1 .

“By removing needless details in pursuit of perfection, Van Den followed in the footsteps of many great artists, writers, composers, and painters.”

Juhani Murros made an unexpected discovery during his visits to art galleries when he worked for an organization in Ho Chi Minh City in 1990. A small still life in an unnoticeable gallery commanded the Finnish physician’s attention. “It was not an eye-catching oil painting, yet its dark, mysterious colors and the emotional tension of its disciplined composition set it apart.” Thus began a long journey of discovering the art and life of Van Den, a Buddhist of mixed Chinese and Vietnamese ancestry who studied in Paris for less than two years during the first French Indochina War.

Murros’ biography is, by necessity, brief because there is limited knowledge of the artist, mostly in oral way by family and friends. Many of his paintings did not survive the damp Southeast Asian climate nor the political chaos of his lifetime. However, the author’s research appears to be extensive, as much a years-long spiritual examination of Van Den as a historical one. The artist’s love for country life is apparent in his work, and it is said by those who knew him that he preferred to paint countryside scenes close to his heart and worked as an outsider. He is uninterested in the more elegant work of academically recognized painters. Despite these limitations, Van Den won Vietnam’s most honorable art award in 1960.

Murros gives an in-depth look into the life of this little-known unsung master. The book introduces the readers to Van Den’s art with photographs of his paintings, accompanied by short stories behind them. The book is as quiet as the artist’s work, but it is a satisfying read. Each stroke of words in the book connects to the readers; the narrative awakens the artistic spirit in each one of us, encouraging us to follow our heart.

1. What of Van Den first impressed Juhani Murros?

A．His life story.	B．His painting style.
C．His birth place.	D．His emotional stale.

2. What can we learn about Van Den?

A．His works are rarely available today.	B．He showed great love for his country.
C．He works were of mysterious themes.	D．He ever travelled in China and Vietnam.

3. Why is Murros’ biography brief?

A．Van Den’s art wasn’t well accepted.	B．Murros had limited knowledge of art.
C．Murros had gained little primary data.	D．Van Den’s family kept everything back.

4. Which of the following can describe this book?

A．Amusing.

B．Detailed.

C．Objective.

D．Inspirational.

2 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。

1. I When did people first celebrate books?

A．In 1922.

B．In 1926.

C．In 1930.

2. How often is the UNESCO World Book Capital selected?

A．Once a month.

B．Once a year.

C．Once every two years.

3. Which city was chosen to be the second UNESCO World Book Capital?

A．Alexandria.

B．New Delhi.

C．Madrid.

3 . The year is 1763, and a 7-year-old Mozart is about to set off on a tour around Europe that will jump-start the Mozart legend. Mozart had a trick up his sleeve. When the young Mozart heard a note played-any note-he could immediately identify exactly which note it was. It was an ability now we know as “perfect pitch”, and it seemed to be an example of the mysterious gifts that young geniuses had been born with. But is that really so?

Over my years of studying experts in various fields, like Mozart, I have found that there’s no such thing as a predefined ability. Actually, those people all develop their abilities through “deliberate practice”, a purposeful and systematic type of practice that makes it possible for them to do things they otherwise could not. In them, potential is an expandable vessel, shaped by the various things they do throughout their lives.

One of my testimonies came from Ray Allen, a ten-time All-Star in the NBA. Allen’s jump shot was not noticeably better than his teammates’ back in high school; in fact, it was poor. But with hard work and dedication, he transformed his jump shot into one so graceful and natural that people assumed he was born with it.

But it doesn’t mean “Just keep working at it, and you’ll get there”. Heartfelt desire and hard work alone will not lead to improved performance. The right sort of practice carried out over a sufficient period of time will lead to improvement. Nothing else. And this is true whether our goal is to become a concert pianist or just play the piano well enough to amuse ourselves, to be the greatest three-point shooter or just build ourselves up. Deliberate practice is the gold standard for anyone in any field who wishes to build new skills and abilities.

