2 . Accompanied by the rhythmic sound of bamboo strips (竹板), Yang Ziqi, 17, from Xi’an Qujiang No l High School, listens to interesting stories in the Shaanxi dialect. The stories range in subject greatly from the story of the Monkey King to instructions on garbage sorting.

“Shaanxi kuaiban is amazing. It can not only bring you great joy, but also broaden your horizons” said Yang. Shaanxi kuaiban is a traditional Chinese form of storytelling in the Shaanxi dialect to the rhythm of bamboo clappers. In June, it was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage at the national level. It can be performed by a group or solo. The art form can be traced back to the late Qing Dynasty (1644 — 1911). According to its performers, the art was originally used by farmers to share their knowledge and earn money. But now, more people perform Shaanxi kuaiban on different occasions-for example, at festival celebrations, parties and art shows.

Yang Jinlong, 45, is an experienced Shaanxi kuaiban artist. He first learned the art at the age of 9. Before that, he often went with his father, an amateur performer, to watch kuaiban performances.

“As a young boy, I was attracted to the art form because many of the stories are about heroes. The performer tells stories while playing kuaiban, and it’s easy for the audience to remember the stories since all the lines rhyme,” Yang said. He has practiced Shaanxi kuaiban for more than 30 years. Since 2003, he has been teaching the art form to young people. At 9 am on weekdays, he drives to primary and middle schools in Xi’an and teaches students about Shaanxi kuaiban until about 6 pm. Then, he returns home to prepare classes for the next day. On the weekends, he teaches for six hours each day at art education institutions in Xi’an.

Yang has made some adaptations to the art form to relate more to students. When he tells modern stories, Yang abandons the traditional gown and wears a suit. He also integrates many pop elements like tap dance, ballet, jazz dance and the rhythm of popular music into kuaiban performances. His stories focus on more trendy topics, like stories of heroes who have worked to alleviate poverty (扶贫), as well as the Chinese Olympic team.

“Art education is important for students in China. Just as many students learn to play Western musical instruments like the piano and violin, there are many people learning traditional Chinese folk arts, including Shaanxi kuaiban. They are committed and passionate,” Yang said.

1. What do we know about Shaanxi kuaiban?

A．It dates back to the late Ming Dynasty.

B．People perform it in Shaanxi dialect.

C．It was originally used by teachers for teaching.

D．It focuses on Chinese ancient literature.

2. Why was Yang Jin long fascinated by Shaanxi kuaiban as a child?

A．Because all the lines rhyme.	B．Because he liked stories about heroes.
C．Because it was away to earn money.	D．Because he wanted to be like his father.

3. What did Yang Jin long do to promote Shaanxi kuaiban?

A．He wore local clothes of Shaanxi.

B．He told stories about superheroes.

C．He added pop elements to performances.

D．He performed Shaanxi kuaiban in We stem countries.

4. Which of the following best describes Yang Jin long?

A．Talented and modest.	B．Patient and capable.
C．Determined and creative.	D．Humorous and responsible.

3 . Explore the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, which offers a relaxing setting for you to enjoy works of modern sculpture.

Chair Transformation Number 20B, made in 1996 — by Lucas Samaras

Here, Samaras explores the double meaning of “flight”, referring to both the starlike form created by the stacked chairs, and the movement of a single chair moving through space. From different viewpoints, the sculpture appears to be upright, leaning back, or springing forward. From the side, it even appears like a zigzagging (之字形的) line.

Typewriter Eraser, Scale X, made in 1998 — by Coosje van Bruggen

The artist chose the typewriter eraser as his model for this work based upon childhood memories of playing with the object in his father’s office. Here the brush arcs (作弧形运动) back, conveying a sense of motion, as if the wheel­like eraser were rolling down the hill and making its way towards the gate of the garden.

Moondog, model 1974, made in 19981999 — by Tony Smith

The title itself comes from two sources: Moondog was the name of a blind poet and folk musician who lived in New York City, and Smith has also compared this sculpture to Dog Barking at the Moon, a painting by Joan Miro. He first created Moondog in 1974 as a 33­inch cardboard model and cast it in bronze as a garden sculpture in 1980. This version was designed by Smith, but it was not completed until after his death.

Cheval Rouge (Red Horse), made in 1964 — by Alexander Calder

During the last two decades of his life, Alexander Calder devoted his greatest efforts to large­scale mobiles and stabiles (立式抽象派雕塑), many of which have become popular public landmarks in cities around the world. Here the silky legs and tensile (张力的) up­thrust “neck” recall the power of a horse. This stabile reflects Calder's statement: “I want to make things that are fun to look at.”

