1 . Ever since I was young, my parents and older brother have always cheered me on―whether it was at a dance competition, piano recital(独奏会), or an academic
My family became a(n)
| A．profession | B．note | C．accomplishment | D．event |
| A．attempted | B．abandoned | C．attended | D．adopted |
| A．elderly | B．athletic | C．helpful | D．lonely |
| A．helped | B．wished | C．forbade | D．stopped |
| A．silenced | B．mirrored | C．encouraged | D．linked |
| A．volunteer | B．instructor | C．friend | D．soul |
| A．promote | B．replace | C．rearrange | D．exchange |
| A．amazing | B．main | C．modest | D．common |
| A．vital | B．shocking | C．touching | D．private |
| A．demand | B．cash | C．change | D．respect |
| A．worth | B．treasure | C．loss | D．support |
| A．expect | B．control | C．accept | D．change |
| A．touching | B．knocking | C．pressing | D．turning |
| A．make up | B．rely on | C．deal with | D．ask for |
| A．balance | B．restore | C．increase | D．maintain |
2 . Astronomers have traced a repeating radio signal back to a rocky, Earth-sized exoplanet that appears to have one of the crucial factors that make a world habitable: a magnetic field. The planet is known as YZ Ceti b, and it’s orbiting a small red Dwarf star located around 12 light-years from Earth.
“The search for potentially habitable or life-bearing worlds in other solar systems depends in part on being able to determine if rocky, Earth-like exoplanets actually have magnetic fields,” said Joe Pesce, the program director of the US National Science Foundation’s National Radio Astronomy Observatory, which supported the work. “This research shows not only that this particular rocky exoplanet likely has a magnetic field but provides a promising method to find more.”
A magnetic field is what stops a planet’s atmosphere from being driven away by powerful stellar(星球的) winds. Mars, for example, used to have an atmosphere and was a warm and wet planet before it lost its magnetic field and, without its protection, its atmosphere was gradually ruined by plasma(等离子气体) from our Sun. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune still have magnetic fields in our Solar System. And in the past, astronomers have found evidence of larger exoplanets with their own magnetic fields. But up until now we’ve not been able to identify magnetic fields on smaller, rocky worlds outside our Solar System. In fact, we’ve not even had a reliable way to even look for them.
It turns out, the repeating radio signal may be the clue we need. The team believes it’s being caused by the planet’s magnetic field interacting with YZ Ceti, the star it orbits. The rocky exoplanet is situated so close to YZ Ceti that its orbit is just two days. But if the planet’s magnetic field is confirmed with further observations, it means we’ll finally have a way to detect more life-friendly worlds like it in future, which is incredibly exciting in the search for habitable planets.
1. What’s the significance of the discovery about YZ Ceti b from Joe Pesce?| A．It can be surely de lined as a life-bearing world. |
| B．People make great progress in identifying exoplanets. |
| C．People can easily locale its exact position in space. |
| D．We can get more discoveries besides its habitability. |
| A．Advanced. | B．Effective. | C．Untrustworthy. | D．Notable. |
| A．The finding about YZ Ceti b is a good start. |
| B．Magnetic fields are confirmed in YZ Ceti b. |
| C．We find more magnetic fields in smaller stars. |
| D．More habitable planets have been confirmed. |
| A．More Habitable World In Exoplanet Are Needed |
| B．Another Habitable World Is Likely To Be Found |
| C．Magnetic Fields Are Crucial For A Habitable World |
| D．People Need More Evidence For A Habitable World |
3 . How do oceans affect you? If you live far from the coast, you might think they don’t. But life on this planet depends on the ocean. It covers almost three-quarters of the planet and holds 97 percent of Earth’s water. The phytoplankton (浮游植物)that live on the oceans’ surface produce half of the oxygen in the atmosphere. Oceans are a vital source of food and other resources and an economic engine for many communities.
For all the ocean provides us, we haven’t always been so responsible in our administration. “The ocean was thought of as a dumping (倾倒的) ground for so long,” says Caitlyn Toropova of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). “There was a sense that there was no way we could harm it because it is so vast.”
But human activities are having a negative impact on many of the world’s oceans, jeopardizing marine life, habitats, and ecosystems. These threats include overfishing or destructive fishing, coastal development, pollution and runoff, and the introduction of non-native species. Climate change is also having a big effect by causing warming seas and ocean acidification.
The realization that something needs to be done to prevent the damage has led to the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs), Specifics differ around the globe, but the United States defines a marine protected area as “any area of the marine environment that has been preserved to prov d eating protection for part or all of the natural and cultural resources.”
