1 . Five nutrition myths and what health experts want you to know instead

MYTH 1: Fresh fruits and vegetables are always healthier than canned, frozen or dried varieties.

Research has found that frozen, canned and dried fruits and vegetables can be just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts.     1     However, some canned, frozen and dried varieties contain added sugars, saturated fats and sodium, so be sure to read nutrition labels, especially on prepared foods.

MYTH 2:     2    

By the 1980s, doctors, government health experts, the food industry and the media were reporting that a low-fat diet could benefit everyone. As a result, many people replaced calories from fat with calories from refined carbohydrates such as white flour and added sugar. In reality, healthy fats help reduce your risk. Examples of those include monounsaturated fats (found in olive oil, avocados and certain nuts and seeds) and polyunsaturated fats (found in sunflower oil, walnuts, fish and flaxseed).

MYTH 3: “Calories in, calories out” is the most important factor for maintaining weight.

It’s true that if you burn more calories than you consume, you will probably lose weight.     3     Rather, it’s the types of foods we eat that may be the long-term drivers of those conditions. Ultra-processed foods can lead to weight gain.

MYTH 4: Plant beverages are healthier than dairy milk.

While the nutrition of plant-based beverages can vary, many have more added ingredients which can contribute to poor health than cow’s milk.     4     Almond (杏仁) beverage on the other hand, typically has one or two grams in the same amount.

MYTH 5: Potatoes are bad for you.

Potatoes have often been vilified in the nutrition community because of their high glycemic index, which can spike your blood sugar. However, potatoes are rich in vitamin C, potassium, fibre and other nutrients, especially when consumed with the skin on.     5    

A．All fat is bad.

B．All fat is not beneficial.

C．The reason for this is that they are rapidly digested.

D．They are also inexpensive and available year-round in grocery stores.

E．Typically, cow’s milk has about eight grams of protein per 250 millilitres.

F．They can be an easy way to make sure there are always fruits and vegetables available at home.

G．But research does not suggest that eating more will result in becoming overweight or obese.

2 . Outside of Asia, Madagascar has the longest tradition of rice production, and this crop is grown in almost all districts of the country. For the Malagasy people, rice is an important part of their diet: many families eat it three times a day, and most of it is homegrown. In Madagascar, however, people earn less than $1.90 per day on average, and the Malagasy population is severely affected by food shortages. Domestic (国内的) production of rice, for example, still does not meet the needs of the island, and the country has to rely heavily on imported rice to help ensure the nation has enough food.

Madagascar has set itself the goal of being rice self-sufficient. To work towards this, an FAO South-South Cooperation project began between China and Madagascar. Chinese experts on rice production came to Madagascar to provide training to farmers on how to grow and harvest a greater-yielding (更高产的) type of rice.

The new kind of rice seeds is better suited to the Malagasy subtropical climate, which consists of a hot and rainy season between November and the end of March and a cooler dry season from May to October. This Weichu rice variety has been especially developed to fit the climatic and soil conditions of Madagascar.

Across three areas of the island, 124 rice farmers took part in the project, working together with a Chinese expert team, to benefit from both theoretical and field training on rice production. To date, the harvest has yielded about 8.45 tonnes on average per hectare (公顷) compared to the 2.8 tonnes per hectare that was harvested before the project. Alain Randrianarivelo, who has farmed rice for more than 20 years, says,“I think this new variety of rice is the future of our agriculture. The yield obtained is breathtaking.”All the other participating farmers think so, too.

For Madagascar as a country, this new variety will allow it to be self-sufficient by considerably reducing the level of rice imports.

1. What did the Chinese experts mainly do in Madagascar?

A．They made efforts to improve the land.	B．They developed new rice seeds in poor soil.
C．They introduced ways to earn a good living.	D．They taught locals how to grow a new kind of rice.

2. Why is the Weichu rice variety used in Madagascar?

A．It meets the high demands of the Malagasy people.	B．It suits the varying conditions there.
C．It is the best rice variety worldwide.	D．It can be grown twice a year there.

