1 . When I was young, my mother didn't have the money to send me to school, but she thought it was important for me to keep up with education. So she decided to teach me extra lessons herself. But because she had to go to work, the only time she could do it was at 4:30 in the morning.
We need every one of you to develop your talents and your skills so that you can help us old folks solve our most difficult problems. If you quit on school—you're not just quitting on yourself, you're quitting on your country. No one's written your destiny（命运）for you, because you write your own destiny. You make your own future. That's why today I'm calling on each of you to set your own goals for your education and do everything you can to meet them. Your goal can be something as simple as doing all your homework, paying attention in class, or spending some time reading a book.
But whatever you decide to do, I want you to commit to it. I want you to really work at it. I know that sometimes you get that sense from TV that you can be rich and successful without any hard work—that your ticket to success is through rapping or basketball or being a reality TV star. No one's born being good at all things. You become good at things through hard work. You're not a good athlete the first time you play a new sport. You don't hit every note the first time you sing a song. You've got to practice.
1. What can we learn from the first paragraph?| A．The writer's home was very rich. |
| B．The writer's mother was a teacher. |
| C．The writer was born in a poor family. |
| D．The writer didn't like reading books. |
| A．To quit on their country to earn more money. |
| B．To offer help to the old people who have difficulties. |
| C．To write their own new destiny by working as TV star. |
| D．To spend some time writing books about their own life. |
| A．Because everyone's future is determined by themselves. |
| B．Because everyone's future is to do simple work. |
| C．Because everyone should do their homework. |
| D．Because everyone should pay attention in class. |
| A．By rapping. |
| B．By playing basketball. |
| C．By being a reality star. |
| D．By working hard. |
2 . At 5:30 am, carer（护工）Ivy Bowen's clock wakes her up. She puts on her uniform, and then walks to a bus stop to the hospital where she works. Two hours and two buses later, the 68-year-old arrives at 8:00 am, half an hour before her shift（轮班）.
For Tracey Griffiths and her son Carl, this half an hour has been life-changing. Because for nearly two years, Ivy has spent that time bringing Carl cups of tea and chatting. Thanks to these chats, as well as Ivy's devotion and caring skills, Carl has begun speaking again after four years of silence.
Four years ago, a serious accident left Carl unable to move and talk. When he did finally speak, one of his first words, unsurprisingly, was "Ivy". "Ivy is there and it makes a huge difference. Thanks to her, Carl's speech is coming on by leaps and bounds," says Tracey.
Ivy should have retired（退休）two years ago but she is still there, because she wants to be, and so do the hospital's managers and her grateful patients. Ivy is now in charge of 25 patients at the hospital. She makes tea and coffee for families as well as patients, and makes sure that everyone in her care gets enough fresh water. She also helps with feeding, giving creams or anything else that might need doing.
Ivy's great wish to improve the lives of patients has driven her to find other ways, in which she can help them out. For Ivy, the recipe for good care is simple. "Treat everyone as you would like to be treated yourself," she says. "I love everything about working at the hospital. To be able to come in, have a chat and change someone's day a bit, it means a lot."
1. When should Ivy Bowen begin her work every morning?| A．At 5:30. | B．At 7:30. |
| C．At 8:00. | D．At8:30. |
| A．To chat with the patients. | B．To give creams to the patients. |
| C．To feed all the patients. | D．To provide water for the patients. |
| A．Ivy's son. | B．Ivy's patient. |
| C．The nursing director. | D．A famous doctor. |
| A．Carl has great difficulty in keeping silent. |
| B．Carl makes a huge difference to Ivy's career. |
| C．Carl is too afraid to see the carers as well as doctors. |
| D．Carl has made progress in speaking with the help of Ivy. |
3 . You have probably heard of the Mozart effect. It's the idea that if children or even babies listen to music composed by Mozart, they will become more intelligent. A quick Internet search reveals plenty of products to assist you in the task. Whatever your age is, there are CDs and books to help you taste the power of Mozart's music, but when it comes to scientific evidence that it can make you more clever, the picture is more mixed.
