4 . I am sitting at the table in my favorite Boston bookstore-café, laptop open, writing. Ten minutes ago I ordered coffee. The server—a young, dark-haired woman with a broad smile and glasses—stopped and quietly said, “I just want to tell you how much your TED talk meant to me, you helped me find out what I really wanted to do with my life—go to medical school—and then you helped me do what I needed to do to get there. Thank you.”

Tears in my eyes, I asked, “What’s your name?”

“Fetaine,” she said. Then we talked for the next ten minutes about Fetaine’s challenges in the past and new-found excitement about her future.

Everyone who communicates with me is special and memorable, but this kind of communication happens far more often than I’d ever have expected: a stranger warmly greets me, shares a personal story about how they successfully dealt with difficulties, and then simply thanks me for my part in it. They are women and men, old and young, poor and wealthy. But something connects them: all have felt powerless in the face of great pressure and anxiety(焦虑), and all discovered a quite simple way to free themselves from that feeling of powerlessness.

For most writers, the book comes first, then the responses. For me, it was the other way around. First, I performed experiments that led to a talk I gave at the TEDGlobal conference in 2012. In that talk, I discussed some interesting findings about how we can quickly increase our confidence and decrease(减轻) our anxiety in challenging situations. I also shared my own troubles and how I learned to become more confident. Soon after the twenty-one-minute video of the talk was posted on the Internet, I began hearing from people who had seen it.

Of course, watching my talk didn’t magically give Fetaine the knowledge she needed to do well on Medical College Admission Test. But it may have helped her get out of the fear that could have prevented her from expressing the things she knew.

1. What happened in the Boston bookstore-café?

A．The writer waited ten minutes for her coffee.

B．The writer came across a friend of hers.

C．A waitress expressed her thanks to the writer.

D．A waitress encouraged the writer to give a TED talk.

2. What do those people who communicate with the writer have in common?

A．They once faced problems and felt helpless.

B．They shared personal stories about strangers.

C．They were famous but under great pressure.

D．They were afraid to communicate with others.

3. What may be the theme of the writer’s talk in 2012?

A．How to increase confidence.	B．How to perform meaningful experiments.
C．How to overcome anxiety in a talk.	D．How to find interesting things in life.

4. How did the writer influence Fetaine in the writer’s eyes?

A．She gave Fetaine power to look to the future.

B．She helped Fetaine with her knowledge.

C．She advised Fetaine to go to medical school.

D．She helped Fetaine to get a good job.

5 . In the past decade, the use of social media has grown in a way that no one could have guessed. It has turned some teenagers into celebrities and turned the famous into the infamous, overnight.

A key feature of social media, however, is its volatility. Trends come and go, disappearing almost as quickly as they appeared.

Short video apps such as TikTok and its Chinese equivalent (等同物) Douyin, took the world by storm. The Telegraph reported that TikTok was ranked 8th on Apple’s App Store in April. And Douyin had more than 300 million domestic monthly active users in June, CNBC said.

Why are these short videos — which are rarely longer than a few minutes — so popular? Jiang Yige, Singapore-based analyst at FengHe Fund Management, has a theory. “Short videos are just right to fill in the little gaps in our busy schedules,” he told CNBC.

These videos — apart from being very convenient — are important to teenagers because they allow them to express themselves, according to Teen Vogue.

Liza Koshy, a user of the US app Musical, who has over 2 million followers, said, “The sense of community that users of short video apps get is another appealing feature.”

Live streaming (直播) is a feature of our social media life that now seems as natural as sunrise. It’s a pretty neat idea: You can watch anyone, anywhere, live. However, China has taken live streaming to a whole new level. In China, more than 100 million viewers monthly watch a live streaming video. Forbes thought that a number of factors had led to the popularity of the live streaming. Among them is viewers’ ability to interact with unknown names.

However, the quick development of social media may be having side effects too. Fake news is one serious problem it causes. Materials shared on these platforms are often not checked for accuracy. The most basic content can be false and can mislead users one way or another. We use social media all the time, which doesn’t mean that we understand the influence it is having on us. We should be mindful of both the time we spend on it and its impact on our minds.

1. What does the underlined word “volatility” in Paragraph 2 possibly mean?

A．Being changeable.	B．Being steady.
C．Being promising.	D．Being violent.

2. According to Liza Koshy, why are short video apps very popular?

A．They are very convenient.	B．They help people kill time.
C．They provide a sense of community.	D．They allow people to express themselves.

3. What do we know about social media?

A．The information from social media is totally reliable.

B．When it comes to social media, people only know short videos.

C．People can’t communicate with each other without social media.

D．There is still much room for social media to make improvement.

4. What is the author’s attitude to the quick development of social media?

A．Objective.	B．Subjective.
C．Favourable.	D．Disapproving.

