1 . Due to the heavy academic pressure and safety issues, our children’s movements are limited by a lack of extra-curricular activities, which usually ensure that they meet the daily recommended level of physical activity.
For those children attending a high school, my own included, the morning and afternoon walk could be the only chance that they get to spend time outside. This is a golden opportunity to add sports into their day, without taking part in group sports or going to a closed indoor gym(健身房).
For walking to school, there are also many other benefits, such as improving school performance, reducing anxiety, improving spirits, better sleep, a sense of independence,opportunities to meet friends or think alone, paying attention to small details and being amazed by the surrounding environment.
However, parents still have fears. Parents fear cars, injury, extreme weather and even wild animals. These fears, many of which are almost impossible to happen, prevent parents from allowing their children to do something that’s actually beneficial to them. “Removing an opportunity to be active leads to an increase in childhood obesity(肥胖), which can have a greater negative impact on a child’s life than the risk of being injured due to being active,” saidDr. Mariana Brussoni, a professor who researches children’s outdoor and risky play.
When it comes to changing the culture around parents driving children to school, much work still needs to be done. Therefore, parents should try to let go slowly and give up the idea that driving their children to school is convenient. Brussoni said, “We hope to shift parents from focusing on protecting their children to trusting their independent abilities.Schools can also play a role in encouraging children to walk to school.”
1. Who is the text most probably written to?| A．Professors. | B．Parents. | C．Teachers. | D．Grandparents. |
| A．Children’s school performance. | B．Children’s physical health. |
| C．Children’s men tal health. | D．Children’s safety. |
| A．Unclear. | B．Unconcerned. | C．Doubtful. | D．Negative. |
| A．Walking to school is beneficial to students. |
| B．Children prefer to go to school on foot. |
| C．Parents worry about their children ‘s obesity. |
| D．It’s too dangerous for children to walk to school. |
2 . Alexa von Tobel, a successful entrepreneur(企业家), learned an important lesson during her time at Harvard University: Money alone doesn’t bring happiness. Despite achieving financial(财务的) success by selling her startup for millions of dollars, Alexa believes that true happiness comes from things that money can’t buy.
During her undergraduate studies in psychology, Alexa had the opportunity to study at Harvard’s Leadership and Happiness Laboratory, also known as the “Happiness Lab”. This experience gave her a new understanding on what truly brings happiness. She discovered that it’s the simple routines and daily actions that create a sense of community and connection, rather than material wealth.
Alexa’s mindset(思维模式) still influences her work. She believes that finding happiness is more important than just making money. Alexa thinks it’s important to take pride in the process of building a company, rather than only focus ing on the financial outcomes.
She applies this attitude to her personal life as well. Alexa and her husband value celebrating the journey rather than just the end results, even when it comes to raising their kids.
While at Harvard, Alexa was greatly inspired by Tal Ben-Shahar and Shawn Achor, who taught a popular course on “Positive Psychology”. This field emphasizes finding joy and satisfaction by connecting with others, being grateful, and having a positive mindset.
For Alexa, the lessons from her time at Harvard still remind her to focus on whatever brings her joy in her life, rather than obsessing over money or materials. “The daily effort drives happiness, not the outcome,” she says.
1. When did Alexa have a new understanding of happiness?| A．After she graduated from college. |
| B．After she married her husband. |
| C．When she studied at Harvard. |
| D．When she was 30 years old. |
| A．The result isn’t important at all. |
| B．The richer you are, the happier you are. |
| C．The more successful you are, the happier you are. |
| D．The process is more important than the outcome. |
| A．Her psychology teacher. | B．Her literature teacher. |
| C．Her physics teacher. | D．Her PE teacher. |
| A．Referring to. | B．Caring about. |
| C．Getting along with. | D．Taking over. |
3 . There are more than 57 million amputees (截肢者) worldwide and only about 5 percent of them have access to prosthetic (假肢) care and technology. Those who do have access to prosthetics are often burdened with an inconvenient fitting and training process, high price tags of up to $80,000. and long wait times of more than a year.
Despite the cumbersome (繁琐的) user experience present in the current prosthetics industry, there has been little structural change in the market for more than 50 years, expert say. The global prosthetics industry was valued at $6.1 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow to $ 8.6 billion by 2028.
