1 . I am Nasilele, from Zambia, working as a UN Peacekeeper for the past two years. Though Zambia is a very ______ country I was aware that there are other countries in Africa, where there has been a lot of violent ______. I felt it was my ______ to help innocent people who are caught in the middle of these conflicts, so I ______ the United Nations.

My ______ are from many different countries, which is a good thing as it ensures that there are many different cultures and ______ all working towards the same goals. Our ______ vary with many different tasks from one day to the next. We ______ cities and villages to ensure that no conflict is occurring, help bring ______ of food and medicine to those who need it and write reports on everything we do and see.

As a woman, I am particularly ______ by the United Nations Peacekeepers as I can act as a role model for many women and girls in the country, helping them feel that they also ______ to be respected and treated ______.

My life as a peacekeeper is all about long hours in a very ______ environment. I have basic ______ with just a bed in a shared room and a small kitchen and bathroom. However, I know that what I do is ______.

1.

A．appealing

B．beautiful

C．peaceful

D．historical

2.

A．bond

B．friction

C．border

D．relation

3.

A．debt

B．determination

C．pleasure

D．obligation

4.

A．sign off

B．look for

C．signed up with

D．turn to

5.

A．colleagues

B．staff

C．soldiers

D．workers

6.

A．backgrounds

B．regions

C．groups

D．situations

7.

A．requests

B．beliefs

C．roles

D．choices

8.

A．investigate

B．monitor

C．resolve

D．urge

9.

A．orders

B．discoveries

C．offers

D．supplies

10.

A．valued

B．understood

C．agreed

D．helped

11.

A．require

B．deserve

C．tend

D．like

12.

A．differently

B．cautiously

C．rudely

D．equally

13.

A．harmonious

B．tough

C．attractive

D．boring

14.

A．adaptation

B．dedication

C．recommendation

D．accommodation

15.

A．valueless

B．affordable

C．worthwhile

D．successful

2 . Fu Lei’s Family Letters is a book of letters written by Chinese translator and writer Fu Lei to his elder son Fu Cong, who is a famous pianist. Between 1954 and 1966, Fu Cong spent a lot of time away from home training as a piano player. As a result, writing letters became Fu Lei’s usual way of communicating with his elder son. Fu Min, Fu Lei’s younger son edited the letters and the book came out in 1981.

The book shows Fu Lei’s family tradition and value. To Fu Lei, the purpose of education of a person, is to make that person useful to the society. Fu Lei praised his son Fu Cong after winning a piano competition. Fu Lei wrote, “We are happy because you make your country proud. I am so excited when I think about your future. You will make great progress and serve more people, encourage them and heal them.”

In the family letters, Fu Cong was also advised to read famous Chinese texts. When reading these books, Fu Cong was told to connect ideas and feelings together, for that would help him become a better person. To Fu Lei, learning to be a good person comes before any academic training.

Fu Lei’s Family Letters has a great impact on people in China because it helps many young students understand how they should live their lives.

1. Who edited Fu Lei’s family letters?

A．Fu Lei.

B．Fu Cong.

C．Fu Min.

D．A translator.

2. What can we learn from Fu Lei’s Family Letters?

A．Fu Lei’s family tradition and value are shown in the book.

B．People in the 1950s communicated with each other by books.

C．It’s difficult for parents to make their children well educated.

D．Praising children after taking part in a competition is important.

3. What did Fu Lei think of Fu Cong’s future?

A．It would be uncertain.

B．It would be hopeful.

C．It would be difficult.

D．It would be interesting.

4. Why was Fu Cong advised to read famous Chinese texts?

A．To be a richer man.

B．To do more academic training.

C．To help more people.

D．To become a better person.

3 . I opened my car window and called out “Ma’am! Ma’am!” The only lady in the parking lot looked around until she saw me. “I just wanted to tell how nice you look today,” I said. “The colors you have on are beautiful on you.” Her face registered surprise for a second, and then she smiled. “Thank you!” she called back. Her final steps to her car seemed lighter, and I smiled to myself.

I grew up with very few cheerleaders in my own life. When I was in the middle of fighting a battle for my life, I had been confirmed depression, along with anxiety. It has taken many years and more effort and determination than I thought I was capable of recovering from this illness. With no cheerleaders in my court, I fought this battle alone. I am proud of the progress I have made thus far. There are times when I thought, if only I had had someone to hold me and say, “Susan, I believe in you. You can do this, and I’ll be there every step of the way.” I wonder how much sooner I would have recovered. I’ll never know.

