1 . It was a sunny afternoon in June of 2022 when 20-year-old Anthony Perry stepped off the train at Chicago’s 69th Street station. On the platform, two men were fighting bitterly. Then the unthinkable happened: the pair fell over the edge and onto the tracks. One man ended up on his back. Suddenly, he started convulsing (抽搐) unnaturally. He had fallen on the third rail, the conduit (导线管) for the 600 volts of electricity that powers Chicago’s L trains. The aggressor leaped backward, bounded back up onto the platform and disappeared.
Perry couldn’t just stand there and watch. He sat at the edge of the platform and eased himself down. He took a few quick bounds and approached the victim. The guy looked dead, his body still moving violently as the electricity pulsed (搏动). Gathering up his courage, Perry reached down and grasped the victim’s wrist. Instantly, he felt a blast of electric shock shoot through his body. Perry shrank and jumped back. He reached down a second time, and was shocked again. But the third time he seized the man’s wrist and forearm and, braving the shock, pulled with all his strength. The guy’s body slid briefly along the third rail, coming to rest on the gravel on the outer edge of the tracks.
The man was breathing, but irregularly. Something wasn’t right. “Give him chest compressions (按压)!” yelled a woman. Perry was no expert, but for a few moments he worked on the man’s heart until the victim began convulsing. Then he heard a sudden noise behind him — medical workers and firefighters had arrived. Perry let the professionals take over. His heart still racing from the electric shocks, he climbed back up onto the platform, grabbed his things and headed home.
The evening news reported the incident. After a friend outed him to the media, Perry became the toast of Chicago. Perry was then recruited by the Chicago Fire Department and is now training to be an emergency medical technician.
1. What made the rescue of the victim particularly difficult?A.The man had lost his consciousness. |
B.The victim lay injured on top of a track. |
C.The rescuer was at risk of an electric shock. |
D.The electricity powering trains was hard to cut off. |
A.He had received professional first aid training. |
B.The local newspaper interviewed him on the spot. |
C.His chest compressions played a key role in saving life. |
D.His heart beat fast because of nervousness and tiredness. |
A.Perry landed a job in the Fire Department. |
B.The city of Chicago awarded Perry a prize. |
C.People in Chicago toasted Perry for his brave deeds. |
D.Perry got popular and greatly admired in Chicago. |
A.To credit a hero with saving a victim’s life. |
B.To highlight Perry’s courage in stopping a fight. |
C.To stress the importance of calmness in rescue work. |
D.To display people’s cooperation in assisting the victim. |
2 . Whether you’re after a quiet beach holiday or an adventure-packed trip, with over 700 islands and 30 territories, the Caribbean offers many choices. Here we will provide practical tips to help you plan your dream Caribbean vacation.
Choosing the Best Time to Visit
Generally speaking, the Caribbean has a tropical climate with hot and humid weather year-round. Hurricanes are common during the summer months, so it’s advised to avoid travel during this season if possible. The best time to visit typically starts in November and runs through April. Be sure to check local weather forecasts before your trip.
Experiencing the Local Culture
The Caribbean is home to a variety of cultures. The local culture is a key part of the Caribbean experience, so make sure to soak up as much as you can. Visit museums and historical sites to get a deeper understanding of the local heritage, or explore local festivals for a display of music, dance, and art. Moreover, the people of the Caribbean are well known for their friendliness, so don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation.
Planning Your Activities
Whether you’re into diving, hiking, shopping, or simply lying on the beach, you will be able to pick between endless activities. Besides, you can try your hand at deep-sea fishing, horseback riding, or even bungee jumping. If you’re looking for something more laid back, take a guided tour of the island’s botanical gardens or explorer its national parks. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to review safety guidelines and pack all the necessary equipment before your adventure.
In conclusion, the Caribbean offers a diverse travel experience that caters to different preferences and budgets. With careful planning and a bit of research, you can plan a vacation that is truly unforgettable. So don’t wait — start planning your dream Caribbean trip today!
