1 . High school freshmen always have a lot of questions on their minds. “What can I do when I grow up?” is one of them. It's definitely not too early to start thinking about this tough question. The following tips may help equip you for your future career.

Think beyond grades

Getting good grades in high school is important, but focusing only on straight A's could go wrong. Spending too much time on your schoolwork will leave you little time to explore opportunities outside of the classroom. Extracurricular (课外的) activities are necessary because they serve as form of career exploration. They can help you figure out your work preferences, like whether you are a “people person (擅长交际的人)”or prefer to work alone. Nowadays, most well-known colleges care about candidates' experiences as much as their grades.

Seek advice from grown-ups

Talk to your parents, teachers and school counselors (顾问) about how they started their careers. Even though you're not interested in the careers they are in, it would be useful to learn about the process which got them where they are now. If you find your friend's' mother doing worthwhile job by chance, ask her if job shadowing (体验工作) is possible in her company during vacation After all, seeing a typical day in the position you have an interest in can be an invaluable experience.

Start your search online

If you really have no idea what you can do when you grow up, take online career quizzes to get ideas about what professions naturally match your skills, interests and personality traits (特点). For the time being, you just need to focus on finding a field or two that interests you, rather than a specific career. Chances are you'll change your mind several times before finding a career that you want to stick to. Starting to explore                           career options now can at least help you decide what your potential major might be.

1. Spending some time taking part in after-school activities can help high school students        .

A．get A's in all subjects

B．explore their work preferences

C．have access to well-known universities

D．get along with their classmates

2. It is suggested that high school students find out their       from online career quizzes.

A．possible professions

B．main disadvantages

C．specific occupations

D．ideal majors

3. This article was probably written by a          .

A．college professor

B．school counselor

C．advertising manager

D．computer programmer

2 . When you think of the Himalayas, you may picture tall, rocky, snow-covered peaks. But that’s not true.

The subnival (亚冰雪的) region is the zone between the treeline and the snowline. It is 5 to 5 times as large as the areas of glaciers and permanent snow, which means studying it is vital to understanding the Himalayas as a whole.

The treeline is the edge of an ecosystem where trees are able to grow, and beyond the treeline environmental conditions become too tough to allow tree growth. Meanwhile, snowlines are the boundaries on mountains that separate areas with permanent snow (where snow is present for the majority of the year) from areas with seasonal or no snow.

Researchers used satellite data from 1993 to 2018 to measure plant cover between 4,150 meters and 6,000 meters above sea level. The scientists discovered that the greatest increase in plant cover was between an altitude of 5,000 meters and 5,500 meters. Subnival plants mostly include small shrubs and grasses.

Even areas once completely occupied by glaciers now hold rocks covered with mosses, lichen, and sometimes even flowers. In addition, the snowline seems to be retreating, while the treeline is expanding. This shows that the region is becoming warmer, causing more melting of snow and allowing vegetation to move up in height.

In the past 40 years, 25% of all Himalayan ice has been lost due to global warming. Himalayan glaciers are reducing by about 0.5 meters each year. The rate of glacier melting has doubled in this decade. The melting of glaciers increases water in the region, making it wetter. Receding snow also forces the snowline to move up, providing a greater amount of area for the warm and moist conditions, which are perfect for vegetation growth.

As of now, we do not know whether vegetation will accelerate or slow down the rate of glacier melting.

1. How does the writer develop the third paragraph?

A．By explaining concepts.	B．By providing some examples.
C．By analyzing causes and effects.	D．By listing specific data.

2. What does the underlined word “retreating” mean in Paragraph 5?

A．Disappearing.

B．Lengthening.

C．Withdrawing.

D．Widening.

3. What is the direct effect of global warming on the Himalayas?

A．The snowline moves up.	B．Glaciers are melting faster.
C．The subnival area is wetter.	D．Plants grow much better.

4. What does the passage mainly talk about?

A．The climate of the Himalayas is changing.	B．Icebergs in the Himalayas have disappeared.
C．Plants are diverse in the Himalayas.	D．Plant life spreads in the Himalayas.

