1 . Of all the Christmas traditions in my family, the most firmly defended is what’s known as the healthy walk: a non-negotiable walk that takes place in the thin sliver of daylight separating the end of a massive breakfast and the beginning of an even bigger Christmas dinner.
I think the origins of the name lie with my late grandmother (who was also fond of healthy 5 a. m. swims in the English Channel well into her 70s), but it was my parents’ generation who first embraced it at Christmas, working out that a walk was essential. Now, as my parents themselves approach their 70s, my brothers and I have taken up the baton (接力棒) enthusiastically.
But hiking in the depths of winter isn’t without its risks. There are times when the healthy walk has felt almost a little too healthy — there’s a fine line between the kind of weather my grandmother would have described as pleasant and that which will lead to full-blown hypothermia(体温过低). Getting soaked, suffering frozen fingers and slithering (滑) down a muddy bank on your backside are all risks at Christmas in my family. So far, no-one has ever seriously injured themselves, but whatever Michael Bublé might say, the reality of festive-season walking in the UK is always more “sodden (湿透的) mud patch” than “winter wonderland”.
Of course, the risk of being caught out by the elements increases further on longer hikes at this time of year. I’m always amazed that more people don’t do themselves serious damage during ultra-distance winter events. I’m in a we of those (including my sister) who’ve managed to complete things such as the two-day Original Mountain Marathon which takes place in October. In the end, however, the same principle applies to these big events as to our more gentle Christmas Day walk: if you get the right gear (装备), you can handle pretty much anything.
1. What’s the most strictly guarded Christmas custom in the author’s family?| A．A great breakfast. | B．The healthy walk. |
| C．A big Christmas dinner. | D．5 a. m. swims in the English Channel. |
| A．Kind and caring. | B．Successful and rich. |
| C．Determined and energetic. | D．Ambitious and generous. |
| A．They should wear proper gear to deal with many things. |
| B．They can handle everything independently. |
| C．They should focus on more gentle activities. |
| D．They are risking their lives unnecessarily. |
| A．Sports. | B．Education. | C．Entertainment. | D．Science. |
2 . Four Wonderful Books
Worried Whippet: A Book of Bravery
by Jess Bolton
This beautifully illustrated story is about an anxious dog who navigates (驾驭) moments of bravery and acts of courage as she goes about her everyday life.
Written for adults and children who are struggling with anxiety, Jess’s hope is that the book can encourage you to take small steps of bravery as well, just as the worried Whippet does.
All Through the Night
by Dani Robertson
Author and dark sky officer Dani Roberston is on a mission to protect the world from the effects of light pollution. In doing so, she helps us to understand why the dark nights are so important for ourselves, animals, and plants, and turns the switch on why it’s something that should be embraced (欣然接受).
The Book of Nordic Self-Care
by Elisabeth Carlsson
If your typical self-care routine isn’t cutting it, now is the time to embrace self-care the Nordic way. From wellness practices to Nordic foods, nutritionist and lifestyle coach Elisabeth Carlsson reveals the secrets from the world’s happiest countries that will help you bring peace and balance to your life.
The Britannias : An Island Quest
by Alice Albinia
Put on your walking boots and head off on this tour through the history of Britain’s islands.
In tracing the nation’s geographical periphery (周边), author and journalist Alice Albinia also, fittingly, sets out to recentre the narrative on stories sometimes pushed to the edges: those of women, for instance, or of people regarded with suspicion. Part history, part travelogue (游记), this is an interesting exploration of how a land shapes its people.
1. What is the book Worried Whippet: A Book of Bravery about?| A．The story of an anxious but brave dog. |
| B．The effects of light pollution. |
| C．The history of Britain’s islands. |
| D．Nordic self-care practices. |
| A．Jess Bolton. | B．Dani Robertson. |
| C．Elisabeth Carlsson. | D．Alice Albinia. |
| A．Worried Whippet: A Book of Bravery. |
| B．All Through the Night. |
| C．The Book of Nordic Self-Care. |
| D．The Britannias: An Island Quest. |
3 . I had just delivered a memorable speech that I had labored over for months, and I was about to learn how the experts judged my performance. The polite audience leaned forward in their folding chairs. Silence fell across the room and the drum rolled in my heart.
The contest organizer announced the third-place winner. The name was not mine. Then the second, and once again it was not me. At last, the moment of truth came. Either I was about to be lost in the warmth of victory or regretted the last several months’ preparation. While neither of these came to pass, my heart just sank.