But a small prosthetics company called Unlimited Tomorrow in Rhinebeck, N.Y., is shaking up the situation.
Unlimited Tomorrow was founded in 2014 by robotics genius Easton LaChappelle. When LaChappelle was 14 years old, he created a control glove operated bionic (仿生) hand and entered it into the Colorado State Science Fair. LaChappelle’s project caught the eye of a 7-year-old amputee who was wearing a bionic prosthetic. LaChappelle learned that her prosthetic, which wasn’t much more difficult than the science project he created in his bedroom, cost $80,000. He spent the next few years researching how he could improve the current state of the prosthetics industry. When LaChappelle was 18, with the help of Tony Robbins, author and philanthropist (慈善家), who was interested in investing in LaChappelle’s idea, Unlimited Tomorrow was established.
Unlimited Tomorrow’s star product is called TrueLimb, a super cool 3D printed robotic arm! “Basically, it’s like a robot hand.” says LaChappelle. What’s awesome is that TrueLimb isn’t one-size fits all—each one is made special for each person.
Unlimited Tomorrow sends a special 3D scanner to their customers. People can use it at home to scan their arm. Once they get that scan, the smart engineers at Unlimited Tomorrow make a perfect socket filled with special sensors for the individual amputee. Then, they use a 3D printer to make the personalized TrueLimb. Hundreds of people are already using these amazing TrueLimbs every day!
1. Which is the disadvantage of traditional prosthetics?| A．Low cost. | B．Short life. |
| C．Lack of convenience. | D．Limited color options |
| A．Significantly changing. | B．Narrowly losing. |
| C．Unexpectedly controlling. | D．Confidently improving. |
| A．When Unlimited Tomorrow was set up. |
| B．Who lent a helping hand to LaChappelle. |
| C．How LaChappelle invented a unique prosthetic. |
| D．What inspired LaChappelle to found Unlimited Tomorrow. |
| A．The Strengths and Weaknesses of Traditional Prosthetics |
| B．The comments on the Latest Prosthetic Product TrueLimb |
| C．Unlimited Tomorrow: Benefiting the Disabled with TrueLimb |
| D．A Teenager’s Company: Transforming the Prosthetics Industry |
4 . Like millions of other parents, Emily Hobey drops her son at day care before she heads to work every morning. But what makes her mornings different from other parents’ mornings, is that she gets to leave her one- and half-year old in a day care center run by her employer, Whirlpool.
The day care, called the Eddy, is located at the company’s global headquarters in Benton Harbor, Mich. — a five minute drive away from her office at the company’s North America Headquarters building. “Every day there is a safe environment waiting for him with great teachers.” said Hobey. “And we can really depend on that.”
A small but growing number of workplaces are offering on-site day care for their employees, according to data from network The Best Place for Working Parents, which covers over 600 businesses of varying sizes and services.
The organization has tracked how many businesses within its network offer on site child care since right before the pandemic (疫情). In 2020, the Best Place for Working Parents found that 8.5 percent of those companies offered on-site child care. That number grew to 11.9 percent in 2021. fell slightly to 11.4 percent in 2022 and climbed to 13.9 percent this year, a network spokesperson said.
A 2022 survey from McKinsey & Company found that 45 percent of mothers with children aged 5 or younger who left the workforce during the COVID-19 cited child care as a major reason for their departure. And 24 percent of mothers with children 5 years old or younger said they considered reducing their work hours or switching to part time work because of child care. Only 14 percent of fathers said the same.
Like Whirlpool, many workplaces offer on-site day care to help make their companies more attractive to employees. Research also shows that when companies offer on site child care, workers are happier at their job and are less likely to leave. This has been the case at clothing company Patagonia, which has offered on-site child care since 1983. Hilary Dessouky, general counsel at Patagonia, said that the on-site child care has resulted in almost 100 percent of mother’s returning to work after maternity leave (产假).
1. What makes Emily Hobey’s morning routines unique?| A．She drops her son at day care. |
| B．Her office is very close to her home. |
| C．Her employer provides on site day care. |
| D．She has a well-paid job in Whirlpool. |
| A．By making comparisons. | B．By providing examples. |
| C．By listing data. | D．By analyzing cause and effect. |
| A．Mothers love their children more than fathers. |
| B．Many women became jobless due to the pandemic. |
| C．Whirlpool offers the most attractive on-site day care across the world. |
| D．Lack of child care made many mothers leave work during the pandemic. |
| A．To describe some best child care services. |
| B．To show the positive effects of on site child care. |
| C．To stress the challenges faced by working mothers. |
| D．To compare it with companies without on-site child care. |
5 . Best Places to Visit in the World
Mumbai
Mumbai is a busy city located in India, celebrated for its distinctive culture and history. Notable attractions include Elephant Island and the Mumbai Museum. Additionally, Mumbai is a cooking paradise, offering a variety of local dishes and snacks. Visitors can enjoy a range of delicacies, including curry, Indian flatbreads, and yogurt. Best Time; October to February.
Barcelona
Barcelona is an energetic and lively city located in the northeast of Spain, known for its rich history, culture, and delicious cuisine. It boasts (拥有) world-renowned attractions like the Sagrada Familia and the Gothic Quarter. Additionally, Barcelona is famous for its unique football culture, making it one of Europe’s most beloved football cities. Best Time: May to August.
Mauritius
Mauritius is a beautiful island nation situated in the southwest of the Indian Ocean. It is well-known for its amazing beaches, crystal-clear waters, and diverse marine life. Visitors can enjoy water activities like diving, surfing, and fishing, as well as explore jungles and volcanic landscapes. Mauritius also offers world-class hotels and resorts, providing excellent dining and service. Best Time: March to October.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a dynamic and culturally rich city located in the Netherlands. Known for its historic architecture, museums, and art galleries, Amsterdam boasts famous landmarks like the Rijks museum and the Van Gogh Museum. The city is also diverse, with international communities and unique cultural events. Best Time: July to October.
1. What do Mumbai and Barcelona share?| A．They are both located in Europe. |
| B．They are both famous for football. |
| C．They both offer delicious food. |
| D．They both feature world-class museums. |
| A．Relax on the beaches. C. Experience live concerts. |
| B．Enjoy cultural events. D. Visit art galleries. |
| A．February. | B．March. | C．May. | D．September. |
6 . Famous Modern Chinese Buildings
The Beijing International Airport
The first place most visitors see when they arrive in China is the Beijing International Airport.
The airport was constructed in the 1950s. It has an indoor garden, a children’s playground,and over 70 food businesses in Terminal 3 alone.
The Shanghai World Financial Centre
Completed in 2008, SWFC took over 10 years to complete due to shortages of money and the construction delays. Since its completion, it has won countless architectural awards.
Tourists are welcome at SWFC’ s viewing platform, which is the world’s highest closed viewing platform.
The Water Cube
It was constructed for use during the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics. Now visitors can express surprise at the architecture of the building. They can enjoy the indoor atmosphere as well.
Among the offerings of the Water Cube are a restaurant, a bar, a shopping area, and Water World, a family water park.
The Bird’s Nest
It was designed mainly for the 2008 Summer Olympics. It can hold up to 80,000 people. Nowadays, it also functions as a tourist attraction. It makes money from tourism. It draws more than 20,000 tourists every day.
The National Centre for the Performing Arts
It was completed in 2007. The building is surrounded by a man-made lake, requiring guests to enter through an underground hallway. It is home to an opera hall, a music hall, and a theatre.
1. Why was the construction of Shanghai World Financial Centre delayed?| A．It needed more construction workers. | B．It was short of money. |
| C．It added an extra viewing platform. | D．It faced too much terrible weather. |
| A．By renting the winter theme park. | B．By increasing its opening time. |
| C．By making money from tourism. | D．By giving some live concerts. |
| A．Enjoy sports events. | B．Play on the viewing platform. |
| C．Attend science lectures. | D．Watch different performances. |
7 . A study from the University of Montreal and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, published in Frontiers in Medicine, found that regular virtual visits to museums could help seniors stay mentally active and come with a host of additional health benefits. That’s because these digital connections can make retirees feel less lonely and isolated (孤立的).
