1 . Here are four of the late bloomers (大器晚成者) who made great achievements later in life.

Judi Dench

Although Judi Dench has been a standout in her work for theatre and TV during her entire working career, she only became a household name in her 60s. Judi received seven Oscar nominations (提名) when she was over 60. She won Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 1999 for Shakespeare in Love.

Grandma Moses

Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as Grandma Moses, started painting in her 70s. She decided to give painting a go when she could no longer hold an embroidery needle (刺绣针) due to her illness. Her works were spotted by an art collector, who bought all her paintings and displayed them at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

James Parkinson

At the age of 62, James Parkinson identified Parkinson’s disease (帕金森病). His An Essay on the Shaking Palsy led to our general understanding of Parkinson’s today. Although others had previously written about shaking palsy, Parkinson’s descriptions were so in-depth that he inspired other medical scientists to study the disease.

Kathryn Joosten

Kathryn was a nurse and mum, but after her marriage failed she made up her mind to pursue her dream of being an actress. Close to the age of 60, she threw herself into the industry and achieved success. Since then she has appeared on TV shows like Desperate Housewives. She has also won two Emmy Awards.

1. Who is the oldest when he/she achieved success?

A．Kathryn Joosten.

B．James Parkinson.

C．Grandma Moses.

D．Judi Dench.

2. What do we know about Kathryn Joosten?

A．She became an actress after retiring.	B．She was a well-known nurse at the age of 60.
C．She gave up her dream for her broken marriage.	D．She decided to act after her failed marriage.

3. What can we conclude from the stories of the four persons?

A．Old people are more likely to succeed.	B．One is never too old to learn.
C．Chances favour only the prepared mind.	D．Age is no barrier to success.

3 . Navigating the Transition to Adulthood

The teenage years are a transformative period of life, a time when you embark on the journey from childhood to adulthood. It’s a period filled with self-discovery, challenges, and personal growth.

Identity Exploration: One of the initial challenges during adolescence is wrestling with your identity.     1     These inquiries of self-discovery can lead to changes in friendships, interests, and even your goals.

Academic and Life Skills: As high school students, you’re dealing with academic pressures, extracurricular activities, and social relationships. Balancing these aspects of life can be challenging, but it’s an opportunity to develop essential life skills.

The Role of Friendships: Friendships play a significant role in your teenage years. They can offer support and shared experiences.     2    . Surround yourself with friends who uplift and respect you, and be a supportive friend in return.

Decision-Making Challenges: Decision-making becomes more crucial during this period of life.     3     Don’t be afraid to seek guidance from trusted adults or mentors when faced with tough choices.

Self-Care and Mental Health: Self-care and mental health are vital for teenage growth. During this period, adolescence brings significant pressure.     4    . Engaging in hobbies, spending time with loved ones, or simply enjoying a quiet moment can offer you a much-needed escape. And always remember: it’s okay to seek help if you’re struggling with anxiety or other challenges.

    5     Embrace each moment, savor the journey, and recognize that growth often comes from facing and overcoming challenges. As you navigate your teenage years, remember that you have the strength to thrive and discover your unique place in the world. Your journey is just beginning, and it holds incredible potential.

A．The path to adulthood is winding, with both triumphs and failures.

B．Make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation.

C．Questions about who you are and what you stand for are common.

D．From academic choices to personal values, your decisions shape your future.

E．Celebrate your uniqueness and don’t be afraid to be yourself.

F．It’s essential to recognize the value of healthy relationships.

G．Seize the chance to explore your interests and talents.

4 . An immersive and slow-paced Citywalk is becoming trendy across China. In contrast to rushing past overcrowded tourist landmarks, the new trend has emerged as a popular alternative to explore bustling markets, ancient streets, and charming alleys at a leisurely pace.

The appeal of Citywalk caters particularly to the younger generation often caught up in demanding work schedules. As evidenced by the increasing popularity of hash tags like “City walk for vacation” on lifestyle sharing platform Xiaohong shu, with a staggering 465 million views and nearly 464, 600 engagements, the trend is truly capturing unbelievable attention.

Citywalk, or meandering through the urban landscapes, means the act of walking freely along city streets unburdened by exhaustive plans. It offers people an avenue to intimately experience urban culture and local traditions. Citywalk is not merely about sightseeing. It creates an opportunity for social interactions and deep connections with the cities. Citywalk routes are tailored to the specific interests of both out-of-town tourists and locals. For tourists, the focus is on sharing local customs and traditions, while for locals, discussions revolve around the city’s past, present, and future. The growing trend of Citywalk reflects a changing attitude towards life, embracing a warmer, more relaxed, and slower-paced lifestyle.

As Citywalk expands beyond first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, to second-and third-tier cities across the county, it brings fresh opportunities for the tourism industry, in such areas as dining, shopping, and accommodation.

Governments in Beijing and Shandong have recognized the potential of Citywalk, incorporating it into their action plans to promote cultural tourism and leisure activities. In Shanghai, public bus lines specially designed have been introduced to elevate the overall Citywalk for participants.

