1 . In the early part of his life, Seiichi Sano was a busy business owner. Later in life, he took on other difficult activities. At the age of 80, he climbed Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain. Soon after, he started surfing.

Sano turned 90 this year. After being recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest male to surf, he’s considering trying other activities. “Maybe I’ll try bouldering,” he said, suggesting he might do it first in a gym. “Outside it might be a bit dangerous.”

But maybe he will just stick with what he knows. “I think it would be interesting to surf until I’m 100,” Sano said. “I think I can take better care of myself when I have goals like this. Even now, I take better care of myself than I did before.”

Sano said he got the idea to try surfing from a worker at his local bank. The man’s skin was always dark but healthy. He did not look like a usual banker. His secret, he said, was surfing. So Sano found a teacher.

“I don’t consider myself an old man,” he said in his wet suit, board standing next to him. “I have never thought of myself as an old persona. I always feel that I can still move forward. I can still do it. I can still enjoy it.”

Sano joined hundreds of other surfers recently at Enoshima. All the surfers were younger, of course. Several young students who also worked with Sano’s surf teacher, 46-year-old Kazuto Shimizu, talked about Sano.

“To be honest, I was surprised by his age,” said Shimizu. “I was most worried that he would get injured. I did not know how fit he was, physically.”

Sano still runs a business that supplies wood to building companies. He works 9-to-5 at the job. Surfing reduces tension for him.

1. What made Sano get a Guinness World Record for surfing?

A．His age.

B．His wonderful skill.

C．His fast speed.

D．His competition result.

2. What is the reason for Sano’s beginning surfing?

A．The idea of enriching his life.	B．The decision to improve his health.
C．His dream of becoming world-famous.	D．The unusual appearance of a bank worker.

3. Which of the following can best describe Sano?

A．Creative.

B．Adventurous.

C．Careful.

D．Generous.

4. What do we know about Shimizu?

A．He has difficulty training Sano.	B．He prefers to teach young people.
C．He was concerned about Sano’s health.	D．He praised Sano for his love for work.

2 . The best literary festivals 2023 across the UK to book now

Kite Festival

9-11 June

New last year, this literary festival held in the grounds of spectacular stately home Kirtlington Park in Oxfordshire is the first of its kind, combining music and breakthrough ideas to create a unique programme featuring live performances and interactive discussions. Over the Kite Festival weekend, you’ll find award-winning authors sharing their insights on crafting stories and electronic pop legends headlining on the Saturday night.

Primadonna

28-30 July

Held at the Museum of East Anglian Life in Suffolk, Primadonna prides itself on creating a space for works by women and those whose voices might not otherwise be heard. There are insightful workshops covering everything, including sessions on how to get your foot in the door of the publishing world. The family-friendly event also has plenty to keep kids occupied, from craft activities to entertaining talks from big-name writers.

Queen’s Park Book Festival

2-3 September

Queen’s Park Book Festival is the only one in the capital to be held in a public park, making it a low-key affair that feels more like a garden party than a full-blown festival. Alongside writers’ discussions on their latest works, you’ll find performance poetry events hosted by hip-hop verse maestro Poetcurious and nightly parties once the sun sets.

Henley Literary Festival

30 September-8 October

Henley is home to an impressive literary festival, which takes places over a week in October at various venues throughout the town, including the grand riverside private members’ club Phyllis Court and the historic town hall. Alongside main events featuring famous writers, there’s also a hugely popular children’s festival, where little bookworms get the chance to come face-to-face with their favourite authors.

1. Which festival promotes less-read writers?

A．Kite Festival.	B．Primadonna.
C．Queen’s Park Book Festival.	D．Henley Literary Festival.

2. Where can visitors enjoy performances?

A．Kite Festival & Primadonna.

B．Primadonna & Henley Literary Festival.

C．Kite Festival & Queen’s Park Book Festival.

D．Queen’s Park Book Festival & Henley Literary Festival.

3. What is the main purpose of the passage?

A．To introduce a special book festival.

B．To promote local activities for families.

C．To inform readers of some literary events.

D．To provide introductions about famous authors.

3 . Some experts have been concerned lately about robots leaving humans behind, taking our jobs and possibly a lot more, as in sci-fi films. Christ of Koch, a famous neuroscientist (神经学家), has suggested a novel method. To keep up with the machines, we should increase our brainpower with brain implants (植入物).

