1 . This is the time of year when many gardeners are harvesting tomatoes. Gardening expert Jessica Damiano recently reported about the many pictures of strangely shaped tomatoes sent to her from fans of her gardening advice.
Not every tomato on an affected plant will be deformed (改变形状), however. What are the possibilities? Under the right conditions (temperatures that are too hot or even too cold), this could affect one or two tomatoes per plant, depending on where they are in the development process and what the (weather) conditions are, said Timothy McDermott, a professor at Ohio State University. The possibility of one of your tomatoes developing a locule oddity (怪异) is about one in a thousand, McDermott said.
And, when harvesting your crop, remember:
| A．select the good-looking ones. |
| B．Any tomato can grow an extra locule. |
| C．the funny-looking tomatoes taste just as good! |
| D．What causes the unusual appearance of tomatoes? |
| E．Unless otherwise diseased, they are perfectly good for eating. |
| F．She said people sometimes question if the tomatoes are okay to eat. |
| G．Provide shade for your plants when temperatures are predicted to remain above 32℃. |
2 . As you walk around the UK in March, you might notice that some people are wearing a daffodil (水仙花) on their coats. The British wear these yellow flowers to show they support one of this country’s best-known charities: Marie Curie.
Marie Curie tries to ensure everyone who has cancer is cared for in the best possible way. It also helps fun d research into possible cures. Founded in 1948, it has been continuing with its goal ever since.
The charity was named after Marie Curie, a famous scientist. She experimented with newly-discovered elements to create the theory of radioactivity (放射性). Unfortunately, over-exposure to the radioactive elements made her develop a disease and die in 1934. Marie Curie won the Nobel Prize in two different fields. Because of her pioneering work, the charity decided on the name of Marie Curie.
The daffodil is one of the first plants to flower during spring in the UK, which marks the return of flowering plants to the ecosystem after winter. Because of this, the charity uses the daffodil as a symbol, hoping cancer patients could recover from sickness.
Everyone you see wearing a daffodil has contributed to the charity, but each daffodil is worth only what you want to pay for it. The charity does ask that you stick to a minimum amount of £1.
The charity encourages people to start wearing their daffodils at the start of March, when the “Great Daffodil Appeal” kicks off. But that doesn’t mean you can only wear them in March. People are sometimes seen walking around with daffodils on their clothes all year round.
1. Why do some British people wear a daffodil?| A．To advocate a charity. | B．To celebrate patients’ recovery. |
| C．To remember a scientist. | D．To offer hope to cancer patients. |
| A．Marie Curie’s support for the charity. | B．Marie Curie’s achievement in cancer treatment. |
| C．Marie Curie’s study on radioactivity. | D．Marie Curie’s concern over cancer patients. |
| A．Bringing life to other people. | B．Returning of flowering plants. |
| C．Contributing money to the charity. | D．Encouraging patients to cheer up. |
| A．A change in a British custom. | B．The effect of a campaign. |
| C．A special activity held in March. | D．The time to wear daffodils. |
3 . Teenagers who travel around the world alone have been making headlines quite often. A young person alone in a dangerous situation attracts attention and supporters. Young sailors also attract various views. For example, Jessica Watson was asked by the government to call off her solo trip across the ocean, yet the Prime Minister (总理) called her “a hero for young Australians” when she returned. It seems views are poles apart on the ability and independence of young people.
Some experts tell us that teenage brains are likely to make wrong judgments. But such ideas often do not apply to specific individuals (个体) . Between the ages of 14 and 18, teenagers differ greatly in their abilities. The amount of independence that each is allowed should be determined not simply by their ages but by discussion with the related, responsible adults. Some teens are certainly inexperienced and make childish mistakes, but the ones who attempt dangerous journeys normally do so by winning the confidence of hard-headed and experienced adult supporters.
