1 . 假设你是李华，有一位外国笔友Harry想了解你们的首都北京，请你根据提示回复一封电子邮件。要点如下：
1. 北京的位置(中国北部)、面积(16,410多平方公里)、人口(约2200万)及历史(3,000多年)等；
2. 北京的旅游特色(历史古迹如长城、故宫the Forbidden City、颐和园the Summer Palace, 特色小吃等)；
3. 欢迎Harry来北京参观。
注意：
1. 词数100左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3. 开头、结尾已给出，不计入总数。
Dear Harry,
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

3 . National Public Radio (NPR) Music’s Tiny Desk Contest is back. Artists can submit an entry from this morning. This isn’t just another regular year of the Contest — it’s the 10th anniversary.

The panel (小组) of judges has doubled in size compared to previous years. The panel has a group of industry experts who are eager to see what this year’s participants can share. And there’s a great team of NPR’s Music station hosts on the panel: Amelia Mason, Novena Carmel and Stas THEE Boss.

Also new this year: Not only will the 2024 winner play a Tiny Desk concert, be interviewed on All Things Considered and go on tour with NPR Music — they’ll also be paired with a tutor in the industry who will help them navigate their music journey. Our judges are determined to give this year’s winner the support they’ll need to take their music to the next level. The winner will also be featured at two festivals this summer: Celebrate Brooklyn and the Millennium Park Summer Music series in Chicago.

And for the first time this year, the Contest is introducing a fan favorite vote. Later this spring, Contest judges will share their favorite entries as part of the annual Tiny Desk-Contest Top Shelf series on YouTube — and then artists and fans will be able to vote for their favorite among those selections.

Here’s how to enter: Record a video of you playing one original song — behind a desk, upload your video to YouTube, and submit the video on our Tiny Desk Contest website by Feb. 21 at 11: 59 p. m.   

A final reminder: Entry videos don’t need to be fancy. The Tiny Desk is where artists go to simplify their big productions. Contest judges are looking for artists to submit something that’s true to them and brand new to the Tiny Desk.

1. Who are most likely among the judges?

A．News station hosts.	B．Expert musicians.
C．Contest participants.	D．Famous industrialists.

2. What will the winner get as an award?

A．Sightseeing tours.	B．Festival souvenirs.
C．Unlimited support.	D．Professional guidance.

3. What is required of the contest entry?

A．It has to be a masterpiece.	B．It must convey positive feelings.
C．It must be recorded behind a desk.	D．It has to be submitted before Feb. 21.

4 . To get kids into science for the long term, new findings suggest it’s best to engage them alongside their families. The finding runs counter (背道而驰) to the current framework, in which children attend science-related summer camps and after-school programs apart from their families. That approach may reduce the long-term potential of what they learn.

“Most kids have interest in science,” says lead author Megan Ennes. “For them, it’s about curiosity and wonder, but research shows that as they make their way through middle school, there’s a significant decline. So we want to focus on the finding so that we can build a support system around it.”

In partnership with North Carolina State University, the researchers based their study on a family science program hosted at three museums. Over the course of ten months, families met on weekends for science themed events. Afterward, the participants attended an activity led by professionals in science, technology, engineering or math, allowing families to experience what it’s like to work in those fields.

During an event with a focus on local wildlife, a bird expert helped families capture birds with nets and unite the ones that hadn’t been caught before to monitor their populations. “After the bird banding, one of the parents took it home so they could continue talking about birds at home,” Ennes says. “Our goal isn’t to persuade students to become scientists. But if we can help families see science as something they do for fun together, then we can help ensure they have a lifelong engagement with it.”

“Some of the greatest challenges and opportunities our society is faced with will be solved by teams rather than by individuals,” Ennes says. “Helping families see science as something they do together with a community can help build 21st-century skills needed to be successful in science and society. It also builds a supportive network to allow youth and families to explore new careers and lifelong hobbies related to science.”

1. Why did the researchers carry out the study?

A．Most children show no interest in science.

B．Children are curious about many things.

C．Students should be encouraged to love their families.

D．Middle school students reduce their interest in science.

2. What can the families do in the study?

A．Experience the work in science.	B．Host events about science.
C．Share the information in science.	D．Visit three museums for free.

3. What is the aim of the study?

A．To get students into science for the long term.	B．To monitor the number of some birds.
C．To make more students want to be scientists.	D．To encourage students to learn to love wildlife.

4. What do Ennes’ words in the last paragraph show?

A．Students will face great challenges and chances.

B．It’s hard for students to solve problems by themselves.

C．It’s good to let students engage in science with families.

D．The community is good for science development.

5 . Njobati, a young woman from Cameroon, faced a challenging journey when she moved from her English-speaking area to a French-speaking area of the country to attend university. The sharp differences between these areas, once part of the British and French empires, made it difficult for her to fit in, which led her to examine her own identity—who she truly was.

