice.
C．He was unable to control himself.	D．He benefited a lot from doing yoga.

3. Why did the brothers set up the LoveYourBrain Foundation?

A．To offer help to TBI patients.	B．To arouse people’s attention to TBL
C．To work with hospitals and make money.	D．To bring hope to athletes with low scores.

4. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．Accidents happen easily.	B．One is never too old to learn.
C．Suffering also has positive effects.	D．Everyone should have a dream.

【推荐1】Arens, a driver of a delivery company, was making his rounds near a pond in Bozeman, Montana, when he heard an unearthly sound.

It was December 2018, and about 15 feet from the frozen banks was the source of that cry — a half-submerged brown-and-white wirehaired dog, struggling to hold on to a thin layer of ice.

How she got there no one knows, but an elderly man was already on the scene, determined to save her. The elderly man had entered the pond in a rowboat and was hacking away at the ice with a rock to create a path to the dog. It was slow going, and Arens, 44, thought he stood a better chance. He took off his clothes, even though the temperature was -30℃, and jumped into the rowboat.

His heart beating fast, Arens slid closer to the dog and used the other man’s rock to smash away at the ice. He gave himself a strong pull and slipped off the boat, crashing into 16 feet of freezing water. He resurfaced in time to see the dog going under. Using nervous energy to keep warm, he swam about five feet toward her, grabbed hold of her collar, and pulled her to the ice. He then boosted the dog into the boat and slid it back to the shore, where anxious bystanders carried the dog to the home of the rowboat owner.

Once in the house himself, Arens jumped into a warm shower with the dog until they both felt warmer.

A few more minutes in the pond, the vet (兽医) told Arens, and she would have likely suffered heart failure.

The next day, Arens was back working in the same neighborhood when the dog’s owner came over to thank him for saving Sadie.

Arens says, “That special delivery was the highlight of my career.”

1. What does the underlined word “hacking” in paragraph three most probably mean?

A．Finding.

B．Cutting.

C．Revising.

D．Adopting.

2. Why does Arens think “he stood a better chance” (in paragraph 3) according to the passage?

A．He had an advantage in age.	B．He was able to jump into the rowboat.
C．He had better nerves to keep warm.	D．He was a faster swimmer.

3. Which of the following statements is true about the incident?

A．After saving the dog, Arens carried her home.

B．Arens jumped into the river on seeing the dog.

C．Without Aren’s help, the dog could hardly survive.

D．The dog was hunting when she fell into the water.

4. What is the main idea of the passage?

A．A special delivery of a driver.	B．A story of a pet lover.
C．A dog suffering from heart attack.	D．A fight against freezing waste.

【推荐3】Ben walked quietly. He wanted to surprise the hunter. But then, what would he do?
Suddenly he heard a bird’s wings beating the dry grass. Ben moved quickly toward the sound.
He saw a colored head ... the head of a beautiful bird. The bird did not move until Ben came close. Then it tried to fly away, but one wing was broken.
Ben lifted the bird and held it close against his body. The bird fought to escape, but soon lay quietly in Ben’s arms.
Ben decided to take the bird home and fix its broken wings so that it could fly again.
He was almost out of the woods when he heard the hunter behind him.
“You just found that bird?” the hunter asked.
“Yes,” Ben answered.
“It is mine!”
Ben was afraid and tried to answer, but his mouth was too dry to speak. Nevertheless, he wetted his lips and said, “No.”
“I shot him and I say he is mine!”
“But he is not dead yet,” Ben answered, “and besides, anything on my land belongs to me.”
The hunter looked down at the little man and smiled. “Say, who are you?”
Ben’s voice shook with both fear and anger. “I own this land. There are signs everywhere that say, ‘No hunting’.”
“No need to get angry, mister,” the hunter said. “Control yourself.”
There was something threatening in the man’s cool quiet voice. And he had a gun. His arms were free and Ben’s were not.
The hunter stepped closer and said, “Give me that bird!”
Ben was white with anger. “No!” he answered. His eye glasses became wet and he had to look over the top of them to see the other man.
“Give me the bird and I will go away,” the hunter said.
“You get off my land,” Ben told him. “Get off right now...you do not belong here!”
The man’s face got red. “Mister,” he said, “I have been hunting here all my life. I grew up here.”
“That is a thing of the past,” Ben said. “I do not know who you are and I do not care. I own this place now and I am telling you to leave. You go back through the woods and get off my land!”
“Now look, mister,” the hunter said, “be reasonable.”
The hunter raised his gun.
A cold wind blew across Ben’s face. He looked into the hunter’s gray eyes. Ben was frightened. It was not too late, he thought. He could still give the bird to the hunter and return safely home...that would end this whole ugly business.
The bird struggled weakly and made a wild, strange noise.
Then Ben knew he could never give this bird to the hunter. This feeling gave Ben great strength, and he was no longer afraid.
“I will never let you kill this bird,” he said. “Get away from here. If you try to take this bird, I will fight...you have a gun and you are bigger, but that does not worry me. You will never get this bird...you will have to kill me first.”
The two men looked at each other. Ben’s fear returned. His knees began to shake and he felt sick. Yet he stood straight, wondering what would happen next.
They stood close to each other for a long time. The woods were strangely quiet. Then the hunter’s rough voice broke the silence.
“You are a fool.” And then to Ben’s surprise, he slowly walked away.
Ben watched until he was gone. His arms hurt, his body felt wet and cold.
1. Why did the hunter smile when saying “Say, who are you”?

A．He wanted to confirm Ben’s identity in a friendly way.

B．He was amused at Ben’s reply and interested in him.

C．He looked down on Ben and thought his reply ridiculous.

D．He meant to be friendly enough to get the bird from Ben.

2. What strengthened Ben’s determination never to give the bird to the hunter?

A．His strong dislike of the hunter.	B．His firm confidence in himself.
C．His ownership of this piece of land.	D．His concern and sympathy for the bird.

3. Why did the hunter remark that Ben was a fool at the end of the story?

A．Ben tried to protect a bird at all costs.

B．Ben pretended to be fearless although scared.

C．Ben stood close to him saying nothing for long.

D．Ben insisted on him leaving the land.

4. Which of the following best describes Ben’s state of mind in the incident?

A．Ben was willing to compromise.	B．Ben never thought of giving in.
C．Ben held out to the end.	D．Ben was sure about his victory.