1 . Have you ever spent half an hour searching the Internet which, as you find out afterwards, lasted three hours, or opened a book shortly after breakfast and a little while later noticed that the room was getting darker?

Most people can remember experiencing such a state. Your mind wasn't wandering; you were totally focused and concentrated on that activity, to such an extent that you were not even aware of yourself. Psychologists call these fully absorbing experiences flow states, which were discovered and named by a world-famous psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. His celebrated book Flow: The Psychology of Happiness became an instant best-seller, making its way to the top self-help classics.

The state of flow happens under very specific conditions-when we encounter a challenge that is testing for our skills, and yet our skills and capacities are such that it is just about possible to meet this challenge. So both the challenge and the skills are at high levels, stretching us almost to the limit. If challenges exceed skills, one can become anxious. If skills exceed challenges, we usually become bored. Neither of these two cases result in flow.

What is also interesting in flow is the almost total absence of emotions during the actual process. One seems to be almost beyond experiencing emotions, most likely because the awareness of self is not present. Mihaly himself is also very much aware of the potential negative impact of the flow. One philosopher once describes his own experience of flow: “When I get totally involved in the conversation, I am not aware of myself, the world around or the passage of time. Sometimes, I may become addictive to that existence, unwilling to cope with other daily routines of life, like forgetting dinner, and saying goodbye to my children.”

1. What is the purpose of Paragraph 1?

A．To offer a general background of the topic.	B．To make an overall outline for the passage.
C．To introduce the topic of the passage.	D．To clarify the definition of the topic.

2. In which of the following experience can we enter "flow state"?

A．Adopting a dog.	B．Watching TV.
C．Playing the chess.	D．Arguing with others.

3. What can we infer from the third paragraph?

A．The state of flow is little conditional.	B．Genius at normal schools often gets bored.
C．Challenges at high levels push us to the limit.	D．Skills play the most important part in flow.

4. Why does the writer quote the philosopher's words?

A．To show the drawbacks of the flow.	B．To stress the value of self-awareness.
C．To underline the absence of emotions.	D．To indicate the difficulty of enjoying the flow.

2 . 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。

Xi’an, capital city of Shaanxi, served as the capital of 13 dynasties in Chinese history, which in total     1    (last) about 1,100 years. Consequently, the ancient history of Shaanxi is to some degree the ancient history of China. Shaanxi History Museum considers     2     a duty to be a showcase of Chinese ancient civilization.

People call Shaanxi History Museum “Bright Pearl in Ancient Capital and Precious Treasure of China”, for it is an art palace     3    (full) showing Shaanxi history and culture as well as Chinese ancient civilization. Its architectural buildings and exhibits have made it famous as a first-class museum in China     4     it was opened to the public in 1991. It covers     5     total area of 65, 000 square meters.

The basic halls in the museum are divided into three exhibition halls     6     2,000 cultural remains to display the history of ancient times in chronological (编年的) order. The first exhibition hall     7    (locate) on the ground floor while the other two are on the second floor.

While     8    (design) the buildings in Shaanxi History Museum, the great designer used     9    (tradition) palace construction of Tang Dynasty for reference. Adopting symmetry axis (轴对称) layout with main and supporting buildings in order, the complex     10    (architecture) show the unique presence of Tang Dynasty.

3 . There are few places on Earth that humans haven’t messed up. Now even Antarctica, the only continent with no permanent human inhabitants, is being altered by us. A study found that the increasing human presence in Antarctica is causing more snow melt-bad news for a frozen world already battling the effects of human-caused global warming.

Black carbon, the dark, dusty pollution that comes from burning fossil fuels has settled in locations where tourists and researchers spend a lot of time, scientists found. Even the smallest amount of the dark pollutant can have a significant impact on melting because of its very low reflectiveness: things that are light in color, like snow, reflect the sun's energy and stay cool; things that are dark, like black carbon, absorb the sun's energy and warm up.

