1 . What’s on

The Grand Expedition

The Grand Expedition combines interactive design and the special “food” theme in one cultural performance. Performers will play various roles such as boat captains and chefs to interact with participants while offering them international dishes to try. The show has experimented with this “food + theater” theme for more than 10 years.

Where: Loire, Paris

When: April 22 to May 1, 2024

Price: From $111

Cyber Rhapsody of Da Vinci

Did you ever imagine one day technology could bring classic master Leonardo da Vinci right in front of our eyes? This data painting exhibition is attempting to achieve just that by using AI. The AI art team OUCHHH has allowed AI to study the works of Da Vinci, Einstein and Galileo.

Where: Uffizi gallery, Florence

When: April 19 to April 28, 2024

Price: From $13

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

This music event is a candlelight concert of classical music. Classical pieces from great composers will be played. The stage, lit with hundreds of candles, will allow audience to take as many photos as they like. With lit candles, great musicians and music, it is an excellent way for people to relax and enjoy music.

Where: Waverley, Edinburgh

When: April 22 to May 5, 2024

Price: From $12

The Playful World of Eric

This exhibition is a solo show for Eric Carle, a US author, designer and illustrator of children's books. Children and parents will definitely have fun at the exhibition. The art gallery showcases 24 illustrations by Eric and 15 interactive activities are available for families, providing visitors a memorable experience.

Where: Wenceslas, Prague

When: April 16 to April 26, 2024

Price: From $13

1. Which of the four events lasts the longest?

A．Cyber Rhapsody of Da Vinci.	B．The Grand Expedition.
C．A Midsummer Night's Dream.	D．The Playful World of Eric.

2. What do The Grand Expedition and The Playful World of Eric have in common?

A．They include interactive activities.	B．They cover a wide range of themes.
C．They provide various kinds of food.	D．They involve role-play games for kids.

3. Where is this text most probably taken from?

A．A review of classic music.	B．An introduction to a book.
C．A guidebook to travelling.	D．A magazine of technology.

2 . Covering over 1,600 square kilometers of England’s most valued lowland landscapes (风景) in the busiest part of the UK, the South Downs National Park has been shaped by the activities of its farmers and foresters, its charities and local businesses. Find out about some events happening across the park.

Benfield Hill City Nature Challenge

If you would like to be part of the global City Nature Challenge which brings together cities and organizations around the world to share observations of nature, we will be holding our own initiative on Saturday, 27th May, on Benfield Hill Local Nature Reserve. Welcome anyone, whatever their level of experience, in supporting us on a fun day of learning and identification of valuable biodiversity.

Green Sketching Workshop

Discover how you can use the process of drawing to look at and notice nature, and as a tool for slowing down and bringing calm to our busy lives. This is not a how-to-draw workshop, but a how-to-see workshop! This focuses on the process of drawing rather than the finished result, which means that everyone, regardless of previous drawing experience, can benefit from the joy of Green Sketching.

Longmoor Through the Ages

Discover more about this vast land and how humans have shaped the landscape around the site. Bring your binoculars (双筒望远镜) as the site is also part of the Wealden Heath Phase Ⅱ Special Protection Area and home to some rare (珍稀的) birds, reptiles and rare species of international importance.

Dawn Chorus Walk

Get up with the birds. You won’t regret setting your alarm as we enjoy the magic of some of our springtime songsters. Shortheath Common sits at the northern extremity of the South Downs National Park and is regarded as a Special Area of Conservation due to the unique ecological landscape. It’s hope to a variety of rare birds, and plant species of international importance.

1. Which of the following most attracts people who want to use painting to show nature?

A．Benfield Hill City Nature Challenge.	B．Green Sketching Workshop.
C．Longmoor Through the Ages.	D．Dawn Chorus Walk.

2. What can people do at Longmoor Through the Ages?

A．Hold meetings.	B．See painting exhibitions.
C．Record the farmers’ songs.	D．Watch some rare animals.

3. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To tell about the history of the South Downs National Park.

B．To encourage donations to the South Downs National Park.