The phrase "the Mozart effect" was made up in 1991, but it was a study described two years later in the journal Nature that sparked real media and public interest about the idea that listening to classical music somehow improves the brain. It is one of those ideas that sound reasonable. Mozart was undoubtedly a genius himself; his music is complex and there is a hope that if we listen to enough of it, we'll become more intelligent.
The idea took off, with thousands of parents playing Mozart to their children, and in 1998 Zell Miller, the Governor of the state of Georgia in the US, even asked for money to be set aside in the state budget so that every newborn baby could be sent a CD of classical music. It was not just babies and children who were exposed to Mozart's music on purpose, even an Italian farmer proudly explained that the cows were played Mozart three times a day to help them produce better milk.
I'll leave the debate on the impact on milk yield (产量) to farmers, but what about the evidence that listening to Mozart makes people more intelligent? More research was carried out but an analysis of sixteen different studies confirmed that listening to music does lead to a temporary improvement in the ability to handle shapes mentally, but the benefits are short-lived and it doesn't make us more intelligent.
1. What can we learn from Paragraph 1?| A．Mozart composed many musical pieces for children. |
| B．There is little scientific evidence to support the Mozart effect. |
| C．There are few products on the Internet about Mozart's music. |
| D．Children listening to Mozart will be more intelligent. |
| A．people were strongly against the idea |
| B．Mozart played an important part in people's life |
| C．the idea was accepted by many people |
| D．the US government helped promote the idea |
| A．Favorable. | B．Objective. | C．Doubtful. | D．Positive. |
| A．What Music Is Beneficial? |
| B．Listening to Mozart, Necessary? |
| C．What Is the Mozart Effect? |
| D．To Be or Not to Be？ |
4 . During a decline in tourism, one national park in Thailand has seen a dramatic rise in “visitors” recently. So many are the hermit crabs （寄居蟹）flooding into the otherwise empty beaches of Koh Lanta that shells （贝壳）for them to live in have become in short supply.
The Thai government moved quickly to ease the housing shortage, launching a public appeal for empty shells that netted over 200 kg. On December 5 these were distributed around the park in a ceremony.
Hermit crabs rely on shells to protect their soft bodies, moving to larger shells as they grow. On Koh Lanta and the surrounding smaller islands, their rapid increase seems to be a natural phenomenon, rather than directly related to the absence of tourists. But the shortage of shells may be man-made：pretty ones have long been gathered to be sold as goods. Crabs had begun to make do with potential death-traps such as plastic caps and bottles.
The shell drive was part of a government initiative to “regain the balance of nature”. “I have instructed all national parks to do whatever it takes,” says Varawut Silpa-archa, the minister for natural resources. His inspiration comes from the pause in tourism brought on by CO VID-19. A ban on international visitors and the closure of national parks have helped nature recover, bringing endangered leatherback turtles back onto Thai beaches. In the coastal provinces of Phang Nga and Phuket, turtles have laid the largest number of eggs for 20 years.
The government has decided to try to copy the short break forced on it by CO VID-19 in future. From now on, all national parks will be required to close for a short period during the off-season and to limit the number of tourists through a reservation system when they are open. Although such restrictions mean reduced earnings from tourism in the short term, in the longer run more parks may help to keep the tourists coming.
1. What happened to the beaches of Koh Lanta recently?| A．They got flooded by seawater. |
| B．They became completely empty. |
| C．They were packed with hermit crabs. |
| D．They saw a constant stream of tourists. |
| A．Natural disasters. |
| B．Human activities. |
| C．Their preference for bottles. |
| D．The government's involvement. |
| A．To warn turtles are dying out. |
| B．To prove beaches are their ideal habitats. |
| C．To stress ecological diversity of Thailand. |
| D．To illustrate the birth of Varawut’s inspiration. |
| A．Developing Economy or Protecting Animals? |
| B．Closing National Parks or Drawing More Visitors? |
| C．Governments are Responsible for the Balance of Nature |
| D．Authorities Help to Find Shelters for Homeless Hermit Crabs |
5 . Imagine reading a story titled “Pursuing Success.” That would be an inspiring story, wouldn’t it? Maybe—but maybe not. It might well be the story of someone whose never-ending chase for more and more success leaves them unsatisfied and incapable of happiness.
