1 . Germany’s top court (法院) has ruled that parts of the country’s 2019 climate action law must be changed because they don’t do a good job of protecting young people. Nine young people aged 15 to 24 took the government to court over the law. They said that the government’s failure to plan carefully was putting their future lives in danger.

The judges (法官) of Germany’s highest court said climate change will influence young people far more than adults. That’s because climate change will become more serious over time. As young people become adults, they’ll be left to deal with any problems that today’s adults don’t deal with.

In 2019, Germany passed a new law, promising that the country would be producing no more CO2 than the forest can take in by 2050. The law made a plan of action until 2030. But the law didn’t have any plans for climate actions that would be taken between 2031 and 2050.

The court has asked the German government to fix the law by the end of 2022. The climate law will now need to have a plan for the actions that will be taken after 2030.

The German government has said that it will quickly begin working to make the needed changes. One important part of high court decisions like this is that they act as guides or examples for future decisions. This means that in the future, Germany’s lawmakers will be more likely to think about the climate future of young people as they create their laws.

1. Why did the judges make such a decision?

A．They decided the new law made no sense.

B．They wanted to give the young more rights.

C．They focused more on the future of the young.

D．They thought it’s hard to solve climate change.

2. What did the nine young people feel displeased with about the government?

A．It failed to take action before 2030.

B．It was producing more and more CO2.

C．It refused to consider the young’s rights.

D．It didn’t plan the climate actions after 2030.

3. How will the German government do in the future?

A．It will make more decisions on climate change.

B．It will ask the young to help make climate laws.

C．It will consider the young when making climate laws.

D．It will encourage the young to protect the environment.

4. What did the nine young people’s action show?

A．They were brave and forward-looking enough.

B．They couldn’t bear the present climate change.

C．They wanted to take part in law-making.

D．They planned to work in the government.

2 . Summer volunteer chances for students

Finding a summer volunteer chance is easier than you think. There are national programs all over the US that you can take part in. Check out these volunteer chances for students.

UN Volunteer Program

If you are an 18-year-old high school student, you might choose to volunteer in a UN organisation. The UN Volunteer Program (paid) is looking for excellent adults aged 18 to 55. Volunteer projects explore peace-building, climate change and disaster management (气候变化和灾害管理). Those looking for a summer program will also receive training before and after a short-term task.

National Park Service

Teens aged 15-18 can take part in National Park Service and get paid. The volunteers work outdoors on several different projects including cleaning up campgrounds, improving wildlife habitat (栖息地), environmental education planning and teaching, and more! You’ll also take part in educational field trips where you’ll be able to see wildlife before your eyes.

Habitat for Humanity

You can find a lot of summer volunteer fun through Habitat for Humanity. Not only can you help build houses, but you can join in improving your community and helping out at the donation (捐赠) center. Youths aged 16 or older may take part in this program, and must have turned 16 by the first day of the project.

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is always looking for youth volunteers. Its Red Cross youth programs offer students and young adults meaningful chances of leadership training and community service. The chances are given to all junior and senior high school students.

1. What is special about the National Park Service?

A．It allows its volunteers to camp.	B．It offers chances to see wild animals.
C．It offers job-related training to volunteers.	D．It allows volunteers to explore new interests.

2. What can high school students do at Habitat for Humanity?

A．Clean up houses.	B．Enjoy some fun games.
C．Make money to help people in need.	D．Make their community better.

3. Which program can you choose if you are 14 years old?

A．UN Volunteer Program.	B．National Park Service.
C．Habitat for Humanity.	D．American Red Cross.

3 . When you throw cats and dogs in a scene where they are falling from the sky, it might be hard for an English learner to know exactly what it means. So English learners should know the meaning of English idioms (习语).

It’s important to not only teach the meaning of idioms, but also teach how to use them correctly and effectively (有效地). When a non-native speaker uses an idiom correctly, he or she will sound very fluent. But on the other hand, if they use the phrase wrongly, they will sound the exact opposite.

Learning idioms is appropriate for intermediate to advanced (中到高级的) students. If you teach an idiom lesson to beginners or low-intermediate learners, they are very likely to use it wrongly. So how should teachers teach English idioms correctly?

Provide idioms in context, so students can fully understand the meaning. Be sure to provide a conversation around it as an example.

Watching videos of native speakers talking is a great way to show your students how idioms are used in the real world. FluentU is a great resource that can help you highlight the usage and context of various idioms used. FluentU takes real-world videos — like music videos, news and inspiring (鼓舞人心的) talks — and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.

Teach idioms in spoken form, not written, and explain to students how they are conversational, rather than formal. Have students practice the idioms in dialogue to help them understand how they’re used in spoken English.

Don’t just hand out a long list of idioms. Be sure to provide a small selection of 5-10 idioms and explain each one. If you provide too many examples, it’ll simply turn into an introduction of what an idiom is, rather than how to actually remember the meaning and use one effectively in dialogue.

1. Why does the author give the example in Paragraph 1?

A．To explain why English is difficult to learn.

B．To show English idioms are quite interesting.

C．To show idioms can be difficult to understand.

D．To tell us the meaning of an English idiom.

2. What does the author consider important to a non-native speaker?

A．Using English idioms correctly in conversation.

B．Finding the meaning of idioms themselves.

C．Sounding fluent by avoiding English idioms.

D．Learning English idioms as low-intermediate learners.

3. What do we know about FluentU?

A．It has the latest music videos and movies.