C．To stress the importance of the South Downs National Park.

D．To introduce activities happening across the South Downs National Park.

3 . Juleus Ghunta and his three sisters lived in a rural part of Western Jamaica. They were _______ by a single mother, and his mother often had to make _______ choices about how to use their limited resources-including a decision to send his oldest sister to school, but to _______ Ghunta at home.

When Ghunta finally went to school, he couldn’t catch up on his reading skills. “I _______ in school with a deep sense of loss and _______,” he said. Not only had he been kept home from school as a child, but he had not been exposed (使接触) to _______.

When Ghunta was about 12, a young teacher decided to start a special _______ program for struggling students. Ghunta was the first student to _______. “The teacher was _______ kind to me.” he said. “She was patient. She did not require anything of me, except that I ________ in myself and work hard.” Under her ________, Ghunta’s reading skills finally started to improve. And his sense of inadequacy (能力不足) ________ to lift.

After Ghunta’s experience with the teacher, his life ________ a new direction. He went on to college, and later, graduate school. Today, he is the author of two children’s books.

He would like to thank his teacher for seeing his ________. “I would love for her to see the significant ________ that she has made on my life, and how it continues to be a source of joy.”

1.

A．monitored

B．replaced

C．observed

D．raised

2.

A．tough

B．annoying

C．confusing

D．familiar

3.

A．contact

B．comfort

C．keep

D．compare

4.

A．lived

B．adapted

C．volunteered

D．struggled

5.

A．responsibility

B．shame

C．humour

D．achievement

6.

A．families

B．books

C．neighbours

D．friends

7.

A．reading

B．experiment

C．writing

D．fitness

8.

A．build up

B．mix up

C．sign up

D．make up

9.

A．partly

B．hardly

C．suddenly

D．extremely

10.

A．check

B．believe

C．take

D．result

11.

A．control

B．protection

C．guidance

D．consideration

12.

A．began

B．decided

C．failed

D．chose

13.

A．closed

B．doubted

C．feared

D．took

14.

A．memories

B．possibilities

C．explanations

D．instructions

15.

A．reasons

B．summaries

C．impacts

D．challenges

4 . Roommates can provide support, creating a shared space where memories are made and challenges are faced together.     1    , but it takes some efforts to make it work. Here are some tips for living peacefully with roommates.

Establish boundaries (界限)

    2    . But experts suggest being careful when moving in with them, as it could do harm to the relationship if you’re not clear about boundaries. So being clear about boundaries is one way of making sure everyone feels comfortable.

Ask hard questions

Have a discussion of your living arrangement. How are you paying rent? What’s your guest policy (政策)?     3    ? And make your expectations clear. If your roommates say they can pay rent on time, for example, you can tell them the specific time to pay rent.

    4    

In a shared living arrangement, it’s perfect for everyone to feel free to express their concerns and opinions without fear of judgment (判断). To do this, encourage open-mindedness and active listening. Avoid making assumptions (假设), forcing your opinions on others and not thinking about others’ views.

Learn from them

Living with a roommate is a unique opportunity to meet someone with a very different background from yours.     5    , showing appreciation and giving within your ability do so much for the relationship and create a space with love.

A．Where do you come from

B．Figure out your shared interest

C．Should you create a cleaning schedule

D．Even if you’re not best friends with them

E．Create a free and non-judgmental environment

F．Having a good roommate can be a great experience

G．It’s okay to share space with friends who are polite and responsible

5 . 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。

Kites were invented around the 5th century BCE during the Warring States period. They were made of wood and silk, and had military (军事的)     1     (purpose) such as measuring distances, signaling, and reconnaissance.

Over time, kites gained popularity as recreational toys. They were flown during festive occasions and celebrations, symbolizing good luck and driving away bad luck.     2     (additional), competitive kite flying appeared, with participants showing their skills in     3     (achieve) the highest altitude and performing complex movements. Kite flying became a way for artistic expression. People started applying artistic designs     4     decorative factors together to kites, including delicate paintings and calligraphy on silk surfaces. This allowed kites     5     (become) a medium for showing traditional Chinese culture and beauty.

