1 . High school graduation requirements
To earn a high school diploma, students must meet the following requirements.
Compulsory credits| *4 credits in English (1 credit per grade) *3 credits in mathematics *3 credits for group 1, 2 and 3 courses *2 credits in science *1 credit in Canadian history (Grade 10) *1 credit in Canadian geography (Grade 9) | *1 credit in the arts *1 credit in health and physical education *1 credit in French as a second language *0.5 credit in career studies *0.5 credit in civics and citizenship |
Students must earn 12 optional credits. by successfully completing courses offered in the school’s program and course calendar. Optional credits may include up to four credits earned through approved dual (双倍的) credit programs. .
The literacy graduation requirementIn September 2023, the literacy graduation requirement was introduced and it became effective immediately. Students graduating in the 2023-2024 school year and beyond are required to meet this requirement to earn their high school diploma.
Community involvementStudents are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement activities as part of the requirements for a diploma.
Students who are looking for community involvement opportunities should:
★make sure they know which activities satisfy the community involvement requirement★check their school board’s website for a list of approved and prohibited activities
★have a discussion with their parents to plan and select their community involvement activities(students under 18 years old only)
1. What’s the minimum number of credits required for a high school diploma?
| A．30. | B．32. | C．34. | D．36. |
| A．In September 2021. | B．In September 2022. |
| C．In September 2023. | D．In September 2024. |
| A．Ask for their parents’ permission. |
| B．Turn to local community centers for help. |
| C．Set community involvement hours with teachers. |
| D．Have a clear understanding of the qualified activities. |
2 . When Posten walked outside to her car, she saw something that looked like a note or receipt stuck to the windshield.
She grabbed it and saw it was a black and white photo of a woman holding a little boy. On the back, it said, “Gertie Swatzell & J.D. Swatzell 1942.” A few hours later, Posten discovered that the photo had made quite a long journey — almost 130 miles on the back of terrible winds.
Posten had been tracking the tornadoes that hit the middle of the U.S., killing dozens of people. They came close to where she lives in New Albany, Indiana, across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. So she figured it must be from someone’s damaged home.
“Seeing the date, I realized that was likely from a home hit by a tornado. How else is it going to be there?” Posten said. “It’s a well-kept photo.”
So she posted an image of the photo on Facebook and Twitter and asked for help. She said she was hoping someone on social media would have a connection to the photo or share it with someone who had a connection.
“A lot of people shared it on Facebook. Someone came across it who is friends with a man with the same last name, and they tagged him,” said Posten.
That man was Cole Swatzell, who commented that the photo belonged to family members in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, almost 130 miles away from New Albany. Cole Swatzell on Sunday didn’t respond to a Facebook message seeking comment.
Posten plans to return the photo to the Swatzell family sometime this week.
“It’s really remarkable, definitely one of those things, given all that has happened, that makes you consider how valuable things are — memories, family heirlooms (传家宝), and those kinds of things,” Posten said. “It shows you the power of social media for good. It was encouraging that immediately there were tons of replies from people, looking up ancestor records, and saying ‘I know someone who knows someone and I’d like to help.’”
1. What helped Posten know the photo had made quite a long journey?| A．Learning about a home hit by a tornado. |
| B．Looking into the information of the photo. |
| C．Making tracks for the process of the tornadoes. |
| D．Recognizing the person in the photo at first sight. |
| A．It’s a damaged photo. |
| B．It belongs to Cole Swatzell. |
| C．Its owner lives in New Albany, Indiana. |
| D．It travels 130 miles away from Kentucky. |
| A．From Twitter. | B．From Facebook. |
| C．From her friend. | D．From ancestor records. |
| A．Valuable things should be kept well for good. |
| B．Common item sometimes is also very valuable. |
| C．We should encourage each other on social media. |
| D．Posten thinks highly of the function of social media. |
3 . What do a student in China, an office worker in the UK and an astronaut in space all have in common? They all eat instant noodles. And they’re not alone—over 100 billion servings of instant noodles are consumed globally each year, making them one of the world’s most successful industrial foods. But how did this happen?
