1 . Proudly reading my words, I glanced around the room, only to find my classmates bearing big smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes. Confused, I glanced toward my stone-faced teacher. Having no choice, I slowly raised the report I had slaved over, hoping to hide myself. “What could be causing everyone to act this way?”
Quickly, I flashed back to the day Miss Lancelot gave me the task. This was the first real talk I received in my new school. It seemed simple: go on the Internet and find information about a man named George Washington. Since my idea of history came from an ancient teacher in my home country, I had never heard of that name before. As I searched the name of this fellow, it became evident that there were two people bearing the same name who looked completely different! One invented hundreds of uses for peanuts, while the other led some sort of army across America. I stared at the screen, wondering which one my teacher meant. I called my grandfather for a golden piece of advice — flipping (掷) a coin. Heads-the commander, the tails-the peanuts guy. Ah! Tails, my report would be about the great man who invented peanut butter, George Washington Carver.
Weeks later, standing before this unfriendly mass, I was totally lost. Oh well, I lowered the paper and sat down at my desk, burning to find out what I had done wrong. As a classmate began his report, it all became clear, “My report is on George Washington, the man who started the American Revolution.” The whole world became quiet! How could I know that she meant that George Washington?
Obviously, my grade was awful. Disheartened but fearless, I decided to turn this around. I talked to Miss Lancelot, but she insisted: No new grades. I felt that the punishment was not justified, and I believed I deserved a second chance. Consequently, I devoted myself to my work for the rest of the school year. Ten months, that chance unfolded as I found myself sitting in the headmaster’s office with my grandfather, now having an entirely different conversation. I smiled and flashed back to the embarrassing moment at the beginning of the year as the headmaster informed me of my option to skip the six grade. Justice is sweet!
1. What did the author’s classmates think about his report?| A．Controversial. | B．Challenging. | C．Ridiculous. | D．Boring. |
| A．He was new at the school. | B．He forgot his teacher’s instruction. |
| C．He was unfamiliar with American history. | D．He followed the advice and flipped a coin. |
| A．by redoing his task | B．through his own efforts |
| C．with the help of his grandfather | D．under the guidance of his headmaster |
2 . Hundreds of emperor penguin chicks jumped off a 15- meter cliff (悬崖), as high as a five- story building. This scene was captured by drones in January at Atka Bay, Antarctica, and was put out recently in a documentary series called Secrets of the Penguins.
This jump seems brave but could be lethal to these young penguins.
According to National Geographic, emperor penguins usually raise their chicks on sea ice platforms. Not long after they turn 5 months old, the chicks have to begin their first swim in the ocean to hunt for themselves. Normally, they just need to jump from the sea ice, which is less than a meter high.
However, he fast- melting ice in Antarctica changes the situation. The Antarctic summer sea ice has decreased sharply since 2016, reported the BBC. in February 2023, the total area of sea ice reached a record low of 1.91 million square kilometers.
Emperors depend on sea ice for their breeding cycle, it’s the stable platform they use to bring up their young. Peter Fretwell from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), told the BBC. If the ice platform melts or breaks apart before they could swim, they are more likely to drown or freeze to death. For this reason emperor penguins are now choosing to raise their babies on the ice shelf, which is firmly attached to the land. Therefore, chicks must face the challenge of jumping off a high cliff.
“When the chicks get to this cliff face, they’re like... ‘This does not look like a fun jump, but I guess I’m gonna have to go’,” Michelle LaRue, a scientist at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, told National Geographic.
“Alarmingly, the decline in the ice has caused thousands of emperor penguin chicks to the in West Antarctica in 2022. The continuing decline of sea ice may force more emperors to make their nests on ice shelves, ” said Fretwell. “It’s heartbreaking to think that the whole species may be gone if climate change continues on the path that it’s on at the moment,” he added.
