1 . One of the biggest complaints in modern society is being over-scheduled. Ask people how they are and the answer usually is “super busy,” “crazy busy”.
When people aren’t super busy at work, they are crazy busy exercising, entertaining or parenting. And if there is ever a still moment for thoughts--for example, while waiting
“We had noted that we are so dependent on our mobile phones that people seem to find any
It could be because human beings, as problem solvers and meaning makers, when
But you can’t solve problems
Negative feelings are sometimes hard, but they are part of everyone’s life, especially if you are busy. It is those deep and troubling feelings, and how you
| A．Nobody | B．Somebody | C．Everybody | D．Anybody |
| A．in order | B．in line | C．in panic | D．in public |
| A．far | B．long | C．often | D．much |
| A．place | B．reason | C．excuse | D．solution |
| A．uncertain | B．unfair | C．unpleasant | D．unwise |
| A．left out | B．left off | C．left behind | D．left alone |
| A．deleting | B．uploading | C．updating | D．downloading |
| A．close | B．healthy | C．difficult | D．harmonious |
| A．unless | B．while | C．though | D．if |
| A．ignored | B．invited | C．invented | D．interrupted |
| A．apart from | B．more than | C．except for | D．rather than |
| A．all the way | B．by the way | C．in your way | D．on your way |
| A．Holding on | B．Holding out | C．Holding back | D．Holding up |
| A．meet with | B．get away with | C．keep pace with | D．deal with |
| A．joy | B．relief | C．anxiety | D．sorrow |
2 . Insect numbers have plunged (骤降) by half in some parts of the world due to climate change and intensive agriculture, a study has found. The combined pressures of global heating and farming are driving a “substantial decline” of insects across the globe, according to UK researchers. They say we must acknowledge the threats we pose to insects, before some species are lost forever. But preserving habitat for nature could help ensure vital insects thrive.
Lead researcher, Dr Charlie Outhwaite of UCL, said losing insect populations could be harmful not only to the natural environment, but to “human health and food security, particularly with losses of pollinators(传粉昆虫)”. “Our findings highlight the urgency of actions to preserve natural habitats, slow the expansion of high-intensity agriculture, and cut emissions to mitigate climate change,” she added.
Plummeting populations of insects around the world — a so-called “insect apocalypse” — have caused widespread concern. However, scientific data gives a mixed picture, with some types of insects showing sharp declines, while others are staying steady. In the latest study, the researchers pulled together data on the range and number of nearly 20,000 insect species, including bees, ants, butterflies, grasshoppers and dragonflies, at about 6,000 different locations. In areas with high-intensity agriculture and substantial warming, insect numbers have plunged by 49% and the number of different species by 27%, compared with relatively untouched places that have so far avoided the most severe impacts of climate change, according to the research published in Nature.
But the researchers said there was some cause for hope in that setting aside areas of land for nature created a shelter for insects, which need shade to survive in hot weather. “Careful management of agricultural areas, such as preserving natural habitats near farmland, may help to ensure that vital insects can still thrive,” said Dr. Tim Newbold, also of UCL.
Study researcher, Peter MeCann, added: “We need to acknowledge how important insects are for the environment as a whole, and for human health and wellbeing, in order to address the threats we pose to them before many species are lost forever.”
1. What caused the number of insects to decrease quickly?| A．The natural law of survival of the fittest. | B．Improvement of human environment. |
| C．Global heating and farming. | D．Destruction of the food chain of insects. |
| A．release | B．stop | C．relieve | D．prevent |
| A．Not all types of insects show decline in numbers. |
| B．The number of insects in untouched places shows the most severe decline. |
| C．There is no need to set aside areas of land for nature. |
| D．Careful management of agriculture areas can help all the insects thrive. |
| A．To stress the effect of global warming. |
| B．To arouse people’s concern for the decline of insect numbers. |
| C．To show the relationship between insects and human beings. |
| D．To present the process of the research. |
3 . If you are crazy about paintings, you shouldn’t miss the following four famous masterpieces which have stood the test of time.
