1 . In 2019, after retiring from her career as a social worker, Ane Freed - Kernis decided to build a home workshop and devote all of her free time to stone carving. “I might be covered head to to e in dust but I’m happy — it was something I needed more of in my life when I hit 60,” she says.
This appeal has its origins in Freed - Kernis’ childhood. Growing up on her father’s farm in Denmark, she used to wander through the fields with her eyes fixed on the ground, looking for stones to add to her collection. “I’ve always been drawn to the shapes and textures (质地) of stones,” she says.
After moving to England in 1977 and training as a social worker, Freed - Kernis soon became occupied with her busy career and the demands of raising her son. Stones were the last thing on her mind, until her father died in 2005. “He took a stone carving course in his retirement, and I always thought stone seemed so fun but never had the time to look into it myself,” she says. “After he died, I became determined to learn in his honour.”
Signing up for a week-long stone carving course at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Freed-Kernis began to learn how to turn a block of rock into well-designed shapes. “It was really scary at the start because you would spend hours just hammering (锤打).”
Now 65, Freed-Kernis has a thriving small business built largely through word of mouth. She creates 12 to 15 pieces a year that can take anywhere from a few days to three weeks to complete, while her prices range from £ 200 to £ 3,000. “I’m making smaller ones,” she says. “I don’t have to depend on the money much, so I want to keep prices in the range that people can afford, mainly just covering costs and labour (劳动力).”
1. Freed-Kernis was first attracted by stones when ______.| A．she was 60 | B．she was a child |
| C．her father died | D．she moved to England |
| A．She never cared about her father. |
| B．She led a disappointing life in Denmark. |
| C．She spent lots of time studying stone carving. |
| D．She learned stone carving under the influence of her dad. |
| A．Hopeful and proud. |
| B．Confident and satisfied. |
| C．Nervous and frightened. |
| D．Impatient and unprepared. |
| A．They are easier to move by her. |
| B．They are more affordable to people. |
| C．She wants to save costs and labour. |
| D．She is too old to focus on making large ones. |
2 . In San Francisco, a large group of sea lions move themselves out of the bay waters and hang out on PIER 39, which is a popular tourist destination. According to dock (码头) officials, this is the most sea lions seen in the region in 15 years.
“Over 1,000 sea lions have been counted this week,” PIER 39 harbormaster Sheila Chandor told many different media. “The surge in sea lions is usually a good sign of their strong population and healthy living environment,” said Adam Ratner, Director of Conservation Engagement at the Marine Mammal (海洋哺乳动物) Center in Sausalito, California.
“California sea lions are sentinels (哨兵) of the ocean,” Ratner said. Their population to some extent reflects the health of the ocean. Therefore, seeing a large number of California sea lions is clearly a good thing.
For nearly 35 years, the slippery (滑的) residents have been a star attraction for tourists. That autumn in 1989, PIER 39 had just been repaired, but the ships had not yet been moved back. At that moment, the sea lions unexpected arrival not only attracted fans but also created enemies. According to a website, some dock residents and workers were scared away by the strong and very unpleasant smell and noise of their new neighbors, while others saw these animals as a bright spot after the destructive Loma Prieta earthquake.
The officials sought help from the Marine Mammal Center to find a way to deal with sea lions. Ratner said that the final decision is to let the sea lions stay and coexist with humans. “The fact proves that this is really a good thing,” he said. “This is just a proof of how we can truly work together and think about how we can share our coasts with marine mammals and other wildlife in a way that benefits all the parties involved.”
1. How does the author start the text?| A．By describing a situation. |
| B．By answering a question. |
| C．By holding a conversation. |
| D．By comparing different opinions. |
| A．Sharp increase. | B．Tight control. |
| C．Slow development. | D．Sudden movement. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Uninterested. |
| C．Supportive. | D．Unclear. |
| A．Sea lions are pretty cool animals. |
| B．Animals and humans can live in harmony. |
| C．Watching sea lions might not be a proper action. |
| D．Sea lions should be driven out of PIER 39. |
3 . The literature teacher entered the classroom and, with a smile on his face, said, “Hello, fellows!” Then he placed his notebook and books on his desk before stepping to the blackboard and picking up the chalk. Then he wrote down: “Who do I want to be?”