There are approximately 5,000 designated (命名) MPAs around the word but many more that are not officially recognized, says Toropova, the conservation group’s officer for marine protected areas. That may sound like a lot, but less than one percent of the world’s oceans is protected. Countries around the world have committed to protecting 10 percent, Toropova say, But “even though there’s been an increase in the past 10 years, at the current rate it would take 100 years to reach that goal,” she says.
1. What does the author intend to emphasize in paragraph 1?| A．Oceans are crucial for humans’ survival. | B．Oceans affect little to people far from them. |
| C．The phytoplankton needs many sea resources. | D．Seas should make more room for our land. |
| A．It covers so much and holds so much of Earth’s water. |
| B．They thought everyday wastes had little effect on it. |
| C．Its floor is just as irregular as the surface of the land. |
| D．People have acknowledged quite little about the sea. |
| A．Feeding. | B．Replacing. | C．Harming. | D．Protecting. |
| A．Marine protected areas aren’t necessary. | B．We still need contribute more to the sea. |
| C．MPAs have shown great effects on the sea. | D．Most of world’s oceans are being protected. |
4 . Oprah Winfrey is acknowledged as one of the most powerful women in the world. She was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi, on January 29, 1954, and although she was not offered everything on a silver platter (盘子), she still overcame her childhood struggles and made her mark in the world.
At age 14, Oprah had a very hard time. It is said that she wore dresses made from potato bags as her family did not have money to buy her nice clothing. After she was sent to a home for troubled teens, her father moved her to Nashville, Tennessee, where she was able to change her life.
How did Oprah Winfrey overcome the odds and build her career from scratch? It started when she was 19 and won the Miss Black Tennessee beauty pageant (选美比赛). This was her first step towards her journey to work in the media. She started her career as a radio and TV host in Nashville. Then she moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where she hosted a local talk show called “People Are Talking”. This show gained popularity and this eventually led to her own nationally syndicated (联合) talk show, “The Oprah Winfrey Show”, which ran for 25 seasons and was the highest-rated talk show in the history of television.
Oprah has a heart of gold and has been a supporter of many causes over the course of her career, such as education, health, and wellness. She is also an advocate of women’s rights. She has used her platform to inspire millions of people and motivate even more people. She continues to inspire, teach, and entertain people worldwide through her charity organization known as the Oprah Winfrey Network. She also took a step for the education of girls in South Africa by starting the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy.
1. What can we know about Oprah’s childhood?| A．She lived a comfortable life. | B．She was quite troublesome. |
| C．She was active in the school. | D．She worked on the potato farm. |
| A．Her popularity on a talk show. | B．Her hosting career on the radio. |
| C．Her high position on the station. | D．A success in a grand competition. |
| A．Oprah had a strong sense of business. | B．Oprah was an excellent political leader. |
| C．Oprah actively joined in public welfare. | D．Oprah received blames from the government. |
| A．Determined, talented and caring. | B．Careful, fortunate and wealthy. |
| C．Clever, educated and critical. | D．Cool, decisive and qualified. |
5 . The following classes will be taught online via Zoom. All registrations must be submitted online two days before your class starts. Registered students will receive registration instructions one day in advance.
Armchair Tour: Chicago Botanic Garden
Thursday, February 23
6:30—7:30 p.m.
$19/ $24
New! Strong, unified (统一的) deign is a highlight of the Chicago Botanic Garden and sets it apart from many of other gardens. You will examine the contributions of noteworthy landscape architects and building architects to explore this well-known public garden in a new way.
From the Drawing Board to Border: Online
Tuesday, February 28
6:30—8:30 p.m.
$32/ $40
Learn how to develop a shopping list and timeline to phase the work over several seasons. You’ll receive some useful tips on staging the installation (安装) of your project, finding and purchasing plants, and working with landscape professionals.
Designing the Sunny Border: Online
Wednesday, March 8
6:30—8:30 p.m.
$32/ $40
The well-designed border wears a combination of many plant that provide three seasons of color and winter interest. Learn how to artfully combine plants with an emphasis on the use of color, and form. Whether you are a new gardener or have an established border that could use updating, this class is for you.
Designing the Shade Garden: Online
Wednesday, March 15
6:30—8:30 p.m.
$32/ $40
A garden shaded by trees or buildings is often a challenge for the gardener who is faced with low light levels, tree roots, and soil that is often dry. Discover solutions and ideas for artful plantings that can help you create effective combinations with optimal (最佳的) color, and form.
