3 . Ben Francis didn’t become wealthy through a family inheritance (遗产). Instead, the CEO and co-founder of Gymshark used his earnings as a Pizza Hut delivery guy to buy a sewing machine and start his fitness apparel (服饰) company at 19.

Eleven years later, his effort paid off. Francis, 30, who has a reported net worth of $1.3 billion, joined Forbes’ billionaires list. He’s in rare company: the list’s average age is 65 years old.

Originally, Francis and co-founder Lewis Morgan launched Gymshark as a website selling fitness products. But after getting bored with his ill-fitting clothes, Francis suggested pivoting the company.

Francis and Morgan bought a sewing machine. The pair brought Gymshark to a bodybuilding exhibition in 2013, but didn’t have any money to spend on advertising. On a whim (一时兴起), they decided to give popular fitness YouTubers free products. “My heroes were on YouTube,” Francis said. “So it would be so cool if my heroes could come to be with Gymshark at this event. I didn’t really think that much about it.” Some of those influencers went on to wear the clothes on their channels, bringing Gymshark’s sales to $45,000 per day, up from just $450.

Francis quit the CEO role in 2017. “CEO was not the right role for me when I was in my early 20s,” Francis said. “That I’d started a business which had grown very quickly didn’t mean I have the full ability to be a good leader.” He spent the next four years supporting leadership roles within Gymshark---including chief product officer and chief marketing officer – to learn more about the ins and outs of the business, before returning as CEO in 2021.

That year, the company was valued at $1.45 billion. Still, the company’s billion-dollar valuation is a small percentage of the market value of competitors like Nike and Lululemon. “I really think Gymshark can be the UK’s answer to those brands,” Francis said. “But that’s not saying that the UK is where it starts and ends for us. We also want to be a truly global brand.”

1. What makes Ben Francis special on Forbes’ billionaires list?

A．His age.

B．His wealth.

C．His talent.

D．His company.

2. What does the underlined word in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Taking control of.	B．Making the best of.
C．Making changes to.	D．Attaching importance to.

3. Why did Francis and Morgan offer popular fitness YouTubers free products?

A．To win the support of popular YouTubers.

B．To advertise their products in a cheap way.

C．To build a good relationship with YouTube.

D．To get the chance to meet their heroes on YouTube.

4. Which can be the best title for the text?

A．Gymshark: From a website to a big company

B．Gymshark: Taking the lead in fitness clothing

C．Francis: Starting the UK’s fastest-growing company

D．Francis: From a Pizza Hut delivery guy to a billionaire

4 . Today, many people spend a lot of time reading online. Whether reading news or e-books, people are spending more time eyeballing (盯住) screens. While online reading opens up a great deal of knowledge to people, there are some disadvantages too, such as eyestrain, headaches, as well as difficulty in focusing on the text. Now a new reading system, Bionic Reading, developed by Swiss typographic designer Renato Casutt, can help people overcome these issues, and most importantly, it aims to help people read faster online and develop a more in-depth understanding of written content.

The reading system improve the reading process by guiding the eyes through text with artificial fixation points. To make it short: some parts of the words are displayed in bold (粗体). As a result, the reader only focuses on the highlighted letters and lets the brain center complete the rest. Your brain can “read” faster than your eyes, so by essentially reducing the number of letters your eye needs to look at, you can read faster while still preserving the full context.

Cassult discovered the system by accident. He was working on designing a book in a foreign language and realized he could read it if he sectioned it off. He worked for six years to develop Bionic Reading and is still working to adjust it.

A preliminary (初步的) study was conducted by the Swiss Institute InnoSuisee, but more research is needed before it can be definitively shown that the system improves reading. Some people with ADHD (多动症) prove that Bionic Reading helped them focus and comprehend what they are reading. Other people don’t seem to notice a big difference compared to regular text. There’s also no evidence to suggest Bionic Reading is any better than regular text. The best way to know if the Bionic Reader helps you read better online is to try it yourself.

1. What is the main purpose of Bionic Reading?

A．To point out people’s reading problems.

B．To teach people necessary reading skills.

C．To reduce readers’ screen time and eye stress.

D．To improve people’s reading speed and comprehension.

2. What does the underlined phrase “artificial fixation points” in paragraph 2 refer to?

A．Words displayed in capital letters.	B．Useful expressions.
C．Difficult sentences in the text.	D．Bold letters.

