Hi Kelsey,
Happy 18th birthday! You’ve officially reach
Many bittersweet events will happen in the next ten years. There will be highs. Stick to
The world will always throw new challenges at you.
As you become an adult, jump at every opportunity
Happy birthday, Kelsey! See you in ten years.
28-year-old Kelsey
2 . Our neighbors had a loud party last night. We weren’t
What
And it really worked in their favor. My husband and I were so friendly that even when the event went past the
It takes such little effort to make people feel that they
A.located | B.explored | C.challenged | D.invited |
A.trapped | B.impressed | C.annoyed | D.embarrassed |
A.later | B.closer | C.earlier | D.further |
A.shocking | B.frightening | C.puzzling | D.amazing |
A.call number | B.room number | C.account number | D.car number |
A.anxiously | B.politely | C.regularly | D.obviously |
A.imagination | B.consideration | C.recognition | D.organization |
A.promised | B.supplied | C.designed | D.compared |
A.stress | B.anxiety | C.worry | D.anger |
A.respond | B.adapt | C.contribute | D.stick |
A.figure | B.succeed | C.matter | D.access |
A.sleep | B.maintain | C.travel | D.relax |
A.noticed | B.delivered | C.explored | D.proved |
A.surrounding | B.respect | C.curiosity | D.distance |
A.strategy | B.apology | C.communication | D.inspiration |
For years, putting up Christmas lights had been a family tradition for the Patrick’s household. It was an occasion when they would busily prepare for the celebration of Christmas.
Their Christmas light display was always a highlight of the neighborhood and brought much delight to the whole community. Typically, Anthony would invite the neighbors over as they decorated the Christmas tree in the front yard. Emily, who lived next door and had known Sara’s family for long, often came to admire their wonderland of Christmas lights.
In early December, Anthony would string colorful lights all around their roof until it looked dazzling. On the front lawn, he would blow up a large white Frosty the Snowman and a Rudolph with a glowing red nose. Sara always joined in, along with their warm-hearted neighbors, hanging gifts on the tree and playing “White Christmas” over and over to keep everyone in the spirit.
Yet the bad news came in the midst of the festive mood, before they could finish the Christmas decoration. Anthony fell desperately ill. The symptoms suggested acute heart failure and he was soon admitted to hospital. Sara spent days and nights in the ward, attending to Anthony and praying for his recovery, though the hope was slim. On Christmas Eve, Anthony passed away.
It came as a huge blow to Sara. In the following days, she had to manage the funeral while struggling to figure out a way to cover housing and household expenses, and tackling a seemingly endless list of difficult to-dos. Perhaps hardest of all, she had to persuade herself into accepting the loss of her father. It was too much to take.
When she pulled up to the house after a long day on the go, the only thing that could comfort her were the twinkling Christmas lights, which brought her a spark of hope-it felt as if the brightness of the lights could cancel out some of the darkness of the past days’ misfortune.
Wanting to help, Emily shared their story on a community website.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Touched by their kindness, Sara decided to fulfill the lighting decorations, though Christmas was gone.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Many quick service restaurant owners are looking ahead to a future where automation will play an important role. They believe it will be the key to greatly
Many people are afraid of being replaced by a robot. But the
Quick service restaurants with tools like Flippy are the kind of places
Automation in restaurants will become even more crucial in the future. Owners then
5 . Last summer I talked with my daughter studying in her last year in high school about her graduation album. I asked which
After two
Yes. I could have picked a photo my daughter didn’t like and submitted it behind her back, but I knew it wouldn’t have
My daughter is
I had my senior year and did it the way I wanted. Now it’s my daughter’s
A.reporter | B.photographer | C.volunteer | D.teacher |
A.paid | B.imagined | C.declined | D.chose |
A.buy | B.deliver | C.pick | D.borrow |
A.keeps | B.expects | C.loses | D.dislikes |
A.shame | B.joke | C.punishment | D.hit |
A.helpful | B.sure | C.safe | D.happy |
A.seconds | B.hours | C.months | D.decades |
A.celebration | B.schedule | C.semester | D.deadline |
A.drawing | B.design | C.picture | D.number |
A.disappointing | B.positive | C.strange | D.unclear |
A.worked | B.looked | C.covered | D.moved |
A.great | B.old | C.calm | D.kind |
A.laugh at | B.exchange for | C.hand in | D.care about |
A.hope | B.explain | C.determine | D.mean |
A.turn | B.result | C.action | D.answer |
6 . On June 6th Columbia University announced that it will no longer cooperate with US News World Report’s undergraduate rankings. It is the first top institution to do so. Might its departure be the start of a mass departure?
Columbia’s decision follows a ranking scandal (丑闻) last year. In February 2022, one of Columbia’s own maths professors accused the college of having used “outdated and/or incorrect data” in several areas.
