1 . The topic of China’s “slash youth” has fueled heated debate on social media recently, drawing attention to the diverse pursuits of the younger generation.
The slash youth, which could also be called slashers or slash-generation means those who refuse to be defined or bound by just one personal identity. They are keen to present themselves as multiple and sometimes distinct identities, such as a nurse and model, a teacher and stand-up comedian, and an engineer and band player. Rather than material comforts, they pursue meaningful achievements.
A study on “slash youth” published in the China Youth Research magazine analyzes the background of this phenomenon: with part of modern society’s structured organization and stability norms are broken, flexible labor markets and structural unemployment has emerged, eliminating the sense of job security of the young people in employment. Young people also face the dilemma of self-actualization, including the sense of powerlessness, lost sense of value and lack of self-identity in the profession, which forces them to re-find the meaning of work.
“The ‘slash life’ shows that our society is becoming more and more diversified and inclusive and it welcomes everyone’s self fulfillment,” said Shi Yanrong, an associate researcher from Tianjin Academy of Social Sciences. The researcher added that against the background that people have multiple interests and are willing to pay for these interests nowadays, the “slash life” of the youth would drive the growth of a new economy, just as animation culture affected the market.
1. Which is true about the slash youth?| A．Tending to pursue meaningful achievements. |
| B．Enjoying posting themselves on social media. |
| C．Adjusting themselves to challenges in life. |
| D．Refusing to undertake multiple careers. |
| A．The significance of flexible labor markets. |
| B．Reasons for the appearance of slash youth. |
| C．Young people’s interest in their profession. |
| D．Causes of losing power among the youth. |
| A．It can gain people’s independence. |
| B．It inspires young people’s creativity. |
| C．It can pick up an economic growth. |
| D．It enables young people to earn high. |
| A．To provide latest career guidance. |
| B．To introduce a social phenomenon. |
| C．To analyze a new cultural difference. |
| D．To highlight a unique life experience. |
2 . My height embarrassed me! One of the greatest lessons my dad taught me was to beat the jokers to the punch. If I am going to be a punchline(笑柄), I’d rather be the author of the joke.
There was a lot of name-calling. Some cruel, some not. I have blocked out much of the cruel. In junior high, a well-meaning acquaintance called me Stretch. In university, I was Shortly brought on myself when a friend said,“I’ll see you shortly,” to which I replied, “Sounds good, and don’t call me Shortly.
Jokes and nicknames aside, there were some real challenges as a short person. Studies have shown short men tend to make less money on average. This is why I hated in-person job interviews. I always feared my height would cost me an opportunity. I always felt judged, real or not.
As I get older, and obviously wiser, it doesn’t get to me as much. There are some benefits of being short. I find airplane seats spacious. I am good at hide and seek. I rarely bump my head.Would I still want to be taller? Of course. But I wouldn’t be me. I am me because I’m short. And I like who I am.
It’s such a part of me that I cheer on fellow short people. Lionel Messi is the greatest soccer player of all time (and even he gets mocked) Bruno Mars may be the original short king. Small victories.
I don’t remember when I became okay with being short. But at some point, like I have done my entire life, things started looking up.
1. What did the writer’s father advise him to do to, deal with height-related jokes?| A．Ignore them and stay silent. |
| B．Joke first to manage situations. |
| C．Respond with calm and peace. |
| D．Seek help from family and friends. |
| A．He thought they’d waste too much time. |
| B．He used to avoid the real challenges. |
| C．He minded other interviewees’ comments. |
| D．He worried about being judged by his height. |
| A．He accepts it readily. |
| B．It has made him smart. |
| C．It still poses challenges. |
| D．He thinks he’s tall enough. |
| A．To convey admiration for their achievements. |
| B．To show how short people handle their height. |
| C．To demonstrate short people can achieve success. |
| D．To introduce challenges short people may face. |
3 . A study published in the journal Nature Geoscience last week revealed soil samples collected by China’s Chang’e-5 lunar probe contained impact glass beads(珠子) that held water in the form of hydroxyl(氢), a molecule consisting of one oxygen atom and one hydrogen atom. Hydroxyl ion is one of the most common ions found in water.
These glass beads are created when meteoroids(流星体) hit the moon’s surface, throwing up hot molten droplets which then cool and turn solid. They function like a sponge, soaking up hydrogen atoms carried by the solar wind to form hydroxyl, thus playing a key role in the water cycle of the lunar surface.