But it’s also wrong to think that any 16-year-old can make a hit as Jessica Watson. Watson calls herself “a common girl who had a dream”. Her purpose is to encourage teenagers but this idea can have the opposite effect of making them feel not good enough because great achievements are beyond them. Should all teens have such wild dreams? Actually, individuals face different conditions that limit their dreams.
Teenagers who travel around the world alone should not be judged by preconceived (先入为主的) views about young people. Nor should young “common” teenagers feel pressure to long for extraordinary personal goals. In fact, I believe the example of solo sailing overstresses what an individual can do. The teenage years are when most of us “common” people learn that we can achieve great things in cooperation with others.
1. Why is Jessica Watson mentioned in the first paragraph?| A．To set a heroic example for teenagers. |
| B．To point out the public’s interest in young people. |
| C．To introduce different opinions on teenagers’ adventures. |
| D．To show the Prime Minister disagreed with the government. |
| A．Different journeys. | B．Brain development. |
| C．Communication with adults. | D．Confidence in themselves. |
| A．She likes dangerous journeys. | B．Teenagers can make success. |
| C．She can accept she is common. | D．Teenagers should go travelling. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Supportive. | C．Uncaring. | D．Uncertain. |
4 . Mandy and Joe have been married for five years and they both love travelling to new countries. But while this hobby brings them together, it is also a source of contention. “I do all the planning and book.” says Mandy. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy it, but if Joe paid a bit more attention, he wouldn’t have turned up for a flight to Grenada packed for a winter city break. ‘Jumpers and boots?!’I cried.’ You’re supposed to have packed shorts and T-s—it’s 30℃ in the Caribbean!!Then I realized he thought we were going to Granada, in Spain.”
How Joe and Mandy each approach their travel plans is just one example of the many ways in which men and women differ. Yet, is what goes on inside our minds and bodies really so different? Furthermore, are we born that way?
On this issue, scientists are divided. The majority of scientists believed that patterns of behavior thought to be: male or female are learnt firstly from our parents, then from our peers(同伴)and, ultimately, from the societies in which we live. As Simone de Beauvoir famously said, “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.”
On the other side of the fence sat those who believed that male and female brains are actually wired (与生俱来的) differently. In one study in which 34 monkeys were required to interact with different types of toys, the males showed s strong preference for toys with wheels rather than soft toys, whereas the females were noticeably drawn to soft toys. These preferences were clearly not the result of parental influence.
Whatever the truth behind the differences between men and women, we can safely conclude that although the social impact on how we think and behave is undoubted, there exists a biological contribution. The question that now needs answering is to what degree biology affects the choices we make and the way other people treat us.
1. What does the underlined word “contention” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Satisfaction. | B．Disagreement | C．Influence. | D．Information |
| A．Whether men and women are different | B．Why minds and bodies are so different. |
| C．How different males and females are. | D．What causes the sex difference. |
| A．Monkeys have their own preferences. | B．Parents indeed have strong impacts. |
| C．Men and women are born different. | D．Females and males behave differently. |
| A．Biology leads to the differences. | B．Biology mostly affects our choices. |
| C．Social influence can be ignored. | D．Peers have more impact than parents. |
5 . I just flew from Berlin, Germany, to Atlanta,Gcorgia, and it took me 24 hours due lo the weather-related delay during my stopover in New York. Like many other passengers, I was so worm out, annoyed, and helpless that I could barely hold it together.
The pilot, called Thiemy Beyeler, was different. He left the flight deck and walked to the dissatisfied passengers to apologize and comfort them.The pilot's appropriate behavior set the tone and ensured no one got angry. It reminded me of the beauty of “elegance(优雅)under pressure”. Thierry Beyeler was a pilot with Swiss International Air Lines, for which he flew various aircraft. During the delay, I had the chance to speak to Beyelor and learn about his experience as a pilot.
