1 . Thomas was a well-known wise man. One day, he wandered in a beautiful small town. Because of his fame, people from nearby towns who heard of his arrival all came to visit and seek his advice.

Many who came sought help with difficulties in daily life, and Thomas, unable to bear turning them away, patiently offered suggestions. Word spread quickly, and more and more people came to see Thomas for guidance.

One day, dozens of people crowded outside Thomas’s door, all clamoring (大声地要求) that their problems were the most serious and urgent, each insisting that Thomas address their concerns first, with no one willing to yield (让步).

After a moment of thought, Thomas took out some paper and a pen and said, “I can’t hear clearly with everyone talking at once. How about everyone write down your problem on a piece of paper and place it in this basket beside me?”

Once everyone had placed their notes in the basket, Thomas shook the basket and said, “Please each take a piece of paper from the basket and read what it says.”

As everyone read a note from someone else, they all realized that indeed, each person has their own troubles, and every household has its own challenges. Then Thomas spoke up, “Now, whose problem is the most urgent to solve?” Hearing that question, no one spoke again, because now no one dared to claim that their problem was the most severe.

Often, we are bound by our immediate feelings. When difficulties and problems strike, it feels as though we are caught in a vortex of pain. But if we shift our focus from ourselves and look towards others, we might discover that the problems we face are not so significant. Perhaps others are the ones who need help more urgently, or maybe there is something within our power that we can do for them.

1. Why did people visit Thomas?

A．For advice.	B．For a meeting.
C．For a competition.	D．For introductions.

2. How did Thomas handle the crowd?

A．He ignored them.	B．He listened to each one individually.
C．He prioritized the problems himself.	D．He asked them to write down their problems.

3. What did reading others’ problems show to the people?

A．The complexity of their difficulties.	B．The similarity of their situations.
C．Their need for more advice.	D．Their living conditions.

4. What lesson did Thomas teach?

A．Competition.

B．Sympathy.

C．Prioritization.

D．Self-confidence.

2 . The world is full of fascinating destinations. We are here for you, providing a private tour to suit your particular needs and help you enjoy a great travel around Austria.

Time

June to August is the busiest time of the year with crowds of tourists and lower room availability. If you want to avoid the crowded tourists, the best time to visit Austria lasts from April to May and from September to October. During these months, the weather is pleasant, better for enjoying outdoor activities such as sightseeing, biking, hiking and adventures. Winter is also a great time to visit since the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations are held everywhere, attracting tourists from all over the world.

Cities

Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck are three must-see cities that shouldn’t be missed in your Austria tour packages. Vienna, the capital city of Austria, is famous for its lively art. Salzburg is also a great region where you can enjoy amazing views of the Eastern Alps. It’s also the birthplace of the famous composer Mozart and the film setting for the Sound of Music. Innsbruck, another significant place for sightseeing in Austria, is known for its mountainous backdrop and lots of natural beauty. There are also some. worthy medieval(中世纪的)towns to visit, such as Bad Ischl, Durnstein, Hallstatt, etc.

Transportation

Austria has a wide rail network, connecting all its domestic cities and neighboring countries. Riding on comfortable trains is the best way to travel through the green valleys, the historic towns and the scenic villages.

1. When is Austria the most crowded with tourists?

A．From April to May.	B．From June to August.
C．From September to October.	D．From November to December.

2. What is Vienna known for?

A．Its art.	B．Its mountains.
C．Its filming.	D．Its medieval towns.

3. Which is the best way to tour Austria?

A．Taking a bus.	B．Taking a bike.
C．Taking a train.	D．Taking a boat.

3 . 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

4 . Four Best Books for Teens

The How-To Cookbook for Teens

Price: $19

Cooking is a useful life skill and tons of fun for teens. This beginner-friendly book written by Julee Morrison is packed with 100 simple recipes in an easy-to-follow format that uses everyday, affordable ingredients. Parents love this book because it motivates teens to cook and is well-suited for them to cook all by themselves.

The Outsiders

Price: $13

The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton is about two weeks in the life of a 14-year-old boy. The novel tells the story of Ponyboy Curtis and his struggles with right and wrong in a society in which he believes that he is an outsider.

