1 . At the age of 24, most people are still trying to figure out their way in the world. Not for Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman is on his way to greatness already.
Mbappe became known to the world in the Russian World Cup of 2018. At that time, he was just starting out in his career. But he showed everyone that he had all of the skills of a great football player. He was the scorer of four goals then. And after only two World Cups, the young man has already scored 12 World Cup goals. Messi only has one more goal than him over the course of five World Cups.
Mbappe’s performance in the 2022 World Cup final (决赛) was perfect. But the final night belonged to Argentina. Messi and his teammates performed a little bit better. Mbappe, however, is confident of his ability to make his mark in future World Cups. After all, he has just turned 24. If he remains injury-free, he should have at least two more World Cups ahead of him. After all, it’s common for players to get hurt in the field. If he plays for as long as Messi, that number will rise to three.
The future is uncertain, but we know one thing for sure: Mbappe will continue to challenge himself. “I’ve never said I was going to be the greatest player in history,” said Mbappe. “But I’ve never put limits (极限) on myself.” Let’s wait for his wonderful performance in The FIFA World Cup. America\Mexico\Canada 2026.
1. Mbappe has joined in ___________ World Cups.| A．two | B．three | C．four | D．five |
| A．France | B．Russia | C．America | D．Argentina |
| A．无忧无虑的 | B．不受损伤的 | C．信心十足的 | D．完美无缺的 |
| A．He is a great football player in Russia. | B．He is too young to be the winner. |
| C．He will become better and better. | D．He doesn’t play as well as Messi. |
2 . Is it easy for you to get angry? Do you sometimes think others treat you badly? Maybe the story below can bring you something.
Rick was a young boy who was often angry at everything around him. To help Rick, his mom came home with a canvas (画布) and paint. “You are good at painting. Whenever you feel bad about something, paint it instead of getting angry,” said his mother.
Though not that happy. Rick gave it a try After creating many paintings, he took bis artwork to his mom. “Tell me, Rick. What are these paintings about?” his mother asked. “The first is about how some kids in my class show off (炫耀) their new clothes The next is about my teacher who always tells me about how I’m doing things wrong. And the last painting is about how one of my schoolmates said I should change my attitude (态度). They all make me so angry,” Rick replied.
Rick’s mom took Rick by her side and told him, “Don’t you see, Rick? You’re getting so angry but you never try to understand why.” Then she explained carefully, “All the people you were angry with did nothing wrong. The kids were showing off their good clothes but never laughed at you for not being able to afford any. Your teacher scolded (责备) you but that was because you caused trouble in class. And your schoolmate was only trying to help you correct your mistakes.”
Rick’s mom smiled and said, “Next time you get angry, take a deep breath and walk away for a couple of seconds. And when you come back, talk to the person you’re angry with. You might keep your cool in this way.”
Rick took his mom’s advice and became less angry. Now he feels happy around other children.
1. Why did Rick’s mom ask him to paint?| A．Because she wanted to know what would make him angry and helped him. |
| B．Because the teacher thought painting was the best way to make Rick happy. |
| C．Because every time Rick painted, he didn’t think about any unhappy things. |
| D．Because only painting could keep Rick from getting angry with his friends. |
| A．Rick’s classmates | B．Rick’s teacher |
| C．Rick’s mother | D．Rick’s schoolmate |
| A．Rick was often angry with others | B．Rick is good at painting |
| C．the kids in Rick’s class aren’t friendly | D．Rick isn’t from a rich family |
| A．An Angry Boy | B．Beautiful Paintings |
| C．Trouble in Class | D．A Sad Story |
At the opening ceremony (典礼) of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, everyone was amazed by the Malan Flower Children’s Choir (合唱团). The song moved people around the world. The choir was named after Malan Village. Deng Xiaolan taught music there for 18 years. Sadly, Deng passed away soon after this great performance, leaving behind her beloved village and the children she taught.
Deng Xiaolan was born in a small village in Hebei Province in 1943. She learned the violin and singing when she was young. She joined the school band after entering Tsinghua University, and she also taught her colleagues to play the violin after graduation. She worked in Beijing until she retired(退休). In 2004, the 61-year-old woman started volunteering to teach music in Malan Village.
