1 . Primary and secondary school learners, university students, and guests were invited on Wednesday and were treated to a colorful celebration at the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi, to mark the beginning of the year of the dragon which officially starts on Saturday. The place featured beautiful decorations with red and gold colors and lucky symbols.

Visitors got an opportunity to participate in cultural experiences including painting, papercutting and pot throwing as well as experiencing Chinese cuisines like spicy hotpot, steamed stuffed buns (包子) , Chinese hamburgers, dumplings and barbecue among others. They were also treated to heartwarming performances including face-changing, lion dance, dragon dance, drumming, Chinese opera, Chinese songs and a talent show featuring Chinese traditional clothes as well as a mixture of Chinese and Kenyan fashion.

Leah Muthoni, a student at the University of Nairobi lauded the Chinese cuisines served at the event, especially noodles and dumplings. She also appreciated the decorations, drawings, pictures and performances. Similar feelings were also shared by George Mwita, another student from the University of Nairobi who greatly enjoyed the pot throwing game.

In his welcoming speech, Professor Stephen Kiama, the vice headmaster of the University of Nairobi who doubles up as the Kenya director of the Confucius Institute, hoped this year will be a good year of development because the Chinese dragon horns represent power and strength, while the drums represent courage and energy.

Kiama said the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi has achieved a lot since its establishment in 2005, including winning the Confucius Institute of the Year Award seven times and pioneering the establishment of the Bachelor of Arts in the Chinese language in Kenya. “Last year, with the joint efforts of the various parties and stakeholders we established the first bachelor of education in Chinese in Kenya and we admitted the first group of students,” he said. Kiama hopes that this year the Confucius Institute will gain more force with the blessing of power, courage and vitality from the year of the Chinese dragon. He said the Confucius Institute offers a good platform for cultural exchange between China and Kenya through events like the Chinese Lunar Year celebrations. Kiama hoped that the relationship between China and Kenya would further be strengthened by the blessings of the year of the dragon.

In Chinese methodology (方法论) , the dragon has the power to control seasons, time and harvests, and it’s seen as a symbol of wealth. The Chinese consider dragons to be powerful. sympathetic, wise, kind and warm.

1. What is spoken of as one of the cultural experiences the visitors participated in?

A．Tasting Chinese cuisines.	B．Writing with brushes.
C．Reciting Chinese poems.	D．Guessing lantern riddles.

2. Which can replace the underlined word “lauded” in Paragraph 3?

A．Mixed.

B．Praised.

C．Delivered.

D．Sold.

3. What is the fact about the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi?

A．It has the biggest number of students in Africa.

B．George Mwita is one of the Chinese teachers there.

C．It has won the Confucius Institute of the Year Award seven times.

D．They set up the first bachelor of education in Chinese in Kenya in 2005.

4. What is the best title for the news report?

A．Kiama considers dragons to be powerful and sympathetic

B．Confucius Institute offers good platform for cultural exchange

C．Kiama wishes year of dragon good for development of Confucius Institute

D．Confucius Institute at University of Nairobi marks year of dragon celebrations

2 . When my school offered the opportunity to take part in a School Challenge, I didn’t hesitate to sign up for the initial meeting.     1     We decided to plan a three-week adventure in Romania.

Of course, it was not a case of simply signing up and paying the money.     2     We arranged a variety of events for the purpose. We had decided to go to a remote rural village and to work with a team of local people to improve the school buildings.

We had been warned that our trip would not be a holiday and that things would not always go to plan. We certainly experienced the difficulties during the trip.     3     This meant that they were too weak to continue walking and we were not able to travel as far as we had intended. In fact, one of the team quit the journey.

    4     I never got tired of watching the sun rise every morning over the pine forests. Feeding the bears in the sanctuary was also incredible. I would never have imagined that these powerful creatures could be so gentle and calm. My best memory, though, was working on the school building project. I will never forget the hospitality and kindness of the villagers. They cooked us amazing meals and did everything they could to make us feel comfortable and welcome.

