1 . Levi Millers life changed during an ordinary dinner with his family. That evening, director Joe Wright called to
The phone call led Levi to leave his home in Australia to
Levi began
At first, Levi felt very awkward around the
Since that
Levi loves the
A.assist | B.tell | C.offer | D.submit |
A.film | B.wander | C.struggle | D.explore |
A.decreased | B.quit | C.refused | D.continued |
A.walking | B.dancing | C.traveling | D.performing |
A.applause | B.burden | C.memory | D.exposure |
A.Thus | B.And | C.Or | D.But |
A.role | B.lifestyle | C.accent | D.dialect |
A.made out | B.took place | C.consisted of | D.ended up |
A.reaction | B.advice | C.trick | D.misery |
A.desperate | B.famous | C.proud | D.strange |
A.vivid | B.confident | C.ambitious | D.comfortable |
A.only | B.hardly | C.casually | D.actually |
A.personal | B.long | C.first | D.amazing |
A.screen | B.stage | C.peak | D.purpose |
A.awards | B.techniques | C.advantages | D.possibilities |
2 . “Just imagine it, chatting to a chimp in chimpanzee.” Whether portrayed by Rex Harrison, Eddie Murphy or Robert Downey, Jr.,Doctor Dolittle learned to talk to animals.But in reality, science has remained some distance from solving the long-standing question of how we humans learned to talk during our evolution.
Recently,a study by a team of researchers in Great Britain has demonstrated how the rapid succession of opening and closing mouth rhythms by chimpanzees—known as lip-smacking (砸吧嘴)—mimics the natural pace of human mouths talking.This phenomenon has been observed before in other ape species who performed lip-smacking movements at around 5 Hz, which falls within a range of mouth opens and closes characteristic of all spoken languages, namely between2 and 7 Hz.But it wasn’t until now that this lip-smacking timing connection had been made in our closest evolutionary relatives.The last years had seen accumulating evidence that these rhythms from deeper within our primate ancestry, recycled, so to speak,as a cornerstone for speech evolution.
“But the sense of evolutionary continuity towards speech still had a big gap to cross—the African apes.There was no evidence for speech like rhythm neither in gorillas, bonobos,nor chimpanzees”, says Adriano Lameira of the University of Warwick, who led the study. The study followed two domestic populations of chimpanzees, as well as two wild populations in Uganda. Researchers observed lip-smacking at an average of 4.15 Hz. They made all their observations whenever a chimpanzee was grooming(理毛;梳毛) another. Picture a hairdresser engaging in idle chatter with a customer at the beauty salon.
The confirmation of speech like rhythm of the mouth in chimpanzees does not reveal how language came about in our own ancestry, but it offers the final confirmation to scientists that we are looking at the right place, that we are on the right track to unlock this mystery and that great apes in enclosed areas and the wild still have to reveal all their secrets about human nature and human origins.
Lameira also notes that variation in lip-smacking times both between and within the chimp groups do not appear to be hard-wired. Rather, the lip-smacking variability likely reflects how individual differences and environmental factors, and even social conventions, affect how chimpanzees communicate with each other. Even Doctor Dolitle might well be amazed.
1. What does the new study reveal?A.We humans can talk to chimpanzees. |
B.Chimpanzees like imitating humans talking. |
C.A new clue of speech evolution has been found. |
D.All apes perform the same lip-smacking rhythms as we humans do. |
A.Paving way for the following researches. |
B.Proving the assumption of the scientists. |
C.Confirming how language came into being. |
D.Revealing the secrets about human evolution. |
A.Tough. | B.Cultivated. | C.Variable. | D.Inborn |
A.Cornerstone for Human Origin. |
B.Research Value of Ape Species. |
C.Human Speech Evolution Getting Lip-Smacking Evidence. |
D.Chimpanzees Performing Speech like Lip-Smacking Movements. |
3 . At 67, Joyce Faulkner thought she was looking for a holiday. Her husband, Jim, had recently died and exploring possible house swaps on the Home Exchange website felt less painful. In the end, it was not a vacation Faulkner found but a job. She left her home in Edinburgh to become mother’s help to seven-year-old twins in Varese, Italy.
“It’s halfway crazy,” she says. A house swap she was interested in didn’t work out, but the owner, Rachele, asked: “‘Do you know anyone who might help me with the children?’ I wrote back and said: ‘Tell me what that involves!’ She wrote me a little list, and I said: ‘I could do that!’ We seemed to believe in each other.”
Two months later, when Faulkner reached Varese, “the dad, Andrea, was walking towards me with the children hiding behind his legs, kind of shy, thinking: ‘Who is this woman in a long black coat?’ I don’t think it was quite Mary Poppins, but the atmosphere was immediately warm and friendly.”