Put simply, they’re cheap to produce and cheap to buy, which was exactly what their creator intended to achieve. Momofuku Ando, an entrepreneur, spent a year perfecting the recipe just after the Second World War. He wanted to make something similar to traditional noodles. His creation was instantly popular, playing a part in the post war economic rise. Even in the year 2000—according to a poll by the Fuji Research. Institute—instant noodles Were voted the most successful invention, ahead of high speed trains, laptops and karaoke.
According to the World’s Instant Noodles Association, China, Indonesia, Vietnam and India—in that order—all consumed more instant noodles than before in 2021. Instant noodles’ popularity abroad is in part due to how easy they are to adapt to local tastes. In Thailand, for example, you can get green curry flavour, while in Mexico the noodles are garnished (加饰菜) with lime and salsa. And it seems that consumers have grown to expect innovation. Nisin, the food company founded by Ando launches over 300 products yearly, according to employee Kasura Suzuki.
Instant noodles have their critics, too. Their rise in popularity has come at an environmental cost—they’re made with palm oil, contributing to deforestation, and their packaging is plastic. And while they are a hot, tasty and filling meal, instant noodles don’t have much nutritional value, and include high levels of salt and fat. Nevertheless, instant noodles are undoubtedly lifesavers in emergency or extreme situations.
More than 60 years after their invention, instant noodles have become the default food for anyone short on money, time, or even a kitchen.
1. How does the author bring in the topic in Paragraph 1?| A．By giving examples. | B．By making an assumption. |
| C．By asking questions. | D．By reasoning and analyzing. |
| A．To promote traditional culture | B．To reduce environmental cost. |
| C．To earn more profit. | D．To make them low-cost and affordable. |
| A．Their worldwide popularity. | B．Their major contribution. |
| C．Their consumers’ preferences. | D．Their innovative features. |
| A．The preferred food. | B．The most delicious food. |
| C．The cheapest food. | D．The most nutritious food. |
4 . Independent will is what really makes effective self-management possible. It is the ability to make decisions and choices and to act in accordance with them. It is the ability to act rather than to be acted upon.
The human will is an amazing thing. Time after time, it has won against unbelievable difficulties. The Helen Kellers of this world give dramatic evidence to the value, the power of the independent will. But as we examine it in the context of effective self-management, we realize it’s usually not the dramatic, the visible, the once-in-a-lifetime effort that brings enduring success. Empowerment comes from learning how to use independent will in the decisions we make every day.
The degree to which we have developed our independent will in our everyday lives is measured by our personal integrity. Integrity is, fundamentally, the value we place on ourselves. It’s our ability to make and keep commitments to ourselves—to “walk our talk.” It’s honor with self, a fundamental part of the character ethic, the essence of active growth.
Effective management is putting first things first. While leadership decides what “first things” are, it is management that puts them first, day-by-day, moment-by-moment. Management is discipline, carrying it out.
Discipline stems from disciple (追随者) —disciple to a philosophy, disciple to a set of principles, disciple to a set of values, and disciple to an ultimate. purpose. In other words, if you are an effective manager of your self, your discipline comes from within; it is a function of your independent will. You are a disciple, a follower, of your own deep values and their source. And you have the will, the integrity, to place your feelings, your urges, your moods after those values.
That placement requires a purpose, a mission. It also requires independent will, the power to do something when you don’t want to do it, to be a function of your values rather than a function of the urge or desire of any given moment. It’s the power to act with integrity to your first creation.
1. What is the author’s purpose in mentioning “the Helen Kellers” in paragraph 2?| A．To explain a reason. | B．To highlight a point. |
| C．To make a prediction. | D．To give a definition. |
| A．Put words into deeds. | B．Display confidence. |
| C．Stop talking big. | D．Strike a balance. |
| A．Seeking external support. | B．Undertaking more missions. |
| C．Sticking to one’s own values. | D．Following one’s desires. |
| A．The Secret Behind Self-discipline | B．The Magic of Personal Integrity |
| C．The Power of Independent Will | D．The Road to Effective Management |
5 . Travel Apps That Will Make Your Next Trip Better in Every Way
Kayak
A flight-price search engine, Kayak makes it simple and convenient to price out different flight options heading virtually anywhere in the world. You can filter (筛选) by airline, time of departure or arrival, number of stops and other variables as well. As a flight-comparison engine, it offers a quick way to determine available trip choices. It also helps you find a new flight if you’ve encountered a delay.
