1 . No poverty, zero hunger, quality education, these are some of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)the United Nations(UN)established in 2015. In May 2019, the UN launched the SDG Book Club; each month, it posts on the club website a selection of books that illustrate a particular SDG to help young people interact with these goals.
Batesville Intermediate School launched the Junior Ambassadors (大使) program in August 2019, using the SDG Book Club as a springboard to introduce students to a more global view on world issues. Twenty-four 4th and 5th graders met for 30 minutes four days a week to read, discuss, research, and conduct the sharing of knowledge and solutions to these issues. Research activities, special projects, and guest speakers are additional opportunities for junior ambassadors to build knowledge. What began as a desire to help small-town children expand their views grew into a broader program that affected the school, community, and beyond.
The UN’s recommendation of Serafina’s Promise by Ann E. Burg was perfect for the junior ambassadors to begin their study of the first SDG: no poverty. The book is set in Haiti, so members of local Haitian groups were invited to speak to the program participants. Then, the junior ambassadors used their newfound knowledge to create multimedia lessons, sharing them with the other 480 students.
The study of the second SDG — zero hunger — gave junior ambassadors an opportunity to organize and carry out a read- a-thon (a reading marathon) to raise funds for the Grain of Rice Project’s school initiative in Kenya. The nonprofit’s co-founder, Amy Ahiga spoke to and inspired the students with her passion for helping others.
Junior ambassadors use what they learn to engage with their community and the world, earning the school the American Library Association’s 2020 Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award for Excellence in Humanities Programming. They can look back with pride, knowing they made a difference. With increased confidence and skills, these children will know that they can and will continue to save the world — one goal at a time.
1. What does the SDG Book Club do?| A．Teach reading techniques. |
| B．Provide quality education. |
| C．Address global conflicts. |
| D．Recommend selected books. |
| A．To broaden children’s horizons. |
| B．To motivate children to set goals. |
| C．To stress the importance of reading. |
| D．To make an impact on the community. |
| A．Multimedia lessons were created. |
| B．Guest speakers concerned were invited. |
| C．Students were inspired to raise funds. |
| D．Junior ambassadors organized read-a-thons. |
| A．Earning an award from reading |
| B．Working towards a sustainable world |
| C．Establishing a platform to share viewpoints |
| D．Providing a springboard for future life |
2 . To much of the world, bullfighting has always been distinctly Iberian. But these days, parts of France are laying claim to this tradition. From the Cte Basque to the arenas of Arles and Beziers, it has spread to towns where bullfighting has long been banned, and been embraced with such enthusiasm you’d think the sport had been born there.
The rising passion for blood and sand has been resisted by animal-rights activists. Last month someone set off a bomb near the bullring in Carcassonne. Yet France’s enthusiasts fiercely defend their right to these moral rituals. Bullfighting, they insist, is part of the heritage, an expression of a shared regional culture that should be protected.
The rest of the Continent should take note. The paradox (自相矛盾) of an ever-more-united Europe is that as borders between member states become less important, so do the nations themselves-and regional identities are valued. It’s easy to forget that most European nation-states were created as we know them only during the 19th century, after a long series of bloody conflicts. “If the chances of war had been a little different, all the regions sharing bullfight might have been together,” argues Jean Michel Mariou, a huge fan of bullfighting. On both sides of the Pyrenees there are Basques, there are Catalans, there are common cultures, he says. “Bullfighting is only one expression of it.”
Bullfighting isn’t the only cultural tradition that has begun to go beyond borders, of course. To name but one other: the Celtic revival, built largely around musical groups along the coast of Ireland, Scotland and Cornwall, Brittany and Normandy. But while bagpipes (风笛) may stir the blood, they don’t spill it. And the violence of bullfighting horrifies many people who don’t feel they share in its culture.
“The concept of lasting local tradition doesn’t mean anything anymore,” says Josyane Wuerelle, coordinator of the Federation de Liasions Anti-Corrida in Agde. Bullfighting is about attracting tourists, not honoring local history, she argues. Robert Marge doesn’t see it that way, of course. He recently declined an invitation to organize a bullfighting in Paris’s enormous Stade de France. “We didn’t want to sell our souls by bringing bullfight to a region where it doesn’t exist,” he explains. But he has also got the sense to know that some traditions don’t travel well.
