1 . Most people are afraid of sharks, but they usually do not know very much about them. For example, there are 350 types of sharks and all of them are meat eaters. Some sharks are very big. The whale shark is 50 to 60 feet long. But some sharks are very small. The dwarf (侏儒) shark is only 6 inches (英寸) long.
Sharks are 100 million years old. In fact, they lived at the same time as dinosaurs. Today sharks live in every ocean on the earth, but most sharks live in warm water. They keep the oceans clean because they eat sick fish and animals.
Most sharks have four to six rows of teeth. When a shark’s tooth falls out, another tooth moves in from behind. Sharks do not have ears. However, they “hear” sounds and movements in the water. Any sound or movement makes the water vibrate. This helps sharks find food. Sharks use their large eyes to find food, too. Most sharks see best in low light. They often hunt for food at dawn (黄昏), in the evening or in the middle of the night.
Scientists want to learn more about sharks for several reasons. For example, cancer is common in many animals, including people. However, it is rare (罕见的) in sharks.. Scientists want to find out why sharks almost never get cancer. Maybe this information can help people prevent cancer too.
1. Where do most sharks live according to the text?| A．In very deep water. | B．In warm water. |
| C．Near the surface of the ocean. | D．In cold water. |
| A．Because they do well in cleaning water. | B．Because they eat sick fish and animals. |
| C．Because they can get cancer like humans. | D．Because they can produce a kind of chemical. |
| A．振动 | B．停止 | C．变清澈 | D．变浑浊 |
| A．The dwarf shark is only 6 feet long. | B．The whale shark is 50 to 60 feet long. |
| C．Sharks only use large eyes to find food. | D．Sharks and dinosaurs lived in different times. |
It might be fun to use your smartphone. But be careful that too much screen time may be harmful to your health.
First, it is bad for your eyes. A researcher called Sarah Hinkley says the problem comes from the blue light that the screen gives out. Looking at a smartphone for a long time can cause eye strain, headaches and dry eyes. So it is a good idea to take a break every 15 minutes when you are working at a computer or using a smartphone.
Second, screen use can do harm to children’s brains. A new study shows that using screens too much can influence how children’s brains grow. If children use screens for more than one hour a day, they might have lower levels of white matter in their brains, which is a key to the development of language and reading skills. So it is wise to cut down the time of children using all kinds of screens.
Third, using screens too much will influence your sleep. According to a study, about 95% of the people between the ages of 13 and 64 use electronics before bed, especially the young people under 20. Doctors say that the light from those electronics at night may make you excited before you go to bed. Then it’s hard for you to get enough sleep. So you’d better turn off smartphones, TVs and all other screens an hour before your bedtime.
To keep healthy, doctors and researchers strongly advise that you shouldn’t use screens for long hours.
1. What can the blue light from your screen cause?2. How often should you take a break when working at a computer or using a smartphone?
3. How can parents prevent levels of white matter getting lower in their children’s brains?
4. Do you think smartphones are important? Why do you think so? Write 30 words or more.
3 . I am sure you know the story of the turtle (乌龟) and the rabbit. It taught people many lessons. One of these lessons is that people who have all the advantages (the fast-jumping rabbit) can be beaten by those who have nothing but inner (内心的) strength (the slow turtle).
It is true that the race of life, just like the one between the rabbit and the turtle, is often unfair. Some kids have all the luck. They were born healthy and their parents are rich. These kids wear nice clothes and always have much money to spend on anything they like. Many other kids, however, have none of these things. Some of them were even born with disabilities. They have to depend on their inner strength alone.
While many people believe the “rabbits” are always successful, this is not true. In fact, the “turtles”—kids from poor families—have some of the most. important things for success. They are humble (谦逊的) and determined (有决心的). They march forward slowly but with great inner strength.
A student from Tsinghua University shared his personal experience online. Instead of having fun with his classmates outside, he chose to get a part-time job and study hard. He knew there would be plenty of time for fun once he had overcome all of the difficulties. His story may have encouraged “turtles”. The race of life is long. Even if you get off to a slow start, you can easily catch up if you make up your mind to do so.
1. What can we learn from the story of the turtle and the rabbit?| A．One who has advantages can succeed. |
| B．One who fears nothing can succeed easily. |
| C．One who has inner strength can get success finally. |
| D．One who works without rest can get success more easily. |
| A．Because everyone wants to win the race. | B．Because people are treated differently in life. |
| C．Because all the people have different dreams. | D．Because not everyone’s starting point is the same. |
| A．To introduce his hard experience to us. |
| B．To encourage us to enter good universities. |
| C．To show us the importance of studying in the university. |
| D．To support the idea that poor students have special things for success. |
| A．To advise us to try new things. | B．To tell us how to succeed quickly. |
| C．To show us the power of inner strength. | D． To encourage us to take races. |
4 . “On a spring night, we offer book lovers a desk and a light. You can stay here as long as you want to.” This is the slogan (宣传语) of Sanlian Taofen Bookstore in Beijing.
Earlier this month, Sanlian Taofen Bookstore became the first 24-hour bookstore in the city. It hopes to encourage more people to read books. Bookstores are the brain of a city. Although many people can now buy books online, many readers still like the feeling in bookstores. They can touch the books and smell the print.
