1 . It is not rare in China that many seniors take advantage of their retirement years to please their grandchildren.
Some are good at sugar figure blowing art-the maker uses sugar as its basic material to boil and blow into various figures. Some can weave, using even the most unexpected materials such as leaves, and some excel in carpentry, using wood to carve lifelike dolls and toys.
Recently, in a small village in Fujian province, one — and — a — half — year — old Dandan became the most enviable child. His grandfather made a wooden " mantis cart （螳螂车）"for him. The wooden components on both sides of the cart would rise and fall with the metal wheels, resembling a mantis. This one-of-a-kind toy was filmed by the child's parents and posted online, immediately arousing curiosity.
The grandfather, Li Shishui, 70, who has been a carpenter for more than 50 years, retired in 2018. In his spare time, he picks up his old craftsmanship and uses the scrap （小块）wood from his old house to make the "mantis cart" with long legs. He also makes pure wooden toys such as robots , birds and even an "Iron Man".
When Dandan goes out in the “ mantis cart"， it never fails to turn heads and children of the neighbors next door shout and cry to their parents for one too.
Full of childlike fun, fatherly love and delicate design, the wooden toy, not merely catches the heart of children in his neighbourhood, some netizens also express their envy after watching online videos. "I want a grandpa like him too. " "Does grandpa want a granddaughter?" Some also recollect that although their grandfather is not a carpenter, these videos have brought back their fond memories when they were young — their grandfather also made some gadgets （小物件）for them.
Therefore, many believe, parents should stress the importance of the education of their children's interpersonal communication skills at an early age. Children who grow up in the love of their elders can expect to be more brave, positive, optimistic and confident than other children.
1. What does the author mean by the underlined part "This one-of-a-kind toy”?| A．The toy is hard-won. | B．The toy is specially made. |
| C．The toy is of high quality. | D．The toy is the only one made by Grandpa Li. |
| A．All the components of it are made of wood. |
| B．Its online videos were not immediately accepted. |
| C．Its insect-like features attract both children and adults. |
| D．It was hand-made by Grandpa Li, a craftsman of sugar figures. |
| A．Much importance should be attached to children's behavior. |
| B．Children under the care of their elders may have better personalities. |
| C．Some netizens envy Dandan as their grandparents are not carpenters. |
| D．Some children of the neighbors cry as Dandan doesn't share the toy with them. |
| A．Fashion. | B．Entertainment・ |
| C．Lifestyle. | D．Transportation. |
2 . Earthworms don’t move fast. But humans can accelerate the worms’ spread. Fishermen often use invasive(蔓延性的) earthworms to catch fish. Many have introduced invasive earthworms to rivers, streams and lakes previously unexposed to these animals. Gardeners who use earthworms to make their soil rich may unknowingly introduce invasive ones. The worms even give rides in the mud on wheels, potted plants and road materials shipped around the nation.
But they’re not everywhere yet. In the Great Lakes region, “20 percent of the land is earthworm-free,” says Cindy Hale, a research biologist. Of the remaining 80 percent of land, half of the land has fewer than two earthworm species-meaning there isn’t yet too much impact on the ecosystem, she explains. For these regions, she says, now is the time to take action. According to Hale, educating the public, especially fishermen, is one approach to stopping the spread of invasive earthworms. Identifying which lands are currently earthworm-free is another.
Ryan Hueffmeier, a program coordinator for Great Lakes Worm Watch, has been working on a model that will help create large maps of areas with minimal(最小的) or no damage from earthworms. Ultimately, landowners can use it to identify earthworm activity on their property. once identified, lands with minimal or no earthworm damage should be protected.
But scientists suspect that once invasive earthworms arrive they can’t be removed. And even if all could be, affected forests might never return to the way they were. “It’s very much a story of learning to live with them,” concludes Lee Frelich of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Forest Ecology.
Forest ecologists have called earthworms “ecosystem engineers” because they can change or create habitats that otherwise would not be present. Whether this is a good thing depends on the situation.
“What the earthworms do and how we value it is what really matters.” said Hale. “In one place-farm fields or gardens-we really like European earthworms and what they do, so we consider them good. In native hardwood forests, we really don’t like what they do-so we consider them bad. You really have to understand how an organism(微生物) affects an ecosystem. Things aren’t black and white.”
