1 . A blind Chinese climber reached the summit (顶点) of Qomolangma, known in the West as Mount Everest, on Monday morning, becoming the first blind person from Asia ever to conquer the world’s highest summit.
Zhang Hong, 46, reached the top from the Nepali side, along with three high-altitude guides.
Zhang, who was born in Chongqing, lost his sight at the age of 21. He now works at Fukang Hospital Affiliated with Tibet University in Lhasa. As Zhang began his climb of Qomolangma, which is 8,848. 86 meters above sea level, his colleagues in Lhasa were excited to hear the news of his success.
“Many people may have doubted his attempt of climbing at first, but I was confident in him from the beginning,” said Kyila, the secretary of the Fukang Angel Foundation, who also is a blind person. “I knew before that he could make it, and he did make it. I am really happy for him. He is a model for blind people to encourage them to chase their dreams.”
Zhang’s passion for climbing was inspired by Lotse, a famous Tibetan climber who conquered all the world’s 14 summits above the altitude of 8,000 meters. Lotse had shared the story of the blind US mountaineer Erik Weihenmayer, who climbed Qomolangma in May 2001. Zhang was touched by the story, which ignited his dream of climbing.
As an amateur climber for years, Zhang had conquered three mountains above the altitude of 6,000 meters before climbing the world’s highest summit. He had begun preparing for the Qomolangma climb in 2019. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic (流行病), all mountaineering teams on Qomolangma were canceled in Nepal and China last year, and he had to wait until recently to finally make the attempt.
1. What can we infer from what Kyila said?| A．He had been inspired by Lotse. |
| B．He had much belief in Zhang’s success. |
| C．Zhang’s colleagues doubted his motivation. |
| D．Zhang centered on climbing in his spare time. |
| A．Lighted. | B．Accomplished. | C．Followed. | D．Recalled. |
| A．He was too weak. | B．He wasn’t well prepared. |
| C．A pandemic broke out. | D．Extreme weather occurred. |
| A．Zhang Hong Sets an Example to Others |
| B．A Blind Climber Reaches Qomolangma Summit |
| C．Qomolangma Attracts More Chinese to Climb |
| D．A Chinese Climber Got Through the Pandemic |
2 . Turning on the air conditioning can bring sweet relief from the heat. But your resulting energy bill? Not so much. What if your home could stay cool all on its own? That’s the premise (前提) of Zheng Yi’s new invention. The associate professor at Northeastern University in Boston has created a sustainable material that can be used to make buildings or other objects able to keep cool without relying on conventional cooling systems.
Zheng imagines this material covering the roofs of houses or other buildings. The material, which Zheng has named “cooling paper”, has light colors and internal microstructure with many small holes. It reflects those warm solar rays away from the building, and it also absorbs heat inside—heat that is from electronics, cooking and human bodies.
Cooling paper is, in fact, made of paper. One day, Zheng saw a container full of used printing paper. He thought to himself, “How could we simply transform that waste material into some functional energy material?” So, with the help of a high-speed blender (搅拌机) from his kitchen, Zheng made a pulp (浆状物) out of it and the material that makes up Teflon, a type of plastic. He then made it into waterproof “cooing paper” that could coat homes. Then, he and his team tested its ability to keep cool: it can reduce temperatures by as much as 6℃. He selected materials that would reduce the cost of using the new technology to cool homes.
The cooling paper isn’t just green in its ability to reduce your energy footprint. The material can be used, exposed to solar radiation and varying temperatures, and then reduced to a pulp (again) and remade without losing any of its cooling properties. “That is incredible!” Zheng says. “We thought there would be maybe 10 to 20 percent of loss, but no. It’s just as well as the original.”
