1 . Eczema (湿疹) is a disease which influences children and teenagers much more often than adults.

The symptoms (症状) of eczema are different among people, such as dry, itchy (发痒的) skin with redness, or sores. Eczema can happen on any part of the body, such as hands, feet, knees, face and neck. The condition can last for more than one year. Most children will not get eczema as they grow up. However, some people have eczema again when they get older. This means that they need a long-lasting treatment.

Why do people get eczema? Your genes (基因). Doctors found that if both parents have eczema, their child is 3-5 times more likely to have one as well. Meanwhile, some doctors found that kids who live in cities may have the higher possibility of getting eczema than those who live in the country. Other causes of eczema include types of soap, dry wintertime air, and some clothes that make the skin uncomfortable.

Eczema can have a large effect on a person’s life. The itchy feeling of eczema can be so serious that it keeps many patients awake at night, which makes them more tired and nervous during the day. The itchiness can also make it hard to focus on work or school. Also, if viruses get under the skin, sometimes they can cause more serious diseases. So people with eczema are more likely to get ill than people with healthy skin. Finally, people may lose confidence because of looking different.

There are plenty of ways to treat eczema or to stop it from getting worse. The most important is to make sure to use moisturizers (润肤膏) often. They moisturize the skin and prevent it from getting dry. When moisturizer does not work, doctors may tell patients to take medicines to help with eczema. If those ways can’t help patients at all, doctors will suggest other treatments like light therapy (疗法), which uses specific waves of light by machine. But if you do have eczema, avoid hot showers or baths to keep the skin from getting itchy. Remember to keep clear of some clothes like sweaters. Now you can help others learn about eczema too!

1. Eczema ________.

A．makes people’s skin wet	B．needs a short-time treatment
C．influences people of all ages	D．happens on certain parts of the body

2. According to the passage, what problem can eczema cause?

A．Patients’ genes may be changed.

B．Patients suffer from sleeping loss.

C．Patients look at others differently.

D．Patients move away from the country.

3. Which of the following about treating eczema is TRUE?

A．Sunlight can stop eczema from spreading.

B．Moisturizers are helpful to make patients better.

C．Wearing sweaters will make people comfortable.

D．People can take hot showers to stop itchy feelings.

4. What is the best title for the passage?

A．Eczema and Its Symptoms	B．Eczema: A Way to be Beautiful
C．New Discoveries in Health	D．Eczema: A Great Enemy of Skin

2 . ①700 years before the Wright brothers began experimenting with human flight, the Chinese had already got its secrets—with kites.

②Kites may have been invented in China as early as 500 B.C.E. While some kites were flown for fun, other kites provided key technologies for daily life. Chinese fishermen used kites to carry their lines far out to sea. Sailors used them to take a measurement of the wind.

③The Chinese craftsmen were very clever! They made their kites from bamboo and silk, and they came in all kinds of cool shapes, like 80-foot-long dragons. These kites showed off ancient China’s great technology. Their wings and tails could even move! As Chinese engineers experimented to make the kites fly even higher, they discovered the science of aerodynamics (空气动力学). They made the wings of their kites work like airfoils (机翼)—the same design used in modern planes.

④And the man-carriers were the most amazing Chinese kites. Ancient Chinese people may have made them a common sight by the 1200s. The kites were much larger than a small airplane. They were made from strong bamboo poles tied together and then covered with silk. During wars, Chinese scouts used man-carrying kites to fly high in the sky and spy on their enemies—similar to modern spy planes.

⑤In the late 1200s, the Italian businessman and explorer Marco Polo was amazed by what he saw in China, and he wrote a detailed description. When he returned to Italy, most people refused to believe him. They could not imagine that a person could fly.

⑥Centuries passed before Europeans learned the secrets—often by flying kites imported from China. In 1804, an English engineer, Sir George Cayley, built the first model airplanes. He used kites to make the wings. About 100 years later, American inventors, including the Wright brothers, also found ideas for their flight experiments by flying kites first.

1. What does Paragraph 2 mainly tell us?

A．How people made kites.	B．When kites were invented.
C．What kites were used for.	D．Where kites were invented.