52 Modern Manners for Today’s Teens

Price: $23

52 Modern Manners for Today’s Teens is more than a book—it’s a 52-week calendar that provides teens (and their parents and caregivers) with crucial tips on living in today’s society. Author Brooke Romney tackles topics like Internet privacy, friendship, respecting people’s homes, helping others, and knowing yourself.

Hey, Kiddo

Price: $15

Fans of author Jarrett J. Krosoczka will know him for his Lunch Lady and Jedi Academy books. This graphic (漫画的) novel goes into the author’s childhood as he struggles with a family facing addiction and finds art to help him survive. New and long-time fans of graphic novels will appreciate the depth of this impactful story.

1. Which book will you buy if you are interested in cooking?

A．Hey, Kiddo.	B．The Outsiders.
C．The How-To Cookbook for Teens.	D．52 Modern Manners for Today’s Teens.

2. Who wrote The Outsiders?

A．S. E. Hinton.	B．Julee Morrison.
C．Brooke Romney.	D．Jarrett J. Krosoczka.

3. How much should you pay if you want to buy three copies of Hey, Kiddo?

A．$39.

B．$45.

C．$57.

D．$69.

5 . Wildlife Volunteer Programs for Teens

Age: 14-17
Duration: 2 weeks
Wildlife Orphanage Program, Zimbabwe

At one of the most successful wildlife care centers in Zimbabwe, volunteers work with wildlife ranging from monkeys to lions. These animals have been abandoned, injured, or rescued from illegal wildlife traders. Tasks include preparing food, cleaning out yards, and contributing enrichment ideas. Leisure time can be spent visiting Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park.

Age: 13-15
Duration: 4 weeks
Sea Turtle (海龟) Conservation Program, Greece

With this program, teens can help the endangered sea turtle while working alongside experts. Volunteers can expect long walks along the beach watching over sea turtles nesting areas or building fences to protect them from natural enemies. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to explore ancient ruins and sample delicious Greek cuisine.

Age: 17-19
Duration: 3 weeks
Yucatan Peninsula Program, Mexico

With this program, volunteers will learn about the issues facing the marine (海洋的) ecosystem, including pollution, overfishing, and climate change. Teens will gain valuable skills on how to conduct deep sea research and identify fish species. During free time, participants can explore Mayan ruins set in tropical (热带的) jungles.

Age: 16-18
Duration: 2 weeks
Preserving Nature’s Wonders Program, Galapagos

Volunteers joining this program help restore the natural habitat of native wildlife, which is in danger of losing its habitat. This program gives teens an experience of a lifetime where they can swim with sea lions and spot rare wildlife in one of the last untouched places on earth.

1. Where should teens go if they want to look after wounded animals?

A．Zimbabwe.

B．Greece.

C．Mexico.

D．Galapagos.

2. What can volunteers in the Sea Turtle Conservation Program do during their free time?

A．Visit a national park.	B．Enjoy tasty local food.
C．Set foot in an untouched place.	D．Explore ancient ruins in tropical jungles.

3. Which program is suitable for 19-year-olds with a 4-week holiday?

A．The Wildlife Orphanage Program.	B．The Sea Turtle Conservation Program.
C．The Yucatan Peninsula Program.	D．The Preserving Nature’s Wonders Program.

6 .

Tech Heaven Courses for the digital age Course A:Animation(动画) This course is for creative people who like to draw. You don’t have to have amazing drawing skills but you need to have some artistic talent. You start learning how to draw on the computer and you finish by making interactive films. You work very closely with teachers to learn the essential techniques. You choose to do either game design or animation. There is a huge gaming library at the camp so you will have the opportunity to test your gaming skills against other students in our gaming tournaments. Course B:Web This course is for teens who want to create their own web pages and websites. On this course, you will learn the foundations of web development. The primary focus of the course is HTML, which makes up the building blocks of the Internet. You will leave the camp with your own web page and you will be able to go home and create other web pages. Course C:Coding(编程) This course is ideal for students with some programming experience who want to improve their coding skills. Most devices, programs, computers and robots run on software applications so you must have programming and coding skills to get a job with a digital company. You will learn from experienced and supportive staff and you will leave the school equipped with the basic skills. There are two hours of outdoor sports activities a day to get some fresh air. Course D:Robotics This course is all about robots. You will work in small teams and learn how to use VEX Robotics Design System. You will build a robot that will compete in robo—football. You will learn how to build robotic arms and advanced sensors. Every day will present you with a new challenge and every day will be more fun and more inspiring than the last.

