1 . How to Have a Better Conversation on Social Media

You’re not alone if you find social media to be both a space for staying informed and a space full of hate and disagreement. These days, that is the landscape we log into and struggle in.     1    .

Don’t voice opinions on everything

Too much information is like an “Everything Storm” for us to absorb and respond. Thus, it’s OK — and normal — that there are some topics we know more about and others we know almost nothing about.     2    . By focusing on just one or two topics and leaning on our own personal experience, rather than unclear references online, we can escape the storm or at least. grab an umbrella as it strikes.

Find a place to fully express ourselves

    3    . However, sometimes our thoughts are too messy or complicated to express in a bite-size package. Move to modes of communication that allow us to fully express ourselves without limits. Talking on the phone or in person may not always be possible. Try taking conversations to direct messages.

Stop competing for “likes”

The internet has become an arena (竞技场), where we all compete, for “likes”. We use emojis to cheer and boo (发出嘘声). Often the supposed winner of a debate is who-gets the most “likes.” This can be entertaining, yet it blocks the forming of genuine connections with people.     4    . Find a place far away from the audience, where we are not judged and scored instantly for what we say.

Accept differences

It’s sad but true: many of us act differently online than we would in real life, and often see anyone who disagrees as a “troll” (网络怪物).     5     Remember we’re speaking with someone whose feelings and experiences have shaped their opinions. Approach people online with compassion, and we’re on the way to opening doors to new understandings.

A．Exit the battlefield

B．Remove this word from our vocabulary

C．It is wise to limit our comments to the former

D．Many social platforms enforce strict word limits

E．Luckily, we can still survive with some strategies

F．Briefing your message in a reply will get you more connections

G．Our online feelings can be described as “entertaining” and “connecting”

2 . Since 1912, The Nederlander Organization has continued the tradition of operating historic theatres, producing and presenting the best theatrical and concert events. The following are a few of its Broadway theatres.

GERSHWIN THEATRE: 222 W 51ST ST, NEW YORK, NY 10019

Home of the Broadway smash-hit musical Wicked, Gershwin Theatre was named in honor of one of America’s greatest composers, George Gershwin. The theatre’s circular ball was designed to display the names and photographs of Broadway’s own Theater-Hall of Fame. Opened in 1972 with 1,900 seats, it is one of the Nederlander Organization’s nine Broadway theatres.

DURHAM PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: 123 VIVIAN STREET, DURHAM, NC 27701

Since its opening in 2008, DPAC has become the center for entertainment in North Carolina. With 2,700 scats, DPAC truly has “something for everyone,” and hosts more than 200 performances yearly. DPAC welcomes all guests and events in an open, friendly, and respectful setting. It stands committed against all forms of discrimination.

DOLBY THEATRE: 6801 HOLLYWOOD BLVD, HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA 90028

Dolby Theatre, built in 2001, delivers the most natural, life-like sensory experience with the latest innovations in Dolby entertainment technology, including DolbyAtmos^TM, a breakthrough audio technology. Its cutting edge technologies attract many world’s biggest movie premieres, notable television awards events, and performances. With 3,400 seats, it is one of two Broadway theatres in Los Angeles.

WINTER GARDEN THEATRE: 1634 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NY 10019

The playhouse occupies the second American Horse Exchange, built by William K. Vanderbilt in 1896, when Longacre (now Times Square) was the center of the horse and carriage trade. By 1911, it had been rented out, as horses had given way to automobiles. The Winter Garden was converted into a theatre in 1911. It served as a movie house from 1928 to 1933 when Warner Brothers rented’ it. Winter Garden Theatre has 1,600 seats and is one of Broadway theatres. The sound of music: the classic musical is now playing at the Winter Garden Theatre.

1. Which theatre enjoys the longest history?

A．Gershwin Theatre.	B．Winter Garden Theatre.
C．Dolby Theatre.	D．Durham Performing Arts Centre.

2. According to the passage, what makes Dolby Theatre unique among the four theatres?

A．Realistic sound effects.	B．Numerous performances.
C．Hall of Fame.	D．Disapproval of discrimination.

3. I one is in New York city, which event could ho go to?

A．Big movie premiers.	B．A musical about Gershwin.
C．A timeless musical.	D．Television awards.

