1 . Twelve-year-old Catherine has a lot of friends—632, actually, if you count up her online friends. And she spends a lot of time with them.
But is it possible that Catherine’s online friendships could be making her lonely? That’s what some experts believe. Connecting online is a great way to stay in touch, they say. However, some experts worry that many kids are so busy connecting online that they might be missing out on true friendships.
Could this be true? During your parents’ childhoods, connecting with friends usually meant spending time with them in the flesh. Kids played Scrabble around a table, not words with friends on their phones. When friends missed each other, they picked up the telephone. Friends might even write letters to each other.
Today, most communication takes place online. A typical teen sends 2,000 texts a month and spends more than 44 hours per week in front of a screen. Much of this time is spent on social media platform.
In fact, in many ways, online communication can make friendships stronger. “There’s definitely a positive influence. Kids can stay in constant contact, which means they can share more of their feelings with each other,” says Katie Davis, co-author of The App Generation.
Other experts, however, warn that too much online communication can get in the way of forming deep friendships. “If we are constantly checking in with our virtual world, we will have little time for our real-world friendships,” says Larry Rosen, a professor at California State University. Rosen also worries that today’s kids might mistake the “friends” on the social media for true friends in life. However, in tough times, you don’t need anyone to like your picture or share your blogs. You need someone who will keep your secrets and hold your hand. You would like to talk face to face.
1. What is the purpose of the first paragraph?| A．To tell about true friends. | B．To start a discussion. |
| C．To encourage online friendships. | D．To summarize(总结) the text. |
| A．In any case. | B．In public. | C．In person. | D．In advance. |
| A．Unconcerned. | B．Positive. | C．Worried. | D．Confused. |
| A．Teenagers need to focus on real-world friendships. | B．It’s easier to develop friendships in real life. |
| C．It’s wise to turn to friends online. | D．Social media help people stay closely connected. |
2 . Starting a new book can feel like a bit of a commitment (承诺), but it doesn’t have to be! Here are four books you can read in a single day.
The House on Mango Street
Released in 1984 and written by Mexican-American author Sandra Cisneros, The House on Mango Street is only 103 pages long. It’s a rapid read for those looking to dip their toes into the water, but it still deals with complex themes and important subject matters, including language, race, ageing, and troubles.
The Midnight Library
The Midnight Library from the English author Matt Haig was released in 2020. It has 288 pages, which makes it a little more challenging but still absolutely doable (可做的) in a single day. The novel is all about storytelling, with Nora Seed exploring the “what ifs” of her life.
The Perilous Life of Jade Yeo
Released in 2012 and written by the fantastic Malaysian-English author Zen Cho, the page count is an extremely manageable 76 pages, which makes this another effective first read in one day. The novel is set in London in the 1920s and follows the life of another writer, Jade Yeo. There is even enough time for readers to appreciate a film adaptation of the book after reading it.
Stardust
The 1999 novel by English author Neil Gaiman is a perfect presentation of the writer’s fantasy styles at their best. Stardust, which became a major motion picture, sits at 256 pages, It’s epic (史诗般的) in its scale, but the reader can fit the novel into a single day, giving them a true sense of absolute escapism to the fantasyland of Stormhold.
1. Which book can make you feel like escaping from reality and being in a kind of dreamland?| A．The Perilous Life of Jade Yeo. | B．The Midnight: Library. |
| C．The House on Mango Street. | D．Stardust. |
| A．It’s supposed to be made into a film soon. |
| B．The book tells the life of its author, Zen Cho. |
| C．Its background is in London about a century ago. |
| D．It is a bit more challenging to finish reading it in two days. |
| A．It is a perfect presentation of the writer’s own experiences. |
| B．It involves complex themes and important subject matters. |
| C．It was written by a well-known Malaysian-English author. |
| D．It is all about storytelling, with Nora Seed exploring the“what ifs”of her life； |
3 . People are often surprised by my fear of blood and needles. Working in a public health unit, I probably have more daily interaction with syringes (注射器) than the average person. But the truth is, having my blood drawn scares me.
