1 . I must have always known reading was very important because the first memories I had as a child dealt with books. There was not one night that I don’t remember mom reading me a storybook by my bedside. I was extremely inspired by the elegant way the words sounded.
I always wanted to know what my mom was reading. Hearing mom say “I can’t believe what’s printed in the newspaper this morning” made me want to grab it out of her hands and read it myself. I wanted to be like my mom and know all of the things she knew. So I carried around a book, and each night, just to be like her. I would pretend to be reading.
This is how everyone learned to read. We would start off with sentences, then paragraphs, and then stories. It seemed an unending journey, but even as a six-year-old girl I realized that knowing how to read could open many doors. When mom said “The C-A-N-D-Y is hidden on the top shelf”, I knew where the candy was. My progress in reading raised my curiosity, and I wanted to know everything. I often found myself telling my mom to drive more slowly, so that I could read all of the road signs we passed.
Most of my reading through primary, middle and high school was factual reading. I read for knowledge, and to make A’s on my tests. Occasionally, I would read a novel that was assigned, but I didn’t enjoy this type of reading. I liked facts, things that are concrete. I thought anything abstract left too much room for argument.
Yet, now that I’m growing and the world I once knew as being so simple is becoming more complex I find myself needing a way to escape. By opening a novel, I can leave behind my burdens and enter into a wonderful and mysterious world where I am now a new character. In these worlds I can become anyone. I don’t have to write down what happened or what technique the author was using when he or she wrote this. I just read to relax.
We’re taught to read because it’s necessary for much of human understanding. Reading is a vital part of my life. Reading satisfies my desire to keep learning. And I’ve found that the possibilities that lie within books are limitless.
1. Why did the author want to take the newspaper suddenly out of mom’s hands?A.She was dying to know what had happened. |
B.She wanted mom to read the news to her. |
C.She couldn’t wait to destroy the newspaper. |
D.She couldn’t help but stop mom from reading. |
A.Her special way to find a place. |
B.Her eagerness to develop her reading ability. |
C.Her effort to remind mom to respect traffic rules. |
D.Her growing desire to know the world around her. |
A.A way to develop a love for learning. | B.A way to create a mysterious land |
C.A way to get away from a confusing world. | D.A way to learn about the adult world. |
A.The Methods of Reading | B.Growing Up with Reading |
C.The Process of Reading | D.Reading Makes a Full Man |
2 . Kelly Roundtree was playing darts (飞镖) with his daughter on the balcony of his lakeside home on Aug. 1 when he heard calls for help coming from the other side of Stansbury Lake.
At first, Roundtree said he thought it might be children playing, but after another
He then
Officials say the paralyzed (瘫痪的) woman had rolled into the lake while
“911 had already been
While officials are
A.dance | B.laughter | C.cry | D.sleep |
A.wrong | B.interesting | C.missing | D.huge |
A.detected | B.noticed | C.heard | D.sensed |
A.decision | B.confusion | C.expansion | D.hesitation |
A.jumped into | B.moved into | C.stepped into | D.skipped into |
A.walked | B.drove | C.cycled | D.flew |
A.invited | B.ordered | C.expected | D.directed |
A.belted | B.addicted | C.locked | D.absorbed |
A.roughly | B.softly | C.barely | D.visually |
A.hand | B.head | C.heart | D.hair |
A.treated | B.ignored | C.suspected | D.informed |
A.story | B.novel | C.legend | D.trend |
A.dizzily | B.happily | C.safely | D.humbly |
A.appointing | B.recognizing | C.selecting | D.criticizing |
A.office | B.rank | C.position | D.habitat |
3 . Fremont, Calif. , is the happiest city in the United States, according to a new WalletHub survey. There is no one way to define happiness or what causes it, but WalletHub researchers determined that people in the Bay Area city are content, in part, because of income.
According to the survey, about 80 percent of Fremont residents (居民) have an annual household income of over $75, 000—the most out of the 182 largest cities in the country. A landmark 2010 study found that increased income is linked to happiness up to a point—$ 75, 000 a year.
“A person living in poverty is, on average, less happy than a person who: makes enough money to pay the bills, have adequate health care, save a little, and take the occasional vacation,” said Matthew Joseph, an associate professor at Duquesne University. “And those in the top 1 percent are, on average, likely a good bit happier than the first person in poverty but only slightly happier (if at all) compared to the second person.”
However, another 2021 study contradicts (相矛盾) that study's findings, showing that people continue to report being happier even if their income climbs past this number.
Fremont residents also report high rates of life satisfaction and low rates of depression, the survey found. Most people in the city also, on average, have lived for a long time.
Another factor contributing to Fremont's happiness level is the city's. low separation and divorce rate—8. 9 percent, which is the lowest in the country.