3 . Set 40 kilometers northeast of the city of Ambatondrazaka, Madagascar, the Zahamena National Park has overall land coverage of 643 square kilometers, but only about 420 square kilometers is open to the public. It receives an average rainfall level of around 6 feet every year and experiences frequent rain showers even during the dry season between April and October. And elevations (海拔) inside the park range from 250 to 1,560 meters, which has resulted in a diversity (多样性) of climates.

One really interesting thing about the Zahamena National Park is its unique highland landform (高地地貌). The development of several ecosystems that all together exist within its area greatly depends on it. And this is also the reason why the types of wildlife living in one area of its wide range are different in another, which makes it quite exciting to explore.

This protected region’s main area is divided into two parts: the eastern and western areas, with a separate piece of ground in the middle where many small villages are located. Zahamena means “red trees”, which suggests a tree species scientifically called Diatum unifoliatum. It lives only in Zahamena and is characterized by its typically deep reddish-orange color.

Established as a strict natural highland habitat for nature conservation (保护) in 1927, the Zahamena National Park was officially awarded the honorary title of national park in 1997 and was finally opened to the public. Due to its amazing landform and unique local biodiversity, this national park was later listed as a key part of the Rainforests of the Atsinanana in 2007.

Unluckily, there are no hotels or restaurants around the national park. So Zahamena is not an easy rainforest—this national park needs people with a high level of fitness and people with low requirements concerning accommodations. Everyone who is not discouraged by this will be able to expect an amazing rainforest experience in a location which has a small number of tourists.

1. What do we know about the Zahamena National Park?

A．It is hard to reach due to conservation rules.

B．It has changeable weather all year round.

C．It has a great difference in elevations.

D．It is famous for its traditional villages.

2. What has caused several ecosystems in the park?

A．The complete food chain of wildlife there.

B．The wet weather condition there.

C．The conservation efforts there.

D．The special landform there.

3. What is the Zahamena National Park most probably named after?

A．A cultural belief.	B．A local tree species.
C．The unique geography.	D．The local village group.

4. What does the underlined word “this” in the last paragraph refer to?

A．The tough condition of Zahamena.	B．People’s high level of fitness.
C．Its geographical location.	D．The diversity of climates.

4 . When you have negative (消极的) emotions and physical symptoms (症状) like stress and anxiety over a long period of time, to the point that it affects your everyday life, you may be experiencing sadness.     1    , like losing a job or having to plan a big event. The good news is that there are ways to prevent feelings of discomfort from changing into sadness.

    2    

If you’re feeling anxious or you’re having trouble focusing — find a way to remove it. Go outside, go to the bathroom, call a friend, or take a few deep breath. Your nervous system is being flooded with stress hormones (荷尔蒙), making it hard to calm down and see things clearly. So you need to change your environment.

Relate what happened

Go over your situation again.     3    . Do this with a friend, a family member or even yourself, by writing a diary or talking out loud while walking your dog. By doing this, you can remind yourself of details you may have paid no attention to.

Name your emotions

As you describe what happened, name your emotions.     4    . For example, instead of saying you simply feel annoyed, maybe you actually feel disappointed. You can use the feelings wheel, a tool that can help you express your emotions more accurately.

Examine what gives you discomfort

If you have terrible road rage (狂怒), have a conversation with yourself about it. You might ask yourself: Why am I so angry on the road? Is it because I am in a rush? Or is it because I hate sitting in traffic? Then, find ways to lessen the situation.     5    . To avoid traffic, ask your boss if you can work from home a couple times a week.

A．Learn new words

B．Change the situation

C．It may result from a major life challenge

D．Anger can influence your daily life greatly

E．This can help find what is giving you discomfort

F．To avoid being rushed, you can leave the house a half hour early

G．The key is that you should express your emotions more specifically

5 . Dr. Janet S. Choi, a doctor at Keck Medicine of USC, wanted to know whether recovering hearing with hearing aids (辅助设备) may increase the chances of living longer.

