1 . A talented teen painter in Waterbury is helping her very sick father with her love of art. The 15-year-old girl from Waterbury could become a well-known artist one day. For now, though, part of her love for painting is the chance to help her dad, who’s ill. “It’s kind of like an ache-a heartbreak,” she said. “You never want to see one of your loved ones get hurt. ”
Her father is suffering from type-one diabetes (糖尿病) and is having trouble affording his mounting medical bills. “I’m suffering from heart disease, and blindness from my diabetes,” her father said. Angie has decided to put her talent as an artist to good use.
On Saturday, Sept. 23 from noon to 4 p. m., she’s hosting her own one day art exhibition (展览) to sell her paintings and raise money mainly for her father’s medical bills. “Angie’s Art Exhibition” will be at the North End Recreation Centre, located at 262 North Main Street in Waterbury. She’s also using it to help the Fairfield Animal Shelter. Angie loves animals—you see that on many of her paintings.
This isn’t the first time Angie has put her paintbrush to good use helping others. Her mother tells News 8 that Angie has also used her work to help her community: a local family who lost their father, and children who needed school supplies.
“She has an angelic heart. If there were more people like her in the world, there wouldn’t be so much chaos (混乱) and hate. I just look up to her and say ‘I’m very proud of you,’ ”her father said.
“My dad’s a great person. Though he goes through this, he still loves me and supports me in any way he can. It makes me feel important, “she said.
1. What is the main reason why Angie is hosting her own art exhibition?| A．To show her talent as an artist. | B．To raise money to treat her father. |
| C．To sell her paintings to art collectors. | D．To support the Fairfield Animal Shelter. |
| A．He expects her to become a world-famous artist. |
| B．He takes pride in her and considers her to be an angel. |
| C．He is disappointed in her for not concentrating on study. |
| D．He thinks she should focus on helping him instead of others. |
| A．Artistic and caring. | B．Humorous and kind. |
| C．Independent and proud. | D．Knowledgeable and helpful. |
| A．It’s never too late to learn. |
| B．Study first and play afterwards. |
| C．The company of parents is important to children’s development. |
| D．Determination and creativity can be powerful tools to help those in need. |
2 . It was snowing hard outside. Thomas and Mick had to
But the next morning the
After dinner, Thomas was looking out of the window, when he
| A．study | B．eat | C．stay | D．sleep |
| A．stood | B．showed | C．grew | D．woke |
| A．touch | B．smell | C．hear | D．see |
| A．house | B．moon | C．sun | D．branch |
| A．great | B．interesting | C．terrible | D．snowy |
| A．room | B．breakfast | C．lunch | D．supper |
| A．library | B．supermarket | C．bedroom | D．kitchen |
| A．dull | B．hard | C．dangerous | D．exciting |
| A．Therefore | B．Instead | C．Otherwise | D．However |
| A．stop | B．jump | C．read | D．rest |
| A．money | B．time | C．snow | D．water |
| A．spotted | B．felt | C．realized | D．greeted |
| A．excited | B．disappointed | C．poor | D．angry |
| A．happy | B．funny | C．curious | D．hungry |
| A．scary | B．tense | C．mean | D．talented |
3 . In my teenage period 1 always had wished to pass a geography exam, remembering all the locations of the countries on a map or avoid embarrassing situations of suddenly forgetting the person’s name standing right in front of you. Luckily for me, now one theory that memory, like other muscles in the body, can be strengthened aroused my curiosity. But instead of practicing with flash cards, there may be an interesting way that we can improve our memory while we sleep.
The researchers hold that sleep is when the brain transfers short-term memories experienced throughout the day into long-term memories. This process is called memory consolidation. They have been working on a DIY version of this task to see if we male volunteers can improve memories through the use of sound in sleep. In the test, every time we see the picture, we can hear the related sound. Then we take a nap and they record our EEG.
They’re interested in one of the four periods of sleep: slow-wave sleep, when scientists believe that memory consolidation can happen. In this deep period of sleep, they do something that we don’t know. When we wake back up and do the task again, we find we do better than before a nap. That is because they played a clue during our sleep, for example, a car — we would remember the position of that car when we woke back up again. But if they didn’t play the clue during the sleep, for example, a guitar, we’d be less likely to remember that guitar when we woke up.
I was a huge skeptic when I first heard that result. But they ran this experiment on two female groups and the results were significant. It’s not that you remember things better; it’s that you forget them less. And the facts and memories we collect throughout the day are easily lost and forgotten.
So if you’re like me and a bit forgetful, perhaps a solution is a pair of headphones and a soft couch.
