1 . Ancient China produced many types of beautiful works of art. Among them, calligraphy, poetry and painting are the most famous. Often they would be put together in art.These became important starting with the Song Dynasty.
Calligraphy is the art of handwriting. In the old times the Chinese considered writing as an important form of art. Calligraphers would practice for years to learn to write perfectly, but with style. Each of the over 40,000 characters needed to be written correctly. And each stroke (笔画) in a character had to be written in a certain order.
Poetry is also an important form of art. Great poets were famous all over the country, and all educated people were expected to write poetry. During the Tang Dynasty poetry was so important that writing poetry was part of the examinations to become a civil servant (文官) and work for the government.
Chinese painting is often connected with calligraphy. It is one of the oldest artistic traditions in the world. The most traditional way of Chinese painting is known as “national painting” or “native painting” which is quite different from Western painting. People can draw mountains, buildings, birds, trees and water.
1. Calligraphers needed to write over ______ characters correctly in the old times.| A．10,000 | B．20,000 |
| C．30,000 | D．40,000 |
| A．Painting. | B．Calligraphy. |
| C．Writing poetry. | D．Playing music. |
| A．Chinese art. | B．Chinese examinations. |
| C．Chinese history. | D．Chinese dynasties. |
2 . Music affects our emotions. We tend to listen to music that reflects our mood. When we’re happy we may listen to upbeat (愉快的) music; when we’re sad we may listen to slower and more moving songs; when we’re angry we may listen to darker music with heavy guitar, drums and songs that reflect our level of anger. We may not know why we prefer the artists we listen to, but we can learn a lot about ourselves through our musical tastes.
Consider John, a pleasant man in his mid-40s who describes his mid-20s as a time when he was figuring out his place in life. At the time, he considered himself to be cold, nervous, shy, well-mannered and sensitive. But the music he preferred to listen to was dark, heavy and aggressive. After some time in therapy (治疗), John realized he’d been repressing (抑制) anger and aggression due to years of childhood abuse, and music had become his voice. Now John has been able to unlock his previously hidden emotions and begin to work through the issues.
Cindy, a woman in her mid-30s, has struggled through years of depression. While depressed, she often listened to music that reflected sadness and emotional pain. However, Cindy also noted that she had a passion for upbeat music that made her want to dance and feel free from emotional struggle. But she rarely felt this energy and freedom without the music encouraging. It turned out that Cindy was an energetic and happy child. However, Cindy’s struggle with depression began after her mother’s death when she was 11 years old. With the help of therapy, Cindy is now in the process of breaking through the layer of depression that has covered her since her mother died.
In summary, while music can move us in an intense emotional moment, it also can be used to teach us about unconscious elements of our emotional structure. If we notice a pattern of emotional music that raises questions about our current feelings or about who we are, it could be an important opportunity for self-exploration.
1. What kind of music do people probably listen to when they are delighted?| A．Music with drums. | B．Slower songs. |
| C．Upbeat music. | D．Dark music |
| A．He was passionate. | B．He was aggressive. |
| C．He was dark inside. | D．He was polite. |
| A．Her mother passed away when she was 11 years old. |
| B．She rarely felt energetic and free. |
| C．She always listened to sad music. |
| D．She had experienced childhood abuse. |
| A．How to Be Happy |
| B．Music Impacts Our Emotions |
| C．People Change While Growing up |
| D．Different People Listen to Different Music |
3 . Two of the saddest words in the English language are “if only”. I live my life with the goal of never having to say those words, because they express regret, lost opportunities, mistakes, and disappointment.
My father is famous in our family for saying, “Take the extra minute to do it right.” I always try to live by the “extra minute” rule. When my children were young and likely to cause accidents, I always thought about what I could do to avoid an “if only” moment, whether it was something minor like moving a cup full of hot coffee away from the edge of a counter, or something that required a little more work such as taping padding (衬垫) onto the sharp comers of a glass coffee table.
I don’t only avoid (避免) those “if only” moments when it comes to safety. it’s equally important to avoid “if only” in our personal relationships. We all know people who lost a loved one and regretted that they had foregone an opportunity to say, “I love you” or “I forgive you.” When my father announced he was going to the eye doctor across from my office on Good Friday, I told him that it was a holiday for my company and I wouldn’t be here. But then I thought about the fact that he’s 84 years old and I realized that I shouldn’t give up an opportunity to see him. I called him and told him I had decided to go to work on my day off after all.
