1 . The boy sat on his chair, with his hands above the keyboard. He thought about what to write.
He recalled that the competition deadline was merely a week away. But he still had not even started on his piece. He looked at the brochure again. “WRITING COMPETITION!” the title read. His mom had encouraged him to enter the writing competition, and now he was taking it on as his personal task for the holidays.
As the boy reflected on his previous writing efforts, he realized how hopeless his task of winning was. Every story he ever wrote was based on other stories. He has little imagination, and unfortunately, imagination was the key to writing.
Suddenly, he had a brainwave. This time, he came up with an original and imaginative story.
The words shot towards him like a storm of leaves. Words were coming easily, flowing through him, faster than he could type. He typed faster than he ever had before. He continued to type, amazed how easy writing this story was. The boy could not stop writing. He looked at the word count and saw the number “248” staring right back at him. He was not even halfway yet.
Then he heard his mother's call of saying time for bed. He continued writing the piece, ignoring her. He had to make up for the time he had lost in thinking about a topic to write.
Finally, he finished. The word count now read “498”.
“Perfect,” he thought, “just under the word limit.” He knew this was the story that would win.
He went to the website and searched for the competition. He found the page but there was no “Enter” button.
Confused, he then reread the page again. It read COMPETITION CLOSED.
1. What caused the boy to take part in the writing competition?| A．A new computer. | B．The prize money. |
| C．His own interest. | D．His mom's encouragement. |
| A．His mom helped him. | B．He copied others' ideas. |
| C．His friends assisted him. | D．He used his imagination. |
| A．Because he was terribly lazy. | B．Because he didn't know what to write. |
| C．Because he wasn't confident. | D．Because he read too many stories. |
2 . Being a teenager is hard, which is why there are many amazing teen movies documenting （记录)the experience. Some are so good that they will become classics in a few years. Here is a list for you.
Mean Girls
"You go, Glen Coco!" "It's not going to happen!” "On Wednesdays we wear pink!" "You can’ t sit with us!" If you rank teen movies by how many lines of dialogues will live on forever, Mean Girls will certainly be on top. So many classic lines!
Eighth Grade
This movie will take you back to the eighth grade and remind you of all the good and bad times you had at that age. Kayla, a shy girl, feels the most connected to the world through social media. It's Kayla's final week in the eighth grade and she promises to make it as great as possible before she moves on to high school.
13 Going on 30
This classic follows Jenna Rink, a girl whose wish on her 13th birthday is to grow up and escape from high school. The next day her wish comes true. She wakes up in her 30-year-old body only to find that she's an editor of a major magazine in America. Although she loves her new life at first, she quickly finds out that being grown-up isn't that much easier than being 13.
Shazam!
Shazam! is about a kid named Billy Batson, who suddenly gets magic powers from the Wizard Shazam. By calling Shazam's name, Billy can be changed into a hero with powers like strength, speed and flight. Like in all the other movies of this kind, in Shazam! Billy is tasked with defeating his enemy who warns to steal all his powers.
1. What is special about Mean Girls?| A．It is about girls' adventures. | B．It ranks first on the movie list. |
| C．It is aimed at amusing the audience. | D．It contains lots of classic dialogues. |
| A．Eighth Grade. | B．13 Going on 30. |
| C．Mean Girls. | D．Shazam!. |
| A．A superhero film. | B．A documentary. |
| C．A tragedy. | D．A love story. |
3 . TV Shows For Teens
A study found that although new types of media are available to youngsters today, television continues to be important. Teens continue their habit of watching TV during adolescence and even start to rely on it for their knowledge expansion. Here is a list of TV shows for your teens' viewing pleasure:
Ancient Aliens
As your teens are old enough to understand Unidentified Flying Objects and aliens, you can encourage them to watch Ancient Aliens. This American television series will bring your teens the fascinating topics of extraterrestrial（外星球的）presence and the scientific proof behind the claims.
Channel: History
Superhumans
The American documentary series were aired from 2010 to 2014, whose aim was to discover human beings with a superhuman level of extraordinary physical or mental abilities. The show, which attempts to uncover the scientific secret behind their “gifts”, will help your teens learn about the scientific reasons of superhuman abilities.
Channel: Sci-Fi
Megascience
Providing an abundance of scientific information in an easy and comprehensible way is Megascience's style. All your teens' most puzzling scientific questions are answered in this show clearly and in detail, telling everything related to science.
