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

A．One night.

B．Two days.

C．A week.

2. What room does the man like?

A．A double room.

B．A room which costs $260.

C．A room with a park view.

3. What’s the man’s room number?

A．408.

B．806.

C．508.

2 . While writing, we may always ask ourselves “Are there any better expressions to convey what we mean?” In a writing class, a teacher tells a golden rule of writing.

Teacher: Show but don’t tell, class. This is the golden rule of creative writing. You need to show the reader (the person who is reading) what you want to say, not tell him, or her.

David (student):     1    ? Writing is about words, right? We can only tell things using words. How can we show them? We’re not painters!

Teacher: Stop laughing, everybody, and listen carefully. I’ll give you two examples: ‘He was feeling very worried.’ Now I will say the same thing in a different way: ‘He was biting his fingernails and sweating.’     2    ? Which part shows the reader how he was feeling?

Anne(student):The second example, the one about the fingernails and the sweating.       3    

Teacher: Yes! Excellent! Well done, Anne. You’re a brilliant student.

David: I don’t understand.

Teacher: And here, everybody, we see a very good example of both showing and telling. Not only has David told us that he doesn’t understand, he’s also shown us: with that silly look on his face.     4     Well done!

David: Stop laughing! It’s not funny! Be quiet, Anne!

Teacher: David! Don’t shout at Anne. She’s done nothing wrong. Now, everybody, let’s play a game:     5     . OK? Right, let’s go. ‘She was very sad.’ Now, who’d like to speak out your sentence?

A．This is showing

B．A lovely example

C．Why not try doing it

D．But how do we do that

E．I’ll tell you something and you have to say it in a different way

F．Now, which example tells the reader about how the man was feeling

G．Look and decide which ‘tell’ sentence matches which ‘show’ sentence

3 . The Ark

Shanghai International Dance Center Theater will present “The Ark” this weekend, a two-dance performance by Chinese and foreign female choreographers (编舞者).

“Build Beauty” by Chinese choreographer Gong Xingxing and “Last Man Standing” by German choreographer Sita Ostheimer, comprise “The Ark”. Artists from Xiexin Dance Theater will perform both works.

Time: December 23, 7:30 pm

Admission:180 — 580 yuan

Venue: Shanghai International Dance Center Theater

Belt and Road Initiative

The exhibition narrates the history of the ancient Silk Road and Shanghai’s modern development. It features over 250 documents, artifacts, photos and videos. About 80 percent of the exhibits are on display in Shanghai for the first time. Highlighted items include a tiny replica (模型) of the treasure ship of Zheng He and some historical documents.

Time: Through late April, 2024

Admission: Free

Venue: Shanghai Archives

Live in Love!

The Shanghai Rainbow Chamber Singers will lead audiences to welcome the New Year with a concert “Live in Love!”

Starting at 10:00 pm on Sunday, the concert features RCS’s original compositions covering the themes of love, memory, and farewells. The concert will end with the title song “Live in Love!” Audiences will be invited to stand up and set their emotions free together with the singers to welcome the New Year.

Time: December 31, 10:00 pm

Admission:180 — 1,080 yuan

Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center

Inside No. 9

The popular British TV series “Inside No. 9” has been adapted into an immersive (沉浸式的) live theater performance. Three “Inside No. 9” stories will be performed live for the audience. The specially designed seats and stages will provide audiences with a one-of-a-kind immersive theater experience.

Time: Through February 29, 2:50 pm/7:30 pm/8:20 pm

Admission:489 —   589 yuan

Venue: Shanghai Grand Theater

1. What is special about “The Ark”?

A．It will contain dances from the East and the West.

B．It will be composed all by German choreographers.

C．It will provide specially designed stages.

D．It will offer an immersive theater experience.

2. What can you enjoy at Shanghai Grand Theater?

A．Some brilliant dances.	B．Some operas with the theme of love.
C．Some performances based on a TV play.	D．Some videos about the ancient Silk Road.