While each bead only holds a tiny amount of water, these glass balls are so ubiquitous on the moon and researchers estimated lunar soils could store as much as 270 billion metric tons of water. For decades, scientists thought the moon was bone dry until discoveries in recent years revealed its soil could hold water.
“The moon potentially holding 270 billion metric tons of water is quite substantial, though it pales in comparison to the amount of water in the Earth’s oceans,”said Hu Sen, a researcher from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
These findings not only provide insight on the origins, storage, and transportation of water on celestial(天空的) bodies without atmospheres, but they also may prove helpful for planning and building a sustainable human habitat on these planets, he added.
1. What do glass beads on the moon’s surface function?| A．As a sponge taking in hydrogen atoms. |
| B．As meteoroids hitting the moon’s surface. |
| C．As hydrogen beneath the lunar surface. |
| D．As a source of energy for water cycle. |
| A．Rare. | B．Common. | C．Obvious. | D．Energetic. |
| A．Water from Earth. | B．Water from the sun. |
| C．Water from the stars. | D．Water from meteoroids. |
| A．The Key Role of Hydrogen in Lunar |
| B．New Discoveries based on Moon’s |
| C．Glass Beads Found on Moon’s Surface |
| D．Scientists Discover Water Reservoir |
4 . Chinatown, lying in Downtown L.A. near the city’s cultural center, is one of L.A.’s most popular tourist destinations.
I had been heading to Chinatown for about 6 years to hang out until 2012, when I became a member of the neighborhood. After moving in, I started to explore every corner of this amazing place.
A MECCA FOR FOOD
In Chinatown, a mix of new and old restaurants meets everyone’s needs. You can find dim sum at Ocean Seafood and tasty banh mi at Golden Lake Eatery. The cuisine in Chinatown goes beyond Asian food. People are still lining up for fried chicken at Howlin’ Ray’s.
Early birds should stop by Philippe The Original, a local restaurant that’s beloved for French Dip sandwiches, but also serves a good classic American breakfast. Night owls will want to head to Full House Seafood on Hill Street, which is open late into the night.
CHINESE AMERICAN MUSEUM
Food is far from the only reason to visit Chinatown. People interested in history will want to start their trip at the Chinese American Museum (CAM), lying just outside of Chinatown at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. The museum is housed in the Garnier Building, the oldest surviving Chinese building in a major area of California.
CENTRAL PLAZA
A big statue of Bruce Lee has become a must-photograph site in Chinatown’s Central Plaza. The late martial arts star once had a studio in Chinatown at 628 W.College St.
Nearby is Dragon Chasing Pearl, which was originally painted on the wall in 1941 by Tyrus Wong. The artist, who passed away in December 2016 at age 106, was famous for his work in films, particularly as the lead artist on Disney’s Bambi.
1. Which of the following serves both French and American food early in the morning?| A．Ocean Seafood. | B．Golden Lake Eatery. |
| C．Full House Seafood. | D．Philippe The Original. |
| A．It has big attraction for history-lovers. |
| B．It stands near the famous Garnier Building. |
| C．It is situated in the center of Chinatown. |
| D．It is the oldest museum in California. |
| A．Watch Disney films like Bambi. |
| B．Take pictures with martial arts stars. |
| C．Admire Tyrus Wong’s artwork. |
| D．Visit Bruce Lee’s house at 628 W. College St. |
5 . Here are some of the most famous duos (双人组合) to hit the big screen that have provided us with endless classic movie scenes.
Woody and Buzz-Toy Story
This duo first hit the big screen in the buddy-comedy Toy Story, released in 1995. The film takes place in a fictional world where the toys like human pretend to be lifeless when humans are present, but come to life when they leave the room. The film’s central plot focuses on the relationship between Woody, an old-fashioned doll, and Buzz, an action figure.
Cheech and Chong—Up In Smoke
Cheech and Chong are an award-winning comedy duo consisting of Richard “Cheech” and Tommy “Chong” who first found a following in the 1975 through their stand-up routines. The duo went on to release several albums throughout the 1970s.
Tyler Durden and the Narrator–Fight Club
The 1999 film Fight Club, based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Chuck Palahni-uk, features one of the most interesting duos on this list. Tyler Durden played by Brad Pitt and the Narrator played by Edward Norton serve as the film’s central antagonists (对手) and leading characters.
Han Solo and Chewbacca—Star Wars
Star Wars is one of the most beloved science-fiction movies and features the famous duo of Han Solo and Chewbacea, who have been a pair since they were first introduced in 1977. Chewbacca became the co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon and a trusted companion to Han as they traveled the space in search of space adventure.