In the 1980s, potential students started to expand their college search beyond their local area, and it was hard to learn about universities and compare them. Hence, US News began ranking America’s top universities in 1983, and has released its findings annually since 1988.
Universities have put in significant effort to move up in the ratings. Richard Freeland, Northeastern University’s former president, capped class sizes to enhance student engagement and guarantee class quality. Consequently, it moved from 127th in 2003 to 44th this year.
The ranking system used to seem unstoppable. Universities have tried to get rid of it before, only to find that doing so can backfire badly. US News still ranks non-participating universities, using publicly available information, and the data often do not go in their favour. Columbia did not submit data for this year’s analysis, and its ranking fell from second in 2021-22 to 18th in 2022-23.
Recently the mood has begun to change, however, especially among graduate schools. In 2022, of the 15 highest-ranked law schools, only the University of Chicago submitted data.
In May US News announced changes to its ranking methodology. It is moving away from metrics (度量标准) that rely on reputation and towards student outcomes. One way or another, the rankings-and universities more broadly-are in a state of constant change.
1. What is true about the US News undergraduate rankings?A.It faked the information for the ratings. |
B.It filled an information gap in the past. |
C.It promoted the quality of higher education. |
D.It’s been released every year for 40 years. |
A.Limited. | B.Maintained. | C.Increased. | D.Doubled. |
A.Its information will be removed. |
B.It will be excluded from the list forever. |
C.Its ranking will probably suffer consequently. |
D.It will certainly be charged with using incorrect data. |
A.the changing mood of universities |
B.the instant fame of universities |
C.achievements of university graduates |
D.scores given by former students |
7 . Matthew Cuthbert and his sister, Marilla, live on Green Gables farm, in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. They want to adopt an orphan boy, but Matthew doesn’t find the boy at the train station. Instead, he is attracted by a sweet, talkative 11-year-old girl called Anne. Having heard about Anne’s poor childhood, they think Anne might not be the “useful boy” they’ve wanted to work on the farm, but she needs their sympathy. Anne is overjoyed to be allowed to stay.
On Anne’s second morning at home, however, Matthew abruptly suffers from a heart attack. Soon, Marilla sees a specialist and learns that unless she takes measures to prevent her eyesight, she will be blind within six months. Anne finds herself involved in a dilemma.
Anne, anyway, gradually gets familiar with the beauties of Green Gables, the household duties she will have to fulfill. Even though Marilla often scolds Anne for daydreaming and ignoring her chores, both she and Matthew find Anne’s imaginative talk amusing, and soon they can’t picture the farm without her.
In the fall, Anne starts off well at Avonlea School, but then she’s teased by Gilbert Blythe, a handsome boy in her grade, for her red hair. Anne hits Gilbert on the head, and she is punished by her teacher and refuses to attend school for a while. After Anne returns to school, she takes a renewed enthusiasm in her studies and a growing academic competition with Gilbert. Besides, Anne forms a story club to help her friends improve their imaginations.
When she is 16, Anne studies for the entrance exam to Queen’s Academy. With intense effort, Anne and Gilbert both get the highest exam scores in Prince Edward Island, broadening Anne’s ambitions for the future. The following September, Matthew and Marilla, both tearful over Anne’s growing up, say goodbye when Anne settles into Queen’s for the year. Anne earns teacher certificate, and though she’s defeated by Gilbert for the highest academic honor, she wins a scholarship.
1. What makes Matthew and Marilla decide to adopt Anne?A.Anne’s pitiful childhood. | B.Anne’s attractive appearance. |
C.Anne’s easy-going personality. | D.Anne’s familiarity with farm work. |
A.She teases her classmate. | B.She hurts a handsome boy. |
C.She fails to get good scores. | D.She refuses to attend school. |
A.She defeats Gilbert academically. |
B.She is full of hope for the future study. |
C.She earns the highest academic honor. |
D.She is discouraged not to be admitted into the college. |
A.Doubtful. | B.Amused. | C.Indifferent. | D.Content. |
8 . There is always a lot of talk about what is fair, and what is not.
We definitely have no choice about how we come into this world. We have little choice early in life. But as we grow older, choices exist around. I have long believed that while we have no control over the beginning of our life, the majority of us have the ability to influence the outcomes we attain. Fairness is a state of mind, and most often, an unhealthy state of mind. Our state in life cannot, or at least should not, be blamed on our parents, our teachers, or our society.
I agree that challenges exist. I agree that many have an uphill battle due to the challenges they face.
A.Most people tend to insist that life should be fair. |
B.There is no absolute fairness in life, but it’s relatively fair. |
C.Life is full of examples of people who complain about life being unfair. |
D.In fact, it’s largely based on the choices we make, and the attitudes we adopt. |
E.But I disagree with the attempt to use fairness to solve all problems in the world. |
F.Stories like this are all around us-they are not miracles, nor are they the rare exception. |
G.It doesn’t matter whether we are born with a silver spoon, plastic spoon, or no spoon at all. |
9 . Older people traditionally struggle with new tech, but it doesn’t have to be this way. With the right design, even the most unwilling user can obtain the benefits.
A lack of understanding of technology and its benefits, along with difficulty in using hi-tech products, such as a smartphone or computer, leads to the result that many seniors hesitate to migrate from the old to the new. This is a mistake.
Older people themselves must consider whether they want to embrace new technology, or let the benefits pass them by. Technology, often in the form of social media, has enabled seniors to meet new friends, keep in touch with old ones and learn new skills.
The reasons why some older people adopt new technology are likely to be twofold: they’re forced to do so and they want to make their lives easier. These reasons are important for anyone who realizes seniors need to be convinced to engage with technology to consider.
Adopting new technology is often imperative for modern people to do, yet some elderly still insist, “I have managed before without technology. Why do I have to use it now?”
Seniors often become frustrated with technology. “It’s not working, ” is a complaint co-author Lucia heard many times from her late father, especially when it came to his cell phone-and he used technology well, for the most part. Often, the problem was that he was unable to use the small keypad( 键盘) on his phone or read the letter size of the words in text messages he received.
One issue that needs to be addressed is the design of technology. Seniors want web pages to be simple and clear, and navigation easy. One study from 2005 shows that many seniors like a website to be user-friendly with a simple interface (界面).
“A simpler and more uniformly designed internet would help to break down the psychological barriers outlined, ”it states. While that study was carried out years ago, this problem with web design still stands.
1. Why do older people hesitate to embrace new techs?A.They misunderstand computer’s design. |
B.They are unwilling to change into the new. |
C.They lack access to smartphones and computers. |
D.They have difficulty in using technological products. |
A.Seniors often feel upset about new technologies. |
B.Seniors always face the breakdown of smartphones. |
C.Seniors refuse to use the small keypad on their phone. |
D.Seniors can’t understand the text messages they receive. |
A.Ways for web-designers to make internet easier to navigate. |
B.Psychological barriers of seniors to adopt new technology. |
C.Methods of tackling breaking down issues of computers. |
D.Other researches related to seniors’ dissatisfaction. |
A.To use or not to use: a technological dilemma |
B.Exploring benefits for seniors to accept hi-techs |
C.To say yes to the smartphone: a beautiful mistake |
D.Bridging the gap between seniors and technology |
10 . “I am very grateful to China Ocean Shipping Group (Cosco Shipping)for not only offering me a job but also sponsoring my daughter to become a world champion in boxing,” Michail Michalakakos, a dockworker at the Piraeus Port operated by Cosco Shipping, said in a special program produced by China News Service.
The Piraeus Port, located 12 km southwest of Athens, is a flagship project in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation between China and Greece. Praised as the “Pearl of the Aegean Sea ”with its breathtaking scenery and thousand-year history, the port, Greece’s largest, once faced development challenges in the beginning of the new century. Cosco Shipping signed a 35-year agreement with Greece in 2008 and invested in its container terminals No. 2 and No. 3 in 2009.
Before Cosco Shipping took over the operations, some Greek employees had doubts about the harmony of the business model of Chinese companies at European ports and whether local workers might face unemployment under Chinese management. However, these concerns naturally disappeared. Michalakakos noted that instead of laying off workers, Cosco Shipping continued to support the port’s growth and even sent local young talent to China to learn about port management and improve their skills. Working at Cosco Shipping Piraeus Port fills Michalakakos with pride, as the company not only values its employees but also supports their families.
His daughter has a passion for boxing, but their family faced financial difficulties, making it impossible for her to participate in international competitions. Upon learning of their situation, Cosco Shipping decided to sponsor his daughter’s participation in these competitions, ultimately enabling her to fulfill her boxing dreams. A year ago, Michalakakos’s daughter won the world championship in women’s boxing(youth category)while representing Greece in Venice, Italy. She will prepare for Greek league competitions.
1. Why does Michail Michalakakos feel grateful to China Ocean Shipping Group?A.Because it provides financial support for her daughter. |
B.Because it gives her daughter boxing guidance. |
C.Because it founds a special organization to raise money. |
D.Because it shows her daughter how to be a world champion. |
A.It is located 12 km northwest of Athens. |
B.It’s only famous for its beautiful scenery. |
C.This port faces no challenges of development. |
D.This port benefits from the Belt and Road Initiative. |
A.They might lose their jobs under Chinese management. |
B.Chinese companies would take over all the European ports. |
C.Their abilities of port management were not good enough. |
D.Their salaries could not make both ends meet properly. |
A.Cosco Shipping sent local young talents to China to improve their skills. |
B.China Ocean Shipping Group signed an agreement with Greece in 2008. |
C.The Chinese company helped a Greece employee’s daughter be world champion. |
D.Michalakakos’s daughter won the world championship in women’s boxing. |