1 . A powerful earthquake hit Morocco on Friday night, killing over 2,500 people and causing huge damage over a large area. The quake was one of the most powerful ever recorded in Morocco. It’s also the country’s deadliest earthquake in over 60 years. So far, the earthquake is reported to have killed over 2,680 people. It has injured over 2,500 others. The earthquake was especially dangerous because it happened at night, when people were asleep in their homes.

Marrakesh is a big city that’s popular with tourists. Many of its modern buildings seem to have survived the earthquake, but the old part of the city, Medina, was hit hard. It has buildings that are over 1,000 years old. Many of those buildings were demolished.

Outside of Marrakesh, the earthquake caused even more damage. In the Atlas Mountains, the earthquake’s center, there are many small villages, some of which were nearly destroyed.

Many of the people in the area live in simple houses made of mud bricks, which is a traditional way of building in Morocco. But it’s not strong enough to protect against earthquakes. Although the Moroccan government has laws that require buildings to be built more safely, these rules are often ignored.

Rescue workers have been working hard to save those affected by the quake. In larger cities, rescue efforts seem to be going well. But it has taken a lot longer for help to reach remote areas in the mountains. Many of these villages are difficult to get to. The earthquake caused landslides, blocking roads, and making these places even more difficult to reach. In some areas, phone and electrical service were also knocked out, leaving these places completely cut off. That means that the local people in some remote areas have had to deal with the situation on their own. In some areas, people have been digging through the broken stones or bricks with their hands, trying to find survivors. Many people are sleeping outside, unsure if their houses are safe.

Many outside countries have offered to help Morocco. Some countries have offered teams of experts; others have offered supplies.

1. What do we know about the earthquake in Morocco?

A．It only killed 2,680 people.	B．It occurred during the day.
C．It was the deadliest in recent decades.	D．It injured less than 2,500 people.

2. What does the underlined word “demolished” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Destroyed.

B．Decorated.

C．Protected.

D．Constructed.

3. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．Necessary help from other countries for the quake-hit area.

B．The current serious situation faced by people in disaster areas.

C．Possible causes of the earthquake happening in Morocco.

D．Reasons why the earthquake caused so much damage in Morocco.

4. What can be learned from paragraph 5?

A．Rescue workers in big cities are in short supply.

B．Villagers in the quake-hit area try to save themselves.

C．Most of the houses in remote areas are reported safe.

D．Rescue workers can easily get in touch with mountain people.

2 . The 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Moungi G. Bawendi of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Louis E. Brus of Columbia University, and Alexei I. Ekimov of Nanocrystals Technology Inc. in New York for the discovery and development of quantum dots (量子点).

The three scientists each contributed to a fundamental discovery, according to officials from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which awards several of the prizes each year. The work they’ve done has already led to new technology in television screens and bio-imaging.

Reached by phone during a press conference early Wednesday morning, Bawendi offered a stream of reactions: “Shocked. Sleepy. Very unexpected. And very honored.”

In a rare event, the winners’ names were leaked to the Swedish media before the official announcement. But Bawendi said he’d been sound asleep, so he didn’t hear anything about it.

Quantum dots are particles (粒子) that are so incredibly small that their size actually starts to affect their properties. For example, blue quantum dots and red quantum dots can be made from the exact same material, with the only difference being the size of the particle itself. (The blue quantum dots are smaller than red ones.)

In fact, changing the size can alter (改变) many different properties beyond just color, which means that quantum dots could be useful for a variety of applications, including building better solar panels and perhaps even creating fuel by using sunlight.

The three scientists will share the prize money of 11 million Swedish kronor (close to$995,000) in equal parts. This is the third science-focused Nobel Prize to be awarded this week. On Tuesday, the physics prize was awarded to Anne L’ Huillier, Pierre Agostini and Ferenc Krausz. And on Monday, Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman won the prize in physiology or medicine.

Officials plan to announce the literature prize on Thursday, followed by the peace prize on Friday. The economics prize will be awarded on Monday.

1. How did Bawendi feel when receiving the call early Wednesday morning?

A．Angry.

B．Surprised.

C．Bored.

D．Sorry.

2. What causes the difference in color between blue quantum dots and red ones?

A．The size of the particles.	B．The difference in materials.
C．The change in shapes.	D．The variety of applications.

3. What does the underlined word “This” in paragraph 7 refer to?

A．The 2023 Nobel Prize in physics.	B．The 2023 Nobel Prize in medicine.
C．The 2023 Nobel Prize in literature.	D．The 2023 Nobel Prize in chemistry.

4. What is the text?

A．A short story.

B．A diary entry.

C．A news report.

D．A research article.

3 . Ocean temperature extremes are now normal, a new study reports. It has analyzed ocean surface temperatures for the past 150 years. It reveals that by 2019, 57 percent of the ocean’s surface was warming to temperatures rarely seen 100 years ago.

Ecologists wanted to learn how often modern extreme heat events occur. They also wanted to see how long they last. Kisei Tanaka was one of those ecologists. He now works for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Honolulu, Hawaii. Tanaka teamed up with Kyle Van Houtan, who works at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center. The two analyzed monthly sea surface temperatures collected from 1870 through 2019. Then they mapped where and when extreme heat events had shown up, decade by decade.

By looking at monthly extremes instead of annual averages, the two found that over time, more and more patches (区域) of water were reaching extreme temperatures. Then, in 2014, the entire ocean hit a point of no return, Van Houtan says.

Heat waves harm ocean ecosystems. They can lead seabirds to starve... And animals—from fish and whales to turtles—may have to swim long distances in search of comfortable temperatures.

In May 2020, NOAA announced that it was updating what climates it now considered “normal”. These values are what the agency uses to put daily weather events in a historical context. The average values from 1991 to 2020 are now higher than those from 1981 to 2010, NOAA found.

Van Houtan says his new study shows extreme ocean warming is now the norm. Much discussion on climate change, he notes, has been about future events, and whether or not they might happen. But what the emerging data make clear, he says, is that extreme heat became common in our ocean in 2014. It’s a documented historical fact—not a future possibility.

1. Why did the ecologists conduct the research?

A．To prove what they had forecast.	B．To recognize the value of the data.
C．To update readers on newfound species.	D．To find out the trend of ocean record heat.

2. Where can you find the harmful effect of global ocean warming?

A．In paragraph 3.	B．In paragraph 4.
C．In paragraph 5.	D．In paragraph 6.

3. What does Van Houtan want to stress at last?

A．People’s lifestyle will be greatly affected.	B．It is a must to discuss the climate change.
C．Scientists must focus on historical events.	D．Ocean heat extremes are the new normal.

4. In which section of a newspaper may this text appear?

A．Nature.

B．Travel.

C．Business.

D．History.

4 . A sandstone slab (石板) and other stone tools unearthed in Vietnam give insight into how curry (咖喱) was made and reveal that curry was eaten in the region at least 2,000 years ago.

The sandstone slab, buried 2 meters below the surface, was dug up in 2018 at Oc Eo in southern Vietnam. The site was once an overseas trading center of an ancient Southeast Asian kingdom known as Funan, according to a new study.

“Preparing curry involves not only a diverse range of seasoning but also the use of grinding (研磨) tools, considerable time, and human effort,” said study author Dr. Hsiao-chun Hung. “Remarkably, even individuals residing outside of India nearly 2,000 years ago expressed a strong desire to enjoy the flavors of curry, as evidenced by their careful preparations.”

Hung and a team of researchers analyzed microscopic remains known as starch grains—tiny structures found within plant cells that can be preserved over long periods—that they found on the grinding tools.

“Nowadays, preparing curry in Vietnam has become much simpler for most families due to the widespread availability of bagged curry in supermarkets. However, it is interesting to note that the curry recipe used today has not varied significantly from the ancient times,” said study co-author Dr. Khanh Trung Kien Nguyen. Nguyen added that the team planned to recreate the 2,000-year-old curry based on the microscopic remains found at the site.

People were likely enjoying curry in India about 4,000 years ago. Some of the components recovered at Oc Eo are similar to those found in Indian curries, while other components are more distinctively Southeast Asian. The new study concluded that curry recipes arrived in Southeast Asia with South Asian traders as contact between the regions increased during the early centuries of the first millennium.

1. What is the sandstone slab used to do according to the text?

A．Store grains.

B．Carve tools.

C．Make curry.

D．Keep time.

2. What did Dr. Hsiao-chun Hung think of preparing curry in the past?

A．It was a complex process.	B．It differed from one another.
C．It demanded little effort.	D．It was environment-friendly.

3. What can we infer about the ancient curry recipes?

A．They restricted regional trade.	B．They were mainly consumed in Vietnam.
C．They linked various cultures.	D．They were first favored by Southeast Asians.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．The unknown stories of a historical site.	B．The findings of unearthed stone tools.
C．An introduction to a cooking course.	D．An unforgettable family experience.

5 . Though Marley has loved soccer for as long as she can remember, her involvement in the game didn’t extend beyond kickabouts with her father and brothers. But that all changed in 2014 when one day her son came home from school and handed her a flier (传单), saying that his soccer coach had asked him to deliver it to her. “I’m reading it... like ‘Wait, Jamaica has a women’s football team? Where did this come from?’” she said.

Six years earlier, in 2008, underfunding had led to the Jamaican Football Federation (JFF) disbanding the women’s national team program. The flier Marley’s son brought home was a fundraising request from the JFF to help restart the program. Marley got to work almost immediately, calling the JFF the following morning to ask what it needed.

“The needs were many,” Marley said, repeating the sentence as if to stress how dire the situation was. From travel and nutrition to accommodation and training camps, every area of the national team’s setup was in need of funding.

A skilled musician and multiple Grammy award-winning artist, Marley put her considerable musical talents to work. “My family came together with me. We recorded a song Strike Hard to raise funds,” she said.

Her efforts—and the work of countless others who were equally as committed to the cause—paid off as the women’s national team became the first Caribbean country to qualify for the Women’s World Cup.

Marley’s work has helped not only improve standards and conditions for players, but also shift the country’s attitude towards the women’s national team. “These girls have been told for a long time that women in sports, especially football in Jamaica, really weren’t that important,” Marley said. “Nobody wants to give us brand deals because it’s the female team. It’s so good now to see how all of that has changed dramatically, not just for our women, but around the world... and that makes me excited.”

1. How did Marley probably feel while reading the flier?

A．Astonished.

B．Disappointed.

C．Grateful.

D．Regretful.

2. Why did the women’s national team of Jamaica stop operating in 2008?

A．Its coaches left the team.	B．Its players were unskilled.
C．It failed the football fans.	D．It lacked sufficient funds.

3. What does the underlined word “dire” probably mean in paragraph 3?

A．Amazing.

B．Terrible.

C．Fresh.

D．Stable.

4. Which can best describe the impact of Marley’s efforts?

A．Short-lived.

B．Negative.

C．Far-reaching.

D．Unidentifiable.

6 . Benefits of sharing jokes as a family

A well-chosen joke can have a big impact when speaking to a crowd or attempting to redirect a tense meeting.     1     Our family started regularly enjoying jokes when my son began sharing the “Joke of the Day” read On the morning announcements his school with us at dinner. A burst of laughter prevents us from complaining about the menu.     2     The benefits of sharing jokes definitely go beyond mealtime conversation matter, though. Here are some reasons to make joking around a regular family habit:

    3     Knowing a good joke can help a kid connect with other kids at the cafeteria table or start a conversation on the school bus. Enjoying jokes and practicing the art of humorous delivery in the safety of their home can give kids tools for social situations, especially if this is an area of difficulty.

Jokes improve language skills.     4     Consider the learning potential in these samples from Funology.com: “What do you call a cow that eats your grass? A lawn mower.” “When is a door not a door? When it’s ajar (半开着).”

Jokes encourage reading and learning. Many parents and teachers report that joke books help motivate their reluctant or struggling readers to read more. Since jokes, by design, are for sharing, reading them aloud is particularly good practice for kids who struggle with reading fluently.     5     If your child needs help remembering a difficult concept, a joke might do it. For instance, try another joke from Funology.com: “Two atoms are playing together when on tells the other, ‘I lost an electron.’ The second atom asks, ‘Are you sure?’ The first atom replies ‘I’m positive!’”

A．Jokes help kids build social relationships.

B．Jokes aren’t just for the public stage, though.

C．Humor can even help a person deal with mood disorders.

D．Studies show humor can make information more memorable, too.

E．Jokes are quick lessons about sounds in words and word meanings.

F．Humor encourages family connection and can help ease kids’ anxiety.

G．Also, it’s been a good chance to explain jokes he didn’t quite understand.

7 . In recent years, Britain has seen a rise in interest in learning and teaching Chinese as a second language. In 2015, Britain’s Department for Education devoted 10 million pounds to Chinese teaching in state schools across the country. Hundreds of pupils are taking part in the program, which aims to make at least 5, 000 young people fluent in Chinese by 2022.

A Chinese-English nursery named Hatching Dragons was established in London in 2015, accepting babies from as young as 6 months to 5 years old. Two years later, the first bilingual (双语的) English and Chinese primary school was opened at Kensington, London.

Petts Wood Mandarin-English Preschool, which opened Friday at Bromley in southeastern suburb of London, is the first Chinese immersion (沉浸式) preschool founded in Britain. After three years of planning and preparation, the school has drawn expert opinions on Chinese immersion learning from Europe, the US and China. It offers Chinese and English bilingual immersive education for children aged 2 to 5.

Bromley Councillor Kim Botting, who has visited China three times, is very interested in Britain-China education exchanges. He called the school a wonderful and fantastic thing for the community while attending the opening ceremony on Friday.

The local community showed huge interest and support to the newly established preschool. Xu Zhi, head teacher of Petts Wood, said the preschool offered up to 25 places and six children registered (before the opening, with many families signed up for trial lessons in the next few weeks.

“I had the idea of establishing a bilingual preschool three years ago when I realized that more and more British families wanted an earlier start for their children’s Chinese learning,” Xu said. “Many high school students in Britain also learn Chinese at school for two or three hours each week, but that is not enough and also a bit late for language learning.”

1. What do we know about Petts Wood Mandarin-English Preschool?

A．It opens to all children aged 2 to 6 in the community.

B．It requires all students to register before the opening.

C．It is the first Chinese immersion preschool in Britain.

D．It employs teachers from Europe, the US and Japan.

2. What does Kim Botting’s attitude to Petts Wood Mandarin-English Preschool?

A．Positive.

B．Doubtful.

C．Unconcerned.

D．Unclear.

3. Why does Xu Zhi mention high school students in the last paragraph?

A．To show the difficulty of learning Chinese.	B．To stress the importance of bilingual learning.
C．To praise high school students for their efforts.	D．To explain the necessity of a bilingual preschool.

4. What is the text?

A．A short story.

B．A book review.

C．A news report.

D．A research article.

8 . Here are some fantastic parks in San Antonio.

Brackenridge Park

The park was first established in 1899 and has been popular with both locals and visitors ever since. Towering trees and peaceful riverbanks will greet guests along the park’s paths, and the facilities include playgrounds, museums, a miniature train, a Japanese tea garden, and one of the oldest golf courses in the city.

Friedrich Wilderness Park

In the park, you’ll find about 10 miles of paved(铺过的)and unpaved trails(路线), with a little something for everyone. From rocky climbs to deep canyons, and enchanting forests to open views, there’s no shortage of natural beauty. The area is nationally famous for birdwatching.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

The park is the state’s only one on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site. It covers quite a large area, so it’s best to make it a full-day or at least a half-day trip so you can be sure to cover everything. While the Alamo is a separate attraction, you will get to enjoy the architectural wonders of Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada. They’re all connected by a hike and bike trail, with plenty of stops along the way to picnic, climb trees, and refill water. Admission is free!

Eisenhower Park

Just a 20-to 30-minute drive from the city center, the park puts the best landscapes in the Texas Hill Country on full display, holding 6 miles of hiking trails, both paved and unpaved. Explore dried creek beds, look out over plunging canyons, and enjoy full views of San Antonio down below. You can also find playgrounds for the little ones, picnic tables, and barbecue facilities.

1. What is Friedrich Wilderness Park well-known for?

A．Birdwatching.	B．Ancient buildings.
C．A Japanese tea garden.	D．Unpaved hiking paths.

2. Which park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

A．Brackenridge Park.

B．Friedrich Wilderness Park.

C．San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.

D．Eisenhower Park.

3. What are some of the features of Eisenhower Park?

A．Golf courses and bicycle trails.

B．Museums and no entrance fee.

C．Birdwatching and playgrounds.

D．Hiking trails and barbecue facilities.

9 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Who would hold a party for Mary?

A．Mrs Green.

B．Her daughter.

C．Mrs White.

2. How many girls would come to the party?

A．12.

B．13.

C．20.

3. What did Mrs Green buy?

A．Pears, oranges and apples.

B．Apples, bananas and pears.

C．Oranges, apples and bananas.

4. When did the party start?

A．In the morning.

B．In the afternoon.

C．In the evening.

10 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How long does the man plan to stay in South America?

A．About three days.

B．About one week.

C．About three weeks.

2. How will the man go to Rio?

A．By bus.

B．By plane.

C．By ship.

3. Who is the man going to meet in Chile?

A．His customer.

B．His friends.

C．His family.

4. Where will the man go for fun on the beach?

A．Santiago.

B．Lima.

C．Valparaiso.