1 . Pickleball, which combines elements of badminton, Ping-Pang, and tennis, has two characteristics that make it a good choice for older adults. It’s slower than other racket (球拍) sports, and it’s easier to learn.

With a play area about a quarter the size of a tennis court and a plastic ball that doesn’t bounce as high or as fast as a tennis ball, you don’t have to run as much or as quickly. The bats are lighter and shorter than tennis rackets, making them easier to swing and control. There are fewer rules than tennis.

Plus, pickleball is more social than many types of exercise and it’s fun. In one study, participants rated pickleball 150 percent higher for enjoyment than walking. “People are finding it’s not boring,” says Cedric Bryant, PhD, chief science officer at the American Council on Exercise, who has played pickleball for more than 20 years. “It’s not something they’re doing just because they should, but because they enjoy it and want to do it.”

Pickleball is an effective workout, and like walking, you can adjust the intensity to your preferences. A friendly doubles match can qualify as proper exercise. A competitive singles match is likely to be tighter.

And pickleball offers plenty of health pluses. After six weeks of playing an hour of pickleball three times a week, older adults improved their cardiorespiratory (心肺的) fitness and blood pressure, according to a study published in 2018 in the International Journal of Research in Exercise Physiology. Another study found that the activity may keep you mentally sharp. “You’re making a lot of quick decisions while engaged in a physical task,” says study author David Bolton, PhD, assistant professor at Utah State University in Logan. “It is effectively training cognitive (认知的) ability.”

But it is not without risks of getting injured. Don’t just hit the court and go right into having a game. A warm-up is the best defense against injury, so take at least 5 minutes to prepare your body.

1. What is one of the reasons for the popularity of pickleball among older adults?

A．Its slow pace.	B．Its great intensity.
C．Its complex rules.	D．Its cheap equipment.

2. What does Cedric Bryant mainly want to tell us about pickleball?

A．It is demanding.	B．It is enjoyable.
C．It is beneficial.	D．It is practical.

3. What does the underlined word “It” in Paragraph 5 refer to?

A．Making quick decisions.

B．Training cognitive ability.

C．Brain activity during physical exercise.

D．The proper frequency to play pickleball.

4. What might the author talk about next?

A．Pre-workout preparations.	B．The rules of this exercise.
C．Comments on this game.	D．Disadvantages of pickleball.

2 . Thanksgiving is a time of year when we get together with our families and celebrate peace over a giant feast including roast turkey and pumpkin pie.

There are many reasons why the pumpkin pie is made for Thanksgiving, one of which is related to the season. In the USA, Thanksgiving sits at the beginning of the fall season, and this is celebrated over a feast made up of seasonal food. Pumpkins are harvested in North America and Canada during the fall; therefore, being a seasonal crop, it is in richness at this time.

In 1621 some of the earliest American settlers came across pumpkins for the first time and were new to eating it. Early recipes (食谱) describe ways of cooking pumpkins, which would have included hollowing out (挖空) a pumpkin and filling it with milk and honey. They would have then roasted this on a fire. It became a tradition for the Native Americans to bring the pumpkins to the settlers as gifts, and they showed them how to cook and prepare pumpkins.

Pumpkin pie recipes began to appear in English-written American cookbooks in 1670. Some recipes included adding apples for added flavor (味道). Most recipes have continued to follow the basis of using pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, salt, butter, and so on.

The biggest pumpkin pie in the world was made on September 25, 2010, at the New Bremen Pumpkin Fest in Ohio. To make this large pie, 2,796 eggs, 525 pounds of sugar, and 1,212 pounds of canned pumpkin were used. After baking, the total weight of the pie was 3,699 pounds.

The pumpkin pie was a creation made with the help and guidance of Native Americans and is an important part of celebrating Thanksgiving.

1. Why are pumpkins used to celebrate Thanksgiving according to Paragraph 2?

A．Pumpkins are in season in autumn.

B．People relate pumpkins to being rich.

C．People in North America love eating pumpkins.

D．Pumpkins stand for people’s wish for a happy life.

2. What is the third paragraph mainly about?

A．The celebrations on Thanksgiving.	B．The history of early American settlers.
C．The early recipes for making pumpkin pie.	D．The origin of cooking pumpkin on Thanksgiving.

3. Why are the numbers used in Paragraph 5?

A．To show the pumpkin pie was extremely big.

B．To describe the good taste of the pumpkin pie.

C．To stress the difficulty in gathering pumpkins.

D．To explain the process of making the pumpkin pie.

4. What is the suitable title of the text?

A．Growing Crops for Thanksgiving	B．Eating Pumpkin Pie at Thanksgiving
C．The Biggest Pumpkin Pie in the World	D．Traditions of Celebrating Thanksgiving

3 . The Grammys celebrate the best in music; but behind every songwriter, performer, and producer that makes it to that stage are music teachers and educators who inspired them from a very young age. That’s why the Grammy Awards also hands out a Special Music Award, which recognizes those who have made a significant contribution to music education.

This year, the award went to Annie Ray, the performing arts department chair and orchestra (管弦乐队) director at Annandale High School in Fairfax County, Virginia—a community with many poor people. With the creation of the Crescendo Orchestra, she works to make music accessible to all students, particularly those with disabilities. Additionally, she created a parent orchestra, in which 200 caregivers learn to play the same instrument as their child every year.

Ray took home both a $ 10, 000 prize and a matching prize for her school’s music program. In an interview following the Merit Award ceremony, Ray credited her pupils for this award. “This is the students’ award,” she said. “I’m just lucky enough to have been a part of their journey and their process and to have been taught by them.”

Now, Ray will use the prize money to buy instruments—something the school has struggled to do. She also plans to create an ongoing scholarship for students who want to become musicians and music educators when they graduate.