1. Which course requires the artistic and creative ability?

A．Animation.

B．Web.

C．Coding.

D．Robotics.

2. What can you do after learning Course B?

A．Making interactive films.	B．Getting a digital job.
C．Developing web pages.	D．Building robotic arms.

3. Why must you have programming and coding skills working in a digital company?

A．Web creating skills are primary for software applications.

B．Most programs, computers, etc. run on software applications.

C．Excellent drawing skills are needed for software applications.

D．Robot designing skills are necessary for software applications.

4. What do the four courses have in common?

A．They all require team work.	B．They all have outdoor activities.
C．They are all related to computer techniques.	D．They all provide learners with advanced skills.

5. What is the text?

A．A report.

B．An advertisement.

C．A course review.

D．A course schedule.

7 . National parks are an excellent way to explore all the beauty that the world has to offer: whether it’s endangered species, erupting volcanoes and snowy mountains, or rainforests and lakes. Of the thousands of national parks that exist in the world, these are the ones that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

Yorkshire Dales, United Kingdom

Contrary (相反) to the popular link of national parks with the wilderness, it is filled with winding valleys, hills and villages where over 24,000 people live and work. Visitors can walk through grassland, visit waterfalls or explore underground caves, but Yorkshire Dales is also home to several food shops, and the park hosts cheese festivals and farmers markets regularly, so it’s best to go hungry.

Kakadu National Park, Australia

It is a delight for those who like a bit of history mixed with the biodiversity of national parks. While it houses thousands of species of wildlife, there’s more to the national park than that.

Guilin and Lijiang River National Park, China

It is surrounded by striking natural beauty and can be explored by land. But the river national park, as the name suggests, is best explored through leisurely boat rides that take visitors through many ancient towns that come along the way of the river.

Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland

Here’s a surprising fact: The whole of Vatnajökull National Park makes up 14% of Iceland’s territory! The park is usually open for hikes around the glaciers; boat rides through glacier lakes, and tours that take visitors through the park’s many ice caves, waterfalls, and icebergs. Vatnajökull is also where two of Iceland’s most active volcanoes are located.

1. What is recommended for a trip to Yorkshire Dales?

A．Recording local customs.

B．Skiing in the snowy mountains.

C．Going with an empty stomach.

D．Watching the eruption of volcanoes.

2. Which park is the best choice for observing diverse wildlife?

A．Yorkshire Dales.

B．Kakadu National Park.

C．Vatnajökull National Park.

D．Guilin and Lijiang River National Park.

3. What do the last two national parks have in common?

A．There are many ancient towns.

B．There are various ice caves inside.

C．They are aimed at protecting rivers.

D．They can be explored through boats.

8 . “Shuan Q” is a meme(网络流行语)which can be used as a popular way to say “I’m speechless” with a matching emoji(表情包)at ached behind. No-one can deny the power of the Internet. Some believe it makes language weaker but some see a brighter side, believing it makes online communication easier between strangers.

An elementary school teacher in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, says that the evolution of Internet slang is not all fun and carefree. From his daily observations, he believes the “geographic boundary” between Internet slang and formal language is disappearing. On many occasions, the composition she has received from pupil have been flooded with abbreviated slangs(网络梗).

During last year’s Two Sessions, several representatives put forward proposals such as “regulating online language” and “banning vulgar(粗俗)words”, specifically to address this issue, expressing the need to reduce online language misuse and strengthen the protection of Chinese.

However, many experts and scholars of linguistics and communication including Feng Zhiwei disagree. Feng, believes that Internet language is a natural product of the dynamic development of language, and it is not necessary to ban it.

1. What made the meme “Shuan Q” become popular?

A．The power of internet	B．The protection of Chinese
C．Geographic boundary	D．Strangers’s communication

2. What can we learn about internet slangs from paragraph 2 and 3?

A．They are formal.	B．They are funny and carefree.
C．They are flooded among pupils.	D．They were supported by all people.

3. What is Feng Zhiwei’s opinion about internet slangs?

A．They are natural.	B．They are misused.
C．They should be banned.	D．They are disappearing.