“The group of patients who are using hearing aids regularly have a 24% lower risk of death compared to the group who never use hearing aids,” says Choi. The findings do not prove that it’s the hearing aids that lead to longer life. It could be that people who use hearing aids regularly are also more likely to put off isolation (孤独), remain more active in socializing with other people or have reduced risk of falls, which could explain why people who never use hearing aids likely die more prematurely than those who use them regularly. The effect holds up even when the researchers consider differences such as age, ethnicity, education and medical history.

Choi knows from personal experience the difference hearing aids can make. She was born with hearing loss in one ear. And for years she says she resisted the idea of wearing hearing aids, given that her hearing was very good in one ear. But when she became a surgeon, she realized she was missing out. Now she uses hearing aids regularly.

There can be several limits to recovering from hearing, including the cost of examining and the cost of hearing aids. But the technologies have improved and there are more affordable choices compared to several years ago. Still, some people avoid wearing them due to shame or the annoyance of getting used to them.

So, if you have hearing aids sitting in the back of a drawer, not being used, Choi says, try them again. She recommends new users wear their hearing aids every day for 30 ongoing days to get used to them.

1. What did the study find about patients often wearing hearing aids?

A．They are at risk of more falls.

B．They more possibly hate isolation.

C．They usually have good medical history.

D．They are more likely to communicate with others.

2. What does the underlined word “prematurely” mean in paragraph 2?

A．Early.

B．Unexpectedly.

C．Unhappily.

D．Suddenly.

3. Why did Choi mention her personal experience?

A．To list an unusual example.

B．To state some pleasant scenes.

C．To pity people with hearing loss.

D．To prove the benefit of using hearing aids.

4. What is paragraph 4 of the text mainly about?

A．The high cost of hearing aids.

B．The process of examining hearing.

C．The rules of protecting hearing aids.

D．The troubles of recovering from hearing.

6 . The Himalayan mountains are increasingly filled with mounting waste left by mountaineering activities over the years. There is no official data, but Nepal’s Department of Tourism estimates（估计）that on Qomolangma alone, there is nearly 140,000 tons of waste.

Now some of that material is finding its way to local craftswomen（女工艺师）, thanks to a new plan led by Shilshila Acharya. Acharya owns Avni Center for Sustainability, a waste processing business in Kathmandu. She has been working with the cleaning activity since 2019, targeting mountains such as Qomolangma, Makalu, Dhaulagiri, Ama Dablam and Annapurna.

“Metals go through the recycling（回收利用）process, but we were not able to find a way to recycle these ropes and small cooking gas cans,” she says. It occurred to her that the non-recyclable waste could be reused, but it wasn’t until she met Maya Rai at an event that a solution was born. Rai, helped connect Acharya with Sunita Chaudhary and her team of Tharu craftswomen in the hope of turning the mountain waste into economic opportunity.

“People like me, who are far from the mountains but belong to the local Tharu community, are using our traditional skills to change this waste into something entirely new,” Chaudhary says.

Finished crafts are sold at craft exhibitions. The craftswomen are paid according to how many items they make and sell, earning an average of 400 Nepali Rupees per half-day’s work. With flexible hours, the project gives women an opportunity to earn money even as they keep their household responsibilities.

1. What is the trouble for the Himalayan mountains according to paragraph 1?

A．No true data about waste.	B．Tons of mounting waste.
C．Mountaineering activities.	D．Lack of funds for environment.

2. What made Acharya know how to reuse the non-recyclable waste?

A．The recycling process.	B．Meeting Rai at an event.
C．A cleaning activity in 2019．	D．A visit to Chaudhary’s house.

3. How do the Tharu craftswomen benefit from the project?

A．They learn new skills.	B．They receive fixed pay.
C．They sell crafts at exhibitions.	D．They explore the Himalayan mountains.

4. What is a suitable title for the text?

A．Mountaineering Adventures in the Himalayas

B．Exploring Traditional Skills of Local Craftswomen

C．Crafting Economic Opportunities from Mountain Waste

D．Promoting Tourism in Kathmandu

7 . Established in 1986, the James Beard Foundation assists culinary (烹饪的) professionals who plan to further their education at a culinary school having official permission. International students may qualify for many, but not all, of our programs, and are encouraged to apply. As of 2024, we will be offering the following programs.

