1 . We, a group of psychologists, believe people can gain a sense of meaning from small moments. Just
We recently set out to better
At first, to
| A．think of | B．turn in | C．bring up | D．leave behind |
| A．recall | B．predict | C．design | D．understand |
| A．curious about | B．familiar with | C．tolerant of | D．skilled in |
| A．response to | B．harmony with | C．approach to | D．standard of |
| A．abandon | B．test | C．publish | D．state |
| A．assessed | B．relieved | C．suffered | D．increased |
| A．taking over | B．setting aside | C．concentrating on | D．making up |
| A．cautiously | B．highly | C．frequently | D．possibly |
| A．relevant | B．blind | C．accustomed | D．sensitive |
| A．theory | B．proposal | C．appearance | D．existence |
| A．popular | B．original | C．easy | D．abstract |
| A．Mistakenly | B．Ridiculously | C．Officially | D．Sadly |
| A．in the way | B．out of sight | C．on the go | D．behind the scenes |
| A．miss | B．judge | C．notice | D．explain |
| A．relationship | B．tension | C．significance | D．expense |
2 . Jennifer and James Crumbley were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter (过失杀人罪) due to their failure to prevent their son Ethan from carrying out a deadly school shooting in Michigan, US. They were sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison on April 9, reported The New York Times. The sentence for them marks the first instance in the US where parents have been held legally accountable for their child’s involvement in a mass shooting.
Prosecutors (检察官) argued that the couple ignored clear signs of their son’s mental health issues and emphasized that they purchased the gun he used in the 2021 attack. Ethan, who was only 15 when he killed four students in the shooting, was sentenced to life. “Opportunity knocked over and over again, louder and louder, and it was ignored,” Judge Cheryl Matthews told the court.
Instances of extreme and violent crimes committed by minors consistently stir shock and controversy globally. Such issues urge widespread societal reflection, leading nations to consider revising laws to lower the age of criminal responsibility. While most countries and regions have maintained a standard minimum age of criminal responsibility at 12 or 14 years for an extended period, there are exceptions. For example, Japan lowered the age from 16 to 14 in 2000, according to Xinhua.
In 2010, Denmark lowered its minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 14 years old. However, researchers found that this change did not reduce crime rates among 14-year-olds. Instead, the punitive measures (惩罚措施) had negative effects. These young individuals often fell behind their peers academically, especially on high school graduation exams, and the rate of reoffenders increased. Consequently, Denmark reversed this policy two years later, restoring the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 15 years old, The Paper reported.
Denmark’s experience showed that the law doesn’t always stop people from committing crimes again. Furthermore, preventing young people from committing crimes poses a complex challenge.
In Germany, imprisonment is considered a last resort, with a focus on educational, rehabilitative (善后的) and disciplinary measures, as noted in a 2018 paper published in the Justice Evaluation Journal. According to the paper, youth imprisonment is applied in only 2 percent of all cases. Additionally, some prisons offer vocational programs for young inmates, including woodworking, metalworking, and farming. Meanwhile, most of these teenage offenders are placed in community programs where social workers help educate and guide them toward a normal life.
1. Why were Jennifer and James sentenced ?| A．They were the murders of involuntary manslaughter. |
| B．They offered a gun to Ethan who carried out a school shooting. |
| C．They didn’t take the parenting responsibility for their son’s problems in growth. |
| D．They ignored their son’s mental health problems. |
| A．Parents should be the key power to stop young people from committing crime. |
| B．Solving the problems of minor’s crime needs joint efforts and diverse measures. |
| C．Lowering the age of criminal responsibility can effectively prevent minors from crime. |
| D．Increasing the rate of youth imprisonment can effectively prevent minors from crime. |
| A．action to take | B．a place to visit |
| C．an end to happen | D．a chance to take |
| A．to show the severity of youth crime |
| B．to show the efforts countries have made to stop youth crime |
| C．to show the measures countries have made to stop youth crime |
| D．to raise parents’ awareness of regulating and educating responsibility |
3 . “What exactly is a nervous breakdown?
You can’t concentrate.
In the short term, stress can increase your brainpower by releasing hormones that improve memory storage and improve concentration. But in the long term, long-time stress makes it difficult to block out distractions from outside.
You can’t stop eating.
Do you reach for a cup of ice cream or a packet of cookies after a long day? There’s a good reason for that.
Your stomach is upset all the time.
Sometimes stress and anxiety can appear as stomach aches and cramps. But if you notice some symptoms that include abdominal (腹部的) pain or different pains, you could have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Skipping basic daily practices can signal you are having a period of depression or an emotional breakdown. You don’t shower or brush your teeth as usual. You spend little or no time on your clothing or hair style. Stress puts burdens on the mind and body, leading to tiredness and indifference, which can cause a loss of happiness or lack of motivation for activities you used to enjoy.
