1 . Emily, a 14-year-old teenager, walked through her town one afternoon. Her eyes were drawn to the sight of people without homes on street corners, trembling (颤抖) against the chill. It was a scene that stirred something deep within her — a desire to make a difference, no matter how small.

Emily decided to turn her love of baking into a force for good. She whipped (搅打) cream, mixed flour, and baked cookies and cakes in her family kitchen. With the support of her friends and family, she set up a colorful stall in her bustling neighborhood, offering her homemade treats to passersby in exchange for donations.

The response was overwhelming. People were not only touched by Emily's handmade cookies but also inspired by her spirit. Before long, donations were pouring in. In just a few short weeks, Emily had raised over $1,000 — a symbol of one's kindness to ignite a community's generosity.

But Emily's heart was set on doing even more. Inspired by the success of her bake sale, she came up with the idea of organizing a charity run. A community-wide event that would bring people together in support of a common cause. She reached out to local businesses and called for volunteers to help her realize the project. On the day of the charity run, participants ran under the clear, open sky, and the running campaign raised over $5,000 for the local homeless shelter.

For Emily, the true reward lay not in the dollars raised or the miles run but in the knowledge that she had touched the hearts of her community and shown that even the smallest act of kindness can make a difference to the world.

1. What can we learn from the text?

A．Emily offered the homeless treats for free.	B．Emily raised $5,000 from her bake sale.
C．Emily received support from local businesses.	D．Emily's charity run was held in an indoor gym.

2. What motivated Emily to organize a charity run?

A．The success of her bakery sale.	B．The inspiration from her family.
C．The encouragement from her neighbors.	D．Her passion for running.

3. Which of the following can best describe Emily?

A．Kind and active.	B．Energetic and creative.
C．Smart and ambitious.	D．Happy and generous.

4. What is the best title of the text?

A．Community Together: Many Hands, Light Work	B．Sweet Victory: Emily's Bake Sale Success
C．Light in Darkness: Emily's Run to Help	D．Spreading Goodness: Emily's Charitable Acts

2 . Wilderness Explorers Center Guide

Welcome to the Wilderness Explorers Center, your gateway to the adventure of nature's wonders! With engaging exhibits, wildlife sightseeing, and natural activities, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Discover Nature's Treasures

Don't miss the chance to explore our Nature Gift Shop, located near the entrance of the Wilderness Explorers Center. Here, you'll discover a delightful array of eco-friendly gifts, educational books, and unique handicrafts inspired by the natural world.

Enjoy at Forest Café

After a day of exploration, fuel your energy at the Forest Café. Indulge in a selection of delicious snacks, sandwiches, and beverages sourced from local ingredients. Whether you're craving a refreshing drink or a heart y meal, the Forest Café is the perfect spot to relax and unwind.

Ensure the Accessibility

Ensuring that every visitor can fully enjoy their experience is our top priority. That's why we offer wheelchair and stroller rentals at the entrance, making it easy for everyone to explore our center comfortably. Our staff are also available to ensure that all guests feel welcome.

Support the Conservation

Join us in our mission to protect and preserve the natural world for future generations. Your support plays a crucial role in our conservation efforts. Click our website here to learn more about how you can get involved, from donating to becoming a member of our conservation community. Together, we can make a difference in safeguarding the beauty of our planet.

1. Where can you buy a gift at Wilderness Explorers Center?

A．Near the tranquil pond.	B．At the Forest Café.
C．Near the main entrance.	D．Next to the educational exhibits.

2. What services are available for visitors with special needs?

A．Rental of wheelchairs and strollers.	B．Guided tours of the forest trails.
C．Access to wildlife viewing areas.	D．Participation in conservation workshops.

3. Where might the text be taken from?

A．A brochure.

B．A magazine.

C．A website.

D．A textbook.

3 . St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland’s National Day, is celebrated on 17th March every year, marking the anniversary of the day on which he passed away. St. Patrick is the most famous saint of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain, he was enslaved in Ireland at the age of 16, but he successfully escaped. Later, he returned to Ireland and brought his religious beliefs to its people.

On St Patrick’s Day, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. People would dance, drink, and feast on traditional meals of Irish bacon and cabbage. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years.

Interestingly, however, the first parade held to celebrate St Patrick’s Day took place not in Ireland but in the United States. On 17th March 1762, Irish soldiers serving in the English army marched through New York City. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as with fellow Irishmen serving in the English army.

