1 . Books are excellent gifts. Here are four of the year’s most talked-about titles.

Ordinary Monsters | By J. M. Miro

Miro has temporarily abandoned literary fiction in favour of a new series of historical fantasy novels. Ordinary Monsters is about a group of children with magical gifts who come together and pool their powers to escape the bad shape-shifting man that’s going after them.

Son of Elsewhere: A Memoir in Pieces | By Elamin Abdelmahmoud

The soundtrack to The O. C., a drama series, and the strange beauty of Highway 401 were important factors in developing selfhood of Abdelmahmoud. This book describes his own experience of moving from Khartoum, Sudan, to Kingston, Canada, in the early 2000s at age 12.

A Magic Steeped in Poison | By Judy I. Lin

Harry Potter has his magic stick. And Ning, the heroine of Lin’s first novel, has tea, which in her world carries magical properties. Lin has created a pleasing Young Adult fantasy rich in Chinese mythology (神话). In this book, Ning enters a competition to find the most gifted tea master, Shennong.

A Ballet of Lepers | By Leonard Cohen

Unlike many other posthumous (死后出版的) works, you can count on Cohen’s to be worth your wait. Before his death, he said that the novel contained in the book, which was never published, was likely better than The Favourite Game, a novel he published during his lifetime. This book also includes a radio play script (剧本) and a handful of short stories.

1. Which book is a mirror of the author’s life story?

A．Ordinary Monsters.	B．Son of Elsewhere: A Memoir in Pieces.
C．A Magic Steeped in Poison.	D．A Ballet of Lepers.

2. What do the first and third books have in common?

A．They are about teamwork.

B．They are based on an imaginary world.

C．They both involve Chinese characters.

D．They draw inspiration from other novels.

3. What can be inferred about A Ballet of Lepers?

A．It is a collection.	B．It is Cohen’s best novel.
C．It is a fantasy novel.	D．It is adapted from a play.

2 . COVID-19 shutdowns forced people out of work and pushed tens of millions into poverty worldwide. Governments tried hard to provide aid. It was easy in a small country, but difficult for a country with large population and vast rural areas.     1     Doing a detailed, nationwide, house-to-house survey takes people time and money. Luckily, satellites can see poverty from space.

Researchers have been finding ways to identify areas of wealth and poverty in satellite images. Through some satellite data and aerial images of one town or another, you can sort of tell whether it’s wealthy or not. Wealthier homes tend to have metal roofs while poor homes tend to have thatched roofs. Wealthier neighborhoods have paved roads and bigger plots of lands, more spaced out.     2     The researchers trained artificial intelligence (AI) to recognize these patterns.

    3     The researchers put AI to work studying patterns of mobile phone use in those regions. Rich people will make just more phone calls than poor people. They also might make more expensive international calls. They might use more mobile data because they have smartphones.     4    

The researchers use the system to identify about 60,000 people to receive benefits. The advantage of the satellite imagery and phone data approach is that it’s extremely fast and very convenient.     5     In shocks like climate disasters where there’s no time or way to get detailed information on the ground, satellites mobile phones and AI could help deliver aid quickly to people in need.

A．It was opposite in a big country.

B．How do they locate the neediest people?

C．So there’s a lot of information in the images.

D．Most importantly, it’s very cheap to carry out.

E．Worse still, it’s not so economical as a house-to-house survey.

F．However, in general, poorer people will just have feature phones.

G．What the researchers did next was to target the neediest people in those regions.

3 . My bookshelf is full of children’s books. There are picture books, teen adventure books, and young adult coming-of-age books. Sure, I have actual kids living in my house, so that’s one of the reasons I own a lot of children’s books. But to tell you the truth, I purchased more than half of those books for myself. I love reading books that are targeted toward kids, probably more than I enjoy reading adult books.

Remember the innocent wonder that engulfed (吞没) you when you read children’s books as a kid? When you could be transported to faraway, magical places that didn’t seem unbelievable at all. Especially since you still believed in Santa Claus and the tooth fairy. Now you can magically transport yourself back into your child-sized shoes when you pick up a children’s book.

The best children’s literature can help us re-find things we may not even know we have lost, taking us back to a time when new discoveries came daily and when the world was huge, before the imagination was adjusted and changed.

Kid’s books are so much more fun than adult books. They dare to go where no adult books go, into the field of scaring monsters, giant robot zombie mermaids, and 130-story treehouses. Just when you think you’ve picked up a sensible children’s book, you’ll be thunderstruck by an explosive scene. Seriously, who wouldn’t find that amusing?

