1 . According to Americans for the Arts, more than two-thirds of U.S. adults say that the arts “lift me up beyond everyday experiences.” Still, only 30 percent attended a concert of any type in 2017; 23 percent visited an art museum; six percent attended a literary event. Fewer than half actively created art of any kind.

What has caused this phenomenon is that we do not have time for art — we are weighed down by our day-to-day responsibilities. Maybe you like to play a little background music while you work but most of us rarely, if ever, went to see a live performance, let alone visited a gallery. And reading poetry? Perhaps not since high school.

Too often, we let the realities of life get in the way of the arts, which can feel insignificant by comparison. But this is a mistake. The arts might be the single most in-depth experience you will ever be given to explore the nature and meaning of life. And if you make time to consume and produce art, you will find your life become fuller and happier.

Some philosophers address the problem of life consumed by work and material pursuits. They argue that art provides relief from this routine, expanding our perspective and bringing us closer to true reality.   

Think of a time when you heard a piece of music and wanted to cry. Or recall your fast heartbeats as you stared at a delicate lifelike sculpture. Chances are that it probably stimulated (刺激) a sudden awakening, much like the shock from a lungful of pure oxygen after breathing in smoggy air.

If you are among those who feel that art is “pure pleasure to experience and participate in,” you might see it the same way you see eating out, or skydiving: as a luxury (奢侈品) item in your limited budgets of time and money. As such, it probably gets the same sort of treatment as any minor hobby. Don’t make this error. Treat art more like exercise or sleep: a necessity for a life full of deep satisfaction.

1. What does paragraph 1 focus on?

A．The opinion of U.S. adults about art.

B．The types of art that U.S. adults engage with.

C．The mismatch between value and behaviour as to art.

D．The connection between everyday experiences and art.

2. What is a mistaken idea in the author’s opinion?

A．Art reveals the nature of life.	B．Art gives way to material pursuits.
C．Life without art is meaningless.	D．Background music is a kind of art.

3. What does the author want to convey in paragraph 5?

A．Art awakes people’s talents.	B．Art improves physical health.
C．Art brings us closer to nature.	D．Art makes life fuller and happier.

4. What might be the best title?

A．Art: A Habit, Not a Luxury	B．Art: A Bridge, Not a Barrier
C．Art: A Decoration, Not a Reality	D．Art: A Pleasure, Not a Burden

2 . Winners of the Broadcom MASTERS

Girls took the top prizes at the Broadcom MASTERS, a science competition for middle school students.

Alaina Gassler

Alaina won the $25,000 Samueli Foundation Prize for the project of reducing blind spots in cars. She was inspired to solve this issue by her mother who didn’t like driving her vehicle because its large A-pillar (A柱) design made her feel in danger. “I started to think about how blind spots were a huge problem in all cars,” said Alaina. So she worked on and solved it.

Sidor Clare

Sidor won the $10,000 Marconi/Samueli Award for Innovation, an honor made by Samueli’s generous donation of his 2012 Marconi Society Prize Award. She developed bricks that could one day be made on Mars, so that humans wouldn’t be required to carry building materials with them in order to build there.

Alexis MacAvoy

Alexis won the $10,000 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award for Health Advancement, which recognized the student whose work and performance showed the most promise in health-related fields and demonstrated an understanding of the many social factors that affect health. She designed a water filter (过滤器) by using carbon to remove heavy metals from water.

Rachel Bergey

Rachel won the $10,000 Lemelson Award for Invention, awarded by The Lemelson Foundation to a young inventor creating promising solutions to real-world problems. She developed a trap made of tinfoil (锡纸) and netting for the spotted lanternfly, an invasive species causing damage to trees.

1. What is the purpose of Alaina Gassler’s invention?

A．To beautify vehicles.	B．To improve the safety of driving.
C．To decorate the sidewalk for the blind.	D．To reduce the carbon released from cars.

2. Whose invention is related to human health?

A．Alaina Gassler’s.	B．Sidor Clare’s.
C．Rachel Bergey’s.	D．Alexis MacAvoy’s.

3. What is the Broadcom MASTERS about?

A．Art.

B．Sport.

C．Technology.

