1 . 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. |
| A．Brackenridge Park. |
| B．Friedrich Wilderness Park. |
| C．San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. |
| D．Eisenhower Park. |
| A．Golf courses and bicycle trails. |
| B．Museums and no entrance fee. |
| C．Birdwatching and playgrounds. |
| D．Hiking trails and barbecue facilities. |
2 . Forgiveness (宽恕) is often considered as an important decision to let go of feelings of anger towards someone who you believe has wronged you. However, while you may be quite generous in your ability to forgive others, you can be much harder on yourself.
Accept the result of your actions
Forgiving yourself is about more than just putting the past behind you and moving on.
Treat yourself with kindness and compassion (同情)
Forgiving yourself requires facing your actions, but it is important to reach this with self-compassion.
Making a correction is an important part of forgiveness, even when the person you are forgiving is yourself. One way to move past your regret is to take action to correct your mistakes.
Learn from the experience
Forgiving yourself often requires finding a way to learn from the experience and make an active effort to do better in the future. To do this, you need to understand why you behave the way you did and why you feel sorry. What steps can you take to prevent the same behaviors again in the future?
| A．Make a correction |
| B．Be aware of others’ feelings |
| C．It is about accepting what has happened |
| D．The following steps may help you learn how to forgive yourself |
| E．You need to tell yourself that thoughts are not facts |
| F．Remind yourself of what you learned to guide your actions going forward |
| G．The key is to treat yourself with the same kindness you show to another person |
3 . More people than ever are interested in learning to speak Chinese. The challenge that many face is finding the best resources to learn this new language. Fortunately, there are 4 amazing tools that can make learning Chinese much easier.
HelloTalk
This is an app that connects anyone interested in learning a foreign language to a native speaker who is willing to engage in conversation with learners, and help them practice and master their new language. It includes a voice-to-text feature that is perfect if you cannot understand your conversation partner. The text- to-voice feature that is included helps you to learn the proper pronunciations.
iTalki
No tool is going to take the place of one-on-one interaction(互动) with a real person. This is why iTalki is one of the most popular online language learning systems. If you join the iTalki community, you will be connected with an instructor who is a native speaker. They will work with you one on one to improve your vocabulary and conversational language skills.
FluentU
FluentU has made a wide variety of videos for your viewing pleasure. Each one is in Chinese and is a real-world movie or video. With FluentU, you can interact with the videos, pause and get pronunciation and definition information. In addition to this, there are quizzes(小测验) added to the videos to help you evaluate your own progress.
Pleco
This mobile app was designed specifically to help users learn Chinese. It includes an OCR reader that can be used to scan(扫描) Chinese language characters for translation, the ability to translate Chinese words from other apps and web pages, a document reader and an audio translator. It also comes with several dictionaries and the ability to create flashcards.
1. What’s the advantage of iTalki over other tools?| A．Providing one-on-one instruction. | B．Providing various learning videos. |
| C．Providing the text-to-voice feature. | D．Providing interesting playing games. |
| A．They offer the most famous learning tools. | B．They record your learning process directly. |
| C．They help you improve your pronunciation. | D．They provide you with various funny videos. |
| A．HelloTalk. | B．iTalki. | C．FluentU. | D．Pleco. |
4 . Spending time outdoors has long been linked (联系) to better health. Gardening goes beyond just beautifying outdoor spaces—it can have a deep effect on our physical and mental (身心上的) health.
Gardening involves physical activity that works all the main muscle (肌肉) groups, which is helpful for overall health. “Activities such as digging, planting, weeding and harvesting require movement and can help to improve strength,” said Clayton, CEO of an online lawn care company. “Performing these activities regularly can help burn calories, and keep a healthy weight.”
Beyond burning calories and building muscle, lots of studies have shown that gardening can improve the immune system (免疫系统). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people get at least 150 minutes of exercise each week, and gardening is listed as a suitable activity. Doing garden work for that time each week can reduce the risk of obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease. Additionally, spending time outdoors makes us get close to natural sunlight, which is important for vitamin D synth.
Gardening provides a chance for social connection, too. It can be a shared activity among family members, friends or neighbors, building relationships and a sense of belonging.
Gardening also offers cognitive (认知的) benefits. It excites the senses, improves focus and encourages problem-solving and creativity. It provides a chance to learn about plants, ecosystems and the environment, developing a deeper understanding and appreciation for nature.
