1 . Here at The Literacy Site, we’re big believers in playtime. So is one school in Texas, following the tradition of many schools in Finland (芬兰). And now research is on board too.
Debbie Rhea, a researcher from Texas Christian University, designed the program now in place at Eagle Mountain Elementary, in which children have four 15-minute recess (课间休息) periods throughout the school day. She heard about the success of the Finnish school system and decided to take a trip there to study it. When she returned, she began working with schools here in the U.S. to do something similar.
At Eagle Mountain Elementary, students now get three times as much recess as they used to have; outdoor time has been swelled from 20 minutes to an hour each day. The program also focuses on helping kids develop character instead of just test-taking skills.
Since carrying out the program, teachers are noticing that their students are more attentive and less restless. They make more eye contact, have better test scores, and seem to be healthier and happier overall. They even need to sharpen their pencils less because they spend less time chewing (不停地啃) on them. Schools in three other states are starting a similar program after seeing this one perform so well.
In other areas of the country, however, schools have been cutting back on playtime to squeeze in (使挤入) longer lecture periods to prepare kids for standardized tests.
Cutting recess is, no doubt, a decision made with good purposes. But is the traditional lecture-and-test method really effective? Does reducing recess time make more learning happen? The results of recent research say no. A 2014 study showed that the benefits of high-quality recess programs include a drop in bullying and conflicts (冲突), and an increase in the amount of safety and happiness students feel. Children have even been shown to learn better immediately following a break like recess, according to research done by Robert Murray, an expert at Ohio State University.
“If you want a child to be attentive and stay on task, and also if you want them to understand the information you’re giving them, you’ve got to give them regular (经常的) breaks, he said.
1. What does the underlined word “swelled” in paragraph 3 mean?| A．Stressed. | B．Measured. | C．Increased. | D．Exchanged. |
| A．The goals of the program. | B．The benefits of the program. |
| C．Teachers’ advice on the program. | D．Other schools’ reactions to the program. |
| A．To explore why some schools like to cut recess. |
| B．To show how kids make use of their recess time. |
| C．To explain why cutting recess should be stopped. |
| D．To describe how hard it is to ensure kids’ recess time |
2 . Teachers at an Atlanta elementary school hold a mirror up while students shout positive affirmations (肯定) to themselves. “We live in a tough neighborhood in Atlanta. It’s good to plant those seeds (种子) here,” a teacher said.
In a video that recently went viral (迅速传开), fourth-graders at Gideons Elementary School in Atlanta, Georgia lined up to shout positive affirmations to themselves in a mirror while their teachers cheered them on. “I am smart!” “I am a good person!”
“The idea came from something I practice with my 5-year-old daughter,” said Neffiteria Acker, the teacher seen in the video holding the mirror.“ When we’re on our way to school, I have her repeat affirmations to me, starting with, ‘I am.’ Usually, I just ask her to tell me something good about herself. She’ll say, ‘I’m a fast eater,’ or, ‘I’m a fast runner.’ Then I’ll add to it, ‘You’re also really brave.’”
“It lifts her confidence. So I thought, ‘Why not bring that to the classroom? ’ ” she added.
Cierra Levay Broadway, the teacher who filmed the video, said she was moved while watching the students shout their affirmations. “It was an amazing moment,” she said. “I was really astonished when I saw the kids and heard what they were saying. For a lot of them, it was the first time they’d ever done that.”
The teachers understand the importance of building self-confidence at a young age, especially for students who do not have such an opportunity at home.
“In our neighborhood the kids hear a lot of negative things about themselves. So a seed of self-love is the best seed to plant, and all Broadway and I have to do is water it,” Acker said.
1. Why did the teachers try to help their students?| A．The students dislike studying. |
| B．The students laugh at the gardeners. |
| C．The students are affected by their environment. |
| D．The students have difficulty getting on with each other. |
| A．Plan for their futures. | B．Cheer up their schoolmates. |
| C．Find other students’ strengths. | D．Say positive words about themselves. |
| A．Her daughter’s suggestions to her. | B．Her conversations with her daughter. |
| C．A video of a small girl. | D．A mirror in her school. |
3 . The music world lost a rock and roll superstar this week when guitarist Eddie Van Halen passed away. He was only 65 years old.
Eddie Van Halen was a founding member of the band Van Halen. He formed the group in 1974 with his brother Alex, who played the drums. Van Halen released (发行) its most popular single, the song Jump, in 1983. Jump rose to the top of Billboard Magazine’s list of Hot 100 songs and stayed there for five weeks. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio lists Jump among its “500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll”. Eddie Van Halen released at least 15 record albums with his band over the years, selling more than 80 million around the world. In 2007, Van Halen entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Van Halen brothers were born in the Netherlands. Their father was a professional musician. Their mother was from Indonesia. In the 1950s, some Netherlanders did not support the mixed-race (混种族) marriage, so the family moved to the United States. They settled in southern California. Eddie and Alex Van Halen had to learn English in their new land. Both brothers studied piano for years before getting interested in rock and roll.