So I have made it a point in recent years to praise people, especially women and girls. Instead of just thinking that someone looks nice or did a great job, I say it out loud. It doesn’t take long, and it’s easy. So, I wonder, why don’t more people do this? As women, we have learned from our role models to be quiet. We downplay (淡化) our own achievements even when we do receive a rare compliment (恭维). Now, when I compliment someone and she denies, I say to her, “Just say thank you.” Most women are relieved that they don’t have to deny the compliment; they can accept the praise without guilt.

Cheerleading doesn’t require any skills. It only takes a few seconds, although you do have to remind yourself to do it. Eventually, it becomes a habit.

1. How did the lady feel after hearing the author’s praise?

A．Delighted.	B．Anxious.
C．Relaxed.	D．Worried.

2. What made the author become a cheerleader?

A．Her experiences.

B．Her habit.

C．Her personality.

D．Her ambition.

3. What does the author hope when she praises someone?

A．She can be rewarded.

B．She can be appreciated.

C．They can accept the praise.

D．They should say something.

4. Which of the following best describes the author?

A．Caring.	B．Brave.
C．Outgoing.	D．Honest.

4 . The item of traditional tea processing techniques and social practices in China was added to the intangible cultural heritage list of UNESCO in November, 2022.     1     The item consists of knowledge, skills, and practices concerning the management of tea plantations, picking of tea leaves, manual processing, drinking, and sharing of tea.

China’s traditional tea processing techniques are mainly concentrated in four tea-growing areas, namely South and North of the Yangtze River, and Southwest and South China.     2     On average, each person consumes about 0.57 kg of tea leaves a year. Multiply that by its 1.4 billion population, and you can imagine that’s a lot of tea.

    3     The gongfu tea in Chaozhou City in South China shows a complete form of Chinese tea ceremony with its procedure made up of 21 brewing (沏茶) techniques. The three-course tea of the Bai ethnic minority need to be personally served by the most prestigious (有威望的) elders in the family. When people of the Yao ethnic minority treat guests, local women make oil tea and sing folk songs by the fireplace.

    4     Thousands of years ago, there were the Tea Horse Road and The Great Tea Road to serve the trade of tea. Nowadays, the villagers have developed a tea industry and sell related products overseas. They have also developed tea-based tourism, which also boosts rural development.

China is the hometown of tea, and the inclusion of the Chinese tea into the world cultural intangible heritage list will help build the cultural foundation for a community with a shared future for mankind.     5    

A．Tea-drinking is considered to be an important part of Chinese culture.

B．Promoted by tea culture, China’s tea industry is also developing rapidly.

C．It has become the 43rd Chinese item on the intangible cultural heritage list.

D．China is not only the largest producer of tea, but also the largest consumer.

E．The practice of making friends through tea-related activities is very common in China.

F．It will also help the world deepen its understanding of the fine traditional Chinese culture.

G．There are over 2,000 kinds of tea for people to drink in China, thus forming different customs.

5 . It’s January and time to go back to school. For some, that might be a gloomy prospect after the joys of the post Christmas festive period. For me, though, it’s as exciting as a trip to Antarctica, also as scary as starting a job for which I’m not sure whether I’m qualified.

To be embarking on a master’s degree in Psychotherapy and Counselling at Regent’s University at 71 is perhaps an unlikely route for someone who dropped out of school at 17. But now I’ve come full circle to the conclusion that nothing, for me, feels more stimulating at this point in my life than learning new things. That studying, far from being the bore and the chore it used to be, is a treat.

Turning 70 came as something of a shock. I started to feel I was drifting (飘). Without a big project, and without any major family responsibilities, I was starting to feel I was lying on a bed of thorns. Friends of similar age were lapping up their lives, socializing and travelling. However, I longed for something more. Or perhaps not more, but different.

As the gloom grew, I thought perhaps I needed to see a therapist. A friend, a psychotherapist, suggested that while therapy might be useful, doing a course on the basics of psychotherapy and counselling might be more up my street. Without too much thinking, I decided to give it a shot.

So that’s how every weekday I beep (发出哔哔声) myself through the gate with my student pass, which makes me smile every time. I felt privileged to be exposed to a group of my fellow students who were willing to be open to me.

