1 . Camille Mahlknecht, 9, has some big fun planned for this weekend. She and other residents of Agoura Hills, California, plan to pick up trash during their city’s annual cleanup. At the same time, Wissam Raed,12, will be busy volunteering too. Thousands of miles away in Lebanon, Wissam plans to put on a play at an orphanage and bring potted plants to elderly people at a senior citizen center.
Some other children like Nathan White, 10, have personal reasons for volunteering. Nathan’s grandmother died of a heart attack. To help raise money for medical research, Nathan participated in Jump Rope for Heart. He and five other boys took turns jumping rope for two and half hours and collected more than US$1200 in donations for the American Heart Association.
Millions of children around the globe lend a hand to their communities every year. Schools and parents also contribute to the rise in youth service. For example, many schools offer community service activities for students to join. Teachers either combine volunteer work with classroom lessons or make service work a requirement. Parents, on the other hand, encourage their kids to volunteer and do it with them.
Community service is particularly important in this depression time. As the need for monetary support and other aid has increased, many charitable organizations have experienced a significant drop in donations. Camille and other children who volunteer thousands of hours annually can fill in some of the gaps.
According to research, kids who start volunteering are twice as likely to continue doing good deeds when they are adults. So, grab a paintbrush, a trash bag, or whatever you need to help your community. You’ll love how you feel after helping others. Even dirty work can be lots of fun, if it’s for a good cause.
1. What’s the writer’s purpose of writing this passage?| A．To recommend youth service programs to schools. |
| B．To ask charity organizations to serve the community. |
| C．To urge children to take part in volunteering activities. |
| D．To propose alternatives for doing community services. |
| A．Community service is gaining popularity among children. |
| B．Families and schools help to make community service popular. |
| C．Children now depend more on their teachers than on their parents. |
| D．Nathan White had a special reason to raise money for medical research. |
| A．It raises money for school activities. |
| B．It teaches children to take care of the sick. |
| C．It gives charity organizations some needed help. |
| D．It encourages parents and teachers to work together. |
| A．Community service can help prevent juvenile delinquency (青少年犯罪)． |
| B．Children will probably leave school and work as volunteers. |
| C．Organizing sports events for the school is a kind of community service. |
| D．Children who do volunteer work are more likely to grow up to be caring adults. |
2 . Setting goals is common in our life. We look ahead, predict what may make us happy in the future, and then narrow down the things to something specific. For the most part, having goals is better than not having any, but there are also problems that come with spending an entire life living from goal to goal.
For one thing, we attempt to predict an unpredictable future. Who is to say that what you want next year is the same thing you want right now? What if what you want right now isn’t in the right direction over the long term?
Secondly, and just as importantly, you only confine your expectations of happiness and satisfaction to the goal you have set so that you often forget that other things in your life can also add just as much joy to your experience. This creates a strange conflict.
To solve this conflict, we have to move towards something more vague (模糊的). Going after interestingness, I think is what we should do. It’s vague enough to be honest about the unpredictability of the future.
Interestingness isn’t hedonism (快乐主义). It’s deeper than that. It’s taking on that random project you had no plan to take on because you have a feeling that you might just learn something you didn’t know about yourself. It’s seeing a person you just met not as a potential partner or someone who can do something for you but simply as someone who may open a new, unknown and unique world for you. Goals incorrectly assume that we already know what we want. Interestingness is more modest. It makes up its mind as it moves, slowly blowing from one thing to another, until it eventually grasps something that lies beyond prediction.
1. Setting goals is to predict an unpredictable future because __________.| A．it fails to reach our true potential |
| B．it proves meaningless in the long run |
| C．it may lead us to the opposite direction |
| D．it overlooks possible changes in our life |
| A．Devote. | B．Limit. | C．Deliver. | D．Compare. |
| A．Bringing us self satisfaction at once. |
| B．Improving our relationship with others. |
| C．Making us gain something unexpected. |
| D．Helping us successfully predict the future. |
3 . As a first-generation Asian immigrant (移民) who had grown up in poverty, I knew I was beyond
Still, something
That tiny poem was a
That night, I learned that art isn’t a
| A．innocent | B．fortunate | C．dependent | D．voluntary |
| A．bookworm | B．lawyer | C．artist | D．engineer |
| A．expect | B．regret | C．commit | D．refuse |
| A．bothered | B．inspired | C．stimulated | D．seized |
| A．given off | B．shown off | C．broken off | D．shaved off |
| A．unwillingly | B．cautiously | C．helplessly | D．simply |
| A．fancy | B．peaceful | C．starry | D．lonely |
| A．disappoint | B．upset | C．lose | D．desert |
| A．romance | B．seed | C．secret | D．reward |
| A．hesitated | B．resolved | C．declined | D．pretended |
| A．read | B．comprehended | C．narrated | D．published |
| A．award | B．praise | C．breakthrough | D．hit |
| A．necessity | B．luxury | C．game | D．reality |
| A．qualified | B．persevering | C．vigourous | D．creative |
| A．rescuing | B．recreating | C．recovering | D．reminding |
4 . Climbing, I once thought, was a very manly activity, but as I found my way into this activity, I came to see that something quite different happens on the rock.
Like wild swimming, rock climbing involves you into the landscape. On the rock, I am fully focused. Eyes pay close attention, ears are alert, and hands move across the surface. Unlike walking, where I could happily wander about absent-mindedly, in climbing, attentive observation is essential.
As an arts student studying English literature, I discovered a new type of reading from outdoor climbing. Going out on to the crags (悬崖), I saw how you could learn to read the rocks and develop a vocabulary of physical movements. Good climbers knew how to adjust their bodies on to the stone. Watching them, I wanted to possess that skillful “language”.
My progress happened when I worked for the Caingorms National Park Authority.Guiding my explorations into this strange new landscape was Nan Shepherd, a lady too. Unlike the goal-directed mindset of many mountaineers, she is not concerned with peaks or personal achievement. Shepherd sees the mountain as a total environment and she celebrates the Caingorms as a place alive with plants, rocks, animals and elements. Through her generous spirit and my own curiosity, I saw that rock climbing need not be a process of testing oneself against anything. Rather, the intensity of focus could develop a person into another way of being.
Spending so much time in high and st ony places has transformed my view on the world and our place in it. I have come into physical contact with processes that go way beyond the everyday. Working with gravity, geology (地质学), rhythms of weather and deep time, I gain an actual relationship with the earth. This bond lies at the heart of my passion for rock climbing. I return to the rocks, because this is where I feel in contact with our land.
1. What does the writer find important in climbing?| A．Balance. | B．Concentration. |
| C．Determination. | D．Perseverance. |
| A．Climbing goes together with nature. |
| B．Every mountain top is within reach. |
| C．The best climber is the one having fun. |
| D．You can not achieve high unless you change. |
| A．Time. | B．Transformation. | C．The world. | D．My view. |
| A．It challenges her to compete with men. |
| B．It allows her a unique attitude toward rock. |
| C．It teaches her how to possess a new language. |
| D．It makes her feel connected with the earth. |
5 . In the 19th century, an Arab physician known as Ibn Zuhr conducted some animal research to assess the surgical procedures that could be applicable to humans. Since then, animal testing has been considered to be the most efficient way to develop new drugs. New medical treatments and drugs are tested on animals first to determine their effectiveness or safety levels before they are finally tested on humans. However, it remains controversial whether it is morally right or wrong to use animals for medical or commercial experiments.
The use of animals for medical purposes is seen to be necessary by many scientists. Researchers usually begin their trials using rats. If the tests are successful, further tests are done on monkeys before using human beings. For testing, such tiered (分层的) rounds are important because it reduces the level of error and any negative side effects. Some argue that animal testing has contributed to many life-saving cures and treatments and that there is no adequate alternative to testing on a living, whole-body system. Moreover, there are regulations for animal testing that limit the misuse of animals during research, which serves as evidence that animals are well taken care of and treated well instead of being intentionally harmed.
However, some other experts and animal welfare groups have opposed such practice, terming it inhumane and claiming it should be banned. According to Humane Society International, animals used in experiments are commonly subjected to force-feeding, radiation exposure, operations to deliberately cause damage and frightening situations to create depression and anxiety. They also hold the view that animals are very different from human beings and therefore make poor test subjects. Drugs that pass animal tests are not necessarily safe. Animal tests on the arthritis (关节炎) drug Vioxx showed that it would have a protective effect on the hearts of mice, yet the drug went on to cause more than 27,000 heart attacks before being pulled from the market.
It’s safe to say that using animals for tests will continue to be debated in many years to come. Despite the benefits of animal testing, some of the animal welfare organizations’ concerns need to be addressed with adequate regulations to ensure that animals are treated humanely.
1. Why is animal testing considered necessary?| A．Because other testing alternatives may not replace the need for animals. |
| B．Because animal testing has been in practice since the 19th century. |
| C．Because animal testing can spare humans any side effect. |
| D．Because rats are more like humans than monkeys. |
| A．Having unnecessary operations. |
| B．Eating poisonous food. |
| C．Being killed deliberately. |
| D．Breathing in polluted air. |
| A．Arthritis is hard to cure. |
| B．Some drugs need to be pulled from the shelves. |
| C．A drug should be tested many more times before its release. |
| D．Animal tests cannot necessarily produce accurate results. |
| A．Experts try hard to determine whether animal tests are harmful. |
| B．Scientists reduce the number of animals used in research. |
| C．The authorities issue a new law to guarantee animal rights during research. |
| D．Relevant organizations show more concern about the animals’ welfare. |
6 . Ross Mathematics Program
The Ross Program is a summer experience designed for pre-college students.
Mission Statement
※At Ross. we provide students with a focused and supportive environment for mathematical exploration. We encourage mathematical cooperation and community building, instead of direct competition between students.
※At Ross, we want to create an environment that allows students to explore their relationships with mathematics, and we try to create an experience that allows students to explore mathematics deeply, to experience mathematics for themselves, and to share this exploration and joy with others.
Ross Staff
We have excellent counselors (辅导员) who are responsible for teaching mathematics, providing social and emotional support for students, and monitoring student safety. They are also responsible for being role models for students, and for developing a welcoming camp culture among the participants.
Program Dates
There will be two sites for the Ross Program:
※At Otterbein University in Columbus, OH. June 9 through July 19, 2024
※At Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana, June 16 through July 26, 2024
All participants typically live with a roommate in a campus dormitory.
Applying
※Pre-college students who are interested in mathematics are invited to apply. First-year students range in age from 15 to 18 years old, but in unique cases, younger or older students are accepted. We expect about 60 first-year students at each site.
Admission decisions are based on school performance, teacher recommendations, essays about the applicant’s interests and goals, and the applicant’s work on some challenging math problems.
The fee for attending the program is $7,000, though we’re able to provide financial aid for students who need financial assistance to attend the program. The student fee covers tuition, housing and meals.
Please feel free to email us at ross arossprogram. org!
1. What is the goal of the program?| A．To teach students to build good relationships with others. |
| B．To help students explore mathematics deeply and joyfully. |
| C．To give students a chance to share their joy with others. |
| D．To create a good competitive environment for students. |
| A．It is held in two countries. |
| B．It is only open to 15-to 18-year-olds. |
| C．It offers free on-campus housing. |
| D．It lasts for about six weeks. |
| A．Those who apply and pay the fee in advance. |
| B．Those who are recommended by their teachers. |
| C．Those who have a great interest in mathematics. |
| D．Those who have published essays about math problems. |
7 . Ahmed was a middle-class businessman and used to go to his office in a car that he had bought seven years ago. Despite being
One weekday, Ahmed left his home to go to his office. It was raining heavily. Ahmed drove
The day passed quickly. When Ahmed drove back home, the rain had stopped. He saw a homeless man sleeping on the wet sidewalk.
Ahmed remained
| A．physically | B．spiritually | C．intellectually | D．financially |
| A．annoyed | B．ashamed | C．dissatisfied | D．discouraged |
| A．things | B．faults | C．money | D．chance |
| A．slowly | B．dangerously | C．absent-mindedly | D．self-confidently |
| A．small | B．old | C．lovely | D．electric |
| A．balance | B．breath | C．attention | D．imagination |
| A．longing | B．marching | C．wandering | D．struggling |
| A．aware of | B．excited about | C．anxious for | D．surprised by |
| A．freely | B．comfortably | C．quickly | D．frequently |
| A．hopeful | B．impressive | C．content | D．advanced |
| A．awake | B．curious | C．disappointed | D．silent |
| A．cared | B．wondered | C．worried | D．complained |
| A．attitude | B．intention | C．identity | D．memory |
| A．share | B．change | C．follow | D．appreciate |
| A．missed | B．gave | C．learnt | D．observed |
8 . We’ve all been there: in a lift, in line at the bank or on an airplane, surrounded by people who are, like us, deeply focused on their smartphones or, worse, struggling with the uncomfortable silence.
What’s the problem? It’s possible that along with the rapid development of society, we all focus on our phone and desktop, and therefore it results in our compromised conversational intelligence. However, it’s more likely that none of us start a conversation because it’s awkward and challenging, or we think it’s annoying and unnecessary. But the next time you find yourself among strangers, consider that small talk is worth the trouble. Experts say it’s an invaluable social practice that results in big benefits.
Dismissing small talk as unimportant is easy, but we can’t forget that deep relationships wouldn’t even exist if it weren’t for small conversation. “Small talk is the grease (润滑剂) for social communication,” says Bernardo Carducci, director of the Shyness Research Institute at Indiana University Southeast. “Almost every great love story and each big business deal begins with small talk,” he explains. “The key to successful small talk is learning how to connect with others, not just communicate with them.”
In a 2014 study, Elizabeth Dunn, associate professor of psychology at UBC, invited people on their way into a coffee shop. One group was asked to seek out an interaction with its waiter; the other, to speak only when necessary. The results showed that those who chatted with their server reported significantly higher positive feelings and a better coffee shop experience. “It’s not that talking to the waiter is better than talking to your husband,” says Dunn. “But interactions with peripheral (边缘的) members of our social network matter for our well-being also.”
Dunn believes that people who reach out to strangers feel a significantly greater sense of belonging, a bond with others. Carducci believes developing such a sense of belonging starts with small talk. “Small talk is the basis of good manners,” he says.
1. What does the underlined word “compromised” in paragraph 2 mean?| A．Weakened. | B．Enhanced. | C．Secret. | D．Natural. |
| A．Showing good manners. | B．Relating to other people. |
| C．Focusing on a topic. | D．Making business deals. |
| A．It made the coffee taste better. | B．It reduced waiting time in line. |
| C．It improved people’s mood and experience. | D．It helped them bond with the server deeply. |
| A．Elevator manners. | B．The importance of small talk. |
| C．Smartphones and social media. | D．Developing deep relationships. |
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1. Many Americans fail to lose weight probably because _______.| A．they always exercise alone | B．they are too busy to exercise |
| C．they are under great pressure | D．they don’t get enough exercise |
| A．$500. | B．$800. | C．$900. | D．$1,000. |
| A．A newspaper. | B．A magazine. | C．A website. | D．A textbook. |
10 . Ugandan student’s study and adaptation of traditional Chinese craft helps build bridges through art. With its balanced, rounded pot and cups, the tea set seems like Chinese ceramic (陶瓷) at first glance. But closer inspection of its pattern reveals an ancient Ugandan design. “My projects always aim to join some aspects of Chinese and Ugandan culture together,” says the tea set’s creator, Ocen Robert.
In 2015, Robert arrived in China from the East African nation to pursue a higher education in ceramic arts at Jingdezhen Ceramic University in East China’s Jiangxi province. The Ugandan is enrolled in a PhD program focusing on design, with his art pieces sold at national-level exhibitions in China.
He says, “I love it here not only because of its safety, but the raw materials and the production techniques for ceramics here are also among the best in the world.” During his time in China, Robert was given many opportunities to participate in ceramic production, exhibitions and even access to experts — all helping to grow the space where he could express his creativity.
To deepen his understanding and passion for traditional Chinese culture, Robert spends most of his free time in local museums’ culture and history sections. He also gets to know Chinese professionals inside and outside the ceramic world. “I would love to solidify my career as an artist here while helping to link Uganda and China,” Robert says.
“Ugandans are thankful, curious, and passionate about Chinese culture. I would love to introduce the artists back home to study and create ceramic artworks in China and promote them to the world.”
Robert says, “To be a modern artist in Chinese ceramics, one needs to comprehend the full flow of production, which requires years of practice and learning.” One of the most challenging areas of creating his pieces involves creating the “ideal shape and thickness”. He says “I fail at times, but I always practice and try again and again.” Robert has attained the essential spirit of Chinese ceramic arts — accepting and integrating the differences.
1. What is the goal of Robert’s art projects?| A．To promote traditional Chinese ceramics in Uganda. |
| B．To combine elements of Chinese and Ugandan culture. |
| C．To compete in the international exhibitions. |
| D．To restore and preserve ancient Ugandan arts. |
| A．joins | B．entitles | C．declares | D．extends |
| A．Creative and perseverant. | B．Kind and knowledgeable. |
| C．Humorous and passionate. | D．Courageous and intelligent. |
