1 . Lang Lang, the young Chinese pianist (钢琴家), learned to play the piano when he was 3. At the age of 5, he won the first place in a piano competition. People thought he was a genius (天才). When Lang Lang was 8 years old, he and his father went to Beijing to study piano. But his piano teacher didn’t like him, “You have no talent. You will never be a pianist.” Lang Lang was badly hurt. He wanted to give up. “You need fortune (运气),” his father said, “but if you don’t work hard, no fortune will come.”
Luckily the day came when his teacher asked him to play some holiday songs in a school concert for the first time. That day he showed other people that he was good in piano. Later, he went to US. There he spent 2 years practicing piano. When he was 17, Lang Lang became famous after he played in a great concert in Chicago, US.
Now Lang Lang is famous all over the world. He played at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Lang Lang finally worked hard to reach the place where fortune finds him, and lets him shine.
1. When Lang Lang was five, ______.| A．he began to learn piano | B．he went to Beijing |
| C．he won the first place in a piano competition | D．he went to America |
| A．thought he was good | B．didn’t like Lang Lang. |
| C．told Lang Lang to go to the UK | D．said Lang Lang needed money |
| A．He played so badly. | B．He performed so good. |
| C．He won the last place in the school concert. | D．He gave it up. |
| A．2 years. | B．3 years. | C．4 years. | D．5 years. |
| A．Lang Lang learned to play the piano at the age of 3. |
| B．Now Lang Lang is famous all over the world. |
| C．Lang Lang worked hard. |
| D．Lang Lang played successfully at the Beijing Olympics in 2012. |
2 . “Yeah! Auntie is here!” screamed my husband’s niece and nephew together. “Let me get the door!” “No, let me!” Each one’s goal was to get there first and open the door for their Auntie, Me!
I couldn’t get enough of them, of their youthful love of life, and their excitement every time I visited! To be honest, it was partially because of the Surprise Travel Bag that I carried in. It was a tradition that I started when they were young. Each time I went to see them, I would take a large bag filled with toys, coloring books, candy, magic markers and “games”.
The contents (内容) were different but the rules were not. They included: one may get a turn to choose what activity we would do; another may take a turn to go first when we played a game; … We shared the treats after the games and cleaned up after we played. Then, sadly, they watched the Surprise Travel Bag go away with their Auntie.
Now my niece and nephew have grown into young adults. They spend most of their visits listening to their iPods, messaging on their phones... I completely forgot that I had put my two Surprise Travel Bags in the basement (地下室) until my husband found them this weekend.
I held the bags tightly in my arms, remembering our laughter and fun-filled get-togethers. My big decision now is to whom I will pass the Surprise Travel Bags so that the fun that the bags help to create can continue.
1. When the author came for a visit, the children were ________.| A．uninterested | B．excited | C．bored | D．disappointed |
| A．change the contents in the bags | B．change the rules each time she visited |
| C．choose the activity for the children | D．leave the bag behind for the children |
| A．sell her Surprise Travel Bags | B．show us how to travel happily |
| C．share her good memories | D．teach us how to play with children |
| A．Because she is too old to remember them. |
| B．Because the children have grown up and have their own interests. |
| C．Because she has put too many things in the basement. |
| D．Because she doesn’t like the children any longer. |
| A．The Surprise Travel Bags | B．How to Play with Children |
| C．Travel with My Surprise Travel Bag | D．My Family Life |
3 . Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a wonderful place to visit. Every year, over one million people visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
There are two of the world’s most amazing volcanoes (火山) in it. One is among the most active volcanoes on the earth, the other is one of the biggest mountains on the earth. Both of them are active volcanoes. Every day, on the island of Hawaii, lava (熔岩) comes out slowly from a volcano on the edge (边缘) of the ocean. When the lava cools, it turns into rock and makes this island a little bigger. Visitors can see the land change before their eyes.
There are many interesting things to do in the park. It has lava tubes (隧道) that go to the sea. They are so big that visitors can walk through them. You can drive along a volcano or walk more than 150 miles (241 km) of trails (路径). Biking along the volcano’s paths and camping in the rainforest are also good choices.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to wildlife. There are hundreds of protected animals, such as turtles, bats, insects, and many kinds of birds. The park also has many protected plants and trees. Almost all of its plants are found only in Hawaii. Many plants have lived in and around the volcanoes for years.
Enjoy — but watch your step! It’s almost impossible to know when a volcano will erupt (喷发) . However, when the volcanoes possibly erupt, parts of the park close. This special park is never quiet for long.
