1 . For the first time in about 100 years, a rare bird called the takahē is walking freely along the Lake Whakatipu Waimaori Valley in New Zealand after 18 captive birds were released into the wild. The area is also home to a Maori tribe called Ngai Tahu, which has spent years campaigning for the birds to return to their land. The Maori are New Zealand’s Indigenous people (first people known to live there), and they consider the takahē bird to be “taonga”, meaning a treasure.
Takahē are large, round, flightless birds with red legs, and they have lived in New Zealand since prehistoric times. Like many New Zealand birds, takahē evolved to be flightless because there were no mammals to compete with. When Europeans arrived in New Zealand, however, predators such as cats and ferrets were introduced and killed off many flightless birds. Takahē were declared extinct in 1898, but a small number of the birds were discovered in 1948 in a remote part of the Murchison Mountains.
Since then, conservationists have been trying to restore the takahē population in captivity. They gathered the bird’s eggs in order to keep the chicks safe from predators. The chicks were raised by volunteers, who fed them while wearing sockpuppets on their hands to imitate the parent birds. There are now about 500 takahē birds in captivity. Several pairs of adult birds have been released into the island’s sanctuaries and national parks. Experts will monitor them to see how they adapt to their new environment. If everything goes well, they hope to release seven more birds this month and 10 young birds next year.
Ta Tipene O’Regan, an elder of the Ngai Tahu tribe, helped to release the birds. He told The Guardian newspaper, ”There are few things more beautiful than to watch these large birds running back into lands where they haven’t walked for over a century. ”O’Regan said, “It’s an absolute joy. ”
1. As for Maori people, takahē are ______.| A．valuable | B．dangerous | C．adaptable | D．entertaining |
| A．Big bodies | B．Long time captivity. |
| C．Native people’s protection. | D．No competitors. |
| A．Eggs. | B．Predators. | C．Baby birds | D．Parent takahē. |
| A．Native Birds back in the Wild | B．A Big Joy of Maori Tribes |
| C．Rare Eggs Protected by Volunteers | D．Distinct Mammals in New Zealand |
2 . During the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 in 2023, one of the highlights is a 48-year-old Uzbekistan gymnast, Oksana Chusovitina (“Chuso” as she is affectionately known), who continues to compete despite numerous “retirements” .
Born in Bukhara, Uzbekistan in 1975, Chuso competed and won gold in her first Olympic Games at Barcelona 1992. After competing at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, Chuso got married in 1997 and two years later, Alisher, her son, was born. Chuso’s first “retirement” was due after competing at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, by which time five world championship medals had been won including three golds. But in 2002, Alisher was diagnosed with leukemia (白血病). The family moved to Germany where better treatment was available and Chuso continued to train as a way to take a break from the stresses of her son’s health.
Chuso competed at Athens 2004, gained German citizenship in 2006 and won silver on vault (跳马) at Beijing 2008 for her adopted nation — Germany, aged 33, just months after Alisher received the all-clear. At London 2012, Chuso came fifth in the vault final. And finally, in 2013, after eight years in Germany, Chuso returned to the place she calls home, Uzbekistan. Chuso switched back to competing for her home nation at Rio 2016 and at Tokyo 2020, where she just qualified for vault, but unfortunately did not make the final. In 2022, Chuso won gold on vault at the Doha World Cup on 5 March, the second of four of the 2022 FIG Artistic Gymnastics Apparatus World Cup series.
The 48-year-old gymnast’s motto is, “I’d rather try today than regret tomorrow”. “I’m an ordinary person,” Chuso says. “I have my feelings, hardships and sometimes I’m even in a bad mood. Nothing phenomenal (非凡的) about me, just stuck in sports a little longer. If you want to achieve something, there is always a way.”
