1 . Imagine being able to pop to your local park and pick some tomatoes, potatoes or even bananas to take home for dinner. Sounds too good to be true, right? For residents (居民) of Andernach, German, it’s not just a dream — it’s their reality.
In 2010, Andernach began its edible (可食用的) city project that hadn’t been carried out before, planting 101 varieties of tomatoes in public green spaces around the city center. Its 30,000 residents are free to help themselves to whatever grows, as are any other visitors. The town’s motto of sorts is “Picking is encouraged — help yourself!” Every year a new type of plant is highlighted. In 2011, 100 types of beans were planted, while 2012 saw the introduction of 20 onion varieties. And it has become the phenomenon of the city.
It’s a community effort, as local citizens are encouraged to help plant and maintain the gardens. This offers an opportunity to socialize as well as to learn about planting, cultivating and harvesting food.
An Andernach resident spoke to DW,“I often drop by to pick some herbs that I’m missing at home. Everything is easily accessible. There aren’t any fences. You just take what you need. The only thing is that you have to be quick once the fruits are ripe or they’ll all be gone!”
Andernach may have been the first in German, but it isn’t the only edible city. It’s part of the Edible Cities Network, a project funded by European Union to connect green urban foot initiatives (方案) around the world. Other cities include Carthage in Tunisia, Havana in Cuba and Sempeter-Vrtojba in Slovenia. In February 2022, the first Edible Cities Network Conference took place. Dr Ina Saumel, principal investigator of the Edible Cities Network, called it “a unique opportunity to invite researchers of edible city solutions and practitioners all together.”
Ultimately, the Edible Cities Network aims to give people “greener, more edible and, above all, more livable cities.” It is a response to the pressures of global climate change, and a significant cause full of hope.
1. What can residents do in public green spaces according to the edible city project?| A．Sell the produce they grow there. | B．Learn something about dealing with people and planting. |
| C．Cook whatever plant as they like. | D．Pay to pick some vegetables and fruits there. |
| A．Creative and popular. | B．Conventional and costly. |
| C．Common and fundamental. | D．Rare and unacceptable. |
| A．Andernach is the only city to carry it out. | B．European Union originally established it. |
| C．It helps combine theories with practices. | D．It invites people to share meals together. |
| A．To help residents relieve their pressure. | B．To involve residents in urban planting. |
| C．To increase the produce supply in cities. | D．To create environmentally friendly cities. |
2 . Gong Linna, well-known Chinese musician and founder of Chinese New Art Music, put her music teaching methods to practice for the first time at the Tracing Roots practice concert and music festival of the Affiliated High School of Peking University on May 23.
The first song of the concert, Search High and Low, is an allusion (暗指) to the classical poem Li Sao(离骚), “The road ahead will be long. I shall search high and low.” “It’s arranged to be sung by all performers, indicating that we should all search high and low for our roots,” Gong says.
To explore the education and the popularization of Chinese music, in 2017, Gong established a research and development team, which includes ethnomusicologist, Du Yaxiong, and music historian, Zhao Zhongming, to introduce her music teaching methods and summarize the vocal skills of Chinese music.
Gong believed that the popularization of Chinese music should rely on primary and secondary schools rather than music academies. The children’s passion for music and their outstanding performance amazed Gong, “When singing, they are completely absorbed in the music. Music brings light and richness to one’s spiritual world. So, learning to sing is never about passing examinations, but about enjoying the music.”
Lu Yueming, instructor of the school’s art center, said, “The children worked really hard and kept in mind Gong’s instructions. Seeing their performance, I know that they truly fell in love with traditional Chinese music.”
Lu Yueming, instructor of the school’s art center, said, “The children worked really hard and kept in mind Gong’s instructions. Seeing their performance, I know that they truly fell in love with traditional Chinese music.”
“Seeing the children perform my pieces, I realized I should write more songs for them,” Lao Luo, Gong’s husband said proudly. “It’s a great encouragement for me to see how much they like the songs, and they really need content related to Chinese culture.” With an international vision, Gong will continue to write songs based on Chinese folk music or ancient poems.
Gong said children should learn about the beauty of Chinese music. Only when you know about your own sounds, can you have cultural confidence.