1. What does the underlined word “lethal” in paragraph 2 most probably mean?| A．Deadly. | B．Pleasant. | C．Unusual. | D．Boring. |
| A．They want to travel across the ocean. |
| B．They are trying to escape predators. |
| C．They are celebrating getting their adult feathers. |
| D．They have no other way to enter the water to hunt. |
| A．Declining sea levels. |
| B．The rapid melting of sea ice. |
| C．More available food for the chicks. |
| D．Bigger size of ice shelves. |
| A．The shorter breeding cycle. |
| B．Their ability to hunt for themselves. |
| C．The potential extinction of the species. |
| D．Their increased dependence on sea ice. |
3 . Five-year-old Mustafa is smiling for the first time in ages. She did not receive a new toy or her favorite candy; rather, she got a wig (假发).
Mustafa had to go through painful procedures after being diagnosed (诊断) with cancer at an early age. Her father expressed her sadness when she lost her hair after months of chemotherapy (化疗). “She saw children of her age jumping in playgrounds and spending hours styling their hair, while she couldn’t. Losing her hair made her hopeless, negatively impacting her response to treatment,” the girl’s father said.
Coming from a less fortunate family, Mustafa now sits in a humble hairdresser’s in Cairo, sliding her fingers through her new long hair as she looks in the mirror with fresh enthusiasm. Behind that smile and renewed confidence is Salam, from Egypt, who has been personally funding and designing free wigs for children with cancer to give them power to defeat their illness.
Salam took up his mission when he saw a viral video on social media of a young cancer patient who was excited at receiving a new wig. It was the moment when he decided to provide free wigs to children with cancer to lift up their spirits. “Many families can barely afford expensive cancer treatment costs, let alone costly cosmetic (美容) services that can play a huge role in restoring children`s confidence and giving them strength to continue their treatment,” said Salam.
As part of the self-funded initiative, Salam purchases the necessary requirements to make a wig, while his father helps design hairstyles to serve different children. So far, Salam has helped over 15 children walk out of his shop empowered with big smiles.
Despite the several challenges, Salam said making wigs gives him as much happiness as it does for his young customers. “Children need the emotional and moral support to go through this tough illness.” He added, “Losing their hair drives them to withdraw into themselves out of fear and embarrassment. I cannot help in their treatment, but I can help them get through it.”
1. Why are a toy and candy mentioned in paragraph 1?| A．To suggest the girl’s age. | B．To imply a serious illness. |
| C．To show the shortage of toys. | D．To highlight the value of the wig. |
| A．Hair style matters much. | B．Sports benefit Mustafa. |
| C．Hair loss depressed Mustafa. | D．Mustafa’s treatment failed. |
| A．His sympathy. | B．Family support. |
| C．Govemment fund. | D．Mustafa’s enthusiasm. |
| A．Cautious and creative. | B．Inspiring and talented. |
| C．Caring and determined. | D．Ambitious and patient. |
4 . The Little Town’s Market
In a little town between gentle hills, there was a market that bustled with activity every weekend. Local farmers gathered to sell their fresh food and handcrafted goods. The air was filled with the fragrance of fruits, vegetables, and the sound of happy talks.
At the heart of the market was a beautiful old tree that provided shade for the shopkeepers and customers. Under this tree, a group of musicians often played lively music, adding to the festive atmosphere. People of all ages enjoyed the music, dancing and singing along.
One corner of the market was a children’s area. Here, kids could participate in various activities such as face painting, puppet shows, and simple games. Parents appreciated this space where their children could play safely while they shopped for the week’s groceries.
The market also featured a small café where people could take a break from shopping and enjoy a cup of coffee or a snack. The café was known for its delicious homemade pastries, which were a favorite among the townspeople.
Every Saturday, the market held a special event. Sometimes it was a cooking show, other times a local author would come to sign books. These events attracted even more visitors and made the market a center of the community.
1. What can we learn from Paragraph 1?| A．The market is only open on weekdays. |
| B．The market is a place for local farmers to sell their goods. |
| C．The market is always quiet and calm. |
| D．The market sells only handmade goods. |
| A．Was empty. |
| B．Was noisy and busy. |
| C．Was closed. |
| D．Was slow. |
| A．It was used for hanging goods. |
| B．It was the place where musicians played. |
| C．It was the only tree in the town. |
| D．It was where the children’s area was located. |
| A．By providing a place for children to play. |
| B．By hosting special events every Saturday. |
| C．Both A and B. |
| D．By selling only imported goods. |
| A．Fried foods. |
| B．Homemade pastries. |
| C．Fast food. |
| D．Raw vegetables. |
5 . The Tradition of Zongzi
Zongzi is a traditional Chinese food that is especially popular during the Dragon Boat Festival, which takes place near the summer solstice. It is made of glutinous rice(糯米)and various fillings, which are wrapped in bamboo leaves. The rice is often mixed with ingredients such as meat, beans, or nuts, and then it is secured with a string before being cooked.
The history of zongzi is rich and dates back to the Warring States period of ancient China. It is said to have originated as a way to commemorate the famous poet Qu Yuan. When Qu Yuan died, the local people wrapped rice in leaves and threw them into the river as an offering to his spirit and to feed the fish so they would not eat his body.
Making zongzi is an art that has been passed down through years. Each family may have its own way of preparation. The process involves carefully selecting the bamboo leaves, washing them, and then filling them with the sticky rice and fillings. The art lies in folding the leaves to encase the rice and securing the zongzi so that it holds its shape during cooking.
Zongzi comes in different shapes and sizes. Some are triangular, while others may be rectangular or cylindrical. The shape often depends on the region and the family's tradition. After they are wrapped, zongzi are boiled or steamed for several hours until the rice is soft and the flavors are well combined.
Today, zongzi is enjoyed not only in China but also in many other parts of the world where Chinese communities celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. It symbolizes unity and remembrance and has become a part of the festival's celebration.
1. What can we learn from Paragraph 1?| A．Zongzi is only eaten during the winter. |
| B．Zongzi is a traditional food for the Dragon Boat Festival. |
| C．Zongzi is made with non-glutinous rice. |
| D．Zongzi does not require any fillings. |
| A．To forget. |
| B．To celebrate. |
| C．To criticize. |
| D．To remember and honor. |
| A．It is very easy and requires no skill. |
| B．It is a lost art that few people know. |
| C．It is a traditional art that has been passed down through years. |
| D．It involves using machinery to wrap the zongzi. |
| A．but they all have the same filling. |
| B．and they are only cooked by machine. |
| C．which often depends on the region and family tradition. |
| D．but they are always wrapped in the same way. |
| A．It is a traditional Chinese dessert. |
| B．It symbolizes unity and remembrance. |
| C．It is the favorite food of Qu Yuan. |
| D．It is used to predict the weather. |
6 . What makes a person extra repulsive to a mosquito? It might be the scent of coconut. That was one of the findings of a small study published Wednesday in the journal iScience, which looked at whether different scented soaps made people more or less attractive to mosquitoes.
“It’s a simple question with a very complex answer,” said the lead study author, Clement Vinauger, an assistant professor of biochemistry at Virginia Tech. “What really matters is how the chemicals in the soap combine with the chemicals of the individual person.”
Everyone has the same chemicals, just in different ratios, some more attractive to mosquitoes than others, said Ali Afify, an assistant professor of biology at Drexel University in Philadelphia, who wasn’t involved with the new study. “Everything you use on your skin can make you more or less attractive to mosquitoes,” Afify added.
To see which chemicals could tip the scales in either direction, four volunteers were each asked to wash with four different brands of soap. In each instance, the volunteer washed one forearm and left the other untouched and then wore nylon sleeves on both arms for one hour. They repeated the process with the three other soaps. After the hour was up, the researchers removed the odor- soaked sleeves. They placed each sleeve in a cup and put the cups in a mesh cage full of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The scent in the cup that attracted the most mosquitoes was deemed most attractive.
In the end, the team identified four chemicals that were associated with being slightly more attractive to mosquitoes and three that appeared to repel them, but the results were generally weak and variable for all chemical scents tested except one: coconut. “Mosquitoes don’t like coconut-scented products, so our safest bet is to use them,” Vinauger said.
