1 . Live and learn like a college student this summer at Carleton College’s Summer Liberal Arts Institute (SLAI). Beginning on March 15, SLAI is an immersive (沉浸式的) summer learning experience for current 10th and 11th graders to explore liberal arts through rigorous and experiential curriculum. If you are academically curious, excited about learning, and thrive in cooperative work environments, SLAI is the program for you!

At SLAI, you will connect with like-minded peers from all over the nation and world, all while earning college credit and learning from top-ranked Carleton faculty, who are experts in their field. Choose from 6 programs, with topics in: History & Literature, Storytelling, Sociology, STEM, Computer Science and Neuroscience.

Students who attend SLAI come away from the program on April 6 with improved college-level reading, writing, and research skills, an increased knowledge of topics and majors they may want to study in the future, and a general sense of preparedness for college.

During the program, students spend their mornings and afternoons in class, conducting research, and in hands-on labs. Specially, a variety of social activities are available after class every day, from frisbee to beading to makings’ mores. Weekend field trips to attractions in surrounding cities are also included in the program. Past destinations have included amusement parks, museums, or even a day at the lake!

Visit our website to apply today! We have two rounds of application review. The first deadline is on February 5, and the second and final deadline is on March 11, Need-based scholarships are available.

1. How long will SLAI last?

A．About 1 week.

B．About 2 weeks.

C．About 3 weeks.

D．About 4 weeks.

2. What sets SLAI apart from other learning experiences?

A．Participants can have access to hands-on labs.

B．Participants can apply for it online or in person.

C．It enables participants to engage in social activities.

D．It ensures participants to learn with college students.

3. How can SLAT benefit participants?

A．It enhances awareness of preparedness for college.

B．It can improve their college-level listening skills.

C．It helps participants get college scholarships.

D．It offers the topic they are fond of freely.

2 . Have you ever considered what it would be like to be unable to smile? I hadn't, up until a few months ago, when I found that I actually couldn’t.

I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy-A relatively unknown condition that paralyses one half of the face. This was quite a shock and depressed me enormously.     1    , the story is not about how tough life is, but how awesome it is when God challenges you in different ways.

Anyway, smiling is a part of everyday life for me. It is my way of greeting people, of laughing, silent communication and consolidation.     2    . Is it the lifting of the sides of a person’s mouth, the twinkling of the eye, or is it something beyond...or should I say behind the physical smile?

    3    , I came up with the conclusion that a genuine smile is not merely characterized by the upturning of the corners of the mouth, but by the actions, words, and thoughts of the smiler. This equipped me with hope and confidence. The reason was that I was aware smiling is not just an outward expression, but an inward lifestyle.

With this in mind, I set to learning how to smile through my actions. There are a few things I had to change, but it is thanks to this challenge God has given me that I have grown closer to him.     4    .

I would really encourage you to smile more often and not just with your face!     5    . For instance, Smile Cards with a chocolate bar/bookmark/bible verse/voucher! Slip it into someone’s hand/school bag and let them experience the true smile.

A．After thinking about this for a while

B．Smiling contributes to a person’s life quality

C．If I had really grasped the meaning of a smile

D．While this was a major bomb dropped on my life

E．A smile can be anything making you or someone else joyful

F．“Losing” half my face motivated me to rethink what a smile is

G．I have become more confident, defeating the depressed un-smilers

3 . When Spanish meets English, new dialects emerge, giving us real-time insight into language evolution, linguists say.

For instance, “Vamos de punches punches punches”, Yamilet Munoz texted her friends in Austin, Texas. It means “let’s go and party”, but it’s not a phrase you’ll find in any dictionary. It’s a remix of Spanish and English words seasoned with an in-joke about punching the air as you dance.

“Our language has always been a very big indicator of our cultural pride,” says Munoz, whose parents migrated from Mexico to San Antonio, Texas, in the 1990s. Around 66% of the city's population identify as Hispanic or Latino/Latina. For Munoz and her friends there is pride in speaking Spanish, but also in mixing the languages into the hybrid known as Spanglish.