The Arnolfini Portrait
Jan van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait, an oil painting on wood produced in 1434, in which a man and a woman hold hands with a window behind him and a bed behind her, is undoubtedly one of the masterpieces in the National Gallery, London. This painting is as visually interesting as it is famed. It is also an informative document in fifteenth-century society, through Van Eyck’s heavy use of symbolism—while husbands went out to engage in business, wives concerned themselves with domestic duties.
The Starry Night
Vincent van Gogh painted The Starry Night, oil on canvas, a moderately abstract landscape painting of an expressive night sky over a small hillside village, during his 12-month stay at the mental hospital near Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France between 1889 and 1890. When the Museum of Modern Art in New York City purchased the painting from a private collector in 1941, it was not well known, but it has since become one of Van Gogh’s most famous works.
The Harvesters
The Harvesters is an oil painting on wood completed by Pieter Bruegel the Elder in 1565. It depicts the harvest time which most commonly occurs within the months of August and September. Nicolaes Jonghelinck, a merchant banker and art collector from Antwerp, commissioned this painting. The painting has been at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City since 1919.
Guernica
Guernica, a large black-and-white oil painting, was painted by the Cubist Spanish painter, Pablo Picasso in 1937. The title “Guernica” refers to the city that was bombed by Nazi planes during the Spanish Civil War. The painting depicts the horrors of war and as a result, has come to be an anti-war symbol and a reminder of the tragedies of war. Today, the painting is housed at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofaí in Madrid.
1. Which of the following paintings was produced earliest?| A．The Arnolfini Portrait. | B．The Starry Night. |
| C．The Harvesters. | D．Guernica. |
| A．It was painted on wood in oil. |
| B．It wasn’t widely recognized before 1940s. |
| C．It described the painter’s life in hospital. |
| D．It was given away to the museum by a private collector. |
| A．Pieter Bruegel the Elder. | B．Vincent van Gogh. |
| C．Jan van Eyck. | D．Pablo Picasso. |
4 . China has a history of thousands of years, which gives it a lot of historical sites, which include the Summer Place, the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Army, the Potala Palace and the Mogao Grottoe. All of these are UNESCO World Heritage
The Summer Palace: China’s Largest Imperial GardenLocation: Beijing
The Summer Palace is China’s largest imperial garden. UNESCO added this 300-hectare site to the World Heritage List in 1998. There are numerous stores in Suzhou Street, selling souvenirs like antiques, snacks, silk, jewelry and tea. The shop assistants there are dressed in the costumes of the Qing Dynasty.
The Terracotta Warriors: First Emperor Qin’s Buried ArmyLocation: Xi’an
The museum covers an area of 22,780 square meters. Over 8,000 life-size terracotta soldiers and horses, and more than 10,000 bronze weapons were unearthed. The Terracotta Army is candidate for the title “eighth wonder of the world”
The Potala Palace: Masterpiece of Tibetan ArchitectureLocation: Lhasa
It was first built as the palace of Songtsen Gampo (617-650), founder of the Tu-Bo Dynasty. After being rebuilt in the 17th century, it was the residence of Dalai Lamas.There are plenty of precious historical relics in the palace, including over 10,000 Buddha statues made of gold, silver, jade, wood or clay.
The Mogao Grottoes:a Holy Land of Buddhist ArtLocation: Dunhuang
The Mogao Grottoes has 735 grottoes, 450,000 square meters of mural paintings, 2,415 colored Buddha statues made of clay, and more than 50,000 historical relics. All of these make the Mogao Grottoes the largest and the most significant land of Buddhist art.
There are some bestsellers including some of these historical sites●4-Day Lhasa Highlight Tour
●11-Day Classic Wonders Tour — Beijing, Xi’an, Lhasa
●16-Day Memories of China with Yangtze Cruise — Beijing, Xi’an, Yangtze,Shangha
You could always contact us to tailor your own unique tour of China’s historical sites.
