1 . 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.

2 . 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.

3 . 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.

4 . Many of our family traditions centered around food. We’d gather in the kitchen for every birthday and holiday and enjoy delicious food. My grandparents always held Christmas dinner, which included chicken cacciatore, sausage, meatballs and salad. But right before we sat down to eat, my grandmother would pull me aside to show me the dish she made just for me: fresh pasta (意大利面) with tomato sauce.

It was a simple dish, but to me it was warm food that filled me with happiness. But more than that, it made me feel like I belonged. I was a shy kid and, in many situations, I felt ignored. And here was my grandmother, showing me that I mattered.

Years went by; I moved away and got married. I’d visit throughout the years and my grandmother would serve up a plate of pasta.

When my daughter was born in 2020, for the first time in my life I wasn’t about to make the trip back home for Christmas. I cooked my family’s traditional foods and my husband and I had a big meal that included, of course, fresh pasta. I had a video call with my grandmother and showed her the pasta. Shortly after the holidays she passed away unexpectedly.

It seemed so unfair that my grandmother passed away soon after I became a parent. I’d hold my daughter and think about how I could tell her what an amazing great-grandmother she had.

In my sadness I came to an answer: food. Late at night after my daughter had gone to bed, I’d go to the kitchen and learn how to make fresh pasta, cooking my grandmother’s recipes. Before long I started experimenting, making a bit changes to classic recipes. When my daughter got a little older, I began making special dishes for her with my grandmother’s flavors in mind.

I know that no matter how hard I try, my daughter will never have a bowl pasta with sauce exactly like the ones my grandmother would make for me. While that makes me sad, she’ll still get to have my pasta sauce. I know there’re two things she’ll never lack for in this life: pasta and love.

1. What did the author say about her grandmother’s homemade pasta?

A．It was a special birthday gift for her.	B．It brought her a sense of belonging.
C．It was loved by every family member.	D．It took a lot of time and energy to prepare.

2. What made the author’s 2020 Christmas dinner different from previous ones?

A．She didn’t share pasta with her husband.

B．She didn’t give her grandmother a call.

C．She didn’t prepare many traditional family foods.

D．She didn’t have a chance to eat her grandmother’s pasta.

3. Why did the author learn to make fresh pasta late at night?

A．To honour her grandmother.	B．To give her daughter a surprise.
C．To meet her grandmother’s wish.	D．To be a role model for her daughter.

4. What can we learn about the author’s pasta sauce?

A．It isn’t easy to make.	B．It isn’t to her daughter’s liking.
C．It tastes exactly the same as her grandmother’s.	D．It shows her love for her daughter.

5. What’s the best title for the text?

A．Different types of pasta	B．The origin of pasta
C．Love through pasta	D．Pasta for Christmas

5 . A recent global study, which surveyed 10,000 young people from 10 countries, showed that nearly 60 percent of them were extremely worried about the future state of the planet. The report, which was published in The Lancet, also showed that nearly half of the respondents said that such distress affected them daily, and three quarters agreed with the statement that “the future is frightening.” This, along with many other studies, shows clearly that climate change is not just a threat to the environment that we inhabit. It also poses a very real threat to our emotional well-being. Psychologists have categorized these feelings of grief and worry about the current climate emergency, a common occurrence among youth today, under the label of “eco-anxiety”.

Eco-anxiety doesn’t just affect young people. It also affects researchers who work in climate and ecological science, burdened by the reality depicted by their findings, and it affects the most economically marginalized (边缘化的) across the globe, who bear the damaging impacts of climate breakdown.

In 2024, eco-anxiety will rise to become one of the leading causes of mental health problems. The reasons are obvious. Scientists estimate that the world is likely to breach safe limits of temperature rise above pre-industrial levels for the first time by 2027.

In recent years, we’ve seen wildfires tear through Canada and Greece, and summer floods ruin regions in Pakistan that are home to nearly 33 million people. Studies have shown that those impacted by air pollution and rising temperatures are more likely to experience psychological distress.

To make matters worse, facing climate crisis, our political class is not offering strong leadership. The COP28 conference in Dubai will be headed by an oil and gas company executive. In the UK, the government is backtracking on its green commitments.

