1 . A mother of nine started medical school, graduated with her degree and plans to be a neurosurgeon (神经外科医生).
Sarah Merrill, now 41, said her journey to medical school began at age 17. She then met her husband and got married. But she decided to follow her dream of attending medical school. Certainly, it was a challenge. She owed her success to her husband’s approval. “When I was accepted by the Medicine School, we moved from Pennsylvania to Arizona to start my internship (实习). In fact, they volunteered these movements. I know it was tough for all of us.” said Merrill.
Merrill and her children often have “homework parties” where they study their own courses. Merrill’s choice has given a stimulus to her children. Merrill felt touched when knowing her daughter and son want to become a doctor.
Merrill’s next step will come into a male-dominated field where women doctors only take up 5%. Dr. Halyard at the Medicine School said Merrill was known as a focused student and added, “If you have the ability to deal with nine children, the internship should be a piece of cake because no amount of stress will make you fail.”
Merrill had considered choosing a more family-friendly major, but, again, chose to dream big and follow her original pursuit. It’s the same advice she would give to all. “Set the goal that is what you’re really enthusiastic about, and it helps to think small. If you know what your priorities are, focus on the next step. Then you’ll get where you want to go.”
1. Why does Merrill speak of their movements?| A．To show the support of her family. |
| B．To stress her determination to be a doctor. |
| C．To reflect difficulties in attending college. |
| D．To describe the process of pursuing her dream. |
| A．Commitment. | B．Inspiration. |
| C．Entertainment. | D．Confusion. |
| A．Merrill will have more stress to handle. |
| B．Being Mom makes Merrill a better doctor. |
| C．Staying focused and sensible is key to success. |
| D．She is confident of Merrill’s being a neurosurgeon. |
| A．Starting with important things. |
| B．Getting your priorities right. |
| C．Being true to your passion. |
| D．Having the courage to dream big. |
2 . In the hands of Chinese sill artisans(手艺人), flour is made into lovely models of people or animals. This art form is called dough figurine(面塑). Among the various styles, Beijing’s Dough Figurine Lang is a unique folk art. His delicate and lovely handicrafts are storytellers of old and new Beijing. In 2008, it was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage.
It was created by Lang Shao’an. He created animals and characters from legends, historical stories, and local operas. The finished product is either put at the end of a thin stick, or on a table for display. Some are mostly for children to eat or play with, with simple forms and vivid decorations, while some are delicate pieces of artwork for display only. For this reason, during the making process they are often mixed with additives(添加剂)to prevent them from breaking up, and being eaten by insects. Over the course of his long career, Lang Shao’an developed a set of sill fingers with an elegant artistic sense.
Lang Jiaziyu, born in 1995, is the third-generation inheritor of Dough Figurine Lang. When he was 15, he created Beijing Olympic Mascot shaped dough figurines which were highly praised. He looks a bit more fashionable than other folk artisans. In his skilled hands, some figures such as Nezhe are popular with young people.
Like most of the other intangible cultural heritage handicrafts in China, Dough Figurine Lang does not get as much attention from the public. Few young people are willing to take the time to master a skill that does not make money, which has led to a decline in the number of those who are devoted to the handicraft. Good handicrafts need the devotion of artisans from one generation to another.
1. What is special about Dough Figurine Lang?| A．It reflects Beijing’s culture. |
| B．It is created by many famous artists. |
| C．It shows people’s lifestyles and beliefs. |
| D．It is popular with both tourists and the locals. |
| A．To make dough figurines taste good. |
| B．To keep colors brighter and last longer. |
| C．To better preserve the finished products. |
| D．To help shape dough into various forms. |
| A．Suggestions for other folk artisans. |
| B．Different art styles of dough figurines. |
| C．The popularity of modern dough figurines. |
| D．Lang Jiaziyu’s achievements as an artisan. |
| A．To call on people to master a skill. |
| B．To appeal to people to value this folk art. |
| C．To teach people ways to appreciate the handicraft. |
| D．To persuade people to protect national cultural heritage. |
3 . Art is everywhere. Any public space has been carefully designed by an artistic mind to be both functional and beautiful. Then why is art still widely considered “the easy subject” at school, insignificant to wider society, a waste of time and effort?
Art can connect culture with commercial products; art generates money and holds significant emotional and cultural value within communities. When people attend a concert, they are paying for music, maybe even hotel rooms, meals, and transport, but they also gain an incredible experience.