1. What must students do before the four classes?| A．Reserve the classes. | B．Hand in homework. |
| C．Read the instructions. | D．Visit the four gardens. |
| A．Combine plants with the surroundings. | B．Shade a garden with trees or buildings. |
| C．Admire great works by famous architects. | D．Learn how to make a detailed grocery list. |
| A．Chicago Botanic Garden. | B．Designing the Sunny Border. |
| C．Designing the Shade Garden. | D．From the Drawing Board to Border. |
6 . My wife went out with a friend. I was busy in my study while my 3-year-old daughter
I heard her say, “Oh... nothing. ” Nothing? I
| A．happened | B．appeared | C．liked | D．pretended |
| A．ran into | B．took into | C．jumped into | D．slid into |
| A．way | B．change | C．turn | D．progress |
| A．followed | B．scolded | C．fooled | D．cornered |
| A．Slowly | B．Eagerly | C．Angrily | D．Fortunately |
| A．filled | B．marked | C．printed | D．covered |
| A．every | B．such | C．any | D．one |
| A．forbidden | B．told | C．frightened | D．beaten |
| A．reports | B．notice | C．advice | D．words |
| A．as | B．before | C．since | D．when |
| A．signs | B．letters | C．messages | D．figures |
| A．because of | B．in spite of | C．instead of | D．as a result of |
| A．value | B．sadness | C．pities | D．tricks |
| A．preventing | B．getting rid of | C．losing sight of | D．destroying |
| A．naughty | B．ugly | C．special | D．smart |
7 . Cities are the planet’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions (排放), so they offer the greatest opportunity to tackle climate change. Hitting net zero emissions by 2050, a target set at the COP26 summit, could be achieved more quickly using city digital twins-working virtual replicas (复制品) that help track, manage and reduce environmental damage rapidly.
The United Nations says cities, the most suitable subjects, which occupy less than two percent of the Earth’s surface, are major contributors to climate change, consuming almost 80 percent of the world’s energy and producing more than 60 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Urban areas are forecast to grow by another 2.5 billion people by 2050.
Digital twins look and behave identically in their real-world physical environments. Similar technologies have been in use since NASA’s Apollo moon mission in 1969, where computers and machine replicas were used to test and monitor spacecraft. Virtual 3D city models link to networks of sensors that collect data from buildings, transport, air quality and energy use, to see where emissions can be cut and efficiency improved.
The UK is planning a kind of national digital twins that will connect digital replicas managing buildings, factories, and the other infrastructure nationwide. And that could lead to entire virtual world online, part of a virtual reality space proposed by tech companies.
Research shows that digital twins can save cities more than $280 billion globally by 2030 through more efficient urban planning. A provider of digital twins, City zenith, believes that net zero deadlines could be achieved 15 years early if the world’s 100 biggest cities use the technology to remove carbon. “They are the perfect tool for managing and accelerating the energy transition,” said CEO Michael Jansen. “We could get to net zero emissions globally by 2035.”
In the US, the Digital Twin Consortium is working to standardize how digital twins are built and share data. Big tech companies around the world have developed software for replicating cities, including a district of Berlin, the island nation of Singapore, and the entire city of Shanghai in China.
1. What are city digital twins used to do?| A．Decorate cities. |
| B．Change cities’ climate. |
| C．Reduce urban greenhouse gas emissions. |
| D．Popularize urban technology. |
| A．They occupy most of the Earth’s surface. |
| B．They contribute most to the greenhouse effect. |
| C．They produce little of solid waste pollution. |
| D．They consume little of the world’s energy. |
| A．To prove the accuracy of network data. |
| B．To explain the application of digital twins. |
| C．To tell us the importance of space tasks. |
| D．To show the difficulty of urban construction. |
| A．They are practical and promising. |
| B．They have reached a standard level. |
| C．They lack research funding. |
| D．They are complex and unrecognizable. |
8 . You’ve heard an old Chinese saying before: Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. You may even be nodding your head in agreement right now. However, we can have a different understanding about it.
When a person is starving, that’s not the time to fill their head with knowledge but to first give the person a fish—eradicating their hunger—and only then teach them to fish. Far too often, people ignore this common sense first step. They see someone who is struggling, and they rush to offer wisdom. “Let me tell you what I’d do in your position,” a well-meaning individual might offer.
But few of us understand the anxiety, confusion and uncertainty that come with overwhelming need. People meeting with personal disasters don’t have the ability to think straight. Their nerves may be shot. Their confidence may be non-existent. Can you imagine what it would be like to be in that person’s situation?
Rushing to offer a struggling person long-term advice is a waste of time. Instead, it makes far more sense to help them regain their emotional balance. Once their ears, heart and mind open, you’ll have an opportunity to teach a new skill.
But how do we know whether a person needs a fish before a fishing lesson? Two things: One is the ability to pay attention. We need to know whether the other person is open and receptive, or looking at the world through narrowed eyes? You can’t just take their words but have to look at how the person acts and what they don’t say. The other is empathy (共情). The more successful you are, the harder it is to imagine what it must be like to be the opposite. Try to create a safe environment for emotional acceptance before the fishing lesson.
