1 . About eight years ago, Li Jinglong and Guan Dian visited the Palace Museum in Beijing. The cloisonne (景泰蓝瓷器) objects on display attracted them in particular. They spent hours looking at those beautiful objects. They just couldn’t take their eyes off them.
Born and raised in Beijing, 35-year-old Li is no stranger to cloisonne, since there were a pair of cloisonne vases in his grandparents’ home. His wife, 34-year-old Guan, who learned to paint as a child and later became a designer after graduating from the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, is also familiar with cloisonne, as it appears in her art books. As a result of their visit, the couple made the daring decision to open a workshop.
“We learned cloisonne after seeing the pieces displayed in the Palace Museum. We wanted to turn our hobby into a career, so that people could enjoy and learn to make the craft themselves,” said Li, who worked in a finance company before quitting his job to launch Handcraft Addicted, a DIY workshop where participants can make cloisonne. Since 2018, they have opened three workshops in Beijing. They are happy to give people a glimpse of the traditional techniques of cloisonne as part of a DIY experience.
Instead of focusing on making traditional cloisonne objects , such as plates and vases, the workshop allows participants to create the designs they want on surface of glass, resin (树脂) or wood. Although the process has been simplified, it is still not easy for people trying cloisonne for the first time to succeed. Participants spend months making one piece, which they take home or give friends as presents. It’s a luxury for people to spend time alone and fully focus on one thing nowadays because of the fast pace of life. Participants come to the workshop not only to create art, but also to take a break from their busy lives.
1. What can we learn about the couple?A.They both grew up in Beijing. | B.They both majored in cloisonne art. |
C.They both quit their previous jobs. | D.They are both familiar with cloisonne. |
A.Their grandparents’ cloisonne vases. | B.Their hobby in handcraft techniques. |
C.Cloisonne objects in Guan’s art books. | D.Cloisonne on exhibition in the Palace Museum. |
A.the first attempt is often simple |
B.participants relax themselves while creating art |
C.the couple make cloisonne objects by themselves |
D.it is a luxury to make traditional cloisonne objects |
A.Modest. | B.Generous. | C.Creative. | D.Outgoing. |
2 . A Heroic Driver
Larry works with Transport Drivers. Inc. One morning in 2019, Larry was
The man who had his bright lights on came over and told Larry he had
Once fire and emergency people arrive, Larry and the other man
One thing is
A.walking | B.touring | C.traveling | D.rushing |
A.passengers | B.colleagues | C.employers | D.customers |
A.flame | B.smoke | C.water | D.steam |
A.used | B.disabled | C.removed | D.abandoned |
A.got hold of | B.prepared | C.took charge of | D.controlled |
A.returned | B.received | C.made | D.confirmed |
A.Starting | B.Parking | C.Passing | D.Approaching |
A.quiet | B.still | C.away | D.calm |
A.explode | B.slip away | C.fall apart | D.crash |
A.as if | B.unless | C.in case | D.after |
A.stepped forward | B.backed off | C.moved on | D.set out |
A.woman | B.police | C.man | D.driver |
A.forbidden | B.ready | C.asked | D.free |
A.for certain | B.for consideration | C.reported | D.checked |
A.patience | B.skills | C.efforts | D.promise |
3 . Hundreds of medical students crowded into a lecture hall in the Bronx, New York on Feb.26, 2024. Dr. Ruth Gottesman, a 94-year-old honorary professor at their college,
Then enthusiastic cheers
The college stated that
David Gottesman is the
In 2022, David Gottesman passed away at the age of 96. Ruth was
She also expressed her hope to
A.announced | B.published | C.reported | D.addressed |
A.smallest | B.favorite | C.kindest | D.largest |
A.half | B.free | C.part | D.willing |
A.laughed | B.broke | C.erupted | D.started |
A.applauded | B.screamed | C.whistled | D.celebrated |
A.carry | B.owe | C.bring | D.fetch |
A.causes | B.careers | C.researches | D.lives |
A.due to | B.according to | C.except for | D.in spite of |
A.accomplish | B.contribute | C.complete | D.pay |
A.employee | B.founder | C.cooperator | D.customer |
A.quarrel | B.debate | C.friendship | D.struggle |
A.collected | B.gathered | C.offered | D.accumulated |
A.completely | B.frequently | C.constantly | D.hardly |
A.only if | B.if only | C.only after | D.till only |
A.difficult | B.simple | C.complicated | D.short |
A.Covered | B.Declined | C.Faced | D.Dealt |
A.determination | B.decision | C.theory | D.principle |
A.train | B.acquire | C.employ | D.attract |
A.totally | B.continuously | C.originally | D.regularly |
A.interrupting | B.disturbing | C.controlling | D.relieving |
4 . Best Family Vacations in Europe
BarcelonaIn Barcelona, Gaudf’s art work is sure to impress adults and make children feel as if they’ve wandered into a fantasy land. Similarly, the street performances surprise audiences of all ages. Plus, families can always watch the FC Barcelona team play a soccer match at Camp Nou stadium.
