1 . Chinese scientists have built a chamber to simulate (模仿) the conditions on the surface of the moon to help make preparations for future lunar exploration.

The specially designed vacuum chamber is equipped with an electron gun to negatively charge dust, deuterium lights to produce ultraviolet (紫外的) rays to generate low-voltage positive electrical charge, and a vibrating screen (振动筛) designed to simulate flying dust. Scientists at the vacuum chamber have made similar dust particles (颗粒) with similar features to those on the moon. These elements together produce a chamber which can test materials and items in simulated lunar conditions.

The facility was developed by the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), based in the city of Harbin in Heilongjiang province in northeast China. “The comprehensive lunar surface simulator, which can simulate many environments which are very close to the real state on the moon, helps us understand the lunar dust formation process in such an environment and its effects on spacecraft, spacesuits and astronauts and prepare us for a crewed moon landing in the future,” said Li Liyi, dean (院长) of the HIT’s Institute of Space Environment and Material Science. “At the experiment chamber, we can simulate six major kinds of environmental factors. It is an experiment facility that can simulate the most environmental factors and has the comprehensive performance most similar to the real space environment in the world,” Li added.

A leading Chinese lunar scientist said that China is working to land astronauts on the moon before 2030.The country is actively working on the hardware needed for the mission, including a new launch vehicle, a new generation spacecraft for crew and a lunar lander.

A representative from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the country’s main space contractor, presented an animated film earlier this year giving an impression of what the future Chinese crewed lunar landing might look like.

1. Why do Chinese scientists design a vacuum chamber to simulate the conditions on the surface of the moon?

A．It can test ultraviolet rays on the moon.

B．The low-voltage electrical charge can be beneficial.

C．It can help prepare the country for future lunar exploration.

D．It is close to the real environment on the moon.

2. What can we infer from what Li Liyi said in the passage?

A．Lunar dust is a big challenge for crewed moon landing.

B．The new facility can simulate all environments on the moon.

C．The facility can generate the real space environment in the world.

D．The chamber can make the future lunar exploration successful.

3. What is the author’s purpose to write this passage?

A．To indicate the difficulties of crewed moon landing.

B．To introduce China's newly-built vacuum chamber.

C．To describe the real environment on the moon.

D．To introduce China's crewed moon landing project.

4. Which application of the lunar surface simulator is not mentioned below?

A．understand its impacts on spacecraft.

B．prepare us for a crewed moon landing.

C．help us have a better understanding of the dust formation process.

D．help us to design flying dust.

2 . Art Builds Understanding

Despite the long history of scholarship on experiences of art, researchers have yet to capture and understand the most meaningful aspects of such experiences, including the thoughts and insights we gain when we visit a museum, the sense of encounter after seeing a meaningful work of art, or the changed thinking after experiences with art. These powerful encounters can be inspiring, uplifting, and contribute to well-being and flourishing.

    1     It contributes to facilitating a better understanding of ourselves, the human condition, and moral and spiritual concepts. The question is how that happens — what are the attributes of meaningful experiences of art?

According to the mirror model of art developed by Pablo P. L. Tinio, aesthetic reception corresponds to artistic creation in a mirror-reversed fashion. Artists aim to express ideas and messages about the human condition or the world at large.     2     This results in the build-up of layers of materials — from initial studies and sketches to the final, refined piece. A viewer’s initial interaction with an artwork starts where the artist has left off. Their interaction first involves the processing surface features, such as color, texture, and the finishing touches applied by the artist during the final stages of the creative process.     3    

In addition, art making and art viewing are connected by creative thinking. Research in a lab at Yale University shows that an educational program that uses art appreciation activities builds creative thinking skills. It showed that the more time visitors spent engaging with art and the more they reflected on it, the greater the correspondence with the artists’ intentions and ideas.     4    

Correspondence in feeling and thinking suggests a transfer — between creator and viewer — of ideas, concepts, and emotions contained in the works of art. Art has the potential to communicate across space and time.     5     What it takes for this to happen is active engagement with art in contexts that facilitate this engagement, especially museums.

A．The viewers gain a new perspective on the story.

B．The theory of aesthetic cognitivism describes the value of art.

C．This helps to create connections and insights that otherwise would not happen.

D．To do so, they explore key ideas and continually expand them as they develop their work.

E．After spending more time with the work, the viewer begins to access the ideas of the artist.

F．For example, in one activity, people are asked to view a work of art from different perspectives.

G．Participants were more original in their thinking when compared to those who did not take part in the program.

3 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

With more and more children being overweight, we need to find     1    (create) ways to encourage them to develop healthy habits. How do you inspire teens to lose weight?