1. Why is the song Search High and Low arranged at the concert?| A．Because Gong is a famous Chinese musician. |
| B．Because people are expected to search their roots. |
| C．Because Gong’s music teaching method is practical. |
| D．Because Gong wants to introduce her music teaching method. |
| A．Music academies. | B．The support of the government. |
| C．Primary and secondary schools. | D．Famous musicians across the country. |
| A．She will train more children to study abroad. |
| B．She will perform more concerts to promote Chinese music. |
| C．She will help children learn about the beauty of various types of music. |
| D．She will write more songs based on Chinese folk music or ancient poems. |
| A．Creating Music Makes You Confident |
| B．Gong Linna — Chinese Folk Music Instructor |
| C．Music Education Helps Gain Cultural Confidence |
| D．Chinese Music: Development, Instruments |
3 . One of the easiest things in the world is to become a fault-finder. However, life can be great when you are not busy finding fault with it.
Several years ago I
Unfortunately, it took a horrible accident to change her
Perhaps most of us aren’t extreme at fault-finding,
Train yourself to “bite your tongue”, and with a little
| A．answered | B．received | C．expected | D．rejected |
| A．threatened | B．interrupted | C．spoiled | D．bothered |
| A．nothing | B．everything | C．something | D．anything |
| A．measure | B．plan | C．attitude | D．explanation |
| A．occasion | B．accident | C．event | D．adventure |
| A．memory | B．notice | C．choice | D．evidence |
| A．hear | B．contribute | C．admit | D．express |
| A．what | B．when | C．where | D．that |
| A．afraid of | B．aware of | C．curious about | D．confused about |
| A．life | B．family | C．career | D．education |
| A．so | B．or | C．for | D．but |
| A．proud | B．sure | C．critical | D．hopeful |
| A．face | B．create | C．ignore | D．solve |
| A．rarer | B．worse | C．stranger | D．better |
| A．pity | B．speech | C．rest | D．practice |
4 . “While extroverts (性格外向者) often make great first impressions with their outgoing manner and lively personalities in interviews, that value and reputation at work diminish (削减) over time.” says Corinne Bender, an associate professor of management.
“Extroverts disappoint us over time when they’re part of a team,” Bender says. “On a team you’re expected to work hard and contribute a lot. But they’re often poor listeners, and they don’t cooperate.”
“On the other hand, introverts (性格内向者) work hard on a team because they care what others think of them. They don’t want to be seen as not pulling their weight or contributing 100%,” Bender says.
So while companies may be attracted to hiring extroverts because they impress managers greatly in job interviews, bosses also may want to consider whether the extrovert they are considering will be a valuable team player, Bender says.
Amy Jen Su and Muriel Maignan Wilkins, two writers, agree and say managers should recognize the strengths of introverted employees, such as their ability to put themselves in others’ shoes.
“These team members are often easygoing, which can make them exceptional mentors (良师益友) to more junior staff or particularly good sounding boards when you interact with them in one-on-one situations,” Su says.
“Managers must try to help introverts find their voice,” Wilkins says. “Help them see that speaking up is not about self-promotion or being in conflict but rather about offering the team key insights, making better decisions or increasing the efficiency for all.”
What about those extroverts who never seem to be at a loss for words? Should managers cut them off? Managers definitely should weigh in on how an extrovert is affecting others. Wilkins suggests saying something in private to make adjustments.
1. What do we know about outgoing people according to Bender?| A．They are often good listeners. |
| B．They tend to perform well in interviews. |
| C．They often make great contributions. |
| D．They are often good at cooperating. |
| A．Doing their full share of work. |
| B．Making good choices. |
| C．Trusting others. |
| D．Trying to share their thoughts. |
| A．Critical. | B．Approving. | C．Doubtful. | D．Indifferent. |
| A．Promote more introverts. |
| B．Learn to work more efficiently. |
| C．Avoid conflict among employees. |
| D．Encourage introverts to speak up. |
5 . ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence-driven chatbot (聊天机器人) programme that responds to user prompts, has gone viral in social networks in recent weeks. Its
There’s nothing
Using ChatGPT too much raises the question of whether content produced by it can be truly trusted. A human author is
No one knows what will happen to such technologies if the software engineers of the future will themselves be software programs. “Human supervision (监督) and
| A．attempt | B．popularity | C．purpose | D．solution |
| A．level | B．quality | C．focus | D．goal |
| A．harmful | B．positive | C．new | D．obvious |
| A．creative | B．general | C．simple | D．incredible |
| A．transformed | B．impressed | C．increased | D．limited |
| A．In brief | B．As a result | C．Even so | D．Generally speaking |
| A．fact | B．routine | C．law | D．details |
| A．have | B．lack | C．expect | D．improve |
| A．answer | B．provide | C．handle | D．collect |
| A．experimental | B．risky | C．unnecessary | D．reliable |
| A．scared of | B．open to | C．pleased with | D．responsible for |
| A．awareness | B．innovation | C．emotion | D．curiosity |
| A．fitting in | B．hanging on | C．making sense | D．achieving goals |
| A．refused | B．blamed | C．ignored | D．contributed |
| A．civilization | B．control | C．loss | D．pressure |
6 . It’s common for people to have the idea, believing that happiness will come after reaching certain goals. This can include things like getting a promotion, finding a romantic partner, or reaching a certain level of life success. While these achievements can certainly bring some happiness, this way of thinking can lead to an endless cycle of waiting for the next thing to bring happiness.
