1 . I had gone into a chief’s office to talk about a couple of issues that needed to be addressed. She, like all of the men and women in her department, had been through the well-known ‘ringer’. The stress was so intense, one could almost taste it.
I had been assisting the department during a crucial period of being very short-handed, and was watching everyone get close to burn-out. When I inquired about her state of mind, she admitted that her home life was almost non-existent, because she was ‘zombieing through the evening’. The next words out of her mouth expressed a frustration of my own: “This work is not my gift from God. My family is!”
I had heard of hanging all of one’s problems from the office on a“Trouble Tree”while driving home, to be picked up on the way back to the office in the morning, and for a brief second thought about suggesting that scenario to the chief.
But what came out was:“Why don’t we do something different? Let’s have a Blessing Tree. On the way home in the evening, we could pull down a blessing to write a character we adore in our spouse, a particular reason we love them, the love they or our children have for us. The list could be endless.”
When I tried it on the way home that night, the stress seemed to melt away. There was a ‘spring in my step’ and when I arrived, a smile of joy was bubbling up from within! For the first time in 2 weeks, I was overjoyed to greet my wife and children!
The Blessing Tree could make a major difference in your evenings, especially after those REALLY tough days.
1. What is paragraph 1 mainly about?| A．The stress of the author. | B．The staff’s stress in the department. |
| C．The issues requiring addressing. | D．The famous ringer of the chief. |
| A．Becoming a zombie in the evening. | B．Being extremely tired in the evening. |
| C．Spending the evening in confusion. | D．Feeling like a zombie during the day. |
| A．By talking about them in the office. | B．By sharing them with family members. |
| C．By making use of a “Trouble Tree”. | D．By making use of a “Blessing Tree”. |
| A．To show the pressure in modern life. |
| B．To persuade readers to pray for blessings. |
| C．To introduce stress — relieving approaches. |
| D．To share how to raise suggestions for the chief. |
The museum houses more than 2 million works spanning (跨越) 5,000 years and is the attraction second to none in New York City, attracting over 5 million visitors annually. Even those who think art or museums are not their cup of tea can spend days here and still not experience a small part of its art collections, famous exhibits, special events and much more!
Admission: $22 adults, free children under 16.
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space MuseumThe Intrepid is a wonderful place in New York City that offers something for everyone in the family. It’s one of the most popular activities in NYC. Children or anyone who is genuinely interested in war history and transportation shouldn’t miss it. Private events such as weddings are a great opportunity to have the museum all to yourself for one night.
Admission: $30 adults, $15 children under 12.
American Museum of Natural HistoryA lot of New Yorkers believe that this is the best among all the museums in New York City. Anyone who grew up in NYC has fond memories of their school trips and Saturdays spent with their parents at the museum. Check out the fantastic new space show, “Journey to the Stars”, which is narrated by Whoopi Goldberg and makes it stand out from other museums. The show takes place every half an hour.
Admission: $33 adults, $20 children aged 2 — 12.
Guggenheim MuseumThis international museum collects and displays modern and contemporary art in New York City. If you plan to visit the museum, be sure to book your tickets online, as they are available at 10 a. m. the day before. The Guggenheim also hosts really awesome art events focused on a special exhibition or program, making the museum one of the city’s trendiest places.
Admission: $25 adults, $18 students and seniors (65 +), free children under 12.
1. Which museum is the best choice for visitors passionate about war history?| A．Guggenheim Museum. |
| B．Metropolitan Museum of Art. |
| C．Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. |
| D．American Museum of Natural History. |
| A．$50. | B．$79. | C．$104. | D．$130. |
| A．Visitors can gain insight into history there. |
| B．They offer something for the whole family. |
| C．They enjoy great popularity among New Yorkers. |
| D．Performances take place in the museum every day. |
3 . Do you feel stuck in life and wish you weren’t so terrified of making mistakes? Do you often worry about making the wrong choices and end up not doing anything at all?
Trying something different or somewhat risky will not ruin your life. You cannot expect everything to be perfect.
You might hear this all the time and it really is true. Making mistakes doesn’t mean you are weak or incompetent. It does not mean you’re a failure. On the contrary, it means you are brave enough to go after what you want. Most successful people leave a trail of mistakes before finally reaching their goals.
If you keep playing it safe, you will never grow. New challenges will broaden your horizons and open up a whole new world for you. You will discover new skills, meet more like-minded people, and eventually feel more confident. Figure out what you really want, then take it one step at a time. Go at your own pace and don’t worry about what people think. What matters is that you are trying something.