1. On what basis is Zheng’s new invention created?| A．Relieving the discomforts of the heat. | B．Improving traditional cooling systems. |
| C．Cooling the air without electricity. | D．Reducing electricity use and costs. |
| A．It works in two ways. | B．It’s complexly structured. |
| C．It has limited applications. | D．It’s available in dark colors. |
| A．From Teflon. | B．From a pulp. | C．From the blender. | D．From the wastepaper. |
| A．Its practicality. | B．Its recyclability. | C．Its heat resistance. | D．Its user-friendliness. |
3 . Parks are the beating hearts of cities, providing crucial environments for wildlife of many sizes as well as areas of rest and recreation for local citizens. Accessible via public transport, and located near a university, a stadium and the National Library, Warsaw’s Pole Mokotowskie Park provides green space for many people.
One of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s five pathways to transformative change for water management is to restore species population, ecosystems and the benefits that nature provides to people by using each city’s advantage. As more urban centres seek new ways to unite greenery into the built environment, projects of all sizes and stages add to essential corridors and stopping points for a range of wildlife.
Tasked with improving Warsaw’s Pole Mokotowskie Park’s natural sustainability, architecture company WXCA looked at ways of enhancing the elements that were already in place to better support wildlife. One of the most visible means was the removal of thousands of square metres of concrete (混凝土). Removing concrete in and around ponds and other waterways allows the city’s features to shape themselves naturally, in reaction to both the surrounding environment and the weather. Doing so can support biodiversity by removing artificial constraints and flows. More than 13,000 square metres of concrete has already been removed, with more removal planned over the next year.
For the human users of the park, the designers created education, activity, and art spaces. The Grand Salon, a grassland surrounded by trees, is for large public gatherings, and a handful of pavilions (亭) spread throughout the space provide visible means of monitoring the quality of the air and water. They also contribute to the park’s ecosystem through rainwater harvesting. As the temperature consistently rises, city planners are using the leaves and branches of the plants and mixed use designs to reduce heat islands, improve air quality and prevent urban runoff.
1. What do we know about Warsaw’s Pole Mokotowskie Park?| A．It creates a new way to the city center. |
| B．It serves different community groups. |
| C．It reminds the public to protect the environment. |
| D．It shows the locals are living happily. |
| A．Providing stages to show off creativity. | B．Taking advantage of the city’s resources. |
| C．Encouraging people to get close to nature. | D．Supplying various wildlife with more room. |
| A．Limits. | B．Factors. | C．Methods. | D．Damages. |
| A．By offering some shelters. | B．By collecting rainwater. |
| C．By monitoring the air quality. | D．By reducing high temperature. |
4 . “This will never do.” I kept telling my husband as he set the table one Thanksgiving. I wanted everything to be
Then luckily, I read from a book, “Too much criticism hurts; necessary praise helps. Put your praise of someone in
So the next Thanksgiving, I
I no longer just focus on finding fault with others. I’m more
| A．perfect | B．new | C．permanent | D．normal |
| A．finally | B．constantly | C．merely | D．hardly |
| A．hid | B．contained | C．behaved | D．prepared |
| A．caused | B．passed | C．spread | D．stole |
| A．made sure of | B．got used to | C．lost sight of | D．paid attention to |
| A．punishing | B．interrupting | C．criticizing | D．declining |
| A．questions | B．lectures | C．writing | D．testing |
| A．reported | B．announced | C．replied | D．admitted |
| A．appreciate | B．forget | C．expect | D．ignore |
| A．designs | B．plans | C．gifts | D．notes |
| A．remembering | B．reading | C．explaining | D．translating |
| A．book | B．moment | C．mistake | D．promise |
| A．secret | B．festival | C．tradition | D．experiment |
| A．interested in | B．curious about | C．sympathetic to | D．thankful for |
| A．discussion | B．scene | C．decision | D．word |
5 . Ticketing Information on Hong Kong Science Museum
Regular Admission Fee
Standard tickets: 20 yuan
Group tickets: 14 yuan (special rate of standard tickets for groups of 20 people or more per visit)
Concessionary(优惠的) tickets: 10 yuan(applicable to disabled people with an accompanying minder and senior citizens aged 60 or above)
Free admission for full-time students and children under 4 years old accompanied by an adult with a ticket
Application for Exemption(豁免) from Admission Fee
Kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, special schools, universities, charities and non-profit-making organizations arranging group visits of 20 or more visitors can apply for exemption from admission fee. Application should be made at least 2 weeks before the date of visit and will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis subject to availability.