The truth is that happiness should not be dependent on material achievements but rather a choice we make in each moment. By linking happiness with outside factors, we often lose sight of the present moment and miss the joy that can be found in everyday experiences. It’s important to realize that happiness is not something that can be achieved in the future, but rather a state of mind that we can keep at present. By being present, we can appreciate the simple pleasures in life, like the warmth of the sun on our skin, the laughter of loved ones, or the taste of a delicious meal.
Life is indeed filled with challenges, which are an important part of our journey towards personal growth. They often push us out of our comfort zones and force us to think creatively and find new solutions, providing us with opportunities to learn, get valuable experience and discover our inner strength. By embracing these opportunities to learn, we can grow and become better equipped to handle future challenges instead of always waiting for the perfect moment or for all our problems to be solved before allowing ourselves to be happy. When we understand that challenges are not difficulties to our happiness but rather opportunities for growth and learning, we can appreciate the present moment and find happiness regardless of the situations.
Rather than waiting for future events to bring happiness, it’s better to accept the present and find joy and contentment in the journey itself. Let’s grasp the opportunity and embrace the joy that is within our reach. Time waits for no one, so why wait to be happy?
1. How can people find happiness according to the passage?| A．By reaching certain goals. | B．By achieving material success. |
| C．By being content with present situation. | D．By keeping seeking new experiences. |
| A．Perfect moments. | B．Comfort zones. | C．Inner beauty | D．Personal progress. |
| A．Accepting. | B．Assuming | C．Creating | D．Believing |
| A．The chance of personal growth. | B．The way to get the happiness. |
| C．The courage to face the challenge. | D．The solution to achieve the goals. |
7 . The Internet plays a big part in human life. We use it for work and entertainment. We can find new recipes on the Internet or advice on staying healthy. We can even use it to learn a new language and connect with family and friends.
As far as the Internet being a part of our lives —well, that train has left the station. This expression means there is no going back to an Internet-free life. But can using the Internet too much be bad for our health? It might be, say researchers.
A new study finds that heavy Internet use may be connected to high blood pressure in an unlikely group— teenagers. The study results show that teens who spend at least 14 hours a week online were more likely to have high blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause heart and kidney (肾) disease. It is also closely linked to some forms of dementia (痴呆), a brain disease. Dementia is marked by memory disorders, personality changes, and a reduced ability to reason.
The Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan did the study. 335 young people from 14 to 17 years old participated in it. One hundred and thirty-four of the teens were described as “heavy Internet users.” Researchers found that out of these 134 teens, 26 had high blood pressure.
The lead researcher of the study is Andrea Cassidy-Bushrow. In a statement she said, “Using the Internet is part of our daily life but it shouldn’t consume us.” For the purpose of the study, she explains, teens considered heavy Internet users were online on “average 25 hours a week.” Ms. Cassidy-Bushrow adds that it is important for teens to take “regular breaks from their computers or smartphones” and to do some “kind of physical activity.”
1. Which of the following statements is closest in the meaning to the underlined sentence in Paragraph 2?| A．The train has stopped at the wrong station. |
| B．There is something wrong with the train. |
| C．Life without the Internet is nowhere to be found. |
| D．The train has changed its course. |
| A．will remember everything clearly | B．will change his character |
| C．will develop a brain cancer | D．can do analysis accurately |
| A．40% | B．19% | C．25% | D．7% |
| A．The Internet Does Harm to the Study. |
| B．Too Much Internet May Be Bad for Teenagers. |
| C．We Should Stop Using the Internet. |
| D．High Blood Pressure Is around the Comer. |
8 . One evening, I was preparing dinner. Suddenly, while setting the table, I heard a huge crash from the second floor. It was the kind of heart-stopping noise that immediately struck fear into a mother’s heart. My seven-year-old son Mike began screaming for help, and I raced up the stairs without even putting down the dinner fork I held in my hand.
Entering the room, I found my little son Tom trapped under a five-drawer wooden dresser. I could hear crying as I ran toward him. As I leaned over, I saw the terror in his eyes. I pulled the large dresser off him. At that moment, I felt I could move mountains. I was fearful to look but quickly tried to find out how badly he was hurt. I dialed 911 and began to pray. Before the ambulance arrived, although I was in a chaotic (混乱的) situation with both my sons in tears, I tried to be focused and controlled. I felt a strong presence keeping me clear-headed.