What’s more, the arts can bring communities together, reducing loneliness and making people feel safer. Social bonds are created among individuals when they share their arts’ experiences through reflection and discussion, and their expression of common values.
The arts clearly have a pretty positive impact on physical and psychological health. It is found that people who frequent cultural places or participate in artistic events are more likely to gain good health compared to those who do not; more engagement with the arts is linked to a higher level of people’s well-being. The Public Health discovered that music and art, when used in hospitals, help to improve the conditions of patients by reducing stress, anxiety and blood pressure.
Children who are involved with the arts make greater achievements in their education: those engaged with drama have greater literary ability while others taking part in musical practice exhibit greater skills in math and languages. Kids with preference for the arts have a greater chance of finding employment in the future. Participating in the arts is essential for child development; encouraging children to express themselves in constructive ways could help to form healthy emotional responses in later life.
Vital to human life, art is celebrated and used across the world. Life without art would be boring, for art is a part of what makes us human.
1. Art products differ from most other commercial products because _______.| A．their prices may climb up as time passes |
| B．most people purchase them for collection |
| C．they are more expensive and less accessible |
| D．they have both commercial and cultural values |
| A．develop a stronger tie between them |
| B．keep the community safe from illnesses |
| C．learn to appreciate their own works of art |
| D．offer honourable solutions to their problems |
| A．It helps to make responsible people out of them. |
| B．It inspires their creativity in designing their future career. |
| C．It promotes their academic performance and emotional growth. |
| D．It gives them more confidence in exhibiting their learning skills. |
| A．How Art Cures Our Hearts |
| B．How Art Benefits Communities |
| C．Art: A Bridge Between Cultures |
| D．Art: A Blessing to Humankind |
1. Why is it an important day for the man?
| A．He will sign an agreement. |
| B．He will attend a wedding. |
| C．He will pick up an important guest. |
| A．Red. | B．Blue. | C．Grey. |
1. Where is the woman’s garden?
| A．On her roof. | B．Behind the river. | C．In front of her house. |
| A．Her father. | B．Her neighbour. | C．Her cousin. |
6 . Climate change has been a long-standing issue. The universe’s most abundant element, hydrogen (氢), has drawn the scientists’ attention and is now on its way to becoming the future of green fuel.
More than $150 billion worth of green hydrogen projects were announced globally in 2020. A European multinational aerospace corporation has taken the lead in the new sustainable fuel industry. It has designed self-contained hydrogen fuel cell pods (电池舱) that can be attached to the underside of airplane wings, promoting the use of hydrogen fuel for long-distance flights, which aim to achieve zero emissions.
Compared to fossil fuels, hydrogen is a much more eco-friendly fuel. When hydrogen burns, the only by-product is water. However, the traditional way to get hydrogen from natural gas or coal generates considerable carbon emissions. The greenest way is to obtain hydrogen from water using electrolysis (电解) powered by renewable energy, although this process requires so much electricity. The key to making hydrogen competitive with fossil fuels is to lower the production cost.
Also, shipping liquid hydrogen is challenging, given that needs to be chilled to -253℃ to do so. Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries is set to complete the construction of the world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier by early 2021. Most of the world’s big hydrogen export projects are looking to ship hydrogen in the form of liquid ammonia (氨), which can be changed to hydrogen and needs to be chilled to only -33 C.
With more and more countries aiming to cut down carbon emissions to solve the issue of global warming, green hydrogen will help decarbonizing (碳减排) industries that can’t be electrified hit the targets.
“We could use these circumstances, where loads of public money are going to be needed into the energy system, to jump forward towards a hydrogen economy,” said Diederik Samsom, who heads the European Commission’s climate cabinet.
1. What is the strength of the hydrogen fuel?| A．It is convenient to store. | B．It works very efficiently. |
| C．It is environmentally friendly. | D．It produces no by-product |
| A．The required temperature. | B．The expensive cost of shipping. |
| C．The construction of liquefied carriers. | D．Changing it to the form of liquid ammonia. |
| A．Those making hydrogen. | B．Those generating electricity. |
| C．Those funded by public money. | D．Those powered by fossil fuels. |
| A．Fueling a Green Future | B．Living a Green Life |
| C．Shipping Liquid Hydrogen | D．Making Hydrogen Competitive |
At Piedmont School, everyone wanted to be on the soccer team. Laura had dreamed of earning glory for the Falcons ever since she had witnessed her older brother scoring the winning goal. On the day she joined the team, she felt like she could fly.