3. Which one should you choose to experience a festive celebration?

A．The Ark.

B．Live in Love!

C．Belt and Road Initiative.

D．Inside No. 9.

4 . 听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
1. What’s the woman doing?

A．Doing an interview.

B．Directing a program.

C．Giving a report.

2. What does the man think of insects?

A．Dangerous.

B．Annoying.

C．Important.

3. What would happen without insects?

A．Crops would not grow.

B．Many plants would die.

C．People would go hungry.

4. What’s the main reason for the decrease of insects recently?

A．Diseases.

B．Human activity.

C．Climate change.

5 . What do you get when you mix the sports of rodeo (牛仔竞技表演) with skiing? An extreme winter sport called skijoring. The competition includes riding horses that use ropes to pull skiers over jumps and around barriers (障碍). At the same time, competitors try to hit round targets with a special stick.

Skijoring is a winter sport that celebrates the combination (结合) of competition and ski culture in the U. S. Mountain West. Horses — and sometimes dogs, snowmobiles and even cars — pull skiers by rope at speeds as high as 64 kilometers per hour. Skiers can go over jumps as high as 2.4 meters.

One of the most popular skijoring races in the country takes place in Leadville, Colorado. The event, called “The Granddaddy of Them All”, has been a tradition there since 1949.

Internet reports say skijoring takes its name from the Norwegian word skijoring, which means “ski driving”. It started as a way to get around in Scandinavia and became popular in Europe’s Alps Mountains around 1900.

Today’s sport is dangerous, and injuries are common among riders and skiers alike. One of the first riders in the Leadville race earlier this month fell off his horse and had to be removed from the track.

Skijoring is especially popular in Poland and Switzerland, as well as in the U. S. states of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Today, skijoring is growing in popularity because of social media. Five years ago, the sport had about 350 teams of riders, skiers, and horses in the U. S. Now, about 1,000 teams are competing, and the number of races has increased from about 15 a year to more than 30.

People hope it will one day be an event in the Winter Olympics. But getting the sport into the Olympics has proven difficult. There is no official governing body. It has no clear set of rules. And there is no system that would qualify (使……有资格) riders to take part in the Winter Games. In addition, every course is different, and every race has its own special traditions.

1. What did skijoring originally serve as?

A．A means of transport.	B．An event for pleasure.
C．A traditional festival.	D．A way to celebrate.

2. What do the figures in paragraph 6 show about skijoring?

A．It is too dangerous to take part in.

B．Ⅱattracts a larger number of players.

C．It requires more measures to ensure safety.

D．It is faced with the challenge of attracting more audience.

3. What does the author intend to tell us about skijoring in the last paragraph?

A．Its unique playing conditions.	B．Its shortage of qualified riders.
C．Its difficulty becoming an Olympic event.	D．Its possibility of keeping special traditions.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．Combination Brings Wonder	B．Tradition Never Dies with Time
C．The Wild Winter Sport of Skijoring	D．A Brief Introduction to Olympic Games

6 . Four Films You Might Like

Meet Me in St. Louis

It is introduced by Khori Dastoor, General Director & CEO at Houston Grand Opera. Dastoor now serves on the Board of Directors for Opera America.

Judy Garland and Margaret O’Brien star in this heart-warming music al from Vincente Minnelli. The story concerns a colorful, early 20th-century St. Louis family’s emotional experience when they learn their father has been promoted to a nice position and they must move to New York.

Breaking the Code

Named “Best Historical Film” by the Dallas County Historical Commission in 2023, Breaking the Code is a deep introduction to Vernon Fisher (1943—2023), among Texas’s most praised and important artists. Director Michael Flanagan conducted many interviews with Fisher and his students to offer a unique understanding of the humorous style of Fisher’s practice and the unusual independence of his career.

