1 . People have mainly used cars or taxis to travel from one place to another. These forms of land transportation have their constraints. Time has been wasted simply because of the traffic on the road. Well, this issue may be solved soon because a company has made a taxi that can actually fly and avoid the crowded streets.

XPeng, a Chinese carmaker, has created this wonderful innovation and conducted the first global public flight of its electric flying car, the XPeng X2, in Dubai. XPeng Motors’ X2 is a two-seater vehicle featuring a teardrop-shaped design with a complete carbon fiber structure to reduce weight. It can travel as high as 1,000 meters and at a speed of 81 miles per hour. At this point, the built-in battery can store electricity for a 35 -minute flight.

The XPeng X2 used during the demo flight (试飞) is a fifth-generation model, but the company is currently working on the sixth generation that will bring significant upgrades.The future model will be equipped with both manned and unmanned flight driving modes, and will be able to drive in the air and on roads — the fifth-generation vehicle is only capable of flying, not driving.

This first ever public flight came with full support of Dubai’s government. They have been deeply involved in the process. An official called Hashemi said, “The first global public flight of the X2 flying car will change the game of future mobility. The flying car is the combination of ambition, innovation and future-oriented vision that has always inspired Dubai and its leadership. Today, we witnessed a historic moment that will define the next 50 years.”

1. What does the underlined word “constraints” in Paragraph 1 mean?

A．Risks.

B．Rules.

C．Duties.

D．Shortcomings.

2. What can we learn about the “XPeng X2”?

A．It can generate electricity.	B．It can travel 81 miles at a time.
C．It will come onto the market soon.	D．It will provide different driving modes.

3. How did Hashemi feel after watching the demo-light?

A．Thrilled.

B．Shocked.

C．Relaxed.

D．Disappointed.

4. What is the main idea of this text?

A．A new vehicle has won Dubai’s support.

B．A Chinese carmaker is devoted to innovation.

C．A new way to solve traffic problems is found.

D．A flying vehicle has made its first demo flight.

2 . Fluency is the rate at which the child reads. Fluent readers take note of things like question marks and adjust their voice. Their expression sounds natural, and their voice is not as flat as they read. Children who are fluent readers make their reading sound like talking.     1     Here are some ways to improve your children’s fluency.

First, it’s important to choose “just right” books. They will struggle to read books that are too difficult, spending their time trying to figure out unfamiliar words.     2     If a child is struggling with fluency, consider having him read books that are easy.

    3     It’s important to discuss what fluent reading sounds like but even better actually to set an example for your children. This can help your children understand what you mean when you ask them to use the expression more smoothly. Another choice is to have children listen to audiobooks to hear what fluent reading sounds like.

Children can improve their fluency through whispering phones. They are like pretend telephones that children read into. When children read into such phones, they can hear themselves well and use that feedback to think about their expression and reading rate.     4    

Use choral reading (合唱式阅读). This occurs when a group of children reads something together, saying the words at the same time. You might read the text out loud by yourself first.     5     Then you can read it together, with them matching your pace and expression.

A．This causes fluency to break down.

B．Give your children materials to listen to.

C．Many children also find choral reading useful.

D．Model for children how reading should sound.

E．Children can hear how the reading should sound.

F．Many children find it’s quite interesting to use them.

G．Their reading sounds effortless, much like carrying on a conversation.

6 . Teaching your children about world cultures helps them appreciate the differences in people and their traditions.    1     Use your imagination to teach your children about world cultures.

Create a Passport

International travel requires a passport, so start your foreign adventures by creating a passport. Help her make a small book to serve as her passport.     2     That way, you can draw or glue a picture of the country’s flag to stamp the pages of her passport as she “travels” to learn about world cultures.

Learn Cultural Customs

What we might do in our home country isn’t necessarily appropriate in other countries. Learning about each culture’s customs can be important for you both.    3     Your left hand is considered unclean in India, so pass all food or objects to other people with your right one.