While reading the question, all of a sudden, I remembered what my grandmother said. Every time she scolded me, she would ask, “When are you going to become a person?” When I told my friend Firoz about these words, he burst into laughter.
Remembering my grandmother’s question and anger, I quickly covered my lips with my hand to hide my smile from the teacher’s eyes. But to be honest, I really had a dream deep in my heart. I wanted to explore outer space.
Our literature teacher had already announced that we would write an essay on an open topic. He wrote the topic on the board and took his place.
Most of my classmates had their heads bent over their blank papers. Some raised their heads and stared at the white ceiling, others scratched at the back of their notebooks. Baba Morad was biting his lips thought fully. Firoz was looking around. Part of my mind was busy searching for an essay topic, while the other was wondering whether dreams and wishes for the future are the same things.
My eyes wandered outside through the large glass window and stared at the sky where a bird was flying. I gathered my thoughts and began to write my essay, filling up the back and front of three white sheets.
Once again, I read my writing from the beginning to the end and was satisfied with the way I created it and the greatness of my desire. I looked around at my classmates, some of whom had finished their work, and some were writing, and then I looked outside.
The teacher, who had a long, dry stick in his hand to beat us sometimes, was walking around in the classroom. At the same time, walking under the watchful eye he would collect the essays of those who had finished writing.
1. 根据语篇内容填写表格（每空不限词数）| Where | In the classroom |
| Who | I, the literature teacher, other students |
| What | 1. The literature teacher asked students to 2. I remembered what my grandmother said. Every time she scolded me, she would ask 3. The dream deep in my heart is to 4. I began to write my essay, 5. At the same time, the teacher would |
按情节推进，用完整句子回答问题。
2. What did the teacher do after he collected students’ essays?
3. How did the classmates react to the author’s dream? Give your reasons?
4. How did the teacher judge the author’s dream and how did the author feel?
4 . We’ve all heard about techniques to get us more physically active — take the stairs and park the car a bit further from your destination. Now a study led by Dr. Buchman finds even simple housework may benefit brain health for the elderly.
“Our study shows exercise is an inexpensive way to improve health. It also shows exercise may have a protective effect on the brain,” says Dr. Buchman.
Previous research found just 45 minutes of walking three days a week actually increased brain volume.
The new study is unique. Dr. Buchman was able to analyze the actual brains of the study participants.
The study looked at 454 older adults who were over 70 years old when the research began. Of those adults, 191 had behavioral signs of dementia(痴呆) and 263 did not.
In the research, each participant wore an activity monitor called an accelerometer(加速度计). It measured those participants’ physical activity around the clock — everything from walking around the house to exercise routines. Researchers collected and evaluated ten days of movement data for each participant and calculated the levels of daily movement.
The findings show that higher levels of daily movement were linked to better thinking and memory skills. And when Dr. Buchman analyzed brain tissue under a microscope, this finding turned out to be the case even for individuals with at least three signs of Alzheimer’s disease(阿尔茨海默病). Even though these individuals might have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, 30 percent of them had“normal”cognition(认知), says Dr. Buchman.
Why one person shows signs of dementia and another, who has similar degenerative(退行的) changes in the brain, does not, is a mystery. But Dr. Buchman says the new findings suggest that physical activity may be protective, even among developing Alzheimer’s. It sort of masks the symptoms, he says. It suggests that you can have some control over your brain health even if you don’t have control over developing Alzheimer’s.
And, while intense exercise is highly beneficial, light activity can make a difference as well. “As long as you are doing exercise and you’re moving, whether you’re chopping onions or sweeping the floor, you can reduce your risk of cognitive decline,” says Dr. Buchman.