1. Which month is the best time to visit the Caribbean?A.July. | B.December. | C.August. | D.June. |
A.Visitors can experience different cultures and activities. |
B.Visitors can have the opportunity to play local music. |
C.Visitors have to be concerned about the safety of accommodation. |
D.Deep-sea fishing is not allowed for the reason of ocean protection. |
A.A fashion magazine. | B.A shopping guide. |
C.A geography textbook. | D.A travel brochure. |
3 . Anyone who’s lived through middle school knows those years can be particularly challenging. Some researches show youths across the U.S. are struggling with mental health. The physical health benefits of bike riding have been well-documented. Wilson, a researcher at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, and his co-authors carried out a new study to see if taking part in a cycling program could result in measurable changes in mind for teenagers.
The study involved more than 1,200 students, ages 11 to 14. Students participated in a cycling class for at least three days a week, for a period of 6 weeks. They learned cycling safety and practicing skills outdoors while raising their heart rate and just having fun. The students completed standardized questionnaires before and after the program designed to measure their health.
“We know cycling can benefit the body. Our research shows how it benefits the mind and social relationships as well. Bike riding can be an ideal activity for adolescents because of the benefits it offers,” said Wilson.
“Cycling engages several parts of brain function. You are looking at your hearing, you’re balancing, you’re navigating and turning. Oftentimes, you’re doing it with someone else, so there’s the positive effect of company or group activity,” said Allan Reiss, a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine.
While exercise has powerful mental health benefits, it’s not universal. For example, previous research has shown that teenage girls are at higher risk of mental health problems like depression and anxiety than boys. The current study found that, while middle school girls reported increased well-being after participating in the cycling program, that increase “may just reach the kind of baseline level for male students,” Wilson said. And other aspects of healthy living are also important, noted Wilson. The study found that teenagers who didn’t limit screen time to a maximum of two hours a day, or who got less than the recommended 8.5 hours of sleep, saw less improvement in their well-being, he said.
1. What does the new study mainly focus on?A.Challenges in middle school. | B.Youths in America. |
C.Physical benefits of cycling. | D.Mental effects of bike riding. |
A.Attend the cycling class for a week. |
B.Learn how to keep safe while cycling. |
C.Raise their heart rate by cycling indoors. |
D.Design questions to measure their health. |
A.Supportive. | B.Doubtful. | C.Unclear. | D.Negative. |
A.Application of the research results. |
B.Doubts about the research methods. |
C.Further explanation of the research findings. |
D.Supporting evidence from previous research. |
4 . Hello, everyone. Welcome to our school. Now let’s take a look at some interesting school publications (出版物).
ColumbusIt is our literary (文学的) magazine; the name shows the place where we live. Editorial training includes developing skills for creative writing. Published twice yearly, many excellent students are also recognized as Scholastic Writing Awards winners.
DiversionIt is our language publication. Published once a year, it impresses readers with student works presented in Chinese, French, and Spanish. Working with advisors who teach these languages, student editors help in presenting their classmates’ work including poems, essays, short stories and art. Diversion is often used by our language teachers in the classroom as well.
The BrunerIt is Trinity’s yearbook. Serving the entire school, it is a yearly testament (证明) to the many aspects of Trinity life. Editorial positions are named in May, allowing editor s to attend a two-day summer meeting at NYU. This meeting allows students to develop their ability to get knowledge before the start of the school year. Work on the yearbook begins immediately thereafter, as students work to create an impressive K-12 publication.
The Trinity TimesIt is the upper school newspaper, written, edited, photographed and produced completely by students as an extracurricular activity. Its contents include Arts and Innovation, Trinity Life, NY Culture, Science, Opinion and Editorial, and Sports.