1. How did the author feel about his memory when young?| A．He felt discouraged. | B．He was moved. | C．He felt inspired. | D．He was proud. |
| A．By playing a clue before they sleep. | B．By playing a clue when they sleep. |
| C．By showing a picture before they sleep. | D．By drawing a picture when they sleep. |
| A．He is convinced of the experiment results. | B．He throws doubts on it at present. |
| C．He believed in it from beginning to end. | D．He wanted to prove it in the future. |
| A．Ways to avoid forgetfulness are funny. | B．Headphones and a soft couch are useful. |
| C．Many people can’t avoid forgetting in life. | D．The solution to being forgetful is practical. |
4 . Last summer, I was sent to take photos that could communicate the urgency of climate change in northern Canada. When I arrived at an abandoned village on Resolute Bay, I scanned the shore with my camera. Suddenly, I spotted a bear lying on the ground. It didn’t move for almost an hour. But when it finally stood up, I had to catch my breath. The bear’s once strong body was just skin and bones; every step that it took was painfully slow.
When I posted the photos on social media, I wrote, “This is what starvation may look like. I wonder whether the global population of 25, 000 polar bears would die the way this bear is dying.”
I did not say that this particular bear was killed by climate change. But news organizations around the world focused on it. The first line of the story published in National Geographic read, “This is what climate change looks like” — with “climate change” highlighted in yellow. Other news agencies even adopted more dramatic headlines.
It was estimated that my photos had been read by about 2.5 billion people around the world. But there was a problem: Most people and the news agencies didn’t recognize or misunderstood the real message I tried to send with them. Many people expressed gratitude that I’d provided shocking evidence on climate change, while others who are still trying to deny the existence of climate change charged me with spreading false information.
Perhaps I had made a mistake in not telling the full story — that I was looking for pictures that might foretell the future and that I didn’t know what had happened to this particular polar bear.
I can’t say that this bear was starving because of climate change, but I am happy that my photos have moved the conversation about climate change to the forefront, where it must remain until this problem is solved.
Until then, when I come across a scene like this one, I will again share with the world — and take pains to be sure that my intention is clear.
1. How did the author feel when the bear stood up?| A．Shocked. | B．Scared. | C．Excited. | D．Relieved. |
| A．The story. | B．The photo. | C．A starving bear. | D．Climate change. |
| A．Provide more direct evidence on climate change. |
| B．Show the link between the bear and climate change. |
| C．Warn the possible results of climate change. |
| D．Expose the false information about climate change. |
| A．To admit his mistake. | B．To clarify his true intention. |
| C．To please his readers. | D．To show off his amazing trip. |
5 . With over 70% of the country blanketed in forest, Bhutan is rich in outdoor activities and charming villages that showcase a distinctive culture found nowhere else on the Earth. Here are our picks for the best places to add to your Bhutan traveling list.
ParoLess than 10 minutes away from the airport, the historic riverside town of Paro is known for the National Museum, Rinpung Dzong and symbolic Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Wander along Paro’s streets and the Paro Weekend Market to explore shops and stands offering handmade souvenirs. When you’ve worked up an appetite, step into any restaurant for fresh, handmade momo dumplings.
ThimphuIn Bhutan’s capital city, spend the day creating your own stamps at the Bhutan Postal Museum, touring the massive Thimphu’s museums and watching policemen manually direct traffic(there are no traffic lights in the entire city). When the sun sets below the mountains, enjoy yourself at bars like Grey Area, a popular art bar with live music where you can shout “tashi delek!”, a Xizang’s expression for good luck and health.
PunakhaBeloved for riverside farms where cows eat among rice and pepper fields, Punakha is home to what is its most beautiful temple, which sits along the Punakha River. Punakha’s low altitude means it tends to be hotter and sunnier than nearby towns and districts, which means you’ll need to take precautions to avoid sunburn.
KhomaFashion lovers can expect to visit behind the curtain in Bhutan’s textile center, Khoma. In the eastern district of Lhuentse, this village is home to roughly 1,000 residents—and few cars. Khoma’s artisans spend their days weaving delicate patterns and designs on traditional Bhutanese looms (织布机), creating colors from the area’s minerals and plants.
1. What is recommended for visitors traveling in Thimphu?| A．Acting as a policeman. | B．Enjoying the nightlife. |
| C．Purchasing ancient stamps. | D．Trying handmade dumplings. |
| A．Food. | B．Life jackets. | C．Sunblock. | D．Warming clothing. |
| A．Paro. | B．Thimphu. | C．Punakha. | D．Khoma. |
6 . Dandan noodles are a famous dish from well-known Sichuan cuisine. But Li Hongkai, a famous chef in Zigong City, took the dish to a new level and brought it to international fame.