The evolution of Spanglish has been documented for decades, with each generation adding its unique twist. Now a growing body of research, as well as the experiences of bilingual(双语的) speakers like Munoz, shows just how deeply English and Spanish are influencing each other in the United States, resulting in hybrid dialects like Spanglish, but also, transforming the underlying languages.

For the past decade, Carter and his colleagues have studied language change in Miami, a city where some 72% identify as Latino or Hispanic and which is strongly shaped by historical migration from Cuba. Their research documents the emergence of a distinct “Miami English” dialect as a result of that Spanish-language heritage.

The Spanish influence has also shown up in ways people may not immediately notice, such as sounds like the “oo” in “boot” being pronounced in a more Spanish-style way in Miami, more like the Spanish “u” vowel, according to separate research by Carter, Lydda Lopez Valdez at the University of Miami and Nandi Sims at Ohio State University.

“This is the work of language change, this is the work of dialect formation, this is how it happens. It happens in things that are really noticeable, like the phrase ‘get down from the car’, but it also happens in really slight ways,” he says.

1. Why is an example introduced in Paragraph 2?

A．To illustrate the language innovation.

B．To explain the advantage of Spanish.

C．To highlight the mix of Spanish and English.

D．To prove the enrichment of English vocabulary.

2. What can be inferred from Munoz and her friends?

A．Spanish and English are interrelating.

B．Mixing two languages is complicated.

C．Languages dominate cultural development.

D．Bilingualists tend to observe their own culture.

3. What does Carter intend to convey?

A．Dialects evolve flexibly and frequently.

B．Spanish possesses more sounds than English.

C．Phrases are changing more slowly than before.

D．Language change is progressive and dynamic.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．How Researchers are Studying Languages.

B．How Modem English is Changing Globally.

C．How a Generation is Reinventing Spanglish.

D．How Spanglish is Influencing American Culture

4 . A new form of real estate is popping up along the beaches of South Africa, which are just big enough to fit a family of African penguins. Their unique selling point: a safe and cool place for penguins to breed (繁殖).

Historically, the penguins dug holes in layers of guano (鸟粪), but in the 19th century, traders started selling guano as fertilizer, leaving the penguins and their eggs increasingly exposed to predators (捕食者) and the burning sun. This has caused African penguin populations to decrease. That’s why conservationists have come to the rescue with the African Penguin Nest Project (APNP), which aims to employ artificial nests to provide penguin parents a safe and shaded place to raise their chicks.

While guano trade petered out by the late 1800s, recreating the layers that accumulated over thousands of years isn’t an option, because seabird populations have declined so much over time and it would take around 600 years to produce one usable guano layer. Hence, the project decided to build artificial nests. At first glance, they look fairly simple--a domed structure made from two molded shells of fabric coated in ceramic slurry (陶瓷浆料),with a small entrance measuring about 20 centimeters wide.

Getting the right temperature and dampness inside the nest was the toughest and most crucial part. The two-layer design and ventilation holes (通风孔) create an air conditioning effect, while the white paint reflects the sun, helping to maintain an interior temperature of less than 35 degrees Celsius.

The project started to use the nests in late 2018.“Within a matter of minutes, penguins were running into them,” says Graham, coordinator of APNP. “That tells you how desperate they are for any opportunity to find a safe place to nest. However, population recovery relies on more than merely giving African penguins a safe place to breed. It’s not simply a case of ‘we give them a nest, the species are saved ‘. There has to be more.”

1. What do we know about artificial nests?

A．They function better than natural nests.

B．They are designed and built scientifically.

C．They are unique attractions of South Africa.

D．They are equipped with mini air-conditioners.

2. What is the goal of APNP?

A．To raise money to preserve penguins.

B．To promote the sale of artificial nests.

C．To help penguins fight against diseases.

D．To provide habitable shelters for penguins.

3. What does the underlined phrase “petered out” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．turned up

B．dried out

C．faded away

D．fell apart

4. Which of the following statements might Graham agree with?

A．Penguins breed more chicks in safer places.

B．Various conservation efforts need be combined.

C．Artificial nests have achieved the desired effect.

D．Artificial nests should be applied to other species.

