1 . Many children first learn the value of money by receiving an allowance (pocket money). The purpose is to let children learn from experience at an age when financial mistakes are not very costly.
At first, young children may spend all of their allowance soon after they receive it. If they do this, they will learn the hard way that spending must be done within a budget.
Paying children to do extra work around the house, however, can be useful. It can even provide an understanding of how a business works.
Allowances give children a chance to experience the things they can do with money.
Saving helps children understand that costly goals require sacrifice: you have to cut costs and plan for the future.
Requiring children to save part of their allowance can also open the door to future saving and investing.
That may not seem like a lot. But over time it adds up.
| A．Many banks offer services to help children and teenagers learn about personal finance. |
| B．They can share it in the form of gifts or giving to a good cause. |
| C．It is a good virtue for children to form a habit to learn how to save money. |
| D．The amount of money that parents give to their children to spend as they wish differs from family to family. |
| E．Parents are usually advised not to offer more money until the next allowance. |
| F．Parents are supposed to tell their children how they should spend their pocket money wisely but the refused to do so. |
2 . Statistics from the China Film Administration, China’s box office revenue during the Spring Festival holiday hit a record high of 8 billion yuan, or more than 1.1 billion U. S. dollars, the milestone being achieved in the shortest time span in the history of the Chinese film industry.
Seizing a lot of attention due to actress-director Jia Ling’s weight loss of up to 50 kilograms in one year, YOLO—a comedy recounting Jia’s portrayal of an oversized woman striving to become her better self —earned 2.72 billion yuan, topping the festival box-office charts. Many people wanted to watch the comedy film with their families during this ‘festival of reunions’, because the film went far beyond expectation whose story in Yolo was so inspiring. So, it was a good thing to watch it with children.
Pegasus 2, the sequel to a 2019 blockbuster racing film by writer-director Han Han, ranked second at the box office with 2.4 billion yuan. Boonie Bears: Time Twist, the latest installment in the Boonie Bears animated film series, took the third spot with 1.39 billion yuan, and Zhang Yimou’s Article 20 ranked fourth with 1.33 billion yuan.
A report from Maoyan, one of the country’s largest ticketing services, revealed that 39.2 percent of the audiences purchased movie tickets while returning to their hometowns or traveling, which was the highest in the past four years. Industry analysts say family-friendly comedies align perfectly with the cultural atmosphere surrounding New Year celebrations. The films of this festive season focus on diverse and relevant topics that resonate with the viewers — such as family values and inspirational stories.
So, they attract people from all walks of life.
1. What milestone has the Chinese film industry achieved during the Spring Festival holiday?| A．Earning 2.72 billion yuan. |
| B．Setting a record of 8 billion yuan. |
| C．Making 50 million U. S. dollars. |
| D．Breaking the record of 2.2 billion U. S. dollars. |
| A．Comedy. | B．Action. | C．Crime thriller. | D．Romance. |
| A．YOLO. | B．Pegasus 2. |
| C．Boonie Bears: Time Twist. | D．Article 20. |
3 . Have you ever dreamed of being a cool secret agent (特工)? The wonderful fighting and the world-saving adventures are much more colourful than most people’s everyday lives. Well, Cody Banks is just like any other boy, except that he is not just dreaming. He has a big secret his friends never know about. He was trained to be a spy (间谍) by a special CIA programme, which was made to look like a summer camp. He learned high-speed driving, hand-to-hand fighting and the use of high-tech tools.
After proving he could become a young hero by saving a baby from a runaway car, Banks gets his first real task. He must make friends with a popular girl at school, Natalie Connors. Then, he must spy on her father, a scientist who has developed a dangerous technology (技术). Banks must stop a group of bad people from forcing Natalie’s father into using the technology to endanger the world.
The CIA may have taught him first-class self-defence moves, but they didn’t show him how to talk to girls. Banks has zero ability when it comes to dealing with girls. How can he get around his problem and get an invitation to the girl’s upcoming birthday party? Will he finally become Natalie’s boyfriend and find out whatever he can about her father’s work?
Agent Cody Banks has everything that young people are interested in: big explosions, breath-taking performances and funny girl-dating experiences. It was listed in No.2 in the American box office last week.
“This story is interesting and fun for the whole family to enjoy, and especially cool for young boys.” said Paul Perkins, a film reviewer in the US.
