Rong Hong, also
In 1854, Rong graduated from Yale University,
Upon returning to China, Rong worked to bridge the cultural and educational gap between China and the West. His most
Rong believed that introducing Western science and technology would help China modernize and strengthen. While his ideas
Rong Hong was a pioneer for Chinese education and international exchange. His vision for a modernized China and his efforts
For generations, Babusha,
Today, the desert’s southward spread has been stopped thanks to a green belt ten kilometers in
Guo’s father was one of the six men who first began planting trees in Babusha
Year after year, Guo and his colleagues have continued to plant trees each spring and fall,
3 . For as long as I can remember, I want to be a performer. But when it was time to go to college and decide what I wanted to be for the rest of my life, it didn’t occur to me to choose drama as my major. Making a living as a performer seems impractical to me. So instead of starting drama I started pre-law, and then went to law school like my two sisters did before me. They seemed happy enough, I thought; they worked about 80 hours a week, but they made good money and could afford expensive cars and fancy apartments in the city.
After law school I got a new job and worked as a lawyer for a big company. I had great benefits, including four weeks of vacation a year, but I never got to use any of my vacation time because there was always too much work to do. I worked from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week, and when I was finished, all I could do was collapse into my bed until I woke up to do it all over again the next day.
After five years of this lifestyle, I thought I was going to go crazy. I was unhappy and exhausted, I never saw my friends or my family, and I realized I hadn’t been in a play or musical since I started law school. I thought that acting in a small community play might make me feel better, but rehearsals and performances all took place during my work hours. So I made a drastic decision and quit my job.
I got a small part in a local play and then the lead role. Now I make my living from acting, and once in a while, I do some legal consulting for a little extra money. I don’t get paid a lot for my acting jobs, but it’s enough. I had to give up my big apartment and expensive car, but I’m so much happier now. I see my friends and family, I have free time,and I get to do something I love every day.
1. The writer went to law school because .| A．his two sisters went to law school |
| B．he was interested in the practice of law |
| C．a lawyer’s job would bring him a decent and leisure life |
| D．acting jobs were not well-paid enough to earn a living |
| A．Rewarding. | B．Exhausting. | C．Enjoyable. | D．Endless. |
| A．Work consumed almost all his time and energy. |
| B．He didn’t have great benefits. |
| C．He hated working and wanted a break. |
| D．Some rehearsals and performances took place during his work hours. |
| A．To inform us that the writer quit his job. |
| B．To show us how boring it is to be a lawyer. |
| C．To tell the writer’s story of making a living as an actor. |
| D．To share with us the change of the writer’s lifestyle and the reason. |
4 . Leo and Max Ordoñez came roaring into the wooded park and soon they’re climbing up towering Douglas firs trees. The twins are joined by Leon Schwarcz, also 6, whose father, Joel, called out encouragement and kept a watchful eye on the young climbers.
Joel Schwarcz had a vision of turning the woods into a home for a treetop adventure park featuring platforms, bridges, and balancing. “My favorite thing is watching people come and look at the trees and go, ‘they maybe feel a little scared, but they’ll try it out and go just a little ways up and then come down and just go a little higher and higher each time, seeing people’s confidence grow as they are here for the hour and climbing.” he said.
Park guests get a safety belt and instructions and soon are to climb up one of four routes: The Brothers, Mount Whitney, Mount Olympus and Mount Rainier. Green bands on the trees mark out 20 feet, reds mark 30 feet and yellows mark 40 feet. Climbers can choose a difficulty level by sticking to certain color holds.
“I live here in Kingston,” he said, “and we’ve got a lot of great outdoor spaces but not a lot of opportunities for people to get out there and try something new without personally having the skill, so I wanted to bring something where people could just come on their own, and we give you the safety belt and instructions and then you’re free to play in the park.”
Schwarcz recommends that kids at a minimum of 5 years old, but the only set limits for the climbing systems are for weight. He notes that he has hosted both a 3-year-old climber and a 77-year-old climber at the park so far. “It’s a great activity for all ages.” he said.
He added, “No matter how high they get, it doesn’t really matter if you don’t make it to the yellow bands, just seeing people grow has been really the most rewarding part of starting this. It’s been super fun.”
1. What does Joel Schwarcz hope to provide with the treetop adventure park?| A．A place for people to try new outdoor activities. |
| B．A challenging climbing experience for children. |
| C．A place for people to learn climbing skills. |
| D．An opportunity for people to explore the woods. |
| A．To mark different climbing routes for climbers. |
| B．To indicate the height of different fir trees. |
| C．To tell the difficulty level of climbing routes. |
| D．To guide climbers to the top of the fir trees. |
| A．Only experienced and cautious climbers. | B．Only the children over the age of five. |
| C．Anyone, regardless of age or skill level. | D．Only those who meet the weight limits. |
| A．Considerable. | B．Indifferent. | C．Ambitious. | D．Demanding. |
5 . SPACE JAM
For kids inspired by India’s moon landing, here are four destinations where families can explore the stars, space and beyond.
Kennedy Space Center, Florida (USA)
The NASA-operated Kennedy Space Center is a must for aspiring astronauts and space lovers. It’s organised into chronologically grouped attractions and tours based around mission launches from the US Space Program. Hands-on experiences range from live presentations delivered by astronauts to the new Astronaut Training Experience Center. It is also the closest place from which the public can view rocket lift-offs at Cape Canaveral.
Jodrell Bank, Cheshire (UK)
This world-leading science research institute is centred around the Grade I-listed Lovell Telescope. Its 35-acre grounds include lots of interactive fun and educational exhibits across several indoor spaces, plus guided pathways to wander and outdoor facilities such as a pair of ‘whispering dishes’ for kids to call between. There’s also a programme of family friendly events, including the annual Bluedot Festival, which brings together live music and science workshops each July.
Pic du Midi, French Pyrenees (France)
There are few observatories in the world where you can eat a delicious dinner, spend the night stargazing before retiring to a comfortable cabin, then get up to watch the sun rise above the clouds. Getting to Pic du Midi is an adventure in its own right, involving a ride on two cable-cars up to 2,877m. Once there, guided astronomy sessions help kids discover Saturn and its rings, clusters of stars in deep space and solar flares on the sun’s surface via some of the world’s most powerful telescopes.
Mount Teide, Tenerife (Spain)
It’s home to the largest solar observatory in the world, which sits at an altitude of 2,390m on Spain’s highest mountain, the Teide volcano. Ride the cable-car up for a scientist-led tour, which includes the chance to observe the sun through portable solar telescopes. The special family visits include a fascinating science workshop exploring how observatory astrophysicists carry out their research.
1. Where can visitors watch rocket launches?| A．Kennedy Space Center. | B．Jodrell Bank. |
| C．Pic du Midi. | D．Mount Teide. |
| A．Enjoying live music. | B．Exploring educational displays. |
| C．Wandering on guide-free pathways. | D．Calling between via a designed device. |
| A．A comfortable cabin. | B．A workshop of science. |
| C．Places for eating food. | D．Guidance to observe the sun. |
6 . Vehicles on our roads are now mostly petrol and diesel (柴油) cars, but their days cannot continue for much longer. A recent university study found that current electric cars could be used for 87 percent of daily car journeys in the US. That figure could rise to 98 percent by 2020.
One hurdle to the widespread adoption of electric cars has been “range anxiety” — drivers concerns about running out of electricity on a journey. While petrol stations are conveniently located across national road systems, the necessary network of electric charging stations is still being developed. That said, charging points are becoming increasingly common throughout the USA.
Attitudes towards electric vehicles have changed greatly over the last few years. Not that long ago, electric cars were met with distrust, and their high prices drove customers away. Thanks to improvements in battery capacity, recharging times, performance and price, the current generation of electric cars are starting to persuade picky consumers. Plug-in cars will soon give internal combustion engine (内燃机) models a run for their money.
As well as development on the road, electric vehicles are taking to the seas and skies. Electric boats are among the oldest methods of electric travel, having enjoyed several decades of popularity from the late 19th to the early 20th century before petrol-powered outboard motors took over. Now, the global drive for renewable energy sources is bringing electric boats back. Steps towards electric air travel are also being made, with Airbus and NASA among the organizations developing and testing battery-powered planes. The experiments could soon make commercial electric flight a reality.
Electric vehicles do not produce any emissions (排放). If the US could replace 87 percent of its cars with electric vehicles, it would reduce the national demand for petrol by 61 percent. However, because of the production processes and the generation of electricity required to charge these vehicles, they cannot claim (声称) to be completely emission-free. That said, as many countries continue to increase their use of renewable energy sources, electric vehicles will become even cleaner.
1. The underlined word “hurdle” in Paragraph 2 probably means________.| A．aim | B．difficulty | C．result | D．step |
| A．They were very poorly made. | B．They were not widely promoted. |
| C．They were expensive. | D．They couldn’t travel at a high speed. |
| A．To introduce the history of electric travel. |
| B．To explain why the world needs more electric cars. |
| C．To show why more people have interest in electric cars. |
| D．To describe different ways electric vehicles can be used. |
| A．Driving into a Cleaner Future | B．History of Electric Cars |
| C．Problems with Petrol and Diesel Cars | D．Best Means of Transportation |
7 . Humans have long known that being in nature is good for the mind and body. From indigenous (本土的) adolescents completing the adult ceremony in the wild to modern East Asian cultures taking “forest baths”, many have looked to nature as a place for healing and personal growth. But the question still remains. How can nature make it?
There is no doubt that being in nature reduces the physiological symptoms of stress in our bodies. What this means is that we are less likely to be anxious and fearful in nature, and therefore we can be more open to other people and creative patterns of thought. Also, nature often leads to awe, wonder and respect, all these emotions facilitating everything from physical to mental health. There is also some evidence that exposure to nature impacts the brain. Viewing natural beauty makes specific reward circuits in the brain associated with dopamine release, a chemical that gives us a sense of purpose, joy and energy to pursue our goals.
But, regrettably, people seem to be spending less time outdoors and less time in nature than before. It is also clear that, in the past 30 years, people’s levels of stress and sense of “busyness” have risen dramatically. These joint forces have led environmental writer Richard Louv to coin the term “Nature Deficit Disorder”—a form of suffering that comes from a sense of disconnection from nature and its powers.
Perhaps we should take note and try a course corrective. The 19th century philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote about nature, “There I feel that nothing can befall me in life—no disgrace, no calamity.” The science speaks to Emerson’s intuition. It’s time to realize that nature is more than just a material resource. It’s also a pathway to human health and happiness.
1. Why are “indigenous adolescents” and “modern East Asian cultures” mentioned in paragraph 1?| A．To clarify a viewpoint. | B．To answer the question below. |
| C．To present the natural scenery. | D．To show the cultural differences. |
| A．Restricting. | B．Exposing. | C．Promoting. | D．Covering. |
| A．Uneasy. | B．Indifferent. | C．Humorous. | D．Proud. |
| A．Is It Time to Challenge Yourself in Nature? |
| B．Do You Know Nature Is a Material Resource? |
| C．Why Do We Care about the Natural Environment? |
| D．What Can Happen When We Connect with Nature? |
8 . How to Make Friends
Friendship is a very important human relationship and everyone needs good friends. Good friendship has many benefits. It offers companionship, improves self-worth and promotes good health. There are times in our lives such as when we have recently moved into a new town, or changed our jobs or schools. Such changes often leave us without a friend.
1. Associate with others.
The first step to making friends is associating with other people. You can go to public places to meet new people. Besides, you will need to make yourself known by becoming an active member of such places.
2. Start a conversation.
Starting a conversation is the second most important step in making new friends.
3.
Choosing friends with common interests is important in building friendship as these interests would always bring you and your friend together. Hanging out will always be a pleasant experience.
4. Let it grow.
It is a good thing to stay in touch. However, try not to press your new friend with calls, messages or visits as this would likely wear him or her out and finally you may lose your friend.
5. Enjoy your friendship.
The best way to enjoy your friendship is to allow your friends to be themselves.
| A．Be cheerful. |
| B．Do things together. |
| C．Do not wait to be spoken to. |
| D．Try not to find fault with your friends. |
| E．Making new friends comes easy for some people. |
| F．For a friendship to develop you need to stay in touch. |
| G．So you will need to give your friend time to react to you. |
9 . The most affectionate memory of my childhood is about a round table. When I was still little, my entire family would
The round table is a
The food on the table may
In less than two months before the Spring Festival, a(n)
| A．imagine | B．reunite | C．repeat | D．flee |
| A．strangers | B．teachers | C．adults | D．teenagers |
| A．symbol | B．schedule | C．decoration | D．ceremony |
| A．argument | B．occupation | C．operation | D．attachment |
| A．round | B．new | C．long | D．square |
| A．dreams | B．negotiations | C．secrets | D．experiments |
| A．Obviously | B．Moreover | C．Consequently | D．Instead |
| A．explore | B．expand | C．clarify | D．unfold |
| A．keep | B．change | C．sell | D．display |
| A．various | B．public | C．typical | D．temporary |
| A．switch | B．predict | C．forbid | D．accept |
| A．annual | B．innovative | C．unnecessary | D．modern |
| A．forces | B．assists | C．reminds | D．drives |
| A．caring about | B．looking for | C．figuring out | D．making up |
| A．adapt | B．apply | C．belong | D．turn |
10 . Four Good Body Language Courses
Body Language for Personal Development
This course teaches you how to improve your body language skills and make yourself much more confident at public meetings, discussions and group meetings.
Key Highlights
*Know how to recognise the 26 most common changes of 7 emotions
*Move and stand with confidence in every business situation
*Increase confidence in meetings, talks and presentations
How to Make a Great First Impression
This course will teach you how to use eye contact, smiles, handshakes and words to make a great first impression. It’s designed by David Hyner. David has interviewed over 250 top achievers from all walks of life. He has discovered how these people set and achieve great goals, and he writes and speaks on these findings.
Key Highlights
*Act more confidently in public
*How to master your own body language
*Understand how to give and hold eye contact
Free Digital Body Language Course
You have 0.05 seconds to make a good first impression online. In those 0.05 seconds, you have to attract someone and show who you are and why they should connect with you and build trust. It’s created by Vanessa Van Edwards, who is the lead researcher at the Science of People, a human behavior research lab.
Key Highlights
*Improve your online presence
*Learn the psychology of websites
*Use body language online
The Power of Body Language
In this course, the designer, body language expert Vanessa Van Edwards, explains how to use body language communication to become the most impressive person in any room.
Key Highlights
*Read people by guessing their visual cues
*Use body language to your advantage in meetings
*Understand how to tell if people are lying
1. Who might be interested in the first course?| A．People dealing with business situations. |
| B．People often using social networking sites. |
| C．People asking the questions in an interview. |
| D．People having difficulty controlling their feelings. |
| A．Its goal is to help people set their goals. |
| B．It teaches us to explore people and things. |
| C．It invites successful people from all walks of life. |
| D．It is created based on successful people’s experiences. |
| A．They are both popular among website users. |
| B．They both focus on how to read others’ mind. |
| C．They are both designed by the same researcher. |
| D．They both stress the importance of the first impression. |
