1. Why is Charles so tired?
| A．He has been playing games. |
| B．He has been doing housework. |
| C．He has been surfing the Internet. |
| A．It was so unexpected. | B．It was very instructive. | C．It was truly interesting. |
2 . For primary and middle school students, being able to cook has become a must. They will also need to learn how to plant vegetables, raise chickens or ducks and fix computers or fridges under new requirements for labor education. The MOE(教育部) brought out a new standard for labor education in schools last year. Starting from the 2022 fall term, students in primary and middle schools have to take courses on labor skills at least once a week.
Labor education helps students value hard work. The new standard includes three types of labor tasks: housework, school labor and community volunteer services.
Schools in China have traditionally placed more focus on studying, and many have seen housework as a waste of children’s time. But according to the MOE, labor education must be built up to help students improve social values and develop an interest in labor.
Liu Fang, am other of 6-year-old twins in Beijing, strongly supports labor education. For the past year, she has trained her daughters to do housework and make simple dishes for the family.
“The main idea is to let them share duty as family members and become independent as they can,” said Liu. “Through doing housework, their hand-eye coordination(手眼协调), time management and organization skills can be trained and it’s also good to help them relax.”
Through such education, Liu said her twins have found fun in doing housework and are more independent.
1. What CAN’T a middle school student learn through labor education?| A．How to plant vegetables. |
| B．How to be more careful in class. |
| C．How to fix computers or fridges. |
| D．How to raise chickens or ducks. |
| A．It started in the fall term of 2022. |
| B．It is for students from primary school to college. |
| C．Students have to take labor courses twice a week. |
| D．It includes two types of labor tasks. |
| A．pay more attention to students’ study | B．let students study to cook |
| C．pay more attention to students’ health | D．let students do housework |
| A．It’s too simple for students. | B．It helps students develop different skills. |
| C．It is boring for students. | D．It is a waste of students’ time. |
3 . Once upon a time in a small town of Christchurch, there lived a little dog named Buddy. Buddy was not just any ordinary dog; he was known for his bravery and loyalty. He had been trained by his owner to be alert and helpful in case of emergencies. One sunny afternoon, Buddy’s owner, Elizabeth, was taking a walk near the river when she suddenly slipped and fell into the water. She tried her best to swim, but the strong current made it difficult for her to stay afloat. Fear gripped her as she realized she might not make it out alive.
Meanwhile, Buddy had noticed his owner was missing and started looking for her. He followed the sound of splashing water and found Elizabeth struggling in the river. Without hesitation, Buddy jumped into the water and swam towards her.
Buddy grabbed onto Elizabeth’s shirt with his teeth and pulled her towards the shore. The little dog’s determination and strength were remarkable as he managed to keep them both afloat until they reached the safety of the riverbank.
Elizabeth was exhausted and shaken, but she was grateful to be alive thanks to her brave little dog. She hugged Buddy tightly, tears of joy streaming down her face. Buddy wagged his tail happily, knowing he had done his job well.
News of Buddy’s heroic rescue quickly spread throughout the town, and people couldn’t help but admire the little dog’s courage and selflessness. From that day on, Buddy became a local hero, and his story inspired many to appreciate the incredible bond between humans and their pets.
In the end, Buddy’s bravery reminded everyone that even the smallest creatures can make a big difference when it comes to saving lives.
1. What was Buddy trained to be?| A．Fast and strong for sports. | B．Obedient and well-behaved. |
| C．Protective and aggressive towards strangers. | D．Attentive and useful in a dangerous situation. |
| A．She decided to take a swim to cool off. | B．She slipped on a rock near the riverbank. |
| C．She accidentally fell while walking by the river. | D．She was pushed into the water by someone else. |
| A．He ran back home to call for help. |
| B．He barked loudly to get help from nearby people. |
| C．He jumped into the water and swam towards her. |
| D．He stayed on the riverbank and waited for her to come out. |
| A．Elizabeth gave Buddy a special treat as a reward. |
| B．Buddy became a local hero and inspired many people. |
| C．The town held a ceremony to honor Buddy’s bravery. |
| D．Elizabeth decided to adopt another dog to keep Buddy company. |
1. Why was the woman absent from the meeting this morning?
| A．She lost her way. | B．She drove slowly. | C．Her car got broken. |
| A．Renting a car. | B．Buying a car. | C．Fixing a car. |
5 . Welcome to Santa Cruz County. It is home to rough coastline and it’s the main destination for many hiking adventurers!
