1. What does the grand prize include?
| A．A job opportunity. |
| B．A large sum of money. |
| C．A chance to study abroad. |
| A．Sand. | B．Boxes. | C．Rice. |
| A．Find three boxes. |
| B．Solve math questions. |
| C．Stand on a piece of wood. |
| A．At the seaside. | B．In a building. | C．In a wood. |
2 . The winning artworks from the first Young Botanical Artist Competition are appearing in an exhibition at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, London. The competition was open to young people aged 16 to 25 and received more than 1, 000 entries from people in 77 countries.
Botanical art is a special type of drawing or painting that helps botanists describe plants and fungi. It brings to life the tiniest details of grasses, flowers and trees, including their colour and shape, and has been an important scientific tradition for hundreds of years. In fact, Kew Gardens, which is 264 years old and home to 50, 000 plants, has always had a botanical artist in its team.
The theme of the competition was trees, and the winner of the 16 to 18 age group was Marianna Zych (aged 17) from Poland. Her entry, Prunus Serrula, shows the delicately peeling bark of the Tibetan cherry tree, which Zych created with watercolours after just one month of painting classes. The winner of the 19 to 25 category was Khanh Ly Nguyen from Vietnam, whose watercolour, Bauhinia Variegata Leaf, reveals the clear details of an orchid tree leaf.
Both will appear in an exhibition of 50 artworks at the Shirley Sherwood Gallery at Kew Gardens. All of the featured artworks were picked for their creativity and accuracy by a panel of judges that included botanical artists from around the world. The exhibition runs until April 2024 and visitors are also being asked to vote for the People’s Choice award, which will be announced in April.
Maria Devaney, who manages galleries and exhibitions at Kew Gardens, said botanical art is about inspiring curiosity and discovering the natural world. “It’s been wonderful to see such an enthusiastic response to the competition as a whole,” she said. Dr Shirley Sherwood, a writer and botanist who collects plant pictures, said she was delighted to see first-hand the next generation of talented botanical artists.
1. What can be inferred about Marianna from the third paragraph?| A．She has formally studied painting since childhood. |
| B．She is from Poland which is full of Tibetan trees. |
| C．She has limited experience in watercolor painting. |
| D．She is famous for revealing the details of tree leaves. |
| A．Skeptical. | B．Indifferent. | C．Disappointed. | D．Optimistic. |
| A．The Historical Significance of Botanical Illustration |
| B．Young Talents Blossom at the Royal Botanic Gardens |
| C．The Evolution of Botanical Art in Modern Times |
| D．Gardening Tips from the Experts at Kew Gardens |
| A．On a fashion website. | B．In a gardening magazine. |
| C．In an academic textbook. | D．In a cooking review journal. |
1. Which exercise is too hard for the woman?
| A．Playing badminton. | B．Running. | C．Doing yoga. |
| A．The woman. | B．The man. | C．Rachel. |
| A．Some sports shoes. | B．Some yoga clothes. | C．A badminton racket. |
4 . No FIFA World Cup would be complete without “psychic(通灵的)” animals predicting the winners, and Qatar 2022 was the same. A range of animals—big and small—have tried to predict the scoreline.
It all started with Paul, the ”psychic“ octopus(章鱼). He put TV experts to shame with an unbelievable group of correct World Cup winner predictions at the Aquarium Sea Life Center in Oberhausen, Germany. He correctly predicted eight World Cup matches at South Africa’s tournament in 2010, including Spain beating the Netherlands in the World Cup final.
Paul’s successor, Rubio the octopus, did not end well. It became a star in Japan for its 100%success in predicting group-stage matches, including Japan’s win against Colombia in the 2018 World Cup held in Russia. Rubio did not get the chance to make its prediction for the Round-of-16 after it was cut into pieces and turned into seafood.
Taiyo the otter had good news for Japanese fans at the 2022 World cup in Qatar, correctly predicting Japan’s group-stage win over Germany. From his home at the Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa in Japan, Taiyo was given three buckets(桶)to choose from—Japan(blue), draw (yellow)and Germany(red)—and did not hesitate about picking up his tiny football and placing his bet on Japan. He was widely praised online for his action.
