1 . When I was 12 years old, I already knew that my teen years were going to be the worst years of my life. I was a total outsider, bullied(欺凌) at school. I felt completely alone in my small town.
But by starting to do volunteer work when I was 14, I turned my problem into a passion for helping others. The opportunity to practice kindness made me feel like my life had a greater purpose. The more positive energy I shared, the more kindness and appreciation I received. I realized that my purpose in life would be to reach out to people, specifically teenagers, and help them feel less alone.
Books were my true friends back then. I was so thankful that the authors who wrote those books. The kindness that they offered me with their books saved my life. One of my biggest dreams was to become an author, so I could write books that would help other teenagers the way those books helped me.
After surviving terrible experiences at school and at home, I made a choice to take the optimistic, positive road in the next steps of my journey. My dream career, one I thought was only possible for the authors I loved, is what I am doing now. I have been a full-time author of teen novels since 2007 and am grateful for this amazing opportunity to reach out to readers every single day.
Kindness saved me when I needed help the most. Even small acts of kindness can change someone’s life. You never know what someone else is going through. But by practicing daily kindness, you become an architect of positive change.
1. How did the volunteer work benefit the author?| A．It made him popular in his town |
| B．It helped to develop his interest. |
| C．It helped him understand others’ lives better. |
| D．It helped him find the meaning of life. |
| A．He was inspired by his teacher. |
| B．He could pass positive energy to readers. |
| C．He wanted to share his school experiences. |
| D．He found he had a talent for writing. |
| A．Say ‘no’ to bullies bravely. |
| B．Make positive changes in their lives. |
| C．Treat others with kindness in daily life. |
| D．Learn to care more about others’ feelings. |
2 . Every time Oksana Chusovitina competes in a gymnastics event, she catches the audience’s attention. The Hangzhou Asian Games proved no exception. When the 48-year-old Uzbek gymnast took part in the event on Monday, thousands of audiences cheered for “Qiu Ma”, which translates to “Mother Chusovitina”.
“I’m touched by Chusovitina’s story. She tried to save her son and just never gave up. She is beautiful both as an athlete and as a mother,” said Zhang Anqi, a Hangzhou local who attended the event.
After completing her competition, Chusovitina blew a kiss to the audience and formed a “heart” shape with her hands. “It is the love and support of the people that keep me going and give me the strength to achieve more,” Chusovitina said. “I am not very satisfied with my performance tonight. Actually, I was a little over-excited. I will increase the difficulty in the final,” she added.
Chusovitina has a storied history at the Asian Games, having won eight medals, including two golds in 2002. Her Olympic journey began in 1992, representing the former Soviet Union. She later stood for Uzbekistan. When Chusovitina’s son got a serious illness in 2002, she chose to take German citizenship (国籍) to compete at global events for a higher income and better medical treatment. She took her Uzbek citizenship in 2013 again.
Her heartfelt feeling, “I dare not grow old until you are well,” has moved many. After her son’s recovery, Chusovitina continued her gymnastics journey simply out of love for the sport. Though she announced her retirement after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, she decided to return shortly after. “The biggest power is my desire. I want to perform. I love gymnastics, and it brings me great joy. I’m just doing what I love, so why should I stop?” Chusovitina said.
1. What made Chusovitina a beautiful mother?| A．Her attractive personality. |
| B．Her determination to save her son. |
| C．Her being a good example to her son. |
| D．Her ability to balance work and family. |
| A．Her love for gymnastics. |
| B．Her strong desire to win. |
| C．Her joy of her son’s recovery. |
| D．Her eagerness for higher income. |
| A．Deep Love for Gymnastics |
| B．A Great Athlete and Mother |
| C．Chusovitina’s Return to Gymnastics |
| D．A Touching Story of Mother and Son |
3 . The Best Activities in Melbourne
It’s time to start planning how you’ll keep entertained. We’ve put together four family-friendly activities for you.
Visit Melbourne Royal ShowSome visit the show for the thrilling rides, the others feel amazed at award-winning cakes, the cutest baby animals…or maybe you’re all just united in a love of sugar-filled show bags. This year’s Melbourne Royal Show is set to be bigger and better than ever, running for 11 days, with all the fantastic attractions that we know and love.
Meet Magical Dragons at Kryal CastleIf your family has a love for the fantastical, you can get up close to mysterious dragons at Kryal Castle. There will be a wide rage of activities themed around the famous creatures, including an exciting dragon egg trip and dragon soldier training. You’ll come face to face with dragons, and catch the thrilling Dragon Cup Tournament, where noble soldiers and brave knights battle for the Dragon Cup.
