1 . It was December 27th, 2004 in Malaysia. People were in a holiday mood for various reasons. It was the day after Christmas, a Sunday. On Penang Island, hotels were fully-booked by holiday-makers from home and abroad. The Dillon family had come all the way from Europe to shelter from the coldness of winter. They were up early to swim in the sea and eat a late breakfast in the Crystal Restaurant on Fisherman’s Pier.

While enjoying their Asian breakfast in a room facing the water, Mr. and Mrs. Dillon saw a strange sight through the glass windows. People on the beach were pointing at the sea which was crashing quickly into the horizon. Some were excitedly picking up shells and fish that had been exposed (暴露) when a Japanese man at the next table shouting “Tsunami! Tsunami!”. He jumped from his seat, waving wildly to everyone else, and rushed for the exit. The couple sensed that they were in danger.

Suddenly a huge wall of water came crashing through the restaurant windows, knocking over everyone. The couple held their son’s hands. However, the boy’s little hand slid out of his parents and the waves tossed him forcefully, leaving him in danger. Luckily, when his head was seen rising above the water, he was pulled up in time. Just as forcefully, the waves pulled back, breaking whatever it could. Fortunately, everyone had run onto drier ground. They rushed out to the street, shaken by the tsunami. The shocked boy burst into tears. Everyone shook with fear.

The deadly tsunami of 27th December 2004 killed more than 60 people in Malaysia. Its force was most destructive in northern Sumatra, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and India. There were also deaths in Somalia, the Maldives, and Myanmar. Altogether, about a quarter of a million people were killed, thousands went missing, and more than half a million lost their homes. Never has a natural disaster traumatized so many nations.

1. Why did the Dillon family come to Malaysia?

A．To avoid winter coldness in Europe.

B．To taste food in the Crystal Restaurant.

C．To swim in the sea on Fisherman’s Pier.

D．To celebrate Christmas with Malaysians.

2. What made the Dillons realize the coming danger?

A．The crashing sea waves.

B．The exposed shells and fish.

C．The sea view through windows.

D．The Japanese’s unusual behavior.

3. What does the underlined word “tossed” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Left alone.	B．Threw upward.
C．Moved up and down.	D．Wetted all over.

4. What does the last paragraph mainly talk about?

A．Warning signs of the tsunami.

B．Terrible effects of the tsunami.

C．Great efforts to fight the tsunami.

D．Surviving countries after the tsunami.

2 . Keshwa Chaca Bridge, Peru

While most bridges are made from wood or steel, the Keshwa Chaca Bridge is made from woven grass, which appears unsafe. You may be worried it won’t support your weight, though the bridge has lasted for 500 years. It was the Incas who first built the attractive bridge, showing the talents of the Incas and their unusual architecture methods.

Carrick-a-Red Rope Bridge, Northern Ireland

This 66-foot-long bridge sits 30 meters above the rough rocks and fast-flowing waters. Few people make it there and back. Don’t worry, they don’t fall in, they just can’t stomach the journey twice and come back by boat. It’s become a tourist attraction and you actually have to pay to cross. If you don’t have a stomach of steel, it’s probably best to get a one way ticket in case!

The Bridge of Immortals, China

The Bridge of Immortals connects the Huangshan mountain ranges in Anhui province of China. The bridge is frightening to cross but the views are really worthwhile. The drop below is pretty great and if crazy adventurers decide to cross, we only have a suggestion to offer: Don’t look down!

Hanging Bridge Of Ghasa, Nepal

This breath-taking bridge looks frightening, but it happens to be one of the main sources of transportation for locals to transport people and cattle. The bridge is extremely narrow and it stands high above a river valley. Locals have grown used to the bridge, but many tourists are too afraid to cross because it seems as if it’s about to break.

1. Where can you appreciate the architecture of the Incas?

A．Keshwa Chaca Bridge.

B．Carrick-a-Red Rope Bridge.

C．The Bridge of Immortals.

D．Hanging Bridge of Ghasa.

2. What can we know about Carrick-a-Red Rope Bridge?

A．It can be reached only by boat.

B．It takes you money to cross it.

C．It stands 66 meters above rocks.

D．It’s made of wood and lasts strong.

3. Which word can best describe all the bridges above?

A．Narrow.

B．Smooth.

C．Dangerous.

D．Creative.

3 . In a world where fire threatens more and more homes, scientists have developed a surprising type of material that might keep some buildings safer: thin sheets of fungi (真菌).

Underneath every mushroom is a branching network of root like structures called a mycelium (菌丝体). Now researchers have successfully grown these networks into pizza-size sheets that could act as a fire retardant in building materials, according to a new study in Polymer Degradation and Stability.

“Using a biological material like mycelium has enormous benefits”, says senior author Everson Kandare. Unlike asbestos, which is still sometimes added to building materials as a fire retardant, mycelium does not release poisonous compounds when exposed to fire. “When there is a building fire, it often isn’t the flame intensity or the heat that kills or injures people,” says Kandare, an engineer at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. “It is the smoke and the poisonous metal that comes out of building materials.”

The new mycelium sheets, grown into protective carpets up to a few millimeters thick, could prevent such building materials from burning in the first place. Mycelium contains a lot of carbon. When exposed to fire, the sheet briefly burns, releasing water and carbon dioxide into the air, leaving behind a black layer of carbon.

This study is the first to integrate these properties into a useful building material. Kandare suggests mycelium could replace the fire retardant foam (泡沫剂), which can produce CO and other poisonous products when it burns.

The RMIT team has been reaching out to mushroom farmers to see whether they could promote the technology for commercial use. Kandare says, “Mycelium can grow in the dark, which means its energy needs are relatively minimal. Even better, mycelium is a biological material, and any waste it leaves behind can be used as fertilizer.”

1. Which of the following can replace the underlined phrase?

A．Fire block.

B．Fire signal.

C．Fire alarm.

D．Fire detection.

2. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．Components of protective carpets.

B．Process of growing mycelium sheets.

C．Environmental impact of the material.

D．Working principle of mycelium sheets.

3. What can we learn about the new material?

A．It is widely used.

B．It contains enormous foam.

C．It’s resistant to high temperature.

D．It’s a safer option for construction.

4. What is Kandare’s attitude to mycelium’s future use?

A．Contradictory.

B．Doubtful.

C．Optimistic.

D．Cautious.

4 . My long-distance cycling career of 13 years and 35,000 kilometres ended as I approached 75 in 2019. The realisation of this dawned on me slowly during my last ride in the US summer of that same year. Although I am now no longer strong enough to endure the long days and big climbs, day in and day out, I have my memories.

Long distance cycling brings pain, anxiety and exhaustion, but these pale into insignificance compared to the joy and satisfaction of climbing huge mountains or seeing spectacular sights for the first time. Real joy would come when I was alone, on my bicycle, in some remote and beautiful place. You could say that these same feelings could have been experienced in a car, but I know this not to be true. I had time to observe nature and life, all of which would have been bypassed in a car.

I enjoyed meeting and beating the daily schedule I had set for myself. I enjoyed the ever-changing vegetation, the people, kind, unkind and indifferent, whom I met along the way. No matter how hard or easy the ride was, I always enjoyed the achievement of arriving, followed by a hot shower and bed, when I could find a motel. On the other nights, I was happy to camp. Meeting a diversity of people with different perspectives on life was easy. The cycling devices allowed me to strike up conversations in pubs and cafes and I got to see and experience the very best in people.

The road ahead always loomed large, as did the mountains, the cold, the mosquitoes and the rain. The road behind is just memories, lack of pain and anxiety, some soon to be forgotten, others to be valued and boosted with the retelling.

Cycling taught me to like who I am. I am finally happy with and accepting of my introverted (内向的) personality. I have more persistence and courage than I ever imagined. These trips all required courage, courage which I never knew I possessed.

1. What made the author end his cycling career?

A．Financial problems.

B．Lack of interest in cycling.

C．Desire to pursue other hobbies.

D．Physical inability to bear long rides.

2. What was the real pleasure for the author?

A．Meeting different people.	B．Beating the daily schedule.
C．Experiencing nature up close.	D．Climbing huge mountains.

3. What special insight did the author gain through cycling?

A．Nature deserves exploring.

B．One could find a real self.

C．Introverted people could be sociable.

D．Communication with strangers helps a lot.

4. Where is the text most likely from?

A．A magazine.

B．A brochure.

C．A novel.

D．A manual.

5 . Is your child interested in a camp with Girl Scout (童子军) activities? Attending a summer camp with this focus is a perfect way for them to explore while giving them experience and confidence. Browse our selection and find the perfect fit for your child.

Code Ninjas Camps (CNC)

Transform your child’s love for technology into an exciting learning adventure. Guided by our team of Code Senseis, Code Ninjas Camps empower kids to gain valuable tech skills and make new friends. It’s an unforgettably fun learning experience! Our camps invent, inspire and create to bring out the inventor and creator in your child this Summer and Spring Break.

Fighting Illini Sports Camps (FISC)

The University of Illinois has committed itself to the development of well-rounded summer camp programs for boys and girls. Camps are offered for boys and girls in cheer leading, cross country, golf and swimming. Also offered are camps for boys in baseball, football, gymnastics and wrestling, as well as camps for girls in basketball, gymnastics, soccer, softball and volleyball. Team camps are available in Cheer leading, Basketball, Football and Volleyball.