Reading children’s books is the key to maintaining an active imagination. They allow you to see the magical possibilities in your world and they keep you young. Plus, if you’ve got kids or grandkids, they are an excellent way to bond with them through magical stories.

I know I’ll keep reading children’s books as long as I have the ability to read. Because we all have a kid inside of us and we need to let it shine through.

1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?

A．The author’s affection for children’s books.

B．The different kinds of children’s books of the author.

C．The reasons for the author’s purchasing adult books.

D．The introduction of books on the author’s bookshelf.

2. What can we learn about children’s books?

A．Children’s books take you to the place you want.

B．Children’s books make you believe in Santa Claus.

C．Children’s books help you to keep innocence inside.

D．Children’s books ensure you get along well with kids.

3. What does the author think of the best children’s literature?

A．It helps us find everything we have lost.

B．It should lead us to make new discoveries.

C．It enables us to keep a rich imagination.

D．It should be much more fun than adult books.

4. Which statement will the author probably agree with?

A．Read children’s books due to kids.

B．Never too old to read a children’s book.

C．Improve the reading ability by reading children’s books.

D．Build a relationship with kids only through magical stories.

4 . Hailey Magee rushed home from school crying after seeing that she’d received an A-minus on her grade report card. Growing up she had learned that the way to receive confirmation and love from family members and teachers was to be a high achiever. So to Magee, that A-minus felt like a failure. “I was shattered,” she said. “In that moment, I felt like my self-worth as a human had fallen far below what it would have been if I’d gotten an A or an A-plus.”

Magee’s turning a good grade into a cause of her inferiority (自卑) is a textbook example of a growing trend in recent years: Perfectionist behavior. Perfectionism is now a growing cultural phenomenon. High levels of perfectionism were linked with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, deliberate self-harm and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The constant stress of attempting to be perfect can also leave people stressed and suffering from headaches and insomnia.

Many parents today feel a sense of competitiveness that they may push onto their kids, whether by pressuring them to get perfect grades so they can get into elite schools or signing them up for extracurricular activities that might look good on a college application. But if a child is only rewarded for high achievement, over time they learn that their value as a person depends on being perfect. Instagram, Facebook and other social media platforms also fuel unhealthy comparisons.

“It’s a real problem—those social media images end up serving as yardsticks that people can compare themselves to and a perfectionist is always trying to keep up with the Joneses, ”Sherry, a clinical psychologist, said. And it’s never been harder to keep up with the Joneses, because today we are constantly bombed with seemingly perfect images of other peoples’ lives.

Eventually Magee learned that she had to let go a little and allow herself to show up with all her imperfections. She eventually learned to trust that she could show up, not being perfect, and still feel valued. “I can be imperfect and everything can be fine!”

1. Which of the following best explains “shattered” underlined in paragraph 1?

A．Delighted.

B．Frightened.

C．Frustrated.

D．Amused.

2. Which of the following is NOT the cause of Magee’s inferiority?

A．The unhealthy comparisons.	B．The A-plus confirmation.
C．The perfectionism phenomenon.	D．The sense of competitiveness.

3. What may Magee agree with finally?

A．It’s cool to be perfect.	B．It’s fine to be imperfect.
C．It’s important to get an A-plus.	D．It’s easy to keep up with the Joneses.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Perfectionism is killing our health.

B．Perfectionism is a growing cultural phenomenon.

C．Accepting one’s imperfection is becoming a trend.

D．Imperfection is temporary and perfection is forever.

5 . How to Build Trust?

Trust in the workplace is important to aid in communication, teamwork, and progress. Keep reading to learn how you can build trust in the workplace.

Be truthful.     1     The more you can be transparent (透明的) about your work, the more people around you will trust you. Share things like financial results, performance rewards, or notes from the last board meeting to keep your employees and coworkers together.

    2    . If they come in 30 minutes late to drop off their kids in the morning, that’s okay. If someone requests to work from home for half of the week, do your best to honor that. The more you listen to your employees, the harder they’ll work.

Pay your employees fairly. When employees feel less paid, they feel undervalued. Have an honest conversation with your employees about their pay and what the people around them are getting paid.     3    , hear them out and do your best to solve the problem.

Praise people for their efforts. Make sure you callout the good stuff, not just the bad.     4    , and let them know you appreciate it. You can talk to them one on one, or you can praise them in front of a group to make it a little more public.

Keep the promises you make. Try not to go back on a promise unless it’s completely unavoidable, or you could end up losing people’s trust.     5    .

