1 . In 2019, after retiring from her career as a social worker, Ane Freed - Kernis decided to build a home workshop and devote all of her free time to stone carving. “I might be covered head to to e in dust but I’m happy — it was something I needed more of in my life when I hit 60,” she says.

This appeal has its origins in Freed - Kernis’ childhood. Growing up on her father’s farm in Denmark, she used to wander through the fields with her eyes fixed on the ground, looking for stones to add to her collection. “I’ve always been drawn to the shapes and textures (质地) of stones,” she says.

After moving to England in 1977 and training as a social worker, Freed - Kernis soon became occupied with her busy career and the demands of raising her son. Stones were the last thing on her mind, until her father died in 2005. “He took a stone carving course in his retirement, and I always thought stone seemed so fun but never had the time to look into it myself,” she says. “After he died, I became determined to learn in his honour.”

Signing up for a week-long stone carving course at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Freed-Kernis began to learn how to turn a block of rock into well-designed shapes. “It was really scary at the start because you would spend hours just hammering (锤打).”

Now 65, Freed-Kernis has a thriving small business built largely through word of mouth. She creates 12 to 15 pieces a year that can take anywhere from a few days to three weeks to complete, while her prices range from £ 200 to £ 3,000. “I’m making smaller ones,” she says. “I don’t have to depend on the money much, so I want to keep prices in the range that people can afford, mainly just covering costs and labour (劳动力).”

1. Freed-Kernis was first attracted by stones when ______.

A．she was 60	B．she was a child
C．her father died	D．she moved to England

2. What can we infer about Freed-Kernis from paragraph 3?

A．She never cared about her father.

B．She led a disappointing life in Denmark.

C．She spent lots of time studying stone carving.

D．She learned stone carving under the influence of her dad.

3. How did Freed-Kernis feel when she started stone carving course?

A．Hopeful and proud.

B．Confident and satisfied.

C．Nervous and frightened.

D．Impatient and unprepared.

4. Why is Freed-Kernis making smaller pieces?

A．They are easier to move by her.

B．They are more affordable to people.

C．She wants to save costs and labour.

D．She is too old to focus on making large ones.

2 . In San Francisco, a large group of sea lions move themselves out of the bay waters and hang out on PIER 39, which is a popular tourist destination. According to dock (码头) officials, this is the most sea lions seen in the region in 15 years.

“Over 1,000 sea lions have been counted this week,” PIER 39 harbormaster Sheila Chandor told many different media. “The surge in sea lions is usually a good sign of their strong population and healthy living environment,” said Adam Ratner, Director of Conservation Engagement at the Marine Mammal (海洋哺乳动物) Center in Sausalito, California.

“California sea lions are sentinels (哨兵) of the ocean,” Ratner said. Their population to some extent reflects the health of the ocean. Therefore, seeing a large number of California sea lions is clearly a good thing.

For nearly 35 years, the slippery (滑的) residents have been a star attraction for tourists. That autumn in 1989, PIER 39 had just been repaired, but the ships had not yet been moved back. At that moment, the sea lions unexpected arrival not only attracted fans but also created enemies. According to a website, some dock residents and workers were scared away by the strong and very unpleasant smell and noise of their new neighbors, while others saw these animals as a bright spot after the destructive Loma Prieta earthquake.

The officials sought help from the Marine Mammal Center to find a way to deal with sea lions. Ratner said that the final decision is to let the sea lions stay and coexist with humans. “The fact proves that this is really a good thing,” he said. “This is just a proof of how we can truly work together and think about how we can share our coasts with marine mammals and other wildlife in a way that benefits all the parties involved.”

1. How does the author start the text?

A．By describing a situation.

B．By answering a question.

C．By holding a conversation.

D．By comparing different opinions.

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

A．Sharp increase.	B．Tight control.
C．Slow development.	D．Sudden movement.

3. What is Ratner’s attitude to the final decision?

A．Doubtful.	B．Uninterested.
C．Supportive.	D．Unclear.

4. What message does the author seem to convey in the text?

A．Sea lions are pretty cool animals.

B．Animals and humans can live in harmony.

C．Watching sea lions might not be a proper action.

D．Sea lions should be driven out of PIER 39.

3 . Must-read New Fiction Books

We all have a few tried-and-true fiction favorites, but there’s something special about a brand-new, hot-off-the-press novel. Whether it’s your favorite author’s new release or a new writer’s first work, great fiction books make the perfect escape from ordinary life. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of the best new books released in February.

Age of Gold by Jerry Lapoor

Jerry Lapoor’s latest action-packed novel unfolds like a crazy movie. This thriller begins when a wealthy man’s car gets out of control. But when the dust settles, the rich man is nowhere to be found. How and to where does he disappear? With an exciting plot that will carry you from old-money houses to small agricultural villages, Age of Cold will take you on an unforgettable ride across a vast land.

City Under One Sky by Rachel Young

In the book, Young presents a crime story set in a small town. Detective Sara Kennedy has been sent to investigate a case. But soon after arrival, Sara gets snowed in with the 205 townsfolk living in the same apartment building. Who is hiding the key to the crime? And is there anyone she can truly trust? The appealing story, strange but distinctive characters and unexpected plot are just a few of the reasons why City Under One Sky gains its popularity.

Lady by Jess George

Lady is an irresistible fiction from Jess George. The story of Mary’s fresh start at adulthood is shot through with themes of family, race and discrimination, womanhood and the immigrant reality of feeling torn between cultures. Though struggling with life in London as an African, Mary jumps at every chance to stand on her own feet.

1. What will impress the readers in Age of Gold?

A．The thrilling plot.	B．Traditional cultures.
C．The family conflict.	D．Crazy characters.

2. What happens to Sara Kennedy in City Under One Sky?

A．She is trapped in the snow.	B．She is to investigate a case abroad.
C．She hides the key evidence.	D．She has trouble discovering the truth.

3. Which is likely to be the main theme of Lady?

A．Self-reliance.	B．Gender equality.
C．Domestic violence.	D．Cross-cultural communication.

4 . 阅读短文内容，在空白处填入一个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

The Water-Splashing Festival, also     1     (know) as Buddha Bathing Ceremony, is the New Year’s celebration of the Dai ethnic minority in Yunnan Province. For Dai people, the annual Water-Splashing Festival is the most important holiday, attracting tens of thousands of locals and     2     (tour).

Jinghong, the capital of Dai Autonomous Prefecture, usually     3     (celebrate) it from Aprill3 to 15. On the first two days, a grand celebration marks the beginning of the festival. An outdoor market is set up,     4     locals come for new-year shopping. At night, the banks of the river are     5     (colorful) lit, and locals float river lanterns on the river. The third day     6     (reserve) for water splashing. The Dai people will put     7     their newest and best clothes, and then gather at the local Buddhist temple. It isn’t until people splash the Buddha statue with clear water     8     they can flock to the streets, parks or squares with pots or bottles, to splash each other with water.

For Dai people, water is     9     symbol of holiness, goodness and purity. Therefore, splashing others with water during the Water-Splashing Festival is     10     (wish) that person good luck and happiness.

5 . On hearing the word vacation, most people react positively. Experienced travelers will argue that more important than where they go on vacation is who they go with.     1    

Family travel is special and creates lasting memories, but it can also have some challenges. For one, the success of a trip often depends on the relationships that the family members have with one another. If two brothers do not get along at home, the chances are that they will fight during a vacation.     2     If a family is traveling by air, purchasing plane tickets for everyone can be very expensive.

    3     Close friends often have similar personalities, so they generally get along with each other and fight less than family members might on a trip. Furthermore, if friends are close, even a terrible trip will not ruin the friendship.     4     All in all, traveling with friends can be a positive experience that results in a great vacation and, likely, a stronger friendship.

Finally, people can choose to travel alone. Solo travelers can be more flexible with transportation than those traveling in a large group.     5     And they also have better chances of getting a seat on buses or planes since they only need one. In addition, solo travelers are more likely to meet locals or other vacationers because they are more likely to want to talk with others.

A．They can change plans more easily.

B．Each person tends to cover his or her individual expenses.

C．Another potential problem of family travel is transportation.

D．Sightseeing and scheduling are not a problem for solo travelers.

E．In fact, friendships are often strengthened with the travel memories.

F．Traveling with friends can be an unforgettable experience for several reasons.

G．Vacations can be classified on the basis of who vacationers choose to travel with.

6 . Some Christmas traditions are pretty standard in mainstream（主流）American culture: put up the tree, string up the lights, visit grandma, and so on.

Then there’s the one my Colombian family does every year: the Novena de Aguinaldos. We pray（祈祷）for nine days without a stop, and this Novena counts down the nine days before Christmas. Most Americans have never heard of it, but in Colombia, it’s a big deal.

Like all good traditions, especially around the holidays, this tradition is about community and getting together with friends and family. My family immigrated（移民）from Colombia when I was just two months old. Every year, we gather with a group of Colombian friends for as many of the nine nights as we can.

There are three parts to the Novena de Aguinaldos. The first is the reading: each kid takes turns to read a book. Next comes the gozos, which means “The Joys”. That’s where the music comes in, and everyone gets an instrument, a maraca, a drum, a tin can—whatever you can use to make a sound. And then, the villancicos——Spanish Christmas carols（颂歌）come.

I’ve lived my whole life in the US. There’s not a lot of Colombian culture that we still hang onto. Why do we still carry on with the tradition of celebrating the Novenas, then?

When I asked my parents the other day, the answer was that immigrants didn’t belong anywhere—not where you were, nor where you were from. So my parents helped create a space where we did. Even if the Novenas were nothing like what we might have celebrated if we’d stayed in Colombia, the Novenas became the heart of our community.

But our Novenas are starting to feel a little more breakable. It’s getting harder and harder for everyone to get together each year. Last year, I was studying abroad in Italy and couldn’t make it to any gathering; my brother went off to college and had exams late into December; my sister just moved to a new city, and my parents have taken up jobs in different countries.

1. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．The process of celebrating the Novena.

B．The development of a Colombian tradition.

C．The background of the Colombian family.

D．The differences between the Novena and Christmas.

2. Why does the Colombian family celebrate the Novena?

A．To remember their dead friends.	B．To find a sense of belonging.
C．To show their respect for Americans.	D．To understand the local culture.

3. What makes celebrating the Novena difficult for the Colombian family?

A．Lack of money.	B．Their separate busy life.
C．American laws.	D．Friends’ complaints.

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

A．Growing Up	B．Colorful Culture
C．Exploring American Christmas Traditions	D．Colombian Family’s Novena in the US

7 . Bananas have happy superpower. Here’s the science, from a researcher who specializes in the links between nutrition and mood. Ninety percent of Americans say they eat bananas at least once a month, which are followed by apples, making them the most popular fruit in the U.S. Not only are bananas delicious in healthy banana bread and smoothies; but eaten alone, bananas are packed with healthy vitamins and nutrients. Among its various benefits, this sunny yellow fruit has a happy superpower: it can serve as an important mood-booster.

“Due to the state of the world right now, a lot of people are having problems with stress, anxiety, depression, burnout and sleeplessness,”says Shawn Talbott, Ph.D, a nutritional biochemist who specializes in researching the links between nutrition and mood. If you can relate, Dr. Talbott offers his understanding into why our love for bananas is a bright spot in the American diet.

Dr. Talbott explains the main reason bananas may be the basic mood food: one banana contains 20 percent of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin B6. This vitamin is scientifically shown to reduce depression and anxiety, better the effects of stress, and improve mood overall, according to a 2019 study of how B vitamins affect mood, published in Nature.

The trick is vitamin B6’s power to produce serotonin (血清素), a powerful brain neurotransmitter, which is nicknamed the “happy hormone (荷尔蒙).” Dr. Talbott adds that bananas are also high in prebiotic fiber and potassium (钾), which are other nutrients linked to a good mood.

In fact, people who ate a diet higher in potassium showed less depression and a better mood overall, according to a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition. Dr. Talbott explains that vitamins, including B6, are one way to help support your body and mind in dealing with all of problems.

1. What are the most popular fruit in the U.S.?

A．Pears.

B．Bananas.

C．Oranges.

D．Apples.

2. What problems people are facing according to the text?

A．Busy work.	B．Fewer choices of food.
C．Some mental problems.	D．Food without enough vitamins.

3. From paragraph 3 and 4, we can learn that         .

A．eating bananas can help produce serotonin.	B．eating bananas can help produce potassium.
C．eating bananas can help us become healthier.	D．eating bananas can help us become happier.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Bananas brighten your day.	B．A hot fruit — Bananas.
C．Bananas contain vitamin B6.	D．Americans love bananas.

8 . Young Emily, aged four, is deaf and uses British Sign Language to communicate. Her mother, Tanya Andrews, took her and her six-year-old brother Hugo to ________ Santa ahead of the Christmas holiday when an elf (精灵) made a ________impression on the family.

The family ________ the sweet story of how Melanie Boyeson, playing Holly the Elf, helped Emily tell Santa what she ________ for Christmas. Tanya took her ________ to the Airmyn Park Primary School for the outing, in which the school’s head teacher, Natalie Dodds, said that the elf was hired (雇用) ________ for Emily.

Tanya said the ________ was magical, as she had taken her daughter to four different Santa meetings over the years and been falsely promised a Santa who ________ sign language.

“Emily being able to ________ freely with the elf and tell Santa what she wanted was just________,” Tanya said. “Seeing what was in front of me, I was in tears. It was so amazing to see Emily’s face ________.” Emily was a little ________ at first, as she had never interacted with Santa before, but Holly the Elf ________ her to speak with Santa.

Tanya was so glad that her daughter’s dream ________ and hoped it would be a(n) ________for others to enjoy experiences similar to theirs with Santa. “I hope the barriers (障碍) for the deaf community will be removed one day,” she said.

1.

A．attract

B．help

C．see

D．direct

2.

A．lasting

B．shocking

C．general

D．tough

3.

A．created

B．shared

C．missed

D．disliked

4.

A．bought

B．reserved

C．wanted

D．made

5.

A．gifts

B．coworkers

C．audience

D．children

6.

A．immediately

B．specifically

C．eagerly

D．anxiously

7.

A．experience

B．training

C．student

D．volunteer

8.

A．forgets

B．prefers

C．knows

D．teaches

9.

A．jump

B．struggle

C．laugh

D．communicate

10.

A．unnecessary

B．unbelievable

C．strange

D．endless

11.

A．light up

B．calm down

C．stand out

D．break away

12.

A．confident

B．ordinary

C．annoyed

D．nervous

13.

A．advised

B．encouraged

C．forced

D．warned

14.

A．went on

B．cried out

C．set off

D．came true

15.

A．custom

B．proposal

C．inspiration

D．adventure

9 . 面对挑战，我们要保持冷静并且做好准备。(汉译英)

10 . 他正在写一篇关于他新学校的描述，这时他的朋友给他打电话了。(汉译英)