1 . Engaging with the past

Imagine you’re at home, you start a role-playing game where you can enjoy views of the Nanjing Qinhuai Lantern Festival, completing set tasks along the Qinhuai River. This is one way for video games to enjoy the traditional Chinese culture without having to travel there.

    1     Perfect World Games, an online gaming company, recently invited a group of heritage experts including Chen Haitao, a designer from the Dunhuang Academy; and Zhou Xianguang, an inheritor of Longquan sword intangible (非物质的) cultural heritage — to Beijing to discuss new ways to promote traditional Chinese culture.

This year, Zhou was invited to submit designs for swords in its online mobile game Jade Dynasty. They kept the features of swords that were used during the Tang Dynasty but absorbed fairy and knight-themed elements from the game.     2     That enabled players to know another aspect of Chinese heritage. Zhou says, “Since games are welcomed by young people, we can make them familiar with traditional culture as they play.     3     ”

The trend toward combining games with cultural heritage started decades ago.     4     Traditional culture once served merely as a background to the gameplay, and failed to offer a detailed experience. Now the company digs out details and divides them into small sections, and focuses on their unique cultural points, so players can gain a deeper experience.

    5     Some overseas players also have a strong interest in Chinese culture, but may find it too difficult to understand. So the company tries to convey the culture in ways they are familiar with to help them better understand.

A．And that’s not all.

B．These games are also available to players overseas.

C．However, these early attempts were described as “vague” (含糊的).

D．Games featuring traditional culture attract more young players.

E．Several decades ago, the practice of sword-making nearly died out.

F．Besides, some figures seen in Dunhuang’s wall paintings were also added to the mobile game.

G．It increases the number of channels available to spread knowledge about our cultural heritage.

2 . 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。

Math powers a wide range of modern technology, from phones and cameras to aircraft and artificial intelligence. It     1     (become) a propeller (推进器) that puts companies on a path toward success.

In a 2023 interview, Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei explained     2     math theories have made some technological advancements possible. Ren mentioned Pyotr Ufimtsev,    3     physicist and mathematician from the Soviet Union. Ufimtsev published an     4     (innovation) paper in the 1960s that dealt with the reflection of electromagnetic waves (电磁波). This paper inspired engineers at Lockheed Martin, a US aerospace firm,    5     (develop) the concept of stealth aircraft (隐形飞机). “Physics, civil engineering and mechanics are associated with math,    6     can provide solutions in many areas.”

To develop more math talents, Huawei established two research institutes, one in Russia and the other in France. These institutes focus on mathematics,    7     (employ) over 700 mathematicians.

Like Huawei, many Chinese companies are     8     (heavy) investing in mathematics and research and development (R&D) to lessen their     9     (dependent) on Western technology and strengthen their global market position. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China plans to increase its R&D budget     10     more than 7 percent annually throughout its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) period.

3 . Ireland: The Emerald Isle

Travelling in the Republic of Ireland is like stepping into a vivid painting where lush green landscapes meet charming villages.

Dublin

Start exploring in Dublin, Ireland’s capital, which blends the old and new. The city is steeped in history, and you can enjoy its past at landmarks like Trinity College, founded in 1592. It’s home to the Book of Kells, a medieval (中世纪的) masterpiece. After that, take a walk around Dublin Castle, a symbol of Ireland’s historical power. Then head to The Temple Bar, with its cobblestone streets and lively pubs, to experience Dublin’s contemporary culture.

Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry, 1,179-kilometer circular route, showcases Ireland’s beauty. You’ll encounter green meadows, peaceful lakes and dramatic coastal cliffs. Each turn in the road reveals breathtaking views that will leave you in awe.

Cliffs of Moher

You can’t say you’ve been to Ireland if you haven’t checked out the Cliffs of Moher. These towering cliffs on the west coast rise from the Atlantic Ocean, reaching heights of over 200 meters. The sheer size of the cliffs and the roaring waves below create a fascinating and humbling experience.

