3 . Glass marble playing, dating psychology, Harry Potter and genetics, life and death ... Chinese universities have started setting up innovative new courses. In these classes, students are able to learn knowledge through vivid examples and group work, making learning fun.

For example, at Tianjin University, the most popular elective course is dating psychology, which is in high demand all the time. Jin Yangbo, 18, enrolled in the course this school year. “This course is very scientific,” said Jin. “It doesn’t straight away start with techniques on how to date, but instead guide s us to learn more about ourselves, our family and our attachment styles.”

What made Jin impressive was the group discussion on the differences between how men and women think. “I hadn’t realized that there were that many differences between men and women in emotional expression,” Jin said.

Wang Xiaoling, the professor of the course, applied to make dating psychology an elective course in 2019. “I do psychological counseling on campus and have noticed a rising need among students to have professional relationship guidance,” said Wang. “I think theoretical knowledge and practice are both essential in relationships,” Wang said. “Many university students haven’t developed a healthy view toward relationships. When they encounter problems, many of them don’t have a good system for handling consequences.”

In the course, Wang has covered topics like “why some people tend to please others in relationships”, “how to handle conflicts” and “how to get over a person after breaking up”. “I also asked them to do group presentations and papers on these topics, so that they can explore themselves in an active way.”

In the future, Wang and the university want to start a video channel on social media so they can help more young people all over China. “We will design the course based on current situations so that the knowledge is more up-to-date,” Wang said.

1. Which of the following best describes the elective courses?

A．Easy and fun.	B．Creative and hands-on.
C．Serious and complicated.	D．Scientific and interesting.

2. What impressed Jin most about the course?

A．Techniques on how to date.	B．Its emphasis on self-awareness.
C．The lesson on attachment.	D．A discussion on gender differences.

3. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．Wang’s views on relationships.

B．The origin of the dating psychology course.

C．The purpose of the dating psychology course.

D．Problems with how students deal with relationships.

4. What does Wang plan to do?

A．Make the course more accessible.	B．Do counseling on social media.
C．Include difficult topics in the course.	D．Adapt content for different age groups.

4 . I had always looked forward to the day when I would finally apply as a delegate at a Model United Nations (MUN) conference. Therefore, you can imagine my excitement when I finally traveled to Belgium to participate in the 2023 MUN conference this March.

The conference was held on March 7-11. Despite the horrible weather throughout our stay, I still found the city extremely attractive due to its cobblestone streets, Gothic monuments and amazing lighting in the evenings. Meanwhile, the delegate’s fee covered lunches for four days, welcoming and closing receptions, a traditional Belgian dinner, a theme party and a gala night.

I was designated to represent Poland in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which turned out to be an unexpectedly unified and efficient committee. We managed to pass the communique to combat hybrid warfare and improve cooperation between NATO allies (盟友).

In the beginning, I felt intimidated by how passionate my fellow delegates were. As a first-timer, I was really confused and felt hesitant to speak up. I only started to enjoy acting my part as a diplomat on the second day. From there, things just got better and better. I got a bit ill at the end of the conference, however, so I couldn’t enjoy the conference to its fullest potential.

Even so, it is without a doubt that those days in Belgium definitely opened a new chapter in my MUN journey! It made me realize how fruitful MUN simulations are. Through the MUN conference, you will surely improve your public speaking skills massively and gain so many good friends, many of whom you will likely stay in touch with for the rest of your life. It is for these reasons that I have fallen in love with Leuven, that magical city.

1. What did the author like about Leuven?

A．The streetscape.	B．Delicious food.
C．Its rich history.	D．The friendly locals.

2. What was the author’s experience in the committee at the MUN conference?

A．She helped pass several resolutions.	B．She spent most of her time socializing.
C．She found the committee productive.	D．She struggled to get her ideas across.

3. What does the underlined word “intimidated” in the second-to-last paragraph most probably mean?

A．Inspired.

B．Frightened.

C．Touched.

D．Excited.

4. What is the author’s overall opinion of the MUN conference?

A．It is too challenging for first-timers.

B．It is a good way to improve negotiation skills.

C．It is a valuable experience for personal growth.

D．It offers a great chance to learn about other cultures.

7 . Most of us have some sort of bucket list—a checklist of experiences and accomplishments we hope to achieve before our time here on earth is up. When we think of how to improve our lives, our first urge is generally to add things: I’d be happier if my career were going better. Everything would be different if I could find a good relationship. There is only one problem with this approach—science suggests it tends to have the opposite result.

A mountain of researches show that when you reach your goals, they’re likely to only bring you momentary joy. After a brief high, dissatisfaction creeps in and we start to long for the next thing on the list. How do you get off this problem and find lasting peace of mind? Brooks offers a simple, practical suggestion: Swap your traditional bucket list for something he calls a “reverse bucket list.”