Fortunately, greater levels of eco-anxiety will also offer an avenue for resolving the climate crisis directly. According to Caroline Hickman, a researcher on eco-anxiety from the University of Bath, anyone experiencing eco-anxiety is displaying entirely natural and rational reactions to the climate crisis. This is why, in 2024, we will also see more people around the world join the fight for climate justice and seek jobs that prioritize environmental sustainability. Campaigners will put increased pressure on fossil fuel industries and the governments to rapidly abandon the usage of polluting coal, oil, and gas.

It’s now clear that not only are these industries the main causes for the climate crisis, they are also responsible for the mental health crisis, which is starting to affect most of us. Eco-anxiety is not something we will defeat with therapy, but something we will tackle by taking action.

1. What can we learn from the passage?

A．The cause of eco-anxiety is emotions existing in our mind.

B．People in developed countries are more likely to suffer from eco-anxiety.

C．Eco-anxiety is a new kind of psychological disease due to climate change.

D．The author is disappointed about government behaviour towards climate crisis.

2. What does the underlined word “breach” in Paragraph 3 most probably mean?

A．Break.

B．Reach.

C．Raise.

D．Affect.

3. As for Caroline Hickman’s opinion on eco-anxiety, the author is         .

A．puzzled

B．favourable

C．suspicious

D．unconcerned

4. What would be the best title for the passage?

A．Who Is to Blame for Eco-anxiety?

B．How Should You See Eco-anxiety?

C．How Will Eco-anxiety Be Resolved?

D．Why Do People Suffer from Eco-anxiety?

6 . 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

7 . 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

8 . 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.

9 . Artificial intelligence is almost twice as accurate as a biopsy (活组织检查) at judging the aggressiveness of some cancers, experts say. Cancer kills 10 million people globally every year, according to the WHO. But for patients the disease can be prevented if detected instantly and dealt with quickly.

A recent study suggested an AI algorithm (算法) was far better than a biopsy at correctly grading the aggressiveness of sarcomas (肉瘤), a rare form of cancer. Researchers hope AI will improve outcomes for patients by giving doctors a more accurate way of grading tumours (肿瘤). Because high-grade tumours can indicate aggressive disease, the tool could help ensure those high-risk patients are identified more quickly and treated instantly. Low-risk patients could also be spared unnecessary treatments, follow-up scans and hospital visits.

Researchers say the algorithm could be applied to other types of cancer in future. The team specifically looked at retroperitoneal sarcomas, which develop at the back of the abdomen and are difficult to diagnose (诊断) and treat due to their location. They used CT scans from 170 patients with the two most common forms of retroperitoneal sarcoma — leiomyosarcoma and liposarcoma. Using data from these scans they created an AI algorithm, which was then tested on 89 patients in other countries. In grading how aggressive the tumour was, the technology was accurate in 82% of the cases, while biopsies were 44%.

AI could also recognize leiomyosarcoma and liposarcoma in 84% of sarcomas tested, while radiologists were able to identify them in 65% of the cases. Christina Messiou, the study leader, said: “We’re incredibly excited by the potential of this state-of-the-art technology, which could lead to patients having better outcomes through faster diagnosis. As patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma are routinely scanned with CT, we hope this tool will eventually be used globally, ensuring that not just specialist centres can reliably identify and grade the disease.”

Richard Davison, chief executive of Sarcoma UK, said the results looked “very promising”. He added: “People are more likely to survive sarcoma if diagnosed early. One in six people with sarcoma cancer wait more than a year to receive an accurate diagnosis, so any research that helps patients receive better treatment and support is welcome.”

1. According to the passage, AI is capable of        .

A．grading the risk of sarcomas

B．measuring the scale of sarcomas

C．providing cancer treatment for clinicians

D．classifying cancers with its advanced algorithm

2. What can be inferred from this passage?

A．More sarcomas can be detected with the help of AI.

B．Biopsies will be replaced by AI algorithm in identifying cancers.

C．More patients suffering from cancers will benefit from AI algorithm.

D．AI algorithm has been applied in hospitals for detecting most cancers.

3. What is the passage mainly about?

A．AI has a profound market in curing cancers.

B．New treatments for sarcomas are well underway.

C．AI helps identify high-risk and low-risk patients.

D．AI does better in assessing some types of sarcomas.

10 . 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.