You have been familiar with the learning environment in your middle school, and it feels like home. So it is not always easy to say “bye-bye”to middle school. After entering high school, you may face some new challenges. The schoolwork may become more difficult and require greater skills. Most students need support. Teachers and parents may give you a hand.
Understand what kind of learners you are. Do you need silence to focus? Then make sure the TV is not on when you are studying.
Form good reading habits. Read something every day—the more, the better. It doesn’t matter what you read.
High school life can be enjoyable. Old friendships might come undone and new ones will develop. Hope you will feel confident and perform well in high school!
| A．Learn to be better organized. |
| B．Middle school life is difficult. |
| C．Reading newspapers regularly is a good choice. |
| D．However, you can’t depend on others all the time. |
| E．Provide yourself with a quiet learning environment at home. |
2 . ①After the Yangtze River Protection Law, China passed the Yellow River Protection Law in October, 2022. It is China’s second river basin (流域) protection law.
②Due to long-time human activities, the Yellow River’s ecology (生态) has been greatly destroyed (破坏), so the new law is pretty important and timely. The Yellow River is regarded as China’s mother river. For 3,000 years, its basin served as the nation’s political, economic and cultural center. The river runs through nine provinces and regions in our country, feeding 12 percent of the Chinese population. The Yellow River Protection Law stresses the need for the protection of the ecosystem. It also calls for flood control.
③For generations (代), flood control was the major challenge for the people living along the Yellow River. The river ever burst (决堤) its banks in 1953 when it rose about two-thirds of the way up an embankment (路堤) in Kaifeng, putting millions of people at risk. In autumn 2021, some areas on the lower reaches (下游) of the river saw their worst flooding for twenty years.
④The new law explains the need to protect and spread the Yellow River culture. Every autumn, an arts festival featuring Manhan Opera, is hold in Jungar Banner, Inner Mongolia, to carry forward the time-honored Yellow River art forms. Manhan Opera was created in the Yellow River basin. The art form mixes the Yellow River with grassland culture.
⑤The new law also calls for the best use of cultural heritage sites (文化遗址), such as museums. At a museum in Gaoqing County, Shandong, more than 20,000 items that have something to do with the Yellow River are on display, including documents (记录) on management of the waterway, tools used in the Yellow River basin, and ancient books and letters about the river.
1. The Yellow River Protection Law is ________ in China.| A．the first nature protection law | B．the second nature protection law |
| C．the first river basin protection law | D．the second river basin protection law |
| A．强调 | B．研究 | C．调查 | D．施压 |
| A．It is difficult to control the flood. |
| B．The river brings many problems to the people around. |
| C．People need to protect the Yellow River’s ecology. |
| D．People along the river are influenced by the flood greatly. |
| A．①;②③④;⑤ | B．①;②③;④⑤ | C．①;②;③④⑤ | D．①;②③④⑤ |
3 . It’s reported that Shenzhou-16 will bring international paintings by teenagers from 10 African countries to the China Space Station.
Jing Haipeng, one of the astronauts for the Shenzhou-16 manned spaceflight mission, shared the information during the Shenzhou-16’s press conference (新闻发布会) at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Northwest China’s Gansu Province.
These paintings were beautifully drawn by teenagers from 10 African countries including Algeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Egypt, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
“Indeed, we have this special and meaningful purpose, which is to show international paintings for the first time on the China Space Station, and these excellent works are from the winners of ‘Tianhe Award’ for young friends from the 10 African countries,” Jing explained. “At present, we have not seen the paintings. I believe they will be bright. Exploring the vast universe (宇宙) is the common dream of all human, no matter the race, age, or nationality. We expect to join hands with all peace-loving people to create a better tomorrow,” he continued.
“We will take the children’s best youth, best friendship, and best dreams into space, plant the seeds (种子) of science, friendship, and dreams on the China Space Station, and let them grow and bear fruit,” Jing hoped.
