1 . I grew up in a poor family. This was something I did not realize until I was older. I thought everyone in the city took the bus, because everyone in my neighborhood took the bus. I thought everyone in the city used the food bank, because all my friends’ cupboards were filled with the same government-labeled food that filled my cupboards. We all wore hand-me-down clothes.
Grocery shopping was my first experience understanding that my family was a little different. My mom used paper money that looked different from the paper money others in line were using. However, one day, I asked my mom why our money looked different. She said because we did not have real money to buy food, so the government helped us.
In high school, I was still embarrassed and wished we were not so poor, but I loved my mom and the other members of my family and knew we had things to be proud of. My mother who was a great woman with wisdom taught me how to love and told me to believe in myself. Growing up in poverty taught me perseverance (毅力). I have always believed in myself and my abilities. I knew I could focus on school and build a life that looked different from my childhood.
As I became a man, I thought my experiences are very useful and vital! It taught me to be resilient (有韧性的), and how to respect people for who they are as an individual — and not by what they have. I think there are a lot of fixed images placed on those experiencing poverty that do not actually come from the people experiencing it. These judgments come from people on the outside trying not to look into the experience. Hardworking, trustworthy, reliable, clean, efficient, successful and disciplined are all words not typically associated with poverty. But those words are very much shown by those experiencing poverty! Therefore, I am glad to say I am really proud to be who I am and proud of where I’m from!
1. Why did the mom use different paper money in the shop from the paragraph 2?| A．To show our uniqueness. | B．To get the extra award. |
| C．To buy food without real money. | D．To support the government. |
| A．She was wise. | B．She was nervous. |
| C．She was frighted. | D．She was negative. |
| A．Unhappy. | B．Disappointed. | C．Grateful. | D．Abnormal. |
| A．Lessons From struggling for dreams | B．Lessons From Growing Up Poor |
| C．Poor Means Stupid | D．My Poor Childhood |
2 . Pollution is one of the biggest problems in the world today. In many places, rubbish is thrown into lakes and rivers.
If we do not act to improve the environment, more living things will be killed by pollution!
If we can do these, we will make the world a better place to live in and we can be much healthier.
| A．This makes some people ill. |
| B．Besides, animals are also hurt by pollution. |
| C．Human beings can make the environment cleaner and cleaner. |
| D．It’s time for us to take actions right away! |
| E．Because of this, these places have already been polluted. |
| F．Trees can reduce dust and help keep the air clean. |
| G．Nobody should protect the environment. |
3 . A picture of 17-year-old Zhang Guimei has won great popularity on China’s social media. The young girl with black-rimmed glasses and two short braids is smiling brightly into the camera. Netizens are deeply touched by the fresh-faced girl in the picture, which is a far cry from Zhang’s now aged and weathered face people are familiar with, as it tells a story of a woman who has devoted her life to promoting education and fighting poverty in rural areas.
Born in Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province in 1957, Zhang traveled to Yunnan at the age of 17 and has been helping girls from poor areas pursue education for over 40 years. Zhang helped establish the country’s first senior high school to offer free education for girls from poor families. The school provides free education to girls who would otherwise have had no chance to study after completing their nine years of compulsory education.
Despite having serious health problems, Zhang Guimei took morning classes with students for 12 years. She has also racked up 110,000 kilometers visiting her students’ families over the years. Most of her salary and bonuses were spent on students. Since the school opened in 2008, it has seen more than 1,800 students progress to universities and colleges.
“I was built to be a mountain not a creek, rising to the high peaks with the small valleys at my feet. I was born to be great, not worthless, standing on the shoulders of the giants, the petty cowards beneath me.” The motto of Huaping High School for Girls is also a true reflection of Zhang Guimei’s strength and resolve.
