1 . Bill Gates was born in 1955. He grew up in Seattle, Washington. When he was young, he was good at science and maths. And he wanted to be a scientist.
Bill started to play with computers when he was 13. At that time, computers were very large machines. Once he was interested in a very old computer. He and some of his friends spent lots of time doing unusual things with it. In the end, they worked out a software program with the old machine. Bill sold it for 4,200 dollars when he was only 17.
In 1973, Bill went to Harvard University. He developed the Basic Language for the first microcomputer. In his third year, he left Harvard. Bill began his company in 1975 with his friend Paul Allen. They thought that the computer would be a very important tool in every office and in every home, so they began developing software for personal computers. They developed the software to make it easier for people to use computers.
In 1999, Bill wrote a book. In the book, he told people how computer technology could solve business problems in new ways. It was one of the best-sellers on The New York Times’ list. Bill Gates has many hobbies. He enjoyed reading very much. He also enjoys playing golf and bridge.
1. When did Bill begin to play with computers?| A．In 1968. | B．In 1966. | C．In 1965. | D．In 1972. |
| A．how to do unusual things. |
| B．how to play computer games. |
| C．how to work out a software program. |
| D．how to solve business problems with the help of computers in new ways. |
| A．Bill worked for Microsoft before he went to Harvard University. |
| B．Bill sold his first software program for 420 dollars. |
| C．Reading is one of Bill’s hobbies. |
| D．Bill began his company in 1976 with his friend. |
| A．Bill Gates developed the Basic Language for the first microcomputer. |
| B．Bill Gates enjoys playing computer games. |
| C．Bill Gates wrote many science books. |
| D．Bill Gates books are on the top of best-sellers. |
2 . When I was little, my mom put her love into making traditional Chinese soups for me. I’m talking Ching bo leung (清凉补), with a lot of herbal(中草药的) ingredients that give the soup a
As a kid, I never
First, she would state all the health benefits that the soup has.
“How can this strange water improve my
Then, she’d tell me it tasted
Lastly, she’d bribe (贿赂) me with a piece of candy.
And somehow that would
I
She’d always say, “I
When I was young, I
But as I got older, I
Recently, I recalled (回忆起) this
My daughter was
I told her, “Because I love eating them.”
1.| A．good | B．real | C．strange | D．natural |
| A．enjoyed | B．minded | C．regretted | D．stopped |
| A．teach | B．promise | C．allow | D．encourage |
| A．skill | B．grade | C．health | D．situation |
| A．common | B．different | C．cheap | D．cold |
| A．disappear | B．work | C．happen | D．increase |
| A．advise | B．forget | C．begin | D．avoid |
| A．wondered | B．understood | C．realized | D．explained |
| A．buy | B．prepare | C．stand | D．find |
| A．keep | B．love | C．imagine | D．consider |
| A．honestly | B．hardly | C．secretly | D．eagerly |
| A．doubted | B．hoped | C．agreed | D．knew |
| A．dream | B．plan | C．memory | D．show |
| A．threw | B．cut | C．planted | D．ate |
| A．angry | B．surprised | C．excited | D．ready |
The Kindness Rocks Project is a movement designed to encourage people
9-year-old twins Harry and Hannah Derieze have painted hundreds of rocks with their parents. Most evenings, the family and their small dog walk around with a wagon (小推车) full
“It’s a(n)
Ben Burinsky, 9, and his brother, Luke, 7, were visiting relatives when they
“I love how something so small can bring
4 . Enveloped by history, style and culture, the City of Light has more than enough to draw visitors all year around. But there are certain times of year when a trip to Paris can be extra-special.
Paris Fashion Week
When: Men June/July; women March and September/October
In 1943 the world’s first “fashion week” took place in New York. The idea? To offer the Big Apple’s fashion buyers alternatives to the French dresses they were missing out on during the war. Today Paris can claim to be the world’s style capital, with people pouring to its annual fashion weeks. Wear your best dress around the Tuileries Garden and a street-style photographer may even stop you for a shot.
Music Festival
When: June
The streets of Paris come alive with the sound of music every June as free parties and concerts ring throughout the city. The Arab World Institute, the Louvre and Place Denfert-Rochereau are among the best party spots-though we recommend simply wandering. Expect surprises around every corner.
Bastille Day
When: July
On July 14 France marks the storming of the Bastille prison — a turning point in the French Revolution. In the morning crowds gather to watch a military parade along the Champs Elysees. Come evening, up to a million people gather as fireworks are set off from the base of the Eiffel Tower. Advantageous position? The top of the Belville Park. Get down early and bring a picnic chair.
Grape Harvest Festival
When: October
You may have dropped by the Montmartre Museum. But what about the private grape plantation around the back of Paris’s hilliest neighborhood? Every year locals come together to celebrate the distinctive grape wine produced here. There’s a charity wine sale, dance parties and, of course, plenty of tasting.
1. What was the purpose of the world’s first “fashion week” in New York?| A．To promote American fashion designers. | B．To display the upcoming fashion collections. |
| C．To satisfy the fashion needs of New Yorkers. | D．To show the development of fashion industry. |
| A．Raise funds for charity. | B．Join mask dancing parties. |
| C．Appreciate local artwork. | D．Try different kinds of wine. |
| A．The Tuileries Garden. | B．Place Denfert-Rochereau. |
| C．The Champs Elysees. | D．The Belville Park. |
As the daughter of a painter, Artemisia Gentileschi was afforded access to the art world at a young age. Early on, she was in her father’s workshop mixing paints and he supported her career when he noticed that she was gifted. As a famous painter of the Italian Baroque period, Artemisia Gentileschi did not let her gender hold her back from her subject matter. She painted Biblical and mythological (神话的) paintings, just like male painters.
Angelica Kauffman (1741—1807)Born in Switzerland, Angelica Kauffman was the daughter of the artist Johann Joseph Kauffman. She received artistic training while acting as her father’s assistant from a very young age and copying the works of old masters as they traveled for commissions (委托). As a young woman, she also trained in Italy, where her historical paintings and portraits were well received.
Rosa Bonheur (1822—1899)Like many female artists at the time, Rosa Bonheur’s father was a painter. The French Realist painter is considered one of the most famous female artists of the 19th century, known for her large-format paintings that featured animals. She showed her works regularly at the famous Paris salon and found success abroad in both the United States and Britain.
Berthe Morisot (1841—1895)Considered one of the great female Impressionists, Berthe Morisot had art running through her veins. Born into a noble French family, she was the great-niece of celebrated Rococo painter Jean-Honore Fragonard. Her art often focused on family scenes, and she preferred working with pastels (粉彩), watercolor, and charcoal (木炭).
1. What artistic style do Artemisia Gentileschi’s paintings belong to?| A．Rococo. | B．Baroque. | C．Realism. | D．Impressionism. |
| A．Artemisia Gentileschi. | B．Angelica Kauffman. |
| C．Rosa Bonheur. | D．Berthe Morisot. |
| A．They all learned painting from their fathers. |
| B．They all loved copying classic paintings. |
| C．They were all born into a noble family. |
| D．They all grew up in an artistic environment. |
6 . The Tomatina Festival(西红柿节) is a festival that is held in a town named Bunol in Spain, on which people throw tomatoes for fun. It is held on the last Wednesday of August each year.
In 1945, during a parade(游行) in the town one day, young men who wanted to be in the parade started a fight in the town square. They used tomatoes as weapons(武器).This is the most popular story about how the Tomatina Festival started.
At around 10: 00a.m.on Wednesday, activities that are organized to celebrate the festival begin. The first one is climbing a pole with a ham on top. When a person is climbing, some people sing and dance. When the person drops the ham off the pole, the tomato fight starts. The tomatoes come from Extremadura. The tomatoes there are less expensive and are grown specially for the festival. The number of tomatoes used is about 150, 000. After exactly one hour, the fight ends. The whole square becomes red because there is tomato juice everywhere. Then hoses are used to clean the square and to wash away the tomato juice on people’s bodies. After that, the town goes back to the way it was.