Teach the Language

Learning a foreign language is fun for children.    4     Learn basic words your child already knows. Teach both written and spoken forms.

Celebrate Holidays

Decorate your home as you would find streets, businesses and other houses for their observed holidays. Celebrate national holidays just as people in that country do. For example, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom observe Boxing Day. The holiday’s tradition includes giving money and donations to organizations and people in need.    5     You can also drop a few bills or donate things to a nonprofit.

A．You celebrate it with fireworks.

B．The pages should be blank on the inside.

C．Pointing your feet in Thailand is offensive.

D．Take them to a heritage and cultural centre when you are free.

E．When you’re exploring world cultures, study each country’s official language.

F．To celebrate, the two of you can box some canned goods for the local food bank.

G．Put down the textbook and travel around the globe without ever needing a suitcase.

7 . What have humans done to deserve dogs? They greet us when we come home, comfort us when we’re sad and generally act as loyal companions.

Now, researchers are investigating whether tumors (肿瘤) in dogs may help treat tumors in humans. In early April, the Jackson Laboratory began collecting samples of canine (犬的) tumors. Cells from these tumors inserted into mice could help test new drugs and improve our understanding about how cancer develops and progresses.

Although cancer results from many factors, genes play a critical role. That means the genetic makeup of a tumor can help determine which drugs work against it. So having a broad and diverse pool of genetic makeups increases the chances of finding the right way to attack each disease. This thinking is particularly relevant for rare cancers and rare mutations (突变). Drawing from a larger pool means more genetic mutations to research.

And using tumors from dogs is a nearly ideal way to widen that pool. They’re exposed to many of the same environmental factors that might cause cancer in their owners, notes Dr. Christopher Fulkerson. Some bone and brain cancers are far more common in dogs than they are in people, making samples easier to find.

In many cases, the cells in a dog’s cancer look and act the same as they would in a human. They can even carry the same genetic mutations. However, not all canine cancers will be particularly helpful for human-focused research. For some types, the similarities between human and dog diseases will be significant. But when they aren’t, warns Dr. Jaime Modiano, the differences could have serious consequences for drug development.

But even when the research doesn’t advance knowledge of human cancers, it could still help improve the treatment of dogs diagnosed (确诊) with cancer. That's the least we can do for our faithful friends.

1. What are the purposes of collecting canine tumors?

A．To help design new drugs.

B．To better understand cancer.

C．To prove dogs are our faithful friends.

D．To show cancer results from many factors.

2. Why is using tumors from dogs an ideal way?

A．Many dogs have bone and brain cancers.

B．Dogs and their owners are good companions.

C．Dogs and their owners have similar living conditions and cancer types.

D．Using tumors from dogs can help determine which drugs work better.

3. What does the author indicate by mentioning Dr. Jaime Modiano?

A．It’s useless to study cancers from dogs.

B．Studies on cancers from dogs will bring harmful results.

C．Cancers from dogs may not be helpful for fighting human cancers.

D．Some similarities between human and dog diseases are significant.

4. What’s the author’s attitude to the research?

A．Unconcerned.	B．Doubtful.
C．Pessimistic.	D．Optimistic.

8 . Harvard University’s Claudia Goldi n has won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Economics for her research on women in the labor market. She studies the changing role of working women through the centuries, and the causes of the consistent pay gap between men and women. The award comes with a prize of about $1 million. Goldi n is the third woman to receive the prize.

“Claudia Goldin’s discoveries have vast society significance,” said Randi Hjalmarsson, a member of the Nobel committee. “She has shown us that the nature of this problem or the source of these possible or underlying gender gap s changes throughout history and with the course of development.”

Goldin’s research showed that women’s role in the job market has not moved in a straight line, but has risen and fallen with social regulations and women’s own ideas about their prospects in the workplace and the home. Some of these ideas are shaped early in life and are slow to change.