This film is free with Museum membership. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

About Dry Grasses

The latest movie from famous Turkish filmmaker Nuri Bilge Ceylan is a work based on a novel. Samet, a school teacher working in rural eastern Anatolia, hopes to move to his native Istanbul after being charged with punishing a student. A fellow teacher (Merve Dizlar, Best Actress winner at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival) offers Samet a new viewpoint on life.

The Artist’s Daughter, Oil on Canvas

A visit to her separated father’s art exhibition recover s the filmmaker’s relationship with him, but not the way she expected. Through conversations with her family, she discovers her feelings of neglect (忽视) throughout her life, and she begins to understand how much her father’s absence has damaged her sense of self, but she remains determined to find meaning from the emptiness.

1. What should you do to enjoy Breaking the Code for free?

A．Bring the ID card along.	B．Book a seat in advance.
C．Become a member of the Museum.	D．Accept the interview by Michael Flanagan.

2. What do Meet Me in St. Louis and The Artist’s Daughter, Oil on Canvas have in common?

A．They share the same producer.	B．They have something to do with family.
C．They are recommended by famous people.	D．They have won much praise from the audience.

3. Which film is about school life?

A．About Dry Grasses.	B．Breaking the Code.
C．Meet Me in St. Louis.	D．The Artist’s Daughter, Oil on Canvas.

7 . Yesterday, I was shopping in a store, minding my own business, when I saw someone _______ a dog with a “service animal” vest. I gave it very little _______ at first. But then, in the soup aisle (过道), I saw the person and his dog again. When I walked by, the so-called “service animal” growled (咆哮) at me, showing his _______.

_______, service animals are trained not to do that kind of thing. Honestly, it _______ me, and I _______ the dog, fearful of being bitten. I thought about going to find a _______ but finally decided not to because I was afraid to be _______ with the person.

But the dog’s behavior got _______. In the milk aisle, the dog was not growling. Instead, he got his body close to the ________ and started pooping (排便) while the owner just watched. Then, his owner walked on, paying no attention to the waste left in the middle of the ________ aisle.

At this point, I couldn’t stand it anymore, and ________ it was time to actively get a worker. Soon a worker came to guide the dog and his owner out of the ________. Seeing that fearful dog and annoying person disappearing, I felt ________. There was nothing wrong with loving dogs, but dog owners should raise dogs in a ________ manner.

1.

A．mistreating

B．walking

C．selling

D．greeting

2.

A．attention

B．praise

C．money

D．patience

3.

A．neck

B．legs

C．tail

D．teeth

4.

A．Probably

B．Luckily

C．Typically

D．Finally

5.

A．saved

B．helped

C．frightened

D．attracted

6.

A．looked at

B．made way for

C．searched for

D．fell in love with

7.

A．worker

B．teacher

C．reporter

D．hunter

8.

A．in safety

B．in need

C．in silence

D．in trouble

9.

A．politer

B．worse

C．sillier

D．simpler

10.

A．ground

B．tree

C．car

D．grass

11.

A．candy

B．bread

C．fruit

D．milk

12.

A．denied

B．considered

C．forgot

D．marked

13.

A．bank

B．hospital

C．store

D．office

14.

A．confident

B．sorry

C．worried

D．relieved

15.

A．generous

B．humorous

C．good

D．rude

8 . Four Must-Read Environmental Books

Our recommended list of environmental books covers a broad range of topics. The four must-read environmental books are sure to attract the greenest bookworms.

Braiding Sweetgrass

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmer looks at the relationship between humans and the land. Kimmer ties lessons she learned to Western society’s view of plants and aims to tell the importance of plants and animals. The book also explores the lessons we may learn from plants and animals and how they relate to certain stories. Braiding Sweetgrass won the 2014 Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award.

The End of Nature

The End of Nature was published in 1989. Its author, Bill Mckibben, describes the relationship between nature and humans. It expresses the thought that nature was previously independent of humans but now has been affected by them in every way. The book tells the ideas of nature and the value it has lost.

