1 . Some immigrants (外来移民) in the northeastern part of the US, Maine, are learning to lose their accents. They speak English fluently but have a difficult time being understood because they have heavy accents.
Nyirabahizi said she left her home and job in Rwanda two years ago, coming to America in hopes of a brighter future. She has a master’s degree in computer science and speaks English fluently. She said all of her classes in Rwanda were taught in English, but here she had to learn again because of her accent.
She attended a free class to reduce her accent with seven other students. The city of Portland conducted the class and Greenlaw was the teacher. She said immigrants who had reduced their accents had greater success at work. And they could communicate more easily with store workers, teachers, doctors and neighbors. “It’s a basic need to be understood,” Greenlaw told the newspaper, “It affects every part of their lives.”
Greenlaw began the class by telling students the 44 sounds of the English language. She told the students how the lips and jaws worked to form the sound. She told the students that some American English pronunciation rules didn’t make a lot of sense. But she said it was important to learn them if immigrants wanted to be understood by Americans.
Losing one’s accent is especially important for immigrants who live in Maine. More than 90 percent of the population of Maine are whites. Many people who live in Maine have not heard foreign accents except in movies or on televisions.
Greenlaw said some Mainers were impatient with people who spoke English with heavy accents. Her students said some Mainers ignored them or were unfriendly toward them because of their accents. They said this made them less likely to speak.
1. Why do some immigrants have difficulty making themselves understood?| A．Their classes aren’t taught in English. | B．They don’t master English at school. |
| C．They speak English with heavy accents. | D．They don’t speak English fluently. |
| A．To change their low social positions. | B．To hide their identities of immigrants. |
| C．To forget their native languages. | D．To help them better work and communicate. |
| A．Grateful. | B．Cold. | C．Doubtful. | D．Supportive. |
| A．Immigrants Learn to Change Their Accents | B．Immigrants Are Required to Speak Well |
| C．Heavy Accents Cause Failures | D．Good English Makes Success |
2 . When I was 12 years old, I already knew that my teen years were going to be the worst years of my life. I was a total outsider, bullied (欺凌) at school. I felt completely alone in my small town.
But by starting to do volunteer work when I was 14, I turned my problem into a passion for helping others. The opportunity to practice kindness made me feel like my life had a greater purpose. The more positive energy I shared, the more kindness and appreciation I received. I realized that my purpose in life would be to reach out to people, specifically teenagers, and help them feel less alone.
Books were my true friends back then. I was so thankful that the authors wrote those books. The kindness they offered me with their books saved my life. One of my biggest dreams was to become an author so I could write books that would help other teenagers the way those books helped me.
After surviving terrible experiences at school and at home, I made a choice to take the optimistic, positive road in the next steps of my journey. My dream career, one I thought was only possible for the authors I loved, is what I am doing now. I have been a full-time author of teen novels since 2007 and am grateful for this amazing opportunity to reach out to readers every single day.
Kindness saved me when I needed help the most. Even small acts of kindness can change someone’s life. You never know what someone else is going through. But by practicing daily kindness, you become an architect of positive change.
1. What was the author’s life like when he was 12?| A．Boring. | B．Peaceful. | C．Painful. | D．Meaningful. |
| A．It made him popular in his town. | B．It helped him find the meaning of life. |
| C．It helped him understand others’ lives better. | D．It helped to shape his dream career. |
| A．He was inspired by his teacher. | B．He could pass positive energy to readers. |
| C．He wanted to share his school experiences. | D．He found he had a talent for writing. |
| A．Say “no” to bullies bravely. | B．Make positive changes in their lives. |
| C．Treat others with kindness in daily life. | D．Learn to care more about others’ feelings. |
3 . As my dad got a new job in southern Florida, we moved here from our old home, school, friends and everything. There were so many
Being shy and quiet, I read a lot. Loving books and reading helped me get excellent results. Teachers
Then one day, a tall strong boy in English class walked right over to me. He
“Hey,” he said. “Do you think you could.