Over 100 St. Patrick’s Day parades happen across the U.S., with New York City and Boston hosting the biggest. In 1848, New York Irish Aid societies joined to create the official New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the world’s oldest civilian (平民的) parade and the largest in the U.S. It draws over 150,000 participants and nearly 3 million spectators (观众), lasting over five hours. Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Savannah also celebrate the day with major parades.

Today, people of all backgrounds celebrate St Patrick’s Day, especially throughout the United States, Canada and Australia. It is also celebrated in many other locations far from Ireland, including Japan, Singapore, and Russia.

1. Why is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated on 17th March?

A．Saint Patrick died on 17 March.	B．Saint Patrick was born on 17 March.
C．Saint Patrick became a slave on 17 March.	D．Saint Patrick escaped from Ireland on 17 March.

2. What does the underlined word “marched” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Rode.

B．Sailed.

C．Advanced.

D．Wandered.

3. How do people in the USA celebrate St Patrick’s Day?

A．By attending church with family members.	B．By attending outdoor musical performances.
C．By organizing large St Patrick’s Day parades.	D．By setting off fireworks and enjoying Irish cuisine.

4. What do we know about St Patrick’s Day?

A．It is no longer a religious festival for the Irish.	B．It has the largest parade in Ireland.
C．It was first celebrated in the United States.	D．It has now become an international festival.

4 . Engaging with the past

Imagine you’re at home, you start a role-playing game where you can enjoy views of the Nanjing Qinhuai Lantern Festival, completing set tasks along the Qinhuai River. This is one way for video games to enjoy the traditional Chinese culture without having to travel there.

    1     Perfect World Games, an online gaming company, recently invited a group of heritage experts including Chen Haitao, a designer from the Dunhuang Academy; and Zhou Xianguang, an inheritor of Longquan sword intangible (非物质的) cultural heritage — to Beijing to discuss new ways to promote traditional Chinese culture.

This year, Zhou was invited to submit designs for swords in its online mobile game Jade Dynasty. They kept the features of swords that were used during the Tang Dynasty but absorbed fairy and knight-themed elements from the game.     2     That enabled players to know another aspect of Chinese heritage. Zhou says, “Since games are welcomed by young people, we can make them familiar with traditional culture as they play.     3     ”

The trend toward combining games with cultural heritage started decades ago.     4     Traditional culture once served merely as a background to the gameplay, and failed to offer a detailed experience. Now the company digs out details and divides them into small sections, and focuses on their unique cultural points, so players can gain a deeper experience.

    5     Some overseas players also have a strong interest in Chinese culture, but may find it too difficult to understand. So the company tries to convey the culture in ways they are familiar with to help them better understand.

A．And that’s not all.

B．These games are also available to players overseas.

C．However, these early attempts were described as “vague” (含糊的).

D．Games featuring traditional culture attract more young players.

E．Several decades ago, the practice of sword-making nearly died out.

F．Besides, some figures seen in Dunhuang’s wall paintings were also added to the mobile game.

G．It increases the number of channels available to spread knowledge about our cultural heritage.

5 . There is growing evidence to show that our past knowledge about Mars was not always the case. Now European researchers say they have discovered the first evidence of a huge groundwater system that once existed below the planet’s surface.

A new study was carried out by Francesco Salese and his team, who studied images of 24 deep craters (n.弹坑) in the northern half of the Red Planet. These pictures were captured by ESA’s Mars Express orbiter (n.宇宙飞船), which was launched in 2003. The study provides the first geological proof that Mars once had a “planet-wide groundwater system.”

According to Salese, scientific evidence already suggests Mars was once a watery world. His team says the images showed that large amounts of successive groundwater activity connected the areas they studied. Evidence of basins and coastlines was also found on the surface of Mars, supporting the idea that water was once present. He added that all the basins seemed to reach about the same height.

Scientists have yet to find out what happened to all that water. And the complex history of water on Mars has linked to whether or not life ever existed on it. During the latest study, researchers also discovered evidence of minerals within some of the identified (adj.被识别的) bodies of water.

The researchers say the findings adds weight to the idea that the water basins on Mars may have once held the materials required to support life. Some of this material could still be buried on Mars, providing possible evidence of life during future exploration. Francesco Salese believes the latest findings could also help us learn new things about our own planet.

1. What can we infer about our past knowledge of Mars?

A．It had no water.

B．It had no groundwater.

C．It had a great groundwater system.

D．It had water on the surface of the planet.

2. Where can you find the evidence that Mars once had a “planet-wide groundwater system”?

A．In paragraph 3.	B．In paragraph 2.
C．In paragraph 1.	D．In paragraph 4.

3. Which of the following best explains “successive” underlined in paragraph 3?

A．complicated

B．brilliant

C．continuous

D．incredible

4. What is the main idea of the text?

A．Evidence of water on Mars enables us learn new things about the earth

B．Our past knowledge about Mars was incorrect.

C．Evidence of life could be revealed by the discovery of water on Mars.

D．The ever existence of groundwater system on Mars was discovered.

6 . Gear for Sleeping Outdoors

Whether you’re camping or backpacking, how can you increase the odds (n.机会) that you’ll sleep soundly in the outdoors? A good start is to have the right gear:

Sleeping bag: Choose a sleeping bag with a style and temperature rating (n.等级，级别) appropriate for your destination.

·Car camping bags are typically cut wider, offering homelike and more roll-around room but less efficiency for retaining body heat (not so good on extra-chilly nights).Some rectangular (adj.长方形的) styles can be unzipped (adj.未拉上拉链的) to use as a quilt on milder nights.

·Backpacking bags are mummy shaped for a closer, warmer fit, and are usually lighter in weight. Many are filled with goose or duck down, which compresses (v.压缩) more readily than synthetic( adj.合成的) fill.

Sleeping pad: There are three types of sleeping pads — self-inflating (adj.充气的), air and closed-cell foam (n.泡沫塑料). When car camping, weight is not an issue, so you can enjoy a thicker, wider pad or mattress for comfort. When backpacking, weight is crucial, so a super-lightweight air pad or closed-cell pad may be your first choice.

Pillows: Bring one from home or use a small foam or inflatable camp pillow. Some sleeping bags have a pocket to hold a pillow or folded up clothing, such as a down jacket or fleece sweater.

Eye mask and earplugs: Eye masks are especially helpful when camping in northern latitudes (n.纬度) in summer or in campgrounds with surrounding light. Earplugs block out noises ranging from your tent mate’s snoring to rustling sounds in the bushes.

1. Why do people choose car camping bags?

A．They have goose or duck down fill.

B．They are easy to carry in a car.

C．They are more comfortable.

D．They are good for retaining body weight.

2. What kind of sleeping pad can people choose when backpacking?

A．a wider pad.	B．Closed-cell pad.
C．a thicker pad.	D．Super-heavyweight air pad.

3. What do people use the earplugs for?

A．Blocking out noises from tent mate’s snoring.

B．Reducing noises from the wild animals.

C．Stopping the ambient light.

D．Protecting the ears from being hurt by the rustling sounds.

7 . Secrets, whether they’re juicy, shocking or just plain funny, nothing compares to the thrill of opening up or listening to a friend’s confession (n.坦白). When a pal bares his heart to you, you can’t help but feel trusted and special. In fact, you’re a lot more likely now to tell him something you wouldn’t tell just anyone. When you’re first getting to know a new friend, start with small secrets.

No secret is ever 100 water-proof, but you can take steps to prevent getting your feelings hurt. First, when something you’re telling a friend is a secret, always say so. Every time when you share something confidential (adj.保密的), tell her that this is “for your ears only.” Also, don’t assume (v.假定,认为) someone will keep your secrets just because you know some of hers. Some people just have a tendency to blurt things out, which is why it pays to get a feel for how good a secret-keeper your friend is. Finally, make sure you get a reputation as someone who takes secrets seriously.

It’s not worth breaking a promise to a friend, but if a secret is too big for you to carry alone, you have a responsibility to tell someone. There are probably a few details about your life that you don’t feel like sharing, even with your closest friends. If the secret isn’t hurting you or your friendship, silence is golden. If you’re hiding something big and constantly worrying about your secret being leaked, it may be time to just spill (v.溢出) your beans. Taking control of a secret that’s eating you up inside isn’t easy.

So it seems clear that knowing when to let the secret out and when to zip your lips will help you a lot.

1. What is the purpose of the writer to mention a pal in the text?

A．To tell people when it’s okay to share a secret with someone.

B．To tell people how to gain others’ trust.

C．To tell people why he bares his heart to you.

D．To tell people who is the right people to express your heart.

2. Which of the following best explains “blurt out” underlined in paragraph 2?

A．Speak out without thinking.

B．Badmouth somebody.

C．Let out a secret.

D．Keep a secret.

3. What does the text suggest you do when the secret is big and keeps making you worried?

A．Keep it silently.

B．Let the secret out.

C．Share the secret with your closest friend.

D．Take control of the secret.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Tips to know when to give away secrets

B．It’s always okay to tell a secret you promised to keep.

C．How to be successful with different secrets.

D．When to spill secrets

9 . How to deal with the “Grass Is Greener” Syndrome

Grass is Greener Syndrome is a problem one can have, which means you are never happy with what you have. You always want more or something different. Even if things are good, you think they could be better somewhere else.     1     When it hits hard, this syndrome can hurt the love life of an individual while making career decisions tough or making one’s place to live not pleasing at all. If you’re curious to learn more about overcoming this syndrome and finding true fulfillment, keep reading!

Manage expectations

It is a crucial step in overcoming the Syndrome.     2     By practicing self-reflection, we can shift our mindset and find fulfillment and contentment in the present moment. This requires us to let go of constant comparisons and embrace imperfections, understanding that true happiness comes from within rather than external circumstances.

    3    

By focusing on what we already have and being thankful for it, we can find happiness in our current situation. This helps prevent feelings of regret and dissatisfaction that often come with constantly comparing ourselves to others or daydreaming about a different life. Cultivating gratitude allows us to appreciate the present moment and recognize the value in our relationships, career choices, and geographic living.

Avoid comparisons

Constantly comparing yourself or your situation to others is a hallmark (n.特征) of this syndrome. By avoiding comparisons, you can shift your mindset and start finding happiness at present.     4    

Embrace imperfections

One of the main signs of this syndrome is always searching for flaws and mistakes, both within ourselves and in our surroundings.    5     Embracing imperfections means acknowledging that no one and nothing is perfect, including ourselves.

All in all, by working on building self-confidence and understanding their own worth, individuals can start to break free from the cycle of always seeking something better elsewhere.

A．Practice gratitude and appreciation.

B．People find it hard to stay with one person who is better for them.

C．This keeps you from being glad for what is in your life now.

D．The causes of this syndrome can include unrealistic expectations.

E．It involves recognizing the mindset that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

F．Learning to accept the imperfections, we can break free from the constant longing for something better.

G．Stopping comparing yourself or your life to others, you give yourself the opportunity to truly embrace your current situation.

10 . Sam Krug is the second generation at Preferred Popcorn, a Nebraska (n.内布拉斯加州) factory that produces Americans favorite movie snack. Here fresh batches of popcorn are made every 15 minutes and immediately tested and tasted for quality.

The whole process begins with growing the right kind of corn, not surprisingly cold popcorn. The big difference between corn and popcorn is that popcorn has lots of starch (n.淀粉) inside of it. The shell is hard and so the starch, when you heat it up, mixes with the moisture in the kernel (n.玉米粒) and it boils inside of this. And it gets so hot and the shell is so hard on the outside that it gets hotter and hotter and more excited and more excited and eventually it just blows out.

Nebraska has perfect conditions for growing popcorn, including the right climate and plenty of water for irrigation. And you don’t have to look far to find local farmers to work with. They usually take it to the factory where the kernels are sorted by weight, color and size.

Factory staffs pop a sample of each batch to test it out. They always pop at 480 degrees and use exactly the same amount of oil when they are going to pop. During the course, factory standard coconut (n.椰子) oil is used.

The factory sells kernels for different kinds of popcorn, depending on how the buyer plans to prepare it. It seems that the Americans eat more popcorn than any other nation in the world. And the US Popcorn Board says that in 2018 they consumed more than 14 billion liters of the snack.

1. What do we know about Preferred Popcorn?

A．It is the second generation popcorn factory.

B．It produces fresh batches of popcorn every 15 minutes

C．It tests and tastes the quality of popcorns.

D．It produces popcorns for the Nebraska movie factory.

2. Why does the popcorn blow out when heated?

A．Because it has lots of starch inside of it.

B．Because the starch and moisture boils inside the hard shell.

C．Because the shell is hard.

D．Because it is cold popcorn.

3. What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．The factory has already known the consumers’ plan.

B．The factory makes preparations for the buyers.

C．The factory sells kernels for different kinds of popcorns according to the workers’ needs.

D．The factory takes different consumers’ demand into consideration.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Production of the popcorns.

B．Reasons for Nebraska to grow popcorns

C．Procedures for growing the popcorn

D．Conditions for making popcorns.