1 . When Mark Twain visited Florence (佛罗伦萨) in 1867, he dutifully visited the city’s museums, churches, and tombs. But as he stood by the Arno, he began to sense the Italians’ insistence that it was a river, not a stream. “They all call it a river, and they honestly think it is a river, do these dark and bloody Florentines,” he complained, “I might enter Florence under happier circumstances a month hence and find it all beautiful, all attractive. But I do not care to think of it now, at all.”

It’s normal to feel uncomfortable outside your home culture. Feelings of discomfort, dislocation, and overload among travelers are referred to by many as “culture shock.” But Susan Goldstein, a professor at the University of Redlands says, “Though the term has existed for many years, ‘Culture shock’ implies a dramatic,unexpected, negative event. Though many travelers will experience such challenges, a real sense of ‘shock’ is untypical. So untypical that many researchers no longer use the term.”

It was the vivid description of culture shock by Canadian researcher Oberg, written in 1960 in response to his own multicultural experiences, that won over audiences. The researcher spoke of the adjustment process as “an occupational disease of people who have suddenly been transplanted abroad” — a “disease” that progressed from a honeymoon phase, through rejecting the new environment, to finally adjusting fully to it. By the 1970s many researchers adopted the idea that, like physical illnesses, culture shock progressed through a remarkably consistent and universal set of stages.

Modern research, however, suggests that the experiences of adaptation are individual, not universal. “People will have their ups and downs, but for the most part, they will become increasingly comfortable and competent over time,” Goldstein says. And while many connect the causes of culture shock to the host culture itself, an individual’s internal expectations and differences are just as important.

As for Mark Twain, the moody author was able to ride out his feelings of upset and dislocation while traveling. He eventually finished out his European tour - and in his bestselling travel memoir The Innocents Abroad, famously remarked that travel is “fatal to prejudice and narrow-mindedness.” With the right attitude - and the willingness to seek help if you need it - it’s more than likely that you, too, can adapt and grow in new settings, building new memories-and toughness - with each new stamp in your passport.

1. How did Mark Twain feel about Italians’ insistence?

A．Annoyed.

B．Calm.

C．Uninterested.

D．Curious.

2. What can be inferred about culture shock?

A．It would lead to physical diseases.

B．It was regarded as an avoidable thing.

C．It was named for people’s adjustment.

D．It had gained wide acceptance by the 1970s.

3. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．Suggestions about culture shock.

B．A change in understanding culture shock.

C．Stress of the importance of culture shock.

D．A criticism of previous idea of culture shock.

4. Why is Mark Twain mentioned in the last paragraph?

A．To remember him.	B．To inform and anticipate.
C．To conclude and encourage.	D．To make the ending humorous.

2 . Travelling seemed like falsehood to me. I grew tired of backpackers expressing too much praise about how petting a baby elephant in Thailand “transformed” them. Globe-traveling to me held no more promise than finding a few bills in the pocket of an old coat. I needed something deeper than an Eat, Play, Love moment.

One day, Vasilis, my Greek best friend, reminded me of our decade-old promise: after our final exams, I would visit his hometown in Athens. Maybe, it was time to make good on that promise.

I finally boarded the plane. Vasilis picked me up at the airport. I smiled, thinking how improbable this moment seemed all those years ago.

The decade-long wait proved to be well worth it. Every step through the ancient streets revealed new wonders. However, none of them truly mattered. What would forever alter my perception of travel was a chance encounter with a local.

Vasilis and I were wandering Athens when a special sound caught our attention — a rhythmic clinking disturbing the quietness of the residential street. Curiously, we followed the sound to a humble workshop. Inside, a welder (焊工) gave no mind to our presence behind him. He wore no flashy protective suit — this was just another day for him, another dance with fire and metal that had become second nature. Under the sunshade, his orange cat rested in the comforting warmth...

As the man continued welding, I felt a bit of envy. I envied his peace and contentment. I admired the simplicity he embodied. I imagined the welder happy, finding fulfillment in his craft (手艺) and returning to his loving family...The moment moved me to tears. Leaving the workshop, rain blending with tears, I realized how easily life’s poetry could pass unnoticed.