His golden thread noodles were recognized by Guinness World Records as the thin nest handmade noodles in 2007, which have won the hearts of customers. The dough is so thin that one can read the newspaper through it. The thin nest noodles can go through the eye of a neddle at once. His noodles don’t get mushy in boiling water, but they are easy to melt in one’s mouth. Despite their extraordinary characteristics, there is nothing special about the ingredients. But Li has a secret weapon: 17 years of practice.
Since 1990, he has got up at 4 o'clock in the morning to prepare the dough. As a beginner, Li slept on the restaurant’s chairs to save time. After several years, he learned to control his body strength, which is necessary for the slicing techniques. He also developed his own kneading technique and improved the recipe. Years in the kitchen had paid off. His concoction (调制品) was first acknowledged by the World Association of Chefs’ Societies, when he fitted six noodles through the eye of a needle in 1994. In the following years, he continued to polish his skills and won several cooking competitions.
After his golden thread noodles became popular, Li received many offers overseas. The restaurant he used to work for in Beijing also wanted him back with a handsome salary. But he decided to stay in his hometown and develop the native Salt Gang’s dishes. “From my experience of working in large cities, most customers prefer genuine Sichuan snack,” said Li.
1. What is the recipe for Li Hongkai’s success?| A．Much effort. | B．Cooking talent. |
| C．Special experiments. | D．Extraordinary ingredients. |
| A．Humble and cautious. | B．Ambitious and determined. |
| C．Intelligent and considerate, | D．Open-minded and easy-going. |
| A．To become popular. | B．To get a higher salary. |
| C．To develop the local dishes. | D．To create jobs for his fellows. |
| A．Advantages of Dandan Noodles | B．The Special Way to Serve Hometown |
| C．The Thinnest Handmade Chinese Noodles | D．Technique of Making Golden Thread Noodles |
7 . If you dream of a world where neighbors share with each other and you don't have to spend money at a store every time you need something, then your local Buy Nothing Group might be the perfect fit. This clever idea began in July 2013, when two friends, Rebecca Rockefeller and Liesl Clark, from. Bainbridge Island, Washington, wanted to try something new. They liked the idea of developing a local gift economy as a way to challenge the consumerist mindset and reconnect neighbors. The Buy Nothing Project has grown rapidly since then, with 6,000 groups now in 44 countries.
The basic idea is that anyone can ask for what they need and anyone can give it. The official rules are simple: “Post anything you'd like to give away, lend, or share among neighbors. Ask for anything you'd like to receive for free or borrow. Keep it legal. No buying or selling, no trades, we're strictly a gift economy.”
All participants have equal standing. Gifts and requests can be large or small, items or services (though they must be legal). Lending and borrowing are allowed, too. Things must be given freely, with no expectation of a gift in return. There are no rules about how to post, though people are encouraged to share personal stories about themselves, their gifts and requests, as this helps to build community.
When asked why the Buy Nothing Project has been met with such enthusiasm, the founders suggest it's because of the human desire to feel connected with others around us. Besides, this is truly a great way to take a stand against over-consumption, to clear out our homes, to save items from landfill and prolong their lifespan (寿命), and to keep valuable resources in the ground. The more sharing and reusing we can do, the better off we'll all be for both climate and human well-being.
1. What has made the Buy Nothing Project grow rapidly?| A．The need to build social ties. | B．The consumerist mindset. |
| C．The desire to boost local economy. | D．The strong sense of community. |
| A．Sharing others' stories. | B．Asking for a gift in return. |
| C．Lending or borrowing legal items. | D．Trading with the neighbors. |
| A．It fuels local consumption. | B．It reduces the waste of resources. |
| C．It extends people's lifespan. | D．It changes the climate of the earth. |
| A．To promote the idea of recycling. |
| B．To introduce the Buy Nothing Project. |
| C．To tell stories about two environmentalists. |
| D．To persuade people to make friends in the community. |
8 . At 104 years old, Dorothy Hoffner fell. Then she kept falling, and falling. When the lifelong Chicagoan finally touched the ground last Sunday, she landed in the history books and became the oldest person to ever sky-dive (跳伞).
As Hoffner prepared to board, she pushed her red walker out and walked slowly to the plane, where two expert instructors helped her up the steps into the hold. “Let’s go!” she said, finally seated. The plane quickly rose, Hoffner looking calm and confident all the while.
When the aft (机尾) door opened to show the crop fields far below, she and the instructor were ready to stand up. When Hoffner first sky-dived at 100 years old, she was pushed out, she said. This time, she wanted to lead the jump.
Seven minutes after her jump, she moved slowly in the air for her historic landing. The wind pushed back her white hair. A look of excitement and wonder spread across her face. She picked up her legs as the ground approached. And finally, she managed to land on the ground.
