1 . Wu Ming, a young German born after 1995, is a big fan of Chinese culture. As he thought some diseases can’t be treated _______ with Western medicine, he decided to _______traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In 2015, Wu came to Henan province, where a strong TCM culture can be _______. After a year of learning, he _______ the language barrier and started to learn Chinese medicine. Wu always _______ some Chinese herbal medicine by himself to know their flavours and effects, just like Shen Nong, a character in Chinese legend. In Wu’s opinion, TCM is one of the best-preserved _______ of Chinese culture.

Studying TCM also _______ Wu’s mind and lifestyle. He used to be _______ to electronic devices, playing video games every night. Instead of being trapped in the fast-paced but unhealthy daily _______, he now lives a(n) ________ and peaceful life, practicing good habits like drinking tea and reading.

Wu ________ what he has learned to help his family. He always provides his family members with some advice about staying fit after ________ their skin or tongues online. Over time, his family gradually began to understand his ________ for TCM.

Wu thinks there’s no big difference between China and Western countries. “________ comes from being out of touch”, said Wu. He plans to run a traditional Chinese clinic in Germany, which could serve as a(n) ________ between the two countries and publicize TCM and its culture.

1.

A．immediately

B．gradually

C．thoroughly

D．consistently

2.

A．depend on

B．dig into

C．look up

D．work out

3.

A．created

B．enjoyed

C．advanced

D．acknowledged

4.

A．overcame

B．seized

C．divided

D．shifted

5.

A．raised

B．sorted

C．cooked

D．tasted

6.

A．aspects

B．standards

C．themes

D．means

7.

A．enriched

B．secured

C．expanded

D．changed

8.

A．exposed

B．reduced

C．restricted

D．addicted

9.

A．businesses

B．recreations

C．routines

D．tasks

10.

A．balanced

B．wealthy

C．humble

D．efficient

11.

A．employs

B．promotes

C．outlines

D．conveys

12.

A．scanning

B．checking

C．exploring

D．comparing

13.

A．concern

B．wish

C．demand

D．passion

14.

A．Misunderstanding

B．Destruction

C．Stress

D．Failure

15.

A．source

B．basis

C．bridge

D．tool

2 . The Best National Parks to Visit in Winter

While most parks tend to draw families in the summer and fall, there are also ideal spots for adventurous winter trips.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

The country’s oldest and best-known national park takes on an almost otherworldly atmosphere in winter: the air filled with rolling steam, the strong colors of hot springs, the surrounding white landscapes, let alone the impressive wildlife during this time, like bison, wolves, and playful red foxes. Just book a guided hiking tour to get a ranger’s perspective on the park and local people.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

With its giant red rocks and unique trees, you’ll feel like stepping onto a foreign planet as you spend hours hiking the Panorama Loop or Maze Loop. The park is recognized as an International Dark Sky Park, featuring virtually zero light pollution and the country’s best views of a starry sky.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

A significantly lower number of visitors in winter means you can take in unblocked views of the South Rim, and get to see the rare beauty of the Grand Canyon dusted with snow. For those adventurous and daring, it is recommended to hike the Bright Angel Trail and take the chance to see the canyon’s wintertime wildlife, including mule deer, elk, and bald eagles.

Virgin Islands National Park, St. John

Surprise! Not all wintertime national park trips need to involve snow. Virgin Islands National Park is most famous for its white-sand beaches. You can also hike inland to visit old sugar plantations, or venture out to the water to swim along with sea turtles and manta rays. You will definitely enjoy a different winter here.

1. Which park will one choose if he/she is interested in stars?

A．Yellowstone National Park.	B．Joshua Tree National Park.
C．Grand Canyon National Park.	D．Virgin Islands National Park.

2. What do we know about the Grand Canyon National Park?

A．We can have a poor view of the South Rim there.	B．It lies in an area with rolling steam and hot springs.
C．There is a slight decline in visitor numbers in winter.	D．The Bright Angel Trail is challenging in cold weather.

3. Which activity is mentioned in all of the parks?

A．Hiking.

B．Skiing.

C．Swimming.

D．Hunting.

3 . The SNAG stands for stereotyped nature-inspired aerial grasper and it’s a 3D-printed bird robot with claws. It can fly, stay on various surfaces catch and carry objects, just like the mighty falcon（隼）that was used as the source of inspiration in its development.

Each leg of the SNAG has two motors, one for helping it move back and forth, and the other one for grasping. Twenty printing attempts were necessary for the robot to finally reach its current structure, but it was worth it. Now, according to researchers, the flying machine has an impressively strong and high-speed clutch（离合器），being able to land and wrap its claws around a branch in about 20 milliseconds. SNAG has ankles lock, and there’s an accelerometer （加速计）on its right foot that reports that it’s landed while triggering（触发）a balancing process to stabilize it.

Scientists have already conducted several tests with the robot in rural areas and on different surfaces. In all the situations, the SNAG was able to catch objects thrown by hand, such as bean bags, a tennis ball, and more.

As for the applications of the bird-like robot, the SNAG can get attached to drones（无人机）and be used for search and rescue missions, wildfire monitoring, to offer just a few examples. Another great application is environmental research, with the SNAG also featuring a temperature and humidity（湿度）sensor. By using a robot that can act like a bird, you can unlock new ways of studying the environment, as explained by William Roderick, mechanical engineer and one of the researchers involved in the project. Now scientists are moving on to improving the robot’s situational awareness and flight control.

This isn’t the first time that nature has inspired groundbreaking technologies. We also wrote a piece recently about the F-SAM micro drone, which was inspired by the flight of samara（翼果）seeds, also known as “twisters” which have a special way of spinning down to the ground.

1. What gave the researchers inspiration for the SNAG’s development?

A．The plane.	B．The falcon.
C．The micro drone.	D．The samara seeds.

2. What’s the function of the accelerometer on the SNAG?

A．To balance the SNAG in flight.

B．To change the SNAG’s flying speed.

C．To keep the SNAG’s feet in balance.

D．To make the SNAG steady on a surface.

3. What does Paragraph 4 mainly tell us about the SNAG?

A．The SNAG has huge potential for practical use.

B．The SNAG has a long way to go before being used.

C．The SNAG will be helpful in putting out forest fires.

D．The SNAG is sensitive to temperature and humidity.

4. What may be one disadvantage of the SNAG right now?

A．It doesn’t know its situation well.

B．It can’t fly fast enough in the air.

C．It is easily broken by the branches.

D．It can’t catch objects with smooth surfaces.

4 . 只要你有梦想且不断努力，你就能成功。
As long as you have a dream and keep trying, you will __________ __________.

5 . Drinking more water is an excellent goal for your health. Water is also a calorie-free choice, so drinking more water can help you to lose weight or keep a healthy weight.     1    

Always having water on hand makes it easier to remember to drink it. It’s important to drink more water any time you’ve been sweating, such as when you’re exercising or after spending time in a hot environment.     2    

Drinking water before your meals and while you eat can help to reduce your appetite since thirst is often confused with hunger.     3     This will save your money when you eat out and help you cut calories.

    4     Try filling up a water bottle and adding a few simple fruit slices such as orange, lemon or some fresh berries such as blueberries, strawberries. Then, let the water sit in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours while it absorbs the flavors.

Tracking the amount of water you drink each day also works. This will help you to determine how much water you’re drinking and figure out if you might need to increase your intake. Remember to set a goal for how much water you want to drink each day.     5     The amount of water you need depends on your weight, sex, activity level, environment, and other factors. Consider how much of your daily fluid intake is water and identify how much of it you’d like to be water.

A．After meals, drinking water is a good choice.

B．The more water you drink, the healthier you are.

C．Here are some tips that can help you drink more water.

D．There’s no “right” amount of water for everyone to drink.

E．Replace your typical drink before and during meals with water.

F．Adding flavor to your water is a simple way to make it more tasty.

G．Always keep a water bottle into your bag or car and refill it regularly.