As kite-making developed, there were significant technical advancements. Experiments with different materials and designs     6     (lead) to the transition (过渡) from wood to bamboo frames, as well as the use of paper and fabric instead of silk.

Kite makers also added tails and explored     7     (vary) shapes and sizes to improve stability and flight performance. Kite flying continues to be popular     8     China. There are kite festivals and competitions     9     show good designs and movements, keeping the tradition alive. The influence of Chinese kites has extended beyond China, promoting designs in other cultures. Besides, the concept (概念) of flying kites has served as     10     (inspire) for scientific advancements in different fields.

6 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

Ling’s eyes shone brightly as she picked up the mail and spotted a letter with familiar handwriting-her grandmother’s. She eagerly tore open the envelope and unfolded the letter, “Dear Ling,” the letter began, “I miss you a lot after you left. How’s the school life? I hope you are finding joy in your studies and making new friends. Remember, my dear, no matter how challenging things may seem, you can always find a way to deal with them well. Take care and know that you are much loved.” As Ling read through the letter, each word seemed to remind her of the golden days spent in her grandmother’s comfortable village home, surrounded by green fields and rolling hills. Now, living in a big city with her parents, she entered a new school and left her former teachers and classmates. Everything in the city was so unfamiliar that she felt it was difficult for her to adapt to the new life.

The next morning, as Ling struggled through another day of feeling disconnected and alone, she made a decision. She approached her parents with a heartfelt request. “I miss Grandma and our village,” she said. “Could we visit her this weekend?” Her parents, understanding her feelings, agreed and planned a surprise visit for the upcoming weekend. Finally, the happy weekend came. As Ling boarded the bus back to her beloved village, the familiar landscape rolling past her window relaxed her anxious heart.

Ling’s grandmother was initially surprised to see Ling appear at her doorstep suddenly, and embraced her with open arms, quickly putting on a pot of Ling’s favorite tea as they settled into the familiar rhythm of heartfelt conversation. As they drank the tea, the pleasant smell of the tea brought back a flood of precious memories, and Ling shared the details of her new life in the city. Her grandmother listened attentively, her eyes filled with warmth and understanding. Happy time is always so short. Ling and her parents embarked on the journey back. Before going back. Ling saw her father and grandmother whisper something.

注意：
1．续写词数应为150个左右;
2．请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
On the way back, Ling’s father had a conversation with her.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This weekend marked a new beginning for Ling.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7 . With mounting evidence that nanoplastic particles (纳米塑料微粒) are in our bodies, there is growing concern over their potential health impacts. Now a new study finds a relation between nanoplastics in the brain and a higher risk for Parkinson’s disease.

Nanoplastics appear when the plastic packaging breaks down into small pieces. These particles can enter the blood and cross the blood-brain barrier, with European researchers reporting earlier this year that in animal experiments, it can take two hours or less for certain nanoplastics to reach the brain after being eaten.

In humans, it’s long been thought that environmental factors play a role in Parkinson’s disease but specific causes are still unclear. The new study from the Duke University School of Medicine details how nanoplastics cause chemical changes in the brain that can, in turn, make Parkinson’s and related types of diseases more likely.

That’s because the nanoplastics attract a protein (蛋白质) called alpha-synuclein, known to play a role in Parkinson’s and related disorders. In lab and animal studies, the plastic’s interaction with it leads to increases in the affected neurons in the brain. This interaction appears related to favorable conditions in which Parkinson’s can develop.

The study authors note that Parkinson’s disease existed long before nanoplastics appeared in the environment, but they think that this “nanoplastics pollution in the human brain” may prove a new poison.

Further, the Duke team led by Dr. Andrew West notes that Parkinson’s disease is among the fastest growing nervous diseases in the world, even as the amazing amount of plastic pollution builds across the planet. This is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

“The technology to monitor nanoplastics is still at the earliest possible stages and not ready yet to answer all the questions we have,” West said. “But hopefully efforts in this area will increase rapidly, as we see what these particles can do in our experiments.”

1. Where is the text most probably taken from?

A．A product advertisement.

B．A science journal.

C．An art magazine.

D．A travel brochure.

2. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．The conditions leading to Parkinson’s.

B．The cause of alpha-synuclein’s appearance.

C．The principle of nanoplastics’ impact on Parkinson’s.

D．The difference between Parkinson’s and related disorders.

3. What can be inferred from West’s words in the last paragraph?

A．Plastic pollution will by no means be avoided.

B．Nanoplastics are impossible to deal with at present.

C．Fewer people will suffer from Parkinson’s in the future.

D．More efforts in the study of nanoplastics will be put in.

4. What is a suitable title for the text?

A．Nanoplastics can enter the brain through blood

B．Nanoplastics may promote Parkinson’s disease

C．Alpha-synuclein plays a role in Parkinson’s disease

D．Nanoplastics will do serious harm to human health

8 . Honeybees command a lot of attention in insect conservation circles, as they are important for pollinating our food supply. But the findings from researchers emphasize the importance of prioritizing other pollinators or insects like wild bees, moths and butterflies in conservation efforts, too.

For the study, ecologists Joshua Kohn and Dillon Travis from the University of California, painstakingly tracked the pollination of flowers from two plant species in San Diego — white sage and Phacelia distans. Often Travis sat for hours waiting for a single pollinator, honeybees or other insects, to land on a flower. Each time he put a mesh (网状的) bag on the flower to prevent any new visitor, then back to collect seeds from different visitors. Back in the greenhouse, the team grew the seeds, analyzing characteristics that reflected their quality, such as how many seeds grew and survived and how many leaves or flower seedlings (幼苗) grew from them.

They found flowers pollinated by honeybees make fewer and lower-quality seeds than flowers visited by other pollinators. The white sage and Phacelia distans plants produced roughly half the amount of seeds from flowers pollinated by honeybees compared with other pollinators. And Phacelia distans seeds from honeybee-pollinated plants grew into seedlings with fewer flowers.

The researchers also found that honeybees visited about twice as many flowers on one plant before moving to the next than the average of other pollinators, causing honeybees to transfer more pollen in flowers of the same plant, thus resulting in fewer and lower-quality and more inbred (近亲繁殖的) seeds. Other pollinators more often flew between different plants, probably transferring more diverse pollen.

Travis says, “Honeybees’ pollination habit can impact ecosystems and agriculture in the long term. One potential consequence could be that native plant populations decline as next generations become more inbred, reducing biodiversity.”

“It is time to actually shift our dependence for pollination from largely honeybees to other native species as well,” says Jaya Sravanthi Mokkapati, an entomologist at Penn State University.

1. What does paragraph 2 focus on about the research?

A．Its procedures.	B．Its members.
C．Its impact.	D．Its significance.

2. Why do plants pollinated by honeybees produce fewer and lower-quality seeds?

A．Honeybees cause big damage to plants’ seeds.

B．Honeybees are less selective while pollinating.

C．Honeybees’ pollination efficiency is unexpectedly low.

D．Honeybees prefer to pollinate flowers of the same plant.

3. What did Travis think of their findings?

A．Misleading.

B．Worrying.

C．Creative.

D．Helpful.

4. What is Jaya Sravanthi Mokkapati’s point of view?

A．Native plant populations are declining at a high speed.

B．Honeybees’ pollination impacts plant seeds temporarily.

C．More attention should be paid to protecting other pollinators.

D．Honeybees’ pollination depends more on other native species.

9 . After skating, skiing or shoveling snow, nothing warms you up better than a cup of hot cocoa. Though today it will be topped with marshmallows (棉花软糖) or stuff like that, you may not know that chocolate was first consumed in liquid form by the Olmec people of northwestern Central America around 1500 B.C.