1. In which year was Chuso’s son born?| A．1997. | B．1999. | C．2000. | D．2008. |
| A．To hold German citizenship. | B．To get better treatment for Alisher. |
| C．To seek better living conditions. | D．To receive more professional training. |
| A．Six. | B．Seven. | C．Eight. | D．Nine. |
| A．Active and energetic. | B．Outgoing and generous. |
| C．Ordinary and humorous. | D．Determined and positive. |
3 . Spending roughly a decade preparing for her 2023 book Alive: Like Light and Salt, writer Liao Zhi has taken a creative journey with her memories of surviving the disastrous Wenchuan earthquake. The then 23-year-old dance teacher was rescued from a collapsed building, but suffered the loss of her legs and her child.
Selected from Liao’s diary entries, the six-chapter book touches upon topics like “finding one’s true self” and “relationships”, revealing how the writer dealt with pain to set career goals and find the courage to become a parent once again.
The writer said her desire for life seemed to have been strengthened by the near-death experience and that may be why she took only less than a year to get back on track again. Swimming, running marathon and taking part in charity dance performances were only a part of Liao’s daily agenda that helped her see the light again.
Alive: Like Light and Salt is not all about dealing with difficulties. Liao has devoted several chapters to topics like “becoming a communication expert in close relationships” and sharing her thoughts on love.
Liao met Charles Wang, a prosthesis(假肢) engineer, when she was getting her new artificial legs. Although she was hesitant about getting remarried, Wang assured her that she was the one, even telling his parents that “I’ll never again meet such a good girl.”
“Her life-loving nature, her health y mind-set toward her disability and also her willingness to speak up for people with the same experiences as herself, such things let me see a different side of life. I’ve been deeply touched by her,” said Liao’s mother-in-law.
Liao set up the Home of Chenxing, a rehabilitation(康复) studio in Chongqing for disabled people in 2019, and has now helped over 100 people walk again with artificial limbs(肢). She’s also a leader of a charity group called “Seeing and Change”. “Society needs to be educated to see this particular group of people. We represent a part of society’s value,” Liao noted.
1. What do we know about the book Alive: Like Light and Salt?| A．It’s mainly intended for earthquake survivors. | B．It’s inspired by her husband encouragement. |
| C．It’s focused on ways to handle difficulties. | D．It’s based on the author’s life experiences. |
| A．It helped her see the hope of life. | B．It pushed her to start a studio. |
| C．It urged her to write many books. | D．It enabled her to walk again. |
| A．To introduce Liao’s achievements. | B．To confirm Liao’s good qualities. |
| C．To think highly of Liao’s marriage. | D．To ask people to experience life. |
| A．Charity should be made international. |
| B．The disabled create more social values. |
| C．Liao is devoted to helping the physically disabled. |
| D．Society owes an apology to the particular group. |
4 . Only around a couple dozen people have been to the deepest part of the ocean floor, a place known as Challenger Deep. One of them is marine geographer Dawn Wright, a chief scientist of the Environmental Systems Rescarch Institute. She’s also part of a global race to map the entirety of the world’s oceans by 2030.
Challenger Deep is about 11,000 meters below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. In July 2022, Wright and pilot and ocean explorer Victor Vescovo sank in a submersible (潜水器). Once the pair sank about 800 meters, they lost sunlight and saw worms, jellyfish and anglerfish that could create their own light. Wright and Vescovo were focused on testing a special mapping device, thus making a map.
Mapping the bottom of the ocean is for many things. For instance, installing (安装) underwater cables stretching between continents, which account for the vast majority of our Internet traffic, requires a map of the seafloor, and offshore wind farm developers also need to know the composition of the seafloor to fix turbines (涡轮机).
Historically, satellite data has been critical to mapping the ocean, but Wright says these maps are too unclear to see fine details. What is the solution? It’s using sonar mapping, meaning an instrument sends pulses of sound from the ocean surface down toward the seafloor and waits for it to come back up. Based on the amount of time it takes for the sound to return and factors like temperature and salt content, scientists can get a specific depth.
Only about 25% of the world’s seafloor is currently mapped in detail, but an initiative called Seabed 2030 aims to get to 100% in just over six years. To complete the picture, ocean mappers are expecting industries to fill in some of the gaps. “The hope is that we can very quickly get to 40% if we can get a lot of these companies to release their data and to make it public,” says Wright.