You have a different posture.
Have you ever looked at someone and thought, “That person looks depressed?” We communicate a lot through our posture and non-verbal gestures, including our mental state.
| A．You stop caring about how you look |
| B．You recover from your serious breakdown |
| C．Depressed people may mix up their words |
| D．Stress causes the brain to release hormones |
| E．It affects your ability to focus on projects at hand |
| F．It shows they are feeling very stressed and defensive |
| G．It generally describes the feeling of being under long-term stress |
4 . In a groundbreaking project, China First Metallurgical Group has completed its first overseas waste-to-energy plant in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The largest waste incineration (焚化) power plant in Vietnam has not only revolutionized waste management in the country but has also involved the training of local workers. The plant has addressed the city’s growing waste problem by processing 4,000 metric tons of urban waste every day, about 60 percent of the city’s daily waste, the group said. The technology in the facility not only converts waste into green energy but also ensures environmentally friendly treatment.
Hu Changbing, manager of the group’s Vietnam branch, said, “The plant is an achievement of the cooperation between China and Vietnam. It is a green project that benefits local residents.” Since the first unit started generating electricity in July, 2022, the plant has been operating well, Hu said.
The project was built on the former site of Hanoi's waste treatment center, where the majority of the city’s waste was previously buried in landfill. In addition to generating clean energy through incineration, the plant also produces environmentally friendly bricks from the residue (残渣). The emitted gases and wastewater are treated to meet European Union emission standards and achieve drinking-water quality. Covering an area of 170,000 square meters, the plant consists of waste storage pools, incinerators, treatment and processing plants, and waste gas treatment facilities.
Recalling the start of the project, Hu said to gain the trust of local residents, his group set up a dedicated team of Chinese and Vietnamese personnel to explain the benefits of the project and take on local people. Vietnam lacked experience in waste incineration power plant construction. The Chinese team has set a bench mark (标杆) for the local industry and left behind valuable technical knowledge, Hu said. During the peak of construction, over 80 percent of the 2,000 workers employed were locals. “The local workers proved to be intelligent and diligent. They learn skills quickly,” Hu said.
In 2021, Hu took over the management of the Vietnam project. Hu, a native of Yichang city, Hubei province, has been working with the group for 23 years since graduating from Hubei University of Technology with a degree in civil engineering. Chinese masters led groups of Vietnamese workers, teaching them skills and safety regulations, and assessing their qualifications before allowing them to work.
This success has also inspired the construction of multiple waste incineration power plants in Vietnam, with many workers having gained their skills and experience from the project, he added. The project was carried out under the framework of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and was aimed at contributing to the sustainable development of the Vietnamese capital.
1. How many metric tons of urban waste are produced daily in Hanoi?| A．About 4,000 metric tons. | B．About 5600 metric tons. |
| C．About 6000 metric tons. | D．About 6600 metric tons. |
①Making full use of solar and wind energy
②Planting a lot of trees and growing flowers
③Producing clean energy through incineration
④Dealing with wastewater to reach drinking-water quality
⑤Making environmentally friendly bricks from the residue
| A．②③④ | B．①④⑤ | C．③④⑤ | D．①②③ |
| A．Stubborn. | B．Courageous. | C．Gentle. | D．Hardworking. |
| A．China aids Hanoi with waste-to-power plant |
| B．Chinese masters train local workers in Vietnam |
| C．Achievement of cooperation between China and Vietnam |
| D．Project built on former site of Hanoi’s waste treatment center |
5 . 41-year-old Tracey Matayian is one of those Maasai women who fought hard to become the first-ever Maasai female referee. In an interview, Matayian said during her formative years, she couldn’t hide her passion for football and would join local boys every time she saw them play, which resulted in her being called names by other girls and occasionally getting scolded by her parents for keeping too much male company.
Matayian later joined a teachers’ training college. After graduating from college, she worked with Compassion International and would often encourage children of both genders to play football.
“It was then that I got an opportunity to referee a game between Rongai Football Club and Compassion International. There was no other referee at the time and since I was readily available, I went ahead to referee the match,” she recalled. Matayian added that after the game, she was eager to do more than just play and train the young children as she was also cultivating a lively interest in refereeing.
She would later help form football teams for both boys and girls from the local clubs. “The game occupies them as they get to spend time in the field, especially during the period they were home due to COVID-19. Football is a game of rules, and thus it ends up drilling discipline and character into young boys and girls,” said Matayian. She added that many of the youths were previously living an aimless life on account of laziness, but through football she has managed to occupy them.