In China, most cities are home to at least one bookstore. Some have special themes (主题). Popular Holdings (大众书局) in Shanghai is a film-themed bookstore. There are film books and posters (海报) inside. Other bookstores have colourful activities. Eslite Bookstore (诚品书店) in Taiwan has activities like talks with famous writers as well as holding gallery shows (画展). People come here not only for reading but also to communicate with others.
1. Which of the following can best describe people’s feeling in bookstores?| A．Becoming the brain of the city. | B．Staying inside as long as possible. |
| C．Buying books online with enjoyment. | D．Touching the books and smelling the print. |
| A．a small gallery | B．a special theme | C．a special slogan | D．colourful activities |
| A．Reading and communicating. | B．Buying film books and posters. |
| C．Encouraging themselves to read. | D．Getting ready to be famous writers. |
| A．Buying books in bookstores | B．Great bookstores online |
| C．A new bookstore in China | D．Warm places for reading |
5 . ①There are many kinds of amazing animals in the world. Have you ever watched one of them—Canada geese (雁)? They can teach us a lesson about teamwork.
②In autumn, Canada geese have to fly to the warm south to get away from Canada’s cold winter. When they leave the ground and rise into the air, they fly in no order. Then they quickly form a V shape, with one bird leading the group.
③This V shape allows Canada geese to save energy. The head bird moves its wings up and down. The resulting (产生的) force of the air helps lift the next bird. Each bird will do so until they get to the southern part. The bird at the head of the group has the hardest job. When it gets tired, another bird moves to the front and takes its place. By sharing this job, the group can travel great distances. Canada geese flying in a V shape can fly seventy percent farther without having a rest than the birds flying alone.
④During the long flying journey, Canada geese communicate with one another. They honk (鸣叫) to encourage the birds up front to keep up the speed. They also cheer one another up while working toward the same destination.
⑤What have we learned from the lovely Canada geese’s experience and skills? Work together! Whether in our personal lives or our jobs, we need the spirit of teamwork!
1. What kind of shape do Canada geese form during the journey?| A．V. | B．S. | C．Z. | D．A. |
| A．By honking. | B．By moving their wings up and down. |
| C．By flying in the higher sky. | D．By keeping up the speed. |
A． | B． | C． | D． |
| A．Be happy to help others. | B．Never give up. |
| C．Keep calm when you are in danger. | D．Work together. |
6 .
Name |
Clay Art |
Kite |
Sky Lantern |
Paper Cutting | |
Appearing Time | 4,000 years ago | 2,000 years ago | 226 AD | 1,500 years ago | |
Inventor | Unknown | Lu Ban | Zhuge Kongming | Unknown | |
Material | Clay, paper or cotton | Paper, bamboo | Paper, bamboo | Paper | |
Main Use | Ancient Times | Being with the dead | Sending information | Asking for help | Remembering ancestors |
Today | Decorating (装饰) | Playing | Praying (祈祷) | Praying | |
Complexity (制作难易度) | Hardest | Harder | Hard | Harder | |
| A．2,000 years later | B．2,000 years earlier | C．4,000 years later | D．4,000 years earlier |
| A．two | B．three | C．four | D．eight |
| A．clay arts | B．sky lanterns | C．kites | D．paper cutting |
| A．The inventor of paper cutting is Lu Ban. |
| B．Kites and sky lanterns have different materials. |
| C．People used clay arts to decorate in ancient times. |
| D．Chinese traditional arts have different uses in different times. |
7 . Would you like to live in a city where buildings turn the lights off for you, and self-driving cars find the nearest parking space themselves? Although it might sound a little far from you, living in a “smart” city like this could happen sooner than you think.
Great changes have taken place in towns that we have lived in for centuries, while completely new cities are being built. One such place is the city of Songdo. Every home there will have a “telepresence” system (远程遥控系统) — allowing users to control the heating and locks, take part in video meetings, and receive education, health care and government services. Around the city, escalators (自动扶梯) will only move when someone is on them, and offices and schools will all be connected to the system.
The great mind behind Songdo is from the company Cisco. In fact, technology companies around the world such as IBM, Siemens and Microsoft are already in the business. About 75% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050, so cities will need to be more modern to deal with the coming problems. “Making cities smarter is one way out, and I think this will in turn make cities greener,” said Dan Hill, head of a research company.
1. According to the text, living in a “smart” city ________.| A．will be far from you | B．is completely impossible |
| C．will probably become true soon | D．is coming with many problems |
| A．a city of the future | B．a plan to build a building |
| C．a video meeting in Songdo | D．a report on public health |
| A．set up more schools | B．develop his own company |
| C．control the world’s population | D．solve the cities’ coming problems |
| A．Art | B．Travel | C．Technology | D．History |
When the first person looked up to the sky, people’s imagination of space began. In China, there are many stories about the exploration(探索) of space.
Thousands of years ago, there was a lady named Chang’e that flew to the Moon and lived there with a rabbit. It’s just a story in myths(神话).