“She can explain why the gender gap suddenly started to close in the 1980s and the surprising role of the birth control pill and changing expectation,” Hjalmarsson said. “And she can explain why the earnings gap has stopped closing today and the role of parenthood.”

Looking back the history of women in the workplace was easier said than done. The Nobel committee said Goldi n often had to deal with spotty records.

Women currently fill nearly half the jobs in the U. S. but typically earn less. They briefly outnumbered men on pay lists in late 2019 and early 2020, but women dropped out of the workforce in large numbers early in the pandemic (大流行病), and their ranks have only recently recovered.

Some forecasters think women’s role in the workplace will continue to grow as they pass men on college campuses and as service fields such as health care expand.

“Understanding women’s role in labor is important for society,” said Jakob Svensson, chair of the prize committee. “Thanks to Claudia Goldin’s groundbreaking research, we now know much more about the underlying factors and which barriers may need to be addressed in the future.”

1. Why was the 2023 Nobel Prize in Economics awarded to Goldin?

A．She realized the importance of women in the labour market.

B．She researched the changing role of working women for a long time.

C．She found the causes of income inequality between men and women.

D．She did pioneering studies on the role of women in the labour market.

2. What does the underlined word “underlying” in paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Organic.

B．Potential.

C．Fundamental.

D．Preferred.

3. Why did the gender gap suddenly start to narrow in the 1980s?

A．Parenthood played an important role.

B．Women’s own ideas about work have improved.

C．The income gap between men and women has been narrowed.

D．Birth control pills and changes in expectation played an amazing role.

4. What can we infer from paragraph 6?

A．Gender pay gap remains.

B．Women employed had briefly outperformed men.

C．Women’s role in the workplace will continue to grow.

D．Many women pulled out of the workforce in the pandemic.

9 . Best Family Vacations in Europe

Barcelona

In Barcelona, Gaudf’s art work is sure to impress adults and make children feel as if they’ve wandered into a fantasy land. Similarly, the street performances surprise audiences of all ages. Plus, families can always watch the FC Barcelona team play a soccer match at Camp Nou stadium.

Paris

The Eiffel Tower is sure to delight your children, whether you choose to take a lift to the top or see it at night. Nearby Disneyland Paris, whose fairy-tale setting leaves a lasting impression on its visitors, is also a popular attraction for those with little ones.

Prague

Kids will get a kick out of seeing the bizarre Dancing House, engaging with the interactive exhibits, and exploring Prague Castle. Meanwhile, parents will love the city’s rich cultural heritage (遗产) and reasonable prices. Because of its small size, Prague is an easily walkable city, which makes it perfect for those who want to save money on transportation.

London

This city attracts visitors young and old with its London Zoo, West End theatre district, London Eye and Platform 9³/₄ at King’s Cross Station, among other sights. Many of the top attractions offer guided tours, which are excellent ways for families to learn about London's history and culture.

From playing soccer in Barcelona to touring London Eye, Europe features activities for travelers of all ages and interests. If interested , click here to know more.

1. What do Barcelona and Paris have in common?

A．They offer guided tours.

B．They are known for sports stadiums.

C．They bring children into a world of imagination.

D．They share the experience of street performance.

2. Which city is pedestrian friendly?

A．Barcelona.

B．Paris.

C．Prague.

D．London.

3. Where can the text be found?

A．On a website.

B．In a magazine.

C．In a history book.

D．In a travel journal.

10 . 假定你是李华。你的澳大利亚笔友 Catherine 对中国古典小说非常感兴趣。请你用英语给她写一封电子邮件，推荐你最喜欢的中国古典小说《西游记》，内容如下：
1.你的推荐；
2.主要内容介绍。
注意：
1.词数100 左右；
2.邮件的开头已为你写好，不计入总词数；
3.可根据内容要点适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
4.参考词汇：《西游记》Journey to the West 唐僧 Tang Monk
取经 to fetch the Buddhist scriptures
Dear Catherine,
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua