1 . Adding to the achievements of a remarkable year, Taylor Swift has been named Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2023.
Already a superstar before 2023, Swift’s career has reached new heights thanks to the beginning of her Eras Tour that brought her 3.5-hour performance to 66 shows in 23 cities across North America, Argentina and Brazil. Promoted by her tour, Swift has been named the most-streamed female artist in the history of Spotify and Apple Music. According to Billboard, the tour made about $900 million (about 6.4 billion yuan) in 2023. In addition, the tour’s movie Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour became the biggest concert movie of all time, taking more than $250
million globally.As she was declare a billionaire by Bloomberg in November, a hidden “Taylor Swift economy” also promoted sales for business owners across the US. From soaps to a cruise inspired by her different “eras”, interest in Swift-related products went way up.
Apart from her financial contributions, Swift made a significant cultural impact by taking back control of her music. In 2019, her old record label, Big Machine, sold the master tapes of her first six albums (专辑) to Scoot er Braun. The sale meant that she didn’t have the rights to the albums. In response to this, Swift began re-recording her first six albums, tagging (加标签于) them “Taylor’s Version”. This move stressed her belief that artists deserve to own their work. “It’s all in how you deal with loss,” she told Time. “I respond to extreme pain by resisting.”
Heading into 2024, Swift will start the Eras Tour again in Japan and Australia. As USA Today noted, “Her current top has been a long time coming, but it may also be just beginning.”
1. What do we know about Taylor Swift?A.She broke a new record on her tour. | B.She toured South America before 2023. |
C.Her achievements received great recognition. | D.Her performance began with the Apple Music. |
A.She proved herself to be an artist. | B.She learned to make some products. |
C.She had influence on music culture. | D.She sold her master tapes to a company. |
A.She will end her music career. | B.She will continue her Eras Tour. |
C.She will reach her top in Japan. | D.She will make a record in Australia. |
A.Admirable. | B.Uncaring. | C.Doubtful. | D.Critical. |
2 . Exploring China is not easy even for experienced travelers, but the history instructor Jessica Gerard from Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) knows from experience the trip is worth it. Since 2008, she’s led five groups of students across China to study its culture and history.
Gerard often reminds interested students that the trip is not a vacation—it’s an academic (学术的) course. “Anyone interested in the trip must take an online course about the history of China before they can go,” she said. “And, most importantly, students continue to learn while in China. They’re expected to listen to guides, keep a diary and write about their experiences afterward.”
OTC student Ross Weis believed his experiences in China easily transcended (超越) anything he could have learned in the classroom. In fact, it was his long-held interest in China that led him to ask about the trip after seeing a poster in the OTC library. “I’ve always been drawn to China and its rich culture and history,” Weis said. “My dad studied history in college, and I suppose that has some influence on me.”
Of all the cities and historical sites Weis visited, he said nothing could top his experience at the Great Wall. “I’d read about the Great Wall and seen it on TV, but it is so different to go there and actually experience it,” he said. “It wasn’t as worn as I had expected it to be. That was pretty cool.”
Every OTC group Gerard has taken to China has been led by her trusty tourist agent, Jim Lieu. Gerard plans her trips directly through Lieu, who keeps travel costs down for students. “Lieu and I have an excellent relationship with one another. He always knows what I want for my students, and I know what he can do,” said Gerard. “He sincerely believes that in order to build stronger communities and a better world, people around the world should get to know each other through travel.”
1. Why did Gerard organize travel to China for her students?A.To help students relax after exams. | B.To get students interested in travel. |
C.To teach history in a productive way. | D.To give an interesting life experience. |
A.Take a course online. | B.Consult a native guide. |
C.Show their anxiety. | D.Share their preparation. |
A.His passion for travel. | B.His interest in China. |
C.His teacher’s invitation. | D.His father’s inspiration. |
A.Brave. | B.Patient. | C.Helpful. | D.Humorous. |
注意:1.写作词数应为80左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题纸的相应位置作答。
Dear Peter,
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours.
Lihua
4 . I was blind, but I was ashamed of it if it was known. I refused to use a white stick and hated asking for help. After all, I was a teenage girl, and I could not bear people to look at me and think I was not like them. I must have been a terrible danger on the roads. Coming across me wandering through the traffic, motorists probably would have to stop rapidly on their brakes. Apart from that, there were all sorts of disasters that used to occur on the way to and from work.
One evening, I got off the bus about halfway home where I had to change buses, and as usual I ran into something. “I’m awfully sorry,” I said and stepped forward only to run into it again. When it happened a third time, I realized I had been apologizing to a lamppost (街灯柱). This was just one of the stupid things that constantly happened to me. So I carried on and found the bus stop, which was a request stop, where the bus wouldn’t stop unless passengers wanted to get on or off. No one else was there and I had to guess if the bus had arrived.