The local government has made some rules for the safety of people. One of them is as follows: People have to squash(把……挤软) the tomatoes before throwing in order not to hurt other people.
The Tomatina Festival has inspired other similar celebrations in other parts of the world, for example, in the city of Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China, a tomato fight is held on October 19th.
1. During the Tomatina Festival in Spain, people throw tomatoes .| A．to show they are angry | B．to make money | C．for fun | D．for exercise |
| A．rules for | B．activities during | C．future of | D．origin of |
| A．in Extremadura | B．in October | C．near a river | D．in August |
| A．The tomato fight in Spain lasts for a day. |
| B．The local government made rules in order to protect people. |
| C．The tomatoes used during the Tomatina Festival in Spain are expensive. |
| D．The tomato fight in Guangdong is on the same day as the Tomatina Festival in Spain. |
The Zhagana village in Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Gansu province, was recently named Best Tourism Village of 2023 by the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
Zhagana, which means “stone box” in the Tibetan language, is located at an altitude of 3,000 to 3,300 meters and is surrounded by mountains, with the highest peak reaching 4,500 meters. The steep mountains and Tibetan-style houses constitute a “grand stone palace” or an ancient city constructed by natural rock walls.
Xiajiang village
Xiajiang village, located in East China’s Zhejiang province, has earned a prestigious spot on the UNWTO’s list of “Best Tourism Villages.” This idyllic village is renowned for its unspoiled natural beauty and a profound cultural heritage that spans from traditional folk culture to historical “red culture”.
Huangling village
As a mountain dwelling village in Wuyuan county of East China’s Jiangxi province, Huangling has transformed from a poverty-stricken village into a rural tourism hot spot.
The village, rated as a national AAAA scenic spot (the second highest level for tourist attractions in China), draws worldwide visitors throughout the year to view its picturesque landscape.
Zhujiawan village
Zhujiawan village, situated in Zhashui county, Shangluo city, covers a sprawling area of 126 square kilometers and boasts an abundance of over 1,200 species of diverse animals and plant resources. The village’s cultural tapestry is vibrant, showcasing 25 intangible cultural treasures, including the Zhashui Fish Drum and traditional brewing practices. Additionally, it is home to 17 tangible cultural assets, such as ancient Qinling aMountain houses, time-worn road remnants and the historic Xiaoyi Hall site.
1. What’s the special of the Zhagana village?| A．It’s natural beauty | B．It’s landscape |
| C．It’s location | D．It’s resources |
| A．Zhagana village. | B．Xiajiang village. |
| C．Huangling village. | D．Zhujiawan village. |
| A．To advertise the national AAAA scenic spots. | B．To show the traditional culture of the villages. |
| C．To join the Best Tourism Village of UNWTO. | D．To introduce the famous Chinese villages. |
8 . We all need sleep, but for many it comes out of living for all kinds of reasons.
For Chen Danhong, 28, who works for a technology company in Beijing, the day really just begins after about 8 p.m. “When I get home, I’m feeling tired, but that suddenly turns to excitement and I go on the internet, read books or watch movies. I’ll be playing video games and always saying to myself, ‘OK, this is the last one’. Before I know it, it’s 2 o’clock. It’s the same with watching TV. Before I realize it, it’s 4 o’clock.”
For Chen, breaking promises about getting enough sleep has become a way of life. “I know that if things go on like this, it’s going to take a toll on my health, but I just can’t help myself.”
Chen is suffering from what is called unforced sleeplessness (失眠), a term borrowed from tennis, in which an unforced error refers to a mistake that occurs when there is no pressure.
Common symptoms include falling asleep later than 2 am, with the average time taken to fall asleep being less than two hours. Young people in cities are most likely to have such symptoms, according to the 2020 Chinese National Healthy Sleep White Paper by the China Sleep Research Association. Common causes are loneliness, overtime sequelae, excessive stress and emotional disorders.