Contact Details
Enquiries for schools: 2732 3220 (please make telephone reservation for the visiting date before sending in the application)
Enquiries for registered charities and non-profit-making organizations: 2732 3268
Attention
Persons buying concessionary tickets may be requested by museum staff to produce a valid document for confirmation of eligibility(合格) . Students must be requested to produce a valid document. If proof of current full-time student status is not shown on the document, museum staff has the right to request the student concerned to pay them for the money of the full ticket.
1. How much should a 65-year-old man pay to visit the museum?| A．10 yuan. | B．14 yuan. | C．20 yuan. | D．60 yuan. |
| A．12 waiters in a restaurant. | B．15 teachers from a high school. |
| C．23 people from a local company. | D．26 people working in the Red Cross. |
| A．School reports. | B．Exam papers. |
| C．Student’s ID cards. | D．Research reports. |
6 . About15 years ago, Andrew McLindon, a business owner and passionate cyclist, was riding his bike in Austin, Texas, when he thought about a friend’s 12-year-old son. The boy had never known the joy of biking because he suffered from a brain condition that often caused balance disturbances.
When he got home, McLindon, now 60, went online and found a three-wheel recumbent (侧卧的) bike with a seat belt, perfect for a child with balance issues. Soon the boy was cycling around the street with his peers, having fun and getting exercise. But there was more, as McLindon learned from his friend’s reaction. “To see his son interacting with other kids,” McLindon says. “I’ll never forget the smile on his face.”
That smile launched the McLindon Family Foundation. Funded by donations, the group works with pediatric rehab (小儿康复) clinics to find children who can benefit from owning bike and to help craft each bike to the particular needs of the child. A bike may include a headrest, a shoulder band, a seat belt, and a caregiver’s steering and braking system in the back. The bikes are expensive — $3, 000 to $4, 000, and that’s with the foundation’s large discount. For kids lucky enough to get one, they’re a life changer.
“We worked with a 14-year-old who had a back problem,” says McLindon. She spent most days on the couch watching TV. Soon after she got her bike, she was training for special-needs triathlons (铁人三项). In a magazine interview, she said, “I always knew there was an athlete me.”
So far, the foundation has given away 450 bikes, and that’s just a start. “I do a lot of things. I run a lot of companies.” McLindon says. “But getting these kids their bikes most important thing that I do.”
1. What inspired Andrew McLindon to search for a special bike online?| A．His enthusiasm for cycling. |
| B．His ambition to start a new business. |
| C．His goal to invent a new type of bike. |
| D．His desire to help a boy with balance issues. |
| A．To sponsor special-needs triathlons. |
| B．To raise money for pediatric rehab clinics. |
| C．To provide adaptive bikes for disabled children. |
| D．To offer a social network to children with special needs. |
| A．They can offer medical treatment. |
| B．They can provide exercise and fun. |
| C．They can relieve physical suffering. |
| D．They can improve academic performance. |
| A．It is a worthwhile effort. |
| B．It is a temporary solution. |
| C．It is financially rewarding. |
| D．It is technically challenging. |
7 . Some Top Exhibitions in China
Picasso—Birth of a Genius
UCCA Center for Contemporary Art (Jun. 15-Sept. 1)
In this summer, few in the Chinese capital could avoid the Picasso fashion that was felt nearly everywhere, online and offline, thanks to the successful UCCA show, Picasso—Birth of a Genius. The exhibition showed the first three decades of Picasso’s career (事业), with 103 works—34 paintings, 14 sculptures and 55 works on paper, from the collection of the Musee national Picasso-Paris describing his development from childhood.