Seeking guidance, she turned to her grandfather who also felt disconnected from his own culture. He expressed sadness about what the Nso had lost both culturally and materially, including Ngonnso statue. Ngonnso was the founder of Nso dating back to the 14th Century, whose statue was an important cultural symbol for the Nso. However, it was taken by the Germans in 1902 and has been housed in Berlin’s Ethnological Museum ever since.

Inspired by her grandfather’s desire and saddened by the loss of culture, Njobati made a promise to bring back the statue. She believed it would not only achieve her grandfather’s wish but connect her with her Nso heritage again.

Njobati did many researches about the statue and former unsuccessful attempts. She realized that restitution (归还) was actually about facing the colonial ( 殖民主义的) past. Njobati decided to try differently. To gather support online and offline, Njobati began a grassroots campaign. She organized meetings in community halls and churches, met people one-on-one, and used the power of social media.Through Twitter, she established contact with the Ethnological Museum.

Njobati’s tireless efforts paid off. She was told that a decision about Ngonnso statue was coming, which was an important moment for her.

“Finally, this is happening. Not just for me, but for the Nso people, and for Cameroon,” She cried. “This also lends a hand to other communities that are seeking justice for stolen culture relics.”

1. What made Njobati decide to bring back the Ngonnso statue?

A．Her interest in colonial history.

B．Her grandfather’s identity problem.

C．Her desire to reconnect with Nso culture.

D．Her experience in attending university.

2. What did Njobati do to gain support for her campaign?

A．She did wide and complete researches.

B．She turned to her grandfather for guidance.

C．She contacted the Ethnological Museum directly.

D．She organized meetings and using social media.

3. What does “this” refer to in the last paragraph?

A．The fight for the statue.	B．The promise she made.
C．The grassroots campaign.	D．The return of the statue.

4. What can be a suitable title for the passage?

A．A fight against colonialism.	B．A cultural fighter.
C．A promise for grandpa.	D．A stolen cultural symbol.

7 . 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。

Researchers have found that tai chi could slow down Parkinson’s disease by years. Tai chi, with its slow movements,     1     (know) to benefit physical and mental well-being. The researchers     2     (conduct) a five-year study on people with Parkinson’s. They discovered that the condition became worse     3     a slower speed in those who practiced tai chi. They observed fewer falls, and     4     (little) dizziness (头晕) and back pain in the tai chi practitioners. They also noted that the cognitive function of the test participants who     5     (regular) practiced tai chi became worse more slowly.

Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder     6     (affect) the nerves and muscles. It steadily causes uncontrollable movements,     7     symptoms (症状) include shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance. People with Parkinson’s may have difficulties walking and talking. One of the most famous people with Parkinson’s was Muhammad Ali,     8     heavyweight boxing champion. The researchers suggest that tai chi is one of the most helpful ways     9     (keep) symptoms of Parkinson’s at bay. They said: “The long-term     10     (benefit) effect of tai chi on Parkinson’s could extend the time without disability, leading to a higher quality of life, a lower burden for caregivers and a reduction in drug use.”

8 . A classroom of kindergartners listened attentively as their teacher, Robin Hughes, read them a book about snow. But as Hughes turned pages and _______ them photos of children making snow angels, she noticed some students looked _______. Hughes was shocked to know that only a couple of kids had seen snow. So she _______ her sister Amber Estes for help. “Could you make a snowman for me?” Hughes texted Estes. That text led Estes to build “Lucky”, a tiny _______.

Days later, Estes _______ her the snowman—completed with blueberries as eyes, a carrot as a nose and two branches as arms-on a nearly 800-mile journey in a _______ filled with ice bags. Hughes opened the box eagerly. To her surprise, the snowman had arrived almost _______.

The kids _______ saw the snowman in the classroom. “I was so excited just to see their joy,” said Hughes. Ever since, at least twice a day, Hughes brought “Lucky” out from the cafeteria _______ and put it on a silver plate so students could ________ the snowman and asked questions. Cheers and wows filled the classroom every time the snowman was ________. Whenever the snowman started to ________, she took it back to the fridge.

“In a time when things are not ________ for kids in the classroom, this little snowman has created ________,” Hughes said. She planned to melt the snowman before Earth Day and use the ________ while planting a flower at the school.

1.

A．took

B．showed

C．developed

D．posted

2.

A．upset

B．nervous

C．puzzled

D．sincere

3.

A．admired

B．thanked

C．blamed

D．asked

4.

A．firm

B．box

C．snowman

D．kindergarten

5.

A．taught

B．sent

C．promised

D．wrote

6.

A．container

B．train

C．canteen

D．flight

7.

A．false

B．undamaged

C．unfinished

D．gone

8.

A．extremely

B．barely

C．critically

D．ultimately

9.