Social isolation has been associated with the risks for heart disease and the decline of recognition abilities in seniors and the pandemic (疫情) increased the risks due to the need for seniors to stay home and isolate, according to a press release from the university.
The researchers investigated the potential benefits of weekly virtual visits for a three-month period. The participants were people aged 65 and older who lived in Montreal. Half of the participants took part in online visits and a discussion afterwards, while the control group did not participate in any cultural events at all. The group who participated in the virtual visits showed improvements in their quality of life. “Our study showed that art-based activities may be an effective intervention,” lead author Dr. Olivier Beauchet, a professor at the University of Montreal, said in the press release. “On a global scale, this participatory art-based activity could become a model that could be offered in museums and arts institutions worldwide to promote active and healthy aging.”
The initiative reflects approaches recommended by the World Health Organization to manage certain diseases, according to Beauchet. For instance, the WHO launched the Aging and Health Program in 2015 that included using community-based organizations to promote culture as a key component of improving health. Traditionally, these sorts of preventive health activities have taken place in schools, community centers, and workplaces. “While these are suitable locations that reach a great number of people, there are additional organizations and sectors that could become partners in public health research and practice development,” Beauchet said. “Museums are among such potential partners. They are aware of the needs of their communities and are consequently expanding the types of activities they offer.”
1. How do seniors benefit from regular virtual visits to museums?| A．They get survival skills. | B．They raise interest in art. |
| C．They improve quality of life. | D．They connect more with family. |
| A．Participants come from the whole world. | B．The museum needs better cultural events. |
| C．Face-to-face discussion is a useful intervention. | D．Seniors should attend more art-based activities. |
| A．To advocate. | B．To entertain. | C．To advertise. | D．To warn. |
| A．The Aged Form a Community to Reduce Loneliness |
| B．Virtual Art-based Activities Bring People Together |
| C．Online Museum Trips Improve Seniors’ Well being |
| D．Retired Individuals Pay More Visits to Museums |
Updated: Sept 27, 2023
Tangshan, Hebei Province, launches night tourism
Tangshan, Hebei province, kicked off a tourism activity for night travelers on Hetou Old Street called the “Hebei Night Tour in Golden Autumn” event, which will last eight days starting on Friday(Sept.29). Travelers can enjoy a special kind of night beauty while exploring Hebei during the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays.
Foreigners in Shanghai celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival at Loutang ancient townForeigners living in Shanghai will gather at Loutang Ancient Town in Jiading on Friday to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. During the event, people can engage in mooncake making as well as exploring other folk culture, such as Chinese shadow puppetry (皮影戏) and rabbit lanterns. They will also enjoy performances of Mid-Autumn Festival folk music while enjoying local traditional snacks.
Chinese in France share their culture at second Bellevill Mid-Autumn Food FestivalYoung Chinese living in France will seize an opportunity to introduce Chinese culture on Mid-Autumn Festival according to Chinese lunar calendar. Led by the Belleville Joint Chamber of Commerce Association (BJCCA) and supported by the Association d’Entraide à l’Entreprenariat Des Jeunes Chinois (AEEJC), the second annual Belleville Mid-Autumn Food Festival will offer an opportunity for French residents to enjoy true traditional Chinese tasty foods with a significant get-together cultural meaning.
1. Which day suits you best if you want to explore the beautiful night scenery in Tangshan?| A．Sept. 19, 2023. | B．Sept. 27, 2023. | C．Oct. 2, 2023. | D．Oct. 14, 2023. |
| A．Design dragon lanterns. | B．Compose folk music. |
| C．Try cooking local food. | D．Make Chinese mooncakes. |
| A．Enjoying Chinese art. | B．Spreading Chinese culture. |
| C．Sharing French food. | D．Introducing foreign festivals. |
9 . Josie, who is 17 years old, said, “Why do my parents do the same things they tell me not to do? For example, my mum stops me from shouting through the walls and asks me to go and speak to her face-to-face, but she always shouts through the walls to me. What can I do?”