The Jean-Louis Palladin Professional Work/Study Grant (补助金)

Chef (厨师) Jean-Louis Palladin is considered one of the culinary talented people of the 20th century. The James Beard Foundation is proud to offer the Jean-Louis Palladin Professional Work/Study Grant. Created to keep up the mission and programs of the Jean-Louis Palladin Foundation, the project will provide two yearly grants up to $4,000 to working chefs.

The Chef Mashama Bailey Tuition Waiver (学费减免)

Chef Mashama Bailey is a graduate of ICE’s Culinary Arts program in 2001. She is the executive chef/co-owner of The Grey, in Savannah, Georgia and Austin, Texas. This tuition grant, for $20,000, was established to honor her achievement. Preference will be given to applicants who can communicate a clear personal interest and appreciation for regional food, particularly southern regional food in America.

The FCI Legacy of Excellence Tuition Waiver

The French Culinary Institute(FCI)was established in 1984 in New York City, with a focus on French technique as the foundation for teaching professional cooking. This tuition grant, for $15,000, was established to honor the legacy of FCI. Preference will be given to applicants who have a desire to one day be the head chef of a restaurant.

Johnson & Wales University Tuition Waiver

Up to one waiver of $3,000 will be offered toward tuition at Johnson & Wales University campus in Providence or Charlotte, North Carolina. The award is renewable up to four additional years (for a total of $12,000). To remain qualified for the award, the student must keep satisfactory academic performance.

1. To get the highest award, which of the following can one apply for?

A．The Jean-Louis Palladin Professional Work/Study Grant.

B．The Chef Mashama Bailey Tuition Waiver.

C．The FCI Legacy of Excellence Tuition Waiver..

D．Johnson & Wales University Tuition Waiver.

2. Who is most likely to get the FCI Legacy of Excellence Tuition Waiver?

A．An applicant who wants to be a head chef.

B．An applicant who must be a working chef.

C．An applicant who is interested in southern American food.

D．An applicant who graduated from Johnson & Wales University.

3. Where can the text be found?

A．In a novel.	B．In a history book.
C．In an education magazine.	D．In a travel brochure.

8 . Antarctica has not always been a land of ice and snow. Earth’s southernmost continent once was home to rivers and forests full of life.

Scientists are using satellite observations and radar imagery to look deep under the ice. The researchers report finding a large ancient landscape buried under the continent’s ice sheet. It is full of valleys and ridges (山脊) , shaped by rivers before being covered by glaciers long ago.

The landscape is located in East Antarctica’s Wilkes Land area bordering the Indian Ocean. The researchers said the landscape appears to date back to at least 14 million years ago and perhaps beyond 34 million years ago, when Antarctica entered its deep freeze.

“It is difficult to know what this lost world might have looked like before the ice came along, but it was certainly warmer back then,” said Stewart Jamieson, a professor at Durham University. “Depending how far back in time you go, you might have had climates that ranged anywhere from the climate of present-day Patagonia through to something more approaching tropical.”

“Such an environment likely would have been populated by wildlife”, Jamieson said. “But the area’s fossil record is too incomplete to know which animals may have lived there.”

The researchers said the surface of the planet Mars is better known than the earth surface below the ice in Antarctica. They said one way to learn more would be to drill through the ice and take a piece of the earth below. This could uncover evidence showing ancient life, as was done with samples taken in Greenland dating back two million years ago.

Jamieson said the researchers think that when Antarctica’s climate was warmer, rivers flowed toward a continental coastline that was created as the other land masses broke away. When the climate cooled, some small glaciers formed on hills next to the rivers. When the climate cooled even more, an ice sheet grew which covered the whole continent, the landscape got preserved, likely for 34 million years.

1. What can we learn about the ancient landscape?

A．It locates in the center of Antarctica.	B．It’s discovered by drilling through the ice.
C．It’s once a warmer area than it is now.	D．It has a history of no more than 14 million years.

2. In Stewart Jamieson’s opinion, why is it hard to know Antarctica’s past animals?

A．There is a lack of complete fossil record.

B．The ice sheet of Antarctica is melting quickly.

C．Scientists lack enough advanced equipment.

D．Climate conditions vary greatly from place to place.

3. Why is the planet Mars mentioned in paragraph 6?

A．To attract more scientists to study Antarctica.

B．To strengthen the importance of the Mars.

C．To indicate the complex situations of the Mars.

