1 . In 2007, Christine Me Millan interviewed seniors about their most pressing needs, who lived in Bowling Green 2, a private apartment building. It offers great conveniences: affordable apartments and within walking distance of grocery stores, drugstores and banks. However, the 12 citizens McMillan spoke to shared a serious unaddressed problem: loneliness. Most sat in their apartments all day, watching TV and napping and living on tea, toast and cereal because they were unwilling to cook a proper meal for themselves. They were afraid of going into long-term care but couldn’t afford to move to a nursing home (养老院).
“What they said really concerned me,” says McMillan. “Why couldn’t the activities and meals in the common room of a nursing home exist in the shared spaces of a private apartment building?”
McMillan and her team, who named their concept Oasis, encouraged Bowling Green 2’s landlord (房东) to let the group use the common room and to change an unused space into a coffee lounge for members. In 2010, with funding (资金) from the government, they hired fulltime workers to run the program, including group exercise classes and activities like art lessons and Wii bowling. Meanwhile, Oasis partnered with St. Lawrence College, whose culinary (烹饪的) students created healthy meals for a small fee. Within the first year, the program almost doubled in size.
Seventy-seven-year-old Elaine Watier, who moved into the building and joined Oasis in 2017, immediately benefited from the program, learning to play bridge and starting a craft group that makes projects for local charities and hospitals. “It’s given me a sense of worth,” she says. “And I’m never lonely.”
In 2018, Oasis attracted the attention of researchers at Queen’s University. “I saw this as an perfect program to support older adults at home,” explains Catherine Donnelly, director of the school’s Health Services and Policy Research Institute, reporting the program had led to fewer falls, less inactivity, better nutrition and an increased sense of community.
1. What is probably the major concern of the 12 citizens in Bowling Green 2?| A．Cooking tasty meals. | B．Going to a nursing home. |
| C．Settling extreme loneliness. | D．Attending routine activities |
| A．It was warmly received by the senior citizens. |
| B．It provided meals to culinary students for free. |
| C．It received economic support from organizations. |
| D．It hired part-time workers to operate the program. |
| A．To draw more funding. | B．To attract more older adults. |
| C．To achieve a sense of worth. | D．To show the benefits of Oasis. |
| A．Loneliness: The Universal Issue |
| B．McMillan: The Founder of Oasis |
| C．Oasis: The Home of Senior Citizens |
| D．Activities: The Art Lessons for Old People |
2 . Summer Clothing from Ancient China
| Sha Gown A sha gown was unearthed from Han Tomb No. 1 at Mawangdui in Changsha, Hunan province, in 1972. It is the earliest, most well-preserved, most graceful and thinnest dress in the world. The plain gown, “thin as a cicada (蝉) wing” and “light as smoke”, weighs 49 grams. Shaw as highly valued and luxurious (奢侈的) for common people. |
| Luo Robe Well-suited for the southern regions of China, luo has larger holes in the fabric compared with sha, making it more lightweight and breathable. From the Han Dynasty to the Tang and Song Dynasties, luo was mainly used for the upper class, and only officials of fifth rank or higher were permitted to wear clothes made of the material. |
| Ge Clothes Resourceful individuals discovered a method to use plant fibers for clothing production, significantly reducing the cost of summer garments, that is Ge. Known as kudzu or Chinese arrowroot, Ge represents the earliest use of natural fiber as fabric in China. Once the lunar month of June arrived, people would usually change to get clothing. |
| Liang dang A classic style of costume appeared during the Southern and Northern Dynasties. Liang dang consists of front and back pieces, later called the vest. It was convenient for people who work outdoors for long periods. |
1. What is the common feature of sha and luo?
| A．Light and expensive. | B．Thick and graceful. |
| C．Affordable and ordinary. | D．Hard and traditional. |
| A．The Han Dynasty. | B．The Tang Dynasty. |
| C．The Song Dynasty. | D．The Southern and Northern Dynasties. |
| A．Entertainment. | B．Culture. | C．Sports. | D．Literature. |
3 . Studies have shown how we understand our strength contributes to the extent to which our muscles might waste with disuse. When researchers at Ohio University examined the strength among a group of adults, who agreed to have their wrists immobilized for a week to cause weakness, they found that only imagining having strong muscles reduced the loss in strength by 50 percent.
Crum, a pioneer in this area, found in his study that having a different attitude can maximize (最大化) the benefits of all the occasional exercise we do each day, such as housework or walking around the shops. It appears that tracking our steps through smart watches and other wearable technologies can make a difference to how we understand our fitness. The study showed people who had previously regarded themselves as inactive, were found that they were actually completing about 7000 steps a day and began to report improved mood, better confidence and even an increase in aerobic fitness measurements, even though they weren’t exercising more than usual.
