1 . For people suffering from depression, there’s an all-natural treatment they should use — getting more exercise. It could help fight depression, even if people have a genetic risk, new research shows.

For the study, researchers collected information from nearly 8,000 people and found those with related genes were more likely to have depression over the next two years after examining them. But that was less likely for people who were more active at the study’s start, even if they had a family history of depression. Higher levels of physical activity helped protect even those with the highest genetic risk of depression.

Both high-intensity (高强度) exercise and low-intensity activities were associated with a reduced risk of depression. Adding four hours of exercise a week could lower the risk of a new episode (一段经历) of depression by 17%, according to the study. “Our findings strongly suggest that, when it comes to depression, being physically active has the potential to remove the added risk of future episodes in individuals who are genetically risky,” said lead author Karmel Choi. “On average, about 35 additional minutes of physical activity each day may help people to reduce their risk and protect against future depression episodes.”

Depression is a common mental illness globally, with more than 264 million people affected. “Depression is so ubiquitous, and that underlines the need for effective approaches that can impact as many people as possible,” Choi said. And mental health and primary care providers can use the findings to advise patients that there’s something meaningful they can do to lower their risk of depression.

1. How did the researchers reach their conclusion?

A．By analyzing a mass of data.

B．By conducting genetic research.

C．By comparing various levels of activity.

D．By tracking the subjects for many years.

2. What does the study show about depression?

A．Physical activity betters medical treatment.

B．Exercise is able to decrease and prevent it.

C．Different levels of exercise intensity matter the same.

D．Exercising 35 minutes daily is the most effective treatment.

3. What does the underlined word “ubiquitous” in paragraph 4 mean?

A．Harmful.	B．Complex.
C．Unusual.	D．Common.

4. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To discuss a disease.

B．To introduce a method.

C．To analyze a genetic risk.

D．To explain a phenomenon.

2 . With the cold weather drawing nearer, few people will choose swimming as a daily or usual activity.     1     Here come the reasons.

Good for your brain.

Swimming is one of the best activities you can do all year round, which benefits your body and your mind. Swimming has been found to increase blood flow to the brain, which leads to more oxygen.     2    

Work your muscles.

Every time you swim, it is like doing a mini-resistance workout. Each kicks and pull works your muscles more than you could imagine, especially your arms, shoulders and gluteus — the muscles that are inactive all day when you’re sitting at your desk.     3     So along with building fitness, it is a wonderful full body exercise.

Lift your spirits.

    4     They can cause a positive feeling into your body which makes you happy. Swimming has been shown to reduce stress and tension. The repetition, movement and the breathing can help you to relax , and that’s why swimming is also regarded as a relaxing exercise.

    5    

While swimming is an individual sport, it is also very social. You can meet people from all walks of life when swimming. Have a chat in the lap pool, join a swimming club or get involved in social water sports to get to know people in your community. Besides, the great thing about swimming is that you can do it — rain or shine. Although your backyard pool, the river or beach cools down over winter, most inside swimming pools run heated pools year round, so you’ve got no excuse to stop swimming.

A．Benefit your body.

B．Meet new people.

C．These chemicals can control your thought and action.

D．Swimming also works your abs (腹肌) and will reduce your waist line.

E．Exercise gives off chemicals in your body called endorphins (内啡肽).

F．And that means you’re experiencing better memory and sharp mind.

G．However, swimming in winter is of great benefit in cold days.

3 . Imagine this: You’re digging a well, and instead of hitting water, you unearth a headless human body made of pottery. This actually happened to farmers in Shanxi province in central China in 1974. Local archaeologists heard of the find and biked over to investigate. They realized that the figure had come from a tomb built over 2,000 years ago for China’s first emperor, Qin Shihuang. Archaeologists finally discovered three separate pits (穴) filled with 8,000 life-sized statues, all made from terracotta-a type of fired clay.

About a mile away from these pits, there’s a large mound (山丘). Archaeologists know that this is the main part of Qin Shihuang’s tomb, but they have never looked inside. They have left it alone out of respect for the first emperor and to protect the tomb as it is.

“Many people wish to see the treasures and mysteries inside, but we cannot,” says Xiuzhen Li, an archaeologist. Opening the tomb could damage its contents. Someday, Li hopes, we’ll have technology that will let us see inside the main part of the tomb without opening and disturbing it.

“Probably in the near future we’ll have some new technology that can see inside like an x-ray,” she says. Scientists are working on techniques that make it possible to see underground. Another idea is that a tiny robot could enter through a small hole and capture videos of what it sees. Even if this robotic exploration is done very carefully, however, it would still damage the tomb. For now, the Chinese government prefers to wait to do anything until they have even better technology.

1. What’s the suitable description of the figure from the tomb?

A．A copy of real soldiers.	B．A model of emperors.
C．In ruins.	D．In colors.

2. Why can’t archaeologists go inside the tomb?

A．It might be ruined.	B．It is very dangerous.
C．The robot is not clever enough.	D．The government doesn’t allow it.

3. What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．Technique	B．to see underground
C．an x-ray	D．the tomb

4. What’s Xiuzhen Li’s attitude to seeing inside the tomb in the future?

A．Unconcerned.	B．Doubtful.
C．Hopeful.	D．Objective.

5. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．An encyclopedia.	B．A history textbook.
C．A newspaper.	D．A travel guide.

4 . 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。

People send birthday wishes using cards and postcards in many cultures. It is not known when and where the tradition of     1     (send) birthday cards began, however, it is believed     2     it was in England in the early nineteenth century. In those days people sent birthday cards because they couldn’t wish somebody     3     happy birthday in person.

In 1840, the first postage stamp was issued (发行) in Britain and sending birthday cards became     4     (cheap) and therefore more popular. The development of colour printing processes in the 1930s also helped to increase sales of cards.

Today usually cards     5     (give) with a present, even when people can send     6     (they) wishes in person. In recent times, e-cards have also become popular: many people are starting to use these instead       7     traditional cards as they are free, environmentally     8     (friend) and arrive more quickly. So will e-cards take the place of paper cards in ten or twenty years? Probably not. For young     9     (child) and old people or for very formal occasions (正式场合) e-cards are not proper and some people     10     (simple) don’t use the Internet.

8 . Harbin Ice Festival 2023

Ever think of what Elsa’s ice palace might look like in real life? Ice stairs ice walls, and ice towers? When winter approaches, Harbin turns into a kingdom of ice and snow.

The annual Harbin Ice and Snow Festival opens in late December and lasts for around 3 months, till late February.

What’s New for Harbin Ice Festival

Every year, there is a special theme for the Ice Festival. A huge Snowflake Ferris Wheel(摩天轮) has already been built inside the park. Visitors will be able to ride on the Ferris Wheel and overlook the ice castles in early 2023. For this upcoming festival, the highlight may be when the giant Snowflake is colorfully lit up at night, shining high in the sky.

Yearly Time Line

Dates	Activities
Early December	Ice Harvest
December	Carving and Building
Christmas period	Unofficial Opening
Jan. 5，2023	Opening Ceremony
Jan. 18 to Feb. 15，2023	Special Celebrations for Chinese New Year
Late Feb. to early Mar.	Ice and snow sculptures start to melt

Click here and Book Now! Tickets for Harbin Ice and Snow World are on sale now!

*Dec. 25, 2022—Jan. 5, 2023: ¥ 170 / person (half price for children)

*Jan. 6, 2023—Feb. 28, 2023: ¥ 230 / person (half price for children)

Contact us for available tour dates before they are fully booked.

Attention

As long as the ice and snow sculptures are open to visitors, it is impossible to take photos of the charming ice buildings without any visitors in! This might be different from what you see in the media.

1. When can visitors have a ride on the Ferris Wheel at the earliest?

A．In late February, 2022.	B．In late December, 2023.
C．At the end of 2022.	D．At the beginning of 2023.

2. What will take place during the Christmas time?

A．The opening ceremony will start officially.

B．There will be special celebrations.

C．The festival will open informally.

D．Ice will begin to be carved.

3. If a couple with their two kids attend the opening ceremony, how much should they pay?

A．¥ 425

B．¥ 510

C．¥ 340

D．¥ 690

9 . Sharon Holland and her husband, Jer, are travelling around the world and saving money at the same time by swapping (交换)houses with strangers to keep the bills low. They only have to pay for their flights, meaning they save hundreds of pounds on their holidays each year.

The couple’s occupation allows them to enjoy long periods of school holidays. Both work as school Deputy Principals, which allows them to take their children, Cian, 23, Miah, 13, and Faye, 11, abroad up to four times per year. On average, they pay £1,250 per year for flights.

Sharon, from Cork, Ireland, has exchanged her home with a stranger 40 times in the last 13 years and says she’s never regret. She said: “I couldn’t imagine travelling in any other way now. Swapping our Irish Georgian farmhouse for another house abroad is amazing. There are home-style houses, modern city apartments and beautiful architectural period houses too. Every holiday is different and staying in someone else’s house makes our experience more rewarding and enjoyable. We are able to meet more locals and understand the culture more than we would if we were to stay at a hotel. We bring our laptops during the summer weeks as we are both responsible for timetabling and school planning but this can be done at a distance”.

Sharon has visited various cities in America, France, Germany, Hungary, ltaly, Spain, Netherlands, the UK and their home country of Ireland. “But our favourite place is Italy. We have been lucky enough to visit there six times. Over the ycars, every experience has been great—from the architecture to the food. We have made some wonderful happy memories for less”, adds she.

1. Why do the couple travel by swapping houses with strangers?

A．To avoid taking flights.

B．To spread local culture.

C．To improve their living condition.

D．To cut down their travel costs.

2. What can we know about Sharon from the text?

A．She comes from England and likes Italy.

B．She never lives in a hotel when traveling.

C．She is fond of the way of swapping houses.

D．She plans to open a school with her husband.

3. What does Sharon think of swapping houses with strangers?

A．Embarrassing.

B．Fantastic.

C．Dangerous.

D．Traditional.

4. What’s the main purpose of the text?

A．To share a couple’s special way of travelling.

B．To advise more people to travel worldwide.

C．To introduce ways of exchanging houses.

D．To teach us how to save money while traveling,