Though it isn’t a conventional medical addiction, for many people success has addictive properties. Obviously, success goes with praise. To a certain extent, praise stimulates the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to all addictive behaviors.
The desire for success may be in humans’ nature, but specialness doesn’t come cheap. Success is tough work, and it requires bearing the cost of losing. In the 1980s, the physician Robert Goldman famously found that more than half of ambitious athletes would be willing to take a drug that would kill them in five years in exchange for winning every competition they entered.
Unfortunately, success is endless. The goal can’t be satisfied; most people never feel “successful enough.” The high only lasts a day or two, and then it’s on to the next goal. Psychologists call this the hedonic treadmill, in which satisfaction wears off almost immediately and we must run on to the next reward to avoid the feeling of falling behind.
People should get off the treadmill. But quitting isn’t easy for addicts. For people hooked on substances, withdrawal can be a painful experience, both physically and psychologically, research finds that depression and anxiety are common among outstanding athletes after their careers end. Olympic athletes, in particular, suffer from the “post-Olympic blues.”
Just like wine, success in and of itself is not a bad thing. Both can bring fun and sweetness to life. But both become bossy when they are a substitute for—instead of a complement to — the relationships and love that should be at the center of our lives.
1. What can be inferred from the first two paragraphs?| A．Success doesn’t always bring positive results. |
| B．A traditional medical addiction leads to success. |
| C．The passion for constant success is rarely praised. |
| D．Success addiction has already drawn wide attention. |
| A．To argue that athletes deserve more rewards. |
| B．To illustrate success is a tough and cruel job. |
| C．To describe the routine training of an ordinary athlete. |
| D．To express his opinion on success: no pains, no gains. |
| A．Satisfaction and a sense of pride | B．Confidence and lifelong happiness |
| C．Anxiety and short-lived happiness | D．Relaxation and endless motivation |
| A．Stop chasing success | B．Give up love and relationships |
| C．Chase success at any cost | D．Reflect on what matters in life. |
6 . At first, the earthˈs surface layer (层) was made up of huge blocks of hard, solid rocks. Then slowly, the rocks broke up into smaller and smaller pieces. Finally stones, pebbles (卵石) and grains of sand were formed. Many sorts of plants and animals lived and died on the surface of the earth. Their remains mixed with stones and pebbles formed soil. The outmost layer of the earth is soil.
There are many ways in which large pieces of rock break into smaller ones. Wind, water, heat and cold help to break up rocks. When winds blow grains of sand against a large rock for a long time, the softer layers of the rock are slowly worn away. That leaves holes and cracks in the rock, which become bigger and finally the rock breaks up into smaller pieces.
The moving water of streams and rivers also helps to break up rocks. As the water moves along, it carries with small pieces of rock. These rub the larger ones. Thus, the larger rocks are worn down to smaller pieces.
The heat of the sun is also helpful to breaking up rocks. When the sun shines, the rocks become very hot. If these rocks are suddenly cooled, they may crack. Ice also plays a part in making soil. Water in the cracks can turn into ice in cold weather. As this happens, the cracks become bigger and wider, and finally break into smaller pieces.
1. According to the passage, soil ________.| A．forms very slowly |
| B．is a mixture of stones, pebbles and sand |
| C．makes up the layers of the earth |
| D．is becoming smaller and smaller |
| A．Three. | B．Four. |
| C．Five. | D．More than five. |
| A．The remains of many plants and animals formed soil. |
| B．If a large rock never moves, it will never break up. |
| C．The changes in temperature will help to break up rocks. |
| D．Ice in the cracks helps to break up rocks. |
| A．Soil from Rocks |
| B．Ways to Break up Rocks |
| C．Soil on the Earth |
| D．Soil, Outmost Layer of the Earth |
7 . If you visit Uluwatu temple in Bali, be cautious. The long-tailed temple monkeys there are well-known thieves. Since a long time ago, they have made a living by robbing visitors of their possessions and then holding those objects until a ransom in the form of food is paid. But Jean-Baptiste Leca of the University of Lethbridge, in Canada, wondered whether these monkeys are cleverer still. Sometimes, they do not accept the first offer and hold out for more. He therefore asked himself whether they are able to assess how valuable an object is to its owner, and factor that into their negotiations.
