1 . Student loan (贷款) debt has become a worldwide problem. In America, the country's overall student debt reached a record of $1.6 trillion in 2019. The average person with student loan debt owed between $20,000 and $25,000. A recent Japanese government report says it has been lending over $9 billion yearly to students since 2010. Similar conditions exist in Africa and South America.
Several factors account for high student loan debt. One is that employers everywhere have increased their demands for skilled workers, making higher education a requirement for many jobs. The students, however, after graduation, often find that their country's economy is not strong enough to support their financial needs, so their ability to pay back the loan becomes a problem.
To solve the problem, many countries are seeking their ways. Australia has developed a system where students do not have to pay anything back until they are earning at least $40,000 a year. In America, several candidates running for president in the 2020 election have offered more extreme solutions that all or at least some of these loans will be forgiven.
Some professors in several universities recently studied what the effects of debt forgiveness might be. They found that, overall, sudden debt relief greatly improved the borrowers' lives. Not only did they have more money, but they were more likely to move to a new area and seek better paying work.
Yet the professors' research doesn't include what might happen to financial institutions or the overall economy if debt were totally forgiven. It only looks at how debt forgiveness would help the borrowers. They warn of some other possible negative effects. If a borrower knew that if he ran into any trouble he would be saved because he could get the debt relief, then he might actually become more reckless (轻率的) with his borrowing in the future.
No matter what, the professors agree that if countries do decide to approve some student debt relief the neediest students should be helped first.
1. How does the author introduce the problem of student loan?| A．By making a comparison. | B．By making classifications. |
| C．By presenting some statistics. | D．By setting down general rules. |
| A．It will surely provide some benefits to borrowers. |
| B．It has already been carried out in the United States. |
| C．It aims to encourage more students to borrow money. |
| D．It will prevent a person from landing a well-paying job. |
| A．Uncaring. | B．Positive. |
| C．Disapproving. | D．Cautious. |
| A．Student loan debt is the most serious problem worldwide. |
| B．Growing global student debt fuels search for solutions. |
| C．Student loan debt tends to pull the needy out of trouble. |
| D．People hold different opinions on debt forgiveness. |
2 . Best Sleep Music Apps
If you want to sleep better at night, trying a sleep music app might be the answer. Here are some ideal sleep music apps to choose from.
Calm
Calm is one of the most popular sleep music apps and its large library of relaxing and sleep-causing tracks is largely responsible for that. This app offers a free version, but to really take advantage of what Calm has to offer, you had better choose the paid version, which costs $ 69.99 for one year. A lifetime membership is $ 399.99.
Relax Melodies
Relax Melodies is intended to calm your mind with relaxing sound. The composer is visual and easy to use, and the Discover page gives you access to other app features, like bedtime stories and breathing exercises. Though its free version provides a great introduction to the idea of sleep music, the paid version unlocks a larger library of sounds. Consider paying for it if there're particular sounds or features that really attract you.
Headspace
Headspace is a feature-rich app designed in a simple way that makes it quick and easy to use its library of sleep-specific music. The Sleep icon at the bottom of the app is easy to identify and leads to a library of options that include Sleep Music and Sleep Radio. It's worth noting that nearly everything in Headspace's Sleep Library requires an extra subscription. Headspace costs $ 69.99 annually, or you can pay $12.99 per month.
Pzizz
Pzizz offers sleep music tracks you can use at naptime, bedtime, or to improve focus. One thing that makes Pzizz different is its voice narration（旁白）option. If you find the presence of a calming voice to be comforting or benefit from someone helping you to relax your body and mind, then Pzizz is a good choice for you. Male and female voice options are available and the voice is low and calm. It has a free version but you should pay for extra subscriptions.
1. Which app allows you to combine sleep music with breathing exercises?| A．Calm. | B．Headspace. | C．Pzizz. | D．Relax Melodies. |
| A．$12.99. | B．$69.99. | C．$155.88. | D．$399.99. |
| A．Its voice for narration is fixed. | B．It provides low and calm music. |
| C．It offers voice narration options. | D．Its focus is sleep-specific music. |
3 . Studying longer does not necessarily mean studying better.
