1 . New York City (NYC) is a great place to visit for adults and kids. But it’s not cheap. Check out our top five places to visit without charge (收费). That’s right— you will pay absolutely nothing!

Central Park

Relax away from the busy city center by visiting Central Park— over 800 acres of parkland right in the middle of Manhattan. Wonderful for children.

Don’t miss:

•free walking tours and sports programs

•musical performances and plays

Address: Manhattan, bounded by 5th Ave and Central Park W
Opening hours: 06:00 to 01:00
Website: www.centralparlnyc.org

The New York Public Library

Enjoy a book or two in this beautiful world- famous library.

Don’t miss:

•the amazing 3rd-floor reading room

•free guided tours

Address: 5th Ave at 42nd St
Opening hours: 11:00 to 18:00 Mon; 11:00 to 19:30 Tue and Wed; 10:00 to 18:00 Thurs-Sat; 13:00 to 17:00 Sun
Website: www.nypl.org

The Brooklyn Bridge

Walk across this landmark bridge, which connects Manhattan to Brooklyn.

Don’t miss:

•the amazing views of Manhattan

•the way the bridge is lit up at night

Address: On Manhattan side, entrance at Park Row and Center Street or City Hall; on Brooklyn side, entrance at Tillary/ Adams Street or Prospect St

Times Square

Join the 26 million people who visit Times Square cach year!

Don’t miss:

•the famous Broadway performances nearby

•the lights and atmosphere (氛围) of this area by night

Address: 40th St S, 53rd St N, 9th Ave W, 6th Ave E
Website: www.timessquarenyc.org

Grand Central Terminal

You don’t have to be traveling anywhere by train to visit this beautiful landmark of NYC.

Don’t miss:

•views of the train station from above

•musical performances and exhibits (展览)

Address: Park Ave at 42nd St
Opening hours: 05:15 to 02:00
Website: www.grandcentralterminal.com
1. When can you visit The New York Public Library?

A．10:00 to 18:00 on Monday.	B．11:00 to 19:30 on Wednesday.
C．10:00 to 19:30 on Saturday.	D．10:00 to 17:00 on Sunday.

2. Where should visitors go if they want to see exhibits?

A．Central Park.	B．Times Square.
C．The Brooklyn Bridge.	D．Grand Central Terminal.

3. What do these five places have in common?

A．They are free of charge.

B．They have free guided tours.

C．They can help you relax away from the city noise.

D．They hold different kinds of musical performances.

2 . “April 30th, 2006, is officially our Gotcha Day, also known as the day the adoption (收养) became final,” explains Ken S. of Centreville, Virginia. “We’d just spent 35 days waiting to ________ them, and it’s impossible to express the ________ of that moment.”

Finding their kids wasn’t an easy process for Ken and his now ex-wife. The ________ who needed homes were in a crowded Ukrainian orphanage (孤儿院). After ________ countless files, they ________ Valeria and Timothy.

At first, they were ________ that the pair, who’d been ________ from a home where they were neglected (疏于照顾), would have a difficult time ________ their new life. Indeed, when Ken gave them a box of desserts, they swallowed the whole thing in ________, fearing there wouldn’t be more.

“They had crumbs (屑) flying out as they tried to ________, but they were so ________ that they wanted to eat all the food as fast as they could ________ it was taken away,” he says. “All they would get for lunch and dinner in the orphanage was a small bowl of soup with one cube of meal and one slice of bread. It was ________.”

But the kids adapted to (适应) their new lifestyle at a lightning speed. By the end of the summer, they were speaking ________ English and in love with American choices like McDonald’s Happy Meals and Disney movies.

How did they get through such a huge transition? Ken says the best thing they did to make their family forever was both the easiest and the hardest: loving them ________ and making sure they knew it and never forgot it.

1.

A．adopt

B．aid

C．addict

D．arrange

2.

A．honour

B．amazement

C．joy

D．fright

3.

A．soldiers

B．children

C．teenagers

D．volunteers

4.

A．sorting through

B．breaking through

C．getting through

D．going through

5.

A．contacted

B．chose

C．attracted

D．recognised

6.

A．annoyed

B．confused

C．anxious

D．shocked

7.

A．rescued

B．exchanged

C．affected

D．quit

8.

A．looking forward to

B．applying for

C．adapting to

D．focusing on

9.

A．seconds

B．sight

C．details

D．ruins

10.