1. What is Clayton’s attitude towards gardening?| A．Supportive. | B．Doubtful. | C．Unclear | D．Uncaring. |
| A．It improves focus. | B．It is a waste of time. |
| C．It can keep a body in shape. | D．It helps to reduce the risk of diseases. |
| A．It contributes to creativity. | B．It encourages problem-solving. |
| C．It builds relationships between people. | D．It improves people’s awareness of safety. |
| A．How to Start a Garden | B．Choose a Garden or Not |
| C．What Plants Grow Best in a Garden | D．Start Gardening and Get the Health Benefits |
5 . Works by George Balanchine, with the music of George Gershwin, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Igor Stravinsky, the innovative genius of George Balanchine is brought to the forefront. The following is the introduction of the four artists.
Artist 1: George Balanchine
It is difficult to overlook the influence of choreographer (舞蹈编剧), George Balanchine. Called the Father of American Ballet, he combined the classical training he received as a boy in St. Petersburg with originality to modernism. He transformed ballet into a 20th century art form.
Artist 2: George Gershwin
George Gershwin was amongst one of the most significant and popular music composers for Broadway musicals. He wrote music for both Broadway and classical pieces that connected him to the wider public.
Artist 3: Igor Stravinsky
Igor Stravinsky was a Russian-born composer whose works had a revolutionary (革命性的) impact on musical thought. He was honored with the Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal in 1954 and the Wihuri Sibelius Prize in 1963.
Artist 4: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is the very foundation of classical ballet. Russian-born Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable melodies (旋律) and innovative harmonies make his music loveable. Ballet audiences are fortunate to hear not only the works he intended for dance, such as Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, but also a wide variety of pieces that have been created by great dance-makers.
1. Which of the following is the achievement of George Balanchine?| A．He made ballet an art form of the 20th century. |
| B．He was thought as the Father of World Ballet. |
| C．He was good at giving classical training. |
| D．He combined music with modernism. |
| A．He was born in Russia. |
| B．He was a famous composer. |
| C．He influenced musical thought greatly. |
| D．He created music for Broadway musicals. |
| A．George Balanchine. | B．George Gershwin. |
| C．Igor Stravinsky. | D．Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. |
| A．An old friend. | B．A movie. | C．A letter. |
7 . NPR’s Student Podcast (播客) Challenge is back — for a fifth year! This year’s competition will open for entries on January 6, 2023 and close on April 28.
As in past years, our judges will choose winners in two categories: grades five through eight and grades nine through twelve. Entries must be submitted by an educator or a student leader who’s 18 years old or older. Another important rule is that the maximum length of your podcast is within eight minutes, and longer entries will be disqualified.
Our judges will use the following criteria to narrow down and choose the winners:
Information and structure, 40 percent
Does the podcast tell a good story or teach us something new and important? Is it structured in a way that keeps listeners engaged? Can we easily follow the story you’re telling or the information you’re explaining? Have you spent time cutting out unnecessary information to make sure the main ideas come through clearly?
Personality and creativity, 40 percent
Does it have personality, or does it sound like you’re reading from a script (脚本)? Does it make us laugh or cry or leave us deep in thought?
Production, 20 percent
We’re not judging you on how fancy your equipment is and we don’t expect you to be an expert on recording and editing sound, but we hope you’ll try.
Some podcasts may use a narration (讲述) format. Others may be more of an interview format. If you use sound apart from interviews and narration, make sure it is clear and smooth.
1. What is the deadline for handing in your podcast?| A．January 6. | B．February 18. | C．March 26. | D．April 28. |
| A．All monitors. | B．Any student. | C．Teachers. | D．Parents. |
| A．They should be more than eight minutes. | B．They must be well structured and edited. |
| C．They have to adopt an interview format. | D．They must be produced with special sound effects. |
8 . The Most Expected Art Exhibitions of 2022
For many travelers, the past 18 months have been lacking experiences of seeing art. Now, some of the world's most expected exhibitions are ready for their turn.
Mind/Mirror
American artist Jasper Johns first came to the art scene in the 1950s. He is still actively creating art in his nineties and his paintings continue to find new audiences today. “Mind/Mirror” is his most wonderful show and it will appear at both New York's Whitney Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art from January 20, 2022 to February 13, 2022.
Big Heartedness, Be My Neighbor
Swiss artist Pipilotti Rist has received a worldwide following for her video art. Beyonce's 2016 music video for“Hold Up”was inspired by Rist's 1997 video artwork “Ever Is Over All”. With immersive(沉浸式的)exhibitions becoming more popular than ever, Los Angeles 'MoCA couldn't have chosen a better time to introduce new eyes to Rist's works. It is from March 6, 2022 to June 6, 2022.