“The snow albedo (反射率) effect is one of the largest uncertainties in regional and global climate modeling right now,” Alia Khan, a snow and ice scientist at Western Washington University, told CNN. “That’s one of the motivations for the study, to quantify the impact of black carbon on regional snowmelt, which is important for quantifying the role of black carbon in the global loss of snow and ice.”

“Antarctica is sitting there pretty much silently all year. But, if it weren’t there, in the state that it is meant to be, the balance that we have in the climate system will no longer be,” Marilyn Raphael, a geography professor said. “Antarctica’s sea ice is also important to maintain a balance in atmospheric circulation,” he added. As waters get warmer, some Antarctic creatures are finding their homes more and more unlivable.

“Everything we do has consequences,” Raphael said. “We need to educate ourselves about those consequences, especially in systems that we know relatively little about. We have to be careful that we don’t upset the climate balance.”

1. Why can the smallest amount of black carbon have huge impact on melting?

A．It is highly reflective.	B．Its dark colour absorbs heat.
C．It produces vast energy.	D．It causes much pollution.

2. According to Alia, which of the following is one reason for conducting the study?

A．To measure the impact of black carbon on melting.

B．To quantify the cost of battling against climate change.

C．To remove the uncertainties of global warming effects.

D．To urge people to pay more attention to melting problem.

3. What is the fourth paragraph mainly about?

A．The change caused by Antarctic melting.	B．The methods to stop Antarctic ice melting.
C．The significance of Antarctic being in its state.	D．The sufferings Antarctic creatures are experiencing.

4. What does Raphael advise people to do?

A．Reduce tourist numbers.	B．Face the consequences.
C．Acquire professional education.	D．Stop disturbing the climate.

4 . Being fit and healthy doesn’t mean you have to work out for hours a day and eat nothing but chicken and vegetables for every meal.     1     The following are some of them.

You always complain you are too busy to go to the gym or to prepare a healthy meal.     2     You should start to put your health and fitness in the first place today. You can work out in the park and cook your favourite food after work. What you should do first is stop making excuses all the time.

You should walk more instead of driving a car when going out. The key to lifelong fitness is to simply be more active and walk more every day. Try your best to walk whenever and wherever you can —to the superstore, to the office, or go for an after-dinner walk with your family.     3    

Instead of always going to the movies or watching TV, you should take part in activities that keep you moving. You can go for a bike ride, go on a hike, or go to play sports with your family and friends, such as ping-pong and basketball.     4     Not only will you get moving, but also you will have fun.

    5     Many people underestimate the importance of a good night’s rest, but having a good rest each night is important for your health. Therefore, try to sleep seven to eight hours a night on a regular basis.

A．The list is endless.

B．Find ways to be close to nature.

C．Enough sleep is especially important.

D．Of course it’s not always possible to go to the gym.

E．However, for your health, you have to make a change.

F．In short, take every chance to walk as much as you can.

G．Actually, there are many good habits that will help you keep in shape.

5 . 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。

Yunnan is the hometown of tea. It provides the ideal climate and the ecological environment for large-leaf tea trees, which are located in the     1     (region) along the Lancang River. Thousands of years ago, they formed those ancient tea plantations,     2     are the best gift that nature has grated us.

    3     (preserve) the ancient tea trees, Southwest Chinn’s Yunnan Province has passed a protection regulation recently,     4     (clarify) that wild and cultivated ten plants aged over 100 wars should be better protected in the province. The new regulation, which will come into force starting from March 1, 2023,    5    (prohibit) six kinds of behaviors that harm ancient tea plants and their growing environment. Unauthorized cutting and transplantation of ancient tea trees, carving tree branches, digging the roots,     6    damaging the ancient lea trees are all banned.

Other     7     (legal) practices include using harmful chemical herbicides, releasing waste gas and water, as well as dumping and throwing waste     8     (casual) within the protection range of the trees, according to the regulation.