A．fridge

B．drawer

C．office

D．pump

10.

A．eat

B．move

C．smell

D．touch

11.

A．brought about

B．brought in

C．cut out

D．cut up

12.

A．roll

B．shake

C．melt

D．wave

13.

A．normal

B．scientific

C．strange

D．essential

14.

A．confusion

B．patience

C．happiness

D．determination

15.

A．coat

B．pack

C．plate

D．water

9 . The reference desk staff at Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s public libraries are proud of themselves for answering their customers’ questions. The best recipe, the history of zydeco, the number of times the LSU Tigers football team has been to the Cotton Bowl. Even in this age of Google and Siri, there’s no shortage of questions.

“We’re in the information business,” says Patricia Husband, assistant branch library director.

Then came the flooding of 2016. Suddenly the questions became more urgent (紧急的). People wanted to know how to contact Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance, where to get help paying bills, even where to find a homeless shelter. Some visitors seemed to need much more than what the library’s reference sources could give them. They needed someone who could spend more time with them, advise them on whom to call for assistance and what documents and information they’d need.

The library turned to Volunteers of America Greater Baton Rouge (VOAGBR), a nonprofit it had worked with in the past. At VOAGBR, they’re all about addressing the very concerns people were asking about — assistance with affordable housing, a drop-in center for the homeless, therapists who work with families in crisis, programs for seniors. They were committed to helping those who were called “the least of these”. A 90-day pilot program (试点项目) was launched in the spring of 2017. Three evenings a week, VOAGBR would send caseworkers to three library branches.

The pilot program was extended for an entire year. In its first six months at the library branches, VOAGBR helped 248 people it might not have otherwise reached. There were also programs like Ask a Lawyer, where a lawyer gives free legal advice once a month.

There are a lot of books in Baton Rouge’s libraries — full of information, guidance, wisdom and entertainment — but the help that VOAGBR offers there is right out of people’s heart.

1. What is the aim of paragraph 1?

A．To indicate staff’s work is hard.	B．To prove the library is people’s pride.
C．To show the good service of the library.	D．To introduce the great number of books.

2. What was a problem facing the library during the flood?

A．Its reference sources lessened.	B．The books in it were destroyed.
C．Too many people rushed in for shelter.	D．It couldn’t provide all information people needed.

3. What can we know about VOAGBR?

A．It offered aid to the needy.	B．It was set up in 2017.
C．It was a library branch.	D．It was a 90-day pilot program.

4. What can be inferred about the pilot program?

A．It changed into an academic one.	B．It benefited people a lot.
C．It advertised VOAGBR in the world.	D．It helped the sufferers with its profits.

10 . I held a yogurt in one hand as I tried to eat and read customers’ e-mails during the lunch hour. Even fifteen minutes in the employee lunchroom seemed too much. My company had cut costs by not hiring new workers as they left. The survivors were expected to finish the remaining work.

For me, this meant no lunch hour. I didn’t feel I worked at a job; I felt I was my job. I wanted to resign, but given the economy, I reminded I couldn’t until I got another job. Then a chance conversation with a six-year-old girl changed my thought. She was lovely, standing in line with her mom at the grocery store.

“Good day at school?” I asked. She nodded. “What’s your favorite subject?” I continued. “Lunch.” I smiled at the answer, which had ever been my answer. At lunch, there were no adults to tell us what to do and we could sit and talk with our friends. Sometimes we could plan our time, while sometimes our time became more spontaneous — we only decided what to do while we were eating our sandwiches.

That conversation left me wondering; what had happened to lunch? By law I have the right to take a lunch break at work, so I decided to start taking it and set out to explore the small town. When the weather turned cold, I visited the used public library. Near the library was a small pond that attracted ducks and small children with their parents.

When I decided to take back my lunch hour, I was ready for unkind remarks or stares from my co-workers. Actually, some of my co-workers started to leave away occasionally during lunch time. Therefore, we started inviting each other out for walks during good weather and discovered that we shared many common topics of conversation.

I’m still looking for a new position, but with less stressed-out urgency than before. You can’t always change your circumstances, but you can always change your perspective.

1. Why did the author want to leave the company?

A．She was tired of her co-workers.	B．She wanted to get promoted.
C．She was overloaded in her job.	D．She didn’t get good pay.

2. Which word can replace the underlined word “spontaneous” in paragraph 3?

A．Unapproved.

B．Unplanned.

C．Unpacked.

D．Unchanged.

3. What did the author begin to do after the chance conversation?

A．Share her snacks with others.	B．Fall in love with her job.
C．Go shopping with her co-workers.	D．Have a break during her lunch time.

4. Which of the following might the author agree with?

A．We should always adapt to our working conditions.

B．We can change our working efficiency by making friends.

C．Changing what we could control makes a difference.

D．Appreciating every moment in our life can decide our efficiency.