1 . Going to an art museum or gallery can be a fun activity to do with family and friends.
Choose a museum
You don’t need to visit the most famous museum in your area.
Take your time
When you’re at the museum and a piece of art catches your eye, pause and spend some time really taking it in. You can start by getting close to the artwork(without touching it)so you can see details you might miss if you were viewing it online. If you’re looking at a painting, for example, consider the texture on the surface and whether any brushstrokes are visible. Then step back and look at the way the brushstrokes work together to create the piece of art. Think about the story the art work may be trying to tell.
Consider the meaning
Once you’ve absorbed the physical aspects of the work, try to find out more about what it means. A volunteer at the museum may be available to talk to you about the piece. Free brochures may also provide information. You can also ask yourself what the work means to you.
Thinking about the meaning, subject, colors, and setting of a piece of art can help you better understand and appreciate artists and their work. After you leave the museum, consider which pieces of art stay in your mind and why. Talk to a friend or adult who went with you, and ask them about their favorite pieces, too. Thinking about how artists—especially those who might be from a different background or lived thousands of years ago—can connect with others through their work is part of the magic of art.
| A．Appreciate the fine art. |
| B．Reflect on what you saw. |
| C．Try looking at it from a different angle. |
| D．For many people, though, viewing art can be frightening. |
| E．You can experience an artistic feast of paintings, sculptures, and more. |
| F．For example, maybe the colors in the piece remind you of a place that’s special to you. |
| G．Look at the websites of a few local museums to see what types of art or special exhibits are on display. |
2 . Do you prefer working on school projects with a friend, rather than alone? Neuroscientists (神经科学家) from Keio University in Japan have discovered that when two people work together on a task their brains actually start working in the same way.
For their study, the scientists picked 78 people, paired them up and set them a task to design the inside of a room without any limits on time or how much they spoke to each other. Each pair sat opposite each other and completed one task together and one on their own. When they worked together, the participants had to create a room that satisfied them both.
The pairs sat with their brains wired up through a special kind of headwear that monitors how the brain’s neurons react to different situations. Neurons send signals around the brain and to other parts of the body. The researchers also studied how often each pair looked at each other and compared this with what was happening in their brains at the same time. The experiment showed that, for people working together, when groups of neurons in one participant’s brains were activated, similar groups of neurons in their partner’s brain were also activated. Yasuyo Minagawa, a researcher working on the study, said it was “as if the two brains functioned together as a single system”.
They called this group brain activity “between-brain synchronisations”, and it was particularly strong when the participants raised their gaze from the activity to look at each other. Minagawa says the study proved something called the “we-mode”, which is when two people “share their minds”. There is a lot scientists don’t know about how brains operate when humans are interacting with each other. Now the researchers are hoping to develop the technology to study how other social interactions, like conversations and facial expressions, affect what’s going on inside the brain.
1. What did the study find?| A．Pair work matters. | B．Task itself influences brains. |
| C．Working together bonds brains. | D．Conversations affect how brains work! |
| A．create a room. | B．send signals to researchers |
| C．finish a school project | D．conduct a survey |
| A．Each one in the pair independently designed the inside of a room as well. |
| B．Each pair finished the task within a limited time and with limited communication. |
| C．The reactions of brain’s neurons to different situations were monitored by a headwear. |
| D．The frequency of looking at each other was compared with the reactions of brain’s neurons. |
| A．A book review. | B．A travel brochure. |
| C．A textbook. | D．A science magazine. |
3 . Young adults in Singapore can often live with their parents into their 30s. They are encouraged by the government, which is fond of praising family values. Housing policy makes it difficult for young people to live independently. Almost 80% of Singaporeans live in subsidized (补助的) public housing. They cannot have a flat of their own until they marry or turn 35.
Yet a small but growing number of Singaporeans are resisting the nanny state (保姆式国家): Between 1990 and 2020, the number of those under 35 who lived alone or with non-family members grew from 33,400 to 51,300. Since they do not qualify for public housing, they must rent in the private sector. One factor is that Singaporeans are getting married later. In 1980, the average ages at which men and women married were 27 and 24; today, they are 30 and 29. A growing number choose not to marry at all. For others, it was COVID-19 that pushed them out of the nest. Serene Chee, a 25-year-old lawyer, did not greatly mind living with her parents until travel restrictions and work-from-home policies kept her stuck at home all the time. In June, Ms Chee and a friend moved into an apartment together.