For Ray, the moment appears to come full circle, since it was a music teacher who first changed her life at age 5. “The reason I am here is because a teacher changed my life and made me want to be a music educator,” she said. “The work is hard, but it is truly rewarding, and there’s nothing else like it.”

1. Who is the Special Music Award intended for?

A．Songwriters.

B．Music teachers.

C．Music performers.

D．Music producers.

2. Why did Ray set up the Crescendo Orchestra?

A．To let parents learn about music.

B．To provide students with access to music.

C．To make more money to support the community.

D．To enable disabled students to become musicians.

3. What did Ray want to show in the interview?

A．She helped her students a lot.	B．Her students appreciated her teaching.
C．Her students had a great talent for music.	D．She won the award thanks to her students.

4. What does Ray think of her job?

A．Creative.

B．Easy.

C．Worthwhile.

D．Boring.

4 . As Spring Break kicks off across the city, it’s an opportunity for families to explore the museums Houston offers.

Asia Society

Travel to Asia this spring break, without leaving Houston and without a passport. A center-wide treasure hunt helps guests learn about the arts and cultures of China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam. Those who complete the hunt earn a prize! Admission (入场费) is $ 15 for ages 13 and up, $ 9 for ages 7 to 12.

Holocaust Museum

The museum has special Spring Break hours, including being open on Monday, which other museums don’t offer. Visitors can experience the museum’s four permanent (长期的) galleries and the featured exhibition (展览) The Kinsey African American Art＆History Collection, celebrating the achievements and contributions of Black Americans from 1595 to the present day. Admission is $ 22 for adults and free for children and students aged 18 and under.

Houston Zoo

Check out the new dinosaur exhibition at the zoo, where kids and adults can discover what these giant, prehistoric animals were like, take in keeper talks to learn what it’s like to look after the zoo’s animals, and explore the ongoing exhibits that bring wildlife up close. Admission starts at $ 34.70 for adults and children above 12 years old, $27.70 for kids 3 to 12.

Museum of Fine Arts

Join museum educators and artists to explore art-making activities inspired by Multiplicity: Blackness in Contem porary American Collage and experiment with new materials, tools, and processes to create your own works of art. Daily gallery activities, coloring sheets, colored pencils, and knowledgeable educators help families discover and explore art. The museum is closed on Monday. Admission is $ 24 for adults and $ 20 for kids 13 to 18.

1. What happens to visitors experiencing Asian cultures?

A．They go hunting after the visit.	B．They leave Houston and head for Asia.
C．They are given a prize for finding treasures.	D．They don’t need passports when going abroad.

2. What can be learnt about Museum of Fine Arts?

A．Only kids are allowed in.	B．It offers hands-on activities.
C．It holds keeper talks every day.	D．Visitors can visit it on Mondays.

3. Which museum should a couple with their 13-year-old son visit if they want to spend the least on tickets?

A．Asia Society.

B．Holocaust Museum.

C．Houston Zoo.

D．Museum of Fine Arts.

6 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What did the woman do today?

A．She volunteered.

B．She visited her old school.

C．She met some friends

2. What does the woman think of the whole day?

A．Refreshing

B．Disappointing.

C．Tiring

3. What impressed the woman about the children?

A．Their attitude to her.

B．Their passion for learning.

C．Their difficulties in learning

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What do the speakers have in common?

A．They are from the same city.

B．They both want to be teachers

C．They are in the same university.

2. Who is teaching in a middle school?

A．The woman’s mother

B．The woman’s father

C．The man’s mother.

8 . Who is troubled by the project?

A．Mark.

B．Nova.

C．Mary.

9 . When will the man start his next class?

A．At 9:00 a.m.

B．At 10:45 a.m.

C．At l1:00 a.m.

10 . Best Apps to Practice Language Skills

Babbel

Babbel is a popular online language-learning platform that offers courses in 14 different languages. Babbel’s courses are designed to teach users practical, everyday language skills that can be used in real-life situations. The platform uses interactive lessons that cover topics such as vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and cultural insights to help learners build their language skills. Babbel’s courses are available on desktop and mobile devices, making it easy for users to learn on the go. Babel operates on the subscription based model, which costs $19.99 per month.

Memrise

Memrise use a variety of interactive techniques, including spaced repetition, audio and visual cues, to help learners remember new words and phases more effectively. Memrise’s courses also prioritize practical, everyday language skills over academic language. Additionally, Memrise offers a community feature where users can interact with other learners and native speakers to practice their language skills. A monthly subscription to Memrise will cost $12.99.

Busuu

Busuu offers comprehensive courses in 13 different languages, all of which feature audio recordings of native pronunciations. The lessons are organized into topics. And what’s more, each course even comes with a separate travel course for those who need to quickly get the basics before a trip abroad. Uniquely, Busuu also allows users to engage native speakers in their learning process. However, to access most of the features and course materials, users have to invest $11.99 a month.

Drops

Drops uses engaging visuals and game-like exercises to help learners remember new words and phrases more effectively. The platform offers short, bite-sized lessons that last only a few minutes. This makes it easy for users to fit language learning into their busy schedules. According to Drops, its online courses contain over 20,000 beautiful illustrations and 3,300+ words covering 180+ topics. A subscription to Drops will cut you back by $12 per month.

1. How much will a user pay for a 10-month subscription to Memrise?

A．$119.9.

B．$120.

C．$129.9.

D．$199.9.

2. Which app is suitable for users who will travel abroad very soon?

A．Drops.

B．Busuu.

C．Babbel.

D．Memrise.

3. What sets Drops apart from the other apps?

A．Its community feature.

B．Its personalized learning plans.

C．Its vast library of learning materials.

D．Its fascinating game like learning experience.