Fremont residents also seem to be taking care of themselves psychologically (心理上) , according to the survey, since it has the lowest share of adults reporting 14 or more mentally unhealthy days in the past month.
1. What do the numbers in Paragraph 2 show?A.Fremont residents are the happiest in the world. |
B.There is no link between income and happiness. |
C.80% of Fremont residents earn less than $75, 000 annually. |
D.Fremont has the highest income among large cities in the country. |
A.More money equals more happiness. |
B.The top 1% are much happier than the poor. |
C.Rich people are a lot healthier than the poor. |
D.Economic security leads to more happiness than poverty. |
A.High income. | B.Long life. |
C.Low divorce rate. | D.Low separation rate. |
A.To describe. | B.To entertain. | C.To inform. | D.To advertise. |
4 . People who eat just two servings of red meat per week may have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes (糖尿病) compared to people who eat fewer servings, and the risk increases with greater consumption, according to a new study led by researchers from Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health.
While previous studies have found a link between red meat consumption and type 2 diabetes risk, this study, which analyzed a large number of type 2 diabetes cases among participants being followed for an extended period of years, adds a greater level of certainty about the association.
Type 2 diabetes rates are increasing rapidly in the U.S. and worldwide. The disease is not only a serious burden, but also a major risk factor for kidney disease, cancer, and dementia.
For this study, the researchers analyzed health data from 216,695 participants from the Nurses' Health Study, and Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Diet was assessed with food frequency questionnaires every two to four years, for up to 36 years. During this time, more than 22,000 participants developed type 2 diabetes.
The researchers found that consumption of red meat, including processed and unprocessed red meat, was strongly associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Participants who ate the most red meat had a 62% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who ate the least. Every additional daily serving of processed red meat was associated with a 46% greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes and every additional daily serving of unprocessed red meat was associated with a 24% greater risk.
The researchers also assessed the potential effects of substituting one daily serving of red meat for another protein source. They found that substituting with a serving of nuts was associated with a 30% lower risk of type 2 diabetes, and substituting with a serving of dairy products was associated with a 22% lower risk.
In addition to health benefits, substituting red meat for healthy plant protein sources would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions: and climate change, and provide other environmental benefits, according to the researchers.
1. What sets the new study apart from previous research?A.Different focus areas. | B.Scientists from Harvard. |
C.Unique research methods and findings. | D.More participants and longer follow-up period: |
A.By describing the research process. | B.By presenting the data of health risk. |
C.By providing background information. | D.By comparing different kinds of meat. |
A.Adding. | B.Decreasing. | C.Swapping. | D.Ignoring. |
A.A medical journal. | B.A cook book. |
C.A science fiction. | D.A fashion magazine. |
5 . When people ask about my journey of learning Cantonese, I recount a path fueled by endless curiosity and a strong desire to connect with a lively culture.
Growing up in a Russian family, my interest in languages blossomed thanks to my father, who was a language enthusiast. It was during a cultural appreciation class in junior high that I was first introduced to Hong Kong films, famous for their characteristic action-packed dramas and storytelling styles. However, what truly fascinated me was the uniqueness of the Cantonese language, sparking a deep urge within me to explore it and the rich culture it represents. This marked the start of an exciting linguistic adventure.
Learning Cantonese presented challenges, including unfamiliar characters, complex tones, and different grammar structures, yet I persevered. Immersed in textbooks and available online courses, I practiced the tones every day until my pronunciation flowed naturally. Cantonese dramas and music also played a role in familiarizing me with its rhythm.
To truly grasp the essence of Cantonese, I realized that self-study wasn’t enough—I needed firsthand experience. Thus, I took a gap year to journey to Hong Kong, a city featuring the lively heartbeat of Cantonese culture. Buried in its busy streets and daily conversations, from casual chats to food ordering, I found myself enveloped in a linguistic wonderland. Within a few months, my Cantonese skills grew rapidly, boosting my confidence significantly.
My explorations extended beyond the streets. I attended formal language classes that offered professional guidance. Through hard work, I successfully completed all the courses in Cantonese Linguistics. From then on, I’ve been passionately committed to spreading the Cantonese culture, ensuring its richness reaches a wider audience.
Today, I continue my Cantonese voyage with unflagging (无穷的) enthusiasm. It has transformed into more than just a linguistic pursuit; it gives me a passport to sincere connections, deep insights, and heartfelt admiration for its one-of-a-kind culture.