When I was 9, I had an extremely high temperature. A nurse rudely stuck the needle into my arm, causing a sharp pain. I avoided having blood taken from my body for the next years. A few months before I turned 30, my doctor ordered a blood test as part of my physical exam. I panicked. Sensing my fear, she gently suggested I see a psychiatrist (精神科医生). “Dr. M helped my other patients with the same fear,” she said.
When Dr. M called to set up an appointment, I hesitated. Talking about personal problems to a medically licensed stranger was uncommon in my family. “A psychiatrist?” Mother asked. “He’ll just put you on drugs. Can’t you get over this yourself?” I almost listened. But I went to Dr. M’s clinic finally. “Phobias (恐惧症) are pretty easy to treat,” he said. I wasn’t convinced of his words. But despite my doubts, I was running out of options.
We started with basic exposure treatment. I watched videos of blood being drawn every day. As I started to feel more at ease with needles, Dr. M suggested drawing blood. As he gently pressed the needle into my flesh, I felt dizzy and breathed deeply. After a few minutes, I looked at the needle. It wasn’t so bad. I didn’t pass out. “You’re doing well,” Dr. M said.
I still find it unpleasant getting blood drawn, but thanks to several months of treatment, I’m less scared. I hate to admit it, but Dr. M is right — phobias can be treated. Sometimes, we have to leave our comfort zone and face our fears. And this can lead to freedom in the end.
1. What caused the author’s phobia?| A．Her sensitivity to pains. |
| B．Her awful performance in study. |
| C．Her bad medical experience. |
| D．Her regular contact with syringes. |
| A．Conservative. | B．Disapproving. |
| C．Supportive. | D．Optimistic. |
| A．It cost the author a great deal of money. |
| B．It eased the author’s pain totally. |
| C．It centered on watching videos. |
| D．It was smoother than expected. |
| A．Bravery brings us a happier life |
| B．Walk toward what scares us |
| C．Ups and downs make one strong |
| D．Nurse our physical health carefully |
4 . How to Overcome Your Fears
Here are five practical strategies that will help you overcome your fears and face a brighter future.
Identify your fears
Take a moment to explore inward and identify the specific sources of your fears. Recognize what it is that is holding you back. Ask yourself, “What are you genuinely afraid of?” Spend a few quiet moments observing your thoughts and emotions.
Understand the root cause
Spend some time exploring the nature of your fears. Begin reflective thinking by asking yourself, “Why am I experiencing fear?” and “What is causing me to feel anxious?”
Practice acceptance
The journey of overcoming fear requires acceptance.
To overcome your fears effectively, you need to set clear and achievable goals. That’s because you can use a sense of purpose to drive you forward on your journey. In addition, breaking down your broader goals into smaller ones is important.
Take action
| A．Establish clear goals |
| B．Remember all your goals |
| C．If you take action at once |
| D．When you answer these questions |
| E．Then write down in detail what comes up for you |
| F．Accepting fear is not a barrier to self-improvement |
| G．At this point on your journey to overcome fear, it’s time to take action |
5 . There’s a small brick house I visit from time to time. It’s not the house that is, special, but rather the person who lives inside,
I met Jenny about 45 years ago when she was my sister’s kindergarten teacher. I remember looking into her classroom, wishing I were her student. Jenny created a safe place where we could be whatever we wanted to be during the time. My parents told me I could start school when I was 4. However, when I turned 4iin the spring, I couldn’t understand why I had to wait until: September. For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a teacher. When I graduated, I couldn’t wait to invite Jenny to my classroom. She arrived one day, and I saw joy on my students’ faces when they sang the same songs I sang with her as a child. As a new teacher, I was amazed at how she connected with children. For years, Jenny volunteered in my classroom.
Over the years we have shared each other’s ups and downs. She asks me for updates about my family and friends, and she tells me about hers.
