1 . The following are some markets which have become tourist attractions.
Wiener Christkindlmarkt, Austria
Known as Viennese Dream Christmas Market, Wiener Christkindlmarkt, or Rathausplatz, is one of the Austrian capital’s oldest and most traditional attractions. It has a 150-square-meter children’s ice rink (溜冰场). Tree of Hearts, a giant maple tree with hundreds of shinning red hearts, is a hot favorite with visitors to have a picture.
Open time: November 10 — December 26
Basel Christmas Market, Switzerland
Basel Christmas Market is divided into two different sections at Barfusserplatz and Munsterplatz. Family attractions include the Christmas fairy tale tree at Munsterplatz with activities such as gingerbread and candle decorating, a star workshop and a festive train.
Open time: November 23 — December 23
Strasbourg Christmas Market, France
One of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets, Strasbourg began back in 1570, drawing in over two million people every year. Place Klebe is probably its most popular place thanks to the great Christmas tree.
Open time: November 24 — December 24
Brussels Winter Wonders, Belgium
Brussels really comes to life at Christmas time thanks to Winter Wonders, which is more like a festival than a market. A light and sound show, ice skating, and pleasure ground rides are among the activities to enjoy, while visitors can also stare in wonder at the huge Christmas tree set up in Grand Place.
Open time: November 11 — December 31
1. What can visitors do at Rathausplatz?| A．Appreciate a sound show. | B．Enjoy a train ride in an ice rink. |
| C．Take photos with many red hearts. | D．Ride wooden horses in a playground. |
| A．They have a great tree. | B．They own a good place for skating. |
| C．They hold various activities for tourists. | D．They are the oldest one in their own country. |
| A．Wiener ChristkindImarkt, Austria. | B．Brussels Winter Wonders, Belgium. |
| C．Basel Christmas Market, Switzerland. | D．Strasbourg Christmas Market, France. |
2 . For more than 50 years, seawater has flowed through the Hong Kong’s toilets. And in 2013, Hong Kong built a system that used seawater to cool part of the city. The system sends cold seawater to a factory with heat exchangers. The seawater takes in heat to cool pipes full of circulating (循环的) water. That cooled water then flows into buildings to cool rooms. The slightly warmed seawater is sent back to the ocean. Known as district cooling, this type of system tends to use far less energy than typical air conditioners.
How much water and energy had this strategy saved Hong Kong? And why weren’t other coastal cities doing this? A team at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology set out for answers. They focused on Hong Kong and two other big coastal cities: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Miami, Fla. The idea was to see what it might look like if all three adopted city-wide saltwater systems.
All three places would save lots of fresh water and energy, the researchers found. These savings came from the more efficient saltwater air conditioning. Though costly to build, saltwater-cooling systems could pay off in the long run for many cities.
The researchers figured out how emissions (排放) of greenhouse gases would drop if each city instead used seawater for cooling and flushing (冲刷). Next, they studied how much pollution would be created to build the new system. They compared these results to see how emissions of climate-warming gases would change for each city.
Hong Kong would see the biggest cut in greenhouse gases if the system were expanded to the whole city. It could drop by some 250,000 tons each year. Miami could see a drop of around 7,700 tons of carbon pollution per year. Saltwater cooling would cause more planet-warming gases in Jeddah than it would save. The reason: Jeddah’s unplanned urban expansion and all the pipes that would be needed to service it. The pollution coming from building such a large system would be higher than what the system would save.
1. What can seawater do in Hong Kong’s district cooling system?| A．It is used to flush all of the toilets. | B．It runs into buildings to cool rooms. |
| C．It circulates in pipes to warm the air. | D．It absorbs heat to cool the water in pipes. |
| A．To test if saltwater-cooling systems are fit for all coastal cities. |
| B．To find ways to build more efficient saltwater-cooling systems. |
| C．To popularize Hong Kong’s energy reduction measures. |
| D．To apply Hong Kong’s experience to Jeddah and Miami. |
| A．Supportive. | B．Unclear. |
| C．Mixed. | D．Opposed. |
| A．Kill two birds with one stone. | B．There is no one-size-fits-all way. |
| C．Two wrongs don’t make a right. | D．One man’s fault is another man’s lesson. |
3 . Many previous studies have indicated that frequent walking was associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes (糖尿病) in the general population, in a way that those with more time spent walking per day were at a lower risk. But their findings haven’t offered much guidance on the best habitual walking speed needed to lower diabetes risk.
A new study’s authors reviewed 10 previous studies conducted between 1999 and 2022, which assessed (评估) the links between walking speed and the development of type 2 diabetes among adults from the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. After a follow-up period of eight years on average, compared with those who took easy or casual (休闲的) walking(less than 2 miles per hour), those who walked at an average or normal pace (2 to 3 miles per hour)had a 15% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the researchers found. Walking at a “fairly quick” pace (3 to 4 miles per hour)meant a 24% lower risk than those who easily or casually walked. And quick walking(more than 4 miles per hour)had the biggest benefit: a 39%reduction in risk.
