1 . Oaks Farms is a combination of experiences that are designed to keep your students engaged in fun and exciting learning opportunities. We are truly a classroom without walls, offering educator-developed programs and field trips. We invite you here to explore sustainability (可持续发展), which includes not only the environment but also animal welfare, safety and our community.
The Pig Adventure
This program will help you learn all about pork and its benefits and discover the growth cycle of pigs from little babies to full grown-ups. Monitor the development of baby pigs and see how the farm works at the Pork Education Center. You will get first-hand knowledge about how our feeding system works.
The Dairy Adventure
This program encourages you to play as you learn, by opening up a fun space for dairy discovery including learning how to use a “real” station. Understand the nutrition of the animal products, and how robots are used in the Voluntary Milking System. You can start at the entrance to the adventure, and then stop by our Birthing Barn, which is an independent education center, and take a look inside.
The Crop Adventure
Explore the Crop Adventure program to learn about the importance of working to feed
8 billion people, the many uses of corn outside of consuming it, and how we can be sustainable with limited resources. See how a tractor (拖拉机) can tell you about the nutrients in the soil. Explore how technology assists farmers and the amazing biodiversity on the Farmer’s Garden.
The Pig Adventure ($3/student)
The Dairy Adventure ($5/student)
The Crop Adventure ($4/student)
Whole Adventures — include admission to the Pig Adventure, the Dairy Adventure, and the Crop Adventure ($7/student)
1. What is Oaks Farms?| A．A special tour zone. | B．A creative program. |
| C．An educational base. | D．An adventurous activity. |
| A．Taste some delicious milk products. | B．Witness the smart milking process. |
| C．Explore the process of pigs’ growth. | D．Understand the importance of nutrition. |
| A．$7. | B．$8. |
| C．$9. | D．$10. |
2 . A mother of nine started medical school, graduated with her degree and plans to be a neurosurgeon (神经外科医生).
Sarah Merrill, now 41, said her journey to medical school began at age 17. She then met her husband and got married. But she decided to follow her dream of attending medical school. Certainly, it was a challenge. She owed her success to her husband’s approval. “When I was accepted by the Medicine School, we moved from Pennsylvania to Arizona to start my internship (实习). In fact, they volunteered these movements. I know it was tough for all of us.” said Merrill.
Merrill and her children often have “homework parties” where they study their own courses. Merrill’s choice has given a stimulus to her children. Merrill felt touched when knowing her daughter and son want to become a doctor.
Merrill’s next step will come into a male-dominated field where women doctors only take up 5%. Dr. Halyard at the Medicine School said Merrill was known as a focused student and added, “If you have the ability to deal with nine children, the internship should be a piece of cake because no amount of stress will make you fail.”
Merrill had considered choosing a more family-friendly major, but, again, chose to dream big and follow her original pursuit. It’s the same advice she would give to all. “Set the goal that is what you’re really enthusiastic about, and it helps to think small. If you know what your priorities are, focus on the next step. Then you’ll get where you want to go.”
1. Why does Merrill speak of their movements?| A．To show the support of her family. |
| B．To stress her determination to be a doctor. |
| C．To reflect difficulties in attending college. |
| D．To describe the process of pursuing her dream. |
| A．Commitment. | B．Inspiration. |
| C．Entertainment. | D．Confusion. |
| A．Merrill will have more stress to handle. |
| B．Being Mom makes Merrill a better doctor. |
| C．Staying focused and sensible is key to success. |
| D．She is confident of Merrill’s being a neurosurgeon. |
| A．Starting with important things. |
| B．Getting your priorities right. |
| C．Being true to your passion. |
| D．Having the courage to dream big. |
3 . In the hands of Chinese sill artisans(手艺人), flour is made into lovely models of people or animals. This art form is called dough figurine(面塑). Among the various styles, Beijing’s Dough Figurine Lang is a unique folk art. His delicate and lovely handicrafts are storytellers of old and new Beijing. In 2008, it was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage.
It was created by Lang Shao’an. He created animals and characters from legends, historical stories, and local operas. The finished product is either put at the end of a thin stick, or on a table for display. Some are mostly for children to eat or play with, with simple forms and vivid decorations, while some are delicate pieces of artwork for display only. For this reason, during the making process they are often mixed with additives(添加剂)to prevent them from breaking up, and being eaten by insects. Over the course of his long career, Lang Shao’an developed a set of sill fingers with an elegant artistic sense.
Lang Jiaziyu, born in 1995, is the third-generation inheritor of Dough Figurine Lang. When he was 15, he created Beijing Olympic Mascot shaped dough figurines which were highly praised. He looks a bit more fashionable than other folk artisans. In his skilled hands, some figures such as Nezhe are popular with young people.
Like most of the other intangible cultural heritage handicrafts in China, Dough Figurine Lang does not get as much attention from the public. Few young people are willing to take the time to master a skill that does not make money, which has led to a decline in the number of those who are devoted to the handicraft. Good handicrafts need the devotion of artisans from one generation to another.
1. What is special about Dough Figurine Lang?| A．It reflects Beijing’s culture. |
| B．It is created by many famous artists. |
| C．It shows people’s lifestyles and beliefs. |
| D．It is popular with both tourists and the locals. |
| A．To make dough figurines taste good. |
| B．To keep colors brighter and last longer. |
| C．To better preserve the finished products. |
| D．To help shape dough into various forms. |
| A．Suggestions for other folk artisans. |
| B．Different art styles of dough figurines. |
| C．The popularity of modern dough figurines. |
| D．Lang Jiaziyu’s achievements as an artisan. |
| A．To call on people to master a skill. |
| B．To appeal to people to value this folk art. |
| C．To teach people ways to appreciate the handicraft. |
| D．To persuade people to protect national cultural heritage. |
4 . Art is everywhere. Any public space has been carefully designed by an artistic mind to be both functional and beautiful. Then why is art still widely considered “the easy subject” at school, insignificant to wider society, a waste of time and effort?
Art can connect culture with commercial products; art generates money and holds significant emotional and cultural value within communities. When people attend a concert, they are paying for music, maybe even hotel rooms, meals, and transport, but they also gain an incredible experience.
What’s more, the arts can bring communities together, reducing loneliness and making people feel safer. Social bonds are created among individuals when they share their arts’ experiences through reflection and discussion, and their expression of common values.
The arts clearly have a pretty positive impact on physical and psychological health. It is found that people who frequent cultural places or participate in artistic events are more likely to gain good health compared to those who do not; more engagement with the arts is linked to a higher level of people’s well-being. The Public Health discovered that music and art, when used in hospitals, help to improve the conditions of patients by reducing stress, anxiety and blood pressure.
Children who are involved with the arts make greater achievements in their education: those engaged with drama have greater literary ability while others taking part in musical practice exhibit greater skills in math and languages. Kids with preference for the arts have a greater chance of finding employment in the future. Participating in the arts is essential for child development; encouraging children to express themselves in constructive ways could help to form healthy emotional responses in later life.
Vital to human life, art is celebrated and used across the world. Life without art would be boring, for art is a part of what makes us human.
1. Art products differ from most other commercial products because _______.| A．their prices may climb up as time passes |
| B．most people purchase them for collection |
| C．they are more expensive and less accessible |
| D．they have both commercial and cultural values |
| A．develop a stronger tie between them |
| B．keep the community safe from illnesses |
| C．learn to appreciate their own works of art |
| D．offer honourable solutions to their problems |
| A．It helps to make responsible people out of them. |
| B．It inspires their creativity in designing their future career. |
| C．It promotes their academic performance and emotional growth. |
| D．It gives them more confidence in exhibiting their learning skills. |
| A．How Art Cures Our Hearts |
| B．How Art Benefits Communities |
| C．Art: A Bridge Between Cultures |
| D．Art: A Blessing to Humankind |
5 . Climate change has been a long-standing issue. The universe’s most abundant element, hydrogen (氢), has drawn the scientists’ attention and is now on its way to becoming the future of green fuel.
More than $150 billion worth of green hydrogen projects were announced globally in 2020. A European multinational aerospace corporation has taken the lead in the new sustainable fuel industry. It has designed self-contained hydrogen fuel cell pods (电池舱) that can be attached to the underside of airplane wings, promoting the use of hydrogen fuel for long-distance flights, which aim to achieve zero emissions.
Compared to fossil fuels, hydrogen is a much more eco-friendly fuel. When hydrogen burns, the only by-product is water. However, the traditional way to get hydrogen from natural gas or coal generates considerable carbon emissions. The greenest way is to obtain hydrogen from water using electrolysis (电解) powered by renewable energy, although this process requires so much electricity. The key to making hydrogen competitive with fossil fuels is to lower the production cost.
Also, shipping liquid hydrogen is challenging, given that needs to be chilled to -253℃ to do so. Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries is set to complete the construction of the world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier by early 2021. Most of the world’s big hydrogen export projects are looking to ship hydrogen in the form of liquid ammonia (氨), which can be changed to hydrogen and needs to be chilled to only -33 C.
With more and more countries aiming to cut down carbon emissions to solve the issue of global warming, green hydrogen will help decarbonizing (碳减排) industries that can’t be electrified hit the targets.
“We could use these circumstances, where loads of public money are going to be needed into the energy system, to jump forward towards a hydrogen economy,” said Diederik Samsom, who heads the European Commission’s climate cabinet.
1. What is the strength of the hydrogen fuel?| A．It is convenient to store. | B．It works very efficiently. |
| C．It is environmentally friendly. | D．It produces no by-product |
| A．The required temperature. | B．The expensive cost of shipping. |
| C．The construction of liquefied carriers. | D．Changing it to the form of liquid ammonia. |
| A．Those making hydrogen. | B．Those generating electricity. |
| C．Those funded by public money. | D．Those powered by fossil fuels. |
| A．Fueling a Green Future | B．Living a Green Life |
| C．Shipping Liquid Hydrogen | D．Making Hydrogen Competitive |
6 . Volunteer Programs
Special Needs Support in Barcelona
Are you interested in being a volunteer of Special Needs Support in Barcelona? The program enables volunteers to provide one-on-one care for people with a variety of physical and mental disabilities.
Highlights:
The program starts every second Monday of the month.
Affordable fees are $ 1000 for 2 weeks.
It includes accommodation, meals and airport pick-up.
Animal Care in Spain
Do you want to make some four-legged friends as a volunteer of Animal Care in Spain? The project empowers volunteers to assist cats and dogs that have been abandoned in Barcelona. Volunteers take care of animals and improve conditions at the animal shelter.
Highlights:
The program starts every fourth Tuesday of the month.
Affordable fees are $ 1030 for 2 weeks.
It includes accommodation, meals and airport pick-up.
Forest Conservation in Spain
Do you want to help deal with climate change in Spain? The project provides a unique opportunity for volunteers to contribute to the recovery of the native forests on the Catalonia coast near Barcelona.
Highlights:
The program starts every Wednesday.
Affordable fees are $425 for 1 week.
It includes accommodation, meals and 24/7 support.
Coastal Conservation in Zanzibar
Are you excited about volunteering for coastal conservation in Zanzibar? It is an opportunity for volunteers to explore the Jozani Forest. Volunteers will gain experience by supporting local initiatives.
Highlights:
The program starts every Friday.
Affordable fees are $ 540 for 1 week.
It includes accommodation, airport pick-up and 24/ 7 support.
1. When do you begin to work if you volunteer to help those with special needs?| A．Every Friday. | B．Every second Monday of the month. |
| C．Every Wednesday. | D．Every fourth Tuesday of the month. |
| A．Animal Care in Spain. | B．Coastal Conservation in Zanzibar. |
| C．Forest Conservation in Spain. | D．Special Needs Support in Barcelona. |
| A．They all charge fees. | B．They all last two weeks. |
| C．They all provide meals. | D．They all focus on environmental protection. |
7 . I often find myself running late on the edge of missing appointments. It’s not that I enjoy being late, but somehow, it keeps happening. A delayed train, a miscalculation in time, a wrong turn, the reasons for my lateness are many. I dislike being late, and yet, I frequently find myself in a rush or arriving behind schedule.
Michaela Thomas, a Swedish psychologist, calls people like me “time optimists” or “tidsoptimists”. We underestimate how long tasks will take and overestimate the time we have. As a result, we often find ourselves rushing, causing stress for both ourselves and those around us. It creates a domino effect of chaos, annoyance, and inconvenience for everyone involved. It can even have severe consequences.
The causes of standing lateness are complex. People, according to Jung, fall into two categories: “timekeepers” and “time enders”. Timekeepers work methodically, stay organized, and usually finish tasks ahead of schedule. In contrast, time enders, like me, push things to the last minute, feeling most energized and creative when under pressure.
Many see procrastination (拖延) as a key reason for lateness, but it’s not simply a time management issue. Fuschia Sirois, a professor of social and health psychology, believes procrastination often arises from mood management. People put off tasks to avoid dealing with emotions like anxiety, fear, or frustration. It can also be a form of rebellion when faced with boring or uncontrollable tasks.
Is there a solution for latecomers? Researchers suggest creating pre-event deadlines for important occasions like a wedding or catching a flight, so that the extra time can help you avoid being late when unforeseen circumstances arise. You can inform friends, family, and colleagues about your commitment to punctuality and ask for their support in helping you stay on time. For everyday improvement, setting alerts on phones for getting ready instead of departure time, breaking tasks into smaller, manageable parts and prioritizing time-flexible tasks can be helpful.
1. The underlined words “time optimists” in paragraph 2 refer to people who .| A．work in an organized manner | B．always be punctual |
| C．leave things until the last minute | D．have a casual personality |
| A．It is driven by the desire for perfectionism. |
| B．It is a charming and creative quality in individuals. |
| C．It is always due to a lack of time management skills. |
| D．It may arise from a desire to avoid uncomfortable emotions. |
| A．Allowing enough time for important events. |
| B．Setting departure time alerts on the phone. |
| C．Relying on friends to make plans in advance. |
| D．Prioritizing time-sensitive tasks over flexible ones. |
| A．Ways of strict time management. | B．The impact of procrastination on punctuality. |
| C．Benefits of punctuality in daily life. | D．Reasons for lateness and strategies to solve it. |
8 . When I was 12 years old, I already knew that my teen years were going to be the worst years of my life. I was a total outsider, bullied (欺凌) at school. I felt completely alone in my small town.
But by starting to do volunteer work when I was 14, I turned my problem into a passion for helping others. The opportunity to practice kindness made me feel like my life had a greater purpose. The more positive energy I shared, the more kindness and appreciation I received. I realized that my purpose in life would be to reach out to people, specifically teenagers, and help them feel less alone.
Books were my true friends back then. I was so thankful that the authors wrote those books. The kindness they offered me with their books saved my life. One of my biggest dreams was to become an author so I could write books that would help other teenagers the way those books helped me.
After surviving terrible experiences at school and at home, I made a choice to take the optimistic, positive road in the next steps of my journey. My dream career, one I thought was only possible for the authors I loved, is what I am doing now. I have been a full-time author of teen novels since 2007 and am grateful for this amazing opportunity to reach out to readers every single day.
Kindness saved me when I needed help the most. Even small acts of kindness can change someone’s life. You never know what someone else is going through. But by practicing daily kindness, you become an architect of positive change.
1. What was the author’s life like when he was 12?| A．Boring. | B．Peaceful. | C．Painful. | D．Meaningful. |
| A．It made him popular in his town. | B．It helped him find the meaning of life. |
| C．It helped him understand others’ lives better. | D．It helped to shape his dream career. |
| A．He was inspired by his teacher. | B．He could pass positive energy to readers. |
| C．He wanted to share his school experiences. | D．He found he had a talent for writing. |
| A．Say “no” to bullies bravely. | B．Make positive changes in their lives. |
| C．Treat others with kindness in daily life. | D．Learn to care more about others’ feelings. |
9 . The man who set a Guinness record for lipstick has flopped.
On the early morning of September 11th, Li Jiaqi apologized on Weibo for “hating netizens” during the live broadcast on the evening of September 10th. The reason was that when Li Jiaqi introduced a certain brand eyebrow pencil worth 79 yuan during a live broadcast activity, some netizens expressed that it was getting more and more expensive. He first asked back, “Where is it expensive? It has been this price for so many years, don’t talk nonsense with your eyes open.” Then he added, “Sometimes he finds his own reasons. After all these years of salary increase, have you worked hard?”
Li Jiaqi later apologized on Weibo, saying, “I was originally a makeup counter salesperson and know that everyone’s work is not easy. I’m really sorry what I said, which fell short of your expectations.” However, the highly praised comments in the front row of its comment section are no exception: all the apologies are not accepted. “Even a few words cannot stop your true arrogance during your live broadcast.” “You occasionally need to go out and take a look at the world as it is, rather than just sitting in front of the camera harvesting countless amounts of money.”
In addition to careful language, people are happy to see stories of a noble son from a humble family like Li Jiaqi who, through his own efforts, achieves a comeback in life and a rise in social status. The empathy and trust towards Li Jiaqi are also a projection of his own destiny.
1. What do you think is the fact of this incident?| A．The eyebrow pencil is really expensive. |
| B．Li’s attitude towards the netizens. |
| C．What Li sold in the broadcast was not the netizens needed. |
| D．The netizens dislike the brand that Li introduced. |
| A．annoy | B．hauteur | C．pride | D．happiness |
| A．The incidents happened on Nov. 11th. |
| B．People like Li because of his former work. |
| C．Li acquired his social status and wealth by his own efforts. |
| D．Li pretended to be a pity man after the incidents happened. |
| A．Li Jiaqi set a Guinness record for lipstick. |
| B．Li Jiaqi achieves a rise in social status. |
| C．Li Jiaqi apologized to the public for the eyebrow pencil incident. |
| D．People were hurt by Li Jiaqi and can’t buy his goods online. |
10 . Harvard researchers have created a tough, low-cost, biodegradable (可生物降解的) material inspired by insects’ hard outer shells. The material’s inventors say it has a number of possible uses and someday could provide a more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic. The material, made from shrimp (虾) shells and proteins produced from silk, is called “shrilk”. It is thin, clear, flexible and strong.
A major benefit of the material is its biodegradability. Plastic’s toughness and flexibility represented a revolution in materials science during the 1950s and 1960s. Decades later, however, plastic’s very durability (耐用性) is raising questions about how appropriate it is for one-time products such as plastic bags, or short-lived consumer goods, used in the home for a few years and then thrown into a landfill where they will stay for centuries. What is the point of making something that lasts 1,000 years?
Shrilk not only will degrade in a landfill, but its basic components are used as fertilizer (肥料), and so will enrich the soil.
Shrilk has great potential, the inventors said. Materials from which it is made are plentiful in nature, found in everything ranging from shrimp shells, insect bodies to living plants. That makes shrilk low cost, and its mass production possible if it is used for products demanding a lot of material.
Work on shrilk is continuing in the lab. The inventors said the material becomes flexible when wet, so they’re exploring ways to use it in wet environments. They’re also developing simpler production processes, which could be used for non-medical products, like for computer cases and other products inside the home. They’re even exploring combining it with other materials, like carbon fibers, to give it new properties.
1. Paragraph 1 of the passage is mainly about shrilk’s ________.| A．remarkable design | B．major features | C．interesting name | D．smart inventors |
| A．Using it properly. | B．Producing it cheaply. |
| C．Developing its properties quickly. | D．Evaluating its contributions fairly. |
| A．it can help plastic last longer | B．it can be found in living things |
| C．its mass production has been realized | D．its raw materials are abundant in nature |
| A．Recent Progress in Environmental Protection | B．Benefits of Insects in Scientific Research |
| C．A Possible Alternative to Plastic | D．The Harm of One-time Products |