As a child, Eddie was considered musically gifted. Eddie told a reporter he did not learn to read music. He said he would watch his teacher play and memorize his moves. He also said that he never took a class on playing the guitar, although he studied under Eric Clapton for a time. His father was among the first to recognize Eddie’s guitar skill. “You’ve got it, kid,” Eddie’s father said to him early on.
Eddie’s guitar playing was hard and fast. He was energetic while performing, often jumping like an acrobat (杂技演员) as he played. He was known for the way he tapped on the guitar strings with both hands. It influenced many musicians that followed.
1. What’s paragraph 2 mainly about?| A．Eddie’s band. | B．Eddie’s Jump. |
| C．Eddie’s life story. | D．Eddie’s achievements. |
| A．To make a good living. | B．To escape racial prejudice. |
| C．To receive better education. | D．To experience different cultures. |
| A．To remember a famous musician. |
| B．To express sadness for a superstar’s death. |
| C．To praise Eddie Van Halen for his contributions. |
| D．To show the excellence of Eddie Van Halen. |
4 . Traveling with a toddler (幼儿) can be exhausting. But rarely is it as painful as Kate Baker’s experience during a flight twenty years ago.
Baker and her husband, Bob, were
“The flight attendants were
One of the flight attendants asked Baker’s husband if the toddler was still breathing. “Just
Then she noticed three women get out of their seats and
They eventually landed in Amsterdam, and Baker and her husband took Neil to a(n)
They went right to a pediatrician (儿科医生), who
| A．returning | B．heading | C．moving | D．tending |
| A．healthy | B．fortunate | C．wealthy | D．content |
| A．lost | B．interested | C．occupied | D．trapped |
| A．repeated | B．responded | C．reacted | D．recalled |
| A．ensure | B．announce | C．acquire | D．recommend |
| A．barely | B．commonly | C．extremely | D．ordinarily |
| A．frightened | B．excited | C．confused | D．embarrassed |
| A．arranged | B．prayed | C．approached | D．recorded |
| A．legs | B．coats | C．scarves | D．arms |
| A．low | B．gentle | C．pleasant | D．annoyed |
| A．airport | B．destination | C．office | D．clinic |
| A．kind | B．nice | C．good | D．fine |
| A．cancelled | B．offered | C．booked | D．considered |
| A．blamed | B．discovered | C．appreciated | D．hesitated |
| A．supportive | B．adventurous | C．doubtful | D．critical |
5 . Sonia Denoncourt is one of the most successful celebrities in the world of women’s soccer. She made her name doing what many still think of as a “man’s job” --refereeing(裁判) soccer matches.
The Canadian began her career as a referee in 1978, at the age of 14. She worked her way up, and in 1994, became the first female international FIFA referee. Sonia was the first woman to referee a top men’s professional game, in EL Salvador in 1996. A year later, she became the first female to referee a men’s first division game (甲级队) in Brazil. She has refereed at thousands of games at all levels, including over 100 international games, three World Cups, and two Olympic Games.
Her goal has always been to encourage more young women to become involved in the game. She accepts that it can be difficult, but she is sure that progress is possible. “I became a top referee and I’m from Canada, which is not a huge footballing nation,” she said. “So if I can do it, anyone can. And I wouldn’t change anything about my life because my career has given me excellent opportunities.”
In 1994, there were only four female referees on FIFA’s list. In 2008, this figure had risen to552--over 18 percent of the 3,000 listed FIFA referees and assistants. She is now Head of FIFA Women’s refereeing and continues to promote the role of women in soccer. However, there is still a long way to go in the battle for equality in the game.
It is still very unusual to see a female referee at the top international tournaments. Some people say this is because the women referees aren’t fit enough to work at the highest level. But for Sonia, this is simply an excuse to hide the widespread opposition to women doing what is considered a “man’s job”. “It’s a social thing,” she says. “In some countries women in positions of authority are just not accepted.” Even Sonia admits, “Football is still a man’s world.” However, things are changing, thanks to pioneering women like Sonia.
