1 . The mind is a wonderful thing. It’s also an excuse making machine that frequently tries to make us not to take actions that we know are good for us. And this prevents many positive changes from taking place in our lives.
So why does the mind mess with us and make unreasonable excuses? Because the mind wants comfort, that’s the reason. It’s afraid of discomfort, pressure and change. The mind is absorbed (沉浸于) in its comfort zone, and anytime we try to stretch (延伸) that zone too far, for too long, the mind tries to get back to ground zero at any cost. These excuses, such as “I can’t do it”, “It is too hard for me”, “It’s too late now” and so on, are no strangers to our mind.
It seems too difficult at first, so you think you can’t stick to the positive change you’re making. You don’t believe in yourself enough to take another step. This is a common excuse that can be countered(反驳) by looking at the fact that other people had no more abilities than you thought you had. For example, my 60-year-old next-door neighbor finished running a marathon, so I told myself, “If she can do it, so can I!” And I was right. Truth be told, the only person who can tell you “I can’t” is yourself. If you hear those words repeating in your mind, stop listening or paying attention to them.
Another common excuse is that “I’ve already failed too much”. You’re only human. If you break down, it’s fine. Just don’t stay down. Rest, and then pick yourself up so you can go to where you’d rather be. Failures, small and large, happen every day. The strongest, most productive people aren’t the people who always succeed, but the ones who don’t give up when they lose.
Oftentimes you’re a lot closer to making a breakthrough (突破) than you think. Some people give up their efforts when they have almost succeeded, while others attain their goals by making great efforts, until the last moment. Once you learn to give up, it becomes a habit. So, make some necessary changes to throw off the bad habit of making excuses. No excuses! Go on trying! That’s how you’ll move your life forward.
1. The writer mentions an example about a marathon in Paragraph 3 to show that ________.| A．people should learn about their abilities |
| B．people shouldn’t look down upon elders |
| C．people shouldn’t be affected by their excuses |
| D．people should work hard to achieve great things. |
| A．people who have experienced many failures will succeed |
| B．the mind makes excuses because it prefers comfort to suffering |
| C．people won’t move their life forward until they make reasonable excuses |
| D．the mind won’t find any excuses as long as it learns we’re closer to success |
| A．share | B．reach | C．pick | D．set |
| A．To tell readers to stop making excuses and keep going. |
| B．To lead readers to deal with the unreasonable excuses. |
| C．To remind readers to leave their comfortable zone. |
| D．To show readers why people have many excuses. |
2 . October 16 is World Food Day. The UN started the day in 1979. It is used to remind people not to waste food and to ask people to fight hunger（饥饿）.
A big member of people in the world still don't have enough to eat. Food shortage（匮乏） is a big problem in the world. Right now, there are more than 1000 million hungry people in the world according to the UN, Many children go to sleep, hungry and 15 million of them die of hunger each year.
There are several reasons why there are food shortages. First, there have been more droughts （干旱） and floods recently. Also, a growing population makes feeding everyone more difficult.
Another several reasons is food waste . Most people don't realize how much food they throw away every day. On avenge（平均）, person throws away 50 kilos of food every year. According to the UN, more than 1/3 of all food produced in the word goes to waste each year. The amount （数量） of food wasted in Europe can feed 200 million people and the food wasted in Lain America can feed 300 million a year.
So think twice next time you want to throw away food. If you try to avoid wasting food, you could save some food and help hungry children. Only order as much food as you can eat at a restaurant. If you can't eat all you order, take the rest home. Don't be too picky about food so that you don't leave any on your plate. Keep eye on what food you have at home. Don't buy or cook too much.
