1 . In a Zulu village, Daphne gave birth to a baby, named Xolani Nkosi. The baby was tiny, no more than two kilos. As the months passed, Daphne realized the boy was ill. The doctor who examined the boy had said his illness might be a result of HIV infection.

Meanwhile, another South African woman, Gail Johnson, was living a different life. She and her husband were not wealthy, but were comfortably middle class. A visit to a friend’s brother, who was in the terminal (晚期的) stage of AIDS, made her determined to do something. By October, she had raised enough money to set up the Guest House, and took in a dozen dying of AIDS. Daphne sent her boy to the Guest House, where he became a star.

But in 1992 the Guest House had to be closed for lack of money. Gail offered to adopt Nkosi. By his 4th birthday, Nkosi was eating better, gaining some weight. In 1997, Gail sent Nkosi to school. In 3 years at school Nkosi had only one accident. He fell in the playground and cut his mouth. The bleeding was handled with care. His school performance was satisfactory.

Nkosi’s progress was tracked in the media. Gail took advantage of the coverage to raise money and found a house in Johannesburg for some women and their kids. She called it Nkosi’s Haven. Nkosi and Gail became icons (偶像人物) in the international AIDS community. They were invited to the United States and spent a week there making appearances. Then in July 2000, the 13th International Conference on AIDS was scheduled to be held in Durban. Nkosi was introduced to a huge audience. He said, “Care for us and accept us. We are all human beings. We are normal. We have hands. We have feet. Don’t be afraid of us. We are all the same.” His tiny body was ravaged, but his big heart inspired a nation.

1. What drove Gail Johnson to found the Guest House?

A．Her middle class status.	B．Her visit to an AIDS sufferer.
C．Her ability to raise money.	D．Her determination to be wealthy.

2. What can we learn about Nkosi from the last paragraph?

A．He won the battle against AIDS in the end.

B．He made much progress in AIDS research.

C．He became a leader in the AIDS community.

D．He urged people to treat AIDS patients fairly.

3. What does the underlined word “ravaged” in the last paragraph mean?

A．Ruined.

B．Injured.

C．Controlled.

D．Protected.

4. Which of the following can best describe Gail?

A．Clever and humorous.	B．Curious and inspiring.
C．Strong-willed and demanding.	D．Warm-hearted and considerate.

2 . What are the best foreign films coming out in May? Here are four of the best new films to watch.

Hypnotic

Nothing is what it seems in Hypnotic, a mind-bending plot thriller from Robert Rodriguez. Ben Affleck stars as a police detective who is disturbed by the disappearance of his daughter. He is investigating a series of bank robberies (抢劫) when a mystery woman tells him about “hypnotics”: people who have the power to make others believe and do anything they want by saying a single sentence.

Released on 11 May in Australia, 12 May in the US &26 May in the UK

The Little Mermaid

Another month, another live-action-and-CGI remake of a classic Disney cartoon. But this one is more distinctive than most, because a black actress, Halle Bailey, is playing the title character, who was white in the 1989 cartoon. Besides, the film’s director argues that his version of The Little Mermaid is progressive in other ways, too. “She and Prince Eric, played by Jonah Hauer-King, really teach the world about prejudice and about breaking down barriers and walls between these two worlds.” Also, there’s a singing crab (螃蟹).

On general release from 24 May

The Eight Mountains

All of the mountains in The Eight Mountains are unspoilt and breathtakingly beautiful. Some of them are in the Himalayas, but most are in the Italian alps, where Pietro, a city boy from Turin, befriends Bruno, the only child left in a remote rural village.

Released on 5 May in Japan, 12 May in the UK and Ireland, and 19 May in Spain and Finland

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3

It’s been six years since Marvel’s second Guardians of the Galaxy film came out. Star-Lord, Gamora, Rocket, Drax and their partners are finally back for more adventures and this time they’re up against the High Evolutionary.

On general release from 15 May

1. What do we know about the police detective in Hypnotic?

A．His daughter is missing.	B．His magic is unbelievable.
C．He is involved in a bank robbery.	D．He is cheated by a mystery woman.