On Feb 25, 2021 President Xi Jinping presented an award to Zhang Guimei to mark the nation’s poverty alleviation accomplishments and honor exceptional poverty fighters at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
1. Why are netizens deeply moved by the photo?| A．Because the girl’s appearance catches their eye. |
| B．Because they are familiar with Zhang’s face. |
| C．Because it reminds them of an admirable figure. |
| D．Because it spreads wildly on China’s social media. |
| A．decreased | B．collected. | C．extended. | D．reduced. |
| A．Devoted, knowledgeable. | B．Selfless, independent. |
| C．Responsible, creative. | D．Determined, ambitious. |
| A．A news report. | B．A geographic atlas. |
| C．A scientific book. | D．A tourist guide. |
4 . Women scientists around the world have made significant contributions to Stem (science, technology, engineering, and maths). Here are four who pushed boundaries and changed the world.
Wu Chienshiung (1912—1997)
Born in Taicang, Jiangsu province, Wu took part in the Manhattan Project which helped create the world’s first nuclear weapon. Her famous Wu experiment overturned the theory of parity in physics. This breakthrough led to a Nobel Prize that was awarded to her male colleagues, but Wu’s critical role in the work was overlooked.
Hedy Lamarr (1914—2000)
Austria-born Lamarr starred in a lot of Hollywood films and made great success. She was also a smart inventor. During the second world war, Lamarr together with George Antheil, a creator, developed a radio guidance system. The principle of their work is part of the basis of Bluetooth and wireless technology.
Katherine Johns (1918—2020)
African American NASA mathematician Johnson’s calculations were critical in getting the first US astronauts to space and back safely. During her 33-year career at NASA, Katherine earned a reputation for mastering complex calculations and was referred to as a “human computer”.
Tu Youyou (1930—)
Born in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, Tu shared the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with two other foreign scientists, for her work in discovering artemisinin, a drug used to treat malaria. Her work has saved millions of lives all over the world, which is her greatest discovery definitely! Tu is the first Chinese Nobel winner in physiology or medicine and the first female citizen of the PRC to win a Nobel Prize.
1. Hedy Lamarr is an actress and ________.| A．composer | B．inventor | C．producer | D．mathematician |
| A．She treated people for cancer. | B．She is the first Chinese Nobel winner. |
| C．Her invention has saved millions of lives. | D．Her research project is “human computer”. |
| A．They were all from China. | B．They all had researches about nuclear weapon. |
| C．They did not gain the Nobel Prize. | D．They all had made significant contributions. |
| A．Supported. | B．Ignored. |
| C．Unwelcome. | D．Disagreed. |
For many guests of the capital, some of the most vivid childhood memories are associated with this museum. A variety of technical fields are presented in many halls-Mining, Space, Energy, and Transportation, etc. And the exposition (博览会) is the only museum project in Russia about the history of the bike. The interactive division “Technoplay” is open, where you not only can but also need touch most of the exhibits with your hands. In addition to self-experimentation, what makes this museum unique is many enjoyable experiments.
Eureka, EnglandThe Eureka educational center is a huge complex where modern science and technology are becoming clear, even to kids who are in primary school. On the area of the Eureka educational park there is a botanical garden and a collection of minerals from the rock types of Finland is presented there. The main exhibition is devoted to the human body, the laws of physics and natural things. Visitors can obtain energy or create paper with their own hands.
Deutsches Museum, GermanyIn this museum you can see more than 100 thousand different items from windmills (风车) to medical equipment. All aspects of industrial production appear before the eyes. Several museum rooms are arranged especially for kids to know something about science — there are exhibits that even entertain children who are 8 years old and down.
NEMO, the NetherlandsThe largest Dutch research centre stands ready to share its secrets with everyone. This immersion in the world of science and technology will not be dull. All significant information is presented in the form of exciting games. All exhibits are interactive; visitors are allowed to touch, pull and press on anything, and children who are 10 years old and up can be allowed to come here.
1. What makes Polytechnic Museum unique?| A．Lots of enjoyable experiments. |
| B．It is specially designed for children. |
| C．It displays all aspects of industrial production. |
| D．Some exhibits can be touched or pulled. |
| A．Hold an exhibition about traditional culture. | B．Create paper with their hands. |
| C．Entertain children starting from three. | D．Play games about sports. |
| A．Polytechnic Museum. | B．Deutsches Museum. |
| C．The Eureka educational center. | D．NEMO. |
6 . We are all creatures of habit. We tend to wake up at the same time each day, brush our teeth, have morning coffee and travel to work, following the same patterns every day.