5 . Houses covered in ivy are an attractive sight to see. But many gardeners fear that ivy causes major structural damage to buildings and long to remove it whenever they can, right? Not so, says James Wong, a botanist and science writer.

“I am always surprised by how often gardening can be so driven by fear.” he says. “The thinking behind this is that climbers harm brickwork and can cause structural damage to buildings.” But few fears are based on any scientific evidence. And frequently, the exact opposite is true.

In a 2020 study from the Royal Horticultural Society, climbing plants like ivy were found to have a protective effect on model brick buildings constructed for the experiment. The shade by the plants’ leaves cooled the surface of the buildings in summer by as much as 5.7°C. What’s more, ivy didn’t significantly raise humidity levels (湿度) －rather, it helped stabilize them, minimizing the damage to the buildings’ surfaces. The living coating also lowered summer temperatures inside the buildings by up to 7.2°C and reduced heating bills by as much as 20 percent in winter.

What about real-world, well-used buildings, whose outside may have experienced centuries of environmental damage? Another study from 2011 found that in five historic buildings across England, bare walls experienced average maximum temperatures 36 percent higher and minimum temperatures 15 percent lower compared with those coated in ivy. The researchers concluded that the living insulation (隔热) provided by ivy would “reduce the likelihood of frost and salt damage to the building materials, thus contributing to their conservation”. They also found in another study that the leaves’ ability to trap pollution could reduce the damage to historical walls.

Imagine if there was a new material that could cool cities and cut energy bills. The truth is that we have had this miracle material all along, but rather than appreciating it, we have spent huge amounts of time worrying about how to get rid of it.

1. Why do gardeners want to remove the ivy?

A．To get rid of their fear of ivy.

B．To make the houses more attractive.

C．To confirm previous scientific evidence.

D．To protect the brickwork and structure of the building.

2. What can we learn from the 2020 study?

A．Climbing plants increase heating bills in winter.

B．Climbing plants can severely damage brickwork.

C．Climbing plants raise humidity levels against brickwork.

D．Climbing plants reduce the temperature of buildings in summer.

3. How can ivy benefit historical buildings?

A．It improves the visual appeal of old buildings.

B．It removes pollutants from the surroundings.

C．It protects building materials from frost and salt damage.

D．It promotes the energy efficiency of historical structures.

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

A．Ivy: a troublemaker of preserving the old building

B．Ivy: an unexpected helper in buildings conservation

C．The environmental impact of ivy on modern architecture

D．The need for a new material to cool cities and cut energy bills

6 . Over the past few months, the Let Them Theory has been making waves online. It started when Mel Robbins, a popular motivational speaker, shared it on Instagram. In her video, Robbins talks about the importance of letting go of control in certain situations, advocating for a model shift in how we interact with others.

Robbins insists that too often, we waste time and energy trying to push others into meeting our expectations. Instead, she proposes a simpler, more liberating approach: “letting them” be themselves. “Let them be themselves because they are revealing who they are to you. Just let them. Then, you get to choose what you do next.” she said.

Dr. Sophie Mort, a clinical psychologist and mental health expert, offers deeper insights into the psychological foundation of this Theory. She said that our natural desire to control others often originates from a need to relieve our own anxieties and uncertainties. However, such attempts often result in disappointment and exhaustion as we realize the uselessness of our efforts. Basically, the theory emphasizes the acknowledgment that we cannot control the actions or decisions of others. It urges us to give up the burden of forcing our desires onto those closest to us and accept the mindset of acceptance.

While the theory may not be formally recognized in clinical settings, its principles connect with established concepts such as acceptance and mindfulness. It shows the essence of acceptance and commitment therapy, emphasizing the importance of accepting our thoughts and feelings without judgment. Meanwhile, marriage and family therapist Chapell Marsh further explains the resemblance between the theory and the psychological concept of “locus of control.”

The theory received a lot of positive responses. Many claim that adopting this approach has fostered harmony and minimized conflicts in their interactions. However, it’s urgent to recognize the limitations of the theory. While it promotes acceptance and nonjudgmental attitudes, it must not be employed in situations where safety is compromised or where necessary conversations are avoided. “Avoiding difficult conversations can lead to problems,” said Chapell Marsh.