5 . Aaron has performed in Germany, Korea, the Czech Republic and across the United States. His back flip (翻) earned him a place in “Guinness World Records”. Aaron doesn't use a skateboard to do his tricks. He sticks a perfect four wheeled landing with his wheelchair. That's quite an accomplishment for a kid who was born with spina bifida, a developmental birth defect (缺陷) that made him even unable to sit independently.

One day, when he was eight, his friends encouraged him to roll down a shallow ramp (斜坡). It was a scary first ride. Aaron crashed his hands, but he was attracted. Six months later, after endless hard trying and training, he accomplished his first trick—lifting up one of the back wheels while crossing a barrier.

“The more I rode, the better I became, though I have to admit that the process involved falling in every way possible,” says Aaron. When Aaron performed his first airborne 180 out of the box, Steve, his father, sensed an opportunity, videotaped the performance and sent it to the Internet. A letter soon arrived from John Box, founder of Colours’N Motion, encouraging him to call him directly whenever they needed anything. Aaron has a sponsor since.

With his mother helping with scheduling, he has had the opportunity to travel within the US as well as internationally. He has attended summer camps for disabled children as a coach. “I know that I can be an inspiration for disabled kids,” says Aaron. “The message I want to convey to kids and adults is very simple: Always test your boundaries and don't let the disability restrict your capacities and possibilities.”

1. What happened when Aaron first tried to roll down a ramp?

A．He crashed into his friend and got hurt.	B．He became interested in the sport.
C．He was too scared to try the sport again.	D．He accomplished his first trick.

2. Who funded Aaron to achieve his goal?

A．Steve.	B．John Box.
C．His friends.	D．His mother.

3. Which of the following words best describe Aaron?

A．Independent and cooperative.	B．Ambitious and generous.
C．Courageous and determined.	D．Energetic and humorous.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Aaron: skating ability beyond disability.

B．Aaron: inspiration for skating coaches.

C．A boy working for “Guinness World Records”.

D．A boy seeking to be an Internet celebrity.

6 . 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 (神经递质多巴胺)，which contributes to all addictive behaviors.

The desire for success may be born to human 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 (快乐跑步机现象)，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 (补充物)to — the relationships and love that should be at the center of our lives.

1. What does praise function as when going with success?

A．It has nothing to do with success addiction.

B．It may indirectly cause success addiction.

C．It always brings positive results of success.

D．It results in all addictive behaviors except success.

2. Why did the author mention the research findings of Robert Goldman?

A．To show success is a tough and cruel job.

B．To stress the key to success lies in efforts.

C．To argue that athletes deserve more rewards.

D．To describe the routine training of an ordinary athlete.

3. What can success bring to a success addict according to psychologists?

A．Satisfaction and a sense of pride.

B．Anxiety and short-lived happiness.

C．Relaxation and endless motivation.

D．Confidence and permanent happiness.

4. What does the author suggest people do about pursuing success?

A．Stop chasing success.

B．Chase success at any cost.

C．Reflect on what matters in life.

D．Give up love and relationships.

7 . An artist in Oakland, California is using his skills to help the homeless. Greg Kloehn builds very small shelters that make life on the streets a little more comfortable. The structures offer the homeless some safety and protection from bad weather. Each little house also has wheels on the bottom so it can go wherever its owner goes.

Greg Kloehn has given away at least 20 tiny houses. Several are on the roadside near an active railroad. On a recent day, Mr.Kloehn stops at one to visit Oscar Young. The two men hug. Inside his little shelter Mr.Young gets relief from cold nights on the streets. Mr.Kloehn also visits Sweet­Pea, another friend who also lives in one of the little homes the artist built. She says it keeps her safe and protects her belongings.

In the mornings, Mr. Kloehn searches the streets for building materials. He gathers what he can and takes it to his studio. There, he puts the houses together. Empty coffee bags become roof material. A washing machine door and refrigerator part become windows. Nails,screws and the sticky glue hold all the pieces together. The artist also attaches a small electrical device to the house. The device is powered by the sun.