I know there will still be occasions when I have to say “if only” about something, but my life is definitely better because of my policy of doing everything possible to avoid that eventuality (可能发生的事). And even though it takes an extra minute to do something right, or it occasionally takes an hour or two in my busy schedule to make a personal connection, I know that I’m doing the right thing. I’m buying myself peace of mind and that’s the best kind of insurance (保障) for my emotional well-being.
1. Which of the following is an example of the “extra minute” rule?| A．Start the car the moment everyone is seated. |
| B．Leave the room for a minute with the iron working. |
| C．Wait for an extra minute so that the steak tastes better. |
| D．Move an object out of the way before it trips (绊倒) someone. |
| A．To keep her appointment with the eye doctor. |
| B．To meet her father who was already an old man. |
| C．To join in the holiday celebration of the company. |
| D．To finish her work before the deadline approached. |
| A．given up. | B．Lacked. | C．Avoided. | D．Wasted. |
| A．The Emotional Well-being | B．The Two Saddest Words |
| C．The Most Useful Rule | D．The Peace of Mind |
4 . 
This year’s Beijing Culture Forum was held from Sept.14 to 15 in the capital. Here are a series of talks with famous persons covering various fields.
Goran Durdevic:Goran Durdevic, lecturer of the Beiwai College, Beijing Foreign Studies University, said: “I’m particularly interested in those parts dedicated to cultural heritage and archeology.”
Citing his documentaries about heritages in Beijing as examples, he said: “I will talk about several documentaries.”
Agshin Aliyev:“I’m impressed by what China has achieved in digital use in education and culture during the past decade,” said Agshin Aliyev, PhD, head of the Azerbaijani Language Department at the School of Asian Studies, Beijing Foreign Studies University.
“We have also witnessed China’s efforts for its culture going global and telling China’s stories to foreign friends.”
Sha Xiaolan:“Technology has redefined the communication, creation and experience of culture, paving the way for entirely new possibilities,” said director and producer Sha Xiaolan.
“While AR and VR technologies bring the immersion(沉浸)of cultural experiences, AR technology is gradually finding its way in creative fields, becoming part of cultural creativity.”
Zhao Shengliang:Zhao Shengliang, secretary of the CPC Committee of Dunhuang Academy, said, “As we have access to many digital resources, we can use them to create movies or television programmes. We also make cultural and creative products explaining Dunhuang culture in popular and understandable language, as well as products that show Dunhuang’s art and features.”
1. What do Goran Durdevic and Agshin Aliyev have in common?| A．Loving archeology. | B．Doing teaching jobs in China. |
| C．Working in Dunhuang. | D．Talking about documentaries. |
| A．Goran Durdevic. | B．Agshin Aliyev. |
| C．Sha Xiaolan. | D．Zhao Shengliang. |
| A．To advertise Dunhuang. | B．To sell the products. |
| C．To use digital resources. | D．To develop the culture. |
5 . Sharing a room with a family member or a friend can be tough (困难), but it becomes especially difficult when you are sharing it with someone you hardly know. If you find yourself in a similar situation, do not despair. There are things you can do to help you cope with having a roommate, no matter who it may be.
First of all, you have to remember that you get what you give. If you are nice to others, then others will be nice to you as well. You also need to set boundaries for yourself and for the other person. So before your new roommate moves in, talk to him. Set the rules early on and discuss your hopes.
Remember that there are two things that make up any good relationship: belief and respect. The same thing applies to (适用于) having a roommate. You have to respect each other. So he has that new PS3 game that you have always wanted to try out? Ask permission first. If he says no, don’t ask him for it again. If he lets you borrow his stuff, take care of the item and treat it as if it were your own. Make sure that you return it in the same condition as when you borrowed it.
To keep away from disagreements over who does the housework, clean as you go. For chores (杂务) that can be shared, you may want to divide it equally so that you don’t do all the housework. Take turns in washing the dishes. You may do it every other day or you may divide the task so that you only have to do it in the morning and your roommate will only have to do it at night.
When it comes to food and grocery items, determine what can be shared. Don’t be too mean when it comes to sharing food. On the other hand, determine what you can share and what you can’t and be clear about it. The advantage of sharing food is that you can save on time and food preparation.
