1 . On a cold February evening, while her mother slept peacefully, a kid slipped out of her home and into the darkened streets of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dressed only in a T-shirt, socks and a diaper (尿布), the 3-year-old girl wandered around the abandoned parking lots of the city’s southwest side all by herself. She was cold and almost certainly afraid, but most of all, she was not safe. Thankfully, the right person saw her out alone and knew something wasn’t right.

Gabe Botello was delivering pizzas for Villa Pizza when he saw the unattended child at around 3: 00 am. He caught sight of her in the McConnell parking lot, but by the time he’d dropped off the food to his clients and retraced his steps, she had disappeared into the night.

A father of three kids himself, Gabe refused to go back to work until he located the little girl. He started pulling into empty parking lots to search for her. He finally spotted her curling up (蜷缩) between two walls at a factory across the street.

The concerned father jumped out of his car, pulled off his coat and wrapped her up to keep her warm. He put her into his car and gave her some water while he called 911.

The police arrived and were able to locate the kid’s home, where they discovered her mother was sound asleep and thought her daughter was, too. Gabe didn’t judge the child’s mother, and he hoped no one else would, either. He said, “As a parent, I know that children are quick and don’t always listen when they are told what’s best for them.”

Gabe not only did the right thing by finding the child and calling the police, but his level-headed and compassionate response to her mother warms our heart. It truly does take a village sometimes to take good care of a child, and we’re so glad this experienced dad was there when a child needed him most:

1. What was the girl’s mother doing when she was in the parking lots?

A．Sleeping at home.	B．Searching for her.
C．Wandering in the street.	D．Curling up at a factory.

2. What did Gabe do first after finishing his delivery?

A．He called 911 to help the girl.	B．He comforted the girl.
C．He drove the girl home directly.	D．He tried to find the girl.

3. What do Gabe’s words indicate?

A．The little girl behaved well.	B．It’s not easy to care for kids.
C．Kids usually listen to parents.	D．The girl’s mother was to blame.

4. Which of the following words can best describe Gabe?

A．Talented and humble.	B．Hard-working and honest.
C．Ambitious and adventurous.	D．Warm-hearted and understanding.

2 . Of all the Chinese 24 solar terms, Clear and Bright (清明) is the only one whose first day is also a traditional Chinese festival, the Qingming Festival. The words “clear” and “bright” describe the weather during this period. Temperatures begin to rise and rainfall increases, making it an important time for growing crops in the spring. As is known, it is a time to worship ancestors, however, here are several things you may not know about Clear and Bright.

Spring Outings

Not only is it a period to honor the dead, but it is also time for people to go out and enjoy nature. As trees turn green, flowers blossom, and the sun shines brightly, everything returns to life. It is a fine time to appreciate the beauty of nature.

Flying Kites

Flying kites is an activity favored by many Chinese during Tomb-Sweeping Day. Kites are not only flown during the day time but also in the evening. Little lanterns are tied to the kites. And when the kites are flying in the sky, the lanterns look like twinkling stars at night. What makes flying kites during this day special is that people cut the string while the kite is in the sky to let it fly freely. It is said that this brings good luck and that diseases can be chased away by doing this.

Cuju

Cuju is an interesting game played during this period. Ju is a ball made of leather with hairs plugged in it. Legend has it that the Yellow Emperor first invented it for training warriors. Later, Cuju was used by people to build up their bodies when they were unable to eat hot food during the Cold Food Festival.

Feasting on Qingtuan

In the lower parts of the Yangtze River region, qingtuan is very popular on Tomb-Sweeping Day. Qingtuan is a kind of round green cake. In order to make the cakes, people mash (捣碎) barnyard grass (艾草) to squeeze juice from it and mix the flour and juice to a paste. Then they put fillings into the paste and steam them. Pretty and delicate, qingtuan has a special flavor.

1. What is special about flying kites during Clear and Bright?

A．Flying kites with lanterns in the evening.

B．Flying kites to bring good luck.

C．Cutting the kite string to let it fly freely.

D．Flying kites both in the daytime and at night.

2. What can we learn from the passage?

A．Clear and Bright is an important period for farming.