1. Why are fishermen and gardeners mentioned in the first paragraph?| A．To attract more people to fishing and gardening. |
| B．To introduce different uses of invasive earthworms. |
| C．To stress the importance of invasive earthworms to humans. |
| D．To show humans’ effect on the spread of invasive earthworms. |
| A．Finding out areas free of earthworms. |
| B．Extending a ban on the fishing industry. |
| C．Making maps of areas with most earthworms. |
| D．Informing the public of different earthworm species. |
| A．Objective. | B．Positive. |
| C．Ambiguous. | D．Doubtful. |
| A．A biology textbook. | B．An official report. |
| C．A science magazine. | D．A research paper. |
3 . The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will now be held on July 2021 With less than three months to go. questions surrounding the safety have grown intense. How to do this safely with thousands of athletes and staff involved coming to Japan in the middle of the pandemic?
A "playbook" released by the IOC and Tokyo organizers provided some insight. Besides masking up, avoiding crowds and washing hands frequently, travelers will have to produce a test negative upon arrival. They will not have to quarantine, but aren't allowed to go to public areas during their first 14 days. All travelers must submit a detailed route to Japanese authorities. They must submit details of their health and any symptoms they are experiencing into a mandatory（强制性的）mobile app. Anyone who breaks these rules could be sent back home.
The IOC encourages athletes to get the vaccine if available, though not mandatory. Japan began vaccinating its citizens in mid — February, so it's likely many Japanese won’t have received dosage by the start of the Games. Dr. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist in Georgetown University, believed the best action the IOC could take to safely stage the Games would be a vaccination requirement. "Many attendees from countries with out-of- control coronavirus transmission are a threat to the public health," she said. “It might be challenging as the access and availability of vaccines varies in different countries, but that might be the safest option for Japan."
Despite many potential restrictions, nothing seems to stop the Olympics from taking place. First and foremost. money. Hosting the Olympics is quite costly and Japan has already spent over S 25 billion of mostly public finances. Even if fans aren't allowed and athletes are heavily restricted in traveling outside of the grounds, this would still be an incredibly profitable event. Global broadcast rights make up roughly 73% of income generated from the Games, and sponsorships make up almost another 20%. Plus, Japan would still get major publicity.
“The government is keen to hold the Olympics for the reputation and to celebrate Japan's virtues and strengths." said Jeff Kingston, a professor at Temple University. "It wants to reprise the glory of the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games and lift national and global spirits that have plummeted during the pandemic. It also hopes to stimulate a depressed economy."
1. Attendees of the Olympics are required to do the following EXCEPT .| A．get a negative test result upon arrival |
| B．be quarantined during their first 14 days |
| C．report their travelling routes in detail |
| D．input any symptoms through an app |
| A．All the athletes are supposed to get the vaccine before the Games. |
| B．Rasmussen disapproved of the vaccinating requirements by the IOC. |
| C．The IOC's action to stage the Games will help local citizens get vaccinated. |
| D．Attendees from some countries might have difficulty in getting vaccinated. |
| A．Preventing the pandemic, | B．Regaining the previous glory. |
| C．Enhancing people's spirits. | D．Boosting falling economy. |
| A．Business. | B．Education. |
| C．Sports. | D．Tourism. |
4 . Crackle is a website that lets you stream free movies and watch free TV shows on your computer, phone, and tablet. Although you'll need to sit through a few commercial breaks during the movies and shows, an awesome selection of programming, as well as a decent video quality, will have you coming back again and again.
View Crackle's Free Movies
Movies at Crackle are organized into types to help you find thrillers, comedies, action movies, Crackle original movies, dramas, crime movies, horror films, and more. You can sort the free movies alphabetically or by recently added so you can check back as often as you want to see what they've been including in their free selection.
Crackle regularly has around 100 free, full-length movies that you watch any time you want. New movies are constantly being added and retired from Crackle, so you'll always find something new to watch.
View Crackle's Free TV Shows
Like the movies section, the TV shows you can find here include many types of programs and original Crackle series that you can't find anywhere else. Crackle keeps videos during a particular time and then removes them. This means if you watch part of a movie one day, it's quite possible that it could be gone the next before you can finish it.
How to Stream Crackle Movies & TV Shows
Crackle works on lots of devices. You can follow the links above to see the movies and TV shows on your computer, but there's also a Crackle movie app so that you can stream the videos on your phone or tablet. You can download the Crackle mobile app on iOS devices, Android phones and tablets, and other devices.