D．Education.

3 . Common Mistakes New Runners Make

Running is a great way to get in shape and just about everyone can do it. However, many make a number of common mistakes, which can interfere (妨碍) with training or lead to injury.     1     , keep these things in mind to help you increase your chances of running success.

·Doing too much too soon

One of the biggest mistakes new runners make is doing too much too soon. Slowly easing into a training program will help reduce the risk of injury, so you can continue on with your new running routine     2     .

·     3    

Beginners might think they need to run every day (or nearly every day) to meet their fitness or weight-loss goals, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Running is a high-impact activity which can be really hard on your body. So it’s important to give your body a rest between workouts.

·Not wearing the right equipment

    4    , it’s important that you wear properly for your workouts. The most important piece of equipment for running is a good pair of running shoes, so be sure to do some research before you purchase a pair. Visit a running specialty store and ask an employee to fit you for a shoe.

•Running through pain

    5     If something hurts when you run, you need to stop and treat the pain. Remember: It doesn’t make you less of a runner if you listen to your body to keep it healthy.

A．Not taking rest days

B．If you’re just starting out

C．Comparing yourself to others

D．Running can be uncomfortable at times

E．It’s important not to use the same muscles

F．While it may be true that you don’t need expensive equipment to take up running

G．Experts suggest increasing your running distance by no more than 10% each week

4 . For lots of kids, toddlerhood (幼儿期) is an important time for friendship. Studies show that the earlier kids learn to form positive relationships, the better they are at relating to others as teenagers and adults. Playing together also helps these kids practice social behaviors, such as kindness, sharing, and cooperation.

Even so, how quickly your child develops into a social creature may also depend on his temperament(性格). Some toddler s are very social, but others are shy. In addition, the way that toddlers demonstrate that they like other children is markedly different from what adults think of as expressions of friendship. Research at Ohio State University in Columbus found that a toddler’s way of saying “I like you” during play is likely to come in the form of copying a friend’s behavior.

This seemingly unusual way of demonstrating fondness can result in unpleasant behavior. Regardless of how much they like a playmate, they may still grab his toys, refuse to share, and get bossy. But experts say that this is a normal and necessary part of friendship for kids this age. Through play experiences, toddlers learn social rules. That’s why it’s so important to take an active role in your toddler’s social encounters by setting limits and offering frequent reminders of what they are. When you establish these guidelines, explain the reasons behind them.

Begin by helping your child learn sympathy (“Ben is crying. What’s making him so sad?”), then suggest how he could resolve the problem (“Maybe he would feel better if you let him play the ball.”). When your child shares or shows empathy(同理心) toward a friend, praise him (“Ben stopped crying! You made him feel better.”).

Another way to encourage healthy social interaction is by encouraging kids to use words- not fists-to express how they feel. It’s also important to be mindful of how your child’s personality affects playtime. Kids are easy to get angry when they’re sleepy or hungry, so schedule playtime when they’re refreshed.

1. What does it indicate when toddlers copy their playmates’ behavior?

A．They are interested in acting.	B．They are shy with the strangers.
C．They are fond of their playmates.	D．They are tired of playing games.

2. What does the author suggest parents do for their kids?

A．Design games for them.	B．Find them suitable playmates.
C．Play together with them.	D．Help them understand social rules.

3. What is the function of the quoted statements in paragraph 4?

A．Giving examples.	B．Explaining concepts.
C．Providing evidence.	D．Making comparisons.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．How Children Adapt to Changes	B．How to Be a Role Model for Children
C．How Your Baby Learns to Love	D．How to Communicate with Your Kid

5 . In his 1936 work How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie wrote: “I have come to the conclusion that there is only one way to get the best of an argument — and that is to avoid it.” This distaste for arguments is common, but it depends on a mistaken view of arguments that causes problems for our personal and social lives — and in many ways misses the point of arguing in the first place.

Carnegie would be right if arguments were fights, which is how we often think of them. Like physical fights, verbal (言语的) fights can leave both sides bloodied. Even when you win, you end up no better off. You would be feeling almost as bad if arguments were even just competitions — like, say, tennis tournaments. Pairs of opponents hit the ball back and forth until one winner comes out from all who entered. Everybody else loses. This kind of thinking explains why so many people try to avoid arguments.

