1 . An 80-foot floating library, built in 1963 and called Bokbaten in Norway, visited around 250 small communes along the west coast of Norway twice every year before 2020. Many of the villages along the west coast of Norway are most easily accessible by boat rather than car, so in 1959, a group of librarians got government funding to s art a waterborne library service with special on stress on children’s literature.

Large enough to hold around 6, 000 books, the boat also hosted readings, children’s pays, and other cultural events onboard. It traveled along the coast on 64-day tours during the fall and winter months, welcoming up to 150 children at a time and unloading books for each community to keep until the boat made it swayback the next time around. In summer, the library was repurposed as a tourist boat.

But in 2020, it looked like it might be the end for the library. After nearly 60 years in action, the popular boat had its funding cut by the government, which ended the floating library program. “The book boat is a floating house of culture, which means a lot to thousands of children in the communities that don’t have a good library offering,” Norwegian librarian and author Stig Holmas wrote on Facebook at the time. “It has large numbers of visits,” he went on, adding: “What a shame!”

Luckily, 28 local municipalities (市政当局) banded together in support of the beloved library, helping organize 88 cultural events to make people realize the importance of the boat between August and November 2021. Then, in February 2022, the Fritt Ord Foundation, a private Norwegian nonprofit, provided the library with nearly $300, 000 to keep the program running. Later that year, journalist Maria PileS vas and, whose grandfather built the library, was employed as manager for Bokbaten.

The boat is now a traveling bookstore, and it continues to carry on the tradition of inviting authors, actors and musicians to come aboard and perform live readings for children.

1. What do we know about Bokbaten?

A．It also held a variety of activities.

B．It was not that popular in the summer.

C．It was suggested by the 250 communities.

D．It allowed people to keep the book for 64 days.

2. What is Stig Holmas’ attitude towards the government decision?

A．Relieved.

B．Shocked.

C．Puzzled.

D．Angry.

3. What did local municipalities do for the revival of Bokbaten?

A．They provided enough funds for the library.

B．They helped to promote the value of the library.

C．They invited Maria Pile Svasand to manage Bokbaten.

D．They set up the Fritt Ord Foundation to raise funds for Bokbaten.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Why the floating library in Norway is so popular

B．The establishment of a floating library in Norway

C．How a floating library in Norway was saved

D．The influence of a floating library in Norway

2 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Why did the speaker go on the tour?

A．It was the prize of a competition.

B．John asked her to go with him.

C．It was her travel plan.

2. What did the speaker dislike about the hotel?

A．The drinks.

B．The food.

C．The waiters.

3. What did the speaker think of the trip to the museum?

A．Disappointing.

B．Amazing.

C．Terrible.

4. What did the speaker do in the second week?

A．She rode an elephant.

B．She went to the mountains.

C．She relaxed in the hotel.

3 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. When did the man’s boss call Jeff?

A．In the morning.

B．In the afternoon.

C．In the evening.

2. How did Jeff explain everything?

A．Over the phone.

B．By e-mail.

C．In person.

3. Why didn’t Jeff come to the office on Tuesday?

A．He was sick.

B．He was off the day.

C．He was working somewhere else.

4. How does the woman sound in the end?

A．Excited.

B．Angry.

C．Surprised.

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

A．Discussing their schedule.

B．Packing for a journey.

C．Deciding on a present.

2. What does Jacques like doing?

A．Swimming.

B．Playing basketball.

C．Reading books on modern art.

3. What will the speakers most probably do next?

A．Find a basketball.

B．Leave home.

C．Call a taxi.

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。

The number of Amur tigers, also known as Siberian tigers, moving from Russia into northeastern China,     1    (increase) because of lower levels human activity, improvements in their habitat     2     a smoother transit corridor between countries. The area     3     tigers lived across the Sino-Russian border expanded by about 12 kilometers every three years from 2003-2016. In 2021 the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park was established.     4     (cover) approximately 14,100 square kilometers, the park straddles the provinces of Heilongjiang and Jilin. By the end of 2021 the number of wild Amur tigers living there     5     (rise) to 50 from 27 in 2017. The conservation of tigers is recognized as a global challenge, due to     6     (they) expansive habitat requirements. A female needs 400 to 500 square kilometers while a male requires over 1, 000 square kilometers. The collaboration between these neighboring parks creates a     7     (share) home for the animals. The construction of the Sino-Russian cross-border environmental corridor is vital     8     several barriers hinder the movement of tigers between the two sides. Border fences and roads built in the area are among those obstacles. Efforts are required by both sides     9     (promote) the corridor. As the population of prey species including wild boar and deer rises, Amur tigers are travelling     10     (far) into China for food. The expansion of the tigers’ range is expected to continue.

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。续写的词数应为150左右。

Amy loved drawing, but her grandmother Bonnie was opposed to it, who thought those strange things Amy drew were not going to help her in the future. One day, when they were eating dinner at the table, the doorbell rang.

Amy answered the door to see a well-dressed man standing at the door. “Oh my God, I know you! Mr Henderson?” Amy said gladly. “You are my favorite cartoonist (漫画家)! Wow! Hello, sir!” Then she led Mr Henderson into her house.

Mr Henderson was a famous New York-based cartoonist. He worked for an art magazine.

“I received a letter with some samples (样本) of your artwork, Amy. And I must say I was so impressed by your talent. In fact, I wrote you letters, but In ever got a reply,” Mr Henderson said to Amy. “If I hadn’t visited you today, you might have missed out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

“You sent me letters?” Amy wondered aloud. Amy noticed Bonnie sat uneasily in her seat, and she realized why the letters had never reached her. Her grandmother kept them hidden from her. Mr Henderson continued, “We are accepting applications for our arts training program this summer. I would personally teach the students the art of cartoons and everything related. For that, you need to pass a drawing test. If everything goes well, you will be able to learn from me later and pursue your dream for art.”

Amy was excited about the news, but Bonnie refused and said angrily, “You are wasting our time, sir. Please leave.”

“But ma’am, this can really shape your granddaughter’s career,” Mr Henderson sad. “And if you’re concerned about the money, please don’t be. The committee will cover all the costs. A gifted childlike Amy can greatly benefit from the program.” Then Mr Henderson pulled out a file from his document case and gave it to Amy. “It’s a test assignment I know your grandmother is against it and things are tough, but I hope you’ll be able to do it,” he added as he left the house.

Amy couldn’t contain her excitement after Mr Henderson’s visit.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Amy’s strong love for drawing deeply touched Bonnie.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7 . 请根据句意选择方框中合适的短语并用正确的形式填入句中。

in the face of adversity     turn (sb) down     go on an expedition     be qualified for     be the envy of beyond endurance     dispose of     be worthy of     be composed of     shave off

1. Mary is slim and full of vigour, so she _________ many young ladies.
2. ___________, my nephew never abandoned himself to despair.
3. It was bitter and miserable weather. Their suffering was _________.
4. The navigator was a bad-tempered man, but he _________ navigation.
5. They are facing the difficulties of _________ nuclear waste.

8 . Rising food prices have taken a big bite out of what Canadians are able to serve up for dinner but food economists say our ability to cope has been deteriorated by our common decline in cooking skills. “We are less able to cook than we were 30 or 40 years ago, and so it’s much more difficult for us to adapt our diet,” said Mike von Massow, an associate professor at the University of Guelph.

A 2010 federal government report called Improving Cooking and Food Preparation Skills, the most recent of its kind, said that all across the population, processed and pre-prepared foods have been permitted. “Related to this permission is the potential lack of transference of basic, traditional cooking and food preparation skills from parents to children and adolescents,” the report reads.

Moreover, the quality of pre-prepared foods in the market remains uneven, with problems related to the lack of detailed labelling on such products, as well as difficulties in logistics and distribution.

Annie Belov, a 21-year-old student, has taught herself a lot about cooking since food prices started shooting up. “When the inflation (通货膨胀) wasn’t as bad, I was constantly eating out,” said Belov. That might mean food on campus or picking up a prepared item at Safeway when the price was still around $5, she said.

Belov now often makes dishes such as Caesar salad, as well as hearty pasta salads that combine carbs with vegetables and a bit of chicken. Belov said she’s a lot more efficient in the kitchen thanks to building her skills through trial and error. “Now, definitely more than before, I can kind of look in the pantry or in the freezer and be like, ‘OK, yeah, I can make a meal quickly and easily.’”

It’s important to note, however, that cooking skills alone cannot solve the affordability problem, said Elaine Power. And in 2023, Food Banks Canada says food insecurity is rising with inflation and the high cost of living. So while cooking skills can better position people to feed themselves and their families as best they can in forced circumstances, “that doesn’t, and can’t, make up for income that is inadequate in the first place.”

1. Which is the closest in meaning to the underlined word in paragraph 1?

A．worsened.

B．interrupted.

C．puzzled.

D．upset.

2. What is a disadvantage of pre-prepared foods?

A．Failing to attract diners.

B．The loss of cooking skills.

