2 . So proclaims Scrooge’s nephew Fred as he thinks about the hopelessly hardened heart of his uncle in Charles Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol (赞歌). A concern for the “least among us” spread through Dickens’ life and filled his novels. It shines with particular clarity in “A Christmas Carol,” beloved by generations.

Charles Dickens grew up in industrializing London of the early nineteenth century. As a young boy, he knew both well-being and poverty. When his father ended up in prison, so did the rest of the family — except Charles. Twelve-year-old Charles was sent into the London workforce and labored ten hour days at a shoe blacking factory to help make ends meet. Dickens never forgot the degrading conditions and the scorn (蔑视) for the poor that he experienced. He also came to know first-hand the miserable life in London’s slums (贫民窟).

Later, Charles was fortunate enough to be left a modest inheritance by his grandmother, and receive an education. But his concern for the poor, for those who lived in his city’s slums never left him. He fought for the poor and abandoned with what became his sharpest weapon — the pen. His novels, from Oliver Twist (1839) to Great Expectations (1861) artfully memorialized many of the characters and situations he had lived as a boy. Some of his books were responsible for lawmaking and action to improve conditions for the poor.

The lesson of Charles Dickens’ life for children is indeed a Christmas carol: that generosity, charity and service can be practiced in many ways and should depend on one’s talents. Some may go into the slums and attempt to improve lives through better education, housing or nutrition. Others may donate funds. Still others should pick up their pens. But all should be attentive to the needs of fellow passengers on the journey of life. To that end, we can think of no better hero than Dickens.

1. What is Dickens’ lifelong concern?

A．Poor people.

B．His family.

C．His novels.

D．Life in the slums.

2. Which of the following can best describe Dickens?

A．Persistent and caring.	B．Heroic and modest.
C．Attentive and generous.	D．Loving and humorous.

3. What do we know about Dickens’ works in the text?

A．They changed the poor’s conditions.

B．They were responsible for legislation.

C．They were based on his early experiences.

D．They memorialized the miserable life in slums.

4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．Charles Dickens’ life in slums.

B．Charles Dickens’ influence on people.

C．What Charles Dickens did for the poor.

D．Charles Dickens’ masterpieces in his life.

3 . When you are communicating, you spend nearly 60% of your time listening to other people, but most people only remember 25% of what they hear.     1    

    2    

Do you find yourself looking at your phone or following a TV show during a conversation with a family member or a friend? These little distractions can have much bigger consequences than you might think and you should try to limit them completely. When you are listening to someone, put everything else aside and give your full attention to the person.

Empathize with the person

When you are listening to another person, try to think what they might be feeling or going through at that very moment. Empathy towards other people can be improved by imagining yourself in different situations, as well as by learning more about people and different cultures.     3     Before you give your own opinion, try to look at the situation from the person’s angle and see what you can learn from the discussion.

Ask more questions

Being a good listener doesn’t just mean that you sit quietly and let the other person speak, you also need to ask meaningful questions. Try to find an answer to questions “why” and “what”.     4    

Train your emotional intelligence

The way you are able to manage your own emotions influences your ability to listen to other people.     5     Learn to understand your own emotions, both the negative and positive feelings and be aware of your reactions when you are listening to someone.

A．Be more open

B．Be more present

C．The good news is that you can practice it.

D．Don’t hurry or pressure the person into saying anything.

E．So how can you listen more and become the person people want to talk to?

F．Don’t start listening to someone with a predicted idea of what the person should do or say.

G．Don’t be afraid to ask for a clarification because misunderstandings can harm the conversation.

4 . It would be much more convenient if electric cars could be recharged wirelessly. Some electric toothbrushes and other small devices, such as mobile phones, can already be topped up in this way using a process called electromagnetic induction (电磁感应). This employs some kind of electrical current flowing through a coil (线圈) to create a varying magnetic field, which then generates another current in a second coil placed alongside it, which is used to recharge a battery.

As users of electric toothbrushes and phones will know, device and charger must be both close to each other and precisely adjusted for this process to work. That is tricky to achieve with an electric car, which sits above the ground and requires higher levels of energy transfer.