ParisThe Eiffel Tower is sure to delight your children, whether you choose to take a lift to the top or see it at night. Nearby Disneyland Paris, whose fairy-tale setting leaves a lasting impression on its visitors, is also a popular attraction for those with little ones.
PragueKids will get a kick out of seeing the bizarre Dancing House, engaging with the interactive exhibits, and exploring Prague Castle. Meanwhile, parents will love the city’s rich cultural heritage (遗产) and reasonable prices. Because of its small size, Prague is an easily walkable city, which makes it perfect for those who want to save money on transportation.
LondonThis city attracts visitors young and old with its London Zoo, West End theatre district, London Eye and Platform 9³/₄ at King’s Cross Station, among other sights. Many of the top attractions offer guided tours, which are excellent ways for families to learn about London's history and culture.
From playing soccer in Barcelona to touring London Eye, Europe features activities for travelers of all ages and interests. If interested , click here to know more.
1. What do Barcelona and Paris have in common?A.They offer guided tours. |
B.They are known for sports stadiums. |
C.They bring children into a world of imagination. |
D.They share the experience of street performance. |
A.Barcelona. | B.Paris. | C.Prague. | D.London. |
A.On a website. | B.In a magazine. | C.In a history book. | D.In a travel journal. |
5 . A tree planting initiative in Kenya has seen over 30,000 trees being planted. The Green Generation Initiative is a Kenyan charity that has been planting trees to counter climate change and the reduction in forest in the East African nation since 2016.
Founded by climate activist Elizabeth Wathuti, the initiative's primary focus is on developing young climate activists through environmental education in schools and addressing food insecurity in the region through planting fruit trees. Since its foundation, over 30,000 trees have been planted in Kenya, while thousands of school children have not just planted trees but adopted them to ensure that young people learn the importance of acting as a guardian of the health of the environment. The trees have recorded a survival rate of over 98 percent, as they continue growing from young trees to maturity.
Speaking to world leaders at the recent UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26),Elizabeth issued a serious warning about the threat of climate change: “Over two million of Kenyans are facing climaterelated starvation. In 2025, half of the world's population will be facing water shortage. By the time I'm 50, the climate crisis will displace over 80 million people in subSaharan Africa alone.”
Elizabeth said, “I have been doing what I can.Inspired by the great Wangari Maathai, I founded a tree growing initiative that enhances food security for young Kenyans. So far, we have grown 30,000 fruit trees, providing desperately needed nutrition for thousands of children.” “Every day we see that when we look after the trees, they look after us. We are the adults on this Earth right now, and it is our responsibility to ensure that the children have food and water, ”she added.
1. What is the initiative intended for?A.Making policies. |
B.Raising money. |
C.Educating adults. |
D.Fighting climate change. |
A.Hunger. | B.Sickness. |
C.Water shortage. | D.Economic risks. |
A.Over 3,000 trees have been planted. |
B.Green awareness has been raised. |
C.Over 80 million people have been saved. |
D.School education has been guaranteed. |
A.Friendly and talented. |
B.Caring and responsible. |
C.Honest and determined. |
D.Ambitious and humorous. |
6 . My mother has always been one of those rare people that sees the good in everyone and does good things. She’s had her ups and downs but has always
One day, my little sister fell and hurt her ankle, desperately needing a
While waiting for my sister to be examined, my mother
Realizing that the phone was
I’ve often thought about her
A.tolerated | B.anticipated | C.maintained | D.expressed |
A.patient | B.helpful | C.honest | D.polite |
A.rest | B.stay | C.lift | D.visit |
A.cut | B.shifted | C.looked | D.stuck |
A.rush | B.way | C.relief | D.process |
A.come along | B.keep in line | C.make up | D.get in touch |
A.made | B.felt | C.picked | D.gave |
A.found | B.returned | C.collected | D.charged |
A.smart | B.ready | C.convenient | D.broken |
A.different | B.ancient | C.extra | D.rare |
A.luck | B.phones | C.change | D.chances |
A.opportunity | B.decision | C.appointment | D.encounter |
A.simply | B.suddenly | C.obviously | D.gradually |
A.thoughtful | B.grateful | C.hopeful | D.successful |
A.hard-won | B.newly-built | C.well-placed | D.deeply-rooted |
7 . Many economists predict 2024 will be the time shoppers tighten their belts. That doesn’t mean people will stop spending, say retail (零售) analysts. But it will change what they choose to buy. With a slowing job market, global consumers are likely to move away from more high-priced purchases and focus instead on smaller, less expensive treats.
