2 . The best science books inspire a sense of wonder and make you amazed at the incredible world we live in. Here are four of them to feed your imagination.

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson

How did it all begin? And how did we get here? Combining history and science, the book offers a comprehensive yet entertaining answer to these questions. Bill Bryson takes the reader on an impressive journey through the greatest cientific discoveries in history. It explains scientific topics in a vivid way, but it's quite a long read.

Thing Explainer by Randall Munroe

How do helicopters work? Or cells? Randall Munroe explains how things work using illustrations and only the most common 1,000 words in English. It will shift your approach to explanation. So, next time explain how something works rather than merely call it by its name. However, additionally providing more technical terms might have enhanced the understanding and learning experience.

Ask an Astronaut by Tim Peake

What does it feel like to fly into space? How do you prepare for it? Astronaut Tim Peake answers all the questions you never knew about going into space. The book gives insights into the cutting-edge science, as well as the day-to-day life on board of the International Space Station. Its question and answer format makes it easy to quickly find answers, but it can become less appealing due to the lack of descriptive language.

Deep Time by Riley Black

Want to know the story of our planet? Riley Black takes us on a journey, in the order of time, through the geological(地质的)events that have shaped our planet. The fascinating high-quality images are supported by easily digestible explanations of key historical moments. It also expands on key concepts in geology, astronomy and biology. Yet, measuring the size of some objects on the photos is difficult due to the lack of a scale bar (比例尺).

1. What's a shortcoming of Thing Explainer?

A．It is too long.	B．It lacks technical terms.
C．It is written in plain language.	D．It fails to include clear images.

2. Which book is organized in the format of question and answer ?

A．A Short History of Nearly Everything.	B．Thing Explainer.
C．Ask an Astronaut.	D．Deep Time.

3. What do A Short History of Nearly Everything and Deep Time by Riley Black have in common?

A．They entertain readers of all ages.	B．They feature vivid illustrations.
C．They introduce astronauts' daily life.	D．They combine science and history.

3 . Assistant Professor, Musical Theater Dance

Wichita State University seeks a full-time, 9-month assistant professor, beginning in August. Applicants are required to have a degree in dance area, teaching experience at a professional or college level, ability to direct and teach stage movement. The salary depends on qualifications and experience. For complete information, visit http://finearts.wichita.edu.

Full Professor in Theater and Dance

The Department of Theater & Dance at the University of California at San Diego（http://www-theater.ucsd.edu/） is seeking an experienced theater artist in lighting design. Applicants must work for us for at least 10 months. Significant professional experience is required. This position is expected to teach at both graduate and undergraduate levels. A review of applications will start on June 1st. Application deadline: September 1st.

Technical Director in Performing and Fine Arts

DeSales University’s Performing and Fine Arts Department seeks a highly skilled, professional technical director. The position is a 10-month staff position with the possibility of summer employment with The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. Professional experience is required; MFA is preferred. Please email materials to john.bell@desales.edu. Screening of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Assistant Director—Media Resources Center

Maryland Institute College of Art is seeking an Assistant Director of Media Resources Center in the Academic Affairs Division. Qualifications for the position include a degree in Art History or related fields with a knowledge of art and design history, library experience, excellent interpersonal and communication skills and familiarity with Photoshop and scanning. A review of applications will begin immediately; job announcements will remain open until the position is filled. Applicants are required to work for us for at least 11 months. You can send emails to jobs@mica.edu. The salary differs depending on your experience. Please include your desired salary in your application letter.

1. What is the requirement to be a full professor in Theater and Dance?

A．Having much professional experience.

B．Being able to teach stage movement.

C．Having a graduate or undergraduate degree.

D．Being an experienced theater artist in dance area.

2. What should an applicant do if he wants to be a technical director?

A．Email jobs@mica.edu.	B．Visit http://www-theater.ucsd.edu/.
C．Email john.bell@desales.edu.	D．Visit http://finearts.wichita.edu.