2. Why are modern planes mentioned in Paragraph 3?

A．To describe the popularity of ancient Chinese kites.

B．To get readers to learn about the history of Chinese kites.

C．To show the excellent skills of kite making in ancient China.

D．To tell the differences between modern planes and Chinese kites.

3. Which is the correct order of the following events?
a. Sir George Cayley built the first model planes.
b. Ancient Chinese made large man-carrying kites.
c. Marco Polo told Italians about Chinese amazing kites.
d. The Wright brothers did flight experiments by flying kites first.

A．b-c-d-a

B．b-c-a-d

C．c-d-a-b

D．c-b-a-d

4. What’s the structure of the passage?

A．

B．

C．

D．

3 . It’s common to see the coffee art, but have you seen the art in a cup of tea? This kind of tea art is called Dian Cha, a main tea drinking method in the Song Dynasty. The process of making it is not easy but people really enjoy Dian Cha especially because of the nice patterns on the surface of the tea.

The tea art begins with adding hot water over the fine powdered (粉末的) tea. This action creates a paste (糊状物) on the tea. Then add more water while whisking (搅动) it by hand with a bamboo whisk. It usually requires whisking about 200 times before the thick foam (泡沫) appears. Then, one can begin drawing. But drawing on the tea foam is not the same thing as drawing on the paper. One may use the hard teaspoon against the soft foam, which requires great attention. Unlike normal spoons, the teaspoon used in Dian Cha is quite thin and has a pointed end to help to draw, just like a pen.

In the Song Dynasty, many famous people regarded Dian Cha as an important free-time activity. Emperor Song Huizong even wrote a book called Treatise on Tea which included some details of tea-whisking. According to the book, good tea should be white and fine. The better the tea was, the whiter it should be, and the longer the foam should last.

In 2019, Dian Cha was listed as a cultural heritage (遗产) in Zhenjiang, China. A growing number of people now want to learn and spread this traditional skill. Han Zheming, a designer from Shanghai, has created nearly 200 images on the tea and put the process of Dian Cha online. “I want more people to understand and appreciate the beauty of Dian Cha.” Han says.

1. What is Dian Cha popular for?

A．Its long history.	B．Its patterns on the tea.
C．Its special taste.	D．Its tea-making process.

2. During the process of Dian Cha, ______ is used to draw on the tea foam.

A．

B．

C．

D．

3. Which of the following about Dian Cha is TRUE?

A．Better tea has much less foam.

B．Han Zheming tries to spread this tea art.

C．It was chosen as a cultural heritage in Shanghai.

D．Many famous people wrote Treatise on Tea together.

4. The passage is probably taken from a magazine about ______.

A．art and culture

B．sports and health

C．life and history

D．nature and travel

4 .

Walking on Guanqian Street in Macao, you can see tourists buying gifts in shops down the street. Members of tour groups are taking photos in front of the beautiful wall paintings on each side. Fashionable cafes along the street are crowded with coffee lovers.

To attract (吸引) more tourists and achieve new development of cultural tourism, what special efforts has been the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government making?

The Macao SAR government is eyeing its rich historic heritage (遗产) to attract more tourists. It is trying to revive historic areas that few tourists know. “The government has successfully developed several special places for tourists in recent years.” says Cheung Kin-chung, president of China Travel Service (Macao) Lid.

Taking the Lai Chi Vun shipyards as an example, Cheung says, “Shipbuilding was once very important in Macao’s development. Although the industry of building ships has declined (衰退), the old factories offer a chance to show Macao’s history.” Now they have become a living museum. There are exhibitions about the history of the shipyards. But the shipyards are also a place where local musicians perform. Tourists can both learn about history and experience modern life there.

Macao is also building itself as a “City of Performing Arts”. This has become a new step on its way to developing cultural tourism. With many nice places for concerts and performances, Macao holds lots of art events for tourists around the world to enjoy this year. During the Chinese Theater Cultural Festival, they could get a taste of traditional Chinese operas like “The Legend of the White Snake”.