Living on your own is not easy. First, you must inform your parents. It took Lydia Yang, an illustrator who was then 28, three months to gather the courage Then you must learn to pay bills and do basic chores. When Lenne Chai, a photographer, moved out seven years ago at the age of 23y she did not know how to cook.
Life on your own can be lonely. Ms Yang found it “a bit depressing”, particularly during the lockdown. But living apart may improve relationships. Both Ms Yang and Ms Chai said that they got on better with their parents after moving out. When living together, they paid each other little attention. Now their weekly visits are “quality time”, said Ms Chai. When Ms Chee’s parents came to her flat for dinner recently, they were impressed by how tidy it was.
1. What’s the attitude of the government to family values?| A．Negative. | B．Supportive. | C．Objective. | D．Subjective. |
| A．Housing policy. | B．The spread of COVID-19. |
| C．Parents’ disagreement. | D．The limited private apartments. |
| A．A growing number of people have enough money to hire nannies. |
| B．People need to rent houses because they have qualification for public housing. |
| C．More and more people don’t want to get married because of economic pressure. |
| D．COVID-19 is one of the reasons why many people don’t want to live with their parents. |
| A．The definition of “quality time”. | B．The positive effect of living alone. |
| C．The loneliness of living independently. | D．The parents’ attitude to children’s independence. |
4 . As this year’s ski season got underway, Liu Zhihua joined the crowd at a ski resort and glided fluently down the piste(滑雪道). With only a brief break, she took a quick turn, got onto a chairlift and was ready for another round.
Liu has become a star at the resort in Urumqi. Dressed in her baby blue suit and white helmet, she blends in with the other ski enthusiasts. But in fact, she is the resort’s oldest skier, at age 87. Though a fluent skier now, Liu only took up the sport when she was 72. Up until then, like many old people, she would spend her days taking care of her grandchildren, watching TV or playing mahjong. Encouraged by her children, Liu got on the piste for the very first time in 2007.
“The first day was not easy. My waist and legs ached. But in the following days, I was able to walk on the skis,” Liu recalls. “After conquering the fear of falling, I became increasingly interested in it and got addicted as time passed.” Starting on the beginner slopes, Liu gradually advanced to intermediate runs, and has even got onto the advanced ones. “I’ve taken part in a competition twice. I didn’t do it for a medal. Finishing the competition without falling is enough for me,” she says. When asked about the difficulties she had encountered during her years of skiing, Liu recalls that she fell over while going down a slope due to a lack of experience. “But skill comes from practice. Just get used to it,” she says.
For Liu, skiing is also a way to keep herself young and lively. Despite being the oldest ski enthusiast at the resort, she thinks she is just as vigorous as younger skiers. “No one can tell your age when everyone’s in a ski suit and with snow caps and goggles on,” says Liu with a smile. “Health and happiness are the two things that doing sports. has brought to me,” she says. “I don’t think age has much to do with my mindset. Old or young, I have been brave and optimistic.”
1. What can we learn about Liu Zhihua according to the text?| A．Liu began to learn ski at the age of 87. | B．Liu made the first attempt to ski in 2007 |
| C．Liu has never got onto the advanced runs. | D．Liu participated in the competition for a medal. |
| A．Satisfied. | B．Curious. | C．Energetic. | D．Talented. |
| A．Brave and humorous. | B．Caring and considerate. |
| C．Kind and warm-hearted. | D．Strong-willed and positive. |
| A．This year’s ski season gets underway. | B．Doing sports brings health and happiness. |
| C．Granny develops an ageless enthusiasm for skiing. | D．An 87-year-old woman becomes a skate star. |
5 . Four Unexpected Ways Different Countries Celebrate Birthdays
China
The Chinese typically only celebrate certain birthdays: the first, 10th, 20th, 30th, etc. The 60th birthday is important to the Chinese because it is seen as completing a full zodiac. Eating Chang Shou Mian on your birthday symbolizes long life you’ll hopefully have. Your loved ones can also wish for a long life.
Mexico
A Mexican party is called a fiesta and includes traditional food items, such as tacos, as well as a candy-filled piñata that is hit with a stick until it bursts open and candy spills everywhere for the party guests to enjoy. A very important tradition in Mexican culture is the Quinceanera, which is traditionally celebrated on a young woman’s fifteenth birthday. The celebration is meant to mark the young girl’s movement into womanhood. The Mexican birthday song is called Las Mañanitas.