1. What is considered as a great danger in the text?| A．The CIA’s training of boys for its task | B．An explosion set off by some bad people |
| C．The technology developed by Natalie’s father | D．Secret agents spying on scientists |
| A．meet her father | B．know more people |
| C．steal some information | D．make friends with her |
| A．To test a high-tech tool | B．To watch a scientist secretly |
| C．To study a new technology | D．To save a baby from a car |
| A．Making known the work of the CIA | B．Introducing a new film |
| C．Showing the dark side of science | D．Telling the story about a cool boy |
4 . The elderly residents in care homes in London are being given hens to look after to stop them feeling lonely.
The project was dreamed up by a local charity to reduce loneliness and improve elderly people's wellbeing. It is also being used to help patients suffering dementia, a serious illness of the mind. Staff in care homes have reported are duction in the use of medicine where hens are in use.
Among those taking part in the project is 80-year-old-Ruth Xavier. She said: "I used to keep hens when I was younger and had to prepare their breakfast each morning before I went to school.
“I like the project a lot. I am down there in my wheelchair in the morning letting the hens out and down there again at night to see they've gone to bed.
“It's good to have a different focus. People have been bringing their children in to se the hens and residents come and sit outside to watch them. I'm enjoying the creative activities, and it feels great to have done something useful.”
There are now 700 elderly people looking after hens in 20 care homes in the North East, and the charity has been given financial support to roll it out countrywide.
Wendy Wilson, extra care manager at 60 Penfold Street, one of the first to embark on the project, said: “Residents really welcome the idea of the project and the creative sessions. We are looking forward to the benefits and fun the project can bring to people here.”
Lynn Lewis, director of Noting Hill Pathways, said: “We are happy to be taking part in the project. It will really help connect our residents through a shared interest and creative activities.”
1. What is the purpose of the project?| A．To ensure harmony in care homes. | B．To raise money for medical research. |
| C．To provide part-time jobs for the aged. | D．To promote the elderly people's welfare. |
| A．She has developed a strong personality. | B．She has gained a sense of achievement. |
| C．She has recovered her memory. | D．She has learned new life skills. |
| A．Lynn Lewis. | B．Wendy Wilson. | C．Ruth Xavier. | D．The elder. |
| A．It is well received. | B．It is highly profitable. |
| C．It needs to be more creative. | D．It takes ages to see the results. |
5 . A year ago, my wife and I sold one of our cars and replaced it with an e-bike. I knew that passenger vehicles are responsible for much of our greenhouse-gas emissions. I also knew that electric cars were an imperfect fix. Though they’re responsible for less carbon pollution than gas cars, their supply chain is carbon intensive. But an e-bike’s comparatively tiny battery means less electricity, fewer emissions and fewer resources. E-bikes are clearly better for the planet than cars of any kind.
But I also viewed getting rid of my car as a sacrifice. I live in Colorado; e-biking would mean freezing in winter and sweating in summer. It was the right thing to do, I thought, but it was not going to be fun.
I was very wrong. The first thing I noticed was the savings. Between car payments, insurance, maintenance (保养), and gas, a car-centered lifestyle is expensive. I predict that we’ll save about $50,000 over the next five years by selling our car.
The actual experience of riding to work each day over the past year has been equally surprising. In winter, I wear gloves, warm socks, a thick cap, and a ski jacket when I ride, and I am almost never too cold. In summer, I didn’t break a sweat. I just used the throttle (油门), sat back, and enjoyed my ride.
I arrived to work a little more lighthearted for having spent the morning in fresh air rather than traffic. I jumped on my bike after a stressful day at work and rode home down a street edged with changing fall leaves. I felt more connected to the physical environment around me than I had when I’d traveled the same route surrounded by metal and glass.
1. Why did the author change a car for an e-bike?| A．He wanted to do something good for environment. |
| B．He thought that e-bikes would replace gas vehicles. |
| C．He couldn’t afford the expensive transportation costs. |
| D．He believed e-bike’s supply chain was environment-friendly. |
| A．The traffic safety. | B．The traffic comfort. |
| C．The traffic economy. | D．The traffic convenience. |
| A．Tolerant. | B．Unexpected. | C．Conservative. | D．Compromising. |
| A．Changes Brought by an E-bike | B．My Green Life for the Last Year |
| C．The Replacement for Gas Vehicles | D．Comparation Between Cars and E-bikes |
6 . It’s not easy to offer a short version of all that attracts travelers to Latin America, but there are a few must-see spots that we have narrowed down for you.