1. What does the underlined word "It" in Paragraph 1 refer to（指代）?| A．Food shortage. | B．The UN. |
| C．The year 1979. | D．World Food Day. |
| A．10 million. | B．15 million. |
| C．20 million. | D．30 million. |
| A．Food waste is serious in the world. |
| B．The population is growing fast in the world. |
| C．There are more hungry people in Lain America. |
| D．Half of all food produced in the world is wasted. |
| A．Buy too much food at a time. | B．Order a lot of food at the restaurant. |
| C．Throw away the food you don't like. | D．Cook proper amount of food for each meal. |
| A．Let's save food to fight hunger | B．Give out food to hungry people |
| C．Fight against droughts and floods. | D．Prevent children from getting hungry |
3 . Many people might think that if they had more money, then they would be happier in life. For example, people might look at what others have, like expensive clothes or nice cars, and wish they could have the same. But the things that money can buy cannot bring happiness to a person for long.
① But is that really true? Studies have found that money can, in fact, make people happier. ② Instead, it's giving money to others that makes people happy. ③ It could be buying a homeless person food to eat. ④ It could be giving money to a person in need. Just think about the last time you used your own money to do something for someone else. How did you feel? Whether it is a small or large amount of money. People feel happier when they give. This is because making someone else happy makes the giver happy, too.
This idea of connecting your happiness to the happiness of others is described as a ubuntu in an African language. There is even a story about a man visiting Africa who asked some kids to race to a nearby tree. The first child to touch the tree would get a sweet treat. Surprising, all the children held hands and ran together. They all touched the tree at the same time. The man asked why they had done this. The children simply said they could only enjoy eating the treat if everyone had one.
1. The writer says that buying things ________.| A．can make people worried | B．can make people nervous |
| C．may lead to sadness for long | D．may lead to happiness for a short time |
| A．① | B．② | C．③ | D．④ |
| A．To explain Africans like sweets. | B．To show examples are not enough. |
| C．To make the writer's opinion clearer. | D．To express happiness is from children. |
| A．Buying new things can make people happy. | B．The key to happiness is making others happy. |
| C．If you want to be happy, you can visit Africa. | D．People who have a lot of money might not be happy. |
4 . Almost all children go to school. Some children spend most of their time at school. Others spend only hours there.
Schools are different in different parts of the world. But they are all the same in one way. Schools are where children go to learn.
School buildings can be large or small. They can be made from many different materials（材料）. Some children even go to school outside or in buildings with no walls.
Many children walk or ride bicycles to school. Some children go school by boat. In some places, children live too far. Teachers give lessons over the radio or by using computers.
One important job for teachers is to help children learn to read and write. Students learn to read and write in many different languages, like English, Chinese, Japanese and so on.
Children learn many things at school. They study maths and science. Many children study art and music in school. They also learn how to use a computer.
A home can also be a school. Some parents teach their children at home. They want to decide（决定）what their children will learn. People at schools will often help parents plan home lessons for their children.
1. In how many ways are schools all the same?| A．One. | B．Two. | C．Three. | D．Four. |
| A．over the radio | B．on the phone |
| C．by using computers | D．A or C |
| A．国家 | B．方法 | C．语言 | D．团体 |
| A．everybody needs to go to school | B．children don’t like school |
| C．schools are the same | D．there are different kinds of schools |
5 . It's a hot time for Chinese language learning across the world, not only because of China's higher position(地位) in the world but also because of the increasing economic(经济的) and cultural connections between China and other countries.
For example, the United Arab Emirates(UAE) (阿拉伯联合酋长国) plans to open Chinese language courses in 200 public primary and middle schools, so experienced Chinese teachers are needed.
Other Chinese courses opened across the world show the increasing need for Chinese- speaking talent. Mandarin(普通话) became an elective(选修的) foreign language in Russia's college entrance exam. Following English, German, French, and Spanish, Mandarin has become the fifth elective test subject for the exam.
Spain has more than 40, 000 people learning Chinese. Last year about 8, 000 people took the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) exam. The number of people who took the test was the biggest, according to Xinhua News Agency.
In the US, leaning Chinese has been thriving for many years and is now a popular choice for American children, especially those who were born in good families. The children begin to learn Chinese at an early age because their parents believe that learning Chinese will help them build successful international careers(事业).