Losing is a part of life, but it was an indescribable depression to drive 200-mile round trip, get up early on a freezing Saturday morning, and yet still finish fourth out of four competitors. After Lincoln lost the 1858 Illinois Senate (参议院) race, he said, “I felt like the 12-year-old boy who kicked his toe. I was too big to cry and it hurt too bad to laugh.” Oh yeah, I could relate.
I had spent hours in front of a computer and in libraries doing research for the Lincoln Bicentennial (两百周年纪念) Speech Contest. As I read through several biographies, one idea stood out: Lincoln was handed many sound defeats, but he never allowed them to permanently stop his spirit or ambition. I thought “failing successfully” was a very appropriate topic, given the many letdowns Lincoln experienced, and so this became the title of my speech.
Never mind the lost prize money and praise - I did gain a new perspective. Now, whenever I’m faced with a failure, I remember what Lincoln said after his unsuccessful 1854 Senate race, “The path was worn and difficult. My foot slipped from under me, knocking the other out of the way, but I recovered and said to myself. ‘It’s a slip and not a fall.’”
1. How did the author feel when waiting for the announcement of the result?| A．Thrilled. | B．Nervous. | C．Depressed. | D．Relieved. |
| A．To show Lincoln’s determination to win Senate race. |
| B．To present his research findings of Lincoln’s biographies. |
| C．To indicate that he got inspiration from Lincoln’s failures. |
| D．To declare what they had in common in their experiences. |
| A．Disappointed. | B．Positive. | C．Concerned. | D．Anxious. |
| A．A Successful Failure | B．A Difficult Path. |
| C．An Unexpected Speech | D．An Impressive Example |
4 . English businessman Richard Branson made history on July 11, 2021 as he and three other crewmates became the world’s first space tourists. The flight was made by a spacecraft named VSS Unity that was built by Branson’s company, Virgin Galactic. The flight lasted slightly more than an hour, and took Branson and crew to an altitude (海拔) of 53.5miles above the Earth, just a little above the boundary (边界) of space which lies 50 miles above the Earth.
At that height, the atmosphere turns into the black of outer space and the Earth becomes a bent ball of blue. Travelers also exhibit weightlessness as there is no gravity, the force that keeps our bodies walking on the Earth’s surface. Therefore, Branson and his fellows were able to float around in VSS Unity while enjoying the views. They were able to do that for three minutes before the spacecraft began its downward journey. It landed back at Virgin Galactic’s space port in New Mexico, United States, which is the same place from where it had taken off 90 minutes before.
On landing back, Branson said, “I have dreamt of this moment since I was a kid but honestly, nothing could prepare you for the view of the Earth from space. It was just magical. I’m just taking it all in, and it’s unreal.”
July 11’s flight is the start of space tourism for one and all. In early 2022, customers who can afford a ticket for a quarter of a million dollars can line up for a seat on a trip to space. And guess what — they will have a choice of spacecraft. Jeff Bezos, who owns a famous company, is all set to launch himself into space on July 20 on board a spacecraft built by his new branch company Blue Origin. Blue Origin will also carry tourists to space.
1. What is Richard Branson famous for?| A．His success in tourism. |
| B．His company of Virgin Galactic. |
| C．His spaceship named VSS Unity. |
| D．His first commercial space travel in history. |
| A．Unbelievable. | B．Adventurous. | C．Regrettable. | D．Worthless. |
| A．Take a spacecraft of Virgin Galactic. |
| B．Pay $250,000 for the rocket tour. |
| C．Pass the fitness test for astronauts. |
| D．Line up for a position in Blue Origin. |
| A．Humans will move to other livable planets. |
| B．Ordinary people will soon land on the moon. |
| C．Private rocket space travel is growing gradually. |
| D．Some companies abandon their proper business. |
5 . 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. |
6 . 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. |
7 . Deep below the ground, radioactive elements break up water molecules (分子), producing substances that can fuel subsurface life. This process, known as radiolysis (辐射分解), has supported bacteria in tiny cracks filled with water on Earth for millions to billions of years. Now a study published in Astrobiology shows that radiolysis may have supported life in the Martian subsurface.
Dust storms, rays in the universe and solar winds ruin the Red Planet’s surface. But below, some life might find shelter. “The best survival habitat on Mars is the subsurface,” said Jesse Tarnas, a planetary scientist at NASA. Examining the Martian underground could help scientists learn whether life existed there. And the best subsurface samples available today are Martian meteorites (陨石) that have crash-landed on Earth.