D．To show the difficult to know Antarctica’s earth surface.

4. What made the landscape get preserved for such a long time?

A．The colder climate.	B．The protection offered by coastlines.
C．Other land masses’ reduction.	D．A decrease in the number of wildlife.

9 . Changi Community Chub Visit

To Green Ark Fish Farm

WHAT

Green Ark is one of the fish closed fish farms in the world. It is a floating structure about the size

of the two classrooms.
WHERE

Located 5km off Chang Point, the farm can produce 166, 000 kilograms of fish a year. The fish are housed in four enormous tanks. The raised fish include barramundi, red snapper and grouper. They are mainly for local consumption.

HOW

The fish are sale from threat such as all spills (溢油) and other chemicals which could kill them. The aa waler they live in is really clean. Bacteria and viruses are destroyed by ozonation (臭氧化). In this process, oxygen is blown into the tanks every hour. “All these improved conditions ensure that the waler quality remains high. This enables our fish to become healthier,” said Mrs. Linda Tan, spokesperson of Green Ark Fish Farm.

Would you like a glimpse of Green Ark Fish Farm?

For the very first time, Changi Community Club is organizing 5 small-group tours (25 persons each) to Green Ark Fish Farm on the following Saturdays: 6, 13, 20, 27 July. You will have first- hand knowledge of how fish is raised there. The highlight of the tour will be tasty meal of fresh fish chosen by the chefs of Changi Cafe.

Time	Schedule	Cost
1: 00 p. m.	Meet at Changi Ferry Point	$40 per person; Changi Community Club members pay $30 each
1: 15 p. m.	Depart for Green Arh
1: 30 p. m.	Tour of Green Ark
2: 30 p. m.	Return to Changi Point
2: 45 p. m	Dory Fish &Chips Meal at Changi Cafe

For enquiries, please visit the website at 222. changicc. com. sg. Registration will be on a. first-come, first-served basis. Book early to avoid disappointment!

1. What can we know about the fish raised by Green Ark Fish Farm?

A．They are in danger of oil spills.	B．They can swim freely in the ocean.
C．They are mainly sold to local buyers.	D．They could be killed by other chemicals.

2. What does Mrs. Linda mean when she says “the water quality remains high”?

A．The water level is high enough for fish.

B．The water is the same as water from the sea.

C．The water doesn’t contain viruses or bacteria.

D．The water has enough space for fish to swim in.

3. What do you have to do if you want a guaranteed place on the tour?

A．Send an email to the club.	B．Join Changi Community Club.
C．Pay booking fee ahead of time.	D．Register before the places are filled up.

10 . High school graduation requirements

To earn a high school diploma, students must meet the following requirements.

Compulsory credits

*4 credits in English (1 credit per grade) *3 credits in mathematics *3 credits for group 1, 2 and 3 courses *2 credits in science *1 credit in Canadian history (Grade 10) *1 credit in Canadian geography (Grade 9)

*1 credit in the arts *1 credit in health and physical education *1 credit in French as a second language *0.5 credit in career studies *0.5 credit in civics and citizenship

Optional credits

Students must earn 12 optional credits. by successfully completing courses offered in the school’s program and course calendar. Optional credits may include up to four credits earned through approved dual (双倍的) credit programs. .

The literacy graduation requirement

In September 2023, the literacy graduation requirement was introduced and it became effective immediately. Students graduating in the 2023-2024 school year and beyond are required to meet this requirement to earn their high school diploma.

Community involvement

Students are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement activities as part of the requirements for a diploma.

Students who are looking for community involvement opportunities should:

★make sure they know which activities satisfy the community involvement requirement
★check their school board’s website for a list of approved and prohibited activities
★have a discussion with their parents to plan and select their community involvement activities(students under 18 years old only)
1. What’s the minimum number of credits required for a high school diploma?

A．30.

B．32.

C．34.

D．36.

2. When did the literacy graduation requirement take effect?

A．In September 2021.	B．In September 2022.
C．In September 2023.	D．In September 2024.

3. What should adult students do before doing community involvement activities?

A．Ask for their parents’ permission.

B．Turn to local community centers for help.

C．Set community involvement hours with teachers.

D．Have a clear understanding of the qualified activities.