However, there are ways to win an argument every time. When you state your position, formulate (阐述) an argument for what you claim and honestly ask yourself whether your argument is any good. When you talk with someone who takes a stand, ask them to give you a reason for their view and spell out their argument fully. Assess its strength and weakness. Raise objections (异议) and listen carefully to their replies. This method will require effort, but practice will make you better at it.

These tools can help you win every argument — not in the unhelpful sense of beating your opponents but in the better sense of learning about what divides people, learning why they disagree with us and learning to talk and work together with them. If we readjust our view of arguments — from a verbal fight or tennis game to a reasoned exchange through which we all gain respect and understanding from each other — then we change the very nature of what it means to “win” an argument.

1. What is the author’s attitude toward Carnegie’s understanding of argument?

A．Critical.

B．Supportive.

C．Tolerant.

D．Uncertain.

2. Why do many people try to avoid arguments?

A．They lack debating skills.	B．They may feel bad even if they win.
C．They fear being ignored.	D．They are not confident in themselves.

3. What does the underlined phrase “spell out” in paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．Defend.

B．Explain.

C．Conclude.

D．Repeat.

4. What is the key to “winning” an argument according to the author?

A．Sense of logic.	B．Solid supporting evidence.
C．Proper manners.	D．Understanding from both sides.

6 . Yellowstone Poster Exhibition to Be on View at UW’s Coe Library

A first-of-its-kind exhibition that focuses on the history of Yellowstone National Park posters will be on display at the University of Wyoming’s Coe Library beginning Tuesday, February 1.

“Wonderland Illustrated” will present posters and poster-style illustrations of the park spanning from the 1870s through 2022. The exhibition will be located on Level 3 of Coe Library. It will be on view through Tuesday, May 31.

The exhibition takes place at the same time as this year’s 150th anniversary of the creation of Yellowstone National Park. The posters in the exhibition serve the purpose of both advertising and art.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Yellowstone collectors Jack and Susan Davís, and Larry and Thea Lancaster to bring this exhibition to the University of Wyoming as part of year-long celebrations recognizing Yellowstone’s 150th anniversary,” says Tamsen Hert, head of UW Libraries’ Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections. “This exhibition involves the history of printing, art, photography and advertising over 16 decades. The images reproduced are found on travel brochures, postcards and maps—many of which are held in our collections.”

One poster from the exhibition—Henry Wellge’s “Yellowstone National Park” from1904—was recently purchased with donated funds and is now part of UW Libraries’ Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections. Wellge, a productive bird’s-eye-view artist, designed the piece for the Northern Pacific Railroad, which used it to advertise the park. This is a unique piece, as posters such as this one were printed on soft paper and very few have survived.

1. How long will the exhibition “Wonderland Illustrated” last?

A．Two weeks.

B．Three months.

C．Four months.

D．One year.

2. What is a purpose of the exhibition?

A．To remember a famous artist.	B．To raise fund for Coe Library.
C．To mark the anniversary of a national park.	D．To tell the history of the University of Wyoming.

3. What do we know about the 1904 poster Henry Wellge designed?

A．It is rare in the world.	B．It is in black and white.
C．It is printed on cloth.	D．It is owned by a professor.

7 .

The Forest Zoo Here you can see different kinds of wild animals. Come and enjoy yourself. Price: Adults $10             Children $5 Open: 8:00 am—4:30 pm from Tuesday to Sunday

The Underwater World Here you can find different kinds of fishes and even some kinds of sharks. You will feel you are in the sea, but of course this is not true. Price: $15 Open: 9:00 am—5:30 pm every day except Monday

The Amusement Park Do you want to have fun? We have all kinds of fascinating things for you. Price: Adults $10             Children $5 Open: 9:00 am—8:00 pm every day

The Science and Technology Museum Here you can not only have fun, you can also learn about the science and technology. Price: Adults $5             Children $2 Open: 9:00 am—4:30 pm (Closed on Monday)

1. The text above is probably a(n) ________.

A．Thank-you letter	B．science report
C．activity poster	D．tour advertisement

2. What time can you go to see sea animals?

A．7:30 am on Tuesday.	B．5:00 pm on Wednesday.
C．8:30 am on Friday.	D．6:00 pm on Saturday.