1. What’s the core of the Let Them Theory?

A．Taking control of others in every situation.

B．Letting others expose their true self to us.

C．Pushing others into meeting our expectations.

D．Insisting on our way of interacting with others.

2. Why do people want to control others according to Dr. Sophie?

A．To be satisfied with themselves.

B．To make others accept their mindset.

C．To ease their own worries and doubts.

D．To force their desires onto the closest ones.

3. What does the author convey in paragraph 4?

A．The Let Them Theory should be recognized clinically.

B．We should accept our thoughts and feelings without judgement.

C．Marriage and family relationships need psychological concepts.

D．The Let Them Theory is consistent with the existing accepted theories.

4. In which situation should the Let Them Theory be avoided?

A．Your friend’s safety is being threatened.

B．Someone says something mean behind your back.

C．Your kids don’t want to get up and go shopping with you.

D．Your friends are not inviting you out to brunch this weekend.

7 . Pythagoras was a philosopher and mathematician who revolutionized the world. He’s best known for the Pythagorean Theorem.     1     Here we mention some famous sayings from Pythagoras.

“Do not be ambitious and stingy; the just measure is excellent in such cases.”

    2     That’s because excessive ambition can turn you into a person who doesn’t know how to enjoy the little things in life. In fact, it sows the seed of continuous dissatisfaction.

“Listen, you will be wise.     3    ”

Do you know how to listen to others? Do you balance out your speaking and listening? Although this may seem easy to answer, in reality, you usually tend to talk more than listen. However, this is a serious mistake to make.

Pythagoras was aware that so much can be learned by listening to others. There’s no rush to respond or to challenge an opinion with which you don’t agree.     4     That’s the key.

“Assist a man in raising a burden, but do not assist him in laying it down.”

Sometimes, you want to help others. Maybe they have problems with their partner or they’re just feeling sad.

Being there for these people and supporting them is something that’ll help them a lot. However, if you help them, it should be because you want to. Remember, you’re not required to completely assume their problems for them. More than anything, this is because you won’t solve anything by doing so.     5    

A．It is better to express your ideas.

B．The beginning of wisdom is silence.

C．Listen first then respond wisely later.

D．Such behaviour can lead to endless quarrels.

E．Indeed, this is still studied in philosophy today.

F．In fact, you’ll just add more weight to their load.

G．You are bound to maintain moderate positions in life.

8 . Design Hive is a paid, youth-led initiative at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. High school juniors and seniors dive deep into design objects and processes to develop their own group projects. Along the way, they will learn how designers move from an initial idea to final design! 

In Design Hive, knowledge is co-created. Students share their skills, receive guidance from working designers, and are offered access to the museum’s exhibitions, objects, and people. The group works together to design a world that is more responsible, equitable, and cooperative.  

Design Hive takes place on Tuesdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Students must be based in the NYC area to apply. Participants must attend weekly program dates and be available to meet virtually or at Cooper Hewitt (2 E 91st St, New York, NY 10128).  

The program begins on Tuesday, November 14 and ends on Tuesday, May 21. Students will receive an allowance of $2,000 for their participation, paid in two $1,000 payments during the program. 

Design Hive is made possible with major support from Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, The Richard and Jean Coyne Family Foundation, eBay Inc., The Pinkerton Foundation, and PwC Charitable Foundation. Generous support is also provided by Adobe, The Hirsch Family Foundation, and public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. 

Applications for 2023 — 2024 have closed. Please stay tuned for announcements about next year’s program.

1. What do we know about Design Hive?

A．It focuses on students’ individual works.

B．It is a non-profit and teens-led initiative.

C．It enables students to experience the design process.

D．It is intended for university juniors and seniors.

2. What is required for participants?

A．They must be born in New York City.

B．They must be present at Cooper Hewitt.

C．They must meet on Tuesday mornings.

D．They must join in program activities every week.

3. How does Design Hive get financial support?

A．Through various channels.	B．Through personal contributions.
C．Through charity donations.	D．Through participants’ allowance.