1. Where can you buy gifts for your friend who is a tea lover?
| A．At the Potala Palace. | B．At the Terracotta Warriors. |
| C．At the Summer Palace. | D．At the Mogao Grottoes. |
| A．magnificent mural paintings | B．Buddha statues made of jade |
| C．terracotta soldiers and horses | D．grottoes with mural paintings |
| A．The Terracotta Warriors is the eighth wonder of the world. |
| B．The Mogao Grottoes is the most important place of Buddhist art. |
| C．Only three tour packages are available for tourists to choose. |
| D．The Potala Palace was first constructed for the residence of Dalai Lamas. |
5 . Running and walking are both excellent forms of exercise. Those who regularly do either usually have healthier hearts, stronger bones and lower body weights than those who do little exercise. But does it matter whether you spend time walking or running? Arguments can be made for both, and which is right for you depends on your goals and your present fitness level.
“The key difference between running and walking is how many calories you are burning — not per mile, but per minute of exercise,” says Paul D. Thompson, a doctor at Hartford Hospital. “Running is a more efficient movement and it’s more demanding on the body, so it burns more calories per minute,” Thompson says. “But if you’ve got the time to walk long enough to burn the same amount of calories, then walking is fine.” That said, if your final goal is to lose weight, chances are that neither running nor walking alone is going to do the trick. Research has shown that it needs to be done along with calorie control.
In a recent study that analyzed data from nearly 50, 000 people, researchers found that runners’risk of heart disease was 4.5 percent lower than that of those who were inactive. But walkers who burned the same amount of calories daily had a risk level that was 9 percent lower than those who were inactive.
“Running gets the reputation for causing injuries because many people who are just starting to run try to do too much too quickly,” says Carol Ewing Garber, a professor at Columbia University. “And they often get injured as a result. If you want to progress from walking to running, do it slowly, gradually increasing your speed, distance and the frequency of your runs?”
Running may be more highly-intense and calorie-burning than walking, but walking is a great way to ease into exercise and make sure you are staying physically active every day. The bottom line is that getting exercise of any kind is beneficial — if you keep doing it.
“The best exercise is the one you are going to do,” Thompson says. “There are extra benefits to be gained from running, but what’s most important from a public health point of view is that everyone gets out and does some kind of exercise?”
1. What can we infer from Paragraph 2?| A．Walking is more demanding on the body. |
| B．Walking is better than running for busy people. |
| C．Running can reduce people’s fat quickly and safely. |
| D．Exercise on its own is not enough to lose weight. |
| A．Walking can reduce the risk of having heart disease. |
| B．Walkers are more likely to get heart disease than runners. |
| C．Running burns fewer calories than walking. |
| D．Inactive people are free from heart problems. |
| A．We’d better walk slowly. |
| B．Any exercise is better than none. |
| C．We’d better choose to run. |
| D．Just walk before you run. |
6 . In the past, you may have had to carry a phrasebook with you when traveling to other countries. Nowadays, more and more people are using simple, free tools, not only to decode (译解 ) text but also to speak. Google Translate may be the best-known name in machine translation, but it often makes a blunder. However, DeepL Translate does better, offering various options, most of them along the correct lines.
Travel has long been a motivator for study-unless people start to feel AI tools offer a good-enough service. As AI translation becomes an even more popular labor-saving tool, people can be divided into two groups.There will be those who want to stretch their minds and immerse (使沉浸于) themselves in other cultures. This lot will still take on language study,often aided by technology. Others will look at learning a new language with a mix of admiration and puzzlement, and eventually give up trying to learn it.
As for the use of AI tools, some are concerned that apps are turning language learning into a downward trend. Douglas Hofstadter, a writer, has argued that something profound will disappear when people talk through machines. He describes giving a difficult speech in Mandarin, which requires a lot of work but offers a sense of accomplishment in the end. Who will take pride in taking a helicopter to the top of Mount Everest?
Others are less worried. Most people do not move abroad or have to be exposed to a foreign culture that requires them to put in the work to become fluent. Nor do most people learn languages for the purpose of humanising themselves or training their brains.
But a focus on the learner alone misses the basic social nature of language. When you try to ask directions in broken German, you are making direct contact with someone. When you speak a language well enough to tell a story with perfect timing, that connection is more profound.The best relationships do not require an intermediary (中间人).