The economic uncertainty means that consumers are becoming more discriminating about their purchases, says Ethan Chermofsky, senior vice president of marketing at intelligence platform Placer. ai. “There are the things we decide are necessary, and then there’s another category of things that aren’t necessary but that we consider affordable luxuries, he says. This desire for these “affordable luxuries” is common in difficult economic times. Some economists refer to the phenomenon as the “lipstick index”: a small economic increase led by budget-minded consumers seeking out relatively affordable splurges (挥霍), like small cosmetics (化妆品).
Analysts at Deloitte say consumers will spend on little luxuries like specialty coffees and snacks as well. Additionally, stressed-out shoppers are prioritizing small splurge purchases for wellness and personal care.
As retailers see shoppers turning to little luxuries, they’re offering more and more of them. Target, for example, has staked a flag in what they refer to as “affordable joy”, which includes a selection of self-care and cosmetic products, along with wellness-centric beauty products. Beyond diversifying their offerings, stores are also bringing in luxury-feeling products at lower price points to appeal to more consumers.
Ethan says not every shopper will shift their spending to little luxuries-but even those who are still longing for the “must-haves” of social media will also look to get a deal. They want the feeling of purchasing lower-priced affordable treats. To get these goods, shoppers are likely to tap into the re-sale market for designer items at a more reasonable price. They want things that make them feel good about themselves-they just want to do it without breaking the bank.
1. What can affordable luxuries be?A.Inexpensive daily necessities. | B.High-end products. |
C.Reasonably-priced designer items. | D.High-priced purchases. |
A.The strategies retailers use. | B.The joy businesses offer. |
C.The competition stores face. | D.The products consumers buy. |
A.Social-media deals. | B.World-famous brands. |
C.Second-hand bargains. | D.Budget-friendly pleasures. |
A.Lipstick Index: Where Does It Lead Us? | B.Must-have Treats: A Future Spending Trend |
C.Affordable Joy: Will We Fall Into The Trap? | D.Little Luxuries: A Driving Force Behind Consumption |
8 . “Is this making us old or keeping us young?” my husband asked as he lifted the three heavy backpacks from the canoe.
“I don’t know,” I replied. The heat and mosquitoes were getting to me, and I was wondering whether we were crazy to have started a canoe trip during the hottest week of the summer. But even in fall, our canoe trips—while certainly cooler—are no easier.
I’ve always loved getting away from civilization to enjoy the peace of nature, to be on a news blackout (封锁) and to reflect on the past year and the year to come, which is why we’ve been doing this regularly for most of the 38 years we’ve been together.
Now as we’re getting older, it’s getting harder—aching knees, aching feet and aching backs. So, we’re changing our habits. Instead of extreme white-water trips in the far north, we’re going on lake trips closer by. Instead of pulling on the heavy pack myself and rising from a sitting position, my husband lifts it up while I thread my arms through the belts. Along the way, I might stop to admire the green plants beside the path or feel the soft surfaces of the moss, and my husband is usually waiting at the other end, wondering why it’s taken me so long. During the night, we no longer stay up late to see the stars. Instead, we now get into the tent by 9 p.m.—exhausted after one day’s hard work—and drift into sleep listening to birds’ sorrowful call.
Over the years, my canoe-tripping experience has evolved to focus less on the physical and more on the abstract things. Like a solar battery, I store up the energy I absorb from the forest, rocks and waters to help me through the rest of the year. The rhythm of paddling becomes a process of deep thinking rather than an endurance test.
“How long can we continue doing this?” asked my husband at the end of the last trip.
“I don’t know,” I answered, but inside, I thought, “As long as our bodies and minds hold out, I hope forever.”