I taught the guys about grammar. They taught me how to dribble (运球) a basketball. More importantly, they gave me the
| A．chances | B．activities | C．challenges | D．experiences |
| A．move in | B．fit in | C．come along | D．calm down |
| A．dreams | B．ideas | C．lies | D．worries |
| A．chose | B．thanked | C．praised | D．impressed |
| A．seats | B．grades | C．prizes | D．honors |
| A．star | B．child | C．expert | D．failure |
| A．excused | B．enjoyed | C．introduced | D．reminded |
| A．expected | B．knew | C．imagined | D．doubted |
| A．confuse | B．recognise | C．beat | D．help |
| A．interestingly | B．hopefully | C．certainly | D．usually |
| A．changed | B．began | C．continued | D．stopped |
| A．frightened | B．circled | C．annoyed | D．avoided |
| A．troubled | B．invited | C．amazed | D．blocked |
| A．kind | B．active | C．strong | D．knowledgeable |
| A．confidence | B．hope | C．ability | D．space |
4 . Whether shyness is part of your child’s personality or just something they feel when they are in front of a group of strangers, it is a typical (典型的) experience. “Shyness isn’t always as socially valued as more outgoing personalities. However, we should step back and think about different personalities and their unique advantages,” said Pérez-Edgar, professor of psychology (心理学) at The Pennsylvania State University. “Everyone can feel shy at times. And those who are especially shy often have happy social lives—they just aren’t likely to be the liveliest person in a crowded room.”
But there are things to watch out for. “If your children are avoiding situations that are important or could be enjoyable for them because they’re feeling nervous, it might be time to take action,” said Chiappini, a child expert. “That could mean not speaking in class, trouble making friends, or not joining in activities they like,” she said.
Chiappini recommended first saying something like: “You seem a little nervous or unsure about who everyone is/what to say. We haven’t met them before and that can feel a little uncomfortable.” From there, you can encourage them to join someone or say something when they are ready—with the promise that you will be there to support them, she added.
The more we avoid situations where kids may feel shy, the more anxiety (担心) we will have about them in the future. But that doesn’t mean to push your child into the deep end.
“We may have to deal with the situation step by step. For example, you may have to encourage your child just to make eye contact during an outing before expecting them to ask someone a question,” Chiappini said.
1. What may Pérez-Edgar agree with?| A．Shyness is not as bad as people have thought. | B．Children are more likely to feel shy than adults. |
| C．Shy people like to stay with lively people. | D．It’s difficult for people to get over shyness. |
| A．When they ask for instructions from others. | B．When they feel nervous in school activities. |
| C．When they try hard to mix with other children. | D．When they are absent from important situations. |
| A．Tell their kids what they should say. | B．Ask their kids how they are feeling. |
| C．Help their kids stay away from some situations. | D．Show their kids they understand how they feel. |
| A．Honestly. | B．Strictly. | C．Patiently. | D．Confidently. |
5 . A 54-year-old homeless man Ernest McPherson goes around the small town of Meadow Lake to check up on homeless people sleeping in cars or abandoned (废弃的) buildings. He stays awake at night to make sure that other homeless people in his community survive (幸存) the cold winter nights.
As Meadow Lake doesn’t have any shelters (避难所) for the homeless, these people have nowhere to warm up at night. So McPherson tries to help them out by giving them some warm clothes, or taking them to the local convenience store to warm up a little.
The reason behind McPherson’s new-found role as a watch guard came after he nearly froze to death in a -38℃ snowstorm last year. “I lost direction and time, so I sat down for a minute, and thought I’d rest for a minute. I fell asleep. I had a guardian angel that night. She came and kicked me in the foot.”
Well, that kick is helping McPherson keep others alive. While last year he found shelter in an abandoned hotel, along with other homeless people, this year he has managed to raise $300 from his friends and has bought a truck camper. However, he describes the camper as an “ice box” so he says “until there’s a shelter, I’ll be here, patrolling (巡逻) every night.”
Thanks to his efforts, McPherson received the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal for his public service. And the community is helping those living on the streets. Businesses have donated money, and the Door of Hope has been opened by The Meadow Outreach Ministries, giving 20-hour access (进入) to warmth each day.
For McPherson, he is happy to be recognised for everything that he’s done to help the homeless. McPherson continues to help those in need. His story reminds us of the importance of always looking for ways to help others, even if we’re faced with our own difficulties.
1. How does McPherson help homeless people at the winter nights?| A．He invites them to his shelter. | B．He buys new clothes for them. |
| C．He brings warmth to them. | D．He gives money to them. |
| A．A similar experience in the past. | B．Responsibilities as a watch guard. |
| C．His interest in a challenging job. | D．Encouragement from his friends. |
| A．Homeless population reduces. | B．The homeless get more help. |
| C．McPherson finds more ways to help others. | D．More homeless people help with public services. |
| A．A homeless man helps other homeless people | B．McPherson calls on people to do charity |
| C．A man survived a cold winter night | D．Difficulties make one strong |
6 . IT’S A TYPICAL morning: you wake up, take a shower, brush your teeth, and then prick (刺; 扎) your arm with a tiny needle. Wait, what? Unless you have a serious disease such as diabetes, you probably haven’t ever tested your own blood. But in the future, that might change.
The company Cor already sells a system for home blood testing. You stick your arm using a supposedly painless, one-off , blood-drawing cartridge (针筒) about the size of a lipstick. Then you stick the cartridge into a device that looks like the base for an electric toothbrush. A few minutes later, an app on your phone buzzes with updated information, including your current health data and tips on what to eat and how to exercise during the day.
It’s true that blood contains a wealth of information about a person’s health. Blood tests can show if a person is infected with a disease or at risk for a variety of problems, including a heart attack or a stroke. But most people don’t test their own blood until a doctor says it’s time. Healthy young adults get regular blood tests about every five years. These tests happen at a lab, where a technician or a nurse sticks a long needle into the arm to draw out several tubes full of blood. Cor and similar companies, such as WellnessFX, are trying to change all that. They think people deserve access to more information about their own health.
But not everyone is convinced that regular blood testing for healthy people is a great idea. Cor’s system is expensive and may not offer much benefit. “The lightest result here is that you lose your money and then you’re reminded to get more sleep and to eat more fruits, vegetables, and fish,” Pieter Cohen of Harvard Medical School told the New York Times. “The worst result is that you end up getting frightened by probably abnormal results that are actually completely normal for you.”
Plus, the results of a home blood test might be wrong. It’s hard to get accurate results from a tiny amount of blood. So what do you think? Is monitoring your own health via pinpricks the way of the future? Or is it better to leave blood testing to medical professionals?
1. Why does the author mention the typical morning in the first paragraph?| A．To explain a scene. | B．To introduce the topic. |
| C．To make a comparison. | D．To provide an example. |
| A．It is painless and cheap to use. |
| B．It has won popularity among people. |
| C．It offers accurate health information about our body. |
| D．It may give advice on our diet according to the health data. |
| A．Objective. | B．Subjective. | C．Supportive. | D．Negative. |
| A．Home blood tests: yes or no? | B．Should blood tests be allowed at home? |
| C．A new system of improving your health. | D．Home blood testing: your health monitor! |
7 . At 7 am, in the dark of an autumn morning, parents arrive to drop off their children at the kindergarten in Viimsi a 15-minute drive from Tallinn, before heading off to work in the city.
The day starts officially at 9 am, but Laanelinnu kindergarten that widely gains a liking of working parents opens two hours earlier and does not close until 7 pm. In doing so, working parents won’t worry about being late for work and leaving the office early.
The kindergarten focuses on pre-scnobl education. Classrooms, with vast windows fronting onto forest, fan out around a whitewashed central hall, and outside a large playground surrounds the entire building. Some of the children who attend Laanelinnu are as young as two, but as we enter the building barely a sound can be heard. In each of the classrooms, which are large and well equipped, there are up to 20 children— attentive and focused — supervised by a qualified pre-school teacher and two assistant teachers.
Despite having visitors, the children at Laanelinnu focus on their lessons. In one darkened classroom, they lie on their backs in a quiet comer as their teachers prepare for the day ahead. In another class, there’s music and dancing. In another group, children are doing a project about the human body,while next door there’s a cookery class going on, with a tasting period followed by bread-making.
The pre-school course takes in everything from letters and language skills to art, music and robotics.” Though it’s not called school, it’s the first step of their education, “says the kindergarten’s project manager.” We do teach kids here. It is no longer simply childcare. “By the time they leave, most children will have learned to read and write, but in a relaxed and play-led environment.
