1 . “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

2 . 。

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3 . Speaking of celebration, festivals have a lot to offer. Here we uncover some festivals across the globe.

Holi Festival — India — February — March

A rainbow of colour and Hindu traditions combine to create this celebration of love, springtime fun and the victory of good over evil. Kicking off with a night-time bonfire where people gather, sing and dance, the next day is a carnival of colors where everyone has fun throwing color powder, squirting water guns and coloured water-filled balloons. A great number of people are infected by its playful and childlike atmosphere.

La Tomatina — Buñol, Spain — August

Tomato fiends get their fill on the last Wednesday of August as over 100,000 kg of tomatoes are thrown and squished in the town square. It’s the highlight of a week-long celebration of Buñol’s patron saint, which leaves the town in a bright red like a horror film scene. We don’t envy whoever has to clean up that mess!

Dia De Los Muertos — Mexico — October — November

Translated to “Day of the Dead”, this seemingly scary festival is a day to celebrate and remember those who have passed away with parades, costumes and paper decorations. It is believed that the spirits of the dead visit their families on October 31 and leave on November 2, so many spend this time visiting cemeteries — where there is often music and dances to honour the spirits.

1. Which of the words best describe Holi and La Tomatina?

A．Playful but risky	B．Messy but exciting
C．Religious and legendary	D．Global and meaningful

2. Which of the Chinese festivals is similar to Dia De Los Muertos in purpose?

A．Lantern Festival	B．Qingming Festival
C．Dragon Boat Festival	D．Mid-Autumn Festival

3. Where can the text be found?

A．In a history book.	B．In a novel.
C．In a biography.	D．In travel magazine.

4 . How to Set Up an Art Exhibition

When you’ re displaying your own work, it’ s a real challenge to bring together so many different elements in a meaningful way,     1    . You should do something as follows:

Choose a specific theme

A good art exhibition should be characterized by a specific theme that ties the different pieces together and makes them feel like part of a larger whole. Think carefully about the message you want your exhibition to convey. It could be an image or phenomenon, a feeling or a certain visual technique.     2    .

Select your most impressive works

Pick out a few of your best or most impressive pieces to put on display. If the exhibition is meant to highlight your own work, you’ll need to have 30 individual pieces.     3    . Plan on exhibiting more pieces if the work you do tends to be on a large scale.

    4    

Do some research into other artists in your area and see whether they would be interested in your exhibition. Holding an exhibition with other artists will also allow you to reduce some cost. Be sure to give other artists proper credit for their works.

Involve in different art forms

    5    . Feel free to more works from photographers, sculptors and other artists. A wide-ranging selection will contribute to a good atmosphere. You might also consider inviting poets or musicians to perform at the event.

A．That’s why it’s essential to have a plan

B．Contact local artists for your exhibition

C．They must be representative of your works

D．It is good for you to learn different types of art

E．The more specific your theme is, the better it will be

F．Your exhibition doesn’t have to only feature paintings

G．You might consider interviewing some local celebrities

5 . The world’s craziest festivals

Crazy festivals all over the world are out there just waiting to be celebrated. Join Cornelia Kumfert on a trip to the most unusual events taking place around the globe.

Burning Man Festival

Every year in Nevada (US) there is artwork and cunosities galore to marvel at when the Black Rock Desert changes into a mammoth art exhibition.

In August and September, some 70,00 people come here to celetrate the Burning Man Festival.

San Diego Comic Con

Surely superheroes don’t queue? Well, at San Diego’s Comic Convention they do. Each July hey open their dos to fans of Superman and other comic figures. More than 100,000 annual visitors have paid homage to their mythical heroes.

Crying Baby Festival, Tokyo

At the Crying Baby Festival in Tokyo (Japan), sumo wrestlers do what they can to bring babies to tears.

Sadists run riot? Certainly not! It’s a 400-year-old tradition based on a Japanese proverb, which says that crying babies grow fastest and parents believe the event brings good health to their children.