Machu Picchu
Perched in the high mountains above the town of Cusco, the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchuisa wonder of the world on par (齐名) with the pyramids of Egypt, and the Great Wall of China. The view from the top is beautiful whether it’s clear or shrouded in fog, although there are fewer crowds during the wet season between December and April.
La Candelaria
La Candelaria in Colombia is a jewel of the old world set on the edges of the modern metropolis of Bogota. La Candelaria has jealously guarded its unique charm against the winds of change. Home to museums, cathedrals, cafes and restaurants, La Candelaria is easy to love and hard to leave.
Lago de Atitlan
Created by an enormous volcanic eruption 84,000 years ago and still ringed by active volcanos, Lagode Atitlan in Guatemala is the deepest lake in Central America, and it’s almost too beautiful to believe: The crystal-blue waters below, volcanic backdrop beyond and stunning cloud formations above make for one truly unforgettable sight. Along the water’s edge, there are plenty of cozy lake towns where you can have fun.
Iguazu Falls
As the second-largest waterfall in the world, Iguazu Falls is incredible. The 269-foot drop at Iguazu Falls marks the border between Brazil and Argentina. Brazilians and Argentinians can’t help but make comparisons about who’s got the better end of the waterfall. Brazilians, of course, say their side is the most beautiful, while Argentineans hotly disagree. It’s up to you to decide, but you’ll need to get a visa to see things from Brazil’s point-of-view.
1. When can visitors go to Machu Picchu to avoid the crowds?| A．In February. | B．In May. | C．In July. | D．In November. |
| A．Machu Picchu. | B．La Candelaria. | C．Lago de Atitlan. | D．Iguazu Falls. |
| A．It is the largest waterfall in the world. |
| B．The part in Brazil is the best end of the waterfall. |
| C．It lies somewhere between Brazil and Argentina. |
| D．You don’t need a visa if you’re planning to see it in Brazil. |
7 . Health and fitness help a person live a good and healthy life. Often due to various pressures, we tend to ignore our health.
It is important for everyone to devote some time to health and fitness. There are different levels of exercises for different age groups and we must do them according to our own health and age. Regular exercise stops our muscles from contracting and improves our energy levels as well.
Additionally, it is important to relax our body. We should have at least six to eight hours of sleep every day. It helps in improving our immune system and protects us against diseases.
| A．Health and fitness are interrelated to each other. |
| B．It also helps in keeping us calm and relaxes our mind. |
| C．Significance of Health and fitness is emphasized daily. |
| D．For instance, we may have a tendency to catch a cold easily. |
| E．If we keep our body fit, we can enjoy life in a better manner. |
| F．This makes our body suffer and we will catch some diseases. |
| G．Hence, we must exercise daily regardless of our age and working style. |
8 . I fell in love with Yosemite National Park the first time I saw it. I went there for camping with my parents. On the way out, I asked them to wait while I ran up to EI Capitan, a huge rock of 3, 300 feet straight up. I touched that
About 7 years ago I started seeing a lot of waste,
I made an attempt to clean the place myself, but the job was too
In 2018, together with some climbers, I set a
Each year these climbers come for the
There are many people around us who are
| A．deep | B．mysterious | C．giant | D．slim |
| A．perform | B．signal | C．climb | D．compose |
| A．failure | B．passion | C．contest | D．admiration |
| A．like | B．as | C．except | D．with |
| A．homelike | B．lifelike | C．industrial | D．firm |
| A．professional | B．minor | C．small | D．big |
| A．put up with | B．come up with | C．keep up with | D．team up with |
| A．place | B．date | C．figure | D．plot |
| A．required | B．received | C．shot | D．collected |
| A．complex | B．visual | C．tense | D．unbelievable |
| A．park | B．lake | C．garden | D．campus |
| A．cleanup | B．stage | C．ceremony | D．party |
| A．content | B．dissatisfied | C．busy | D．confident |
| A．working through | B．working out | C．taking action | D．taking off |
| A．request | B．cause | C．balance | D．duty |
9 . As I watched my son Nathan play basketball for his high school team, I was starting to feel sorry for myself and for him. His team was facing adversity on the court and he was playing in a hostile environment-it was the opponents’ home gym filled with their supporters, and Nathan’s team was trailing (落后) for three quarters (节) of the game. As for me, I had been fired from my job earlier in the day.
During my drive home, I kept telling myself that I would find work again in a short time-I am confident in my experience and abilities. This is the same belief as I always try to teach my son.
The basketball game entered the fourth quarter with Nathan’s team still trailing. I saw the determination on his face, as well as his teammates’ faces as they fought back to not only tie with the other team, but then go ahead by three points. Then, a player from the other team made an unbelievable shot to tie the score again. With the game in a tie and few seconds on the clock, Nathan found himself with the ball. With skill and confidence, he proceeded to make a basket with a defender hanging his hands all over him. The defender was warned for a foul (犯规).As Nathan stood at the free-throw line preparing for a shot that would make his team one point ahead, I saw the determination on his face again. There was no room for self- doubt. Nathan was able to tune out all the distractions and nail the free throw with such skill. It was as if he had done it a thousand times.
As I sat there, my heart bursting with pride. It dawned on me that I had taught him perseverance in the face of adversity, and he had just taught me the same lesson. That brief moment of self-doubt and feeling sorry for myself was blown away by the actions of my son on the basketball court. He would play in the finals, but it didn’t matter if he would win or lose. At this moment, we both won.
1. Why did the author feel sorry?| A．He had made a big mistake in his work. |
| B．He used to be too busy to accompany Nathan. |
| C．Nathan’s team was too weak to compete in the game. |
| D．He and Nathan were both going through a hard time. |
| A．Self-centred and pessimistic. | B．Self-confident and optimistic. |
| C．Hard-working and intelligent. | D．Easy-going and warm-hearted. |
| A．Ignore. | B．Focus. | C．Create. | D．Receive. |
| A．Father and Son in Life | B．A Lesson in Life and Basketball |
| C．It Matters Whether to Win or Lose | D．Life Goes Just like Playing Basketball |
10 . Exhausted, Jia Ling ate five packs of chocolate cookies alone at night by her bed after wrapping up filming for her new film YOLO that day. “Recalling that moment, I felt so great, like a tired soldier claiming the spoils of war,” she said.
By then, she had lost an incredible 50 kilograms, and her entire image had changed. The chubby (胖乎乎的), round and cute comedian Jia Ling was gone, replaced by a cool, muscular warrior.
Audiences were shocked by her appearance on Chinese New Year’s Day, Feb.10, when the film was first released. Jia had kept everything so secretive, avoiding public appearances for a year, that her new look was only revealed when she appeared on the big screen. Conversations about her high-intensity weight loss training, along with her courage and determination, have become trending topics across China, propelling the film’s box office earnings.
YOLO, which stands for “you only live once,” is the theme Jia aims to tell in her new film. The story follows an overweight, depressed woman who becomes isolated from society. However, after meeting a boxing coach and taking up the sport, she begins to regain her passion and finds her way in life. The filming was divided into five stages. Jia had to gain 20 kilograms at first for the role, moving on to the final stage when she lost a significant amount of weight and became muscular. This method mirrors what some Hollywood stars, such as Christian Bale, have done, but Jia’s effort is jaw-dropping and takes it to an even more extreme level.
Yet, the film’s core goes beyond physical transformation. “This film is not about weight loss, nor is it much about boxing. It’s a film that tells the story of how a kind person finds her true self and learns to love herself,” Jia said.
1. What does the underlined word “propelling” in Paragraph 3 mean?| A．Disturbing. | B．Restoring. | C．Driving. | D．Slowing. |
| A．Generous and funny. | B．Determined and courageous. |
| C．Creative and sensitive. | D．Ambitious and enthusiastic. |
| A．A woman’s pursuit of boxing glory. |
| B．A woman’s journey through weight loss. |
| C．A woman’s struggle with social pressure. |
| D．A woman’s discovery of self-love and acceptance. |
| A．The early bird catches the worm. | B．Actions speak louder than words. |
| C．It’s never too late to change. | D．Don’t cry over spilled milk. |
