1 . Why are tennis balls best kept in a fridge? It’s because. …
A. the balls get hot very quickly after being hit
B. a cooler temperature helps with the perfect bounce (弹性).
C. higher temperature causes the ball to become less round.
Which one do you choose? Read the following and find out the answer.
Have you ever watched a big tennis game on TV and seen people taking out tennis balls from a fridge? This is because temperature influences how the ball bounces. A tennis ball is filled with air. And this gives it pressure. When it is hotter, the temperature inside the tennis ball gets higher, and the ball is bouncier. When it is colder, there is less pressure and less bounce. Also, a lower temperature stops air inside the ball from leaking out (漏气), said the website Tennis Hold. This means it will bounce for longer. Tennis ball companies say that the best temperature to store tennis balls is 20 ℃. This is the temperature of the fridges you can see at the tennis games. So don’t rush to put your tennis balls in your fridge at home. It’ll be too cold!
1. Tennis balls should be kept in fridges to keep them ________.| A．round | B．bouncy | C．hard | D．cold |
| A．the air will come into the ball | B．the ball will become less bouncy |
| C．the air will leak out from the ball | D．there will be less pressure in the ball |
| A．-20 ℃ | B．20 ℃ | C．-30 ℃ | D．30 ℃ |
| A．we must keep a tennis ball in the fridge at home |
| B．big tennis games provide better quality tennis balls |
| C．the longer a ball stays in a fridge, the better it will work |
| D．a tennis ball shouldn’t be stored in a fridge at a low temperature |
2 . Miserable Faith, a famous Chinese rock band, recently gave a concert in Xinjiang. That was a special concert for a group of special people.
The concert was held in Xinjiang’s Jeminay County. People there are mostly herders (牧民). In different seasons, they need to move to different grasslands. As a result, it is difficult for them to receive health care. Thankfully, a group of 41 people are there to solve the problem: They are village doctors.
Across China, there are 1.44 million village doctors. They provide health services in a large number of villages. To support the work of village doctors, a project was started in 2017.
Miserable Faith joined the project in 2019. So far, they have visited village doctors in different provinces. This year, they came to Xinjiang, where they learned a lot about the work of village doctors in grasslands: Different from the village doctors in other places, who live in one fixed (固定的) place, village doctors in Jeminay County need to move with the herders. Each doctor needs to take care of lots of herders and spend months with them. Despite the difficult conditions, the doctors try their best to help the herders.
The band was deeply moved. So, they organized the concert. The concert came with a special requirement. The tickets were free, but people coming to the concert had to bring some medicine. The tickets were sold out in just several minutes, and many people around China who couldn’t go to the concert also sent medicine to Xinjiang.
The band was thankful and happy to see that. Gao Hu, one of the members, said, “The concert made them really proud.”
1. Who started a project in 2017?| A．Miserable Faith. | B．Herders. | C．Village doctors. | D．Gao Hu. |
| A．It lasted for several months. | B．Tickets were paid for with medicine. |
| C．It was held by some village doctors. | D．It told the importance of health to herders. |
| A．To make it be the pride of China. |
| B．To call on more people to join Miserable Faith. |
| C．To let people know the work of village doctors in grasslands is colorful. |
| D．To let more people know about and care for the village doctors in the country. |
| A．People in Xinjiang are rich and friendly. | B．The concert was no doubt a great success. |
| C．Miserable Faith will come to Xinjiang again. | D．It is right for Miserable Faith to live in Xinjiang. |
3 . In recent years, some museums have created a lot of products by combining (结合) Chinese cultural relics (文物) with modern life, such as Sanxingdui ice-cream. This creative combination gives people a chance to experience special products and understand traditional Chinese culture better.
The National Museum of China also tried “this cool idea” this year. In order to better show cultural relics in its collection, the museum has enriched people’s experiences by offering a new product. The product combines Siyang Fangzun with the design of food.