Palio Contest, Siena

Fame and honour await the winner of the Palio contest in Siena (Italy).

In July and August, ten inhabitants of different districts of the city jockey for first place in a spectacular horse race.

The trophy goes to the contestant whose horse crosses the finishing line first—whether he’s still in the saddle or not.

1. Which of the festivals offers a view of art?

A．Burning Man Festival.	B．Palio Contest, Siena.
C．Crying Baby Festival, Tokyo.	D．San Diego Comic Con.

2. How was the festival in Tokyo founded?

A．On the basis of a proverb.	B．Based on a phrase.
C．According to a story.	D．At the request of the public.

3. What can tourists see in Siena of Italy between July and August?

A．A burning man show.	B．A comedy play.
C．A horse race.	D．A baby-crying show.

6 . The Simics were living in a village near Arandjelovac in central Serbia (塞尔维亚). They were saving to buy 10 hectares (0.1 km²) of land and increase the size of their family farm. Everything was going well, they said. While waiting for the seller, they put the money on the table in the living room, but forgot to lock the front door.

"We got up early and counted the money, because the man whom we wanted to buy from was supposed to come. We put the money on the table in the living room, so we could sign the contract (合同) and pay the man. Then we went to the dining room to have breakfast," Milena Sirnic told Arandjelovac Info, the local newspaper.

"My father-in-law (公公) opened the front door and went outside to feed the farm animals, like every morning. But he did not notice the front door was still open," she added. "That was the cause of our bad luck."

Belka is one of the goats that the family had owned for a couple of years. It entered the house through the open door and began to eat the money on the table.

"When we heard the noise, my husband got up to check and almost had a heart attack. Belka ate almost all the money! Only 300 euros or so was left, and the rest was eaten or shredded (咬碎)," Milena explained as she cried.

"Belka brought us to ruin," Milena said. She added that her husband had not spoken a word since, choosing to sit and stare at the wall all day.

As Milena Simic was telling the story to the local reporters, Belka was being turned over the fire. The Simic family decided to deal with the loss by holding a feast, with the cause of their bad luck as the main dish. And they invited the reporters to stay for the meal.

1. What does the underlined word "That" refer to in the third paragraph?

A．Milena's forgetting to feed Belka.

B．Belka's turning the house upside down.

C．Milena's entering the house from the front door.

D．Belka's father-in-law's leaving the front door open.

2. Why was Milena's husband shocked?

A．Belka ruined the Simic family.

B．Belka destroyed the farm by accident.

C．Belka got injured in the living room.

D．Belka was eating the money which was on the table.

3. Why did the Simic family hold the feast?

A．To satisfy the local journalists.

B．To reduce their unpleasant feelings.

C．To thank Belka for doing the family a favour.

D．To celebrate the successful business of their farm.

4. What was the final result of what had happened?

A．Belka was killed by the Simic family.

B．Milena's husband lost all hope in his life.

C．The Simic family asked the reporters for advice.

D．The Simic family decided not to buy any land again.

7 . The Crystal Palace was a cast iron and plate glass structure originally ______ in Hyde Park, London, to house the Great Exhibition of 1851.

The exhibition took place from 1 May to 15 October 1851, and more than 14, 000 ______ from around the world gathered to ______ examples of technology developed in the Industrial Revolution. ______ by Joseph Paxton, the Great Exhibition building was 1,851 feet（564 m） long, with an inside height of 128 feet（39 m）. It was three times the ______ of St Paul’s Cathedral.

The introduction of the glass sheets method into Britain by Chance Brothers in 1832 made ______ the production of large sheets of cheap but strong glass. Its ______ in the Crystal Palace created a structure with the greatest area of ______ ever seen in a building. It ______ visitors with its clear walls and ceilings that did not ______ inside lights.

It has been said that the name of the building _____ from an article by the playwright （剧作家）Douglas Jerrold. He wrote in a magazine called Punch about the coming Great Exhibition, ______ to a “palace of very crystal”.