Generally in this situation, because I hated showing I was blind by asking for help, I tried to guess at the sound. Sometimes I would stop a big lorry and stand there feeling stupid as it drew away. In the end, I usually managed to swallow (吞下) my pride and ask someone at the stop for help.
But at this particular evening no one joined me at the stop; it seemed that everyone had suddenly decided not to travel by bus. Of course I heard plenty of buses pass, or I thought I did. But because I had given up stopping them for fear of making a fool of myself, I let them all go by. I stood there alone for half an hour without stopping one. Then I gave up. I decided to walk on to the next stop.
1. The girl refused to ask for help because she thought ________.A.she might be recognized | B.asking for help looked silly |
C.being found blind was embarrassing | D.she was normal and independent |
A.began to run | B.hit a lamppost by accident |
C.hit a person as usual | D.was caught by something |
A.to find more buses there | B.to find people there |
C.to find the bus by herself there | D.to find people more helpful there |
1.参赛人员; 2.现场描述; 3.比赛反响。4. 80词左右。
A Speech Contest About “Health and Sport”
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________6 . Dragons, a famous imaginary beast born from fantasy, are often present in stories in the west and east. In both cultures, dragons are generally recognized as massive creatures capable of flight. They have great power and are often associated with magical abilities. However, due to their different cultural roots and images, there exist significant differences in the way dragons are regarded in the west and east, particularly in China.
Chinese dragons most resemble snakes, and have four claws and no wings. They often have features of other animals, including carp, tigers, and eagles. In the contrast, Western dragons look like huge lizards with big claws and large bat-like wings, and are often shown with spines or rough scales.
In traditional Chinese culture, a dragon is a symbol of luck, power and high status. They can cause weather changes and bring rainfall to the fields to ensure rich harvests. They are considered divine (神圣的) creatures, which hold an important position as the head of the four spirits. Therefore, to symbolize their power, ancient Chinese emperors decorated their clothes with dragon patterns. These clothes are known as dragon robes. Many Chinese view the dragon as a national symbol, proudly referring to themselves as “descendants of the dragon”. In the west, however, a dragon symbolizes an evil creature that spreads violence and terror throughout the land. They are believed to be transformed by the devil, with the ability to breathe fire or spit poison. Many western tales show dragons being defeated and killed to protect people from danger.
Today, dragons continue to evolve, exceeding traditional boundaries and finding new significance in global culture. They are no longer associated with evil or good, but rather as complex characters with their own unique personalities and motivations. For example, Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon begins as a dangerous dragon but evolves into a misunderstood being with love and compassion. This challenges the idea of dragons as naturally evil, presenting them as complex beings with emotions and motivations.
1. What do western dragons and eastern dragons have in common?A.They have rough skin. | B.They are huge and powerful. |
C.They are in the shape of snakes. | D.They have big claws and wings. |
A.Western dragons are a symbol of authority. |
B.Dragons in China can protect people from danger. |
C.Chinese dragons can control rainfall and breathe fire. |
D.Dragons are believed to cause chaos in western culture. |
A.They are regarded as adventurous creatures. |
B.They are closely associated with evil or good. |
C.They have more diverse emotions and personalities. |
D.They tend to represent human spirits facing challenges. |
A.The Dragon Elements in Global Culture |
B.The Origin of Dragons in Chinese History |
C.The Magical Animals in Different Countries |
D.The Images of Dragons in Western Traditions |
7 . The Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week held in Ethiopia in November attracted over 5,000 visitors. Though the number is not extremely high, the continent is becoming a new global fashion leader, according to a UNESCO report.
Although most African fashion businesses are small and medium-sized enterprises (企业), the report identified a growing number of high-fashion brands concentrated in key markets on the continent. What makes African fashion unique is its authenticity (真实性), according to Kenyan designer Aulga Nato. “If you check most fashion houses elsewhere in the world, they have done so much that they have less creativity in what they are putting out now. Africa, on the other hand, is rich in cloth. We are huge cotton growers, and we are rich in every single way. That’s our fashion,” she explained.
Africa is a major producer of raw materials (原材料) for the fashion industry, with 37 out of 54 African countries producing cotton and textile exports from the continent averaging $15.5 billion (about 110.2 billion yuan) a year. The continent also has a huge animal population from which it sources animal skins. However, there’s a huge shortage of chemicals to make the materials needed to treat the leather (皮革) from animals used in the clothing industry. And the continent still faces challenges related to the movement of people.