1. What can visitors do in the park?①They can drive through lava tubes. ②They can walk more than 150 miles of trails.
③They can bike along the volcano’s paths. ④They can camp in the rainforest.
| A．①②③ | B．②③④ | C．①②④ | D．①③④ |
| A．Visitors can see lava make the island bigger. |
| B．There are many protected animals in the park. |
| C．The whole park will be closed if the volcanoes erupt. |
| D．Almost all of the plants in the park only grow in Hawaii. |
| A．The visitors are noisy. | B．Animals are everywhere. |
| C．Too many cars are in the park. | D．The volcanoes often erupt. |
| A．To give an introduction to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. |
| B．To tell people the wildlife of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. |
| C．To tell people the volcanoes in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park |
| D．To introduce what people can do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. |
4 . Today, we are facing a global water crisis: The UN announced five billion people will face water shortages by 2050. The World Resources Institute stated that almost half of the world's population is facing high water stress for at least one month a year. With the impacts of climate change worsening water shortages, harvesting water from air vapour (蒸气) has been highly spoken of by some as a sustainable solution to global freshwater insecurity.
PHANTOR is an innovation harvesting water from air vapour. Designed by the Austrian studio DOIT, the 40-foot long atmospheric water generator can harvest 10,000 liters of water a day from ambient humidity — enough water to supply a residential apartment block or hospital.
The atmospheric water generator sucks in water vapour and condenses (凝结) it into liquid using a cooling system powered by electricity or solar energy. The water passes through carbon and bacterial filters. Being available in two compact sizes, 40-foot and 20-foot shipping containers, makes them highly portable compared to other generator models. This mobility gives them the potential to reach remote communities, respond to disasters and serve water-stressed agricultural sites effectively.
Their technology was recently showcased at the GREENTECH FESTIVAL in Singapore, where the company used water from the generator to water the local gardens. They estimate that in a climate like Singapore's, one 40-foot unit can produce 2.8 million liters per year. This is compared to 600,000 liters that can be produced a year in a climate like Germany's.
However, one of the main drawbacks of this technology is that industrial scale water generators require a great deal of energy to operate — around 70 kW to run one unit, equal to half a football field of solar panels. They also yield substantially higher quantities of water in more wet environments, and are therefore more or less effective depending on their geographic location.
1. What is the purpose of the PHANTOR program?| A．To relieve water shortage. |
| B．To purify polluted water sources. |
| C．To help people in remote areas get water. |
| D．To help people reduce their daily consumption. |
| A．How it is designed. | B．How it responds effectively. |
| C．How it harvests water. | D．How it differs from other models. |
| A．To display different water usage. | B．To show the technology potential. |
| C．To prove each unit has its advantage. | D．To point out the generator's drawbacks. |
| A．Countries facing the pressing issue of lack of water |
| B．Challenges of water security across the world |
| C．Popularity of the atmospheric water generator |
| D．An innovation harvesting water from air vapour |
5 . The Science of Cooking: A Workshop Series
The Culinary Arts Institute（CAI）is excited to present a fascinating series of workshops that unlock the scientific secrets behind delicious cooking. Whether you’re a beginner in the kitchen or a seasoned chef looking to improve your skills, these workshops will provide insights into the chemical reactions that make food delicious,
Workshop 1 — Mastering Meat
Explore the mystery of meat cookery with Chef Ethan Hunt, an expert in the field. From discovering the secrets to grilling meat to mastering various cooking techniques for meat, this workshop is a must for meat lovers.
Date and Time: Sunday, 21st November, at 10:00
Location: CAI Grill Station
Duration:3.5 hours
Workshop 2 — The Magic of Fermentation（发酵）
Explore the world of fermented foods with Chef Mia Kim. Understand the role of microorganisms in creating flavors and textures in foods like yogurt, bread and so on.
Date and Time: Saturday, 20th November, at 14:00
Location: CAI Fermentation Room
Duration:3 hours
Workshop 3 — The Art of Baking
Start a journey into the heart of baking with Dr. Alice Baker, a well-known food scientist. This workshop will show the chemical reactions that result in the perfect rise of bread and explore the wonderful baking process.
Date and Time: Saturday, 20th November, at 9:30
Location: CAI Kitchen Lab
Duration: 4 hours
Workshop 4—The Chemistry of Flavor
In this workshop led by Chef Oliver Stone, uncover the principles of flavor chemistry.
Find out how to balance flavors and create dishes that delight the mouth.
Date and Time: Sunday, 21st November, at 15:00
Location: CAI Tasting Room
Duration: 2.5 hours
Each workshop will be a hands-on experience. Early bird registration is recommended as spaces are limited.