Home again in Montreal, I stop simply pursuing better things, better experiences and better people that are never grasped. I realize the real journey is inward — to appreciate life’s ordinary magic. That sure beats petting any baby elephant. I may not have returned home “transformed,” but I’ll always think of the welder and his cat.

1. Which aspect of travelling makes the author feel uneasy?

A．Shortage of adequate funds.	B．Discomfort in dietary habits.
C．Overstatement of travel’s effects.	D．Danger of petting baby animals.

2. What drove the author to go to Athens?

A．Meeting a commitment.	B．Exploring a unique landscape.
C．Receiving further education.	D．Escaping from the current life.

3. What does the underlined word “poetry” in paragraph 6 probably refer to?

A．Poems written by masters.	B．Peace and simplicity.
C．Spirit of craftsmanship.	D．Special sound in the street.

4. Which of the following can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Friendship Lasts Forever	B．Travelling Shapes a Better Self
C．Pursuit of Happiness Never Stops	D．The Ordinary Makes Extraordinary

6 . Four beautiful trips combining bikes and trains

Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail (小径)

The trail is an 87-mile pathway from Cleveland to Bolivar in Northeast Ohio. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) stretches out separately along the trail from Akron to Thornburg Station, a 31-mile stretch that passes through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The trail hugs the outline of the original Ohio and Erie Canal. Today, the trail passes many landmarks, including bridges, museums, and villages.

Danube Cycle Path

It is a path that follows the Danube River for about 745 miles, from Donaueschingen, Germany to Budapest, Hungary. The path is most popular in Austria featuring 245 scenic miles serviced by local and long-distance trains. Most cyclists choose to ride from west to cast with the flow of the river, to take advantage of the natural slope (斜坡) of bicycle traffic.

Lehigh Gorge Rail Trail

The trail extends for 25 miles through woodlands next to the Lehigh Rive. A historic tourist railway called the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway follows the trail, allowing cyclists to create a one- way ride rather than backtracking. The rail trail is mostly flat and passes through Lehigh Gorge State Park. While the train operates most days, the bike service is only offered one weekend a month from May to November.

Cinder Track

The Cinder Track is a 21-mile broken-stone pathway along the coast of Yorkshire, England: The towns of Scarborough and Whitby, where the trail begins and ends, both have train stations near the trail. The train journey is not a direct pathway between the two towns—in fact, the tracks of the original direct pathway were removed to create the trail. The trail, meanwhile, hugs the Yorkshire coast, with views of seaside bluffs (峭壁), fishing villages, etc.

1. What is special about the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail?

A．It offers a chance to visit museums.

B．It goes past many cities and villages.

C．It shares most of its trail with CVSR.

D．It provides cyclists with a view of the sea.

2. What’s the disadvantage of the Lehigh Gorge Rail Trail for cyclists?

A．The numerous sharp slope.	B．The extremely rough path.
C．The connection with a railway.	D．The time limit of bike service.

3. Which of the following covers the longest distance?

A．The Cinder Track.	B．The Danube Cycle Path.
C．The Lehigh Gorge Rail Trail.	D．The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail.

7 . In the middle of a conversation, your brain might skip ahead, anticipating the words that the other person will say. Amazingly, out of all the thousands of possibilities — your conversational partner will arrive at the same word you have been thinking of.

How does the brain do this? Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M. I. T.) researchers brought a new approach to the question using a technique called integrative modeling. They examined models based on 43 artificial neural networks — a machine-learning algorithm (算法) that consists of millions of interconnected nodes, similar to neurons in the brain. As they claim, this study marks the first time that a machine-learning algorithm has been matched to brain data to explain the workings of a high-level cognitive (认知的) task.

The researchers discovered that models that excel at guessing the next word are also best at anticipating brain activity patterns. This was especially true for processing single sentences and short paragraphs. The models were significantly worse at predicting words or human responses when it came to longer blocks of text. None of the other tasks reflected what was going on in the brain. The researchers argue this is strong evidence that next-word prediction plays a key role in understanding language.