A．sweat

B．breathe

C．pack

D．advance

11.

A．injured

B．positive

C．powerful

D．hungry

12.

A．even if

B．as if

C．before

D．while

13.

A．heartbreaking

B．unique

C．suitable

D．awkward

14.

A．calm

B．formal

C．official

D．fluent

15.

A．gracefully

B．unconditionally

C．actually

D．responsibly

3 . Once China’s strict lockdown was lifted, we saw a sharp rise in divorce enquiries. And this behaviour was mirrored around the world. In the US, the UK and throughout Europe, divorce rates have risen violently during the pandemic. Latvia, Lithuania and Belgium lead the way for the highest divorce rates in Europe. And in the USA, between 40-50% of marriages will end in divorce. The country with the lowest divorce rate in the world is India, followed by Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Turkey.

Why they have the lowest divorce rates, and what are they doing differently? In many cases, access to divorce is a driving force behind a country’s divorce rates. A country like Chile only legalized divorce in 2004, so the concept is still quite new and the local uptake is likely to be much slower.

Another key factor in determining divorce rates of a country is the value placed on family life. In countries like Colombia, it’s far more common for multiple generations from the same family to live together. This emphasis on family values places marriage at the heart of everything, so entering into a marriage is a more considered event.

Countries such as India with a strong religious following are more likely to have low divorce rates. This is because marriage is more sacred (神圣的) when viewed from a religious perspective. Couples will be more likely to seek settlements or simply stay together regardless when they hit bumps in the road.

There are a number of factors at play here, so it’s difficult to place a finger on one single factor that ensures couples enjoy a long and happy life together. And low divorce rates don’t always mean that couples are happy, it can just mean that the importance of marriage outweighs individual happiness. Seeking a divorce doesn’t have to be viewed as a failure; it can help you to get your life back on track and help you work towards a brighter and happier future.

1. Which of the following countries has the highest divorce rates?

A．Colombia	B．India
C．USA	D．Mexico

2. Why does Chile has a low divorce rate?

A．Because people there enjoy a happier and longer life.

B．Because divorce hasn’t been legal until 2004 in Chile.

C．Because people there consider marriage the centre of everything.

D．Because people there think seeking a divorce is evil and blamable.

3. What will a strong religious couple probably do if they have trouble with their marriage?

A．Divorce without hesitation	B．separate in a peaceful way
C．stay together regardless of conflicts	D．beg for forgiveness of their god

4. What is the author’s attitude towards divorce?

A．negative	B．supportive
C．critical	D．objective

4 . You’ve finally tucked yourself into bed and cracked open the detective novel you’ve been waiting all day to get back to. Three pages later, you’re fighting a losing battle against two suddenly very heavy eyelids (眼睑).

You were wide awake only minutes ago, and the protagonist (主角) just uncovered a promising new clue in the case. So, what gives?

As the BBC’s Science Focus explains, the comfort of your covers could be working against you. People usually try to read in a quiet, comfortable atmosphere, and those conditions happen to be ideal for sleep. Reading also eases your mind and draws its focus away from whatever might otherwise keep you awake.

“For many people, reading can be relaxing and enjoyable, which can put your mind and body in the appropriate mindset or mood to go to sleep,” said Dr. Raman Malhotra, a neurologist and member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s board of directors. “The main reason reading may help some fall asleep is that it allows your mind some time to rest and relax before turning off the lights to fall asleep.”

The concentration required to process every word can be pretty exhausting, too, especially if your chosen tome (大部头) is confusing. And reading line after line of anything can make you feel like giving your eyes a break.

These factors all make reading a great activity to add to your pre-sleep routine if you’re looking for ways to fall asleep faster. But if your body’s sleeping impulse is continually keeping you from enjoying a good book, there are some tricks to remove it.

Book Riot suggests reading in the morning, or trying an audiobook instead. Reading in a spot that isn’t your bed—preferably one where you’re sitting up, rather than lying down—can help, too. Reading in a public place like a coffee shop or park can also discourage sleep.

1. What may happen if you read a detective novel on your comfortable bed?

A．You may uncover a new clue in the case.

B．You may lose a battle with your competitor.

C．You may stay awake for a long time at night.

D．You may feel sleepy soon.

2. The most important reason why reading may help fall asleep is that ______.

A．it can be relaxing and make you exhausted

B．it gives your mind a break and relaxation before sleep

C．it allows your eyes a break before falling asleep.