“Each year on my birthday, I list my wants and attachments—the stuff that fits under the categories of money, power, pleasure and honor. I try to be completely honest,” he writes. Next, Brooks sits down and lists what his life would be like in five years if he were truly happy and successful—if he were living up to his values and experiencing a sense of psychological peace. The final step is to compare the two lists side by side. Would those things he longs for actually bring him closer to his vision of the good life?

If an item is on your bucket list because it lines up with your deepest desires and values, keep it. If it’s there to impress the neighbors or feed a vague and strong need for “success”, onto the reverse bucket list it goes.

When scientists ask people to solve problems of all kinds, their first urge is to add elements. They think a new feature, additional rule or extra ingredient will improve the final outcome. But recent research shows that subtraction (减法) is often the better one.

1. What is a problem probably caused when you achieve your goals?

A．You will be eaten up with pride.

B．Your confidence will be boosted overly.

C．You will be unwilling to achieve the next goal.

D．Your temporary happiness will give way to discontent.

2. What’s the difference between the traditional and the reverse bucket list?

A．Whether the items on the list are listed honestly.

B．Whether the items on the list can bring you glory.

C．Whether the items on the list can be achieved.

D．Whether the items on the list are consistent with your beliefs.

3. According to Brooks, which of the following will be classified into the reverse bucket list?

A．Buying a more luxurious villa than a friend’s.

B．Keeping on working out regularly to keep fit.

C．Serving the community to keep mentally peaceful.

D．Studying abroad for further education to realize self-value.

4. What is a suitable title for the text?

A．The Barrier of Happiness: A Rule of Subtraction

B．The Secret to Happiness: A Reverse Bucket List

C．The Block to Happiness: A Traditional Bucket List

D．The Truth of Happiness: A Checklist of Achievements

8 . It’s not polite to stare, especially in the hospital. But nearly everyone who passes Moxi, the robot at Elmhurst Hospital in Elmhurst, Illinois, can’t help but goggle at it as it slowly rolls through hallways and corridors. The robot is roughly human-shaped, stands about 5 feet tall and perhaps most strikingly, has his big blue eyes that occasionally blink.

For months, Moxi robots have been travelling the halls of Chicago-area hospitals. They deliver medication, supplies and small pieces of equipment across the facilities. “With the staffing shortage, we’re always looking for ways to take no-clinical tasks away from the clinical staff, especially repetitive tasks,” said Dr. Kimberley Darey, Elmhurst chief medical officer. She noted that Moxi does not work with patients. The idea behind the robots is to give nurses more time with patients and perform higher level care.

When nurses want to use Moxi, they can summon (召唤) the robot by entering a request into an app on a tablet, similar to the way a person might request an Uber ride. When the robot arrives, a nurse or worker then holds their badge (工作证) up to a detector, which allows the worker to open any of the three drawers on the robot, and the nurse can place medication, supplies or equipment into a drawer. Moxi then scoots away. When Moxi arrives at its destination, a written message appears on its face screen. A nurse can then flash their badge at Moxi’s detector, prompting the drawer to unlock so the nurse can retrieve the delivery.

Each month, the two Moxi robots at Elmhurst Hospital perform about 1, 800 deliveries. At first, when Moxi arrived at Elmhurst, some of the nurses were nervous, said Heather Johnson, a nurse and clinical leader at the hospital. But after a successful trial run, nurses began to feel more optimistic about the robot’s usefulness. What’s more, at Elmhurst Hospital, patients often grin as Moxi rolls by, and some even stop to take selfies with it.

1. Why do people passing Moxi robot stare at it?

A．Out of interest.

B．Out of mercy.

C．Out of kindness.

D．Out of necessity.

2. What’s the purpose of introducing Moxi robots into hospital?

A．To entertain patients and medical workers.

B．To cut down expense by replacing nurses.

C．To take medical tasks away from medical workers.

D．To free nurses up to spend more time with patients.

3. What is paragraph 3 of the text mainly about?

A．When Moxi robots are wanted.	B．How Moxi robots are operated.
C．How Moxi robots are summoned.	D．Why Moxi robots are needed.

4. What is the author’s attitude towards Moxi robots?

A．Dismissive.

B．Indifferent.

C．Favourable.

D．Suspicious.

9 . Lying in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, the fishing village Huatulco is home to nine bays, 36 beaches and thousands of baby turtles that apparently needed me. I had three open days on my calendar, and a desire to save some turtles. And so, away I went to Huatulco with Wildcoast, a group of champions-for-change who were protecting coastal and marine ecosystem in the U. S. and Mexico.