1. What is unique about the workshop led by Ethan Hunt?| A．It focuses on the science behind baking. |
| B．It teaches various cooking skills for meat. |
| C．It covers the basics of cooking for beginners. |
| D．It explores the role of microorganisms in food. |
| A．Mastering Meat. | B．The Magic of Fermentation. |
| C．The Art of Baking. | D．The Chemistry of Flavor. |
| A．They are all led by chefs. | B．They need to register in advance. |
| C．They are only for experienced cooks. | D．They are scheduled for the weekend. |
6 . At nine o’ clock one morning in late July, Gatsby drove up to the front of my house and sounded the horn of his car.
“Good morning, Nick,” he said when I opened the door. “We’re having lunch today and I thought we’d ride there together.”
I looked with admiration at his car.
“It’s pretty, isn’t it? Haven’t you seen it before?”
“Yes, of course. It’s gorgeous.”
Everybody knew Gatsby’s car. It was a rich cream color, almost yellow and had green leather seats. There was plenty of space in it for all kinds of boxes — hat boxes, picnic boxes and tool boxes.
I got in and he drove off through West Egg.
I’d talked with him half a dozen times in the last month and found, to my disappointment, that he had little to say. I no longer thought that he was an important person. He was just the owner of the big house next door. So I was surprised when he suddenly turned to me and said, “What’s your opinion of me, Nick?”
I didn’t know what to say.
“I’m going to tell you about my life,” he continued. “I don’t want you to get a wrong idea from the stories you hear.”
So he knew about the strange things people said about him.
“I will tell you the truth,” he said. “I’m the son of some wealthy people from the Midwest. I was brought up in America but educated at Oxford. All my ancestors have been there. It’s a family tradition.”
He said “educated at Oxford” very quickly and checked my reaction with a sideways look. Now I understand why Jordan didn’t believe this story. Perhaps there really was something sinister about him.
“But then all my family died and I inherited lots of money.”
I looked at him. For a moment I thought he was joking but his face was very serious.
1. What can we learn from the passage?| A．Nick is Gatsby’s neighbor. | B．Nick admires Gatsby a lot. |
| C．Nick knows Gatsby very well. | D．Nick talks a lot with Gatsby. |
| A．To explain where his money came from. |
| B．To show off his family’s great wealth to Nick. |
| C．To remember his family members who had passed away. |
| D．To show that his family was not only rich but also well-educated. |
| A．Interested. | B．Unbelieving. | C．Convinced. | D．Indifferent. |
| A．Nick became disappointed with Gatsby. |
| B．Nick was eager to know more about Gatsby. |
| C．Gatsby tried to convince Nick of his life story. |
| D．Gatsby went for a drive with his new friend Nick. |
7 . There's no place in the world like Venice, Italy. Called the City of Water, Venice was built about 1,500 years ago. It's made up of 118 tiny islands in the Adriatic Sea. The area, however, may be in over its head. But now scientists have a new plan to save the city.
Because the city was built on soft soil, it has been sinking under the pressure of its own weight. Scientists estimate that Venice sinks at a rate of nearly 2 inches every 100 years. Rising sea levels could make Venice go under even faster, some experts say. Earth's temperature is slowly increasing. That is causing sea ice to melt, which makes the world's waters rise, they say.
To keep the city afloat, experts want to pump about 40 billion gallons of sea water beneath Venice. The liquid would expand the sand under the city, which would help support the islands, explains lead scientist Giuseppe Gambolati.
Experts are rushing to save Venice because of its rich history. The city was once a strong sea power. “Many famous artists and opera singers have come from Venice. Some of the world's greatest paintings can be found on the city's museum walls,” explains Melissa Conn, who is a director of Save Venice Inc.
While scientists work to get their water-pumping plan approved, Venice's residents go about their normal routines. When the tide rolls in, the locals have ways of keeping everyone dry. Cafe owners move tables to higher ground, and hotels pass out high boots to guests.
Still, dealing with the rising water does not give the city's residents a sinking feeling, just ask Erla Zwingle. She has lived in Venice for 17 years. “There has always been high water in Venice.” Zwingle told WR News. “If high water really were a serious problem, people wouldn't be still living here.”
