1 . When I was a child, the new year’s activity for my family is dumpling-making, but it’s been years since I’ve last experienced the uniquely carefree comfort and connection I felt during moments. My family has changed a lot, and gatherings like these simply don’t come together with the same ease as they once did.

This year, I came home in the evening to a dark house with pieces missing. I noticed things that I wouldn’t have before, like how my family slept earlier and got up later and how my dog had more trouble jumping up on my bed. After all, it’s easier to become blind to its subtle changes when you occupy it virtually every day of the year, and much harder when you must be exposed to months of accumulated change all at once.

Personally, the most precious childhood privilege is not the free extra snacks from flight attendants, but the privilege of thinking of the people and relationships around you with a sense of permanence. I mean this in the sense that it escaped my eight-year-old brain to think about how my parents were aging as I did or about the sacrifices they made for me until suddenly, I was an adult as they were.

I turn 20 in a couple months, so I’ve been seized with a feeling of adulthood, which feels far stronger than the transition into legal adulthood at 18 ever felt. It seems as if the “teen” part of“19”keeps me attached to the same category as the one my newly 13-year-old self occupied, carrying with it a certain comfort in the social allowances made for the immaturity inherent (固有的) to youth. But marching into 20 is different.

I’d so desperately wanted to move away and get a taste of independence upon starting college, but now I know that such freedom comes with loss and responsibility. Now I start to understand the governance of a circularity (循环) inherent to our lives and have a newfound appreciation for the things that remain the same.

1. What does the underlined word “subtle” in paragraph 2mean?

A．Obvious.

B．Sudden.

C．Unusual.

D．Unnoticeable.

2. Which of the following might the author agree with when he was eight?

A．Everything would be the same.	B．His parents were becoming old.
C．Free extra snacks were common.	D．His parents had done a lot to him.

3. In what way is 20 years old different according to the author?

A．Physical maturity.	B．The social expectation.
C．The loss of freedom.	D．The shift into legal adulthood.

4. What can be the best title of the passage?

A．A newfound appreciation for life.	B．The difference between teens and adults.
C．My passing memories of childhood.	D．My reflection on the switch into adulthood.

2 . Art Appreciation

Art appreciation is an often overlooked skill. It’s more than simply looking at a piece of art and judging it based on what we see. It requires us to look deeper, beyond the surface into the artist’s intention.     1     The following tips would help you achieve it.

The first step is to prepare yourself mentally. Before you begin viewing any artwork, take moments to clear your mind of what a piece you think should look like.     2     That’s because an artist can present a unique visual experience by combining line, shape, form, color and space creatively.

Besides, examine the artwork closely. Take note of its elements mentioned above. Consider how these elements work together to convey meaning or emotion in the piece. Notice how the work makes you feel.     3     What can I see? What is the artwork saying? What feelings does it arouse in me?

    4     Information about the artist and when the artwork was created can help you uncover the deeper symbolism present in the work that may not be immediately evident. Art is often used as a tool for social change. To appreciate art, it’s important to understand the context where it was created. The context behind a piece can be found through research and analysis.

Last but not least, sharing opinions on art also helps. Try discussing your thoughts on artwork with friends or family who may have different opinions. Taking the diverse understanding into consideration, you can approach viewing art work from different viewpoints. As a result, you can gain a new appreciation every time you look at it.     5    

A．Relevant research counts as well.

B．Engage all your senses and ask yourself questions.

C．The process can bring you a fun and educational trip.

D．Leave your feelings aside and check out the questions.

E．To sum up, communication can also do good to your art appreciation.

F．With the previous ideas, you can get well prepared for the appreciation.

G．This will help you open up to different perspectives when exploring the work.

3 . Clair Hughes first began to research money-saving ideas to get out of her £3,500 student overdraft (透支额). The shopper started surfing the Internet for discount coupons (优惠券) and cut price offers. Revealing how she seldom pays full price for an item, Ms Hughes says, “Discounts are always there; it’s just a matter of being organized. Before starting this, I thought it’d be much work, but now I’m so used to this lifestyle that it’s automatic to me. I must have easily saved over £15,000.”

Ms Hughes first focused on saving money back in 2010, when she moved in with her partner, Shane Byrne, a phone company trainer. After turning to the web for advice, she tried out a few clever money-saving tricks like switching her overdraft to a zero-interest account. Then, several years later, she came across an online community for “couponers” and decided to give it a go.