He said, “Flying is a bit like eating chocolate. I love every flight. However, when you have 16 flights in four days, then that's too much chocolate for me..." As for crisis(危机)situations, he did have a few. “Once, I had an engine failure, but that's rare, and we handled it. Another time, we had smoke in the cabin,and we went to land quickly. In end, it was just the air conditioning having some problems…."He believes, "As Murphty's law puts it, 'What can be wrong will go wrong'. So think about it and try to prepare mentally."
Beyeler continued, "Compared with cars, a flight is a high-risk environment; it's not like riding a bike. Even if there was a minor error, it could have fatal consequences. Every pilot is quite professional in the field. But it is the strong mindset(观念模式)in the chaos(混乱)that plays the key role. Humans stop in technical systems to solve items countless times a day, and it would be dangerous if the pilot became nervous and forgot that."
I’ve been touched by Beycler's words. I understand that human factors, including confidence, courage, sensibility, and emotional intelligence are becoming more and more important in today's world.
1. How did Beyeler sound facing the long delay according to the text?| A．Discouraged and tired. | B．Calm and positive. |
| C．Helpless and anxious. | D．Annoyed and cold-hearted. |
| A．Flying brings him much fun. |
| B．Flying involves various crisis situations. |
| C．Too many flight tasks can be unacceptable for him. |
| D．Too many crisis situations have Happened to him. |
| A．Gaining a good sense of time. | B．Having great strength of mind. |
| C．Knowing all the technical systems well. | D．Having a good grasp of professional knowledge. |
| A．Boring. | B．Frightening. | C．Rewarding | D．Confusing |
6 . Whether you’re after a quiet beach holiday or an adventure-packed trip, with over 700 islands and 30 territories, the Caribbean offers many choices. Here we will provide practical tips to help you plan your dream Caribbean vacation.
Choosing the Best Time to Visit
Generally speaking, the Caribbean has a tropical climate with hot and humid weather year-round. Hurricanes are common during the summer months, so it’s advised to avoid travel during this season if possible. The best time to visit typically starts in November and runs through April. Be sure to check local weather forecasts before your trip.
Experiencing the Local Culture
The Caribbean is home to a variety of cultures. The local culture is a key part of the Caribbean experience, so make sure to soak up as much as you can. Visit museums and historical sites to get a deeper understanding of the local heritage, or explore local festivals for a display of music, dance, and art. Moreover, the people of the Caribbean are well known for their friendliness, so don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation.
Planning Your Activities
Whether you’re into diving, hiking, shopping, or simply lying on the beach, you will be able to pick between endless activities. Besides, you can try your hand at deep-sea fishing, horseback riding, or even bungee jumping. If you’re looking for something more laid back, take a guided tour of the island’s botanical gardens or explorer its national parks. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to review safety guidelines and pack all the necessary equipment before your adventure.
In conclusion, the Caribbean offers a diverse travel experience that caters to different preferences and budgets. With careful planning and a bit of research, you can plan a vacation that is truly unforgettable. So don’t wait — start planning your dream Caribbean trip today!
1. Which month is the best time to visit the Caribbean?| A．July. | B．December. | C．August. | D．June. |
| A．Visitors can experience different cultures and activities. |
| B．Visitors can have the opportunity to play local music. |
| C．Visitors have to be concerned about the safety of accommodation. |
| D．Deep-sea fishing is not allowed for the reason of ocean protection. |
| A．A fashion magazine. | B．A shopping guide. |
| C．A geography textbook. | D．A travel brochure. |
7 . It was a sunny afternoon in June of 2022 when 20-year-old Anthony Perry stepped off the train at Chicago’s 69th Street station. On the platform, two men were fighting bitterly. Then the unthinkable happened: the pair fell over the edge and onto the tracks. One man ended up on his back. Suddenly, he started convulsing (抽搐) unnaturally. He had fallen on the third rail, the conduit (导线管) for the 600 volts of electricity that powers Chicago’s L trains. The aggressor leaped backward, bounded back up onto the platform and disappeared.
