1 . Luisa Yu, a 79-year-old woman from Miami, dreamed about traveling as a young girl. Now she completed visiting every UN nation in the world, all 193, in November 2023.

“When I went to the movies, I saw this beautiful background about the scenery, the nature, the rivers, the mountains, and that fascinated me,” Yu said. “That’s why I always thought someday I will go to these places and travel.

At 23, as an exchange student studying medical technologies in the US, Yu decided that she wanted to visit all of the countries in the world, but visa restrictions didn’t allow her to travel outside of the country. She decided to explore the US via Greyhound buses. She saved her vacation time from working at Miami, Florida hospitals and was able to take long trips across the US. There are only two states that Yu has yet to visit—Kentucky and Oklahoma.

It took Yu 15 years to get her green card that would allow her to travel internationally and there were times that she worked three jobs to save money to travel. The Miami resident eventually took a part-time job as a travel agent, which gave her many more opportunities to travel to new places around the globe.

In the past 50 years, Yu has been visiting countries across the world, even some that are very tough to get into. She has tried several kinds of meat when she visited North Korea, explored the beaches of Somalia, and even skydived in Dubai when she was 73.

Yu’s advice to people who are fond of traveling is to just do it. She said, “Don’t wait for anybody. If I keep on waiting, it will never happen, because the opportunity sometimes comes only once.”

1. What inspired Luisa Yu to travel?

A．Reading books.	B．Watching movies.
C．Friends’ suggestions.	D．Work experience.

2. Why did Yu fail to travel abroad in her 20s?

A．Because of visa limits.	B．Because of tight finances.
C．Because of short holidays.	D．Because of safety problems.

3. In which place did Yu skydive?

A．Dubai.

B．Miami.

C．Somalia.

D．North Korea.

4. What does Yu advise people to do?

A．Apply for the travel visa in advance.

B．Try various jobs to get colorful experiences.

C．Look for friends with shared interest in travel.

D．Catch every chance to do what they want to do.

2 . San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum’s Imagination area encourages creativity, language development, emotional skills, and artistic expression. Get into the rhythm with percussion instruments or become a storyteller in the Puppet Theater.

Money Sense

Explore San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum’s new Money Sense exhibit supported by PNC Foundation! Step into the world of financing and banking to introduce your little one to mathematics and finances!

Puppet Theater

The Puppet Theater is the ideal place for children to develop speaking and listening skills. Communicating with puppets gives children the confidence to express their ideas and feelings through the roles they take on. Parents let their kids take the lead and showcase their creation.

Thank you to Imagination area supporters: The Stanford Family, Price Philanthropies Foundation, The Linden Root Dickenson Foundation, KPBS, and the Jordan Ressler Charitable Fund.

Visit Us

320 North Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025

Museum Hours

Monday: CLOSED

Tuesday—Saturday: 9:30 am—4:30 pm

Sunday: 12:30 pm—4:30 pm

Admission

Members (and children under the age of one): Free

Children & Adults: $11.50 per person

Group Rate (10 or more people): $10.00 per person. Must book ahead.

1. What is the purpose of the Money Sense exhibit?

A．To teach history.	B．To introduce finances.
C．To improve kids’ physical health.	D．To help kids learn about animals.

2. What benefit can children get from the Puppet Theater?

A．Learning about nature.	B．Enhancing sports skills.
C．Understanding technology.	D．Developing speaking skills.

3. What is the admission fee for a group of 12 adults?

A．$100.

B．$115.

C．$120.

D．$138.

3 . Museums feature eye-catching spotlights and masses of collections in noisy downtown areas. However, many museums showing the unique local culture can now be found in the villages.

Located near a wide piece of cornfields in Xinjia Village is a museum about Mahu Opera, a traditional art of the Northeast China. Developed on a site formerly used as a primary school, this museum has five exhibition rooms with nearly 2,000 objects on show, including masks, costumes, instruments and books, most of which were donated by a local inheritor（继承者） of intangible cultural heritage. “By exhibiting them in the village, I hope to let more people know about the ancient form of art originating in the region,” said the inheritor.

In Xinjia village, with a population of only about 2,800, there are now five museums built near local houses. The museums are helping them know more about the past and record local history and encouraging tourists from cities to visit such regions. Villagers hope to promote the development of cultural tourism in the village and deliver a better living environment and also higher incomes to them.