As a place where Chinese culture meets foreign cultures, Macao provides varied cultural experiences. Supported by the Macao SAR government, “Fado Nights” concerts were held from March 29th to May 5th. It allows tourists to enjoy Fado, a traditional Portuguese musical form. In the concerts of the festival “Encounter in Macao”, Fado is included into Chinese music, creating a new form of performance. This art form shows tourists a mixed culture of China and Western countries.

In addition, the Macao SAR government has offered some special travel products and services. Together with travel companies, it has introduced many new guided tours for tourists to discover Macao. According to different festivals and events, the government has designed “My Treats For You” of special travel offers, including cheaper plane tickets, hotel rooms, as well as show tickets.

1. How does the writer lead in the topic of the passage?

A．By comparing facts.	B．By listing numbers.
C．By giving an example.	D．By showing an opinion.

2. What does the underlined word “revive” probably mean in Paragraph 3?

A．Make a report on.	B．Bring new life to.
C．Offer information to.	D．Give special praise to.

3. Which fact best shows Macao’s effort to attract tourists through its mixed culture?

A．“Encounter in Macao” was held.	B．“My Treats For You” was designed.
C．“Fado Nights” concerts were held.	D．“The Legend of the White Snake” was performed.

4. What’s the best title for the passage?

A．New Fun Activities for You in Macao	B．Macao Becomes A Hot Place for Traveling
C．All You Must Know Before Visiting Macao	D．Macao Welcomes Tourists in Different Ways

5 . ①Have you ever noticed that fruits and vegetables are still fresh after a long journey? Using the right vehicle (交通工具) for transporting helps keep the quality of the fruits and vegetables. Reefers can be one of the great helpers.

②Reefers are trucks that work like a large fridge. They have a special system that is designed to help keep products fresh. The system keeps certain temperatures and controls humidity (湿度). At the same time, it lets in fresh air and lets out gases like CO₂. The system has several parts.

·Control unit: Change the temperature, humidity and airing of the reefer container (集装箱).
·Interior fans: Help the air move around inside the container.
·Fresh air vent: Gases can escape through the air vent, and fresh air can flow (流动) inside the container.
·Unit evaporator: Keep the humidity at the right level inside.
·Condenser: Cool the air in the container and move it around.
These parts make reefers a good choice for transporting fruits and vegetables.

③ The reefer temperature for fruits and vegetables is one of the most important factors. It can affect their quality. But reefers only maintain the temperatures of products, not change them. You should make sure products are already at the correct temperature before loading them into the reefer container. The reefer temperature for vegetables should range between -1℃ to 13℃. Here are a few examples: carrots: 0℃; cucumbers: 10℃ to 13℃. For fruits, the proper temperature is from -1℃ to 4℃, like apples: -1℃ to 4℃; grapes: -0. 5℃ to 0℃. The reefer temperature for fruits and vegetables should be proper to provide high-quality products for markets and stores.

④ When using reefers to transport fruits and vegetables, you should know how to pack them correctly. Use boxes that allow for air to move around. Cardboard boxes and plastic bins with holes are OK. Avoid putting boxes too close to the walls of the container, or the air won’t be able to flow smoothly. Separate certain fruits and vegetables from those giving out a gas which makes them ripen faster.

1. What do we know about a reefer from the passage?

A．It’s a system to make fresh air.	B．It’s a truck to transport fridges.
C．It’s a vehicle to keep products fresh.	D．It’s a helper to sell fruits and vegetables.

2. Which of the following about the system is TRUE according to the passage?

A．Fresh air vent changes gases into fresh air.	B．Interior fans let the air out of the container.
C．Unit evaporator can keep the container new.	D．Condenser makes the air cool in the container.

3. What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．What affects the reefer temperature for fruits and vegetables?

B．How does the reefer temperature change fruits and vegetables?

C．What is the proper reefer temperature for fruits and vegetables?

D．How do you know the reefer temperature for fruits and vegetables?

4. Which part of the magazine is the passage probably taken from?

A．Health.

B．Traffic.

C．Farming.

D．Technology.

6 .