“I’m super impressed by what the team achieved,” says Noah Goodman, a psychologist at Stanford. But he adds that he suspects that the data are not sufficient to explain how people obtain meaning from language. Despite these reservations, Goodman says the method is “still vastly better than anything we’ve had in the past.”

While neural networks more generally are only rough resemblances to the brain, their role in helping us understand our own mind may be substantial. The approach used by the M. I. T. team demonstrates that neural network s might, in fact, be critical tools in providing insight into the great mystery of how the brain processes information of all kinds.

1. What is special about the M. I. T. study?

A．They examined many different neural networks.

B．They designed a new machine-learning algorithm.

C．They used neural networks to predict the next word.

D．They compared neural network s with brain data.

2. When can neural network s best predict how the brain works?

A．Predicting the next word.	B．Responding to new words.
C．Analyzing one sentence.	D．Processing a long passage.

3. What is Goodman’s attitude towards the M. I. T.research?

A．Doubtful.

B．Favorable.

C．Tolerant.

D．Unclear.

4. What is talked about concerning neural networks in the last paragraph?

A．Their potential.	B．Their limitation.
C．Their features.	D．Their principles.

8 . Scarcity is a common condition of human existence. Everyday circumstances of limited resources can make individuals experience a sense of scarcity. Scarcity functions like an obstacle to goal pursuit, which intensify the value of goal.

Scarcity prioritizes our choices and it can make us more effective. The time pressure of a deadline focuses our attention on using what we have most effectively. When we have little time left, we try to get more out of every moment. For example, we are more frugal with the toothpaste as the tube starts to run empty, and college seniors tend to get the most out of their time before graduation.

Many stores strategically create perception of scarcity to motivate consumer behavior. For example, the pricing practice of limiting number of items per person can lead to increased sales. The sign implies that the items are in short supply and the fear of missing out can have a powerful effect on shoppers.

For an item that is attractive to begin with, its attractiveness will intensify when it is scarce. For instance, warning labels on violent television programs, designed to decrease interest, often backfire and increase in watching the programs.

The scarcity effect explains why shyness often is considered an attractive attribute? Experts say that “playing hard to get” is a most effective strategy for attracting a partner, especially in the context of long-term love. A “hard to get” player likes to appear busy, create interest and keep the suitors guessing. However, playing hard to get is less effective in men, as they are the ones who are socially expected to initiate the relationship.

Scarcity also contributes to an interesting and a meaningful life. Scarcity shows that reminding individuals of the reality of death increases the value of life. Midlife often heightens the feeling that there is not enough time left in life to waste. We overcome the illusion (幻觉) that we can be anything, do anything, and experience everything. We restructure our lives around the needs that are essential.

1. What does the underlined word “frugal” in paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Economical.

B．Flexible.

C．Anxious.

D．Sensible.

2. Why do warning labels fail to stop people watching violent programs?

A．Because the programs have appealing openings.

B．Because there are few violent programs available.

C．Because the message on warning labels isn’t clear.

D．Because people want things that they cannot get.

3. Which of the following shows the effectiveness of the scarcity strategy?

A．A car company constantly launches new model cars.

B．A restaurant puts up a “two cans per person” poster.

C．A man pretends to be busy in front of his girlfriend.

D．A 50-year-old tries things he has never done before.

4. What is the purpose of the author in writing this passage?

A．To prove a theory.	B．To offer a solution.
C．To illustrate a phenomenon.	D．To challenge a concept.

9 . I have had no interest in football for as long as I can remember. While my classmates played, I _________ to stay in the library. I never _________ the passion for the game and would throw away the sports section of the newspaper, as if it _________ the rest of it. As I grew up, I proudly wore my _________ .

But occasionally, whether in a taxi or when meeting a friend's father, I found myself faced with a _________ opener like, “Terrible season we’re having, eh?” or simply, “Who do you support?” My heart sank, knowing my response would unavoidably _________ them, despite their good intentions.