These problems are being overcome with advances like that made by WiTricity, a firm based near Boston. This company was founded in 2007 to commercialize the work of Marin Soljaèi and his colleagues at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr Soljaëi knew, in theory, that by having the transmitting and receiving coils resonate (共振) at the same frequency it should be possible to transfer greater amounts of energy over longer distances. In practice, he sought to commercialize the system to large companies, such as BMW.

An advantage of wireless recharging is what WiTricity’s boss calls “power snacking”. This is topping up the battery when a car is stationary for a short time. The company provides systems to recharge taxis in this way while they wait in line, and to do the same for electric buses at bus stops. It is also possible to charge vehicles while they are on the move. That might make sense in places where vehicles often queue up, such as at airports.

1. How can electric devices be charged wirelessly?

A．By devices close to chargers.

B．By high levels of energy transfer.

C．By an electrical current flowing through a coil.

D．By a process of electrical currents transformation.

2. What makes it possible for electric cars to get lots of energy wirelessly?

A．Commercializing the system to BMW.

B．Charging vehicles while they are on the move.

C．The transformation of energy over longer distances.

D．The good cooperation between the transmitting and receiving coils.

3. What does the underlined word “stationary” in paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．Moving.

B．Motionless.

C．Firm.

D．Unchanging.

4. Which might be the most suitable title for the text?

A．Various forms of wireless-charging systems.

B．Advantages and disadvantages of wireless-charging.

C．How to charge a car with a wireless-charging system.

D．Wireless vehicle-charging is starting to look promising.

6 . How does it feel when someone listens to you without interrupting (打断) or giving their opinion ? This is called active listening.    1    

What is active listening ?

Active listening means trying to understand how someone feels by listening carefully to what they’re saying and by paying attention to their body language.

Annie , aged 11, explains what it means to her. “When my friend tells me something important, I listen to what they’re trying to say. I can tell by the tone (语气) of their voice and the look on their face if they’re sad or happy.    2     When you’re actively listening to someone, you’re focusing (集中注意力) on them, which can make them feel valued.”

How is active listening good for me ?

Listening closely to someone without interrupting or giving your own opinion shows that you’re interested in what they’re saying , even if you don’ t agree.     3     It’s also a good way to improve your empathy(共鸣) skills. Empathy is the ability to understand the feelings of other people.

    4    

Listen carefully to what your friend is saying, and avoid jumping in with your own thoughts and feelings. If you get the urge (强烈的欲望) to talk , make a listening sign like nodding your head instead. Ask questions or say things that need more than a yes or no answer, like “Tell me more”.     5    “Active listening is a skill and it takes practice, but don’t give up, and remember you can only do your best ,” says Samaritans, an organization that supports people by listening to their worries.

A．How can I become an active listener?

B．Why is listening important to me?

C．This makes me feel like I understand them better.

D．Instead, you’re focusing on what’s going on around you.

E．Try watching how they’re feeling in their face and body too.

F．This helps to avoid mistakes and arguments and can strengthen friendships.

G．It is a great way to understand other people’s feelings and build trust between friends.

7 . California’s Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary(保护区) didn’t have a single monarch butterfly(帝王蝶) sighting last year, so no one knew what to expect for this year’s migration(迁徙). The pleasant surprise, according to SFGate :“The butterflies are back in town”, more than 13,700 of them , per the sanctuary’s count as of November 20,2021.What’s more , the high point of the overwintering season —which runs from October through February—is not even set to hit for several more weeks.

The butterflies typically head west from the Rocky Mountains each year to spend the winter along the Pacific coast; on the other side of the country , butterflies from the East Coast and Canada head to Mexico before the cold weather hits. The population decline(下降)over the years has been noticeable : For example , between 4 million and 10 million butterflies spent the winter in the Golden State in the 1980s, though by the late 1990s that number fell to just over 1 million. By 20I8, the butterflies numbered about 30,000, and last year , there were only about 2,000 seen across the California coast.