1. What does the underlined word "blunder" in paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Mistake. | B．Choice. | C．Adjustment. | D．Decision. |
| A．They may not offer accurate translations. |
| B．They may make language learning less popular. |
| C．They may weaken people's interest in other cultures. |
| D．They may provide a limited service for language learning. |
| A．It provides people with new experience. |
| B．It can replace traditional language study methods. |
| C．It represents a new tendency to language learning. |
| D．It lessens the sense of achievement in language study. |
| A．It enables cultural exchanges. | B．It improves communication skills. |
| C．It strengthens connections with others. | D．It adds fun to the storytelling experience. |
7 . Joe’s single dad parenting story unfolds in a touching video that swept through the hearts of online users on TikTok.
On his daughter’s school Mother’s Day celebration, Joe
As the video unfolds, we see an emotional hug between Joe and his 15-year-old daughter, Nong Cream. She hugs Joe tightly. Joe
Joe, also known as “Teacher Joe”, is a proud PE instructor at his daughter’s school. He shared his
Cream responded, “I don’t feel embarrassed. This year’s Mother’s Day, I want to say I love my father. I’m
| A．stayed up | B．dressed up | C．woke up | D．grew up |
| A．leave | B．turn | C．part | D．place |
| A．designed | B．reserved | C．selected | D．decorated |
| A．empty | B．wet | C．dirty | D．cold |
| A．compares | B．links | C．returns | D．refuses |
| A．casually | B．gently | C．eagerly | D．skillfully |
| A．motivation | B．thirst | C．passion | D．requirement |
| A．annoyed | B．scared | C．worried | D．ashamed |
| A．response | B．opposition | C．commitment | D．attention |
| A．translated | B．broke | C．led | D．changed |
| A．demanding | B．challenging | C．rewarding | D．amusing |
| A．gesture | B．choice | C．promise | D．effort |
| A．grateful | B．peaceful | C．helpful | D．hopeful |
| A．rescuing | B．educating | C．raising | D．protecting |
| A．strengthened | B．created | C．balanced | D．measured |
8 . Butterflies, a familiar sight around the world, are disappearing now.Over the past four decades, more than 450 butterfly species have been affected by threats from climate change. In the US alone, the monarch butterfly has seen a drop of 80%, from millions of them in the 1980s to only 29,000 in 2020; in 2017, scientists in Germany raised alarm bells after stressing that insects had decreased by more than 70% in 30 years.
As of now, there is no long-term data available to develop effective conservation strategies in those areas where the threat is particularly widespread. And long-term monitoring programs worldwide face a challenge—training locals as citizen biologists, which, although successful, requires significant and constant funding to cover wages.
In Ecuador, however, scientists have come up with a novel approach.In Yasuni National Park, they started a monitoring project where park rangers(护林员) were trained and then performed monitoring.The rangers were able to identify sampled butterflies with impressive accuracy-an 85% success rate-which is key to the success of these monitoring programs. The data gathered by the park rangers was so accurate that it did not significantly differ from data obtained by trained biologists in the area.
Other monitoring projects select individuals from the community to act as citizen biologists, so scientists may pull the plug on them when funding dries up. However, this study represents a long-term solution.Monitoring with an infrastructure (基础设施)already in place means that it can continue into the future regardless of funding.
"Our approach increases the possibility of constant monitoring in the long term by reducing costs such as lodging(住宿)and wages,"said lead author Maria Checa. "Furthermore, it also empowers(授权)local people, offers opportunities to public institutions to accomplish their environmental goals, and opens up possibilities for expansion into other highly threatened and important areas for biodiversity(生物多样性)conservation."
1. What do the figures in paragraph 1 show?| A．The rich varieties of butterflies. |
| B．The scientists' close attention to the butterfly. |
| C．The growing concern about climate change. |
| D．The sharp decline in the number of butterflies. |
| A．The high cost of training staff. | B．The wide areas to be monitored. |
| C．The lack of professional trainers. | D．The difficulty in dealing with the data. |
| A．Improving the lives of park rangers. |
| B．Producing many trained biologists. |
| C．Providing habitat for endangered butterflies. |
| D．Collecting reliable data for butterfly conservation. |
| A．End. | B．Control. | C．Examine. | D．Continue. |
9 . Alice, age 9:"Mom, do I have to brush my hair today?"
Me: Um, yes, it would be great if you could brush your hair every day!