A．Put yourself in others’ shoes at work

B．If anyone has any issues with their pay

C．Let your coworkers see that you’re dependable

D．Open up about work and the things in the company

E．Let your employees know that you value their skills

F．If someone goes above and beyond in their workload

G．When you and your employees believe in each other

6 . Kansas City Girls Academy has a program for girls struggling in life. It is designed to help girls build inner strength to overcome challenges. If your girls have emotional difficulties or failing in school, this program is designed just for them.

Group Treatment. It is made up of several small groups weekly, led by our counselors (顾问) and staff. These include problem-solving, positive friend relationship, emotional management and special group designed for special treatment needs. All group processes develop emotional growth in a safe and confidential (机密的) setting.

Individual Treatment. It is provided to each student with a minimum of one part every other week. The parts help students gain insights into their individual behaviors and establish a trusting relationship with their counselor. In this setting, students process issues that are too sensitive for them to share with a group.

Family Treatment. It is provided by a weekly telephone meeting. Parents give treatment as an necessary part of the program. Kansas City Girls Academy encourages families to visit during planned family weekends. Family and students meet with their counselor for treatment. Parents and children also participate in parent support groups, parent-teacher meetings, workshops, and graduation ceremonies (典礼).

Horse Treatment. In partnership with Returning Glory, we offer each girl horse treatment. Horses are powerful and effective in helping people, whether child, youth or adult. They have much to teach us about our patterns of behavior, communication, and relationships. Horses are excellent “teachers,” coupled with trained teachers. Interacting with horses can often provide invaluable assistance in addressing challenging life issues in a fun, non-threatening learning environment.

1. Which treatment can have an emotional growth effect?

A．Individual Treatment.	B．Family Treatment.
C．Horse Treatment.	D．Group Treatment.

2. How does the program perform Family Treatment?

A．By holding a weekly telephone meeting.	B．By holding a daily telephone meeting.
C．By giving a weekly interview.	D．By giving a daily interview.

3. Who are the program designed for?

A．Nurses.

B．Doctors.

C．Schoolgirls.

D．Parents.

7 . A team of researchers at Johannes Kepler University has found that the skin of a certain kind of mushroom can be used as a biodegradable (可生物降解的) base for computer chips. In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the group describes how well it worked and how easily it could be cleanly got rid of after the chip was no longer useful.

Most chips used to make electronic devices are set on a base of plastic. However, unfortunately, the type of plastic used isn’t at all recyclable, which means most computer chips end up in landfills (垃圾填埋场) around the world. Previous research has suggested that this leads to 100 million tons of electronic waste added to landfills each year.

After searching for plenty of alternatives, the team in Austria came across Ganoderma lucidum, a type of mushroom that grows on dead hardwood trees. They noted that it grows a skin to cover its root-like part.

After removing some of the skin from several samples, the researchers found that it was flexible and was able to stand high temperatures. They also noted that if kept away from light and wetness, the skin would last a long time. On the other hand, if it were exposed to such conditions intentionally, it would quickly decompose. These are all features that the team thought would make for a very good chip base.

The team developed a means for placing metal electronic components onto the skin. Testing of the result showed that the skin worked nearly as well as the traditional plastic base and that it could remain undamaged after being bent repeatedly. They also found the skin could be used to make battery components. More work is required to ensure that the skin works as hoped in an industrial setting. Also, a clean process for removing the skin from the chips still needs to be found.

1. What do we learn about most computer chips?

A．They end up as electronic waste.	B．They are made of plastic.
C．They are easily worn out.	D．They can be completely recycled.

2. What is the fourth paragraph mainly about?

A．How researchers carried out tests.

B．What a good chip base was like.

C．Why researchers tested on mushroom skin.

D．What qualities were found about mushroom skin.

3. What follow-up research might researchers do?

A．The skin’s potential in the same setting.

B．The skin’s performance as battery components.

C．A convenient way to put electronics on the skin.

D．A clean process to get the skin away from chips.

4. What’s the writing purpose of the text?

A．To report a new discovery of mushrooms.

B．To picture the future of computer chips.

C．To show the features of mushrooms.

D．To call for nature-friendly computer chips.

8 . Travel is an important part of your life, and it will make a comeback soon. Here are the most powerful benefits of traveling, including health, happiness, and more!

    1     From running to get to airports and train stations to hiking along the beach to get some vitamin D, there are some reasons why travel is beneficial to your health. According to a study, travel decreases the risks of heart attacks and makes your brain healthy.