However, the Olmec people didn’t serve their cocoa hot. And since sugar had not yet arrived from Europe back then, the drink was often flavoured with peppers and spices. After the Spanish arrived in the Americas in the 1500s, liquid chocolate made its way across the pond, where wealthy Europeans added sugar and drank it warm. According to Chocolate: History, Culture and Heritage, hot chocolate became “the drink of the aristocracy (贵族)”, as sugar was still a luxury.

Soon enough, though, hot chocolate caught on with the masses. Chocolate houses started springing up around 17th-century Europe. In these lively places, hot chocolate was poured from pots into elegant cups. But by the end of the 18th century, chocolate houses had mostly died off, because the input of chocolate was much dearer than that of coffee or tea.

Marshmallows first came into the picture in 1917, when the company Angelus Marshmallows published a recipe for hot cocoa topped with their product. Instant cocoa is another American invention, created in the late 1950s when dairy company owner Charles Sanna faced an oversupply of powdered coffee creamer. His solution was mixing the creamer sugar and cocoa powder together, thus creating a formula (配方) favored by many.

Taking a tour of international cups of cocoa, you can try cioccolata calda, a thick, pudding-like version in Italy. In Colombia and Ecuador, chocolate is served with a teaspoon of soft farmer cheese, and Filipino hot chocolate, sikwate, is served with mango chunks.

However, you choose to jazz up your own cup, the simple pleasure of drinking a warm, chocolaty drink is one that hasn’t gotten old for thousands of years.

1. Which of the following is unlikely to happen in the 1500s?

A．Angie used sugar to add flavour to hot chocolate.

B．Eva enjoyed drinking hot cocoa during breakfast.

C．Barton consumed hot cocoa at a chocolate house.

D．Leo couldn’t afford to put much sugar in the cocoa.

2. What led to the disappearance of chocolate houses?

A．Public health awareness.	B．High cost of material.
C．Policy reform of the time.	D．Changing drinks’ trend.

3. What can we learn from Charles Sanna’s story?

A．A man can do no more he can.

B．One good turn deserves another.

C．Constant dripping wears away a stone.

D．Innovation unlocks the door of success.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．A Journey To A Cup Of Comfort

B．An Accidental Invention Of A Drink

C．Hot Cocoa: A Combination Of Global Cultures

D．Hot Cocoa: From The Aristocracy To The Public

10 . We adopted Franny, our crazy and lovable Boston puppy, from a local rescue at the start summer in 2022. However, two weeks later she was nowhere to be found.

We often leave our yard doors open to allow Franny and our another dog, Olive, to visit enclosed backyard and lie on the deck (甲板). My heart sank severely when I failed to find any. No sooner had I sensed that than my wife and I charged to our car to comb for this missing dog swiftly. I was scanning the yards a few blocks over when my phone rang all of a sudden: A woman and her daughter had our dog. Franny had been jogging down the alley (小巷) behind their lawn when they grabbed her and called the number on her tag (标牌).

I located and blocked off the gap in the fence that Franny had squeezed through in case she went out secretly and got lost again. However, she was on the run again one month later.

This time she made it much farther — all the way to a high school, where a man found it eating lunch in the sun with some students. Franny was returned to us, her big brown eyes looking ashamed as the man handed her over to me.

These days, our backyard is secured like a maximum-security prison. We love this crazy dog more than ever, and Franny finally seems content to stay put now.

Mostly, I’m thankful for the kind folks who took the time to grab our adorable runaway and return her to us. All of them refused any recompense, regardless of how much I pushed. These minded our family that the world is filled with those who will go out of their way to lend others a hand.

1. Where did the woman first find the dog?

A．In the alley.	B．In the gap of the fence.
C．On her lawn.	D．On the deck of her backyard.

2. What did the author do to prevent his dog from getting lost for the second time?

A．He tied a tag to her.	B．He kept track of her.
C．He bridged the fence’s crack.	D．He rebuilt a firm new fence.

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

A．Criticism.

B．Request.

C．Proposal.

D．Payment.

4. What is the author’s purpose to write the text?

A．To show off his puppy.

B．To extend his gratitude.

C．To call on us to care for the homeless animals.

D．To demonstrate the solutions to adopting dogs.