3. What do some people with ADHD think of the system according to the text?

A．It is complex.	B．It can be beneficial.
C．It needs to be improved.	D．It has little effect on them.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．A reading project for ADHD.	B．A research on language learning.
C．A system to help with online reading.	D．A tool for treating reading disability

6 . Weeds and pests are “garden heroes” according to the Royal Horticultural Society.

The RHS is now encouraging gardeners to welcome weeds instead of considering them enemies. The rebranding(重塑形象)comes just in time for this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, held by the RHS. In the show 4 out of 12 of the gardens will include “weed heroes” as an important part, according to Sheila Das, the RHS Wisley garden manager.

“If you’ve got a weed”, says Das, “it’s telling you what’s going on underground. Your weed is your adviser. It’s your friend. So don’t treat weeds as troubles, something growing where they shouldn’t. They are actually plants in the right place”.

Nettles(荨麻草)let a gardener know that the soil is rich in nitrogen, and fat hen, a weed often considered “troublesome”, is a sign that an area is low in nutrients.

Until last year, the RHS published a yearly “pest” list, including snails and slugs. But this year, to be more “biodiversity(生物多样性)positive”, they’ve published a list of the most beneficial wildlife into our garden, and both snails and slugs are making a comeback.

Sheila Das noted our gardens would be a duller place without those unpopular ones. Apart from food for hedgehogs, frogs and birds, slugs and snails are excellent for recycling dead plant and animal waste, helping to keep soil healthy.

These are just the first steps towards the RHS’s goal towards better biodiversity. Sheila Das said, “The RHS has realized the role of gardens in supporting biodiversity and it will no longer call any garden wildlife as ‘pests’. Instead, there will be greater consideration of the role that weeds, slugs, and snails play in a balanced garden eco-system together with more popular wildlife such as birds, hedgehogs and frogs. ”

1. Why does the rebranding come in time for the show?

A．The weeds’ gardens will win.	B．The weed heroes will be known.
C．It will be popular worldwide.	D．It will be an excellent competition.

2. What is Paragraph 3 used for?

A．Giving examples.	B．Introducing a topic.
C．Describing a scene.	D．Making comparison

3. What are gardens like according to Sheila Das?

A．They support a habitat for rich biodiversity.

B．They play a great part in wildlife protection.

C．They contain only popular weeds and insects.

D．They keep a balance between weeds and pests.

4. What is the best title of the text?

A．Pests are good advisers.	B．Weeds make a comeback.
C．Weeds and pests are our friends.	D．Heroes will win the flower show.

7 . There are some palaces in Europe that you may be interested to know about.

Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain

It takes the title of the largest European palace by floor area and it is one of the largest palaces in the world. The Royal Palace of Madrid was built in the 18th century by order of Philip V on the site of the old Alcázar fortress, a former Moorish castle. With over 135,000 square metres and 3,418 rooms, it has seeded centuries of Spanish history. It is one of the few official seats of a head of state that is open to the public.

Royal Palace of Brussels, Belgium

It is a historic and the most wonderful building in Brussels, Belgium, next to Brussels Park. The Royal Palace of Brussels is the King’s main workplace, where he works daily with his staff. A tradition has been established since 1965 to open the Royal Palace of Brussels to the public normally from the 21 July until the beginning of September.

Pena Palace, Portugal

It is the most popular attraction in Sintra, Portugal, and the main reason why so many people visit the small mountain town less than one hour’s drive from the country’s capital city, Lisbon. The colorful palace perched upon a hill looks like something out of a fairy tale. Its yellow and bright red appearance makes Pena Palace one of the most picturesque places in Europe. The UNESCO World Heritage (遗产) site has a rich history that dates all the way back to the Middle Ages.

Palace of Venaria, Italy

It is a former royal living places and gardens located in Venaria Reale, near Turin in the Metropolitan City of Turin of the Piedmont region in northern Italy. It is one of the largest palaces in the world. It is one of the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.

1. Which palace covers the largest floor area in Europe?

A．Royal Palace of Madrid.	B．Pena Palace.
C．Royal Palace of Brussels.	D．Palace of Venaria.

2. When can tourists visit the Royal Palace of Brussels?

A．In February.

B．In June.

C．In August.

D．In October.

3. What do Pena Palace and Palace of Venaria have in common?

A．They are both in Asia.

B．They are both small palaces.

C．They are both forty minutes’ drive from the capital.

D．They are both listed in the UNESCO World Heritage.

9 . Shy Parents, Shy Children — Parent workshop Series

The workshop is designed for shy parents of shy children, with the unique emphasis on teaching specific methods of building your child’s self-respect and social comfort level, while at the same time building your own. Participants are chosen before being admitted to the workshop to help make sure the workshop is a good fit for your needs.

Where: Karman Executive Center, Bellevue, Washington

When: From 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, from November 8th to 12th

Fee: $435

Shake Your Shyness: Intensive Weekend

The workshop is intended to meet the needs of adults who are unable to attend the Parent Workshop Series due to distance or scheduling limits. It’ll help you learn the basic skills that help overcome shyness. Be prepared to come to class early and set aside time for homework on Saturday night.

Where: Karman Executive Center, Bellevue, Washington

When: Saturdays & Sundays in spring

Fee: $1,150

Parenting the Shy Child

Shy children need our help. In this class, we’ll cover the basics — the origins of shyness, methods of overcoming shyness, social skills you can teach in your home, and tips for working with teachers to help your child fit in at school, etc.

Where: Karman Executive Center, Bellevue, Washington

When: From 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, from November 16th to 18th

Fee: $95

Overcoming Shyness: Skills-Training for Adolescents: Workshop

This is a special class for adolescents designed to teach social skills shy people are afraid to use. We’ll cover everything from how to start conversations with strangers to ways to calm your nerves when you do. You’ll learn what makes some people more popular than others and simple things you can do to feel more like you fit it.

Where: Karman Executive Center, Bellevue, Washington

When: From 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, on December 18th

Fee: $75

1. What are the classes designed for?

A．Overcoming shyness.

B．Building confidence.

C．Scheduling time.

D．Starting conversations.

2. What can be known about Shake Your Shyness: Intensive Weekend?

A．It focuses on language skills.	B．It is offered only at weekends.
C．It assigns a lot of housework.	D．It is designed for shy children.

3. How much would a teenager pay to learn to overcome shyness?

A．$1,150.

B．$435.

C．$95.

D．$75.

10 . Does using an eco-friendly paper straw (吸管) give you a good feeling because you’re doing something for the environment? “Straws made from plant-based materials, such as paper and bamboo, are often advertised as being more sustainable and eco-friendly than those made from plastic,” says researcher Dr. Thimo Groffen, an environmental scientist at the University of Antwerp. “However, the presence of PFAS in these straws means that could be discredited.”

PFAS chemicals, infamous for their longevity and potential harm, can adversely affect humans, wildlife and the environment. They biodegrade (生物降解) very slowly over time and can persist over thousands of years in the environment, a property that has led to them being known as “forever chemicals”. They are linked to various health issues, including thyroid disease, liver damage, kidney cancer and so on. Furthermore, these chemicals are used in everyday items, such as outdoor clothing and non-stick pans, to make them water and heat-resistant.

For a more in-depth analysis, the research team purchased 39 different brands of drinking straws made from five materials — paper, bamboo, glass, stainless steel and plastic, and then conducted two rounds of testing for PFAS. They found that most brands (69%) contained PFAS, with 18 different PFAS detected in total. In paper straws, PFAS was detected in 90% of the brands tested. PFAS was also detected in 80% of brands of bamboo straws, 75% of plastic straw brands and 40% of glass straw brands. They were not detected in any of the five types of steel straws tested.

“The presence of PFAS in paper and bamboo straws shows they are not necessarily biodegradable,” says Dr. Groffen. “We did not detect any PFAS in stainless steel straws, so I would advise consumers to use this type of straw — or just avoid using straws.”

The PFAS concentrations (浓度) were low and, considering that most people only use straws occasionally, pose a limited risk to human health. However, PFAS can remain in the body for many years and concentrations can build up over time. “Small amounts of PFAS, while not harmful in themselves, can add to the chemical load already present in the body,” Dr. Groffen concludes.

1. What does the underlined word “discredited” in paragraph 1 probably mean?

A．Plain.	B．Relevant.
C．Doubtful.	D．Forceful.

2. Why are PFAS chemicals known as “forever chemicals”?

A．They are resistant to water and heat.

B．They take a long time to break down.

C．They exist widely in daily necessities.

D．They may cause various common diseases.

3. What can we know from the test for PFAS?

A．PFAS was found in all five types of straws.

B．Paper straws were most likely to contain PFAS.

C．Stainless steel straws are harmless to human health.

D．Glass straws were the most environmentally friendly straws.

4. What does the author intend to do in the last paragraph?

A．To stress the potential risks of PFAS.

B．To show approaches to using straws safely.

C．To present the advantages of stainless steel straws.

D．To appeal to consumers to avoid using straws in daily life.