My School Challenge trip influenced my life in so many ways. It gave me a taste for independence and adventure, and certainly made me want to travel more.     5     Not having television, internet and hot running water for three weeks was certainly a challenge, but in many ways enjoyed living a simpler life for a short time.

A．This had to be raised by us to fund the trip.

B．Despite the obstacles, it was a truly amazing trip.

C．Above all though, it has made me realise how easy my life is.

D．It was much more challenging than I thought it would be at times.

E．This was where we met other team members and chose our destination.

F．However, we wouldn’t be spending any time there until the end of the trip.

G．For example, a few people became ill because we were so high up in the mountains.

3 . I’ve loved to sew all my life. I started sewing clothes for my dolls when I was 7. My mother showed me how to stitch with a needle and thread, and it was my favorite pastime when it was too cold and snowy to play outside. As a teenager, I began to design and sew my own outfits. I cut out paper patterns to construct dresses and skirts, and I’d sit at the old sewing machine for hours.

In my late 20s, I began to buy used and vintage clothes to upcycle and refashion. My favorite places to buy vintage clothes are thrift shops (旧货店) and church rummage sales (教堂义卖).

However, about 10 years ago, when I was ripping out the silk lining (内衬) from a beautiful long blue evening dress, I stopped. There was a hidden pocket in the front that I failed to notice as I merrily ripped at the seams. I pulled out an old photo of a young woman wearing the very same blue evening dress. A long silver chain necklace hung gracefully down the front of the dress, and she was holding a black purse. She had a soft smile, and she looked to be in her early 20s.

Somebody else wore this dress many years ago. Who was she? Did she wear it to the theater? To a fancy dinner party? And I was now tearing it apart. I felt guilty.

I mentioned my concerns and guilt to my daughter. She said, “Mom, you should be proud of your upcycling and your sewing creations. You are keeping clothes out of the landfill (垃圾填埋场), and you’re creating new fashions. Consider it a bonus (意外收获) if you find objects in the pockets. The clothes are talking to you!”

I decided to pay homage to this upcycling discovery -and the many others I’ve found over the years — by displaying them on a bulletin board in my sewing room. These discoveries have made me enjoy refashioning and upcycling clothes even more. But I have learned to be a little gentler when I rip seams open with my scissors, and I approach pockets more carefully.

1. What are the first two paragraphs mainly about?

A．The author’s mom’s influence on her.	B．The author’s growing love for sewing.
C．The author’s preference for vintage clothes.	D．The author’s deep interest in design.

2. How did the author feel immediately after discovering the photo in the dress pocket?

A．Excited.

B．Regretful.

C．Amazed.

D．Nervous.

3. What does the author’s daughter think of upcycling old clothes?

A．It’s a waste of time.	B．It’s a challenging hobby.
C．It’s a professional business.	D．It’s environmentally friendly.

4. What does the author do with her upcycling discoveries made over the years?

A．Sells them online.	B．Donates them to thrift shops.
C．Shows them in her sewing room.	D．Gives them to her daughter as gifts.

4 . Must-read New Fiction Books

We all have a few tried-and-true fiction favorites, but there’s something special about a brand-new, hot-off-the-press novel. Whether it’s your favorite author’s new release or a new writer’s first work, great fiction books make the perfect escape from ordinary life. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of the best new books released in February.

Age of Gold by Jerry Lapoor

Jerry Lapoor’s latest action-packed novel unfolds like a crazy movie. This thriller begins when a wealthy man’s car gets out of control. But when the dust settles, the rich man is nowhere to be found. How and to where does he disappear? With an exciting plot that will carry you from old-money houses to small agricultural villages, Age of Cold will take you on an unforgettable ride across a vast land.

City Under One Sky by Rachel Young

In the book, Young presents a crime story set in a small town. Detective Sara Kennedy has been sent to investigate a case. But soon after arrival, Sara gets snowed in with the 205 townsfolk living in the same apartment building. Who is hiding the key to the crime? And is there anyone she can truly trust? The appealing story, strange but distinctive characters and unexpected plot are just a few of the reasons why City Under One Sky gains its popularity.