1. What does the new study led by Dr. Buchman find out?| A．Simple housework is a good way to get us more physically active. |
| B．Walking for 45 minutes twice a week can increase brain volume. |
| C．Exercise is the most expensive way to improve our mental and physical health. |
| D．Exercise may help improve brain health among elderly people. |
| A．it analyzed the actual brains of the participants |
| B．the participants involved were over 70 years old |
| C．the participants had signs of dementia |
| D．the participants were equipped with a special activity monitor |
| A．The study looks into why young people develop Alzheimer’s disease. |
| B．The study indicates that people with signs of Alzheimer’s disease will lose cognition. |
| C．The study finds out why some people with signs of Alzheimer’s disease have the abnormal cognitive ability. |
| D．The study shows higher levels of daily movement were linked to better thinking and memory skills. |
| A．Alzheimer’s disease can be totally cured by doing exercise |
| B．only intense exercise is beneficial to our health |
| C．doing exercise can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline |
| D．people with Alzheimer’s disease cannot control their brain health |
5 . With summer approaching, it’s time to find some good books to read. Here are some you might like to try.
The Big Miss
The author was Tiger Woods’ coach for six years, and the book is a behind - the - scenes look into the famous golfer’s private life. One reader wrote on Amazon. com , “I’m a big Tiger fan, and I read this in one sitting. Brilliant!”
Steve Jobs
Apple co-founder Steve Jobs passed away.
This is the official biography of his life. It’s based on over forty interview s with Steve, his friends and family members, plus a few enemies.
The Hunger Games
The story is set in a post-apocalyptic（世界末日后的）future. Most people are very poor. Every year, there’s a game show（called “The Hunger Games”）in which 18 teenagers are sent into the wild to battle it out until only one survives. The book has just been made into a highly successful Hollywood movie.
Imagine How Creativity Works
This is a very fun and very convincing book about the creative parts of our brain. It looks at people such as Bob Dylan, and the man who invented post-it notes and asks why they were so creatively successful. The author writes, “Once we know how creativity works, we can make it work for us.”
The Venice Experiment: A Year of Trial and Error Living Abroad
A few years ago, real-life American couple Barry and Debbie decided to escape the rat race and live in Venice for a year. This is the story of their experiences there, and it’s full of funny anecdotes (奇闻轶事) about their struggle to adapt to the Venetian lifestyle. A fellow author said, “For anyone thinking of an overseas adventure, The Venice Experiment is a laugh-out-loud read.”
1. What is special about The Hunger Games?| A．It tells adventures. | B．It is based on real stories. |
| C．It hits the screen | D．It is the most popular book. |
| A．Creative | B．Relaxing. | C．Inspiring | D．Convictive. |
| A．The Big Miss. |
| B．The Hunger Games. |
| C．Imagine How Creativity Works. |
| D．The Venice Experiment: A Year of Trial and Error Living Abroad |
6 . At some point, something will have to be done about the stuffed toys (毛绒玩具). I haven’t counted them because, truthfully, I’m not prepared to know how many there are. Lately, our neighborhood’s message boards are filled with posts about parents trying to make space, to clear out the things their kids no longer need. The tone of some of these posts can best be described as “emergency”. “Help!” they sometimes begin. “I have to get this out of my house.”
“The proliferation (激增) of children’s toys is the outcome of a long, gradual cultural change,”says Gary Cross, a professor at Pennsylvania State University. To understand how we got here — drowning (淹没于) in all those stuffed toys and bricks — it helps to look as far back as the late 19th century. “Parents were no longer passing their jobs on to the children,” Cross says. “Instead, they connect across generations through the gifting process. From the early 20th century on, goods became the things that define relationships between family members, and the way of marking success as a family.”
Then, how can parents deal with the proliferation of children’s toys at home? Naeemah Ford Goldson, a professional organizer, is also a mom of two. In her own home, Goldson likes to include her kids in the work of sorting out their toys. They know that the items they don’t need anymore will be given to people who can use them, to families who might not be as fortunate as theirs. “Doing so helps them build those habits of letting go,” she says, “so then they don’t become adults who are too dependent on material things instead of experiences, or people, and the memories we make with people.”