1. What can we learn about bullfighting from the first two paragraphs?| A．It is legal in France. | B．It will boom tourism in France. |
| C．It has become popular in France. | D．It is part of the heritage of France. |
| A．Shared cultures could bring people together. |
| B．The continent of Europe is more united than ever. |
| C．Bullfighting is a popular culture in many regions. |
| D．Regions sharing bullfight were separated by wars. |
| A．It ignores animal rights. | B．It honors local tradition. |
| C．It is intended for money. | D．It is too violent for Paris. |
| A．Fight over Bullfight | B．Culture or Violence |
| C．Bullfight and Tourism | D．Passion for Blood and Sand |
3 . Residents at Parkfield House Nursing Home celebrated the end of a £10,000 project with a showcase of their work with friends and family.
For the past year the group, known as the Parkfield Peckers, have worked closely with artists, Glebe Primary School and creative ageing charity Equal Arts as they delved into the history of the area and those who’ve lived at the 19th Century home.
Hannah Wood from charity Equal Arts said: “The exhibition at Uxbridge Civic Centre was just the icing on the cake! Going into the project, there was so much enthusiasm from the group to explore the heritage of the home, so many have their roots in the area and we were keen to capture and share their knowledge in creative ways.”
There’s been a mixture of creativity with illustration, photography, portraiture, music, story-telling and collage as the group took part in weekly artist-led workshops and linked up with schoolchildren to share ideas.
Glendeen Quow, manager of the Canford Healthcare-run home, is in no doubt about the project’s benefit to residents, staff and the home. She said: “It’s been a busy year and we have all loved every minute of it. It’s been a privilege to learn about our fascinating heritage and a joy to see our residents grow in confidence each week as they were introduced to the different workshops and artists. We have enjoyed strengthening our relationships with the local community, especially with the staff and children at Glebe Primary School.”
Clare Sheldon, who provides Pastoral Support at Glebe Primary School, said: “The children have been proud to be a part of this project and connect with the Parkfield residents. It’s been great for them to have experience in talking to and sharing with older people, it gives them a stronger sense of understanding and compassion. This project has been a great way of exploring their own emotions and identity and we look forward to continuing our friendship with Parkfield.”
1. What does the underlined sentence mean?| A．The exhibition at Uxbridge Civic Centre matters most in this project. |
| B．The exhibition can have a greatly positive influence on the project. |
| C．The exhibition has a lot of things that can convey artists’ creativity fully. |
| D．The exhibition aims to show different kinds of cakes. |
| A．Paintings | B．Statues | C．Fancy songs | D．Touching stories |
| A．It’s been promoted greatly by Glebe Primary School and Parkfield House Nursing Home. |
| B．Residents can appreciate distinct works of art in workshops monthly. |
| C．It conveys the significance of strengthening relationships with the local community. |
| D．Participants can have a better understanding of fascinating culture in their area. |
| A．Neutral | B．Skeptical | C．Indifferent | D．Affirmative |
4 . My 5-year-old daughter Kai walked around a bus stop, picking up candy wrappers and plastic bottles and throwing them in the waste bin. We were a visiting family here, but she was cleaning the sidewalk, which didn’t shock me, nor was I
Our cleanup project began when we drove past an empty field one day and Kai
However, it seems we can never
Now Kai hopes to become a marine biologist to protect sharks one day. She still has many years to
The last time our family was at the beach, we still picked up plastic bottles. Most
| A．embarrassed | B．discouraged | C．concerned | D．frightened |
| A．apologized | B．confirmed | C．spotted | D．explained |
| A．loose | B．magic | C．processed | D．abandoned |
| A．trade | B．mistake | C．replace | D．change |
| A．pulled over | B．blew up | C．turned down | D．gave in |
| A．due to | B．ahead of | C．other than | D．instead of |
| A．official | B．serious | C．optional | D．regular |
| A．deliver | B．remove | C．track | D．produce |
| A．stress | B．comfort | C．anger | D．pride |
| A．mess | B．platform | C．court | D．house |
| A．scary | B．pleasant | C．historic | D．real |
| A．decide | B．struggle | C．survive | D．contribute |
| A．safe | B．giant | C．distant | D．sick |
| A．personally | B．memorably | C．technically | D．universally |
| A．promise | B．threat | C．reminder | D．favor |
5 . I grew up in Michigan and have loved boats since I was young. I’d go out on my dad’s fishing boat, and every birthday I’d get a miniature boat with a viewing window. In Michigan, we’re
Three years ago, I
One weekend this year, I met a
We made sure to keep the paper safe. Before leaving the harbor, I posted a picture on my Facebook page and didn’t expect what followed.