3. Which of the following requires interpersonal and communication skills?

A．Assistant Professor, Musical Theater Dance.	B．Full Professor in Theater and Dance.
C．Technical Director in Performing and FineArts.	D．Assistant Director—Media Resources Center.

4 . It was not until photographer Rita Nannini left New York that she grew fascinated by the city’s subways. While living in Manhattan for some 15 years in the 1980s and early 1990s, Nannini only commuted (通勤) on the one train, given the subway system’s bad reputation. But after relocating to New Jersey for several years where subway is not an option, Nannini found that absence did make the heart grow fonder — maybe even for pizza rats. During her visit back to New York, Nannini nodded, noticing improvements in the subway’s facilities.

While Nannini was waiting for a train, a bench on the platform opposite caught her attention due to the ever changing faces and characters. They were people of different accents, colors and beliefs. They were from all walks of life, a diverse mix of New Yorkers all there for their own different reasons. Having learned the teenagers’ popular “End of the Line” challenge — boarding trains at random and riding them until their final destination; Nannini decided to visit every first and last stop across the NY subway’s lines with her beloved camera.

Nannini’s “End of the Line” experience saw her traveling some 665 miles across 26 routes in New York city. She took over 8,000 photos of the final stations, as well as the communities they served. In many cases, she rode the routes two or three times over to ensure she got “the shot”. “The project really shows me how important the sub way is, and how sustainable it makes our lives,” she said.

“It’s often said that my photos show the end of the lines —the last stops,” she said. “But the end of the line is indeed the start for so many people. That made me think about who the people and the communities that live at the two ends are and what it is that the subway means to them.”

Nannini was proud of her set of images directly challenging the traditions of story telling, which echoed both the boredom and excitement of travel on tracks.

Nannini enjoyed taking her time, starting her challenge in 2013 and only shooting the final photos last year. Her first monograph on the terminal stops of the NY subway was released in April 2023.

“When you drive in the suburbs, you don’t have those encounters,” she continued. “People enter your life on the subway. That’s what strikes me most on my journey on tracks, and you can’t experience this anywhere else.”

1. How did Nannini find the New York subway during her revisit?

A．It turned out fascinating and encouraging.	B．It takes 15 years to improve its facility.
C．It holds a better reputation than before.	D．It has become one of her commuting options.

2. What is paragraph 2 mainly about?

A．The diversity of New Yorkers’ daily life.

B．The inspiration for Nannini’s subway shots.

C．The popularity of “End of the Line” challenge.

D．The challenges of Nannini’s job as a photographer.

3. What can we infer from Nannini’s “End of the Line” experience?

A．Her way of telling stories was appreciated by the communities.

B．Her photography is highly expected by the encounters she photoed.

C．She expressed gratitude to all the subway riders at the final stations.

D．She found life on tracks was more interesting than life on wheels.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．“End of the Line” Challenge: A New Experience in NY Subways

B．The Road Home: Rita Nannini’s Record of her Subway Ride

C．Last Stop to New Start: A Photographer’s Rediscovery of NY Subways

D．New Yorkers’ Routine: A Surprising Mixture of Boredom and Excitement

6 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an ancient health care system in which patients     1     (treat) with natural plant, animal, and mineral remedies (药物). It is believed, for a person to be healthy,     2     yin and yang forces should be in balance. Imbalance causes illness or injury. TCM is about restoring the balance between yin and yang forces in     3     (patient). It has been a major part of traditional Chinese culture and continues to play     4     vital role in medical treatment in China today.

According to the World Health     5     (organize), nearly 80 percent of the world’s population depends for     6     (it) primary health care needs on medicines from plants and animals. This is especially true in countries where traditional Chinese medicines are     7     (wide) used.

Increasingly, however, modern medicines also contain substances     8     animals and plants. Given the growing populations, increasing wealth, and the spreading popularity of natural remedies throughout the world, the demand for these useful medicines and remedies     9     (rise) now. The rising demand,     10     (combine) with reduced habitat, has put a number of plant and animal species used for medicinal purposes at risk for many years.

