1 . How many advertisements have you seen in your life?     1     Advertisements are a great way to make people aware of products, issues, and more. But has advertising become a problem for society? If let me rate the current online advertising risks, I would probably give 2 points.     2    

Advertising makes us associate happiness with consumerism (消费主义). After they’ve achieved to ruin our self-esteem (自尊), advertisements are trying to fool us into thinking that only products and services can make us feel better.     3     What is it? You guessed right: Shopping. Once they achieve to make you feel ugly, they sell you beauty products so you can improve on your ugliness. Once they manage to make you believe that you are not important, they sell you expensive clothes so you can attract the attention of others. And so on and so forth.

    4     We have an economic system in which people have to make money in order to survive — and this can be clearly seen in the advertising industry. By showing you what the ideal life is supposed to be, and then making you compare your ordinary life to it, they slowly lead you to believe that you’re not beautiful, intelligent, confident, and so on, until they fully convince you that you are basically not good. The reason? To make you feel insecure so that they can then emotionally control you.

In short, advertisements promise you happiness, provided that you spend money in return. The result?     5    

A．Advertising pushes us to make money.

B．Advertising makes us feel that we’re not good enough.

C．So what exactly are the main problems of advertising on society?

D．The average person sees between 280 and 310 advertisements per day.

E．Without shopping, advertisements tell you that you can’t find happiness.

F．In other words, advertisements create a problem and then offer us a solution to it.

G．Consuming stuff you don’t even need and leading to waste that is pollution our planet.

2 . Zhang Xiqing is an outlier in Chinese society. At 33, she is happily unmarried, has no plans to have children with her boyfriend, and left her job at Tencent for a start-up because she wanted to “try something new”. But Zhang faces immense pressure from her family. She does her best to deal with the pressure to break convention but it can be a lonely path to follow. Now, however, she is drawing inspiration from a reality show that has become a hit on Chinese television.

Instead of giving young girls a shot at fame, Sisters Who Make Waves, produced by Hunan Television, has invited established actresses and performers over 30, and some in their 50s, to compete for a spot in a five-member band. The show has been a hit, especially among women, since it started airing in June. For women like Zhang, the attraction is that it shows more experienced women using their confidence and expertise—rather than youth—to get what they need.

“Seeing them on stage, I am no longer anxious about my age,” one viewer, who is attracted by the show commented on Weibo. A blogger who goes by the pen name Shaoxi said the overwhelming popularity of the show reflected the desperate need for women in China to see themselves pictured in a different light. Other viewers resonated (共鸣) with the setbacks of some of the stars, who battled personal and professional difficulties with the images of sparkling versions of themselves.

But some critics say the show falls short of its ideals. Wu Changchang, an associate professor of journalism at East China Normal University, wrote that the show was “hollow feminism (空洞的女权主义)”. However, Shaoxi said, “judging an entertainment show on what degree of feminism it contained was missing the point.” It’s popularity said something about the female audience. “It means that compared with the past, more are favoring strong, independent women. I hope I can be more like them”, she said.

1. Why does the author mention Zhang Xiqing in paragraph 1?

A．To express a view.	B．To make an argument.
C．To introduce the topic.	D．To provide the evidence.

2. What can we learn about the show?

A．Its winners would form a band.	B．It was produced in Hunan TV in June.
C．It invited famous actresses in the country.	D．It attracted little attention at the beginning.

3. What does paragraph 3 focus on?

A．The various suggestions for the show.

B．The positive comments from viewers.

C．The negative influence of the show on the society.

D．The close connection between the show and the reality.

4. Why did the show become so popular among women?

A．It spoke highly of feminism and self-discipline.

B．It highlighted the importance of beauty and experience.

C．It inspired women to be themselves and pursue their dreams.

D．It stressed the courage to fight against professional difficulties.

3 . Is a moviegoer different than a movie-lover? I’d say so. You can love a movie by watching it at home.     1    . I’ve spent a lot of time talking to people about movies. By listening to what they say, I can report they only share one thing in common: they go out.

I’ve thought about two views of the moviegoer lately.

The first view comes from Roland Barthes. Most often, his moviegoers don’t go to the movies for a distinct purpose.     2    . They are bored. Once they get inside, they can’t help but sink into a relaxed state. When they leave the movie theater, these moviegoers don’t want to talk to anyone about the movie.     3    . Barthes sees them as a lonely being, one who is introspective (自省的). I think some of us use movie theaters to retreat inside ourselves.     

The second view comes from the Clark Theater manager, Bruce Trinz. When people go to the movies they go for a certain personal motive. They may want to forget something, or escape from the lives they are leading. Or they may want to see a film they liked years ago.     4    , they are the hopeless addicts who, quite simply, like movies. The only thing I would challenge in this definition is the word hopeless.     5    , but they come to the movies filled with hope. They may not be able to define what they hope to experience, but they will know it when they feel it.

A．Whatever motive they have

B．To be a moviegoer, you have to go out

C．The movie also puts them somewhere else

D．They are instead wrapped up in themselves

E．Because moviegoers go in search of beauty

F．Moviegoers may be hopelessly addicted to the movies

G．It’s something to do with a response to leisure, free time

6 . Would you like to come to the Royal Opera House to experience incredible opera productions for only £ 7.50? Students’ applications for 2024/25 are now open!

La bohème                                   13 May 2024 12: 30 pm                              Applications open

OPERA (Italian with English surtitles)

Paris, 1900. Penniless writer Rodolfo believes that art is all he needs-until he meets Mimi, the lonely seamstress who lives upstairs. So begins a timeless love story that blooms, fades, and rekindles with the passing seasons. [Content Warning: this production contains loud noises and flashing lights]

Hansel and Gretel                           9 January 2025 11: 30 am                         Applications open

OPERA (English with surtitles)

This famous fairy tale of two children who get lost in the forest and are lured into the home of an evil witch makes for a magical experience for you. Will Hansel and Gretel escape the witch’s gingerbread house and manage to return home? This performance includes a special Everybody Sing at the end of the production with the cast and orchestra!

Carmen                              11 June 2025 11: 30 am                                 Applications open

OPERA (French with English surtitles)

Carmen is a rebel with a passionate cause-she wants to live and love in her own way. Though Carmen warns Don José not to love her, he gives up his job, reputation, and girlfriend for her with disastrous consequences. [Content Warning: this production contains themes of moderate violence]

1. What do La bohème and Carmen have in common?

A．They are both comedies.	B．They are both love stories.
C．They are both set in France.	D．They are performed in the same language.

2. What sets Hansel and Gretel apart from the other performances?

A．It is adapted from a biography.	B．It includes some violent scenes.
C．It allows audience participation.	D．It is available to enjoy this year.

3. Where is this text probably from?

A．A guidebook.

B．A website.

C．A brochure.

D．A review.

7 . What’s new to watch on TV

All Creatures Great and Small Season 4

The beloved British TV series, “All Creatures Great and Small”, is set to return for its fourth season on January 7. Executive producer Colin Callender expressed excitement for the new season, promising more heartwarming family stories, community spirit, and of course, delightful animal adventures. The show is based on the best-selling books by Alf Wight, writing under the penname James Herriot, describing the lives of three animal doctors in rural Yorkshire. The upcoming season will be set in 1940, during World War Ⅱ, offering a unique mix of warmth and drama.

Echo

“Echo”, the latest Marvel series on Disney+, follows the story of Maya Lopez, a deaf martial (武术的) artist with the ability to copy any move she sees. Played by Alaqua Cox, the character seeks vengeance (复仇) for her father’s murder at the hands of the criminal boss, the Kingpin. The series promises a more mature tone, offering a more grown-up kind of show than what we’ve seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe before. Cox’s acting of Echo brings diversity and representation to the screen, adding depth to the character’s appealing storyline.

Masters of the Air

Coming to Apple TV+ on January 26, “Masters of the Air” is a highly anticipated miniseries recording the heroic efforts of the 100th Bomb Group, a US Air Force unit during World War Ⅱ. The show is based on historian Donald L. Miller’s book, displaying the courage, loss, and triumph experienced by the men as they carry out dangerous bombing missions over Nazi Germany. With emotional depth and a strong sense of brotherhood, this series promises a moving portrayal of the human experience during wartime.

1. What is “All Creatures Great and Small Season 4” mainly about?

A．The challenges faced by animals.

B．Stories about rural animal doctors in Yorkshire.

C．A group of animal doctors living in a city environment.

D．A story about the lives of animal trainers in the modern era.

2. What do we know about “Echo”?

A．It is written by Alaqua Cox.	B．It is a movie starring Maya Lopez.
C．It is more of a show for kids.	D．It is a story about revenge.

3. What do “All Creatures Great and Small Season 4” and “Masters of the Air” have in common?

A．Both are adapted from books.	B．Both are available on Apple TV+.
C．Both are seasonal series.	D．Both are about war stories.

8 . Magazines make great reading materials for kids. Libraries often have a large selection of periodicals (期刊) for every age group and reading level, and for many areas of interest. And some magazines may even have issues going back years and even decades! Below is a list of some of them!