6 . Ian McKenna was in third grade when he learned that many kids at his school weren’t getting enough to eat at home. He wanted to help, but local volunteer organizations turned him away, saying he was too young. So he decided to find his own solution. For years, he had been gardening with his mother, and they often sent their vegetables to the neighbors. “I’m good at gardening,” said McKenna. “Why not plant a garden at school so that kids in need can take food home?”

McKenna persuaded his school to set aside space for a garden; then he asked the community for donations of seeds and equipment. Other students donated their time. Within months, McKenna’s garden was producing lettuces, tomatoes and cucumbers for students and their families. Now, several years later, McKenna’s Giving Garden project has expanded to five area schools in addition to his own backyard garden. For most of his gardening activities, McKenna wears the same T-shirt in different colors, with his personal motto on it: BE A GOOD HUMAN. To him, that means helping in any way you can, no matter what your age.

“Even a smile might change someone’s life,” he said. “It lets them know that they are important. It can make their day.”

When COVID-19 hit the U. S., McKenna redoubled his efforts, cooking up to 100 meals to distribute (分发) them to the hungry on the weekends. When social distancing meant that volunteers couldn’t work on their community garden, he started offering online classes and a gardening hotline so families could grow at home. While gardening is his core focus, McKenna says he is always looking for new ways to help the hungry.

1. What led to McKenna’s decision to help the kids in his own way?

A．His school’s support.

B．His mother’s suggestion.

C．Being good at gardening.

D．Being refused by volunteer groups.

2. What do we know about the Giving Garden project?

A．It helps students only.

B．It is funded by schools.

C．It earns great profits every year.

D．It started with the support from many sides.

3. Which of the following can best describe Mckenna?

A．Caring.	B．Outgoing.
C．Honest.	D．Interesting.

4. What is the best title of the passage?

A．Ian McKenna, Growing a Food Project

B．Ian McKenna, an Experienced Gardener

C．The Giving Garden Project, a Challenging Task

D．The Giving Garden Project, a Universal Solution

7 . As for long-distance travel, there are some wonderful destinations that actually offer you great value for your money, especially for those who do not hope to empty their pockets after a holiday.

Tokyo, Japan

Food lovers should go to this busy city which has the lowest cost of eating out — you can even buy two evening meals (three dishes for each), with a bottle of wine, for just under ￡34. For sightseeing there are plenty of free museums and attractions, while tour bus ticket prices start from as little as ￡11.56.

Bangkok, Thailand

Thailand’s capital is second to none as the best value long-distance city. Although there isn’t a big difference in all prices compared to the other cities, it is accommodation that really makes it stand out. If you’re only stopping for a long weekend, then be sure to pay a visit to the breathtaking temples.

Beijing, China

The Chinese capital stands out with the total price of ￡337.49. If you only have one cultural day out during your stay, make it a trip to the Forbidden City. There are some beautiful buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. At the same time they’re home to priceless artificial objects from ancient Chinese emperors’ families.

Dubai, UAE

Although Dubai does have a reputation for being quite the splurge (挥霍) when it comes to holidays and if you’re going to enjoy shopping or experience the roller-coasters, it is in fact quite worth the money. The city also offers some cheaper prices across its museums, galleries and attractions as well as airport transfers.

1. What can you enjoy in Tokyo, Japan?

A．Free bus rides.

B．Eating out cheap.

C．Visiting galleries free.

D．Priceless man-made objects.

2. Which one tops the list of the best value long-distance cities?

A．Tokyo.	B．Bangkok.
C．Beijing.	D．Dubai.

3. What is people’s common idea about Dubai?

A．Dubai is not a good place for shopping.

B．Historical buildings spread everywhere in Dubai.

C．Being on vacation in Dubai costs tons of money.

D．The roller-coasters there are the best in the world.

8 . A crowd cheered Kunle Adeyanju as he turned off his motorbike engine after completing a tiring 41-day trip. The 44-year-old left London on April 19 and arrived in Nigeria’s commercial center Lagos on Sunday after travelling more than 8, 000 miles across 13 countries. He started the impressive journey to raise funds for Rotary International to deal with polio(小儿麻痹症）in his native Nigeria.

Accompanied by a dozen bikers for the last stretch of the journey from the Republic of Benin , Adeyanju was welcomed by supporters in Ikeja, in central Lagos. Adeyanju, called “Lion Heart” by fans won popularity among the public by posting daily pictures with comments about his journey on social media. At every stop along the way, he was greeted by enthusiastic supporters.

He did face some challenges, like the one in Mali where one of his wheels broke. “I was standing in the middle of the night, alone in a bush, not knowing what to do,without speaking the language,”he said, explaining he had to walk to the nearest village.“Fortunately, the locals helped me. ”Not all of the challenges he faced were solved smoothly.“Mauritania, a country in northwest Africa, was ‘terrible’, ” he said, after he got robbed of hundreds of euros. “The worst experience,” he added.

The former Shell employee self-funded his trip with $ 20, 400 in savings,hoping to raise up to $ 48million for Rotary International. “I have been suffering from a lack of sleep lately because I slept only three to four hours per night. But I feel proud because I finished this challenge,” Adeyanju said just after he arrived, wiping the sweat off his face. Adeyanju added that he is now planning to have a possible cycling trip to Ghana or a bike ride to Israel to help raise more funds. And he has another dream: to climb Mount Qomolangma.

1. Why did Adeyanju go on the 41-day trip?

A．To challenge himself.	B．To help fight polio.
C．To connect with more people.	D．To advertise Rotary International.

2. How did Adeyanju become popular during the journey?

A．By using the title “Lion Heart”.	B．By commenting on other bikers’ journeys.
C．By sharing his experiences online.	D．By showing his deep love for his hometown.

3. What made Adeyanju’s experience in Mauritania unpleasant?

A．His getting lost in the bush.	B．His failing to understand the locals.
C．His meeting with crime.	D．His motorbike’s breaking down.

4. Which words can best describe Adeyanju?

A．Caring and determined.	B．Generous and sensitive.
C．Reliable and enthusiastic.	D．Adventurous and confident.

9 . The arts, especially music, should be part of every school’s lessons at every grade level. Students would be much smarter if they had some musical experience. They could improve their classroom skills, like paying attention and following directions. People develop all these skills when they learn music. Making music also lets children use their imagination. It provides students with a chance to try out their own ideas.

Music not only makes children better students, but also gives them something positive (积极的) to do. In a music program, children can be part of a band. Parents can enjoy listening to their children’s music instead of seeing them glued to a computer or TV screen. In a school band, students get to be part of a team. They can get along well with old friends and make new friends through music.

Music builds self-confidence, too. It gives children a sense of achievement and success. Making music is something for them to be proud of, and it lets kids practice performing in front of audiences. Music gives children an opportunity for self-ex pression, and that helps develop their self-confidence. Once again, music is important because it can make children better students, give them something positive to do, and build their characters. That is why music should be offered in every single grade in every school.

1. How could music make students smarter?

A．By improving their memory and attention.

B．By improving their classroom skills and imagination.

C．By making them brave, knowledgeable and modest.

D．By learning music, making music and trying out their own ideas.

2. What does the underlined phrase “glued to” in the second paragraph mean?

A．Unwilling to turn on.

B．Always turning off.

C．Unwilling to leave.

D．Always hating.

3. What’s the main idea of the third paragraph?

A．Music brings children success.	B．Music gives children self-expression.
C．Music helps children achieve their dream.	D．Music develops children’s self-confidence.

4. What’s the best title of the text?

A．Music Is a Must as a Course at School	B．Music Builds Children’s Self-confidence
C．Music Makes Students Much Smarter	D．Learning Music Is Very Important

10 . You probably know who Marie Curie was, but you may not have heard of Rachel Carson. Of the outstanding ladies listed below, who do you think was the most important woman of the past 100 years?

Jane Addams(1860-1935)

Anyone who has ever been helped by a social worker has Jane Addams to thank. Addams helped the poor and worked for peace. She encouraged a sense of community (社区) by creating shelters and promoting education and services for people in need. In 1931, Addams became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Rachel Carson(1907-1964)

If it weren’t for Rachel Carson, the environmental movement might not exist today. Her popular 1962 book Silent Spring raised awareness of the dangers of pollution and the harmful effects of chemicals on humans and on the world’s lakes and oceans.

Sandra Day O’Connor(1930-present)

When Sandra Day O’Connor finished third in her class at Stanford Law School, in 1952, she could not find work at a law firm because she was a woman. She became an Arizona state senator(参议员) and, in 1981, the first woman to join the U.S. Supreme Court. O’Connor gave the deciding vote in many important cases during her 24 years on the top court.

Rosa Parks(1913-2005)

On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks would not give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. Her simple act landed Parks in prison. But it also set off the Montgomery bus boycott.It lasted for more than a year, and kicked off the civil-rights movement. “The only tired I was,was tired of giving in,”said Parks.

1. What is Jane Addams famous for in history?

A．Her social work.	B．Her teaching skills.
C．Her efforts to win a prize.	D．Her community background.

2. What was the reason for O’Connor’s being refused by the law firm?

A．Her lack of proper training in law.	B．The discrimination against women.
C．Her little work experience in court.	D．The poor financial conditions.

3. Who made a great contribution to the civil-rights movement in the U.S.?

A．Jane Addams.	B．Rachel Carson.
C．Sandra Day O’Connor.	D．Rosa Parks.