6 . When my son, Noah, was younger, going out with him in public was difficult. He had been suffering from autism (自闭症), needing extra ________. Though he had been longing to get a picture with Donald Duck (唐老鸭), just waiting in line in Disneyland was ________.

On a Sunday afternoon, my phone ________. A voice said, “If you’re going to be home this evening, I’d like to ________, dressed up as Donald Duck.” It was Denny, who had spent years helping special-needs children, never ________ by their strange behaviors.

I made preparations for ________ Donald Duck. But I still had ________: Would Noah even notice? Would he be frightened? Yet, Denny ________ that it would be arranged well.

A few minutes before dinner, Donald Duck knocked ________ on the living-room window. Noah was expressionless. My husband ________ the door, and Donald Duck stepped inside. His big mouth and bright blue suit attracted Noah. He       ________ himself with a funny voice and Noah smiled. Later Noah hugged Donald Duck ________ and I took many sweet pictures.

Denny was at our home for only a few minutes, but the time was ________. As he left, tears rolled down my face. He had ________ met us once before, but without my saying a word, he knew how much my kid would ________ meeting Donald Duck in our own home. Even now, it remains our most treasured memory.

1.

A．honor

B．attention

C．advice

D．behavior

2.

A．interesting

B．acceptable

C．impossible

D．important

3.

A．stopped

B．disappeared

C．broke

D．rang

4.

A．call back

B．turn around

C．drop by

D．sign up

5.

A．annoyed

B．touched

C．impressed

D．encouraged

6.

A．visiting

B．contacting

C．questioning

D．welcoming

7.

A．worries

B．methods

C．demands

D．proposals

8.

A．begged

B．comforted

C．realized

D．warned

9.

A．angrily

B．hurriedly

C．gently

D．heavily

10.

A．beat

B．answered

C．kicked

D．locked

11.

A．introduced

B．seated

C．enjoyed

D．praised

12.

A．with fear

B．in disbelief

C．in amazement

D．with joy

13.

A．magical

B．fruitless

C．creative

D．awkward

14.

A．frequently

B．gradually

C．simply

D．hardly

15.

A．understand

B．appreciate

C．regret

D．dislike

7 . I didn’t expect parenting a teenager to be this hard. Lately, my son and I disagree at every corner. About schoolwork. His attitude. Screen time. On and on. _________ I say is met with an eye roll. My fuse (导火线) is admittedly shorter than normal right now, due to some unrelated _________ and illness.

On a recent _________ home, after picking up. my teen from school, we made a quick detour (绕行) for a grocery _________. As soon as the food was _________, my child snatched from the trunk a box of individually wrapped and processed snack cakes I’d unwillingly allowed.

As he oohed and aahed through mouthfuls of yellow cake and frosted coating, I silently questioned my decision to _________ him to do so.

But before we’d even _________ the parking lot (停车场), he asked me to _________. I just wanted this errand (差事) to be done. But then my son _________ me: He asked if he could share a few of his treasured treats with a homeless man, who stood coatless outside the store.

Of course, I stopped the car.

Actually, I hadn’t even considered the homeless in my rush to get home, __________ my car was packed with food. Without hesitation, my teenage son __________ the stranger a few little cakes. The man __________ us, and we continued on our way. Actually, my kid seemed __________: “What if he doesn’t like them?” he said. And a few seconds later, my son __________, “Mom! He’s already eating one!”

Throughout our journey home, we frankly discussed how difficult it must be for people experiencing __________. It was a __________ conversation with no quarrel or negotiations. __________ a time to reflect and count how much we have to be thankful for.

When we eventually turned into our garage, that same teenager expressing __________ for my recent illness—announced “You’re not unloading any of these bags. I got this, Mom.”

Yes, parenting a teen is harder than I __________. But it’s also __________: And, in that moment, you realize you’ve actually raised a pretty awesome human being.

1.

A．Something

B．Nothing

C．Everything

D．That

2.

A．disability

B．worries

C．challenges

D．tricks

3.

A．subway

B．bike

C．bus

D．drive

4.

A．pickup

B．checkout

C．workout

D．overuse

5.

