1 . To produce the classic clothing, blue jeans, producers rely on indigo dye (靛蓝染料), the only molecule known to provide jeans’ unique, beloved color. While indigo itself naturally comes from a plant, growing demand for blue jeans throughout the 20th century gave rise to synthetic (合成的) indigo, which is now more commonly used.

Indigo is the dye that makes jeans blue, but it doesn’t mix with water. To dye clothes, usually, chemicals are needed to make the color stick to the cloth. But in Denmark, scientists have created a new way to dye clothes using an enzyme (酶), which is a kind of protein that can cause chemical reactions, instead of harmful chemicals. This new method is better for the environment and doesn’t use poisonous stuff.

The chemical process for dyeing blue jeans has persisted for the last century. Workers are exposed to the poisonous chemicals, which also pollute the environment near factories. Waste water from those factories often ends up in waterways, decimating local ecosystems and even dyeing rivers blue.

Ditte Hededam Welner, the study’s lead researcher, says their new enzyme works really well and is strong enough for making lots of jeans without breaking down. This enzyme makes dyeing with indican, which is like indigo, much less harmful to the planet — about 92% better than the old way.

However, the new method doesn’t fix all the environmental problems of making jeans. Making a single pair of jeans uses a lot of water — enough to fill many bathtubs — from growing the cotton to putting the final touches on the jeans.

Even though the new dyeing process is better for the environment, it’s not always easy or cheap to change to it. Welner’s team isn’t sure if jeans companies will find it easy or affordable to switch to this method. It costs a little bit more — just seven cents extra per pair of jeans — to use the enzyme for dyeing. But Welner believes it’s worth it because it’s much better for the environment.

1. Why was synthetic indigo created in the 20th century?

A．It made jeans’ color unique.	B．It was easy to dye cloth with it.
C．People liked jeans made from it.	D．People were in greater need of jeans.

2. What does the underlined word “decimating” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Troubling.

B．Entering.

C．Destroying.

D．Defeating.

3. Which is an advantage of the new method?

A．The colour is more beautiful than the synthetic indigo.

B．The market can keep stable goods supplies.

C．Enzyme facilitates the advance of science.

D．The dye is more environmentally friendly.

4. What makes Welner worried about the new method?

A．Production costs.	B．Environmental benefits.
C．Water consumption.	D．Laborer shortage.

2 . Why does the woman move house?

A．For friendly neighbors.

B．For a convenient location.

C．For a comfortable living environment.

3 . ※ Brown Girl Dreaming

By Jacqueline Woodson

As a winner of the National Book Award, the Coretta Scott King Award, and a Newberry Honor Book, in her book, Brown Girl Dreaming, the author uses poetry to tell her true story of growing up as a black woman in the 1960s and 1970s. Woodson’s beautiful language explores big ideas while describing her family, her growing awareness of race and the civil rights movement, and her life in South Carolina and New York City.

※ When You Were Everything

By Ashley Woodfolk

Cleo and Layla have been best friends for years. But in their second year of middle school, everything changes. Layla starts hanging out with her new friends, and the two girls’ friendship slowly ends. Cleo is still trying to make sense of what happened as she tries to make new friends. Told across two timelines, Cleo’s story of sadness surrounding a lost friendship will be relevant for many 8th graders trying to deal with past middle school friend drama and looking forward to high school.

※ The Hound of the Baskervilles

By Arthur Conan Doyle

The famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his friend Watson set out to look into a new case in Dartmoor, England. A man is dead, with many dog paw prints leading to his body. Holmes and Watson arrive in Dartmoor to find several unexplainable events and clues. Together, they start to figure out a puzzle that has defined mystery and detective fiction ever since.

※ The Hobbit

By J. R. R. Tolkien

This story is an opener to the longer and more challenging The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It’s an adventure story set in a fantasy world. With dwarves (小矮人), hobbits, sword fights, wizards and dragons, the book’s plot and humor have stood the test of time.

1. How is Brown Girl Dreaming different from the other books?

A．It focuses on city life.	B．It uses clear language.
C．It has won many awards.	D．It tells humorous stories.

2. What is When You Were Everything mainly about?

A．Friendship and growth.	B．Lost love and gained hope.
C．Learning to be more independent.	D．Dealing with pressure from schoolwork.