Her idea made sense. She told her 5-year-old they should pick some to give to kids in their community who came from another country and had to leave their toys behind. She immediately took a pink bear from the pile.
1. Why does the author present the posts in paragraph 1?| A．To show the popularity of children’s toys. |
| B．To offer suggestions about choosing children’s toys. |
| C．To praise the role of social media in buying children’s toys. |
| D．To introduce the influence too many children’s toys bring about. |
| A．Children’s demands. | B．The growth of technology. |
| C．The traditions in the 18th century. | D．The practice of gifting among family members. |
| A．Involve her kids in organizing toys. | B．Put away toys for her kids. |
| C．Buy her kids fewer toys. | D．Sell unwanted toys to neighbors. |
| A．The Rise of Toy Stores in Neighborhoods | B．The Importance of Choosing Proper Gifts |
| C．The Challenge of Managing Children’s Toys | D．The Joy of Collecting Children’s Toys |
7 . Popular people are admired and loved by their peers (同龄人).
Avoid offering help in exchange for approval (认可). Trying to be helpful will have the opposite effect.
Be the glue in your social circle. When you have plans to meet a group of friends for a social outing, make a habit of inviting someone who hasn’t met everyone in the group yet. If you re hanging out with a friend and run into another friend, remember to introduce them to each other.
Practice positivity. People who often complain about life and are more pessimistic have fewer friends. Therefore, it’s important to have a positive attitude and avoid constant complaining.
| A．Build relationships at work place and school. |
| B．Otherwise, your friends might feel awkward. |
| C．Make sure you are popular with your friends. |
| D．You’ll be regarded as people who need friendship. |
| E．And many people want to be associated with popular people. |
| F．However, sometimes sharing your problems with others is a good thing. |
| G．Peers have a special gift that enables them to make friends wherever they go. |
8 . WELCOME
STUDENT HANDBOOK
The administration, faculty, and staff of American Heritage and American Academy welcome you to the new school year. Please take the time to become familiar with the following information. It can be helpful during the school year for the students and an effective means to avoid confusion and misunderstandings.
Academic ReportingThe-175-day academic year is divided into two semesters, each with two grading periods, and report cards are given at the end of each. Plus, progress reports are issued throughout the year, with their distribution dates listed in the booklet’s back.
Conference Days & Exam DaysConference days are normally held on the Friday, which are required to be attended by all the students, following the distribution of report cards.
Fourth, fifth and sixth graders take exams during exam week at the end of the school year. All students are expected to be present during finals. Any student who must miss an exam date is required to request permission in writing stating just cause for absence.
Requirements for PromotionTo be eligible（有资格的）for promotion, a student must successfully complete all grade level requirements including maintaining a “C” average or higher in Reading and/or Mathematic s for the year and for second semester.
Honors ClassesHonors level classes are offered to scholarly qualified students in Math（Grades 2-6）, Language Arts/Reading（Grades 4-6), and Science（Grades 5-6) . Administration recommends placement based on student testing, motivation, teacher recommendation, and the good of the individual and the whole class. Students in Honors Classes will be moved to a regular class at end of semester if a “C—” or lower is earned.
1. What do we know about academic reporting?| A．Students have three-time marking periods in a semester. |
| B．Students are not sure when they can get reports cards. |
| C．Students are well informed to know their grades’ progress. |
| D．Students have to go to school to get reports in person. |
| A．Get promoted for next year. | B．Attend a meeting on Friday. |
| C．Get into Honors Classes. | D．Miss exams without reasons. |
| A．To provide rules of managing students’ behavior. |
| B．To show students’ rights and responsibilities. |
| C．To sign an agreement with students’ parents. |
| D．To offer some information about the school year. |
9 . A songbird jumps around in the woods near Washington, D. C. On its back it carries a very small, lightweight electronic device called a tag (标签). Ecologist Emily Williams watches from behind a bush. On this clear spring day, she says, “Now I’m watching to see whether he’s found a mate.” The bird has moved to a nearby tree where there is another robin. When the bird leaves, this new device it carries will send data about its position to a special satellite, then back to Williams’ computer.