Lady by Jess George

Lady is an irresistible fiction from Jess George. The story of Mary’s fresh start at adulthood is shot through with themes of family, race and discrimination, womanhood and the immigrant reality of feeling torn between cultures. Though struggling with life in London as an African, Mary jumps at every chance to stand on her own feet.

1. What will impress the readers in Age of Gold?

A．The thrilling plot.	B．Traditional cultures.
C．The family conflict.	D．Crazy characters.

2. What happens to Sara Kennedy in City Under One Sky?

A．She is trapped in the snow.	B．She is to investigate a case abroad.
C．She hides the key evidence.	D．She has trouble discovering the truth.

3. Which is likely to be the main theme of Lady?

A．Self-reliance.	B．Gender equality.
C．Domestic violence.	D．Cross-cultural communication.

5 . I’d entered into another one of those busy periods in life that we all have from time to time. It is those times when in addition to the usual hustle and bustle of life a dozen other things suddenly show up that need to be done right away as well.     1    

After grabbing what I needed I walked through the corridor containing mostly little things.    2     As I walked by, one of them jumped out and caught my attention.

It was a little saying on a cheap wood square no bigger than my hand with a string attached to hang it on the wall. In cursive writing along the top it said: “SLOW DOWN &” while below it in big block letters were the words: “ENJOY TODAY”.

I just stood there and read this message over and over. As I did, I felt a calm settling over my soul.    3     And for the first time I had allowed peace and love to flow into me again.

    4     Then I brought it home with me and hung it on the wall in my bathroom. So every time I made one of my many trips there I could see those words again and follow the wonderful advice.

In this crazy life, we all need to remember to “SLOW DOWN & ENJOY TODAY.”    5     Instead, life puts us here to love, to find joy and to share that joy with the world.

A．Finally I decided to pay the dollar it cost.

B．What’s more, we need to remember to love.

C．It was as if my stressing and worrying had melted away.

D．However, there was another thing that captured my heart.

E．There were printed paintings, photo frames and inspirational sayings.

F．Life doesn’t put us here to rush about doing a million needless things.

G．This long-to-do list was running through my mind while I was at a local store.

6 . How to charge an electric vehicle (EV) is one of the biggest concerns people have when working out whether going electric is right for them.

It is true that sometimes gaining access to reliable charging can seem a bit tricky.     1    

First, download an app with a comprehensive map of the public charging points showing their locations, how powerful they are, and whether they’re working. All this is vital information because, even if you have public charging points nearby, you will need alternatives in case they’re in use.    2    

A growing number of property owners are renting out their charging points and drive ways to other local EV drivers when they’re not using them.    3     Thus, your car gets charged, the owners make money, and emissions are reduced.

    4       For example, when your car is running out of juice, you’d just pull up to a battery-change station from your car brand and sit in the car while a fully charged unit is changed in. The Chinese EV brand Nio does this, but isn’t available in the UK as yet.

For now, if charging access remains difficult for you, it’s still possible to go electric-in part.    5     Many hybrid (混合) cars are now good for 50 miles of electric running before you need to use the engine. So, if most of your driving is local, you might only need to find a charger once or twice a week, while you have the backup of a fuel engine for long journeys.

A．But it may be easier than you think.

B．It actually worked out much cheaper.

C．There are also other innovative ways to get your EV going.

D．A plug-in EV combines a petrol engine with a smaller battery.

E．A “fast” charger usually takes eight hours to fully charge an EV.

F．So you need to get a good feel for where your nearest points are.

G．You can find a map of homeowners whose charging points are available.

7 . Does the sound of rain really help you fall asleep?

You’ve likely heard that the pitter-pattering of raindrops can help people fall asleep. There’s also research that supports the idea that rain sounds are a useful sleep aid. Here’s what to know.