1. Why is Chinese language learning so hot?| A．Because many foreigners like China's culture. |
| B．Because China has the highest position in the world. |
| C．Because China helps a lot of countries to develop. |
| D．Because China has more influence around the world. |
| A．French | B．Spanish | C．Japanese | D．Mandarin |
| A．兴盛 | B．衰落 | C．改变 | D．开办 |
| A．The UAE needs experienced English teachers. |
| B．All American children learn Chinese from an early age. |
| C．About one fifth of the Spanish learning Chinese took the HSK in 2019. |
| D．The Mandarin exam must be taken before going to Russia's colleges. |
| A．more people in the UAE begin to learn Chinese |
| B．Chinese language learning is popular around the world |
| C．some foreign countries want more Chinese teachers |
| D．many American children are learning Chinese now |
Some people live to climb the highest mountains. Some people only think about it while others avoid ever climbing at all. But one thing is certain that all people come across mountains in their life.
When I was a little girl, my parents moved us to the tiny village of Otongo, Hidalgo, Mexico. This town was built at the bottom of a big mountain.
One day after school, while exploring(探索) the green woods of this mountain, I came upon a lot of stairs. What could these steps lead to? Could this be the way to the top?
I was so curious that I started climbing up those mysterious(神秘的) steps.
I climbed and climbed, but still there was nothing in sight. It was getting really dark, and I wasn’t even close to the top.
The voice of reason told me to hurry back home and try again the next day. I ran back home in the dark while trying not to get too afraid. I didn’t tell anyone about what I found that night. I went to bed dreaming about what I would find at the top of this magical mountain we lived on. Could there be a handsome prince, treasure or ghosts up there?
Ah...such childhood fantasies(想象)! Those were the days when we could dream. We could do crazy things. We believed! I'm all grown up now, and life has shown me a beating at times.
I did live on a mountain in a town as described, but I created this childhood fantasy to make my days so much more fun as a kid. This story is a good metaphor(比喻) for life today.
You might ask, "What was at the top of that mountain?" I ask you, "What would you have wanted to find?"
Dream about what's at the top of your mountain. What do you want out of life?
Tomorrow is another day, and still, you must climb. Whatever you do, never ever give up on your dream! Never let anyone tell you, "You can't."
1. Which word is the best to describe the writer as a child according to the article?| A．Honest. | B．Friendly. | C．Humorous. | D．Imaginative. |
| A．How the writer reached the top of a mountain. |
| B．A childhood story told by the writer. |
| C．Advice the writer gave on climbing a mountain. |
| D．What the writer's favorite mountain was like. |
| A．Dreams. | B．Treasures. | C．Difficulties. | D．Fantasies. |
| A．理由 | B．理智 | C．理解 | D．理论 |
| A．To encourage people to follow their dreams. |
| B．To share her childhood memories with readers. |
| C．To explain the advantages of climbing mountains. |
| D．To show how adults think differently from children. |
7 . Elsie Eiler is the head of Monowi, a tiny town in northern Nebraska, U.S.A., and that isn’t her only job. She is also the town secretary, the town treasurer, the librarian, and she works in the café. Why has she got a lot of different jobs? Because there’s nobody else to do them. Monowi has got a population of one — Elsie.
Monowi is an unusual sight. There are about twelve old wooden houses there. They are all empty and are surrounded by a few trees, several old cars and lots of rubbish. The town is silent. An old yellow school bus, with no wheels or seats, stands next to the small school. The school closed 40 years ago. Opposite Elsie’s café is an old building, filled with rubbish. It was a shop but it closed in the 1950s.
The busiest time for Monowi was in the 1930s. Then, the population was 150, and was made up of mostly farmers and their families. There was a railway too. However, the farmers couldn’t compete（竞争）with the large industrialized（工业化的）farms, and left the town to look for other work. In 1971, the railway closed and the town began to die. Three years ago, the last people that lived there, except Elsie’s family, moved away. Then, Elsie’s husband died, and then her son and daughter left to find work in bigger towns, leaving Elsie the only person in the town.
