1 . Tickets are now on sale for Walt Disney World’s latest holiday event. Disney Jollywood Nights, abrand new holiday event, will run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for 10 nights: Nov. 11, 18, 20, 27 and 29 and Dec. 4, 6, 16, 18 and 20. The after-hours holiday event officially runs from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., but event guests are usually allowed to enter the park 90 minutes early.
What to expect from Disney Jollywood Nights?
A live holiday special hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy at Theater of the Stars
The return of the impressive nighttime firework show
A jazz bar at The Hollywood Brown Derby
An “other-worldly party” at The Hollywood Tower Hotel Courtyard
A “Latin street fair” along Commissary Lane
A “spirited sing-along” at Hyperion Theater
Exciting photo opportunities with Mickey Mouse and his friends
How much are tickets to Disney Jollywood Nights?
Ticket prices range from $159 to $179 for guests aged 3 and up. Please note that children youngerthan age 3 don’t need a ticket. Guests with tickets to this event don’t need a theme park reservation in orderto enter the park at 7 p.m. or later. If you plan to arrive earlier than 7 p.m., valid park admission as wellas a theme park reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be required.
Only a limited number of tickets are available for each night, and they are non-transferable (不可转让的), non-refundable and may not be resold.
1. What do we know about Disney Jollywood Nights?| A．It is a newly returning event. |
| B．It continues for 4 hours each night. |
| C．It lasts for 10 days in a row. |
| D．It requires guests to arrive in advance. |
| A．Enjoy live jazz in a bar. |
| B．Sing along at Theater of the Stars. |
| C．Join a Latin street party. |
| D．Take pictures with Mickey Mouse. |
| A．$318. | B．$358. |
| C．$477. | D．$537. |
2 . In 2019, after retiring from her career as a social worker, Ane Freed - Kernis decided to build a home workshop and devote all of her free time to stone carving. “I might be covered head to to e in dust but I’m happy — it was something I needed more of in my life when I hit 60,” she says.
This appeal has its origins in Freed - Kernis’ childhood. Growing up on her father’s farm in Denmark, she used to wander through the fields with her eyes fixed on the ground, looking for stones to add to her collection. “I’ve always been drawn to the shapes and textures (质地) of stones,” she says.
After moving to England in 1977 and training as a social worker, Freed - Kernis soon became occupied with her busy career and the demands of raising her son. Stones were the last thing on her mind, until her father died in 2005. “He took a stone carving course in his retirement, and I always thought stone seemed so fun but never had the time to look into it myself,” she says. “After he died, I became determined to learn in his honour.”
Signing up for a week-long stone carving course at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Freed-Kernis began to learn how to turn a block of rock into well-designed shapes. “It was really scary at the start because you would spend hours just hammering (锤打).”
Now 65, Freed-Kernis has a thriving small business built largely through word of mouth. She creates 12 to 15 pieces a year that can take anywhere from a few days to three weeks to complete, while her prices range from £ 200 to £ 3,000. “I’m making smaller ones,” she says. “I don’t have to depend on the money much, so I want to keep prices in the range that people can afford, mainly just covering costs and labour (劳动力).”
1. Freed-Kernis was first attracted by stones when ______.| A．she was 60 | B．she was a child |
| C．her father died | D．she moved to England |
| A．She never cared about her father. |
| B．She led a disappointing life in Denmark. |
| C．She spent lots of time studying stone carving. |
| D．She learned stone carving under the influence of her dad. |
| A．Hopeful and proud. |
| B．Confident and satisfied. |
| C．Nervous and frightened. |
| D．Impatient and unprepared. |
| A．They are easier to move by her. |
| B．They are more affordable to people. |
| C．She wants to save costs and labour. |
| D．She is too old to focus on making large ones. |
3 . Whenever our teachers or parents asked about our hobbies at childhood, my friends and I would always express our love for reading. However, with the development of high technology, our lives are gradually
There was a time when I felt like my life went downhill, and with increased
This situation changed when one day I
Now I carry this book either at the dining table or during school breaks. As a student who has a (n)
Why should we choose to ignore (忽视) such
| A．described | B．filled | C．limited | D．examined |
| A．protect | B．delight | C．distance | D．free |
| A．honor | B．danger | C．sorrow | D．pressure |
| A．videos | B．notices | C．emails | D．plans |
| A．put away | B．came across | C．handed out | D．complained about |
| A．hard | B．still | C．ever | D．early |
| A．acceptable | B．strange | C．severe | D．ordinary |
| A．false | B．disappointing | C．romantic | D．positive |
| A．repeat | B．reset | C．regain | D．review |
| A．request | B．instruction | C．fortune | D．dream |
| A．inspiration | B．identity | C．attention | D．invitation |
| A．refused | B．shown | C．questioned | D．damaged |
| A．replace | B．comfort | C．end | D．gather |
| A．lessons | B．pains | C．promises | D．treasures |
| A．wise | B．informal | C．casual | D．slow |
4 . In San Francisco, a large group of sea lions move themselves out of the bay waters and hang out on PIER 39, which is a popular tourist destination. According to dock (码头) officials, this is the most sea lions seen in the region in 15 years.
“Over 1,000 sea lions have been counted this week,” PIER 39 harbormaster Sheila Chandor told many different media. “The surge in sea lions is usually a good sign of their strong population and healthy living environment,” said Adam Ratner, Director of Conservation Engagement at the Marine Mammal (海洋哺乳动物) Center in Sausalito, California.
“California sea lions are sentinels (哨兵) of the ocean,” Ratner said. Their population to some extent reflects the health of the ocean. Therefore, seeing a large number of California sea lions is clearly a good thing.
For nearly 35 years, the slippery (滑的) residents have been a star attraction for tourists. That autumn in 1989, PIER 39 had just been repaired, but the ships had not yet been moved back. At that moment, the sea lions unexpected arrival not only attracted fans but also created enemies. According to a website, some dock residents and workers were scared away by the strong and very unpleasant smell and noise of their new neighbors, while others saw these animals as a bright spot after the destructive Loma Prieta earthquake.
The officials sought help from the Marine Mammal Center to find a way to deal with sea lions. Ratner said that the final decision is to let the sea lions stay and coexist with humans. “The fact proves that this is really a good thing,” he said. “This is just a proof of how we can truly work together and think about how we can share our coasts with marine mammals and other wildlife in a way that benefits all the parties involved.”
1. How does the author start the text?| A．By describing a situation. |
| B．By answering a question. |
| C．By holding a conversation. |
| D．By comparing different opinions. |
| A．Sharp increase. | B．Tight control. |
| C．Slow development. | D．Sudden movement. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Uninterested. |
| C．Supportive. | D．Unclear. |
| A．Sea lions are pretty cool animals. |
| B．Animals and humans can live in harmony. |
| C．Watching sea lions might not be a proper action. |
| D．Sea lions should be driven out of PIER 39. |
5 . At some point, something will have to be done about the stuffed toys (毛绒玩具). I haven’t counted them because, truthfully, I’m not prepared to know how many there are. Lately, our neighborhood’s message boards are filled with posts about parents trying to make space, to clear out the things their kids no longer need. The tone of some of these posts can best be described as “emergency”. “Help!” they sometimes begin. “I have to get this out of my house.”
“The proliferation (激增) of children’s toys is the outcome of a long, gradual cultural change,”says Gary Cross, a professor at Pennsylvania State University. To understand how we got here — drowning (淹没于) in all those stuffed toys and bricks — it helps to look as far back as the late 19th century. “Parents were no longer passing their jobs on to the children,” Cross says. “Instead, they connect across generations through the gifting process. From the early 20th century on, goods became the things that define relationships between family members, and the way of marking success as a family.”
Then, how can parents deal with the proliferation of children’s toys at home? Naeemah Ford Goldson, a professional organizer, is also a mom of two. In her own home, Goldson likes to include her kids in the work of sorting out their toys. They know that the items they don’t need anymore will be given to people who can use them, to families who might not be as fortunate as theirs. “Doing so helps them build those habits of letting go,” she says, “so then they don’t become adults who are too dependent on material things instead of experiences, or people, and the memories we make with people.”
Her idea made sense. She told her 5-year-old they should pick some to give to kids in their community who came from another country and had to leave their toys behind. She immediately took a pink bear from the pile.
1. Why does the author present the posts in paragraph 1?| A．To show the popularity of children’s toys. |
| B．To offer suggestions about choosing children’s toys. |
| C．To praise the role of social media in buying children’s toys. |
| D．To introduce the influence too many children’s toys bring about. |
| A．Children’s demands. | B．The growth of technology. |
| C．The traditions in the 18th century. | D．The practice of gifting among family members. |
| A．Involve her kids in organizing toys. | B．Put away toys for her kids. |
| C．Buy her kids fewer toys. | D．Sell unwanted toys to neighbors. |
| A．The Rise of Toy Stores in Neighborhoods | B．The Importance of Choosing Proper Gifts |
| C．The Challenge of Managing Children’s Toys | D．The Joy of Collecting Children’s Toys |
6 . Blue light blocking (BLB) glasses are supposed to protect eyes from the effects of short-wave length light from our smartphones, computer screens and LED lights. Given how much time we spend on our devices, using this type of glasses sounds like a smart investment, right?
Elizabeth Esparaz, an eye specialist based in Cleveland, Ohio, says the science that producers share as they promote these glasses can be confusing and doubtful. Blue light is not just about tech devices, and it’s not always bad. “The sun produces much more blue light than human-made devices, and it’s actually advantageous,” says Dr. Esparaz. It helps our mood and sleep-wake cycle. The problem is blue light at night: It prevents the release of melatonin, a substance helping regulate our body and making us sleepy.
So, in theory, wearing BLB glasses should help people who watch movies in bed or read from a tablet at night avoid wakefulness. A review study from the University of Oklahoma that looked at 24 previous studies found that people affected by sleep disorders, jet lag (时差反应) and shift work dropped off to sleep faster after using these glasses. “So to some extent, these glasses are useful to some people,” saysDr. Esparaz. But the effectiveness is not wide and does not extend beyond certain cases.
As for eye strain (疲劳), a condition of the eyes usually caused by a long period of looking at screens, an Australian study showed that those wearing BLB glasses did not experience less eye strain than those using clear glasses. And another review study, also by Australian researchers, found inadequate evidence that BLB glasses could prevent serious eye problems.
“These glasses aren’t going to be harmful,” says Dr. Esparaz. But, she adds, they are maybe not as good as advertised and a lack of standardization in the industry means there’s no way to know if one pair is better than another.
1. What message does Dr. Esparaz convey in paragraph 2?| A．Seeing is believing. |
| B．Don’t judge a book by its cover. |
| C．Every coin has two sides. |
| D．One man’s meat is another man’s poison. |
| A．People working long hours. |
| B．People with poor sight. |
| C．People watching the screen often. |
| D．People with sleep problems. |
| A．To explain the function of BLB glasses. |
| B．To indicate the limitations of BLB glasses. |
| C．To show the commonness of eye problems. |
| D．To demonstrate the influence of blue light. |
| A．Do BLB glasses really work? |
| B．Why are BLB glasses popular? |
| C．Is blue light a trouble maker? |
| D．How do BLB glasses play a role? |
7 . Earlier this summer, my Ph.D. graduation finally came. I was
I grew up with the dream of becoming a scientist. When I finished my master’s degree, I wanted to try something even more
I worked as a research assistant to earn a
I realized that by trying again and again, I have
| A．hesitant | B．upset | C．content | D．anxious |
| A．banned | B．canceled | C．suspended | D．interrupted |
| A．placed | B．examined | C．sighted | D．monitored |
| A．note | B．message | C．saying | D．chart |
| A．think up | B．speak of | C．reflect on | D．get across |
| A．inspiring | B．unique | C．advantageous | D．challenging |
| A．blow | B．objection | C．conflict | D．emergency |
| A．reminded | B．advised | C．expected | D．instructed |
| A．certificate | B．position | C．reward | D．reality |
| A．worried | B．nervous | C．upset | D．confused |
| A．admiration | B．desire | C．reply | D．supply |
| A．fortune | B．reputation | C．promotion | D．living |
| A．forgot | B．resigned | C．regretted | D．relaxed |
| A．obviously | B．previously | C．surprisingly | D．eventually |
| A．challenges | B．tests | C．alternatives | D．programs |
| A．quality | B．promise | C．attitude | D．goal |
| A．for sure | B．beyond imagination | C．by choice | D．on track |
| A．unlocked | B．seen | C．showed | D．understood |
| A．appreciated | B．achieved | C．deserved | D．transformed |
| A．result | B．process | C．motivation | D．desires |
8 . Nature’s beauty is all around you. Wild flowers shine in bright blues, yellows, and reds. Trees, with unique shaped branches, and leaves, decorate the horizon. Under your feet, pine needles, leaves, and grass give their natural beauty on the earth’s surface. But how many of you take the time to notice all of nature’s wonders?
Hannah Bullen-Ryner is an artist who not only takes the time to “smell the roses”, but she uses them as a medium to craft stunning portraits of birds. Bullen-Ryner, a photographer by trade, began her artistic hobby shortly after her twin daughters were born. The young mother suffered from depression and anxiety. To seek a solution, she turned to nature.
Bullen-Ryner started spending time alone in the woods, foraging for materials: flowers, branches, leaves, and grass. On an impulse (冲动), she started forming a portrait of a bird with the items she had gathered. When her picture was finished, Bullen-Ryner realized that she felt calmand hopeful. The process had been healing and therapeutic (有疗效的).
Bullen-Ryner tells My Modern Met, “Finding the medium of land art has allowed my art and soul to connect to the earth. As a full-time Mama of nearly three-year-old twin girls, and someone who suffers from anxiety, my art is my quiet time, my peace.”
When Bullen-Ryner creates her artwork on the forest floor, she never uses glues or any other material to bond the foraged items. This means that a single breeze is able to carry away or scatter her portrait.
“People often ask me why I don’t make something more permanent or they say it’s such a shame that it’s temporary,” Bullen-Ryner explains. “But for me,” she continues, “it is the short-lived nature of what I do that has become therapy for my soul. I get to put down all my anxieties, my fears, and all the chaos from my brain and turn it into something beautiful to honor Mother Nature. I take some photos and then walk or cycle away, leaving it all behind and feeling calmer, more connected, and truly lighter.”
1. Why did Bullen-Ryner take up her artistic hobby?| A．To kill time. | B．To make more profits. |
| C．To serve as a treatment. | D．To entertain her daughters. |
| A．Making. | B．Answering. |
| C．Providing. | D．Seeking. |
| A．It is well received with customers. |
| B．It cannot be preserved for a long time. |
| C．It stimulated the local tourism industry. |
| D．It won her widespread praise domestically. |
| A．Bullen-Ryner is grateful to nature. |
| B．Bullen-Ryner regrets what she has done. |
| C．Bullen-Ryner is into going to work by bicycle. |
| D．Bullen-Ryner persuades more people to participate. |
In many urban Chinese offices, a trend (趋势) is gaining popularity among young professionals. The trend
This trend is not just about
The appeal of these fruit-bearing plants is evident on social media platforms, where thousands of these plants
1. What are the speakers talking about?
| A．A speech contest. | B．A writing contest. | C．A singing contest. |
| A．Third place. | B．Second place. | C．First place. |
| A．He is encouraging the woman. |
| B．He is introducing an author. |
| C．He is saying sorry to the woman. |
| A．To a cafe. | B．To the classroom. | C．To the library. |
