1 . It’s a hot time for Chinese language learning across the world, not only because of China’s higher position in the world but also because of the increasing economic and cultural connections between China and the other countries.
For example, the United Arab Emirates(UAE)plans to open Chinese language courses in 200 public primary and middle schools, so experienced Chinese teachers are needed.
Other Chinese courses opened across the world show the increasing need for Chinese-speaking talent. Mandarin(普通话)became an elective(选修的)foreign language in Russia＇s college entrance exam. Following English, German, French and Spanish, Mandarin has become the fifth elective test subject for the exam.
Spain has more than 40,000 people learning Chinese. Last year about 8,000 people took the Chinese Proficiency Test(HSK) exam. The number of people who took the test was the biggest, according to Xinhua News Agency.
In the USA, learning Chinese has been growing fast for many years and is now a popular choice for American children, especially those who were born in rich families. The children begin to learn Chinese at an early age because their parents believe that learning Chinese will help them build successful international business.
1. Why is Chinese language learning so hot?| A．Many foreigners like China’s culturc. |
| B．China helps a lot of countries to develop. |
| C．China has the highest position in the world. |
| D．China has more international influence around the world. |
| A．The UAE needs experienced English teachers. |
| B．All American children learn Chinese at an early age. |
| C．About one fifth of the Spanish learning Chinese took the HSK. |
| D．The Mandarin exam must be taken before going to Russia’s colleges. |
| A．Helpful. | B．Difficult. | C．Boring. | D．Interesting. |
| A．More people in the UAE begin to learn Chinese. |
| B．Chinese language learning is popular around the world. |
| C．Some foreign countries want more Chinese teachers. |
| D．Many American children are learning Chinese now. |
2 . Spending time outdoors has long been linked (联系) to better health. Gardening goes beyond just beautifying outdoor spaces—it can have a deep effect on our physical and mental (身心上的) health.
Gardening involves physical activity that works all the main muscle (肌肉) groups, which is helpful for overall health. “Activities such as digging, planting, weeding and harvesting require movement and can help to improve strength,” said Clayton, CEO of an online lawn care company. “Performing these activities regularly can help burn calories, and keep a healthy weight.”
Beyond burning calories and building muscle, lots of studies have shown that gardening can improve the immune system (免疫系统). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people get at least 150 minutes of exercise each week, and gardening is listed as a suitable activity. Doing garden work for that time each week can reduce the risk of obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease. Additionally, spending time outdoors makes us get close to natural sunlight, which is important for vitamin D synth.
Gardening provides a chance for social connection, too. It can be a shared activity among family members, friends or neighbors, building relationships and a sense of belonging.
Gardening also offers cognitive (认知的) benefits. It excites the senses, improves focus and encourages problem-solving and creativity. It provides a chance to learn about plants, ecosystems and the environment, developing a deeper understanding and appreciation for nature.
1. What is Clayton’s attitude towards gardening?| A．Supportive. | B．Doubtful. | C．Unclear | D．Uncaring. |
| A．It improves focus. | B．It is a waste of time. |
| C．It can keep a body in shape. | D．It helps to reduce the risk of diseases. |
| A．It contributes to creativity. | B．It encourages problem-solving. |
| C．It builds relationships between people. | D．It improves people’s awareness of safety. |
| A．How to Start a Garden | B．Choose a Garden or Not |
| C．What Plants Grow Best in a Garden | D．Start Gardening and Get the Health Benefits |
3 . Do you like travelling? Do you want to travel with less money? OK, let me introduce something about couch surfers(沙发漫游)to you? They are travelers who spend the night in an Internet friend’s house. Let’s share some of their stories.
After spending the whole day traveling in Paris, I met Theo at the bus station. At his apartment I met his roommate Roger. Both of them were very friendly. They took me to a party the next day. I went back to Theo’s apartment on the back of his bicycle. Peter |
When I traveled in Vienna, I stayed with Artur, a college student. One day I forgot to turn off the tap after having a bath. The bathroom was full of water. However, Artur did not get angry with me. Henri |
I got off the bus at the wrong station, so I had to take a taxi to Judit’s apartment. Judit was a reporter and she was always busy. The next day we went shopping together and she bought a dress for a party. In the evening she went to the party and I stayed at the apartment alone. Lucy |
| A．To London. | B．To Paris. | C．To Vienna. | D．To Budapest. |
| A．got on the wrong bus | B．couldn’t find his partner |
| C．forgot to turn off the tap | D．did not know how to use the tap |
| A．By bike. | B．By taxi. | C．By train. | D．On foot, |
| A．Peter. | B．Judit. | C．Theo. | D．Lucy. |
4 . I’m Jason. Here’s what I did from June to August.