____________Her food is good, her beer is cold, and farmers and truck drivers travel a long way to eat at her café. “One day Monowi will just be memories, and it will probably turn to dust,” she says. “But I like it, and as long as I can take care of myself, I will stay here.”
1. What does Paragraph 1 mainly tell us about Elsie Eiler?| A．She is the only person living in Monowi. | B．She has a good time living in Monowi. |
| C．She can do different kinds of jobs. | D．She will leave Monowi soon. |
| A．railway workers | B．shopkeepers |
| C．truck drivers | D．farmers |
| A．what it looks like | B．whether there is train there |
| C．when people first lived there | D．why people started to leave it |
| A．Elsie believes Monowi will have a bright future. |
| B．Now Elsie wishes her kids to return to Monowi. |
| C．Elsie will leave Monowi in a couple of years. |
| D．Now Elsie lives alone but she isn’t lonely. |
8 . Have you ever paid for educational podcasts (播客)or live videos? Ask some people and most of them will say yes. "Pay-for-knowledge" has been more and more fashionable these years. The contents of these "pay-for-knowledge" products are from language learning to gardening or baby-caring. Everything you think of can be found online at this moment. "Pay-for-knowledge" is on the rise(兴起).
Why is "pay-for-knowledge" industry developing so rapidly? First, its development is based on the Internet. With a fast network and a smartphone, anyone who has passed the identity(身份) check can be an online teacher, and anyone with an online account can buy "pay-for-knowledge" products that he or she wants at an affordable price. Second, people are afraid to miss any information. On one hand, people hope for more useful information.
On the other hand, such information is usually at the hands of experts (专家) who serve well-known companies and universities. Moreover, the need to learn new skills in today's job market also pushes people to learn on such educational podcasts.
The industry of "pay-for-knowledge" has proved to be lucrative. It promises possibilities of turning information into money. It is good for the development of our country and it can help sellers make lots of money. Besides, buyers can enjoy self-growth from it. What's more, this is a reflection(反映)of respect for knowledge and talents.
However, the rapid development of "pay-for-knowledge" has a few problems. For one thing, the market is full of eye-catching words such as "How to be an Industry's Expert in 5 Hours" and "15 Classes to Be a Master of Appreciating (欣赏) Classical Music", which sound like if you pay for it, you are sure to succeed. For another, a large number of customers buy them just for showing off. In fact, those who have really had self-growth after buying online courses may be the kind of people who need them least. In other words, with or without these courses, they can make it anyway, because they are those who have the ability to learn by themselves.
In general, the best is the one that suits you most. "Pay-for-knowledge" may be used as a good start for self-growth. Be careful! Otherwise, your dream of success may not come true.
1. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?| A．"Pay-for-knowledge" products can help all the people succeed. |
| B．"Pay-for-knowledge" products can offer people different kinds of courses. |
| C．People who can teach themselves need "pay-for-knowledge" products most. |
| D．People must learn from experts who serve famous companies and universities. |
| A．The history of its development. | B．The problems of its products. |
| C．The advantages of its products. | D．The causes of its rise. |
| A．produce lots of money | B．get much information |
| C．win great respect | D．enjoy self-growth |
| A．recommend the "pay-for-knowledge" products to people |
| B．advise everyone to learn knowledge by themselves online |
| C．remind people to choose "pay-for-knowledge" products wisely |
| D．teach parents how to buy some online courses for their children |
9 . All about Electric Cars
Electric vehicles(电动车辆) have been around for more than a hundred years. But they have really been liked by a large number of people over the last ten years. More than three million all-electric cars trucks and vans are now on the road worldwide.
Helping the Environment
Most cars run on gasoline(汽油). Burning gasoline and other fossil fuels(矿物燃料) produces greenhouse gases. Electric vehicles don’t burn gasoline. Instead, strong batteries run their electric engines. So, electric vehicles don’t directly produce greenhouse gases.