Some of the people living on the streets once had normal houses of their own. But some of the people say they have learned to live with less and they are thankful to that man.

Mr.Kloehn says his work is not a social project. He says he is just someone using his skills to help his homeless neighbors.

1. The following are the advantages of the small shelters EXCEPT ________.

A．saving power and energy

B．protecting possessions of the homeless

C．decorating the streets where they are

D．keeping the homeless safe and comfortable

2. We can learn from the passage that ________.

A．Greg Kloehn has sold at least 20 tiny houses

B．an act of kindness has made people simple and grateful

C．the shelters are immovable

D．the government has got involved in the action

3. The passage is likely taken from ________.

A．an official report

B．an art review

C．a science magazine

D．a news report

4. What’s the main idea of the passage?

A．An artist creates homes for the homeless.

B．A more comfortable shelter on the streets.

C．A successful social project in Oakland.

D．An artist makes a living by designing small shelters.

8 . A woman held her phone tightly to her heart the way a church-goer might hold a Bible. She was anxious to take a picture of an impressive bunch of flowers that sat not so far away, but first she had to get through a crowd of others pushing their way to do the same. The cause of this was Bouquets to Art, one of the most popular events at the de Young Museum in San Francisco.

Flower sellers were asked to create flower arrangements that respond to pieces of art on display, from ancient carvings to contemporary sculptures. It’s extremely attractive and also memorable, to the point that it has become a problem.

In recent years, the de Young received more than a thousand complaints from people who felt that cell phones had spoiled their experience of the exhibit. Institutions of fine art around the world face similar problems as the desire to take photographs becomes a huge attraction for museums, as well as something that upsets some of their patrons (资助人). So the de Young responded with a kind of compromise:carving out “photo free” hours during the exhibition’s six-day run.

One common complaint about the effect of social media on museum culture is that people seem to be missing out on experiences because they are so busy collecting evidence of them. A study recently published in the journal Psychological Science suggests there is some truth to this. It finds that people who keep taking photos of an exhibit and posting them on social media rather than simply observing it, have a hard time remembering what they see. But the issue is complex for the professionals running museums. Linda Butler, the de Young’s head of marketing and visitor experience, acknowledges that not everyone wants a museum to be“a photo-taking playland”. Yet a lot of people do and she believes that the de Young is in no position to judge one reason for buying a $ 28 ticket to be more valid than another. “If we removed social media and photography,” she says. “We would risk becoming irrelevant.”

1. What was the woman eager to do according to Paragraph 1?

A．To get her phone.	B．To escape the crowd.
C．To take a photo.	D．To push ahead.

2. How did the de Young respond to the dilemma?

A．By setting periods without photo-taking.

B．By making the exhibition free of charge.

C．By compromising with the government.

D．By extending the free exhibition hours.

3. The recent study finds that the use of social media in museums may ________.

A．uncover the truth	B．cause irrelevancy
C．bring more pleasure	D．play a negative role

4. Which of the following may Linda Butler support?

A．Reducing admission prices.

B．Catering to visitors.

C．Reserving judgement in public.

D．Banning social media and photography.

9 . To many people, honey bees symbolize wealth, sustainability and environmentalism. But as a honey bee researcher, I have to tell you that only the first item on that list is defensible. Although they are important for agriculture, honey bees, which are usually imported from outside the local area, also disturb natural ecosystems by competing with native bees.

For several years the media has told us that bee populations are under threat. In response to this media campaign to"save the bees", raising honey bees has become a popular hobby. But as a species, honey bees are least in need of saving. Much media attention is given to honey bees at the expense of native bees, and this has led many citizens—myself once included—to mistakenly believe they are doing a good thing for the environment by raising honey bees. Unfortunately, theyare probably doing more harm than good.

“Beekeeping is for people; it's not a conservation practice, "says Shelly Smith, an environmental science professor. People mistakenly think keeping honey bees also helps the native bees, which are at risk of extinction. That's wrong.”