TripIt
TripIt is a handy app that helps keep jet-setters more organized by pulling together important information in one spot. Simply forward your trip-related reservations in the form of emails, photos and other media formats to plans@tripit.com. and the service creates a custom route that you can view online, or share with your friends and family. It’s one of the best travel apps for detail-oriented travelers, and it can save you the trouble of having to remember flight times, hotel confirmation numbers and more.
Hotel Tonight
If you’re hunting for a hotel room, Hotel Tonight is one of the best travel apps for you. It doesn’t just offer savings and deals on budget. luxury and vacation properties in thousands of cities, and it also offers steep discounts on rooms that are booked for the very same evening. Whether you’re looking for a motel or hotel, you can quickly search for and select comfortable places to stay on the fly. These features make the app a handy tool to have when you’re feeling adventurous.
If you’re traveling to a new or unfamiliar city, Google Maps can provide an overview or step-by-step directions of your surroundings. There are plenty of Google Maps tricks, but one helpful feature is the ability to download maps and access them offline, always a plus when you’re a tourist who’s out and about exploring overseas with no ready Internet connection. Real-time GPS navigation and traffic updates make it simple to track your movements or route your way to destinations.
| A．Providing savings on budget. | B．Helping travelers deal with the delay. |
| C．Offering available plans for flight. | D．Giving directions of the circumstance. |
| A．A discount for booking online. |
| B．Finding a hotel room very soon. |
| C．A handy app for adventurous athletes. |
| D．To compare thousands of hotels at a time. |
| A．Kayak. | B．TripIt. | C．Hotel Tonight. | D．Google Maps. |
6 . You are what you think. Whatever you are doing right now is determined by your thinking. All your emotions and desires are influenced by your thinking. The problem is that when you are not aware of your thinking, you have no chance of correcting it if it is poor. When thinking is subconscious, you are in no position to see any problems in it. And, if you don’t see any problems in it, you won’t be motivated to change it. What’s worse, few people realize the powerful role that thinking plays in their lives, so they don’t gain significant command of it. As a result, most people are in many ways victims of their thinking.
Consider your success as a student. The single most significant variable in determining your success as a student is the quality of your thinking. Your instructors will play a role in your learning, but even the best teachers cannot get into your head and learn for you. If you lack the intellectual skills necessary for thinking well through course content, you will not be successful in school.
Here is the key question we are putting to you in this book. If the quality of a person’s thinking is the single most significant determinant of both happiness and success, why not take the time to learn from the best thinkers?
This book will inform you of the tools that the best thinkers use and will illustrate the activities and practice you can use to begin to emulate them, and take control of your destiny as a thinker. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of these thinking aids, helping you discover the power of your own mind and of your potential to think systematically about your thinking.
This book, as a whole, introduces you to the tools of mind that will help you reason well through various challenges you face. If you take these ideas seriously and practice using them, you can improve the quality of your thinking and ultimately, the quality of your life.
1. Why do many people lack motivation to change their poor thinking?| A．They are victims of emotions. | B．They are unaware of the need. |
| C．They think highly of themselves. | D．They lack the academic guidance. |
| A．The course content. | B．The school environment. |
| C．The commitment of teachers. | D．The quality of an individual’s thinking. |
| A．Make friends with. | B．Win over. | C．Follow the example of. | D．Look up to. |
| A．types of life challenges | B．varieties of thinking tools |
| C．determinants of life value | D．ideas of different thinkers |
7 . Human history is full of horse stories like guiding cowboys home on foggy nights and taking wounded soldiers through battle zones. Such sensible and highly trained horses made Elina Jatel, a computer scientist and roboticist, think of robots. “A horse that can take a rider home on its own would be the highest level of autonomy,” Jatel says. “You trust them with your life.” She was drawn to learning how such relationships form and if it could help improve human-robot interactions.
For a year, Jatel engaged herself in the horse world. She watched classes in horse training, and she also talked with students, instructors, trainers and horse owners. Along the way, Jatel even learned to ride.