Poop Power!
Electric vehicles are better for the environment. But they are not perfect. Their batteries often use electricity(电) that was made by burning fossil fuels. But an electric vehicle uses less energy than a vehicle that runs on gasoline. Plus, some of the electricity comes from “greener” sources, such as solar and wind power. And some may soon come from a new source — cow poop(牛粪)! An electric car company has worked together with a large dairy farm. They plan to make electricity using a greenhouse gas from cow poop.
Always Improving
One of the problems for electric vehicles is their limited range. This is how far they can travel before their batteries need another charge(充电). But now their range is improving. Some new electric vehicles can travel almost three times as far as older ones did. Another problem is finding a place to recharge the batteries. But the number of charging stations is going up as well. China now has thousands more charging stations than it did ten years ago. In Sweden, engineers have even designed a road that will charge electric vehicles as they drive along.
1. Which of the following truly describes electric vehicles according to Paragraph 1?| A．Useless. | B．Popular. | C．Cheap. | D．Perfect. |
| A．Parts of an electric car. | B．Ways of driving a car. |
| C．Wheels on an electric car. | D．Batteries in an electric car. |
| A．By burning gasoline. | B．By burning fossil fuels. |
| C．By using a gas coming from cow poop. | D．By using solar and wind power. |
| A．Reasons for buying new electric cars. |
| B．Importance of electric cars in our life. |
| C．Ways to produce more electric vehicles. |
| D．Problems and improvements of electric vehicles. |
10 . How do you feel about nature? After spending hours indoors, do you feel better when you visit your local park? Most people think that nature is good for our bodies and brains. However, humans are spending more time inside and less time outside. For example, the number of visitors to Canada’s national parks is getting lower every year. And in countries such as the USA, only 10% of teenagers spend time outside every day. Many doctors feel that this is a problem in the twenty—first century.
As a result, some doctors are studying the connection between nature and health: one example of this is the work of Dr Matilda in Sweden. The doctor gave people a maths test. During the test, their heart rates (心率) were fast. After the test, one group of people sat in a 3D—virtual—reality (虚拟现实) room for fifteen minutes with pictures and sounds of nature. Their heart rates were slower than people's in the other group.
The virtual touch with nature helped them feel more relaxed. Another good example of how nature is good for health comes from Canada. In Toronto, researchers studied 31,000 people living in the city. In general, they found that healthier people lived near parks.
Because of studies like these, some countries and cities want nature to be part of people’s everyday life. In Dubai (迪拜), for example, there are plans for a new shopping mall with a large garden so shoppers can relax outside with trees, plants and water. In Switzerland, “forest schools” are popular. Schoolchildren study their subjects in the forests and do lots of exercise outside. And South Korea (韩国) is another good example: it has new forests near its cities and around 13 million people visit these forests every year. So after building cities for so long, perhaps it’s now time to start rebuilding nature.
1. What does Paragraph 1 mainly talk about?| A．Teenagers’ problem in the 21st century. | B．How much time we spend outdoors. |
| C．Visiting your local park. | D．Feeling about nature. |
①the USA a. Children study in the forests and do lots of activities outside.
②Dubai b. About 13 million people visit new forests near its cities every year.
③Switzerland c. A new shopping mall with a large garden will be built.
④South Korea d. 10% of teenagers spend time outside every day.
| A．①—a ②—d ③—b ④—c | B．①—d ②—c ③—a ④—b |
| C．①—a ②—c ③—d ④—b | D．①—d ②—c ③—b ④—a |
| A．More and more Canadians will live near parks. |
| B．The maths test is difficult and makes people nervous. |
| C．Nature can help people feel more relaxed and be healthier. |
| D．People's heart rates get slower in a 3D—virtual—reality room. |
| A．Nature is more important than cities. | B．Country life is healthier than city life. |
| C．People have lived in the cities for so long. | D．Nature should be part of people’s daily life. |