Siyang Fangzun is one of the most famous cultural relics in the museum. The great bronzework (青铜制品) can date back to the Shang Dynasty. How to make it “live” and let more people see it and know more about it? The museum gave a good answer—designing a special chocolate. People can “dig” a piece of chocolate in the shape of Siyang Fangzun from a jar of (一罐) chocolate chips. In this way, they can clearly see what Siyang Fangzun looks like and experience the fun of archaeology (考古).
The National Museum of China has been trying to make products with Chinese cultural elements (元素) since the end of 2018. The chocolate is the latest in a series of (一系列) food products. This product has attracted more young people to get close to traditional Chinese culture.” We combine chocolate with Siyang Fangzun and try to make the product creative,” said Liao Fei, a staff member in the museum. “People can feel the beauty of Chinese cultural relics while tasting food.”
1. The first paragraph mainly tells us ________.| A．the place of buying Sanxingdui ice-cream | B．the time of creating this creative combination |
| C．the progress of making Sanxingdui ice-cream | D．the purpose of creating this creative combination |
| A．improve | B．copy | C．punish | D．relax |
| A．make | B．dig | C．give | D．design |
| A．young people are used to eating chocolate |
| B．the latest in a series of food products are cheap |
| C．combining Chinese cultural relics with modern life works well |
| D．tasting food is a good way to visit the National Museum of China |
4 . 
Imagine there is a thing that could monitor (监测) your physical condition in real time. It is very useful, isn’t it? Some scientists may have taken some steps down that road. They’ve invented a wearable ultrasound patch (超声贴片)—something like a Band-Aid (创可贴). This patch offers an easy way to see deep inside the body.
This little “Band-Aid” thing has a lot of medical uses. People can stick the little thing over their skin (皮肤). It can record their physical condition and help doctors diagnose (诊断) signs of organ damage (器官损伤) or cancer. Most machines in hospitals that have these functions (功能) aren’t wearable. But this patch is wearable, so it’s very convenient. And it can work just as well as the machines in hospitals. What’s more, the patch can work for up to 48 hours—even while people are moving around a lot, like playing a sport.
“This is just the beginning,” says Zhao Xuanhe. He’s part of the team that created the patch. Next, Zhao’s team will make the patch wireless (无线的) so that people can check the results on their phones.
In many poor countries, medical machines are usually not enough. The new patch can be a big help in these parts of the world. Right now, it takes about $100 to make one. But its designers hope to bring that cost down.
1. Paragraph Two is mainly about ________.| A．the size of an ultrasound patch | B．when to use an ultrasound patch |
| C．the advantages of an ultrasound patch | D．where we can wear an ultrasound patch |
| A．Now an ultrasound patch can work for three days. |
| B．An ultrasound patch won’t be used in poor countries. |
| C．We can use an ultrasound patch only when we lie on the bed. |
| D．It is easy to wear an ultrasound patch just like using a Band-Aid. |
A． | B． | C． | D． |
| A．Little patch, big help | B．An important lesson |
| C．An expensive invention | D．The development of an ultrasound patch |
5 . Volunteer activities are a way for people to give their time and energy to help others. Many people describe volunteering as an unpaid (无报酬的) job. They think volunteers put in the effort and get nothing in return. But actually, volunteering is a job full of challenges and rewards (奖赏). It also can offer you chances.
People can do different volunteer activities, such as working at hospitals schools or community centers as well as volunteering at animal shelters (保护区), environmental organizations, or charities. For example, you can volunteer as a panda keeper. The main jobs include looking after the pandas, giving them food and cleaning their houses.
Also, volunteer activities can be done alone or as part of a group. Some people prefer to volunteer alone, while others enjoy working with other members to achieve a common goal. No matter how they volunteer, all volunteers share a common goal—to help others and make a difference to the world.
In addition, if you have no time go in person to an organization to volunteer, think about volunteering by doing wok online such as teaching Chinese to foreigners online.
Above all, volunteering is a way for you to give back to the community while you also develop basic social skills and acquire valuable experience. If you wish to make a huge difference in the world around you, you will have to go all for it. What makes one a good volunteer is their enthusiasm (热情) to bring changes through their work.
1. We can get ________ by doing volunteer activities.| A．time and energy | B．money and opportunities |
| C．jobs and experience | D．challenges and rewards |
| A．the time to do volunteering | B．how to look after pandas |
| C．the types of volunteer activities | D．how to do volunteer work |
| A．get | B．teach | C．promise | D．change |
| A．Ways of Holding Activities | B．Ideas of Doing Volunteering |
| C．The Key to Becoming a Good Leaner | D．Suggestions on Doing Things with Love |
An exhibition (展出) on the great Chinese ancient encyclopedia (百科全书) Yongle Dadian opened at the Lanzhou Museum in Gansu Province. It collected more than 7,000 kinds of ancient Chinese classics and records, covering literature (文学), art, history and geography from the pre-Qin period to the early Ming Dynasty.
With a total of 11,095 volumes (卷) and about 370 million words, the Yongle Dadian was regarded as “the largest encyclopedia in the world”. To protect this world-famous classic, Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty ordered a rerecording of it. The copying work took five years to finish. But hand-copied books have been gradually lost over the long period of history. Today, only over 400 volumes and a few pieces of the Yongle Dadian remain in the world.
The Chinese government promised to put greater efforts into digitizing (数字化) ancient books and encouraged libraries to open their collections for the public. This action certainly made the Chinese culture in ancient books “alive”.
Similarly, the Siku Quanshu, a collection of Chinese classical works, is being digitized in Lanzhou, Gansu Province. Created in the Qing Dynasty, Siku Quanshu had seven copies. But now, only three and a half copies remain. To bring them closer to the public, digitization efforts began in 2021 and are expected to be completed by 2024.
Ancient books are important to China in carrying on its cultural traditions and improving its cultural power. At the same time, they can also be used for researching and the development of cultural products.
1. What fields does the Yongle Dadian include?2. How many words are there in the Yongle Dadian?
3. Where can we find digitized Siku Quanshu at the beginning?
4. What do you think of the idea of digitizing books? Why? Write 30 words or more.
Natural disasters can hit anywhere, anytime, and being prepared is the key to staying safe. Earthquakes, typhoons (台风), and floods are common natural disasters that can cause terrible damage (破坏) and bring serious threats (威胁) to safety.
Earthquakes suddenly shake the ground, often without warning. To stay safe during an earthquake, people had better “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” until the shaking stops. You can find a strong table to hide under and hold on.
Typhoons, known as hurricanes or cyclones in other parts of the world, can lead to strong winds and too much rain. Before a typhoon arrives, storing necessary things like food, water, and batteries is important.
Floods can happen when rivers run over because of too much rain. To prepare well, avoid building homes in the areas where floods often happen and place important electrical appliances (电器) up off the ground in your home. Having an emergency plan is also a must.
By understanding these disasters and taking action, communities and people can reduce the risk of harm and recover (恢复) more quickly after disasters happen.
1. How many kinds of natural disasters are mentioned in the text?2. Why are people advised to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” until the shaking stops?
3. What can typhoons cause according to the text?
4. Which other disaster do you know and how can you keep safe in it? Write 30 words or more.
8 . What do you do with your pocket money? Buy game machines or sports shoes? Hang out with your friends? To save it or to spend it, that is a question.
Actually, it’s meaningful to save your pocket money because you never know what is going on tomorrow. For example, if you lose your bike, you need to buy a new one. However, without enough pocket money to spend on a new bike, you have to walk. Therefore, how can you manage your pocket money wisely?
Create a budget. List your incomes (收入) and costs, and think about how to spend the money. Then make a plan to buy some necessary things.
Open a bank account. Parents can put pocket money directly into your bank account. A bank can be magic! You put your money in it and your money will grow in a month. Why? It’s because the bank pays you interest. Big banks usually have an interest rate (利率) of 1.5 percent for a year.
Try second-hand products. Does being environment-friendly while saving money sound like a good choice to you? Then try second-hand products. They are cheaper than the new ones, which can help you save money. There is a highly recommended website for second-hand products.
So, you are able to get experience of dealing with banks and deciding whether to save or spend your money. These are all steps towards becoming a financially (经济上) independent adult and looking after your own money.