California King Tides Are Coming!
California King Tides are coming back to Santa Cruz County, and this season you have even more opportunities to enjoy these impressive tides! These naturally occurring and predictable events are when the highest and lowest tides hit our shores and create an even more dramatic coastline.
Winter Wildlife Getaway!
This season marks the start of the best wildlife watching on the California coast! Migrating whales and many special birds make December and January the perfect time for a wildlife adventure.
Magic Monarch Butterfly!
In Santa Cruz, we like to celebrate all creatures great and small, especially those of the migrating variety. On one hand, we are attracted by the sight of a whale surfaceing from the depths of the sea and, on the other hand, we delight in the attractive magic of a flying monarch butterfly.
County Shores!
Explore Santa Cruz County shores, and you’ll delight in rock y tide pools full of unique sea creatures. While exploring local tide pools, remember to have respect for your surroundings.
Care & Safety
Never turn your back on the ocean. Sleeper waves are a real phenomenon, and can sweep you away at any time.
We know how wonderful it might be to touch a plant or catch a fish from its waters, but disrupting tide pool life harms its inhabitants. Even if you think you’re saving a fish that appears to be pushed out of water, it’s best to leave it be. The tide will finally return it.
1. What are California King Tides like?| A．Unpredictable. | B．Splendid. | C．Ordinary. | D．Destructive. |
| A．Spring. | B．Summer. | C．Autumn. | D．Winter. |
| A．Handle them gently. | B．Catch them immediately. |
| C．Leave them where they are. | D．Take them back to the ocean. |
6 . Festivals are a great way to get people together and have a good time. They’re also an excellent opportunity to showcase your town or city to visitors from all around the world. Here’s a list of the most famous and best festivals around the world!
Just for Laughs
Held in Montreal, Canada every summer, Just for Laughs is a comedy festival that was started in Montreal in 1984. As one of the largest and most famous comedy festivals in the world, it features some of the best stand-up comedians in the world. The festival has won a number of awards, including being named one of the top ten international events by CNN Travel in 2021.
Rio Carnival
The Rio Carnival takes place every year in February and is known for its dynamic colorful costumes and lively atmosphere. The Rio Carnival features a range of events, from street carnivals to large exhibitions of Brazilian dance and music. It is a time to enjoy the festive season and celebrate Brazil's rich culture.
Haro Wine Festival
Haro Wine Festival in Spain began in 1985 and is held each year in the town of Haro, in the province of Alicante. The festival celebrates wine appreciation and features tastings from famous wine estates all over Spain. It is also known for its music and arts events. The festival attracts visitors from all over the world, who enjoy experiencing the diverse culture and cuisine of Spain.
Krampusnacht
Krampusnacht, which is celebrated in Austria, is known for its horrifying traditions. Krampus is a monster in German folklore. During Krampusnacht, people celebrate his arrival by wearing masks and costumes that make them look like monsters. They also go out drinking and partying, causing some troubles along the way.
1. What can you do in Just for Laughs?| A．You can win an award. | B．You can stand up all the time. |
| C．You can see some comedians. | D．You can be interviewed by CNN. |
| A．Just for laughs. | B．Rio Carnival. | C．Haro Wine Festvial. | D．Krampusnacht. |
| A．They are all foreign celebrations. | B．They are all celebrated in early Spring. |
| C．People celebrate all of them by dancing. | D．They are all celebrating traditional culture. |
7 . 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. |
8 . China is a country with a rich history and diverse culture, and it is also home to some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world. Four of the most famous scenic spots in China are the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Warriors, and the West Lake.
The Great Wall is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is located in northern Chin. It was built over 2,000 years ago to protect China from invaders. The wall stretcher for 13,000 miles and is made up of various sections that have been restored and maintained over the years.
The Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, is located in the heart of Beijing. I was the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties and cove area of over 72 hectares. The Forbidden City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is renowned for its stunning architecture and intricate decorations.
The Terracotta Warriors are located in Xi’an, Shannxi Province. They were discovered in 1974 by farmers who were digging a well. The warriors were created over 2,000 years ago to guard the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. There are over 8,000 life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots, each with a unique expression and pose.
The West Lake is located in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. It is a freshwater lake surrounded by hills and gardens. The lake has been a popular tourist destination for centuries and is known for its picturesque scenery and cultural significance. It inspired many poets and artists throughout Chinese history.
1. What are the four famous scenic spots in China?| A．The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Warriors, and the West Lake. |
| B．The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Warriors, and the Pearl River. |
| C．The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Warriors, and the Yangtze River. |
| D．The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven. |
| A．The tourists who were visiting Xi’an. |
| B．The farmers who were digging a well. |
| C．The archaeologists who were conducting an excavation. |
| D．The local residents who were exploring their surroundings. |
| A．The West Lake is located in Guangdong Province. |
| B．It is a saltwater lake surrounded by mountains and forests. |
| C．The lake has been a popular tourist destination for centuries. |
| D．It did not inspire any poets or artists throughout Chinese history. |
9 . My parents went shopping at the supermarket and a complete stranger came up and did something that really touched them. He
You can
This excellent gesture has
It’s a beautiful reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a
So, let’s take a moment to
| A．paid for | B．watched over | C．focused on | D．referred to |
| A．mention | B．guess | C．measure | D．honor |
| A．activity | B．section | C．standard | D．moment |
| A．severely | B．really | C．sincerely | D．frequently |
| A．encouraged | B．persuaded | C．forced | D．warned |
| A．make | B．enlarge | C．spread | D．pack |
| A．reliable | B．cheap | C．wonderful | D．random |
| A．giving | B．remembering | C．receiving | D．shining |
| A．small | B．silent | C．deep | D．slow |
| A．dream | B．world | C．chance | D．situation |
| A．realize | B．remind | C．admit | D．praise |
| A．root | B．power | C．reward | D．anxiety |
| A．right | B．timely | C．needy | D．bright |
| A．success | B．wisdom | C．kindness | D．bravery |
| A．better | B．riper | C．bigger | D．cleaner |
10 . AI is just now starting to go mainstream, but these classic films about AI have been exploring the future of artificial intelligence for decades.
Ex Machina
In Ex Machina, a computer programmer is selected by the genius CEO of the company he works for to take part in an experiment involving the Turing test (图灵测试)with an impressive AI robot named Ava, convincingly played by a real actress.
A. I. Artificial Intelligence
No list on films featuring AI would be complete without A. I. Artificial Intelligence where a young AI boy with human-like feelings is left out by his human mother. As is so often the way, the questions posed by the story make the film way ahead of its time. What responsibility would humanity hold for an artificial intelligence that is advanced enough to actually experience feelings and emotional turmoil (混乱)？
I, Robot
As humans and robots struggle to survive together, and sometimes against each other, on Earth and in space, the future of both hangs in the balance. Here human men and women confront robots gone mad, telepathic robots, robot politicians, and vast robotic intelligence that may already secretly control the world. And both are asking the same questions: What is human? And is humanity out of date?
Brian and Charles
When an inventor in a Welsh village develops an AI being that looks like a mature professor who acts nothing like it, the result is quite possibly the funniest film of the decade so far. This is a film that is the perfect antidote to the apocalyptic threats surrounding modern life in the 21st century.
1. Who took the Turing test in the film Ex Machina?| A．A CEO. | B．An AI boy. |
| C．An inventor. | D．A programmer. |
| A．He is played by Ava. |
| B．He is experiencing emotional turmoil. |
| C．He is a life-like robot turning bad. |
| D．He is an orphan in real world. |
| A．I, Robot. | B．Ex Machina. |
| C．Brian and Charles. | D．A. I. Artificial Intelligence. |
