1 . Arriving in Beijing as a 20-year-old girl from Germany, I found skateboarding to be my compass in exploring this vast and unfamiliar city.

My first impression of Beijing was its combination of ancient buildings and modern, futuristic architecture, which provided a variety of skate spots. From historic landmarks to urban malls in commercial districts, each location offered its own set of challenges and opportunities for creative expression. This contrasted with the skate parks back home in Europe, which, while well-designed and functional, lacked the historical depth and aesthetic (美学的) diversity in Beijing.

The skateboarding community in Beijing has also taken me by surprise. I remember the first time going out on a street skating park. I had some concerns initially, fearing that people might keep me, a foreigner, at a distance. However, with locals happy to communicate with me, my worries turned out to be unnecessary.

The first thing that caught my eye was a beautiful backside flip done by Seven, a Beijing skater who was just as welcoming and free-spirited as any skaters I’d met in Europe. It’s this shared passion for skateboarding that bonds this community together tightly across the globe.

In addition, even those outside the skateboarding community show curiosity and enthusiasm for the sport, which impressed me a lot. Passersby, especially the elders and young children, often stop to watch us skate, with some even daring to try it out for themselves. This openness and eagerness for exploration were refreshing for me, and it provided a wonderful opportunity for cultural exchanges and mutual learning.

My skateboarding journey in China has truly been enlightening, one that bridges the gap between Eastern and Western cultures. As I continue to navigate the streets and skate parks of Beijing, I do so with a deeper appreciation for the culture diversity here and the unifying power of skateboarding, which brings people together in the spirit of joy, freedom, and mutual respect.

1. What is special about skate spots in Beijing?

A．The creative design.	B．The historical depth.
C．The modern landmark	D．The commercial function.

2. What worried the author in the beginning?

A．She might be too shy to join others.

B．She might feel lonely in a new place.

C．Locals could be unwilling to interact with her.

D．Locals could be uninterested in skateboarding.

3. What left a deep impression on the author?

A．Seven’s experience in Europe.

B．Children’s exploration in cultures.

C．The elders’ dangerous movements.

D．People’s great passion for skateboarding.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．Skateboarding across cultures.	B．Learning skateboarding in Beijing.
C．Exchanging respect among cultures.	D．Making friends in a foreign country.

2 . Time for International Booker Prize again! The novels on 2024 International Booker Prize shortlist (入围名单) cover cultures, styles and the width of human experience and associate us with new sensations and memories.

Not a River by Selva Almada, translated by Annie

Two men and their friend’s teenage son go on a fishing trip. Frustrated after hours of wrestling with a hooked fish, one of them shoots it with a gun. So begins a tale about perseverance, guilt, desire and outsider suspicion.

The Details by la Genberg, translated by Kira

Genberg said that she began writing The Details, “just like the woman in the novel, in a world health crisis in 2020, when I headed to my bookshelf and randomly picked up a book that fell open in my hands. ”It’s a novel related to relationships, connection, memory and time.

What I’d Rather Ponder by Posthuma, translated by Sarah

The narrator is a twin whose brother has recently passed away. Posthuma said the story was inspired by a personal experience when “the one person that I thought would always be there withdrew from my life”. The novel is praised for its “utter truth” and unique writing style.

Crooked Plow by Viera Junior, translated by Johnny

Two sisters are confused by the powers of a knife beneath their grandmother’s bed. With magical and social realism, it illustrates the story of farmers in Brazil’s poorest region. It speaks to the significance of remembering our histories and preserving the land that sustains us.

The winner will be announced on June 21st, 2024. And £50,000 prize money will be divided equally between the author and the translator. Shortlisted authors and translators will share a prize of £6,000.

1. What do Not a River and The Details have in common?

A．They are written in the same style.	B．They deal with diverse themes.
C．They are final winners of Booker Prize.	D．They relate to the author's own life.

2. Which of the four novels shows the importance of land protection?

A．Not a River.	B．The Details.
C．What I’d Rather Ponder.	D．Crooked Plow.

3. How much will the author of the winning novel be awarded?

A．£3,000.

B．£6,000.

C．£25,000.

D．£50,000.

3 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Why did the speaker join the nature club?

A．The science club was full.

B．He was interested in nature.

C．Some classmates invited him.

2. What is the source of 25% of modern medicines?

A．The ocean.

B．The field.

C．The rainforest.

3. How much fresh water can be used by human?

A．Ninety-seven percent.

B．Three percent.

C．One third.

4 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is the relationship between the speakers?

A．Host and guest.

B．Customer and waiter.

C．Teacher and student.

2. What does Max study at Stanford?

A．Music.

B．Literature.

C．Composition.

3. What inspired Max to make the album?

A．His desire to grow up.

B．His insight into music.

C．His mom’s love for music.

4. What will Max do with his future music?

A．Add new musical styles.

B．Release classical music albums.

C．Cooperate with French composers.

5 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What are the speakers mainly talking about?

A．Their weekend plans.

B．Their final exams.

C．Their dream jobs.

2. When does the man finish his shift on Sundays?

A．At 3 pm.

B．At 8pm.

C．At 9 pm.

3. Why does the man work part-time?

A．To live independently.

B．To raise his family.

C．To save for his college.

4. What is the woman advised to do?

A．Study overnight.

B．Postpone job hunting.

C．Plan in advance.

6 . The health of our oceans is related to the planet’s overall environmental condition, with ocean currents (洋流) playing a key role in reflecting Earth’s climate. A recent study has shed new light on the impact of rising ocean temperatures on one of these vital current systems.

This significant research provides the first documented proof of a significant slowdown in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation or AMOC (大西洋经向翻转环流). Alexey Mishonov and his team dive deep into the data in NOAA’s World Ocean Atlas to track down the AMOC’s performance over time. Their findings reveal a change: from 1955 to 1994, the AMOC’s flow remained unchanged. However, starting in the mid-1990s, a marked decline in its strength was observed, with a striking reduction in its speed.

Mishonov explains the signs of weakening circulation in Atlantic ocean currents, stating, “If AMOC slows down, the heat exchange will be reduced, which in turn will affect the climate, causing hot areas to get hotter and cold areas to get colder.” This imbalance could have far-reaching effects on global climate patterns, possibly leading to more extreme weather conditions, rising sea levels, disorders to marine (海洋的) ecosystems, and a mass of other climate feedbacks.

Mishonov’s research also touches on the cultural spirit, referring to the dramatic description of a similar scene in the 2004 disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow. While he stated that the film’s scenes with explosive effects is highly exaggerated and not supported by the scientific community, the hidden message — that a significant slowdown in the AMOC could lead to great and unpredictable climate changes — resonates with (与……共鸣) many experts.

As the scientific community continues to uncover the mysteries of our oceans, the significance of Mishonov and his workmates’ work cannot be overstated. Their research contributes to our understanding of the relationship between ocean currents and global climate.

1. How was the research carried out?

A．By referring to huge data.	B．By recording ocean movements.
C．By modeling the ocean currents.	D．By doing practical experiments.

2. What can we learn from Mishonov?

A．The increased heat exchange has an impact on the climate.

B．Rising sea levels from climate change could be prevented.

C．The slowdown of AMOC leads to extreme climate conditions.

D．The heated temperature may quicken the movement of the ocean.

3. Why is the movie The Day After Tomorrow mentioned in Paragraph 4?

A．To stress how scientific the story is.

B．To warn people of uncertain climate change risks.

C．To criticize the exaggerated threat in the movie.

D．To draw attention to the explosive effects of the movie.

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

A．The AMOC: A Potential Risk to the Earth

B．Ocean Currents: The Very Signals of Our Planet

C．Water Temperature: A Lasting Unavoidable Change

D．Climate Change: An Increasing Concern Around the World

7 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

A farming-themed reality show has taken Chinese social media by storm. The show,     1     (name) Become a Farmer, highlights the importance of agriculture in Chinese culture. Many young urbanites (城市居民), however, may be unfamiliar     2     the word “farming”.     3     (bridge) this gap, the 50-episode program invites 10 young men from diverse backgrounds to experience life on the farmland. This show aims to provide insights into farming     4     (activity) and modern agricultural production.

Yang Changling, chief director of     5     program, said it intends to show farming through a documentary approach. By sharing these young people’s experiences and personal growth stories, it hopes to deepen the audience’s understanding of agriculture and raise the     6     (aware) of food security.

Wu Han, the producer, said the show aims to promote traditional Chinese farming culture while     7     (strengthen) communication between urban and rural residents (居民).     8     (additional), cast members document their experiences through vlogs,     9     contents vary from building a hen house to digging up fresh bamboo shoots.

In one vlog, 27-year-old Jiang Dunhao recalled helping with the birth of lambs, writing on Weibo: “A newborn lamb struggled to stand, but after resting, it gathered its strength and finally     10     (rise).”

Become a Farmer has emerged (为人所知) as an influential show that not only entertains but also educates, which has becomes a hit.

8 . I received one act of kindness from a stranger after my husband died. It happened when I went to have a photo _________ for the funeral (葬礼). Enveloped by grief, I was unable to talk with anyone. Printing the photo should have been an easy task, but it felt _________ as I walked into the building.

I had often used the print service and was _________ in and out within ten minutes. But, on this day, nothing went _________. My USB wouldn’t load properly and I couldn’t locate the photo. Overcome with _________, I broke into tears.

Then a woman _________ me and asked if she could help. I cried that I couldn’t get the machine to _________. She sat down and with a few quick taps (敲击) on the keyboard, _________ the photo. She moved as if to leave. _________, she sat back. She asked if this was what I would like printed. Still sobbing, I said it needed to be cropped (裁剪). She put it all into the system and waited. I thanked her as she __________ the USB to me. She nodded and sat silently until I was __________ enough to walk out.