➢       1    

Rain sounds can mask other sharper noises in your environment. Think of a dripping faucet (滴水的龙头), in the other room — in dead silence, it could be very annoying. With a masking background of wind in the leaves or a soft rain, the drip would never be detected.     2    

➢   Rain sounds might hit the right frequencies.

By masking background sounds, rain tacks might seem like they’re just ordinary white noise — but they aren’t.     3     which are named after colors. Rain sounds are considered pink noise, which is characterized by louder sounds at a low frequency and softer sounds at high frequencies. Research suggests that pink noise can improve seep in healthy individuals.

➢   Research suggests that nature has a calming effect.

In addition to helping people fall asleep, rain sounds can be simply relaxing.     4     as evidence points to their psychological benefits, including increased cognitive (认知的) capacity and reduced anxiety and stress. According to a study last year, people exposed to nature sounds have the calming part of their nervous system activated by these racks.

➢   Should you try rain sounds?

Rain sounds might help some people, but they’re not for everyone.     5     One person’s gentle rain is another’s food worry or need to go to the bathroom. Similarly, gentle rain with distant thunder is calming for some and arming for others. Will they work for you? There’s only one way to find out!

A．Rain noise hides other sounds.

B．Rain noises sometimes disturb sleep.

C．This may be because they’re a natural sound.

D．So rain sounds can create a calming background noise.

E．White noise is a technical term for a variety of sounds.

F．It is worth experimenting with the frequency to see if it works for you.

G．Different sounds bring out different responses depending on the individual.

8 . Lessons to Learn from Nature

As we become more and more separated from nature, we start to realize how much we depend on it. People often seek for wisdom, experience, and knowledge. Guess who’s been around in this world longer than mother nature? The followings are the lessons nature can teach us.

    1     As the daily, monthly, and yearly cycles change, everything in nature changes, too. Leaves change their color, flowers turn into fruits, some animals sleep throughout the whole winter, and when they wake up, it’s spring again — a new beginning. What we need to learn is that change is a good thing.     2    

Nature is flexible. Flexibility is what helps a leaf endure. If there’s a lot of sun in the area, the leaves of a particular plant will be smaller, thicker, and will change their color. Leaves growing in the shade, on the other hand, will be larger, greener, and thinner, so they could absorb more sunlight.     3    

    4     When you spend time in nature, by the sea, in the forest, or in the desert, you’ll notice nothing really happens hurriedly.     5     We overload ourselves with work that we can’t fit into 24 hours and then we get stressed out. Stop for a moment. Breathe. Set your priorities and change your life’s tempo.

A．Nature is never in a rush.

B．Nature is ever-changing.

C．Nature always has its own pace.

D．The ability to adapt quickly is an important ability.

E．On the other hand, human beings are always in a hurry.

F．Accepting change makes us more adaptable, and that sets us free.

G．It’s important for the leaves to know how to adapt to the environment.

9 . When you hear the word “artificial intelligence”, the first thing that comes to mind is robotics, but what truly is artificial intelligence and what does the future hold for it? Artificial intelligence is any device or machine that mimics cognitive (认知的) functions humans associate with the human mind, such as learning and problem solving. Examples of artificial intelligence in our day to day lives include: Siri, Google, advertising and so much more. Every industry is incorporating (吸收/包含) artificial intelligence into its back bone.

Currently, the effects of artificial intelligence seem all positive. Artificial intelligence will lead to more new and important discoveries in the future, through its predictive modelling. In 2017, NASA reported the discovery of an eight-planet solar system with the help of AI. It can also predict the emergence of any new virus, disease or epidemic and discover a corresponding drug to treat it by accessing and analyzing multiple sets of data. This in turn will help the healthcare industry develop Al programs that will improve longevity and predict the time of the first sign of diseases, improve drug research processes and assist doctors in diagnosis.