1. Which of the following can best describe Sonia Denoncourt?| A．Strong and patient. |
| B．Tough and generous. |
| C．Determined and committed. |
| D．Strict but humorous. |
| A．She has never been accepted as a referee. |
| B．She has had a great impact on women’s refereeing. |
| C．She has won the battle in competing with male referees. |
| D．She has already considered herself as a leading referee. |
| A．Being unfit. |
| B．A lack of experience. |
| C．Weak physical power. |
| D．Deep-rooted opposition to women. |
| A．A Woman Doing a Man’s Job. |
| B．A Woman Having Her Dream. |
| C．A Woman Bringing about Changes. |
| D．A Woman Involved in International Games. |
6 . One morning, I called our pregnant cat Socky to be fed, but she didn’t come. I thought she’d probably found somewhere to
Socky had a
After lunch I took some
Socky was very
| A．hide | B．nurse | C．feed | D．have |
| A．hesitate | B．worry | C．regret | D．sympathise |
| A．habit | B．way | C．chance | D．sense |
| A．selected | B．checked | C．discovered | D．confirmed |
| A．busy | B．perfect | C．whole | D．big |
| A．water | B．food | C．blankets | D．clothes |
| A．huge | B．heavy | C．empty | D．colourful |
| A．tired | B．surprised | C．annoyed | D．embarrassed |
| A．unique | B．lovely | C．loud | D．faint |
| A．finger | B．nose | C．ear | D．mouth |
| A．Finally | B．Actually | C．Exactly | D．Instantly |
| A．poor | B．strange | C．neat | D．excellent |
| A．allowing | B．taking | C．involving | D．shutting |
| A．pleased | B．shocked | C．curious | D．nervous |
| A．happened | B．grew | C．continued | D．failed |
7 . Hong Kong has recently witnessed the return of live concerts and large-scale events, attracting visitors from around the world. Are you also planning a trip? It’s time to dig out your Octopus card for convenient payment of transport fares and much more.
No Octopus card, no problem! The options for transport payment in Hong Kong have become more diverse and convenient in recent years. People can now pay for public transport using WeChat Pay, Alipay, bank cards or credit cards. And the Octopus card, which has a wide variety of uses, can now be put into the electronic mobile wallet and can be used even if your phone is out of battery.
Are you figuring out the best way to get to the city center from the airport? The Airport Express takes only 24 minutes to travel from the airport to downtown. If you want to get off the plane and go straight to Central district, the fast and comfortable Airport Express is the best choice.
The Airport Express platform is connected with the airport’s arrival hall and has multiple entrances. It takes as little as a minute for passengers to enter the platform from the arrival hall. The trains provide large luggage storage areas, as well as high-speed Wi-Fi and charging facility. More importantly, the Airport Express connects you with other MTR lines. Whether for business travel or sightseeing, the Airport Express can save you a lot of time.
In addition to the MTR and buses, Hong Kong’s public transportation system also includes the historic Star Ferry, Hong Kong Tramways and the Peak Tram. They have been around for many years, but their functionality and overall experience are as good as that of the new transport modes. In fact, they enhance the experience of tourists and are also popular with locals going to work, shopping or out on a date. To improve passengers’ experience, the Peak Tram has recently undergone a major renovation.
It’s been a while and now it’s time to say “Hello Hong Kong” again!
1. What can be learned about transport payment in Hong Kong?| A．Octopus card is a must to travelers. |
| B．Transport payment has greatly improved. |
| C．Travelers can not choose to pay online or not. |
| D．Travelers can still pay when their phones are power off. |
| A．Complex and time-consuming. | B．Confusing and costly. |
| C．User-friendly and highly-effective. | D．Complicated and outdated. |
| A．Octopus card can do nothing more than paying transport fares. |
| B．The Airport Express enables passengers to enter the platform quickly. |
| C．The Peak Tram is too old to compete with new transport modes. |
| D．Old transport modes have lost their edges despite their renovation. |
| A．To introduce Hong Kong’s public transport. |
| B．To illustrate the popularity of Hong Kong. |
| C．To advertise for Hong Kong’s public transport. |
| D．To recommend Hong Kong as a great tourist attraction. |
8 . It’s not hard to be poetic about the broad and deep benefits of spending time in natural spaces,from amazing national parks to the simple loveliness of a walk around a city park or tree-lined neighborhood street, and some time working in the dirt of your own garden.
A new study from researchers at Clemson University has found another benefit to simply putting your body in a natural space: it can lower the amount of money you spend on health care.
“The mechanisms linking nature and health are very diverse,” said Matthew H. E. M. Browning, the principal investigator on the study, "but the benefit is believed to be in part because being in green space can decrease stress, promote healthy behaviors and enable you to breathe fresh air.”
Browning and his team used satellite data to investigate how much green space was within 250,500 and 1,000 meters(820,1,640,and 3,280 feet) of five million northern California residents who were insured by Kaiser Permanente. They then determined the costs the insurance company paid out to those same members over a two-year period. They took into account age,gender,race and a number of neighborhood characteristics including population density and education levels.
Even with all these factors included into their analysis, the researchers found that those who lived near the most green space had an average of $374 less per year in health care expenses compared to those who lived farther from natural spaces.