Horses learn signals from their trainers on how to comfortably interact with people. People, too, must learn their part. Riders must learn what a horse wants or feels based on its behavior, and what signals to use to direct horses to perform in desired ways. Jatel found some similarities, here, to working with robots. People must learn how to direct robots to do specific tasks. They also must learn what to do when robots don’t perform as planned. The goal is to program robots that will respond predictably to inputs from people. But like horses, autonomous robots also should be able to respond on their own as conditions change. For example, a self-driving car must stop to avoid hitting something, even if some human mistakenly tells it to keep going.
Trainers and riders work with horses to build respect. Horses show that respect by matching their pace to a human or giving someone who is leading them a safe degree of personal space. Trainers begin their work with a horse by getting them to show signs of respect in basic interactions, Jatel says. Later, trainers will develop more complex interactions. Gradually, a horse’s respect can grow into trust.
But that trust is not given. And there may be a similar limitation with robots. What would it mean for robots and people to respect and trust each other? For now, she adds, this is largely uncharted territory. But she’s looking to build a path.
1. What drew Elina Jatel’s attention to horses?| A．Horses’ amazing performance. | B．Long history of horse training. |
| C．Horse-human interdependence. | D．Her horse-riding experience. |
| A．To act like real horses. | B．To show respect to humans. |
| C．To follow instructions from humans. | D．To make independent and sensible decisions. |
| A．The limitations of robots. | B．Trust between robots and humans. |
| C．Path toward higher robot efficiency. | D．Similarities between horses and robots. |
| A．History of Human-Horse Relationship | B．Secrets of Human-Animal Interactions |
| C．The Role of Trust in Human-Robot Partnerships | D．Horses as the Inspiration for Autonomous Robots |
8 . Some beaches are perfect for relaxing, while others offer activities like hiking and water sports. Visit these beautiful beaches for an unforgettable vacation.
Cannon Beach
If your perfect beach vacation spot features postcard-worthy scenery and peace, look no further than Cannon Beach. In this Pacific Northwest town, you can even build a fire on the beach to relax beside while watching the sun set. When you need a break from the beach, grab a bike and head downtown to explore its art galleries, shops and restaurants.
Horseshoe Bay Beach
For a one-of-a-kind beach experience, head to Horseshoe Bay Beach on Bermuda’s South Shore. Known for its pink sand, this beach is a popular destination for families looking to play in the calm blue-green waters and build blush-colored sandcastles. Adventure seekers can also take part in the self-guided island bicycle tour or engage in exciting water sports.
Mohegan Bluffs
This beach is famous for its natural beauty. Upon arrival, pause to admire your surroundings and learn about its ties to the native people, their ancient traditions, and connection to the land, adding depth to your beach experience. Then, take the 141 steps down to the sand to sunbathe. After that, climb back up to visit the Southeast Light for an up-close view of its 18th-century lighthouse.
South Beach
This tropical district on Florida’s Atlantic Coast is world-renowned for its powdery white sand. Although technically part of the Miami Beach area, South Beach stands out due to its Art Deco architecture seen in everything from the beachfront lifeguard towers to the high-rise buildings along the famed Ocean Drive.
1. What similarity do Cannon Beach and Horseshoe Bay Beach share?| A．The chance to cycle around. | B．Their lively artistic scene. |
| C．The unique water sports. | D．Their distinctive sand color. |
| A．Those seeking water sports. | B．Fans of modern lighthouses. |
| C．Those interested in local culture. | D．Enthusiasts of mountain climbing. |
| A．Its beach sand. | B．Its architectural style. |
| C．Its ocean drive. | D．Its high-rise buildings. |
9 . Blue light blocking (BLB) glasses are supposed to protect eyes from the effects of short-wave length light from our smartphones, computer screens and LED lights. Given how much time we spend on our devices, using this type of glasses sounds like a smart investment, right?
Elizabeth Esparaz, an eye specialist based in Cleveland, Ohio, says the science that producers share as they promote these glasses can be confusing and doubtful. Blue light is not just about tech devices, and it’s not always bad. “The sun produces much more blue light than human-made devices, and it’s actually advantageous,” says Dr. Esparaz. It helps our mood and sleep-wake cycle. The problem is blue light at night: It prevents the release of melatonin, a substance helping regulate our body and making us sleepy.