B．Qingtuan is traditionally eaten during the period of Clear and Bright all over China.

C．Cuju was invented by the Yellow Emperor to play in the Qingming Festival.

D．Clear and Bright is one of the 24 solar terms whose first day is also a traditional Chinese festival.

3. What is the main idea of the passage?

A．How to celebrate the Qingming Festival.

B．Flying kites in a special way.

C．Ways to have fun during Clear and Bright.

D．Some unknown customs about Clear and Bright.

3 . As Teachers’ Day approached, I received an interview assignment to talk with a very special figure about teaching. President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam talked with me about life’s toughest lessons and his mission of being a teacher to the Indian youth. He was now a leader and a wise old man. There was still a child in him though, and he was still curious about learning new things. To this day, he still remembered his first lesson in life and how it had changed his life.

“I was studying in fifth grade and must have been 10 years old. My teacher, Sri Sivasubramanialyer was telling us how birds flew. He drew a diagram of a bird on the blackboard, drawing the wings, the tail, the body and the head and then explained how birds flew into the sky. At the end of the class, I said I didn’t understand. Then he asked the other students if they had understood, but nobody had understood how birds flew.” he recalled.

“That evening, the entire class was taken to Rameshwaram shore by our teacher,” the President continued. “My teacher showed us sea birds. We saw wonderful formations of them flying and how their wings waved. Then my teacher asked us, ‘Where is the bird’s engine and how is it powered?’ I knew then that birds are powered by their own life and motivation. I understood all about birds’ dynamics. At last, he said to us with relief that we were very good.”

“That day from not understanding to the final understanding, as well as the gratitude to the teacher, has always impressed me. A proper education would help develop a sense of dignity (尊严) and self-respect among our youth,” said President Kalam.

1. What does the author probably do?

A．A reporter.

B．A president.

C．A teacher.

D．A painter.

2. What can we infer from the recalled lesson?

A．It was a drawing class.	B．The teacher’s diagram was not complete.
C．What the teacher taught was quite difficult.	D．The students were too stupid to understand it.

3. How did the teacher deal with the confused children?

A．By asking other teachers for help.	B．By taking them to see the real birds.
C．By bringing a bird to explain again.	D．By drawing another diagram for them.

4. How did Kalam feel about his teacher?

A．Disappointed.

B．Stressed.

C．Angry.

D．Grateful.

4 . Four best museums in Toronto

Spadina Museum

Spadina Museum, once the house of a well-known Toronto family, is the city’s only museum representing Toronto life from the 1900-1930 period through the lens (镜头) of the wealthy Austin family. Many of the original objects donated by the Austin family include furniture, artworks, letters, and even grocery lists. Don’t miss out on the themed parties in the summer, where you will have a wonderful time with other participants.

Address: 285 Spadina Rd, Toronto, ON M5R 2V5
The Black Creek Pioneer Village

It is a living history museum recreating 19th-century Ontario. Visitors can explore over 40 buildings, participate in activities like candle and soap making, and witness presentations of traditional crafts. With animals like horses, chickens, and goats, the village offers an immersive (沉浸式的) experience, transporting visitors back in time.

Address: 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy, North York, ON M3J 2P3
The Royal Ontario Museum(ROM)

Opened in 1914, the Royal Ontario Museum is Canada’s largest and most comprehensive museum. It has about 13 million artworks that are well-known at home and abroad, cultural objects and natural history items, featured in 40 gallery and exhibition spaces. Combining its original heritage architecture with the contemporary extension designed by the famous architect Daniel Libeskind, the ROM serves as a national landmark for all to enjoy.

Address: 100 Queens Park, Toronto, ON MSS 2C6
The Fort York National Historic Site (Fort York)

At Fort York, visitors can explore a number of historic buildings including the visitor centre, which features a number of interactive displays that tell the story of Fort York and the role it played in the War of 1812. With year-round programming, including guided tours, exhibits, and educational programs, the site offers a comprehensive experience.

Address: 250 Fort York Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3K9
1. What can visitors do at Spadina Museum?

A．Purchase some groceries.

B．Attend a party in the summer.

C．Donate some old furniture and artworks.