D．it makes you concentrate on your chosen book

3. Which of the following words can replace the underlined word “tricks” in the last paragraph?

A．techniques	B．jokes
C．cheats	D．tools

4. The passage may be taken from ______.

A．a science fiction	B．a detective novel
C．a journal of psychology	D．a business website

5 . The e-mail request came into Ekiben restaurant in Baltimore late on a Thursday afternoon in March: tempura broccoli topped with fresh herbs, diced onion, and fermented cucumber vinegar —with a twist. Brandon Jones, who sent the e-mail was writing on behalf of his mother-in-law, who adored the dish. He explained that she was now in the final stages of lung cancer (癌症) at her home in Vermont and that he was hoping to get the recipe to make it for her there.

Steve Chu, one of the Asian fusion restaurant’s co-owners, read the e-mail and quickly replied with an alternative suggestion. “Thanks for reaching out,” he wrote.

“We’d like to meet you in Vermont and make it fresh for you.” Brandon was stunned.

That Friday after work, a day after receiving Brandon’s e-mail, Chu loaded his truck with a hot plate and a cooler filled with ingredients and then headed for Vermont with his business partner, Ephrem Abebe, and an employee. They stayed overnight in an Airbnb rental and drove the next day to the condo where Rina’s mother lived.

As soon as Chu and his team pulled into the parking lot, they got to work. They pulled down the gate of the pickup, hooked the hot plate to the truck’s power port, and started cooking and deep-frying. In addition to tempura broccoli, they made tofu with peanut sauce and fresh herbs and some steamed rice. After neatly boxing everything up, they knocked on their customer’s door.

“As soon as she opened the door, she recognized the sweet,” Brandon says. “It smelled amazing.” Brandon’s wife Rina Jones says her mother also recognized Chu and his coworkers. She was so happy and touched to have that broccoli. She couldn’t believe it.

As for Chu, he couldn’t help remembering his loyal customer. “She loves the food and made sure to tell us. She’s an amazing, sweet lady.”

Chu didn’t accept any money from the family. “It was an honor to help fulfill the family’s wishes,” Chu says. “There was a lot of good, positive energy in doing this.”

1. Why did Brandon write the e-mail?

A．He hoped the owner could help treat his mother-in-law.

B．He consulted the owner about how to make the dish.

C．He requested the owner go to his home to cook for his mother-in-law.

D．He ordered a meal for his mother-in-law.

2. How did Brandon feel when he heard Chu’s suggestion?

A．happy	B．sceptical
C．surprised	D．disappointed

3. What can be inferred from the text?

A．Chu and his team prepared the meal in Rina’s kitchen.

B．Chu cooked the meal for the benefit of his restaurant.

C．Rina’s mother was happy to touch the broccoli.

D．Rina’s mother once was a regular of Chu’s restaurant.

4. What is the best title for the passage?

A．Kindness Delivered: Restaurant Owner Drives a Long Journey to Make a Special Dish.

B．Loyal Customer: A Dying Doman’s Favourite Dish.

C．Sweet Order: Son-in-law Makes a Special Request.

D．One Good Turn Deserves Another.

6 . Vacations are one of life’s best pleasures, but with the coronavirus raging and the Delta variant on the rise, you may have some trouble with your vacation. Have all the fun with ways less hassle by trying one of these staycation ideas.

Visit a nearby national park

Our national parks are underrated treasures. With over 400 of them, there’s bound to be something for everyone. There’s plenty of hiking, but most national parks have other things to do as well, including museums, reenactments of historical events, guided star tours, wildlife spotting, and swimming. Many parks are wheelchair accessible.

Go backyard glamping

Glamping is like camping but better — you’re outdoors but with all the comforts and amenities (便利设施) of a hotel. You can pay to go on a glamping destination vacation or just set up your own in your backyard. Pitch a tent, fill it with pillows, cozy blankets, comfortable chairs, bean bags. Get takeout at your favorite restaurant and enjoy it together. Bonus: Unlike camping, there are clean bathrooms nearby.

Host a neighborhood dance party

Dancing with others is fun and good for you. But going into crowded dance clubs probably isn’t at the top of your to-do list right now. Thankfully, all you need for your own dance party is an outdoor speaker and a flat spot for dancing. String up some lights, fill a couple of coolers with drinks, and invite all your neighbors.