Get Inspiration from First Nations ArtistsThe activity is inviting kids to express their creativity at the immersive (沉浸式虚拟现实的) art experience. The organizer will have little kids use their personal creativity to create their own artworks that can be taken home, surrounded by the world of art and culture as inspiration. There will also be free gifts and interactive art plays. It’s suitable for age 5 to 12.
Let Loose at the Museum of Play and Art(MoPA)MoPA is a kids’ museum, a place where kids can engage with fun exhibits. The exhibits at MoPA are designed for kids aged 1 to 9. Kids can practice their fine motor skills, build and race in the Zoom Room, climb up to Sunset City for a sweet view of the museum and get creative at the MoPA Art Car.
1. How is this year’s Melbourne Royal Show different from before?| A．It offers live music. | B．It has thrilling rides. |
| C．It is larger than before. | D．It has award-winning cakes. |
| A．It offers free gifts to kids. | B．It is mainly about the culture. |
| C．It’s the most suitable for kids. | D．It lets kids get writing inspiration. |
| A．Magical Dragons at Kryal Castle. | B．Melbourne Royal Show. |
| C．First Nations Artists. | D．The Museum of Play and Art. |
4 . With video meetings, taking selfies (自拍) and posting on social media, it’s easier to see one’s own image online. And for some people, this can lead to feelings of appearance dissatisfaction. In the past few years, screen time has increased for both adults and children. What’s worse, recent research suggests that the video and photo images we see of ourselves are distorted (扭曲的).
One study found that those who spent more time comparing their appearance during a video call experienced lower appearance satisfaction. This study also found that people who used more photo-editing features in video chat were more likely to compare themselves with others and spend more time looking at themselves on video calls.
A 2023 study found that discomfort with one’s appearance during video meetings led to an increased attention to appearance, which in turn led to poor work performance. Researchers also suggest that appearance dissatisfaction is connected with boredom in online meetings. The research reports that this could be due to negative attention to oneself and worry about being looked at or being negatively treated based on appearance.
If you find yourself criticizing (批评) your appearance every time in a video call, it may be time to be intentional about paying more attention to what other people are saying instead of looking at your own face.
When it comes to helping others who have difficulty with appearance dissatisfaction, it is important to care more about the person’s qualities beyond appearance. When viewing yourself or your partners on video and social media, try viewing the person as a whole and not as parts of a body.
Reducing screen time can make a difference as well. Research shows that reducing social media use by 50% can improve appearance satisfaction in both teens and adults. When used in a right way, video chatting and social media are tools to connect us with others, which finally is a key piece in satisfaction and well-being.
1. Who is more likely to suffer from appearance dissatisfaction?| A．Children who like taking selfies. |
| B．Adults who often attend video meetings. |
| C．Teenagers who enjoy posting on social media. |
| D．People who always compare appearance in video chatting. |
| A．Less focus on one’s own image. |
| B．Harmful effects on work performance. |
| C．Anger about being looked at by others. |
| D．Boredom of looking at one’s own face. |
| A．By taking their words seriously. | B．By caring much about their faces. |
| C．By viewing them as parts of a body. | D．By placing importance on their qualities. |
| A．Unconcerned. | B．Positive. | C．Balanced. | D．Worried |
5 . Many youngsters in China enjoy gathering a couple of good friends and taking a relaxing walk through the streets, which is a popular form of visiting a new city, that is, Citywalk. They can follow a special urban route (路线), exploring old building, drinking a cup of coffee, or eating local snacks. It can be a special guided trip for a small group of people, or simply a relaxing walk for one or two to explore new areas, sticking to the key point: avoiding famous tourist attractions and big crowds to get a more interesting experience of the places you visit.
In China, the Citywalk trend (趋势) is spreading from big cities like Beijing and Shanghai to other cities, encouraging more people to take part. Xiao Yiyi is a young visitor from Changsha exploring new possibilities while traveling. Recently she tried six Citywalk routes to walk in different cities and posted them on her social media account, with the aim of sharing experiences to “walk in open-air museums”.
Citywalk not only offers a way for young people to interact with a city but also provides an opportunity for people who share the same interests and ideas to easily make friends. Xiao Yiyi said her group usually includes a few or so people and her trips last around half a day.
Even though Citywalk is a new trend, industry insiders say that its future possibility is huge. It is offering a beneficial change to travelers as they can better choose the experiences that suit their interests and needs. At the same time, Citywalk gives an opportunity for tour guides and travel service providers to offer a more professional service to meet ever-changing market needs.
1. What does paragraph 1 mainly tell us about Citywalk?| A．What it is. | B．Why it is popular. |
| C．Who take part in it. | D．What routes are popular. |
| A．It offers many routes to choose from. |
| B．It enables travelers to socialize with others. |
| C．It attracts people to famous tourist attractions. |
| D．It allows people to spend more time on travel. |
| A．To introduce a new travel trend. |
| B．To encourage readers to organize a trip. |
| C．To point out the importance of Citywalk. |
| D．To explain why Citywalk becomes popular. |
6 . Do you want to up skill your autumn? From mastering the science of happiness to cooking, these free online courses will teach you some life skills in the cold, dark months.