The researchers hope their findings will support public policies that prioritize(优先考虑) natural elements in residential areas. For you, maybe this learning will inspire you to plant a tree or a potted flower today-or create a beautiful garden to enjoy, with a view of some health-giving, green goodness.
1. What does the author intend to do in paragraph 1?| A．Lead in the topic of the text. | B．Summarize a recent study result. |
| C．Provide some advice for readers. | D．Raise readers’ interest in exercise. |
| A．Why spending time in nature benefits health. |
| B．Nature and health can affect each other deeply. |
| C．How residential green space improves air quality. |
| D．The benefit of walking in a natural space is obvious. |
| A．They can encourage further relevant research. |
| B．They can delight current insurance companies. |
| C．They can boost the establishment of green space. |
| D．They can remind us to purchase more insurance. |
| A．Getting Close to Nature Keeps Us Happy |
| B．It’s Unnecessary to Invest Much in Health |
| C．It’s Not Hard to Keep Fit for City Residents |
| D．Being in Nature Reduces Health Care Cost |
9 . Science and Technology Camp
•Full-day camp for students aged 12-14
•Four-week program July 5-30 | Monday-Friday, 9 am to 4 pm
Week 1 | July 5-9
Week 2 | July 12-16
Week 3 | July 19-23
Week 4 | July 26-30
•Registration begins June 1, 2023 — register for minimum two weeks.
•Fees: $75 registration fee. $795 per week. Full payment must be made at time of registration.
•The deadline for the cancellation to receive a full refund is June 15, 2023.
Camp Structure
Camp days are comprised of eight sessions with two sessions per day while the final day of the week is reserved for overviews and reflection. The morning sessions begin at 9 am to 12 pm followed by one hour for lunch. (Campers should bring their lunches.) Afternoon sessions are scheduled from 1 pm to 4 pm with 15-minute breaks midway through each session. Snacks are provided at break time. (Food allergies should be reported at the time of registration.)
Camp Content
Science and Technology camp above all emphasizes entertainment while teaching students about how websites are designed using various coding languages, rocket design, practical applications of math and physics, and how to build your own hydraulics system.
Camp Personnel
The camp is headed by the husband-and-wife team of Doctors James and Sophie Clark who are experts in the fields of computer science and mechanical engineering. Our mission is to make sure everyone feels fully supported and excited to be here.
1. What is the lowest cost of attending the Science and Technology camp?| A．$75. | B．$795. | C．$1590. | D．$1665. |
| A．Rocket science. | B．Fun in learning. | C．Coding language. | D．Hands-on experiences. |
| A．Mechanical engineers. | B．Medical doctors. | C．A married couple. | D．Computer technicians. |
10 . If writing a letter a hundred years ago was like sitting down with someone in a quiet room and talking face to face, writing an email today is like shouting at someone across a noisy crossroads while they’re rushing to a meeting. Everyone is too busy. We keep getting information from emails, text messages and the web. It’s very possible that your email will be read when the receiver is on a phone or doing other tasks.
This means, when writing an email, you should be clear.
I often receive emails from people who are interested in some sort of knowledge communication but never make it clear how they would like me to take action. Do they want to have a coffee? Do they want to make a phone call? It’s unclear. So I won’t respond (回复) at all.
It’s more possible for you to get a response from someone if it’s clear what the next step is. Let’s say you’re reaching out to a film director you admire for advice. Don’t just email him/her with:
I’ve been a fan of your films for years, and I’d love to ask you some advice. What do you say?
Instead, write something like the following :
I’m a longtime admirer of your films and have the greatest respect (尊重) for your filmmaking skills. I would love to ask you a few questions about how you made your first film. Would you be available to have a 15-20 minute phone call next week? My schedule is wide open all day on Thursday and Friday if you are free then. I know you’re very busy, so I promise to keep it short.
The second example explains the subject matter and the fact that you just want to make a phone call. This is more acceptable because you’ve already suggested a date. In other words, you’ve respected their time, and they now know that dealing with you won’t be a headache.
1. What does the first paragraph say?| A．Few people write letters nowadays. | B．People seldom talk face to face nowadays. |
| C．People are too busy to read an email carefully today. | D．People can deal with different tasks at the same time. |
| A．Because he is too busy with the task at hand. |
| B．Because he thinks it will waste too much time. |
| C．Because he doesn’t want to communicate with strangers. |
| D．Because he doesn’t know what the sender wants from him. |
| A．The email. | B．The phone call. | C．The film. | D．The meeting. |
| A．Because it includes detailed and clear information. |
| B．Because it makes the film director feel proud. |
| C．Because it is a more official email. |
| D．Because it sounds more polite. |