1. What can be learned about Crackle from the first paragraph?| A．It inserts several advertisements during films. |
| B．It attracts more viewers due to its web design. |
| C．It charges viewers fees to enjoy all its programs. |
| D．It requires viewers to download programs to watch. |
| A．They are all produced by Crackle. | B．They are classified by time. |
| C．They are easy to find and appreciate. | D．They are kept on Crackle all the time. |
| A．An announcement. | B．An advertisement. |
| C．An art works review. | D．An official report. |
5 . Vietnam launched preparations for the Lunar New Year with a fish release on Thursday. The tradition involves releasing fish called carp into rivers and lakes in the country a week before the holiday known as Tet officially begins.
The tradition comes from an ancient story of three “Kitchen Gods”. The three, two males and a female, take a ride on the brightly colored carp at the end of the year. They go to Heaven to meet with the Jade Emperor, the God who rules there. The Kitchen Gods report news about the families they represent to ask for the emperor's care and protection. Their efforts help to keep the kitchen fires burning, and families happy and healthy.
Vietnamese believe the fish release brings good luck to their families. As the gods go to Heaven, families clean their houses in preparation to celebrate Tet. A clean house, Vietnamese believe, will bring luck in the new year. On Lunar New Year's Eve, the gods will return to earth and their duties in the kitchen of the house.
Releasing the fish makes me feel better about myself," said Nguyen Hong Nhung of Hanoi. "It's like I've done a good deed, so I'll be luckier in the new year.
Thursday's event, which takes place across Vietnam, was more restrained than in years past because of COVID - 19. It is spreading in several northern areas of the country. "Vietnamese will still follow the tradition of releasing the fish, but COVID-19 has made people keep a safe distance", said Tran Van Toi as he released carp from a plastic bag at Hanoi's West Lake.
The Lunar New Year is also celebrated in China, Korea, Laos and other Asian countries.
1. Why do Vietnamese set free carp at the Lunar New Year?| A．To honor the Jade Emperor. | B．To follow official rules. |
| C．To bring good fortune. | D．To protect wildlife. |
| A．Canceled. | B．Postponed. | C．Forbidden. | D．Restricted. |
| A．A tradition in Vietnam. | B．The Kitchen Gods. |
| C．A festival in Asian countries. | D．The fish called carp. |
| A．Opinion. | B．Culture. | C．Business. | D．Lifestyle. |
6 . Complaints and Appeals
UNSW Global is committed to delivering a high standard of education and training services to all of its students. One way that UNSW Global fulfills this commitment is by ensuring that all students, both domestic and international, have access to a forcefully-expressed and fair complaints and appeals process. The process for how complaints and appeals are dealt with under the Complaints and Appeals Policy, is extracted below.
Stage 1: Informal Complaint Process
You are encouraged to attempt to solve issues that arise informally by contacting either the original decision maker. Customer Service or a Student Adviser. This should be done as soon as possible after the issue arising.
Examples of informal complaints include:
• late return of assessment result
•disagreement over marks
•teacher quality feedback
•class and timetabling changes
•complaints about home stay providers
•wrong attendance recorded
Stage 2: Formal Review Process
If the Stage I: Informal Complaint Process does not resolve the complaint, you may begin the Stage 2: Formal Review Process.
You must:
1. Complete a Stage 2: Formal Review Form and email it to complainsndconduct @unswglobal. unsw. edu.au. Hardcopy forms are also available from, and may be submitted to the Student Services Center.
2. Lodge the Stage 2: Format Review Form within 10 working days of the issue arising or receiving a response to your Stage 1: Informal Complaint.
We will:
1. Refer your complaint to the appropriate person for investigation and resolution.
2. Acknowledge your complaint within in working days of receiving your Stage 2: Formal Review Form and, in some cases, contact you to arrange an interview.
3. Send you a written statement of the outcome of your complaint, including the reasons for the outcome, within 10 working days of the acknowledgement of your complaint, or of any interview conducted.
Examples include:
•bullying and harassment
•decision to cancel enrolment
•refusal to issue a refund
•refusal to allow leave of absence
Stage 3: External Appeal Process
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of a Stage 2: Formal Review Process, you may refer the case to an external body for an independent review (see section 9 of the Complaints and Appeals Policy).
If you start with an external appeal, so that your enrolment can be maintained during the appeal process, you must inform us in writing by emailing complainsandconduct @ unswglobal. unsw edu.au.