Travel can contribute to your happiness.     2     If you can go out and escape from your work, lessons or any other things possibly weighing you down, you will surely have a smile on your face. Travel will also leave you with a longer-lasting sense of happiness.

Travel relieves stress and anxiety. According to a trial conducted by Austrian researchers and published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, one of the great travel benefits is that it can reduce stress level and anxiety. Even just one short vacation has positive effects on your emotions.     3    

Travel enables you to experience new things. When you travel, you are stepping outside your comfort zone, for one thing.     4     Even if your destination is relatively nearby (across the country rather than internationally), you can learn something new.

Travel can improve your creativity. Are you a student, artist, writer, photographer, advertising manager, or video game designer struggling with coming up with your next great idea?     5     So head on to book some international flight tickets if you’re considering improving your creativity.

A．Travel makes you healthy.

B．Travel can improve brain activity.

C．An outing enables you to get away from daily things.

D．You are still experiencing new things, for another thing.

E．And the good effects last quite a while after you get home.

F．Don’t come up with new ideas on the journey to foreign countries.

G．No matter who you are, travel can help you become more creative.

9 . Building up your confidence not only helps feel good about yourself but also helps you leave a good impression on others.     1     Here are some tips that may help you achieve it.

Make sure to present yourself well.     2     Shower daily, brush your teeth, fix your hair and dress for confidence. You don’t have to buy a whole new wardrobe to feel better. As long as you’re clean, comfortable and feel good, you’re set up for confidence!

Perfect your posture. How you carry yourself conveys a lot to others. Keep your shoulders back, your spine (脊椎) straight, and your chin high.     3     Positioning yourself like that will make you genuinely feel in charge. And to top it off, having confident body language has been linked to lower levels of stress, too.

    4     You will be surprised how even the smallest of smiles can disarm many a social situation and make everyone feel more comfortable. In fact, research shows that smiling reduces stress hormones (荷尔蒙) in the brain. Can you imagine approaching someone who has a black look? No, thank you.

Make eye contact. Our eyes are windows to the soul, and our gaze (凝视) showcases our attention and feelings. Eye contact is a subtle change, but it can work wonders on how other people perceive you. It shows not only that you are a person worthy of communicating with, but it tells them you respect them, and acknowledge their presence.     5    

A．Keep your smile in easy reach.

B．The same goes for your face and hands.

C．It should only be up to yourself to appear confident.

D．So don’t be afraid to meet the gaze of someone else.

E．Devote a little time each day to your own personal image.

F．Other people are actually just as shy about eye contact as you are.

G．Walk with a sharp pace instead of dragging your feet and sit up straight.

10 . Clubs for high school

Chess Club with Mr Longino: Fridays 3 pm-4 pm

Come to join the chess club! In addition to hands-on teachings, we will meet monthly on some platforms on the Internet to explore chess skills through competitive games as well. Whether you are a beginner just learning the basics or an experienced one who wants to improve your skills, players of all levels are welcome!

Asian Culture Club with Mr Huang: Mondays 8:30 am-9:30 am

From Peking opera to K-pop music, from dumplings to sushi (寿司), Asian Culture Club provides a bridge between different cultures and allows students to feel connected. More than ever, it is important to have space in a school community where we can share and celebrate diversity.

Yoga Club with Ms Vilchez-Blatt: Mondays 3:30 pm-4:20 pm

This club is great to support students physically and mentally. Stretch, strengthen and move your body with a challenging combination of yoga and fitness! You’ll also learn ways for managing stress and easing anxiety, for overall focus, for self-care and self-love. Each class will end in deep relaxation, feeling rested and refreshed. Pets are welcome!

Creative Writing Club with Ms Candlin: Fridays 11:55 am-12:35 pm

Want to do some free writing and share with other excellent writers? Come to this workshop. Together we’ll write side by side, voluntarily share what we come up with, and offer warm feedback on our work. Students who are interested in formal writing such as college essays or contest submissions are also welcome.

As some clubs are seasonal, whoever wants to learn more about a particular club or join, please click here.

1. In which club can students attend an online meeting?

A．Yoga Club.	B．Asian Culture Club.
C．Chess Club.	D．Creative Writing Club.

2. What can students do in Asian Culture Club?

A．Play chess with a skilled player.	B．Taste various food from China.
C．Do workout together with a pet.	D．Exchange writing tips with others.

3. Where may the text appear?

A．On the Internet.	B．In a sports magazine.
C．In a newspaper.	D．On an advertising poster.