1. What is special about Diversion?A.It is published in different languages. | B.It publishes teachers’ works. |
C.It comes out once a month. | D.It focuses on sports. |
A.To prove the advantages of Trinity life. |
B.To present students’ poems and essays. |
C.To make students better at gaining knowledge. |
D.To develop students’ skills for creative writing. |
A.The Trinity Times. | B.Diversion. |
C.The Bruner. | D.Columbus. |
5 . A new study in the journal of Tourism Analysis shows frequent travelers are happier with their lives than people who don’t travel at all.
Chun-Chu Chen, an assistant professor at Washington State University, conducted a survey to find out why some individuals travel more frequently than others and whether or not travel and tourism experiences have a lasting effect on happiness and wellness.
The results of his analysis show individuals who pay more attention to tourism-related information and frequently discuss their travel plans with friends are more likely to go on regular vacations than those who aren’t constantly thinking about their next trip. Additionally, participants in the survey who reported regularly traveling at least 75 miles away from home also reported being about 7% happier when asked about their overall well-being than those who reported traveling very rarely or not at all.
“While things like work, family life and friends play a bigger role in overall reports of well-being. The accumulation (积累) of travel experiences’ does appear to have a small yet noticeable effect on self-reported life satisfaction,” Chen said.
Participants in the study were asked about the importance of travel in their lives, how much time they spent looking into and planning future vacations, and how many trips they went on over a year. They were also asked about their life satisfaction. Out of the 500 survey participants, a little over half reported going on more than four pleasurable trips a year. Only 7% of respondents did not take any vacations.
As travel restrictions (限制) due to COVID-19 pandemic begin to relax in the future, the research could have important effects on both tourists and the tourism industry. Based on the results of the study, Chen said travel companies, resorts and even airlines, could launch social media campaigns, such as creating signs about the scientific benefits of vacation, to spark people’s interest in discussing their opinions about travel.
1. What is the benefit of frequent travelling according to the study?A.Getting more tourism information. | B.Making more friends. |
C.Bettering tourism industry. | D.Improving one’s well-being. |
A.Why the professor carried out the study. |
B.How the participants felt about the survey. |
C.What the participants were interviewed about. |
D.What the participants panned to do in the future. |
A.Tourism industry should improve their service. |
B.The results of the study will benefit tourism industry. |
C.COVID-19 pandemic will be more serious in the future. |
D.People will live a happier life after COVID-19 pandemic. |
A.Travel more and be happier | B.Make good use of travelling |
C.Prepare for the tourism development | D.Make travel plans with friends |
6 . A new trend called “praise groups” or “in-need-of-praise” chat groups has become popular on Chinese social media. In Chinese culture, where modesty (谦逊) is valued, openly seeking and giving praise is uncommon. These chat groups provide a platform for people to receive compliments (赞扬) and encouragement, which are often lacking in their daily lives.
To join a praise group, users can pay a fee on e-commerce sites, starting at 50 yuan for five minutes of compliments. The group members will then show the person with praises and kind words. The compliments can be designed for a friend or loved one as well. Participants have found that being praised by strangers can help lift their spirits and improve their self-confidence.
For example, Meng Zha, a student at Shanghai’s Tongji University, tried the service and found it amusing and uplifting. She received compliments on her appearance and even quotes (引用) from popular songs. Ms Meng couldn’t help but laugh at the compliments and expressed her desire to post such high-quality praises in the future.
Praise groups have appeared as a way for people in China to seek and receive compliments and encouragement that may be lacking in their daily lives. It provides a positive and uplifting experience for participants, improving a sense of happiness and self-worth.
Those who support the groups, see them as an antidote to extremely bad moods (情绪) which are often associated with things happening on the Internet. “At first, the purpose of this group is to make us learn to praise others and accept others’ praises confidently. Here we can drop everything, and use our heart to praise and support others,” one member said. But the life journey is long and there are some unexpected situations that we can only count on ourselves to face when there is no one out there to offer help.