Perry couldn’t just stand there and watch. He sat at the edge of the platform and eased himself down. He took a few quick bounds and approached the victim. The guy looked dead, his body still moving violently as the electricity pulsed (搏动). Gathering up his courage, Perry reached down and grasped the victim’s wrist. Instantly, he felt a blast of electric shock shoot through his body. Perry shrank and jumped back. He reached down a second time, and was shocked again. But the third time he seized the man’s wrist and forearm and, braving the shock, pulled with all his strength. The guy’s body slid briefly along the third rail, coming to rest on the gravel on the outer edge of the tracks.
The man was breathing, but irregularly. Something wasn’t right. “Give him chest compressions (按压)!” yelled a woman. Perry was no expert, but for a few moments he worked on the man’s heart until the victim began convulsing. Then he heard a sudden noise behind him — medical workers and firefighters had arrived. Perry let the professionals take over. His heart still racing from the electric shocks, he climbed back up onto the platform, grabbed his things and headed home.
The evening news reported the incident. After a friend outed him to the media, Perry became the toast of Chicago. Perry was then recruited by the Chicago Fire Department and is now training to be an emergency medical technician.
1. What made the rescue of the victim particularly difficult?| A．The man had lost his consciousness. |
| B．The victim lay injured on top of a track. |
| C．The rescuer was at risk of an electric shock. |
| D．The electricity powering trains was hard to cut off. |
| A．He had received professional first aid training. |
| B．The local newspaper interviewed him on the spot. |
| C．His chest compressions played a key role in saving life. |
| D．His heart beat fast because of nervousness and tiredness. |
| A．Perry landed a job in the Fire Department. |
| B．The city of Chicago awarded Perry a prize. |
| C．People in Chicago toasted Perry for his brave deeds. |
| D．Perry got popular and greatly admired in Chicago. |
| A．To credit a hero with saving a victim’s life. |
| B．To highlight Perry’s courage in stopping a fight. |
| C．To stress the importance of calmness in rescue work. |
| D．To display people’s cooperation in assisting the victim. |
8 . Back in the day when I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life, I was studying to become a firefighter. As a firefighter, you’re constantly thinking of other people and trying to help children. It’s the mindset, that is the most difficult part in this job!
One night I was heading home and decided to stop off at a burrito (玉米饼) place. I was approached by a homeless man. He was very dirty and obviously hungry. He asked me for some change to buy a little food. As I was pulling some change out, I had an idea.
I decided to see if he wanted to eat a real dinner, so I asked him to follow me back into the burrito joint to order. When he followed me in, the people behind the count er refused to let him in. After some arguing, so I had to encourage him to order whatever and however much he wanted. He ended up ordering enough to fill his stomach at least 3 times over!
For someone who has been on the edges of society it seemed like he was very surprised at my kind behavior. But to me, it was what any “human being” should do or at least offer. I know we see these people every day asking for money but you had to be there to see the look in his face. To me it reminded me when I was young and my mom brought out a big birthday cake for me on my birthday, with all the candy, getting to experience a big meal. And I think he felt special, like he was getting attention. Again something that I could see he hadn’t experienced in a long time.
I often think about this story, because to me it’s not just about helping someone out by feeding them, but giving him the respect of being a human being and allowing him to feel good about himself was very rewarding.
1. What’s the hardest part of being a firefighter according to the author?| A．Learning to be a good firefighter. |
| B．Deciding what to do in the future. |
| C．Dealing with the brother’s relationship. |
| D．Developing the mindset of helping others. |
| A．He was grateful for the author’s kindness. |
| B．He ordered whatever he wanted the moment he was in. |
| C．He asked the author to buy a burrito to fill his stomach. |
| D．He was not welcomed by those running the burrito joint at first. |
| A．To think back to his own birthday at a young age. |
| B．To explain the reason for the values he holds onto. |
| C．To show the similar experience of the homeless man. |
| D．To tell the difference between him and the homeless man. |
| A．Caring and humorous. |
| B．Selfless and determined. |
| C．Kind-hearted and thoughtful. |
| D．Considerate and Hard-working. |
9 . Europe is famous for big cities and worldclass art museums. It’s easy not to notice the small, beautiful villages in Europe. However, if you’re after relaxation, peaceful country walks, beautiful buildings, and chances for different cultures on your next trip, consider cutting down some of your city time and head out to a village instead. Here are three of the most beautiful villages in Europe, along with our top picks for places to stay in each.