The overall message is that walking is an important way to improve your health. It may be true that walking faster is even better. But given the fact that most Americans do not get sufficient walking in the first place, it is most important to encourage people to walk more as they’re able to.
If you want to challenge yourself, however, using a fitness tracker—via a watch or smartphone app—can help you measure and maintain your walking pace, experts said. If you can’t get a fitness tracker, an easy alternative for tracking exercise intensity (强度) is the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “talk test”, which relies on understanding how physical activity affects heart rate and breathing. If, while walking, you’re able to talk in a labored voice but not sing, your pace is probably quick.
1. How did the researchers get the new findings?| A．By studying former research. | B．By interviewing volunteers. |
| C．By carrying out an experiment. | D．By conducting an online survey. |
| A．Easy walking. | B．Quick walking. |
| C．Average walking. | D．Casual walking. |
| A．Buying a fitness tracker. | B．Avoiding eating too much. |
| C．Following the “talk test” rule. | D．Walking as much as possible. |
| A．Walking: the Secret to Physical Health |
| B．Walking: the End of Diabetic Patients’ Worries |
| C．Walking: a Simple Way to Reduce Diabetes Risk |
| D．Walking: an Effective Treatment for Diabetes |
Does every dinner with your parents seem to turn into a battle? Have your once warm
Teenagers’ physical changes may result in such family tensions. You may feel
It can be a big headache to balance your developing mental needs too. You enter
On the other hand when you are struggling to control your feelings, you wish they could be more caring and patient — sometimes they forget that
5 . Most children like watching TV. It’s very interesting. By watching TV, they can learn a lot and know many things about their country and the world. Of course, they can also learn over the radio (收音机). But they can learn better and more easily over the TV. Why? Because they can hear and see at the same time, while they can’t see anything over the radio.
Watching TV helps to open children’s eyes. Watching TV helps to open their minds, too. They learn new and good ways of doing things. Many children watch TV only on Saturday and Sunday evenings. They are very busy with their lessons on weekdays. But a few children watch TV every night. They go to bed very late, so they can`t have a good rest. How about you, my young friend?
1. Children can study better over the TV because they________.| A．can hear something | B．can see more things than on the radio |
| C．can hear and see at the same time | D．can see the pictures on TV |
| A．open their eyes | B．open their minds |
| C．make their lives busier | D．both A and B |
| A．A few of | B．A lot of | C．A lot | D．A little |
| A．do their homework | B．watch TV every night |
| C．are busy with their lessons | D．listen to the radio |
6 . Mr. Evans works in Sydney. Last week he had a two-week holiday, but he didn’t know where to go. He said to his friend Robert, “I hate the hot weather here, but I can’t find a cool place in Australia. Where shall I take my holiday?”
“That’s easy,” said Robert, “You can go to Moscow. Snow and ice are covering the ground there now.”
Mr. Evans agreed with his friend. He bought a plane ticket and soon got to Moscow. He had a happy time there. But one day he got into trouble. After lunch he went to a park outside the city. He saw a dog following him while he was walking past a house. It was hungry and wished him to give it some food to eat. But he had no piece of bread or cake in his pockets. He tried to send it away, but it began to bark at him. Just at that moment, he saw a stone on the ground. He tried to pick it up but he couldn’t.
“How strange these Russians are!” Mr. Evans said to himself, “They do not tie their dogs, but firmly tie the stones!”.
1. Mr. Evans works in________| A．Sydney | B．London | C．New York | D．Beijing |
| A．hot weather | B．cool weather | C．rainy weather | D．cold weather |
| A．by train | B．by bus | C．on foot | D．by air |
| A．跳 | B．叫 | C．追 | D．咬 |
7 . Any 25th birthday is a cause for celebration. But it was even more so for Janus, a two-headed Greek tortoise (龟). Living in the Natural History Museum of Geneva, Switzerland, Janus is now believed to be the world’s oldest two-headed tortoise. The museum celebrated the special occasion with a day-long party filled with fun events, which included taking photos with the birthday “boy”.
In the wild, Greek tortoises can live up to two hundred years in their natural habitat. However, two-headed tortoises, like Janus, usually do not survive for that long. Unlike normal tortoises, they are unable to take back their two heads into their shell, making them highly easy to be attacked.
Janus, who has spent his entire life in the museum, faces no such danger. But life is not without challenges for the two-headed tortoise who also has two hearts and two pairs of lungs. Each head controls the front and back legs on its side of the body. The right head is more curious and more awake. The left head is more passive and loves to eat. This can lead to confusion when the two heads decide to go in different directions. To make matters worse, the two heads frequently rub against each other, resulting in skin sores (溃疡). Janus also has a hard time rolling back onto his feet when he accidentally turns over. If left on their backs for too long, tortoises can get sunburned, dehydrated (脱水的) and even die.
Fortunately, Janus has a special caregiver, Angelica Bourgoin, to make sure he lives a long and healthy life. The tortoise receives a daily massage and is bathed in green tea and flower water. He eats a special diet of organic fruits and vegetables, keeps active with walks, and rides on his skateboard. With such loving care, the two-headed tortoise will surely continue to break many more records for long life.