In the Ming Dynasty, a man named Wan Hu used a machine which was made of a chair, some fireworks and a kite as a rocket to fly to space but failed. He was considered as the first human that tried to explore space.
Our exploration of space never stopped until it became a reality in modern times. Without doubt, Chinese space technology has made great progress.
In 2003, when Shenzhou V set off successfully, Yang Liwei’s words “I am proud of our motherland” brought tears to our eyes. Carrying the flying dream of the Chinese nation for thousands of years, as the first space visitor of China, he started the Space Age for the Chinese.
In 2008, Zhai Zhigang in Shenzhou VII had the first Chinese spacewalk, “I am out of the capsule(太空舱), and I feel good,” he told the world proudly.
In the next years, China kept making its way in order to step further on exploring space. Especially in the recent years, China has sent up Shenzhou XI and Shenzhou XV. Six astronauts have been sent to space with two women included. On May 30, 2023, Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao in Shenzhou XVI were sent into space successfully.
From 2003 to 2023, Chinese people go farther and farther in space, In the near future, China will send astronauts to the Moon and explore the Moon.
Stories about China’s | |
Thousands of years ago | Chang’e flew to the Moon in myths. |
In the Ming Dynasty | Wan Hu made a machine and tried to explore space. |
In 2003 | Yang Liwei started |
In 2008 | Zhai Zhigang had the first Chinese spacewalk. |
In the next years | We Chinese people kept making our way |
On | China sent Shenzhou XVI into space successfully. |
In the future | Chinese astronauts |
9 . Chinese researchers reached the top of Qomolangma on May 4, 2022. They set up the world’s highest automatic(自动的) weather station at an altitude(海拔) of 8,830 meters. This helps them to study the influences of climate change on the environment.
It is the highest automatic weather station in the world now. It has taken the place of the station sitting at an altitude of 8,430 meters on the south side of the mountain, which is the second highest now. This allows Chinese scientists to directly collect data(数据) for the first time from the top of the world’s highest mountain.
Collecting and studying data from Qomolangma is not easy. But the data will give valuable information about the condition of local glaciers(冰川) and mountain snow. It will also help scientists study and understand the global monsoon(季风) system, so experts can make proper decisions about climate change.
Yao Tandong, a famous expert, said Chinese scientists had set up eight weather stations from 5,200 to 8,830 meters above sea level. Half of the stations were set up at an altitude higher than 7,000 meters. “Along with strong government support and hard work by scientists, China has become a global front-runner in fields such as climate change.” Yao said.
1. What is the altitude of the highest automatic weather station?| A．5,200 meters. | B．7,000 meters. |
| C．8,430 meters. | D．8,830 meters. |
| A．Reaching the top of Qomolangma. | B．The influences of climate change. |
| C．The data from Qomolangma. | D．The highest automatic weather station. |
| A．Two. | B．Four. | C．Six. | D．Eight. |
| A．Chinese scientists can directly collect data from the top of Qomolangma now. |
| B．It is hard to collect and study data from Qomolangma. |
| C．The second highest weather station is on the north side of the mountain. |
| D．China has made great achievements in fields such as climate change. |
| A．Science. | B．Sports. | C．Travel. | D．Health. |
10 . Every month, Julia and her cousins would go for the big family meal at their grandparents house. On each visit, their grandpa would give them a few coins. Then all the children would run off to buy sweets. One day, he gathered the children together. He said, “Let’s have a competition to see who can manage money wisely. At the end of this year, tell me how you’ve used your money.”
Ruben and Nico, the two smallest kids, continued spending their money all on sweets. Every time, they would show off their sweets in front of the other children. This made Clara and Joe so angry that these two could no longer keep saving their money. They soon joined Ruben and Nico.
Monty was a clever boy. He decided to manage his money by buying and selling things. Soon he made a lot of money with little effort. The way he was going, he would end up almost a rich man. However, he began to spend his money on more and more expensive things for himself. A few months later, he hadn’t a single penny left.
Alex saved and saved all the coins he was given, and at the end of the year he had collected more money than anyone. He was the clear winner.
There was also Julia. Poor Julia hadn’t a penny on the day of the competition. She had spent all her coins on her secret plan. Julia knew a poor violinist who played in the park, and she offered him all the coins for his violin lessons. Although it wasn’t much money, on seeing Julia’s excitement, the violinist agreed. A little after a year the violinist lent her a violin so they two could play together in the park. They were so successful that she managed to buy her own violin. Even better, she later became a very famous violinist.
1. Why did the children’s grandpa suggest the competition to them?| A．To encourage them to win competitions. |
| B．To teach them how to manage their money. |
| C．To tell them money was important to them. |
| D．To know who was the cleverest child in the family. |
| A．Clara and Joe | B．Ruben and Nico | C．Monty and Alex | D．Alex and Julia |
①buying a violin ②taking violin lessons
③giving the money away ④achieving her dream
| A．①② | B．①③ | C．②④ | D．③④ |
| A．Monty. | B．Alex. | C．Clara. | D．Julia. |
| A．Grandpa’s coins | B．Julia’s cousins |
| C．A saving competition | D．A happy family |