1. Why is Mozart’s perfect pitch mentioned in paragraph 1?

A．To introduce an inborn talent.	B．To explain reasons for success,
C．To lead to reflection on gifts.	D．To define a brilliant trick.

2. Which is the most important in making an expert according to the writer?

A．Affection.

B．Experience.

C．Training.

D．Gifts.

3. What does the underlined word “testimonies” mean in paragraph 3?

A．Challenges.

B．Proofs.

C．Comments.

D．Puzzles.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．Secret of Great Talents	B．Born to Stand Out
C．A Surprising Discovery	D．Start When Young

4 . MUSICAL HERITAGES FROM ANCIENT CHINA

Since remote antiquity, Chinese people have used music to record their lives and describe the ideals in their hearts. Catchy tunes are not only played on precious instruments, but also visualized in carvings, paintings, and buildings. Feel free to explore here!

Han Dynasty (202 BC-AD 220)

This period marked the significant development of the manufacturing of gugin and its music. The example unearthed from the Mawangdui Han Dynasty Tomb in Changsha, Hunan province, proves that gugin had developed into the form known today during that period. It shows 7 strings and 13 markers indicating the pressing positions of overtone series.

Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534)

Buddhism and its musical culture spread extensively during this period. Buddhist temples provided places for musical activities, which were recorded in many of the existing stone carvings. Located in Gongyi, Henan province, the Grotlo Temple is famous for its reliefs representing musical events. They are precious historical materials reflecting the music characteristics of the dynasty.

Song Dynasty (960-1279)

With economic development, a variety of musical cultures emerged to meet the entertainment needs of different social classes. Part of the painting Life along the Bian River al the Pure Brightness Festival vividly reveals a storytelling performance. The painter adopted delicate techniques to truly record a street performer, whose superb skills are reflected by each listener’s show of appreciation.

Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

At this time, traditional Chinese operas developed rapidly, promoting the formation of many singing styles. People began to enjoy operas and drama stages were built. Covering a construction area of more than 160 square meters, the Fancun village drama stage in Shanxi province provides rich materials for the study of the local folk culture.

1. Which heritage would a fan of classical instruments explore?

A．The Ming Dynasty drama stage.	B．The Song Dynasty painting.
C．The Northern Wei Dynasty temple.	D．The Han Dynasty tomb.

2. What contributed to the diversity of Song Dynasty musical cultures?

A．Economy.

B．Politics.

C．Religion.

D．Technology.

3. Which period witnessed the boom of Chinese operas?

A．Han Dynasty.	B．Northern Wei Dynasty.
C．Song Dynasty.	D．Ming Dynasty.

5 .

To study the behavior of wild animals, scientists routinely tag them with GPS location trackers. But such devices’ battery capacity limits how long they operate, often bringing an early end to significant conservation work. Solar-powered trackers are also a poor choice for they break easily and don’t work for night creatures.

So biologist Rasmus W. H. of the University of Copenhagen and his colleagues turned to another abundant power source. After some trial and error, they finally came up with a tiny generator powered by a pendulum (摆锤) inside a closed device. As the tagged animal moves, the swinging pendulum forces a ring to slide across a copper coil, generating current which is then used to power the sensors for GPS unit. The tracker, which could theoretically survive for the entire life span of an active animal, was recently tested on domestic dogs, a wild pony and a European bison. The dogs and bison in the study were active enough to create the energy for one GPS transmission cycle per day for 14 days and 17 days, respectively. One of the wild pony’s-trackers lasted at least 146 days but didn’t produce enough power for daily transmissions, the researchers reported in Plos One.

The limited power generated by the animals’ movements means the new tracker isn’t ready for prime time just yet, says ecologist Emily Studd of British Columbia’s Thompson Rivers University, who wasn’t involved in the study. When researchers want to keep close track of animals, they often need GPS fixes more than once a day. But Studd says that with a bit more development, this could be a game changer for wild-life animal research and monitoring.