Ireland
One unusual Irish tradition is “bumping” the birthday child. An adult turns the child upside down and very gently bumps his head on the floor. The number of bumps equals the age of the child. For those who come of age, usually 21 in Ireland, the key to the house is given. This means that the person is an adult and can come and go as he pleases.
South Korea
Mi-yeok-guk, a hearty seaweed soup, is usually served as part of breakfast for the beloved birthday boys and girls in Korea. Mothers will also typically eat this soup after childbirth to make up for nutrients during pregnancy, so you’d better pay respect to your mother whenever she cooks this on your birthday because it’s delicious, healthy, and nutritious.
Although different cultures have many birthday traditions around the world, individual families celebrate their birthdays with specific traditions and special memories unique to that family.
1. Why do people eat Chang Shou Mian’ in China?| A．To symbolize one’s long life. | B．To get a key to a house. |
| C．To pay respect to one’s mother. | D．To mark one’s movement into adulthood. |
| A．China. | B．Mexico | C．Ireland | D．South Korea.ms |
| A．People eat traditional food at birthday parties. |
| B．People eat specific food to celebrate their birthdays. |
| C．People eat Chang Shou Mian to wish for longevity on their birthdays. |
| D．People hold a “bumping” event for children to celebrate their birthdays. |
The Nunes’s family lived in a friendly community near the woods. It was a normal Wednesday afternoon. Araceli Nunes returned home from selling food and drinks along the roadside in Plantersville, Texas. Her business had been fairly profitable and she was happy to see her husband preparing dinner in the kitchen and her 3-year-old son Christopher Ramirez, playing in the yard. However, when she turned to unload her car, she didn’t notice the kid following a neighbor’s dog into the woods.
When they couldn’t find Christopher, the anxious family called for help, and within a few hours, 48 different agencies arrived to comb through the area around their home. Their entire community started to help find Christopher. Some walked into the forest and others drove farther away.
After days of absolute no sign of the kid, rescuers feared the worst, but Araceli never stopped hoping for her son’s safe return. At long last, after four long days and nights, the sheriff(警长)received a phone call from a man named Tim Halfin.
Tim Halfin’s house was about three miles away. He had heard the news of the missing boy when he returned home from a business trip. He didn’t think a three-year-old could walk that far to where he lived. However, as all the previous searching efforts were reported to fail, he decided to try his luck around his own house.
Not long after he went out into the woods, he was surprised by what came into his sight. It was Christopher! Aside from being dehydrated and very hungry, the kid was completely unharmed. He was found outside the range where authorities were looking for him, so it’s pretty amazing that Tim discovered him.
注意:
1. 续写词数应为100左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
When Tim picked him up, the kid was still conscious (意识清醒的).
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About 226 million passenger trips
From Jan 7 to Sunday, small passenger
A “return peak” was seen across the country on Friday as
8 . Tulou, a special residential architecture of Fujian Province was included on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List during the 32nd session of the World Heritage Committee in Quebec, Canada.
In the fourth century, Han Chinese living in the Central Plain area began to migrate south, gradually gathering in Fujian and forming the Hakka communities. As a defense against enemies, the Hakkas chose to live in compact (紧凑的) communities, and Tulou became their preferred houses. Tens of thousands of such earthen structures were constructed in Fujian Province.
Most Tulous are to be found in the valleys, surrounded by high mountains, and some are in the depths of great mountains. Most are three to four stories high, and look like circular blockhouses (堡垒). Rooms on the first floor are used as kitchens, rooms on the second floor are used as barns (谷仓), and rooms on the third and fourth floors are for bedrooms and living rooms. For defensive purposes, the rooms on the first floor have no window.
Raw materials for Tulou were obtained locally. The main building material was a mixture of clay, sand, lime and water, with egg whites, brown sugar and rice water forming the walls. Once they dried, the walls were so hard that driving a nail into them seemed difficult. Fir (松木) branches, which are extremely strong and do not rot, were used to strengthen them, so many centuries later, they have remained their original look.
Tulous are in a region where earthquakes happen frequently, and their circular construction helps them resist the regular shocks.
The proven design even inspired one famous Peruvian architect, who paid several visits to Yongding, to build a Tulou back home. Not long after, an earthquake struck only 10 kilometers away, and while all the houses around the earthen building fell down, his Tulou remained.