And let’s not forget another star—Marcus, the “mystic pig”. In the 2018 World Cup, Marcus predicted a World Cup victory for England after selecting apples with the England flag on British morning television. However, Marcus’ fortune-telling record was shattered when England was knocked out in the semi-final.
Nelly the elephant from Serengeti Park in Hodenhagen, Germany, also meant business when she had a group of 30 out of 33 matches correct predictions in the 2006 World Cup, the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 Euro.
Camilla the ”mystic“ camel from Melton Mowbray in England did have good news for England, however. She correctly predicted the Three Lions’ group-stage win over Iran at the Qatar World Cup. Her owners said that their camel was ”never wrong“.
1. What can we learn about Rubio?| A．It ended up being eaten. | B．It missed the 2018 World Cup. |
| C．It performed much better than Paul. | D．It became famous after the Round-of-16. |
| A．It knew Japanese players well. | B．It could recognize many colors. |
| C．It was quick at decision-making. | D．It was good at catching a football. |
| A．Updated. | B．Shared. | C．Removed. | D．Broken. |
| A．He doesn’t give his opinion. | B．He is doubtful about them. |
| C．He thinks them interesting. | D．He is supportive to them. |
5 . Students to Compete in 34th National Science Bowl
Thousands of students from middle and high schools across the country have committed themselves to extra study hours as they prepare to compete in the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s)34th National Science Bowl(NSB). These students are hard at work now to win their regional competitions, hoping to advance to the final competition.
The first regional event will take place on January 13th with high schools from the D. C. /Maryland area. Teams will face off in a fast-paced, question-and-answer format, and their knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics will be tested. Regionals will continue weekly until mid-March.
The winning team from each qualifying regional competition will be qualified to compete in the National Finals to be held in Washington, D. C. , from April 25-29, 2024, with all expenses paid by DOE. The national event consists of several days of science activities and sightseeing, along with the competitions.
In the National Finals, the top two teams will earn $5, 000 for their schools’ math and science departments. Schools ranking in the top 16 will receive $1, 000 for their science departments. But to many, the ultimate prize is simply the honor of winning the National Championship.
Today, the NSB annually draws more than 10, 000 middle and high school competitors. Since the first competition in 1991, approximately 344, 000 students have faced off in the NSB Finals. The 2024 competitors will follow in the footsteps of previous NSB contestants and will blaze a trail for students in science, math, and engineering. For more information, please visit the Office of Science website.
1. Which word can best describe the regional competitions?| A．Fair. | B．Interesting. | C．Special. | D．Challenging |
| A．The championship victory is highly valued. |
| B．The event only involves fierce competitions. |
| C．Most of the expenses will be covered by DOE. |
| D．The prize money will be awarded to individuals. |
| A．A news release. | B．A survey report. |
| C．A learning project. | D．A scientific review. |
6 . With the arrival of winter, the world is covered in a sheet of shining snow, and it brings an invitation to take part in exciting snow sports. Beyond the great wonderland and the great joy of sliding down hills, attending winter sports offers many physical, mental, and social benefits.
Taking part in winter snow sports is an excellent way to stay physically active during the colder months. Whether you’re skiing down a mountainside, or skiing along peaceful paths, these activities provide a full-body workout. Downhill skiing, for example, is known as a way to burn a lot of calories, making it an effective cardiovascular (心血管的) exercise. The combination of cardiovascular fitness and strength training can help keep a healthy weight, improve cardiovascular health, and keep overall physical health.
The connection between outdoor activities and mental health is well-established, and winter sports are no exception. The fresh mountain air, the amazing snowy hills, and the excitement of rushing down the hill all help to improve the feelings. Snow sports also get you in natural sunlight, which helps increase vitamin D levels.
Winter sports offer more than just personal physical and mental benefits—they create chances for social interaction (交流) and community building. Whether you’re hitting the hills with friends, joining a ski club, or taking a family snowboarding trip, these activities form a sense of friendship. Shared experiences on the mountain create lasting memories and strengthen social ties, developing a sense of belonging and connection.
The benefits of winter snow sports spread far beyond the excitement of downhill drops. Winter activities not only keep you physically fit but also benefit your mental well-being and provide chances for social communication.