That is a very good point. Parents can be completely inconsistent (不一致), and usually they don’t realize it. You see this a lot in many things like smartphones. Parents always say to their kids, “Oh, you can’t use that. That device (设备) is bad for you, so stop using it at the table. It’s harmful.” But then they are on theirs continually. So what do you expect teenagers to do?
The whole “Do as I say, not as I do” thing is an annoyance, especially for a teenager who is dying for independence and respect but isn’t getting them.
What can teenagers do with it? I would say you should point it out by calmly saying something like “You tell me not to scream through the walls, but you do it to me, so you can understand where I’m coming from. That’s not ideal.” They might object to it, but I think most parents who care about being parents would logically say, “That’s a reasonable point.”
There are a lot of conflicts (矛盾) going on between teenagers and their parents, but a lot of studies show that the conflicts are resolved a lot more when they turn into a dialogue.
If you can talk at a time when you’re both feeling a bit calmer, like just in the kitchen or doing something unimportant, then go in and say, “Can I just mention it? You tell me not to do this, but you do it too.” If you can approach it in a more calm and stress-free manner, most parents will respond positively.
1. How did Josie feel according to her words in paragraph 1?| A．Hopeful. | B．Bored. | C．Proud. | D．Confused. |
| A．The parents’ smartphones. | B．The tables in the house. |
| C．The devices in the house. | D．The teenagers’ points. |
| A．Object to it personally. | B．Complain of it continually. |
| C．Talk with their parents calmly. | D．Do some studies differently. |
| A．To list a fact. | B．To offer a suggestion. |
| C．To show a result. | D．To ask a new question. |
10 . Chinese Teapot Escaping from British Museum Goes Viral
Chinese state media has praised a viral video series telling the story of a jade teapot coming to life and fleeing the British Museum to make its way back home.
The set of three short videos, entitled Escape from the British Museum, shows the teapot turning into a young woman in a green dress, who then engages a London-based Chinese journalist to help her reunite with her family. It appears to have struck a chord (弦) in China after first being released by independent vloggers on Douyin. By Monday evening, it had reportedly received more than 310 million views. The plot line taps into growing Chinese criticism of the British Museum after reports last month that more than 1,500 priceless objects, including gold jewelry, semi-precious stones and glass, were missing, stolen or damaged.
In August the state media Global Times called for the return of Chinese artifacts from the museum “free of charge” in the wake of the controversy. “The huge holes in the management and security of cultural objects in the British Museum exposed by this scandal (丑闻) have led to the collapse of a long-standing and widely circulated claim that ‘foreign cultural objects are better protected in the British Museum’,” it said. It strongly supported the video series for touching on a “powerful message” about the importance of cultural heritage and reflecting “Chinese people’s desiring for the repatriation of the Chinese cultural relics.”
State broadcaster CCTV also gave the short films a glowing review saying: “We are very pleased to see Chinese young people are passionate about history and tradition... We are also looking forward to the early return of Chinese artifacts that have been displayed overseas.”
The museum scandal made headlines around the world and reawakened earlier demands by the Chinese media to restore the country’s relics. The new three-part show has triggered a wave of nationalism among viewers, with many praising the creative plot that reduced them to tears by showing how the teapot experienced the happiness of returning to China to see pandas and watch a flag-raising ceremony on Tiananmen Square.
1. What excuse does Britain give for keeping other nations’ cultural objects in its museum?| A．It has taken possession of these objects by all lawful means. |
| B．These objects are safer and taken better care of in its museum. |
| C．It is requested by other nations to protect their cultural objects. |
| D．These objects may come to life, flee their countries and go viral. |
| A．Repair. | B．Reflection. | C．Reserve. | D．Return. |
| A．China had already demanded the restoration of its cultural relics before the scandal. |
| B．The museum’s awful management and security systems are involved in the scandal. |
| C．The Britain Museum is under pressure to return the cultural relics to China sooner or later. |
| D．A London-based Chinese journalist has contributed a lot to the viral three-part video series. |
| A．To appeal to Britain to return China’s cultural objects. |
| B．To introduce a viral video series about a fleeing jade teapot. |
| C．To arouse readers’ concern about Chinese cultural objects abroad. |
| D．To praise Chinese young people’s passion for history and tradition. |