B．It is appropriate for low-intermediate learners.

C．It provides various resource books for teachers.

D．It provides real-world videos on the usage of idioms.

4. What does the text mainly talk about?

A．How to teach English in a fun way.

B．How to learn English idioms by yourself.

C．How to teach English idioms correctly.

D．How to use English idioms in dialogue.

4 . Chinese Teapot Escaping from British Museum Goes Viral

   

Chinese state media has praised a viral video series, Escape from the British Museum, which tells the story of a jade teapot coming to life and escaping from the British Museum to make its way back home.

In the video series released online on Sept 5^th, a female vlogger plays the role of an ancient Chinese jade teapot, while her male partner acts as a journalist who helps it return to China.

The plot line taps into growing criticism of the British Museum after reports last month that more than 1,500 priceless objects, including gold jewelry, gems and glass items, were missing, stolen or damaged, which made headlines around the world. Also, the jade teapot’s reaction reflected the “casual attitude of the British Museum toward Chinese cultural relics, as many of them are crammed into just one cabinet for exhibition”. Problems in the management and security of cultural objects in the British Museum exposed have led to the doubts about a long-standing and widely-spread claim that foreign cultural objects are better protected in the British Museum.

The video series stirred up the emotions of Chinese people after first being released by independent vloggers on Douyin by showing how the teapot experienced the happiness of returning to China to see pandas and watch a flag-raising ceremony on Tiananmen Square. Many netizens expressed their eagerness for cultural artifacts overseas to return home with dignity and honor.

In August the state media Global Times also called for the return of Chinese artifacts from the museum “free of charge” in the wake of the controversy. It strongly supported the video series for touching on a “powerful message” about the importance of cultural heritage and reflecting “Chinese people’s strong and emotional desire for the repatriation of the Chinese cultural relics”.

State broadcaster CCTV gave the short films a glowing review saying “We are very pleased to see Chinese young people are passionate about history and tradition. We are also looking forward to the early return of Chinese artifacts that have been displaced overseas.”

1. What is the writing purpose of paragraph 3?

A．To discuss the problem in management.	B．To introduce the content of the video series.
C．To express criticism to the British Museum.	D．To provide background of the video series.

2. What does the underlined word “repatriation” (Para. 5) probably mean?

A．Return.

B．Reserve

C．Repair

D．Reflection.

3. What can we learn about the video series from the text?

A．Chinese netizens expressed anger towards it.	B．The Chinese media showed appreciation for it.
C．The British Museum took it quite seriously.	D．The viewers were eager to learn history from it.

4. Where may the text be taken from?

A．A guidebook.	B．A story book.
C．A news report.	D．A book review.

5 . 昨天，你和交换生Eric交谈时把他说的fish story误解成了a story about fish，而该习语的真正含义是an amazing story that isn’t true。请你把这件尴尬的事写一篇短文并把它发表在你校英语论坛上。
注意：
1. 词数：80—100词左右；
2. 可以适当发挥，以使短文连贯。
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6 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容(1个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。

There are several differences     1     which you need to be aware when it comes to British and American English. For example, while talking to an English person, it is better     2     (use) words such as excuse me, sorry, pardon me, and please whenever possible. Believe me, not using these words is considered rude     3     (behave) in the UK.

If you’re at work and get angry at your boss, don’t say “I’m pissed” to     4     British colleague (同事). In England, pissed     5     (actual) means drunk, so he might report your state to the boss. There is still hope for you, though: if your boss     6     (be) an American, he’ll understand that you’re just annoyed (恼火的) with him,     7     — let’s face it — is completely normal.

When nature calls, you’d better not use a     8     (confuse) word to find your way to the facilities. Here’s where the English help     9     (we) — they use the word toilet (both for the public and private one). Public toilet is also called the gents or the ladies. Americans, surprisingly, tend to be much     10     (careful) about the topic and use the word bathroom, and in the public building — a restroom or men’s room or ladies’ room.

7 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What did researchers study in two tests?

A．The way of seagulls’ stealing food.

B．The effects of staring at seagulls.

C．The different food thieves.

2. What did one fourth of birds do with eye contact in the test?

A．They flew away immediately.

B．They stood still and looked at the food.

C．They made an attempt to steal food.

3. What did Madeleine think of seagulls?

A．They snatched food violently.

B．They stole food secretly.

C．They attacked people aggressively.

4. How do people stop seagulls stealing food effectively?

A．By feeding them first.

B．By setting a big trap.

C．By staring at them.

8 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How does the man feel now?

A．Excited.

B．Worried.

C．Embarrassed.

2. What will the man do?

A．Be a teacher.

B．Go to college.

C．Do exercise.

3. What advice does the man give on taking notes?

A．To put down every word.

B．To use words instead of phrases.

C．To write down key information.

4. What does the woman think of the man?

A．He can be a good teacher.

B．He likes nature very much.

C．He needs more practice.

9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is the man in the band?

A．A guitar player.

B．A singer.

C．A drummer.

2. What is puzzling the man now?

A．Whether they should make fame quickly.

B．Whether they should go on tour.

C．Whether they should start a band.

3. What advice does the woman give to the man?

A．Play music out of love.

B．Sell lots of records.

C．Attract more fans.

10 . 假定你是李华，12月29日下午，学校在校园内举行了各式各样的活动欢迎2024新年的到来。请你就本次活动给校园英语报写一篇报道（100词）。内容包括：
1.活动时间和地点；2.活动内容；3.活动的反响和意义。
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