1. What is the purpose of praise groups?A.To make praise popular. | B.To have everyone supported. |
C.To share common interests. | D.To give people hope and happiness. |
A.She was not strong enough. | B.She was under working stress. |
C.She was satisfied with the service. | D.She was a gifted singer in her area. |
A.A way of making new friends. | B.A kind of medicine. |
C.A method of being confident. | D.The wisdom of solving problems. |
A.Objective. | B.Critical. | C.Supportive. | D.Unclear. |
7 . One of the winners of this year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry was Danish scientist Morten Meldal. When describing his career, Meldal said he started out as an engineer but changed to chemistry because he “wanted to understand the world.”
Meldal’s experience may come as a surprise to students. They might believe they have to center their work and school lives in one field to be successful. But a study from professors at Michigan State University shows that is not always the case.
Michele Root-Bernstein and Robert Root-Bernstein (her husband) published their study in the Creativity Research Journal. They said that a large number of Nobel Prize winners can be described as “polymaths”.
The writers looked at past Nobel Prize winners and their students. They decided that when students of winners go on to win Nobel Prizes, some of what they learned from their teachers is how to live a life with many interests. They are, in a way, learning how to be creative.
Having many interests, the Root-Bernsteins wrote, permits scientists to look for creative ways to solve problems. In fact, one important part of science is not discovering answers, but recognizing problems that need to be solved.
The prize winners, the Root-Bernsteins said, transfer “skills, techniques and materials from one field to another.” They said Alexis Carrel won his Nobel Prize in medicine in 1912 by using techniques he learned from the clothing business. He realized that people who used thread to make and fix clothing had a skill that could be used in operations to put new organs into people’s bodies.
The Michigan State University professors study creativity. They found Nobel winners are nine times more likely to have experience in working with wood, metal or in the arts than most scientists. The researchers say that unlike many people who spend long hours at work and give up some of their outside interests, Nobel winners believe their hobbies are important to creativity.
1. What comes as a surprise to students according to the passage?A.Meldal’s winning Nobel Prize. | B.Meldal’s original working field. |
C.Meldal’s desire to understand the world. | D.Meldal’s study with Michigan State University. |
A.People who are equipped with various interests. |
B.People who only concentrated on just one field. |
C.People who are committed lifelong to their career. |
D.People who are admired for established achievements. |
A.Subjective. | B.Doubtful. | C.Objective. | D.Opposed. |
A.A Creative Scientist | B.An Amazing Rise to Fame |
C.A Born Nobel Prize Winner | D.A Secret to Winning Top Prize |
8 . Most of us would like to be more creative, but we assume there is little we can do about it. Psychology professor K. Anders Ericsson claims that with enough practice, any of us can become experts. However, he is quick to add that this requires a specific kind of practice that Ericsson calls ‘deliberate practice’: that is, pushing beyond one’s comfort zone and setting goals that are above one’s current level of performance. He says he has yet to find the limits on being successful and he doesn’t believe them to be real.
Ericsson has looked primarily at artistic and athletic skills, but can these findings apply to creativity? Most experts agree that even if most people cannot hope to become creative geniuses, they can learn to become more creative through practice. Psychologists claim that there are actually two levels of creativity, which they refer to as’Big C’ and ‘small c’. Big C creativity applies to breakthrough ideas, ones that may change the course of a field or even history. Small c creativity refers to everyday creative problem solving, like creating a new recipe or improving a process, which psychologists subdivide further into similar and different thinking. Similar thinking involves examining all the facts and arriving at a single solution. In contrast, different thinking involves coming up with many possible solutions. What most people think of as creativity generally involves different thinking and can be taught, practised and learnt.
Even with practice, different thinking alone cannot make one creative, however. Scott Barry Kaufman, a cognitive psychologist, says that most creative people share one personality quality: openness to new experience. Since this quality and these processes have been identified, less creative people can try to emulate them. Normally, we tend to reproduce what we already know because creative ideas move us into unfamiliar territory involving risks and following the usual behaviors is comfortable.
Moving outside of our comfort zone, engaging indeliberate practice and tolerating contradictory ideas, risk and failure are all things we can learn to do better. It is unlikely that doing so will transform any of us into creative geniuses, but it does have the potential to increase our level of creativity.