2. What is special about The Little Mermaid?

A．It is a live-action film.	B．It stars a black actress.
C．It has a dancing crab in it.	D．It results in racial inequality.

3. Which film is available for British audiences on 12 May?

A．Hypnotic.	B．The Little Mermaid.
C．The Eight Mountains.	D．Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3.

5 . Arm wrestling(扳手腕) is a type of athletic contest.     1     Each one places an elbow(肘) on a table, holds the hand of the other and tries to force it back to connect with the table.

    2     In their view, it doesn’t require many things used in other sports, including physical strength and other skills. In fact, it is not just physical strength; strategy plays a key role. Good observation is also necessary for success in arm wrestling. What’s more, competitive arm wrestling is an organized sport with very specific rules. Anyone who breaks rules may even lead to losing a match.

Like many other sports, there are different classes in arm wrestling. For championships, players are divided into classes by weight.     3    

Arm wrestling has a very long history. It started as just a Saturday night past time. A journalist named Bill Soberanes founded the sport around 1952. Since the American Armsport Association(AAA) sanctioned(认可) it, many organizations have worked hard to support and promote competitive arm wrestling.     4     Some are local, representing certain regions, while others try to promote the sport on an international level. Whether small local or international championships, arm wrestlers from all walks of life put their skills to the test, pushing their bodies to the limit.

Now, arm wrestling attracts a variety of people, of all ages and backgrounds.     5    Many people enjoy the sport purely for fun, while others approach it with spirit common in true competitors.

A．There are two competitors in the contest.

B．Their health conditions need to be considered.

C．Arm wrestling is widely accepted among the young.

D．Many people don’t think of arm wrestling as a sport.

E．It can be as exciting for the young as it is for the old.

F．They contribute to improving the image people have of arm wrestling.

G．There are also different divisions for those who wrest with the right hand, in contrast to those with left one.

6 . According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employees over 50 make up more than one-third of the workforce in the United States. And the labor force aged 75 and older is expected to increase by 96.5% by 2030. As the workforce ages and increasing numbers of grandparents care for their grandchildren, what once was intended for new parents is now applied to grandparents. Some workplaces are offering a new paid leave policy (政策) for older workers—grandternity leave.

As the name suggests, one of the most popular use cases for grandternity leave is employees taking time off when they become grandparents to help care for their grandchildren. It also enables employees to take paid leave to deal with medical treatment, spend time with their families, and take time away from work as needed.

In a competitive labor market with more than 10 million open jobs, employers still struggle to retain senior employees. They fall under the Baby Boomer generation and are characterized by their deep love for work and company responsibility. They are prized for their historical knowledge and old-fashioned work ethic (职业道德). Therefore, employers are seeking new, nontraditional benefits for these employees to prevent them from taking another job. Grandternity leave is just one example of personalized benefits suitable for older workers.

A handful of companies are already starting to offer their own form of grandternity leave. For example, Saga has rolled out a five-day paid grandternity leave to its 2,500 employees. Scott Merry, a 57-year-old IT specialist with Saga took grandternity leave to care for his new-born grandson. “It was just wonderful. It’s nice to work in this type of culture which values family time.” he said. Another company that became an early adopter (使用者) is HireVue. “Attracting and employing a various workforce should be top of mind for any organization,” said one of HireVue’s managers. “Offering a variety of benefits like grandternity leave is key to that.”

1. What does paragraph 1 focus on about the policy?

A．Its application.

B．Its influences.

C．Its limitations.

D．Its background.

2. What does the underlined word “retain” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Cut down.

B．Kick out.

C．Hold onto.

D．Pay for.

3. What can be inferred about Grandternity leave from the last paragraph?

A．It is a win-win practice.	B．It has been adopted widely.
C．It has a two-sided nature.	D．It is key to business success.

4. What is the purpose of this text?

A．To introduce a new paid leave.	B．To call for better working conditions.
C．To recommend several leading companies.	D．To warn of the effect of population ageing.