 | In June, I went to Grandia, a beach in Valencia. I met a girl called Lara there. She told funny stories to make me laugh (笑). We had a wonderful time. |
 | In July, I went to Villalonga with my sisters. We put up our tents next to the River Serpis in the middle of the mountains. The views(风景) were very beautiful. |
 | In August, my parents and I went to London. I went there to learn English before. But it was my parents’ first time in London. We visited many interesting places. We had afternoon tea. I also visited my teachers when I was there. |
| A．was great fun | B．met Jason in July | C．lived in Valencia |
| A．He went camping. | B．He went to Grandia | C．He visited his sisters. |
| A．To take a vacation. | B．To learn English. | C．To see his teachers. |
5 . In southwestern France’s sunny “pink city” —Toulouse, the cuisine is both rich and tasty. Here, we single out three must-tastes of Toulouse.
Toulouse sausage
Sign up for Jessica’s brilliant Taste of Toulouse tours and you’ll get to eat your way around the city’s best food market, Marché Victor Hugo. One of the stands to dash directly to is Maison Garcia, which specializes in saucisse de Toulouse, the city’s famous black peppery (胡椒味的) sausage sold in a large spiral and ideal for grilling or barbecuing. You can also try or buy the dried version, saucisse sèche, which is wonderful for picnics.
Cassoulet
If there’s one dish every meat lover must try when visiting this southwestern corner of France, it’s the region’s signature dish. Made with Toulouse sausage, white beans, pork rind and trotter, confit duck and local garlic, Cassoulet gets its name from the cassole clay pot in which it’s cooked. While this dish is centuries old, Toulouse has only recently formed its own Brotherhood of the Toulouse Cassoulet, which will promote it, alongside the other two cities—Carcassonne and Castelnaudary—who also claim it as their signature dish. In Toulouse, chefs add lamb to make it their own, but each has their preferred method.
Violets
Toulouse may be known as the pink city, but its signature flavour is violet. The flowers became a popular crop in the city in the 19th century as they thrived in winter. While cheaper versions taste soapy, the best quality violet flavour lends a gentle perfume (香味，香水) to ice cream, macarons (马卡龙), and some French cakes. A fragrant port is La Maison de la Violette, which is set in a small boat moored (停泊) on the side of the Canal du Midi in central Toulouse and offers a selection of delicious violet treats, from crystallized petals to tasty violet-shell chocolate almonds.
1. Which is Toulouse sausage NOT ideal for according to the passage?| A．Picnics. | B．Violet treats. | C．Barbecuing. | D．Cassoulet. |
| A．Chefs there add lamb to Cassoulet. |
| B．They claim Cassoulet as their signature dish. |
| C．They are located in the southwestern of France. |
| D．Chefs there make famous black peppery sausage. |
| A．Taking a boat tour in Toulouse. | B．Wearing violet flavor perfumes. |
| C．Learning the origin of Toulouse. | D．Enjoying various tasty violet foods. |
6 . Family vlogging — the frequent recording and uploading of personal videos of the family, usually on video sharing website — has become big business nowadays, especially among parents of young children. The more viewers such videos can get, the more money the family can make. At first thought, it does seem like an easy way to make money. However, are we doing right by putting their lives up for public attention?
For one thing, as the children grow up, they increasingly become aware that what they do needs to be admirable enough for the public to enjoy — Being young children, they also would want to do whatever it takes to please others. They then feel the pressure to be perfect, and as that is something not always possible, they become anxious and stressed. Comments from viewers and the expectations of sponsors (赞助者) can also affect the parents’ reactions towards their children.
Another problem is the lack of privacy in the children’s lives. As the children reach adolescence, there is a greaser need for personal space. At 12 or 13, very few children would appreciate being filmed while eating or having a conversation with their friends. Teenhood is a time of significant change in an individual, both physically and emotionally, and is a time when parents need to protect their children and guide them, instead of exposing them to the eyes of the public.
