2 . Pursuing a career in travel often begins with unpaid internships where beginner guides share their passion for destinations they’ve grown to love. These roles are highly sought after by those looking to break into the industry and are particularly valued by employers who recognize the importance of practical experience and a deep understanding of the travel sector.

Essential skills & traits needed

While everyone brings their own personality to the job, there are some basic qualities that all tour guides should have:

•Energy and enthusiasm are an absolute must — when the day’s tour is done, a guide still needs to study commentary (解说) and confirm the next day’s activities, so you will often need to operate on very little sleep.

•A friendly personality is needed when interacting with clients, tour operators and the general public.

•An insight into a wide range of cultures helps a guide settle all kinds of issues, not only in the place being visited, but also among the people on the tour.

•Familiarity with emergency procedures and the capacity to remain calm during critical situations are invaluable for any tour guide. Your assurance as a tour leader can positively influence the entire group.

Be aware of the facts

Tour guiding often demands extended periods away from home, with peak work times sometimes overlapping (重叠) with cherished family holidays. Burnout is a challenge to manage, yet it doesn’t necessarily signal the end of a journey in the travel sector. The industry frequently presents opportunities in product development and sales, where your guiding experience can serve as a solid foundation for success in these new roles.

Visit our Centre for Further Education to get more information on how to receive a General Certificate in Guiding and start your career as at our guide.

1. What initial steps should one take to become a tour guide?

A．Making friends with professional guides.	B．Developing different detailed tour plans.
C．Guiding tours in a familiar place for free.	D．Earning a degree in tourism management.

2. Which of the following is necessary for a tour guide?

A．Ability to work alone.	B．Complete knowledge of finance.
C．Proficiency in various languages.	D．Quick reaction to unexpected situations.

3. What is suggested if one feels tired of working as a guide?

A．Talking with loved ones.

B．Taking formal training in sales.

C．Taking a long vacation away from home.

D．Seeking another career in the travel industry.

3 . Money doesn’t grow on trees, as the saying goes, and learning how to spend money wisely is a valuable lesson we should all learn when we are young. In China, a growing number of young individuals are embracing this _________ and finding that being frugal (节俭的) can be both rewarding and _________ .

Young individuals in China are actively engaging with _________ responsibility by sharing their budget-friendly strategies and smart shopping advice across various digital platforms. Known as “koukouzu” or the “Frugal Tribe,” they _________ against impulsive (冲动的) spending on luxury brands or frequent _________ of trendy bubble tea. They would rather save up for good quality clothes that will last a long time, instead of some cheaply made fast-fashion _________ . To resist the temptation of impulse buying, some have chosen to _________ applications like Taobao and Mei-tuan from their devices. These frugal _________ have also banded together to form online communities, with one Douban group boasting a membership of 600,000, where members _________ ideas and support each other in their journey towards financial freedom.

Saving cash through the purchase of used goods is a strategy adopted by many who __________ that second hand does not always mean second rate. __________, I once bought a pair of __________ worn Crockett Jones shoes, a British brand with a regular price tag of $1,200, for a mere $100. What a __________ ! Moreover, choosing secondhand items supports environmental conservation by giving new life to objects that would otherwise __________ in landfills, reducing waste and promoting reuse.

Frugality, __________ in Chinese culture since Confucius, is a virtue. Yet, the joy of bargain hunting adds a modern twist to this ancient wisdom.

1.

A．version

B．restriction

C．principle

D．presentation

2.

A．available

B．enjoyable

C．demanding

D．incredible

3.

A．invisible

B．valuable

C．friendly

D．financial

4.

A．advocate

B．intend

C．indicate

D．pretend

5.

A．visits

B．creations

C．purchases

D．celebrations

6.

A．items

B．shoes

C．pants

D．hats

7.

A．download

B．remove

C．advertise

D．update

8.

A．assistants

B．operators

C．pessimists

D．enthusiasts

9.

A．exchange

B．perform

C．polish

D．presume

10.

