1 . Fu Lei’s Family Letters is a book of letters written by Chinese translator and writer Fu Lei to his elder son Fu Cong, who is a famous pianist. Between 1954 and 1966, Fu Cong spent a lot of time away from home training as a piano player. As a result, writing letters became Fu Lei’s usual way of communicating with his elder son. Fu Min, Fu Lei’s younger son edited the letters and the book came out in 1981.

The book shows Fu Lei’s family tradition and value. To Fu Lei, the purpose of education of a person, is to make that person useful to the society. Fu Lei praised his son Fu Cong after winning a piano competition. Fu Lei wrote, “We are happy because you make your country proud. I am so excited when I think about your future. You will make great progress and serve more people, encourage them and heal them.”

In the family letters, Fu Cong was also advised to read famous Chinese texts. When reading these books, Fu Cong was told to connect ideas and feelings together, for that would help him become a better person. To Fu Lei, learning to be a good person comes before any academic training.

Fu Lei’s Family Letters has a great impact on people in China because it helps many young students understand how they should live their lives.

1. Who edited Fu Lei’s family letters?

A．Fu Lei.

B．Fu Cong.

C．Fu Min.

D．A translator.

2. What can we learn from Fu Lei’s Family Letters?

A．Fu Lei’s family tradition and value are shown in the book.

B．People in the 1950s communicated with each other by books.

C．It’s difficult for parents to make their children well educated.

D．Praising children after taking part in a competition is important.

3. What did Fu Lei think of Fu Cong’s future?

A．It would be uncertain.

B．It would be hopeful.

C．It would be difficult.

D．It would be interesting.

4. Why was Fu Cong advised to read famous Chinese texts?

A．To be a richer man.

B．To do more academic training.

C．To help more people.

D．To become a better person.

2 . 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.

2. What is Angie’s father’s opinion of her?

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.

3. Which of the following words can best describe Angie?

A．Artistic and caring.	B．Humorous and kind.
C．Independent and proud.	D．Knowledgeable and helpful.

4. What does the story intend to tell us?

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.

3 . There are hundreds of great national nature reserves in China. Now feast your eyes on the following amazing ones.

Qinghai Lake National Nature Reserve

Qinghai Lake, China’s largest saltwater lake in Qinghai Province, is a key body of water for lots of animals and birds. As an important stopover, migratory birds (候鸟) would rest in this area during their movement trip every year. The reserve became a national nature reserve in the year of 1997.

Bayanbulak National Nature Reserve

The only Bayanbulak Wetland, in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is at the foot of Tianshan Mountains, which makes itself suitable for migratory birds. Bayanbulak means “rich spring water” in Mongolian, meaning that the area is rich in water. Every year, swans (天鹅) from different places fly here for nesting, which became a national swan reserve in 1986.

Rongcheng Swan National Nature Reserve

As one of the largest wintering places for swans in China, this reserve in Shandong Province mainly protects whooper swans (大天鹅), which make it different from other nature reserves. In 2007, it was changed into a national nature reserve. Now every year, thousands of whooper swans arrive here to spend the winter, making it an important resting and wintering place for themselves.

Sanya Coral Reef (珊瑚礁) National Marine Nature Reserve

This reserve focuses on protecting coral reefs and their living environment in Sanya City, Hainan Province. In 1990, it became a national nature reserve. This reserve is on the coast, so the area of the reserve has good water quality and many kinds of creatures,

1. What do the first reserve and the second reserve have in common?

A．The area of wetland.	B．The geography of them.
C．The year of becoming the national reserve.	D．The friendly environment for migratory birds.

2. What makes the Rongcheng Swan National Nature Reserve special?

A．Its saltwater lake.	B．The whooper swans.
C．Its rich spring water.	D．The warm climate.

3. Which place best suits coral lovers?

A．Bayanbulak National Nature Reserve.	B．Qinghai Lake National Nature Reserve.
C．Rongcheng Swan National Nature Reserve.	D．Sanya Coral Reef National Marine Nature Reserve,

4 . When I was a child, there was nothing I loved more than painting. It was my. ________ of joy. I could spend hours being lost in my ________ , bringing to life the images in my mind.

However, after graduating from college, the ________ of work took hold. The hobby that filled my childhood with happiness ________ faded away (逐渐消失).

One sunny day I found myself ________ in a nearby park. I. ________ a group of children sitting together, their eyes. ________ wonder and their hands covered in paint. They were laughing describing their dreams on ________ , and at that moment, I was transported back to my own childhood.