1. Which was based on its creator’s early life?

A．Moondog.	B．Cheval Rouge (Red Horse).
C．Typewriter Eraser, Scale X.	D．Chair Transformation Number 20B.

2. What can we learn about the sculpture Moondog?

A．It was originally intended for a garden.

B．It was the only work of its creator.

C．It was inspired by a modern painter.

D．It wasn’t completed by its designer.

3. Whose work was created the earliest?

A．Tony Smith’s.	B．Lucas Samaras’.
C．Alexander Calder’s.	D．Coosje van Bruggen’s.

4 . Although the weather is very hot now, the carnival of ice and snow is getting closer. The preparation work for Beijing Winter Olympic Games, which are expected to begin on Feb. 4, 2022, has entered its final stage. In January, 2021, the ice­making work on the “Ice Ribbon”, a landmark venue for the Beijing Winter Olympics, was completed.

In the Winter Olympics, where races can be won or lost by a small time gap, tiny imperfections in the ice can make all the difference. “It’s not just a hunk of ice like you’d normally think of, like ice cubes sitting in your freezer, ” told Kenneth Golden, a US mathematician who studies the structures of ice. “It’s a much more fascinating and complex substance than people would normally think.”

The first step for building any ice rink is to purify the water to remove dissolved solids like salts and minerals. Such impurities don’t fit in the regular hexagonal (六边形的) structure of ice that forms as water freezes. The more pure the water is, the more consistent the ice surface.

In addition to the need for excellence in the raw materials of ice­making, technology is also very important. As one of the most advanced technologies for winter sports venues, a carbon dioxide (CO₂) cooling technology has been applied on a large scale for the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. CO₂ is not new when it comes to ice­making. However, it has been gradually replaced by the man­made refrigerant, like Freon.

With increasing attention toward climate change, the old refrigerant has come into use again. As an element of the atmosphere, CO₂ doesn’t damage the ozone layer. Although CO₂ is a greenhouse gas, its greenhouse effect is much lower than that of other synthetic refrigerants. The Winter Olympics venues adopted CO₂ instead of Freon as a refrigerant in ice­making, which will reduce carbon dioxide emissions greatly.

“We believe these technological innovations will bring Beijing 2022 to spectators all over the world in a more impressive way, ” told Gao Bo from the Media Operations Department of the Organizing Committee of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games.

1. What is the result of impurities in water for ice­making?

A．The water isn’t able to freeze completely.	B．The quality of the ice will be affected.
C．The ice surface will be more consistent.	D．It’s likely for athletes to fall on the ice.

2. Why has CO₂ cooling technology been applied for the Winter Olympic Games?

A．It’s the most advanced technologies for ice­making.	B．CO2 is more efficient than other refrigerants.
C．CO2 is more environmentally­friendly than Freon.	D．CO2 has already existed in the atmosphere.

3. What is Gao Bo’s attitude to CO₂ being applied to ice­making?

A．Unclear.

B．Opposed.

C．Doubtful.

D．Favourable.

4. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?

A．The Beijing Winter Olympic Games Is Coming	B．Beneath Olympic Ice
C．The Use of Refrigerants in Olympic Games	D．The Structure of Ice

5 . In an ideal world, we would be able to devote as much time to sports as we feel we need. But in reality, with growing demands in both work and family, we can only jump at the chance for our physical exercise when we can. Making the most of that time to practice Yin Yang yoga, which mixes the dynamic and slow-paced elements of yoga, helps keep you active and relaxed.

Yin and Yang are the Taoist concepts representing a balance of opposite forces which are also interconnected. Yin is inactive, cooling, and negative, associated with the female force. Yang is active, warming, and positive, associated with action and movement. They are complementary to one another, as one cannot exist without the other.

Yin Yang yoga is a combination of high-energy movement which builds energy, increases strength and promotes stamina (耐力), followed by the more restful practice of Yin to give us a deeper stretch (拉伸) and calm the nervous system.

If you have a busy and active life you may feel more in Yang, so taking some cooler, slower Yin yoga practice into your routine may help you feel calmer and more balanced.

If you are practicing for an hour, divide the time in half, Warm up with sun salutations (拜日式瑜伽), continue into a dynamic flow and then move on to some standing postures. After half an hour your heart will be pumping, muscles tighten up and you are hopefully feeling energetic, but ready for a rest. Then pick five Yin postures to hold for 3-5 minutes, or even longer if you are enjoying them!

As ever with yoga, if you are a beginner or have health issues, always attend a class with a trained instructor first to guide you safely through the yoga practice and avoid injury.