Channel: Discovery Science
Science of Stupid
This show, broadcast in various versions in different countries, mixes science along with fun. While addressing various scientific principles, it provides a scientific explanation for basic questions, such as what happens when you use the wrong type of balloon, through funny videos.
Channel: National Geographic
1. On which channel can teens watch a show about UFOs?| A．History. | B．Sci-Fi. | C．Discovery Science. | D．National Geographic. |
| A．Its popularity. | B．Its style. | C．Its meaning. | D．Its audience. |
| A．They talk about science. | B．They have many versions. |
| C．They are brand-new shows. | D．They are aired around the world. |
4 . Masks that helped save lives during the coronavirus pandemic(流行病) are proving a deadly danger for wildlife, with birds and marine creatures trapped in the incredible number of abandoned facial coverings littering on animal habitats.
Single-use surgical masks have been found thrown around pavements, waterways and beaches worldwide since countries began demanding their use in public places to slow the pandemic's spread. Macaques(猕猴) have been spotted chewing the straps(带子) off old and deserted masks in Malaysia a potential choking danger for the little monkeys. And in an incident that captured headlines in Britain, a gull(海鸥) was rescued in the city of Chelmsford after its legs became tangled（缠结）in the straps of a disposable mask for up to a week. The animal welfare charity was alerted after the bird was spotted motionless but still alive, and they took it to a wildlife hospital for treatment before its release.
The biggest impact may be in the water.More than l. 5 billion masks made their way into the world's oceans last year. accounting for around 6,200 extra tons of marine plastic pollution, according to environmental group OceansAsia. ? Already there are signs that masks are worsening threats to marine life. Conservationists in Brazil found one inside the stomach of a penguin after its body was washed up on a beach, while a dead pufferfish(河豚) was discovered caught inside another off the coast of Miami.
Masks and gloves are "particularly problematic" for sea creatures，says George Leonard, chief scientist from U. S. -based NGO Ocean Conservancy. "When it takes those plastics hundreds of years to break down in the environment, they form smaller and smaller particles," he added, "those particles then enter the food chain and impact entire ecosystems."
Fortunately, there has been a shift towards greater use of reusable cloth masks as the pandemic has worn on，but many are still choosing the lighter single- use varieties.Campaigners have urged people to throw away them properly and remove the straps to reduce the risk of animals becoming trapped. Oceans Asia has also called on governments to increase fines for littering and encourage the use of washable masks.
1. What role do masks play during the coronavirus pandemic?| A．They keep people free of the pandemic |
| B．They make people look more mysterious. |
| C．They help reduce the speed of the pandemic's spread. |
| D．They are of great helpful to wildlife. |
| A．The animals lack enough food |
| B．T hey enjoy playing with the straps |
| C．The deserted masks put them in danger |
| D．It's time for people to protect the animals |
| A．Marine creatures are in trouble. |
| B．Masks and gloves will finally threaten the whole ecosystems. |
| C．The plastics are easy to break down. |
| D．The particles masks and gloves form are smaller and smaller. |
| A．Animal protection |
| B．Marine plastic pollution |
| C．How to reduce the risk of abandoned masks |
| D．The deserted masks endangering wildlife |
5 . The company SpaceX has already launched hundreds of its Star-link satellites, with plans to put as many as 42,000 of them in Earth orbit. Its goal is to provide high-speed Internet to billions of people. Moving toward that kind of access is important, but it comes at a cost. Glittering with reflected sunlight, these first orbiters, sent up in the past year, are brighter than 99 percent of the 5,000 or so other satellites now circling Earth, and obviously there are going to be a lot more. This sudden increase is bad for astronomy: the probability of a Star-link satellite crossing a telescope’s field of view and ruining an observation will be quite high near sunset. For that reason, my fellow astronomers have signed a petition (请愿书) calling for governments to protect the night sky from this invasion.
In response to protests, SpaceX has promised to address the visibility problem by, for example, applying experimental coatings — essentially painting the satellites black — but the company’s aggressive launch schedule remains unchanged. And the satellites’ illuminated (被照亮) surfaces are mostly their solar panels — exactly the part that cannot be painted over.
Unfortunately, at present no regulations govern how bright a single satellite can be, let alone thousands of them together. Even if there were such regulations, one nation’s laws can not hinder (阻碍) another country’s launches. Space literally has no borders, and the sky will need to be protected at an international level. As a consequence, we hope that the United Nations will find a way to think outside of the box to save the sky for everyone.