1. Why is it hard for two-headed tortoises to survive in the wild?| A．They can’t avoid biting each other. | B．They can’t find enough food to eat. |
| C．They can’t hide from their enemies. | D．They can’t run as fast as normal ones. |
| A．In a pet store. | B．In the museum. |
| C．In the ocean. | D．In Bourgoin’s home. |
| A．The death of thirst. | B．Different decisions. |
| C．The pain on his skin. | D．Two halves of body. |
| A．Terrible. | B．Free. | C．Easy. | D．Boring. |
8 . Mother-Daughter Trips To Add To Your Bucket List
Despite general differences, mothers and daughters can have plenty of quality time together while taking a fun trip. There are so many destinations that can appeal to just about any mother and daughter.
Trip To The Big City: NYC
Of course, when it comes to culture, almost no other city can touch New York City. Research any interesting pop ups, Broadway shows, art exhibits, and anything in between, and try to go to as many as possible. You can book a VIP pass through Get Your Guide so you can skip lines and make the most of your time.
For The Outdoorsy Types: Sedona
If the two of you do your best bonding while hiking, then look no further than Sedona, Arizona. The sights are absolutely beautiful, and you can hike your way through all of the beautiful formations and red rocks. There are trails suited to every level, so you can find what suits you best.
Trip For Foodies: Chicago
If food is the main thing that you and your mom can bend over, Chicago is a great city for you. Of course, you must try deep dish pizza, but there are plenty of other delights to experience as well. It’s home to several Michelin star restaurants like Alinea, HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen, Girl & The Goat, Galit Restaurant, The Publican, Oriole, and Monteverde.
Star Searching: Los Angeles
If the pair of you love the charming of Hollywood, then of course you should head over to Los Angeles. You can take a walk on Melrose and perhaps even run into a film star or two. Visit Craig’s, a hotspot and favorite for celebrities like Kate Upton and Kim Kardashian. You can also visit Pendry West Hollywood if you want to try to spot some stars.
1. How can you visit New York City most efficiently?| A．Traveling with a VIP pass. | B．Following a tour group. |
| C．Taking public vehicles. | D．Renting a family car. |
| A．New York City. | B．Chicago. | C．Sedona. | D．Los Angeles. |
| A．Art exhibitions. | B．Beautiful sunset. | C．Fancy restaurants. | D．Well-known persons. |
9 . “Sana, why don’t you read this paragraph for us?” asked Miss Mehwish.
Hesitantly (犹豫地), Sana stood up to
The
“Sana,” said Miss Mehwish, “Sana,
Feeling awkward (尴尬的), Sana sat down and Miss Mehwish
She heard them speaking softly, “What is she
“She needs to work hard!” said another.
Disheartened, Sana
Then, Aliza, one of her classmates, walked to Sana and offered her help. Gladly, Sana
Soon Sana’s reading started to flow and she became
| A．find | B．write | C．read | D．translate |
| A．team | B．class | C．teachers | D．fans |
| A．sit down | B．slow down | C．stand up | D．hurry up |
| A．helped | B．forced | C．warned | D．asked |
| A．hall | B．playground | C．library | D．bookshop |
| A．also | B．already | C．always | D．almost |
| A．doing | B．saying | C．dreaming | D．singing |
| A．picked | B．bought | C．stole | D．borrowed |
| A．post | B．bill | C．paragraph | D．book |
| A．difficult | B．important | C．possible | D．necessary |
| A．experience | B．guidance | C．service | D．space |
| A．rose | B．left | C．changed | D．agreed |
| A．creative | B．confident | C．calm | D．crazy |
| A．saved | B．served | C．surprised | D．suited |
| A．praised | B．paid | C．pitied | D．prepared |
10 . A preschool teacher decided to add a very special person to her list of students: Her beloved dad!
When teaching kids how to read and write, Lucy Floreshas has given more
Lucy says her Spanish-speaking dad, Luciano, was a little
Her dad was born in Mexico and had a
“Overall, I’m so excited that he chose to
Lucy gives her dad writing lessons three days a week for two hours, and the hard work has
| A．impression | B．sense | C．argument | D．thought |
| A．potential | B．competence | C．opportunity | D．passion |
| A．famous | B．perfect | C．necessary | D．mysterious |
| A．hesitant | B．patient | C．voluntary | D．disappointed |
| A．meanwhile | B．therefore | C．otherwise | D．however |
| A．games | B．speeches | C．lessons | D．adventures |
| A．practicing | B．teaching | C．proving | D．examining |
| A．concerns | B．views | C．requests | D．answers |
| A．admitted | B．created | C．shared | D．designed |
| A．tough | B．different | C．happy | D．special |
| A．inform | B．support | C．provide | D．follow |
| A．construction | B．location | C．bank | D．school |
| A．schedule | B．promise | C．recite | D．want |
| A．kept on | B．came out | C．paid off | D．stopped over |
| A．definitely | B．generally | C．hardly | D．specially |