Nevertheless, her efforts to follow her passion have not gone without challenges. Her dress code was criticized all the time. “This became a big issue for some people. They always complained that I was not respecting our culture by wearing shorts. But I have no option, since that’s the official dress code for the game. I often explained this to my beloved people, but it took a long time for it to be accepted by my community,” notes Matayian.
1. How did things go when Matayian first played football?| A．She was popular with local boys. | B．She was abused by other girls. |
| C．She was turned down by the referee. | D．She was driven out of her college. |
| A．Motivated. | B．Tense. | C．Exhausted. | D．Relieved. |
| A．How football is transforming the local children. |
| B．How COVID-19 is impacting the community. |
| C．How children overcome their laziness naturally. |
| D．How crucial discipline and character are. |
| A．She was trying to change some football rules. | B．She was getting soft with local people. |
| C．She was working hard to gain acceptance. | D．She was promoting local culture. |
6 . While it is known that parents control the dietary choices of their children during early childhood, the increasing independence experienced during adolescence brings with it more freedom when it comes to food choices. This time of life also brings enormous physical and emotional changes in a young person, which is often associated with an increase in comfort eating, or eating as a means to relieve stress. A recent study investigates how various feeding practices used by parents impact the emotional eating behavior of adolescents.
The initial study was conducted in 2017 with 218 families. Additionally, data collected in 2013 were also available. One parent from each family completed the Child Feeding Questionnaire, as well as the Child Feeding Practices Questionnaire, and both adolescent and parent completed the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire. The adolescent’s body weight and height were measured by researchers. The four years between 2013 — 2017 covered the years from late childhood to mid-teens.
The study found that when parents used food as a reward, or restricted and monitored an adolescent’s access to food, this was associated with an increased tendency by the adolescent to use emotional eating as a strategy to deal with their emotions. On the other hand, involving a child in meal preparations had the opposite effect — it was associated with higher levels of emotional regulation and lower levels of emotional eating in the adolescent participants.
Additionally, the researchers found a negative link between the extent to which parents restrained (克制) their own eating behavior and the use of emotional eating by their adolescent children. This means that the more a parent limited his or her own consumption of food for the purpose of health or dietary goals, the less the adolescent child used emotional eating as a means of regulating his or her own emotions.
According to study lead author Joanna Klosowska, restrictive parenting was most damaging, whereas restrained eating by the parent seemed to be the most beneficial. “Additional research is required to understand the way in which restrained eating demonstrated by a parent impacts the emotional eating of a child,” said Klosowska.
1. What does the underlined word “it” in paragraph 1 refer to?| A．Parents’ dietary choice. | B．Parents’ eating behavior. |
| C．Children’s way of relieving stress. | D．Children’s increasing independence. |
| A．They studied parents’ body weight and height. |
| B．They investigated children’s eating behaviors. |
| C．They interviewed parents about their emotional health. |
| D．They assessed parents’ understanding of children’s care needs. |
| A．Restrained eating by parents is bad for their children. |
| B．Emotional eating by teens is influenced by their parents. |
| C．Parents seldom engage their children in family meal preparations. |
| D．Using food as a reward can help children form good eating habits. |
| A．Factors resulting in parents’ and adolescents’ food choices. |
| B．The underlying logic behind parents’ restrictive parenting. |
| C．What effect emotional eating can generate on children’s health. |
| D．How parents’ restrained eating influences children’s emotional eating. |
A long-lost bronze (青铜制的) relic from the Summer Palace in Beijing has been returned from overseas and was
The bronze latticed (网格状的) panel, 1.05 meters long by 19.8 centimeters wide, was originally set on a window of Baoyun Ge (“a pavilion of treasured clouds”) in the compound of the former royal resort during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It was lost in the early 20th century.
Li Lei, a Chinese collector, found the latticed panel in an auction (拍卖) catalog in France last year.
By comparing its patterns, structure and materials with other lattices,
“
“I will be proud that I can tell my children one day when we visit here, ‘Look at that. Daddy brought one of its windows back.’ This is enough for me. I don’t want a big reputation.”
Built in 1755 beside Foxiang Ge (“tower of Buddhist incense”)—the landmark and the highest building in the Summer Palace—Baoyun Ge on the Hill of Longevity is
8 . How To Find Spring Fashion Trends
Fashion changes faster than most people can keep up with.
Look through fashion magazines to get fashion ideas. Magazines like GQ, Vogue, and Cosmo are generally considered “taste makers”.
Find your favorite fashion blogs. What’s on the catwalk isn’t necessarily what’s on the streets, so I also like getting inspiration from travel blogs, fashion blogs, and smaller designers. Many brands, designers, and fashionistas post their inspiration online, as well as recommendations on where to find the best new fashions.