When I was growing up in Montana, it was a game to be the first to find a moving satellite among the host of stars in the night sky. Soon it could be a game to recognize the constellations (星座) behind a swarm of moving points of light.
1. What is the writer’s attitude toward Space X’s launching plans?| A．Indifferent. | B．Doubtful. | C．Optimistic. | D．Disapproving. |
| A．SpaceX plans to send too many Star-line satellites into space. |
| B．The Star-line satellites will possibly ruin an observation near sunset. |
| C．The first orbiters are brighter than most of other satellites circling Earth. |
| D．Space X fails to provide high-speed Internet to people around the world. |
| A．The United States. | B．The United Nations. |
| C．The company SpaceX. | D．Just one nation. |
| A．Preserve the Night Sky | B．Ban Star-line Satellites |
| C．Observe the Stars Attentively | D．Protest against Space X |
6 . SEED Madagascar Volunteer
Whether your passion is sustainable community development or vital conservation work, we can offer you an unforgettable experience. No particular skills are required to volunteer in a short term with us and training is given locally, but if you do have particular experience in areas relevant to your program, all the better! .
Who it's for
High schoolers, university and college students, corporate team building groups are all welcome.
At a glance
●Program length: 2 - 4 weeks
●Start dates: flexible, please discuss with our team
●Group size: 10一30 participants
●Activities: construction/ conservation/ English teaching- combined as required
● Location: Saint Luce, Anosy region, Southeast Madagascar
What's included
●Transport costs for the duration of the program from Day 1 collection at Fort Dauphin airport to drop-off at the program's end
●Use of our beautiful campsites and facilities
● All meals while on program( Optional meals out at Fort Dauphin restaurants are extra. )
●Full training for building and construction tasks and conservation field research techniques
●Malagasy language lessons
Additional costs
| International flights(return from the UK) | ₤ 680—₤ 1,000 |
| Internal flights ( return from Antananarivo to Fort Dauphin) | ₤ 280—₤ 400 |
| Comprehensive travel insurance | ₤ 60—₤ 150 |
| Tourist visa | ₤ 20 |
| Medical preparations | ₤ 30—₤ 80 |
| Personal equipment | ₤ 0—₤ 100 |
Contact us today via our online form: Online enquiry form
1. What should you bear in mind if you want to apply for SEED Madagascar Volunteer?
| A．It lasts for four weeks. | B．It doesn't have fixed start dates. |
| C．It requires relevant experience. | D．It is intended for high school students. |
| A．Comprehensive travel insurance. |
| B．Conservation field research techniques. |
| C．Short-term training for different languages. |
| D．Transport from Antananarivo to Fort Dauphin. |
| A．₤ 560. | B．₤ 680. | C．₤ 1,360. | D．₤ 2,000. |
7 . Things to Do in London This Weekend
Now, some of the most cherished London venues have opened their doors again. Take a look at our lists of exactly what is opening up in London.
Columbia Road Flower Market
The Columbia Road Flower Market is reopening this weekend, but it will be quite different. Stands will be spread out. Nearby roads will be closed and there will be a limit on the number of people who can enter the market. The statement is also calling on locals to support the market but advises people not to visit frequently in order to avoid overcrowding.
Lambeth Country Show
The festival of countryside won' t be held in its usual home of Brock well Park this year. However, it is being taken online instead. All your favourite aspects of the fair will be part of the virtual edition this weekend, including the highly popular Vegetable Sculpture Competition and other usual lower show competitions, local-themed talks, craft market and virtual music performances.
Walthamstow Garden Party
The free two-day festival in E17 is going online this year. Over the weekend you can tune in to music and take part in online workshops from crafting to Tai Chi. Don't miss the highlight of the weekend: East London Radio' s first-ever live show taking place across the weekend with behind-the-scenes chats with local artists, live music from St Mary's Church and much more.
Brixton Courtyard
A new beer garden is opening in Brixton with D sets, wine tastings and more in a safe environment. South London music venue Brixton Jamm has improved its outdoor space with spaced-out booths and picnic benches.