“Because odors are complex, a single scent or compound isn’t likely to be merely responsible for how attractive a person is to mosquitoes. Some may play a bigger role, but there won’t be just one that explains attraction,” said Christopher Potter, an associate professor of neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Maryland who studies mosquito olfaction.
1. What is the main factor that determines how attractive a person is to mosquitoes?| A．The type of soap they frequently use. |
| B．The amount of carbon dioxide they send out. |
| C．The chemical produced by bacteria on their body. |
| D．The combination of chemicals in their body scent. |
| A．To explain the working principle. | B．To present the actions of the volunteers. |
| C．To introduce the process of the study. | D．To make a comparison between different soaps. |
| A．They can keep mosquitoes away. |
| B．They have no effect on mosquitoes. |
| C．They are more variable than other chemicals. |
| D．They are slightly more attractive to mosquitoes. |
| A．Supportive | B．Objective | C．Pessimistic | D．Unclear |
7 . Blind people have long desired for brightness, but scientists don’t have the technology. To bring that one step closer to reality, Zhiyong Fan, a material scientist of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, developed a new artificial eye recently. The device, which is about as sensitive to light and has sharper vision and a faster reaction time than a real eyeball, may outperform human eyes.
The human eye owes its wide field of view and clear eyesight to the retina (视网膜) — an area at the back of the eyeball covered in light-detecting cells, The design for a new artificial eye is based on the structure of the human eye and uses a friendly light-sensitive material. At the back of the eyeball, an artificial retina is lined with Nan scale light sensors (纳米级光感器). Those sensors measure light that passes through the lens (晶状体) at the front of the eye. Wires attached to the back of the retina send signals from those sensors to the processor, similar to the way nerve network s connect the eyeball to the brain.
“In the future, we can use this to replace damaged human eyes,” says the lead designer. In theory, this artificial eye could see more clearly than the human eye, because the artificial retina contains about 460 million light sensors per square centimeter while a real retina has about 10 million light-detecting cells per square centimeter. Besides, the artificial eye ball records changes in lighting faster than human eyes can—within about 30 to 40 milliseconds, rather than 40 to 150 milliseconds. Although its 100-degree field of view isn’t as broad as the 150 degrees a human eye can take in, the device can see as well as the human eye in poor light.
Hongrui Jiang, an electrical engineer at the University of Wisconsin, though, thinks engineers need a much more practical and efficient way to produce vast series of tiny wires on the back of the artificial eyeball to give it superhuman sight, which is super hard to achieve.
1. Why does Zhiyong Fan develop the artificial eye?| A．To replace people’s real eyeballs. | B．To gain a sharper vision. |
| C．To help the blind regain their eyesight. | D．To help normal eyes perform better. |
| A．They widen the field of view. | B．They send signals to the processor. |
| C．They connect the eyeball to the brain. | D．They count the light passing through the lens. |
| A．The artificial eye can see more clearly. | B．The artificial eye has a stronger structure. |
| C．The artificial eye takes in a broader view. | D．The artificial eye sees better in weak light. |
| A．Objective. | B．Favourable. | C．Doubtful. | D．Optimistic. |
8 . Planning a trip to the seaside this 2024? Are you looking for hotels near the beach? Then why not book one of our rooms and enjoy a relaxing stay with us? We can guarantee you a refreshing stay. So all you need to do is arrive and settle in.
Pavilion Hotel Catalina Island
513 Crescent Ave, Avalon, CA 90704
Catalina Island is the perfect destination for a family holiday and Pavilion Hotel is a perfect spot on the island. Pavilion Hotel is only 14 steps from a Catalina beach and offers a big daily continental breakfast and a nightly wine and cheese hour free of charge. There is so much to do, such as biking, hiking, swimming, and boat tours.
Venice Breeze Suites
2 Breeze Ave, Venice CA 90291
Venice Breeze Suites is a hotel right on the Venice Beach boardwalk that offers a fun atmosphere. The hotel is located in a classic oceanfront building in the heart of a bicycle-friendly urban beach community filled with unique places to go, such as the Venice Canals, Skate Park and Muscle Beach.