Museums serve as cultural centers for villagers in rural regions. Besides a museum about cultural artworks related to Mahu Opera, there are other museums reflecting the history of this village situated in Shuangyang district in the city of Changchun, Northeast China. Shuangyang District, with more than 300 years of history in the field of deer breeding, has a “sika deer museum”. Wandering through the 7,200-square-meter building, people can learn in detail about this local history and tradition of raising deer, and its industry development process.

“We intend to preserve the cultural roots of Shuangyang and let people know about its civilization. People here have gone through hardships in developing the deer industry , and we need to pass on the qualities of hard work to our future generations through the museum.” said a founder of the museum.

1. What can we learn about the museum built in a former primary school?

A．The objects focus on a local traditional art.

B．The tourists are mainly from local villages.

C．The museum covers an area of 7,200 square meters.

D．The exhibitions were all donated by a cultural inheritor.

2. What's villagers' hope according to the third paragraph?

A．The high grain production.	B．The high income from tourism.
C．The spread of their traditions.	D．The protection of the environment.

3. What is the function of “sika deer museum”?

A．To teach villagers to raise deer.	B．To display artworks of local villagers.
C．To show the development of raising deer.	D．To inspire future generations to protect deer.

4. In which part of a magazine may the text appear?

A．Tourism.

B．Culture.

C．Philosophy.

D．Environment.

4 . There are a lot of different ways you can di g deeper into your personality, and this article will walk you through some of the best to help you get started.

    1     Values are the big ideas that shape your decisions. These ideas are broad goals like following dreams, being close to family or staying healthy. When you can recognize your values, you can set goals depending on your personality.     2    

Know what you like. Your values are the motivation behind your goals.     3     Interest can extend periods of study or work time. If you build a career around your hobbies, you will remain happier than if you ignore them. For example, if your interest is art, you will be much happier in a career that focuses on art instead of a career about sports. Even if you are not an artist, you could do things such as teaching art or writing about art.

Recognize your strengths and weaknesses. No one is great at everything, and that’s okay. Pay attention to when you are succeeding in a task and when you are struggling.     4     You will know what your strengths and weaknesses are. So, you can use that knowledge to improve your weaknesses or play to your strengths.

Get feedback (反馈).     5     Compare what they say to how you feel about your personality. If they match, then it is likely that you display these your characters consistently. If several people close to you have very different views on your personality, you should examine your beliefs about yourself.

A．Recognize your values.

B．Understand your social needs.

C．This will make it more likely for you to achieve your goals.

D．But your interest can provide the focus needed to reach them.

E．Ask your close friends and family how they see your personality.

F．This will increase your awareness of your particular talents and abilities.

G．Understanding these needs will allow you to keep yourself balanced and happy.

5 . Scientists have confirmed the presence of a gray whale off New England in North America recently. The large sea animal disappeared from the Atlantic Ocean two centuries ago. Researchers with the New England Aquarium (水族馆) in Boston found the gray whale on March 1. The whale, which can weigh over 27,000 kilograms, was likely the same animal observed off the coast of Florida last year. Though the gray whale disappeared from the Atlantic Ocean by the 18th century, there have been five observations of the animal in the last 15 years.

They can be identified by the lack of a part of a body often seen on other whales: a back fin. Also, they can be identified by the look which is different from the humpback (座头鲸) and other whales. Gray whales can also be identified by the unusual sounds they make. The researchers said they were not sure at first. But after circling the area for 45 minutes, they were able to take photographs that confirmed it was a gray whale.

Scientists said they were thrilled to see the animal, but its presence probably has to do with the warming of the planet. The Northwest Passage, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Arctic Ocean in Canada, has lacked ice in the summer in recent years. That means gray whales can travel through the passage in the summer when normally they would have been blocked. So the animal’s arrival off New England exemplifies the effect of climate change.

Gray whales were almost completely killed off by hunting during the years of commercial whaling. Today, the whales have recovered to the point where they are considered a species of “least concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. However, the western whales that live off the coast of Asia still belong to the endangered species.

1. How can researchers identify the gray whale?

A．By tracking its travelling route.	B．By studying the collected data.
C．By the typical appearance and sounds.	D．By comparing its photos with the previous ones.

2. What does the underlined word “exemplifies” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Congratulates.

B．Reflects.

C．Threatens.

D．Targets.

3. What’s the situation of the western whales that live off Asian coast?

A．They still need to be preserved.	B．Their population has been recovered greatly.
C．They were extinct due to commercial hunting.	D．They have been removed from the endangered list.