An even more unexpected fitness trick might come from our gut. It seems that having the right populations of gut bacteria (肠道菌群) makes you more likely to exercise. Last December, Christopher Thais sat the University of Pennsylvania and his colleagues found that differences in gut bacterial populations appeared to play a much greater role than genetics (遗传学) when it came to running performance in mice. They identified two particular bacteria as being especially important. When the mice were given these in supplements, it seemed to increase their desire to exercise.
It remains to be seen whether this works effectively in humans. We still have much to learn about whether changing microbial populations can make us fitter, says Shrushti Shah at the University of Calgary in Canada. This could be significant, as many of us struggle to find the motivation to exercise.
1. What does the underlined word “immobilized” in paragraph 1mean?| A．Balanced. | B．Fixed. | C．Straightened. | D．Bent. |
| A．Tracking steps is necessary in daily routine. |
| B．Attitude matters to all the occasional exercise. |
| C．Walking around the shops amounts to 7000 steps. |
| D．Inactive people have trouble in completing exercise. |
| A．To further explain the research method. |
| B．To support evidence for the research result. |
| C．To show potential application of the research finding. |
| D．To present a reasonable doubt about the research process. |
| A．Indifferent. | B．Doubtful. | C．Cautious. | D．Supportive. |
4 . In a world featuring endless choices, the search for simplicity has become more than just a desire—it’s a necessity. The book Yes Means Yes, Everything Else Means No explores the philosophy of simplicity and decision-making. Written by Bruce Mullen, this book goes beyond self-help clichés (陈词滥调) and offers a genuine, actionable approach to guiding life’s choices.
The book recognizes decision-making as the centre of human existence and invites readers to admit each decision carries a weight. “Yes Means Yes, Everything Else Means No” sums up a sign if can’t rule—a definite “Yes” and a clear “No.” It encourages readers to focus on the “Yes” and stop readers from puting their effort into uncertain things. Another rule stressed in the book is simplicity in decision-making. By adopting simplicity, decision-makers aim to get the key information, focus on the most related factors, and avoid unnecessary aspects, enabling quicker judgments and swifter conclusions.
The book is a practical guide to enhance decision-making skills. The author doesn’t merely express the philosophy but equips readers with the tools they need to apply effectively. From techniques to give preference to tasks to methods for avoiding distractions (分心), the book offers skills for simplifying the decision-making process.
Through personal experiences, Mullen determined the power of simplification, guiding people to make decisions according to one’s own values and desires. Beyond individual context, this book also influences business strategies, relationship dynamics, and societal considerations. Mullen not only explores the essence of “yes means yes” but stresses the significance of making clear decisions at a crossroads.
“Yes Means Yes, Everything Else Means No” is more than a book; it’s a philosophy that can change how we approach decisions. For those seeking to guide life with clarity and purpose, this book is a guiding light in the fog of in decision.
1. What are the readers encouraged to do according to paragraph 2?| A．Solve uncertain matters. |
| B．Summarize a key principle. |
| C．Concentrate on related things. |
| D．Make decisions independently. |
| A．To provide readers with life values. |
| B．To help readers express philosophy. |
| C．To improve readers’ critical thinking skills. |
| D．To equip readers with decision-making skills. |
| A．Definition of simplicity. | B．Rules of making decisions. |
| C．Benefits of stressing clarity. | D．Influences of decision-making. |
| A．Recommending a book. | B．Sharing a positive attitude. |
| C．Describing a simple lifestyle | D．Solving philosophical problems. |
5 . It was a familiar sight that the family gathered around the table telling stories during and after the meal. As part of our daily
The love of storytelling
Telling stories has been irreplaceable. When
| A．plan | B．routine | C．work | D．schedule |
| A．originated | B．went | C．dated | D．differed |
| A．history | B．career | C．identity | D．culture |
| A．inspired | B．changed | C．benefited | D．included |
| A．respectable | B．suitable | C．responsible | D．grateful |
| A．fortunate | B．positive | C．sensitive | D．generous |
| A．value | B．duty | C．role | D．company |
| A．forgot | B．expected | C．failed | D．refused |
| A．cutting down | B．meeting with | C．going with | D．taking down |
| A．excitement | B．happiness | C．embarrassment | D．surprise |
| A．poem | B．subject | C．adventure | D．description |
| A．telling | B．reading | C．writing | D．hearing |
| A．connection | B．body | C．curiosity | D．attitude |
| A．Frequently | B．Frankly | C．Formally | D．Fortunately |
| A．relate | B．treat | C．apply | D．compare |
6 . Two days before I had a heart attack, I’d been leading an expedition (探险). I was 37, and active. Even when I got to hospital, I hardly believed I was having a heart attack, but I was rushed into an operating room.