1. What truly inspired the author to learn Cantonese?A.His teacher’s recommendation. | B.Influence of friends and family. |
C.The uniqueness of the language. | D.His interest in Hong Kong films. |
A.To explore tourist attractions. | B.To pursue career opportunities. |
C.To attend formal language classes. | D.To immerse himself in Cantonese culture. |
A.Curious and creative. | B.Determined and adventurous. |
C.Outgoing and helpful. | D.Tolerant and passionate. |
A.Cantonese’s Charm | B.A Journey to Hong Kong |
C.Embracing Cantonese | D.The Power of Curiosity |
6 . The Best Hidden Beaches in the UK
Nanjizal Beach, Cornwall
Due to its remote location, stunning Nanjizal Beach is usually very quiet. You can reach it by walking along a pretty coastal path from Porthgwarra. The beach has caves to explore and an old watermill to see. It takes about 30 minutes to walk there from Porthgwarra, but it's worth it. The water is shallow and turquoise (蓝绿色的), perfect for a swim. You can bring your dog too because dogs are welcome here all year round.
Rhu Point, Scotland
Rhu Point in Scotland has beautiful white sand and blue water. It’s an isolated beach that you can get to by walking. If the weather is good, you can see great views of the Cuillin on Skye. There are rock pools to look in, and you can find shells on the shore. Keep an eye out for birds and marine animals like sea otters. It’s a lovely place to go for a holiday.
Steephill Cove, Isle of Wight
Steephill Cove on the Isle of Wight is a cute little fishing cove. You can get there by taking a ferry. It has colorful beach huts and sandy beaches. You can watch fishermen and explore rock pools. There are also nice walks nearby with beautiful views. If you walk to Ventnor, you’ll find shops and restaurants. It’s a nice place for a family holiday.
Bamburgh Beach, Northumbria
Bamburgh Beach in Northumbria is famous for its big castle. The beach is long and sandy, perfect for walks and playing in the sand. It’s also good for surfing if you like that. You can see rare birds and seals there. There are also rock pools and sand dunes to explore. It's a nice place to visit if you like nature and history.
1. What do Nanjizal Beach and Rhu Point have in common?A.Both are dog-friendly. | B.Both are located in remote areas. |
C.Both feature beautiful white water. | D.Both have numerous caves to explore. |
A.Nanjizal Beach. | B.Rhu Point. |
C.Bamburgh Beach. | D.Steephill Cove. |
A.It is suitable for walks. | B.It is accessible only by ferry. |
C.It has a large building to explore. | D.It offers rock pools to appreciate. |
7 . My friend and I recently took an art class together through our town’s community education program. Our classmates were a mix of ages, stages of life, and experience with making art. We stood out in the class—not for our artistic talent, but for our consistent encouragement of ourselves, each other, and the group. It got me thinking how encouragement had become a routine.
It became something of a joke between the two of us to compliment(赞美) each other, offer a positive comment when another student showed his or her work, and generally chat around the table about how fun our project was going. But reflecting back, our positivist was anything but a joke. It was a bright light in my week, a space where I knew I could be surrounded with kindness, gentleness, and positivist.
Here’s the most special thing about it; my friend’s and my positive conversation wasn’t just encouraging, it was true. We didn’t go for cheap or false compliments like, “This painting should be in a museum!” Instead, we went for authentic(真实的) expressions of support and encouragement, like, “I love how you did that cloud!”
Over time, the class became something of a sacred space, because we had made a habit of using encouraging, supportive language. Sentence-starters like, “I like,” “I appreciate,” “I want to try”, kept us present, positive, and honest.
The encouragement also kept us engaged in the work of making art. I feel sure that I learned more—and practiced more at home—because the activity was shown in such consistently positive terms, grounded in a growth mindset, self-acceptance, and encouragement.
Having a friend to share an encouragement habit is fantastic, but you can practice it on your own as well. Compliment yourself in the mirror every morning. Keep a running “great work.” list of thing? you are doing well today. Trust in your ability to find something loving—and true-to comment today and every day.
1. What do we know about the author’s classmates?A.They admired those talented in art. |
B.They didn’t take art class seriously. |
C.They were of the same artistic level. |
D.They were on good terms in the class. |
A.By showing false compliments to others. |
B.By decorating their class as a museum. |
C.By displaying abstract art works in the class. |
D.By offering supportive language around them. |
A.It made him hopeful and confident. |
B.It needed to provide more practice. |
C.It was cheap and easy to carry out. |
D.It promoted his communication skills. |
A.To introduce a community education program. |
B.To call for good action to support those in need |
C.To describe how to make encouragement a habit. |
D.To comment on the power of authentic expressions. |
8 . There’re plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables available in local markets. But while those red juicy strawberries look fresh, consumers have no way of knowing how long the fruit can be stored at home. The same goes for distribution centers and supermarkets.
Now, the food technology startup OneThird, located in the Netherlands, is looking to change that with an infrared (红外线) scanner that can accurately predict how long fresh fruits and vegetables will last. The startup is named OneThird because one-third of food is wasted due to spoilage (变质) every year.