Despite these challenges, African designers are giving their best to their work and leading the world in sustainable fashion and practices. African governments have also taken measures to help designers in achieving their aims. It seems that their efforts have paid off. After checking clothing exhibits at a fashion event, Ghanaian exhibitor Solomon Dodoo noticed that every single cloth is unique and there are no two pieces of cloth that look alike.
1. What makes Africa have an unusual fashion?A.Its increasing tourism. | B.Its huge cotton production. |
C.A report from the UNESCO. | D.The authenticity of its fashion. |
A.A great need for animal skins. |
B.Lack of chemicals for treating leather. |
C.The development of cotton production. |
D.Shortage of creativity among designers. |
A.They are supported by African governments. |
B.They abandon unique and sustainable fashion. |
C.They lead the world in the clothing industry. |
D.They check clothing exhibits at a fashion event. |
A.African Fashion is Popular in the World |
B.African Designers Face Difficulties in Fashion |
C.African Countries Have Materials for the Fashion Industry |
D.Africa’s Advantages Promote Its Fashion Industry’s Success |
内容包括:1.时间地点;2.展览内容;3.适当的开头和结尾。
注意:写作词数应为120左右。
Dear Harry,
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Yours,
Li Hua
9 . When running through an airport, your luggage becomes a burden for you. A new ride-on suitcase called the Airwheel, currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, can let your luggage carry you around for a change.
Companies like Trunki have been making ride-on suitcases for kids for years, and later involved in adapting them for adults too. And the appeal of the idea is hard to deny—who wouldn’t want to slide to their terminal (航站楼) on top of their luggage, rather than trying to carry it while you’re running?
The Airwheel is designed to make it come true, equipping an electric motor, rechargable battery and a steering (操控) device just like the motorbike handlebars. The accelerator and brake take the form of buttons on the handle, and the 4-in(10-cm) wheels are apparently tough enough to run over rocky roads and cracks. The outer frame is strong enough to support riders weighing up to 130 kg.
At max speed the case can get up to 10 km/h, and the battery will last one hour at that speed. The company says that not only is this faster than other ride-on suitcases, but the more upright sitting position is more comfortable and natural than the bent-over posture of others, which is the riders’ big hit.
For a touch of customization (定制), the Airwheel connects to an app which lets users set up colors and patterns of lights. There’s also a search mode to help you find it on a luggage transfer-belt. That said, making the suitcase transparent is a bit of a unique design choice. Your customized suitcase will draw your attention easily.
The Airwheel has already passed its goal on Kickstarter, with 44 days remaining on the campaign. If all goes to plan, shipping should begin in February 2024.
1. Why does Trunki company try to produce the Airwheel?A.It is popular with kids. | B.It meets the demands of customers. |
C.It can raise fund for the local airport. | D.It can help travellers keep their luggage. |
A.The equipment of the Airwheel. | B.The methods to use the Airwheel. |
C.The applications of the Airwheel. | D.The process of making the Airwheel. |
A.Its longer duration of transport. | B.Its popular bent-over posture. |
C.Its increasing running speed. | D.Its natural sitting position. |
A.Widely available. | B.Completely controlled. |
C.Easily recognized. | D.Environmentally friendly. |
10 . Several years ago, a teacher was hired and sent to visit children who were patients in a city hospital. Her job was to teach them with their schoolwork so they wouldn’t be too far
One day, this teacher received a call
It wasn’t until the visiting teacher got outside the boy’s room that she
Finally she was able to stammer out (结结巴巴地说).“I’m the special visiting hospital teacher, and your teacher
The next morning when she returned, one of the nurses asked her, “What did you do to that Boy?”
Before she could finish her apology, the nurse
A.off | B.away | C.behind | D.apart |
A.insisting | B.requesting | C.urging | D.advising |
A.concerned | B.grateful | C.proud | D.addicted |
A.appreciated | B.recognized | C.realized | D.observed |
A.hardly | B.narrowly | C.slightly | D.terribly |
A.pain | B.comfort | C.joy | D.stress |
A.allowed | B.forced | C.preferred | D.sent |
A.successful | B.entertaining | C.professional | D.crucial |
A.recommended | B.forgave | C.interrupted | D.quit |
A.curious | B.worried | C.nervous | D.confused |
A.impression | B.awareness | C.gratitude | D.attitude |
A.in case | B.so that | C.even though | D.as though |
A.explained | B.protested | C.referred | D.delivered |
A.interest | B.hope | C.spirit | D.courage |
A.dying | B.inspiring | C.competing | D.desiring |