For instance, TCM uses about 1,000 plant and 36 animal species, including the tiger, rhinoceros (犀牛), and sea horse, which are all in danger.

7 . 假定你是李华，你的新西兰朋友Jim在你校公众号上看到学生参加学农活动的照片，很感兴趣，发来邮件询问相关信息。请你给他回复邮件，内容包括：
1.学农活动的目的和安排；
2.参加学农活动的感受。
注意：
1.词数80左右；
2.请在答题卡相应位置作答。
参考词汇：学农learning from farmers
Dear Jim,
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sincerely yours,

Li Hua

9 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Learning Chinese calligraphy     1     (list) as one of the must-do things when I came to China. Now, I’m in the course of learning this unique art,     2     value is considered very high in China, even across East Asia today. It is not only     3     ancient artistic form of human language, but it also reflects Chinese traditions.

As someone who paints, draws, and loves all     4     (create) things, at first, I assumed I would be rather good at Chinese calligraphy. I was     5     (total ) wrong. Using thick brush tips to produce awkward brush strokes (笔画)     6     (be) very difficult for a beginner. I have no idea about the different types of calligraphy and the meanings     7     ( hide) behind each one. Also, I have to hold the paintbrush     8     a very specific way; unlike a pen or pencil, the paintbrush is held upright in the hand. I need to be extra careful when changing the angle or     9     (direct) of the brush, especially if I press too hard on the paper.

After taking the lesson, I now understand the difficulty of calligraphy and that it will take efforts and commitment     10     (master) this art form. Yet, I am grateful to learn such a special Chinese tradition.

10 . On a trip back from Boston, my two little guys and I stopped at a gas station. It was not until I got home that I _________ my wallet had been left there.

I tried to set aside my frustration and _________ over this and focused on taking action. First, I had to find the phone number of the gas station. Just a quick Baidu _________, right? Unluckily, the number had been recently _________ due to new ownership. So I _________ he restaurant across the street. The hostess warmly took down my _________ and had a waiter bring it to the gas station manager, who then rang me up. He told me that a regular customer had found my wallet and_________ it over to him for safekeeping. We arranged that I would drive back to the gas station the next day to_________my wallet.

My relief that the situation was heading the right direction was simple, as was my appreciation for the _________ and thoughtfulness of others — from the __________ who found my wallet to the restaurant hostess to the manager, who was willing to mail me my wallet if that was __________for me.

At every step of the way, a generous spirit was shown, which was__________ in a world where we often witness self-focused thinking and self-serving behavior.

Much good fortune __________ me after I left my wallet behind on that trip back from Boston — including a powerful reminder of the goodness and generosity of others. My world was righted and made more joyful, not just by being reunited with my wallet, but by the __________ acts of others. As Marianne Williamson wrote, "__________ is what happens when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are."

1.

A．distinguished

B．realized

C．memorized

D．thought

2.

A．anxiety

B．curiosity

C．confusion

D．surprise

3.

A．kick

B．check

C．tip

D．search

4.

A．revealed

B．hidden

C．changed

D．conveyed

5.

A．identified

B．called

C．visited

D．inspected

6.

A．demand

B．name

C．address

D．number

7.

A．handed

B．got

C．took

D．left

8.

A．pick out

B．come up

C．take up

D．pick up

9.

A．kindness

B．toughness

C．innocence

D．positiveness

10.

A．neighbor

B．waiter

C．visitor

D．customer

11.

A．more convenient

B．harder

C．more possible

D．slower

12.

A．inspiring

B．exciting

C．demanding

D．engaging

13.

A．shocked

B．accompanied

C．supported

D．protected

14.

A．valueless

B．careless

C．selfless

D．meaningless

15.

A．Sympathy

B．Courage

C．Happiness

D．Bravery