3. What can be inferred about the 124 rice farmers in the project?

A．They are far-sighted.	B．They are pioneers in farming.
C．They find the yield fairly satisfying.	D．They doubt the advanced farming technique.

4. What would be the best title for the text?

A．Doing experiments in Madagascar	B．Increasing types of Madagascan rice
C．Bringing Madagascar into the future	D．Helping Madagascar become rice self-sufficient

3 . Alice, age 9:"Mom, do I have to brush my hair today?"

Me: Um, yes, it would be great if you could brush your hair every day!

In Alice's world, brushing her hair was an inconvenient nuisance(令人讨厌的事).I knew back then that this feeling would not last forever. One day I would pry (撬开) her hairbrush out of her hand and tear her away from the mirror. Five years later, my prediction has come true.

At age 14, there is no such thing for Alice as a spur-of-the-moment(一时兴起的) trip outside of the house. She is, indeed, obsessed with her physical appearance. Hair has to be brushed, makeup applied, and clothes changed many times before she can even think about leaving the house.

We have spoken at length about how looks don't matter and that being a good, kind and compassionate person in this world is way more important than any aesthetic(审美观).Each time we have this conversation, Alice reminds me that she knows technically looks aren't important. But when she looks good on the outside, she feels more confident on the inside. In turn, that makes her a kinder, more compassionate and more understanding person.

So while I will never be happy to see my daughter try on many shirts only to pick the first one she tried, or spend an hour getting ready for an event when the rest of the family were ready in 10 minutes, I know this is something she needs to do. Creating an identity for herself as an individual outside of her family unit is a natural and necessary part of the teenage process.

And just as she learned over the years that hair-brushing is probably a good idea, so will she hopefully learn that sometimes it's okay to go out in a less-than-perfect outfit or without makeup. Somewhere deep down,her freewheeling 9-year-old self still knows that.

1. What was the author's prediction about Alice?

A．She would avoid looking in the mirror.

B．She would refuse to stay at home all the time.

C．She would be very concerned about her appearance.

D．She would forget to brush her hair before going out.

2. Why does Alice spend time on her appearance?

A．To impress others.	B．To make herself feel better.
C．To display her unique personality.	D．To attract kind people as friends.

3. What is the author's attitude toward Alice's behavior?

A．Worried.

B．Indifferent.

C．Disappointed.

D．Understanding.

4. What lesson does the author hope Alice will learn?

A．She cannot meet everyone's needs.

B．She should learn some makeup skills.

C．She needs to learn a lot as she grows up.

D．She doesn't always have to go out with a perfect image.

4 . Some people are always on time, while others are at least 20 minutes (and sometimes even hours) late! It’s annoying, because while you wait for your friend, you feel offended.     1    

First of all, talk to your friend about your feelings. Don’t offend them.     2     Ask your friend why they are always late and find out the answer. It might happen that your friend just doesn’t know how to effectively manage their time. By the way, you’re not the only person whom your friend makes wait, so don’t take things personally.

Try to find a way to make your friend come on time. For example, you can tell them that your cellphone is out of power and you can’t be called. If your friend can’t call and tell you they will be late, they will have to come on time.     3     Don’t worry. You don’t have to come earlier!

When nothing works, change your attitude to accept the fact that your friend will never come on time.     4     For instance, don’t arrange the meetings when your friend has to pick you up for the movie. You know your friend will be late and you will miss it!

    5     Take a book or a newspaper to read, so you can entertain yourself and never notice the time that you have to wait. If you’re not a book lover then check your email or chat with your other friends.

A．Wait a certain period of time, then go on with your plans, alone.

B．Be productive when you have to wait for your friend.

C．After all, friendship is more important than arriving on time.

D．So how can you deal with the always-late friend?

E．Don’t put yourself in situations where you depend on your friend.

