Steven Green was a hardworking man who worked all his life to support his family. He never finished college, so he had to take hard labor jobs around the neighborhood. He worked as a builder and a carpenter through the years. He often helped his neighbors whenever needed. However, as he grew older, he could no longer do these jobs. His knees grew weak, and his health condition made it difficult for him to do difficult jobs.
Steven’s kids didn’t live in the same state as him and could only send him a little money because they also led a poor life. Unfortunately, Steven experienced constant physical pain after doing hard labor jobs for years, and he needed to take medicine every day. The money his kids offered was only enough for food, and his savings were small. Realizing that he needed more money, Steven decided to get a job again. Finally, he found a job as a doorkeeper. At first, his salary was enough to pay for the groceries and the medicine he needed. However, due to his advanced age, he started to need more medicine, and it cost a whole lot.
To pay the growing bills, Steven began to take things from his home to a second-hand store to get some money. One day, as he was carrying an old radio to the store, his neighbor, Ben, saw him. “Mr. Green, it’s so good to see you! How have you been?” Ben asked. “I’m doing great. I’m just selling couple of things I no longer use at home for some cash. Being weak is terrible when you’re old, so take care of yourself when you are young, alright?” he said almost jokingly. Ben nodded.
“Thanks for the tip, Mr. Green!” he said before waving goodbye. That same day, Steven was cooking dinner when he heard the doorbell ring. He wasn’t expecting anyone, so he curiously walked towards the door.
Paragraph 1:Surprisingly, he saw Ben standing there with a jacket in his arms.
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Paragraph 2:
“Ben must have forgotten about the check inside the pocket,” Steven thought.
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Language is naturally acquired when children are able to use it pleasurably, and language acquisition by children
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She said that reading is a shortcut to learning English in a foreign language environment, as quality reading materials introduce children to genuine dialogue they can reproduce in real-life
“Children read because they love to read, not because they are told that reading is important for learning English. We should allow them
She added that relieving anxiety, making children feel safe, and allowing them to experience a sense of
3 . How to overcome gym anxiety
Here are some practical tips to help you overcome anxiety in the gym and create a positive, empowering experience for yourself.
Set realistic expectations
The first step in overcoming gym anxiety is to set realistic expectations. Understand that everyone starts somewhere and that the gym is a place for personal growth and improvement.
Plan ahead and familiarise yourself
Start slowly and gradually
Ease into your gym routine by starting with exercises and machines you are comfortable with.
Having a gym partner can provide huge support and motivation. Consider finding a friend who shares your fitness goals or seeking guidance from a personal trainer. A supportive companion or an expert can provide guidance, encourage you during workouts, and help remove anxiety by offering tips and feedback.
Practice mindfulness techniques
Mindfulness exercises can be powerful tools to fight anxiety in any setting, including the gym.
| A．Find a gym partner or seek professional help |
| B．Fight gym anxiety and unlock your true potential |
| C．Remind yourself that progress certainly takes time. |
| D．Feeling prepared can significantly reduce anxiety levels. |
| E．Stepping foot inside a gym can cause feelings of anxiety. |
| F．Prior to your workout, take minutes to engage in deep breathing or thinking. |
| G．Gradually introduce new exercises or equipment as you become more confident. |
4 . The multipurpose AS700 civilian airship model recently received a major certification from the government, moving it closer to mass production, according to State-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China, the nation’s leading aircraft maker.
The company said in a statement on Tuesday that the Civil Aviation Administration of China issued the type certificate to the AS700 on Dec.13, making the type the first manned airship in China to be domestically developed and certified.
Designed and built by the Special Aircraft Research Institute, the airship’s research and development started in August 2018, with the main aim of meeting tourist demand for sightseeing air tours.
The airship has a maximum takeoff weight of 4.15 metric tons and a maximum speed of 100 kilometers per hour. The plane is able to carry one pilot and nine tourists and is capable of flying 700 kilometers and staying in the air for up to 10 hours.
“After receiving the type certificate, we will cooperate with the airship’s first users to develop a set of standard procedures for its business operations. And we will also work together to get the production certificate as soon as possible,” Zhao Xiajun, deputy director of the institute, said on Wednesday. “So far, we have signed several contracts for the first mass-produced AS700s.”
There will be plenty of space inside the aircraft, which will allow it to have cooking facilities and a washroom. It can also be equipped with high-end electrical devices to meet market needs for extravagant vehicles, according to designers.
With a comfortable flight experience, good economy and high safety, airships are a good choice for aerial (空中) tourism and cargo (货物) transportation to remote areas, said Du Wei, project manager of the AS700. “Besides its potential in tourism, the AS700 will also be suitable for a wide range of civilian operations such as mineral prospecting, emergency rescue and so on.”
1. What do we know about the AS700 civilian airship?| A．It has received the type certificate. | B．It will be put into operation in no time. |
| C．It has already been massively made. | D．It has been recognized by its first users. |
| A．To prove China’s great development in space. |
| B．To satisfy tourist need for sightseeing air tours. |
| C．To make high profits from selling the aircrafts. |
| D．To promote cooperation between different nations. |
| A．Economical. | B．Military. | C．Luxurious. | D．Recyclable. |
| A．A news report. | B．A film review. |
| C．An advertisement. | D．A poster. |
5 . Researchers have found a group of lost cities in the Amazon rainforest. The cities were home to at least 10,000 farmers around 2,000 years ago.
Stéphen Rostain, one of the researchers, first noticed the earthen mounds (土墩) and buried roads in Ecuador more than twenty years ago. But at the time, he wasn’t sure how it all fitted together. Recent mapping using laser (激光) technology revealed those locations to be part of a group of settlements in the forested areas near the Andes mountains and connecting roads.
This LIDAR image provided by researchers in January 2024 shows complexes of rectangular (矩形) platforms arranged around low squares along wide dug streets at the Kunguints site, Upano Valley in Ecuador. “It was a lost valley of cities, and it’s incredible” said Rostain.
The Upano people lived in the settlements between around 500 B. C. and 300 to 600 A. D. That was around the same time period as the Roman Empire in Europe. Ancient people built on over 6,000 earthen mounds in an area surrounded by agricultural fields with drainage (排水) canals. The largest roads were 10 meters wide and went for 10 to 20 kilometers. While it is difficult to estimate populations, the area was home to at least 10,000 people, and possibly about 15,000 or 30,000 at its highest point. That is comparable to the estimated population of Roman-era London, then Britain’s largest city. The Amazon is often thought of as a wild area with only small groups of people. But recent discoveries have shown us how much more complex the past really is.
Scientists have recently also found evidence of complex rainforest societies that came before European contact elsewhere in the Amazon, including in Bolivia and Brazil. “There’s always been an incredible diversity of people and settlements in the Amazon, not only one way to live,” said Rostain. “We’re just learning more about them.”
1. What does Rostain think about the finding?| A．Unreasonable. | B．Understandable. | C．Unforgettable. | D．Unbelievable. |
| A．The lost cities’ long history and complex civilization. |
| B．The lost cities’ relationship with the Roman Empire. |
| C．The Upano people’s similarities in lifestyle with London. |
| D．The Upano people’s advanced agriculture and transport. |
| A．People have learned enough about the complex societies. |
| B．Much remains to be discovered about the lost societies. |
| C．The rainforest societies are as complex as ever thought. |
| D．European contact with the lost cities dates from long ago. |
| A．The Loss of Complex Rainforest Societies |
| B．The History of Complex Old Settlements |
| C．Researchers Discover Lost Cities in Amazon |
| D．Scientists Find Incredible Diversity of People |
6 . Pew Research Center is an organization that aims to inform the public about the issues, beliefs and trends shaping the world. It recently asked people in 24 countries a series of questions about how connected they feel to their own communities and countries as well as to people around the world. Pew researchers looked at, among other things, how international travel experience relates to feelings of connectedness.
The study found about half of all respondents reported they feel at least somewhat close to people all over the world. Feeling close to others around the world is more common in Europe than in most other places. In the USA, only 35 percent of the respondents said they feel at least somewhat connected to those in other countries. The percentage was even lower in Argentina (28 percent) and Indonesia (22 percent).
But international travel does not always mean a person feels a closeness to people around the world. Bright, a retired American schoolteacher, is one such exception. Pew researchers found a similar case in Sweden. Ninety-nine percent of Swedish respondents said they had visited at least one other country. Yet a much smaller share of Swedish respondents—47 percent—report feeling close to people all over the world.
However, Pew’s findings also show that international connectedness can be formed in ways other than traveling overseas. Sadikova, a Uzbek English teacher, feels connected to people all over the world even though she has never traveled outside Uzbekistan. She said, “Some years ago it was difficult for us to get information about people in the world, but currently, because of media, it is quite easy to get familiar with events and news.”
1. What’s the mission of Pew Research Center?| A．To make ordinary people aware of what influences the world. |
| B．To advocate traveling worldwide to understand other cultures. |
| C．To report something important happening all over the world. |
| D．To educate the public to get connected with others globally. |
| A．Indonesia. | B．Argentina. | C．The USA. | D．Sweden. |
| A．Swedish people are fond of travelling worldwide to get familiar with others. |
| B．International travels don’t necessarily make people feel connected to others. |
| C．American travelers feels less close to people in the country they have visited. |
| D．The number of Swedish travels is much larger than that of American tourists. |
| A．People in Europe feel much closer to others. |
| B．Uzbeks are less fond of learning about world events. |
| C．Media can also make people feel connected to others. |
| D．Traveling is the easiest way to get linked to others. |
7 . Kruger National Park is, in a word, life-changing. One of the top attractions in South Africa, and one of the largest national parks in the world, Kruger National Park is a must for any wildlife lover.
