1 . Every winter is the peak season for pneumonia (肺炎). Since the beginning of this winter, children in the northern regions, in particular, have faced an unprecedented rise in this situation.
Overview
Pneumonia makes your lungs sick. It happens when germs like bacteria or viruses go into your lungs, making them full of yucky stuff like pus. Going to the doctor quickly is extremely important to get the right treatment.
Recognizing Symptoms (症状)
When you have pneumonia caused by bacteria, the doctor might give you medicine called antibiotics (抗生素). It’s really important to finish all the medicine the doctor gives you, even if you feel better. Using it the wrong way can make them not work well in the future.
Supportive Care
Taking care of yourself is of equal importance. Drink enough water, and use medicine you can buy without a prescription (处方) for things like fever and pain.
| A．Proper Treatment |
| B．Or it could be deadly. |
| C．But, it could be expensive. |
| D．Make sure not to overwork yourself. |
| E．That is why there has seen a large number of severe cases this year. |
| F．When signs similar to the flu appear, you should be especially cautious. |
| G．So, it is essential for everyone to have some knowledge about pneumonia. |
2 . Many people tend to shy away from mathematics, considering it too difficult to understand and questioning its relevance in real life. However, this idea is incorrect. Mathematics is not as challenging as it may seem; on the contrary, it is both straightforward and appealing, functioning as a useful instrument in practical applications.
Mathematics serves as the foundation for all sciences, providing a framework for understanding the basic principles of the natural world. From physics and chemistry to bi ology and economics, mathematical ideas and formulas are like essential threads (线) woven (编织) into the exploration of science. Without a solid understanding of mathematics, it becomes challenging to figure out the mysteries of the universe and make meaningful contributions to various scientific fields.
As a matter of fact, the main reason why many people do not excel in mathematics is the widespread worry and unease. According to a survey by the National Science Foundation, nearly 60% of adults struggle with basic mathematical concepts. Overcoming this challenge requires a shift in mental attitude, emphasizing the importance of embracing mistakes as part of the learning process. Additionally, incorporating real-life applications and interactive methods into math education can enhance understanding and foster a positive learning environment.
For the development of the world, encouraging everyone to embrace the beauty of mathematics is more important than anything else. Rather than giving in to the belief that mathematics is never possible to conquer, individuals should approach it with curiosity and enthusiasm. By recognizing the practical applications of mathematics in everyday life and its indispensable role in advancing scientific knowledge, one can unlock its potential for personal and intellectual growth. Let us drive away the myth that mathematics is an abstract and useless subject, and instead, let’s embrace it as a powerful tool that opens doors to new possibilities and insights.
1. What is identified as the primary factor for people not good at mathematics?| A．Mathematics being too abstract. |
| B．Concern and anxiety related to the subject. |
| C．The research of our world only depending on a few scientists. |
| D．Lack of practical applications. |
| A．crucial | B．inessential | C．replaceable | D．predictable |
| A．Avoiding mistakes in the learning process. |
| B．Ignoring real-life applications in math education |
| C．Accept and welcome mistakes as part of the learning process. |
| D．Focusing solely on abstract mathematical concepts. |
| A．Mathematics: The Relevance of Mathematics in Everyday Life |
| B．Mathematics: A Challenging and Effective Subject |
| C．Mathematics: Full of Overwhelming Complexity |
| D．Mathematics: From Worries to Solutions |
3 . If you want to further improve your oral pronunciation or learn the language as used by real Americans, not the stiff, textbook-like content such as “Fine, thank you and you,” you need to watch more original movies and TV shows. Here are some.
The Walking Dead
Synopsis: “The Walking Dead” is about people surviving after the world becomes full of zombies(僵尸). Rick Grimes, the leader, and his group face dangers from both zombies and other people. The show looks at how they keep going and make tough choices to stay alive.
Desperate Housewives
Synopsis: “Desperate Housewives” revolves around the lives of four women living on Wisteria Lane. The show delves into their seemingly perfect suburban existence, unraveling (揭露) secrets, scandals, and unexpected twists. As friendships form and break, each character grapples with personal challenges. The series combines drama, humor, and mystery to explore the hidden struggles within a picturesque neighborhood.
This Is Us
Synopsis: Inspired by true figures, “This Is Us” tells the story of the Pearson family. The show explores their lives, joys, and challenges across different timelines. With relatable characters and heartfelt moments, it delves into love, loss, and the connections that bind us. Viewers witness the family’s journey through ordinary yet deeply emotional experiences, creating a touching portrayal of the ups and downs of life.
Prison Break
Synopsis: “Prison Break” tells the story of Michael Scofield, an engineer who intentionally gets himself imprisoned to aid his wrongly blamed brother, Lincoln Burrows, in avoiding execution (极刑). The plot focus on Michael’s detailed plans, tattoos (纹身) containing vital hints, and partnerships formed inside the prison, keeping viewers on the edge as they witness daring escapes and unexpected alliances (联盟) in the pursuit of freedom.