F．Why should you put up with a lack of respect for your valuable time?

G．Or just tell your friend you’re to meet half an hour earlier than the real meeting time.

5 .    Lots of kids like to talk about sports, but Joseph D’Avirro talks about sports like a professional host in a show called Sliders & Curveballs. The 9-year-old from Newington, Connecticut is a natural at sports talk and has been broadcasting the show—which is about baseball, basketball and other sports—with his dad, Mike D’Avirro, since September 2019.

   The D’Avirro started the broadcast after two former college roommates of Mike died, which made Mike want to spend more time with his son. Then the idea came to him. So far, they have done about 50 programs. Joseph’s favorite is when the father-and-son team interviewed Jim Calhoun, the coach leading the Connecticut Huskies to three national titles. They have also interviewed important sports authors.

   The father and son make about one 30- to 40-minute podcast each month. They prepare for the podcasts by deciding on the questions they want to ask the guest. Joseph asks half of the questions, and Mike handles the other half. Joseph reads his questions again and again to get them in his brain well. It is a lot of work, but Joseph says it is “a lot more fun than homework”. Joseph has also learned to speak up and speak clearly. He has to listen and to go with the flow of the conversation. For example, he said, “If the guest is talking about sports in the 1990s, you have to think about sports in the 1990s.”

When asked how long he and his dad will continue doing the show, he answered, “Until my dad starts growing gray hairs.” Joseph has other ambitions when he grows up—to be a sports player, a sports broadcaster or to own a basketball team. Those are big dreams, but Joseph is already living a dream: talking sports and spending time with his dad.

1. What is Joseph’s show about?

A．Some talk shows on sports.

B．Ways to get along with parents.

C．Stories about famous sports players.

D．Sports that his family loves playing.

2. What inspired Mike to start the show with his son?

A．His son’s talent for sports.

B．His wish to be a host since college.

C．The deaths of his college roommates.

D．The encouragement from his roommates.

3. What does Joseph think of memorizing his questions?

A．It’s as boring as homework.

B．It’s challenging to his brain.

C．It takes a lot of time but means a lot.

D．It’s more interesting than homework.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．A rising sports broadcaster

B．A long road to go to success

C．The father-and-son team hosts

D．Joseph D’Avirro’s big dream

6 . A series of books in Chinese and English covering eight classic works of Peking Opera recently released, with the aim of revealing details about the art form in a direct way.

The bilingual (双语的) books are from the Translation Series of a Hundred Jingju Classics, a project originated from 2011, which is part of the effort by the central government to promote Chinese culture overseas.

Peking Opera, with its complex and colorful costumes and make-up, as well as the unique performance combining singing, dialogue, acting and acrobatics (杂技), has become a symbol of traditional Chinese culture. Over the last 200 years, more than 1, 000 Peking Opera shows have been produced telling the most classic historical stories in China, as well as giving glimpses of society, according to Wang. The art form was listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (非物质文化遗产) by UNESCO in 2010. Famous performers such as Mei Lanfang and Cheng Yanqiu have also taken Peking Opera abroad. And though foreign fans are impressed by it, few understand the stories told on stage.

To help foreigners understand the art form better, Sun Ping, dean, School of Art, Beijing Foreign Studies University, and her team have edited the new books. Different from previous English translations of books that mostly covered the scripts (剧本) of Peking Opera plays, the new series introduces nearly all aspects of the art form, including the script, actors and actresses, performance skills, musical instruments and costumes, according to Sun, who is herself a highly regarded Peking Opera artist.

“It fills the blank in overseas promotions of Peking Opera,” says Liu Jian, a professor at the National Academy of Chinese Theater Arts. “The inheritance and promotion of Peking Opera are very important. In a sense, promotion is even more important. The project sets a good example.”

Scott Ian Rainen, an expert from the United States, who works at China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration, says he was happy to read the new books. Foreigners often don’t understand the plot in a Peking Opera play, but the books introduce the cultural and historical background, its character modeling, costumes and props, artistic theories and so on.