She started spending hours surfing the web for coupons, printing them all out to take with her whenever she went shopping. Over the years, she has managed to get some impressive catches. Once, two lamps worth £140 cost her just £35.

Two years ago, Ms Hughes also began using cashback apps where you are given money back on items ranging from beers to toiletries. After each shop, she uploads pictures of her receipts, which are then scanned, and money is given back on certain items.

Among her other top money-saving tips, Ms Hughes recommends taking part in paid online surveys, which have earned her hundreds in discount coupons. She says, “I’ve heard a lot about collecting other people’s abandoned receipts from shopping trolleys to check for missed discounts. I can’t believe how much coupons and cashback apps have helped me. The community does benefit me a lot. There will always be someone on hand to explain how it works.”

1. What does saving money mean to Clair Hughes?

A．It’s part of her daily life.	B．It makes her shop less.
C．It’s a way to leave school.	D．It keeps her work organized.

2. What can we know about Clair Hughes?

A．She always asks Shane for suggestions.

B．She likes going shopping with her friends.

C．She has bought some goods in low prices.

D．She is good at discussing prices with others.

3. What does the last paragraph mainly show?

A．Hughes’ feelings of her life.	B．Hughes’ ways to get coupons.
C．Hughes’ appreciation for society.	D．Hughes’ difficulty in saving money.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．A Graduate Enjoys Shopping	B．A Community Collects Coupons
C．A Woman Focuses on Saving Money	D．A Shopper Is Famous for Saving Money

4 . According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), hundreds of marine (海洋的) species across the world come under endangered and critically endangered categories. Some of the endangered and recognizable marine species are named here.

Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle

The Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle, also known as the Atlantic Ridley Sea Turtle, is endangered as the rarest and smallest sea turtle.

Distributed throughout the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Atlantic seaboard, they gather off the coast in northeastern Mexico and come ashore in large groups to lay eggs every year. As marine reptiles (爬行动物), they are threatened by oil spills, lack of food and marine pollution.

Vaquita

As a rare marine mammal, Vaquita is on the edge of extinction only a half-century after its first sighting.

Extensive fishing in the Gulf of California has endangered this marine species, resulting in a gradual drop in population since the 1940s. According to reports, there are only a dozen of these marine mammals left in the world since the percentage of decline in their population was as much as 90% since 2011.

Whale

Fin Whale is the second-largest mammal on the planet after Blue Whale and it is also a victim of hunting. According to estimates, the global population of Fin Whale ranges from below 100,000 to around 119,000.

Humpback Whale, another whale species, has also been listed as an endangered marine species. Before the introduction of the whaling moratorium (暂停) in 1966, the species was hunted for its fur, while the population dropped by 90%. Currently, around 2,500 Humpback Whales survive in the world.

Hawaiian Monk Seal

A native of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Hawaiian Monk Seal is one of the earless seals who live on warm beaches, unlike other seals.

According to recent research, only 1,400 Hawaiian Monk Seals remain on the Islands. These seals are mainly threatened by predators like tiger sharks. Besides, other reasons like habitat loss and food limitation also contribute to their critical situation.

1. Why do Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles land on the beach in large groups?

A．To nest.

B．To reproduce.

C．To avoid attack.

D．To hunt foods.

2. What is the major threat to Hawaiian Monk Seal?

A．Global warming.

B．Lack of food.

C．Natural enemies.

D．Habitat pollution.

3. Which of the following is the most critically endangered species?

A．Vaquita.

B．Fin Whale.

C．Humpback Whale.

D．Hawaiian Monk Seal.

5 . Recently, I took him for a classic English afternoon tea at The Ritz Hotel. The thought of showing him a piece of authentic British life excited me for weeks, so when we finally sat down in the Ritz’s elegant tearoom, with the sound of a pianist in the background, I was thrilled.

I looked at the polished silver tea stand topped with finely cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones (烤饼), and mouthwatering pastries and teacakes. I was ready to dig in. Then I looked at Dad and a trace of nervousness flashed across his face. He carefully copied what I ate and how to use the knife and fork, and from time to time anxiously looked up at the waiter in his bow tie who was serving our table.

When we got to the scones, Dad took a big bite and remarked how delicious it was. He asked me to explain how the British eat scones, so I supplied him with details about the custom of breaking scones into small pieces, spreading cream and strawberry jam on top, before consuming each piece in one mouthful.

“Oh, why did you not tell me earlier?” Dad’s face turned red in embarrassment, suddenly realizing his mistake. For the rest of the scones session, he busied himself with neatly spreading the cream and jam like an obedient (听话的) child.

Suddenly, I felt a complex mixture of happiness, sadness and loneliness. Growing up, Dad was my hero, my mountain. I still remember flying into his arms after school at the kindergarten gate. Through the sound of his voice, I learned to feel and understand the world.

After moving to London alone, I have learned to achieve academic grades, found a job, and started a new life all by myself. But I did not fully realize how much I had grown up, until I saw how dependent Dad was on me in London. Although he is still a mountain in my heart, I realized I have in the meantime built a strong mountain of my own. And by being away from Dad’s protective wings I have come to understand more of myself and to find my own place in the world.

1. Why did the author take her father for a classic English afternoon tea?

A．The food in the restaurant was delicious.

B．She wanted her father to experience real British life.

C．Her father was deeply attracted by the elegant tearoom.

D．She intended to introduce an excellent restaurant to her father.

2. Which of the following best describe the author’s father when eating scones?

A．Disappointed and painful.	B．Embarrassed and desperate.
C．Nervous and cautious.	D．Sorrowful and helpless.

3. What did the author realize after the experience?

A．She had a happy childhood.	B．She had achieved a lot in academic area.
C．Her father was not her mountain any more.	D．She should be the person for her father to rely on.

4. What can we learn from the passage?

A．An eating experience changed a father.	B．Eating with Dad strengthened our relationship.
C．Dining environment was vital for a restaurant.	D．Living alone enhanced a person’s independence.

6 . Smartphones allow us to do some great things.     1     The apps allow us to do even more with our phones. One app that encourages creativity among its users is TikTok, also known as Douyin.

TikTok is an app used for making music videos that can be shared with others. It provides some parts of popular songs. People can use the   songs as background music in their videos.     2     People record themselves doing dance moves, lip-syncing (对口型) with the music and just having fun. Some users like to make videos when they travel.     3     And of course, videos of cute animals moving in time with the music are always popular. Users can edit (编辑) their videos with different tools. The end results can be quite impressive (令人赞叹的).

Users can communicate with each other by leaving comments (评论) or giving “likes” on a video.     4     They are like stars with other users waiting for their next video to come out.

The app doesn’t just help make its users more popular.     5     One example is singer Christine Welch, who wrote A Million Possibilities. This song was very popular among Chinese users of the app. Because of that, Christine was invited to sing at a 2019 New Year’s concert in Beijing!

TikTok is a form of social media (媒体). It is fun for anyone who likes to be creative or enjoys the creativity of others.

A．Its users are certainly creative.

B．We can hardly live without technology.

C．Users with popular videos can become famous within the app.

D．It presents the world’s knowledge that matters in everyday life.

E．Others record themselves playing games or doing something very exciting.

F．Some musicians’ songs used in the app have also enjoyed great popularity.

G．We can play games, search for information online, take photos and watch videos.

7 . In the eyes of many environmentalists, the world appears to be getting worse. They believe, the natural resources are running out and the air and water are becoming ever more polluted. But if we check the facts, things look different. Energy has become more abundant, not less so. Fewer people are starving. What seems to cause this gap between perception and reality?

One factor is the prejudice in scientific research. Scientific funding goes mainly to areas with many problems. That may be wise policy, but it will also create an impression that there are more potential problems than actually exist.

Secondly, environmental groups seek attention from the mass media. They also need to get continuous financial support. Understandably, perhaps, they sometimes exaggerate (夸大) their arguments. In 1997, for example, the World Wide Fund for Nature issued a statement titled: “Two thirds of the world’s forests lost forever”. The truth turns out to be near 20%.

The media can add to confusion too. People tend to be more curious about bad news than good. Newspapers and broadcasters are there to provide what the public wants. That, however, can lead to significant misinterpretations. For example, when a natural disaster happens, the media usually highlights the negative parts, giving more attention to the disaster’s details and what happens afterward. This flood of bad news can make people think that such events are more frequent or serious than they actually are. Consequently, people may develop a sense of insecurity, despite statistically low probabilities of similar events happening to them.