3. How much should Mr Green pay if he with his ten-year-old son goes to the Forest Zoo?

A．$5.

B．$10.

C．$15.

D．$20.

4. Where can you pay a visit on Monday according to the text?

A．The Forest Zoo.	B．The Underwater World.
C．The Amusement Park.	D．The Science and Technology Museum.

5. Which statement is TURE according to the text?

A．The Forest Zoo is open to the public for six days every week.

B．You are really in the sea when you visit The Underwater World.

C．These amusement spots are all free for the children.

D．You are not allowed to have fun at the Science and Technology Museum.

8 . During my visit to Xi’an, 1 met with a strange instrument. It has a loud and high-pitched (声调高的) sound, and is often used in traditional Chinese music ensembles (乐团), especially those that perform outdoors,     1    . He told me that it is a Chinese instrument called the suona. To find more information, I visited some Chinese online lesson websites.

Actually, the suona is a loud Chinese instrument, It’s loud and high-pitched sound is perfect for outdoor performances.     2     It is now widely used at traditional festival events, weddings and funerals (葬礼) in the countryside of North China.

    3     It was developed from Central Asian instruments such as the “surnay” or “zurna”, from which its Chinese name comes. A musician playing an instrument very similar to a suona is shown in a drawing at a historic place on the Silk Road in what is now the western Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, dating back to the third to fifth century CE.

The suona only has eight holes, and breath and fingers (手指) are all a performer depends on lo control the pitch and tone (音质).     4     The instrument looks simple, but it can vividly imitate (生动地模仿) the voice or singing of a human being or even the sounds of Chinese opera.     5     The eight-hale instrument has been called the “eight-eyed monkey” because like a monkey it is difficult to control.

A．Actually, it is difficult to master the suona.

B．The suona is beyond a musical instrument

C．The sound of the suona is also endangered.

D．It was used for festivals and military (军事的) purposes.

E．The suona was firstly introduced to China from Central Asia.

F．People use a metal mouthpiece to make an even louder sound.

G．I didn’t know the name of the instrument, so l asked my Chinese friend.

9 . I’ve learned a lot in my many years in the gym, and beginner-me would be shocked by the things present-me does during the workouts.     1    . And I’ve broken pretty much every other rule besides.

Rest days are a convenient tool for making sure you’re not overworking yourself, but that’s all. Organizations like the American College of Sports Medicine recommend leaving 48 hours between intense strength-training periods for a given muscle.     2    , it’s meant to be a general recommendation for beginners and for people who are exercising just to stay healthy. Once you’re talking about athletes or enthusiasts, they acknowledge that training most days of the week is fine, if your program manages tiredness effectively.

The “10% rule” is a not-terrible guideline for figuring out how quickly to improve your training.     3    . As running coach Jason Fitzgerald told us, “While the saying is to only increase weekly mileage (英里数) by 10%, this may be either too conservative or even too aggressive depending on where you start from.” If you’re a beginner and your mileage is overall very low; if we took the rule seriously, you wouldn’t be able to increase from zero to any other number.

    4    , but none of them are necessary. Creatine (肌酸) is one of the best-known muscle-building supplements (补充剂). It’s understood to be effective, but here’s the thing: That it does something for most people doesn’t mean it does very much. Likewise, protein powder is a helpful way to get more protein in your diet, but you don’t need to use a supplement.     5    .

A．But if you look at where they get that number

B．You can just eat more protein-containing foods

C．There are a few supplements that can help you in your fitness journey

D．Or they may keep you at the same mileage for weeks at a time

E．But it’s a suggestion, not a rule to be strictly obeyed

F．And finally, drinks can give you more energy in the gym

G．With the benefit of experience, I now do exercises I used to think one should “never” do

10 . 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.

2. Which of the following reflects the thoughts of Confucius in terms of morality?

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.

3. What is the root cause of the differences between Eastern and Western cultural values?

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.

4. What is the passage mainly about?

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.