Being bold will get you furtherYou don’t need to be an outgoing or over-confident person to make bold choices.
| A．Be calm to face mistakes |
| B．Mistakes can help you grow |
| C．Just believe in yourself and your own capabilities |
| D．The key is to keep going no matter what life throws at you |
| E．That’s not how the world works because nothing is perfect |
| F．Making mistakes is the ladder of your growth and progress |
| G．If you want to make the most of your life, you can’t hide behind your fear forever |
4 . Fourth Wing, a novel by Rebecca Yarros, gained attention on BookTok, TikTok’s book community, last year. Published on May 2, its sequel (续集), Iron Flame, followed just six months later on Nov. 7, bringing Yarros fame. Yarros released the first two books quickly because she had written part of Iron Flame beforehand. However, she decided to slow down the release of subsequent books.
The rapid release of these books sparked a debate about whether quality is sacrificed for speed in publishing. Yarros faced criticism for mispronouncing Scottish Gaelic words during a Barnes & Noble Q&A event on the sequel’s release day. Critics suggested better preparation, like hiring a Gaelic proofreader (校对员), to avoid such errors. Despite criticism, Fourth Wing soared to the top of the New York Times’ Best Sellers List within its first week, fueled by BookTok’s influence. This phenomenon parallels fast fashion’s trends, reflecting social media’s impact on reading preferences. Yarros’ ability to blend genres and appeal to BookTok’s favorite tropes contributed to the book’s success.
When books become hugely popular, publishers and authors often rush to take advantage of their success, expanding the series quickly. This rush mirrors the fast fashion industry, where items are rapidly produced to meet trends, sometimes sacrificing quality. Rushed publishing, influenced by platforms like BookTok, may result in insufficient time for writing and editing, potentially compromising the overall quality of the books. Despite concerns, popular books recommended on BookTok can still be enjoyed, whether they’re fancy hardcovers or simple paperbacks.
1. What can be learned from the first paragraph?| A．BookTok users demanded a faster release. |
| B．Fourth Wing was published on May 2 this year. |
| C．Iron Flame was published earlier than Fourth Wing. |
| D．Yarros released the first two books quickly due to pre-written content. |
| A．Ignoring them. | B．Preparing fully for them. |
| C．Expanding the release quickly. | D．Releasing statements to defend them. |
| A．Because they produce the series rapidly. |
| B．Because they prioritize quantity over quality. |
| C．Because they produce quickly to make profits. |
| D．Because they make use of the success and meet consumers’ demands. |
| A．Culture. | B．Life. | C．Science. | D．Technology. |
5 . San Diego stretches over nearly 350 square miles of beachfront and city, nature reserves and dynamic multicultural enclaves (飞地). The option for accommodations are nearly as varied as the landform.
Kings Inn San DiegoKings Inn, a family-owned motel, pays honor to the mid-century but restoration has brought 21st-century necessities (free Wi-Fi/gym) and sunny rooms. There are two onsite themed restaurants where hotel guests can get 10 percent off. Affordable parking ($15/day) and near to popular sites make this an attractive extended stay option.
Kimpton Alma HotelKimpton’s Alma has decoration inspired by the city: a beachy colour and street culture artwork. Among its three restaurants (the rooftop Leave of Absence bar is due to re-open spring 2024), the Desmond draws locals for chef Jason Neroni’s winning cooking creations, while the casual Café is a good choice for steak fries. In addition, pets are treated almost as well as their human companions in this hotel, which attracts many pet-lovers.
San Diego Mission Bay ResortMission Bay resort is located between two family-friendly public parks which features a popular swimming spot and two massive playgrounds. Broad green space allow for outdoor games. Paved paths lead to a narrow beach, where children can splash (泼) in calm bay waters. Grownups have benefits too, including a spa and nightly live music.
The GuildThe Guild highlights San Diego’s military history. Through 1970, it was a center of social and recreational activities for more than 125 million service staff. A 2019 reconstruction has preserved Lincoln Rogers’ 1924 Italian Renaissance-style (文艺复兴风格) building. Today’s visitors can enjoy craft cocktails (手工鸡尾酒) at the inviting Farniente lobby bar and courtyard dining area.