Overweight teens bear a heavy burden. Being overweight affects their     2    (popular), self-esteem, ability to make friends — everything important to a teenager. Bruce, son of dietitian Anne, describes his anxiety about being overweight. He was worried about     3     clothes made him look fat. When he finally lost weight, he felt that a huge burden     4    (lift).

At her STAR (Service for At-Risk Teens) Clinic, Anne finds that overweight kids are at risk for depression, poor self-image, and lack of friendship. Teens can’t succeed at weight loss alone. They need helpful parents, who create healthy home environments and serve     5     good role models. When parents succeed at weight loss, their children are more likely     6    (succeed) as well.

She suggests     7    (turn) off the television and limiting computer time. Studies show kids spending hours in front of screens are more inactive and that they have a strong tendency to be snacking     8    (mindless) while sitting.

She also says parents may need some additional guidance to help overweight teens get to the stage     9     they are ready to lose weight. Health care professionals can provide valuable     10    (suggest) that teens will listen to, as well as support for both parents and teens.

4 . At the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, among mountain songs and ethnic costumes and special ceremonies, I am noticeable despite my modern dress, as my green “VOLUNTEER” nametag brands me as a perfect target for curious tourists. I have volunteered to learn about global customs; my knowledge of my native culture is limited. I had boxed up my past before moving to America eight years ago, when a new continent considered my old self foreign.

Here on the National Mall, I am the only means of communication between the Americans and the artisan (工匠), who were invited from China to display their talents. They see my awkward hand gestures as I test my mother tongue, speaking Mandarin (普通话) and putting it into English for visitors.

The artisans possess exceptional skills. He Guoyao can read thousands of pictographic characters (象形文字) and bears the duty of passing on Dongba culture. Cheng Zhirong creates fantastic animal figures with a spoon and melted sugar in minutes. Standing among them, I wonder about the contributions a 16-year-old girl can make.

“Ooh, it’s so pretty!” A young girl sticks her nose close to a sugar dragon. Zhirong, the candy maker, signals to me, and I explain to the girl that the dragon is pure sugar. “Mommy, it’s candy!” she excitedly says. “Beautiful...” The crowd breathes in awe. One woman taps me on the shoulder, saying, “Please, tell her that her work is surreal... a gift from another world.”

As Zhirong takes my hand and calls me “little sister”, I find my place in this group of extraordinary people who crossed oceans to build a bridge between different ethnicities and nationalities through sugar sculptures and painted words. I, too, am a bearer of traditions．

I smile at Guoyao, as he paints in pictographic characters the English words I have taught him, “You’re welcome.” I come to know that culture is not shelved behind glass cases in museums. It is in the life that I once thought backward and dull — the Chinese way of life that is a part of me.

1. Why does the author attend the Smithsonian Folklife Festival?

A．To learn about global traditions.

B．To improve her interpersonal skills.

C．To interview some talented artisans.

D．To appreciate the wonderful artworks.

2. What is the author’s role on the National Mall?

A．A visitor.

B．A translator.

C．A tour guide.

D．A security guard.

3. What does the underlined part “in awe” in paragraph 4 mean?

A．In doubt.

B．In silence.

C．In satisfaction.

D．In amazement.

4. What does the author realize in the end?

A．Chinese culture has been part of her own identity.

B．Culture should be presented in different forms.

C．Culture can only be kept alive through exchanges.

D．Chinese culture has helped her better adapt to her new life.

5 . 4 places in the Midwest that look like they could be in Europe

If an expensive overseas trip isn’t in the cards for you right now, don’t worry. Take a road trip from Chicago and check out these Mid-western tourist spots that look like they’re straight out of a European postcard．

★Niles, Illinois

If you visit a square at 6300 W. Touhy Avenue, you’ll find a pleasantly European surprise — a half-sized copy of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Constructed in1934 to hide a water tower, the Leaning Tower of Niles stands 94 feet tall with a 7. 4-foot tilt which looks like the Italian one．

★Lindsborg, Kansas

Originally settled by Swedish immigrants, Lindsborg’s Scandinavian culture remains clear through public art and Swedish specialty shops, so prepare to collect Scandinavia n clothes, cookies, and wine. Best of all are the town’s yearly Scandinavian celebrations, where you’ll find various Swedish traditions．

★Frankenmuth, Michigan

Lovingly called “Little Bavaria”, this central Michigan town look like they’ve been transported straight out of a Franconian village. For the full Bavarian experience, you can stop by one of its restaurants for traditional German food. You can also learn a little more about the town’s Franconian origins．

★New Glarus, Wisconsin

Many people in Chicago know New Glarus for its brewery. Take a walk there and you’ll soon realize why it’s called “Little Switzerland”. Named after the big city of Glarus in Switzerland, New Glarus’ wooden houses, Swiss restaurants and museums, and gently hilled landscapes make for an almost Alpine（阿尔卑斯山的）experience．