Chinese Painting Master in the 20th Century
Nanjing Museum (Nov. 27-Apr. 20)
The exhibition presented 158 works by eight of the most famous ink painting masters in modern China like Qi Baishi. Their works are officially regarded as national treasures, and their painting styles and artistic thoughts have had a far-reaching influence on younger generations of Chinese ink painters.
The Splendor of Asia
National Museum of China (May 13-Aug. 11)
The Splendor of Asia showed how splendid (非常好的) Asian cultures are, exciting visitors with a total of 451 cultural relics from 49 countries in Asia. Such a large number of top-level exhibits and participating (参加) countries have never been seen before in one exhibition in China.
Liangzhu and Ancient China
The Palace Museum (Jul. 16 -Oct. 31)
On July 6, 2019, the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City in Hangzhou dating back 5,000 years were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Just10 days later, the Palace Museum in Beijing organized the exhibition Liangzhu and Ancient China, bringing together nearly 260 objects gathered from 17 museums nationwide, just in time to feed public curiosity.
1. What can we know about Picasso—Birth of a Genius?| A．It was held in Beijing. | B．Its focus was on sculptures. |
| C．It showed Picasso’s daily life. | D．Its collections were from UCCA. |
| A．Picasso—Birth of a Genius. | B．Chinese Painting Masters in the 20th Century. |
| C．The Splendor of Asia. | D．Liangzhu and Ancient China. |
| A．UCCA Center for Contemporary Art. | B．Nanjing Museum. |
| C．National Museum of China. | D．The Palace Museum. |
8 . We all have an idea about the common types of environmental problems. However, light pollution may be a new term to many of us. But, the fact is that it does affect mankind, other living forms and the environment as a whole.
What is light pollution? It presents all forms of misused man-made light. The obvious cause of light pollution is the use of outdoor lighting products improperly. It can be office lighting, car headlights, station lights, streetlights and many more.
Light pollution is harmful to both animals and plants. Upon studies, it is found that obvious effects are observed in the behaviour of animals that are active at night. Needless to mention, bright light at night makes it difficult for these animals to hunt, wander and perform their regular activities. Light pollution is directly or indirectly responsible for causing several diseases. Its effects are related to disturbance in the physical rhythm (节奏). It contributes to risks of developing cancerous cells. So, it’s nothing less than a threat to human health.
You have already seen the negative effects of light pollution on animals and human health. Apart from this, the actual cost of misused light is about millions of dollars every year. It also leads to the release of greenhouse gases and global warming. After all, coal or gas is used for producing electricity.
While outdoor lighting and using man-made lighting products are part of our modern lifestyle, some simple ways will surely help in reducing light pollution. For example, while installing (安装) outdoor lighting, make sure that they are pointed downwards. Also, use only the required lighting equipment for both home and offices. Believe it or not, many people living in the urban areas cannot view clear sky and stars at night. Let’s contribute our part in reducing the pollution.
1. What can we learn about light pollution?| A．It has little effect on plants. |
| B．It contributes to most cancers. |
| C．It is a negative fruit of light technology. |
| D．It affects animals’ behavior during the day. |
| A．It increases the temperature at night. |
| B．It creates clouds in parts of the Earth. |
| C．It stops the release of greenhouse gases. |
| D．It is related to the burning of coal and gas. |
| A．Forbid the use of outdoor lighting. |
| B．Use clean energy to produce electricity. |
| C．Avoid unnecessary lights at home and offices. |
| D．Reduce money spent on light in urban areas. |
| A．Citizens should be banned to install outdoor lighting. |
| B．Only simple ways can help reduce light pollution. |
| C．There is no clear sky or stars over the urban areas. |
| D．Light pollution needs to be dealt with urgently. |
9 . When everything is going wrong, there's nothing like listening to a few bars of your favorite sad song. But why do we find pleasure in sad music? This puzzled two researchers at the Freie Universität Berlin in Germany who set out to explore our strong feeling for sad songs in a world where entire industries exist to help us remove sadness from our lives.