Behavioral scientists who study habit formation say that many of us try to create healthy habits the wrong way.
| A．It was just enough of a delay. |
| B．Why do we stop doing what’s good for us? |
| C．But why is it so hard to form new healthy habits? |
| D．We probably form new habits when we clear away the barriers. |
| E．The better way to form a new habit is to tie it to an existing habit. |
| F．It explains why friction prevents the progress of forming good habits. |
| G．For example, we set big goals to lose weight without taking proper steps. |
7 . “Helicopter (直升机) parenting” describes a style of raising children where parents are over-protective and do too much. The term describes parents who hover over their kids at home and on the playground like a helicopter. Today, modern technology allows these helicopter parents to hover from even far away. They can give their children directions at any moment from anywhere.
Julie Lythcott-Haims wrote a book titled How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kids for Success. In her book, she gives readers a closer look at this parenting style. She also explains why parents should stop it.
Julie Lythcott-Haims says she experienced the effects of helicopter parenting first- hand when she worked as dean of first- year students at Stanford University. The incoming students, or freshmen, she says, were very smart and accomplished on paper. But many were unable to take care of themselves. “They were turning to parents constantly for guidance, for problem- solving, to have them make the choice about something.”
Lythcott-Haims warns this kind of parenting has many short-term wins but long-term costs that harm the child. She uses an area common to most children-a playground. Lythcott-Haims suggests letting your child get a little hurt.
“If you do your child’s homework, it will be perfect. That is what she calls the short- term win. The long-term cost is that your child may not feel capable. And he does not become a determined learner, meaning he will give up easily when faced with a difficult problem to solve.” So what can parents do if they want to break the over-parenting “helicopter” cycle? Reading Julie’s book, you can follow some ways to stop hovering over your children. In a word, when kids have all the skills to take care of themselves, they will be prepared for adulthood.
1. The underlined words “hover over” in Paragraph I probably mean “______”.| A．deal with | B．fly over | C．stare at | D．circle around |
| A．Short- term wins can harm the kids. | B．Getting protection from parents is necessary. |
| C．Trying to make decisions should be valued. | D．Learning from failure is helping kids. |
| A．Encourage them to do what they can do. | B．Help them grow with parents’ protection. |
| C．Guide them in doing as parents do or say. | D．Prevent them from playing on a playground. |
| A．How to Break the Over- Parenting Cycle | B．How to Help Adults with Their Problems |
| C．Helicopter Parenting Is Well Worth Trying | D．Helping Children Too Much Is Hurting Them |
8 . I’m sure you’ve all taken some personality tests, like MBTI test or those in psychology class, that can be great for icebreaker activities but how do introversion and extroversion (内向与外向) play out in our daily lives?
An introverted brain has a high automatic system reactivity which means that they are far less likely to seek out stimulation. Hence, introverts tend to be less social, avoid conflict and often process things the best when alone. Extroverts, however, draw their attention from the environment because of their brain’s low stimulation. They seek out social situations and often feel more comfortable in group settings.
Our current education system emphasizes the need for “collaborative learning”, “project-based learning” and “flipped classrooms (翻转课堂)”. In this system, introversion in students can be commonly misinterpreted by teachers as boredom or problematic issues. Furthermore, introverted students are less likely to participate in group discussions, and oftentimes feel more pressure and anxiety to become extroverted. These feelings can easily flow into other aspects of life and impact an introvert’s social and academic life.
However, there are still upsides to being an introvert. Introverts may not always thrive in the social aspects of a class, but their intense concentration and tendency to be organized and methodical can reflect further success in conventional forms of education like grades and exams. On average, more intelligent children are-found to be introverts than extroverts.
So, what can teachers do? Firstly, one of the most important steps is recognizing; understanding the need to accommodate introverted students, while supporting extroverted students. For example, teachers can redefine participation. Participation shouldn’t just represent the times a student raises their hand or speaks in a discussion. Helping others, volunteering, revising work, etc. all reflect a student’s participation in the class. Besides, they can consider playing with space. Grouped desks might be great for extroverts but consider creating “quiet zones” for students willing to focus on a task or create submission boxes for introverted students to leave their discussion thought.
1. What is the cause of the difference between introverts and extroverts?| A．Communication abilities. | B．Attitude towards conflicts. |
| C．Problem processing capability. | D．Brain reactivity to stimulation. |
| A．Succeed. | B．Emerge. | C．Withdraw. | D．Struggle. |
| A．Develop students’ self-management skills |
| B．Guide students to develop intense concentration. |
| C．Encourage students to participate in class debates. |
| D．Create an introvert-friendly learning environment. |
| A．Introverts & Extroverts: How Students React to Teaching |
| B．Psychology of Personality: Challenges of Being Introverted |
| C．Introverts & Extroverts: When Classrooms Overlook Introverts |
| D．Psychology of Personality: Discussions on Class Participation |
9 . When my editors asked me to report on forest bathing, I packed a swimsuit. I assumed it must involve getting in the water. It turns out, my interpretation was too literal.
I met certified Forest Therapy (治疗) guide Melanie Choukas-Bradley at an urban forest in Washington, D. C. Here, I began to get it. Forest bathing isn’t a bath or a hike. We did walk the forest trails, but we wandered with no particular destination in mind.
The aim of forest bathing, Choukas- Bradley explained, is to slow down and throw oneself in the natural environment. She helped us be aware of the smells, tastes and sights of the forest. We took in our surroundings by using all our senses. As we passed through a stand of trees, we touched the trunks. We smelled the black walnuts, which give off a lovely fragrance (香气). We got a little shower of ripe mulberries, too. “Close your eyes and just breathe.” Choukas-Bradley told us. After I opened my eyes, the green looked a lot greener. And I began to see things I hadn’t noticed before.
“A forest guide helps us be here, not there,” says Amos Clifford, the founder of the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy, the organization that certifies the guides. They support what the forests could offer us, inviting us into practices that deepen physical presence, pleasure, and partnership with nature. When we connect with nature in this way, we are connecting with ourselves.
Clifford’s goal is to encourage health care proyiders to integrate forest therapy as a stress- reduction strategy. In the United States, work- related stress accounts for up to $190 billion in health care costs each year. “It’s my hope that the health care system will include forest therapy into the range of services,” Clifford says.
1. What is forest bathing?| A．A hike up the mountain. | B．An adventure in the woods. |
| C．A swimming in open water. | D．A guided nature healing practice. |
| A．By improving our awareness. | B．By doing intense training. |
| C．By experiencing nature mindfully. | D．By carrying out eyesight tests. |
| A．Locate and pick ripe fruits. |
| B．Put exercise plans into action. |
| C．Identify different trees and birds. |
| D．Concentrate on the surrounding nature. |
| A．Health care system needs updating. |
| B．Nature- based therapy costs too much. |
| C．Stress- related diseases are commonly seen. |
| D．Forest therapy could be an alternative treatment. |
10 . Stress is unavoidable in life. We all face it daily, whether it is a small inconvenience or a major life challenge. Stress negatively affects all aspects of our lives both personally and professionally.
Prioritize
Practice self-care
Here are the key aspects to self-care that so often get forgotten：
●Drink water. Prevent tiredness, help digestion, your skin and your sleep.
●Stretch. Get oxygen flowing into your muscles before or during a stressful situation.
●Exercise regularly. Don’t let your busy schedule take priority over your health.
●
Communicate
Find a network of people who you can vent (宣泄) to. This is a fantastic way to reduce bringing work troubles and stress home with you. You have the opportunity to blow off the first build-up of steam.
Breathe
Breathing deeply brings more oxygen into your body, producing endorphins (内啡肽). They fight with cortisol, a chemical which is a result of anxiety or stress. Did you know breathing is responsible for most of your body’s detoxification (排毒)
| A．Find time for you. |
| B．Read and practice more. |
| C．Cross off the most stressful tasks first. |
| D．So you can go home a bit more calm and sensible. |
| E．In this way you can communicate with whoever you like to. |
| F．It can harm our bodies, our relationships and our overall quality of life. |
| G．It also increases energy, lowers blood pressure and slows your heartbeat. |