1. Why did Wright and Vescovo go to Challenger Deep?| A．To study ocean creatures. | B．To map the seafloor. |
| C．To test the submersible. | D．To enjoy themselves. |
| A．The benefits of mapping the seafloor. |
| B．The need to build offshore wind farms. |
| C．The way the Internet traffic works. |
| D．The similarities among continents. |
| A．Collect more information. | B．Learn to use sonar mapping. |
| C．Map 40% of the world’s seafloor. | D．Share their data with ocean mappers. |
| A．Seafloor Mapping Is Now a Hot Topic in Science |
| B．Scientists Cooperate to Map the Entire Seafloor |
| C．Mapping the Seafloor Is Challenging But Essential |
| D．The Entire Seafloor Will Be Mapped Successfully Soon |
5 . “Have a dream. Don’t be afraid to want something.” That’s the advice from Florence Bergeron, associate director of knowledge mobilization (动员) for the Students Commission of Canada. The group organized the country’s annual “Take Our Kids to Work Day” initiative on November 1.
Across Canada, ninth-grade students had the chance to visit the workplace of a parent, relative or friend. Bergeron said over 450,000 people participated this year.
The initiative began in 1994. “The principle was to bring their own children into the workplace so they could see what their parents were doing and prepare for taking on that same role,” Bergeron explained. The purpose of the day has changed over the years, as many kids now follow careers different from their parents’.
According to Dorota Peacock, who is the district coordinator for career education in the Surrey School District in British Columbia, the event is beneficial in various ways. “It’s valuable for exposing students to what people do in the adult workforce that they normally wouldn’t see,” Peacock said. “They get to ask questions and decide what’s interesting.”
Peacock added that students also learned what they were loath to do, which was just as valuable. That was the case for three ninth graders from Ecole Salish Secondary School in Surrey. Mia Kim, Rithi Murugaselvam, and Eljie Salimbagat said that they enjoyed visiting their parents’ workplaces, but realized that they, themselves, would likely follow different paths. Rithi,14, who visited a day care center where her mother worked, said that “much patience is required for working with kids.”
All three students agreed that learning to socialize is essential, no matter what career path you follow. “I learned that for a lot of jobs, you needed to learn how to communicate with others to be successful,” said Mia, 13.
Peacock hoped that the event inspired Canada’s ninth graders to have a deeper appreciation for their parents. “They are smart, productive people, and not just people who come home and help with homework and make meals,” Peacock said. “They’re an actual person in the world doing really cool things.”
1. What was the purpose of the initiative?| A．To expose children to the busy life. | B．To prepare students for their career options. |
| C．To improve parent-child relationships. | D．To educate children on possible changes. |
| A．Unwilling. | B．Nervous. | C．Ready. | D．Eager. |
| A．The ability to adapt. | B．The adventurous spirit. |
| C．The sense of success. | D．The communication skill. |
| A．Family count above all else. | B．Parents’ work is much more meaningful. |
| C．Children should admire their parents. | D．Children lack appreciation for housework. |
6 . Study Economics at James Madison University
To study economic s in the USA, choose James Madison University (JMU), the first most recommended public university according to students. The university offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in economics. You’ll get business education comprehensively, and gain a strong foundation of economic theory and policy that can lead to various career choices, including financial analysis and trading, economic analysis, communications and public administration.
International Year
The International Year at the International Study Center gives students special academic and English language support, with university-style teaching. By completing the International Year, you’ll progress to your chosen undergraduate degree at JMU.
Entry requirements
Applicants must provide proof that they meet the minimum English language entry requirement. There’re several ways you can show English ability:
·TOEFL iBT score
·IELTS score
·Duolingo score
·Other English language test scores accepted by the University
Applicants must also have completed a US secondary education and have a minimum grade point average of 2.25.
If you meet the appropriate language and academic requirements, you can apply directly to any of our academic programs at JMU.
How to apply
To apply, fill out our application form on the Internet. Once your application has been received, a student enrollment (招生) advisor will review it and contact you directly. If your application is accepted for enrollment, you’ll receive an offer letter and an advisor will let you know how to pay your deposit to secure your place with us.