1. What can be inferred from paragraph 1?

A．Most of our sports time should be spent on Yin Yang yoga.

B．We’d better devote as much time to physical exercise as we can.

C．Busy schedule makes it impossible for us to do any form of sports.

D．Yin Yang yoga can be a choice of physical exercise when time is tight.

2. What does the underlined word “complementary” in the second paragraph probably mean?

A．Independent from one another.

B．Competitive against one another.

C．Similar to each other but unable to work together as a whole.

D．Different from each other but together making a good combination.

3. Which of the following might be the benefit of Yin postures?

A．Relaxing muscles.	B．Building stamina.
C．Strengthening the body.	D．Quickening the heartbeat.

4. What suggestion does the writer give in the last two paragraphs?

A．Hold each Yin posture for longer than 5 minutes.

B．Do not practice yoga when you are not in good health.

C．Start your yoga practice under the guidance of a trainer.

D．Spare half an hour for five Yin postures in every yoga practice.

7 . I went with some colleagues for dinner in a very popular local restaurant. It was ________ business time and the restaurant was crowded.

As we were waiting for a table, we heard a crash when a cleaning boy________the floor with all the plates he was carrying. There was ________ and no one was saying or doing anything. In a flash I remembered my ________ many years ago. At one time, I ________ when I was on business. I had a high fever but luckily was taken care of by two ________. Then this was my chance to ________ it forward.

I had learned some first-aid lessons before, so I ran to the boy’s side________, turned him on his back and screamed for someone to ________ a hot drink. The boy soon opened his eyes,________ what had happened. And so I ________ him by saying it was OK. I held the warm drink to his mouth till he________ it. At that time the manager arrived, who was kind enough to look after the boy. By the time all this was over, we hadn’t________anything yet, and we decided to go home.

I slowly walked home, not hungry any more, feeling________for the opportunity to pay forward the _______ I had received many years ago.

1.

A．busy

B．local

C．spare

D．regular

2.

A．kicked

B．touched

C．hit

D．swept

3.

A．silence

B．danger

C．doubt

D．suffering

4.

A．prediction

B．behaviour

C．experience

D．career

5.

A．fell about

B．fell asleep

C．fell behind

D．fell ill

6.

A．friends

B．strangers

C．partners

D．relatives

7.

A．pay

B．return

C．take

D．put

8.

A．frequently

B．quickly

C．sadly

D．excitedly

9.

A．select

B．mix

C．remove

D．bring

10.

A．knowing

B．wondering

C．ignoring

D．arguing

11.

A．reminded

B．comforted

C．observed

D．encouraged

12.

A．spotted

B．checked

C．noticed

D．finished

13.

A．prepared

B．required

C．received

D．ordered

14.

A．concerned

B．eager

C．grateful

D．ready

15.

A．kindness

B．honor

C．respect

D．service

8 . Some scientists say that animals in the oceans are increasingly threatened by noise pollution caused by human beings.

The noise that affects sea creatures comes from a number of human activities. It is caused mainly by industrial underwater explosions, ocean drilling,and ship engines. Such noises are added to natural sounds. These sounds include the breaking of ice fields, underwater earthquakes, and sounds made by animals themselves.

Decibels(分贝) measured in water are different from those measured on land. A noise of one hundred and twenty decibels on land causes pain to human ears. In water, a decibel level of one hundred and ninety-five would have the same effect.

Some scientists have proposed setting a noise limit of one hundred and twenty decibels in oceans. They have observed that noises at that level can frighten and confuse whales.

A team of American and Canadian scientists discovered that louder noises can seriously injure some animals. The research team found that powerful underwater explosions were causing whales in the area to lose their hearing. This seriously affected the whales’ ability to exchange information and find their way. Some of the whales even died. The explosions had caused their ears to bleed and become infected.

Many researchers whose work depends on ocean sounds object to a limit of one hundred and twenty decibels. They say such a limit would mean an end to important industrial and scientific research.

Scientists do not know how much and what kinds of noises are harmful to ocean animals. However, many scientists suspect that noise is a greater danger than they believed. They want to prevent noises from harming creatures in the ocean.

1. According to the passage, which of the following is increasingly dangerous to sea creatures?

A．The man-made noises.	B．The noises made by themselves.
C．The sound of earthquakes.	D．The sound of the ice-breaking.

2. Which of the following is discussed in the third paragraph?

A．Different places with different types of noises.

B．The very human ears sensitive to all types of noises.

C．The same noise measured differently on land and in the ocean.

D．The ocean animals’ reaction to noises.