Inishmore   

Take a ferry to Inishmore, one of the rugged Aran Islands. Upon your arrival, you will immediately notice the hard life of the local people. At first there was no soil on the island, so over the centuries, they made their own — from seaweed and sand. Now about 2,400 kilometers of rock walls spread around the land. Take a tour or ride a bike around the island. Then enjoy an Irish coffee before heading back to the mainland.

1. What can you probably see in the Ring of Kerry?

A．Some historical landmarks and old castles of Ireland.

B．A circular route with views of lakes, meadows and cliffs.

C．The special soil made from seaweed and sand by local people.

D．The towering cliffs on the west coast from the Atlantic Ocean.

2. What is the best way of traveling around on the island of Inishmore?

A．By plane.

B．By ferry.

C．By subway.

D．By bike.

3. What is the text?

A．A travel journal.	B．A research paper.
C．A travel brochure.	D．An autobiography.

4 . The sharp man survived the accidental disaster ____________ his wisdom and perseverance.

A．banking on

B．taking on

C．putting on

D．insisting on

5 . It’s not uncommon in America for a person to belong to some kind of volunteer group. Donating one’s time and services is very much a part of the American way of life. Most charitable activities are organized by churches and groups around the nation and even encouraged by the government. The helping hand is extended to the poor, the homeless and the disabled. Some people work to teach youngsters how to read. Others open up soup kitchens to feed the homeless. Volunteers also take care of the disabled by making reading tapes for the blind and working in orphanages (孤儿院) to help children without parents.

High school students are often encouraged to become volunteers and many school club activities center around volunteer services. Students may work with disabled children during a summer program, or participate in a club activity which helps to bring meal to senior citizens who are shut-ins. With their sense of idealism students are often eager to donate their spare time. They see such activities as a way of becoming involved in the community and the adult-world. Social action for them becomes as important as their academic studies.

In a like manner, throughout the year, fund raising drives are also conducted by schools and community groups to raise money for a worthy cause. They may respond to a recent earthquake in a foreign country, a flood somewhere within their own, or another natural disaster which has left people destitute and homeless. They may organize drives to collect food, clothing and medicines to serve an immediate need. Today even the Halloween custom of ‘trick or treat’ has become an occasion to collect money for a charitable cause.

The motive to help those less fortunate comes from the poor origins of the American nation. Those immigrants who were poor and downtrodden (受压迫的) became dependent on the kindness of their neighbors to make a new life for themselves.

American volunteers work throughout the world in less developed countries. They volunteer by serving as a champion of goodwill both at home and abroad, which no doubt enriches both his life and those whom he serves.

1. Which of the following charitable activities is NOT mentioned in the passage?

A．Some people open up soup kitchens to feed homeless people.

B．Some students bring meals to old people who can’t go out easily.

C．Some people collect money to help a foreign country with a recent earthquake.

D．Some students donate books to children in mountainous areas.

2. Why are American high school students eager to do voluntary work?

A．Because they want to participate in some social activities.

B．Because they want to go to better universities.

C．Because they can get higher scores at school.

D．Because they can realize their dream sooner.

3. The underlined word “destitute” in Paragraph 3 probably means ______________.

A．lifeless

B．penniless

C．useless

D．valueless

4. American charitable activities started because ______________.

A．Americans are always ready to share with others

B．Americans are mostly kind

C．poor immigrants needed help to make a new life

D．poor Americans couldn’t live on without help

5. What’s the best title of the passage?

A．The Call from the Poor	B．Voluntary Work in the US
C．Ways to Help the Poor	D．American Volunteers around the World

6 . Undoubtedly, what a slave was ____________for was personal freedom.

A．desperate

B．passionate

C．consistent

D．complicated

7 . More than 17, 000 scientists and researchers took part in the project, 20% ____________were awarded for their remarkable accomplishments.

A．of who

B．of whom

C．to whom

D．of which

8 . By the time he finished his further study abroad, he __________local accent.

A．picked up

B．had picked up

C．would pick up

D．will pick up

9 . Always ___________for granted, our parents’ love for us is actually the most precious gift.

A．taking

B．taken

C．having taken

D．being taken

10 . —Jack, the landscape in Kunming in spring is enormously breathtaking.
—Definitely. This city really lives up to its ____________.

A．reputation

B．domination

C．fascination

D．assumption