Man and Beast
Francis Bacon is one of the best-known painters of the twentieth century. His unique explanations on the shapes and structures of the human are the main content of his works. “Man and Beast” shows the artist's love of animals. The highly expected exhibition will finally open at London's Royal Academy from January 29, 2022 to April 17, 2022.
Cezanne
Paul Cezanne, whose works inspired such names as Monet, Matisse and Picasso, will be featured in this exhibition of the French artist in over 25 years. Along with over 90 of the artist's oil paintings and 40 watercolors and drawings, the exhibition will feature rare works recently from private collections. It is from May 15, 2022 to September 5, 2022.
1. Who keeps working even at 90 years old?| A．Pipilotti Rist. | B．Jasper Johns. | C．Francis Bacon. | D．Paul Cezanne. |
| A．In London. | B．In Philadelphia. | C．In New York. | D．In Los Angeles. |
| A．Cezanne | B．Man and Beast. | C．Big Heartedness, Be My Neighbor. | D．Mind/Mirror. |
9 . Can energy drinks really make you energetic? A survey, by Cancer Council Australia among more than 9000 students across the country, found teenagers who were bitten by the energy drinks bug and drank energy drinks at least once a day were twice as likely to get less than eight hours’ sleep on school night than those who didn’t.
The same survey found one in six teenagers take in at least 5.2kg of sugar each year from sugary drinks alone. “This can lead to weight gain and obesity, increasing the risk of heart and kidney disease, type2 diabetes, stroke and some cancers,” Mr Sinclair said, who led the survey. Craig Sinclair, head of Rethink Sugary Drink, said the levels of sugar in energy drinks are very high, causing teenagers to put on weight.
The survey also found the caffeine (咖啡因) levels of the drinks is also high and this could explain the survey results on their effect on teenage sleep. Energy drinks contain 160mg of caffeine, more than twice as much as a cup of coffee or a 500ml bottle of cola, Mr Sinclair said. The Sleep Health Foundation says teenagers need 8-10 hours of sleep, more than an adult, because their bodies and cognition are growing rapidly. Sleep is important for teen mental health and the US Sleep Foundation says shortage of sleep can contribute to acne, bad behaviour and unhealthy eating habits. Associate Professor Matthew Hopcraft from the Australian Dental Association Victoria said energy drinks are also a major contributing factor to tooth decay and tooth erosion.
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital heart doctor Professor Chris Semsarian has tested the effects of energy drinks on the heart and said they can lead to an increased heart rate and irregular heart beat. “Caffeine is not the only stimulant (兴奋剂) part of these drinks, most also have guarana which is also a stimulant,” he said. Energy drinks have been related to scores of deaths around the world because of their high caffeine content.
1. What does the underlined phrase “bitten by the energy drink bug”?| A．Tired of energy drinks. | B．Equipped with energy drinks. |
| C．Fascinated by energy drinks. | D．Attacked by an insect in energy drinks. |
| A．The high levels of caffeine. | B．The high levels of sugar. |
| C．The high levels of alcohol. | D．The shortage of exercise. |
| A．They can bring about decreased heart rate. |
| B．They can result in blood pressure rising. |
| C．They can lead to heart stopping working. |
| D．They can contribute to heart beating irregularly. |
| A．Energy Drinks’ Functions | B．Energy Drinks’ Harmful Effects |
| C．Energy Drinks’ Effect on Sleep | D．Different Opinions of Energy Drinks |
10 . The Olympic Games began more than two thousand years ago in Greece. The first Olympic Games were held in 766 BC. They went on for a thousand years and then were stopped. In 1896, 1,500 years later, the Olympic Games began again. Winter sports began to be a part of the Olympic Games in 1924.
The Olympic Symbol (标记) is five colored rings. They show the friendship of people’s. They also show five continents (洲): Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa and America. Each ring has a different color: blue, yellow, black, green and red.
The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not wining but taking part in.
1. The first Olympic Games were held in ________ .| A．1896 | B．1500 | C．766 BC | D．1924 |
| A．Amusement | B．happiness | C．friendship | D．love |
| A．winning is the most important thing |
| B．taking part in is the most important thing |
| C．winning is more important than taking part in |
| D．taking part in is the same important as winning |