Military Kids Life

It is about finding the bright side of life as a military kid! Inside each quarterly issue, your child will encounter inspiring stories, articles, and photographs! (8 to 16 years)

Faces

With articles, folk tales, and hands-on projects, Faces magazine takes young readers around the world for an honest and objective view of how children in other regions live. (9 to 14 years)

Make

Make magazine publishes tested projects, skill-building tutorials, in-depth reviews and inspirational stories, accessible by all ages and skill ranges. (9 to 18 years)

Brio

Brio magazine for teen girls has a fresh new look that includes more pages filled with inspiring profiles, cultural insights, health & beauty tips, faith-filled features and added fun! (13 to 18 years)

Please note: Though all the magazines on this list are written for children, some issues may contain content that you may feel inappropriate for your child. As always, please review all reading materials before giving them to your child to read.

1. Which magazine can help develop kids’ international awareness?

A．Faces.	B．Make.
C．Brio.	D．Military Kids Life.

2. What can be learned from the text?

A．All the magazines are proper for children.

B．Magazines are usually published for children.

C．Some magazines have back issues in libraries.

D．Only magazines for kids are accessible in libraries.

3. What is the purpose of this passage?

A．To argue.	B．To inform.
C．To entertain.	D．To persuade.

9 . Students to Compete in 34th National Science Bowl

Thousands of students from middle and high schools across the country have committed themselves to extra study hours as they prepare to compete in the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s)34th National Science Bowl(NSB). These students are hard at work now to win their regional competitions, hoping to advance to the final competition.

The first regional event will take place on January 13th with high schools from the D. C. /Maryland area. Teams will face off in a fast-paced, question-and-answer format, and their knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics will be tested. Regionals will continue weekly until mid-March.

The winning team from each qualifying regional competition will be qualified to compete in the National Finals to be held in Washington, D. C. , from April 25-29, 2024, with all expenses paid by DOE. The national event consists of several days of science activities and sightseeing, along with the competitions.

In the National Finals, the top two teams will earn $5, 000 for their schools’ math and science departments. Schools ranking in the top 16 will receive $1, 000 for their science departments. But to many, the ultimate prize is simply the honor of winning the National Championship.

Today, the NSB annually draws more than 10, 000 middle and high school competitors. Since the first competition in 1991, approximately 344, 000 students have faced off in the NSB Finals. The 2024 competitors will follow in the footsteps of previous NSB contestants and will blaze a trail for students in science, math, and engineering. For more information, please visit the Office of Science website.

1. Which word can best describe the regional competitions?

A．Fair.

B．Interesting.

C．Special.

D．Challenging

2. What can we learn about the National Finals?

A．The championship victory is highly valued.

B．The event only involves fierce competitions.

C．Most of the expenses will be covered by DOE.

D．The prize money will be awarded to individuals.

3. What is the text?

A．A news release.	B．A survey report.
C．A learning project.	D．A scientific review.

10 . Art Gallery of NSW(New South Wales) Exhibition

Louise Bourgeois: Has the Day Invaded the Night or Has the Night Invaded the Day?

25 November 2023-28 April 2024

Day and night, love and rage, calm and chaos. Enter a world of emotional extremes in this exhibition of the art of Louise Bourgeois, one of the most influential artists of the past century. Born in Paris in 1911 and living and working in New York until her death in 2010, Bourgeois is well-known for her fearless exploration of human relationships across a seven-decade career.

Louise Bourgeois: Has the Day Invaded the Night or Has the Night Invaded the Day? reveals the extraordinary reach and intensity of Bourgeois’ art, from unforgettable sculptures of the 1940s to her tough yet tender weaving works of the 1990s and 2000s. It also reveals the psychological tensions that powered her search, through a dramatic presentation in two contrasting exhibition spaces. Moving from the well-lit rooms of “Day” to the darkened area of “Night”, viewers will encounter more than 120 works, including many never seen before in Australia.

Tickets can be booked online via the exhibition or event page on our website, or in person at the welcome desk at the Art Gallery. Tickets cannot be exchanged, but if something unexpected happens that prevents you from attending, you can change the date of your reservation in your confirmation email.

1. What do we know about Louise Bourgeois?

A．Her art is conservative.	B．She was an emotional artist.
C．She was raised in Paris.	D．Her art explores human relationships.

2. What does the exhibition feature?

A．Various themes.	B．Contrasting layout.
C．Intensive colors.	D．Extraordinary paintings.

3. What can you do if you can’t attend the exhibition?

A．Reschedule the date.	B．Cancel the booking.
C．Claim the money back.	D．Exchange the event.