1. What is the best part of a trip to Lindsborg, Kansas?

A．The local natural scenery．

B．The Scandinavian celebrations．

C．The Scandinavian dressing culture．

D．The traditional Scandinavia n foods．

2. Where can visitors enjoy traditional German food?

A．Niles, Illinois．	B．Lindsborg, Kansas．
C．Frankenmuth, Michigan．	D．New Glarus, Wisconsin．

3. Why is New Glarus called “Little Switzetland”?

A．For its famous brewery．	B．For its Alpine-style design．
C．For its main Swiss population．	D．For the same city name of Glarus．

6 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

The traditional Chinese painting is     1     (fundamental) an abstract art form. Objects in Chinese paintings are a less direct copy of the natural world,     2     comparison to Western paintings. Actually, the Chinese painting aims to demonstrate a     3     (harmony) relation between the natural world and human emotion.

What Chinese painters would like to produce in their paintings is not a visual effect of colors and patterns that Western painters tend     4     (achieve). The description of objects in Chinese paintings is by no means accurate because few painters     5     (concern) about their exact size or shape. What they want to seek is a spiritual world in their mind     6     nature provides exactly basic elements. This is how Chinese painters view nature. Remote mountains and running streams     7     (be) the primary materials of their thinking and creating since ancient times. Chinese artists often say that the artists first need to have a thorough and deep understanding of the natural     8     (exist) before drawing.

With a long history of China, generations of Chinese painters express thoughts on the material world through this unique art form and leave a valuable treasure to the Chinese. Nowadays, the Chinese painting, as     9     important part of global culture, has become increasingly attractive across the world,     10     (enjoy) great popularity at home and abroad.

7 . My mom enjoyed inviting people for Thanksgiving. After my family moved far away from all our _________, Mom started filling the house with _________ guests—whoever had nowhere else to go for Thanksgiving.

I missed our big family gatherings before moving here, but Mom had a(n) _________ heart. This year, when Mom showed me her guest list, almost half the size of our small town’s _________, I was annoyed.

Our first guests arrived: three foreign exchange students. Mom’s original plan was to _________ one. But she was told those unable to go home sometimes _________ in tears, so here came three. The next guests _________ through the door, a single mom and her six kids. With more guests, the volume and the temperature in the house instantly _________. Luckily, dinner was ready before the house or I _________. However, seeing my name card placed among the six kids, I murmured angrily, “How would I get such an __________ seat?”

After dinner, Mom suggested sharing something we were thankful for—another annual __________ at our house. “I’m so __________ to your family for opening up home to us.” The single mom spoke with watery eyes. Then one student expressed how much it __________ to be with a family on Thanksgiving.

Suddenly something __________ me: the essence of generosity and inclusion. Thanksgiving is about more than family—it’s about a shared __________ full of kindness.

1.

A．colleagues

B．relatives

C．neighbours

D．strangers

2.

A．close

B．random

C．specific

D．favorite

3.

A．generous

B．energetic

C．curious

D．powerful

4.

A．applicants

B．beggars

C．population

D．volunteers

5.

A．shelter

B．award

C．repay

D．host

6.

A．set out

B．took over

C．broke down

D．showed up

7.

A．burst

B．dropped

C．pulled

D．fell

8.

A．recovered

B．declined

C．rose

D．stretched

9.

A．exploded

B．suffered

C．slid

D．withdrew

10.

A．impressive

B．unlucky

C．unusual

D．awesome

11.

A．contest

B．opportunity

C．anticipation

D．tradition

12.

A．grateful

B．sympathetic

C．familiar

D．addicted

13.

A．cost

B．worked

C．remained

D．meant

14.

A．inspired

B．convinced

C．struck

D．drilled

15.

A．welfare

B．community

C．friendship

D．future

8 . Desire for success is a basic human nature. But hurdles are bound to come up on the way to success, discouraging you from your goal.     1     Here are some ways that may help you to be diligent and write your own success story.

First of all, having a clear vision is essential to be diligent in life. If you are not clear about what you want to achieve in life, you will lose direction, motivation and enthusiasm in life.     2     So if you want to gain diligence, you should make an effort to define your vision.

    3     Proper planning enables us to turn most of the goals into reality without regrets in later part of life. Having a plan in advance, though, does not mean that you have to plan from start to finish. It means you should know in which direction you are heading.

Moreover, excuses are not going to keep you away from regrets in your later life. If you delay diligence because of your family responsibility, it simply means your goals are not in your priority list, which is why excuses are coming.     4    .

Finally, diligence is not the birthright of some privileged people but an option.     5    . Otherwise, you might unconsciously develop the habit of not being serious about bigger tasks as well. So now is the right time to start striving to be diligent in everything you do and ensure your success.