The startup’s founders were inspired by a UK company that uses this type of technology in the medical field and decided to see if it was applicable for food. “I looked at the challenges in the food-supply chain and found out that 40 percent of food waste is fresh produce. One of the biggest causes of waste is that nobody knows shelf life.” founder and CEO of OneThird, Marco Snikkers said.
Quality inspections at farms and distribution centers are done manually (手动地). An inspector checks the fruits and vegetables and makes notes about the size and quality. Then the food is sent to consumers without considering travel time or how long the produce will remain usable.
Using the infrared scanner at the distribution center means that inspectors can use the information to approve shipments that will ensure the produce can be distributed on a timely basis. This means that a shipment of rip e tomatoes will not be sent long distances away.
OneThird’s scanner combines the technology of optical scanners, image modeling, and Artificial Intelligence to provide accurate shelf-life predictions.
The startup found that the technology can reduce up to 25 percent produce waste that was caused by spoilage. “Global food waste has an enormous environmental impact; reducing global food waste cuts global greenhouse gas emissions and promotes global food security,” said Jacob Smith, a climate expert from the University of Maine.
1. What problem does OneThird aim to solve?A.The high cost of storing fresh fruits and vegetables. |
B.Inefficient quality inspections at distribution centers. |
C.Food waste caused by uncertainty about its shelf life. |
D.Consumers’ difficulty judging the freshness of produce. |
A.The use of the device in another field. | B.Observation of the food-supply chain. |
C.Consumer demands for fresher produce. | D.Experts’advice on food waste reduction. |
A.They are time-consuming and costly. | B.They are not performed at a regular time. |
C.The inspectors tend to make wrong judgement. | D.The shipping time is not taken into consideration. |
A.Approving. | B.Doubtful. | C.Tolerant. | D.Dismissive. |
9 . Some people say he is a hero. Some people say he is stupid. Emmanuel Tulor thinks he did the
That day, Musu Yancy, the businesswoman who had lost the money, went on the radio
Tulor said that while many Liberians are praising his actions, others couldn't
Tulor
A.strange | B.foolish | C.right | D.wrong |
A.owner | B.police | C.person | D.school |
A.hard | B.poor | C.happy | D.easy |
A.borrow | B.pick | C.produce | D.make |
A.wandering | B.approaching | C.driving | D.parading |
A.dropped | B.placed | C.buried | D.forgotten |
A.shocked | B.excited | C.content | D.curious |
A.check | B.donate | C.hide | D.keep |
A.shouting | B.crying | C.arguing | D.complaining |
A.award | B.room | C.reward | D.prize |
A.help | B.understand | C.save | D.recognize |
A.opportunity | B.target | C.choice | D.tradition |
A.only | B.still | C.seldom | D.even |
A.ignore | B.seek | C.return | D.report |
A.share | B.accept | C.tolerate | D.purchase |
10 . Recently scientists have announced some good news: Several important tuna (金枪鱼) species have stepped back from the edge of extinction.
Two bluefin tuna species, a yellowfin, and an albacore are no. longer seriously endangered or have moved off the leading international list of endangered species entirely.
The unexpectedly fast recovery speaks to the success of efforts over the past decade to end overfishing. But tuna are not the only species scientists are thinking carefully at the 2021 World Conservation Congress in Marseille, France, which is organized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Researchers warn that many other sea species continued to be imperiled. For example, more than a third of the world’s sharks are still threatened with extinction due to overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change.
“I think the good news is that sustainable (可持续的) fishing industry is possible,” says Beth Polidoro, a biologist at Arizona State University. “We can eat fish without reducing the population to the point where it is on the road to dying out or extinction.” At the same time, she warns that the recovery should not encourage us to catch as many fish as we want. “We need to keep doing what’s working.” Polidoro adds.
The IUCN, which determines the world’s most endangered species on its Red List of Threatened Species, also announced at the meeting that some animals are moving in the other direction, onto the Red List. Like the Komodo dragon, an lizard (蜥蜴), it is at particular risk from climate change.
Of course, the work of protection is never over, and it will require close and continuous attention to make sure neither tuna nor Komodo dragons return to the edge of dying out. But for now, people can celebrate a few wins for the animal world.
1. What is the good news about tuna?A.They have been removed from the list of endangered species. |
B.The fishing of tuna has been put to an end completely. |
C.The population of some tuna species has recovered. |
D.The number of some tuna species increases slowly. |
A.Dangerous. | B.Sustainable. |
C.Disappointing. | D.Endangered. |
A.To introduce a topic. | B.To make a comparison. |
C.To explain an idea. | D.To give an example. |
A.Positive. | B.Concerned. | C.Critical. | D.Doubtful. |