The Hangzhou Asian Games were opened on September 23, 2023, drawing worldwide attention. They are not only a grand sports event,
One of
Known as the world’s largest sporting gala, the Hangzhou Asian Games serve as a platform for the athletes to compete. Most importantly, it’s a stage for people’s communication and
2 . My father brought home a sailboat when I was ten, and almost each Sunday in summers we would go sailing. Dad was quite skilled in sailing, but not good at
The last time Dad and I set sail together was really unforgettable. It was a perfect weekend after I graduated from university. I came home and
“John!
In my memory he could fix any
Before I could respond, a wave of water got into the boat. I rushed to the tiller
I swam to Dad quickly and assisted him in climbing onto the hull（船壳）of the boat. Upon sitting on the hull, Dad was a little awkward about his flash of
That was the first time Dad had counted on me in a moment of emergency. More importantly, I found it was my turn to start
| A．boating | B．running | C．swimming | D．teaching |
| A．enjoyed | B．desired | C．hated | D．learned |
| A．sent | B．ordered | C．invited | D．allowed |
| A．calm | B．icy | C．stormy | D．thundery |
| A．repeatedly | B．lightly | C．hardly | D．violently |
| A．danger | B．place | C．sport | D．job |
| A．suffered | B．fell | C．froze | D．quit |
| A．Look | B．Help | C．Run | D．Jump |
| A．problem | B．relationship | C．machine | D．boat |
| A．turned to | B．lived with | C．argued with | D．objected to |
| A．if | B．for | C．after | D．but |
| A．got through | B．poured into | C．turned over | D．lifted up |
| A．ashamed | B．protective | C．tired | D．afraid |
| A．pain | B．anger | C．fear | D．shame |
| A．making up | B．getting ready | C．paying off | D．looking out |
3 . People who give, live longer, studies have shown. Now, a new study by University of Michigan shows that why people volunteer—not whether they volunteer—is what really counts.
For the study, Konrath and colleagues analyzed data collected in 2008 and 2012 aiming at the same random samples of 3,376 people. Overall, they found that just 2.3 percent of those who once worked as volunteers had died, compared to 4.3 percent of non-volunteers. They further found that how much people volunteered mattered as well—only 1.8 percent of regular volunteers died, compared with 2.5 percent of occasional volunteers.
But what really made a difference were people’s motives for volunteering. The researchers asked people to rate how important they found various reasons for volunteering, and they found that the more important people rated reasons such as feeling pity for people in need, the more likely they were to be alive. Those who rated motives related to personal benefit as more important were more likely to have died, and just as likely to die as those who didn’t volunteer at all. These reasons included volunteering because they enjoyed the social contact, to escape their own problems, or to explore their own strengths.
Konrath says the current findings suggest it may be a poor idea to encourage people to volunteer because it’s good for them. “Volunteering is increasingly being encouraged in schools and organizations. Some groups say that it’s okay to want benefits for yourself, and encourage people to think of volunteering as an exchange for personal interests. Some groups emphasize the health benefits received through volunteering.” Konrath added, “Of course, it’s reasonable for volunteers to expect benefits for themselves. But the potential health benefits of volunteering are significantly reduced if self-benefit becomes a person’s main motive.”
1. What does the new study mainly find?| A．How we volunteer makes sense to others. | B．How often we volunteer makes a difference. |
| C．Whether we volunteer decides our well-being. | D．Why we volunteer has an impact on our health. |
| A．By analyzing statistics. | B．By rating volunteers’ performances. |
| C．By doing lab experiments. | D．By grouping participants randomly. |
| A．To develop abilities. | B．To make more friends. |
| C．To help the poor people. | D．To solve personal problems. |
| A．Practical suggestions on further studies. | B．A further explanation of the current findings. |
| C．Potential applications of the research method. | D．A reasonable doubt about the research results. |
4 . When it comes to hiking, Greece has something for every kind of walker. The mainland boasts (拥有)well-maintained routes, while on the country’s islands you’ll find ancient paths dating back to Byzantine times connecting sleepy villages with beautiful sandy coves (小海湾). Here’s our pick of Greece’s best hikes.