While ageing is an inevitable process, we can get rid of a lot of the rules about what’s age-appropriate. Studying for a master’s degree in old age is a challenge, but it has provided me with a new perspective on life. Hence, ageing should never limit your ambitions.

1. How did the author feel when going back to school?

A．Unrealistic.	B．Resistant.
C．Awkward.	D．Expectant.

2. Why did turning 70 come as a shock to the author?

A．She achieved nothing before.	B．She lived without a purpose.
C．She had to support her family.	D．She was separated by her fellows.

3. What is the author’s suggestion when facing ageing?

A．Keeping your passions alive.	B．Seeking support if needed.
C．Behaving age-appropriately.	D．Socializing with young students.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．Returning To School — My Dream Since Childhood

B．My Efforts To Learn At An unlikely Age Paying Off

C．Learning — My Way To Overcome The Ageing Crisis

D．My Tough Journey To Pursuing A Master’s Degree

6 . The holidays can be a difficult time to stay on track with your fitness goals.     1    . Even the most disciplined people can find it difficult to stick to their fitness routines during the holiday season. Here are some expert-recommended tips that can help you stay on track.

    2    .

Planning is the best way to make sure you don’t lose track of your goals. Plan your workouts for the week and mark them in your schedule to assure they are a part of your day.

Exercise early.

    3    . Make sure workouts are in the morning and you’ll set yourself up for a productive day. Then you can enjoy holiday activities and time with family without worrying about when you’ll have time to exercise.

Keep moving.

Research shows that getting up for just five minutes every 30 to 60 minutes and performing light activities reduces the risk of heart disease risk factors. Small efforts to get moving can help your overall health during the holidays. In addition to staying active, try to avoid sitting for long periods of time, such as when watching football games or eating.     4    .

Think out of the box.

The holidays are busy, but do your best to avoid the “all or nothing” mentality when it comes to physical activity.     5     — like taking a family walk around the neighborhood before opening Christmas presents.

A．Plan ahead

B．Plan out your route before you go

C．Exercising in the morning is one of the biggest tips

D．Remember: too much sitting is harmful to your health

E．Your schedule will be filled with family gatherings and celebrations

F．Get creative with exercise and make physical activity a family affair

G．Rather than skipping the gym altogether, make time for a quick workout

7 . When I was young, I dreamed of becoming a chef. My dad often fought with my mom over the food when he disliked the taste of my mom’s cooking.     1     My dad, however, had a different opinion, insisting that I was too young to learn cooking.     2     I watched and studied how he prepared the ingredients, cut meat and vegetables into pieces, and mixed them all together.

When I was 18, my dad finally allowed me to start cooking. Many people started with a simple fried egg or other fried food.     3     The years of watching my dad cooking made it easier for me to cook more complex foods like roast beef, sautéed (炒) vegetables, and even a cake.

I never needed to use recipe books. I had learned by careful observation for many years, so it was easy to even make my own unique dishes.    4    After several years of experience in the kitchen, I can now make almost every food that tastes familiar and give it a nice new twist of my own style.

    5     Even though today I am just a learning observer lacking relevant knowledge, someday I will become the master of every field I set foot in. I will cook my life according to my heart’s desire and dream.

A．My first dish was more advanced.

B．Those were the kitchen moments I remembered the most.

C．For many years, he only allowed me to observe him cook.

D．I wish that the whole world could be just like the kitchen to me.

E．I decided to learn to cook well to avoid argument with my future partner.

F．It was in the kitchen that I developed my cooking skills as well as the career.

G．That is what I love about cooking — making it like an art to express my creativity.

8 . Luke Coelho recently transferred from Brazil to attend school in the United States. He understands that integrity and _________ are values appreciated in all countries and cultures. And Luke didn’t hesitate to _________ both when he found a pocket full of family _________ left behind in a(n) _________ jacket.

Andy’s Attic is a clothing donation program at Luke’s new school, and Luke recently _________ the jacket through the program. Local resident Dave Kenney was the one who donated the jacket.

When Luke put on the coat,_________, he found much more than a warm coat. Inside the pocket, Luke discovered some personal _________, including two watches, a bracelet and two diamond rings!

Luke _________ shared the news with his aunt Taryn Souza and together they set to work trying to _________ the owner of the items. With some detective work, they were __________ to find Dave. Of course, he was __________ to receive the prized pieces back, but he hadn’t even __________ that they were in the jacket!