When I came out of hospital three days later, I could barely walk and was put into cardiac rehab (心脏康复) with a group of 85-year-olds. But I believed I needed something else to heal (治愈) me. As an outdoors guy who could make stone tools and live off the land, I knew that was where I needed to be. And so, after several treatments, I thought, “I’m out of here!” and went to live in a cave, near where I could hunt animals and drink from streams.
I spent about six months changing between a traditional life and living in the Colorado wilderness. I didn’t want to be away from my family for too long, so I would come back often to connect with them.
I was becoming part of the pattern of life that existed in the wild, understanding the sounds and the smells. You can choose to fight it, or to try to control it, but when you accept it, you reach a deeper understanding of who you are and what you’re doing out there. The day of my heart attack changed my life, because it was a reawakening. Knowing that eventually one day you will die, you need to live the life that you want, find the value.
For all the time I still spend in the wilderness, social media has actually become a big part of my life. Before my heart attack, I was never on it, but, afterwards, people encouraged me to start a YouTube channel sharing my skills. Now I’ve written books, done reality shows and consulted for movies. I’ve embraced this element of modern life, and hope to fuel people’s curiosity about the natural world.
Many of us accept life just the way it is, but there are some who want something different. Luckily, I am the latter one.
1. Why did the author go to live in a cave?| A．To heal himself. | B．To avoid the old people. |
| C．To lead an expedition. | D．To practice survival skills. |
| A．Living the life you want. | B．Accepting life as it is. |
| C．Fighting for an easy life. | D．Bringing life under control. |
| A．To report the process of his recovery. | B．To share outdoor survival skills. |
| C．To kill time while in the wilderness. | D．To fuel curiosity about modern life. |
| A．A cave that impressed me | B．A strong desire for modern life |
| C．A moment that changed me | D．A new understanding of the wild |
7 . Going back to campus every September can be stressful for most students. However, some universities in China manage to make this process easier.
Hebei University
Teachers from the university recently held a treasure hunt challenge to lighten up the atmosphere of getting back to campus for students. Teachers hid coupons (奖券) in surprising places around the campus, such as the top of bookshelves or the bottom of basketball hoops. Students who managed to collect the coupons were rewarded with gifts, including books and stuffed toys.
Zhejiang University
Has carrying your suitcases up and down in your dorm building been a headache? Zhejiang University has come up with some interesting methods to solve this problem. They use a scaling ladder to lift luggage from the first floor. Instead of sweating buckets, students can sit in their dorms and wait for the suitcases to be transported to them.
Chengdu University
Getting along with roommates can be tricky when everyone has different habits and personalities. Chengdu University offers a “roommate-selection system” based on big data. After students fill out the questionnaire, including questions about their hobbies and sleeping habits, their roommates will be automatically assigned (分配) by the system based on their preferences. This way, students have more control over who they share their room with.
With considerate teachers and a personalized atmosphere, students will be more ready for the upcoming semester.
1. Why do the universities listed above take the pleasurable actions?| A．To increase their popularity. | B．To reduce the students’ tiredness. |
| C．To help students find good friends. | D．To make returning to campus easier. |
| A．Lightening up the campus. | B．Carrying luggage for students. |
| C．Making students hunt for gifts. | D．Rewarding students with books. |
| A．Filling out the forms. | B．Using big data. |
| C．Asking about personalities. | D．Learning about habits. |
8 . I was born in a small town in Montana, from the ages of four to fourteen, my years were spent hiking the beautiful Glacier National Park on weekends, and
Though I loved my hometown, I wanted to
I just had no idea it would be so soon. I would
The hard
| A．hunting | B．watching | C．raising | D．training |
| A．explore | B．develop | C．find | D．search |
| A．wait | B．travel | C．leave | D．struggle |
| A．puzzle | B．frighten | C．excite | D．impress |
| A．At last | B．At present | C．At times | D．At least |
| A．hurry up | B．come up | C．end up | D．grow up |
| A．different | B．interesting | C．attractive | D．special |
| A．best | B．hardest | C．coolest | D．strangest |
| A．strength | B．knowledge | C．friendships | D．habits |
| A．play | B．work | C．learn | D．start |
| A．forcing | B．dropping | C．adding | D．throwing |
| A．protected | B．held | C．pressed | D．fed |
| A．after | B．when | C．until | D．since |
| A．Turning | B．Belonging | C．Contributing | D．Adapting |
| A．lonely | B．curious | C．ashamed | D．stressed |
| A．central | B．tiny | C．good | D．comfortable |
| A．certainly | B．importantly | C．eventually | D．generally |
| A．get around | B．let it go | C．live it up | D．calm down |
| A．work | B．life | C．test | D．experience |
| A．new | B．pleasant | C．safe | D．familiar |
9 . Dinh Thu, a Vietnamese (越南的) woman, was fascinated by the Chinese language and culture since childhood and she pursued Chinese as her major in university. After graduation, Dinh entered a Chinese waste incineration (焚化) power plant in Vienam as a translator.