After the exhibition, the palace was moved to an area of South London known as Penge Common. It was rebuilt at the top of Penge Peak next to Sydenham Hill. It stood there from June 1854 until its ______ by fire in November 1936. The nearby residential（住宅的）area was ______ Crystal Palace after the landmark. Crystal Palace Football Club was founded at the site in 1905. The club still ______ Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins’s Crystal Palace Dinosaurs which date back to 1854.

1.

A．built

B．hidden

C．abandoned

D．trapped

2.

A．exhibitors

B．travelers

C．journalists

D．buyers

3.

A．display

B．collect

C．place

D．purchase

4.

A．Invented

B．Designed

C．Discovered

D．Produced

5.

A．weight

B．price

C．size

D．depth

6.

A．easy

B．difficult

C．possible

D．convenient

7.

A．use

B．method

C．technique

D．technology

8.

A．material

B．roof

C．structure

D．glass

9.

A．amused

B．frightened

C．attracted

D．protected

10.

A．hang

B．insert

C．waste

D．require

11.

A．removed

B．resulted

C．came

D．rose

12.

A．appealing

B．getting

C．relating

D．referring

13.

A．hurt

B．disappearance

C．influence

D．destruction

14.

A．renamed

B．reconsidered

C．recalled

D．reviewed

15.

A．sells

B．celebrates

C．demands

D．contains

8 . Zheng He was one of China's most famous explorers. Towards the end of the fourteenth century, his fleet (舰队) sailed to countries far away.

Zheng He had over 300 ships, some of which were over 150 meters long, and could carry up to 1 ,000 people. Besides, the ships carried gold, silver, silk, china and other treasures to give as gifts to the rulers of other countries. Some ships even had earth on board so that the sailors could grow their crops for food.

On Zheng He's first voyage(航海), he set sail across the Indian Ocean. His fleet travelled many days far away from land. One day, they were hit by a storm. All the sailors thought the fleet was going to sink. Then a strange light appeared and after that,the storm passed. The strange light was probably electricity from the thunderstorm (雷雨),but the sailors in Zheng He's fleet believed it was a sign of protection from the gods. With the belief, they were happy to follow Zheng He wherever he led them.

Zheng He completed seven famous voyages between 1405 and 1433. He visited many countries in Asia and Africa. He brought back many gifts from the countries he visited, such as medicines, pearls (珍珠) and strange animals. The most famous of them were a giraffe and a zebra.

In 28 years of travelling, Zheng He had managed to share the glory of China with many different countries. When he died in 1435,the stories of his travels made him one of China's most famous sailors.

1. On Zheng He's first voyage, he set sail across ________ Ocean.

A．the Atlantic	B．the Indian
C．the Pacific	D．the Arctic

2. Some ships carried earth on board so that the sailors could________.

A．use it as a gift

B．use it for exchange

C．plant trees for shade

D．grow their own crops for food

3. The sailors were happy to follow Zheng He because of________.

A．his leadership	B．his fame
C．the belief in gods' protecting them	D．a heavy storm

4. The most famous gifts Zheng He brought back were________.

A．a monkey and a tiger

B．a giraffe and a zebra

C．gold and silver

D．medicines and pearls

5. The best title of the passage can be________.

A．The Glory of China

B．Zheng He's Life

C．Zheng He and His Voyages

D．China's Most Famous Explorers

9 . Wonderful Destinations You Can Explore in the World

While travel is still just a dream for many, we know that some of you are now eager to pencil in your next adventure. We are now taking bookings for our 2021 and 2022 tours, offering the following destinations.

The Dolomite Mountains in Italy

8 days; September 6, 2021

Go on a gentle outdoor tour through the impressive Dolomite Mountains where scientists investigate several scientific phenomena including geology, ecology, deep time and astronomy.

