1 .

In my opinion, the wheel is the most important thing that human beings have ever invented. It might seem strange to say that something so simple-looking and so ordinary (普通的) could be so important. But if you consider the following points, you will probably agree with me.

Firstly, wheels influence almost every part of our lives. Wheels are used, for example, in clocks, engines (发动机) and trucks. If you visit just one factory, you will see how important wheels are. You will see wheels on almost every machine.

Secondly, wheels play a great part in food production. Wheels are used to grind (磨碎) different kinds of corn into flour (面粉). They are then used to mix flour and other foods into bread. We also need wheels to transport the wheat. If we did not have the wheel, we would have much difficulty in food production.

Thirdly, our world would be completely different if we did not have the wheel for transport. Before the wheel was invented, people used to have to travel on foot or by riding on an animal. That is what we would be doing now if we did not have the wheel. Everything would take longer to do.

We would be back to the Stone Age if some of our clever ancestors (祖先) had not invented the wheel. Our modern world would simply be impossible. The wheel is surely the most important invention of all time.

1. How does the writer start the passage?

A．By telling a story.

B．By making a report.

C．By giving an opinion.

D．By offering a suggestion.

2. Which of the following is the most important in a factory?

A．The clock.

B．The truck.

C．The engine.

D．The wheel.

3. How many uses of wheels are mentioned in Paragraph 3?

A．Two.

B．Three.

C．Four.

D．Five.

4. According to the passage, what was life like before wheels were invented?

A．Safe.

B．Busy.

C．Slow.

D．Dangerous.

5. Which of the following best show the structure of the passage?
(P1=Paragraph 1 P2=Paragraph 2 P3=Paragraph 3 P4=Paragraph 4 P5=Paragraph 5)

A．

B．

C．

D．

2 . Do you know which social app is popular with Chinese young people now? “Short videos” are certainly the most popular. A large number of young people use Tik Tok(抖音) and Kuaishou. They think it is fun to share their lives by short videos, while others have other purposes as well.

A 12-year-old user named Elsa has about 2.7 million fans on Tik Tok. The girl has shared her dancing studies on Tik Tok since last July. One of the videos won her about one million fans. “I feel really glad to share happiness with people by short videos,” said Elsa.

To some other young people, they use short videos to have a quick look at the hot programs. “Because I don’t like to spend many hours watching a whole program, I hate waiting for a program to end, and I prefer to watch short videos of wonderful parts of hot programs,” said Wang Zhihao.

However, some young people feel bored with short videos. “Killing time is the main reason for me to watch short videos, and many short videos are almost the same, so I think they are not so useful or interesting. What’s more, I really don’t like the videos about strange and dangerous things,” said Wen Nan, another college student.

Recently, something else has appeared. Some videos are telling people what commodities are worth buying. Some short videos even sell bad commodities, and it’s hard for customers to get their money back. So we should think twice before we want to buy the commodities by short videos.

1. Why does Elsa share her short videos?

A．To share joy with people.	B．To make friends with people around.
C．To depend on them to get information.	D．To watch wonderful parts in programs.

2. What kind of short videos does Wang Zhihao prefer?

A．Short videos of strange and dangerous things.

B．Short videos of science programs.

C．Short videos of wonderful parts of hot programs.

D．Short videos of people’s life in different countries.

3. How does Wen Nan like short videos?

A．Useful and interesting.	B．Not exciting or moving.
C．Not useful or interesting.	D．Exciting and moving.

4. The underlined word “commodities” in the last paragraph means ________.

A．products

B．projects

C．planets

D．programs

5. What is the passage mainly about?

A．The advantages of short videos.	B．Different types of short videos.
C．The disadvantages of short videos.	D．Different opinions on short videos.

3 . In July, China introduced the “double reduction (双减)” policy. It hopes to reduce schoolwork burden(负担)on primary and junior high school students. The policy calls for reducing homework and after-school classes. According to the policy, children below the third grade will not have homework anymore. It should take no more than 90 minutes for junior high school students to finish their homework. After-school training institutions(校外培训机构)are not allowed to offer extra education courses or advanced(超前的)teaching on weekends, holidays or during winter and summer vacations. One month has passed since the new semester began. How do students feel about this new policy?

“Our homework is clearly less than before,” said 13-year-old Shen Yuzhe from Beijing. “We are not encouraged to buy workbooks anymore. The exercises are mainly from the textbook.”

According to Shen, students have enough time to process new knowledge now. “Our teachers are also giving us more chances to do experiments and learn from real life,” said Shen. “For example, we went to research earthworms(蚯蚓)in a field during a biology class. This is a much better way to learn things than just hitting the books.”

For 13-year-old Zhang Hangming from Tianjin, the best thing about “double reduction” is the increased time in after-school activities. “We can now spend more time taking part in clubs and activities, such as dancing, volleyball and drama. I have joined a group called “leadership development” where I can learn all kinds of skills beyond schoolwork,” said Zhang.

Both Shen and Zhang find there are fewer exams now. But they think it’s not necessarily a good thing. “Exams push me to study harder. Each exam shows my progress as well as my weak points,” Zhang said.

Shen also pointed out that when burden is lightened, self-discipline(自律) becomes the key. “Some students now spend more time having fun when homework is finished early. But if you use all the free time to relax, you might fall behind other students,” he said. “

1. The “double reduction(双减)” policy aims to ________.

A．make vacations longer for students	B．reduce the pressure put on teachers
C．reduce students’ schoolwork burden	D．help students become more competitive

2. Which of the following is TRUE about the policy?

A．Homework is not allowed for primary students.

B．Junior high schools should reduce their homework.

C．All after-school training institutions are asked to close.

D．After-school training institutions should offer advanced teaching.

3. According to the “double reduction(双减)” policy, what kind of after-school classes CANNOT students take during vacations?

A．Sports.

B．Math.

C．Public speaking.

D．Computer programming.

4. Which of the following is NOT true about Shen Yuzhe and Zhang Hangming?

A．They have less homework and fewer exams now.

B．They can spend more time in after-school activities.

C．They think the best thing is to have fewer exams now.

D．They have more chances to learn knowledge from real life.

5. What do Shen and Zhang mainly want to tell us in the last two paragraphs?

A．Students should learn to be self-discipline.

B．Students should use all the free time to relax.

C．Exams aren’t necessary because they only show students’ weak points.

D．Students should spend more time having fun after finishing homework.