4. What’s the best title of the text?

A．Scientists Were Worried to Find a Gray Whale

B．A Gray Whale Was Found off North America

C．Gray Whales Disappeared From the Atlantic Ocean

D．The Climate Warming Changes Gray Whale’s Habitats

6 . A couple of days ago, I was walking in a park when a gentleman, named Sam, sitting on a bench called me, “Sir, can you help me with this report?” I stopped and looked at it and it was his health report. I told him I am not a doctor but I can explain the contents of the report.

I told him the report showed he was diabetic (患糖尿病的). He said: “Sir, my doctor has given me some medicine and I have been taking it for a month and half. But why am I still diabetic?” I answered: “Please follow the diet given by your doctor and exercise regularly. Be positive and stay patient. You will see better results over the next couple of months.”

As I was about to leave, a friend of his sitting next to him stopped me and said, “Sir, he did not tell you one more thing. He used to be an alcoholic (酒鬼) for a long time. But now, since he knew the disease, he has reduced it to once a week from daily drinking.”

I smiled and gently told Sam: “It is great you have reduced your drinking to once a week. Can you now reduce it to once a month and then once in 3 months please? I will meet you right here in 3 months.” He smiled and agreed to do as I told him and meet me with a better health report. It seemed that he got the courage to quit drinking alcohol.

I felt maybe I could prepare a gift for the next meeting.

1. Why did Sam stop the author?

A．To have a chat with the author.	B．To read a report to the author.
C．To ask the author to give a hand.	D．To seek some advice from the author.

2. How did Sam feel about the report?

A．Puzzled.

B．Relieved.

C．Satisfied.

D．Excited.

3. What did Sam hide according to his friend?

A．He was sick for a month.	B．He worked out once a week.
C．He needed encouragement.	D．He was addicted to alcohol.

4. What did Sam agree to do?

A．See a doctor.	B．Quit smoking.
C．Prepare a gift.	D．Follow the author’s advice.

7 . Danube River Rhapsody: A European Tapestry

Your adventure starts in Munich, Germany, where a guided city tour introduces the city’s rich heritage. Sail (航行) through charming towns like Emmersdorf, Austria, where you’ll taste local wines. You will see the artistic and music al beauty of Vienna. As the ship travels towards Linz, prepare for an unforgettable evening at the Captain’s Gala Dinner.

Discovering the Wonders of the Nile: An Egyptian Odyssey

You will start your adventure in Cairo, where a city tour introduces you to the famous Egyptian Museum. Sail past ancient temples, hidden cities, and breathtaking landscapes. Your journey ends in the beach of Hurghada, where you can see the sun on the golden sands of the Red Sea coast.

Discovering the Beauty of the Mekong: A Journey Through Vietnam and Cambodia

Board a seven-night Mekong River ship, where you’ll find floating villages and markets, endless rice paddies (稻田), and breathtaking scenery. You will see the beauty of Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and experience one of the most unforgettable sunsets you’ll ever see.

Yangtze River Ship: A Voyage Through China’s Heart

The journey allows you to see the country’s ancient traditions with its modern wonders. Your exploration begins in Beijing. Continue your journey to Xi’an, where you will see the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, and the Giant Panda Breeding Centre in Chengdu. Conclude your unforgettable adventure in Shanghai, experiencing the city’s energy and modern skyline.

If you’re interested in learning more about a river cruise, click here to our website to see what you can receive when you set sail.

1. Where does Danube River Rhapsody begin?

A．Munich.

B．Emmersdorf.

C．Vienna.

D．Linz.

2. Which of the following allows visitors to see floating villages?

A．Yangtze River Ship.	B．Danube River Rhapsody.
C．Discovering the Wonders of the Nile.	D．Discovering the Beauty of the Mekong.

3. How can visitors learn more about the journeys?

A．By sending a mail.	B．By making a phone call.
C．By visiting the website.	D．By asking the journeys’ guides in person.

8 . Getting the best deal

Bargaining is a difficult process. The buyer wants to purchase a product at its minimum price while the seller wants to maximize the potential for profit.     1    , and thus it is in the best interest of buyers to strategize exactly how they will convince sellers to lower their prices.

First, buyers should assume that the price tag represents the starting point of negotiations, not the final word on the matter. Buyers should begin by asking the salesperson whether any sales or discounts will soon be advertised.     2    , the salesperson probably will not volunteer to give one to them. Salespeople often work on commission, so it is frequently to their advantage to hide this information from their customers.