A．packed

B．loaded

C．created

D．delivered

6.

A．addict

B．accommodate

C．allow

D．survive

7.

A．entered

B．escaped

C．explored

D．exited

8.

A．pull over

B．breath in

C．try out

D．run out

9.

A．frightened

B．disappointed

C．surprised

D．struck

10.

A．as if

B．if only

C．even though

D．in case

11.

A．threw

B．showed

C．applied

D．handed

12.

A．refused

B．thanked

C．greeted

D．cheated

13.

A．joyful

B．worried

C．amazed

D．eager

14.

A．cheered

B．added

C．stressed

D．inspired

15.

A．disease

B．homelessness

C．independence

D．crash

16.

A．rare

B．beneficial

C．responsible

D．shallow

17.

A．Immediately

B．Partly

C．Often

D．Simply

18.

A．shock

B．desire

C．suffering

D．concern

19.

A．attempted

B．expected

C．appeared

D．explored

20.

A．tougher

B．sweeter

C．more curious

D．more admirable

8 . 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。

Recently, Chinese people from all walks of life    1    (discover)their daily lives are filled with an academic term; involution(内卷). In agricultural economics, involution originally means that    2    (add) work is put into agricultural production for higher output,    3    yet doesn’t increase proportionally(成比例地).

Our society is becoming increasingly competitive when population outgrows resources. Accordingly,    4    we used to achieve easily requires more efforts now. The level of competition we have in our society is often compared to millions of troops    5    (cross) a single wooden bridge. The    6    (major) of us are trying hard to get ahead of the troops.

Netizens now use involution to describe their current conditions, especially in the study of children. Parents feel stressed    7    (provide) their children with the best, and children must keep    8    in the race. Though great efforts have been made, they find it much    9    (hard) to go to the schools that they have been looking forward to.

Too much pressure is bound to do harm to children physically and mentally. Parents should cool down firstly and relieve their own anxiety, taking    10    (measure) to rid their children of heavy burden from involution.

9 . As an island caretaker, Ben Southall made a number of appearances on TV to argue ________ the defence of the Reef.

A．in charge of

B．in response to

C．in favour of

D．in addition to

10 . New England holds some special museums. They are devoted largely or entirely to the work of just one person. And they are the artists’ birthplaces or onetime homes. Here are four examples of such museums.

Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum

The name Cyrus E. Dallin (1861-1944) might not be familiar, but several of the artist’s sculptures (雕塑) are, especially those related to Native Americans. A good example is his “Appeal to the Great Spirit” standing in front of the Museum of Fine Arts. Born in Utah, he lived in Arlington for the final four decades of his life. The museum is in the Jefferson Cutter House, an 1830 Greek styled building.

Norman Rockwell Museum

Rockwell (1894-1978) was America’s well-known artist. The museum, founded in 1969, moved into its present location, Robert A.M. Stern-designed building in 1993. Its 998 paintings and drawings are the largest single collection of Rockwell's artworks.

Kids 16 and under: free; adults: $20; the old: at a 10% discount (折扣)

Edward Gorey House

Edward Gorey (1925-2000) was an artist, but he was also an author and clothes designer. Gorey bought this 18th-century house in 1979 and lived there for the rest of his life. Edward Gorey House is also known as the Elephant House. Gorey had respect for animals. The activities of the house, from art education to exhibits, show Gorey's support of animal well-being.

Gibert Stuart Birthplace and Museum

Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828) is responsible for what may well be the most familiar work of any American artist, His drawing of George is the basis of the first president’s portrait (画像) on the dollar. Stuart painted more than a thousand portraits throughout his life.

1. What do we know about Cyrus E. Dallin?

A．He built the Jefferson Cutter House.

B．He lived in Arlington for half a century.

C．He was best known for his Greek styled sculptures.

D．He created famous works related to Native Americans.

2. How much will an old couple pay to enter Norman Rockwell Museum?

A．$36.

B．$40.

C．$60.

D．$72.

3. Where can visitors learn some history of American money?

A．Edward Gorey House.	B．Norman Rockwell Museum.
C．Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum.	D．Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum.