1 . The item of traditional tea processing techniques and social practices in China was added to the intangible cultural heritage list of UNESCO in November, 2022.
China’s traditional tea processing techniques are mainly concentrated in four tea-growing areas, namely South and North of the Yangtze River, and Southwest and South China.
China is the hometown of tea, and the inclusion of the Chinese tea into the world cultural intangible heritage list will help build the cultural foundation for a community with a shared future for mankind.
| A．Tea-drinking is considered to be an important part of Chinese culture. |
| B．Promoted by tea culture, China’s tea industry is also developing rapidly. |
| C．It has become the 43rd Chinese item on the intangible cultural heritage list. |
| D．China is not only the largest producer of tea, but also the largest consumer. |
| E．The practice of making friends through tea-related activities is very common in China. |
| F．It will also help the world deepen its understanding of the fine traditional Chinese culture. |
| G．There are over 2,000 kinds of tea for people to drink in China, thus forming different customs. |
2 . A Japanese company has announced the successful test drive of a flying car. SkyDrive Inc. conducted the public demonstration on August 25. The company said in a news release at the Toyota Test Field, one of the largest in Japan, “This is the first time the flying car was exhibited to the public.”
“We are extremely excited to have achieved Japan’s first-ever manned flight of a flying car in the two dozen months since we founded SkyDrive...” CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa said in a statement. “We want to realize a society where flying cars are an accessible and convenient means of transportation in the skies and people are able to experience a secure, and comfortable new way of life.”
The car, named SD-03, manned with a pilot, took off and circled the field for about four minutes. It is the world’s smallest electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle and takes up the space of about two parked cars, according to the company. It has eight motors to ensure “safety in emergency situations”.
“We wanted this vehicle to be futuristic, charismatic and desirable for all future customers, while fully incorporating the high technology of SkyDrive,” Design Director Takumi Yamamot said. The company hopes to make the flying car a part of normal life and not just a commodity. More test flights will occur in the future under different conditions to make sure the safety and technology of the vehicle meet industry standards.
The success of this flight means that it is likely the car will be tested outside of the Toyota Test Field by the end of the year. “The company will continue to develop technologies to safely and securely launch the flying car in 2024,” the news release said, “No price has been announced.”
1. What does the underlined word “demonstration” mean in the first paragraph?| A．Announcement. | B．Exhibition. | C．Experiment. | D．Statement. |
| A．Convenient and safe. | B．High-speed and splendid. |
| C．Comfortable and large-sized. | D．Space saving and economical. |
| A．It is similar to plane. | B．It is self-driving. |
| C．It is bigger than a common car. | D．It is energy saving. |
| A．To make it safer. | B．To reduce its price. |
| C．To test it in the laboratory. | D．To put it to the market at once. |
3 . Someone has put forward a dream home which is so advanced that its kitchen can suggest what to make with certain things. Also, a Microsoft home doesn’t just warn you when you’re out of milk — it can send you a fresh gallon.
But are these innovations just magic, or are they really coming soon to a neighborhood near you? To find out, US News asked some experts to get their opinions about the home of the not-so-distant future. Here’s a look at the innovations.
The housing boom was marked by mass-produced buildings filled with units which look the same. The coming years, however, will give way to a personalized approach to home construction, with houses as more of an instrument of self-expression. “The successful builders will be the ones that figure out how to change their production model enough to make the buyers feel like they are really getting something that is designed for them, not just a model,” says Kermit Baker, the chief economist at the American Institute of Architects.
Future homes will probably become smaller. “We will be building smaller but smarter houses,” says Ed MeMahon, a senior resident fellow at the Urban Land Institute. “Instead of having a room for just one use, consumers will demand homes that make better use of space,” says Susanka, whose best-selling book, The Not So Big House, has become increasingly influential in home design. Seldom-used quarters, such as dining and living rooms, will be replaced with space that can serve both functions. “The goal of his ‘right-size’ home is to fit its owners like a specially cut suit rather than a jacket you buy in a store,” says Susanka.
1. What is the function of the first paragraph?| A．To present the main idea the passage. | B．To present what the future house is like. |
| C．To lead to the topic of the passage. | D．To show the history the housing. |
| A．Almost all the houses had no their own features. |
| B．The houses were designed according to owners’ idea. |
| C．The houses were smaller but smarter than before. |
| D．The houses could change production model easily. |
| A．Those that are much bigger and brighter. | B．Those that are much smaller but smarter. |
| C．Those that are much bigger and smarter. | D．Those that are environmental and energy saving. |
| A．Smart houses have a room for every use. | B．Smart houses can make better use of space. |
| C．Smart houses have very advanced furniture. | D．Smart houses can warn you when you’re out of milk. |
4 . During the 19th and 20th centuries, Qi Baishi (1864-1957) was one of the best-known Chinese artists. He grew up in a poor peasant family, but this did not prevent him from pursuing his interest in painting.