Unfortunately, her joy did not last long. She spent most of the matches on the bench. Walking to the car after the last game, Laura’s mother asked if she was feeling fine. Laura kept quiet and tried to smile at her mother. Having spent yet another game as a reserve, Laura had not even broken a sweat. Laura also joked that she would have baked in the hot sun if she had played. Her mother assured her that she would have another chance to play. She also cheered Laura on. Laura could only shake her head as she climbed into the seat, back hunched and face down.
A few days later, Laura’s mother found she sprawled on the couch, watching music videos on her phone, so she tried asking Laura to watch soccer videos instead. Laura looked at her mother blankly, rolling her eyes. “They won’t help me and I can’t get better by myself,” Laura said.
Sighing, her mother sank down on the couch. “Laura, for every lock, there is a key. We just have to find it. What if I film you practicing to help you find ways to improve?”
“But the season’s over, Mum. No more practice, remember?” Laura said. Her mother looked at her resolutely and insisted that the best players keep practicing even when the season is over. Laura protested, “But to practice plays, I would need at least one other person to join me! It is difficult to do that alone.”
Laura’s mother patted her and said, “We’ll find that key too, but we have to start somewhere.” While Laura’s mother was searching her wallet for her gold key, she smiled gently at Laura. She gave Laura an assuring no d before passing her the key. “This key is a reminder for you to be strong and not give up. Let’s build something tomorrow.” Laura’s mother said.
注意：
1.续写词数应为150左右;
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
The next day, Laura and her mother built a goal and made a training plan.
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Then came the next season. On the field, one of the best players got hurt suddenly.
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8 . Volunteer Programs
Special Needs Support in Barcelona
Are you interested in being a volunteer of Special Needs Support in Barcelona? The program enables volunteers to provide one-on-one care for people with a variety of physical and mental disabilities.
Highlights:
The program starts every second Monday of the month.
Affordable fees are $ 1000 for 2 weeks.
It includes accommodation, meals and airport pick-up.
Animal Care in Spain
Do you want to make some four-legged friends as a volunteer of Animal Care in Spain? The project empowers volunteers to assist cats and dogs that have been abandoned in Barcelona. Volunteers take care of animals and improve conditions at the animal shelter.
Highlights:
The program starts every fourth Tuesday of the month.
Affordable fees are $ 1030 for 2 weeks.
It includes accommodation, meals and airport pick-up.
Forest Conservation in Spain
Do you want to help deal with climate change in Spain? The project provides a unique opportunity for volunteers to contribute to the recovery of the native forests on the Catalonia coast near Barcelona.
Highlights:
The program starts every Wednesday.
Affordable fees are $425 for 1 week.
It includes accommodation, meals and 24/7 support.
Coastal Conservation in Zanzibar
Are you excited about volunteering for coastal conservation in Zanzibar? It is an opportunity for volunteers to explore the Jozani Forest. Volunteers will gain experience by supporting local initiatives.
Highlights:
The program starts every Friday.
Affordable fees are $ 540 for 1 week.
It includes accommodation, airport pick-up and 24/ 7 support.
1. When do you begin to work if you volunteer to help those with special needs?| A．Every Friday. | B．Every second Monday of the month. |
| C．Every Wednesday. | D．Every fourth Tuesday of the month. |
| A．Animal Care in Spain. | B．Coastal Conservation in Zanzibar. |
| C．Forest Conservation in Spain. | D．Special Needs Support in Barcelona. |
| A．They all charge fees. | B．They all last two weeks. |
| C．They all provide meals. | D．They all focus on environmental protection. |
1. When did the speaker decide to be a mechanic?
| A．After he finished school. | B．When he got qualifications. | C．As he was a child. |
| A．To learn new skills. |
| B．To experience new things. |
| C．To become an adventurer. |
| A．Enjoyable. | B．Satisfying. | C．Tough. |
| A．He went travelling. |
| B．He set up his own business. |
| C．He completed some training. |
1. What is Wendy’s opinion about the menu?
| A．It’s ordinary. | B．It’s attractive. | C．It’s traditional. |
| A．Wendy. | B．Ben. | C．Mark. |
| A．He increased the order. | B．He arranged the schedule. | C．He hired more people. |
| A．Plan some promotions. |
| B．Contact repeat customers. |
| C．Add something to the website. |