________ those kids, I realized that I had lost something precious (宝贵的) along the way. It was time to reconnect with the ________ within, to rediscover the world of colours and imagination. Despite the ________ life, I decided to pick up my brushes and ________ to the world of art.

Painting has become a way to ________ the beautiful moments of my life, whether it is a golden sunset, a beautiful flower, or a lazy afternoon. I paint not to become a famous artist, but to ________ the joy of my childhood, to ________ the simple pleasures of life, and to hold onto the magical world of imagination.

1.

A．price

B．source

C．flash

D．result

2.

A．imagination

B．homework

C．fear

D．confusion

3.

A．excitement

B．power

C．pressure

D．expectation

4.

A．gradually

B．probably

C．wildly

D．hopefully

5.

A．chatting

B．sweating

C．cheating

D．walking

6.

A．taught

B．noticed

C．recognized

D．remembered

7.

A．waiting for

B．begging for

C．filled with

D．alarmed with

8.

A．paper

B．wood

C．books

D．novels

9.

A．Watching

B．Holding

C．Helping

D．Checking

10.

A．architect

B．soldier

C．adult

D．artist

11.

A．free

B．quiet

C．busy

D．boring

12.

A．agree

B．adapt

C．refer

D．return

13.

A．plan

B．record

C．face

D．recover

14.

A．reduce

B．balance

C．relive

D．destroy

15.

A．trap

B．appreciate

C．expect

D．hide

5 . A new song by the famous band The Beatles has been released despite half of the band members no longer being alive, thanks to the help of AI.

The Beatles was a legendary British rock band that remained second to Elvis Presley from the 1960s. It was made up of four musicians—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. The new song, titled Now and Then, is unique because it combined the singing of McCartney and Starr with Lennon, who passed away in 1980, and the guitar skills of Harrison, who passed away in 2001.

The song was initially written and partly recorded by Lennon in the late 1970s and further developed by band mates years later but as technology then was limited, they didn’t release it due to the sound quality not being satisfying.

Peter Jackson, most famous for directing The Lord of the Rings, directed the music video for Norw and Then and it can be watched now online. It was thanks to new Al audio restoration (音频修复) technology that Peter Jackson allowed the four band members to “come together” one last time.

Since its release last week, the song has been well received in the UK. Beatles fans around the world favoured this historic musical event.

”Now and Then is an absolutely heart-warming piece of work, “posted Liam Gallagher, whose hits were affected by The Beatles’ musical style.

Of course, there are those who are not totally interested in the song. ”Now and Then is not terrible. But honestly, it’s kind of boring, “Geoff Edgers wrote in The Washington Post.

The Times in the UK said the song showed Al being used to its best advantage.

1. Why was the song “Now and Then” not released at first?

A．The song was not completed.	B．The sound quality was not good enough.
C．The band members did not like the song.	D．The song was let out before its official release.

2. How did Peter Jackson contribute to the song?

A．He wrote and recorded the song.

B．He invented new audio restoration technology.

C．He restored the band members’ sound using AI.

D．He played the guitar on the recording.

3. What is the attitude of The Times towards the release of Now and Then?

A．Supportive.

B．Curious.

C．Unfavourable.

D．Unclear.

4. What is the best title of the text?

A．The Beatles Remains Second to Elvis Presley

B．Beatles Fans Welcome the New Song of The Beatles

C．Peter Jnckson Directed the Music Video for The Beatles

D．The Beatles Released a New Song with the Help of Al

6 . Sierra Leone Tour

Sierra Leone is a country on the rise, with new flights, a first-ever ecotourism journey, and national park accommodations coming in 2024. Visit before everyone else you know catches on. Perhaps the most exciting development is Sierra Leone’s push to protect and show its wildlife, with new experiences for travellers.

It will offer first-ever accommodations at two important sites: A pair of lake hotels have opened at southeastern river island of Jaibui; you can also choose tent stay at Loma Mountains National Park.

	Single 1 room	2 people 1 room
Lake hotel	$350/per room	$550/per room
Tent stay	$200/per room	$400/per room

The sun shines down on Sierra Leone throughout the year! Set in the southern hemisphere (南半球), Sierra Leone can be quite cold in the dry winter months, with temperatures often dropping below the freezing point (冰点). The time between June and October is best for Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone is home to Mount Bintumani, the tallest peak (顶峰) in West Africa west of Mount Cameroon with a great number of endangered animal and bird species like the bizarre-looking White-necked Rockfowl, perfect for birdwatchers. But please note that there is no way for you to request changes to the accommodations. And tourists must be above 3 years old.

1. How much shall a person pay for one room in the Lake hotel?

A．$200.

B．$350.

C．$400.

D．$550.