Silent Spring

Written by Rachel Carson, Silent Spring has been described as a landmark work of environmental writing and is praised for bringing the environment al movement into the public’s focus. The book stresses the effects of pesticides (杀虫剂) on the environment. The book eventually led to a change in the pesticide law of the US.

The Sixth Extinction

The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert describes previous mass extinction events and connects them to many extinctions presently taking place. Kolbert studies the relationships humans have with the environment and finds that we are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction caused by humans. The Sixth Extinction won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction.

1. Whose book focuses on nature’s lost value due to human activities?

A．Robin Wall Kimmer’s.	B．Rachel Carson’s.
C．Bill Mckibben’s.	D．Elizabeth Kolbert’s.

2. Why is Silent Spring so important?

A．It has reduced the use of land.	B．It has affected a law in the US.
C．It has changed people’s view of plants.	D．It has prevented nature from being independent.

3. What do Braiding Sweetgrass and The Sixth Extinction have in common?

A．They won a prize.

B．They focus on the lessons we learn.

C．They are about mass extinction events.

D．They view nature to be independent of humans.

9 . World Ocean Day 2023

Our ocean covers 70% of the planet and supports life but is being threatened. So we celebrate World Ocean Day to take action. People need to know the importance of it. This year, World Ocean Day is celebrated on 8 June. And everyone is welcome to join us, the Marine Stewardship Council(MSC), an international non-profit organization on a task to end overfishing.

●World Ocean Day activities:

Learn about the ocean

In Australia, our Saltwater School’s education program features ocean-themed education resources relevant to the Australian curriculum (课程) suitable for Stages 3～5. And in New Zealand, our Te Kawa O Tangaroa ocean-centered learning program focuses on solutions to overfishing and how we can ensure oceans are filled with life.

Explore sustainable (可持续的) fisheries

Experience our sustainable fishery stories about real-life people whose livelihoods depend on fishing and hear from warm-hearted people taking care of our ocean.

Stay informed and inspired

Follow the MSC on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, and we’ll keep you up to date on the latest ocean news, stories, reports and more. And you can also sign up for one of our regular newsletters. Depending on your interests, there’s a lot to choose from.

●Our Contact Information:

If you’d like to know more information, please send your email to kate.jones@msc.org or call 61-2-9527-6883 between the hours of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Mon～Fri.

1. Why is the World Ocean Day celebrated?

A．To give support to the life of the fishermen.

B．To tell the task of an international organization.

C．To raise people’s awareness of protecting the sea.

D．To take action to call for an end to fishing.

2. How can you benefit from the activities?

A．Learn more about sustainable fisheries.	B．Become an important member of MSC.
C．Develop your interest in writing stories.	D．Teach students about the learning program.

3. When can you make a call to MSC?

A．At 8:30 am, Monday.	B．At 10:00 am, Friday.
C．At 3:30 pm, Sunday.	D．At 9:00 am, Saturday.

10 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

A pair of scissors, a piece of paper, and a pair of dexterous (灵巧的) hands. That’s     1     is needed to create delicate works of paper-cuttings.

    2    (originate) in the Southern and Northern Dynasties, this ancient form of art has not only survived through generations but has also become     3     important part of Chinese culture. It is often associated with the     4     (celebrate) of the Spring Festival, where complex patterns of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals     5     (create) to bring good luck and fortune for the new year.

The art of paper-cuttings goes beyond mere craftsmanship. It is a form of expression deeply     6    (root) in Chinese history and tradition. Artists, without the need for any drawn draft, use their imagination to create     7    (variety) patterns and images with scissors and burins. Animals, flowers, mythological and historical figures are meticulously (细致地) cut and carved, each carrying its own symbolism and meanings.

Today, paper-cuttings continue to decorate Chinese homes,     8    (especial) during the Spring Festival. The windows and walls come alive with vibrant patterns and scenes of family reunions and temple fairs. It serves     9     a reminder of the rich cultural heritage that the Chinese people cherish     10     pass down from one generation to another.