Qi was schooled for less than a year due to illness, and he dropped out of school. However, he was too weak to do much of the work and this was why he became a carpenter. As a carpenter, he showed his creativity. He could carve figures of animals, woodblock prints, and sniff-boxes. At the age of 20, he taught himself to paint with Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting. He met many mentors who greatly influenced his painting skills through his painting journey, among whom are the renowned artists Zhu Da and Xu Wei. When he was 28, he became a student of the famous artist Hu Qinyuan, and he began to study Chinese painting.
Qi arrived in Beijing in 1917. While he was in Beijing, he stayed devoted to painting. Most of his paintings represented Chinese tradition. Qi’s works are now found in several famous museums, including National Gallery Prague and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. His works now are the most expensive ever sold at auctions.
Qi got noticed by many institutions, one of which is the Ministry of Culture. In 1954 he was selected as the representative of the Chinese people. Also, in 1956, he was awarded the World Peace Prize by World Peace Council. A college was also named after him, the Baishi School of Art in Hunan University of Science Technology.
1. Why did Qi Baishi drop out of school?| A．He suffered from illness and was too weak. |
| B．He wanted to devote himself to painting. |
| C．He wasn’t interested in what he learned at school. |
| D．His family was too poor to afford his schooling fees. |
| A．He learned Chinese painting on his own. |
| B．He showed great creativity of art since childhood. |
| C．His works are one of the costliest ever sold at auctions. |
| D．At first he learned to paint from some renowned artists. |
| A．His painting style. | B．His painting works. |
| C．His achievements. | D．His contributions to his hometown. |
| A．By giving examples. | B．By using data. |
| C．By raising questions. | D．By following the order of time. |
5 . As an only child, Renae often felt
When Renae was 14, her father got a new job and the house needed to be free of noise. “Chloe liked barking,” Renae says. “I didn’t want to lose my dog but I didn’t have any
Later, Renae grew up, got married, and had a child. But her family didn’t feel quite
| A．anxious | B．embarrassed | C．responsible | D．lonely |
| A．reminded | B．attracted | C．surprised | D．pressed |
| A．flexible | B．horrible | C．generous | D．inseparable |
| A．choice | B．measure | C．benefit | D．loss |
| A．conclusion | B．decision | C．tradition | D．inspiration |
| A．impressed | B．typical | C．optimistic | D．sensitive |
| A．take out | B．find out | C．drop out | D．put out |
| A．disappointedly | B．crazily | C．excitedly | D．amazingly |
| A．complete | B．original | C．current | D．formal |
| A．accomplish | B．attempt | C．experience | D．observe |
| A．adapt | B．adopt | C．acquire | D．abuse |
| A．instant | B．incident | C．individual | D．instruction |
| A．hugging | B．patting | C．licking | D．stressing |
| A．motivated | B．astonished | C．alarmed | D．delighted |
| A．As long as | B．As well as | C．As with | D．As for |
6 . Carved into the cliffs above the Dachuan River, the Mogao Caves, south-east of the Dunhuang oasis, Gansu province, contain the largest, richest, and longest used treasure house of Buddhist art in the world. It was first constructed in 366 AD and represents the great achievement of Buddhist art from the 4th to the 14th century. Four hundred and ninety-two caves are presently preserved, housing about 45,000 square meters of murals (壁画) and more than 2,000 painted sculptures. Cave 302 of the Sui Dynasty contains one of the oldest and most vivid scenes of cultural exchanges along the Silk Road, showing a camel pulling a cart typical of trade missions of that period.
As evidence of the evolution of Buddhist art in the northwest region of China, the Mogao Caves are of unmatched historical value. These works provide an abundance of vivid materials depicting various aspects of medieval (中世纪的) politics, economics, culture, arts, religion, ethnic relations, and daily dress in western China. Many of these masterpieces are creations of an unparalleled aesthetic (美学的) talent.
The discovery of the Library Cave at the Mogao Caves in 1990, together with the tens of thousands of manuscripts and relics it contained, has been acclaimed as the world’s greatest discovery of ancient Oriental (东方的) culture. This significant heritage provides invaluable reference for studying the complex history of ancient China and Central Asia.