Smith and her research team recently surveyed one thousand local people in Canada and found that they had a surprisingly poor understanding of bee types and their roles in promoting flower growth. Most people’s attention is on saving honey bees when, from a conservationist's point of view, native bees are the ones in more need of support.

“To make matters worse, beekeeping companies and various non-science-based projects have financially benefited from the decline of native bee populations, "Smith explains. "These companies pretend they are interested in saving bees but their actions are actually damaging the native bee populations.”

The introduction of honey bees increases competition with native bee populations for food,putting even more pressure on the wild species that are already in decline. Honey bees are extremely efficient food gatherers and take over almost all local flower resources, thus leading to damaging competition—that is, where one species uses up a resource, not leaving enough to go around.

1. Which statement does the writer argue for?

A．Honey bees endanger native bees.

B．Honey bees are a symbol of wealth.

C．Honey bees are important for agriculture.

D．Honey bees can defend natural ecosystems.

2. What can be inferred from paragraph 2?

A．Beekeeping is a still-popular traditional hobby.

B．The media is responsible for misleading the public.

C．Citizens’ attempts to protect the environment are effective.

D．The media campaign has failed to promote honey bee businesses.

3. What surprised Shelly Smith's team?

A．Beekeeping companies' making great profits.

B．The quick expansion of bee-friendly habitats.

C．The public's ignorance of bee varieties and roles.

D．Insufficient attention given to saving honey bees.

4. How does the writer develop the last paragraph?

A．By listing examples.	B．By making comparisons.
C．By analyzing survey data.	D．By explaining cause and effect.

10 . As the effects of climate change become more disastrous, well-known research institutions and government agencies are focusing new money and attention on an idea: artificially cooling the planet, in the hopes of buying humanity more time to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

That strategy, called solar climate intervention (干预) or solar geoengineering, involves reflecting more of the sun’s energy back into space — abruptly reducing global temperatures in a way that imitates the effects of ash clouds flowing out from the volcanic eruptions. The idea has been considered as a dangerous and fancied solution, one that would encourage people to keep burning fossil fuels while exposing the planet to unexpected and potentially threatening side effects, producing more destructive hurricanes, wildfires floods and other disasters.

But. as global warming continues, producing more destructive hurricanes, wildfires floods and other disasters, some researchers and policy experts say that concerns about geoengineering should be outweighed by the imperative to better understand it, in case the consequence of climate change become so terrible that the world can’t wait for better solutions.

One way to cool the earth is by injecting aerosols (气溶胶) into the upper layer of the atmosphere. where those particles reflect sunlight away from the earth. That process works, according to Douglas MacMartin, a researcher at Cornell University.

“We know with 100% certainty that we can cool the planet,” he said in an interview. What’s still unclear, he added, is what happens next. Temperature, MacMartin said, is an indicator for a lot of climate effects. “What does it do to the strength of hurricanes?” he asked, “What does it do to agriculture production? What does it do to the risk of forest fires?”

Another institution funded by the National Science Foundation will analyze hundreds of simulations of aerosol injection, testing the effects on weather extremes around the world. One goal of the research is to look for a sweet spot: the amount of artificial cooling that can reduce extreme weather events without causing broader changes in regional rainfall patterns or similar impacts.

1. Why do researchers and government agencies work on cooling the earth?

A．To prevent natural disasters.	B．To win more time to reduce gas emissions.
C．To imitate volcanic eruptions.	D．To encourage more people to bur fossil fuels.

2. What are researchers worried about in terms of global warming?

A．More volcanoes will throw out.

B．More solar energy will go into space.

C．More disasters will endanger the future of the world.

D．People will keep burning fossil fuels to keep warm.

3. What can be inferred from Douglas’ words in an interview?

A．He thinks more research remains to be done.

B．He is optimistic about the effect of cooling the earth.

C．He is concerned about the reduction in agriculture production.

D．He disapproves of the practice of solar climate intervention.

4. What does the underlined words “sweet spot” in the last paragraph mean?

A．The rainfall pattern of a region.

B．The modest drop in temperature.

C．The number of extreme weather events.

D．The injection amount of aerosol.