By sitting __________, she permitted me to cry without judgment. She didn’t ask what was wrong or offer well-meaning but unhelpful __________. She allowed me to deal with my __________ in a cared-for space. Through that brief exchange of time, I felt some of the hopelessness __________.

1.

A．taken

B．delivered

C．attached

D．printed

2.

A．challenging

B．annoying

C．frightening

D．discouraging

3.

A．occasionally

B．obviously

C．casually

D．normally

4.

A．crazy

B．public

C．right

D．bad

5.

A．terror

B．helplessness

C．confusion

D．shock

6.

A．supported

B．attracted

C．impressed

D．approached

7.

A．change

B．exist

C．work

D．improve

8.

A．brought up

B．set down

C．cut out

D．put aside

9.

A．Anyway

B．Therefore

C．Otherwise

D．Instead

10.

A．brought

B．handed

C．gifted

D．supplied

11.

A．courageous

B．delighted

C．calm

D．confident

12.

A．aimlessly

B．quietly

C．joyfully

D．temporarily

13.

A．comments

B．promises

C．requests

D．apologies

14.

A．embarrassment

B．anxiety

C．agony

D．shame

15.

A．work out

B．die away

C．show up

D．come about

9 . How to Improve Your Sense of Self-worth

Self-worth is a key factor when it comes to your mental and physical health. Stress, depression and anger have all been shown to pave the way to illness and disease.     1     If so, you’re probably more content, confident and successful. You’re likely also healthier. If you find that your self-esteem (自尊) is weakening a little, there are plenty of ways to build it back up again.

Let yourself off the hook. As the saying goes, it is better to try something and fail than to not try anything. Focus on goals that are linked to activities you are interested in. Don’t care about whether or not you achieve your goal in full, just enjoying the process.     2    

Keep your body healthy. Eat a balanced diet and stay physically active to keep your body in good shape. You will look better, feel better and have more energy for new activities.

    3     Redefine the roles you play in the society and give yourself more sense of self-worth. Instead of “sales manager” or “mother”, start thinking of yourself as “community organizer”, “literacy volunteer”, “great cook”, “gifted gardener” and more.

Be aware of your advantages.     4     Are you fun to be around, thoughtful, generous? Keep adding to the list and pull it out whenever you need an improvement.

If you feel good about yourself, have a positive outlook and stay active and involved, you’re more likely to be happy and healthy.     5    

A．Rebuild your identity.

B．Find out your original roles.

C．These emotions influence your self-worth.

D．You will enjoy a sense of purpose and pleasure from it.

E．Remind yourself of your best qualities and make a list of them.

F．But a healthy level of self-worth can deal with life’s challenges well.

G．Therefore, increasing your self-worth with these methods is necessary.

10 . With stories about legends, romance and superpowers, Chinese online literary works are gaining a growing global readership.

Online literature, or web literature, refers to a new literary form created and published in a digital format (格式) on the Internet, which can include novels, poetry or prose. It mainly consists of original works which are posted onto a website previous to any type of physical publication in book form. Authors are free to build their stories on online reading platforms, which are usually update d on a daily basis. Fans log on to platforms, reading the latest content and paying for it. On online reading platforms, readers not only rank books based on their plot, word building, translation, but they also interact with the author.

Chinese web novels are popular among young Chinese, who share similar reading preferences with their overseas counterparts (相似的人). Popular Chinese web novels adopt the styles of Western fantasy novels which are familiar to Western readers, who also find freshness with elements from traditional Chinese culture. By the end of 2022, more than 16, 000 Chinese online works of literature had been exported abroad, reaching over 150 million readers outside China.

As a literature scholar who took notice of the phenomenon, Noah Forrin noticed the growing number of local writers overseas on WebNovel. He said they understand the preferences of the locals and are well aware of the taboos of their culture so that they can decide what can be included in their writing and what should be avoided, while having the potential to create popular online works for local readers using the production system of Chinese online literature.

The young scholar has full confidence for the future of online literature, since both the literary circle and readers are pushing authors to write better works. He believes adaptations to films, TV dramas, and games will also boost (促进) the development of online literature. “For now, Chinese online literature is seizing the moment, but other countries and cultural circles will join in, bringing about changes worldwide,” said the young scholar.

1. What can we learn about online literature?

A．Its off-line version is published earlier.	B．The authors usually update their works weekly.
C．It is a digital literary form with various types.	D．The readers can give comments and adapt the works.

2. Why do Chinese web novels appeal to readers overseas?

A．Western literature is gradually losing its freshness.

B．Westerners are crazy about traditional Chinese culture.

C．The novels combine Western styles and Chinese elements.

D．Readers overseas have the same reading habits as Chinese readers.

3. What does the underlined word “taboos” in Paragraph 4 mean?

A．Something unacceptable.	B．Something hidden.
C．Something unnoticed.	D．Something available.

4. What’s the writing purpose of the text?

A．To explain the features of online literature.

B．To show the popularity of Chinese online literature.

C．To introduce different attitudes to Chinese online literature.

D．To compare Chinese online literature with that of Western countries.