D．Communicate with a well-known Toronto family.

2. How is the Black Creek Pioneer Village different from the others?

A．It offers visitors free transportation.

B．It engages visitors in hands-on activities.

C．It features a lot of historic buildings.

D．It educates visitors about animal conservation.

3. In which museum can visitors learn about a world-famous collection of artworks?

A．Spadina Museum.

B．The Black Creek Pioneer Village.

C．The Royal Ontario Museum.

D．The Fort York National Historic Site.

5 . Retired Army Col. Farrell Patrick taught computer science at West Point during the 1970s and then at two private universities through the 1990s, so he isn’t surprised by the progress technology has made over the decades. But when the 91-year-old got his first virtual reality (VR) experience recently, he was amazed.

Sitting in a conference room at John Knox Village, Patrick sat up straight as his eyes and ears experienced what it would be like to be in a Navy fighter jet flying off the Florida coast. John Knox Village was one of 17 senior communities around the country that participated in a recently published Stanford University study.

During the study, the seniors were picked from seven-minute virtual experiences such as riding in a tank, watching stage performances, playing with dogs and cats or visiting places like Paris or Egypt. The participants wore headsets that gave them 360-degree views and sounds, making it seem like they had been all but dropped into the actual experience.

The study, working with the company Mynd Immersive, found that almost 80% of the seniors reported having a more positive attitude after their VR session and almost 60% said they felt less isolated socially. The enjoyment lessened somewhat for older respondents whose sight and hearing had deteriorated (恶化). Those who found VR less enjoyable were also more likely to dislike technology in general.

The company has worked on the biggest complaints the seniors in the study had about VR—the headsets were too heavy and the heat they generated made the seniors’ foreheads sweat. The new headsets weigh about six ounces (189 grams) instead of a pound (454 grams). Besides, they have a built-in fan for cooling, and the videos aren’t as jumpy.

Patrick says he hopes to live to 100 because he believes the next five years will see momentous changes in VR. Still a technology enthusiast, he believes the cost of systems will drop dramatically and become part of everyday living, even for seniors.

1. What is the function of the first paragraph?

A．To lead in the topic.	B．To reach a conclusion.
C．To present an argument.	D．To make a definition.

2. Why does the author mention “Paris or Egypt” in paragraph 3?

A．To illustrate the two cities’ support for VR.

B．To explain why seniors are crazy about traveling.

C．To compare the differences between the two cities.

D．To show the VR experiences the seniors can choose from.

3. What did the study find?

A．Most seniors enjoyed VR.	B．Old people preferred socializing.
C．Seniors’ sight and hearing became worse.	D．Most retired people disliked high-tech products.

4. What do the figures in paragraph 5 indicate about Mynd Immersive?

A．Its products hardly appeal to seniors.	B．Its goal is to produce high-quality videos.
C．It has made improvements on the headsets.	D．It has got a lot of complaints from teenagers.

7 . Magazines make great reading materials for kids. Libraries often have a large selection of periodicals (期刊) for every age group and reading level, and for many areas of interest. And some magazines may even have issues going back years and even decades! Below is a list of some of them!

Military Kids Life

It is about finding the bright side of life as a military kid! Inside each quarterly issue, your child will encounter inspiring stories, articles, and photographs! (8 to 16 years)

Faces

With articles, folk tales, and hands-on projects, Faces magazine takes young readers around the world for an honest and objective view of how children in other regions live. (9 to 14 years)

Make

Make magazine publishes tested projects, skill-building tutorials, in-depth reviews and inspirational stories, accessible by all ages and skill ranges. (9 to 18 years)

Brio

Brio magazine for teen girls has a fresh new look that includes more pages filled with inspiring profiles, cultural insights, health & beauty tips, faith-filled features and added fun! (13 to 18 years)

Please note: Though all the magazines on this list are written for children, some issues may contain content that you may feel inappropriate for your child. As always, please review all reading materials before giving them to your child to read.

1. Which magazine can help develop kids’ international awareness?

A．Faces.	B．Make.
C．Brio.	D．Military Kids Life.

2. What can be learned from the text?

A．All the magazines are proper for children.

B．Magazines are usually published for children.

C．Some magazines have back issues in libraries.

D．Only magazines for kids are accessible in libraries.

3. What is the purpose of this passage?

A．To argue.	B．To inform.
C．To entertain.	D．To persuade.

9 . Knowing how many kilometers or miles per hour you’ll likely cover while hiking is of great importance.     1     It’s also important to build in time for breaks and extra time in case of bad weather or harder situations than expected.

If you’re not sure what your average hiking speed is, don’t worry.     2     Naismith’s rule is considered useful and was invented by the Scottish mountaineer William W. Naismith. It’s a great way to work out how long it will take you to complete your chosen path and it takes into consideration both distance and elevation (海拔高度).

It can be worked out as follows. One hour for every 3 miles plus an additional hour for every 600m of ascent (升高). So let’s say you wanted to know how long it would take to hike 6 miles with an elevation gain of 1,200m. That’s 2 hours for the distance and another 2 hours for the ascent, for a total of 4 hours.     3     It doesn’t include breaks.

    4     You can choose exercises that you enjoy, whether that’s running, cycling, dance classes or something else. As long as it helps you build muscle (肌肉) strength, it will help you get your average hiking speed where you want it to be. Interestingly, specific weight training also helps increase your average walking speed on the path. It’s common knowledge that hikers should focus mainly on leg strength.     5    

A．Note that’s only your hiking time.

B．There’s an easy way to work it out.

C．Your hiking speed isn’t an exact science.

D．It can ensure that you safely reach your destination.

E．But some hiking places do require you to use your upper body too.

F．Consider how to increase your hiking speed on and off the mountain.

G．One of the best ways to hike faster is to train when you’re not hiking.

10 . What if “looking your age” refers not to your face, but to your chest? Osaka Metropolitan University scientists have developed an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) model that uses chest radiographs (光片) to assess a person’s biological age. More importantly, when it is different from the chronological age (实足年龄), it can signal a link with chronic (慢性的) diseases. These findings mark a breakthrough in medical imaging, paving the way for improved early disease detection and intervention.

The research team, led by graduate student Yasuhito Mitsuyama and Dr. Daiju Ueda from the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology at the Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University, first constructed a deep learning-based AI model to estimate age from chest radiographs of healthy individuals. They then applied the model to radiographs of patients with known diseases to analyze the relationship between AI-estimated age and each disease. Given that AI trained on a single dataset tends to over fit, the researchers collected data from multiple institutions.

For the development, training, internal and external testing of the AI model for age estimation, a total of 67,099 chest radiographs were obtained between 2008 and 2021 from 36,051 healthy individuals who underwent health check-ups at three facilities.

To confirm the usefulness of AI-estimated age using chest radiographs as a biomarker, an additional 34,197 chest radiographs were collected from 34,197 patients with known diseases from two other institutions. The results showed that the difference between AI-estimated age and the patient’s chronological age was positively correlated with a variety of chronic diseases. In other words, the higher the AI-estimated age compared to the chronological age, the more likely individuals were to have these diseases.

“Chronological age is one of the most critical factors in medicine,” stated Mr. Mitsuyama. “Our results suggest that chest radiography-based apparent age may accurately reflect health conditions beyond chronological age. We aim to further develop this research and apply it to estimate the severity of chronic diseases, to predict life expectancy and to forecast possible surgical complications.”

1. What is the AI model used to do?

A．Tell a patient’s chronological age.	B．Estimate an individual’s biological age.
C．Develop advanced chest radiographs.	D．Analyze individuals’ workout habits.

2. What did the research team do for their research?

A．They followed patients for over two decades.

B．They obtained data from the same institution.

C．They collected a large number of chest radiographs.

D．They had face-to-face talks with healthy individuals.

3. How did the research team know if individuals might be sick?

A．By making comparisons.	B．By interviewing their doctors.
C．By observing them in their lab.	D．By analyzing causes and effects.

4. Which of the following statement does Mr. Mitsuyama agree with?

A．The research is too complex to be carried out widely.

B．The AI model is expected to have a promising future.

C．Chronological age matters more than AI-estimated age.

D．The research findings have been well received in medicine.