1. Why are the set of bilingual books released?

A．To stress the importance of Peking Opera.

B．To attract foreigners to learn Peking Opera.

C．To promote the diversity of Peking Opera.

D．To present Peking Opera more effectively.

2. What is the third paragraph mainly about?

A．The advantage of learning Peking Opera.

B．The brief introduction of Peking Opera.

C．The benefits of releasing these bilingual books.

D．The reason for people’s attachment to Peking Opera.

3. What’s special about these translations of books?

A．They cover stories about Peking Opera.

B．They share a more significant art value.

C．They are better in covering the scripts of Peking Opera.

D．They are overall in showing the features of Peking Opera.

4. What is Scott lan Rainen’s attitude towards the new project?

A．Subjective.

B．Sceptical.

C．Positive.

D．Tolerant.

7 . It is believed that it’s dangerous to have plants in the bedroom. Plants take in carbon dioxide (CO₂) and produce oxygen (氧气) in the day.     1    . The build-up of CO₂ is a real problem for indoor air quality, which has been shown to influence health, so it is easy to see where the concern comes from. But to consider whether sharing our bedroom with our plants can harm health, we should consider three things.

Firstly, how much CO₂ do plants produce at night compared with what they take in during the day?     2     For the answer depends on everything from species to light levels and even room temperature.

Thankfully, in 2015, researchers at Turkey’s Kastamonu University found that large houseplants take in between six and eight times as much CO2 in the day as they produce at night.

    3     A single human breath contains around 40, 000 ppm of CO2, more than 10 times the effect a plant could have in 8 hours, so you might want to throw your partner out before your plants.

Finally, we don’t live in the sealed (密封的) boxes in which these studies are carried out.     4     The air is even exchanged when we move around. According to one recent review, we need houseplants to keep indoor air fresh, and to fight some pollution.     5    

Let’s enjoy houseplants whenever we like, because if sleeping near plants were bad for our health, camping in a forest would be deadly.

A．This is hard to answer.

B．So, they are quite necessary.

C．The question has more than one answer.

D．Besides, we often share a room with someone else.

E．Indoor air is being exchanged through doors and windows.

F．At night they compete with us for the air we breathe while asleep.

G．Secondly, compare the influence of a plant with that of a person sharing a room.

8 . Fly like superman!

Have you ever imagined how it feels when fresh air is in your face? Or to see the beauty of nature from the top? You can do it in a hot air balloon ride.

Hot air ballooning is the activity of flying in a basket hanging over a hot air balloon. Attractive parts of ballooning include the unusual quiet, the lack of a feeling of movement, and the bird’s-eye view. Since the balloon moves with the direction of the winds, the passengers feel absolutely no wind, except for brief periods during the flight when the balloon climbs or falls into air currents of different directions or speeds. Hot air ballooning has been recognized by the World Aeronautical Federation(WAF)as the safest air sport, and accidents seldom happen. However, you must follow some rules such as:

* You have to respect the limit of passengers allowed in the ride. A catlán has drawn new attention to the danger of ballooning. Four years ago, 1 1 people were injured and 2 were killed when their hot air balloon basket struck in line and caught fire.
*The pilot must check the weather and select a suitable take-off point. The current and forecast weather must have good visibility for the pilot to see, and slow winds to allow take-off and landing.
* Children aged under twelve have to be with their parents all the tour.
* Pilots must not carry passengers who have participated in scuba dive (蛙潜) the day before.

There are many regular (定期) gatherings of balloons and balloonists in Hidalgo around the year, which provide both a place for balloonists to interact as well as a place for visitors to entertain. You must try this activity at least once in a lifetime.

1. What is an attraction of hot air ballooning?

A．Hearing the sound of the wind.	B．Enjoying a breathtaking view.
C．Experiencing different weather.	D．Having a feeling of movement.

2. What can we learn from the rules of hot air ballooning?

A．13 passengers are allowed on board at most.

B．It allows take-off or landing in strong winds.

C．A person aged 12 and older can ride alone.

D．Any scuba divers are allowed as passengers.

3. What kind of text is it?

A．A news report.	B．A scientific research.
C．A travel guide.	D．A technical document.

9 . Benefits of Personality Tests

Can identifying one’s personality type using the MBTI and other personality assessments really help? They may.     1    

Better understand others

After taking a personality test and seeing our results, we can gain a better understanding of all the different perceptions and reactions that others might have to the same situation.     2    . No personality type is “better” than any other — just different. Each perspective brings something new and interesting to the table.

Identify our likes and dislikes

Maybe we’ve always hated talking on the phone but never really understood why.     3    . By using personality tests like the MBTI, we can learn more about where we lie on the extroversion/introversion and thinking/feeling continuum (连续性). This helps us better understand why we prefer certain things and dislike others.

    4    .

Learning more about our personality type can also help us discover new ways to approach challenges. Knowing what might work best for our personality type can give us new ideas on how to solve problems, deal with stress, cope with conflict, and manage our work habits.

Recognize our strengths and weaknesses

Knowing what we are good at can be important in a wide variety of situations, whether we are picking a college major or thinking about running for a seat on our local school board. For example, if we know that we are an ISTJ (introverted, sensing, thinking, and judging) on the MBTI, we might recognize that certain aspects of our personality might qualify as strengths in some situations and weaknesses in others.     5    , it can sometimes trip us up in situations where we need to let other people take control.

A．Hold on to ideas about who we are

B．Know which situations are ideal for us

C．Here’s an overview of the many benefits of personality tests

D．While they reveal truth that showcases different aspects of personality

E．While our organizational skills and carefulness can be a major strength in our work

F．This is important because we all have different ways of seeing and interacting with the world

G．Or perhaps we’ve always needed much time to think about a problem before making a decision

10 . Every book can confirm that reading a good book can take you to a special place where your imagination runs free and everything is possible. To gift the love for books to as many kids as possible, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library gives out free books to young children. According to the US Department of Education, around 30 million American adults are at a low basic literacy level or barely literate. Imagination Library works hard to change this.

Dolly is a country music superstar, songwriter, actress, author, successful business owner, and a philanthropist (慈善家), but above all, she is truly a self-made woman. Dolly was born in a one-room cabin in Pittman Center, Tennessee in the Smoky Mountains. She was one of twelve children and her father worked very hard to care for his family, but never attended school and couldn’t read and write. Dolly has said that her father was the smartest man she ever knew, and he was the inspiration for her book gifting program.

Dolly’s vision for Imagination Library was to get children really excited about books and to foster a love of reading. She wanted to ensure that children could own books no matter what their family incomes were. “Literacy is so important,” said Dolly, “because if you can read, you can self-educate.” These gifts of high-quality, age-appropriate books come directly to the children every month right to their mailboxes.

The program began in 1995 and originally served children in Sevier County, Tennessee where Dolly grew up. It was such an instant success that only five years later, the initiative went national and is now available to children in Canada, the UK, and Australia.

1. Why does the author mention the US Department of Education in paragraph 1?

A．To emphasize kids’ lack of interest in literature.

B．To stress the influence of Imagination Library.

C．To present the decreasing literacy rate in the US.

D．To show the current literacy crisis in the US.

2. What inspired Dolly to start the book gifting program?

A．Her sufferings in the early life.

B．Her success as a business owner.

C．Her father’s inability to read and write.

D．Her desire to become a philanthropist.

3. Which of the following best describes the impact of Imagination Library program?

A．Far-reaching.

B．Predictable.

C．Short-lived.

D．Undefinable.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Dolly Parton: The Self-Made Philanthropist

B．The Rise of Literacy in the United States

C．The Importance of Reading for Kids’ Education

D．Imagination Library: Gifting Love for Reading