Koch notes that brain implants are already helping the paralyzed or people unable to move control computers and robots, and they are being explored for the treatment of mental disorders. Future implants could help us download huge amounts of information instantly, he says, so we can learn “novel skills and facts without even trying”. “Another exciting aspect,” Koch says, “is combining two or more brains into a single conscious mind by direct neuron-to-neuron links.” Koch calls for a “crash program” in brain technologies to make us smarter.

But Koch ignores the obvious facts that bad persons can hack (侵入) into our smartphones and laptops. What if hackers could attack our brains? They may be able to spy on, change or control the memories of people implanted with brain devices. What’s more, we are nowhere close to being able to strengthen the brain in the manner that Koch imagines. Scientists have been experimenting with neuro-technologies for mental illness for more than half a century, and they have little to show for it.

Koch genuinely feared that science, far from addressing our problems, might exacerbate them. The use of robots in the workshop, for example, could cause mass unemployment. Do we just count the immediate job losses—without measuring any other potential positive effect on the economy? Despite losing some jobs to robots in the short term, the increase in productivity will help our overall economy grow faster, which, in turn, will create more, higher quality jobs than we had before.

The future is not as scary as we think. Perhaps we’ve got serious problems on our hands, and we have a lot of work to do to settle them. Brain implants are not the answer.

1. What leads to Koch’s optimism about future brain implants?

A．The great advance in AI research.

B．Their application in medical fields.

C．The breakthrough in surgical techniques.

D．Their easy adaptation to the human body.

2. How does the author feel about Koch’s “crash program” in brain technologies?

A．Disapproving.

B．Unconcerned.

C．Favorable.

D．Excited.

3. What does the underlined word “exacerbate” in paragraph 4 mean?

A．Avoid.

B．Worsen.

C．Reduce.

D．Answer.

4. What’s the best title for the text?

A．Are Brain Implants at Risk of Hacker Attack?

B．Will Robots Take the Place of Humans in Future?

C．Will Brain Implants Let the Disabled Live Normally?

D．Do We Need Brain Implants to Keep Up with Robots?

4 . Taylor Swift, US singer-songwriter known for hits such as Shake It Off and You Belong With Me, has earned a new praise-she now has a new species of millipede (千足虫) named in her honor.

The millipede Nannaria swiftae joins 16 other new species described from the Appalachian Mountains of the United States. They have a valuable role, for they break down leaf litter and release their nutrients into the ecosystem. They live on the forest floor, where they feed on rotten leaves and other plant matter, and in fact, they are somewhat tricky to catch, because they tend to remain buried in the soil, sometimes staying completely beneath the surface.

Because of their presence in museum collections, scientists long suspected that the millipedes included many new species, but these specimens (标本) went undescribed for decades. To fix this, the researchers began a multi-year project to collect new specimens throughout the eastern US. They traveled to 17 US states, checking under leaf litter, rocks, and logs to find species so that they could sequence (测定序列) their DNA and scientifically describe them.

Looking at over 1, 800 specimens collected on their field study or taken from university and museum collections, the authors described 17 new species, including Nannaria marianae, which was named after Hennen’s wife. They discovered that the millipedes prefer to live in forested habitats near streams and are often found buried under the soil, exhibiting more mysterious behaviors than their relatives.

The lead author of the study, Derek Hennen, a fan of Taylor Swift says, “Her music helped me get through the highs and lows of graduate school, so naming a new millipede species after her is my way of saying thanks.”

1. Why is it tough to seize the millipede?

A．It’s flexible.

B．It hides well.

C．It feeds on leaves.

D．It looks like litter.

2. What is the author’s purpose in writing the third paragraph?

A．To show scientists’ tough work.	B．To blame researchers’ carelessness.
C．To illustrate millipedes’ importance.	D．To emphasize invention in scientific studies.

3. In which aspect does the millipede differ from its relatives?

A．Habitat.

B．Diet.

C．Nutrition.

D．Mystery.

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

A．Taylor Swift Is a Famous Singer-Songwriter.	B．Scientists Conduct Research on the Millipede.
C．Research on the Millipede Amazed Scientists.	D．Millipede Species Named after Taylor Swift.

5 . On a tram smoothly pulling into the heart of Luxembourg City, Marck gives a smile and takes a look at the fabric of the seat next to him. For him, the city’s trams are more than just transport. More even than the focus of his job. They are about transforming his country and, perhaps, changing the world.