Family vlogging can be irresistible, given how it allows parents to bring greater fun to their family lives. There is also the easy money and the fame to look forward to. Indeed, all would probably go well, but only as long as parents keep in mind that, if not managed well, making their children live their lives in the unforgiving eyes of the public could prove to be a big mistake.
1. How does vlogging about children’s lives influence the family?| A．Children will get used to public attention. |
| B．Children may suffer from too much pressure. |
| C．Parents may show no concern for their children. |
| D．Parents become addicted to exposing their children to the public. |
| A．By providing examples | B．By listing numbers |
| C．By making comparisons | D．By analyzing causes |
| A．To introduce a new big business |
| B．To show how vlogging influence people’s lives. |
| C．To persuade parents to watch out for comments from viewers. |
| D．To convince parents of the danger of vlogging about children’s lives. |
| A．negative | B．positive | C．neutral | D．uninterested |
7 . Camping tips: Which overnight wilderness experience is right for you?
If you’re an experienced backpacker, read no further. This article is for camping rookies, those who have never slept beneath the stars or haven’t pitched a tent since their youth but are seriously thinking about overnighting in the wilderness.
Car camping
At its most basic, car camping involves packing a tent, sleeping bag, fold-up chair, cooler and camp stove into your vehicle and staying at a drive-up campground. Nearly every national park, and many state and county parks and private facilities, offer drive-up campgrounds with restrooms, potable water, fire rings or pits, and maybe even hot showers. So there are lots of choices.
The downside of car camping is the fact that these campgrounds are often packed with other campers. Not a lot of privacy, they can be noisy, and possibly hinder your quest of communing with nature.
Backpacking
No vehicle required; just your feet and a good pair of hiking boots or shoes to get you to the next overnight spot. A multi-day hiking trip is without doubt the most immersive way to experience the great outdoors.
Different from maybe car camping, it requires the least expense and equipment. All you really need are a backpack, sleeping bag, water bottle, small first-aid kit, enough food to last the entire travel. It can be done just about anywhere on the planet.
Boat Camping
While this does involve owning or renting a watercraft or using a ferry or water taxi service to reach the overnight site, camping via canoe, kayak, raft or boat offers a similar get-away-from-it-all adventure as backpacking.
Experienced paddlers and boaters usually prefer to camp on their own along a secluded shoreline. But many adventure or wilderness outfitters offer guided trips that can last anywhere from a couple of days to two or three weeks. With a boat, you can sometimes camp places that not even backpackers can reach.
1. Who are the intended readers?| A．Red-blooded males | B．White-collar staff |
| C．Blue-blooded tourists | D．Green-hand campers |
| A．Backpacking allows you to communicate with nature deeply. |
| B．Car camping is the most economic way to experience nature. |
| C．The drive-up campgrounds provide people with private environment. |
| D．Boat camping offers the same adventures as backpacking. |
| A．Feature | B．Style | C．Travel | D．Entertainment |
8 . Jessie is on a mission to change wellness in New Zealand forever. That sounds like a noble ambition, but it’s one coming from a commitment started by adversity(逆境). Jessie was only 30 when she heard the news no one at any age wants to hear.
“I was happily married, six months pregnant(怀孕的) and excited about my future. Then everything changed in an instant. The doctors had discovered a tumour bigger than my baby’s head around my uterus(子宫).”
Jessie had emergency surgery to save her baby and remove the tumour. She then had to undergo months of debilitating (令人虚弱的) treatment. But the surgery was just the beginning of the journey. Chemotherapy(化疗) doesn’t build people up; it breaks them down. In many ways, the hardest and longest part of the journey is what comes after the therapy stops—a long road back to wellness.
“I came from a medicine-related background, so I knew the power of modern drugs. But there was a point where chemicals weren’t enough, and my recovery delayed. I knew I needed to try to use the power of nature to help me find my way back to wellness,” says Jessie. “I spent years studying options and learning about what was available to me.”
As Jessie regained her strength, she decided she could make a difference to New Zealanders by sharing her experience and new-found knowledge to help people live healthier lives. And through that journey, AJE Healthcare started. Jessie’s mission was to make natural healthcare easy to understand and effective in helping people live their best lives.
But this is just the beginning for Jessie. She is determined to grow her business, serve her customers delightfully, and make natural healthcare accessible to all New Zealanders.