1. The passage can most probably be found in the section "_______"in a school admission booklet.| A．Application Procedures | B．Rules and Procedures |
| C．Frequently Asked Questions | D．Acknowledgement and Declaration |
| A．a formal reply will be sent to you within a short time. |
| B．cases of mistreatment by host family are most common |
| C．the case is directly handled by the Student Services Center |
| D．only international students are entitled to lodge a complaint |
| A．have a consultation with a third party | B．inform the school of the appeal process |
| C．have the enrolment suspended temporarily | D．bear the expense of an independent review |
7 . Top 4 Architectural Masterpieces in Luxembourg
Perhaps for tourists across the world, visiting the impressive architectures in Luxembourg is the most unforgettable experience when traveling in this country.
Luxembourg City Town Hall
Designed and built in 1830, the building is located right on Place Guillaume II. Little is known that the materials to build this grand building were taken from the Franciscan monastery(修道院) dating back to the 13th century.
Banque et Caisse d'épargne de l'état (BCEE)
In 1913, the building was built. However, when completed, the building was considered too small and did not meet the demand for use. By 1933, it was expanded and remodeled to become more impressive and spacious. Now, BCEE is not only a commercial bank but also a famous tourist destination, an impressive architecture in Luxembourg that many people admire.
Grand Ducal Palace
Built in 1572, the Grand Ducal Palace in southern Luxembourg is the official residence of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and it is also where he handles the work of the head of State. On the ground floor inside the Grand Ducal Palace are the meeting and seminar rooms. All of these rooms are designed by architect Ingo Maurer to harmonize between modern and traditional styles.
Grand Duke Jean Museum of Art
Located in the Clausen district, this museum was built in 1989. Experiencing many ups and downs of history, until July 1, 2006, it was opened to tourists. The museum is not only impressive for its unique architecture, but it is also a showcase of many works of art by famous artists such as Andy Warhol, Bruce Nauman, Julian Schnabel, Thomas Struth and Daniel Buren.
1. What can we learn about BCEE?| A．It harmonizes modern and traditional styles. |
| B．It was expanded after being completed. |
| C．It exhibits many works of art. |
| D．It was made of the oldest materials. |
| A．Grand Duke Jean Museum of Art. |
| B．Banque et Caisse d'épargne de l'état. |
| C．Luxembourg City Town Hall. |
| D．Grand Ducal Palace. |
| A．A guidebook. | B．An autobiography. | C．A news report. | D．A book review. |
8 . Beijing will provide COVID-19 vaccinations(接种疫苗）for certain groups in nursing homes, including the elderly and caregivers, on a voluntary basis to prevent a renewed outbreak at nursing homes during autumn and winter, the local government said.
Those who will receive the vaccines include nursing home kitchen workers, security guards and cleaners. Beijing Daily reported on Friday.
Xing Yinli ,director of Jingkangyuan, a nursing home in Fengtai district with about 290 elderly residents(居民），said they have received the document(文件）recently and will strictly follow its guidance.
It’s our top duty to strengthen prevention and control.,"Xing said,adding they have been using methods such as keeping detailed records of resident contacts outside the nursing home,and encouraging online visits for family members..
As to vaccinations, she said they will ask for permission from residents,their family members and workers before giving vaccines.
In late October,Shaoxing,Zhejiang province carried out an emergencyCOVTD-19 vaccine program,allowing the public to ask for injections(注射）in advance,with key groups first. A similar program was also organized in Jiaxing,Ningbo and Yiwu in Zhejiang.
Nationwide,emergency use of home grown COVID-19 vaccines was approved in June and launched in late July. China now has four coronavirus candidate vaccines in the third stage clinical trials(临床试验）.
The document from Beijing also said nursing homes should conduct nucleic acid testing(核酸检测） every month among kitchen workers and residents who leave the nursing homes to see a doctor. Tests will cover all people in nursing homes considered at high risk if new infections are reported in the city. Besides, routine disinfections (消毒） should be strengthened in kitchens, storerooms and restrooms, it said. The document also recommended noncontact visits from family members.