1. According to the passage, the author and her husband’s canoe trips ______.A.were difficult to complete |
B.made the couple crazy |
C.made the couple look younger than their age |
D.became dangerous because of the summer heat |
A.the stars are not beautiful any more |
B.birds’ night call is more attractive now |
C.their habits have changed over the years |
D.they are too tired to do the same things |
A.Do extreme white-water trips. | B.Go on a trip to a nearby lake. |
C.Bring the heavy pack themselves. | D.Catch birds in the darkness. |
A.An Unforgettable Trip | B.My Trip with My Husband |
C.Life Is a Hard Trip | D.Love for Canoe Trips |
9 . In a recent email to an old friend, I mentioned that our family planned on taking our four-week road trip in our motor home. My friend emailed back and said he thought I was very “brave” to set out on such an adventure with two young children (aged two and five). I laughed when I read his email and wondered if he knew how much he was missing out on by giving up the idea of such a fun RV (旅行房车) trip with one5s family.
My husband and I have been “RVing” for over ten years. When we first started traveling, we certainly had some troubles that were not so funny at the time but seem to be funny now. We forgot our pillows and failed to cook dinner on an outdoor grill for lack of a flashlight. Then we decided to make our dinner in the motor home but could not get the oven lit! So we went to bed a little hungrier than we had planned!
However, that’s nothing compared with the amazing natural wonders we experienced during our RV trips. In addition, we have discovered a new world of family fun and family bonding. We saw the Grand Canyon when our son was only six months old. We play games inside and : out, walk together, talk together, read, solve puzzles, and enjoy music and movies. We have got used to doing things with one another. Our kids love to pick out good, old-fashioned postcards to send off via snail mail to different family members on every trip.
As our world gets more and more overloaded with cell phones, texting, emails and video games, our family sticks more and more tightly to the wonderfully simple idea of unplugging electronic devices for a while and jumping into the seat to take a trip in our motor home. Then we come home with fun pictures of our wandering, and we’re able to build special memories for our kids. Now we want to spread the word and tell families of all kinds what enjoyment can be had from packing up for a trip in the RV.
1. What did the author’s old friend think of her travel plan?A.A family trip should not last for too long. |
B.A family RV trip might bring unexpected troubles. |
C.It was wise of her to let children experience RV trips. |
D.It was a good opportunity to teach children to be brave. |
A.It was a pleasant experience. | B.It was ruined by bad weather. |
C.They didn’t prepare well for it. | D.They lost many things during it. |
A.They learnt how to solve problems. | B.They built a closer family relationship. |
C.They developed a great love for nature. | D.They fell in love with adventure travels. |
A.To show how to make RV trips interesting. |
B.To encourage kids to take part in RV trips. |
C.To advise families to take RV trips together. |
D.To share an unforgettable traveling experience. |
10 . More excited than ever, Benjamin Giroux, a 10-year- old boy with autism (自闭症), came home from school on April 7. To celebrate National Poetry Month, his fifth-grade teacher asked her students to write a poem about themselves and every sentence should begin with an “I”.
Benjamin couldn’t wait to start writing his poem, so he sat down and didn’t look up until he finished it. He showed the poem to his parents, who immediately choked up.
“I am odd (奇怪的). I am new. ” Benjamin wrote in the poem. “I wonder if you are too. I hear voices in the air. I see you don’t and that’s not fair. I feel like a boy in outer space. I touch the stars and feel out of place.”
“At first, we feel hurt that he feels lonely, misunderstood and odd at school,” Mr Giroux said. “As the poem goes on, we realize that he understands that he’s odd and that so is everyone else in their own way. This is what Benjamin wants everyone to know.”
Benjamin was supposed to read his poem aloud to the class the following day, but upon waking up that morning, he refused to go to school and stayed at home. He didn’t think his poem was any good, so his dad posted it on the Internet in the hope of getting some encouraging comments from families and friends. When the National Autism Association saw the poem, they posted it on their page, where thousands of strangers shared how much the poem inspired them. The family has heard from hundreds of parents thanking Benjamin for showing how their own kids may be feeling at school.
1. Why did Benjamin feel excited on April 7?A.He wrote a good poem. | B.He was praised at school. |
C.He had a poem to finish. | D.He had good news to share. |
A.Touched. | B.Worried. | C.Surprised. | D.Sad. |
A.Everyone has odd hobbies. | B.Everyone is odd as they are. |
C.Everyone is worth respecting. | D.Everyone has their own lifestyle. |
A.It received many thanks. |
B.It caused a heated debate. |
C.It was read aloud in his class. |
D.It changed parents’ ideas about raising kids. |