A．mean

B．forbid

C．resume

D．recognize

11.

A．Above all

B．For instance

C．In turn

D．On average

12.

A．barely

B．badly

C．deadly

D．totally

13.

A．day

B．bargain

C．pity

D．shame

14.

A．make up

B．turn up

C．bring up

D．end up

15.

A．rooted

B．originated

C．lived

D．spotted

4 . Although Sir Isaac Newton did not employ his reflecting telescope to uncover novel astronomical phenomena, he did use it to completely transform how we view the world we live in and the universe as a whole.

Reflecting telescopes use mirrors to bend light and enlarge images, distinguishing them from refractors (折射望远镜) that rely on lenses. Their simplicity in construction and ability to achieve much greater sizes than refractors have led to a transformation in our astronomical knowledge and our comprehension of the universe.

As light passes through glass, various colors or bands are refracted at varying angles, leading to chromatic aberration (色差) and consequently, distorted images when viewed through a lens. In the time of Newton, the technology for producing glass and lenses was still very primitive, and the challenges associated with chromatic aberration had not been adequately addressed. Today we can make lenses that have almost no chromatic aberration but we can’t make them very large. As the size of a lens increases significantly, it becomes extremely heavy, causing its own weight to distort the lens and consequently ruin the image quality.

Newton’s telescope solved these problems. A mirror doesn’t allow light to pass. It simply bounces all the light off the surface. This means there’s no chromatic aberration. Plus, because we only need to bounce light off the surface, we can support the entire mirror on a base, reducing its weight. This allows us to build much larger mirrors without any distortion.

While Galileo is credited with the discovery of moons around Jupiter and Halley with predicting the comet’s orbit, what Newton did do was tie in mathematics, astronomy and our comprehension of the universe through the use of his telescope and his universal gravitation theory.

The original telescope constructed by Newton is preserved and maintained by the Royal Society of London. It is showcased in London and occasionally embarks on international tours as an element of exhibitions.

1. What do we know about Newton’s reflecting telescope?

A．It has a complex structure.

B．It relies on mirrors instead of lenses.

C．It can make the image smaller than a refractor.

D．It helped Newton uncover novel astronomical phenomena.

2. What does the underlined word “distorted” mean in Paragraph 3?

A．Confused.

B．Twisted.

C．Evident.

D．Vivid.

3. What problems did Newton’s telescope manage to solve?

A．Issues with image quality.	B．Restrictions on the size.
C．Challenges of lens making.	D．Limits of light passing angles.

4. What is the author’s purpose of mentioning Galileo and Halley?

A．To state a fact.	B．To raise a point.
C．To explain a concept.	D．To make a comparison.

5 . 阅读下面材料, 根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段, 使之构成一篇完整的短文。

I’m Franklin G. Takata, better known as “Find-It Frankie” due to my exceptional tracking abilities. I will say that there’s nothing out there I can’t find. I am fortunate to have a loyal and skilled partner, Munchy, by my side. He was selected especially for me from an animal shelter by my parents on the occasion of my fifth birthday.

One Thursday afternoon, Munchy and I were playing in the garden when Mom revealed that her cherished diamond ring had disappeared, entrusting us with the task of locating it. Had I known how tricky the case would be, I might have thought twice. But I said then as I’d say today, “I assure you that there’s nothing we can’t locate”

Whenever an item disappears, my initial inquiry to Mom is, “Do you recall the last place you saw it?” “I was occupied making cookies in the kitchen,” Mom replied, “when I removed my ring and set it on the counter. However, after taking a call from your aunt, I returned to discover the ring missing!” “Hmm. Well, it couldn’t have disappeared all by itself,” I said. “Munchy, let’s go take a closer look.” Munchy led the way to the kitchen.

The counter bore no indication of the ring’s whereabouts(下落); however, the flour betrayed faint paw prints, which pointed toward the criminal’s identity. “The cat” I said. “Mr. Jingles must have been playing with the ring, causing it to drop to the ground!” Crawling on the floor, I searched high and low for the ring. My efforts were in vain.