Marck is the director general of Luxtram, Luxembourg’s modern trams. It first started running services two years ago. Next year, Luxembourg will become the world’s only country to get rid of fares on all its forms of public transport. Luxembourg’s traffic problems come from its army of workers. The population of the capital city almost doubles during the working day, when more than 110,000 people travel in and out.

After three decades when its roads have become so crowded, Luxembourg is going to do something remarkable. Free fares, and a plan to persuade people to switch from cars to trams or trains. Marck, along with many others, is excited to see what happens next. “The fact that this is free means that everyone can use it — young or old, rich or poor,” he said. “Everyone can say to themselves it’s better to leave the car at home. We must continue to improve and extend the network. It must always be comfortable, well-connected, efficient.”

Lydie Polfer, the city’s mayor, says she hopes to reach the point where more than a third of people come into the city using public transport — at the moment, it’s less than one in five. She said, “It’s not practical to ban cars because some people, like the elderly, need them. But everyone has to be aware that he or she can do something to improve the situation. There is an expression in German — you are not in the traffic jam — you are the traffic jam, and that is true. I think that making it free will be the biggest arguments for people to use public transport. ”

1. Why does Marck think the city’s trams are more than just transport?

A．The trams are his goal that he strives for.

B．There are more means of transportation than trams.

C．City’s trams bring more changes beyond transport.

D．The trams are the heart of Luxembourg City transport system.

2. What does paragraph 2 mainly talk about?

A．The cause of the traffic problems.	B．The means of public transport.
C．The development of running services.	D．The increase of working population.

3. What concerns people most when using the public transport?

A．The convenience.

B．The fare.

C．The comfort.

D．The efficiency.

4. What can be inferred from what Lydie Polfer said?

A．The elderly needn’t use public transport.

B．It’s possible to persuade most people to use the trams.

C．Everyone can do his part to improve transport situation.

D．Those who don’t take public transport cause traffic jams.

7 . Best places to see wildlife in Canada

Whether you’re keen to see the mysterious spirit bears or listen to the songs of beluga whales, Canada’s varied landform offers dozens of wildlife adventures that are bound to impress you. So grab your camera and set out for a few of the best places to see Canada’s incredible wildlife.

Search for the mysterious spirit bears in the Great Bear Rainforest,British Columbia

Spirit bears are one of the most special animals found in Canada.They are a rare species protected by Canada and can only be found in the Great Bear Rainforest. which is a remote protected area mainly accessible by boat.

Listen to beluga whales sing in Churchill,Manitoba

About 136,000 beluga whales can be found here in Canadian waters in the summer.They are white in color and are nicknamed the“canaries(金丝雀)of the sea”thanks to the sounds they make, which are used to navigate.

Spot a moose (麇鹿) or two at Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario

The moose are one of the most-loved species in Canada,but are surprisingly difficult to find in the wild. If you have your heart set on seeing a moose or two,head to Algonquin provincial Park in Ontario, where you might catch sight of them at dusk or dawn, especially in the spring.

Witness the monarch butterfly migration at Point Pelee National Park,Ontario

Every year thousands of monarch butterflies migrate from Canada to Mexico,where the spend the winter. One of the main points of this migration route is Point Pelee National Park in Ontario. Head there just before sunset or early in the morning for the best views

1. Which species is unique to Canada?

A．Spirit bears.	B．Beluga whales.
C．Moose.	D．Monarch butterflies.

2. What time is it most probably to spot a moose?

A．At dusk in the winter.

B．At dawn in the spring.

C．At midday in the autumn.

D．After sunset in the summer.

3. If you’re an insect lover, which attracts you best?

A．Churchill, Manitoba,

B．Algonquin Provincial Park,Ontario.

C．Point Pelee National Park,Ontario.

D．The Great Bear Rainforest,British Columbia.

9 . If you’re a parent, you’re well aware of just how many challenges virtual schooling presents. It’s incredibly stressful to get your kids to pay attention in their “classrooms”. Well, now there’s another thing you need to worry about: hackers. As more school districts rely on remote learning, they’re increasingly becoming targets for cybercriminals.

Believe it or not, your email address is actually a hacker’s primary method of attaining your families’ personal information. That’s why you need to be on the lookout for phishing emails. These emails appear to be from a legal company you’re familiar with—like your bank, credit card company, an online store, or, yes, a school—but are actually from a hacker.

However, there are a few tricks to decode if an email is fake or not. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), these emails often “tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment.” If you receive an email asking you to update your account, change your password, or make a payment, do a little digging first and contact the company directly to ensure that it is indeed legal.

There are indeed some alarming things a hacker can do when they steal your children’s information. According to FTC, “a child’s Social Security number can be used by identity thieves to apply for government benefits, open bank and credit card accounts or apply for a loan, which may go unnoticed for years—usually until they’re adults and attempt to open a credit card.” To make matters worse, a criminal doesn’t even need the child’s complete information to cook up a new identity. “Known as ‘synthetic identity theft’, the thief grabs a Social Security number and combines it with a fake name, address, phone number, and more,” explains the Identity Theft Resource Center, “That makes it a little harder for victims and law enforcement to notice the problem in the first place or take action after the fact.”

1. Why do we need to watch out for phishing emails?

A．They make our emails too crowded to operate.

B．They are from a legal organization that is familiar to you.

C．It is impossible to tell whether an email is authentic or not.

D．It may be quite easy for hackers to steal personal information.

2. Which method is effective to distinguish a phishing email from a legal one?

A．To put it into the trash with little digging.

B．To click on the link and open the attached files.

C．To update your account and change the password.

D．To check its validity with the sender of the email.

3. What does the last paragraph mainly talk about?

A．The definition of “synthetic identify theft”.

B．The approaches to protecting children’s information.

C．The consequences of children’s information being stolen.

D．The suggestions on preventing children from internet addiction.

4. What can be the best title of the passage?

A．Email hack: a disastrous threat

B．Email hack: an unavoidable issue

C．School hack: an unnoticeable but terrible threat

D．School hack: an invisible hand affecting children’s study

10 . HANDSTITCHED WORLDS: THE CARTOGRAPHY OF QUILTS

Quilts (床罩) are a narrative art; with themes that are political, spiritual, communal, or commemorative, they are infused with history and memory, mapping out intimate stories and legacies through a handcrafted language of design. Handstitched Worlds: The Cartography of Quilts is an invitation to read quilts as maps, tracing the paths of individual histories that illuminate larger historic events and cultural trends.

Spanning the nineteenth to twenty-first centuries, this insightful and engaging exhibition brings together 18 quilts from the collection of the American Folk Art Museum, New York, representing a range of materials, motifs, and techniques from traditional early-American quilts to more contemporary sculptural assemblages. The quilts in Handstitched Worlds show us how this too-often overlooked medium balances creativity with tradition, individuality with collective zeitgeist. Like a road map, these unique works offer a path to a deeper understanding of the American cultural fabric.

Number of Works:18 quilts

Organized by: American Folk Art Museum, New York

Approximate size:175-200 linear feet

Security: Moderate security

Participation Fee: Please inquire

Shipping: IA&A makes all arrangements; exhibitors pay outgoing shipping costs within the contiguous U.S.

Booking Period:12 weeks

Tour: June 2021—August2024

Contact: TravelingExhibitions@ArtsandArtists.org

Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI

June 12, 2021—August 29, 2021

Washington State Historical Society, Tacoma, WA

September 17, 2021—January 23, 2022

Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Salt Lake City, UT

February 19, 2022—May 14, 2022

Fort Wayne Muesum of Art, Fort Wayne, IN

June 18, 2022—September 11, 2022

AVAILABLE

October 2022—January 2023

Dane G. Hansen Memorial Museum, Logan, KS

February 17,2023—May 14, 2023

AVAILABLE

June 2023—December 2023

Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, Laurel, MS

January 30, 2024—April 21, 2024

AVAILABLE

May 2024—August 2024

All tour dates can be customized to meet your scheduling needs. Please contact Traveling Exhibitions @ Artsand Artists.org for more information.

1. What is the purpose of the exhibition of Handstitched Worlds: The Cartography of Quilts?

A．To promote creativity and individuality thorough the engaging exhibition.

B．To provide an opportunity for visitors to learn to make quilts stitch by stitch.

C．To give visitors an insight into the history and culture of America in specific periods.

D．To enrich the understanding of the American culture by a tour visit to museums across America.

2. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the article?

A．The exhibition is free both for the exhibitors and for the visitors.

B．Exhibitors that are interested can choose whatever dates they want.

C．The artistic and historic value of handstitched quilts used to be neglected.

D．Exhibitors that are interested can book the exhibition 12 weeks in advance.

3. The article is written to _________.

A．exhibitors

B．visitors

C．artists

D．historians