Girl Scouts of Central Indiana (GSCI)

Campers will enjoy the great outdoors, improve their mental health, make new friends and learn more about themselves! Girl Scouts of Central Indiana has five unique camps, each situated on beautiful sprawling acres, and each with their own special touch. Activities vary by camp program/event/location, and may include: hiking, swimming, jumping on the giant trampoline, horse or pedal car riding. It’s definitely more fun than you’d ever expect for such a great price!

1. Who is CNC intended for?

A．Girls interested in science.	B．Kids fond of sports.
C．Teenagers addicted to games.	D．Children keen on adventures.

2. What is special about FISC?

A．Activities are organized outdoors.	B．Activities are available to boys.
C．Programming courses are provided.	D．Campers need to be creative.

3. What activity is provided by both FISC and GSCI?

A．Soccer.

B．Hiking.

C．Swimming.

D．Wrestling.

6 . 他让人把手柄去掉，这样它就用不成了。（汉译英）

7 . Despite facing numerous blows, Kieran Behan kept going. This remarkable man has _________ the world, not only with his gymnastic skills, but also his unshakable _________.

Behan had a(n)_________ for gymnastics and became a part of the school team. However, his _________childhood changed when he was ten, due to an operation. The unfortunate turn of events left him in a _________. The doctors told him that he would never walk. _________, against all odds, the young Behan returned to the gym 15 months later. Unfortunately, tragedy struck again when he was 12 years old. While working on the high bar at school, Behan _________ and hit the back of his head. This brain injury damaged his inner ear, taking away the two most crucial _________ of a gymnast: balance and coordination. This time, the doctor was even more _________ that he would never walk again. Nevertheless, Behan __________ to believe any of that. Over the next three years, he made __________ to recover. He managed to make a __________ to the gymnastic world.

In 2016, Behan made it for the 2016 Olympic Games, his final Olympic appearance. He managed to complete his __________ and came in 38th in the event. Behan said, “If I’ve __________ anyone out there, then that’s a (n)__________ I’m going to be so proud of. To have gone out there and given it my all, you can’t really ask for much more.”

1.

A．challenged

B．impressed

C．explored

D．defended

2.

A．will

B．position

C．foundation

D．goal

3.

A．need

B．passion

C．nose

D．idea

4.

A．lonely

B．unlucky

C．imaginative

D．peaceful

5.

A．seat

B．mess

C．wheelchair

D．shelter

6.

A．Yet

B．Thus

C．Otherwise

D．Besides

7.

A．hung

B．slipped

C．jumped

D．swung

8.

A．hobbies

B．features

C．skills

D．qualities

9.

A．nervous

B．puzzled

C．certain

D．depressed

10.

A．tried

B．tended

C．started

D．refused

11.

A．efforts

B．suggestions

C．arrangements

D．promises

12.

A．difference

B．comeback

C．presentation

D．breakthrough

13.

A．drill

B．mission

C．routine

D．course

14.

A．inspired

B．hurt

C．misunderstood

D．admired

15.

A．trick

B．story

C．ambition

D．blessing

8 . Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an ancient system of health and wellness that’s been used in China for thousands of years. It has saved millions of lives around China’s vast territory by providing vital information on diagnosis (诊断), treating common medical problems and diseases, and emphasizing prevention. If you do not have previous experience with Chinese culture or medicine, be prepared for a cultural experience.     1    

Several thousand years ago, The Medical Classic of the Yellow Emperor put forward the principle that one should develop yang energy in spring and summer,     2     And in China’s long history, the principle has proven of great value for good health and longevity of life.

According to TCM theory, yang energy is the power for inner organs.     3     “Summer treatment” takes advantage of abundant yang energy in nature during summer, when yang energy is outward and upward. It is the right time to supplement (补充) yang energy by internal or external traditional Chinese medicine methods. This helps to adjust to the balance of yin and yang in the body, resulting in a more effective outcome.

    4     Therefore, it is the best time for the human body to supplement essence and store vital substances throughout the whole year. TCM holds that Gao Fang, the cream formula, is the best choice for tonification (滋补) in winter. By adjusting qi, blood, yin and yang of the body, it can achieve the effects of treatment, regulation, and nourishment.

“Sprouting in spring, growing in summer, harvesting in autumn and storing in winter” is the law of development in the nature.     5     It needs to be in agreement with timing and the seasons. With such direction, ancient Chinese people handed down to later generations medical texts for an orderly-arranged daily life.

A．while protecting yin energy in autumn and winter.

B．It’s necessary to the function of various body parts.

C．The same is true for the way of health preservation.

D．when the body engages in active digestive processes.

E．It will relieve your medical condition and enrich your life.

F．Winter is the season for storage of everything, including energy.

G．Summer is a good season to build up your bodies through exercise.

9 . At Marine Mammal Laboratory, laboratory director Herman put a dolphin through its paces. Using hand signals, Herman asked, “Is the ball in the pool?” The dolphin correctly pressed a lever for “YES”. Herman asked it to push the ball to a basket. It did. Then he signaled his pupil to do it again, but he removed the basket. Herman expected the dolphin to be confused. Instead, it carried the ball to the NO lever and stopped there. Herman was astonished. “This is a totally untrained, invented response,” he said, “We never dreamed the animal would ‘think’ the problem through like that.”

To get a closer look at these amazing creatures, Herman and his team spent a week on board the Jennifer Marie. Whenever they heard the cry “Dolphins!” they slipped into the water. The dolphins approached, curious about them, observing them with dark, liquid eyes. Dolphins love to imitate. If they swam on their backs, Dolphins did too. If they dived, Dolphins followed. This talent can be carried to extraordinary lengths. In one instance, a trainer blew a puff of cigarette smoke against the window of an observation tank. A young dolphin rushed to its mother, nursed briefly, and spat out a cloud of milk against the glass.

Herman said “We’re still in the early stages of learning about the intelligence of these animals and our ability to communicate with them.” Scientists are amazed at dolphins’ intelligence, but fear for the future of these trusting ocean creatures.

Dolphins’ trouble could be sharks, killer whales or, worse yet, a fishing vessel. Indeed, in the past three decades, commercial fishing, especially the biggest threat—the drift net fishing, has greatly decreased the world’s dolphin population. Every night in the North Pacific, hundreds of Asian fishing vessels put out these “curtains of death,” each up to 50 miles long. Floating with the currents, they sweep up all sea life in their path. People wonder what the world would be without dolphins.

1. Why did the dolphin stop at the NO lever?

A．It was confused.	B．It was unable to do the task.
C．It refused to listen to the order.	D．It found the basket wasn’t there.

2. Why did the dolphin spit out a cloud of milk against the glass?

A．To copy human behavior.	B．To threaten its playmate.
C．To show off its talent.	D．To drive the trainer away.

3. What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．Further research on dolphins is essential.

B．Intelligent Dolphins could tackle their troubles.

C．Some measures should be taken to protect dolphins.

D．Drift nets are the biggest trouble for marine animals.

4. What’s the best title for the text?

A．Dolphins: clever, naughty	B．Dolphins: intelligent, threatened
C．Dolphins: humans’ best friends	D．Dolphins: smartest marine animals

10 . I had always felt like I didn’t fit in the school. My true friends weren’t in the crowd of _________ kids in school, either.

Parading before me was “the fun group”— the popular kids — always laughing and whispering (窃窃私语). I wanted to be just like them and wished to be _________ .

Later, my dream came true when I joined a cheer leading team. Immediately, I_________ a lot — new hair color, new dressing style and a new group of _________. Everything I had wanted to be, I was. I was _________ one of the popular kids.

However, the more I was included with the “in crowd”, the more confused I became. _________, these people were far from _________ . They talked behind each other’s backs while they _________ to be best friends. They _________ what I was wearing, but they weren’t concerned about what my dreams were. I began to feel a sense of loss and __________.

Worst of all, I __________ that I was becoming just like them. I decided I had to get my life back in __________ . I concentrated on finding out who my real friends were — the ones who really mattered. I stayed with cheer leading, but I __________ playing with only the popular kids. I found out that my real friends had never__________ me. They were simply waiting for me. I finally learned that my __________ friends were all I would ever need.

1.

A．busy

B．clever

C．popular

D．serious

2.

A．accepted

B．praised

C．challenged

D．helped

3.

A．thought

B．learned

C．requested

D．changed

4.

A．teachers

B．classmates

C．neighbors

D．friends

5.

A．finally

B．responsibly

C．strangely

D．privately

6.

A．In shock

B．On hand

C．In fact

D．On earth

7.

A．alone

B．certain

C．perfect

D．unique

8.

A．dreamed

B．pretended

C．demanded

D．chose

9.

A．searched for

B．cared about

C．watched over

D．looked after

10.

A．excitement

B．curiosity

C．peace

D．disappointment

11.

A．begged

B．wondered

C．explained

D．realized

12.

A．order

B．need

C．advance

D．common

13.

A．stopped

B．began

C．continued

D．enjoyed

14.

A．cheated

B．left

C．helped

D．supported

15.

A．lucky

B．popular

C．former

D．confident