Dr. Leca and his colleagues conducted their experiment by wandering around the temple with video cameras, recording the activities of the monkeys. Every time they saw a monkey show interest in a particular tourist? they recorded the interaction. To work out what was going on, they had first to establish the relative values of food rewards to monkeys, and of stealable objects to people.
To confirm which stealable objects are most valued by people, they divided them into six classes: empty containers, such as phone cases and plastic bottles; accessories (搭配物) such as hairpins and key rings; hats and shoes; spectacles and sunglasses; and electronics and wallets. They then observed how often victims bothered to bargain with the thief for the return of property belonging to different classes, and thus classified objects into low value, medium value and high value.
They found that monkeys do, indeed, have a complicated sense of what they are doing — at least, adults and sub-adults do. These animals have a preference for stealing high-value items, and will often hold out either for more rewards, or for better ones, if they are in possession of such items. But this is something that they have to learn how to do as they grow up. Young monkeys make no such distinctions, and sub-adults are less good at doing so than adults.
1. What is the purpose of Leca's research?| A．To prove monkeys are cleverer than men. |
| B．To find out what is valuable for monkeys. |
| C．To record the negotiations between monkeys. |
| D．To make sure monkeys can judge item values. |
| A．Bilk. | B．Reward. | C．Tax. | D．Rent. |
| A．By the material of objects. | B．By the preference of victims. |
| C．By the buying price of objects, | D．By the frequency of bargaining. |
| A．Young monkeys can evaluate items. | B．All monkeys prefer high-value items, |
| C．Monkeys have a simple sense of acts. | D．Monkeys' stealing is an acquired skill. |
8 . A new report connects eating eggs to an increased risk of heart disease. The results follow several earlier studies that found eating eggs was generally healthy. The study collects data from six other earlier studies. It shows a 6 percent increased risk of heart disease when the number of eggs a person ate each day increased by half an egg.
Norrina Allen, an associate professor at Northwestern University said that, in the United States, eggs are generally one of the top sources of cholesterol(胆固醇)in a person’s daily food. People with higher levels of cholesterol in their food are at increased risk of the development of heart disease later in life. However, Allen added that she would not say that eggs are completely unhealthy. “I’m not saying that people should take them completely out of their food,” she said. “I’m just suggesting that people eat them in a proper amount.”
Some experts believe the new study does not prove that eggs are causing heart disease. “Cholesterol’s role in the development of heart disease has been discussed for more than 30 years,” said Bruemmer, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. “This study does have clear shortcomings, including self-reporting at a single time point,” he added.
Bruemmer said, “Eggs in moderation(适度)are probably acceptable from a nutritional standpoint.” “Moderation,” he added, “is less than one egg a day, including eggs in foods such as bread”.
Holly Andersen, a doctor at the NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, agrees that the study has “real shortcomings”. One problem Andersen has with the study is that a lot of the egg-eating people in the study also appeared to be eating much meat and processed meat. “If you’re taking a lot of processed meat, it doesn’t matter how many eggs you’re eating,” Andersen said.
Also, Andersen said, “The study can only show there is a relation between eggs eating and heart disease. But it cannot prove eggs are the cause of the disease. It may just be that people eating a lot of eggs are also taking a lot of bacon.”
1. What does Norrina Allen agree with?| A．Eggs are completely unhealthy. |
| B．Eggs contain the most cholesterol. |
| C．Eggs should be eaten in a right amount. |
| D．Eggs have no connection with heart disease. |
| A．Interested. | B．Doubtful. | C．Concerned. | D．Hopeful. |
| A．Eggs and meat cannot be eaten together. |
| B．Processed meat may cause heart disease. |
| C．Processed meat should be avoided. |
| D．The study is supported by evidence. |
| A．Do eggs cause heart disease? |
| B．Are eggs the top source of cholesterol? |
| C．What’s the proper amount of eggs eaten? |
| D．Is the cholesterol to blame for heart disease? |
9 . By the year 2050, a fifth of the world’s cities will experience unprecedented climate conditions and environments that currently don’t exist in any major cities, according to new research. A team of scientists at the Crowther Lab in Switzerland produced the report, which described the climate for 520 major cities 30 years in the future.
The results showed that 77 percent of the world’s cities will experience a surprising change in climate conditions by 2050, and 22 percent of the 520 cities will see conditions that are not currently experienced by any existing major cities.
In China in 2050, the climate of Xi’an, in Shanxi province, will be similar to that of current day Maseru, the capital city of Lesotho in southern Africa, with the maximum temperature of the warmest month likely to increase by 4.59℃. Chongqing in southwest China will resemble the climate of Swaziland capital Mbabane, as the warmest temperature is predicted to rise by 5.1℃.
Scientists predict summers in Europe will get warmer by an average of 3.5℃ and European winters will see temperature rises of 4.7℃. London’s climate will be more similar lo Barcelona, and Madrid’s to Marrakech.
The Crowther Lab hopes the analysis will motivate decision-makers to take necessary steps to prevent or address some of the climate effects due to the threat of climate change. The report also found that cities in tropical regions will experience smaller changes in average temperature but will be controlled by shifts in rainfall regimes. This may lead to a noticeable increase in unexpected events, and severe droughts.
“Across all scientific fields, the greatest challenge in climate science is no longer the precise measurement of climate change impacts, but inspiring people to picture is actual effects in order to motivate action,” said Tom Crowther, senior scientist und founder of the Crowther Lab.
1. According to the research, among the 520 cities by 2050, about ________ cities will experience the climate conditions that no major cities currently have experienced.| A．400 | B．114 | C．260 | D．104 |
| A．By listing figures. | B．By making comparisons. |
| C．By doing experiments. | D．By explaining theory. |
| A．To compare the climate change of the major cities of the world. |
| B．To inspire people to picture its actual effects in order to motivate action. |
| C．To inspire decision-makers to take necessary steps to prevent some climate effects. |
| D．To show most word’s cities will experience a striking change in climate conditions. |
| A．World Temperature | B．Current Climate Change |
| C．Big Titles in the World | D．Future Climate Change in Most Big Cities |
10 . Planning a vacation is one activity your family is sure to enjoy as there are plenty of options to choose from. To help you decide, here are four of the best cities for family vacation.
Washington, DC
The nation’s capital is a treasure place of fun, family activities that just happen to be rich with history. Start off exploring the National Mall and you’ll find the Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson monuments all within walking distance. Then there are the war memorials: Vietnam, Korean, and WWII.
Boston
Can’t get enough US history? A trip to Boston just might be for you. Go back in time by taking a tour of the USS Constitution, aka Old Ironsides. From there, walk The Freedom Trail where you’ll come across such landmarks as the site of the Boston Massacre, the Old North Church, Paul Revere’s house, and the Bunker Hill Monument.
Los Angeles
There is always something to do in Los Angeles. For starters, enjoy a beach day on the miles and miles of coastline. Malibu, Redondo, Manhattan, Venice, and Hermosa are just a handful of sunny SoCal beaches. In need of some culture? Get your art and architecture on at The Getty Center, where admission is free though you do have to pay to park.
San Francisco
If Southern California isn’t your speed, perhaps Northern California is. And San Francisco is a great place for a family to explore. Start by driving, or walking, across the Golden Gate Bridge. On the west side of the city is over 1,000 acres known as Golden Gate Park, home to gardens, trails, playgrounds and much more.
1. Which is suitable for you if you are interested in some late American presidents?| A．Washington, DC. | B．Boston. | C．Los Angeles. | D．San Francisco. |
| A．The Bunker Hill Monument. | B．The Golden Gate Park. |
| C．The Getty Center. | D．The Freedom Trail. |
| A．To tell us the history of four American cities. |
| B．To make a comparison of four American cities. |
| C．To provide guidance about travelling in the US. |
| D．To introduce four destinations for family vacation. |