Deng’s arrival (到来) brought changes to the children in the village. They fell in love with music. They would sing together in the morning, at noon, and at dusk (黄昏). Their beautiful voices went along with the birds’ songs and the wind through the trees. Some of the children went to college to study music and even became music teachers later. To let the children experience the beautiful views of our capital city, she even paid for their trip to Beijing. She led them to the Palace Museum, the Tiananmen Square, and so on. They opened their eyes to the outside world as well.
Teaching music in the village for such a long time was not easy for Deng, but she believed that music could make children healthier and happier. “In the last 18 years of her life, mum devoted (奉献) most of her time and energy to music education for children in Malan Village, which brought her great joy and made her life more meaningful. Her hard work had a big effect even though she’s no longer with us, ” said her daughter.
1. Is Deng Xiaolan still alive?2. When did Deng Xiaolan start volunteering to teach music in Malan Village?
3. What changes did Deng’s arrival bring to the children?
4. Do you think it’s necessary for the old people to volunteer in the way like Deng Xiaolan’s? Why or why not?
4 . For many of us, winter colds come regularly. Whatever we do, winter colds and the flu (流感) always find a way to get in, making us cough and sniffle (抽鼻子) into our scarves.
In fact, when a virus (病毒) like the winter cold enters the body through the nose, the cells (细胞) in the nose start producing simple copies of themselves called extracellular vesicles, or EVs (胞外囊泡)
Recently, a team of scientists think they may have found out why we get more viruses in winter. It's because cold temperatures actually make our noses worse at fighting viruses.
The scientists did tests on cells taken from the noses of human volunteers, because they wanted to find out more about how EVs fight viruses and how well they work in colder temperatures. The results showed that EVs are usually very good at catching viruses, but they don't work so well at lower temperatures. They found that in colder temperatures, the number of EVs produced decreases (减少) by more than 40%, meaning the nose might not be good at stopping viruses from getting further into the body.
Benjamin Bleier, one of the study's scientists, said the results gave the first perfectly reasonable explanation for why we get more colds in the winter months.
And, he said that wearing a mask in winter may not only stop some viruses from getting in, it may also help produce more of those EVs while keeping the nose a little warmer.
1. The writer begins the passage with _________.| A．a story | B．an example | C．a fact | D．a conversation |
| A．EVs are viruses produced in the nose. | B．They catch the viruses and kill them. |
| C．Cells and EVs are viruses in the body. | D．They stop cells coming into the body. |
| A．work better | B．work worse | C．become more | D．become viruses |
| A．the body | B．the nose | C．fighting viruses | D．wearing a mask |
5 . 
1996, 2008, 2020 1997, 2009, 2021 1998, 2010, 2022 1999, 2021, 2023 2000, 2012, 2024 2001, 2013, 2025
2002, 2014, 2026 2003, 2015, 2027 2004, 2016, 2028 2005, 2017, 2029 2006, 2018, 2030 2007, 2019, 2031
It’s 2023 of the Gregorian calendar (公历). You may hear someone says it is the Year of the Rabbit when they talk about the lunar calendar (农历). In ancient times, in order to make people easily remember the years, our ancestors came up with an idea — use the animals represent the years. Each lunar year is named after a different animal. There are 12 animals in total, Twelve Chinese zodiac (生肖) animals come in the order of time. The Year of the Rat comes first and the Year of the Pig comes last.
1. ___________ is not in the Chinese zodiac.| A．The dog | B．The goat | C．The cat | D．The horse |
| A．Dragon | B．Monkey | C．Rat | D．Pig |
| A．2008 | B．2012 | C．2015 | D．2020 |
6 . In a small, rough shipyard on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, a small team is building what they say will be the world’s largest ocean-going clean cargo ship.
Ceiba is the first ship built by Sailcargo, a company trying to prove that zero-carbon shipping is possible, and commercially available. Made largely of wood, Ceiba combines both very old and very new technology: sailing masts stand alongside solar panels, a uniquely designed electric engine and batteries. Once on the water, she will be capable of crossing oceans entirely without the use of fossil fuels, which sets her apart.
