1 . Not Waving but Drowning
Stevie Smith (1902-1971)
Nobody heard him, the dead man, but still he lay moaning:
I was much further out than you thought, and not waving but drowning.
Poor chap, he always loved larking, and now he's dead.
It must have been too cold for him, his heart gave away, they said.
Oh, no no no, it was too cold always (Still the dead one lay moaning).
I was much too far out all my life, and not waving but drowning.
‘Not Waving But Drowning’ by Stevie Smith describes the emotional situation of a speaker whose true sufferings go unnoticed by all those around her. The poem begins with the speaker stating that there is a dead man who is not really dead. He is not dead because his story has more to offer to the world. His death came at the hands of apathy (冷漠). The speaker knows this to be true as she is struggling out in the ocean waters. She’s trying desperately to get someone’s attention but all the onlookers believe her to be “waving” rather than “drowning”. Then the speaker criticizes the emotionless reaction of the beach-goers by describing their words regarding the dead man. They see him, attempt to recall something about his life, and then declare him dead without ceremony They believe that it must have been “too cold” for him and that his heart gave out. The speaker continues to say that it has always been “too cold” for her. She has always been too far out to the sea to make people understand her, especially now when she needs understanding the most.
On the surface the poem is about a man who drowns because his movements are mistaken for friendly waving. Taken less literally, however, it speaks to the pain of being misunderstood and the frequent failure of communication between human beings, closely related to which is its potential suggestion of mental illness. That is, the poem can be taken as an extended metaphor (暗喻) for the specific pain of diseases like depression, which makes the man feel like “drowning” yet unable to effectively ask for help. It’s worth noting here that Smith herself struggled with depression for much of her life, and her own experience likely informed the poem. The man’s mistaken gestures, in this reading, indicate the divide between appearance and reality, between how people dealing with such illness are feeling inside and how the world sees them or how they present themselves to the world.
1. What’s the first paragraph mainly about?A.An introduction of the poet. | B.The explanation of the poem’s content. |
C.The appreciation of the poem's images. | D.An analysis of the poem's creation background. |
A.Casually. | B.Definitely. | C.Formally. | D.Violently. |
A.His inner desire for death. | B.His misleading gestures for help. |
C.His being drowned for so long a time. | D.His failed communication with people around. |
A.People usually believe what they see. |
B.People can't turn a blind eye to whoever is in trouble. |
C.People should re late to what those in need truly need. |
D.People with mental illnesses must help themselves out. |
2 . Some of the world’s most famous musicians recently gathered in Paris and New Orleans to celebrate the first annual International Jazz Day. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) recently set April 30 as a day to raise awareness of jazz music, its significance, and its potential as a unifying (联合) voice across cultures.
Despite the celebrations, though, in the U.S. the jazz audience continues to shrink and grow older, and the music has failed to connect with younger generations.
It’s Jason Moran’s job to help change that. As the Kennedy Center’s artistic adviser for jazz, Moran hopes to widen the audience for jazz, make the music more accessible, and preserve its history and culture.
“Jazz seems like it’s not really a part of the American appetite,” Moran tells National Public Radio’s reporter Neal Conan. “What I’m hoping to accomplish is that my generation and younger start to reconsider and understand that jazz is not black and white anymore. It’s actually color, and it’s actually digital.”
Moran says one of the problems with jazz today is that the entertainment aspect of the music has been lost. “The music can’t be presented today the way it was in 1908 or 1958. It has to continue to move because the way the world works is not the same,” says Moran.
Last year, Moran worked on a project that arranged Fats Waller’s music for a dance party, “Just to kind of put it back in the mind that Waller is dance music as much as it is concert music,” says Moran. “For me, it’s the recontextualization. In music, where does the emotion lie? Are we, as humans, gaining any insight (感悟) on how to talk about ourselves and how something as abstract as a Charlie Parker’s record gets us into a dialogue about our emotions and our thoughts? Sometimes we lose sight that the music has a wider context,” says Moran, “so I want to continue those dialogues. Those are the things I want to foster.”
1. Why did UNESCO set April 30 as International Jazz Day?A.To remember the birth of jazz. | B.To protect cultural diversity. |
C.To encourage people to study music. | D.To recognize the value of jazz. |
A.Jazz becoming more accessible. | B.The production of jazz growing faster. |
C.Jazz being less popular with the young. | D.The jazz audience becoming larger. |
A.It will disappear gradually. | B.It remains black and white. |
C.It should keep up with the times. | D.It changes every 50 years. |
A.In a newspaper. | B.In a travel guide. |
C.In a math textbook. | D.In a fiction novel. |
3 . Nuclear pollution is a serious global
When nuclear accidents occur in coastal areas, the
Following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, efforts to cool the reactors by pumping in seawater resulted in the
This
A.change | B.opportunity | C.concern | D.possibility |
A.caused | B.posed | C.created | D.increased |
A.resulted in | B.led to | C.brought about | D.caused |
A.terrestrial | B.aquatic | C.marine | D.atmospheric |
A.balancing | B.regulating | C.considering | D.stabilizing |
A.heightened | B.raised | C.decreased | D.lifted |
A.minor | B.slight | C.substantial | D.insignificant |
A.accumulation | B.storage | C.deposition | D.buildup |
A.Therefore | B.Despite | C.However | D.Hence |
A.from | B.by | C.of | D.in |
A.residents | B.citizens | C.inhabitants | D.dwellers |
A.issue | B.measure | C.release | D.disposal |
A.web | B.chain | C.network | D.system |
A.urgent | B.immediate | C.pressing | D.critical |
A.address | B.tackle | C.solve | D.resolve |
4 . As we all know, swimming is great fun. But it often comes with
Griffin Emerson, a 6-year-old child, swam in an apartment block’s pool. He enjoyed the pool’s
All that came about as no one else, including his mother, seemed to
However, one young man, Noah, did find Griffin in the pool. He told his friend Weston to call 911 at once. And Noah
Noah made it to Griffin, caught him and
Griffin’s mother was
A.difference | B.attention | C.danger | D.limitation |
A.curious | B.ordinary | C.relaxed | D.experienced |
A.prevent | B.identify | C.watch | D.suffer |
A.quiet | B.common | C.shallow | D.separate |
A.run | B.move | C.jump | D.climb |
A.recognize | B.notice | C.consider | D.persuade |
A.struggle | B.complaint | C.speed | D.escape |
A.side | B.center | C.bottom | D.corner |
A.hurried | B.regretted | C.continued | D.waited |
A.catch up with | B.keep track of | C.drive away | D.check on |
A.tied | B.directed | C.dropped | D.pulled |
A.recall | B.describe | C.perform | D.explain |
A.Sadly | B.Luckily | C.Obviously | D.Surprisingly |
A.familiar | B.patient | C.generous | D.grateful |
A.paid forward | B.brought in | C.taken over | D.looked into |
5 . Mathea Allansmith isn’t your typical grandmother. She’s the oldest woman in the world to have completed a marathon. She was 92 years 194 days old when she crossed the finish line at the 2022 Honolulu Marathon, setting the record for the oldest female to complete a marathon.
Mathea, now 94, of Koloa, Hawaii, USA, stays in shape all year round by running seven days a week, no matter what the weather is. Come rain or shine, she covers 36 miles every week, even when she’s on holiday. The retired doctor didn’t take up running until she was 46 years old —after a friend suggested running two miles per day.
“The Honolulu Marathon is my favorite marathon mainly because it doesn’t close the gate at a certain time, which allows even the slowest runner to finish the race,” she said. “It’s one of the best races. Fantastic registration (注册), set-up and management make it a joy to run the race.”
Mathea, who doesn’t allow her age to slow her down, thinks she is the happiest person when she’s on the road. She enjoys running for miles and waving and saying hello to the people she passes. To stay in shape, Mathea keeps a steady training routine (惯例) . “I train all year round but increase the mileage 18 weeks before a marathon,” she said.
Mathea said it was her career as a doctor that allowed her to understand how her body and mind respond to diet and exercise. “I see the direct relation between moving and health,” she said. “It is important to reduce stress rather than ignoring it without a plan on how to do so. Of course, exercise of any kind is a natural stress reducer.”
Mathea thought getting through the finish line and winning a Guinness World Record title was the excitement of her life. “My family completely surprised me after the 2022 Honolulu Marathon, in which I achieved the world record, by wearing matching T-shirts stating my achievements,” she said.
1. What do we know about Mathea from the first two paragraphs?A.She used to be in poor health. |
B.She is the oldest to win a marathon. |
C.She runs daily regardless of the weather. |
D.She was encouraged by her patient to run. |
A.It gives winners the best awards. |
B.It provides runners with quality service.. |
C.It has no time limit for runners to finish. |
D.It allows runners to set a world record easily. |
A.Her professional experience. | B.Her training courses. |
C.Her views on stress in life. | D.Her hobby from young. |
A.Practice makes perfect. |
B.Interest is the best teacher. |
C.Age is no barrier to success. |
D.Ups and downs make one strong. |
6 . UC Berkeley Youth Summer Camps
UC Berkeley Youth Summer Camps will provide a wide variety of one-week outdoor experiences and activities for young people on summer camps 2024. Here are four best summer camps.
Afternoon Adventures CampAfternoon Adventures Camp offers many adventurous activities around the Berkeley Marina. Campers must be aged 8-10 to sign up. They will explore the ocean plants and join in other activities such as doing outdoor exploration, playing outdoor group games and going skateboarding. This camp provides an opportunity for younger campers to develop lasting friendship through outdoor games.
Blue CampBlue Camp grew from the idea that all children need opportunities to take part in regular physical activities to support their mental health. This camp for children aged 7-12 includes art trainings, swimming lessons, free play and group games to create a fun and well-rounded camp experience. The camp is made up of three age groups to ensure safety.
Eco(生态)Adventures CampEco Adventures Camp allows campers to have the chance to explore various environments around Berkeley. Campers will practice observing through their senses and record their findings while they use scientific methods to explore various creatures of the Bay Area.
Discovery CampDiscovery Camp is designed specifically with the 10-12 year-old in mind, with challenging new ways to explore the Bay Area. Activities may include hikes(徒步旅行)to regional waterfalls, cycling to a beach picnic lunch and rock climbing. The full day course covers a series of regional adventures, often with several stops in a day. All campers can enjoy the bus service to and from the campsites.
1. What can a camper do in Afternoon Adventures Camp?A.Play indoor group games. |
B.Watch the nearby waterfalls. |
C.Keep records of unique animals. |
D.Participate in skateboarding activities. |
A.Afternoon Adventures Camp. | B.Blue Camp. |
C.Eco Adventures Camp. | D.Discovery Camp. |
A.Campers can enjoy free beach lunch. |
B.Campers are offered public transportation. |
C.Campers can observe various sea creatures. |
D.Campers are divided into different age groups. |
7 . At 20 years old, I was a confident and handsome student at the University of California at Berkey.
But that year, I
But six months later, a new bump appeared. Numerous
I awoke from the surgery with a scarred, disfigured face. As I re-entered the real world, I noticed adults
Five years and 20 reconstructive surgeries later, I
I began examining myself from the inside out. Later, I volunteered at a cancer support organization to offer inspiration and hope to those
Now, I am
A.took charge of | B.took care of | C.took control of | D.took notice of |
A.appointment | B.arrangement | C.commitment | D.placement |
A.severe | B.minor | C.apparent | D.complicated |
A.novelists | B.specialists | C.impressionists | D.journalists |
A.advocated | B.predicted | C.warned | D.witnessed |
A.desperate | B.enthusiastic | C.delicate | D.optimistic |
A.smiling | B.glaring | C.glancing | D.staring |
A.unusually | B.unintentionally. | C.unconventionally | D.unselfishly |
A.bother | B.impress | C.annoy | D.restrict |
A.greeted | B.persuaded | C.encountered | D.grasped |
A.abused | B.defended | C.informed | D.motivated |
A.relief | B.security | C.defence | D.honesty |
A.going about | B.relating to | C.wrestling with | D.breaking with |
A.greedy | B.grateful | C.suitable | D.tolerant |
A.mental vitality | B.physical fitness | C.social acceptance | D.face value |
8 . Working for a big company in London on a salary (薪水)of over £100,000, you might expect Grayden Reece-Smith to have a luxurious (奢侈)lifestyle, going on expensive holidays or driving a sports car around south London, where he lives. In fact, the 28-year-old lives a very different existence from his colleagues. He gives away everything he earns over £42,000–a figure that he thought he could comfortably live on.
Over the past five years, Reece-Smith has handed over more than £250,000 to organizations such as International Care Ministries, which helps poor families in the Philippines, and the Against Malaria Foundation. He is part of a growing number of young professionals described as “effective altruists”. Effective altruists typically donate regularly to a charity which they think will have a great impact (影响). Some change careers to make more money, which can then be given away.
Reece-Smith considered working in the charity sector after graduating from university, but thought that he could make a bigger difference by donating a large part of his salary. He had volunteered as a teacher at a school in Tanzania, but then realized that earning and giving would be more effective. “The cost of my flights there could have paid the salaries of two teachers for an entire year,” he says. Instead, he could “stay at home, living a nice life and still make a huge difference in the world”.
He is not mean with money-last year he went to Cuba on holiday, and spent several thousand pounds on a new sofa. But his lifestyle isn’t as luxurious as some of the people he works with. “I usually don’t buy supermarket-branded food products, but I don’t own a car. Other people on my salary might have a bigger house. Some of my colleagues have four-bedroom houses, but we only bought what we needed-a two-bedroom flat.£42,000 is more than enough to live on and still save,” he says.
1. How much money does Grayden spend on donation every year?A.Less than £42,000. | B.Over £100.000. |
C.£50,000. | D.Any income over £42,000. |
A.Donate to impactful charities. | B.Make more money to enjoy lives. |
C.Create a good public image. | D.Enter a teaching profession. |
A.To access his inner life. | B.To create a stronger effect. |
C.To give away all of his salary. | D.To be a teacher at a school. |
A.He leads an expensive lifestyle. | B.He buys food produced by supermarkets. |
C.He lives in a four-bedroom house. | D.He balances his life and donation. |
9 . When handball was introduced to Sri Lankan schools in 2010, I wanted to bring it to my school in a remote village. This became a(n)
40 students aged between 13 and 19
Heshan Pradeep, an alumnus (校友) and member of the Air Force handball team, volunteered to
The
A.appealing | B.challenging | C.confusing | D.amusing |
A.regardless of | B.in relation to | C.other than | D.in terms of |
A.leaving | B.assuming | C.offering | D.creating |
A.determined | B.resistant | C.forbidden | D.grateful |
A.woke up | B.grew up | C.sped up | D.signed up |
A.allow | B.encourage | C.convince | D.force |
A.Ultimately | B.Occasionally | C.Similarly | D.Unfortunately |
A.protect | B.contact | C.coach | D.assess |
A.prospects | B.appliances | C.qualifications | D.facilities |
A.ended | B.continued | C.changed | D.functioned |
A.passionate about | B.particular about | C.embarrassed about | D.objective about |
A.debate | B.compete | C.associate | D.cooperate |
A.watched | B.hosted | C.reached | D.predicted |
A.stop | B.free | C.separate | D.excuse |
A.motivation | B.tendency | C.innovation | D.victory |
10 . It’s clear that following a plant-based diet is connected with a lower risk of heart disease. There are many types of plant-based diets, and they are all related to certain foods connected with heart benefits, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and healthy oils. The diets have been most studied for their impact on heart health. These diets are rich in vitamins and minerals that help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of diabetes (糖尿病) and keep a healthy weight, all of which can lower your risk of heart disease.
Yet, the types of plant foods and their sources are also important. For example, white rice and white bread are plant-based foods, so you would think they’re good to eat. But they are highly processed, and so are depleted of many heart-healthy nutrients (营养) and have enough sugar, which means they can make blood sugar levels rise sharply and increase hunger, leading to overeating. Drinking 100% fruit juice is not the same as eating the whole fruit, since juices can be high in sugar.
Do you really have to cut out all meat for your heart’s health? Which animal foods could have an impact on heart health? Some research has shown that the type and amount matter most. A 2014 study showed that men aged 45 to 79 who ate 75 grams or more per day of processed red meat, like cold cuts, sausage, bacon and hot dogs, had a 28% higher risk of heart failure than those who ate less than 25 grams. However, a study in the January 2017 found that eating 85 grams of unprocessed red meat, three times per week, did not worsen blood pressure.
What is the right plant-based diet for you? “For many men, this may be a matter of bettering their current foods,” says Dr. Satija, a researcher from American College of Cardiology.
1. From the first two paragraphs, we know that plant-based diets ________.A.benefit heart health | B.increase hunger | C.lead to overweight | D.contain enough sugar |
A.Added to. | B.Short of. | C.Filled with. | D.Rooted in. |
A.To prove the result believable. | B.To attract readers’ attention. |
C.To show the process clearly. | D.To make the study popular. |
A.Risks of animal foods. | B.Disadvantages of plant-based diets. |
C.Changes of eating habits. | D.Effects of heart-healthy diets. |