1. What do the four shows have in common?| A．They are all horror shows. | B．They can all be watched for free. |
| C．They are all about family lives. | D．They are all good materials to learn English. |
| A．The Walking Dead | B．Desperate Housewives | C．This Is Us | D．Prison Break |
| A．Michael Scofield went to prison on purpose. |
| B．Michael Scofield was sentenced to death. |
| C．Michael Scofield blamed his brother out of misunderstanding. |
| D．Michael Scofield is very willing to form an alliance with the viewers. |
4 . Scientists in Canada are really worried about a serious problem affecting an important animal: the bat. This problem is called white-nose syndrome (症状), and it comes from a harmful fungus (真菌) that attacks the nose, wings, and skin of bats when they sleep together in caves. It started in a cave in Russia in 2006 and has quickly spread to 19 countries, including Canada.
Researchers found that the fungus usually exists in very cold places like the poles. Even though they’re not totally sure exactly how it hurts the bats, one of the most accepted views is that it makes them uncomfortable. This makes the bats stay awake a little bit more and uses up their stored fat, leading to them not having enough food, which causes them to die. More than 5.5 million bats of nine types in Canada have already died from this sickness. If it reaches more bat groups in the Southeast and Midwest provinces, endangered bat s like the Tiger bat and Figgie big-eared bat might disappear forever.
Losing these animals is a big deal for Canadians, even for the whole world, because, in warm months, bats fly at night and eat a lot of insects. They help control the number of bugs that harm forests and spread diseases which can cause a whole bunch of problems. It’s quite an alarming thing, given that the reduction in the number of bats will almost certainly disrupt (扰乱) the harmony in the ecosystem and lead to disasters. The Canadian government is taking this seriously and is thinking about giving money for detailed research on the disease because the possible results could be really bad, like what one lawmaker called “an ecological and economic disaster.” Experts are hired to watch bat colonies (群) more closely, working with other countries and organizations, and making strict rules to limit the movement of things that might have the fungus.
Additionally, public awareness campaigns are being conducted to gain support for bat conservation efforts and promote responsible cave exploration practices to minimize the risk of disease transmission. The Canadian government remains committed to preserving its bat populations and the crucial ecological balance they bring to the environment.
1. What might be the reason of the bats’ death?| A．Their sleeping together | B．Lack of sleep |
| C．Starvation | D．Not feeling comfortable |
| A．The spread of the disease. |
| B．The destruction of the forests. |
| C．The imbalance of the ecosystem. |
| D．The increase of the insect population. |
| A．Engaging specialists to monitor bat colonies |
| B．Carrying out activities to enhance people’s consciousness |
| C．Collaborating with other nations |
| D．Prohibiting the movement of bats |
| A．objective | B．positive |
| C．indifferent | D．pessimistic |
5 . As Christmas Eve approached, I found myself in New York City, far from my family and friends in Taiwan. I was feeling homesick and lonely, but my Jewish friend, Rachel, who, like me, doesn’t get connected with Christmas due to any religious things, invited me to join her for a dinner in a Chinese restaurant. She explained that it was a tradition for many Jewish people to celebrate this holiday by eating Chinese food on Christmas Eve.
We went to Jing Fong, a fancy restaurant in Chinatown. The place was packed with people, and the atmosphere was lively and festive. We ordered a variety of dishes. Everything was delicious, and I felt grateful to be sharing this experience with Rachel. As we ate, we talked about our families and our cultures. We laughed and joked, and for a moment, I forgot about my homesickness.
A moment later, a group of carolers (唱圣诞歌的人) came into the restaurant, singing Christmas songs. At first, I was puzzled. Why were they singing in a Chinese restaurant? But then I realized that this was part of the magic of New York City. People from all different cultures and backgrounds could come together and celebrate the holidays in their own way. Rachel and I joined in the singing, and soon the whole restaurant was filled with music. It was a beautiful moment, and I felt blessed to be part of it.
What a night! I learned that even when you’re far from home, you can still find joy and connection with others. Rachel and I may come from different cultures, but we shared amazing food, joyful music, and most importantly heartfelt company. And that’s exactly what all the holidays are all about.
1. Why did Rachel invite the author to join her for dinner?| A．To show respect to God |
| B．To celebrate Christmas in the Jewish way |
| C．To share stories about their families |
| D．To forget about their homesickness |
| A．Fearful | B．Joyful |
| C．Disappointed | D．Confused |
| A．By focusing on religious traditions |
| B．By celebrating with family and friends |
| C．By enjoying a variety of festive dishes |
| D．By embracing diverse ways of celebration |
| A．A personal blog | B．A commercial promotion brochure |
| C．A travel guide of New York | D．An academic article |
6 . Do you sometimes put off doing your homework on a school night to watch TV？A new study says that middle school students who watch TV or play video games during the weekdays do worse in school.