1. What's the main reason Venice is sinking?| A．Its population is rising. |
| B．Its buildings are too weighty. |
| C．The soil it was built on is not solid. |
| D．Its underground water is being overused. |
| A．It sinks at a rate of 2 inches every 200 years. |
| B．It has a history of more than 1,500 years. |
| C．It has been in a very dangerous situation. |
| D．It was once a strong sea power. |
| A．Worried. | B．Disappointed. | C．Concerned. | D．Optimistic. |
8 . Being attracted into “activities” that require only the movement of a hand, such as video games, social media or web surfing, more and more teenagers are passing on the chance to play sports — and that’s not good! If you’re a pre-teen or teen and you haven’t played a sport yet, now’s the perfect time to give it a try!
You’ll become healthier. Sports require you to move your body.
You’ll learn teamwork and sportsmanship. In sports, people learn to rely on each other and encourage one another to realize a common goal. Though individual sports are great, team sports teach you a life lesson: the success of a team depends on how well the players work together.
| A．Pick a sport today! |
| B．You’ll get smarter. |
| C．Sports teach you to be honest. |
| D．Here are good reasons to join a sport. |
| E．You will receive higher grades in exams. |
| F．It is well known that exercise is good for your health. |
| G．Sports also teach you to respect the players on other teams. |
9 . Inostrancevia is a kind of animal that lived in northern Russia 253 million years ago. But scientists recently found the remains of the terrible animal in the ancient rock of South Africa, thousands of miles away. It seems Inostrancevia traveled thousands of miles, heading south in search for better hunting grounds.
The story of how this long-fanged animal arrived at such a distant place is not a story of predatory (捕食者的) success, but the last fight of an animal trying to avoid the worst extinction (灭绝) in Earth's history.
The Siberian Traps, volcanoes in prehistoric Russia, were erupting (喷发) at that time, causing about 70 percent of land animal species to disappear. These eruptions produced a lot of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which lowered the amount of oxygen in the air. Animals had to either adapt or move to avoid extinction, as the environments were changing so quickly.
“At the time Inostrancevia took over in South Africa as top predator, there were still large plant-eating animals for them to feed on,” says scientist Pia Viglietti. But finally changes to plants led to the extinction of the plant-eating animals, which also marked the end for Inostrancevia, too.
The discovery changes what scientists thought about Earth’s worst ecological disaster. Finding many predators that tried to get a claw-hold before going extinct suggests there were more reasons behind their struggle.
1. What did scientist recently discover in South Africa?| A．A large plant-eating animal. | B．A 253-million-year-old rock. |
| C．The remains of Inostrancevia. | D．Prehistoric volcanoes in Russia. |
| A．To find more food. | B．To take over South Africa. |
| C．To get more oxygen. | D．To fight against volcanoes. |
| A．Too little oxygen. | B．The lack of food. |
| C．Increases in temperature. | D．Fights between animals. |
10 . Imagine you’re at a football game when this rude man sits next to you. He’s loud, he spills his drink on you, and he makes fun of your team. Days later, you’re walking in the park when suddenly it starts to rain heavily. The same guy from the football game offers you an umbrella. Do you change your mind about him based on this second meeting, or do you go with your first impression and write him off?
Related research suggests that we’re quick to form lasting impressions of others based on their behaviors. On the one hand, learning very bad, highly immoral (不道德) information about someone usually has a stronger influence than learning very good, highly moral information. This is because immoral behaviors can better show a person’s true character.
On the other hand, when forming and updating our opinions about others, people tend to give more importance to behaviors that are seen as less common. When thinking about others’ actions, certain areas in the brain will become active. This brain activity is connected to how often people think these behaviors happen in daily life. In other words, the brain tries to decide if the person’s behavior is common or unusual.
There’s a good meaning in this data: your brain, and you, might care more about the very bad, immoral things another person has done compared (比较) to the very good, moral things, but it’s a direct result of the comparative rareness of those bad behaviors.
In the situation with the rude-football-fan-turned-good-person, your brain says, “Well, in my experience, pretty much anyone would lend someone their umbrella, but the way this guy acted at the football game, that was unusual.” And so, you decide to go with your first impression.
Think about the last time you judged someone based on their behavior, especially a time when you really feel like you changed your mind about someone. Was the behavior that caused you to update your impression something you’d expect anyone to do, or was it something totally out of the ordinary?
1. What does the underlined words “write him off” mean in paragraph 1?| A．Ignore him. | B．Forgive him. |
| C．Accept him. | D．Follow him. |
| A．They are more memorable. |
| B．They are seen as less common. |
| C．They could form lasting impressions. |
| D．They better present a person’s true nature. |
| A．Noisy. | B．Impolite. |
| C．Kind. | D．Careful. |
| A．The importance of first impressions. |
| B．A rude-football-fan-turned-good-person. |
| C．How to leave a good impression on others? |
| D．What will influence your impression of others? |
