1 . It is late autumn—millions of gardeners across the northern hemisphere, pulled on their thickest sweaters, spent hours clearing large piles of leaves and packed them into plastic bags at the end of driveways.

In the US alone, nearly 10 million tonnes of garden waste go to landfill every year. That is a large amount of effort, not just from an environmental viewpoint but from that of our aching backs, too. So where does this advice come from? Well, it largely comes from the belief that thick fallen leaves can make plants under them unable to breathe, especially shorter grass. They shut down important photosynthesis (光合作用) and get in the way of the growth of the shorter grass. However, this received wisdom has recently been questioned by researchers at Wisconsin University.

The key finding of their new research was that although clearing fallen leaves is one of the most common gardening practices, it makes very little sense. In natural ecosystems, fallen leaves help return nutrients necessary for healthy plant growth to the soil, which greatly improves soil condition. Removing leaves year after year breaks this ecological (生态的) balance. Letting some leaves stick around to cover your garden is a great way to help your grass and the local ecosystem.

They further explained that if up to 50percent of your grass lawn (草坪) is covered by fallen leaves, you might as well go back indoors and put your feet up. The advantages of this light leaf coverage far outweigh the disadvantages—the leaves will quickly break down and help next year’s lawn grow far better than if you had cleared them. Only at over 50 percent coverage do the Wisconsin researchers recommend clearing.

So why not consider leaving the leaves? Save time, carbon and effort, and in exchange get a healthier lawn from this garden waste—that seems like a pretty good deal. And how many plastic bags could be saved by simply not binning fallen leaves every year? In the US alone, about 700 million.

1. What does the author describe in paragraph 1?

A．An amazing autumn game.	B．A common sight in gardens.
C．A hot attraction in the north.	D．An extreme weather event.

2. What is the received wisdom?

A．Fallen leaves need not be cleared.

B．Fallen leaves protect shorter grass.

C．Fallen leaves block photosynthesis.

D．Fallen leaves are hard to break down.

3. The new research finds clearing fallen leaves makes little sense, because ________.

A．it ruins city image	B．it breaks gardening rules
C．it affects local economy	D．it causes ecological damage

4. What’s the author’s attitude to Wisconsin University’s study?

A．Doubtful.

B．Positive.

C．Unclear.

D．Worried.

2 . Here is a timetable of courses in Children’s Palace.

Monday Space Course 19: 00-20: 00 (once a week for one month) Dr. Li (the teacher from Hope School) More knowledge about the outer space. Place: Room 106	Saturday Coconut Shell Carving (椰雕) Course 14: 00-16: 00 (once a week for three months) Hainan Coconut Shell Carving. Join us to learn it. Call Ms. Yao at 88882023. Place: Room 108
Wednesday Photography Course 18: 30-19: 30 (once a week for two months) Mr. Song will show you how to take good pictures. Bring your own camera. Place: Room 218	Sunday Chinese Shadow Puppetry (皮影戏) Course 15: 00-17: 30 (once a week for three months) Tell the story of Heroes of the Marshes (水浒传) by Mrs. Zhang. Place: Room 308

1. You can learn more about the outer space ________.

A．on Monday	B．on Saturday
C．on Wednesday	D．on Sunday

2. If you’re interested in Coconut Shell Carving, you can learn from ________.

A．Dr. Li

B．Ms. Yao

C．Mr. Song

D．Mrs. Zhang

3. In ________, we can have the Photography Course.

A．Room 106

B．Room 108.

C．Room 218

D．Room 308

3 . Do you think you need to shout at yourself to force yourself to finish your homework? If so, think again.    1     Research shows that practicing self-compassion (自我关怀) improves our mental and physical well-being and supports long-term success.

Self-compassion is the practice of being kind and supportive to ourselves. The opposite is being self-critical and mean to ourselves when we make a mistake.     2     These negative responses are related to depression, stress and reduced quality of life.

A 2017 study found people who practice self-compassion tend to handle stress better. Their bodies have less of a stress response when, for example, they meet with difficulties at work or school.     3     Let’s say they do poorly on a geometry test. Self-compassion helps them use the experience to make changes going forward, like seeking out a math tutor.

    4     We can start with mindfulness. First of all, practice observing our thoughts — are they understanding or critical? Don’t judge ourselves too severely then. Rather than getting caught up in how we could have done better, forgive ourselves and think about what to change while remaining respectful, and loving to ourselves.     5     We can read a novel, play a musical instrument or kick around a soccer ball with friends.

With practice, we can learn to treat ourselves with kindness and unconditional love — not tough love.

A．So how do we develop self-compassion?

B．It may be more effective to be kind to yourself.

C．It includes letting go of your strict self-criticism.

D．Mindfulness is the key to practicing self-compassion.

E．But this approach does not make us feel or perform better.

F．They have more confidence to look for areas where they can improve.

G．Also, show ourselves kindness in ways that nourish (滋养) our spirit and body.

4 . Which place will the man go to this weekend?

A．A concert hall.

B．A stadium.

C．A gallery.

5 . Dunhuang is famous ________ its wonderful cave paintings.

A．in

B．to

C．for

D．with

6 . - May I have          look at the new skirt you bought yesterday?
- Of course.

A．a

B．an

C．the

D．/

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Where does the man want to go?

A．The cafe.

B．The lab.

C．The library.

2. What does the woman major in?

A．Physics.

B．Psychology.

C．Philosophy.

3. What does the man imply about the woman?

A．She always does well in her exams.

B．She has less work to do than he does.

C．She should take her studies more seriously.

8 .

1. If Tom lost a set of keys，he can        .

A．call 657-9845

B．e-mail cindygreen@sina.com

C．call 965-7743

2.          is in the Lost and Found box.

A．A pencil box

B．A schoolbag

C．A baseball

3.          lost a dog.

A．Jane

B．Cindy

C．Henry

4. Which of the following is TRUE?

A．Jane’s family name is Green.

B．There is a pencil in Cindy’s schoolbag.

C．Jane’s telephone number is 657-9845.

9 . Liu Xiuxiang was born in a poor family. When he was 4, his father died. His mother developed mental (精神的) health problems. When he was 10, his elder brother and sisters left and never returned. To make a living, Liu collected rubbish, and in high school he worked 18 hours a day during summer vacations. However difficult it was, he never gave up his study.

In 2007, Liu failed the Gaokao. He got lost. He wondered if he should continue studying. After working in a bathhouse for about 50 days, he decided to go back to school. In 2008, he finally passed the Gaokao and went to university.

After graduation, he became a history teacher in his hometown. “I want to come back to tell the children, who are as poor and lost as I was, that education has changed my life.” Liu set a good example for them to take control of lives through education.

Now Liu gives speeches around the country. His story inspires (鼓舞) many students and encourages people to help those from poor families. Since 2012, he has helped more than 1,900 students and called on more teachers to work in poor areas to improve the quality (质量) of education.

Liu was titled “the most beautiful teacher” in 2020. His story moves us a lot.

1. How long did Liu Xiuxiang work during summer vacations in high school?

A．4 hours a day.

B．10 hours a day.

C．12 hours a day.

D．18 hours a day.

2. The underlined word “lost” in Paragraph 2 probably means “________”.

A．丢失的

B．错过的

C．迷路的

D．迷茫的

3. Liu Xiuxiang set a good example for the children to take control of lives through ________.

A．speeches

B．money

C．education

D．jobs

4. The passage is written in order of ________.

A．space

B．time

C．persons

D．opinion

10 . This free night of music is a must-attend for jazz fans and music lovers alike! It is presented in association with the American Jazz Museum.

For the first time on stage in an ongoing cooperation, theoretical physicist Stephen Alexander and NEA Jazz Master Donald Harrison, a New Orleans-based saxophonist, explore their theory of quantum improvisation (量子即兴创作). They will also be joined by composer and bassist Santi Debriano along with other famous musicians for a night of jazz and its poetic link to the universe.

Time

7:00 pm—8:30 pm, December 22,2023

Event

6:00 p. m.—Doors open

7:00 p. m.—Lively conversation on jazz and quantum improvisation with Library President Lisa Browar, Stephen Alexander, and Donald Harrison

7:30 p. m.—Jazz concert—seven to eight songs, including two original pieces—starts!

8:30 p. m.—Jazz concert concludes

Venue

Please note that this event will be held at the Folly Theater, 300 W 12th St, Kansas City, MO 64105. The program will be free and open to the public, but advanced registration will be required. Attendees can also purchase the souvenirs such as T-shirts and caps linked to the event as well as the magazine signed by these famous musicians.

Parking

Parking is available in the garage next to the Folly Theater for $10-$15. The garage only accepts credit cards.

1. What does the concert mainly focus on?

A．The modern science.	B．The popular music.
C．The musical instruments.	D．The jazz of physics.

2. How long does the Jazz concert last?

A．Half an hour.

B．An hour.

C．One and half an hour.

D．Two hours.

3. Which of the following is free of charge?

A．Parking in the garage.	B．A T-shirt worn by a musician.
C．Admission to the event.	D．The magazine signed by musicians.