Winter wonderland is waiting for you, promising a season full of joy, health, and unforgettable experiences. So, when the snow arrives, consider putting on your skis and enjoying the benefits winter sports bring to your body and mind.
1. What is the benefit of downhill skiing?| A．Keeping fit. | B．Reducing stress. |
| C．Improving athletic ability. | D．Building friendships. |
| A．Attending winter sports has lots of fun. | B．Social interaction is very important. |
| C．Winter sports are good for relationships. | D．Outdoor activities improve mental health. |
| A．To give advice on winter sports. | B．To teach methods of doing winter sports. |
| C．To encourage people to join in winter sports. | D．To introduce different kinds of winter sports. |
| A．The Beauty of Winter Snow Field | B．Pleasure Created by High Speed |
| C．Winter Snow Sports and Mental Health | D．The Benefits of Winter Snow Sports |
Maze Fist, also known as Mi Zhong Quan, is a traditional martial art from China. It
Maze Fist masters use complex footwork
Deeply
8 . IOC president Thomas Bach was urged by several members Sunday to change Olympic rules on term limits and seek four more years as president through 2029.
Bach’s presidency is due to end in 2025—a 12-year maximum agreed in anti-corruption (反腐) reforms passed after the Salt Lake City scandal (丑闻) broke in the 1990s. However, citing the recent years of global crises, several of the 99 International Olympic Committee members opened their annual meeting Sunday suggesting they needed more of Bach’s leadership. The Olympic movement needed “to go through this period of hardship with a president who has proved his courage,” said the Algerian leader of African Olympic bodies, Mustapha Berraf.
Though Bach has never publicly sought a term limit-lasting third time, the option has been spoken of in international sports circles since he was re-elected in 2021 at a meeting. The IOC gives its president a first term of eight years. Bach neither encouraged nor dismissed the proposal though he noted the presidential term limit is included in the IOC’s book of rules and principles. “I’m very loyal to the Olympic Charter,” the German lawyer said.
Extending Bach’s term would need a proposal submitted ahead of an annual meeting, known as the Session. The next is scheduled in July in Paris on the eve of the 2024-Summer Games.
A diplomatically expressed counter to extending Bach’s presidential term was suggested by gymnastics federation president Morinari Watanabe, who has been considered as a possible IOC leadership candidate. “Sports organizations must follow rules and have high integrity under good governance,” Watanabe suggested. “Sports demonstrate discipline and the spirit of fairness to society.”
Consideration on other candidates to succeed Bach has also included two of the IOC’s four vice presidents, Nicole Hoevertsz of Aruba and Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. of Spain, plus Zimbabwe sports minister Kirsty Coventry, who is widely seen as a favored successor of Bach.
1. From the first three paragraphs we know ________.| A．A 12-year maximum IOC presidency was made due to a scandal. |
| B．Most of the members are in favor of changing Olympic rules on term limit. |
| C．Supporters want Bach to continue his presidency for the present hardship. |
| D．Bach is contacting the African Olympic bodies for his third-round presidency. |
| A．Watanabe. | B．Hoevertsz. | C．Samaranch Jr. | D．Coventry. |
| A．Confession. | B．Confusion. | C．Opposition. | D．Recognition. |
| A．Bach is seeking for his third time presidency. |
| B．Several members urged the continuation of Bach’s presidency. |
| C．Different attitudes to Bach’s presidency for a third round are considered. |
| D．Several successors of Bach will be discussed in the coming Session in July, 2024. |
1. What is the topic of the photos of this year?
| A．Flowers. | B．Animals. | C．Food. |
| A．Bye-mail | B．By post. | C．In person. |
| A．A cup. | B．A camera. | C．Some money. |
1. What are we told about the 24 Hour Fitness Worldwide Clubs?
| A．They have about 300 chained clubs. |
| B．They have six different types of clubs. |
| C．They have 27,000 club members. |
| A．Group exercise classes. | B．A running track. | C．Rock climbing. |
| A．The Active Club. | B．The Express Club. | C．The Sports Club. |
| A．The Express Club. | B．The Super-sports Club. | C．The Ultra-sports Club. |