1. What is the function of the first paragraph?| A．To illustrate a concept. | B．To introduce the background. |
| C．To bring in a new viewpoint. | D．To put up an example. |
| A．Getting rid of. | B．Paying attention to. |
| C．Making up for. | D．Putting up with. |
| A．Get them to think straight. |
| B．Teach them a new skill. |
| C．Give them long term advice. |
| D．help regain their emotional balance. |
| A．Live and learn. |
| B．Put yourself in others’ shoes. |
| C．Never teach a fish to swim. |
| D．Don’t teach old dogs new tricks. |
9 . Gutiérrez’s life would never be the same again after finding a copy of Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy in the garbage 20 years ago. It happened while he was driving his garbage truck through wealthier neighbourhoods at night and seeing abandoned books. It aroused his desire to start rescuing books from the garbage. He used to take home between 50 and 60 books every morning. Eventually, he turned his book collection into a community library for children from low-income families.
Colombia’s capital city of Bogota has 19 public libraries. However, these libraries tend to be far away from where rural and poorer communities live. The option of buying new books is non-existent for families struggling to make ends meet. Gutiérrez’s community library is a true representation of how one man’s garbage can be another’s treasure.
Gutiérrez grew up poor, and his family could not afford to educate him beyond primary school. Nevertheless, his mother was a passionate reader and read stories to him every night. Her love for books left a deep impression on Gutiérrez.
Today, his makeshift community library, called “The Strength of Words”, occupies most of his home in southern Bogota, and is piled from floor to ceiling with fiction and non-fiction titles. Everything from school textbooks to storybooks can be found in his collection of more than 20.000 books! As word began to spread about his amazing project, people began sending him thousands more books to grow his library.
Despite having done so much for his community, Gutiérrez is not yet content to call it a day. He continues to search through garbage cans for reading materials. Today, the Gutiérrez family does not merely want to start libraries in neighbourhoods. They want to create spaces for school children to spend their time reading.
Gutiérrez’s journey to give back to his local community is an amazing example of how every one of us can improve the lives of those around us. How might we take a leaf out of Gutiérrez’s books and impact the less fortunate around us?
1. What inspired Gutiérrez to rescue unwanted books?| A．Leo Tolstoy’s life. | B．The abandoned Anna Karenina. |
| C．Children’s living conditions. | D．A community-library. |
| A．To create a harmonious neighborhood. |
| B．To give his mother sufficient books. |
| C．To improve the community life. |
| D．To facilitate children’s reading. |
| A．caring | B．passionate. |
| C．well-educated. | D．talented. |
| A．Gutiérrez has a strong desire for reading. |
| B．Gutiérrez’s kindness moves other people. |
| C．How does Gutiérrez turns books from garbage to treasure. |
| D．How does Gutiérrez to be model of education. |
10 . An Amazing Explorers Club In 2023 Summer
◆Participants: Full day club for children who aged 6〜15.
◆Time: Monday—Friday, July 10th〜28th, 8:30 am〜3:30 pm. We have weekends off.
◆Schedule:
WEEK Ⅰ | July 10th 2023 (Monday)〜July 14th 2023 (Friday) |
WEEK Ⅱ | July 17th 2023 (Monday)〜July 21th 2023 (Friday) |
WEEK Ⅲ | July24th 2023 (Monday)〜July28th 2023 (Friday) |
◆Tips:
1 Register for a single week or multiple weeks.
2 If you want to cancel your reservation and receive a full refund, please submit your application at least two weeks in advance.
◆Club Structure:
The day is divided into two thematic sessions per age group. Club members have a three-hour morning class engaging with a morning theme (8:30am to 11:30am) and a one-hour lunch break, followed by another three-hour class engaging with an afternoon theme (12:30pm to 3:30pm). Snack periods are held throughout the day. All club members should bring their own bagged lunch and snacks．
◆Club Content:
Explorers Club organizes engaging arts, history and science-related activities in every! class, and focuses on a range of topics that emphasize active learning, exploration and, most of all, fun! All club sessions are created with age-appropriate activities that are tailored to the multiple ways that kids learn.
◆Club Staff:
Club members enjoy a staff-to-child ratio ranging from 1:4 to 1:7 depending on the age group. Instructors are passionate educators who are experts in their fields and have undergone training and a background check.
1. Which of the following dates are you able to cancel your registration with a full refund?| A．July 10th. | B．June 22th. | C．July 9th. | D．June 26th. |
| A．By age. | B．By awareness. | C．By gender. | D．By nationality. |
| A．42. | B．30. | C．21. | D．15. |