注意: 1. 续写词数应为150左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卷的相应位置作答。
Paragraph 1: “Munchy, you’re up! Go find Mr. Jingles.”
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2: I was about to give up when I took a bite of the warm cookie Mom handed me.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7 . 阅读下边短文, 在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

On Thursday, the National Cultural Heritage Administration in Beijing     1     (reveal) that archaeologists had discovered two sunken ships in the depths of the South China Sea. It offered tangible evidence of commercial and     2     (culture) exchanges along the ancient Maritime Silk Road.

The latest underwater archaeological     3     (explore) carried out by the National Center for Archaeology have     4     (significant) uncovered important artifacts. In addition to the shipwrecks, a variety of artifacts, including pottery, porcelain and ironware, have been unearthed, most of     5     were made in kilns (窑炉) in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, known as China’s “porcelain capital.” The precise locations of the shipwrecks and the associated cultural relics     6     (determine) through the use of oceanographic technology and underwater investigations involving manned submersibles, which conducted 41 dives throughout the year, as confirmed by Song Jianzhong,     7     researcher at the National Center for Archaeology.

The Ming Dynasty’s No.1 shipwreck,     8     (measure) 37 meters long and 11 meters wide, has yielded 543 artifacts, suggesting it sailed from Fujian or Guangdong to Southeast Asia trade centers like Malacca. The No. 2 shipwreck dates     9     the rule of Emperor Hongzhi and measures about 21 meters long and 8 meters wide. A total of 36 artifacts have been found on it, porcelain and pottery     10     (include).

8 . As high school graduates step into a new chapter of their lives, they often encounter challenges and stress. However, cultivating a sense of humor can greatly enhance their overall well-being and help them navigate through life’s ups and downs.     1    

Explore various forms of humor.

    2     Some prefer satirical (讽刺的) humor, while others enjoy silly or deadpan (冷面的) delivery. By exposing yourself to a wide range of comedic genres—whether it’s stand-up comedy, sitcoms, or humorous books—you’ll discover what style of humor is consistent with your personality. This exploration not only broadens your perspective but also helps you appreciate the diversity of humor that exists in the world.

Engage in social interactions.

Humor often emerges in social settings.     3     Attend events, join clubs, or participate in community activities where you can interact with a diverse group of people.

    4    

Joking around is a great way to brighten someone’s day, and it’s a skill that can be developed with practice. So you can write down ideas for jokes and try to say them out loud in front of a mirror. Or practice telling jokes to friends and family to see if they find them funny.

Share and reflect on funny moments.

Keeping a journal or creating a digital album of funny memories can serve as a source of joy. Whenever you experience something amusing, take a moment to note it down or capture it with a photo or video. Later, you can revisit these moments to relive the laughter and share them with friends and family. You can also reflect on why these moments were funny.     5    

A．Take a comedy class.

B．Train yourself to tell jokes.

C．Humor plays an important role in our life.

D．So engaging with others is a great way to cultivate it.

E．Understanding what type of humor suits you is crucial.

F．Here are four effective ways to develop a sense of humor.

G．This can let you understand your own sense of humor and how it evolves over time.

9 . Lindsey Stallworth, a high school student from Alabama, is on her way to a promising career in paleontology (古生物学) due to an unexpected discovery on family property. For years, she had been collecting fossils on their land in Monroe County, unaware of significant scientific value. However, her teacher at the Alabama School of Math and Science, Dr. Andrew Gentry, a paleontologist himself, took an interest when she showed him her collection.

“Upon examining the fossil shark teeth Lindsey presented, I quickly identified one and became eager to learn about its origin,” said Andrew.

Lindsey guided her mentor through the rural area where she had unearthed various relics, including shark teeth. Before long, they encountered an especially significant find on the grounds: a large bone from a 34-million-year-old whale skeleton! This led the pair to launch the huge project of uncovering the rest of the bones. After two months of hard work, they’ve managed to find the animal’s skull.