Tarnas and his colleague looked at the minerals on the Martian surface and how many radioactive elements there were, using satellite and rover data. They used computers to simulate (模拟) radiolysis to see how efficiently the process would have generated life-supporting hydrogen gas and other chemical substances. They reported that if water was present, radiolysis could have supported life for billions of years and perhaps still could today.
Scientists had previously studied Mars radiolysis, but this marked the first estimate using Martian rocks to see how habitable Mars underground might be. Tarnas and his colleagues also evaluated the potential richness of life in Martian underground. They found that up to a million bacteria could exist. in just one kilogram of rock. The most habitable seemed to be the southern highlands of Mars, which is the most ancient area on Mars, according to Tarnas.
“Underground life would require water and it remains unknown if groundwater exists on the planet,” says Lujendra Ojha, a planetary scientist at Rutgers University. Determining whether the Martian’ subsurface contains water will be an important next step, but this investigation helps to motivate that search. Ojha says, “Where there is groundwater, there could be life.”
1. What does radiolysis refer to according to the passage?| A．The formation of water deep underground. |
| B．The breakdown of rocks in the Earth’s core. |
| C．The production of energy from radioactive elements. |
| D．The process of radioactive elements splitting water molecule. |
| A．By simulating with collected data. | B．By comparing original data. |
| C．By engaging in a Martian field research. | D．By conducting a survey. |
| A．Tarnas is the first to study Mars radiolysis. |
| B．The presence of groundwater is key to the findings. |
| C．Ojha questions that underground life exists on Mars. |
| D．The southern highlands of Mars was home to millions of bacteria. |
| A．The reason for no life on the Martian surface. |
| B．The data source for the study of Martian habitability. |
| C．The possibility of Mars sustaining life through radiolysis. |
| D．The richness of radioactive elements below the Martian surface. |
8 . Despite extreme cold, cruel ice and being brushed off as mad, Slovenian Davo Kamicar became the first person to ski non-stop down Mount Everest. After a dramatic fall over almost sheer cliffs of snow, stones and ice, 38-yeur-old Kamicar returned to his base camp after five hours of skiing. “I feel only absolute happiness and absolute tiredness,” he said.
Due to the severe weather conditions, Kamicar flung himself back down the mountain as soon as he reached the top rather thin have a rest as planned. At one point, he had to speed over stretches of ice that collapsed and broke underneath him and could have sent him falling into the deep crevasses (裂缝) that dot the mountain.
The descent (下落) had been widely regarded as extremely dangerous. The Darwin Awards website, known for documenting foolhardy deaths, urged people to log on to their website and “keep your eyes peeled for a live Darwin Award”. However, the only body to make the news was the corpse (尸体) of an unknown mountaineer which Kamicar zipped past as he descended, one of an estimated 120 corpses, thought to litter the slopes. “This mountain is always full of surprises. Seeing a dead man out there was still a shocking experience,” he said.
Thanks to strategically placed cameras on the mountain and one attached, to his safety helmet, hundreds of thousands of people witnessed the process online, which was one of the record highs ever of more than 650,000 hits: The website was once jammed as people tried to access the site.
A previous failed attempt had already cost Kamicar two fingers when he got frostbite as a fierce storm hit the peak, Coming from a skiing family and had his first Himalayan skiing expedition in 1989, he has been ever since tireless in raising funds and sponsorship for more expeditions, with Everest as the permanent goal.
1. How did Davo Kamicar make history?| A．By skiing down Mount Everest without rest. |
| B．By attracting the largest number of online audience. |
| C．By descending Mount Everest within the shortest time ever. |
| D．By becoming the first to film his descent down Mount Everest. |
| A．Daring but thoughtless. | B．Natural but tragic. |
| C．Peaceful and lonely. | D．Slow and heartbreaking. |
| A．His heavy falling off a sheer cliff. |
| B．The sudden appearance of other climbers. |
| C．The unexpected collapse of an icy hillside. |
| D．The sight of 120 corpses littering the slopes. |
| A．Darwin Award for Survivors |
| B．Body of Mountaineer Found on Everest |
| C．Mad Man Skis down Everest |
| D．Extreme Sports Hero Slides to a Record |
9 . Climate change poses a particular threat to children and youth, starting before birth and potentially influencing the normal development of physiological systems and emotional skills in ways that are sometimes irreversible (无法逆转的), according to a report released by the American Psychological Association (APA) and ecoAmerica. The serious impacts of climate change, such as weather disasters, can cause trauma (心理创伤) and post-traumatic stress disorder in the short term, and many longer-term mental health challenges in the absence of proper treatment, the report says.