Bibury in Gloucestershire, England
Often praised as the most beautiful village of the Cotsworlds, Bibury is also one of the most popular places for visitors to stay in the area, and attracts a lot of tourists from around the world. It’s set among the green hills that the area is known for and is composed of lightbeige (浅米色) stone houses, including the famous Arlington Row, a line of houses dating back to 1380.
Cong in County Mayo, Ireland
Set on a small seafacing island on the western coast of Ireland, Cong is a quiet village that’s famous for its grey stone ruins (灰石废墟) and many outdoor activities. One of the biggest reasons for its fame is that the 1952 film The Quiet Man was made there, but the biggest draw for most visitors is the chance to visit (or stay in) Ashford Castle, which is now run as a great expensive hotel.
Montepulciano in Tuscany, Italy
Spread over a hilltop nearly 2,000 meters above sea level, the Tuscan village of Montepulciano offers beautiful buildings from the Middle Ages, as well as many chances to visit wineries (酿酒厂) and taste the locally produced Vino Nobel di Montepulciano. With fortifications (防御工事) dating back to the 14th century, the village has churches and public squares, which are truly fascinating.
1. What is the biggest draw for most visitors in Cong?| A．Grey stone ruins there. | B．Outdoor activities there. |
| C．The film The Quiet Man. | D．Visiting Ashford Castle. |
| A．read the Bible in the churches. | B．visit beautiful buildings from the Middle Ages. |
| C．taste the locally produced wine. | D．experience the fortifications from the 14th century. |
| A．A science report. | B．A guide book. |
| C．A news report. | D．An advertisement. |
10 . Learn about programs, events and much more for students of your age to get opportunities.
Youth and Non-Violent Direct Action
Time: October 18 and November 1,2023
Contact: Robert Croonquist
This interactive workshop for school groups will teach how to appeal to the government for change and how to create safe, non-violent direct action. Students will meet in small groups to discuss issues that are important to them. The fee to participate is $5 per student.
Attend a FREE Architecture and Design College Fair
Time: October 28,2023
Contact: Mary Lib Schmidt
High school students are invited to learn more about applying to architecture school. Representatives from over 30 colleges, universities, and design programs will meet with students and answer questions. The event will be held from 11am-3pm.
Seeds of Knowledge: Teen Tour and Natural Bath Bomb Making Workshop
Time: October 26,2023
Contact: Nicole Leist
Participants will look at 15th- to-17th-century printed herbals on display and learn how modern practitioners （医师） create beneficial natural products today. Teens will create bath bombs using all organic materials. This program is intended only for teens aged 13 to 18. FREE with advance registration.
FREE Saturday Leadership Program for Hispanic Youth
Time: November 2023 through March 2024
Contact: Lisa Pineda
It is a FREE Saturday program serving 100 students. It offers various leadership opportunities and resources with the goal of affirming students in cultural pride and increasing the Hispanic voice in government, community, and institutional spaces. Seats are limited.
1. What can you learn about Youth and Non-Violent Direct Action?| A．It lasts a fortnight. | B．It is free of charge. |
| C．It is organized by the government. | D．It teaches legal ways to communicate. |
| A．Robert Croonquist. | B．Mary Lib Schmidt. | C．Nicole Leist. | D．Lisa Pineda. |
| A．Youth and Non-Violent Direct Action. |
| B．Attend a FREE Architecture and Design College Fair. |
| C．Seeds of Knowledge: Teen Tour and Natural Bath Bomb Making Workshop. |
| D．FREE Saturday Leadership Program for Hispanic Youth. |