3. Which book suits whoever wants to read about adventures?

A．The Hobbit	B．Brown Girl Dreaming
C．When You Were Everything	D．The Hound of the Baskervilles

4 . I couldn’t sleep at all last night, and my sister believes it was because I ate a bowl of really spicy (辛辣的) food before bedtime. However, I was skeptical about the connection between spicy foods and sleep. Can eating spicy foods before bedtime truly impact one’s sleep quality? Some people believe that eating spicy foods before bedtime can disrupt sleep by increasing body temperature and causing heartburn. It may be worth avoiding spicy foods close to bedtime.

To find out the relation, the researchers in Australia conducted an experiment to investigate the effects of spicy foods on sleep. They provided a group of individuals with delicious late-night meals, alternating (交替) between spicy and mild options. The results revealed that consuming spicy foods led to disrupted sleep patterns, causing participants to take longer to fall asleep and sleep for shorter time. This data supported the belief that there is a correlation between eating spicy foods and experiencing sleep disturbances.

While the exact mechanism(机制)by which spicy foods influence sleep remains unclear, researchers have proposed several possibilities. One is that stomach discomfort resulting from spicy food consumption may affect sleep quality. Additionally, the long digestion (消化) of spicy foods could delay the start of sleep. Furthermore, spicy foods contain something that can raise body temperature, which has been linked to poor sleep in previous studies.

Given these findings, it is advisable to avoid consuming spicy foods before bedtime to promote better sleep. Next time, I will follow my sister’s advice and opt for a milder meal in the evening to ensure a restful night’s sleep.

1. What do people usually think of eating spicy foods before bedtime?

A．It can make people addictive to it.

B．It can be bad for digestion.

C．It can make sleep difficult.

D．It can lead to an increase in energy levels.

2. How did Australian researchers conduct this study?

A．By analyzing data.	B．By studying papers.
C．By doing an experiment.	D．By doing interviews.

3. What can we know from the study?

A．Spicy foods take long to digest.

B．Body temperature has no effect on sleep.

C．Bad eating habit changes sleep patterns.

D．Sleep problems may be caused by bad habits.

4. What is the purpose of this text?

A．To forbid children from having spicy foods.

B．To suggest not eating spicy foods before bedtime.

C．To promote some healthy food that is not spicy.

D．To keep up with the latest healthy food research.

5 . When my grandmother was a teenager, her family moved to Transylvania. To make money, she began ________ in a bakery (面包店). For two or three years, she threw herself into ________ desserts and became an excellent baker. It was there that she met my grandfather, got ________, and had two children: My mother and my uncle.

My grandparents treated us very well as kids, especially when it came to ________. We often stayed with them on the weekends and as an excellent cook with a ________ tooth, my grandmother always made sure to serve dessert after every single meal. It became a ________for her to make us a different dessert every Sunday. Of all the desserts, my sister Adriana and I ________ papanasi, a traditional Romanian dessert made of sweet cow cheese (奶酪), best.

After moving to Canada when I was a young girl, my family found it ________to find a suitable cheese for the recipe (食谱) for papanasi. Back in Romania, there was always fresh cow cheese at the farmers market, and we could ________buy this cheese. When I ________ my baking skills like my grandmother and finally found the ________cheese, the recipe turned out just right. It was like I could see her clapping (鼓掌) and ________ in the room with me.

My grandmother passed away when I was 9. Over the years, baking has become my way of _______ her. Every time I make papanasi I _______ her.

Family recipes and the love within them are not limited to space and time. The years may pass, but through this recipe, we’ll always ________ each other.

1.

A．working

B．painting

C．volunteering

D．singing

2.

A．ordering

B．selling

C．creating

D．choosing

3.

A．tired

B．married

C．paid

D．dressed

4.

A．training

B．reading

C．playing

D．eating

5.

A．sweet

B．missing

C．gold

D．healthy

6.

A．need

B．mistake

C．tradition

D．shame

7.

A．used

B．explained

C．knew

D．liked

8.

A．challenging

B．interesting

C．dangerous

D．popular

9.

A．secretly

B．probably

C．easily

D．finally

10.

A．perfected

B．forgot

C．considered

D．doubted

11.

A．cheap

B．right

C．old

D．famous

12.

A．sleeping

B．cheering

C．exercising

D．cleaning

13.

A．helping

B．changing

C．honoring

D．guiding

14.

A．depend on

B．agree with

C．wait for

D．think of

15.

A．hate

B．have

C．fight

D．trust

6 . Books That Celebrate Diverse Holidays and Traditions

It’s important to remember there are a diverse set of holidays available to explore. Below are a few books that help introduce children to different holiday cultures and traditions.

Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto, illustrated by Ed Martinez

While helping her mother with Christmas celebration, Maria is tempted to try on her mother’s diamond ring. After getting caught up in the joy of the holiday and playing with her cousins, Maria realizes the ring is missing! That’s when she and her cousins come up with a plan to eat all of the tamales, in hopes of finding the ring.

Together for Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. Ford, illustrated by Shelly Hehenberger

This is a story about a little girl named Kayla who wants to see her older brother Khari come home so they can celebrate Kwanzaa together as a family. Khari is stuck at college when a snowstorm hits and his car breaks down. Will he make it home in time for Kwanzaa?

A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

This book is a funny, nostalgic tale of Christmas Eve afternoon through Christmas night in Wales, and is full of unique imagery and poetic prose. It will arouse a sense of familiarity for some young readers while introducing them to different aspects of Christmas traditions.

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frane Lessac

The word otsaliheliga is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. This is an amazing story that describes a journey through the seasons with a modern-day Cherokee family. Cherokee history and traditions are also woven into the story in a very kid-friendly way.

1. What makes it difficult for Khari to return home in time for Kwanzaa?

A．A car crash.

B．Delayed flights.

C．Extreme weather.

D．Academic pressure.

2. Who provides pictures for A Child’s Christmas in Wales?

A．Traci Sorell.

B．Ed Martinez.

C．Dylan Thomas.

D．Trina Schart Hyman.

3. The four books all inform readers of ______.

A．how to find hidden treasures at home	B．how to strengthen bonds with friends
C．the lifestyles of different ethnic groups	D．different holiday celebrations and customs

7 . Summer Badminton Camp

Our annual badminton camps are back this June holidays! Come and join us for some fun and action! All camps will be held at the Chestnut Sports Hall. There are a total of 4 fun-filled camps lined up for this amazing holiday. The aim is to allow them to understand and lift their game to the next level or just for recreation, at the same time adding fun elements in training to build a strong interest in the sport.

Camps Available

Beginner: For those who want to learn basic badminton skills. Date: 12 to 14 June 2024 Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Fees: $80 Ages: 5-8 years old only	Intermediate: For those who know the basics of playing badminton and want to improve their skills further. Date: 15 to 17 June 2024 Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Fees: $100 Ages: 7-12 years old only
Advanced: For those who want to take up badminton as a competitive sport. Date: 19 to 21 June 2024 Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fees: $150 Ages: 11-12 years old only	Recreation: For those who want to make new friends while staying active. Date: 12 to 14 June 2024 Time: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fees: $60 Ages: 13-16 years old only

Camp Highlight

Guest Speaker Badminton world champion, Adrian Goh, will address the participants at the start of each camp. He will share invaluable tips and his experience of playing badminton competitively.

Special Camp Present All participants will receive our summer badminton camp sweater and water bottle.

Early Bird Special First 20 participants to register will be given a pair of Yinex badminton bats. For more information, call Mr. Tan at 67892111 or visit our website at www. sbssummer camps. com

1. Which should you sign up for if you want to become a national badminton player?

A．The beginner camp.	B．The advanced camp.
C．The intermediate camp.	D．The recreation camp.

2. Who is Adrian Goh?

A．A summer badminton camper.	B．The badminton camp organizer.
C．A badminton world champion.	D．A sponsor for the summer camp.

3. What is the purpose of the passage?

A．To give away free badminton bats.

B．To promote the special camp bottles.

C．To invite people to attend Mr. Goh’s talk.

D．To encourage people to sign up for the camps.

8 . Ancient Chinese wore clothing that was lighter and thinner than modern imaginations can reach. Let us explore some examples of summer clothing from ancient China.

Sha Gown

A sha gown unearthed from Han Tomb No.1 at Mawangdui in 1972, is the earliest, most well-preserved and thinnest dress in the world. The plain gown, “thin as a cicada wing” and “light as smoke”, weighs 49 grams. It is only 25g with the sleeve openings and collar removed and can be folded into a matchbox. This piece represents the highest level of early Han in silk reeling and fabric manufacture.

Luo Robe

Well-suited for the humid southern regions of China, luo has larger holes in the fabric compared with sha, making it more lightweight and breathable. From the Han Dynasty to the Tang and Song Dynasties, luo was mainly used for the clothing of the nobility, and only officials of fifth rank or higher were permitted to wear garments made of the material.