The kindergarten system is an integrated part of national education and at the end of their time there, children are given a school readiness card that they take with them to the next stage in their education.
1. Why is Laanelinnu kindergarten popular among working parents?| A．It starts officially at 9 arm. |
| B．It only needs a 15-minute drive. |
| C．It offers them maximum (最大化的) flexibility. |
| D．It allows them to pick up their kids early. |
| A．Monitored. | B．Praised. |
| C．Adopted. | D．Trained. |
| A．Energetic. | B．Conventional. |
| C．Various. | D．Loose. |
| A．Reading in a Play-led Environment |
| B．Winning in the First Step of Education |
| C．Fun Lcarning: with Films and Robotics |
| D．A Kindergarten: Not Just About Childcare |
8 . This summer we witnessed interview teams at the North Pole wearing short sleeve shirts due to the warm weather. A study published on Aug 29 revealed more concerning issues in the supposedly coldest area of the world. Zombie ice from a massive Greenland ice sheet was confirmed to be melting, which would eventually raise global sea levels by at least 10 inches (27centimeters) on its own, reported Associated Press ( AP).
Zombie ice is the kind of ice that is still attached to thicker areas of ice, but is no longer getting fed by larger glaciers. Since glaciers are getting less snow to complement the amount of ice melted, once the zombie ice is melted, it cannot be re-formed.
Scientists decided to look at the balance of the ice. In perfect equilibrium, snow in the mountains of Greenland flows down and thickens the sides of glaciers, balancing out what’s melting on the edges, according to AP. But in the last few decades, there is less refill and more melting, creating an imbalance.
Study co-author William Colgan at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland told AP that 3.3 percent of Greenland’s total ice volume will melt eventually. “Starving would be a good phrase for what’s happening to the ice,” Colgan added.
With a great number of natural resources buried under the earth, areas of melted ice revealed treasures that attracted the world’s richest men. According to CNN, in early August, there was a “treasure hunt” in Greenland. Billionaires, including Bill Gates and others, financially backed KoBold Metals, a US - based mineral exploration company, to explore the rare metals under the glaciers in Greenland. The company told CNN that since there were enough minerals to power hundreds of millions of electric vehicles, the critical resource is capable of powering the green energy transition.
While investors are taking advantage of global warming, experts express their concerns that the mineral exploration is likely to worsen the local environment, draining up the world’s resources at a faster rate.
1. What do we know about zombie ice?| A．It has increased sea levels by up to 10 inches. |
| B．It’s totally independent from large glaciers. |
| C．It will melt away from the ice sheet. |
| D．It’s complemented by nearby natural resources. |
| A．Why melted zombie ice can’t be re-formed. |
| B．What larger glaciers exactly are. |
| C．What the melting of zombie ice can lead to. |
| D．How zombie ice functions in the ecosystem. |
| A．Supportive | B．Tolerant | C．Indifferent | D．Worried. |
| A．cutting up | B．using up | C．pulling up | D．drying up |
Two giant pandas “Sihai” and “Jingjing”
To ensure that the two pandas start their new lives smoothly, both sides have made full preparations. The two pandas have been in good condition
The Chinese team has also sent several expert
To help the giant pandas adapt to their new environment
10 . Today, caring people across the country are finding creative ways to improve the lives of the homeless. These efforts
The Nashville Street Barbers is a group of hairdressers who are “trying to make their community a
Since then, the Nashville Street Barbers has grown,
| A．include | B．preserve | C．finish | D．doubt |
| A．expensive | B．free | C．creative | D．cheap |
| A．healthier | B．further | C．better | D．stronger |
| A．recovered | B．honored | C．measured | D．created |
| A．thanks to | B．instead of | C．according to | D．rather than |
| A．careful | B．strict | C．curious | D．faithful |
| A．usually | B．hardly | C．successfully | D．finally |
| A．hair | B．clothes | C．shoes | D．dress |
| A．let | B．got | C．refused | D．stopped |
| A．activity | B．detail | C．argument | D．dream |
| A．limits | B．hunts | C．plans | D．surfs |
| A．mistake | B．promise | C．decision | D．difference |
| A．force | B．concern | C．encourage | D．prevent |
| A．find | B．help | C．organize | D．donate |
| A．in need | B．in fact | C．in advance | D．in time |