1. What does Jing Haipeng do?| A．A reporter. | B．An artist. | C．A gardener. | D．A spaceman. |
| A．Egypt, Mauritius and Mexico. | B．Mali, Colombia and Zimbabwe. |
| C．Madagascar, Algeria and Somalia. | D．Nigeria, South America and Madagascar. |
| A．Wonderful. | B．Funny. | C．General. | D．Fashionable. |
| A．Human and nature. | B．Peace and friendship. |
| C．Science and technology. | D．Culture and education. |
Dear Emma,
Your problem is like a circle. The harder you study, the less time you have to make friends and the less friendly you look to your classmates. The fewer friends you have, the harder you study to make yourself feel better.
Try to break this bad circle. Perhaps you are afraid of meeting new people, because you are too shy or too serious. You are not. Everyone has a fun side to his character. Push your shy side away and show your classmates how fun you can be.
Look at your classmates. Are there any people with whom you feel you have a lot in common?
First, smile at your classmates. Do this as often as you can, until your classmates become used to your smile and smile in return.
Next, talk to your classmates. Do this between classes or during your lunch break. You may find it easier to start by talking to people when they are alone.
Perhaps you could ask a classmate about your studies. They are likely to respond (回答) in a very positive (积极乐观的) way. People like to feel important and helpful.
There must be someone else in your class who is also quiet. It might be easier to try to talk with him or her. Your problem is mainly about confidence. Smile first, talk next and slowly you will make friends. Once you have more confidence, you can make as many friends as you want.
Editor
Information Card
| The cause of Emma’s problem | |
| Why the editor suggests Emma should talk to someone else in her class who is also quiet | Because |
| What the editor mainly tells Emma about | How to |
| The first thing to do | |
| What you may find easier to do when they are alone | Start |
5 . Dragons are not real animals, but look like a combination (组合体) of many animals such as snakes (角) and a long moustache (胡子). With fantastic (极大的), they fly in the sky or swim in the sea. They can make rain, too. The Chinese dragon is a symbol of strength and good luck. The emperors of ancient China loved dragons. Their clothes were covered with pictures of dragons.
We are proud to call ourselves the “descendants (传人) of the dragon”. In Chinese, “excellent” people are often called “dragon”. A number of Chinese sayings and idioms (习语) talk about dragons, for example, “Hoping one’s child will become a dragon.” which means he or she will be successful.
It is said that people born in the Year of the Dragon have certain characteristics (特质). They are creative, confident, brave and quick-tempered (脾气). There are some famous “dragons” who have done excellent things, for example, and the famous businessman Li Jiacheng. They are all successful.
There are also some traditional festivals about dragons in China, such as Dragon Head-Raising Day and the Dragon Boat Festival. We have different kinds of activities to celebrate them. These two festivals come every year, but the Year of the Dragon comes every twelve years.
The dragon is very important in Chinese culture. As the “descendants of the dragon”, it is necessary for us to know the views on dragons in our culture. It can help us understand why our parents always want us to be “dragons”.
The year 2024 is the Year of the Dragon. Good luck to you!
1. What does the Chinese dragon symbolize (象征)?| A．A combination of many animals. |
| B．Chinese sayings and idioms. |
| C．Traditional festivals. |
| D．Strength and good luck. |
| A．龙马精神 | B．龙飞风舞 | C．望子成龙 | D．龙腾虎跃 |
| A．Creative, confident, brave and powerful. |
| B．Creative, confident, brave and quick-tempered. |
| C．Lovely, confident, brave and quick-tempered. |
| D．Lucky, confident, creative and successful. |
| A．1988. | B．1998. | C．2008. | D．2018. |
| A．Dragons are real’ animals. |
| B．There are many Chinese sayings and idioms about dragons. |
| C．People born in the Year of the Dragon must be successful. |
| D．The “descendants of the dragon” are often called “dragons”. |
6 . Reading for pleasure is the easiest way to become a better reader in English. It is also the most important way.
Some students say they don’t want to read for pleasure. They say they want to use their time to learn the rules of the language and new words. They say that pleasure reading is too busy.