After testing in the emergency room, it was determined that he could return home. The doctor said, “Wow, he sure was lucky!”
Back home, my husband straightened up the bedroom and found what we believe to be my son’s guardian angel —only this angel had large wooden ears instead of wings. Earlier that year, my husband’s brother and his wife were on an African mission (任务) trip and brought my son a small, hand-carved elephant as a special gift.
My husband explained the elephant had taken the main impact of the dresser. The carved animal was only inches wide, but those few precious inches gave my son the space he needed to avoid terrible injury. I believe that although it was my family’s mission to visit Africa, it was also the mission of that carved elephant to save my son.
1. What happened to Tom?| A．He was badly injured in the crash. |
| B．He was frightened to scream for help. |
| C．He was stuck under a large dresser. |
| D．He travelled to Africa with his uncle and aunt. |
| A．His brother’s timely help. |
| B．Quick action of his mother. |
| C．Proper treatment of the doctor. |
| D．The hand-carved elephant. |
| A．Calm. | B．Hard-working | C．Confident. | D．Strong-willed. |
| A．The True Pray | B．The Good Luck |
| C．The Unexpected Experience | D．The Magical Strength |
9 . For almost a century, Kuttiyamma’s daily work had been the same.
But now, every morning, there’s something
For two hours, she
But it is only in recent months that she has been able to
Age was to prove no difficulty to her
For most of her 104 years, Kuttiyama would often try to
She was born in a poor rural family, and there was no education. Many years passed, she got married and had children. Kuttiyama said she was
It was only with the
| A．Reading | B．Rising | C．Sleeping | D．Sitting |
| A．cleaning | B．running | C．visiting | D．calling |
| A．strange | B．boring | C．new | D．terrible |
| A．worriedly | B．surprisedly | C．curiously | D．eagerly |
| A．print | B．deliver | C．buy | D．pack |
| A．buries | B．trains | C．finds | D．imagines |
| A．talking | B．worrying | C．learning | D．thinking |
| A．appreciate | B．achieve | C．check | D．share |
| A．careful | B．anxious | C．nervous | D．curious |
| A．demand | B．power | C．schedule | D．determination |
| A．classes | B．discussions | C．activities | D．exercises |
| A．strategy | B．research | C．test | D．education |
| A．make out | B．cut out | C．find out | D．hand out |
| A．disappointed | B．content | C．bored | D．patient |
| A．aid | B．study | C．creation | D．performance |
10 . Trees in tropical (热带的) forests grow more slowly in years when the nights are warmer than average or dry-season days are unusually hot, according to a 21-year study. This suggests such forests will grow less as the world warms due to climate change -potentially taking in less carbon dioxide from the air and worsening global warming.
“For the first time, we have a window on what a whole tropical forest is doing, ”says Deborah Clark at the University of Missouri-St Louis. “It is very scary. ”
Tropical forests contain a large amount of carbon, because the trees take in CO₂ from the air and use it to grow. Droughts, which are becoming more serious due to climate change, may harm the forests and re- lease (释放) some of the stored carbon.
For over two decades, Clark and her husband David Clark, also at the University of Missouri-St Louis, lived at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica. From1997 to 2018, they took detailed measurements of the surrounding tropical forest, tracking the wood production as well as the amount of litter that fell from the trees.
The pair, with Steven Oberbauer at Florida International University, discovered that wood production fell in years with warmer nights -something studies had already suggested before. The team also found that the trees produced less wood in years when temperatures in the dry season rose more than 28°C.
While this hadn’t been shown before, Deborah Clark says it was expected because photosynthesis (光合作用) slows above this temperature.
The study adds to growing proof of climate effects on tropical forests, says lain Hartley at the University of Exeter in the UK. “It looks like, as you warm the climate, you put pressure on the plants, leading to reduced productivity. Coupled with droughts, tropical forests may have less ability to help us in the fight against climate change in the future.”
1. What causes the forests to grow less according to paragraph 1?| A．Warmer temperature. | B．More carbon dioxide. |
| C．Less daylight | D．Worse air condition. |
| A．By gathering wood. | B．By giving example. |
| C．By collecting data. | D．By tracking former study. |
| A．The trees took in more CO, in the drought season. |
| B．The wood production decreased in the warmer days. |
| C．Droughts help increase the carbon storage. |
| D．Tropical forests grow faster at warmer nights. |
| A．Helpful. | B．Negative. | C．Unclear. | D．Necessary. |