Rasmus and his colleagues hope conservation workers can one day use this technology to track species such as tigers, leopards and wolves, which can easily destroy solar-powered trackers and which hunt and travel at night.

1. What is one advantage of the new tracker over a solar-powered one?

A．It is safer.

B．It is tougher.

C．It is greener.

D．It is cheaper.

2. What is the power source of the new tracker?

A．The sun.

B．The battery.

C．The animal.

D．The pendulum.

3. What does the test show about the new-tracker?

A．It still needs some improvement.	B．It performs like clockwork.
C．It works better on large animals.	D．It is a nice household appliance.

4. How does Emily Studd feel about the future of the new tracker?

A．Doubtful.

B．Hopeful.

C．Concerned.

D．Definite.

6 . It was like finding a needle in a haystack. Shelly Romo surveyed what was ________ of her home in Maui, which was hit by a deadly wildfire, hoping to find her wedding ring, expecting to leave ________. But luckily, after three hours’ ________ with volunteers, it finally appeared, the diamond ________ but the band completely damaged. Romo and her husband went straight to No Ka’ Oi Jewelers — a local business that has been ________ fire-damaged jewelry free of charge.

No Ka’ Oi owner Omi Chamdi said he was one of the ________ ones — the fires had avoided his home and storefront. That’s why, in its aftermath, he immediately sprang into action and advertised ________ restorations. “When the fires here on Maui occurred, pretty ________ I decided this is something I can do and I really want to do for the ________ community.”

However, Chamdi doesn’t restore the jewelry himself; ________ he has been paying for the restoration services. When asked if he ever ________ that, he shook his head. “These are not just ordinary items, these are the most ________ possessions that people go back and dig through the ________ to find.”

________, Romo was not ready to say goodbye when the fires destroyed her home. But finding her wedding ring and getting it restored gave Romo some peace about ________.

1.

A．expected

B．reminded

C．left

D．robbed

2.

A．bright-eyed

B．light-hearted

C．absent-minded

D．empty-handed

3.

A．talks

B．journey

C．waiting

D．efforts

4.

A．sound

B．broken

C．solid

D．gone

5.

A．recycling

B．restoring

C．marketing

D．advertising

6.

A．distinctive

B．lucky

C．helpful

D．anxious

7.

A．perfect

B．extra

C．free

D．instant

8.

A．quickly

B．excitedly

C．cautiously

D．hesitantly

9.

A．affected

B．nearby

C．calm

D．united

10.

A．therefore

B．otherwise

C．nevertheless

D．instead

11.

A．expected

B．enjoyed

C．rejected

D．regretted

12.

A．precious

B．necessary

C．beautiful

D．expensive

13.

A．items

B．houses

C．ruins

D．boxes

14.

A．Eventually

B．Originally

C．Gradually

D．Naturally

15.

A．rising up

B．moving on

C．giving in

D．taking off

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Who will help deliver the bottles on Monday morning?

A．Lisa.

B．Steven.

C．The teacher.

2. Why do the students collect the bottles?

A．To decorate the room for the party.

B．To make gifts for the homeless.

C．To use them as money cans.

3. What is the conversation mainly about?

A．A community club.

B．A charity event.

C．An entertainment activity.

8 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How many multiple-choices remain unfinished?

A．3.

B．4.

C．7.

2. How did Linda perform in the free response questions?

A．Fairly well.

B．Just so-so.

C．Quite badly.

9 . Wildlife conservation programs are a great way to get involved in the preservation of endangered species, as well as learn how you can help protect them. If you are a wildlife lover, here are some programs you can choose.

●Animal Rescue Project, South Africa

You will be working with experienced conservationists in Cape Town. A significant challenge is to find new homes for homeless dogs and cats. The project comprises two sections: a fully equipped animal hospital and an adoption center focusing on securing new homes. Due to limited funding, the center can only afford a small number of permanent staff, relying heavily on wildlife lovers to assist with daily tasks and provide hands-on care for these animals.