Their study — based on a survey of more than 770 people around the world and published this month in the journal, PLOS ONE — discovered sad music can create positive emotions, like peacefulness and kindness, and that choosing the tearful ballad on your music player offers three benefits.
The biggest turned out to be that sad songs allow you to feel sadness without any of its “real-life contexts.” In other words, you can safely explore what it's like to be a little blue without experiencing the great pain of losing a loved one, for example.
“Emotion control” was another important benefit. Many of those surveyed said that when they were in a bad mood (情绪), experiencing sadness through music made them feel better afterwards and provided an emotional improvement. That may be because the songs help them to express and let go of their emotions, researchers noted. “Sad music promotes and creates a space for reflection and reexamination of personal experiences, thoughts and feelings,” one of the researchers added
The benefit of “empathy” (同理心) made the listener feel good by allowing him to share the sadness of another human being through the song. When we're having social problems, like when we're feeling lonely, homesick or missing someone, the sad songs can offer comfort by showing someone else shares our state of mind, the study found.
So it turns out that Elton John was right: Sad songs do say so much.
1. What does the underlined word “This” in Paragraph 1 refer to?| A．When things go wrong. | B．What to explore in sad songs. |
| C．Why sad music brings us joy. | D．How to remove sadness from life. |
| A．Benefits of sad music. |
| B．Strong feelings in sad music. |
| C．Real-life contexts of sad music. |
| D．Empathetic comforts from sad music. |
| A．By freeing us from bad moods. | B．By bringing great pain to us. |
| C．By helping us reflect on exams. | D．By providing a space for us. |
| A．To prove Elton John was right. | B．To show Elton John wrote songs. |
| C．To make the readers think deeply. | D．To stress the point of the passage. |
10 . Radio stations, TV stations, and online video and livestreaming platforms are forbidden to make, broadcast or spread programs that feature overeating, according to a new work plan issued by the National Development and Reform Commission, together with three other departments.
That's a positive move. It is easy to see from even a glimpse at any of the "big stomach" videos or livestreams, in which the hosts may eat a dozen hamburgers for lunch, for example, that their eating obviously exceeds a normal appetite. According to reports, such "big stomach" eaters can attract large audiences and more followers for commercial advertisements.
A good appetite can be healthy. Yet to promote such distorted eating is dangerous, not only to those doing the eating on the shows but also any who may be tempted to emulate or compete with them, it can cause eating disorders such as bulimia and can prove fatal.
In August 2020, a "big stomach" surnamed Wang in Shenyang city, Northeast China's Liaoning province died when preparing for his job, before which his weight rose from 100 kilos to 140 kilos. In the same month, a 3-year-old girl called "Peppa" was found to weigh 35 kilos, far exceeding the normal weight, which aroused nationwide worries about her health.
Those appearing in such videos or livestreamings are usually hired by companies with whole teams to finish the job, and even then they often throw up during ad breaks so they continue their performance. And as well as by encouraging people to eat so much it may harm their health, by creating the impression that it is ok to eat to excess, such "big stomach" shows may lead to people wasting food.
Of course, that does not mean food videos or livestreamings should be curbed. A good food program can teach people how to cook delicious dishes or showcase local specialties from around the country. It could also spread the millenniums-long traditional food culture of China, which has made a deep impression on the whole world and got many followers.
1. What can we know about “big stomachs”?| A．They are a positive move. |
| B．They can see videos or livestreams easily. |
| C．They can draw many audiences and followers. |
| D．They often advertise their non-profit food. |
| A．abnormal | B．casual | C．exceptional | D．rigid |
| A．They may arouse eating disorders and even death. |
| B．They may trigger some health problems such as overweight. |
| C．They may mislead people into wasting food or overeating. |
| D．They may keep the eaters from throwing up. |
| A．Food livestreamings should be banned |
| B．Love food, love life; don't envy “big stomachs” |
| C．Good appetite, good health |
| D．Food culture of China |