At first, the tough working environment made Dinh unsure how long she could do the job. But the demanding environment was not her only challenge. Dinh soon found out that she had to be an expert in the field of garbage disposal (处理). “The biggest challenge was the translation of technical terms, many of which I couldn’t understand at the time,” Dinh said. “Luckily, whenever I ran into words or expressions that I wasn’t familiar with and couldn’t look up myself, I would ask my Chinese colleagues. They were always eager to help.”
Hu Changbing, the manager of the Vienam branch, has worked with Dinh for over four years. “I discovered that Dinh has this special ability — no matter how difficult a task, she could finish it effectively,” Hu said.
In Dinh’s words, her work belief was to complete whatever boss gave her and provide a satisfactory outcome. She didn’t mention the fact that, to complete certain tasks, she would make dozens of phone calls and sometimes even make multiple trips to talk to someone in person. Her efforts and contributions were appreciated by her superior.
The waste incineration power plant has significantly promoted the sustainable development. Dinh is very proud to have contributed to this project. “I hope to improve my information research and negotiation skills in the future and to further explore the Vietnamese market with my colleagues.”
1. What can we learn about Dinh from the first paragraph?| A．She once worked in China. | B．She was positive about her future. |
| C．She studied environment in university. | D．She was interested in the Chinese language. |
| A．Being unfamiliar with Chinese culture. | B．Unbearable working environment. |
| C．The translation of technical terms. | D．Tough competition from colleagues. |
| A．To prove Dinh’s ability. | B．To promote Dinh’s determination. |
| C．To show Hu’s kindness. | D．To express Hu’s expectation. |
| A．Warm-hearted and careful. | B．Experienced and creative. |
| C．Hard-working and modest. | D．Learned and helpful. |
10 . A new study from the University of Cambridge shows how small environmental changes can have great effects on human behavior. Even the rise of skateboarding is the result of the deep relationships between humans and the climate.
“To make connections between climate and society, we often look into the past, but as we go further back, the evidence gets thinner,” said lead author Professor Büntgen. “We wanted to find a more modern example where we had lots of data to look at. That is how we began to study skateboarding.”
As was recorded, the prosperity (繁荣) of post-war America resulted in the building of more than 150,000 swimming pools in California during the 1960s. However, California suffered the greatest drought (旱灾) in the 1970s. The government’s water agencies responded by mandating strict cuts, including a ban stopping people from filling backyard swimming pools. As a result, many of these pools were empty, making them ideal playgrounds for freestyle skateboarders. Naturally, skateboarding exploded in popularity.
Büntgen said, “California used to be the center of US surf culture. The popularity and influence of surf culture was very important to the rise of skateboarding, which is why it could have only happened in California. You could have had the same drought, the same pools in somewhere like Phoenix, but since Phoenix doesn’t have a rich surf culture, professional skateboarding couldn’t have started there.”
With the rise of professional skateboarding came the industrial production of polyurethane (聚氨酯) wheels, which allowed skaters to make faster turns at higher speeds than they could with earlier steel wheels. All these factors made skateboarding more popular. Nowadays, it is a multibillion-dollar industry.
The example of California best shows that local climate change can have major effects on human society.
1. What is the finding of the new study?| A．Climate changes affect human behavior. |
| B．Popular games benefit greatly from droughts. |
| C．The environment changes people’s relationships. |
| D．Culture contributes to the industry development. |
| A．Carrying out. | B．Counting on. | C．Sticking with. | D．Getting over. |
| A．Drought. | B．Location. | C．Swimming pools. | D．Surf culture. |
| A．Society. | B．Health. | C．Education. | D．Business. |
