1 . In 1867, Caroline Shawk Brooks and her husband, Samuel, had a farm in Arkansas. Life on the farm was not easy. From sunrise to sunset, Caroline and Samuel milked cows, gardened, and picked cotton. This left Caroline no time for her dream of becoming an artist.

Time was not the only problem. Money was a worry too. The cotton crops were failing. What could Caroline and Samuel do?

Caroline decided to make butter (黄油) from their cows’milk and sell it at market. But other farms also made and sold butter. How would Caroline set her butter apart from the rest? This is where Caroline’s artistic talent came in. To draw attention to her butter, she began making small butter sculptures (雕塑). She used many different tools, such as butter paddles (搅拌器的浆叶), broom straws, and tree sticks. She also put the butter in a shallow tin pan, which sat in a larger tin pan filled with ice to stop the butter sculpture from melting.

Caroline’s butter sculptures were a hit. Before long, she was displaying them at fairs and exhibitions. One of her largest butter sculptures was a life-size statue called A Study in Butter. It was transported all the way to Paris for the 1878 world’s fair.

Caroline also made sculptures using marble (大理石). She eventually opened a studio in New York City where she created many marble sculptures, some of which were shown at the 1893 world’s fair in Chicago.

But Caroline never stopped making butter art. She considered butter a superior material to work with. At the 1893 fair, she also displayed her butter techniques with a sculpture of Christopher Columbus.

Caroline Shawk Brooks died in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1913. She is remembered as the first known American butter sculptor.

1. Why did Caroline make butter sculptures?

A．To realize her dream.	B．To make her butter stand out.
C．To make her farm famous.	D．To display her sculptures at the fair.

2. What do we know about Caroline and her sculptures?

A．Caroline made her art works all by machine.

B．The sculptures were all made from cow's milk.

C．Ice was used to keep the butter sculptures in shape.

D．Caroline stopped making sculptures after being world-famous.

3. Which words best describe Caroline?

A．Talented and successful.	B．Confident and caring.
C．Creative and rich.	D．Brave and famous.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．A Farming Pioneer.	B．A Great Sculptor.
C．The Butter Sculptures.	D．The Butter Artist.

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.

2. Which statement would sleep expert Charles Czeisler probably agree with?

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.

3. What is the text mainly about?

A．The risks of caffeine intake.	B．The effects of consuming caffeine.
C．Healthy and unhealthy caffeine products.	D．Recent changes in caffeine consumption.

4. What is the author’s attitude towards caffeine consumption?

A．Worried.

B．Doubtful.

C．Objective.

D．Unconcerned.

3 . Various sports attract fans for different reasons: Spectator sports draw even more fans who just love to watch. Here are some of the most beloved sports worldwide.

Hockey-2 billion fans

Hockey, both on ice and on a field, wins a following of two billion enthusiastic fans worldwide. Field hockey is mainly played in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia, while ice hockey is particularly popular in Canada and the US, where kids grow up playing pond hockey. Unlike ice hockey, field hockey usually does not involve body contact in the form of checking and hitting.

Football-4 billion fans

Football, better known as soccer in the US, is by far the most popular sport in the world. Experts estimate that the origin (起源) of football may go as far back as two thousand years, beginning in ancient China during the Han Dynasty. One major reason for football’s global popularity is that unlike other sports that require expensive equipment, all you need to play football is a ball and your feet.

Volleyball-900 million fans

Volleyball pits two teams across a high net, each attempting to smash the ball onto the opponent’s floor. A popular variant, beach volleyball, is competed on sand by pairs rather than the regular six players per team. The crowd appeal of beach volleyball has grown greatly in recent years.

Tennis-1 billion fans

An estimated one billion people worldwide follow professional tennis tournaments and matches. In tennis, players on both sides of a net try to hit a ball with a racket so that it either goes past their opponent (对手) or bounces twice on their opponent’s side of the court to score points. Tennis superstars like Rafael Nadal, and Serena Williams are now household names around the world, with huge international fan bases.

1. Which sport attracts the most fans according to the text?

A．Volleyball.

B．Hockey.

C．Football.

D．Tennis.

2. What makes football popular all over the world?

A．Its long history.	B．Its great convenience.
C．Its unique origin.	D．Its huge fan bases.

3. Which statement about the four sports is true?

A．Playing ice hockey involves body contact.

B．Soccer is American people's favorite sport.

C．Beach volleyball has attracted the most sports fans recently.

D．A tennis player loses one point if his ball goes past his opponent.

5 . Artificial intelligence (AI) plays an important role in the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 and Asian Para Games. AI usually refers to the advanced technologies, such as the naked﹣eye 3D, AR and so on. These terms might sound familiar, but how smart are they when applied to the 56 Asian Games venues (场地)?   

Their smartness can be found in running the venues with less human labor forces and with more connections between man and machines. At the Huanglong Sports Center, a system called Smart Stadium Brain is built. The Brain, a 25 square meter high definition screen in the venue’s information center, the lighting, the energy consumption guarantee a friendly environment for the athletes and audiences. For the benefit of audiences, a small screen on each seat is designed to be at the audience’s service. By finger touching, the audience can control it from three parts—angle, and size to watch and keep contact with the event. What’s more, supported by the 5 G technology.

AI also means further protection on environment. At the Fuyang sports Center, although it has been raining for days, the roof of the venue still remains dry. And the secret lies in its attractive sky garden. The garden, is not only eye﹣catching but also useful. It allows the greening rate of the entire stadium to reach as high as 45%, being energy﹣saving. Under the cobblestones (鹅卵石) , a recovery system is filtering (过滤) and collecting rainwater for the venue’s water system, and irrigation water.   

Smart devices are employed both inside and outside the venues. For example, the Tonglu sports Center starts a WeChat mini﹣program for any follower to learn about the venue through VR games and videos before the Hangzhou Asian Games. During the Games, the program will allow the athletes and audiences to place orders online.

1. Which of the following can replace the underlined word “guarantee” in Para2?

A．Make sure of.

B．Take advantage of.

C．Get used to.

D．Keep up with.

2. What can we infer from Para2?

A．The audience can’t see the whole venue on the large screen.

B．The stadium is environmentally friendly and advanced but costly.

C．The audience can control small screens on their seats as they wish.

D．Small screens make the game watching enjoyable and convenient.

3. How does the roof of the venue keep dry while it’s raining?

A．By saving energy.

B．By using the cobblestone of the sky garden.

C．By recycling the rainwater.

D．By improving the greening rate.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Asian Games with Artificial Intelligence.

B．A Sports Center with Smart Stadium Brain.

C．More Connections with Smart Devices.

D．Smart Asian Games with High﹣tech Venues.

8 . Here are four of the late bloomers (大器晚成者) who made great achievements later in life.

Judi Dench

Although Judi Dench has been a standout in her work for theatre and TV during her entire working career, she only became a household name in her 60s. Judi received seven Oscar nominations (提名) when she was over 60. She won Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 1999 for Shakespeare in Love.

Grandma Moses

Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as Grandma Moses, started painting in her 70s. She decided to give painting a go when she could no longer hold an embroidery needle (刺绣针) due to her illness. Her works were spotted by an art collector, who bought all her paintings and displayed them at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

James Parkinson

At the age of 62, James Parkinson identified Parkinson’s disease (帕金森病). His An Essay on the Shaking Palsy led to our general understanding of Parkinson’s today. Although others had previously written about shaking palsy, Parkinson’s descriptions were so in-depth that he inspired other medical scientists to study the disease.

Kathryn Joosten

Kathryn was a nurse and mum, but after her marriage failed she made up her mind to pursue her dream of being an actress. Close to the age of 60, she threw herself into the industry and achieved success. Since then she has appeared on TV shows like Desperate Housewives. She has also won two Emmy Awards.

1. Who is the oldest when he/she achieved success?

A．Kathryn Joosten.

B．James Parkinson.

C．Grandma Moses.