Ge Clothes

Silk fabric s such as sha and luo were highly valued and considered luxurious for common people. However, resourceful individuals discovered a method to use plant fibers though with some weight for clothing production, significantly reducing the cost of summer garments. Ge represents the earliest use of natural fiber as fabric in China.

Ma Clothes

Among the fabrics used for summer clothing in ancient times, ge cloth was known for its quality and affordability. However, fabric made from the herbaceous plant “ma” offered an even better combination of quality and cost-effectiveness. Since the Han Dynasty, ma has been cultivated on a large scale, making the cloth inexpensive. It is breathable and easy to dye, making it a commonly used fabric for summer clothing.

1. Which of the following were intended for top officials?

A．Sha Gown.

B．Luo Robe.

C．Ge Clothes.

D．Ma Clothes.

2. What advantage did Ma Clothes have over Ge Clothes?

A．Convenience.

B．Price.

C．Technology.

D．Weight.

3. What do the four clothes have in common?

A．They helped ancient people beat the summer heat.	B．They symbolized the earliest fabric manufacture.
C．They satisfied people’s need for quality.	D．They were affordable to common people.

9 . For the students, researchers or simple lovers of knowledge and art, it is a privilege to have a free virtual library at hand, being able to download important texts without spending a single dollar.

◆Internet Archive

It is a non-profit digital library created in 1996 by Brewster Kahle. In addition to millions of books available to the general public, it also hosts a large number of video (movies), audio (music) and software files, etc. It is not necessary to register to access the information, so any user can easily view and download it, although those who decide to register obtain other benefits such as access to more than 1.3 million copyrighted e-books.

◆InfoBooks

Read, Learn, Grow… is the slogan of the digital library. It is divided into three sections to facilitate the search for content, and the first called “Best books to read” focuses on a special collection of various topics classified by famous authors. The second is “Free books and texts”, where you will find public domain literature that you can download, and the third section contains resources to improve your reading.

◆Project Gutenberg

Project Gutenberg is a site that has available sixty thousand “free” books that are free of copyright so to speak, since the rights according to certain laws have expired in this case. That is why they can be downloaded with total peace of mind. The Project Gutenberg also has an Open Audio book Collection, almost 5,000 titles from 2023, via a Project Gutenberg collaboration with Microsoft and MIT. These use neural text-to-speech technology for more natural-sounding computer-generated audio books. These audio books are also available on major music/podcast platforms.

1. What most attracts users to Internet Achive?

A．Private software files.

B．Easy access to plenty of e-books.

C．Classic music of limited edition.

D．Various movies of authorized edition.

2. How can we find the works of Mark Twain most precisely?

A．Search InfoBooks, Section 1 online.

B．E-mail Brewster Kahle to obtain directly.

C．Download Software files from Internet Achive.

D．Wait for distributions from Project Gutenberg.

3. What does Project Gutenberg have in common with Internet Archive?

A．Audio resources are provided online.

B．Materials can be adjusted to different users.

C．Copyrights of some books are out of date.

D．They provide reading strategies training.

10 . Reflecting on your day is something most of you feel too busy to do. Yet, without it, you’re left continuing to feel at a loss and unable to live intentionally.     1     ? The following are some practical tips.

Create a Plan

    2     . Get out your calendar and schedule enough time to reflect. It can be as little as 10 minutes and as much as an hour. When you schedule it and make it part of your routine, you'll actually do it.

Show up Consistently

It means that you regularly reflect on your day — not just randomly, when you remember or aren’t busy. Daily reflection can become a habit if you do it enough in the beginning. Sit down every day for 10-50 minutes and reflect.     3    .

Do a Brain Dump (清空)

Think about your room you need to clean: you start by taking everything out of the room and putting it into another room; then you decide what to add back, item by item.     4     . Write down what you’re thinking and feeling about the day, as well as what you did during the day, which is enough to create awareness around what you're thinking about, feeling, acting and creating in your life.

Separate out the Facts From Your Thoughts

Write out all your facts on one side and all your thoughts on the other side. Separating out facts from thoughts shows you what you’re thinking about.     5     . You can see they’re choices and these choices lead to your results in your life. Changing your thoughts and choosing them on purpose is hard work, but it’s 100% worth the effort.

A．All your thoughts are optional

B．The same is true for your brain

C．What am I thinking about today

D．You should express your thoughts

E．Deciding to start reflecting isn’t enough

F．Before you know it, it’ll be a habit for you

G．How can you get the most out of your day by reflecting on it