Many experts (专家) say pleasure reading is very important for learning English. Dr. Stephen Krashen, a famous expert on learning languages, says that pleasure reading helps you learn many important things about English. Students learn more grammar and more words when they read for pleasure. They also learn more about good writing.
Dr. Krashen tells us that pleasure reading helps each student in a different way. Each student needs to learn something different. Pleasure reading makes it possible for each student to learn what he or she needs.
Reading for pleasure is not the same as studying. When you read for pleasure, you choose your own books, and you don’t have to remember everything. There are no tests on your pleasure reading books.
Pleasure reading will help you:
Learn how English speakers use English.
Read faster in English.
Find examples of good writing in English.
Learn new words.
Learn about the culture of English speakers.
1. Reading for pleasure is the ________ way to become a better reader in English.| A．best | B．fastest | C．easiest | D．nearest |
| A．grammar and listening | B．listening and spelling |
| C．listening and speaking | D．grammar and words |
| A．something difficult | B．something different |
| C．something easy | D．something important |
| A．find examples of good writing in English |
| B．learn new words |
| C．learn how English writers use English |
| D．read faster in English |
| A．pleasure reading is a different way |
| B．pleasure reading is the same way |
| C．pleasure reading is an easy way |
| D．pleasure reading is an important way |
Motuo lies in the south of the Himalayas in Tibet. It is known as the “Natural Museum of Tibet”. It is home to different kinds of mountains, rivers, waterfalls, plants and animals. Its special geographic location makes it a beautiful place, but at the same time, one of the hardest places to reach. It was the last county (县) in China without a highway (公路).
The construction (建造) of the highway to Motuo started in the 1960s. However, it was not completed until over 50 years later. In 2013, the Motuo Highway was finally opened.
The highway is 117 kilometers long. To make it safer, the two-way highway is open in only one direction every other day. Although it doesn’t seem like a very well-built highway, it is still considered as a mega engineering project (超级工程项目). Why is that?
In this area, earthquakes and heavy rains happen very often. There could be falling rocks or even landslides (滑坡). People must build many walls and nets to protect the highway.
Another challenge is the snow. Large amounts of snow can sometimes destroy (摧毁) forests, rocks and roads. As a result, the construction of the highway to Motuo was stopped several times. To solve this problem, people built a tunnel (隧道) that goes through the snowy mountain area. Finally Motuo is no longer shut off from the world.
The highway is not only a way to connect Motuo to the outside world, but also a great chance for us to see how our country takes care of people in the far mountain areas. At the same time, it teaches us the Chinese spirit of “never giving up”.
1. How did the writer lead into the topic “the construction of the highway to Motuo”?| A．By telling a story. | B．By introducing Motuo. |
| C．By using an old saying. | D．By showing some numbers. |
| A．5 years. | B．10 years. | C．over 50 years. | D．117 years. |
| A．the weather in Motuo is nice |
| B．Chinese people are more friendly |
| C．when the highway to Motuo was opened to the world |
| D．why the highway to Motuo is considered as a mega engineering project |
| A．To share the “Natural Museum of Tibet”. |
| B．To explain how people constructed the highway. |
| C．To tell people it’s dangerous to drive on the highway to Motuo. |
| D．To show China’s care for its people and spirit of ‘never giving up’. |
7th floor-Strawberries. 15th floor-Carrots. It sounds like you’re in the lift of a supermarket, but actually this describes a vertical farm (垂直农场)!
Vertical farming means growing plants on different levels in tall buildings. There is running water, and sunlight enters through glass windows with LED lights for plants that don’t receive direct sunlight at some points of the day. Also, farmers in vertical farms have controlled the temperature and humidity (湿度). So no matter what the weather is like outside, the plants can continue growing! It’s possible to grow crops (庄稼) all year round.
Vertical farming began as an idea at Columbia University in New York City in 1999. Dickson Despommier, a professor, challenged his students to come up with ways to feed the population of Manhattan by growing food in the city. One idea was to use rooftop (外屋顶) gardens, but that could only feed 2% of the population. Out of nowhere, Despommier suggested that people could grow plants in tall buildings in the city. Then vertical farming was born!