Find the right place to study.
The first thing you need to do is avoid distractions (分散注意力的事物) while studying.
Break down the tasks into smaller parts.
When you have gotten everything ready, list the items you need to study, and arrange them across several hours or days, depending on how big your load is. As a general rule, assign (分配) at least one hour to each subject.
Schedule study breaks.
When you have listed all of your tasks and made a schedule, you should arrange study breaks.
Put your tasks in order of importance.
| A．Each break may take about 15 minutes every two hours. |
| B．Learn to arrange the subjects in order of importance. |
| C．This means going to one place that will give you peace and quiet. |
| D．The key to efficient studying is following the schedule strictly. |
| E．You can find a way to test your knowledge by having a study partner. |
| F．If you have a broad subject, you will need to break it down into smaller parts. |
| G．To make the best use of your time, you need to learn how to study efficiently(高效地). |
4 . Teaching middle-school children about climate change may be one of the most important things we can do to save the planet.It’s those kids who have the most potential, according to a new study
It’s at this developmental age that students can master complex concepts like climate change and remain open to new ideas,the researchers say.Middle school is usually when we start to figure out how we really feel about the world and to form our own opinions.
The researchers carried out an experiment with students in North Carolina.They gave specialized climate change training to middle school teachers,sharing lessons that would specifically encourage the kids to interact with their parents and talk about the topic.Research has shown that lessons on climate change that have the most impact typically frame the topic around something you can often see or experience,so.the lessons were focused on these themes,such as how the environment relates to animals or how an individual can directly affect the environment.
The researchers divided the students into two groups:a control group that didn’t get the specialized lessons and an experiment group who did.They also surveyed parents before, during and after the program,following these groups for two years.
After the program,the 357 students who got the special lessons and their parents showed a larger change in their level of concern about climate change than the 224 students who did not get the training.The 357 kids,the study found,can best reach adults and encourage them to act to fight climate change,regardless of their parents’ political beliefs.In fact,the researchers found this method has the greatest impact on the people who are otherwise hardest to convince:conservative (保守的) males.
“Ireally think it is very timely and really speaks to the fact that we have to prepare kids for climate change,”said study author Danielle Lawson.“Immediate action is key.We have about 12 years to take action together to keep the global average temperature from rising 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels.Beyond that critical point,climate change will have done permanent damage.”
1. Why do middle schoolers have the most potential?| A．They are free from wrong ideas. |
| B．They like to deal with complexity. |
| C．They are interested in the outside world. |
| D．They are at an age to form their own views. |
| A．Challenging. | B．Familiar. | C．Charming | D．Limited. |
| A．People’s political beliefs are hard to change. |
| B．The 357 kids are good at communication skills. |
| C．Kids receiving the lessons influence their parents more. |
| D．No method but this one can convince conservative males. |
| A．We have enough time to take action. |
| B．It’s urgent to deal with climate change |
| C．The kids can solve the future climate challenge |
| D．We can do nothing about global warming after 2034. |
5 . That year I was eleven and in sixth grade. In Wethersfield, all sixth-graders are
I was ready to take part in these
Twenty minutes later, my
It was then that I thought to myself, “Why am I crying? I can do this.” Almost
| A．forced | B．reported | C．required | D．reminded |
| A．idea | B．result | C．question | D．road |
| A．run | B．introduce | C．experience | D．describe |
| A．begging | B．thinking | C．promising | D．trusting |
| A．lectures | B．discussions | C．stories | D．activities |
| A．handle | B．discover | C．change | D．need |
| A．naughty | B．noisy | C．frightened | D．annoyed |
| A．friend | B．turn | C．teacher | D．day |
| A．relaxed | B．balanced | C．organized | D．prepared |
| A．quicker | B．warmer | C．farther | D．longer |
| A．awkward | B．amazing | C．exciting | D．disappointing |
| A．shouting | B．remembering | C．learning | D．hearing |
| A．Watch out | B．Come on | C．Hurry up | D．Walk along |
| A．completely | B．carefully | C．dangerously | D．immediately |
| A．reached | B．got | C．arrived | D．took |
6 . Top Festivals In Europe
Carnival of VeniceDates: 12 Feb, 2023—1 Mar, 2023
The Carnival of Venice, which began in 1979 as an effort to revive the culture of this city, is one of the best festivals featuring masks. Each year, almost 3,000,000 people attend this 20-day-long biggest festivals in Europe. There is a water parade, a grand ball with old and modern music, and a popularity contest for best mask design.