1. Which are the earliest duo?| A．Woody and Buzz. |
| B．Han Solo and Chewbacca. |
| C．Tyler Durden and the Narrator. |
| D．Cheech and Chong. |
| A．It takes place in a fictional world. |
| B．It is based on the novel of the same name. |
| C．It provided us with endless classic movie scenes. |
| D．It was the only science-fiction movie at that time. |
| A．Education. | B．Science | C．Entertainment. | D．Health. |
6 . Research by the Policy Institute at King’s. College London and Ipsos MORI showed that around 54% of British people will miss some parts of lockdown (封城), including family time. 19% of the 2,442 adults said the last year had been better than they expected it to be when the first lockdown started. The research also found that 32% of people felt the past year had been similar to or better than usual for them personally. People have enjoyed being closer to their family, friends, and neighbours throughout to pandemic (流行病), with 28% feeling closer to their family, 19% to their neighbours, and 31% to their friends.
Professor Bobby Duffy, director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London, said: “There is no doubt that the public would rather the pandemic hadn’t happened at all — but that doesn’t mean it’s been all bad for everyone, or that people see it deeply influencing their future. What’s surprising about the findings is that for a group of people the last year turned out better than expected, or even better than a normal year.”
He added “Of course, many have been badly influenced. The findings draw attention to a key area of the pandemic, that while action to control the pandemic has been taken, its influence depends hugely on your own circumstances.”
Almost half of the public felt the last year had been worse than expected and 43% expected its mental health because of the pandemic.
The research found that some people plan to continue with some habits they formed in lockdown, with saying they will shop locally more and 38% saying they plan to walk more post-pandemic. Gideon Skinner, research director at Ipsos MORI, said British people expect the pandemic will lead to long-term changes but bold different opinions on what the changes could be.
1. What did the research mainly find?| A．About half of British people would like to keep some parts of lockdown life. |
| B．Most British people thought they were disconnected from their friends. |
| C．Life during lockdown was better than British people’s normal life. |
| D．Lockdown was much worse than British people had thought. |
| A．The pandemic deeply influenced people’s future. |
| B．The public would miss some parts of lockdown. |
| C．The public would prefer there had been no pandemic. |
| D．The pandemic seemed to be out of control last year. |
| A．The changes brought by the pandemic are still unclear. |
| B．People will pay more attention to their family life. |
| C．The pandemic is helping people form good habits. |
| D．People are losing their confidence in the future. |
| A．Ways to spend time during lockdown. |
| B．Bad influences of the pandemic on people’s life. |
| C．People’s social relationships during the pandemic. |
| D．A research result on people’s life during lockdown. |
7 . Mom and I were about to finish cooking dinner, and my little niece Jessica came in to set the table. Instead of going to the dish drawer, she went to the pantry where there was a stack of old, mismatched dinner plates on the bottom shelf.
Mom worked for the local Council on Aging as a housekeeper. She did many of the little things that allowed elderly people to stay in their own homes. Most of her clients (客户) got Meals on Wheels, a service in the 1970s. They received a hot lunch and a cold snack to have later in the evening. This is really not very much food. Every evening Mom would make to-go meals on these mismatched plates covered with aluminum foil (铝箔纸), and then deliver them to the people who she knew didn’t get enough to eat.
It was about ten years before microwave ovens became common, so it was important that the food be on a plate that could be reheated in a regular oven. Instead of a cold sandwich and macaroni salad, Mom’s clients dined on Beef Manhattans, pan-fried chicken or meatloaf, along with veggies and a piece of pie or cake. Mom and Dad did this even after Mom left her job, and Mom continued after Dad’s death until all her former clients had either passed away or moved out.
When I was cleaning out Mom’s house after her death, I kept one as a souvenir (纪念品). Whenever I look at it, I will always remember the lessons of unselfishness and caring for one’s neighbors that were modeled for me by my parents.
1. What did the author’s mother do to earn a living in the 1970s?| A．She was a housewife. | B．She ran Meals on Wheels. |
| C．She delivered food to houses. | D．She did housework for the old. |
| A．It was her job. | B．She was good at cooking. |
| C．She wanted to help beyond her duty. | D．Her family didn’t have enough to eat. |
| A．Kind and considerate. | B．Thoughtful and creative. |
| C．Responsible and proud. | D．Traditional and hardworking. |
| A．She would sell out all her mother’s old plates. |
| B．She would do nice things for her community. |
| C．She would run a restaurant for the homeless. |
| D．She would become a client in the Meals on Wheels. |
8 . A lunar rover(月球车) has spotted a strange cube-shaped object and will change its official course to check it out, needing 2-3 months to arrive. Official observations suggest it could be a rock pushed upward from the impact(撞击) of an outside object that clearly landed next to it, or a technological relic from previous exploration, or hopefully, perhaps something that can’t be explained.