1. Which hotel is suitable for guests with pets?| A．The Guild. | B．Kings Inn San Diego. |
| C．Kimpton Alma Hotel. | D．San Diego Mission Bay Resort. |
| A．They are relatively cheap. | B．They are suitable for kids. |
| C．They’ve both been restored. | D．They have a long military history. |
| A．An official report. | B．An art magazine. |
| C．A scientific research. | D．A travel guidebook. |
6 . As an adult, one of the first questions you are asked when meeting someone new is, “What do you do?” This is because your career is a very important part of who you are. The career you have defines your life, and so taking time to think about it is an essential exercise for young people.
One of the most effective ways to get some insight on a possible career path is to complete a “career aptitude (才能) test”. There are many different kinds of career aptitude tests. Some ask questions about your personal interests and attitudes. Others focus more on asking you to rate different kinds of work scenarios (场景), like working as a librarian or a lawyer. Of course, while completing these sorts of tests, it is very important to be honest — and don’t worry — there are no right or wrong answers.
One popular test asks the participants to grade their preferences for a variety of work tasks. Their answers are then analyzed and divided up between six different types of work personalities. The participant is then given a chart showing their score for each type of work personality. The top three scores are used to make a code that indicates the participant’s overall work personality. This code is then used to generate a list of career suggestions.
The career suggestions are also based on your education and experience level, but you can look at higher-level careers as well, which is very useful for high school students. For example, you could look at the basic careers to see what work you might like now, and then look at the more advanced careers so you know what you may like to aim for in the future. This is a great tool to help plan your career and let you know what targets you need to reach to get there.
In conclusion, career aptitude tests are clearly a very useful tool. So try a few tests online and start thinking about your future career right now!
1. Why does the author ask the question in paragraph 1?| A．To support an idea. | B．To introduce a topic. |
| C．To define a profession. | D．To clarify a new concept. |
| A．It determines your future career. |
| B．It should be answered truthfully. |
| C．It stresses the accuracy of test answers. |
| D．It only cares about personal interests and attitudes |
| A．The theory of coding. | B．The advice on career planning. |
| C．The variety of work personalities. | D．The process of a career aptitude test. |
| A．Changing our jobs frequently. | B．Upgrading our levels of education. |
| C．Following the career advice strictly. | D．Pursuing advancement in our careers. |
7 . The Power of Meaningful Communication
The foundation of any happy and successful relationship is good communication.
Cultivate active listening. According to Medium, a key part of good communication is listening. Giving your full attention to your partner and maintaining eye contact are examples of active listening.
Be mindful of non-verbal communication.
Practice empathy and understanding. According to mindbodygreen.com, empathy and understanding can go a long way in creating good communication. Seek to understand your partner’s perspective and emotions, even when you disagree. Empathy allows you to connect on a deeper level and creates an atmosphere of mutual support.
| A．Create a safe space for open dialogue. |
| B．Communicate with appreciation and respect. |
| C．Communication is more than just the words that you speak. |
| D．Make time for regular discussions to talk about your relationship’s status. |
| E．Avoid asking questions or responding before they have completed speaking. |
| F．It deepens the bond between partners by promoting understanding and trust. |
| G．Engage with your partner without judgment and try to put yourself in their shoes. |
8 . Born and raised in Kunming in Yunnan province, Yin Jiongjie is the son of two musicians and grew up listening to music and watching music performances. His father bought lots of recordings and DVDs of world-renowned classical musicians and symphony orchestras to ensure that his only son had as much exposure to music as possible.
As a child, Yin learned to play the piano and the violin. Later, he gave up the latter and focused instead on the piano. Even then, he decided that he would become a conductor one day. “There can be over 100 musicians in an orchestra but there is only one conductor. The conductor is like the composer’s messenger, which is a magical experience,” he said.
When he was 14, Chen Lin and Chen Bing, two conductors from the Central Conservatory of Music came to Kunming to choose students. Yin’s father allowed him to perform for them. Standing on the stage of the theater at the Yunnan Arts University, Yin raised his baton (指挥棒) and demonstrated how he would conduct to a recording of Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 From the New World. Ten months later, he moved to Beijing and enrolled at the Middle School Affiliated (附属) to the Central Conservatory of Music and later studied at the university under Chen Lin.
Since 2015, Yin has been chosen by the Central Conservatory of Music to participate in several master classes with conductors, among them South Korea’s Chung Myung-whun and Canada’s Yannick Nezet-Seguin. “There’s a huge gap between the training you receive in a conservatory and what is required of a professional conductor. The most basic thing is to build and expand my repertoire, and gain a deep understanding of each piece,” he says. “It is a skill that involves psychology, body language, knowledge of history, culture and music, and a sensitivity to everything that makes us human. And I have a long way to go.”