1. What is the passage mainly about?| A．Why you need a roommate. |
| B．How you drive a roommate you don’t like. |
| C．What you do to find a roommate. |
| D．How you can get along with your roommate. |
| A．Borders of two countries. | B．Personal space. |
| C．Public relations. | D．Something shared by all roommates. |
| A．money and gifts | B．attraction and good words |
| C．trust and respect | D．threats and orders |
| A．There are always quarrels between roommates. |
| B．Try to do all the chores by yourself. |
| C．Share everything with your roommates. |
| D．Try to do the chores by turns. |
6 . Have you still remembered what happened when you went to school on the first day? I still remember my interesting first day of school. On that day, I hurried to my science class in the morning and found a seat in the back. I waited there for 15 minutes before the bell rang. The science teacher told us about some class rules. No one talked to me; nor did I talk to anyone else. I was one of those very shy girls. After the science class, I had an English class. I thought it would be boring but it turned out to be very funny. When the classes of the morning ended, I went to lunch. I sat outside the dining room with no one to talk to and no food because I was too nervous to join the lunch line. I kept looking around hoping to see someone I knew but I never saw anyone.
Lunch ended and I went to have my art class. I was the first one there and not even my teacher was there yet. So I sat at my desk and started drawing some pictures. I didn’t notice the rest of the class walking in or the girl that was standing behind me till I was surprised by the voice, “So what are you drawing?” It was a girl who had really long hair. She ended up being my best friend and one of the kindest and liveliest girls I know.
In the next class meeting, the teacher asked us to talk about the past holiday. I was glad to make some new friends in the class. The first day of high school was hard for me but I got through it.
1. According to the writer, the English class was __________ .| A．boring | B．useful | C．hard | D．interesting |
| A．wasn’t hungry | B．forgot the lunchtime |
| C．was afraid to stand in line | D．didn’t like the dining room |
| A．got to know a lively girl | B．talked about her past holiday |
| C．met someone she knew before | D．drew some pictures about her class |
| A．She sat in the front row. | B．She made some new friends. |
| C．She learned some class rules. | D．She was 15 minutes late for it. |
7 . During the summer holidays, you might be eager to get out and about. What would you like to do? There are plenty of helpful websites and apps with good ideas.
The Wildlife Trusts charity has a map of walks all over the UK. You can zoom in to find the ones nearest where you live, read about them and plan a visit. Another good website for finding places to walk is AllTrails, where you can search for the name of a nearby city or park to explore with your family or friends.
One fun way to explore your neighborhood is through wildlife. The Week Junior Science+Nature’s summer scavenger hunt (寻宝游戏) asks you to track down 10 natural objects, including clouds and creepy-crawlies. There’s also a photo competition for young nature lovers.
Summer is the best time for butterfly-spotting, and iRecord Butterflies is a free app that helps you to identify the ones you see. It also uses the data to protect these beautiful creatures.
Another cool app worth checking is Seek by iNaturalist, which includes information about all sorts of wildlife, including bugs, fish and plants. And you can take part in monthly challenges. It’s been designed for families to use.
Finally, there’s Parkrun, where adults and young people get together to run in thousands of local parks. The Junior Parkrun website has a map showing you when and where these events take place, to help find your nearest one.
1. Which of the following attracts those who love taking photos of nature?| A．AllTrails. | B．The Wildlife Trusts. |
| C．The iRecord Butterflies. | D．The Week Junior Science+Nature. |
| A．One. | B．Two. | C．Three. | D．Four. |
| A．Identifying the most special local parks. |
| B．Allowing people of all ages to get together. |
| C．Having much experience of organizing events. |
| D．Offering a map to show different times and places of the events. |
8 . Do you love music? If you are a music lover, there are some music festivals for you to learn about.
Strawberry Music Festival
Held at the most beautiful fairgrounds in California, Strawberry Music Festival takes over the Nevada County Fairgrounds every Memorial Day for four days of family fun. This park, which is set in the Sierra Nevada foothills, offers the perfect environment for camping and performances by some of the top artists. The festival also offers children’s programmes, workshops and activities for all ages.
Tree Town Music Festival
You don’t have to be in the Southwest or in Texas to enjoy yourself in the country lifestyle. Country living can be found all over the United States. The Tree Town Music Festival in Forest City, Iowa, is a great example of country fun in the Midwest. The Tree Town Music Festival features (以……为特色) camping and live music from some of the biggest names in modern country.
Tampa Bay Indian Music & Dance Festival
This festival shows respect for the traditions of India and its people. Food, music and performances are top attractions and display the Indian heritage proudly. Yoga fans can catch a relaxing practice through kirtan (唱颂). This experience of Indian culture is fun for all ages.