Another factor is people’s poor perception. People worry that vaccines can cause severe side effects or long-term health problems. Despite extensive scientific evidence demonstrating their safety and effectiveness, some individuals remain hesitant due to unfounded fears.

It is crucial that we look at the facts if we want to make the best possible decisions for the future. It may be costly to be overly optimistic – but more costly still to be too pessimistic.

1. What aspect of scientific research does the writer worry about in paragraph 2?

A．The need to produce results.	B．The selection of research areas.
C．The lack of financial support.	D．The desire to solve research problem.

2. Why does the writer quote the example from the World Wide Fund for Nature?

A．To show how influential the mass media can be.

B．To show how effective environmental groups can be.

C．To show how the mass media can help groups raise funds.

D．To show how environmental groups overstate their claims.

3. The writer suggests that newspapers publish articles that are intended to ________.

A．educate readers	B．mislead readers
C．meet readers’ expectations	D．encourage readers’ feedback

4. What does the author try to convey in the last paragraph?

A．Making decisions based on reality.	B．Balancing optimism and pessimism.
C．Being optimistic to avoid costly mistakes.	D．Addressing the environmental crisis gradually.

8 . The reopening of an Asian American-owned bookstore in Manhattan's Chinatown following a January fire has received a warm welcome back from its supporters.

Yu &. Me Books, which is regarded as the first female-owned Asian American bookshop in New York City, has raised more than $369,000 for repairs since a tragic fire on January 4. It reopened on Wednesday. "We are so excited to welcome you all back to our Yu &. Me Books home," the store announced on Instagram. "We can't wait to shed tears, laugh loudly and open our hearts with all of you who have made us feel at home."

The fire in an apartment above the bookstore on Mulberry Street killed one of the building's residents. Smoke and water damage also devastated Yu & Me Books, destroying almost all its inventory and equipment, according to a GoFundMe campaign that store owner Lucy Yu set up to make up for the costs.

During the restoration and renovation (翻新) of the original bookstore, the business operated from a location within The Market Line, an underground marketplace on the Lower East Side, and several pop-up shops (临时店铺) in the city.

"It was a bookstore I always wanted to visit, and I'm so happy that they were able to reopen," Charlotte Leinbach, a teacher for New York City's Education Department said. Leinbach hadn't been to the bookstore before the fire, but she had heard quite a bit about its fate. She bought two books, the second and third in the series Before the Coffee Gets Cold.

"It's hard to find a lot of books written in Japanese, and then translated into English," she said. "The design of the bookstore is really nice, and the layout is great. I am glad that they also sell used books. I love buying new books because it's fresh and it's nice, but it's always nice to see people in the community giving their books back and reselling and just passing them on." She said she will continue to support the women-run small businesses that focus on people and authors of color.

"I actually came on the day of the opening, but there were too many people, and it was too crowded, so I just haven't had a chance to look at it," Liam Li, another Asian American, said. "This place is unique. It's in Chinatown. As Asians live in New York City, I feel this offers the most space for the community. I understand like a minority in this society, it is not easy to have a store like this," she added.

1. Which word can replace the underlined one "inventory" in Paragraph 2？

A．Curtains.

B．Switches.

C．Goods.

D．Chairs.

2. How did Lucy Yu get the money to make up for the losses?

A．By applying to the government for money.

B．By getting money from an insurance company.

C．By raising money from her friends and relatives.

D．By collecting money from a fund on the Internet.

3. What can we infer about Charlotte Leinbach from the text?

A．She often gave a hand to the store owner before the fire.

B．She sang high praise for the arrangement of the store.

C．She prefers to buy used books rather than new ones.

D．She translates books as her part-time job.

4. Which can serve as the best title for the news report?

A．Chinatown bookstore's reopening welcomed

B．Smoke and water damage destroy Chinatown bookstore

C．Yu &. Me Books-first female-owned Asian American bookshop in NYC

D．Chinatown bookstore in New York City means a lot to Asian Americans

9 . Over the past year, several films and TV dramas have put their shooting locations into the public spotlight.

