1 . I don’t remember when my love of the protected Great Bear Rainforest began — it’s something that’s always been there, even though I haven’t spent longer than a month there in one go. I grew up by the sea and planned to study marine biology and live out on the water. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, my lack of scientific talent quickly put paid to that idea, but the love of nature remained and has been an anchor (锚) in my life and in my writing.
The Great Bear Rainforest is vast, splendid and wild but also friendly, fun and diverse. I travelled there myself at 20, planning to spend my 21st birthday camping and hiking in the forests.
I woke up on my birthday in a tent on the edge of the water. Behind me, the trees of this largely untouched wilderness emerged (出现). Endless carpets of pointed trees reached right down to a thin rocky shore. It seemed there was no way in. This wilderness held its secrets close. Stepping from the beach into the forest, I immediately sensed the history of the area — it felt ancient, and it was impossible not to be humble.
With a guide for safety, I hiked through the wilderness. The sounds of the forest were everywhere. Birds sang. Insects buzzed. Something bigger moved through the undergrowth and my guide stopped dead. Listen! My heart was in my mouth. Then, after some invisible signal, my guide relaxed, and we went on.
We continued the hike and reached a cliff with the most breath-taking view I’ve ever seen, from terror to wonder in only a few hundred steps. It was that sense of unsettled ground — of shifting emotion, secrets and awe, beauty and fear — that’s fed my writing across four books, none more so than Children of the Sun, and implanted (植入) in me a lifelong love of the wild.
1. What does the underlined phrase “put paid to” in paragraph 1 mean?| A．Anticipated. | B．Ended. | C．Supported. | D．Proved. |
| A．No water could be seen in it. |
| B．The sounds of it were everywhere to be heard. |
| C．The wilderness of it held its secrets loosely. |
| D．Endless carpets of its pointed trees reached down to a thin rock. |
| A．Intelligent. | B．Considerate. | C．Experienced. | D．Efficient. |
| A．The passion for nature. | B．The feature of 4 books. |
| C．An unforgettable travel experience. | D．A vivid description of mixed emotions. |
2 . Behind an “unruly” child at school, there may often be a social, creative and active child. For this reason, we must never judge by
Joe Whale, a 9-year-old boy, was repeatedly
His drawing teacher also noticed the boy’s
Many parents, when their child has received negative assessments at school, tend to blame them even further. The fact is that every child has a
| A．appearances | B．wealth | C．abilities | D．knowledge |
| A．interrupted | B．promoted | C．informed | D．criticized |
| A．in spite of | B．instead of | C．other than | D．regardless of |
| A．chosen | B．abandoned | C．labeled | D．introduced |
| A．speaking | B．sociable | C．predicting | D．artistic |
| A．specialty | B．plan | C．belief | D．challenge |
| A．deserted | B．ignored | C．refused | D．invented |
| A．similar | B．impressive | C．reliable | D．essential |
| A．fix | B．build | C．decorate | D．draw |
| A．purposefully | B．separately | C．completely | D．barely |
| A．follow | B．wake | C．interpret | D．share |
| A．appropriate | B．demanding | C．flexible | D．regular |
| A．mood | B．words | C．thanks | D．imagination |
| A．talent | B．responsibility | C．position | D．faith |
| A．advertise | B．possess | C．identify | D．describe |
3 . Theatre Camps & Classes in Vancouver
Beach House Theatre
We have a group of creative and talented theatre industry members whose productions offer the campers a cultural, artistic experience at Crescent Beach. The purpose of setting the production in the area is to inspire the artistically minded youth and to expose theatre-goers to the special beauty of the beach.
Place des Arts
Classes and private lessons run from September to June or during fall (Sep-Dec), winter (Jan-Mar) and spring(Apr-Jun) sessions for all ages and skill levels. Experience music, visualarts, literary arts and theatre arts with us. We also offer art camps for children during the spring break and over the summer. All classes and lessons are taught by highly skilled working professionals. Class sizes are based on the needs of the content.
CFA
Our goal is to raise joyful children through performing arts. We believe that an actual professional theatre production is the best platform for the children to best experience performing arts. Every year, we produce a grand children’s musical production and we do not charge the children while there’s a huge production cost behind (professional tech, lighting, sound, sets, costumes, make-up, production meetings etc).
H. R. MacMillan Space Centre
We bring the wonders of space to Earth. Through creative programming, exhibits and activities, our goal is to inspire interest in the fields of Earth science and space science. Lean back in your seat and you’ll experience planets, meteor showers, black holes, galaxies and various other wonders. With its shows and content being updated all the time, there is something for everyone in the centre.
1. What can participants do at Beach House Theatre?| A．Give performances with professionals. |
| B．Appreciate art in the natural environment. |
| C．Offer advice on the theater’s improvement. |
| D．Explore Crescent Beach through guided tours. |
| A．It is free of charge. | B．It hires some famous artists. |
| C．It has flexible courses. | D．It offers theatre arts experiences. |
| A．Beach House Theatre. | B．Place des Arts. |
| C．CFA. | D．H. R. MacMillan Space Centre. |
4 . “Age is just a number” is a saying that some people might disagree with, but for healthy and fit great-grandmother Anne Sheppard, nothing could be more true.
At 100 years old, Anne can kick, crunch and do full push-ups. And she is always exercising with other fitness fans who are almost 70 years her junior in the gym. South Melbourne-born Anne worked at the local clothing factory while her husband Max was away at work with the army. When the couple retired in 1981, they signed up to their local gym, where Anne is still a member 40 years later. “I feel stronger and fitter than before!” Anne says in an interview from her gym in Melbourne. She has just finished a rigorous training class, one of five group courses she attends throughout the week. “I just love it and I want to keep going as long as I can,” she smiles. “It’s part of my life now—my husband has passed away and now I’m on my own. The gym is my second family and I’d be lost without them.”
“Anne is a superstar,no matter where she goes,everyone is attracted to her!I know she inspires us to do whatever we set our minds to. We’re all jealous because we want to get to 100 years old and be like her,” says Jan, a friend of Anne in the gym.
Exercise has always been an important part of life for Anne. Despite going to the gym three days a week, Anne also keeps active in other ways, and regularly walks to and from the local supermarket. Life has now slowed a little bit for Anne. As for her next personal best, her goal is to keep going to the gym. That’s how Anne enjoys her life.
1. What is the purpose of the first paragraph?| A．To summarize the passage. |
| B．To introduce the main character. |
| C．To explain the meaning of a saying. |
| D．To ask for background information. |
| A．She used to work with her husband in the army. |
| B．She takes exercise as an important part of her life. |
| C．She became a member of the local gym 70 years ago. |
| D．She stopped exercising after her husband passed away. |
| A．The training class. |
| B．The interview. |
| C．The smile. |
| D．The week. |
| A．Anne, Enjoying Her Slow Life |
| B．Anne, an Attractive Gym Coach |
| C．Anne, a 100-year-old Fitness Lover |
| D．Anne, Coming to Her Next Personal Best |
5 . Scientists are now digging into precisely why exercise holds so many benefits for our mental health and memory. The answer, studies say, lies in our brain chemistry.
Each time you work up a sweat, your body releases feel-good happy hormones (荷尔蒙), including endorphins, dopamine and endocannabinoids, the latter being responsible for the so-called runner’s high. Now researchers are also pointing to myokines (肌肉因子) as an important contributor to the mental health benefits of exercise. When our muscles contract, myokines are released into the bloodstream, helping your muscles and organs communicate. They think this communication increases resilience to stress, reduces symptoms of mental suffering and anxiety and has a direct effect on depression.
A 2021 scientific report published in Neuropharmacology showed evidence that myokines boost brain function, like improving memory and mood. “Myokines reduce systemic inflammation (炎症), which is especially beneficial for people with drug-resistant depression whose low mood is linked to high inflammation,” explains Dr Jennifer Heisz, an expert in brain health and associate professor in the department of kinesiology at McMaster University in Canada.
A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine showed that treatment for depression can be much more effective when physical activity is added to the usual care. Participants found benefits after 12 weeks of exercising for 30 to 60 minutes a day. “While exercise is not a replacement for professional mental health treatment, physical activity can complement and enhance the effects of the treatment,” says lead researcher Ben Singh, a research fellow at the University of South Australia.
“It is amazing to consider how moving our bodies can heal our minds,” says Heisz. Whether you’re cycling, walking around your neighbourhood or doing yoga, getting sweaty is good for your body and mind. To get the biggest overall health boost, the key is to zero in on sports and activities you enjoy, so you’ll keep going back to them.
1. How do myokines boost our mental health?| A．By bonding muscles with organs. |
| B．By slowing down our bloodstream. |
| C．By contracting muscles through the body. |
| D．By releasing happy hormones in our brain. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Negative. |
| C．Uncertain | D．Approving. |
| A．Adapt to. | B．Give up. |
| C．Focus on. | D．Put off. |
| A．By making comparisons. |
| B．By presenting research findings. |
| C．By offering suggestions. |
| D．By conducting some experiments. |
6 . When I was 16, I worked at a fast food restaurant. That was when I came across two new family
One afternoon in the fall I happened to find a little cat crying outside. He got a little wet because of the morning rain. I picked him up into the kitchen,
After work, I hurried to my car to
I
My family had Penny and Rizzo for the next 15 years.
1.| A．rescuers | B．leaders | C．members | D．supporters |
| A．begged | B．concerned | C．dried | D．cooled |
| A．angry | B．excited | C．hopeful | D．tired |
| A．restaurant | B．apartment | C．shelter | D．trap |
| A．knock | B．check on | C．avoid | D．depend on |
| A．feed | B．protect | C．attack | D．reach |
| A．secretly | B．slowly | C．curiously | D．obviously |
| A．like | B．want | C．have | D．know |
| A．danger | B．trouble | C．sadness | D．surprise |
| A．controlled | B．beat | C．buried | D．hid |
| A．confused | B．glad | C．amazed | D．frightened |
| A．raise | B．exchange | C．adapt | D．donate |
| A．name | B．store | C．box | D．home |
| A．quit | B．separate | C．endanger | D．kill |
| A．allowance | B．appreciation | C．impression | D．responsibility |
7 . If you decide to see the northern lights, consider heading to Canada, where they fill the sky 300 days a year in certain regions.
Yukon
With its sweeping landscapes and dramatic mountain views, Yukon is an outdoor lover’s dreamland. Take advantage of the brief window between the end of summer and first snowfall in autumn to combine outdoor activities like boating along the storied Yukon River with northern light watching.
Churchill
Home to wolves, foxes, whales, moose and snowy owls, Churchill is well known for its arctic wildlife. It also sees an average of 300 nights of northern light activity every year. With over a week in the wild, there’s a good chance you’ll spot the lights.
Nunavik
Nunavik is Quebec’s northernmost region and one of four areas in Canada. It is home to the country’s Inuit people. By day, travelers canoe or snowmobile to Vieux Fort-Chimo, a 19th-century fur trading post; hear elders tell stories of a nomadic (游牧的) way of life; and listen to traditional throat singing, or katadjak — all led by an Inuit guide. Under inky skies, the guide offers Inuit insights into the meaning of the light.
Jasper
Located in the Rocky Mountains, Jasper is home to the world’s second-largest dark sky preserve, making it one of the best — and most convenient — places to catch northern lights throughout the year.
An especially great time to visit is during the annual Jasper Dark Sky Festival in October when experienced photographers from around the world host workshops to share their best tips and astronomers explain how to interpret space weather data to determine optimal viewing time.
1. When should you go if you want to combine outdoor activities with light shows in Yukon?| A．In late spring. | B．In early summer. | C．In autumn. | D．In winter. |
| A．In Yukon. | B．In Nunavik. | C．In Jasper. | D．In Churchill. |
| A．The rarest show of lights. | B．Interactions with the locals. |
| C．The diversity of wildlife. | D．The chance to meet professionals. |
8 . The Maryland Center for History and Culture(MCHC) is currently hosting “The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited”. The exhibition spotlights Henson’s unique contributions to children’s education, including his creation of the Muppets (布偶).
Born in 1936 in Mississippi, Henson grew up in Maryland. His creative talents were evident when he was a student at high school. He loved cartooning and creating sets for school theater productions. While a freshman at university, Henson made puppets for a local TV station. The station’s producers were so impressed that they asked him to produce his own puppet show. Called Sam and Friends, the program started in 1955. Viewers loved Henson’s playful characters, including an early version of Kermit the Frog.