1. What measure will be taken in Columbia Road Flower Market?| A．Canceling the stands |
| B．Forbidding travelers to visit. |
| C．Limiting the customer number. |
| D．Checking the temperature of travelers. |
| A．Both are held online. | B．Both last for two days. |
| C．Both include competitions. | D．Both present virtual music. |
| A．Columbia Road Flower Market. | B．Lambeth Country Show. |
| C．Walthamstow Garden Party | D．Brixton Courtyard. |
8 . 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 |
9 . Social media is taking over our lives: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and now, TikTok. These social media platforms have transformed from a way to stay connected to an industry where even kids can make money off their posts. While this may seem like another opportunistic innovation, it’s really full of hidden false realities.
The median income (中位收入) recorded in the United States of America was about $63,000 in 2018. TikTokers can make anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 for a TikTok brand partnership, and TikTokers with over a million followers can make up to $30,000 a month — $360,000 a year. They are making more than the average person trying to feed their family and keep a roof over their heads, simply by posting a 15-second video.
This is mad in more ways than one. Not only is it an overpaid “job”, it promotes undeserved admiration from viewers and a false sense of reality. Many of these famous TikTokers are still teens, and the effects of fame at such an early stage in life might cause issues later in life, such as mental illness. Teens between the ages of 13 and 17 make up 27% of TikTok viewers, who can be easily influenced by what they are watching. They can put a false sense of self-value into who they look up to and what they represent: money, fame, being considered conventionally attractive.
While TikTok has become a great tool for marketing, it’s important to understand how this content affects young viewers. If we’re constantly consuming content that hsows us all we need to do to be successful is be conventionally attractive and post a 15-second video featuring a new dance, it will challenge our knowledge of what really makes someone successful and will in turn affect our individual work ethics (伦理). What about the people who miss birthdays and family holidays due to their jobs and aren’t getting paid nearly as much as these TikTokers?
Richard Colyer, president and creator of Metaphor, Inc., had his own view on this issue.
“It sounds great that kids can make money for doing the latest dance moves in a 15-second video, but we should feed the minds of kids and not just their bank accounts. TikTok can be great if used properly. Money alone is not good, technology alone is not good and connectedness can be bad if it’s only online.”
Again, as a fellow consumer of TikTok, I do enjoy the app when I have some time to kill and need a good laugh. I’m not against someone making a living on entertainment, but what does getting famous of a 15-second video teach young people?
1. What does the underlined word “this” in Paragraph 1 refer to?| A．Social networking. | B．Making money on social media. |
| C．A job offered by TikTok. | D．Staying connected to the Internet. |
| A．They tend to live an adult life too soon. |
| B．They are forced to pay for certain services. |
| C．They may abandon other social media. |
| D．They are likely to develop false values. |
| A．TikTok can be a positive influence if teens employ it wisely. |
| B．Young TikTokers should be banned form making money. |
| C．It is better to involve education on investment in TikTok videos. |
| D．Contents of videos need checking before their release online. |
| A．Say No to TikTok. | B．Join Young TikTokers |
| C．TikTok — A Mine of Money | D．A Job vs An Entertainment |
10 . Music died here last spring，or rather，it was killed by members of the school committee who ignored the importance of music and drama as part of the high school curriculum.
The committee decide that teaching students how to take a standardized test is more important than a curriculum in which students can explore their interests in the arts.Because the school system is running out of funding，it needs to make sure that students pass the test or even more money will be lost.If students fail the state standardized test，it is not the fault of drama and music classes.They are failing because the“academic”classes are in deficiency in a way.
It is painful to think of how many students will be discouraged from singing，acting，and playing instruments because school programs are no longer offered.Many families cannot afford private music lessons，and many potential musicians and artists may not find their callings if they are not exposed to the arts in school.The fact that the school committee thinks the arts are not worth the investment will certainly make some students believe the arts are not worth their time or support and the cycle will continue.
Teaching for a test does not shape students into well rounded people.It blocks the natural sense to create and express feelings through the arts—there is more to life than the analytical thinking that math and English provide.What happens after a test？Sure，a student might graduate，but they will have limited knowledge—certainly not a good preparation for the real world.
1. Music and drama are removed from the high school curriculum in that________.| A．some students fail the state standardized test |
| B．fewer and fewer students love to attend them |
| C．the school curriculum has been changed |
| D．the school is afraid of losing financial support |
| A．Not enough. | B．Too many. |
| C．Too boring. | D．Not proper. |
| A．motivate students in creativity and expression |
| B．make students roundshaped people in future |
| C．provide students with careful thinking |
| D．prevent students from graduating from high school |
| A．Humorously. | B．Bitterly. |
| C．Excitedly. | D．Mildly. |