I am here for her no was the time to sell her house is near. I bring up boxes from her basement. We go through every painting a student has given to her, every thank-you note a parent has written and her teaching aids. I find papers featuring the letters of the alphabet. I find my own name printed in a green card. Suddenly, my mind goes back to Room 3. More than 40 years ago, Jenny sat on the carpet at her feet. We learned about the letters and their sounds.
Now, Jenny sits on her rocking chair, and I find myself sitting at her feet. Over tea, we talk for hours. I listen carefully because I know I still have more to learn from her.
Our friendship is one that neither one of us expected. Educators know teaching is a profession devoted to the development of young individuals. The lucky ones get to see what their students have done with their lives. The exceptional ones never leave their students’ hearts.
1. How can we best describe Jenny?| A．Skilled in her teaching but impatient with her students sometimes. |
| B．Considerate and often paying a visit to the parents of her students. |
| C．Easy-going and good at communicating with her students. |
| D．Generous and ready to help poor students. |
| A．They are unwilling to visit each other. |
| B．They usually have nothing new to share. |
| C．They are always concerned with each other. |
| D．They have lost contact with each other by now. |
| A．Jenny’s house is to be sold. |
| B．Jenny wants to find her teaching aids. |
| C．Jenny expects to show her achievements in education. |
| D．Jenny intends to offer the papers with the letters to the author. |
| A．Those who can be devoted to the development of young individuals. |
| B．Those who can see how their students experience their lives. |
| C．Those who can be appreciated for their hard work. |
| D．Those who can get in touch with their students. |
6 . Out in the Atlantic Ocean, roughly 60 miles off the northwest coast of Africa, lie the Canary Islands. In the 1950s, the boom in package tourism showed promise as a new cash crop. But while the Canary Islands had the sunshine, warm climate and ease of access from Europe needed for this new industry, they were missing a vital element picture postcard sandy beaches.
So the developers on Tenerife in the Canary Islands constructed a breakwater (防波堤) over half a mile long. And then, from the Western Sahara on Africa’s northwest coast, they shipped in 270, 000 tons of sand. By 1973, the project was complete. As anticipated, tourists arrived. Along the engineered beach, rows and rows of tourists relax on beach chairs under umbrellas or walk across soft sand to cool down in the water.
Unanticipated was what their presence gave to one of the world’s most endangered fish species, angel sharks — visibility. The gentle wind creates tiny waves on the water’s surface, a magical cover for what lies beneath — an angel shark nursery. Female angel sharks regularly migrate to these ideally sheltered waters to give birth to pups (幼崽), who remain in the shallows for about a year. Feeding on small fishes, they grow to around the same length as a newborn human baby.
Surveys have shown that other beaches in the Canary Islands are also potential nursery sites. Interestingly, most of them have been remade to make them more attractive to people. Playa Chica has another long sweep of imported sand. It’s an attraction for divers as well as angel sharks, so the number of sightings of mature angel sharks of this shoreline is one of highest in the islands.
Normally, massive, environmentally disruptive projects are bad for wildlife. But what’s clear is that after the breakwater was built and the sand arrived, people followed, and in the calm, shallow waters they began to see baby angel sharks. And unlike how many an association between humans and wildlife ends-in conflict and dead animals, this time it led to conservation.
1. Why did the developers on Tenerife carry out the project?| A．To build a base for shipping. | B．To boost the local tourism industry. |
| C．To fight against the rising sea. | D．To protect the island’s eco-system. |
| A．It caused the disappearance of some fishes. |
| B．It made a magical tourist attraction. |
| C．It gave angel sharks a home. |
| D．It created conflicts between sharks and tourists. |
| A．Favorable. | B．Doubtful. | C．Unclear. | D．Intolerant. |
| A．To highlight the financial benefits of tourism. |
| B．To introduce potential human-wildlife coexistence. |
| C．To explain the situation of endangered species. |
| D．To emphasize the importance of wildlife conservation. |
7 . We try to escape from the hurt and pain by pretending it doesn’t exist, but although we can try this as we want, in the end, we can’t hide from ourselves.