Yunnan has diverse resources of tea trees. The regulation also advocates proper research and     9    (apply) of Yunnan’s resources of ancient tea trees, raising varieties     10    new tea trees of good quality, as well as the establishment of relevant industrial chains.

6 . Influential Art

Sheila Metzner: From Life Jan. 20, 2024-Feb. 25, 2024 This exhibition celebrates the artistic skill of the internationally respected American photographer Sheila Metzner. Her unique style integrates aspects of Pictorialism andModernism to create an aesthetic (美感),which not only stands out in the history of photography but also becomes very closely associated with the best of 1980’s fashion,beauty and decorative arts trends.

William Blake: Visionary Jan. 17, 2024-Feb. 24, 2024 A remarkable printmaker, painter, and poet, William Blake (1757-1827) developed a very wildly unconventional world view. By combining his poetry and images on the page through unique drawing techniques, Blake created some of British art’s most striking and lasting imagery. This major international loan exhibition explores the artist-poet’s imaginative world through his most celebrated works.

Alfredo Boulton: Looking at Venezuela (1928-1978) Daily, through Jan.16, 2024 Alfredo Boulton was one of the most important intellectuals of the 20th century inLatin America and an influential photographer of the modern period. Through his large collection of works, Boulton generated a new cultural definition of Venezuela. This exhibition explores Boulton’s wonderful photography, his relationships with modern artists and his influence on the formalization of art history in his country.

Eugèn e Atget: Highlights from the Mary & Dan Solomon Collection Daily, through Jan. 25, 2024 Around the turn of the 20th century,photographer Eugène Atget broke new artistic ground. Walking at dawn with his heavy camera, he photographed the soul of Paris and its surrounding areas by focusing on its old alleyways, shop fronts, architectural details,staircases and street sellers. This focused exhibition features highlights from the artist’s work, which continues to influence quite a few photographers today.

1. What did Sheila Metzner and Alfredo Boulton have in common?

A．They shaped artistic expression.

B．T hey explored cultural diversity.

C．They photographed American life.

D．They focused on modern photography.

2. What is Eugène Atget’s photography mainly about?

A．French fashions.	B．Natural landscapes.
C．Architectural designs.	D．Urban street scenes.

3. Which exhibition is suitable for whoever studies words and images?

A．William Blake: Visionary.

B．S heila M etzner:F rom L ife.

C．A lfredo B oulton:L ooking at Venezuela(1928–1978).

D．E ugène A tget: H ighlights from the Mary & Dan Solomon Collection.

8 . Science Books for Kids of All Ages

To help you choose the perfect education al books for your child, we’ve created this handpicked list of the best science books for kids. The titles featured here spark curiosity, encourage leaning, and are lots of fun, too.

About Time: A First Look at Time and Clocks

Author: Bruce Koscielniak; Price: US $8.55

Long ago people used the sun, the moon, and the water to tell time. Soon after we began using our knowledge about the natural world to build clocks and to create calendars made up of months and years. Centuries later, we have clocks and calendars all around us. This book tells the amazing story of how it all happened!

Animalium: Welcome to the Museum

Author: Katie Scott;Price: US $8.99

This book opens the doors of the natural history museum for your child all year round! It features 200 full-color specimens accompanied by lively, informative text and more. Discover the animal kingdom inglorious detail with unique illustrations that combine science and art.

Bang!: How We Came to Be

Author: Michael Rubino; Price: US $16.00

“Bang! And that was it, the beginning of everything.” So begins this beautifully illustrated story of evolution. This book conveys not only the facts but also the excitement of the scientific explanation of our world, from the origin of the universe to the present reality of our planet.

Bedtime Math: The Truth Comes Out

Author: Laura Overdeck; Price: US $10.99

This book makes learning about math as fun as dessert after dinner! It combines math and cool facts for one fun and wild adventure. Now kids can discover the science behind all their favorite things: marshmallows, soda, ice cream, and more. With over 100 math problems on a variety of topics, kids will find math isn’t just fun — it can be found everywhere!