4. Which word best describe the authors attitude to internet slangs?

A．Doubtful

B．Objective

C．Indifferent

D．Favorable

9 . Tokyo has a great range of cafes, but many don’t offer free wireless Internet access or power outlets (电源插座). So, for the benefit of those looking for free Wi-Fi, here are our top spots in the Japanese capital.

Coffee Valley

Coffee Valley is a small coffee shop. While the first floor has limited seating, there are outlets for each seat. If you don’t need to charge, the second floor is much more spacious with an area that can accommodate groups of up to four people. They also have a good selection of snacks to accompany your coffee.

Date: Open daily.

Time: 8 A.M.—8 P.M. (From 9 A.M. on weekends).

Location: A five-minute walk from the east exit of Ikebukuro Station.

10° Cafe

10° Cafe is the perfect place for early birds. For some peace and quiet, work on the second floor. At 10° Cafe, each seat has power outlets while their counter seats offer a great view of the surrounding neighborhood. Their menu prices before 11 A.M. offer discounted breakfast.

Date: Daily (Closed every third Sunday of the month).

Time: 7:30 A.M.—9 P.M.

Location: A five-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station.

Good Sound Coffee

Come for the coffee, and stay for their music selection. Good Sound Coffee is a friendly neighborhood cafe close to Nakameguro Station. There are indoor and outdoor seats and plenty of outlets. It might get crowded on the weekends, and the cafe offers discounts on food items.

Date: Daily

Time: 8 A.M.—11P.M.

Location: A three-minute walk from the east exit of Nakameguro Station.

Valley Park Stand

Valley Park Stand opens from early in the morning to late in the evening. There are public tables with power outlets. It’s spacious with lots of natural light a few steps away from the Miyashita Park. There is a decently sized menu with tea, coffee and various sandwiches and bites.

Date: Daily.

Time: 8 A.M.—10 P.M.

Location: A few minutes’ walk from Miyashita Park.

1. What is the special part of 10° Cafe?

A．It opens to the late night.	B．It has one day off each month.
C．It offers different delicious snacks.	D．It’s not far from the Ikebukuro Station.

2. Which cafe is friendly to music lovers?

A．10°Cafe.	B．Coffee Valley.
C．Good Sound Coffee.	D．Valley Park Stand.

3. What do 10° Cafe and Good Sound Coffee have in common?

A．Customers can enjoy various snacks.

B．Customers can still drink coffee at 10 P.M. in the cafes.

C．Customers can get easy access to Nakameguro Station.

D．Customers can get food at a cheaper price during a certain period.

10 . Online art class are often an affordable and convenient way to learn a new skill without committing to the expense of art school. While some online learning platforms focus on a specific type of art like drawing, painting, photography, and even sewing, others let students explore a variety of skills. Here we recommend the best overall: New Masters Academy.

Key Specs

Cost: $36 to $79 per month

Class length: Varies; 1 to 5+ hours

Availability: Open registration

Why We Choose It

Advantages:

Unlimited access to the offering of drawing and painting classes.

Students can sign up for a free 7-day trial.

Community forum lets students communicate and learn from each other.

Disadvantages:

Does not include courses for other skills like photography.

Overview

Courses range from art theory and drawing to painting, sculpture, and digital art. Classes are designed to artists of every skill level, so it’s easy to find lessons that will match your experience and needs. Beginner-friendly lessons include color mixing, an introduction to landscape painting, and two-hour water-color painting classes.

The Library Plan costs $49 for a month-to-month membership or $36 per month when billed annually. Membership includes unlimited streaming access to more than 2,500 hours of instructional videos taught by true masters.

Alternatively, ambitious artists can join the Library+plan for $79 for a month-to-month membership or $59 per month when billed annually. In addition to standard features, Library+members get access to an extensive library of reference images to support daily practice and make it easy to find inspiration.

1. Which skill is taught in New Masters Academy?

A．Sewing.

B．Photography.

C．Color mixing.

D．Dancing.

2. What do we know about New Masters Academy?

A．It provides students with a 5 days trial for free.

B．It can meet the needs of artists at different levels.

C．It allows students to attend all the classes unlimitedly.

D．It builds an offline communication platform for students.

3. How much should a mom pay at least if her twin sons join the Library Plan yearly?

A．$72.

B．$98.

C．$864.

D．$1176.