The crowd gathered along the landing area. Friends rushed to share the moment. Someone brought over Hoffner’s red walker. She rose fast, and a reporter asked how it felt to be back on the ground. “The whole thing was wonderful, and couldn’t have been better,” she said.
The Guinness World Record for oldest skydiver was set in May 2022 by 103-year-oldLinnéa Ingegard Larsson from Sweden. When asked how it felt like to break the record, Hoffner replied quickly, “Like I’m old.” But the record didn’t seem to interest Hoffner before the jump. Instead, she focused on the peaceful falling through the sky. Hoffner strongly encouraged others to sky-dive like her. “It’s surprisingly affordable and so amazing,” she said.
1. What did Hoffner do last Sunday?| A．She reported a sports event. | B．She managed to sky-dive. |
| C．She celebrated her birthday. | D．She wrote a history book. |
| A．Surprised. | B．Anxious. | C．Excited. | D．Hopeless. |
| A．The falling in the air. | B．Her family’s help. |
| C．The low cost of the jump. | D．Her friends’ support. |
| A．To see is to believe. | B．Time tells everything. |
| C．Hard work pays off. | D．Age is just a number. |
9 . I used to fancy myself a pretty good vacationer. But on my family's recent week-long trip to Mexico our first real getaway since the pandemic began—I got mixed up.
The huge difference between the expectations and the realities of travel hit me a few hours after we landed in Cabo SanLucas, Mexico. Driving our rental car to Walmart to buy groceries, we found ourselves stuck in stand-still traffic for over two hours. I comforted myself with the thought that once we arrived, my vacation self would emerge: relaxed, flexible and ready for a surfing followed by a margarita(玛格丽塔酒) on the beach—while wearing one of several sundresses that had been gathering dust in my closet since 2020.
Readers, I did not.
First, I was defeated by what I will well refer to as “traveler's stomach.” Then, I was scared out of surfing by waves that seemed too messy and powerful for my skills. A chilly fog kept me from unrolling the sundresses I'd carefully packed, and I ended up wrapped in the same sweat-shirt that I wore on the airplane. All seemed ruined.
During the episode, I nearly drove myself crazy by asking constantly, “How can I make this better'? Can I find a different route in the traffic?” But it was just about acceptance: getting into the moment, accepting what it is, and trusting—trusting this may not be the best moment of the vacation, but there can still be good moments of the vacation.
Indeed, I noticed a shift in my mood. At some stage I did drink a margarita. Eventually, I had an enjoyable afternoon of surfing in the sun. But when I fondly remember this vacation now, I more often return to curling up on the hotel couch with my husband, watching “Stranger Things” in sweats; or sitting sand-caked on the beach watching our daughter digging with a local girl. In those small moments, I was simply present. That's what vacation is all about.
1. How did the author feel on her way to Walmart?| A．Relaxed and expectant. | B．Upset but hopeful. |
| C．Disappointed and defeated. | D．Delighted but concerned. |
| A．Sharp stomachache. | B．Huge waves. |
| C．Cold weather. | D．Favored sweat-shirts. |
| A．She preferred to stay in the hotel. |
| B．She sought for better enjoyments. |
| C．She achieved the goals as scheduled. |
| D．She embraced the imperfect moments. |
| A．To share reflections on a trip. |
| B．To provide advice on a getaway. |
| C．To promote tourism in Mexico. |
| D．To inform challenges of a vacation. |
10 . The Project Gallery works with local communities and modern artists responding to our collections. It is located to the left of the main entrance at York Art Gallery and you can apply for free entry during normal gallery opening hours.
Teenage Art School
June—September
Come and experience the creativity, hi—tech and exploration of traditional art techniques produced by Teenage Art School. This year's free exhibition is currently on display in the Project Gallery until late September. Our experimental five—day course for children between 14 and17 years runs yearly, studying different topics and approaches to help young people develop their skills as artists.
Bouts Artist in Residence
October—December
York Art Gallery is pleased to be working with a student artist from York St John's University to produce fine art visuals in response to Making a Masterpiece: Bouts and Beyond. Using the exhibition as a starting point for inspiration, our students will create their own art—work in the Project Gallery. See how artists make images and work on techniques in this developing studio and display space.
This exhibition has been developed as a funded partnership with The Bowes Museum and Bristol Museum.
1. What is mentioned about the Project Gallery in paragraph 1?| A．Its address. | B．Its history. | C．Its opening date. | D．Its contact way. |
| A．It charges high prices. |
| B．It has an age limit. |
| C．It is held every month. |
| D．It teaches traditional beliefs. |
| A．To attract more donation. |
| B．To develop high technology. |
| C．To inspire students' art creativity. |
| D．To introduce St John's University. |