Earlier this year, both Dave’s mother and wife passed away, so he was especially __________ to have back the wedding ring he’d bought for his wife and items that had __________ his mother. Dave stated, “This fine young man did the right thing. I totally __________ what they did for me and my family.”

1.

A．courage

B．bravery

C．generosity

D．honesty

2.

A．exercise

B．check

C．promote

D．learn

3.

A．elements

B．treasures

C．traditions

D．memories

4.

A．forgotten

B．outdated

C．donated

D．worn

5.

A．discovered

B．received

C．found

D．changed

6.

A．to his surprise

B．in relief

C．out of curiosity

D．with joy

7.

A．gold

B．art

C．material

D．belongings

8.

A．excitedly

B．hesitantly

C．eventually

D．immediately

9.

A．locate

B．recognize

C．remind

D．inform

10.

A．eager

B．likely

C．able

D．ready

11.

A．supposed

B．excited

C．surprised

D．annoyed

12.

A．mentioned

B．imagined

C．admitted

D．realized

13.

A．grateful

B．determined

C．anxious

D．amazed

14.

A．led to

B．come from

C．belonged to

D．stood for

15.

A．accept

B．appreciate

C．support

D．understand

9 . How to Find a Great Gift for Someone You Know

It is not easy to find a great gift for someone, even if the recipient is someone you know. Finding a gift that the recipient will enjoy takes a bit of forward thinking and an understanding of the recipient’s personality and tastes. Fortunately, here are some practical tips for you.

    1     If you have a close relationship with the recipient, you may select a gift that is more personal. If you are not close to the recipient, you may choose a gift that is more useful or accessible.

Make a list of the recipient’s interests and preferences. Personalize the gift by sitting down and making a list of the recipient’s interests and likes.     2     Whether they are video games or Thai food, they should be what the recipient has told you that he or she likes or is known to be enjoyed.

Identify items the recipient may need.     3     Or consider a big purchase that the recipient needs to do but has been putting off. This could be a new kitchen appliance the recipient has been eyeing or a new backpack the recipient needs for a new year of school.

Arrange an experience as a gift. Often, giving the gift of an experience can be more impactful than giving a recipient an item. This could be a massage, a sky diving date, or dinner at the person’s favorite restaurant.     4    

Make a homemade gift. Homemade gifts can be the best gifts, as they are often thoughtful and detailed.     5     And he or she will surely appreciate that.

A．Consider how close you are to the recipient.

B．Try to write down as many specific items as possible.

C．Ask people who are close to the recipient for gift advice.

D．The experience of making a homemade gift is what the recipient needs.

E．Think about any items the recipient may need in his or her day-to-day life.

F．They can also show the recipient that you spent lots of time and effort on the gift.

G．Think of experiences that will surprise the recipient, as these will often make a lasting impression.

10 . It's a great idea to reread novels.     1     For a while, I saw little point in rereading. Why reread a favorite when there are other books waiting for you? Most book lovers have long books waiting to be read. It seems a waste of time to reread a novel. The aspect of time is a crucial point for readers — a novel simply is not a poem, short story or movie.

    2     For one, the purpose of reading changes. You are no longer familiarizing yourself with the plot, characters or setting. These points were made clear in the first read. Rather, the second and third reading allows greater focus on the theme, literary references, style and the more subtle (细微的) aspects of the novel. This makes for a more enjoyable read. In many ways, a novel is like an endless treasure chest.    3    .

Another pleasant part of rereading is the lack of need to “understand” a novel. You've already read it and can now determine the extent of your enjoyment. However, there's a possibility of disliking a novel at second glance (再看一眼). There's   nothing wrong with this!     4     It's through rereading that we develop an understanding of our tastes.

I'm not suggesting that rereading is superior to (优于) reading novels for the first time. Yet, it's worth arranging time for two or three novels a year. You shouldn't reread any book. Rather pick a favorite to start with, preferably a story you read over a year ago.     5     It's entirely possible not to enjoy a novel at first but appreciate it at a different stage in your life.

A．However, it wasn't something I often did.

B．Yet plots, characters and setting still matter.

C．Still, I must mention the benefits of rereading.

D．That's because our tastes and preferences change.

E．I prefer the latter even though the enjoyment is less.

F．Or, pick a novel you are having second thoughts about.

G．You'll always find something previously undiscovered.