Samaria Gorge(峡谷), Crete16 kilometers(10 miles), 4 hours
Hiking the 16-kilometer Samaria Gorge is considered one of Crete’s must-do experiences, which is why you’ll rarely be without company. Nevertheless, there’s an undeniable raw beauty to Samaria, where vertical (垂直的) walls soar up to 500 meters and are just 3.5 meters apart at the narrowest point (150 meters at the broadest).
The hike begins at 1,230 meters at Xyloskalo just south of Omalos and ends in the coastal village of Agia Roumeli. It’s especially scenic in April and May, when wildflowers brighten the route.
Mt Ohi summit hike, Evia8 kilometers(5 miles), 3 to 4 hours
The summit of Mt Ohi (Profitis Ilias; 1,398 m), lesser-visited Evia’s third-highest peak, is crowned by mysterious ancient dragon houses: 7th century BC architecture, made from rocks weighing several tons. From Myli, it’s an 8-kilometer hike to the summit (three to four hours).
It’s possible to stay overnight at the 1,000-meter-high refuge then hike up Mt Ohi to catch the sunrise(30 minutes), which makes for a magical experience. Contact South Evia Tours or Evia Adventure Tours for details.
Delphi to Kirra Walk, Central Greece14 kilometers (9 miles), 3 to 4 hours
This 14-kilometer downhill hike follows a centuries-old pathway from historic Delphi to the ancient port of Kirra, just east of modern Itea on the southern coast of mainland Greece.
The hike starts from the E4 long-distance starting point 100 meters east of the Hotel Acropole. Skirting the village of Crissa, it goes to the gulf (海湾) through Greece’s largest olive garden. After your three-to-four-hour hike, and lunch or a swim, you can return to Delphi by bus (around 2 euros).
Hike to the Tomb of Kleobolus, Rhodes5 kilometers(3 miles), 2 hours
An easy, enjoyable 5-kilometer(two-hour)round-trip hike escapes Lindos to reach the so-called Tomb of Kleobolus. Starting alongside Car Park 1 above the main beach, the route ends at a rocky hill topped by a circular tomb actually built during the 2nd century BC, long after Kleobolus ruled Rhodes.
1. What is the raw beauty of Samaria?| A．High and narrow gorges. | B．Magical sunset. |
| C．Wildflowers throughout the year. | D．Mysterious large rocks. |
| A．Ancient buildings. | B．Evia’s highest peak. |
| C．A circular tomb. | D．Greece’s largest olive garden. |
| A．It lets visitors experience the modern world of Greece. |
| B．Visitors are recommended to get back to Delphi by ship. |
| C．The route connects two places with a long history. |
| D．It is a challenging route through a rocky hill. |
5 . Jamil Jan Kochai, the author of 99 Nights in Logar, searched for more than a decade for Susan Lung — the second-grade teacher who had changed his life over 20 years earlier. On Saturday night, the two were finally reunited at one of his book-reading events.
The writer was born in a refugee camp for Afghans in Peshawar, Pakistan, and his family moved to California when he was just a year old. At home, they spoke mostly Pashto and some Farsi, so by the time he reached first grade, he was at a total loss because he could hardly speak English. Then came Mrs. Lung, who quickly realized that Kochai was deeply struggling at Alyce Norman Elementary School.
The two got to work, meeting for one-on-one lessons nearly every day after school. At the end of the school year, Kochai won reading-comprehension competitions.
Lung and Kochai lost touch when Kochai’s father got a job in another city and the boy moved on, with a new love of reading and writing. When he grew older, Kochai’s parents encouraged him to find his former teacher to thank her. But despite his efforts, he failed to track her down.
“I didn’t know her first name. She was always just Mrs. Lung to me, so when I called places to ask about her, they couldn’t find any records of her,” Kochai said.
Then, while promoting his first novel, he wrote an essay for Literary Hub magazine touching on the transformative impact that Lung had on his life. Lung’s doctor happened to read it, and told the now-retired educator about that.
Lung’s husband saw a Facebook post about Kochai’s reading event on Saturday in Davis, California and suggested he drive his wife there.
“I had no idea they were going to be there,” Kochai said. “It was just like a sweet dream. Mrs. Lung was sitting in the front row. She was just the same Mrs. Lung. Just as sweet, kind and warm as ever.”
Kochai and Lung hugged, and Kochai finally got the chance to express to her how much he still thought of her and how much she meant to him.
1. How did Mrs. Lung help Kochai?| A．By dropping by his house regularly. | B．By asking him to read more in class. |
| C．By spending extra time tutoring him. | D．By saving him out of a refugee camp. |
| A．There were few records about her. | B．His parents provided little support. |
| C．He was too young to remember her. | D．He had limited information about her. |
| A．Surprised and delighted. | B．Discouraged and frustrated. |
| C．Uneasy and curious. | D．Alarmed and awe-inspiring. |
| A．A Distinguished Guest Showed Up at a Reading Event |
| B．A Writer Was Finally Reunited With His Former Teacher |
| C．A Famous Teacher Saved a Poor Student’s Whole Life |
| D．A Book Changed a Celebrity and a Retired Teacher |
6 . Tesla’s self-driving cars have recently come under investigation as a report on crashes raises questions about their safety. Despite Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s claim that their Autopilot capability makes their cars “ extremely safer,” data suggests otherwise.
According to The Washington Post, the number of deaths and serious injuries associated with Tesla’s driver-assistance technology is higher than previously reported. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recorded 736 crashes since 2019, with at least 17 of them being fatal. These figures include crashes involving both Autopilot, which allows cars to drive on highways without human intervention(干预), and the newer Full Self-Driving feature, which extends automation to city streets. However, these statistics can’t record incidents that were avoided due to the cars’ safety features. Additionally, when compared to the total number of car crashes that occurred last year, the number of crashes involving driver-assistance vehicles appears relatively small, but actually it’s not.
Tesla’s safety claims lack context as Autopilot is primarily designed for highways, while most accidents occur in more complex environments with cross-traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists. Moreover, Tesla’s customer base consists mainly of wealthier individuals who live in communities with lower accident rates.
Concerns are raised by Tesla’s request to the NHTSA not to reveal whether Autopilot or Full Self-Driving was in use during fatal crashes. This lack of transparency (透明) prevents a comprehensive analysis of the incidents and raises questions about responsibility.
Safety exaggerations combined with Tesla’s aggressive marketing have led to accidents caused by drivers relying too heavily on the system. Full Self-Driving does not allow the car to fully drive itself, and drivers are expected to remain attentive and ready to intervene at all times. However, Tesla’s messaging may mislead some users into believing otherwise.
While a driverless future has the potential to be safer, it is crucial not to convince the public that underdeveloped capabilities are ready for widespread use. Tesla should address past problems, ensure their automation set can detect(检测) emergency vehicles, and be transparent with the public about the limitations of their technology.
1. What can we learn about Tesla’s driver-assistance-related crashes?| A．736 fatal cases of self-driving are recorded. |
| B．NHTSA focused on the crashes on highways. |
| C．The total number of car crashes is extremely small. |
| D．The incidents avoided are not counted in the crash statistics. |
| A．They are supported by comprehensive data. |
| B．They are based on limited driving environment. |
| C．They are restricted to the experiences of satisfied customers. |
| D．They have been proven to be accurate and reliable by NHTSA． |
| A．It is ill-received. | B．It is well-developed. |
| C．It needs the driver to stay focused. | D．It reduces the accidents greatly. |
| A．Concerns and Questions Surrounding Tesla’s “Self-Driving” Cars |
| B．Tesla’s Self-Driving Cars: The Safest Option of Driving on the Road |
| C．The Future of Self-Driving Cars: A Closer Look at Tesla’s Technology |
| D．Reconstruction and Revolution of Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving |
7 . UPS deliveryman Ryan Arens was making his rounds near a pond, when he heard a strange sound. It was December, and about 15 feet from the frozen bank was the
Arens, 44, thought he
After breaking the ice using the man’s rock, Arens jumped into the icy water. He surfaced in time to see the dog going under. Arens swam about five feet toward the dog, grabbed hold of her collar, and
The next day, Arens was again making his
| A．speed | B．source | C．cause | D．volume |
| A．scene | B．way | C．road | D．air |
| A．bridged | B．emptied | C．entered | D．crossed |
| A．solution | B．approach | C．path | D．entrance |
| A．deserved | B．took | C．enhanced | D．stood |
| A．why | B．when | C．how | D．whether |
| A．broke in | B．took over | C．brought about | D．drew upon |
| A．threw | B．passed | C．shipped | D．pulled |
| A．dynamic | B．indifferent | C．anxious | D．curious |
| A．Unless | B．Once | C．Since | D．Until |
| A．fled | B．returned | C．survived | D．died |
| A．living | B．rounds | C．trip | D．activities |
| A．over | B．across | C．off | D．about |
| A．directly | B．abruptly | C．casually | D．friendly |
| A．exception | B．caution | C．highlight | D．advance |
Lion Dance, a folk show acted by people wrapped around in lion costume, is usually performed during the Chinese New Year and other Chinese traditional,
There are usually two performers in a lion dance, one handling the lion’s head while
With the Chinese migrating abroad, lion dance is famous all over the world.
Billy was 15 years old then. He grew up in a very poor neighborhood. No one in his family had gone to college before. Actually, few people around him had received higher education. They all struggled to live a good life. Therefore, Billy knew nothing about colleges or scholarships and he never thought he would go to college one day. Although he was a smart boy, he didn’t study hard at school and often got into trouble with other teenagers in his neighborhood.
One day, while Billy was walking on the playground, a boy of his age started making fun of him. Then that boy pushed him hard and Billy fell onto the ground. Billy became so angry that he stood up and beat that boy. So a fight began.
It happened that Billy’s English teacher Mr. Smith was walking nearby. He immediately ran to the boys to stop the fight. Billy was a bit worried because he knew his teacher was very strict with students. He was afraid his teacher would punish him. However, to his astonishment, his teacher didn’t do that.
“Billy, let’s have a talk,” said his teacher.
Billy, not knowing what his teacher wanted to do, was very worried. But he nodded. So they went to a bench nearby and sat down. After they sat down, Mr. Smith began, “Billy, I know you’re a smart boy, but you’re wasting your life now. Why don’t you study hard to go to college so that you can change your life and have a bright future?”
Hearing that, Billy didn’t know what to say. He had never thought about it. Billy was in silence. Mr. Smith continued, “I know you may have never thought about going to college. But everything is possible. When I was at your age, I was a troublemaker just like you and never thought I’d be able to go to college, either. It was all because of the support and encouragement of Mr. Howard, my math teacher in high school.”
注意：1. 所续写短文的词数应为150左右；
2. 续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好。
Paragraph 1:
Then, Mr. Smith began to tell Billy his story.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Paragraph 2:
Billy was greatly touched by Mr. Smith’s story.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________10 . Birmingham Writers Group welcomes members from all walks of life from the West Midlands-we’re a the mixed group, and we always enjoy new views. We’ll support each other’s writing, and provide constructive and critical advice during our group meetings which take a variety of forms. All we require is that our members are regular writers and that they treat each other with respect.
What we write
Our current membership features many fiction writers with a little knowledge of poetry for good measure, but we’re open to non-fiction writers too; fiction with a small length is the work of choice, but we also cover radio plays and screenplays. We do ask any material read out at our meetings should be suitable for diverse audiences. Furthermore, we welcome second language writing but we’re not equipped to teach writing if you’re only just starting out.
When we meet
We generally meet twice monthly. After the official meetings, some members might go to a nearby pub for a chat. We also arrange additional social evenings elsewhere. Because we’re a private group with no external funding, we have to rely on some membership fees. However, you may attend two meetings at no charge to determine whether the group is suitable for you. A per-meeting attendance fee of & 5 is asked when you attend a third meeting.
So if you like what you’ve read here, please contact us and we’ll let you know when the next meeting will be and how to join. We do not wish to miss potential members out; welcome to talk to us if you have difficulty participating.
1. What kind of writing does Birmingham Writers Group prefer?| A．Original plays. |
| B．Works in foreign languages. |
| C．Short stories. |
| D．Poems for diverse audiences. |
| A．It is held in pubs. |
| B．It offers any material. |
| C．It is a monthly event. |
| D．It provides free trials. |
| A．To introduce a group. |
| B．To find new members for a group. |
| C．To call for contributions to a group. |
| D．To advertise a group meeting of writers. |