Be Flood Smart
What are the types of floods?
Floods happen when a large amount of water covers the land that is usually dry. There are three main types of floods: river floods, flash floods and coastal floods.
River Floods		Flash Floods		Coastal Floods
	They happen when the rain lasts for a long time, and the river can’t hold all the water.		They are the result of a rapid and heavy rainfall. The rainfall raises water heights quickly.		They are caused by storm surges (风暴潮) connected with tsunamis, typhoons, etc.
What effects do floods have on people?			How do we protect ourselves in floods?
Number of deaths by floods around the world in 2023. Since 1998, floods have affected more than 2 billion people around the world. Many people have lost their homes, even their lives in floods. In 2023, 617 people died from floods.			Know the signs and what to do when floods come. We need to be smart to protect ourselves!
			·Prepare an emergency bag with food, medicine, etc. ·Pay attention to weather warnings. ·Make a plan with your family.	·Turn off gas, water and electricity. ·Move things to safety. ·Get to a higher place and stay safe.	·Call 999 if in danger. ·Follow advice from the governments. ·Stay at a safe place.

1. What type of floods may happen when it rains rapidly and heavily?

A．River Floods.

B．Flash Floods.

C．Storm Floods.

D．Coastal Floods.

2. How many people died from floods in Asia in 2023?

A．300.

B．2696.

C．4345.

D．7617.

3. What should people do when receiving “Severe Flood Warning”?

A．Prepare some medicine.	B．Move things to a higher place.
C．Call 999 when it is dangerous.	D．Turn off gas, water and electricity.

7 .

①Wool is a great natural material that has been used by humans. It comes from the soft coat of sheep. Humans have been wearing wool for over 12,000 years. Today, more than 1.3 billion sheep around the world are used each year for woollen products, like sweaters and scarves.

②Why do so many people like woollen products? One of the great things about wool is that it is a fantastic insulator. This means it keeps us warm when it’s cold outside. It also has tiny air pockets that trap (锁住) heat, making it perfect for those cold days.

③Another advantage of wool is that it is breathable. It allows air to pass through, keeping us cool in the summer as well. Unlike other materials, it can prevent us from overheating, and make us feel comfortable.

④Wool is not only warm and breathable, but it is also durable (耐用的) and long-lasting. It’s strong enough for outdoor activities like hiking or playing in the snow. Woollen clothes can be passed down from one generation (一代) to another, creating a beautiful connection between family members.

⑤Making wool products requires a lot of efforts and a series of processes, which start with cutting. The sheep farmers cut the wool off the sheep completely by hand in spring. Don’t worry: cutting is safe and painless for the sheep, just like getting a haircut! After the cutting, hundreds of kilos of wool are packed together. Once the wool is collected, it goes through a process called scouring. It means wool is washed to remove any dirt and oil. Then the wool is made into yarn (毛线), which is used to make different woollen products. After the yarn is coloured, skilled workers make it into various products.

⑥Wool is made into all kinds of woollen products after processing and is used widely in our daily life.

1. How does the writer show that wool is a great material in Paragraph 1?

A．By telling stories.

B．By explaining ideas.

C．By showing facts.

D．By comparing reasons.

2. What is the advantage of wool according to the passage?

A．It can be used for a long time.	B．It can stop air from passing through.
C．It can produce and give out heat.	D．It can be made into products easily.

3. Which picture correctly shows “scouring”?

A．

B．

C．

D．

4. Which is the structure of the passage?

A．

B．

C．

D．

8 .

Julie Andersen’s great interest in diving (潜水) led to her love for sharks and the ocean. She turned her love into a job and started ocean conservation groups. Conservation is the act of keeping or protecting something. Conservation work includes protecting art, animals in danger and the other parts of the natural environment.

Andersen began diving in 1995. She started diving in places that are famous for sharks. Unluckily, the number of sharks there became smaller and smaller. Soon she realized that she must do something for them. So she founded the Shark Angels and helped people around the world learn about sharks. She even sold her house to support Shark Angels.   

Twenty years later, she is still working. As a leader of Professional Association of Diving Instructors(PADI), Andersen believes PADI is a good industry to encourage people to keep on saving sharks and their ocean homes. She often says, “I am filled with hope. The past several years have taught me that a single person can make a difference. And I am sure we can make a bigger difference together.” Andersen sets a good example to other people in the world. Now more and more people are entering the diving industry and getting to know the importance of protecting sharks and their ocean homes.