2. When is the best time to visit Sierra Leone?

A．April.

B．May.

C．September.

D．November.

3. What can we learn about the tour?

A．It accepts tourists of any age.

B．It is suitable for observing birds.

C．Tourists can request changes to the accommodations.

D．Tourists have a chance to admire the tallest mountain in Africa.

7 . Scientists have reported that the sea ice in Antarctica (南极) is at a record low level. Antarctica is a great, icy land, surrounded (围绕) by the huge Southern Ocean. The ice in Antarctica doesn’t just cover the land. There’s also a large area of sea ice on the ocean’s surface.

Every year, the sea ice at the South Pole goes through a cycle. In the summer, the huge sea ice melts (融化) to its smallest point. Over the colder winter months, the sea ice grows and grows until it covers a wide area. Usually, the sea ice covers the greatest area around September 23, as winter ends at the South Pole.

Scientists have been measuring the area of the sea ice in Antarctica since 1979. For most of this time, Antarctica has seemed to be almost unaffected by the changing weather conditions experienced in other parts of the globe. That began to change around 2016. Now, for several years, the area of Antartica’s sea ice has been shrinking.

This year, the US National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC) reported that Antartica’s sea ice covered its greatest area on September 10 — almost two weeks earlier than normal. And the sea ice was at a new record low-not just by a little bit, but by a lot.

The last time Antartica’s low sea ice set a record at the end of winter was in 1986. And this year, there’s about 398, 000 square miles less sea ice than in 1986.

Scientists are still trying to understand what is driving the change in Antarctica. One likely direct cause for the change is the rising temperatures of the world’s oceans. Ted Scambos, a research scientist at the University of Colorado, says Antarctica’s ice levels have always changed some, but the sharp loss this year is “pointing towards warmer ocean conditions around the continent.”

The new low record has concerned the scientists. Scientists are working hard to better understand Antarctica. They don’t know yet if this is just a short-term problem, or part of a long-term shift (转变) towards less sea ice in Antarctica.

1. What does the underlined word “shrinking” mean in Paragraph 3?

A．Getting smaller.

B．Being flat.

C．Observed.

D．Measured.

2. Why does the author mention the record in 1986?

A．To give an example.	B．To make a comparison.
C．To make a summary.	D．To offer an argument.

3. What is the possible direct reason for the change in Antarctica’s sea ice?

A．The changing weather conditions.	B．Human activities in Antarctica.
C．Increased volcanic activities in the area.	D．The increasing temperatures of the global oceans.

4. How do scientists feel about the low record?

A．Worried.

B．Annoyed.

C．Excited.

D．Satisfied.

8 . A short period of sleep taken during the day is known as a nap. Naps don’t just have benefits for adults at work, though. They could also help pupils to make the most of their school day. Studies have shown that a 20 to 30-minute “beauty sleep” makes people more alert and focused. This improves people’s ability to remember new information, which would help school children concentrate during lessons. Experts say that napping also improves brain functions, such as memory and the ability to complete difficult tasks.

The school day starts early, which means that pupils don’t always get enough sleep because there’s no chance to have a lie-in. Adding naptime during the school day would help exhausted pupils to make up for any sleep they’ve lost from getting up so early.

There are long-term benefits to taking a short nap, too. According to a recent study from University College London, the brains of people who have regular naps are bigger than those who don’t. People’s brains naturally shrink when they grow old, and the results showed that little sleeps can help people’s brains to age more slowly.

Although a nap can seem like a good idea, going to sleep for too long can actually make you feel worse. It’s not very pleasant to wake up from a daytime nap feeling confused and sleepy. Napping during the day can also have a negative impact on how well you sleep at night. This can create a cycle of not being able to sleep as well at night, leaving you feeling even more tired in the daytime. Sleep expert Dr Clete Kushida said, “It’s generally recommended to maximize sleep at night.”

Another consideration is that there really isn’t time in the school day for pupils to go to sleep. Some parents and teachers are concerned that it would cause children to miss too much lesson time. Pupils might take advantage of the system and use their need for a nap as an excuse to get out of lessons.

So, what do you think? Should school allow kids to have naps, or should you wait until the evening to catch up on your sleep?

1. It can be inferred from the passage that ________.

A．children need more naps than adults do

B．naps improve memory, efficiency and beauty

C．both children and adults are equally in need of naps

D．naps can bring more benefits to children than to adults

2. According to the passage, napping for too long is not advisable because ________.

A．it may affect a healthier cycle of sleep

B．school kids will feel too sleepy to wake up

C．it can’t make up for the sleep lost from waking up early

D．it extends the school day for kids to have enough lessons

3. Which of the following statements can be learned about taking naps according to the passage?

A．It’s better for babies to have as many daytime naps as possible.