Eighteen months on, Faulkner’s job no longer feels like a job. “I just feel like part of the family.” They joke: “You think you’re going back to Scotland? No, you’re staying here!” She gives English lessons, helps with the housework, meets the children from school, plays chess or table tennis with them, and takes them to the park. “It never feels like work,” she says. “It has been absolutely the perfect match.” Faulkner’s son, Steven, who lives in London, has visited her and they have cycled around the northern Italian lakes. She feels no more distant than when she lived in Edinburgh.
“You have to take the opportunity when it presents itself,” Jim once said.
“I’ll be 70 in January, but in my head, I’m 30. I still feel the same person, I have the same enthusiasm for life, the same interest in people and things. In that sense, I wish I had another 70,” Faulkner jokes.
1. Why did Joyce Faulkner search the Home Exchange website?A.To hunt for a job. | B.To buy a house in Italy. |
C.To explore holiday resorts. | D.To find a holiday home for exchange. |
A.Good luck. | B.Mutal trust. |
C.Common interests. | D.First impression. |
A.Faulkner feels less close to her son |
B.Faulkner feels quite at home while babysitting in Italy. |
C.Faulkner returned to her old business despite her advanced years. |
D.Faulkner was thought of as a typical baby-sitter at the first meeting. |
A.Caring and outgoing. | B.Strict and responsible. |
C.Devoted and passionate. | D.Humorous and independent. |
4 . You may have heard of white and black sand beaches, but what about shores with pink sands? Now let’s take a look.
Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda
One of the most famous and photographed beaches in Bermuda is Horseshoe Bay Beach. Located in South Shore Park, this pink beach features a coastal trail that connects it to other area beaches, plus limestone rocks and cliffs that add to its beauty. Beachgoers can play a game of volleyball or attend one of several annual festivals hosted on-site.
Budelli Island, Italy
Known locally as “Spiaggia Rosa,” this beach gets its pink color from a mixture of coral (珊瑚) and shells. The pink shore sits on Budelli Island, an isle north of Sardinia in the Maddalena Archipelago. The beach offers a variety of services, such as stands, lifeguards and beach and water sports equipment rentals like surfboards.
Crane Beach, Barbados
At The Crane Resort, visitors can directly access the pink sand beach by riding in the glass-front beach elevator. To keep beachgoers safe, there are two lifeguards on duty most days. Resort visitors also have access to free beach umbrellas, towels and chairs, plus several pools, a hot spring and a fitness center.
Great Santa Cruz Island, Philippines
The pink sand beach on Great Santa Cruz Island gets its color from red organ pipe coral. Many divers gather here to take advantage of the beach’s clear water and excellent visibility, though much of the area’s sea life has been destroyed due to illegal coral mining. You’ll also find a small village on the island.
1. What can you do on Horseshoe Bay Beach?A.Ride on a horse. | B.Surf on the sea. |
C.Climb up a rock. | D.Play beach volleyball. |
A.Horseshoe Bay Beach. | B.Budelli Island. |
C.Crane Beach. | D.Great Santa Cruz Island. |
A.They provide water sports. | B.They have beautiful pink sands. |
C.They’re equipped with lifeguards. | D.They are located on big islands. |
5 . Boston Marathon runners in recent years may have seen a smiling furry face around the two-mile mark. It’s Spencer, the therapy (治疗) dog, who became known as an unofficial mascot (吉祥物) for the marathon, He’s shown up on the sidelines every year since 2015—rain or shine.
One particularly rainy marathon catapulted Spencer’s fame, In 2018, his owner, Richard Powers, decided to put a bright yellow rain coat on the dog, making him stand out even more than he usually does. Photos of Spencer, who holds a “Boston Strong” flag in his mouth, went viral, and he became an inspiration to runners and onlookers alike, During the marathon, some runners stop in their tracks to take selfies with the dog-the line sometimes growing to 20 runners long.
But in 2020, Spencer was diagnosed with a tumor (肿瘤). His owner was worried, but Spencer is a fighter. He got the care he needed and survived. In 2021, he was back on the course and it was really kind of a miracle and that really hit home to a lot of people.
Unfortunately, Spencer caught another tumor—this one cancerous—and Spencer began chemotherapy. Powers didn’t think his beloved dog would make it out to the marathon of 2022. “Miraculously, he’s still here with us and an even bigger miracle, he was strong enough to go to the marathon,” he said.
After recovering, Spencer was back to work—not just at the marathon—but as a therapy dog, alongside his companion, Penny, who is also a golden therapy dog. Powers takes his two therapy dogs around to schools, hospitals and senior living centers.
“He’s a gift to us and we’re very lucky to have him. He’s too good so we want to share him with as many people as we possibly can. He does make a difference,” Powers said.
1. Why is Spencer referred to as a mascot for Boston Marathon?A.He has a smiling furry face. | B.He appears at the event annually. |
C.He is not recognized officially. | D.He works as a therapy dog for runners. |
A.Motivation. | B.Satisfaction. | C.Fantasy. | D.Barrier. |
A.A failure in the marathon. | B.Caring for his owner. | C.Fighting against a disease. | D.Going viral. |
A.Confident, | B.Supportive. | C.Objective. | D.Negative. |
6 . Had she been a singer, she might have been an American star. But Clora Bryant played the trumpet, and reputation came slowly. Bryant, a barrier breaker who stood firm in her determination to be a respected jazz trumpet player despite the open sexism (性别歧视) that shadowed her, died on August 25, in 2019, in Los Angeles, when she was 92. Life as a jazz trumpeter was an uphill battle, said her son Darrin. “It was a man’s world, and that made it hard for her. But that only fueled her fire, and made her more resolved.”
Bryant played the trumpet with such passion and she became a mainstay in the growing jazz scene in the 1940s. Dizzy Gillespie once told Times jazz critic Leonard Feather that Bryant was the most underrated (低估) trumpet player in L.A.
But by 1992, she was living on Social Security, staying at a son’s Long Beach, in California, apartment, and two of her trumpets were in the pawnshop (典当铺). “A lot of clubs have closed.” she told the Times. “And how many female trumpet players do you see working?”
Bryant and her brothers were raised by their father, a patient man who encouraged his children to think big. She wanted to be in the high school marching band, but Charles Bryant warned his daughter she’d likely face resistance. “But anything you want to do, I’m behind you,” she recalled. It was her father who encouraged her to do whatever she wanted to do that made her stronger and stronger.
1. What does the underlined word “resolved” in paragraph 1 probably mean?A.Adventurous. | B.Unique. | C.Emotional. | D.Determined. |
A.To show people’s acts of kindness. |
B.To prove Bryant’s struggle through life. |
C.To explain how Bryant earned his living. |
D.To stress the importance of the pawnshop. |
A.The open sexism from society. |
B.The poor family background. |
C.The terrible financial situation. |
D.The mental pressure from colleagues. |
A.Her son’s support. | B.Her brothers’ company. |
C.Her strict family education. | D.Her father’s encouragement. |
7 . Mark is leaving, and I’m feeling kind of sad.
You probably don’t know Mark, but you might be
And now he’s moving on to an exciting new opportunity which sounds like the chance of a lifetime, and we’re
Life has a way of throwing these curve balls (曲线球) at us. Just when we start to get comfortable with a person, a place or a situation, something comes along to
But how do we deal with change? There’s Chris, who once told me that the answer can be expressed in four words, “Go
“It is like surfing,” Chris explained. “You can’t organize the ocean.
That doesn’t
We’re going to
A.difficult | B.confident | C.silly | D.lucky |
A.terrible | B.excellent | C.special | D.exact |
A.actually | B.sincerely | C.nearly | D.hardly |
A.humorous | B.silent | C.reliable | D.active |
A.welcome | B.attack | C.destroy | D.change |
A.with | B.below | C.against | D.before |
A.Shakes | B.Waves | C.Accidents | D.Disasters |
A.what | B.why | C.whether | D.where |
A.formally | B.extremely | C.mostly | D.lately |
A.promise | B.seem | C.explain | D.mean |
A.make up | B.break down | C.come up | D.slow down |
A.scene | B.road | C.strategy | D.lecture |
A.harder | B.better | C.worse | D.easier |
A.forget | B.love | C.miss | D.remind |
A.parting | B.meeting | C.organizing | D.suffering |
8 . Recently we celebrated my grandmother’s 90th birthday. Family members traveled to my hometown to visit her. This was the first time in many years that I had seen so many of them. Though this was an opportunity to see family, many people did not make it. Honestly, living far from hometown, I had missed many family gatherings. But this one made me realize how much I was really missing.
It seemed strange when I was looking at the faces, realizing whom they were and greeting them with open arms. After chatting for a while, we caught up on each other’s news. Several relatives suggested having a family reunion soon if everyone wasn’t so busy. But my grandmother’s generation was much busier, yet still found time to gather. They understood the importance of visiting one another. They knew time is flying and that those you care about most won’t be here forever.
Today, we focus on our careers and raising our kids. Our extended family isn’t the center it once was. Besides, we keep in touch on social media. But what we really miss are the potato salad, the moments of laughter and sudden bursts of excitement when we hug someone we haven’t seen for over 10 years. Although the next get-together is always a year or so away, people aren’t goods and everyone has an expiration (到期) date.
I left my grandmother’s party with a much better sense of who I am and where I come from. I spent valuable time with people who contributed to who I am today. I had forgotten how much I love them and I was reminded how much I am loved.
1. How did the author feel about missing previous family gatherings? ________A.Concerned. | B.Regretful. | C.Sad. | D.Annoyed. |
A.They were irresponsible. | B.They took time seriously. |
C.They stress the importance of family. | D.They visited family frequently. |
A.Family reunions mean no fun. | B.We should see loved ones more before it’s too late. |
C.People are always too busy to get together. | D.All goods have expiration dates. |
A.To convince readers to meet friends. | B.To share an interesting family reunion. |
C.To compare different generations’ values. | D.To stress the value of family gatherings. |
9 . Impressive World Heritage Sites in Germany
Museum Island, Berlin
Located in Berlin’s historical centre, Museum Island houses treasures of human history in its five beautifully reconstructed museums, which delight visitors with ancient Egyptian relics. The entire complex was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1999.
Sanssouci Park, Potsdam
Built in the 1740s as a summer retreat for the Prussian King Frederick the Great, the palace consists of ten beautifully decorated rooms with charming gardens. A mix of truly European architecture and surroundings, Sanssouci Park was listed as UNESCO World Heritage in 1990.
Cologne Cathedral, Cologne
One of Germany’s most fascinating and extensive cathedrals, Cologne Cathedral is Germany’s most visited landmark. Due to the building’s impressive Gothic (哥特式)architecture, the shrine of the Three Wise Men, and the outstanding stained-glass windows, UNESCO declared Cologne Cathedral a World Heritage Site in 1996.
Rhine Gorge, Koblenz and Bingen
Rhine Gorge is a 65-kilometre stretch of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. Dotted with castles, historic towns and wine-making farms, the breathtaking views and architecture, it attracts numerous visitors. In 2002 the region was added to the UNESCO list of Word Heritage Sites for its unique blend of geological, historical, and cultural elements.
1. Which of the following highlights Cologne Cathedral?A.Fully-decorated rooms. |
B.Several charming gardens. |
C.Attractive Gothic building. |
D.Many wine-making farms. |
A.Appreciate ancient Egyptian relics. |
B.Hang out in the impressive gardens. |
C.Admire the stained-glass windows. |
D.Have a taste of the German wine. |
A.Museum Island. | B.Sanssouci Park. |
C.Cologne Cathedral. | D.Rhine Gorge. |
10 . Traditional tea processing techniques and their social practices in China were added to UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on November 29th, 2022. This is the 43rd entry from China on the List. Therefore, China’s list tops all other countries.
In fact, what is on the List is not Chinese tea, but the knowledge, skills and practices concerning management of tea plantations, picking of tea leaves, and the processing, drinking and sharing of tea.
Over 2,000 tea varieties, mainly in six categories, which are green, black, yellow, oolong, white and dark, are grown in China. Although the types differ, the skills of making tea are very similar. They include inactivation (杀青), yellowing, piling, withering (萎凋), leaves shaking, cooling, fermentation (发酵) and scenting.
According to UNESCO, in China traditional tea processing techniques are closely associated with geographical location and natural environment. The techniques are mainly found in the provinces and autonomous regions of Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Hunan, Anhui, Hubei, Henan, Shaanxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi. Associated social practices, however, are spread throughout the country and shared by multiple ethnic groups.
Tea-related customs are not only found across the country, but also influenced the rest of the world through the ancient Silk Road and trade routes. As a document from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to UNESCO explained, tea is common in Chinese people’s daily life. Steeped or boiled tea is served in homes, workplaces, tea houses, restaurants, and temples. And it is used as an important medium for communication in socializing and ceremonies such as weddings and sacrifices.
“Practices of greeting guests with tea and building good relationships within families and among neighborhoods through tea-related activities are shared among multiple ethnic groups, and provide a sense of identity and continuity for communities, groups and individuals concerned,” the document said.
1. What can we know from the text?A.So far China has the most entries on the intangible list. |
B.Only intangible cultural heritage is worth protecting. |
C.China has the most cultural treasures worldwide. |
D.Every country in the world joins UNESCO. |
A.Select the yellow tea leaves. | B.Make tea leaves become yellow. |
C.Add some yellow liquid to it. | D.Use yellow boxes to collect leaves. |
A.Varieties of Chinese tea. | B.Skills of making tea. |
C.Tea procesing techniques. | D.Tea-related customs. |
A.China is full of cultural heritage. | B.UNESCO is a great organization. |
C.Chinese tea is different and unique. | D.Chinese tea is on UNESCO’s list. |