A．You have to be brave when encountering hurdles.

B．On the other hand, if you are, you will stay diligent.

C．You need to practice diligence even for the smallest task.

D．In fact, only those who are diligent can overcome them.

E．Diligence is the application of persistent effort on a task.

F．It is of the same importance to have a specific plan beforehand.

G．So follow your dreams with no excuse to live a happy and successful life.

9 . A satellite is an object in space that orbits around another. It has two kinds — natural satellites and artificial satellites. The moon is a natural satellite that moves around the earth while artificial satellites are those made by man.

Despite their widespread impact on daily life, artificial satellites mainly depend on different complicated makeups. On the outside, they may look like a wheel, equipped with solar panels or sails. Inside, the satellites contain mission-specific scientific instruments, which include whatever tools the satellites need to perform their work. Among them, high-resolution cameras and communication electronics are typical ones. Besides, the part that carries the load and holds all the parts together is called the bus.

Artificial satellites operate in a systematic way just like humans. Computers function as the satellite’s brain, which receive information, interpret it, and send messages back to the earth. Advanced digital cameras serve as the satellite’s eyes. Sensors are other important parts that not only recognize light, heat, and gases, but also record changes in what is being observed. Radios on the satellite send information back to the earth. Solar panels provide electrical power for the computers and other equipment, as well as the power to move the satellite forward.

Artificial satellites use gravity to stay in their orbits. Earth’s gravity pulls everything toward the center of the planet. To stay in the earth’s orbit, the speed of a satellite must adjust to the tiniest changes in the pull of gravity. The satellite’s speed works against earth’s gravity just enough so that it doesn’t go speeding into space or falling back to the earth.

Rockets carry satellites to different types and heights of orbits, based on the tasks they need to perform. Satellites closer to the earth are in low-earth orbit, which can be 200-500 miles high. The closer to the earth, the stronger the gravity is. Therefore, these satellites must travel at about 17,000 miles per hour to keep from falling back to the earth, while higher-orbiting satellites can travel more slowly.

1. What is Paragraph 2 of the text mainly about?

A．The appearance of artificial satellites.	B．The components of artificial satellites.
C．The basic function of artificial satellites.	D．The specific mission of artificial satellites.

2. What is the role of computers in artificial satellites?

A．Providing electrical power.	B．Recording changes observed.
C．Monitoring space environment.	D．Processing information received.

3. How do artificial satellites stay in their orbits?

A．By relying on powerful rockets to get out of gravity.

B．By orbiting at a fixed speed regardless of gravity’s pull.

C．By changing speed constantly based on the pull of gravity.

D．By resisting the pull of gravity with advanced technologies.

4. Why do satellites in higher-earth orbit travel more slowly?

A．They are more affected by earth’s gravity.

B．They take advantage of rockets more effectively.

C．They have weaker pull of gravity in higher orbits.

D．They are equipped with more advanced instruments.

10 . South America has a long and interesting coastline. When it comes to beaches, there are some excellent options to be found across the continent.

Sancho Beach

This beach is an amazing stretch of sand with peaceful waters. The clear waters are perfect for swimming but it is difficult to access. It can only be reached by boat or by climbing down the rocky hillsides on each end, so it isn’t particularly good for younger children or people who are physically challenged.

Vichayito Beach

Just a short distance from the waterfront town of Mancora, this lovely beach is often quiet and peaceful, offering some nice shallow water to swim in for little ones. A little further out, the waves pick up, making for fine surfing and windsurfing surroundings, while the charming village offers nice accommodation.

Copacabana Beach

The cold water here means it isn’t an ideal swimming location, but there are good spots for surfing and windsurfing. Various water activities make it a great beach. Visit early, especially in the busy tourist seasons, not only to avoid crowds, but also to gain admittance — visitors will be turned away once the park reaches peak capacity.

Jericoacoara Beach

Located near the city center, this beach is very popular among surfers thanks to its great waves. It isn’t too rough to swim for experienced swimmers, although a slightly rocky seafloor means you should be careful. With large crowds of people, the best time to visit is sunset-arrive early to get a good viewing spot.

1. What may make Sancho Beach difficult to reach?

A．The great waves.	B．Its unique location.
C．Lack of boat services.	D．Large crowds of tourists.

2. Which beach is the most ideal place for young children to swim?

A．Sancho Beach.	B．Vichayito Beach.
C．Copacabana Beach.	D．Jericoacoara Beach.

3. What do Copacabana Beach and Jericoacoara Beach have in common?

A．They both appeal to those loving water sports.

B．Tourists may be rejected due to their limited capacity.

C．Tourists should arrive early to get a good viewing spot.

D．They provide perfect swimming options for professionals.