The study also says that watching TV and playing video games on weekends don’t affect school performance that much.
“On weekdays, the more they watched, the worse they did,” said Dr. Iman Sharif of Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in New York. “They could watch a lot on weekends and it didn’t seem to connect with doing worse in school.”
The study appears in October issue of Pediatrics. Researchers drew their conclusions after surveying 4,500 students in New Hampshire and Vermont middle schools.
To reach their findings, researchers didn’t look at grades or test scores. Instead, they asked students to rate their own performance on a scale ranging from “excellent” to “below average”.
Other studies have found a connection between kids’ ability to learn and the amount of TV they watch. One study even found that kids with televisions in their bedrooms scored about eight points lower on math and language arts tests than kids without. What should a kid do?The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids watch TV no more than two hours and that televisions be kept out of children’s rooms. Weekends viewing should be kept to four hours at most each day.
1. The passage mainly talks about the relationships between .| A．TV watching and students’ character training |
| B．TV watching and students’ school performance |
| C．students’ communicating skills and TV watching |
| D．kids’ mental development and TV watching |
| A．Kids can watch TV as long as they wish on the weekends. |
| B．Kids can watch TV longer on the weekends than on weekdays. |
| C．Kids should not be allowed to watch TV on the weekends. |
| D．Kids can watch TV during the weekdays in their rooms for a long time. |
| A．protect the TV sets from being broken by kids | B．prevent the kids from playing video games on TV |
| C．limit the time of TV the kids watch | D．provide the kids with the quietness they need to study |
| A．A student putting off doing homework on a school night to watch TV. |
| B．A student who watches TV 4 hours a day. |
| C．A kid who has TV set in his own room. |
| D．None of the above. |
7 . Mark and his brother Jason both were looking at the shining new computer enviously. Jason was determined not to go against their father’s wishes but Mark was more adventurous than his brother. He loved experimenting and his aim was to become a scientist like his father.
“Dad will be really mad if he finds out you’ve been playing with his new computer.” Jason said, “He told us not to touch it.”
“He won’t find out.” Mark said, “I’ll just have a quick look and shut it down.”
Mark had been scolded before for touching his father’s equipment. But his curiosity was difficult to control and this new computer really puzzled him.
It was a strange-looking machine –one his dad had brought home from the laboratory where he worked. “It’s an experimental model,” his father had explained, “so don’t touch it under any circumstances.” But his warning only served to make Mark more curious. Without any further thought, Mark turned on the power switch. The computer burst into life and seconds later, the screen turned into colors, shifting and changing and then two big white words appeared in the center of the screen: “SPACE TRANSPORTER.”
“Yes!” Mark cried excitedly, “It’s a computer game. I knew it! Dad’s only been pretending to work. He’s really been playing games instead.” A new message appeared on the screen:
ENTER NAMES
VOYAGER 1: … VOYAGER 2: …
Mark’s fingers flew across the keyboard as he typed in both of their names.
INPUT ACCEPTED. START TRANSPORT PROGRAM. AUTO-RETRIEVE INITIATED（自动回收程序已启动）
The screen turned even brighter and a noise suddenly rose in volume.
“I think we’d better shut it off, Mark,” Jason yelled, reaching for the power switch. He was really frightened.
But his hand never reached the switch. A single beam of dazzling white light burst out of the computer screen, wrapping the boys in its glow (光芒), until they themselves seemed to be glowing. Then it died down just as suddenly as it had burst into life. And the boys were no longer there. On the screen, the letters changed.
TRANSPORT SUCCESSFUL. DESTINATION: MARS. RETRIEVE DATE: 2025.
1. Why did Mark touch the computer against his father’s warning?| A．He wanted to take a voyage. | B．He wanted to practice his skill. |
| C．He was so much attracted by it. | D．He was eager to do an experiment. |
| A．a computer game | B．a company website |
| C．a software producer | D．an astronomy program |
| A．He was afraid of being scolded. |
| B．He didn’t like the loud noise and light. |
| C．He didn’t want to play games any more. |
| D．He was afraid something dangerous might happen. |
| A．They were blown into the air. |
| B．They were sent to another planet. |
| C．They were hidden in the strong light. |
| D．They were carried away to another country |
8 . Do you know what a castle is? A castle is a building special to Europe. Castles were built in the Middle Ages by king and other powerful people who live in. Castles were used by people to protect themselves from their enemies. They are big buildings made form stone and wood.
Today there are still castles all over Europe. Some are in ruins. But some built later are still in good repair and used even today. One example is Windsor Castle, which is a home to the British queen. It is in the country or Berkshire, not far from London.