C．Difficulties in keeping its flavors.

D．Shortage of fresh ingredients.

3. What can we say about Annie Belov?

A．She suffers a tough financial patch.

B．She ends up showing a love of cooking.

C．She used to dine out at a restaurant.

D．She receives cooking education in schools.

4. What is the key to solve the affordability problem according to Elaine Power?

A．Lower cost of living.	B．More cooking at home.
C．Food security status.	D．Increased income.

9 . Mars exploration is a significant scientific expedition and it’s like the Apollo missions on the Moon 50 years ago. While human-led missions to Mars seem likely in the coming decades, what are our prospects of long-term habitation on Mars? Scientists have found a way to grow cyanbacteria, also known as blue-green algae (水藻), on Mars. It’s a discovery that could lead to human habitation of the Red Planet.

Cyanobacteria are tiny living things found in water. They release oxygen during photosynthesis (the process by which organisms use sunlight to make their own food). The algae can also transform other gases, such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen, into nutrients, substances that help living things grow. Scientists think that a huge rise in the numbers of cyanobacteria 2.4 billion years ago is what made Earth’s atmosphere breathable.

Mars’ atmosphere is mostly made up of carbon dioxide and nitrogen and there is little oxygen in Mars’s atmosphere. So researchers are hoping the blue-green algae could be used to allow plants to grow there too, for food and medicines. However, it is impossible to grow blue-green algae on Mars naturally. To solve this problem, a team of scientists from the University of Bremen, in Germany, have developed a special bioreactor (生物反应器) called Atmos. A bioreactor is a machine for growing microbes. Using this, the team, led by Dr Cyprien Verseux, showed how cyanobacteria could be grown using resources found on Mars.

Not only did the algae grow as hoped, but they also helped other organisms, such as bacteria, to grow. The bioreactor is still just a test version. It just starts and there is still a long way to go. However, Verseux hopes that the results can inspire a system that could one day support life on Mars.

1. Cyanbacteria could play a significant role in human habitation on Mars because ________.

A．they make their own food

B．they improve photosynthesis

C．they release oxygen and nutrients

D．they absorb carbon dioxide and nitrogen

2. What makes it possible to grow blue-green algae on Mars?

A．Improving the bioreactor.

B．Inventing a special machine.

C．Using resources found on Mars.

D．Experimenting growing microbes.

3. Which word best describes Verseux’s attitude to the current studies?

A．Positive.	B．Objective.
C．Skeptical.	D．Conservative.

4. What is the best title of the text?

A．Mars Exploration Is Becoming a Hot Issue

B．Scientists Are Testing Bioreactor to Grow Algae

C．Human Habitation on Mars May Not Be a Dream

D．Cyanobacteria Could Be Key to Living on Mars

10 . Laugh Your Worries Away

Have you ever laughed so much you simply couldn’t stop? Perhaps your body has keeled over with laughter or you have “got the giggles” at an inappropriate moment. As World Laughter Day approaches, read on to find out why chuckling puts a smile on your face and is good for you.

    1    ?

Laughter is a sound you make involuntarily. When you laugh, you are using the muscles in between your ribcage. This squeezes air out of you, causing you to make a noise. There are other effects too: laughter causes 15 muscles in your face to contract (move), leaving you with a big grin.

Why do we laugh?

    2    . In fact, it’s a way of connecting with other people. Sophie Scott is a laughter expert and neuroscientist, which means she studies the brain. She told The Week Junior, “The main reason why we laugh is social. It’s something we do to make and maintain bonds with other people and it’s a really important way of us communicating with each other.”

Is laughter really good for me?

Not only does laughter connect you to others but it can also help when you’re feeling down or worried. Scott says, “Laughter is a very important way to deal with stress.”     3    , which can help you feel less anxious and more relaxed. In fact, a recent study by a children’s mental health charity, the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, shows that 83% of young people rely on laughter to improve their mood. Laughter can strengthen the immune system and it has been linked to a healthy heart.     4    .

What if I’m not in the mood to laugh?

It’s possible and normal to laugh when feeling sad.     5    . Laughter is also contagious, which means whatever your mood is, you can catch the giggles from others who are laughing.

A．What is laughter

B．When do we laugh

C．Surprisingly, it has very little to do with your sense of humor

D．Sometimes, people use laughter to lighten an awkward or upsetting situation

E．What’s more, laughing with friends or family can make you feel safe and secure

F．Endorphins, or feel-good chemicals in your body, are released when you laugh

G．Evidently, laughter, recognized as the best medicine, can help us lift our spirits