The Chinese Yutu 2 lunar rover spotted it in its cameras while passing a C-shaped enclosure on the moon’s far side. “Under the dark and deep sky, a circle of winding mountains stood on the extension line of the sky and the moon. On the side, people can’t help but admire the extraordinary work of the universe.” wrote Our Space, a Chinese -language blog connected with the national space agency. The drivers zoomed in(镜头拉近) on the pictures, slowly admiring them one by one. Suddenly, a cube on the northern skyline attracted their attention. The object looked like a “mysterious hut(小屋)”.
Right angles are unusual in nature, usually marking out something artificial if we see them through the faint light of a forest. On the moon, however, there’s not a lot of room for possibilities for a cube. After some days, the camera produced an image to share with the world of their “mysterious hut(小屋)”. The blog post suggested it could be evidence of previous moon missions, but noted the presence of a small impact crater(陨石坑) next to the cube, which could have led to the rising of rocks.
Popular Science magazine said the image could simply be pixelated, as it was taken from far away, Yutu2 landed with Chang’e 4, the first two spacecraft ever to land on the moon’s far side. They’ve in fact had the place to themselves since they arrived in 2019.
1. What can we learn about the cube from the first paragraph?| A．It will change its course soon. |
| B．It has been identified to be a rock. |
| C．It will be better observed after 2-3 months. |
| D．It’s identity is a mystery forever. |
| A．What people think of the cube. |
| B．What the cube was like when spotted. |
| C．How the cube was found. |
| D．How beautiful the universe is. |
| A．Clear | B．Unclear | C．Interesting | D．Unique. |
| A．A lunar rover sent by China 3 months ago. |
| B．The environment on the moon. |
| C．An impact crater on the moon. |
| D．A cube object spotted by China’s lunar rover on the moon. |
9 . Adonis Lattimore, 17, was born without a right leg, a partial left leg and only one fully functioning arm. Despite
Lattimore’s wrestling career
At times, others would judge his outward
Lattimore is now planning on heading to college to continue wrestling and
| A．beliefs | B．problems | C．reasons | D．doubts |
| A．shooting | B．boxing | C．racing | D．wrestling |
| A．cleanest | B．best | C．strongest | D．longest |
| A．continued | B．intended | C．began | D．happened |
| A．advertising | B．calling | C．convincing | D．involving |
| A．attracted | B．encouraged | C．influenced | D．concentrated |
| A．ever | B．never | C．once | D．always |
| A．expression | B．appearance | C．shape | D．structure |
| A．strike | B．break | C．strengthen | D．weaken |
| A．style | B．disability | C．personality | D．technique |
| A．giving up | B．giving back | C．giving away | D．giving out |
| A．claimed | B．neglected | C．announced | D．pronounced |
| A．preserve | B．purse | C．occupy | D．employ |
| A．serve | B．arouse | C．inspire | D．promote |
| A．enthusiastic | B．curious | C．anxious | D．concerned |
10 . William was one of my students. He adored plants but struggled with his reading. After the mid-term test, William’s
As a class project, each child planted a sunflower seed in one of the containers and
But not William. Every afternoon, William made sure all the containers were
This is what it means to be a
| A．intelligence | B．image | C．condition | D．grade |
| A．studied | B．changed | C．completed | D．disturbed |
| A．realistic | B．invested | C．odd | D．embarrassed |
| A．limited | B．forecast | C．maintained | D．admired |
| A．results | B．achievements | C．ratings | D．methods |
| A．best | B．growing | C．easy | D．picking |
| A．chance | B．courage | C．patience | D．ability |
| A．show off | B．sell out | C．carry away | D．care for |
| A．filled | B．watered | C．cleaned | D．repaired |
| A．plants | B．containers | C．shoots | D．seeds |
| A．puzzled | B．bothered | C．benefited | D．amazed |
| A．similar | B．different | C．natural | D．organic |
| A．teacher | B．gardener | C．parent | D．teenager |
| A．criticize | B．praise | C．evaluate | D．concern |
| A．bend | B．explore | C．grow | D．respond |