Glastonbury FestivalDates: 22 Jun, 2023—26 Jun, 2023
Of all the famous European music festivals, the Glastonbury Festival has a special place. Held in Somerset, England, since the 1970s, the festival is a major part of the British culture. Major pop act performers are invited to perform and headline. The festival sees as much as 175,000 people in attendance and is the world’s largest greenfield festival.
TomorrowlandDates: 22—24Jul, 2023 & 29—31Jul, 2023
For the music lovers, Tomorrowland is one of the largest electronic music festivals which takes place in Belgium. The festival is hosted at the town of Boom, Belgium. First organized in 2005, this festival has become an annual tradition which is visited by people from far and wide.
Sziget FestivalDates: 10—15 Aug, 2023
The Sziget Festival is one of the best cultural festivals in Europe. Started in 1993 and hosted in an island of Budapest, this festival gives an amazing holiday, with around 400,000 fans from around 70 countries. The festival features the non-stop party and amazing live concerts.
1. What can people do in the Carnival of Venice?| A．Swim in the river. | B．Design different masks. |
| C．Attend music contests. | D．Watch pop performances. |
| A．Tomorrowland. | B．Sziget Festival. |
| C．Carnival of Venice. | D．Glastonbury Festival. |
| A．They each have a parade. | B．They take place in summer. |
| C．They are British festivals. | D．They are related to music. |
7 . Florida Theme Parks and Amusement Parks
Fun Spot America (Two locations: Orlando and Kissimmee)
The two small amusement parks offer two great wooden roller coasters: White Lightning and Mine Blower. They also feature lots of spinning (快速旋转) rides, one of the world’s tallest Skycoasters, go-karts, and other attractions. For 2021, the Orlando Fun Spot America is debuting Sky Hawk, a 90-foot-tall swing ride.
Discovery Cove (Orlando)
SeaWorld Orlando’s sister attraction lets guests get up close and personal with dolphins and other animals for a unique theme park experience. Its somewhat expensive admission price includes all attractions, the swim-with-dolphins experience, meals, and a 14-day pass to either SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa, or Aquatica water park.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Lake Buena Vista)
The smallest of the four Walt Disney World parks, with the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is home to Disney World’s most thrill-packed rides. Two of its more recent additions, Toy Story Land and, especially, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, have made Disney’s Hollywood Studios much more popular.
Legoland Florida (Winter Haven)
The delightful Lego-themed park is designed for the 12-and-under set. Among the best things to do at Legoland Florida are Lego Ninjago the Ride, Miniland USA, the funny Lego Movie 4D, and the lovely Cypress Gardens, which is an ode to the park that once stood on the site. For 2021, the park introduced a new 4D movie, Journey to Mythica.
1. What can visitors do in Discovery Cove?| A．Watch a 4D movie. | B．Get close to dolphins. |
| C．Visit Toy Story Land. | D．Experience a swing ride. |
| A．In Kissimmee. | B．In Orlando. |
| C．In Lake Buena Vista. | D．In Winter Haven. |
| A．Fun Spot America. | B．Discovery Cove. |
| C．Disney’s Hollywood Studios. | D．Legoland Florida. |
8 . Online jobs have opened the door for many people to earn a living (谋生) or make some extra money from the comfort of their homes. This includes teens as well. If you’re looking for such a job, here are some choices you can consider.
Customer Service
If you are 16 years old and over, you have a chance to work with Uhaul as a customer service person. You just need to have a good pair of head-phones and high-speed Internet in order to do this job. Basic pay starts at $7.50an hour.
Sell Items Online
Selling items online is one of the easiest ways to make quick cash. Teens can turn it into a good business by selling things on Bonanza. You need to start sorting through (分类) items at your home that are no longer being used and list them for sale.