Cook with bacteria
Everyone’s talking about gut bacteria (肠道细菌), which help digestion. In this free 14-week course from Harvard University, you’ll learn how to cook the foods that make them pop (出现). In this course, you’ll be guided through making bread, soy source, pickles and more. Organized by Harvard-founded Edx. org, you can sign up at any time and work at your own pace.
Become a global citizen
Our world faces great challenges-how can we act as citizens to create a better society for all? Find out how to make a difference to the world on this Bristol University course. It’s created by Future learn, which offers online courses from top universities. On the free plan you’ll need to complete the course in four weeks.
Master the science of happiness
What is happiness? How do we achieve it? The science of happiness is an eight-week course from the University of California, taught by top researchers in the field. Students learn how to apply the most up-to-date research to their own lives. It’s no surprise that it’s one of the most
Play your first chords (和弦)
Every future Jimi Hendrix has to start somewhere. In this six-week online course, pro guitarist Michael Palmisano takes you through the first steps on the road to leading campfire sing-alongs. The course has been taken by 62.000 students already on Udemy. com.
1. Which course is suitable for a healthy food lover?| A．Cook with bacteria | B．Become a global citizen |
| C．Master the science of happiness | D．Play your first chords |
| A．The courses last at least two months. |
| B．The courses provide hands-on practice for learners. |
| C．The courses are taught by professors from top universities. |
| D．The courses are free of charge. |
| A．Body and Mind. | B．Sports & Fitness. |
| C．History & Art. | D．Society & Culture. |
7 . Chinese netizens recently expressed amazement at a map filled with thickly dotted (以点标出) signs clearly marking the country’s historic sites and cultural relics (文物). The map was made by Wu Yunjie, who was born in the 1990s. CCTV News reported.
Wu is passionate about cultural relics and has a deep interest in history. When he was in college, he would often make use of his spare time to travel around the country, exploring and documenting (记录) ancient sites.
In 2020, he started collecting information on cultural relic protection units and uploaded the data to the mapping software. As some of the information is not fully shown and many historical sites in rural areas cannot be located specifically, Wu spent a lot of time on research and carrying out on-site visits. Though faced with many difficulties, Wu has joy in “this job”. “China’s thousands of years of civilization has left us with a vast and rich historical heritage (遗产),” he said.
The map is popular online, and a netizen posted, “I actually found the ancient tower around my house on the map!” However, in Wu’s eyes, the map is not perfect, as it recorded less than two percent of the over 760,000 immovable cultural relics in the country’s third national survey of cultural relics. It is also a pity that the map cannot be shared as an online map yet due to technical limitations. But Wu has been working on improving it. “If possible, I’d also like to document the cultural relics that have been lost overseas. Those treasures may not be able to return to their homeland for the time being, but the stories that they carry are what we need to see.”
1. What was Wu’s contribution according to the CCTV News report?| A．He designed a new mapping software for tourists. |
| B．He explored ancient sites around the country. |
| C．He recorded the country’s historical heritage on the map. |
| D．He shared information about relic protection online. |
| A．Disappointing and regrettable. | B．Successful and productive. |
| C．Challenging but worthwhile. | D．Exciting but tiring. |
| A．Some lost historical treasures are not included in the map. |
| B．Wu is going to write stories about lost cultural relics overseas. |
| C．The map will be put into use online in the near future. |
| D．All the ancient towers can be found on the map. |
| A．Lost Cultural Treasures Overseas returned home |
| B．Man Makes Map of Historical and Cultural Relics |
| C．Wu Yunjie, a History Lover Promoting Chinese Culture |
| D．A Popular Mapping Software became a hit abroad |
8 . Imagine the feeling of swinging at a baseball going 100 miles per hour-without leaving your living room, or being in race car as it roars down the track, while you are sitting on the couch.
These are just some of the ways that sports business leaders say virtual reality (VR) will revolutionize how people train for and experience sports. Virtual and augmented (增强的) realities are together known as mixed reality (MR). “American footballers are already using VR to better train their minds and read the field,” Ludden said. “This can allow players to perfect their skills without risking injury.”
Canadian company D-BOX Technologies designs and produces moving seats found in cinema and theme parks. It is now moving into sports, and shows its Formula One (F1) racing simulator (模拟器). The seats stimulate the force of gravity, speed and every shaking as F1 champion Lewis Hamilton zips around city streets.
