1 . There are many differences in ways of thinking between East and West. Many of them are reflected in daily behaviour. In particular, Chinese people sometimes attach more importance to their appearance and social status than to their inner qualities, while Westerners think the opposite. However, Socrates (Ancient Greek philosopher) and Confucius share significant similarities that are universal.
Both philosophers share several teachings in common; for example, their understanding of the nature of knowledge and their opinions on education. Socrates believed “There is only one good, knowledge;and only one evil, ignorance.” Similarly, Confucius said, “Isn’t it a pleasure to study and practice what you have learned?” But both also acknowledge the limits of knowledge. Socrates said: “All I know is that I know nothing.” Similarly, Confucius said, “When you know a thing, to hold you know it; when you don’t know a thing, to allow you don’t know it-this is knowledge.”
However, there are important differences in their understanding of morality. Confucius believed each person should follow certain regulations according to virtue(德行). Everyone should play their role in a society where people are interdependent in order to achieve harmony in the whole society. For instance, when asked how to govern a country, Confucius stated “An emperor should act like an emperor, a subject should act like a subject.” Socrates, however, places self-knowledge over social knowledge.
Another difference between them is their attitude towards political domination(支配). Confucius believed the best way to govern a country isn’t through legal system, but through virtue. Socrates, by contrast, declared that “nothing is more important than justice”.
Why have East and West developed such different cultural values? A widely accepted theory holds that Eastern civilization was an agricultural civilization. Hence the need for a collective society and friendly relations with neighbors was strong. Western civilization, however, was nomadic(游牧的). Their mobility makes them less dependent on society after migration.
In spite of their differences, the two cultures have more in common than differences. The shared concern for moral values in the teachings of Socrates and Confucius also shows us more fundamental similarities between Eastern and Western cultures in their pursuit of virtuous lives.
1. What do the two philosophers share about knowledge?| A．The learning of knowledge is easy. | B．The learning of knowledge is endless. |
| C．A man without knowledge is foolish. | D．A man shall not pretend to understand. |
| A．Nothing is more important than a legal system. |
| B．I am not a Chinese, but a citizen of the world. |
| C．Not everyone should play his own role in society. |
| D．A man does what is proper to the position he is in. |
| A．The difference in political atmosphere. | B．The difference in the length of history. |
| C．The difference in economic development. | D．The difference in levels of social dependency. |
| A．Reasons for similarities of Eastern and Western cultures. |
| B．The introduction of great figures of two different cultures. |
| C．Comparisons of the thoughts of the two great philosophers. |
| D．The contributions of two great philosophers to civilization. |
2 . It’s 1: 45 a.m, and 21-year-old Thomas Murphy is studying for an important exam. To stay awake, he’s had two cups of coffee in the last three hours and is now downing a popular energy drink which also has caffeine.
Caffeine is present in many of the foods and drinks we consume (消耗), but is it good for us? Charles Czeisler, a scientist and sleep expert at Harvard Medical School, believes that caffeine causes us to lose sleep. “Without enough sleep — the typical eight hours -the human body will not work at its best, physically, mentally, or emotionally.” Too often, Czeisler says, we consume caffeine to stay awake, which later makes it impossible for us to get the rest we need.
A number of scientists believe that regular caffeine use causes physical dependence. Heavy caffeine users show similar behaviors. For example, they get mild to severe headaches, or they feel tired or sad when they can’t have a caffeinated drink. To reduce or stop these feelings, users must consume caffeine, which is characteristic of drug addiction.
Despite these concerns, the general opinion in the scientific field is that caffeine is not dangerous when one or two small cups of coffee per day are consumed. Furthermore, a lot of current research goes against long-held negative beliefs about caffeine, and suggests that it may, in fact, have health benefits. For example, studies have shown that caffeine can help ease pain and help improve one’s mood. Research has also shown that some caffeinated drinks can help the body fight a number of illnesses, including certain types of cancer.
Caffeine’s behavioral effects are real, but most often mild. Getting that burst of energy, of course, is why many of the world’s most popular drinks contain caffeine. Whether it’s a student drinking coffee before class or a businessperson enjoying tea with lunch, humankind’s favorite stimulant (兴奋剂) is at work every day, all over the world.
1. Which of the following can replace the underlined word “downing” in paragraph 1?| A．Holding. | B．Decreasing. | C．Drinking. | D．Waking. |
| A．The type of caffeine will affect people’s sleep. |
| B．Heavy caffeine consumption will cause drug addiction. |
| C．It’s a good idea to consume caffeine if people want to stay energetic. |
| D．Regular caffeine use will make it difficult for people to get enough sleep. |
| A．The risks of caffeine intake. | B．The effects of consuming caffeine. |
| C．Healthy and unhealthy caffeine products. | D．Recent changes in caffeine consumption. |
| A．Worried. | B．Doubtful. | C．Objective. | D．Unconcerned. |
3 . 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. |
4 . 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. |
5 . 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. |
6 . 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. |
7 . According to a study published this week, habitual napping (打盹) appears to be associated with a large brain volume in adults although experts stressed that further research was needed. It reduces the cost caused from the lost time and the fatigue-related errors. The work followed previous studies that suggested a brief doze could improve people’s ability to learn.
Arianna Huffington, a co-founder of Huff Post and the founder and chief executive of Thrive Global, said, “Given the latest science on the effectiveness of napping and the clear link between employees feeling well rested and their productivity, it’s long past time that businesses embrace short naps at work.”
