1 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式

Wing Chun is a southern Chinese kung fu style descends from Shaolin Kung Fu. It has the distinction of having been founded by two women, Ng Mui and Yim Wing-chun.

The Wing Chun style is known for placing     1     (emphasize) on technique rather than strength. This style also calls for practitioners to stay relaxed while     2    (fight), allowing them to achieve a kind of softness or flexibility. This relaxed flexibility gives Wing Chun fighter     3     special kind of strength that allows them to bend, not break, just like bamboo.   

Legend has it that Wing Chun founder Ng Mui was living at Shaolin Temple     4     it was attacked and destroyed by Qing dynasty forcers. Surviving the attack, she escaped     5     the border area between Yunnan and Sichuan. There she met a young woman     6     (name)Yim Wing-chun, who     7     (final) became one of her top students. She taught Yim an improved version of Shaolin Kung Fu, known as Wing Chun now. This new martial art     8     (spread) and grown into different branches over the past two hundred years.

Ip Man, featured in the eponymous (同名的) hit films,     9    (be) a notable practitioner of Wing Chun style martial arts. He also taught the Wing Chun style to his student, Bruce Lee, who would go on to act in the beloved Hong Kong kung fu movies     10     helped make Chinese martial arts famous around the world.

2 . National Public Radio (NPR) Music’s Tiny Desk Contest is back. Artists can submit an entry from this morning. This isn’t just another regular year of the Contest — it’s the 10th anniversary.

The panel (小组) of judges has doubled in size compared to previous years. The panel has a group of industry experts who are eager to see what this year’s participants can share. And there’s a great team of NPR’s Music station hosts on the panel: Amelia Mason, Novena Carmel and Stas THEE Boss.

Also new this year: Not only will the 2024 winner play a Tiny Desk concert, be interviewed on All Things Considered and go on tour with NPR Music — they’ll also be paired with a tutor in the industry who will help them navigate their music journey. Our judges are determined to give this year’s winner the support they’ll need to take their music to the next level. The winner will also be featured at two festivals this summer: Celebrate Brooklyn and the Millennium Park Summer Music series in Chicago.

And for the first time this year, the Contest is introducing a fan favorite vote. Later this spring, Contest judges will share their favorite entries as part of the annual Tiny Desk-Contest Top Shelf series on YouTube — and then artists and fans will be able to vote for their favorite among those selections.

Here’s how to enter: Record a video of you playing one original song — behind a desk, upload your video to YouTube, and submit the video on our Tiny Desk Contest website by Feb. 21 at 11: 59 p. m.   

A final reminder: Entry videos don’t need to be fancy. The Tiny Desk is where artists go to simplify their big productions. Contest judges are looking for artists to submit something that’s true to them and brand new to the Tiny Desk.

1. Who are most likely among the judges?

A．News station hosts.	B．Expert musicians.
C．Contest participants.	D．Famous industrialists.

2. What will the winner get as an award?

A．Sightseeing tours.	B．Festival souvenirs.
C．Unlimited support.	D．Professional guidance.

3. What is required of the contest entry?

A．It has to be a masterpiece.	B．It must convey positive feelings.
C．It must be recorded behind a desk.	D．It has to be submitted before Feb. 21.

3 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Once celebrated as “the sport of kings”, polo (马球), a unique sport with ancient roots,     1     (play) on horseback with a ball. Its exact origins remain uncertain,     2     one early version of this sport emerged in ancient Persia (modern Iran) around the 6th century BC.

Different cultures developed similar games and, over time, polo evolved     3     the sport we know today. It also has a deep historical connection with ancient China, as     4     (show) through the discovery of numerous artifacts, including murals (壁画), stone carvings, mirrors and paintings.

During the 1930s, the modern version of the sport enjoyed a period of     5     (popular) , with polo grounds established in cities with foreign populations like Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and Qingdao.

Polo’s noble and warrior-like characteristics have won it many     6     (passion) players, and among them is Jackie Wang. She and her family     7     (spend) the past three years researching and writing Polo in China, a book that documents the lengthy history of the sport in China.

Published by the Cultural Relics Press, the book gives a detailed introduction to polo in China, with photos of artifacts and events, and an engaging storyline     8     brings the sport to life.

As     9     combination of historical reference and artistic representation, the book serves both as an academic work and a general interest publication,     10     (contribute) to the study of polo in China while sharing the sport’s charm through its design and presentation.

4 . I had been skiing since childhood. I’d _________ fallen, I’d never crashed into anything, and I’d _________ mostly to the “blue” trails — the ones for intermediate (中级水平的) skiers. Therefore, for my first day on the mountain, I decided to _________ a blue run, one I had done many times before.

When I reached the top of the blue trails — only chairlift (缆椅), though, something in the atmosphere _________. Why was it so cold? Were the blue trails always this sharp? The rhythm of the chairlift started to sound less _________.