Castles have walls around them. In the old days, soldiers would stand on the walls to guard the people in the castle. If enemies came they would shoot arrows and throw stones at them. Castles also had moats. A moat is a river around the wall that makes it difficult for enemies to get in. It could be either dry or filled with water.
Other people from younger countries love European castles. In the US there are rich people who have brought broken parts of castles to their country and rebuilt them. And some people build “replica” castles — modern copies of Castle.
You probably know the Disneyland Castle in California, US. But did you know it is based on a famous castle in Germany built by King Ludwig Ⅱof Bavaria?
1. Which of the following is TRUE about the castle?| A．It is a special American building. |
| B．It is made from stone and paper. |
| C．Only king used to live in it. |
| D．People used it to protect themselves. |
| A．a wall | B．a soldier |
| C．a river | D．a stone |
| A．there are castles only in some European countries now |
| B．in the US, there used to be castles in the Middle Ages |
| C．in the US, the people rebuilt the old castles or build the modern ones |
| D．the Disneyland castle is built in Germany |
| A．The history of Windsor castles. | B．Facts about castles. |
| C．The king and the castles. | D．How to build castles. |
9 . Soon after you have your first child, the question of having a second one is raised by friends and family. However, as the pattern of having two children in a family is challenged by modern family units, there are a few reasons why it is not selfish to want only one child.
Today, the role of women has changed a lot. But nowadays, a wife has to help her husband earn the bread and butter as well as well as looking after her family. In demanding times like these, a woman has to put in more physical and emotional effort than any other member of the family.
Raising a child comes at a cost that remains only heard of, until you find yourself paying it. The good reality of double income with no kids suddenly comes crashing down when there is a child involved in the picture. When one parent (the mother) needs to take some time off to look after the newborn, only one person becomes the earning member. Of course, the expenses went up rapidly. According to Susan Newman, PhD, a social psychologist, the average cost of raising a child is $227,000 from birth to college.
Most young mothers also think that having one child would mean that there is more income for the child, and thus, better facilities can be provided. It is much easier to educate a single child at a good school, and give him/her better life with more resources at hand.
With several children in the house, it becomes increasingly difficult to find ways to spend time with all of them. Dividing your time with just one child means that you can devote a little more time to doing the things you want to. In a single child unit, there are less comparison and more chances for positive motivation to learn new things. A happy child, who deserves the rightful attention, love, care, and time from both the parents, always gets a meaningful childhood, for both the parents and the child.
1. What does the writer mainly want to tell us in the passage?| A．It is not selfish to have only one child in a family. |
| B．Raising a child costs a lot nowadays. |
| C．It is more difficult to raise several children in a family. |
| D．Women are playing a more important role in the family than before. |
| A．A family with several children can give parents a meaningful life. |
| B．The only child in a family can more easily get a wonderful childhood. |
| C．A family with only one child is surely better than a family with several children. |
| D．You can be more relaxed with several children. |
| A．better education. | B．meaningful childhood. |
| C．less generation gap. | D．better care. |
A． | B． |
C． | D． |
10 . U.S. first lady Michelle Obama and her family have just ended their one-week trip in China. The whole world has paid attention to the two elegant and beautiful first ladies who have made a difference in the relationship between China and the U.S.A.
Mrs. Obama has visited the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, and the pandas. She has tasted Peking Duck and experienced some other Chinese traditional culture. It is hoped that this trip to China can bring a real understanding of our eastern world to the first family of the United States.
Today, the number of exchange students between China and the U.S. has reached more than 4 million every year. There are more than 11,000 people traveling to and from each side of the Pacific. If the two countries can increase the exchange in travel, language, cuisine, and cultural understanding, this will help a lot in improving the understanding between the two countries.
Education was an important theme of Mrs. Obama’s visit, and it is crucial to the development of Sino-US relationship. China has an ancient tradition of placing a high value on education, and the first lady herself is an outstanding example of a person who changed her own destiny through education. She took education as the key theme of her speech at Peking University, encouraging students from the two countries to learn more about and get wider experience of each other.
1. The whole world has paid attention to the two wonderful ladies because ________.| A．they are elegant and beautiful |
| B．they have made a difference in the relationship between China and the U.S.A. |
| C．they pay attention to education |
| D．they hope students can learn from each other |
| A．Terracotta Warriors | B．the Forbidden City |
| C．the Great Wall | D．the Summer Palace |
| A．education | B．understanding |
| C．Sino-US relationship | D．exchange students |
| A．China’s First Lady Welcome U.S First Lady | B．U.S First Lady Michal Obama visit China |
| C．The Two First Ladies Pay Attention to Education | D．Two First Ladies Meet Happily in Beijing |