Dali in Yunnan Province

With the TV drama Meet Yourself earlier last year, Dali in Yunnan Province emerged as a highly sought-after tourism destination.

During the Spring Festival holiday, Yunnan Province received the second most tourists in the nation with a tourism profit of 38.4 billion yuan, ranking top. Among this, Dali received 4.24 million tourists, marking a remarkable 219 percent increase compared to the previous year.

Jiangmen in Guangdong Province

Thanks to the success of the hit show The Knockout, Jiangmen in Guangdong Province became an outstanding tourism destination last year.

Data reveals a remarkable 217 percent month-on-month increase in searches related to tourism in the city in February. Currently, travel bookings witness a substantial 144 percent month-on-month rise.

Taiyuan Ancient County in Shanxi Province

Full River Red has set Taiyuan Ancient County in Shanxi on fire with excitement.

From Jan. 21 to 31, the county witnessed over 400,000 tourists, a significant rise compared to the about 180,000 visitors during the previous Spring Festival holiday. Notably, one-third of these tourists were from outside Shanxi Province.

Ningbo Museum in Zhejiang Province

With the broadcast of the TV drama Three-Body Problem, Ningbo Museum has gained significant attention.

Visitor numbers rose to 50,000 during the Spring Festival, marking a remarkable 220 percent year-on-year increase. Even after the festival, there were 2,000 to 3,000 visitors daily consistently.

1. What was the impact of Meet Yourself?

A．It contributed to the tourism profits.	B．It helped Dali earn 38.4 billion yuan.
C．It made Yunnan a tourism destination.	D．It ranked Dali a top tourism destination.

2. Which place has a promising reservation at present?

A．Dali.	B．Jiangmen.
C．Taiyuan Ancient County.	D．Ningbo Museum.

3. How many people visited Ningbo Museum during the last Spring Festival?

A．About 23,000.

B．Over 400,000.

C．Nearly 50,000.

D．2,000 to 3,000.

10 . Chinese singer Gong Linna released her new song, titled Return Home, which describes the overseas Chinese people’s longing for their homeland.

Performed in Chaoshan dialect, the song is part of Gong’s music project, which has the singer perform songs in different Chinese dialects. “It is very challenging to sing in Chaoshan dialect, which is a new language to me, and thanks to the songwriter Danny Sim and the song’s producer Wesley Tan, who speak the dialect, I received intensive training and practised very hard,” says Gong. “The beauty of dialects lies in telling stories of different places. It’s like a music al map, allowing me to explore different places through dialects.”

The idea of the song came from Qiaopi, a unique form of mail that served as both a letter and a remittance (汇款) sent by overseas Chinese people to their families in provinces of Guangdong and Fujian in the 19th and 20th centuries. At that time, many of those emigrants, particularly from Guangdong and Fujian, sent money back home to support their families, as well as communicating with their beloved ones and expressing their longing to be reunited.

“Dialects are a source of knowledge, traditions and the country’s cultural heritage. When I listen to a song performed in a dialect, I feel the local culture instantly even though I never go there and know nothing about the place,” says Sim, who wrote lyrics for the song, adding that there are a growing number of musicians in China performing in dialects, which allow listeners to get an emotional touch.

“Chaoshan dialect links people from the region. However, like many languages, it’s dying. Many young people, especially children, rarely speak the dialect, which is a sad thing.” Sim says, explaining why he is keen on writing songs by using the dialect, “I love my hometown and by writing songs in the dialect, I feel close to my home. Maybe that is, culture identity.”

1. What difficulty did Gong face when performing the song?

A．She had the language barrier.	B．The culture was unfamiliar to her.
C．The song had to fit in with the whole project.	D．There were many unknown stories in the song.

2. What does paragraph 3 mainly tell us about the song?

A．Its history.

B．Its influence.

C．Its inspiration.

D．Its significance.

3. What can we infer about the songs performed in dialects according to Sim?

A．They are dropping in numbers.	B．They are seldom sung by young singers.
C．They can stimulate affective bond.	D．They help us know many unknown places.

4. What drives Sim to write songs in Chaoshan dialect?

A．A sense of duty as a song writer.	B．A sense of belonging to his hometown.
C．His eagerness to revive Chaoshan culture.	D．His addiction to the charm of the dialect.