1. From the passage, we know that Tulou________.| A．was all built on the fourth century. |
| B．was once the place where the Hakkas chose to live together. |
| C．is also modern people’s preferred housing. |
| D．looks like circular blockhouses but easy to fall down in an earthquake. |
| A．most Tulous are to be found in urban areas. | B．Hakkas might live an organized and harmonious life. |
| C．people lived on the second floor in Tulou. | D．no windows are on the first floor to keep Tulou strong. |
| A．Hakkas built Tulous when they lived in the Central Plain area. |
| B．Raw materials for Tulou were obtained from far away. |
| C．It is difficult to dig a hole into the walls of Tulou. |
| D．Fir branches may help them resist the regular shocks. |
| A．One of UNESCO’s World Heritage List. | B．The Function of Tulous. |
| C．Yongding County and the Hakkas. | D．A special Earthen Architecture of Fujian. |
9 . What will you do when one of the few bookstores in your neighborhood shuts down? If you’re Latanya DeVaughn, you will make a new and improved one! As a mom and writer, she had always dreamed of opening her own bookstore, so after watching another close its doors for good, she saw her chance.
While Latanya said every neighborhood deserved a bookstore, actually making it happen simply wasn’t possible. What she came up with instead was to turn a bus into a bookmobile! With the help of her community, she raised money for her dream and, at the end of 2021, it came true! Bronx Bound Books rolled out in style as a bus with orange cube bookshelves. “People love the way it smells,” Latanya added. “One woman said the wood smell makes her feel like she’s at home.”
Although the bookstore on wheels carries around 30,000 new and used books, it has more room than you might expect! Latanya also makes sure to prepare books with a variety of characters, so all readers can see themselves in the pages. Of course, her collection also features works of noted Black authors like James Baldwin and Alice Walker. “It’s meant to be that way,” she explained, “because I remember going to bookstores and having to look through books just to find someone I felt I could identify with.”
Setting up her bookstore in a new spot each day, Latanya is doing her part to make sure that everyone in the neighborhood has books to read. That’s what Bronx Bound Books is for. “I can’t open up a bookstore on every corner, but I can probably pop up on tons of different corners,” she said.
Thanks to Latanya and her Bronx Bound Books, the town is becoming a heaven for book lovers day by day. I’m sure that the little bookstore will continue to develop quickly!
1. How did Latanga DeVoughn respond to the shutdown of bookstores?| A．She took over and reopened them soon. | B．She set up her own special bookstore. |
| C．She opened bookstores on every block. | D．She called on neighbors to open a new one. |
| A．it’s hard to store books with various characters. | B．all readers can identify with Black authors. |
| C．Latanya cares for individual readers’ need. | D．Bronx Bound Books has limited room. |
| A．To recycle old books around the neighborhood. |
| B．To raise money for Latanya DeVaughn’s dream. |
| C．To make reading accessible to everyone in the neighborhood. |
| D．To open up a bookstore on every comer across the world. |
| A．Alarming. | B．Affordable. | C．Creative. | D．Promising. |
As a kid, I spent my summers with my grandparents in Texas, which was a welcome change from my Huston life of school and I loved it.
One of the best parts of spending summers with my grandparents was caravanning(乘房车度假)with the caravan club. Every few summers, we would join the trips organized by the caravan club and it was during one of these trips that my grandfather said to me the right words at the right time—it’s much harder to be kind than clever.
I wasn’t very old, maybe ten or eleven, but I was forming my opinions about the world, and of course, I thought I knew much more about things than I actually did.
I was then, as I am now, a big reader and a crazy fan for numbers. Anyone who has been on a long road trip knows that no matter how many books you bring, how beautiful the scenery is, you still have too much time to think. So I spent a good deal of my extra time calculating. I calculated gas mileage. I figured out the average per-item price of groceries bought over the course of the trip. And at some point, I saw an anti-smoking ad on TV. The announcer declared that every time a smoker took a puff of a cigarette(抽一口烟). he was shortening his life time by two minutes. My grandmother was a smoker. I hated it, and not just because I knew that it was bad for her. My guess is that any kid who rides for thousands of miles sitting in the smoke-filled backseat of a 1973 Olds car grows to hate smoking. So on one particularly long driving day, I decided to do the math.
I don’t remember exactly what the number was. Two minutes per puff, twenty puffs per cigarette, twenty cigarettes per pack, one pack a day for thirty years. About sixteen years? When I was satisfied that I had come up with a reasonably accurate number, I poked my head between the two front seats and tapped my grandmother on the shoulder.
注意:
1. 续写词数应为150左右:
2. 请按如下格式在答题纸的相应位置作答。
I told grandma that she had taken sixteen years off her life from smoking.
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My grandpa got out of the car and asked me to follow.
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