So, in theory, wearing BLB glasses should help people who watch movies in bed or read from a tablet at night avoid wakefulness. A review study from the University of Oklahoma that looked at 24 previous studies found that people affected by sleep disorders, jet lag (时差反应) and shift work dropped off to sleep faster after using these glasses. “So to some extent, these glasses are useful to some people,” saysDr. Esparaz. But the effectiveness is not wide and does not extend beyond certain cases.
As for eye strain (疲劳), a condition of the eyes usually caused by a long period of looking at screens, an Australian study showed that those wearing BLB glasses did not experience less eye strain than those using clear glasses. And another review study, also by Australian researchers, found inadequate evidence that BLB glasses could prevent serious eye problems.
“These glasses aren’t going to be harmful,” says Dr. Esparaz. But, she adds, they are maybe not as good as advertised and a lack of standardization in the industry means there’s no way to know if one pair is better than another.
1. What message does Dr. Esparaz convey in paragraph 2?| A．Seeing is believing. |
| B．Don’t judge a book by its cover. |
| C．Every coin has two sides. |
| D．One man’s meat is another man’s poison. |
| A．People working long hours. |
| B．People with poor sight. |
| C．People watching the screen often. |
| D．People with sleep problems. |
| A．To explain the function of BLB glasses. |
| B．To indicate the limitations of BLB glasses. |
| C．To show the commonness of eye problems. |
| D．To demonstrate the influence of blue light. |
| A．Do BLB glasses really work? |
| B．Why are BLB glasses popular? |
| C．Is blue light a trouble maker? |
| D．How do BLB glasses play a role? |
10 . Nature’s beauty is all around you. Wild flowers shine in bright blues, yellows, and reds. Trees, with unique shaped branches, and leaves, decorate the horizon. Under your feet, pine needles, leaves, and grass give their natural beauty on the earth’s surface. But how many of you take the time to notice all of nature’s wonders?
Hannah Bullen-Ryner is an artist who not only takes the time to “smell the roses”, but she uses them as a medium to craft stunning portraits of birds. Bullen-Ryner, a photographer by trade, began her artistic hobby shortly after her twin daughters were born. The young mother suffered from depression and anxiety. To seek a solution, she turned to nature.
Bullen-Ryner started spending time alone in the woods, foraging for materials: flowers, branches, leaves, and grass. On an impulse (冲动), she started forming a portrait of a bird with the items she had gathered. When her picture was finished, Bullen-Ryner realized that she felt calmand hopeful. The process had been healing and therapeutic (有疗效的).
Bullen-Ryner tells My Modern Met, “Finding the medium of land art has allowed my art and soul to connect to the earth. As a full-time Mama of nearly three-year-old twin girls, and someone who suffers from anxiety, my art is my quiet time, my peace.”
When Bullen-Ryner creates her artwork on the forest floor, she never uses glues or any other material to bond the foraged items. This means that a single breeze is able to carry away or scatter her portrait.
“People often ask me why I don’t make something more permanent or they say it’s such a shame that it’s temporary,” Bullen-Ryner explains. “But for me,” she continues, “it is the short-lived nature of what I do that has become therapy for my soul. I get to put down all my anxieties, my fears, and all the chaos from my brain and turn it into something beautiful to honor Mother Nature. I take some photos and then walk or cycle away, leaving it all behind and feeling calmer, more connected, and truly lighter.”
1. Why did Bullen-Ryner take up her artistic hobby?| A．To kill time. | B．To make more profits. |
| C．To serve as a treatment. | D．To entertain her daughters. |
| A．Making. | B．Answering. |
| C．Providing. | D．Seeking. |
| A．It is well received with customers. |
| B．It cannot be preserved for a long time. |
| C．It stimulated the local tourism industry. |
| D．It won her widespread praise domestically. |
| A．Bullen-Ryner is grateful to nature. |
| B．Bullen-Ryner regrets what she has done. |
| C．Bullen-Ryner is into going to work by bicycle. |
| D．Bullen-Ryner persuades more people to participate. |