D．Judi Dench.

2. What do we know about Kathryn Joosten?

A．She became an actress after retiring.	B．She was a well-known nurse at the age of 60.
C．She gave up her dream for her broken marriage.	D．She decided to act after her failed marriage.

3. What can we conclude from the stories of the four persons?

A．Old people are more likely to succeed.	B．One is never too old to learn.
C．Chances favour only the prepared mind.	D．Age is no barrier to success.

9 . An immersive and slow-paced Citywalk is becoming trendy across China. In contrast to rushing past overcrowded tourist landmarks, the new trend has emerged as a popular alternative to explore bustling markets, ancient streets, and charming alleys at a leisurely pace.

The appeal of Citywalk caters particularly to the younger generation often caught up in demanding work schedules. As evidenced by the increasing popularity of hash tags like “City walk for vacation” on lifestyle sharing platform Xiaohong shu, with a staggering 465 million views and nearly 464, 600 engagements, the trend is truly capturing unbelievable attention.

Citywalk, or meandering through the urban landscapes, means the act of walking freely along city streets unburdened by exhaustive plans. It offers people an avenue to intimately experience urban culture and local traditions. Citywalk is not merely about sightseeing. It creates an opportunity for social interactions and deep connections with the cities. Citywalk routes are tailored to the specific interests of both out-of-town tourists and locals. For tourists, the focus is on sharing local customs and traditions, while for locals, discussions revolve around the city’s past, present, and future. The growing trend of Citywalk reflects a changing attitude towards life, embracing a warmer, more relaxed, and slower-paced lifestyle.

As Citywalk expands beyond first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, to second-and third-tier cities across the county, it brings fresh opportunities for the tourism industry, in such areas as dining, shopping, and accommodation.

Governments in Beijing and Shandong have recognized the potential of Citywalk, incorporating it into their action plans to promote cultural tourism and leisure activities. In Shanghai, public bus lines specially designed have been introduced to elevate the overall Citywalk for participants.

“By slowing down and delving into the narrow alleys, observing the lives of city residents, and immersing oneself in the context of museums and art galleries, one is entitled to embrace the pleasure of life,” said Luo Jun, a cultural tourism enthusiast.

1. What’s the main reason for the popularity of Citywalk among young people?

A．It mainly focuses on urban sightseeing.

B．Social media offer many tempting videos.

C．Busywork schedule limits the choice of people.

D．Conventional tourist landmarks are losing charm.

2. What’s the meaning of underlined word “staggering” in the second paragraph?

A．Astonishing.

B．Rewarding.

C．Embarrassing.

D．Shrinking.

3. Which of the following statements is NOT Citywalk?

A．An immersive route for foreigners to enjoy the alleys in Chengdu.

B．A holiday travel to hurriedly visit crowded landmarks in Shanghai.

C．A free walk including visiting museums and old towns in Qingdao.

D．A leisurely tour along Qiantang River to experience city transformation.

4. What have some governments done to promote Citywalk?

A．Facilities in the museums have been enhanced.

B．Cooperation has been strengthened among cities.

C．Opportunities have been offered to third-tier cities.

D．Specific public transportation routes have been introduced.

10 . 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.     1    . The good news, Damiano said, is that there is nothing wrong with the strangely shaped fruits.     2    . Their unusual appearance does not affect their taste or nutritional value.

    3     If you have ever cut open a tomato, you know they are divided into internal (内部的) parts, called locules (小室). Most tomatoes have about four or five locules; other kinds of the fruit, like cherry tomatoes, contain two or three. But when a plant experiences extreme (极端的) temperature, cell division in the developing fruit can go off track. Temperatures over 32℃ during the day and 27℃ overnight can lead the tomato to form an extra locule. But there is not enough room inside a tomato for the extra part, so it grows on the outside of the fruit.

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.     4     But, Damiano noted, heirloom (原种) kinds seem more likely to have this genetic mutation (基因变异) than hybrids.

And, when harvesting your crop, remember:     5    

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℃.