Breathe into pain
Whenever a painful situation arises in your life, try to embrace it instead of running away or trying to mask the hurt.
Ask your heart what it wants
We’re often confused at the next step to take, making pros and cons lists until our eyes bleed and our brains are sore. Instead of always taking this approach, what if we take a few deep breaths then ask, “Heart, what decision should I make here? What action feels the most right?”
Accept your shadow
Many of us who are on the personal development path get caught up in embracing characteristics we want to have, like happiness, compassion, love, and passion. In this process we end up losing parts of ourselves that make us whole. Try asking yourself a question:
Get outside of yourself
After you’ve explored the depths of yourself, you come away with a new understanding. Now, it’s time to share that — not through telling others, but through being with others. Lose yourself in the beauty of others; see what they can teach you about yourself.
| A．What else can I do to improve myself? |
| B．Is there anything I’m hiding from myself? |
| C．Trying to escape is a good way to protect ourselves. |
| D．See what comes up, then engage and evaluate the outcome. |
| E．When sadness strikes, take a deep breath and lean into it. |
| F．Remember, there’s no need to do every one of these at the same time. |
| G．We need to learn to open our hearts to the potentials of life and let the world soften us. |
8 . Unknown to most of us laymen (门外汉), there is quite a lot of interest in developing edible tags for our food. These could perform the same role as today’s food labels but would also form a tasty snack after use — which would also do away with the information contained on the label.
Now, Japanese researchers have developed an approach to produce one such kind of unobtrusive (不阻塞的), edible tag, which can be safely embedded (嵌入) inside edible products. So far, the team has been experimenting with tags that are baked into cookies. Known as “interiQR”, such tags can be read using a device without altering the food or its packaging and don’t have any impact on the taste of the product.
One enormous drawback of our labels as they are today is that, cumulatively (渐增地), they lead to mounds and mounds of extra material used for packaging—which translates to increased waste and pollution. Using a QR cookie as a tag would help cut down on packaging waste while not altering the items in any way.
The information is contained in 3D-printed “infills”, around which the cookies are baked. Such a “label” would also allow producers, retailers, or customers to read the information using a QR code reader or a backlight at any point in a product’s life.
“Our 3D printing method is a great example of the digital transformation of foods, which we hope will improve food traceability and safety,” says senior author of the study, Kosuke Sato. “This technology can also be used to provide novel food experiences through augmented (提高的) reality, which is an exciting new field in the food industry.”
The team is confident that their cookie tags could prove to be a great help in reducing packaging waste worldwide once they’re adopted on a wide scale. Needless to say, suddenly having a cookie available to munch on with every purchase is incentive (刺激) enough to adopt the use of these interiQR cookies.
1. What can be inferred about the edible tag after it is read?| A．It must be removed from the snack. | B．It’ll damage the packaging of the snack. |
| C．It’ll become part of the snack. | D．It’ll update the information on the snack. |
| A．By giving examples. | B．By describing the process. |
| C．By giving definitions. | D．By making a comparison. |
| A．It sets a good example of tasty food. |
| B．It is expected to be used to locate food sources. |
| C．It enables customers to read a novel while eating. |
| D．It makes information accessible to customers anytime. |
| A．Novel Food Experiences from QR Cookie |
| B．Future Food Label in a QR Cookie |
| C．3D Printing and Environment |
| D．Edible Tags Making Cookies Tastier |
9 . John Rendall, who became famous for taking his pet lion on adventures around London in the 1960s, has died aged 76.
As he and his friend Anthony Bourke, visitors to London from Australia in 1969, were searching for holiday gifts, they came across a lovely lion cub (幼兽) for sale in the store of Harrods. They bought it and named it Christian. They looked after Christian in London for about a year, during which time an amazing bond formed between the two men and the lion. The three of them shared a flat over a furniture shop on London’s King’s Road, where cute and intelligent Christian quickly became a local celebrity, cruising (开车兜风) the streets in a Bentley, popping for lunch at a local restaurant, and even posing for a fashion advertisement.