The effect of extreme weather events resulting from climate change can interrupt normal fetal (胎儿的) development and lead to a greater risk of anxiety or depressive disorder, and lower levels of self-control. The list of possible climate change-related mental health struggles expands as children get older, according to the report.
The impacts of climate change interact and combine with other factors that threaten youth mental health, which is already in danger. These factors include child development, parental health, rates of depression, anxiety, poverty, housing security, inadequate nutrition, and access to medical care, according to the report.
“If our responsibility to ensure a safe climate and great future for our children and future generations was not clear enough, this report brings it into vivid relief. My hope is for anyone caring for children-especially policymakers-to join me in following its guidance,” said Meighen Speiser, executive director of ecoAmerica and a coauthor of the report.
This new report builds on the prior Mental Health and Our Changing Climate: Impacts, Inequities, and Responses report, published in 2021. “Since the publication of the 2021 report, concerns about the mental health impacts of climate change have grown among scientists, health professionals, policymakers and the public, and the effects on children and youth are more noticeable,” said APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr. , PhD. “Psychology, as the science of behavior, will be of great importance to making the changes that are vital to slow and stop its advance. ”
1. What does the author say about youth mental health?| A．It is already under many threats. |
| B．It reflects a lot of social problems. |
| C．It differs a great deal from age to age. |
| D．It is the biggest concern of the society. |
| A．It reminds us to take good care of our children. |
| B．It calls on people to join in the fight against pollution. |
| C．It clarifies the need to control climate change for future. |
| D．It urges policymakers to provide guidance on climate change. |
| A．The study of youth health has sped up. |
| B．The climate is worsening faster than ever before. |
| C．The development of psychology needs more attention. |
| D．The impact of climate change-related mental health may be improved. |
| A．Global Climate Changes |
| B．Threats to Children’s Health |
| C．Mental Challenges Faced With Babies |
| D．Impacts of Climate Change on Kids’ Mental Health |
10 . As a kid, Kara McGrath had to have her “pocket cheese” into jackets so she could have it on the go. In college, she blew her budget on fancy cheese during grocery runs with roommates. And when she got married, she served her guests a flowery, four-tiered cake made from wheels of blue cheese. So it wasn’t a surprise when she quit a stable job to pursue a career as a cheesemonger (干酪商).
In 2019, McGrath joined a cheese catering business. There, she gained experience making display boards and leading tasting sessions. But a typhoon hit and took away their wooden shop as well as the community’s business. Her partner decided to turn to other business, leaving McGrath unsure of her next steps.
“There’s not a ton of cheese options in D. C. ,” she said. “My whole thing was, if I can’t find a place to work, I’m going to build it.” She created a cheese club, featuring virtual guided tastings, working first at her home, then in a rented shared kitchen space. As her following grew,she expanded with holiday markets, and when she saw that a wine bar on H Street had closed,she seized the opportunity and rented it.
Today, she’s the owner of Paste and Rind, a cheese and wine bar on H Street in Washington, D. C. , which opened in February after she emptied her 401K to fund the decoration of the space. To build a good reputation, she’s created regular tastings of limited-release cheeses in their bar, which sold out in August and will be offered monthly starting in October. And she doesn’t depend only on walk-in customers: Paste and Rind regularly appears at local farmer’s markets, offers custom cheese food for events and exhibits a subscription box.
As a self-taught enterpriser, MeGrath follows cheese experts on Instagram, connects with peers at the Cheesemonger Invitational in New York and listens to restaurant strategy programs. They’re excited to expand their business further, such as hiring full-time staff to increase the wine bar’s hours and exhibit at bigger occasions like weddings, where she might find herself with another full-circle cheese wheel moment.
1. What can we learn about McGrath from the first paragraph?| A．She was a born businessman. |
| B．Her marriage influenced her greatly. |
| C．She was a big fan of cheese. |
| D．Her previous job was a very challenging one. |
| A．She set up her own business. | B．She decided to find a partner. |
| C．She rented a bar immediately. | D．She lost faith in doing business. |
| A．By displaying the products. | B．By hosting tasting activities. |
| C．By advertising in local events. | D．By offering free cheese to farmers. |
| A．Ambitious and adaptable. | B．Generous and responsible. |
| C．Independent and considerate. | D．Enthusiastic and cooperative. |