9 . While most coffee shops offer free Wi-Fi connections to get more customers, Offline Club, a pop-up cafe in Amsterdam, offers a different connection where a Wi-Fi signal is unnecessary. Upon entering, its members leave their devices behind, grab a coffee, and enjoy a 90s’ atmosphere.

Ilya Kneppelhout, who started the Offline Club, said that the club is for people overwhelmed by their busy lives and constant notifications, according to Inside Edition. He added that their members want to cut down on their social media and screen time and focus on in-person connections — a simple idea, but participants enjoy it.

One of their members said, “being with the club makes you feel present in a way you didn’t expect”. “It felt a bit like travelling in time and made me feel nostalgic (怀旧) about the way bars and cafes used to be because nowadays, those are places we’re only going to with friends and people we already know and spend time doing digital things like work,” another member added.

The founders believe this concept could work in other cities, too. Kneppelhout stated that they want to spread the idea worldwide. “Right now, we’re getting together with a franchising concept, and we hope to have offline detox events in the entire world for people to reconnect,” he said.

Meanwhile, the internet and computers are deeply integrated into our lives. Being addicted to the internet can hurt you in different ways, both in body and emotions. Given this, the digital detox provided by the Offline Club could be helpful for individuals who feel they spend too much time online. It’s a chance to reduce stress and focus more on talking to people. It also helps stop us from becoming too reliant on technology. Ultimately, a digital detox is about stepping back to connect with what really matters.

1. Why did Ilya Kneppelhout start the Offline Club?

A．To ease life pressure.	B．To refuse social media.
C．To attract more customers.	D．To encourage real interaction.

2. How did the members feel about the club?

A．Content with the club.	B．Enthusiastic about the club.
C．Tired of the visit to the club.	D．Scared of the club’s atmosphere.

3. What can we draw from Ilya Kneppelhout’s words?

A．People in the club deny real bonds.	B．He expects the world can reconnect.
C．People have been disturbed by the club.	D．The club has been a hit in other cities.

4. What do the underlined words “the digital detox” mean in the last paragraph?

A．Avoiding online communication.	B．Resisting the use of digital device.
C．Taking a break from the Internet.	D．Surfing the Internet for information.

10 . Spirit Day ideas are themes that bring a fun twist to a normal workday. The purpose of these ideas is to foster a positive work environment. Also, Spirit Days encourage creativity and boost morale among employees. Here is a list of ideas to liven up your office.

Superhero Day

On Superhero Day, teams can dress up as their favorite superheroes or create their own unique characters. You could make this exercise more office themed by asking workers to make a superhero based on their workplace talents. Host a costume contest where colleagues can vote for their favorite outfits.

Beach Day

To set this day up, choose a suitable beach location. Participants can bring their own blankets, towels, and beach chairs. Outdoor activities offer a break from the office, such as beach volleyball and building sandcastles. Beach Days are also a great time to enjoy a delicious meal together! You can bring barbecue classics to enjoy, such as hot dogs, burgers, and potato salad.

Sports Team Day

On Sports Team Day, participants wear their favorite sports team colors or jerseys. Employees can also dress up as specific athletes. Consider hosting this theme during a big game that most folks in the office want to watch. Teams can also compete in field day exercises! Workers can go head-to-head in soccer, football, or even lawn games.

Animal Day

On Animal Day, participants can dress up like their favorite animals or wear animal-print accessories. Pet-friendly offices can even welcome employees’ pets into the office for the day! Folks could put on a pet parade and let furry friends meet each other. You can also host activities such as trivia or pet photo contests.

1. Why is the idea of Spirit Day put forward?

A．To enhance the working conditions.	B．To establish an active workplace.
C．To lessen the pressure of employees.	D．To strengthen the team competence.

2. What do Sports Team Day and Beach Day have in common?

A．Employees can go outdoors to relax.	B．Employees can bring their belongings.
C．Employees can have a delicious meal together.	D．Employees can watch a big game in the office.

3. On which day can employees compete for the best dressed?

A．Superhero Day.

B．Beach Day.

C．Sports Team Day.

D．Animal Day.