Pacific Edge Hotel
647S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
There is no place quite like Laguna Beach for a perfect family vacation. Pacific Edge Hotel offers the comforts of home. The hotel’s facilities include lounge chairs, umbrellas, beach towels, two heated pools, and a ping-pong table.
Malibu Beach Inn
22878 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA90265
Located along the seashore nicknamed “Billionaire’s Beach”, Malibu Beach Inn offers you complete relaxation. Each of the 47 well- equipped rooms has a private balcony. You'll also be just steps away from Malibu Landmarks, high-end shops which offer fancy gifts and rough hiking trails leading to wild watersports and the beach.
1. What can you do in Pacific Edge Hotel?| A．Taste free cheese. | B．Play table tennis. |
| C．Enjoy a big breakfast. | D．Drink wine in the evening. |
| A．Venice Breeze Suites. | B．Pacific Edge Hotel. |
| C．Malibu Beach Inn. | D．Pavilion Hotel. |
| A．They are all near the beach. | B．They are all bicycle-friendly. |
| C．They all have a balcony for relaxation. | D．They all provide water sports programs. |
9 . Maggie, Travis and Lucy’s science teacher set a special test for them. They had to work out different kinds of problems within limited time to get out of a locked room.
For the past hour, Maggie, Travis and Lucy had been locked inside a room decorated like a mad scientist’s laboratory. Together they decoded (破译) a secret language and solved a difficult maths problem. The last challenge, however, stopped them. The key to the door was trapped in a block office.
“We have to melt the ice,” Lucy said.
“But there’s nothing hot here!” Maggie complained.
Travis pulled off his sweatshirt and wrapped (裹) it around the ice. “This keeps me warm,” he reasoned.
A few minutes passed by, but the ice didn’t melt.
“Isn’t cloth an insulator (隔热材料)?” Lucy asked. She tried to remember what she had learned in science class. “Heat always flows from warm objects to cold ones. The heat in the air will eventually melt the ice, but we need to find something that will help heat move from the air to the ice more quickly.”
“What about glass?” Maggie asked.
“Glass is also an insulator. It keeps heat from moving,” Lucy said. Then she noticed a large metal tray (金属托盘) across the room. “This might work!”
Lucy put the block of ice onto the tray. Everybody’s eyes moved between the clock and the ice. Would they be able to free the key in time?
At last, the key lay in the water on the tray. The three friends rushed out of the room in the last minute.
“We made it!” Travis cheered. “Good thing you paid attention in science class!”
1. What final challenge did the three friends need to complete?| A．To solve a maths problem. | B．To learn a secret language. |
| C．To find their science teacher. | D．To get the key trapped in ice. |
| A．His sweatshirt can help melt the ice. | B．He dislikes his sweatshirt. |
| C．His sweatshirt is of good quality. | D．He wants to take off his sweatshirt. |
| A．carefully | B．suddenly | C．finally | D．properly |
10 . If you want to make yourself happy then you should know what to do. Here are some suggestions for you.
Get enough sleep. Enough sleep makes you healthy. A healthy body brings you more fun. You should sleep for 7 to 9 hours each night. Make sure to go to bed and get up around the same time every day.
Eat healthy meals. Another thing you can make yourself happier is to eat three healthy meals a day. It will provide you with energy, and make you think well. No matter how busy you are, be careful of what you eat. Because it can improve your happiness.
Find time to relax. You should try to give yourself at least 30 minutes a day for relaxation. You. can’t spend every second of your day working, or you’ll feel tired and terrible. You may read a magazine, watch TV or talk to your best friend on the phone to relax yourself.
1. According to the writer, we should sleep for each night.| A．1 to 2 hours | B．3 to 4 hours | C．7 to 9 hours | D．12 to 15 hours |
| A．early | B．same | C．different | D．late |
| A．Energy | B．sleep | C．suggestions | D．ways |
| A．two | B．three | C．four | D．five |