The Mogao Caves were included on the World Heritage List in 1987. At the state level, China has put all World Heritage Sites under top-level protection. In 1961, the Mogao Caves were listed as one of the State Priority Protected Sites by the State Council and were put under the protection of national laws, including the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Cultural Relics. The Administrative Institution of the Mogao Caves has been cooperating with international counterparts (同行) to study conservation and site management and looks forward to continuing its work in preserving the heritage of the site.
1. What can we infer from Cave 302 of the Sui Dynasty?| A．It is important for the study of ancient craftsmanship. |
| B．It’s important for the research of the history of Central Asia. |
| C．It shows the evolution of Buddhist art in ancient China. |
| D．It has great value for the study of the history of the Silk Road. |
| A．Portray. | B．Observe. | C．Intend. | D．Process. |
| A．Proud. | B．Amazed. | C．Doubtful. | D．Bored. |
| A．To introduce the laws that protect the Mogao Caves. |
| B．To give advice on how to protect the Mogao Caves. |
| C．To tell us that the Mogao Caves are well protected. |
| D．To explain the measures taken to protect the Mogao Caves. |
7 . Pingtan, the biggest island off the coast of Fujian Province, is popular with tourists these days. It has also attracted many
Born in Milan, Strada has a well-developed
Strada
As for the future, Strada plans to
| A．foreigners | B．businessmen | C．travelers | D．engineers |
| A．model | B．stylist | C．critic | D．graduate |
| A．application | B．system | C．appreciation | D．relationship |
| A．boosted | B．improved | C．achieved | D．pursued |
| A．However | B．Therefore | C．Otherwise | D．Besides |
| A．urgent | B．frequent | C．recreational | D．exhausting |
| A．contributed to | B．adapted to | C．settled in | D．believed in |
| A．political | B．major | C．potential | D．economic |
| A．make use of | B．get rid of | C．keep track of | D．take care of |
| A．environment | B．flavor | C．fashion | D．record |
| A．reopens | B．monitors | C．possesses | D．decorates |
| A．awarding | B．announcing | C．offering | D．showing |
| A．fund | B．evaluate | C．attend | D．organize |
| A．spread | B．acquire | C．compare | D．discuss |
| A．virtual | B．dynamic | C．intelligent | D．independent |
8 . We are always seeking ways to make our events more inclusive and to find new ways to deliver value to you. For 2024 we have reduced the ticket prices and introduced a new ticket option “super early bird” for our Instant Expert events. All our events will still be held at Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London. What doesn’t change is that each event will continue to feature six expert speakers sharing their knowledge and latest research on the event topic.
What will you learn?Anyone interested in genetics (遗传学) can attend, whatever your age or background. Whether you’re a scientist, a student or simply a fascinated human being, Instant Expert: The Genetics Revolution offers the chance to learn directly from the experts at our one-day masterclass. At this Instant Expert, you’ll learn about:
●Gene editing with CRISPR
●Whether DNA is destiny, Nature vs Nurture
●Genome sequencing and consumer DNA testing
●The ethics of creating new life
What’s included in your ticket?●In-depth and engaging talks from six leading scientists
●Ask-an-expert Question Time session
●Your chance to meet our six speakers and New Scientist host
●Exclusive on-the-day New Scientist subscription deal, book and merchandise offers
Booking information:Doors will open at 9 a. m. on Saturday, May 25th, with talks starting an hour later. The event will finish at 5 p. m. Lunch will NOT be provided at this event, but the agenda includes a one-hour lunch break... Visitors are welcome to bring their own food, or purchase lunch at one of the many establishments around Red Lion Square and the surrounding area.
Tickets are non-transferable to any other New Scientist event. All tickets are non-refundable.
1. Which is one of the changes about the event?| A．The prices of the tickets. | B．The place for the event. |
| C．The time for entrance. | D．The number of experts. |
| A．Edit gene with CRISPR. | B．Have their DNA tested. |
| C．Buy discounted books. | D．Interact with the experts. |
| A．About 9 hours. | B．About 6 hours. | C．About 5 hours. | D．About 3 hours. |
9 . Many footballers struggle when they leave the beautiful game for retirement in their mid-thirties, with stories that are sad or even terrible. However, in his new book Kicking On! Tony Rickson reveals the footballers who have achieved success after retirement, whether it’s by setting up charities, helping others cope, creating multi-million-pound businesses or going into media, politics or back into the football world.