The Georgetown University researchers have been attaching tracking (跟踪) tags on birds and animals for many years. But, the International Space Station and the involved satellite now provide new ways to receive the information sent by the tags. The new system permits scientists to watch songbird movements from a faraway place in much greater detail than before.
“We’re in a sort of golden age for bird research,” said Adriaan Dokter, an ecologist at Cornell University, adding that the technology is improving as the tags are made smaller and smaller. “We can track a robin by satellite with smaller and smaller chips. The device that the robin wears can report its immediate place on Earth, within about 10 meters. Ten years ago, that was unthinkable,” said the scientist, who is not involved in Williams’ study.
A second new device, for only the heaviest robins, provides more information about the bird’s movements; future versions may also measure the humidity and barometric pressure of the space the bird occupies. The devices are known as ICARUS tags.
Martin Wikelski is director of the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior. His scientific team is working to improve the ICARUS technology. He hopes that more and better devices could help develop what he called “an Internet of animals”—a collection of sensors around the world giving us a better picture of the movement of life on the planet.
1. What is Emily Williams doing in the woods?| A．Trying to catch a songbird. |
| B．Observing a bird with a new device. |
| C．Playing a bird game on the computer. |
| D．Taking an adventure trip in the nature. |
| A．Find the exact place of the robins quickly. |
| B．Take control of the robins easily. |
| C．Collect all the information from the satellite. |
| D．Communicate with the robin in a faraway place. |
| A．By explaining the reasons. | B．By making a comparison. |
| C．By listing two new devices. | D．By analyzing the data. |
| A．People can use more devices to keep healthy. |
| B．Technology can give better ways to track animals. |
| C．Human beings and animals can live in harmony. |
| D．People will know more about animals from the Internet. |
10 . It is often said that the best teachers are those who are able to form a sincere relationship with their students. This was never a problem for my second-grade teacher, as she viewed all of her students as family. Of course. in my case, it was actually true, because my second-grade teacher was my mother.
I won’t lie and say the year was easy. At times, there were difficulties starting the school day as teacher and student when there had been an issue at home as mother and son. The same can be said for after school when my mother just happened to know every little thing that happened during the school day.
My mother decided to move me up to the third-grade reading class. I used to joke that it was simply because she wanted me out of her classroom for part of the day, but I knew better. She had too much respect for education to do such a thing.
Even as she was ill and had a long stay in hospital, my mother, the teacher, still made me check in to see how her students were doing as the school year wrapped up. She also continued to press me about my future writing projects to make sure that I never gave up on my dreams, as well as checking that the plots all made sense.
I know that some people might refuse the idea of having their mother as a teacher as I did at first, but looking back, I can tell you I am grateful for that opportunity. While telling time and counting change are important lessons, they pale in comparison to the lessons Mom taught me about faith, love, and family. Those lessons are at the core of who she was and are cornerstones (基石) of my beliefs because of her. She was my favorite and best teacher.
1. What challenge did the author face with his mother as his second-grade teacher?| A．The difficulty of getting along with his mother at school. |
| B．The challenge of separating the two identities of his mother. |
| C．The pressure of his mother knowing everything about him. |
| D．The struggle to focus on studying with his mother in the same classroom. |
| A．He understood his mother very well. |
| B．He thought it was a poor decision. |
| C．He was angered by this arrangement. |
| D．He thought his mother was only joking. |
| A．Strict. | B．Patient. | C．Knowledgeable. | D．Responsible. |
| A．It gave him a sense of duty. |
| B．It enabled him to work hard. |
| C．It taught him valuable life lessons. |
| D．It made him have a good education. |