SXSW Music Festival
The SXSW Music festival is a global music event taking place every March in Austin, Texas. Each year the SXSW Music Festival receives a wonderful mix of artists performing in bars, clubs, parks, hotels and more in Austin, Texas. Not limited in the sort or area focus, audiences can enjoy different kinds of musical styles at SXSW.
1. What can you do in Forest City, Iowa?| A．Play live music. | B．Enjoy country life. |
| C．Have fun at summer camps. | D．Appreciate the local heritage. |
| A．It shows Indian culture. |
| B．It is suitable for camping. |
| C．It provides activities for children. |
| D．It has performances by top artists. |
| A．Strawberry Music Festival. |
| B．Tree Town Music Festival. |
| C．Tampa Bay Indian Music & Dance Festival. |
| D．SXSW Music Festival. |
9 . Here come four most popular clubs in our school! Join us, and we will help you to find your own shining points, lead you to find beauty and to create beauty, and make your campus life as fulfilling and happy as a dream.
Basketball Club
Students will be able to develop their basketball skills further and have the opportunity to compete in basketball games with members from other international schools in Beijing. The club will be available to 10-16 members from Grades 5 to 8, and will practice twice weekly.
Public Speaking Club
The Public Speaking Club will be centered around the personal development of students along with developing public speaking skills. The club will be interested in focusing on all skills in delivering better speeches and improving communication skills. The club will be available to 10-12 members from Grades 7 to 12, and will meet once weekly (Wednesday).
Yoga Club
Yoga not only improves balance, flexibility, and joint stability, but also serves as a peaceful escape from the stress of daily life. Our students will have the chance to physically exercise while reducing some stress from their life. The club will be available to 10-16 members from Grades 7 to 12, and will meet once weekly (Tuesday).
Media Club
The Media Club teaches students the basics of journalism. The club engages in a wide range of activities like interviewing teachers and students, writing about big events on campus, and operating the weekly school radio broadcasts. The club will be available to 8-12 members from Grades 6 to 12 and will meet once weekly (Monday).
1. Which club will attract students who want to get both mental and physical benefits?| A．Basketball Club. | B．Public Speaking Club. | C．Yoga Club. | D．Media Club. |
| A．Set up a school radio. | B．Write imaginary stories. |
| C．Learn public speaking skills. | D．Interview teachers and students. |
| A．In a school introduction. | B．In a research paper. |
| C．In a history textbook. | D．In a guidebook. |
10 . With the approaching of New Year, more and more visitors will come to China. Don’t know where you should go? Here are some places recommended for you.
Shanghai Expo Culture Park
The Shanghai Expo Culture Park will soon open its northern section to the public, in which the major attractions include a traditional garden that is similar in design to Shanghai’s famous Yuyuan Garden and a 400-meter avenue exhibiting the history of the area, while in the southern section lies a grand theater.
Macao Tower AJ Hackett Bungee Jump
The Macao Tower, 338 meters tall, is the world’s 10th highest tower, with a variety of activities, such as eating and entertainment. One of the activities which enjoy good fame is the bungee jump. The AJ Hackett Macao Tower Bungee Jump is 233 meters high, making it a Guinness World Record as the highest commercial (商业的) bungee jump in the world. Raise your arms and off you go!
Harbin’s Frozen World
For those who have never been to Harbin, there is an almost endless list of things to do. At Harbin Ice—Snow World, you can not only see the world—famous ice architecture, but also have great fun! You can have hotpot at the restaurants which are made of ice, enjoying the product of both ice and fire, go down the world’s longest ice slide (滑梯) and join in the popular Ice and Snow Electronic Music Festival to welcome 2024.
The winter is cold and the night is long, so why not go to the theatre? Harbin was listed by the United Nations as a “music city” in 2010. Harbin Grand Theater is where artistic souls defrost (化霜) a little to share their love of art.
1. Where should visitors go if they want to do extreme sports?| A．Shanghai Expo Culture Park. | B．The Macao Tower. |
| C．Shangha’s Yuyuan Garden. | D．Harbin Ice—Snow World. |
| A．Attend a famous music festival. | B．Play with both ice and fire. |
| C．Turn water into instant ice. | D．Learn to make ice architecture. |
| A．They have a high tower. | B．They have a long ice slide. |
| C．They have a grand theater. | D．They have traditional architecture. |