“By slowing down and delving into the narrow alleys, observing the lives of city residents, and immersing oneself in the context of museums and art galleries, one is entitled to embrace the pleasure of life,” said Luo Jun, a cultural tourism enthusiast.

1. What’s the main reason for the popularity of Citywalk among young people?

A．It mainly focuses on urban sightseeing.

B．Social media offer many tempting videos.

C．Busywork schedule limits the choice of people.

D．Conventional tourist landmarks are losing charm.

2. What’s the meaning of underlined word “staggering” in the second paragraph?

A．Astonishing.

B．Rewarding.

C．Embarrassing.

D．Shrinking.

3. Which of the following statements is NOT Citywalk?

A．An immersive route for foreigners to enjoy the alleys in Chengdu.

B．A holiday travel to hurriedly visit crowded landmarks in Shanghai.

C．A free walk including visiting museums and old towns in Qingdao.

D．A leisurely tour along Qiantang River to experience city transformation.

4. What have some governments done to promote Citywalk?

A．Facilities in the museums have been enhanced.

B．Cooperation has been strengthened among cities.

C．Opportunities have been offered to third-tier cities.

D．Specific public transportation routes have been introduced.

5 . If you’ve reached the end of the year feeling as though you didn’t read enough, we’ve got you. Here are some of the best books of the year according to notable artists, image-makers and other cultural taste makers.

Emily Ratajkowski, model: Ghost Lover’

“This collection of nine short stories probes into many of the same themes in Lisa Taddeo’s beloved ‘Three Women’, but discusses them in a sharper, more disagreeable way. She ruthlessly explores jealousy relationships between women, aging, revenge and, of course, desire. Taddeo never lets you come up for air -- making you laugh while simultaneously horrifying you all when you least expect it.”

Hans UIrich Obrist, artistic director: ‘I Always Knew’

“This is a portrait of artist and writer Barbara Chase-Riboud, through the letters she wrote to her mother, Vivian Mae, between 1957 and 1991. In this remarkable title, Barbara Chase-Riboud tells her mother about her development as an artist, her love stories, and her trips around the globe, from Africa to China. In these memoirs (回忆录), Chase-Riboud frankly and passionately describes her aspirations, her ambitions and creative inspiration，while also showcasing love and tenderness to her mother.”

Avan Jogia, actor and director: ‘Who is Wellness For?’

“‘Who is Wellness For?’ is a book that works as part social observation and part memoir. It explores the commercialization of healing and ritual and asks questions about the industry of wellness I found the read insightful, thoughtful, and unafraid. Wellness isn’t for anyone if it’s not for everyone.”

1. What sets “Ghost Lover” apart from “Three Women”?

A．The focus on themes.	B．The setting of stories.
C．The structure of books.	D．The tone of narration.

2. Who is the writer of “T Always Knew”?

A．Barbara Chase-Riboud.	B．Hans Ulrich Obrist
C．Vivian Mae.	D．Avan Jogia.

3. What do the above-mentioned books have in common?

A．They bring laughter to readers.	B．They share the same writing type
C．They center on the theme of love	D．They stand out as the best reads of the year.

6 . This is the time of year when many gardeners are harvesting tomatoes. Gardening expert Jessica Damiano recently reported about the many pictures of strangely shaped tomatoes sent to her from fans of her gardening advice.     1    . The good news, Damiano said, is that there is nothing wrong with the strangely shaped fruits.     2    . Their unusual appearance does not affect their taste or nutritional value.

    3     If you have ever cut open a tomato, you know they are divided into internal (内部的) parts, called locules (小室). Most tomatoes have about four or five locules; other kinds of the fruit, like cherry tomatoes, contain two or three. But when a plant experiences extreme (极端的) temperature, cell division in the developing fruit can go off track. Temperatures over 32℃ during the day and 27℃ overnight can lead the tomato to form an extra locule. But there is not enough room inside a tomato for the extra part, so it grows on the outside of the fruit.

Not every tomato on an affected plant will be deformed (改变形状), however. What are the possibilities? Under the right conditions (temperatures that are too hot or even too cold), this could affect one or two tomatoes per plant, depending on where they are in the development process and what the (weather) conditions are, said Timothy McDermott, a professor at Ohio State University. The possibility of one of your tomatoes developing a locule oddity (怪异) is about one in a thousand, McDermott said.     4     But, Damiano noted, heirloom (原种) kinds seem more likely to have this genetic mutation (基因变异) than hybrids.

And, when harvesting your crop, remember:     5    

A．select the good-looking ones.

B．Any tomato can grow an extra locule.

C．the funny-looking tomatoes taste just as good!

D．What causes the unusual appearance of tomatoes?

E．Unless otherwise diseased, they are perfectly good for eating.

F．She said people sometimes question if the tomatoes are okay to eat.

G．Provide shade for your plants when temperatures are predicted to remain above 32℃.