1. Where can you probably find this article?| A．In a newspaper. | B．In a fashion magazine. |
| C．In a book review. | D．In a travel journal. |
| A．The nursing home kept detailed records of residents, |
| B．All the members will make preparations for injections. |
| C．The nursing home takes prevention and control seriously. |
| D．Jiaxing is the first city to have carried out an emergency program. |
| A．China is providing vaccinations nationwide. |
| B．China has made great progress in coronavirus vaccines. |
| C．Chain has taken the lead in coronavirus vaccines worldwide. |
| D．The four candidate vaccines have finished clinical trails |
| A．Nursing homes should conduct nucleic acid testing. |
| B．Beijing nursing homes are to be provided vaccines. |
| C．Certain groups will have vaccines first in late June. |
| D．Routine disinfections should be strengthened in kitchens. |
9 . Video calls are a common occurrence but have you imagined being able to touch the person on the other end of the line? Scientists are making this a reality.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales, Australia, have invented a soft skin stretch device(SSD), haptic(触觉的) device that can recreate the sense of touch. Haptic technology can copy the experience of touch by stimulating(刺激) the skin through force, vibration(震动) or motion.
Vibration is the most common haptic technology today and has been built into many electronic devices, such as one attached to the back of trackpad (触控板) in laptops. However haptic feedback with vibration becomes less sensitive when the trackpad is used continuously. The existing technology also has great difficulty recreating the sense of touch with objects in virtual environments or located remotely.
The new technology overcomes issues with existing haptic devices. The research team introduced a novel method to recreate the sense of touch through soft, artificial “muscles”.
It works like this:imagine you call a friend in Australia. You wear a haptic glove with the SSDs and your friend also wears a glove with 3D force sensors. If your friend picks up an object, it will physically press against your friend's fingers. And the glove with 3D force sensors will measure these interactions. The force signals can be sent to your glove so your device will generate the same 3D forces, making you experience the same sense of touch as your friend.
The haptic devices could be used in various fields, allowing users to feel objects inside a virtual world or at a distance. This could be especially beneficial during such times like the COVID-19 pandemic when people rely on video calls to stay connected with loved ones. Or it could be used in medical practices. Doctors could feel a patient's organ tissues without touching them.
1. According to the text, SSD can .| A．improve skin health | B．recall earlier experiences |
| C．recreate the sense of touch | D．be used as the trackpad in laptops |
| A．how SSD works | B．what advantages SSD has |
| C．how vibration can be used | D．what problems the current technology has |
| A．Tasting a dish on the video call. |
| B．Enjoying classical music at home. |
| C．Admiring beautiful scenery online |
| D．Performing a distant medical operation. |
| A．Science. | B．Entertainment. |
| C．Education. | D．Health |
10 . Fantastic Magazines for Learning English
Digital Photographer
Perfect if you like: taking pictures with your camera or phone.
What you’ll find inside: This magazine is full of colorful photos and very pleasing to look at. There are many tips and guides on how to take great pictures, and they are written in simple and easy-to-understand English though there are some technical camera terms. You feel like the writers are talking to you! You can impress your friends with your improved English and your new photography skills!
Fast Company
Perfect if you like: business and learning how successful companies work.
What you’ll find inside: Fast Company is one of the most approachable magazines about business and companies. It has many interviews of successful people, as well as general news about interesting new companies. It does use a higher level of writing than what is usual for magazines, so give it a try first to make sure you can understand the articles.
Cricket and Cicada
Perfect if you like: excellent literature and short stories.
What you’ll find inside: Cricket and Cicada are literary magazines aimed at teenagers. Each issue is full of wonderful short stories and poems, and beautiful illustrations. Even though these are technically children’s magazines, they are perfect for learning English because they have high quality writing.
Mental Floss
Perfect if you like: interesting trivia and facts.
What you’ll find inside: What does outer space smell like? Why isn’t cat food mouse-flavored? If you’re the kind of person who asks yourself these questions, you’ll love Mental Floss. Each issue is full of bite-sized trivia and mostly short articles with really interesting facts that you’ll want to share with others.
While the print edition of the magazine stopped publishing in 2016, you can still read Mental Floss online. Click here to get more information.
1. Which magazine tells something about business and companies?| A．Digital Photographer. | B．Fast Company. |
| C．Cricket.and Cicada. | D．Mental Floss. |
| A．They focus on drawing skills. |
| B．They can only be bought online. |
| C．They are intended for teenagers. |
| D．They are full of colorful pictures. |
| A．On a website. | B．In a newspaper. |
| C．In an English textbook. | D．From a science magazine. |