Hit the beach

This is one of the most popular staycation ideas and for good reasons. A day at the beach is like its own form of meditation. If there’s a body of water nearby, chances are there’s some type of beach. Bring a beach picnic, set up a sun umbrella, lay out your towels, and spread out the sand toys. Oh, and don’t forget the sunscreen.

1. Which staycation is most suitable for the disabled?

A．A nearby national park.	B．A backyard glamping.
C．A neighborhood dance party.	D．A beach.

2. What do you need to hold a neighborhood dance party?

A．A tent and some lights.	B．A sun umbrella and cool drinks.
C．an outdoor speaker and a flat spot.	D．A dancing pool and some towels.

3. What do the four staycations have in common?

A．They all get you close to nature.

B．None of them is far from home.

C．They are all fit for families with children.

D．They are cheap and environmentally friendly.

9 . More children in China are putting on weight. In 2018, 16 percent of Chinese children were overweight, according to the National Health Commission (NHC).

Being too fat is bad for children’s health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), overweight children are more likely to develop diseases like diabetes (糖尿病) at a younger age. This can lead to a higher chance of earlier death.

On Oct 23rd, the NHC, together with five other national departments, worked out a plan. The plan aims to reduce the growth of fatness among children aged 0—18 years by 70 percent from 2020 to 2030, Xinhua reported.

Kids are putting on weight because of changes in their diet and lifestyle, according to experts. Too much schoolwork and greater use of electronic devices (电子产品) could also be a cause.

According to the plan, teachers should not allow their classes to run too late or too early. They should make sure that students have breaks and enough physical (躯体上的) activity. School students should have at least three hours of active physical activity each week.

Parents should reduce their children’s use of electronic devices and stop their children from eating foods that are high in sugar, fat and salt.

1. According to the WHO, we know ________.

A．16% of Chinese children were overweight in 2018

B．being too fat is good for children’s health

C．overweight children are more likely to develop diseases

D．fatness can lead to a higher chance of long life

2. Which one is NOT experts’ opinion?

A．We should reduce the growth of fatness among adults.

B．Changing in children’s diet and lifestyle leads to being too fat.

C．Too much schoolwork maybe leads to being too fat.

D．Greater use of electronic devices could cause children to put on weight.

3. School students should have active physical activity for ________.

A．three hours a day

B．more than three hours every day

C．at least three hours each week

D．less than three hours each month

4. What’s the main idea of the passage?

A．Overweight isn’t a problem.

B．Say no to children’s getting too fat.

C．Putting on weight is necessary for the kids.

D．Teachers should not allow their classes to run too late.

10 . Two little girls,14-year-old Cindy and 12-year-old Lucy, wrote to a newspaper office, asking some fast food restaurants to stop giving away free plastic (塑料) toys. Many people read the letter and supported them.

“We have been learning all about the environment at school and the problem of plastic. It made us very sad to see how plastic harms wildlife and pollutes the ocean, and we want to change this.That’s why we want the fast food restaurants to think of the environment and stop giving away plastic toys with their kids meals.” the two girls wrote in their letter.

“We like to go to eat in fast food restaurants, but children only play with the plastic toys they give us for a few minutes before they get thrown away. In the end, they will harm animals and pollute the sea. We want anything they give us to be sustainable (可持续发展的), so we can protect the earth for us and for future humans,” they continued.

The letter made a large number of readers pay attention to them. The number of people who supported them almost doubled after reporters followed the two little girls.

Since the little girls’ story started being picked up by news reporters, the fast food restaurants had to give a reply to the newspaper office, telling about their plans for making their free toys more sustainable.

1. The two little girls wrote to the newspaper office in order to ________.

A．get some fast food

B．get some free presents

C．stop children having junk food

D．stop fast food restaurants giving away plastic toys

2. Where do the two girls learn about the environment?

A．At home.	B．At school.
C．In a restaurant.	D．In a library.

3. The underlined word “they” in Paragraph 3 refers to (指) ________ in the passage.

A．fast food restaurants	B．fast food
C．plastic toys	D．waste water

4. What may fast food restaurants most probably do to deal with free plastic toys?

A．They may stop giving away free plastic toys.

B．They may make free toys with paper and cloth.

C．They may sell their plastic toys to other countries.

D．They may make free plastic toys more sustainable.