The next morning, my phone
In autumn, Michele came to visit. She brought some of his writing and the handwriting matched. She
It now sits in a display case in my shop. That Facebook post now has 87,000
| A．surrounded | B．estimated | C．defended | D．integrated |
| A．even | B．somehow | C．merely | D．anyhow |
| A．exceptionally | B．entirely | C．gradually | D．successfully |
| A．call out | B．help with | C．help out | D．call up |
| A．history | B．significance | C．interest | D．entertainment |
| A．elegant | B．remote | C．reliable | D．potential |
| A．unfolded | B．opened | C．uncovered | D．exposed |
| A．presented | B．wrote | C．read | D．showed |
| A．poured out | B．blew up | C．broke out | D．set up |
| A．at first | B．above all | C．in turn | D．in return |
| A．stuffed | B．displayed | C．deserted | D．hid |
| A．spoke up | B．worked out | C．spoke out | D．worked up |
| A．insisted | B．convinced | C．appealed | D．anticipated |
| A．critics | B．fans | C．likes | D．inquiries |
| A．For | B．As | C．With | D．Alongside |
6 . Sometimes a book comes along that isn’t just “interesting” or “well done”— it’s a book where it seems like the author looked into your brain and wrote a book specifically for you. A book like that for me was released this week. It’s called 100 Things We’ve Lost to the Internet, written by editor Pamela Paul.
Paul lists 100 things we used to do that the Internet has either changed or taken over completely: writing letters, print newspapers, the joys of being bored, and not having all the knowledge in the world in your pocket.
As I’m a longtime accumulator of random knowledge, certain entries on the list—Being the Only One, Figuring Out Who That Actor is—hit me where live; remembering detailed facts is no longer nearly as impressive when everyone has the capability to find the answer in seconds.
On and on the list goes, with every minor shift adding to the pile. What this book does so well is illustrate the growth of that pile; while any individual item might be no big deal, the collected set is significant. It’s a list of ways in which the world now is different from the world then.
Obviously, Paul isn’t saying that everything back then was better. Time marches on, after all. and it’s tough to argue against the many benefits that the Internet has brought into our lives. But that isn’t really the point. It’s not about whether it used to be better. It’s that it used to be different.
100 Things We’ve Lost to the Internet is a fun read for those of us who share some of Paul’s memories and experiences. We remember what it was like and we like to remember. The landscape has shifted, and no doubt it will shift again as technology’s advancement continues apace. This book serves as a reminder of the simple truth that when gains are made, sometimes something is lost.
1. What is the purpose of the text?| A．To review and recommend a good read. |
| B．To comment on the effect of the Internet. |
| C．To argue for the viewpoint of a new book. |
| D．To urge the readers to value what they have. |
| A．Maps and Eye Contact. |
| B．E-pay and Compact Disks. |
| C．Postcards and Homeschooling |
| D．Bad Photos and Washing Machines. |
| A．Prove what I’m good at. |
| B．Introduce how I grew up. |
| C．Describe the place I live in. |
| D．Speak out what is on my mind. |
| A．Things in the past are better. |
| B．There’re no gains without pains. |
| C．The internet is a double-edged sword. |
| D．Technology is constantly changing the world. |
7 . Living in a city is a well-known risk factor for developing a mental disorder, while living close to nature is largely beneficial for mental health and the brain. A central brain region, the amygdala (大脑杏仁核) involved in stress processing, has been shown to be less activated during stress in people living in rural areas, compared to those who live in cities, hinting at the potential benefits of nature. “But so far the hen-and-egg problem could not be resolved, namely whether nature actually caused the effects in the brain or whether the particular individuals chose to live in rural or urban regions,” says Sonja Sudimac.