Second, buyers need to find out whether the seller has lowered prices in the past and, if SO, by how much.     3    , he or she can request a similar price. This step in the bargaining 2 process requires perseverance, but it can pay off financially. Also, it is important that buyers never let sellers know that they need their products because the seller is then less likely to lower the price.

Finally, buyers must be patient     4    , as buyers must collect a good deal of information about the product. Sometimes buyers might need to purchase a product at a more expensive price sim ply because they do not have the time necessary to shop further. The buyer’s time is important, too, and sometimes it is worth spending extra money if he or she needs the item immediately. However, sometimes simply by waiting for two weeks or two months, the buyer will save a considerable amount of money.     5    .

A．Even if customers really want the item

B．If customers do not request a special deal

C．Looking for bargains takes time and energy

D．It can be worthwhile to wait under these circumstances

E．The desires of the buyer and the seller oppose each other

F．Buyers must be prepared to walk away from an item when bargaining

G．If the buyer learns that the seller has offered discounts to other customers

9 . On some late November dawn, I find myself drawn to the leisurely pursuit of baking a loaf of bread. Not by hand, but by following the bread machine’s step-by-step instructions.

But on this morning, three hours later, all I’ve got is a problem. I’d forgotten to insert the mixing blade into the bottom of the bread barrel. The result: a pile of unmixed dough that neither looks nor tastes like bread. Complaining, I dump the dough and prepare to start a new one.

I reach for the flour, only this time — I fall far short of the necessary four cups. I’ve got one cup at most, along with a freshly emptied flour bag. No matter, I think. I’ll simply drive to my parents’ house to borrow a bit of theirs. Upon my arrival, I decide not to wake them. Instead, I cat burgle my way through their front door, silently search through their cabinets, and discover their own bit of flour supply. I steal all of it and return home so that I might begin again the leisurely pursuit of baking bread.

I follow the instructions, and then, I consider the whole experience before breakfast. How I managed to turn a one-second oversight into an hour-long adventure that cost me more time and money than any loaf of bread could ever be worth. Somewhere, an apron reads, “Baking is my therapy.” I want the one that reads, “Baking sends me to therapy.”

As my bread machine bread begins to rise, I’m struck by an inconvenient truth: had I done nothing that morning, I’d have managed a more favorable outcome.

Meanwhile, I notice something new: the mixing blade works intermittently rather than continually, meaning that for the bread to rise to its full potential, it requires both motion and rest. Work has its place, but so must leisure. The recipe calls for both.

1. Why did the writer fail the first time in the baking?

A．He left out a key step.	B．The flour has run out.
C．The bread machine broke down.	D．The dough doesn’t taste like bread.

2. How did the writer get enough flour for baking the second time?

A．He went out to buy some.

B．He borrowed some from a friend.

C．He got some from his parents by himself.

D．He found another bag of flour in his own house.

3. Which can be a suitable title for the text?

A．How to bake bread

B．An unforgettable experience

C．Work has its place, but so must leisure

D．Breaking bread: A morning adventure in baking

4. What can we learn from the story?

A．Practice makes perfect.	B．Well begun is half done.
C．Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.	D．All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

10 . Before children can learn to read, they need to have a good understanding of basic words and what they mean.     1    , there are very easy ways that you can build a preschooler’s vocabulary.

Visiting the library

If you are looking for a great place to start building your preschooler’s vocabulary and early reading skills, look no further than your local library. Research shows a strong correlation between library use and literacy-building skills in young children.     2    , ask your librarian for help.

Using descriptive words

When it comes to increasıng your child’s vocabulary, more is better. The more words that your child hears, the more he or she will learn. For example, when describing a fabric pattern, try using words such as unusual, relaxing, or creative. These words may be beyond a kid’s understanding right now.     3    .

Making labels

If you want your preschoolers to learn more words, then make it easy.     4    . Using a label maker to name commonly used items so they can learn to recognize what the word looks like. For example, if her toys are separated into different boxes of like items, label them, such as blocks, dolls, cars, books, etc.

    5    

Besides being a wonderful way to spend quality time with your preschooler, reading aloud is a great way to expose your preschooler to new words. Choose books that are of interest to your preschooler but that use words that are slightly above their understanding. Together you can work through what they mean, by using context—the other words on the page and any pictures that might be on the page as well.

A．Reading aloud together

B．Spending time together

C．While that may sound a bit difficult

D．In addition to saying them often, show them too

E．If you aren’t sure what to do when you get there

F．But by using them in the proper context, you’ll make them understandable

G．The more parents help children overcome challenges, the better they’ll be for kindergarten