1. Why does the writer say “For Chen Danhong, the day really begins after about 8 pm”?| A．After about 8 pm, he is tired. |
| B．After about 8 pm, he is excited. |
| C．After about 8 pm, he is sleeping |
| D．After about 8 pm, he is going on the internet. |
| A．改善 | B．损害 | C．促进 | D．影响 |
| A．Ways of Sleep | B．Time of Sleep |
| C．The Trouble with Sleep | D．The Reasons for Sleep |
9 . Xiong Linghao was born on May 29th, 2002 in Mianyang City, Sichuan Province. She lost her eyesight because of illness when she was only two months old. But her mother later found that Xiong had a talent for music. She could play children’s songs on a small electric (电子的) piano when she was 3 years old. At the age of 6, she started learning the piano.
Unlike most learners, Xiong could not see the piano keyboard (琴键), so she must remember where each key is through its sound. That was very hard for her. She practiced for six to eight hours every day so that she could find the right keys.
Xiong’s piano skill was getting better and better as she kept practicing. In 2020, she won the Special Jury Prize in an international youth piano competition in Shanghai. “The piano is my best friend,” said Xiong. It brings so much pleasure into my life and encourages me to face my life bravely.”
Xiong has a great dream. She wants to be a great musician like Beethoven. Beethoven lost his hearing in his 20s and later went completely deaf, but he didn’t give up his love for music. He wrote so many famous music works in his life. So for herself, Xiong still has a long way to go.
1. When did Xiong Linghao lose her eyesight?| A．When she was a baby. | B．When she was a child. |
| C．When she was a student. | D．When she was an adult. |
| A．She learned from Beethoven. |
| B．She could see the piano keyboard. |
| C．She practiced for six to eight hours every day. |
| D．She listened to each key carefully and remembered it. |
| A．Beethoven went completely deaf in his 20s. |
| B．Xiong wrote many famous music works in her life. |
| C．Most learners remember where each key is through its sound. |
| D．Xiong should work hard to achieve her dream to be a great musician. |
| A．Better late than never. |
| B．Strike while the iron (铁) is hot. |
| C．Actions speak louder than words. |
| D．God helps those who help themselves. |
10 . Where will you go next? Our editors and explorers pick some most exciting destinations for the year ahead. Grab your bags and go!
Mostar, Bosnia
Partially destroyed during the Bosnian War (1992-1995) , history-rich Mostar still bears scars of the past. Wander around and you’ll pass newly renovated apartments next to buildings riddled with bullet holes. Local and intemational artists regularly decorate the abandoned structures with colorful murals. Mostar’s most tangible image of peace is the 16th-century Stari Most, rebuilt in 2004. It connects the city’s predominantly Christian Croat west side with the mainly Muslim Bosniak east.
Tohoku, Japan
Less than three hours by train from Tokyo, home of the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, Tohoku features pristine forests, gorges and crater lakes, thousand-year-old temples and shrines, and venerable local festivals— yet less than 2 percent of international travelers come here. For skiers, Tohoku regularly records some of the planet’s heaviest snowfalls, and resorts such as Appi Kogen are exhilaratingly uncrowded.
National Blue Trail, Hungary
Hungary is a dream hiking destination thanks to the country’s National Blue Trail. It’s part of the nearly 6, 500-mile European long-distance walking route E4, which begins in Spain and ends in Cyprus. So, while you could use the Blue Trail as a launchpad for an epic, cross-Europe trek, Hungary’s historic route is best experienced as a singular destination.
Zakouma National Park, Chad
Home to a rapidly growing African elephant population— some 559 in 2019 and a thousand expected by 2024-Zakouma National Park is an under-the-radar African safari destination. The park’s location, in southeastern Chad, one of the world’s least visited countries, makes Zakouma a best-kept secret— one worth sharing to help ensure its continued success.
1. Which destination fits you best if you are fond of hiking?| A．Mostar. | B．National Blue Trail. | C．Tohoku. | D．Zakouma National Park. |
| A．They are both far from the city’s capital. | B．They are very famous for local festivals. |
| C．They are less popular and attract fewer tourists. | D．They are the best choices for sports enthusiasts. |
| A．Environment. | B．Travel. | C．Culture. | D．Business. |