7 . As Eline reached the top of Mount Langley, a 14,000-foot mountain in California’s Eastern Sierra Nevada, she could feel the soft sand under her feet and hear the enveloping silence of the wonderful mountain. But she couldn’t see a thing.

Born almost completely blind, Eline is among a growing number of outdoor-adventure athletes who refused to let disabilities reduce them to onlookers. She had a strong desire to take part in outdoor activities when she was very young. Unfortunately, her early efforts to fit in with the other kids didn’t go well. While she experienced countless failures, she faced up to them.

When it comes to her final success in outdoor sports, it is all credited to her doctor who is expert in instructing blind runners. Impressed by Eline’s love for adventure, the doctor recommended her to join a half-marathon. Eline had never run more than 4 or 5 miles at that point. She worried about making a fool of herself or wasting her doctor’s time. “Don’t worry,” he assured her. “If we have to walk the last few miles, it’s no big deal.”

Eline ran every step of that race and won her division. It was her first taste of athletic success and a turning point. Since then, she has traveled the globe, blowing away most of her visually impaired (视觉障碍的) competition in 47 marathons, from New York to Athens to Barcelona. In 2015, she won her division in the Boston Marathon, one of the most celebrated and competitive races in the world.

Marathons had become sort of Eline’s routine, but climbing a 14,000-foot mountain was so wildly out of her comfort zone that it brought back the butterflies she felt in her stomach before that first half-marathon more than a decade ago. Now, she made it. The change was just as meaningful. “Life can be scary, but fear doesn’t help,” she said. “Being blind creates hardships other athletes don’t face, but it also brings out extraordinary grace and generosity (大方).”

1. What can we learn about Eline from the first two paragraphs?

A．She got along well with others.	B．She had a strong determination.
C．Her dream gave in to disabilities.	D．Her blindness resulted from climbing.

2. What has contributed to Eline’s success according to paragraph 3?

A．Her tireless efforts.	B．Her love for adventure.
C．Her families’ support and company.	D．Her doctor’s guidance and encouragement.

3. Why does the author mention Boston Marathon in paragraph 4?

A．To popularize a famous event.	B．To promote Eline’s sportsmanship.
C．To show Eline’s achievements.	D．To praise visually impaired athletes.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．Blind Courage	B．Narrow Success
C．A Challenging Climb	D．An Eventful Adventure

8 . Greece Family Journey

Greece Family Journey offered by G Adventures is a small-group trip, which is designed for curious families in search of meaningful ways to discover Greece together. Go back in time as you explore thousands of years of history on this 9-day journey through Greece. Experience a time long ago with interactive visits to Greece.

Requirement:

Greece Family Journey is intended for groups traveling with children. There must be a child in your group and anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. One adult may accompany up to 2 children.

What’s included:

·Gain a deep insight into Greek history with visits to the Acropolis, the Pantheon Museum and the Agora of Athens.

·Board a ship to Paros and step foot inside the church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani — one of the most important monuments (纪念碑) in all of Greece.

·Learn about some cooking methods of making local Greek food with a lively cooking class.

·Start a history-packed scavenger hunt (寻宝游戏) in Heraklion City, exploring Greek historical relics and discovering its rich culture.

Dates & Prices:

Departure (出发) dates	Adult	Child
June 6, 2024	$3,000 Per Person	$2,000 Per Child
June 29, 2024	$3,000 Per Person	$2,500 Per Child
July 6, 2024	$4,000 Per Person	$3,000 Per Child
July 13, 2024	$4,000 Per Person	$3,500 Per Child

If you book online before June 1, 15% off for per child!

1. What is a must for the family signing up for Greece Family Journey?

A．Taking at least one child.	B．Having G Adventures membership.
C．Reserving 9 days in advance.	D．Having a good knowledge of Greece.

2. What can travelers do during the journey?

A．Taste Greek food for free.	B．Attend the church services.
C．Visit Greek museums online.	D．Admire Greek cultural heritage.

3. What is the least cost for a couple with two kids if they depart on July 6?

A．$9,400.

B．$11,900.

C．$13,100.

D．$14,000.

9 . Most e-bikes have rechargeable lithium-ion (锂离子) batteries, the same that power smartphones and laptops. All these batteries have the potential to fail when damaged,overcharged or operated in extreme temperature conditions. E-bike batteries, though, are much bigger — between 50 to 100 times more — than the ones in our personal electronics,and pose a greater risk.

On May 20, a folding bike in a South London apartment began smoking, then within seconds a big fire erupted. According to Dom Ellis, deputy commissioner for the LondonFire Brigade, the bike’s owner purchased it second-hand to commute (通勤) to work and bought an aftermarket battery from an unclear online marketplace.

Lithium-ion batteries are popular because they’re easily rechargeable. But if something fails, they can overheat, said Anna Stefanopoulou, professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan. This kicks off a bad cycle called thermal runaway. The melting battery materials fuel the flames, sending out more heat, and that heat also creates a flammable (易燃的) gas, she said. In other words, when a battery breaks down, the fire is self-sustaining (自我维持的) and hot.

Electric cars also contain lithium-ion batteries, but fires are less common compared with e-bikes. Cars have cooling systems and their batteries are more protected, she said. Any electric vehicle battery replacements would also likely take place through an authorized facility.

E-bikes, on the other hand, don’t have temperature regulators and their batteries are more exposed to the environment and possible impact, so minor manufacturing flaws (生产缺陷) can become problems, Stefanopoulou added. She said the cheaper batteries can suffer from flaws and low-quality control.

E-bike riders also tend to use their batteries more actively. A huge battery in an electric car can last more than 200 miles, and drivers top them off (加满) regularly. E-bike commuters are used to draining their batteries again and again throughout the week, which can add to the stress.

1. Why are e-bike batteries much more dangerous than the ones in personal electronics?

A．They are of much larger.

B．They are of different materials.

C．They are easily overcharged or damaged.

D．They are operated in extreme temperature conditions.

2. What was the main problem with the folding bike causing a fire on May 20?

A．It was purchased from another user second-hand.

B．It was produced by an unqualified manufacturer.

C．It was already out of date when second-hand bought.

D．Its original battery was replaced with an aftermarket one.

3. Why are electric car fires less common compared with e-bikes?

A．Electric cars seldom use lithium-ion batteries.

B．Electric car batteries are not exposed to heat or fires.

C．Electric cars are equipped with battery-protection systems.

D．Electric cars are equipped with better lithium-ion batteries.

4. What can be a suitable title for this text?

A．How to Protect E-bike Batteries

B．Why E-bike Batteries Break Down

C．Why E-bike Battery Fires Are Deadly

D．How to Prevent Fires from E-bike Batteries

10 . Between 1901 and 2023, the Nobel Prizes and the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences were awarded 621 times to 1,000 people and organizations. With some receiving the Nobel Prize more than once, this makes a total of 965 individuals and 27 organizations. Below, you can view the full list of 2023 Nobel Prizes and Nobel Prize winners.

The Nobel Prize in Physics 2023

Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L’Huillier “for experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses (脉冲) of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter”

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2023

Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman “for their discoveries concerning DNA that enabled the development of effective vaccines (疫苗) against COVID-19”

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023

Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus and Alexei I. Ekimov “for the discovery and combination of quantum dots (量子点)”

The Nobel Prize in Literature 2023

Jon Fosse “for his innovative works which give voice to the unsayable”

The Nobel Peace Prize 2023

Narges Mohammadi “for her fight against the unfair and cruel treatment of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all”

The Noble Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences 2023

Claudia Goldin “for having advanced our understanding of women’s labour market outcomes”

For further information, you can click here.

1. Whose achievement directly contributes to people’s heath?

A．Pierre Agostini.

B．Katalin Karikó.

C．Alexei I. Ekimov.

D．Jon Fosse.

2. What do the last two winners have in common?

A．They make breakthroughs in scientific field.

B．They show concern for women’s condition.

C．They conduct their research in Asian countries.

D．They fight for the freedom of working women.

3. Where is the article probably taken from?

A．A science website.	B．A literary magazine.
C．A research paper.	D．A science textbook.