1. Why does Ericsson think he can’t find the limits?A.No restrictions exist. | B.Practice makes perfect. |
C.Each one can succeed. | D.The goal is ambitious. |
A.Settling in outer space. |
B.Building a plastic doghouse. |
C.Developing robots to look after the old. |
D.Explaining the theory of evolution in class. |
A.Justify. | B.Limit. | C.Copy. | D.Assess. |
A.We can learn to be more creative. |
B.Life is full of various challenges. |
C.It’s better to take deliberate practice. |
D.Most can become creative geniuses. |
9 . Nuclear energy is one of the cleanest power on earth. It is cleaner than any energy source except wind. But that doesn’t necessarily mean nuclear is the long-term solution for the world because nuclear material is perhaps the most poisonous matter on earth. In addition, uranium, the element most commonly used in nuclear reactors, is not in limitless supply. But the biggest problem is nuclear waste.
How can we deal with nuclear waste? The answer is simple—put them somewhere where they can stay, undisturbed, isolated, forever. Finland is building just that. This region is largely lacking in natural disasters. It really doesn’t encounter any natural phenomenon that could damage a nuclear waste storage site, especially if it’s 1, 500 feet underground. Beneath an island on the Finnish Baltic Sea coast, the country is digging. They’ re building the very first permanent nuclear waste storage facility in the world in the stable bedrock 1,500 feet below.
Currently they’ re just finishing their dig down, then very soon they’ll start filling the facility with nuclear waste. They’ll dig long tunnels with small holes in which they’ll place nuclear waste then backfill the tunnels with clay to be left forever.
With this system, there’s near zero risk of nuclear material leaking out into the groundwater and, once it’s filled in the year 2120, it can just be left, forever. Because the material will be so far down and so difficult to get to, no human management will be necessary once completed.
No security, no maintenance, nothing which means it should be truly secure, but before leaving it, Finland needs to fight against one thing—human nature. As curious beings, it’s hard to fight a person’s urge of discovery. If someone finds a mysterious structure from thousands of years ago, it’d just be natural to want to open it up, and that’s a problem for nuclear waste sites.
We essentially did just that with the pyramids in Egypt. These structures were built as the final, permanent resting places and we opened them up because we were curious. Opening the nuclear storage facilities would release radiation into a future civilization, so we have to tell them to leave the sites alone, but that’s easier said than done.
1. Why is Finland building a nuclear storage site deep underground?A.The tunnels there are easy to dig. | B.The supply of uranium is limited. |
C.Modern technology makes it possible. | D.No natural disaster can influence the site. |
A.Being curious. | B.A desire for security. |
C.Being adventurous. | D.A desire for control. |
A.Supportive. | B.Tolerant. | C.Doubtful. | D.Pessimistic. |
A.To arouse people’s curiosity. | B.To predict the site’s development. |
C.To illustrate the author’s concern. | D.To stress the importance of the project. |
10 . Your neighbors are probably the first line of defense in case of any problematic situation.
The first step is introducing yourself when you move to a new neighborhood or when a newcomer moves in. Leave them a note under their door to introduce yourself.
Be respectful of your neighbors. It’s in poor taste to have regular insensitive parties at your place causing disturbances. Before your party, it’s good practice to notify your neighbors. Besides, avoid chatting them up for hours on end, which may be inconvenient, especially if you don’t know their schedules.
As Emma Seppälä put it, “social connectedness generates a positive feedback loop (圈) of social, emotional and physical well-being.” It feels so easy to just stay home without having to engage with your neighbors but connecting with them is worth the effort.
A.Remember every small gesture counts. |
B.A crisis is a test of communication skills. |
C.It can actually boost your mood in the long run. |
D.Slipping it in their mailbox further solidifies friendship. |
E.It’s essential to ensure you maintain decent relationships with them. |
F.Alternatively, you can give them a gift while making yourself known to them. |
G.Only by establishing healthy boundaries will you achieve peaceful coexistence. |