To achieve causal evidence, the researchers from the group examined brain activity in regions involved in stress processing in 63 healthy volunteers before and after a one-hour walk in Grunewald forest or a shopping street with traffic in Berlin. The results revealed that activity in the amygdala decreased after the walk in nature, suggesting that nature elicits beneficial effects on brain regions related to stress.
“The results support the previously assumed positive relationship between nature and brain health, but this is the first study to prove the causal link. Interestingly, the brain activity after the urban walk in these regions remained stable and showed no increases, which argues against a commonly held view that urban exposure causes additional stress,” explains Simone Kühn, head of the group.
The authors show that nature has a positive impact on brain regions involved in stress processing and that it can already be observed after a one-hour walk. This contributes to the understanding of how our physical living environment affects brain and mental health. Even a short exposure to nature decreases amygdala activity, suggesting that a walk in nature could serve as a preventive measure against developing mental health problems and reducing the potentially disadvantageous impact of the city on the brain.
In order to investigate beneficial effects of nature in different populations and age groups, the researchers are currently working on a study examining how a one-hour walk in natural versus urban environments impacts stress in mothers and their babies.
1. What does the hen-and-egg problem mean by Sonja Sudimac?| A．Living in rural areas actually affects brain activity. |
| B．People in cities tend to have a higher risk of mental problems. |
| C．It’s unnecessary to work out the complex issue of stress and health. |
| D．It’s hard to clarify the impact of living environment on mental health. |
| A．By quoting authoritative experts. |
| B．By interviewing healthy volunteers. |
| C．By researching on a previous theory. |
| D．By comparing volunteers’ amygdala activities. |
| A．Confirming the assumption of nature’s benefits to brain health. |
| B．Supporting a commonly held view of urban exposure. |
| C．Revealing the link between age and mental health. |
| D．Identifying the causes of mental health problems. |
| A．Benefits of a regular walk in nature. |
| B．The focus of the follow-up research. |
| C．An appeal for living in urban regions. |
| D．Nature’s positive effects on women and children. |
8 . Millennials (千禧一代) who conduct “forward-looking financial strategies” tend to be happier and more satisfied with their lives. Following a budget, saving money and shopping less have benefits “beyond the bound of personal finance”, according to a new study out of the University of Arizona.
For the study, researchers collected data from 968 young adults born between the years 1981 and 1996, starting when they were freshmen in college (ages 18-21). They followed up with the same students when they were seniors, and then two years later (ages 23-26). The study participants answered questions about materialism, their own personal finance strategies such as budgeting and any pro-environmental habits they followed. Students were also surveyed about their mental health, including how satisfied they were with their lives and how they’d rank their personal well-being.
“People who save money report better overall wellbeing. including less psychological pain, ”Sabrina Helm, study author tells CNBC Make It. “And people who buy less and consume less show less depressive symptoms, so there’s a positive mental health effect.”
Not surprisingly, the money-saving strategies improved people’s financial satisfaction too. “It gives you peace of mind. ”Dr. Helm says. “If you’re able to put something aside for worse days, and manage to live within your means, it has clear positive effects on mental health.”
Certain sustainability efforts also have a similar impact on people’s health and happiness. For example, researchers found that the students who consumed less to help the environment were happier than those who simply bought more “green” products. Although many people have been socialized to see products as solutions, simply reducing the number of things you use or buy might be the better tactic for your mental health, Dr. Helm explains.
“It’s normal to geta product to cope with all sorts of things,” Dr. Helm says, “but that contributes to climate change.” Luckily, there are concrete tips to “step back from the consumerist approach”, she adds. For example, she suggests keeping a weekly purchase diary and creating a shopping list.