Take Surveys
Another easy task teens can do to earn money is to take surveys online. You don’t need any work experience to do this and can be as young as 13 years old to get started. Survey sites like VIP Voices, Swagbucks, Harris Poll, E-Poll, and Paid Viewpoint allow teens to start taking surveys for cash and gift cards. And your opinions should be expressed clearly in English.
Etsy
Do you love to make new things? You can open up an Etsy shop to share your works. Etsy is great for DIYers who can create new products. If you are under 18, you just need a parent who is willing to help manage your shop.
1. What does Bonanza allow teens to do?| A．Learn about computer science. | B．Make money out of their old items. |
| C．Test new products for customers. | D．Receive training in customer service. |
| A．Having a good knowledge of English. | B．Having a good pair of headphones. |
| C．Having some related work experience. | D．Having a wide range of interests. |
| A．They enjoy buying things online. | B．They are interested in history. |
| C．They have a creative mind. | D．They are good at collecting used things. |
9 . Students, teachers, and local community members are strongly encouraged to register online to receive real-time information of emergency events from Columbia University.
Text message warnings will only be used in rare cases where ongoing events cause an immediate threat or have a significant influence. Possible situations include severe weather conditions, emergency campus closures, crimes in progress that may endanger the community, and major transportation interruptions.
Read instructions on how to sign up for emergency notifications（通知）.
Columbia students
Columbia students can easily register for text message notifications. Simply enter Student Services Online, click on "Text Message Enrollment" and add your cellphone number. Students can register parents or family members by following the instructions for the public below.
Columbia teachers
Columbia teachers can register for text message notifications by following the step by step instructions below:
● Register with your UNI and password at my.columbia.edu.
● Select "Faculty & Staff" at the top of the page.
● Select "Contact Details".
● Click the "+" under "Phone".
● Select "Campus Alert 1".
● Enter your mobile number.
To receive emergency information on additional mobile phones, you may follow the above instructions for "Campus Alert 2" and "Campus Alert 3" for a total of three.
Community/General Public
Community/General Public interested in receiving emergency information from Columbia can sign up by clicking on the "Register" button on the registration page and entering their email and mobile number. Users will receive confirmation code（密码）on their phone and will need to confirm their account via email.
Users can choose not to use the Emergency Text Alert System at any time by texting STOP to 226787, calling 226789 or sending an email to lr27682@.cumc.columbia.edu.
1. Which is a possible situation where a text message will be sent?| A．The temperature will drop slightly tomorrow. |
| B．The campus will be closed during Christmas. |
| C．The main railway system of the city is interrupted. |
| D．A bank robber is being sentenced in the court of the city. |
| A．Selecting Campus Alert. | B．Entering mobile numbers. |
| C．Clicking "+" under "Phone". | D．Selecting "Faculty& Staff". |
| A．By sending an email. |
| B．By texting STOP to 226789. |
| C．By managing information online. |
| D．By making a phone call to 226787. |
10 . Once upon a time, there lived an ant and a grasshopper(蟋蟀)in a grass field by a river. The ant would work hard all day long from dawn to dusk
Soon summer
Suddenly he remembered about the ant and decided to
To this, the ant replied that she had worked hard in summer to save enough
| A．painting | B．cleaning | C．collecting | D．covering |
| A．finally | B．hardly | C．gradually | D．frequently |
| A．avoid | B．admit | C．ignore | D．forget |
| A．started | B．faded | C．belonged | D．appeared |
| A．long | B．short | C．quiet | D．noisy |
| A．hope | B．effort | C．faith | D．interest |
| A．time | B．place | C．desire | D．intention |
| A．good | B．strange | C．tough | D．smooth |
| A．visit | B．invite | C．reject | D．hire |
| A．praise | B．help | C．service | D．answer |
| A．for fun | B．in case | C．for use | D．in return |
| A．food | B．money | C．shelter | D．medicine |
| A．make | B．sell | C．earn | D．buy |
| A．waited | B．saved | C．helped | D．danced |
| A．nervous | B．careful | C．polite | D．lazy |