1. What can we learn about Yin Jiongjie from the first two paragraphs?| A．His father excels at classical music. | B．His father is a symphony conductor. |
| C．He kept playing the piano and violin. | D．He had a dream of being a conductor. |
| A．Visited. | B．Impressed. | C．Joined. | D．Applauded. |
| A．Better late than never. | B．Rome wasn’t built in a day. |
| C．The early bird catches the worm. | D．When in Rome, do as the Romans do. |
| A．Talented and generous. | B．Honest and trustworthy. |
| C．Determined and humorous. | D．Purposeful and hard-working. |
9 . After promotions or engagements, many people’s impulse is to share good news with their nearest and dearest, or post on social media for all to see. Yet a study suggests that we are better off keeping our cards closer to our chests, for “positive secrets” can leave us feeling “energized and invigorated”.
Researchers at Columbia University conducted five experiments with 2,500 people and found that more than three quarters of participants instinctively wanted to tell someone else straight away when they had some good news. The study stated, “Prior research on secrecy has focused on the effects of negative secrets, secrets that involve information that people consider unpleasant, objectionable, or embarrassing. Although negative secrets have been found to be tiring, we propose that positive secrets can be energizing”.
We define feelings of energy as feeling alive, alert, active and invigorated. Delaying the moment when you share your good news with others allows you to spend more time savouring the information, reflecting on its meaning or considering possible joyful reactions to sharing the secret.
Participants in the study were shown 40 types of common good news. They were asked which they had personally experienced, which they had shared with others and which they had kept secret, at least for a while, and how these experiences made them feel. They were also asked to imagine they had a piece of good news and to picture two scenarios(场景), one in which they choose not to tell their partner until the end of the day, and one in which they try to call their partner but cannot get through, so have to wait until later. The first scenario, involving a deliberate choice to keep the secret for a few hours, led to positive feelings, while the second did not.
However, the researchers admitted that some “positive” secrets would not make you happy. This could be those kept secret to avoid embarrassment, such as when a piece of good news may make others feel worse about their own situation.
1. What does the underlined sentence imply?| A．Keeping good news a secret. | B．Giving your heart to your partner. |
| C．Sharing good news with others. | D．Preventing your card from being seen. |
| A．What is the proper time to share good news. |
| B．What secrets are suitable for us to share. |
| C．How we should define feelings of energy. |
| D．Why delaying sharing good news is recommended. |
| A．By making comparisons. | B．By analyzing previous studies. |
| C．By demonstrating statistics. | D．By referring to literary review. |
| A．You post your college acceptance letter on Tik Tok. |
| B．You talk about success before your partner who failed. |
| C．You tell your parents that you have won a scholarship. |
| D．You fail to put through to tell your wife your promotion. |
10 . UK’s Best Long-Distance Walks
Hadrian’s Wall TrailEntire length: 83 miles
You can see the rich Roman history along the way, not just the wall itself, but also remains of important Roman forts and good museums. This walk brings you scenic variety that stretches from the modern cityscapes to the sandstone shades, and from the wasteland heights to green rural scenes.
Great Glen Way
Entire length: 73 miles
The Great Glen Way long-distance trail passes the foot of the UK’s highest mountain, follows the lakeside of Loch Ness, and crosses the Scottish Highlands. The castles scattered along the way are witness to Scotland’s past.
Coast to Coast Walk
Entire length: 192 miles
The Coast to Coast, one of Britain’s classic walking routes, was originated and described by Alfred Wainwright, author of a well-known series of mountain-walking guide books. Walk this trail for the feeling of crossing England from the Irish Sea to the North Sea, and to explore the national parks of the Lake District.
Channel Island Way
Entire length: 110 miles
This long-distance walk along the islands to the south of England takes you island hopping to see well preserved WWII fortifications, rugged cliffs, quiet villages and a fantastic range of pubs. Each of the eight Channel Islands has their own separate character.
1. What is special about the Hadrian’s Wall Trail?
| A．Roman history. |
| B．Rural life. |
| C．Beautiful landscapes. |
| D．Coastal scenery. |
| A．Passing by castles. | B．Enjoying lake scenery. |
| C．Crossing highlands. | D．Lying in national parks. |
| A．Catherine, who is fond of reading. | B．Julie, who enjoys taking photos. |
| C．Andrew, who is interested in history. | D．Tommy, who likes outdoor activities |