Researchers believe different factors have led to the butterflies’ population decline over the years, including climate change, use of pesticides, and loss of living space. And recent Wildfires in California have exacerbated the situation. Scientists say the public can help by planting milkweed ( the butterflies lay their eggs on the plant and their young feed on it; cutting down on pesticide use; and helping observe them.

Still , even though last year’s numbers were worrying, some experts say it may not be as terrible as it seems. David James, an entomologist at Washington State University, tells SFGate that the butterflies seem to be adaptable(能适应的), based on a recent study he led, and that he’s “ confident ” they’ll avoid extinction. Xerces Society conservation biologist Emma Pelton agrees, saying that “ We can make a difference. There is still time to act. ”

1. What did SFGate find surprising about the butterflies ?

A．Their growing number.	B．The time when they migrate.
C．The places they head to.	D．Their shorter overwintering period.

2. What do the numbers in paragraph 2 show ?

A．The butterflies prefer heading to Mexico.

B．The population of the butterflies has fallen for years.

C．The living space of the butterflies has been badly damaged.

D．The butterflies have difficulty adapting to new environments.

3. What does the underlined word “ exacerbated " in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Worsened.

B．Covered.

C．Changed.

D．Saved.

4. What did David James think of the butterflies ?

A．They are too weak to migrate far.

B．They will be widely protected soon.

C．They can avoid the danger of extinction.

D．They make him worry about our Earth’s future.

8 . UNICEF is an organisation that helps young people around the world. To celebrate its fantastic work, we are taking a look at why UNICEF was formed, how it has helped millions of children and find out about the work it does today.

UNICEF stands for United Nations International Children’ s Emergency Fund. It was formed in 1946 by the United Nations ( UN ) after the Second World War. UNICEF’s goal was to help all children, whatever country they were from. Maurice Pate was UNICEF’s first executive director and the organisation’s Leadership for Children Award is named after him. In 1953, UNICEF became a permanent(永久的) part of the UN.

UNICEF’s mission is to make the world a better place for young people and help them realise their potential(潜能). The organisation provides education , food , water , medicine and shelter to those in need. This can be in challenging(挑战性的) situations where emergency help is needed. UNICEF also carries out longer-term development projects to improve certain regions.

The organisation helps to provide care for babies and children in the UK. It offers training to people who work with parents and families, to ensure that all babies get the best possible start in life. Last year UNICEF provided support for about 600,000 babies. It also teaches schoolchildren about their rights. UNICEF also organises activities to raise money for projects around the world. In 2020, the UK contributed(捐赠) more than £382 million to UNICEE.

UNICEF has had many successes over the past years but young people still face challenges. However , a UNICEF report said that whether the problem is war , COVID -19 or a lack(短缺) of water, medicine or education , UNICEF is helping. Henrietta Fore , UNICEF’ s executive director, writes that UNICEF is using its experience to build a better future. She says,“ Young people are the most important partners of all. Their strength, creativity and courage give me hope. We can reimagine a better future for every child. ”

1. What do we know about UNICEF ?

A．It was formed by Maurice Pate alone.

B．It has been going for more than 75 years.

C．It held the first Leadership for Children Award in 1953.

D．It has been a permanent part of the UN since it was formed.

2. What is paragraph 4 mainly about ?

A．UNICEF’ s expectation for young people.	B．UNICEF’ s future goal in the UK.
C．UNICEF’ s role around the world.	D．UNICEF’ s work in the UK.

3. What can we infer from Henrietta Fore’s words ?

A．She is confident about young people.

B．She is worried about the future of children.

C．Young people are likely to focus less on team spirit.

D．Young people care about global problems more than before.

4. What is the purpose of this text ?

A．To give some suggestions.	B．To show a research result.
C．To make an introduction.	D．To express a need.

9 . Growing up, Chris Hadfield spent every summer at his family’s cottage (小屋) on Stag Island in southern Ontario. Like just about everyone else on the island, the Hadfields didn’t have a television set, so late in the evening of 20 July 1969, Chris and his family went to a neighbour’s cottage to watch the Apollo 11 landing on TV. When he saw Neil Armstrog step onto the surface of the Moon , Chris’s life changed forever. He knew he wanted to be an astronaut (宇航员) too.