“The thing that is striking is the fact that she’ll have one of the largest marine electric engines of her kind in the world,” Danielle Doggett said. The system also has the means to capture energy from underwater propellers (螺旋桨) as well as solar power, so electricity will be available for the engine when needed. “Really, the only limit on how long she can stay at sea is water and food on board for the crew.”
Despite some hold-ups due to the global disaster, the team hopes to get her on the water by the end of 2024 and operating by 2025, when she will begin transporting cargo between Costa Rica and Canada.
“There are actually loads of innovations happening that could transform shipping emissions, but few companies are willing to apply them to building ships like Ceiba.” says Lucy Gilliam. “So it’s not that we don’t have great ideas. The problem that we have is that fossil fuels are still too cheap. And we don’t have the rules to force people to take up the new technology.”
When it comes to promoting this kind of boat, it has to be said that Ceiba is small for a cargo ship — tiny in fact. She will carry around nine standard shipping containers. She is also relatively slow. Being a world-first, there are some aspects of Ceiba’s design that have yet to be proven at sea.
1. What is unique about Ceiba as a cargo ship?| A．It is the world’s largest. | B．It is environment-friendly. |
| C．It is wooden with old technology. | D．It is modern with unique equipment. |
| A．The size of the sail. | B．The weather of the ocean. |
| C．The power of the electric engine. | D．The quantity of the living supplies. |
| A．The rules are disobeyed. | B．The fuels are affordable. |
| C．The bigger ships are preferable. | D．The innovations are distrusted. |
| A．Objective. | B．Doubtful. | C．Critical. | D．Favorable. |
7 . Environmental Books For Kids
City Green, by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan (1994)It is a great book on how anyone can take action and make a difference. In it, Marcy, a young girl, wants to plant a garden in the vacant lot(空地) of her city block. The book describes every step of building a community garden for everyone to share. It comes with a handy guide on how you can start your own community garden!
Kate, Who Tamed the Wind, by Liz Garton Scanlon (2018)This book is a wonderful story of problem-solving and perseverance (坚持不懈), as it tells the story of a young girl who decides to stop the wild wind from blowing by planting trees. It is a great read explaining the important role of trees in our lives and the planet as well as the importance of nature-based solutions.
We Are Water Protectors, by Carole Lindstrom (2020)If you want to learn more about native people and the importance of protecting water, this is the book for you. It is a story of a young girl who stands up for environmental justice (正义) and becomes an activist who fights to protect the world from pollution.
Pangolina, by Jane Goodall (2021)A pangolin is to be unlawfully sold at the market. Luckily for her, a little girl, who knows that pangolins are friendly animals with feelings just like humans, asks her mother to buy Pangolina and set her free. If you love animals and you want to learn more about the problems of wildlife traffic as well as the importance of protecting endangered animals, this wonderful book is a good choice.
1. Which book would you recommend to someone interested in gardening?| A．City Green. | B．Pangolina. |
| C．We Are Water Protectors. | D．Kate, Who Tamed the Wind. |
| A．In 1994 | B．In 2018. | C．In 2020. | D．In 2021. |
| A．DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan. | B．Liz Garton Scanlon. |
| C．Carole Lindstrom. | D．Jane Goodall. |
8 . Very few people can say that they have achieved all that they are capable of. But what is it that is preventing you from fulfilling your potential (潜能)?
It is easy and natural to settle into a rut (墨守成规). Why try something new when you are already doing that you are good at?
Let’s face it — your friends and family are really nice people but they are not challenging you to achieve more. Spend more time with high flyers and positive thinkers who understand ambition and achievement. Share some of your thoughts, dreams and challenges with them.
| A．High achievers go further. |
| B．This means that they run the risk of failure. |
| C．All successful people have strong self-belief. |
| D．They can take comfort in modest achievements. |
| E．You waste a lot of time every day on low value activities. |
| F．They will encourage you and give you the direct advice you need. |
| G．It is really very hard to make progress if you have no ambition for your life. |
9 . Must-See Destinations in 2024
Are you ready to explore the world in 2024? Whether you dream of sailing down famous European rivers or exploring unique places, our list of must-see destinations is here to inspire your travels.
SpainThrow yourself into the rich culture and history of Spain. From the sunny beaches of Tenerife to the Moorish architecture (建筑物) of Andalucía, there’s so much to explore in this lively country. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage (遗产) city of La Laguna and become amazed at the beauty of Cordoba, Seville, and La Alhambra, or relax on a beach holiday to Majorca or Tenerife.