“Assuming the entire skeleton is present, it may require several years for us to have the entire animal back in the lab,” Andrew explained.

Lindsey secured a research scholarship to persist in her fossil-digging expeditions alongside her instructor. Her enthusiasm for the project was at an all-time high, though she had never imagined a childhood pastime would lead her down this road. “We would go out and pick up shark teeth and fossil shells, but we never knew anyone that could tell us anything about them,” she recalled. “We just thought they were cool.”

“The Research Fellows Program allows Lindsey to gain real-world experience in scientific research and even present that research at professional conferences,” Andrew said. “ It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a high school student to stand out when applying to college and maybe even discover a new career path.”

1. Why was Andrew fascinated by Lindsey’s finds?

A．He had a personal interest in geography.

B．He recognized the significance of one fossil.

C．He wanted to start a paleontology club at school.

D．He was hoping to make money from the discoveries.

2. What inspired Andrew and Lindsey to start a fossil uncovering project?

A．Some shark teeth.	B．Some fossil shells.
C．An animal’s skull.	D．A primitive whale’s bone.

3. Which of the following best describes Andrew and Lindsey’s project?

A．Risky but romantic.	B．Dangerous but interesting.
C．Demanding but motivating.	D．Boring but groundbreaking.

4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．The unexpected joy of discovering fossils.

B．The additional benefits of applying to college.

C．Lindsey’s potential to become a high school teacher.

D．Lindsey’s unique opportunities for future development.

10 . Despite an ever-higher bar to grab the attention of students in large lecture hall, Tatiana Erukhimova, who teaches physics at Texas A&M University, has managed to get her students, as well as future generations, excited about the science.

Known as “Dr. Tatiana”, the professor performs physics tricks with boundless energy and enthusiasm in her videos. A range of everyday objects are used in her experiments, from pingpong balls and toilet paper to marshmallows, bicycle wheels and hair dryers. Videos of her dramatic demonstrations have received hundreds of millions of views across social media platforms.

However, things aren’t always easy. When she first started teaching college freshman classes two decades ago, she also struggled to grab the attention of her students. “I did not grab their attention on the first day-that was my mistake.” she says. “I missed this opportunity to bond with them from the very beginning, and then it took me a while to find my voice.”

By the second semester, she found her footing, adjusting her approach to get her students engaged. The key, she says, has been to make herself approachable and her instruction personal. And, of course, add showy demonstrations. “These demonstrations often help students to connect these abstract concepts with real life.” she says.

Physics department head Grigory Rogachev says Erukhimova’s work has helped bring visibility to the department, with about 2. 5 million subscribers on its department’s YouTube page, which has translated to a boost in research funds and physics major applicants.

As a leader in a STEM field in which women are underrepresented, she’s become a role model for some. Afiya Dhanani attended Texas A&M University after seeing Erukhimova’s videos online. “Watching Dr. Tatiana do the experiments online, especially since she was a female leader. Was more inspiring for me to even go into physics.” Dhanani said in an interview with CBS Mornings. That’s all Erakhimova says she can hope for -making physics less forbidding and more exciting.

1. What does Erukhimova’s online videos feature?

A．Rare materials.	B．Energetic presentation.
C．Plain demonstration.	D．Professional explanation.

2. Which saying explains Erukhimova’s initial failure to grab students’ attention 20 years ago?

A．All that glitters is not gold.

B．Sharp tools make good work.

C．First impressions are make or break.

D．A fall into the pit, a gain in your wit.

3. How does Erukhimova’s work contribute to the physics department?

A．It leads more students to change their majors.

B．It makes more people to know about the department.

C．It helps the department translate more research papers.

D．It attracts more physics professors to join the department.

4. Which word best describes Erukhimova as a leader in a STEM field?

A．Inspirational.

B．Underestimated.

C．Cooperative.

D．Ambitious.