Kruger National Park Animals
Nothing will prepare you for the huge volume of wildlife that you’ll be able to see in Kruger National Park. The park is home to 114 different species of reptiles; more than 500 species of birds; and 147 mammals. Not only will you have the opportunity to see the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino), but you’ll see tons of other mammals like zebras, giraffes, hyenas, hippos, impalas, and many more.
When is the Best Time to Visit Kruger National Park?
The driest months being June, July, and August are the best time of year to visit the park, when the days are sunny and warm and the nights are cooler. Many trees and shrubs have lost their leaves, and water sources dry up, making it easier to spot game around the remaining waterholes.
Driving in Kruger National Park
What makes Kruger National Park unique from other parks is that it is accessible via self-drive. Many people who come to the park come with their own vehicle because it’s considerably more affordable than taking a guided tour. Doing a self-drive safari (游猎) also gives you more flexibility with your timing.
1. How does the writer show the diversity of animals in Kruger National Park?| A．By making comparisons. | B．By listing figures. |
| C．By using illustrations. | D．By classifying facts. |
| A．Spring. | B．Summer. | C．Autumn. | D．Winter. |
| A．It has unique animals. | B．It offers a flexible time. |
| C．It allows self-drive. | D．It charges fairly low. |
8 . Growing up in Kenya, Lesein Mutunkei, together with his family, always celebrated significant occasions by planting trees, which motivated him to protect the environment. It’s what the now 18-year-old soccer player treasures, especially since Kenya has an ongoing problem with deforestation.
Mutunkei follows in the footsteps of the late Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai who founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977. This initiative has resulted in the planting of over 51 million trees to date.
In 2018, Lesein decided to start a movement of his own. He started by planting one tree for every goal he scored during a football match. He called it Trees4Goals, and it has grown so much that he now plants 11 trees, one for each member of his team, every time he scores. Through this, he wants to inspire young people, specifically his fellow athletes, to follow in his footsteps, take nature conservation seriously, and promise to plant trees every time they score. As a result, some of them have adapted this practice for their sports. “Seeing that they’re taking that responsibility because of the project I started, for me, that is the biggest achievement,” he said.
The initiative has caught the attention of English football club Arsenal and Kenya’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry, which he now works with regularly and gets advice from.
Like Green Belt Movement, Trees4Goals, which has planted 5,500 trees so far, has made it. While Lesein has received some recognition for his initiative, he sets his sights on making it a worldwide phenomenon. “Football is a universal game, and climate change is a universal problem,” he explains. “It has the power to unite, educate and inspire my generation to create a safer and greener future.” This is why he wants to work with the world’s biggest football federation FIFA.
As for what others can do to fight deforestation or other environmental concerns, the teenager says it’s important to just get involved in some way, no matter how small.
1. What made Lesein get interested in environmental protection?| A．The influence of his family. |
| B．Wangari Maathai’s huge assistances. |
| C．The demand of the football team. |
| D．His fellow athletes’ encouragement. |
| A．To gain Kenya’s support. |
| B．To set an example for others. |
| C．To catch Arsenal’s attention. |
| D．To show his achievements. |
| A．Promoting football’s development. |
| B．Going global with the help of FIFA. |
| C．Beating climate change completely. |
| D．Getting beyond Green Belt Movement. |
| A．Fame is a great thirst of the young. |
| B．A youth is to be regarded with respect. |
| C．Positive thinking and action result in success. |
| D．Success means getting personal desires satisfied. |
China Before China,
The documentary
The crew spent months
10 . Minimalism isn’t about being boring or getting rid of most of your things and living in empty rooms. It’s more about identifying what adds value to your life and brings you joy and parting with things that don’t.
Whether you want to start the process of living a more minimalist lifestyle or have already started but are finding yourself stuck, here are some tips to help you.
Be Clear On Why You Want To Live A Minimalist LifestyleGetting rid of useless things in your home, workspace and life, in general, can be challenging.
Being clear as to why you’re doing it can be critical as it’ll help remind you of your goal, fuel your motivation and keep you going even when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Opening a garbage bag and clearing out everything you don’t want to keep is quick and easy. Yet, someone else could use your items or recycle them. One of the best things you can do is donate your clothes to someone you know or a charity.
| A．You can also organize a big garage sale |
| B．The best way to tidy up is to take it one step at a time |
| C．Mindset is key to a “less is more” attitude and lifestyle |
| D．That’s because it might be hard to part with some of your things |
| E．Living a minimalist lifestyle can allow you to create a life of more |
| F．This way, you can get rid of the unnecessary things that burden you |
| G．Perhaps you want to create more space in your home or limit your carbon footprint |