B．Regular naps can slow the rate at which brains shrink with age.

C．There’s no need to guarantee night sleep if one has regular naps.

D．Different from teachers, parents want their kids to have naptimes.

4. Which of the following might be the best title for the passage?

A．Should Schools Have Naptimes?	B．How Could Naptimes Benefit Kids?
C．Are Kids Losing Too Much Sleep?	D．Do You Get Enough Daytime Sleep?

9 . Some places are to be appreciated and visited during the winter months, with fresh layers of snow transforming already beautiful landscapes into wonderlands. Read on to discover these winter resorts around the world that are enough to wake you up.

Gullfoss Waterfall, Iceland

The falls are especially impressive in winter. It has two impressive layers, reaching up to 36 feet and 69 feet, and it’s quite dramatic to see the golden light reflected off its steep water at sunset. If you want to catch a sight of the polar lights on your trip, you can also see it from September to mid-April in Iceland.

Tromso, Norway

Tromso is a charming fishing village and energetic university town. Located on the Norwegian Sea off the northern coast of Norway, Tromso is particularly suitable for winter holidays as it is a popular gateway to the Arctic Circle. Surrounded by picturesque glaciers (冰川), the winter landscape of this region is unforgettable. You can also take part in many guided tours designed around the local Sami culture and maritime history.

Banff National Park, Canada

As Canada’s first national park, Banff National Park offers excellent views of the snow- covered Canadian Rockies. Located about two hours’drive from Calgary, the park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with cross-country skiing opportunities.

Crater Lake National Park, United States

Crater Lake National Park, about a four-hour drive south of Portland, Oregon, is especially notable during the winter when the volcano lake is covered in snow. Crater Lake was formed as a result of a volcanic eruption some 7,700 years ago and is now a must-see for travelers seeking natural experiences, such as camping and cross-country skiing.

1. Where will you go if you are interested in Sami culture?

A．Gullfoss Waterfall.	B．Banff National Park.
C．Tromso.	D．Crater Lake National Park.

2. What do Banff National Park and Crater Lake National Park have in common?

A．They feature the polar lights.	B．They offer cross-country skiing.
C．They are formed by volcanic eruptions.	D．They are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

3. What’s the purpose of the text?

A．To share winter travel tips.	B．To ask us to enjoy delights of nature.
C．To persuade people to come to Iceland.	D．To recommend winter tourist attractions.

10 . For many years, Croatian-American recording artist Nenad Bach toured the world performing with famous musicians like Bono and Pavarotti. Everything came to a stop in 2010, however, when Nenad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease — a progressive disease that affects a person’s movement.

“I love music,” he said. “When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2010, I didn’t know what it was. Five years later, I couldn’t even play the guitar.”

One day, a friend of Nenad’s asked him to play ping-pong with him, and Nenad said yes. The effects were immediate and positive: he woke up the next day filled with a “desire to live”, and his physical and mental issues had improved. Encouraged, he kept playing.

For months he told everyone around him about how ping-pong was helping his Parkinson’s, but his praise fell on deaf ears. Finally, he took matters into his own hands and started hosting Ping Pong Parkinson’s events at the Westchester Table Tennis Center in Pleasantville, New York. Once the events attracted enough attention, he started an organization called Ping Pong Parkinson (PPP) in March 2017.

PPP hopes to encourage people living with Parkinson’s to play ping-pong for its benefits. In addition to promoting social connectivity, PPP also says that it increases neuroplasticity (神经可塑性) which creates new neural pathways in the brain. Nenad has seen evidence of this with his own eyes many times in the past years. He said that their “facial expression changes from when they arrive until they leave. In addition, some people start walking again.”

Nenad has made spreading the word about the power of ping-pong his new life’s work! He hopes others will take up the sport and see the same improvements he’s enjoyed since the first time he picked up a paddle (乒乓球拍).

1. What happened to Nenad in 2015?

A．His disease got worse.	B．He learned to perform.
C．He began to play the guitar.	D．His acting journey ended.

2. What caused Nenad to have hopes for life again?

A．Organizing social events.	B．Taking his mind off his work.
C．Setting up Ping Pong Parkinson.	D．Playing ping-pong with his friend.

3. What was people’s attitude to Nenad’s words about ping-pong at first?

A．Uncertain.

B．Favorable.

C．Uninterested.

D．Curious.

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

A．Nenad’s fighting against Parkinson

B．The benefits of playing ping-pong

C．The severity of Parkinson’s disease

D．The sporting experience of Nenad