1. What makes students recommend JMU to those interested in economics?| A．Its various related course schedule. | B．Its free public service. |
| C．Its well-rounded business education. | D．Its loose learning policy. |
| A．achieve a grade point over 2. 25 | B．take the English language test of JMU |
| C．complete the International Year | D．reach the required English ability |
| A．Finish an online application form. | B．Pay enough deposits in advance. |
| C．Get in touch with the advisor. | D．Write a letter to the university. |
7 . Words are powerful: they have the ability to lift up the lowest of the low or tear down the highest of the high. But a strong argument could be made that our body language is even more influential. The most effective communication occurs when the importance of body language in teaching is acknowledged. When these nonverbal signals are working together with our words, it creates communication synergy.
It has been suggested that two-thirds of our communication is nonverbal. Positive body language in a classroom setting has the ability to motivate, inspire and engage. It can not only give you the confidence you need to teach but can also inform your students that you actually know what you’re talking about. It can even make your students feel safe and confident enough to participate in the lessons more frequently.
Most leadership positions encourage body language that shows power and confidence. Signals include standing tall, gesturing only from the waist up, head straight and forward, and talking while pointing to others, which are obvious ways to exercise control. But when teaching, the nonverbal signals need to show a different type of leader. These signals convey warmth and understanding, reminding your students that you are approachable and there to help them grow. For example, fix your eyes on one student for about 15-30 seconds before changing to another student, which is one of the best ways to keep students’ focus. Nod your head. Give the thumbs up! Show them they are on the right path and they will be more confident in continuing down it.
The importance of body language can never be ignored. It’s desirable that you should advocate using body language in teaching and pay attention to the use rule and using skills. You should use right, natural and clear body language. It’s crucial that you create good classroom atmosphere, inspire students’ imagination and grasp students’ mood.
1. What can we learn from Paragraph 1?| A．Words are more powerful than body language in conveying meaning. |
| B．Nonverbal cues account for only a minor part of the communication. |
| C．Teachers should focus on their verbal expressions rather than their body language. |
| D．Combining body language and spoken communication enhances teaching effectiveness. |
| A．Warmth. | B．Encouragement. | C．Understanding. | D．Control. |
| A．To give suggestions. | B．To make a description. |
| C．To explain a theory. | D．To summarize a debate. |
| A．The value of teacher-student communication. |
| B．The effective ways of good communication. |
| C．The importance of teacher’s body language. |
| D．The prospect of students’ nonverbal learning. |
8 . Looking over the top of the book, I glanced (瞥) across at the new girl named Rochelle. She only joined our class at the beginning of the week. It must be hard starting a new school in the middle of the year.
At last, the bell went for the end of the day, I
The next day, I was reading when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I
After school. I saw Rochelle and her mother moving their hands quickly. I stood there, quietly observing, realizing how
| A．spotted | B．ignored | C．recognized | D．admitted |
| A．warming | B．satisfying | C．upsetting | D．surprising |
| A．blind | B．deaf | C．ill | D．injured |
| A．looked up | B．bent down | C．put forward | D．broke out |
| A．worry | B．confusion | C．expression | D．smile |
| A．followed | B．continued | C．asked | D．wondered |
| A．disappointed | B．cool | C．annoyed | D．excited |
| A．jumping | B．burning | C．laughing | D．shouting |
| A．harder | B．happier | C．kinder | D．cleverer |
| A．stormed | B．slipped | C．swept | D．skipped |
| A．now that | B．as if | C．even though | D．in case |
| A．wrong | B．cruel | C．crazy | D．considerate |
| A．misunderstanding | B．regret | C．willingness | D．sympathy |
| A．appeared | B．clarified | C．turned | D．boiled |
| A．widened | B．sharpened | C．darkened | D．softened |
9 . The problem of food borne metal contamination (污染) has taken on new urgency, thanks in part to a 2021 US Congressional Report detailing high levels of metals found in baby food pulled off grocery shelves. More recently, high levels of lead (铅) were discovered in children’s fruit puree pouches. Now, two new studies provide information on the correlation between exposure to heavy metals in food and the risk of cancers and other serious health risks.