1. When was Jessie diagnosed cancer?| A．When she was pregnant. | B．When she delivered a baby. |
| C．When she had a noble ambition. | D．When she moved to New Zealand. |
| A．It broke her down. | B．It completely cured her. |
| C．It worsened her condition. | D．It was the beginning of the treatment. |
| A．To cure patients of cancer. | B．To make medical care easier. |
| C．To promote Jessie’s business. | D．To help with people’s wellness. |
| A．Finding Purpose Through Adversity |
| B．The Establishment of AJE Healthcare |
| C．Jessie, a Tough Mother in New Zealand |
| D．How New Zealanders Pursue Wellbeing |
9 . In most cases, people pick the easy way out: the path of least resistance. Yet it’s the hard choice—the path of most resistance—that is more beneficial and provides most success in the long run.
How do these paths differ? What are the dangers of an easy life? What are the rewards of a hard life? How do you start taking the path of most resistance? Let’s cover all these questions.
Taking the path of least resistance means choosing the easiest available option, with little regard for its long-term consequences. For example, you eat whatever you like, whenever you like, and in whatever amount you like. This is often combined with avoiding physical activity because it’s too exhausting and uncomfortable. It may feel nice at first but all that indulgence has a very high price. In that case, it’s guaranteed being fat. Most people in the modern world follow this path, and this is why so many people struggle with a lack of self-discipline, good habits, etc.
The path of most resistance is about choosing the option that will lead to more personal growth, even if it means suffering in the early stages of the process. For example, it may cost you a lot to quit watching TV for hours on end. But over the long term, you’ll free up a lot of time that will lead to a more satisfying life than that of a couch potato.
At first sight, this approach is unappealing. It requires effort, loss of pleasure, and leads to potential suffering. Yet, on the other side of all that lies a world of more confidence, self-discipline and mental recovery. In the end, they do more than just making up for the fleeting superficial pleasures.
We’re lazy by nature. If we can do something more easily and comfortably, we’ll always choose that path over the one that’s harder. This tendency is an extremely powerful force, even when scientific research makes it clear that it’s bad for us.
1. What is the purpose of the questions in paragraph 2?| A．To introduce the content. |
| B．To explain a phenomenon. |
| C．To share the issues related. |
| D．To comment on the easy-path choice. |
| A．A serious weakness of humans. |
| B．A decision without full information. |
| C．A habit of acting to pleasures. |
| D．A choice made with careful thinking. |
| A．Their lack of exercise. |
| B．Their low level of self-discipline. |
| C．The consumption of too much fat and sugar. |
| D．The abnormal development of society. |
| A．Oversleeping on weekends. |
| B．Taking your favourite sport regularly. |
| C．Quitting a well-paid job and taking a low-paid one. |
| D．Eating something you dislike to balance your diet. |
10 . Teenagers believe anything is possible if they study hard. But they often forget to think about healthy diets (饮食), enough sleep time and exercise. In fact, these things are really important for them to keep fit.
It is important for teenagers to get enough energy. Teenage girls need about 2,200 calories a day while boys need a bit more — doctors suggest 2,800 for teenage boys. 50% of their calories should come from healthy food — rice, vegetables and fruit. People often say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Teenagers also need to drink a lot of water, 6 to 8 glasses a day. Drinking enough water will improve their skin.
Teenagers usually need eight to ten hours’ sleep at night, but many Chinese teenagers do not get enough sleep. A report shows that without a good night’s sleep, teenagers seem to be weaker than they should be. Too much homework is not the only reason why teenagers stay up late. Some watch TV or play computer games late into the night. Teenagers should develop good study habits. So some clever students never study late, but they are able to work well in class.
Exercise is something that can help them. Experts suggest that teenagers should spend at least 30 minutes exercising a day, five times a week. They will feel relaxed when they exercise. It can even help them sleep better at night.
1. How many things are important for teenagers to keep fit?| A．2. | B．3. | C．4. |
| A．rice, vegetables and fruit | B．rice, vegetables and meat | C．rice, vegetables and water |
| A．sleeping better | B．basic energy | C．necessary exercise |
| A．Boys need much more calories than girls. |
| B．Teenagers need to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day. |
| C．Some clever students never study late. |
| A．eat and drink well | B．study hard | C．keep fit |