MontenegroDespite its size, Montenegro has beautiful beaches, rich history, and a breathtaking channel. Experience the beauty of the Montenegrin coast — Dalmatia’s jewel (宝石) is the UNESCO World Heritage listed oasis of Dubrovnik, famously praised by Lord Bryon as The Pearl of the Adriatic.
CroatiaDiscover the beauty that is Dubrovnik. Explore the 16th-century city’s defensive walls and red-roofed buildings. Sail along Croatia’s Adriatic Coast, where attractive villages and beautiful towns like Pula, Rovinj, and Poreč are just waiting to be explored...
South AfricaExplore the wonders of South Africa, from the Garden Route’s nature reserves to the thrill of a Safari drive in the Kariega Game Reserve. Discover the different plants and animals while searching for the “Big Five” on an unforgettable South Africa holiday.
With over 25 years of experience creating holidays for the curious, Travel Department ensures that your journey is in good hands. Plus as a trusted Reader’s Digest Travel partner, you can get special deals when you travel with them across lots of different 2024 holidays. If you want to know more information, please click here.
1. What do Spain and Montenegro have in common?| A．They are both praised by tourists. |
| B．They both have world heritage cities. |
| C．They are known for their architectures. |
| D．They both own beaches and rich history. |
| A．Spain. | B．South Africa. |
| C．Montenegro. | D．Croatia. |
| A．A website. | B．A guidebook. |
| C．A novel. | D．A magazine. |
10 . A gene variant (变体) that causes the “alcohol flush (脸红)” reaction increases the risk of heart disease by causing inflammation of blood vessels (脉管), especially in drinkers. Around 8 percent of the world’s populations has a gene variant called ALDH2*2 that impairs the body’s ability to break down alcohol and causes unpleasant symptoms such as flushing soon after people drink. Now, researchers have shown why this change also raises the risk of heart disease.
“We are trying to understand why ALDH2*2 is associated with a higher risk of coronary arte (冠状动脉) disease at a cellular (细胞的) level,” says Hongchao Guo at Stanford University in California.
The ALDH2*2 gene encodes one version of the enzyme (酵素) alcohol dehydrogenase (脱氢酶), which breaks down the toxic acetaldehydes (乙醛) produced when alcohol is metabolized (代谢), and also mops up other harmful substances known as free radicals.
The gene variant also impairs the growth of new blood vessels. “That means that when there is a heart attack, when there is a need of blood vessel growth, carriers have less ability to generate new blood vessels,” says Guo.
The team found that an existing diabetes (糖尿病) drug called empagliflozin may reduce these harmful effects in people with ALDH2*2 who drink a lot of alcohol. But for Wu, the take-home message is clear. “If you’re missing this enzyme, try not to drink,” he says. “If you drink consistently, you are at much higher risk of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and cancer.”
Given its many negative consequences, there has been debate about why this change spread and became common, today being found in more than a third of people of cast Asian origin.
“My only explanation is that if you are missing this enzyme, you tend to drink less and there’s therefore less chance of you becoming alcoholic,” says Wu.
1. Which of the following may be caused by “alcohol flush”?| A．Heart disease and high blood pressure. | B．A gene variant called ALDH2*2. |
| C．Inflammation of blood vessels. | D．Diabetes and cancer. |
| A．Exiting diabetes drug can help people witALDH2*2. |
| B．People with ALDH2*2 shouldn’t drink alcohol. |
| C．People with ALDH2*2 have less chance of becoming alcoholic. |
| D．Drinking alcohol can bring about diabetes and cancer. |
| A．Diabetes drug can free people with ALDH2*2 of alcohol flush. |
| B．If you are missing this enzyme, you will easily become alcoholic. |
| C．People with ALDH2*2 tend to suffer from cancer. |
| D．More than a third of people of cast Asian origin may be affected by ALDH2*2. |
| A．To explain the impact of genetic variant causing the “alcohol flush”. |
| B．To introduce ways to stop drinking alcohol. |
| C．To introduce dangers of drinking alcohol. |
| D．To persuade people to get rid of drinking alcohol. |