Actually, Andersen’s goal is to make it possible for everyone to experience, fall in love with and, in turn, protect our world’s largest and most valuable ecosystem (生态系统). “The ocean gives us life. We need to do the same in return and leave our blue planet better than we found it.” Andersen says.

1. Which of the following is “conservation” according to the passage?

A．Saving tigers.

B．Feeding the fish.

C．Drawing pictures.

D．Keeping a pet dog.

2. What can we learn from Paragraph 2?

A．Andersen studied hard to protect sharks.	B．Andersen helped people learn about diving.
C．Andersen did a lot to support Shark Angels.	D．Andersen became famous for diving in 1995.

3. What’s the result of Andersen’s effort?

A．PADI has been the largest diving industry.	B．More people have taken diving courses.
C．PADI has got many prizes in saving sharks.	D．More people have joined in protecting sharks.

4. Why does the writer write this passage?

A．To discuss the importance of PADI.	B．To show the problems of environmental pollution.
C．To explain the meaning of ecosystem.	D．To introduce a lady’s journey of shark protection.

9 . 根据短文内容，从短文下方的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有一项为多余选项。

Learn to Welcome Change

Have you seen new plant life, or felt the days getting lighter and longer? By seeing changes in nature, you can enjoy changes in your own life too.

    1     It may happen when you lose baby teeth and grow new ones, or when a tiny seed grows into a beautiful flower and fades at the end.

    2    We may have to change our daily   habits, like   moving   home, changing school or our favourite foods running out. These changes can feel uncomfortable, but it’s OK to feel sad or disappointed when things happen out of expectation.

    3     When you experience change, it is helpful to talk to someone you trust. Besides, try to notice how you feel in your body and also your thoughts.

    4    Get comfortable, sitting or lying down. Notice your breath-feel how you breathe in and out. Notice your thoughts in the same way —how they are coming and going. Just keep paying attention to how you feel and be kind to yourself.

    5    It can bring new opportunities. And remember, even when things seem difficult, the sun will rise again, flowers will return and there will be new adventures waiting for you.

A．Change isn’t always bad.

B．Change is a natural part of life.

C．How can you notice your feeling?

D．Here are two useful ways to deal with it.

E．Sometimes, changes are not easy to be dealt with.

F．Change can help you improve yourself all the time.

10 . In a high mountain area in central Utah stands the world’s oldest, heaviest and largest tree, Pando. And it’s dying!

Pando means “I spread” in Latin and it’s a name that makes sense. Pando is a big group of trees that all grow from the same roots (根). They look separate but are all connected underground by their roots. With all these roots connected, the whole group of trees can share water and food.

________. In summer, animals (mule deer and cattle) feed on the new leaves, making it difficult for the trees to grow. The number of mule deer has even increased because their natural enemies (mountain lions, bears) have disappeared. The second problem is from people. Hikers and campers like this area because of the colorful leaves in autumn. But getting too close and stepping on the new growth has made Pando smaller and thinner over the last 50 years.

Protecting Pando is challenging. Putting fences (栅栏) around it to keep animals away has helped new growth. But deer are smart, and they’ve found ways to get through the fences. Other efforts have included cutting or burning part of Pando to encourage new growth. Pando grows back very quickly after a forest fire, and these fires do not reach temperatures that would kill its root system.

Michael Grant, one of the scientists who helped name Pando, warns if the trees are in trouble, the whole ecosystem will be in danger too. We need to make people understand the long-term effects of our actions.

1. Which picture is Pando?

A．

B．

C．

D．

2. Which of the following can be put in the blank — ▲ in Paragraph 3?

A．It’s in trouble for two reasons.	B．We should do something to save it.
C．Nobody knows why it is dying.	D．Plenty of tourists visit it every year.

3. What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 4 refer to?

A．the root

B．Pando

C．the forest fire

D．the mountain

4. What’s the purpose of this passage?

A．To introduce Pando in Utah.	B．To show the trouble Pando has.
C．To ask people to protect Pando.	D．To share ways to look after Pando.