Some businesses, including Thrive Global, have already introduced facilities for employees to take naps. Google introduced sleep pods as far back as 2014 and companies like Nike and Ben & Jerry’s introduced nap rooms. The practice has even been adopted by the NHS, with a growing number of hospitals introducing sleep pods for staff in an effort to help them get more rest. Employees, it seems, are enthusiastic. Sean Greenwood, of Ben & Jerry’s, said, “If a quick nap gets employees more involved and creative, we’re happy to provide that for our team members.”
Unfortunately, the practice of napping still suffers from our collective concept that sleep equals weakness and laziness. However, the performance-enhancing benefits of naps have been no secret to many leaders throughout history. It also gives the higher-ups the chance to acknowledge the 24/7 culture and come up with top-down solutions that encourage workers to take care of themselves in and out of work.
While sleep experts stressed that a daytime doze could be beneficial, they said it was crucial to get enough shut-eye at the end of a day. It is the late stage of sleep, sometimes missed by early risers, that strengthens the nerve circuits that make for learning and memory, allowing the brain to make and consolidate new neutral connections. Additionally, prioritizing sufficient sleep during the regular nightly sleep period is essential for overall well-being.
1. What is paragraph 1 mainly about?| A．Work stress. | B．Learning abilities. |
| C．A research finding. | D．The brain volume. |
| A．Dismissive. | B．Approving. |
| C．Unclear. | D．Critical. |
| A．To advocate enough rest. | B．To praise creative employees. |
| C．To compare the differences. | D．To present the current situation. |
| A．The approaches to shut-eye. | B．The importance of napping. |
| C．The secrets to well-being. | D．The benefits of memory. |
8 . Now, new research suggests frequent exercise might help you live well in another meaningful way—that is, in terms of income. Researchers investigated whether individuals who stayed active would earn more money as a result of their active lifestyle. It revealed that staying active not only resulted in higher present earnings, but also predicted increased future income throughout one’s life.
The researchers set out to explore three key correlations (相互关系)：How mobility-the ability to move, affected income, how mobility influenced income overtime, and whether exercise could help people maintain their mobility as they aged. The team analyzed data from Health and Retirement Study(HRS), the largest study tracking changes overtime in Americans aged 50 and above. This study takes into account various life aspects, including work, social status, health, psychology and family matters, as individuals age.
To evaluate the impact of current mobility on income, the researchers examined data from over 19, 000 respondents (调查对象) to determine how well they could perform simple tasks, such as climbing stairs, or moving around a room. Each person received a score, with 5 indicating full mobility and 0 indicating difficulties with these tasks. The researchers found that for each decrease in the mobility category, individuals lost out on an average of $3, 000 in annual income compared to their peers. Those who were active were also significantly more likely to remain working for longer than the other group. It appeared that engaging in exercise enabled individuals to maintain mobility and engage in professional life for a longer period of time than those who were less active.
Looking at earnings overtime revealed even more substantial benefits for those who remained active throughout their lives. Active individuals showed an overall income level that was $6, 500 higher, along with higher rates of employment. For the third part of the study, it’s not surprising that those who engaged in exercise continued to maintain their mobility after the age of 55 and had higher employment rates. Even exercising just one day a week showed improvements in mobility outcomes.
While this study doesn’t definitively prove that leading a healthy lifestyle directly leads to higher earnings, it strongly suggests that staying healthy and mobile brings benefits beyond just lower levels of disease.
1. What didn’t researchers take into consideration when designing their experiment?| A．Family matters | B．Work and social status |
| C．Health and psychology | D．Educational background |
| A．Increased mobility slightly reduces annual income |
| B．Greater mobility is closely related to higher income |
| C．Decreased mobility greatly increases the overall income |
| D．Maintaining mobility has nothing to do with the income |
| A．Favorable | B．Indifferent | C．Opposed | D．Doubtful |
| A．Exercise Lowers Levels of All Diseases |
| B．Exercise Promotes Work Efficiency |
| C．Exercise Helps to Make More Money |
| D．Exercise Ensures A Longer Lifespan |
9 . How to communicate complex information?
Did you ever have to read a presentation where you felt like you’re lost in confusing terms, data and concepts? Are you giving others this same experience?
Use interactive content. It gets the readers more involved in your presentation by letting them play an active part.
Narrate your content.
Use examples and fables. They can help explain clearly the complexity of ideas for they are what we’ve already known and understood.
| A．Show, don’t tell |
| B．Make every word count. |
| C．This makes the complex concepts less new and more familiar |
| D．If you don’t sound excited, the listeners won’t feel excited either |
| E．Storytelling is another powerful tool for communicating complex concepts. |
| F．Communicating complex information is a common challenge in presentations |
| G．For example, allow them to choose the content route they wish to take and control the pace. |
10 . Your neighbors are probably the first line of defense in case of any problematic situation.
The first step is introducing yourself when you move to a new neighborhood or when a newcomer moves in. Leave them a note under their door to introduce yourself.
Be respectful of your neighbors. It’s in poor taste to have regular insensitive parties at your place causing disturbances. Before your party, it’s good practice to notify your neighbors. Besides, avoid chatting them up for hours on end, which may be inconvenient, especially if you don’t know their schedules.
As Emma Seppälä put it, “social connectedness generates a positive feedback loop (圈) of social, emotional and physical well-being.” It feels so easy to just stay home without having to engage with your neighbors but connecting with them is worth the effort.
| A．Remember every small gesture counts. |
| B．A crisis is a test of communication skills. |
| C．It can actually boost your mood in the long run. |
| D．Slipping it in their mailbox further solidifies friendship. |
| E．It’s essential to ensure you maintain decent relationships with them. |
| F．Alternatively, you can give them a gift while making yourself known to them. |
| G．Only by establishing healthy boundaries will you achieve peaceful coexistence. |