At the time , it was impossible. For one thing, he wasn’t a grown-up yet. For another , all of NASA’s astronauts were American. Canadians weren’t even allowed to apply for the job.

But Chris decided to start getting ready, just in case things ever changed. He worked hard at school, learning everything he could about science , rockets and Space. As a teenager, he learned how to fly gliders (滑翔机), and then, after graduating from military college, he became a fighter pilot. Later , he became a test pilot who helped make military aircraft safer. Twenty-three years after that summer night on Stag Island, Chris’s dream came true: the newly formed Canadian Space Agency chose him to be an astronaut.

Since then , he has orbited (围绕……运动) the Earth thousands of times on three separate missions. Most recently, Chris was in Space for nearly five months, from December 2012 to May 2013, when he served as the first Canadian Commander of the International Space Station ( ISS ).

Today, Chris travels the world teaching people about Space, sharing the beautiful photographs he took and playing the songs he recorded on the space station. On summer nights, he likes to sit on his dock on Stag Island, watching for the ISS to pass by overhead. Even in the darkest dark, on a moonless night, the spaceship’s light is clearly visible (看得见的).

1. Chris Hadfield wanted to be an astronaut _________.

A．after his first Visit to Stag Island	B．with the encouragement from his neighbour
C．after watching the Apollo 11 landing on TV	D．after hearing the story of Neil Armstrong

2. What happened to Chris Hadfield in 1992?

A．He became a test pilot.

B．He stayed in Space for half a year.

C．He realised his dream of becoming an astronaut.

D．He became the first Canadian Commander of the ISS.

3. Which of the following words can be used to describe Chris Hadfield ?

A．Honest and creative.	B．Patient and Imaginative.
C．Cool-headed and warm-hearted.	D．Strong-minded and hard-working.

4. How does the author develop the text ?

A．In order of time.	B．In order of space.
C．By giving examples.	D．By making comparisons.

10 . Discover mind - blowing details and improve your knowledge with this factual selection.

Everything Under the Sun
by Molly Oldfield
( Puffin Books )

Find the answers to 366 questions asked by young people in this fun illustrated (有插图的) book. Which was the biggest dinosaur? How much bamboo can a giant panda eat ? Do aliens (外星人) exist ? Experts including famous, award-winning chefs and staff at the Natural History Museum provide the information.

On This Day : A History of the World in 366 Days
( Dorling Kindersley )

This book takes you on a journey through history, one day at a time. You’ll learn about events that took place on each day of the year --- whether they were important historical moments or strange happenings --- and discover which historical characters share your birthday.

Stuff
by Maddie Moate
Illustrated by Paul Boston
( Puffin Books )

Explore the hidden stories behind everyday objects with Maddie Moate, presenter of CBBC’s Do You Know. Learn about ink made from soot（烟灰）, shoes made from old tyres（轮胎）, and paper made from elephant poo --- as well as many other ways people throughout history have used and reused things around them.

A History of the World in 25 Cities
by Tracey Turner and Andrew Donkin
Illustrated by Libby VanderPloeg
( Nosy Crow )

Visit wonder-filled cities around the world and throughout history with this beautiful book of illustrated maps, put together by experts from the British Museum. Explore Athens in ancient Greece, China ’ s long-lost city of Xianyang and modern-day Tokyo --- one of the world ' s most densely（密集地）populated cities.

1. Which book provides answers to 366 questions?

A．Stuff.

B．Everything Under the Sun.

C．A History of the World in 25 Cities.

D．On This Day : A History of the World in 366 Days.

2. Whose book tells you stories about everyday objects?

A．Molly Oldfield’ s.	B．Maddie Moate’ s.
C．Libby VanderPloeg’s.	D．Tracey Turner and Andrew Donkin’ s.

3. What do the four books have in common?

A．They are full of facts.	B．They are history-related.
C．They are award-winning books.	D．They are produced by Puffin Books.