Explore social media. More and more often, people are using the Internet to broadcast their personal fashion recommendations, which is a great way to get a pulse on spring fashion. Sites like Tumblr and Pintrest have specific sections devoted to fashion.
Make your own spring trends. Having confidence in yourself and rocking your outfit is more important than following any trend. Sometimes you still can’t figure out what spring fashion trend to follow.
| A．Make notes of fashions you see often |
| B．Look to warmer areas for inspiration |
| C．They are selling the right clothes for the right season |
| D．Find an outfit you like and make up your own trend |
| E．They are in touch with the big clothing designers |
| F．Spring is often when people launch new and inventive fashion for the warming weather |
| G．Search “Spring Fashion Blogs” and browse through a few to see styles you enjoy |
9 . Throughout history, literature has been a mirror to society, capturing its evolution, revolutions, conflicts, and ambition. As reaoers, we often find comfort, inspiration, or severe realities through the world of words. Yet, in the 21st century, with a sharp rise in digitalization, literature’s canvas (画布) has expanded dramatically, leading to both enthusiasm and worry among literary enthusiasts.
Dr. Elizabeth Montgomery, a famous literary critic and professor at the Langford Literary University, set about an extensive study to decipher (破译) the changing landscape of literature in the digital age. “The printed word has a touchable beauty and permanence. Digital platforms, on the other hand, are vast, changing, and developing. This dichotomy (二分法) is interesting but also challenges traditional literary boundaries,” reflected Montgomery.
Montgomery’s study lasted over two years, involving a diverse group of 1,200 participants from various age groups and backgrounds. They were divided into three groups: the first experienced literature only through printed books, the second through e-books, and the third through interactive digital stories, which combine text, graphics, and user interaction.
Feedback revealed diverse insights. Printed book fans valued the sensory experience—the feel of pages, the smell of a book—claiming that it deepened their connection to the content. E-book readers appreciated the convenience and portability but missed the touchable experience of traditional books. However, the third group, who engaged with interactive digital stories, expressed excitement at being part of the story, though some felt it weakened the literary essence.
Further, the study found that interactive stories appealed especially to younger readers, suggesting a potential shift in future literary consumption patterns. Montgomery notes, “While traditionalists might find the digital development of literature disturbing, it’s undeniable that the boundary between readers and stories is becoming more foggy. The key is to balance innovation with the preservation of literary integrity.”
1. What was the purpose of Dr. Elizabeth Montgomery’s study?| A．To promote digital platforms over printed books. |
| B．To explore the impact of digitalization on literature. |
| C．To present the landscape of the digital literature. |
| D．To challenge the traditional literary boundary. |
| A．They found it convenient to carry the books around. |
| B．They believed the books lacked the literary essence. |
| C．They thought they were happy to be involved in the story. |
| D．They felt the sensory experience promoted their understanding. |
| A．Traditional books may be preferred by elder people. |
| B．Digital stories will enjoy equal preference of all ages. |
| C．Interactive stories may see a rise among younger readers. |
| D．E-books will replace printed books and dominate the market. |
| A．Objective. | B．Doubtful. | C．Excited. | D．Unconcerned. |
10 . Certain Chinese cuisines, such as the well-known Roasted Duck from Beijing or the delicious Tianjin-style Pancakes, might appear commonplace to the Chinese, but they have gained global recognition. The appeal of these delicacies is deeply rooted in vast geographical diversity.
Stretching from the extremely cold northern plains to the southern rainforests, different regions have their unique ingredients and cooking techniques.
Climate plays a crucial role in shaping regional cuisines. In Sichuan, for example, the hot and wet climate, coupled with the region’s mountainous physical geography, has led to a preference for spicy foods, like Stir-Fried Tofu in Hot Sauce or Spicy Chicken. The spicy flavors add appetite to dishes. In addition,
One of the most noteworthy contrasts between southern and northern Chinese cuisines lies in the employment of ingredients. Southern dishes tend to be lighter and more delicate, featuring seafood, vegetables, and rice. In contrast,
Another important aspect of Chinese dining culture is the significance of table manners. Meals are often shared among family and friends, with each person taking turns to serve and pour. Chopsticks, rather than forks or knives, are preferred, symbolizing closeness and familiarity. The act of eating together goes beyond food alone.
| A．northern cuisines are heavier and more hearty |
| B．they serve to warm up and remove dampness from the boday |
| C．This diversity comes down to its geographical and climatic conditions |
| D．The Chinese people have for centuries crafted varieties of delicious dishes |
| E．This geographical diversity has given birth to eight major cooking traditions |
| F．That is to say, it represents a sense of community and the strength of bonds |
| G．Chinese cuisines share emphasis on the perfect harmony of color, flavor and taste |