1. What’s the purpose of raising questions in Paragraph 1?| A．To introduce a subject. | B．To explain the doubt. |
| C．To provide an example. | D．To express the worry. |
| A．Buying a new bike. | B．Unnecessary costs. |
| C．Having a long walk. | D．Unexpected things. |
| A．¥985 | B．¥1,000 | C．¥1,015 | D．¥1,150 |
| A．Justin buys a new and expensive product. |
| B．Torger finds a part-time job in a big bank. |
| C．Sawyer makes a budget on his daily costs. |
| D．Nathan creates a high technology website. |
Daisy lives in the mountains. There are no roads to her house except a track (小径) through the forest. It would take two hours for Daisy to walk to school, which is on the other side of a river. To go to school, she must cross the river.
Daisy’s village is so small that there are not enough people to pay for a bridge. So, the people put cables (缆绳) over the rivet. They hook (勾) themselves onto the cable. Then they slide (滑) across the river. This is the way that Daisy goes to school.
Daisy has her own pulley (滑轮). She has a rope and a stick, too. She hooks the pulley onto the cable. She makes a seat with the rope. Then she sits on the rope and pushes off the ground. Far, far below her she can see the river. It is a very fast trip for Daisy. It only takes her one minute to go to the other side. As Daisy gets close to the other side, she must use her stick. Daisy presses the stick onto the cable. When she does this, sparks (火星) fly off the cable. When she finds it’s the time, she jumps into an old tyre (轮胎). The tyre helps her to stop.
Daisy is old enough to ride the cable by herself. Some children are too young to ride alone. They have to go in a cloth bag. All of the family come to watch a child’s first ride. The children must be shown what to do. They must know how to use the stick.
The cable is the only way to cross the river quickly. It is the only way Daisy can get to school on time.
1. Daisy has to cross the river on a cable to school because ________.| A．it costs too much to take a boat | B．the roads are not smooth for children |
| C．her parents want her to be strong enough | D．there aren’t enough villagers to afford a bridge |
| A．she is afraid to go alone | B．she is skillful in using all the tools |
| C．it takes her a long time to learn the skill | D．it’s difficult for her to come back after school |
| A．slow down | B．speed up | C．set out | D．avoid danger |
| A．humorous | B．excellent | C．brave | D．curious |
10 . Air is everywhere. Air is so important that we can’t live without it. Have you heard of the news that air is sold by villagers? It’s reported that villagers in some areas of Guangdong are putting their clear air to good use by selling it to tourists who live in heavy smog (雾霾).
At the weekend, people from big cities in the Pearl River Delta (珠江三角洲) come to the northern area of Guangdong, including the 1,417-metre-high Gold Mountain, which is famous for its clean air.
Villagers in the mountain sell air stored in plastic bags at prices from 30 yuan for a big bag to 10 yuan for a small one.
Zhi Chenglin, a Gold Mountain local person, was the first to come up with the idea after giving up his job in Guangzhou. He said he returned to his hometown because he couldn’t bear the air and environment in Guangzhou.
Several women from Guangzhou said they bought bags of air as a way to make more people pay much attention to the environmental protection when they returned home.
“We’ll analyse (分析) the air, make a comparison (对比), and tell friends how bad the air in Guangzhou is becoming,” said one woman.
In the past few days, 21 cities and counties of Guangdong province have been enveloped (笼罩) in smog.
Blue sky, white clouds, fresh air and clean water, we are looking forward to them.
1. Why do villagers sell air?| A．Because they use this way to make money. |
| B．Because there are tourists who meet environmental problems. |
| C．Because the air in Guangdong is the clearest in the world. |
| D．Because there are some of tourists advising them to sell air. |
| A．To show how clear the air in Guangdong province is. |
| B．To show the opinions from people about selling air. |
| C．To show the condition of current (现在的) environment. |
| D．To make more people pay attention to the environment. |
| A．Selling air is illegal (不合法的). |
| B．The villagers have made more money by selling the air. |
| C．The air in the village is better than Guangzhou. |
| D．The behavior of selling air is not accepted by some people. |
| A．Social cases | B．Environmental protection |
| C．Future life | D．People and nature |