●Sea Turtle Conservation Project, Sri Lanka

Recent years have witnessed a significant decline in the sea turtle’s numbers due to numerous commercial fishing. As a wildlife lover, your role extends to supporting hatcheries (孵化场) in their conservation efforts. Additionally, your involvement helps these hatcheries with funds, as we provide a placement fee for each wildlife lover, enabling them to generate additional income.

●Wildlife Conservation Program, Australia

You will be engaged in activities such as animal feeding, cleaning, maintenance, and enrichment. This program provides an incredible opportunity to gain firsthand international work experience. For you, this program is an excellent choice. Not only will you contribute to a noble cause, but it also offers a fantastic opportunity to meet people from around the world.

●Marine Conservation Program, Bali

You will be working in Tianyar, where the reef is now in a worsening state. The project was initiated to rest ore and conserve Tianyar’s coral reef, not only to protect its remarkable and delicate ecosystems but also to secure a sustainable future for the residents.

1. What problem does the adoption center meet with?

A．Insufficient equipment.	B．Insecure surroundings.
C．Shortage of shelters.	D．Lack of hands.

2. Which program will offer financial assistance?

A．Animal Rescue Project, South Africa.

B．Sea Turtle Conservation Project, Sri Lanka.

C．Wildlife Conservation Program, Australia.

D．Marine Conservation Program, Bali.

3. What is the main purpose of the text?

A．To promote program cooperation.

B．To advocate restoring ecosystems.

C．To introduce endangered species protection.

D．To encourage engagement in wildlife preservation.

10 . Researchers at MIT created a high-tech pill that starts to vibrate (震动) once it makes contact with liquid in the user’s stomach and make him or her feel full. The pill was reportedly thought up by Shriya Srinivasan, currently an assistant professor of bioengineering at Harvard University.

VIBES, short for Vibrating Ingestible BioEleotronic Stimulator, was only recently made public in a study published in the Science Journal, but it is already being announced by the media as the future of weight loss. Although it has yet to be tested on humans, trials on pigs have achieved very hopeful results. After about 30 minutes of VIBES activity, pigs consumed on average almost 40 percent less food in the next half hour than they did without the smart pill. Apparently, the revolutionary device works by activating stretch receptors in the stomach, modeling the presence of food. This in turn signals the hypothalamus (下丘脑) to increase the levels of hormones that make us feel full. The vibrating stimulator, which is about the size of a vitamin pill, is powered by an encased battery and activated either by the gastric fluid (胃液) breaking down a coat around the pill, or by an incorporated timer. After producing the desired effect, the pill exits the body with other solid waste:

The good news is that it is expected to have a cost in the cents to one dollar range, and researchers say that it may eventually be possible to implant the stimulator and thus remove the need for people to constantly swallow it.

“Our study demonstrates the effectiveness of a low-cost, non-operative intervention to reduce food intake and ca lorie consumption. The device functions effectively in the stomach and leading to fullness,” said Giovanni Traverso, co-author of the study. “The device has the potential to revolutionize options for weight loss treatment. However, future studies will need to explore the physiological effects of the device before it’s available for patients.”

Researchers are now exploring ways to scale up the producing of VIBES capsules which could enable clinical trials in humans.

1. What is the outcome of taking the pill?

A．Liquid production.	B．Food storage.
C．Sensation of fullness.	D．Recovery of users.

2. Which aspect of the device is mentioned in paragraph 2?

A．Its working principle.	B．Its intelligence.
C．Its testing history.	D．Its side effect.

3. What is the researchers’ ultimate goal of the device?

A．To produce gastric fluid with it.	B．To destroy the coat around it.
C．To fix it in human body.	D．To remove solid waste from it.

4. What is Giovanni Traverso’s attitude towards the future of the device?

A．Worried.

B．Cautious.

C．Doubtful.

D．Confused.