While at university, Henson majored in home economics. At the time, it was the only major that offered classes in sewing and textiles (纺织品).Henson not only honed his creative skills at university, but he was also good at marketing and business. “He was an entrepreneur who happened to get into puppetry, ” said Deborah Wood, MCHC’s learning manager.
In 1959, Henson married Jane Nebel, whom be had met at university. The couple established Muppets Inc. which later became the Jim Henson Company. It was there that Focus Bert, Ernie, Miss Piggy, and other Muppets were created for Sesame Street, a popular children’s television program.Generations of children around the world have grown up watching and laming from the Muppets.
Henson, who died in 1990, created not just the Muppets, but also films, TV commercials, variety shows, and more. The exhibition shows every aspect of his career. This includes some lesser-known works, including The Cube, a short experimental film that was nominated (提名) for an Academy Award.
Visitors also get a chance to appreciate Henson’s creative process and inventiveness through hands-on displays. They can even make their own Muppets. “For me, I think the really powerful message of this exhibition is the fact that it covers Henson’s whole life and his whole career, ” said Chloe Green, public programs manager at the MCHC.
1. What’s paragraph 2 mainly about?| A．An interesting exhibition about Henson. | B．Viewers’attitude to Henson’s works. |
| C．Henson’s exceptional talents in creation. | D．Characters in Henson’s famous works. |
| A．Changed. | B．Improved. | C．Found. | D．Shared. |
| A．It was first played in 1955. | B．It was a popular radio program. |
| C．It was targeted at children. | D．It was an early version of Kermit the Frog. |
| A．Favorable. | B．Opposed. | C．Doubtful. | D．Indifferent. |
9 . At 20 years old, I was a confident and handsome student at the University of California at Berkey.
But that year, I
But six months later, a new bump appeared. Numerous
I awoke from the surgery with a scarred, disfigured face. As I re-entered the real world, I noticed adults
Five years and 20 reconstructive surgeries later, I
I began examining myself from the inside out. Later, I volunteered at a cancer support organization to offer inspiration and hope to those
Now, I am
| A．took charge of | B．took care of | C．took control of | D．took notice of |
| A．appointment | B．arrangement | C．commitment | D．placement |
| A．severe | B．minor | C．apparent | D．complicated |
| A．novelists | B．specialists | C．impressionists | D．journalists |
| A．advocated | B．predicted | C．warned | D．witnessed |
| A．desperate | B．enthusiastic | C．delicate | D．optimistic |
| A．smiling | B．glaring | C．glancing | D．staring |
| A．unusually | B．unintentionally. | C．unconventionally | D．unselfishly |
| A．bother | B．impress | C．annoy | D．restrict |
| A．greeted | B．persuaded | C．encountered | D．grasped |
| A．abused | B．defended | C．informed | D．motivated |
| A．relief | B．security | C．defence | D．honesty |
| A．going about | B．relating to | C．wrestling with | D．breaking with |
| A．greedy | B．grateful | C．suitable | D．tolerant |
| A．mental vitality | B．physical fitness | C．social acceptance | D．face value |
10 . When handball was introduced to Sri Lankan schools in 2010, I wanted to bring it to my school in a remote village. This became a(n)
40 students aged between 13 and 19
Heshan Pradeep, an alumnus (校友) and member of the Air Force handball team, volunteered to
The
| A．appealing | B．challenging | C．confusing | D．amusing |
| A．regardless of | B．in relation to | C．other than | D．in terms of |
| A．leaving | B．assuming | C．offering | D．creating |
| A．determined | B．resistant | C．forbidden | D．grateful |
| A．woke up | B．grew up | C．sped up | D．signed up |
| A．allow | B．encourage | C．convince | D．force |
| A．Ultimately | B．Occasionally | C．Similarly | D．Unfortunately |
| A．protect | B．contact | C．coach | D．assess |
| A．prospects | B．appliances | C．qualifications | D．facilities |
| A．ended | B．continued | C．changed | D．functioned |
| A．passionate about | B．particular about | C．embarrassed about | D．objective about |
| A．debate | B．compete | C．associate | D．cooperate |
| A．watched | B．hosted | C．reached | D．predicted |
| A．stop | B．free | C．separate | D．excuse |
| A．motivation | B．tendency | C．innovation | D．victory |