A simulation seat uses pre-programed data now. Someday, though, it could use real-time information sent by the car. “They could broadcast live content through a network in pop-up theaters around the world,” Ludden said. Say you want to experience the true stress of a batter being up against major-league baseball pitcher. “You can have a heart beat added to the sensation on the seat and then you can feel it, boom, boom,” Maheu explained. “When he swings and hits the ball, you can have an impact.”
One day, fans around the world could physically experience every game from their favorite player in real time. Ludden said that current and near-future technology could create “augmented stadiums” for live audiences. Panasonic launched its “Smart Venue” plans which included the overlaying of graphics, advertisements, player statistics and replays on the field of play at a pro football game. “If you are seated in the cheap seats, you can see this really useful.” Fans may someday join in stadium wide games, using the field as a virtual gaming platform,” Ludden added.
1. What does the underlined phrase “read the field” in paragraph 2 mean?| A．Get off the playing field. | B．Judge the situation on the field. |
| C．Build up a football court. | D．Ask players to play on the spot. |
| A．Enjoy live content in any theater. |
| B．Program the simulation seats in advance. |
| C．Experience the real time game with the player. |
| D．Control the force and speed of the baseball. |
| A．The origin of VR. | B．The expectations of audiences. |
| C．An advertisement platform. | D．A future stadium. |
9 . Jane Addams was born in 1860 in the small town of Cedarville, Illinois. Addams graduated in 1881 from the Rockford Female Seminary. That same year, her father died. Feeling sad for his death and troubled by her own health problems, she spent the next six years seeking a direction for her life.
During an 1887 visit to London with her lifelong friend Ellen Starr, Addams came upon the Whitechapel District’s Toynbee Hall, where activists worked to improve life in that poor area. What she saw there inspired her.
In 1889, she and Miss Starr rented a large, empty home in a working-class immigrant district of Chicago. They called it Hull House. There were kindergarten classes for the young, supervised social activities for older children and college -level courses for adults in the evenings, along with various clubs for all ages and housing for single working women.
In the wake of Jane’s success, her influence and activism expanded. She worked to improve the education system and in 1909 became the first woman president of system and in 1909 became the first woman president of the National Conference of Charities and Corrections. She also fought for labor reform and workers rights, sponsored research into the causes of poverty and crime, and pressed for health and housing regulation. In 1910, she was the first woman to receive an honorary degree from Yale University. During that same year, she became president of the National Conference of Social Work-another first for a woman.
She supported the interests of African Americans, women, and immigrants and campaigned for their being treated equally and getting more chances both nationally and internationally. In 1931, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She died of cancer in 1935, and her funeral was held in Hull House’s courtyard.
1. Why did Addams spend six years looking for a direction for her life?| A．She lost her way. | B．She suffered from mental and physical problem. |
| C．She wanted to get help from the friends. | D．She was too clever to ensure her life. |
| A．In London. | B．In Africa. | C．In Chicago. | D．In Yale University. |
| A．She was a graduate from the Rockford Female Seminary. |
| B．She had great influence on education system. |
| C．She set up the famous Hull House. |
| D．She helped people in need and fought for their equal rights. |
| A．75 years. | B．65 years. | C．55 years. | D．70 years. |
10 . Parents have a new tool in the battle over screen time, with an Australian app asking kids to solve one math or English problem before they can unlock their phones.
Sydney entrepreneurs Issac and Ann Elnekave turned their bright idea into an app called 1 Question and tried it on their 16-year-old daughter Alyssa.
“At first I wasn’t sure about it,” Alyssa said. “I didn’t want my friends to blame me if their parents made them get it. But once I started using it, I realized it doesn’t take that long to answer a question and it’s actually pretty cool.”
“Research has shown almost half of children aged between 6 and 16 either have a mobile phone or have access to one. The majority play games or use apps like YouTube for an average of about five hours a day. The 1 Question app creates micro learning moments,” Mrs. Elnekave said. “We created a solution that makes a balance between screen time and study.”
Parents can download the $2.99 a month app onto their child’s phone, select their grade and curriculum subjects, then monitor each time their child correctly answers a question to open a game or app such as YouTube.
“We designed the user experience to be really simple, but underneath the hood is our incredibly intelligent AI engine,” Mr. Elnekave said. “As your child learns, so does the AI, which works out each child’s areas of strength and weakness and creates a customized path for their learning.”
The app has a base of 12,000 questions developed by teachers using the Australian, British and American curriculums designed for primary school children.
1. What do we know about the 1 Question app?| A．It is free of charge. |
| B．It contains questions suitable for high school students. |
| C．Children need to answer more than one question correctly to unlock their phones. |
| D．It serves to help children learn something useful during their screen time. |
| A．The popularity of mobile phones. |
| B．The influence of phone games on children. |
| C．The function and significance of the 1 Question app. |
| D．The way to install the l Question app. |
| A．Entertainment. | B．Science. | C．Finance. | D．Health. |