It _________ that simply having skied “many times before” didn’t mean I was getting better at it. There’s a large body of _________ showing that practice—or even just doing — doesn’t make us any better at the activity, so it is with skiing. The joy of getting better sometimes comes along with the _________ of getting worse.

One afternoon, I took a chairlift with a retired ski _________ named Bob. When I told him I was struggling, he __________ to watch me take an easy slope and assessed what I was doing wrong.

Bob __________ me that the learning process looks a lot like backsliding (倒退). When babies first learn to walk, they progress from __________ imitation. Sometimes it seems that we’re losing ground, but we’re actually __________ a new skill. An __________ attempt is often a sign that you’re learning.

“You’re skiing better already!” he shouted at me.

“Thank you!” I yelled back.

Then I skied a few more feet and __________.

1.

A．frequently

B．rarely

C．mostly

D．steadily

2.

A．submitted

B．reduced

C．stuck

D．restricted

3.

A．tackle

B．declare

C．change

D．skip

4.

A．continued

B．emerged

C．conflicted

D．disappeared

5.

A．refreshed

B．sensitive

C．alien

D．harmonious

6.

A．took on

B．turned out

C．held on

D．worked out

7.

A．trend

B．custom

C．prejudice

D．evidence

8.

A．pain

B．influence

C．bonus

D．award

9.

A．official

B．director

C．constructor

D．instructor

10.

A．offered

B．learned

C．managed

D．preferred

11.

A．urged

B．reminded

C．guaranteed

D．stimulated

12.

A．similar

B．regular

C．random

D．effective

13.

A．unlocking

B．switching

C．testing

D．suspending

14.

A．anxious

B．awkward

C．aimless

D．early

15.

A．fell

B．balanced

C．proceeded

D．abandoned

5 . Can’t enter the next American Idol or The Voice singing audition (试唱)? That’s alright! You can still show off your vocal skills and compete (竞赛) for recognition in one of the many online singing competitions across the country. Below are several worth checking out!

The Lyndon Oratorio-Solo Competition

For the under-30 crowd, this international solo competition focuses fully on oratorio singing. Initial (最初的) entries and rounds are online. However, finals are held at Carnegie Hall in New York City with considerable cash prizes awarded.

The Hal Leonard Vocal Competition

The only singing competition for all of North America aimed at young singers aged 23 and under, this is one of the first online singing competitions created. It charges nothing to enter, making it accessible to all qualified (有资格的) North American singers. Video auditions are all handed in through YouTube. Prizes include cash and gift certificates (证书).

Singist

For those 18 and up, Singist offers monthly online singing competitions. You can audition to be entered in the monthly contest for free, or sign up for a “Performer Plan” at $4 per month and enter yourself. Videos must be original, featuring any song you choose, and not posted on any other site. Registered (注册的) Singist users vote on a monthly winner, and social media sharing is encouraged. Small cash prizes in the $5 — 25 range are awarded to monthly winners.

MacroDazzle

MacroDazzle accepts karaoke, sing-along, and even self-accompanied singing from competitors of all ages. Those over 18 are qualified for cash prizes, and children are qualified for gift certificates and non-monetary prizes. A $16 entry fee is required for cash competitions.

1. What is special about the Lyndon Oratoria-Solo Competition?

A．It awards non-monetary prizes.

B．It doesn’t involve any offline activity.

C．Not all its singing competitions are held online.

D．Online rounds are held with cash prizes offered.

2. Which competition sets no age limit on entering?

A．The Lyndon Oratorio-Solo Competition.

B．Singist.

C．The Hal Leonard Vocal Competition.

D．MacroDazzle.

3. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To persuade singers to show off their skills.

B．To introduce some online singing competitions.

C．To tell the differences between some competitions.

D．To give advice on how to present vocal skills.

6 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Traditional Fitness Qigong Wins Hearts of Young Chinese

No one could have expected that slow-moving Qigong    1    (become) popular among Chinese young people in the past several years. Short videos of young Chinese doing traditional fitness Qigong have flooded video websites, among     2    a video of Baduanjin has been played for more than 10 million times and received over 6, 000 comments on a video sharing platform targeting young people.

Baduanjin is one of the oldest fitness     3    (method) to stay healthy in China, originally created over 800 years ago during the Song Dynasty. The name refers    4    how the eight individual movements provide a soft quality for the movement of the body.

Compared with more    5    (physical) demanding sports such as the ball games or swimming, Baduanjin is slow and usually accompanied by restful music, so it used to be considered as the sport    6    (intend) for the elders. However, not requiring much space, equipment or time, it’s perfect for office workers, as they often suffer from back and neck pain caused by    7    (sit) in front of computers for hours.