I realized that my _________ had closed off many conversations, outings, and even potential friendships I might have _________ enjoyed. Although I couldn't change the fact that I found football boring, I began to regret being a(n) _________ .

Then I became a father. I didn’t want my boy to __________ this valuable social experience, so I took him to watch the Lions play. During those matches, we sat close to the field, surrounded by families who had a genuine __________ with the players. My kid’s questions kept me somewhat __________ in the game. Slowly, I started to__________ for the Lions.

During one victorious match, we even met David, the Captain, who happily __________ for a photo with my son. __________, I had an answer to the question,“Who do you support?”

1.

A．preferred

B．intended

C．wished

D．pretended

2.

A．believed

B．understood

C．noticed

D．hid

3.

A．confused

B．poisoned

C．defended

D．preserved

4.

A．doubt

B．smile

C．confidence

D．dislike

5.

A．well-informed

B．well-prepared

C．well-meant

D．well-presented

6.

A．challenge

B．disturb

C．amuse

D．disappoint

7.

A．attitude

B．personality

C．interest

D．habit

8.

A．otherwise

B．ever

C．still

D．therefore

9.

A．loser

B．fan

C．outsider

D．passer-by

10.

A．go wild for

B．turn away from

C．get the hang of

D．miss out on

11.

A．agreement

B．conversation

C．competition

D．connection

12.

A．stressed

B．engaged

C．successful

D．busy

13.

A．cheer

B．change

C．vote

D．play

14.

A．danced

B．waved

C．posed

D．clapped

15.

A．Gradually

B．Finally

C．Unexpectedly

D．Luckily

10 . Tessa Lidstone remembers the last meals she cooked before she had to close her restaurant Box-E for the first lockdown. “Everything was slipping away and beyond our control.”

With the restaurant closed, Lidstone got to thinking about how other people might be coping. “I felt isolated,” she says, “but I was so lucky: I had my husband and kids with me. I thought about all the people without a support network and how awful it must be to not have contact with anyone.”

Lidstone saw a callout from a collective of Bristol restaurants called the Bristol Food Union. They were looking for volunteers to help put together boxes of emergency food for the elderly living alone. “I’d love doing that to give my life purpose,” says Lidstone.

“It was originally going to be for two weeks. But it just grew from there.” In her first week, Lidstone put together boxes for 100 people: pasta, bread and milk, but also fruit and vegetables. By the second week, she was organizing packages for 250 people.

The government provided funding and most suppliers were more than willing to help. “They were so generous,” she says. “If I ordered milk, bread and butter, they’d donate fruit and vegetables as well. It meant I could make the money go further.”

Lidstone put her restaurant training to good use, creating a weekly recipe card to go in each box. She also videoed herself making the meal and posted it online. “It was basic home cooking,” she says. By week three, Lidstone was thinking bigger: “If there were any birthdays coming up, I arranged something extra for the persons.”

By then, the scale of Lidstone’s operation had become a bit overwhelming. Staff from the restaurant and Lidstone’s children helped out. In all, Lidstone and her team delivered 2,500 boxes over 16 weeks. “It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by a situation,” she said, “and think you can’t do anything alone. But work together and we’ll make a difference.”

1. Why did Lidstone respond to the appeal of the Bristol Food Union?

A．To turn her restaurant Box-E from losses to profits.

B．To make herself feel less isolated in the lockdown.

C．To help lonely old people have access to free food.

D．To realize her self-worth and make life meaningful.

2. What can be learned from paragraphs 4 to 6?

A．Many suppliers helped offer her financial assistance.

B．Lidstone provided tailored service for special occasions.

C．The process of Lidstone’s work advanced as planned.

D．Lidstone taught cooking from door to door in person.

3. Which word best describes the impact of Lidstone’s deeds?

A．Far-reaching.

B．Predictable.

C．Short-lived.

D．Unidentifiable.

4. What message do Lidstone’s words in the last paragraph suggest?

A．Kindness can be passed on.	B．Many hands make light work.
C．One good turn deserves another.	D．Actions speak louder than words.