1. How was the study conducted?| A．By making a comparison between finance strategies. |
| B．By keeping track of participants to collect their data. |
| C．By conducting a detailed survey about mental health. |
| D．By asking and answering questions about materialism. |
| A．Consuming less cures people of depressive symptoms. |
| B．Mentally healthier people buy more and consume less. |
| C．Saving money prevents people from psychological disorder. |
| D．One’s financial strategies relatively affect overall well-being. |
| A．Influence. |
| B．Attitude. |
| C．Strategy. |
| D．Consumption. |
| A．How Can You Keep Mentally Healthy |
| B．Saving Money Improves Financial Satisfaction |
| C．Millennials Who Buy Less and Save More Are Happier |
| D．Consumers’ Shopping Habits Contribute to Climate Change |
9 . Group-Centered Societies Have Just as Much Creativity
What does culture have to do with creativity? The answer could be “a lot”. For decades, psychologists trying to understand the roots of creative imaginations have looked at the ways in which two different types of cultures can come to have an effect over its artistic and
Individualism has long been thought to have a creative
The new work comes from comparing communities in different parts of China. Though it scores high, as a nation, on measures of cultural
In the new creativity study, researchers investigated innovation with these two groups in mind. The team used a drawing test that had been created by psychologists. They gave kids a sheet of paper with just a few basic elements printed on it: some dots here, squiggles (弯曲的线条) there, and a rectangle that suggested a drawing frame. The children got 15 minutes to use the elements already on the page to draw whatever they wanted. They could get “adaptive creativity” points for doodling in ways that connected the squiggles and lines into an original and
The researchers gave the test to 683 middle school students from north and south of the Yangtze River. When the scientists got the scores back, they discovered that there were no differences in the children’s overall creativity. When they broke down the results into components, they found that students from collectivistic regions scored
The findings are also a warning against cultural chauvinism (极端民族主义). Western countries have tended to lead the way in innovation — at least as defined by the metrics (指标) we Westerners have created. Perhaps we have been
| A．theoretical | B．inventive | C．productive | D．regular |
| A．prioritize | B．deprive | C．tolerate | D．abandon |
| A．satisfy | B．stimulate | C．cherish | D．sacrifice |
| A．shelter | B．edge | C．border | D．alternative |
| A．embrace | B．propose | C．resist | D．create |
| A．However | B．Therefore | C．Meanwhile | D．Moreover |
| A．broadly | B．objectively | C．seriously | D．narrowly |
| A．individualism | B．identity | C．collectivism | D．flexibility |
| A．selfish | B．collective | C．individualistic | D．realistic |
| A．fall apart | B．fit in | C．give in | D．show off |
| A．separate | B．ugly | C．unified | D．tiny |
| A．catch | B．miss | C．target | D．misuse |
| A．higher | B．averagely | C．lower | D．vaguely |
| A．capturing | B．approaching | C．imitating | D．overlooking |
| A．improvements | B．drawbacks | C．insights | D．attempts |
10 . My son Darcy, 10, begged “No more needles”, tears rolling down his cheeks. Seeing him so
Darcy often asked, “Mom, when can I see my
I consulted the school about
One day, I talked with some friends, who had
| A．embarrassed | B．upset | C．rigid | D．confused |
| A．procedure | B．project | C．medicine | D．experiment |
| A．doctors | B．cousins | C．classmates | D．pets |
| A．natural | B．necessary | C．practical | D．risky |
| A．supportive | B．misleading | C．awkward | D．familiar |
| A．convinced | B．withdrawn | C．determined | D．mean |
| A．sense | B．promise | C．argue | D．question |
| A．reforming | B．promoting | C．assessing | D．continuing |
| A．excuses | B．connections | C．images | D．rights |
| A．Admittedly | B．Similarly | C．Thankfully | D．Generally |
| A．spoiled | B．adopted | C．sick | D．difficult |
| A．socializing | B．competing | C．struggling | D．quarreling |
| A．willingly | B．secretly | C．physically | D．casually |
| A．stand up for | B．break away from | C．come up with | D．fit in with |
| A．occurs | B．extends | C．appeals | D．belongs |