I was taken to La Escobilla to experience Wildcoast in action. Just one hour north of Huatulco, this protected beach is where mass turtle nesting happens. This natural phenomenon lasts just four days during rainy season, hundreds of thousands of female sea turtles swinging their way ashore to lay their eggs.

Between threats of dogs, crabs, development and oil spills, the little creatures have the whole world against them. As recently as 2002, turtles hunting was not only a common practice, but an important part of the culture and diet in the Oaxaca communities. Luckily, Wildcoast rescues turtle eggs and recreates habitats by monitoring temperatures and humidity. Thanks to their efforts, the sea turtles have made a major comeback, with now over 72 million turtles being born on the beaches that Wildcoast protects.

I got to hold 50 of the tiny creatures in a bowl. Despite an average laying of 100 eggs, just one in 1, 000 baby turtles will make it to adulthood. Gazing into the bowl, I so badly wanted them to taste the sea and find shelter somewhere deep in the ocean. Finally, it was time to liberate those little creatures. Out spilled the creatures, some moving full steam ahead while others barely paddled in place. Literally, hundreds of them began to spread out across the beach.

With each set of waves, we witnessed the survival of the fittest, some pushing past the whitewash while others crashed back to shore. Their fight for life made my eyes wet. A flock of birds were ready to dive into the sea for their moving targets. “One in 1, 000.” Nature was cruel and compassionate at the same time. After 30 long minutes, the last creature made his way to the sea.

1. The baby turtles are threatened by various factors except ________.

A．the cruel hunters	B．the rapid development
C．the extreme weather	D．the oil-polluted ocean

2. What do the underlined words “full steam ahead” in paragraph 4 mean?

A．With slow pace and fear.	B．With all energy and enthusiasm.
C．With full caution and curiosity.	D．With great satisfaction and responsibility.

3. What does the author indicate by mentioning “One in 1,000” in the last paragraph?

A．One baby turtle in 1,000 can make his way to the sea.

B．Thousands of baby turtles were crashed back to shore.

C．The struggle of baby turtles for life touched the author.

D．Baby turtles can hardly survive the harsh living conditions.

4. What can we learn from the author’s experience in saving baby turtles?

A．Think twice before you leap.	B．God helps those who help themselves.
C．Cease to struggle and you cease to live.	D．When the buying stops, the killing can too.

10 . I recently visited California’s most-visited national park—Yosemite. Turns out, there is a lot you can do and see over a couple days. Here’s my suggested route, if you decide to make a quick weekend trip to see Yosemite’s wonders.

Day 1, Saturday

6 a. m. : Hike the Four Mile Trail to Glacier Point. The 9. 6-mile round trip will take six to eight hours with rest stops, so plan accordingly. Leave early to beat the heat and enjoy the sunrise.

Pro tip: Don’t forget to look down-the view of the valley is truly jaw-dropping.

1 p. m. : Hike to Vernal Fall. If you’re looking for lunch, a tasty and efficient spot is Curry Village Pizza Deck. Plus, your next adventure is on the Mist Trail from nearby Happy Isles for a quick 1. 6-mile round-trip visit to Vemal Fall. It’s a nice cool-down hike after your morning workout and offers easy access to year-round falls.

4 p. m. : Learn some history at Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. Every national park visit requires a stop at the visitor center to learn about park’s history and main features. Here, you can check out the Yosemite Village as well, but the real secret is the free bike share program. Download the app and grab a pair of wheels here for your evening exploration.

Day 2, Sunday

6 a. m. : Drive up the picturesque Tioga Road. While your feet are recovering from yesterday’s mileage, take a leisurely drive up Tioga Road. Along the 45 miles to Tenaya Lake, take photos at the many viewpoints, but especially at Olmsted Point, which has a less-visited but very cool perspective on Half Dome. Have breakfast or lunch alongside the blue waters of Yosemite’s largest lake before heading back toward the valley.

3 p. m. : Complete your trip with a visit to Yosemite Climbing Museum in Mariposa. At a last stop, visit the charming historical town of Mariposa to check out the long-overdue Yosemite Climbing Museum opened in 2021. The famous climbing history displayed in the museum gave me a new appreciation for Yosemite, a place I can’t wait to return to.

1. Which of the following does the author suggest visiting in the morning?

A．Vernal Fall.

B．Yosemite Village.

C．Tenaya Lake.

D．Climbing Museum.

2. According to the author, the best thing to do at Yosemite Valley Visitor Center is __________.

A．cycling for evening exploration	B．learning about park’s history
C．going around the Yosemite Village	D．downloading the free bike share app

3. Why is Olmsted Point a good place to take photos?

A．Because it’s a less-visited place but with picturesque scenery.

B．Because it’s a place offering a better view of Half Dome.

C．Because it’s a rest stop for visitors to have breakfast or lunch.

D．Because it’s not such a place that is flooded with visitors taking photos.