In 1970, Christian outgrew Rendall’s flat and soon even the walled church garden where he went for exercise wasn’t large enough for him. They realized that their pet needed to live free in natural environment. At first, they planned to give Christian to Longleat Wildlife Park. However, later a coincidental meeting with English actor Virginia Mckenna, a star of the hit film “Born Free” led to Christian being flown to Kenya and placed under the expert care of “the father of lions” George Adamson, where he would introduce Christian to the wild. Rendall and Bourke spent several months with Christian, helping him adapt to the new environment, and then left unwillingly. A year later, they went back to Kenya, hoping to find the lion. When they finally found Christian, incredibly, Christian walked over slowly. Then suddenly he recognized them! He ran over and jumped up on them. They received a loving welcome from their lion, who had fit in with the wild in Africa.
Rendall and Bourke’s extraordinary reunion with Christian was filmed and is subject of a wonderful documentary and a book. The film of their reunion was found on a Japanese blog and posted on YouTube accompanied by I will Always love You, sung by Whitney Houston. The clip of the reunion was recently placed on YouTube and has received over 45 million hits.
1. What do we know about Christian in London?| A．It developed a close relationship with Rendall and Bourke. |
| B．It filmed an advertisement for a local restaurant. |
| C．It was bought as a holiday gift in 1969. |
| D．It lived in a furniture shop on King’s Road. |
| A．Moved out from somewhere. | B．Broke into somewhere. |
| C．Grew too big for something. | D．Destroyed something completely. |
| A．George Adamson. | B．Virginia Mckenna. |
| C．Anthony Bourke. | D．Whitney Houston. |
| A．The reunion made Whitney’s song a big hit. |
| B．Books and films about animals deserved popularity. |
| C．Social media made the reunion possible. |
| D．The reunion captured wide-spread attention. |
10 . Brendan Slocumb still experiences sadness over his stolen violin, even after more than 30 years have passed.
Following a trip overseas, Slocumb’s family returned only to find their home turned upside down. Slocumb, who had taken up the violin at the age of nine, headed straight for the hiding place beneath his bed. “I took a look. My instrument had vanished. I took another look. It did,” he remarked.
Slocumb drew upon a variety of his life experiences to write The Violin Conspiracy, one of which was the stolen violin. The description narrates the tale of Ray McMillan, a talented violinist, whose family violin is stolen shortly before a world-class music competition.
Born in California, Slocumb was raised in Fayetteville, N.C., and began playing the violin through a public school music program. For both Slocumb and his character Ray, the violin was a means to get away from a difficult childhood and a ticket to college and a promising job. After graduating from college with a degree in music education, Slocumb has taught music to students from primary through high school for more than 20 years.
Writing the book was a chance to celebrate Slocumb’s success and honor the people who helped him along the way. In the book, Ray’s Grandma Nora—his first supporter—is named after Slocumb’s grandmother. And Ray’s mentor (导师) Janice is based on Dr. Rachel Vetter Huang, Slocumb’s college teacher, whom he calls “a life-saving force”.
The Violin Conspiracy has been praised for its lively descriptions. After it came on the market in 2022, thank-yous poured in. Slocumb heard from many black musicians who said: “This is a story that I’ve been carrying along as well. I experienced the exact same things Ray has gone through in the story, and no one would believe me. Now it’s out there in the world to see.”
1. Why was Slocumb heartbroken about his stolen violin?| A．Because the violin mattered to him. |
| B．Because the violin was costly. |
| C．Because he bought the violin overseas. |
| D．Because he got the violin as a graduation gift. |
| A．She taught music in a high school. | B．She wrote books in her spare time. |
| C．She had saved Slocumb’s life. | D．She gave Slocumb much support. |
| A．They made their voice heard. |
| B．They went through hard times. |
| C．They were thankful for Slocumb’s work. |
| D．They were worried about the coming life. |
| A．A children’s story. | B．A news report. |
| C．A lesson plan. | D．A book review. |