Food crops can absorb heavy metals from contaminated soil, air, and water. As a result, traces of dangerous heavy metals — lead, arsenic (砷) and cadmium (镉) — are found in common foods from rice and cereals to nuts and vegetables. Felicia Wu, Michigan State University food scientist, is leading several investigations to gain a better understanding of the health risks of heavy metal exposure.
In the studies, Wu and her colleague, gathered data on the dietary intake of each metal from various sources such as food and water samples and existing studies and reports. There searchers analysand the data to determine the strength of the association between dietary exposure and bad health effects. Both cancer and non-cancer health effects were considered.
Lead is a poisonous metal commonly found in old paint, water pipes, and contaminated soil. Food sources of lead include root vegetables like beets. In the study, lead showed moderate (中度的) to high risk scores for causing lung, kidney, bladder, stomach, and brain cancers. It also showed moderate to high scores for non-cancer risks.
Their initial estimates suggest that every year, more than 6, 000 additional cases of bladder and lung cancers and over 7, 000 cases of skin cancers can be attributed (归因于) to the consumption of inorganic arsenic in the United States. The researchers also found that certain food products can be associated with higher cancer risk than others. These include rice, wheat, and leafy green vegetables.
1. What do the new studies focus on?| A．Food safety and children’s health. |
| B．Food crops and metal contamination. |
| C．Heavy metals and its danger extent. |
| D．Metal contamination in food and health risks. |
| A．Food crops need metal to grow well. |
| B．Heavy metals are added by producers. |
| C．They can help with scientific research. |
| D．Food crops grow up in polluted conditions. |
| A．By doing surveys online. |
| B．By analyzing data. |
| C．By performing experiments. |
| D．By referring to previous textbooks. |
| A．Dramatic. | B．Alarming. |
| C．Confusing. | D．Awesome. |
10 . If you walk around Huntington Beach, California, you may spot a woman holding five leashes (绳套) with one hand and pulling a wagon (马车) with the other. A closer look will show she has seven dogs with her—and none of them are walking on all four legs. Her name is Debbie Pearl,and all of her dogs have disabilities and use wheelchairs or prosthetic limbs (义肢).
There is no doubt Pearl is a dog lover—she trains them for movies and said she has always had “quite a few” of her own dogs at home. In 2005, she created a nonprofit called Dream Fetchers, which helps rescue dogs from the streets. As part of the organization’s mission, members of Pearl’s personal pack work as therapy(治疗)dogs.
About nine years ago,she adopted her first dog with a disability, Fast Eddie. He had a spinal injury and was left on the street. Now, he runs around using a wheelchair.
“Eddie was definitely my inspiration for adopting other disabled dogs,” Pearl said. “He was so full of life.He never let anything slow him down. I mean, he truly was unstoppable.” About once a week, she gathers up her crew and takes them to hospitals, schools or the Easter Seals—a nonprofit that helps adults with disabilities.
“I look for dogs that have been through traumatic (创伤的) events, but they have this amazing gift of forgiveness,” Pearl said. “And that’s a powerful thing for a lot of people, because they can see the courage, the resilience (韧性) that these dogs have. And all of mine have been through the worst—and they’ve come out shining.”
She says all her dogs are here because they’ve gotten a second chance at life. And for other survivors of abuse, or those with disabilities, that can be a powerful thing to see.
1. What can we know about the seven dogs?| A．They walk on all their four legs. |
| B．They are physically challenged. |
| C．They are famous in many movies. |
| D．They are trained to help each other. |
| A．Save homeless dogs. |
| B．Train therapy dogs. |
| C．Provide leashes for dogs. |
| D．Offer treatment to adults. |
| A．Her love of dogs. |
| B．The needs of a nonprofit. |
| C．Her wish to rescue dogs. |
| D．Eddie’s unstoppable spirit. |
| A．Love and help connecting each other. |
| B．Power and reliance seen in everyday life. |
| C．Strength and courage facing sufferings. |
| D．Approaches and wisdom dealing with trouble. |