“I’ve been doing Baduanjin for a couple of months, which makes     8    (I) sleep well and get strong,”     9    young netizen commented below the video. “I owe big thanks to Baduanjin as it offers a much    10    (good) lifestyle.”

8 . Poetry Contest

The contest is open to anyone aged thirteen and up who writes poetry. Enter your poem for a free chance to win prizes! You can submit a poem on any topic, employing whatever style you prefer.

Information

No entry fee is required for the contest. The main contest is held twice a year. Contest dates are January 1—June 30 and July 1—December 31. All winners will receive a letter and their prize via regular mail. The first place winner will be contacted by phone or email and asked to call our office to confirm their identity before their prize is mailed. As soon as the complete list of winners is drawn up, it will be posted on the home page.

Rules

·Only submit ONE poem, ONE time. Only one poem per household will be accepted.

·Poem must be 26 lines or fewer, including stanza breaks but not including the title, and lines may be no more than 55 characters across, including spaces.

·Do not use “texting” lingo. Properly spell out all words and typing the first word of each line in capital letter.

·All poems must be written in English.

Prizes

Both contests award one first place prize of $ 2, 000. 00 and a first prize wall plaque(匾牌)($ 100. 00 value); twenty second place prizes of $ 100. 00 each and a second place wall plaque($ 75. 00 value); one hundred third place winners of a third place gift certificate($ 25. 00 value). Sixty to seventy percent of all entries become semi-finalists and receive a certificate of participation suitable for framing.

1. What do we know about the poetry contest?

A．It is a free contest.	B．Anyone can enter for it.
C．All poems will be published.	D．Each contestant will get a reward.

2. Which of the following will cause disqualification?

A．Submitting one poem.	B．Composing a poem of 23 lines.
C．Writing a poem in English.	D．Typing the poem in capital letters.

3. What will be awarded to a third place winner?

A．A wall plaque.

B．A gift certificate.

C．$25. 00.

D．$75. 00.

9 . 4 STEM Competitions for High Schoolers

eCyberMission

You can participate(参加) in this competition without leaving the house. eCyberMission is   a web-based contest in which participants—working in teams of two to four students—use science, math, and technology to solve problems facing their communities. First-place winners receive $1,000.

Grades: 9th

Competition Type: Regional, state, and national

Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision

Interested in what the future has to hold? Consider ExploraVision’s STEM competition. Working in teams of two to four, students will research a particular technology and discuss the ways in which it may impact lives moving forward. Participants are required to write a paper and draw web pages communicating their vision.

Grades: 7th- 9th and 10th- 12th

Competition Type: Regional and national

Spellman Clean Tech Competition

The Spellman Clean Tech Competition tests students’ ability to research and design—it requires participants to recognise a real-world issue, research the problem, and design a solution that uses clean technology. Participants gain a better understanding of STEM fields and may help make the earth a healthier place. In addition to the honor of winning a well-known STEM competition, there are some awards for top finishers—including a $7,000 first prize.

Grades: 9th- 12th

Competition Type: International

Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)

The most promising young scientists in the nation compete in the Regeneron STS—one of the country’s oldest and most famous STEM competitions. The competition is open to high school seniors and challenges them to carry out an independent research project and submit(提交) their findings along with a paper and up to four recommendations(推荐信). Winners can take home awards of up to $250,000!

Grades: 12th

Competition Type: National

1. What is special about eCyberMission?

A．It allows group work.	B．It is designed for seniors.
C．It takes place online.	D．It offers the most prize money.

2. Which competition is open to foreign high school students?

A．eCyberMission.	B．Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision.
C．Spellman Clean Tech Competition.	D．Regeneron Science Talent Search.

3. What is a requirement for participants in Regeneron Science Talent Search?

A．Being a well-known scientist.	B．Doing their research work alone.
C．Providing a research schedule.	D．Finishing a book about their findings.

10 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Reducing the number of calories every day is the ticket to good health. It works in lab animals. It also works in human     1     (being). The name of the method is “caloric restriction”. It increases the life length of animals. It even reduces their rate of cancer and other diseases     2     happen as people age. Reducing calories usually     3     (make) a difference to young and middle-aged adults.

Researchers looked into     4     group of healthy men and women aged between 21 and 50. Members of the group agreed to reduce calories for two years. They could eat the foods they wanted as long as they cut back     5     the total amount of food they ate. They     6     (expect) to cut calories by 25 percent by the researchers.

Many could not do it. The average calorie reduction was twelve percent. That is a reduction of     7     (approximate) 300 calories a day. But it worked. Those     8     (practise) calorie reduction lost weight and body fat. Their blood pressure fell a little. Fewer calories lead to better health, Does it lead to a longer life and     9     (little) sickness? A doctor said the diet would have to last a long time     10     (find) out the answer to this question. Researchers would have to study people for a lifetime to know whether the diet keeps them well and alive longer.