Tony Adams, a former footballer, set up a charitable foundation more than 20 years ago called Sporting Chance and said it’s one of his greatest achievements. He’s wrong. Despite all the cups he won while captaining Arsenal during a highly successful 22-year career at his only club, and all the times he played for England, it is his greatest achievement. Not just one of them.
As Adams admits in his memorable book, Addicted, he suffered from alcoholism and drug abuse while still a professional footballer. Setting up Sporting Chance was his response, and ever since it’s treated and supported sports professionals suffering from drink or drug problems. The charity’s offer is: “We understand that it takes courage to ask for help, either during or following a career in sport, so when you’re ready to reach out, we’re ready for you.”
Since retiring from playing in 2002, Adams, who has a statue in his honor outside the Arsenal ground, has managed and coached in several countries alongside his charity work. He told The Sun: “What happened in my life with alcohol makes me feel so sad but also grateful that I found a way out of it. I’ve had highs and lows, in and out of football, given up playing and gone into coaching and management. I’ve not had a drink through any of it. My self-esteem (自尊) has come back and I am all right.”
The self-assessment as “all right” also applied to his 2022 appearance in TV’s Strictly Come Dancing, when Adams showed an admirable ability to laugh at himself.
1. What is Adams’ greatest achievement according to Rickson?| A．Setting up Sporting Chance. | B．Captaining the team Arsenal. |
| C．Playing for England all his life. | D．Writing his bestseller Addicted. |
| A．Losing his position on the team. | B．Lack of courage to seek advice. |
| C．Addiction to alcohol and drugs. | D．Tense relations with teammates. |
| A．Adams worked as a coach immediately he retired. |
| B．Charity work made Adams recognized in his circle. |
| C．Adams began his football career at the age of 22. |
| D．Arsenal thinks highly of Adams’ contribution to it. |
| A．A news report. | B．A biography. |
| C．An introduction to a book. | D．An entry of a diary. |
10 . As a worrying number of youngsters take up vaping (电子烟), the Government has announced a crackdown on laws to stop kids from becoming addicted to the dangerous habit.
Disposable (一次性的) vapes are now set to be banned in the UK as part of the Prime Minister’s new legislation (立法) to “stop youth vaping in its tracks”. Recent research shows that one in five teens has now tried vaping, despite it being illegal for under-18s, and half of those who vape between 18 and 24 do so despite having no history of smoking.
Last year, figures showed the number of adults using e-cigarettes in the UK had risen to the highest rate on record at roughly 4.3 million Brits. According to the charity Action on Smoking and Health, almost 1,000 serious adverse reactions to vapes were logged, including five deaths linked to e-cigarettes in the last decade.
And it’s not just over-the-count er vapes at the center of the country’s vaping crisis — fake e-cigarettes with deadly chemicals have sparked concerns. An investigation by the Mirror in 2023revealed one man’s fears for his life after he suffered a collapsed lung as a result of a fake, unlicensed pack of vapes purchased from a corner shop in County Durham.
Alex Gittins,31, thought he bagged himself a bargain but ended up in hospital just hours later. He said: “I noticed an awful chemical taste in the back of my throat, then five to 10minutes later I felt what was like a stitch. I’m lying in A&E thinking I was going to die.”
A regular vaper was told he had just a one percent chance of survival after being left in need of a double lung transplant. Jackson Allard, 22, underwent the life-saving operation on January 1, putting an end to a series of serious health issues.
Medical expert Stephanie Hansen has voice d concerns about the unknown long-term effects of e-cigarettes. She said: “Vaping or e-cigarette use is relatively new, so we don’t necessarily know a lot of the long-term effects of vaping and that’s honestly one of the scariest things about it.”
1. What has the recent research found?| A．20 percent of UK teenagers have once vaped. | B．It’s against the law for teens to buy vapes. |
| C．Vaping is commoner than smoking in the UK. | D．5 people died because of vaping last year. |
| A．To suggest it’s easy to be addicted to vaping. | B．To state vaping ruins people’s health seriously. |
| C．To indicate it’s illegal to buy fake e-cigarettes. | D．To show the number of people vaping is on the rise. |
| A．It remains to be seen in what way vaping affects people. |
| B．It will be long before people know the bad effects of vaping. |
| C．It matters to inform people of the potential danger of vaping. |
| D．It is difficult to prohibit adults from buying e-cigarettes. |
| A．Research into the habits of smokers in Britain. | B．Causes of teens’ addiction to vaping in Britain. |
| C．British health issues drawing public attention. | D．British government prohibiting disposable vapes. |