However, there are still a lot of public concerns. An article titled “The Future of Work” gives a practical view on the influence of artificial intelligence and automation in our job industry. It predicts that by 2030, job losses will reach a rate of twenty nine percent, with an even lesser job creation percentage of thirteen percent. In 2014, a chat bot known as Eugene Goostman passed the Turing test, making judges think it was a human and leading to a lot of raised concerns. Does this mean that with future research, robots can insert themselves smoothly into our environment? It gives people a lot of food for thought.

The future of artificial intelligence is both fascinating and alarming. Privacy laws and security guidelines should be reviewed to protect everyone from vulnerability (脆弱性). Still if researches continue to be done with exposure and responsibility, the balance would not tip in favor of the negative.

1. According to the passage, AI can be used ________.

A．to reduce job creation

B．to insert themselves smoothly into our lives

C．to make scientific breakthrough

D．to prevent the emergence of new virus, disease or epidemic

2. By mentioning the medical use in paragraph 2, the author wanted ________.

A．to introduce a new way to cure any disease.

B．to explain the value of artificial intelligence.

C．to show the effectiveness of artificial intelligence treatment.

D．to discuss the possibility of artificial intelligence replacing doctors.

3. What can we infer from the last sentence in paragraph 4?

A．Currently, there are more negative effects caused by AI.

B．More researches are needed in order to further develop AI.

C．It’s very difficult to balance the exposure and responsibility in researches.

D．It's possible to reduce the negative effects of AI in the future.

4. What is the main idea of the passage?

A．Artificial Intelligence will change the future.

B．The future needs regulation of Artificial Intelligence.

C．Artificial Intelligence has made scientific breakthroughs.

D．Artificial Intelligence does more harm than good to humans.

10 . Salad is good for you, generally speaking, so growing fresh greens in orbit seems like a winning way for space workers to stay healthy. New research suggests that as nutritious as space salad might be, it could pose something of a risk to astronauts.

The problem is growing leafy plants like lettuce (生菜) in space can come with a side dish of bacteria (细菌), according to a new study from a team at the University of Delaware. In tests on plants grown in modeled micro-gravity, they were shown to actually be more sensitive than normal to the Salmonella enterica (SE) (沙门氏菌).

We know that the International Space Station (ISS) is home to a lot of aggressive bacteria, and if these space virus were to cause widespread sickness in an astronaut crew, it would mean lives were at risk. “You don’t want the whole mission to fail just because of a food safety outbreak,” says plant biologist Harsh Bais from the University of Delaware.

Bais and his colleagues used a device to perform some clever rotation tricks in the lab, putting lettuce plants into a similar state as they would be in micro-gravity. They then added SE bacteria to the leaves. What was interesting — and surprising — was that the tiny stomata (气孔) in the lettuce opened up to allow the bacteria to get in. Ordinarily, the job of the stomata is to keep dangerous attackers out, while at the same time helping the plant to breathe.

The researchers then added a more helpful species of bacteria, one that typically protects plants from external stressors. Again, the defense didn’t work in micro-gravity — suggesting there’s something about this state that disables the chemical reactions that the lettuce would normally use to keep itself safe.

Add in what we know about space bacteria being particularly tricky, and this is a potential problem. The team behind the study wants to see a lot more research into making sure our foodstuffs are safe outside of orbit.

1. Why can’t lettuce be grown in ISS?

A．Its leaves takes up too much space.	B．It brings in illness-causing bacteria.
C．It is only a side dish to astronauts.	D．It can’t grow well in micro-gravity.

2. What is Bais’ attitude to growing plants in space?

A．Negative.

B．Sensitive.

C．Enthusiastic.

D．Unconcerned.

3. What did the tiny stomata do in the experiment?

A．They kept lettuce from breathing.	B．They ensure the safety of lettuce.
C．They failed to function as expected.	D．They stopped all bacteria coming in.

4. What is a best tile for the text?

A．SE, the Worst Bacteria in Space	B．Greens for Salad, a Risk in Space
C．Lettuce, Plant Samples Used in Space	D．Food Safety, a Key Problem in Space