Today, vertical farming is a reality and it’s growing in popularity. As is known to us, the population of the world will become larger and larger, so we will need more food. Cutting down forests to grow crops would do harm to the environment, so vertical farms can be a solution.
Despommier says that a 30-storey 2-hectare (30层两公顷的) vertical farm can grow the same amount of crops in a year as a normal 1,000-hectare farm! In 2012, the world’s first commercial (商业的) vertical farm opened in Singapore. Today, there are many vertical farms around the world.
1. When you are in a vertical farm, you will have a feeling of ________.| A．staying in a forest | B．staying in the sun |
| C．being in a lift of a supermarket | D．being outside a tall building |
| A．a lot of LED lights | B．running water |
| C．comfortable temperature | D．depending on the weather |
| A．vertical farms are large enough to make food |
| B．the conditions in vertical farms can be controlled |
| C．it is cheaper for farmers to grow crops in vertical farms |
| D．using vertical farms to grow crops is meaningful and popular |
( ① = Paragraph 1 ② = Paragraph 2, …)
A． | B． | C． | D． |
 Eyes on the Robot At a concert in South Korea, a robot stood in the front and directed the musicians. It moved its arms quickly and smoothly (平稳地). The instruments were brought into the mix. The music grew louder and more exciting. How amazing it was! But can the robot take a human conductor’s (指挥) place? No, because it cannot hear! |
 Pick It Up! What a huge bottle on the grass! It is painted by Saype, an artist, with chalk and charcoal (炭笔). It is as large as three tennis courts. By painting this bottle, Saype hopes to make people respect (尊重) nature and reduce pollution. When you see a bottle on the ground, pick it up! |
 It’s a Real Bear Here Hello! I am Angela. I can stand on my hind legs like a human. Many people came to visit me at Hangzhou Zoo. They were surprised to see my gestures. Some even said I was a zookeeper in a bear’s skin. They were wrong, of course. I am a real bear! |
 Magic Hair What can we do with human hair cuttings? Micale can turn them into matted (编织的) squares (广场). These squares can then be used to absorb (吸收) oil. A kilogram of hair can absorb between seven and eight kilograms of litter (垃圾) oil. |
1. The robot can’t take a human conductor’s place because it can’t ________.
| A．hear anything | B．see conductors |
| C．move its arm quickly | D．play the instruments |
| A．introduce how he painted it |
| B．show he is good at painting |
| C．tell people it was hard to finish it |
| D．remind people to care for the environment |
| A．South Korea | B．Hangzhou | C．the grass | D．a concert |
| A．boring | B．relaxing | C．creative | D．painful |
Physical exercise is good for our mind and body. Today, since the Internet is widely used, workout (锻炼) videos are becoming very popular.
One of my friends, Lin Feng, followed short workout videos to do daily exercise. “With live (直播) programs, I feel like working out with my friends, which encourages me to hold on to the last minute,” she said. Another friend of mine, Michael, told me that workout videos let him feel so comfortable. “I have a fear of working out at the gym (健身房) because I don’t like being watched by others.” he said.
With their examples, I decided to give it a try. When I told my plan to my elder sister, a P. E. teacher, she reminded me that workout videos could be helpful but might still carry some problems.
“Without being with someone in person, you will be less willing (愿意的) to work out to your best. Working out at the gym allows you to have advice in real time and get pushed harder,” my sister said to me. “Well, if you really want to have a try, first, choose proper programs or videos. And then ask your friends for advice. Their experiences can give you a good sight into what you can expect. Anyway, don’t be addicted (沉迷的) to it. You should try different ways to work out to be healthy.”
1. Why are workout videos becoming very popular today?2. What did Michael think of workout videos?
3. What is the problem of working out without someone else in person?
4. Which way will you choose if you do physical exercise? Why? Write 30words or more.