In Alice's world, brushing her hair was an inconvenient nuisance(令人讨厌的事).I knew back then that this feeling would not last forever. One day I would pry (撬开) her hairbrush out of her hand and tear her away from the mirror. Five years later, my prediction has come true.
At age 14, there is no such thing for Alice as a spur-of-the-moment(一时兴起的) trip outside of the house. She is, indeed, obsessed with her physical appearance. Hair has to be brushed, makeup applied, and clothes changed many times before she can even think about leaving the house.
We have spoken at length about how looks don't matter and that being a good, kind and compassionate person in this world is way more important than any aesthetic(审美观).Each time we have this conversation, Alice reminds me that she knows technically looks aren't important. But when she looks good on the outside, she feels more confident on the inside. In turn, that makes her a kinder, more compassionate and more understanding person.
So while I will never be happy to see my daughter try on many shirts only to pick the first one she tried, or spend an hour getting ready for an event when the rest of the family were ready in 10 minutes, I know this is something she needs to do. Creating an identity for herself as an individual outside of her family unit is a natural and necessary part of the teenage process.
And just as she learned over the years that hair-brushing is probably a good idea, so will she hopefully learn that sometimes it's okay to go out in a less-than-perfect outfit or without makeup. Somewhere deep down,her freewheeling 9-year-old self still knows that.
1. What was the author's prediction about Alice?| A．She would avoid looking in the mirror. |
| B．She would refuse to stay at home all the time. |
| C．She would be very concerned about her appearance. |
| D．She would forget to brush her hair before going out. |
| A．To impress others. | B．To make herself feel better. |
| C．To display her unique personality. | D．To attract kind people as friends. |
| A．Worried. | B．Indifferent. | C．Disappointed. | D．Understanding. |
| A．She cannot meet everyone's needs. |
| B．She should learn some makeup skills. |
| C．She needs to learn a lot as she grows up. |
| D．She doesn't always have to go out with a perfect image. |
10 . Four best thrift (节俭) stores in New York
Housing Works
•Address: NYC Multiple Locations
•Opening Hours: 11 am-7 pm Monday-Saturday; 12 pm-5 pm Sunday
Housing Works has locations offering many second-hand treasures all throughout the city, including the Upper East Side. It’s a great place for thrifters living in the area or visiting the neighborhood. Whether you’re looking for clothing, shoes, or even furniture, Housing Works is always worth the stop. The stores also support the unhoused and those living with HIV/AIDS, so you know you’re helping out a great cause by shopping there.
Chelsea Flea
•Address: 729 West 25th St, btw 6 Ave + B’ way•Opening Hours: 8 am-4 pm Saturday-Sunday
Open year round on Saturdays and Sundays, the Chelsea Flea market is truly a full weekend adventure! There are thrift shops selling everything from antiques to jewelry (珠宝), and even great food options. And of course, you’ll find many sellers offering some of the coolest and most unique vintage (老式的) clothing in all of NYC!
AuH20
•Address: 84 E 7th St, NY, NY 10003•Opening Hours: 12 pm-7 pm Tuesday-Sunday
This is definitely one of the best places to find a bargain on clothes. You can find tons of items priced between $5-$40, so you won’t blow your budget even if you pick out a few new pieces. This neighborhood store is a highlight of the East Village shopping scene, and should be on everyone’s list of the best thrift stores in NYC.
Celene’s Thrift Shop
•Address: 568 Grandview Ave, Queens, NY, 11385•Opening Hours: 9 am--7 pm Monday-Saturday; Closed Sunday
Definitely one of the friendliest thrift stores in New York, this is a small but crowded space that offers tons of cool and unique vintage clothes and items. It’s such a great environment to shop, and you can always find what you’re looking for or something you didn’t even know you needed!
1. What is special about Housing Works?| A．It is closed on holidays. | B．It supports charitable causes. |
| C．It is famous for its vintage treasures. | D．It is limited to a few specific places. |
| A．AuH20. | B．Chelsea Flea. | C．Housing Works. | D．Celene’s Thrift Shop. |
| A．They offer a friendly dining experience. | B．They are open every day all year round. |
| C．They have the same opening hours. | D．They sell special vintage clothing. |