The gateway to the solar system in Iceland

8 days; November 20, 2021

Visit the sites where scientists test space mission in the world. You will visit remote lava fields, glaciers and Mars rover (巡视器) test sites to explore how technology can help us research other worlds, as well as adapt to our own climate challenges.

The Fjords of Norway

7 days; January 18, 2022

Explore the Fjords of Norway as you start the winter voyage to watch the wonderful northern lights and underwater life of the Arctic. Learn about the science behind the northern lights, watch whales from the sea, try your hand at dog sledding or simply relax around a campfire under the stars.

The volcanic fields in Italy

8 days; September 3, 2021

Experience the beauty and power of two of the world’s most impressive active volcanoes on Mount Etna and Mount Stromboli. Explore the Aeolian Islands of Lipari and Vulcano while enjoying scenic landscapes and Italian warmth.

Whether you are ready to book or just want to carry on dreaming for now, we expect you to enjoy looking through some of the new tours we have created. For more information on all our new tours for 2021 and 2022, visit www. new scientist. com/tours.

1. What do the first two destinations have in common?

A．They are main lava fields.

B．They focus on science.

C．They open on the same day.

D．They are space mission bases.

2. What can visitors do in the Fjords of Norway?

A．Feed whales from the sea.

B．See the wonders of the Arctic.

C．Enter the gateway to the solar system.

D．Explore sea life in the company of scientists.

3. Where can visitors explore active volcanoes?

A．In Mars rover test sites.

B．In the Fjords of Norway.

C．On Mount Etna and Mount Stromboli.

D．On the Dolomite Mountains and Aeolian Islands.

10 . Places to see in Sweden

Sweden is a classic and attractive tourist country. There are a number of attractive castles and museums spreading across the country. The pleasant climate is the soul of Sweden. The country is at its best during the summer and early fall, during which it comes alive. Tourists can enjoy many sporting activities, and skating and skiing are two of the most famous ones. Here, we recommend the best places to see to make your visit to Sweden memorable for a lifetime.

Cities to visit in Sweden

The top tourist attractions in Sweden include these cities that will astonish you and open your eyes to a different world.

Stockholm, which is built on fourteen islands, is the capital of Sweden. The city has a long list of museums which are visited by millions every year. These all remain closed on Monday. They include The Royal Palace, Aquaria （水族馆） Water Museum, Swedish Museum of Architecture, Museum of Dance and so on. They are must-see places in Sweden.

Helsingborg is also known as the “Pearl of the Oresund （厄勒海峡）”. It is surrounded by seas: the Kattegat Sea, the Oresund and the Baltic Sea. Charming costal places are the best features of Helsingborg.

Lund, Kiruna, Landskrona, Gothenburg, Gotland and Malmo are the other popular cities in Sweden.

Lakes in Sweden

Lake Vanern

The largest lake in Sweden, Lake Vanern, has an area of 5, 655 km². It contains 20, 000 small islands and rocks. This lake is home to a variety of birds and nearly 35 species of fish.

Lake Vattern

Lake Vattern covers 1, 912 km² and is 128 metres deep. The lakeside is where hot air ballooning festivals and the annual 300-kilometer cycling take place.

National Parks

Padjelanta National Park

Padjelanta National Park, set up in 1962, is the largest national park in Sweden. It has plenty of wildlife to attract visitors.

Serek National Park

The wilderness of Serek National Park covers an area of 1, 970 km². This beautiful place has a wonderful combination of mountains and glaciers （冰川）.

1. What do we know about Stockholm from the text?

A．It is the capital of Sweden.

B．It is surrounded by three seas.

C．There are fourteen islands near the city.

D．The museums there are closed on Wednesday.

2. What is special about Padjelanta National Park?

A．The Royal Palace is next to it.

B．There are both mountains and glaciers in it

C．It is the best place for skating and skiing.

D．It is larger than any other national park in Sweden.

3. Where can you see hot air ballooning festivals?

A．Beside Lake Vattern.	B．Beside Lake Vanern.
C．In Serek National Park.	D．In Padjelanta National Park.