1. What can kids learn in the book About Time?

A．The tough life of ancestors.	B．The origin of the sun and the moon.
C．The old ways to measure time.	D．The wildlife in the natural world.

2. What do Animalium and Bang have in common?

A．They are children’s novels.	B．They are popular for cheap price.
C．They are collected in the museum.	D．They are illustrated stories for kids.

3. Which book can make numbers fun and easy?

A．Bang.

B．Bedtime Math.

C．Animalium.

D．About Time.

9 . Walk and dance on the ceilings, sit in a bathroom with an upside-down toilet, grab a chair in the home office, and traverse the entry way, sitting-room, bedroom, kitchen and more. Come on down, upside-down, to House Down Under, Australia’s first inverted house photo experience!

This hugely successful, unique and exciting attraction is back just in time for the school holidays at Rouse Hill Town Centre in Western Sydney. It is a must-see, family-friendly, fun experience with a range of installations and activities inside a completely inverted house.

Visitors can spend as much time as they like inside the house, so they can take their time perfecting poses and taking as many photos as they like. House Down Under staff are always on hand in the house,offering advice, tips on best photo ops and to snap pictures of the whole group.

House Down Under is open from 1 April and opening hours can be found at the end of this article or on the official website. The building is located between the Metro and the Town Centre at Market Square, Rouse Hill Town Centre and you won't be able to miss it.

Rouse Hill Town Centre is also a great place for families with a variety of entertainment and food options, so make it a day out and enjoy everything on offer.

Entry tickets to House Down Under are $27 for an adult; $19 for a child;$23 for a concession (优惠), with family passes ranging from $52-$74 for a family of four. For further information on House Down Under, visit the website, www. house downunder.com.au.OPEN DAILY-Weekdays 9 am to 6 pm; Weekends 10 am to 6 pm.

1. What is special about House Down Under?

A．It is conveniently located.

B．All staff are properly trained.

C．All things are upside-down in it.

D．It supplies flexible food options.

2. What can visitors do in House Down Under?

A．Take pictures at will.

B．Enjoy a shopping trip.

C．Have a family party.

D．Visit its occupants.

3. How much does a family of four pay at least for the entry?

A．$23.

B．$27.

C．$52.

D．$74.

10 . How Weather Affects Our Mood

The weather supplies many metaphors (隐喻) for our changeable minds. Moods can brighten and darken, futures can be under a cloud, and relationships can be stormy.    1    , but does it also influence our moods?

Of the many aspects of weather, sunshine is the most closely tied to mood. Although the link is weaker than many people imagine, sunlight has repeatedly been found to increase positive moods and reduce tiredness.    2    . Happy people tend to be more favorable toward one another, and people are more helpful when the sun is shining. One study even found that diners in Minnesota, US, tipped more generously on sunny days.

    3    . A study showed that university admissions officers stressed the academic qualifications of applicants more on cloudy days, and their non-academic qualities more on sunny ones.

    4    . The more it departs (偏离) from an ideal of around 20C, the more discomfort we feel. One study found that rates of helping others decreased as temperatures dropped below or rose above this value.

Indeed, the effects of weather on mood depend on our behavior and on how we think.     5    . A study by US psychology researcher Matthew Keller and his colleagues showed that beneficial effects of warm and sunny conditions on mood were only seen in people who had spent more than 30 minutes outdoors that day. Good weather even had negative effects on mood for people confined (限制) indoors, who perhaps looked enviously (嫉妒地) outside at the solar fun they were missing.

A．Similarly, grey weather may encourage serious and calm thinking

B．Aspects of weather beyond heat and sunshine have also been shown to affect mood

C．Weather provides a vivid language for describing our emotional atmosphere

D．Temperature can also affect our mind and behavior

E．But the effects of weather on mood are not entirely biological

F．Anything that changes our moods can affect our behavior

G．Basically, weather will only influence us if we are outdoors experiencing it