9 . Five years ago, French navy officer Chardon was listening to a radio program about the journey of the bar-tailed godwit (斑尾塍鹬) , a bird that flies 14,000 kilometers between New Zealand and Alaska. Chardon understood how dangerous the journey would be, as heavy storms frequently hit Pacific island communities. Yet, somehow, bar-tailed godwits routinely pass through the area uninjured. Chardon wondered whether learning how godwits navigate (导航) could help coastal communities avoid disasters. Could tracking birds help save lives?

This past January, a team began experiments designed to test Chardon’s idea. Researchers led by Jiguet equipped 56 birds of five species with cutting-edge animal tracking technology. The team were transported to remote islands in French Polynesia, where they attached tags (追踪器). These tags send the birds’ locations to the International Space Station, which sends the data back to scientists on Earth who can then follow the birds — all the while waiting to see how the birds respond to natural disasters.

The project is focusing on birds’ ability to hear infrasound, the low-frequency sound humans cannot hear. Researchers believe it’s the most likely signal birds would use to sense storms and tsunamis. In a 2014 study, scientists tracking golden-winged warblers in the central and southeastern US founded the birds flew up to 1,500 kilometers to escape from the outbreak of tornadoes that killed 35 people. This showed they’d heard the storm system in advance.

The team plan on tagging more birds across the Pacific to prepare for a potential tsunami. “I think if there’s one wave that spreads across islands, we should get data from different species at different locations,” says Jiguet. “That’d definitely show it’s worth continuing to tag birds and to develop local systems to better analyze this.”

Even if the attempt to develop a bird-based tsunami early warning system fails, the project will still help scientists protect birds. In that sense, the research will have already gained results by that time. Jiguet says their first season’s tracking data shows Hawaii is an important stepping stone for the birds they tagged — a useful clue to the protection of these species above rising seas.

1. What is the purpose of Jiguet’s experiments?

A．To learn more about birds’ lifestyles.	B．To know birds’ reactions to disasters.
C．To test an animal tracking technology.	D．To study birds’ adaptation to nature.

2. Why is the 2014 study mentioned in paragraph 3?

A．To present a fact.	B．To make comparisons.
C．To take a guess.	D．To introduce a new sound.

3. What does Jiguet most probably think of their research?

A．Successful.

B．Challenging.

C．Regrettable.

D．Rewarding.

4. What might be the best title for the text?

A．Can birds predict most natural disasters?

B．How do we develop a warning system?

C．Can birds warn us of natural disasters?

D．How do birds avoid natural disasters?

10 . Brandon and Derek’s mother, Beth Lash, shared a Facebook video on Dec. 25, 2017. It captured the moment when Bandon _____ his card out loud. On Brandon Lash’s 24th birthday, his little brother, Derek, presented him with a rather large card filled with an even bigger ____.

“I have always respect you,” Brandon reads from the front of the card, _____ by this brother．

“I love spending time with you. I’m so _____ I have you for my brother. You have always been there for me, even though I get on your nerves sometimes. You will always have a piece of my heart,” Brandon continues, opening up the _____.

“And now you will have my kidney (肾), too. We are a _____ match.” Brandon reads, _______ the card to the floor and burst into ____.

Brandon ,who has kidney disease, receives _____ three times a week, and was told that he had been recommended for the transplant list. Unfortunately, his parents are not a match, but _____, his brother is.

“I can’t believe Derek would _____ so much for me,” Brandon tells the publication. “ He’s giving me a _____ to have a healthy life again. I still can’t believe it’s happening.”

“I _____ seeing him sick and knew something needed to be done to make him healthy again.” Derek adds. “Not only was it the _____ thing to do, but the only thing to do. He’s my brother. We didn’t know when he could be on the transplant list, but I knew I just wanted my ____ brother back.”

1.

A．read

B．sang

C．called

D．shouted

2.

A．claim

B．award

C．smile

D．surprise

3.

A．signed

B．drawn

C．written

D．described

4.

A．thankful

B．satisfied

C．awkward

D．confused

5.

A．paper

B．card

C．book

D．cover

6.

A．perfect

B．possible

C．equal

D．friendly

7.

A．losing

B．dropping

C．throwing

D．blowing

8.

A．screams

B．worries

C．laughs

D．tears

9.

A．treatments

B．experiments

C．directions

D．observations

10.

A．finally

B．possibly

C．luckily

D．exactly

11.

A．advise

B．experience

C．allow

D．sacrifice

12.

A．chance

B．fortune

C．accident

D．occasion

13.

A．regretted

B．minded

C．hated

D．opposed

14.

A．fair

B．right

C．normal

D．real

15.

A．lovely

B．brave

C．honest

D．healthy