1 . Even minor changes in behavior can have a positive environmental impact. Therefore, it is suggested to remove or reduce single-use plastic bags from your shopping trips, because the bags break down slowly, causing them to linger in landfills. But how long does a plastic bag really stick around?
The Center for Biological Diversity estimates that it takes a bag roughly 1000 years to break down. The term “break down” is a little misleading, though. Plastic ends up photodegrading (光降解) from ultraviolet (紫外线) radiation because the majority of microorganisms cannot eat it. And even after the bags degrade, the micro-plastics they leave behind may still harm the environment.
While 1000 years seems long, it is only an estimate. Since the invention of plastic bags in the 1950s or so, humankind has never actually seen the substance break down in real time. Instead, scientists have adopted respirometry tests (呼吸运动测量法), which helps estimate the breakdown rate of an organic substance by measuring the CO2 that the microorganisms produce when breaking down the material. When an organic substance, such as food waste, is present, CO2 levels rise, which allows scientists to estimate the rate of breakdown. However, because plastic bags don’t produce any CO2,—microorganisms aren’t eating them, the bags are just sitting there. If buried in a landfill and sheltered from ultraviolet light, plastic bags will last a very long time.
Bags have an impact on the environment beyond just their removal. It takes fossil fuels to make bags; one estimate puts this amount at 12 million barrels (桶) of oil annually. And after a bag has served its purpose in a consumer’s hands, it may then enter the food chain for wildlife. Plastic that builds up along the food chain is consumed by creatures like birds and fish.
While reducing the use of plastic bags is a good idea, choosing a cloth bag might not be the habit that will help the environment the most. The carbon footprint left by the cloth bags must be countered by thousands of uses.
1. What does the underlined word “linger” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Reproduce. | B．Integrate. | C．Emerge. | D．Last. |
| A．Its duration of 1000 years is an overestimate. |
| B．Exposure to ultraviolet light is essential to it. |
| C．Respirometry tests effectively estimate its rate. |
| D．The level of CO2 released during it usually rises. |
| A．The multiple environmental costs of plastic bags. |
| B．The consumption of fuels for plastic bag production. |
| C．The harm of plastic bags to the food chain for wildlife. |
| D．The challenge of removing plastic bags from the ecosystem. |
| A．Declining plastic shopping bag offers. | B．Reducing the production of plastic bags. |
| C．Reusing the same cloth bag repeatedly. | D．Switching from plastic bags to cloth ones. |
2 . Joyce Loaiza lives alone, but when returning to her apartment at a senior community, she often has a chat with a friendly female voice. The 81-year-old is among the first in the United States to receive the robot ElliQ made by Intuition Robotics, which has been the only device using artificial intelligence specifically designed to address loneliness of the old.
Looking like a small table light, the device has an eyeless, mouthless head. It remembers each user’s interests and their talks, helping create a special experience with each new discussion, which can be as deep as the meaning of life or as light as a small joke. “She’ll make comments like, ‘I would go outside if I had hands, but I can’t hold an umbrella,’” said Loaiza. ElliQ also plays music and provides spiritual sayings. It leads exercises, asks about the owner’s health, and gives reminders to take medicines and drink water. It can also support video calls and contact family, friends, or doctors in an emergency.
The average user interacts with ElliQ more than 30 times a day and more than 90 percent report lower levels of loneliness, Intuition Robotics CEO Dor Skuler said.
Brigham Young University professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad, who studies the effects of loneliness on health, worries that a device like ElliQ might have short-term helpful effects but it could make people less likely to seek human contact. She noted that the difficult feeling of loneliness should push people to reconnect socially.
Skuler and state officials agreed that ElliQ is not an alternative to human contact. But some older people cannot leave home or do not have many friends. Charlotte Taylor, director of an Area Agency on Aging, said Covid-19 left many older people more disconnected. Her agency has provided 300 ElliQs which, she believes, help the situation. She said, “People generally like her and she makes them smile.”
1. What can we infer from Loaiza’s comments on ElliQ?| A．It sometimes fails to be of any help. | B．It is humorous and has the human touch. |
| C．Some of its comments make no sense. | D．It shows an interest in the outside world. |
| A．Its inefficiency to ease loneliness. | B．Its failure to push people to reconnect. |
| C．Its potential for being addictive. | D．Its replacement for human interactions. |
| A．Novel. | B．Popular. | C．Satisfying. | D．Advanced. |
| A．Chatty Robot Helps Seniors Fight Loneliness | B．AI-based Device Is to Dominate Elders’ Life |
| C．ElliQ: a Revolutionary Innovation in AI Field | D．ElliQ: a Remarkable Assistant after Covid-19 |
3 . At first glance, 15-year-old Kenan Pala seems like a typical teenager, playing video games with his friends, but he also loves finance and economics and invests in the stock (股票) market. He founded Kids4Community, a nonprofit offering volunteer projects for kids, when he was just 12.
The idea came out of his family’s experience. Pala’s parents came to the U.S. from Turkey in 1998 and founded a company. “We started very little here,” said Pala’s mother. “But for the help we got along the way, we wouldn’t have been where we are.” The Palas wanted their children to live by this lesson, so they encouraged them to give back to the community.
Anyone can donate with Kids4Community, but its events are intended for kids. Pala’s organization aims to boost young people’s involvement in community efforts because many organizations don’t let children volunteer.
Last month, Kids4Community volunteers made 2,000 hygiene kits containing shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other supplies. Kids4Community organizes the event annually and distributes the kits to the needy through Christmas Day. In fall, the group’s efforts are focused on disaster victims. Over the years, it has made care packages for survivors of earthquakes and Hurricanes.
Another key focus is homelessness — an issue that has taken on particular significance. Years ago, Pala was jogging along the beach when he came across a sickly baby seal (海豹), surrounded by people who were caring for it and calling for help. “Hours later, I saw a homeless person, also sick and needing help, but people were just ignoring him,” Pala said. Now, Kids4Community organizes initiatives both to meet physical needs of the homeless and give them a sense of dignity and hope.
In the coming years, Pala wants to expand Kids4Community’s reach beyond San Diego and perhaps beyond California.
1. What does the Pala family lesson convey?| A．Responsibility. | B．Forgiveness. | C．Gratitude. | D．Struggle. |
| A．Disaster relief. | B．Supplies delivery. |
| C．Disaster forecast. | D．Supplies production. |
| A．To advocate wildlife conservation. | B．To launch the initiatives for the homeless. |
| C．To praise the warm-hearted people. | D．To account for his attention to homelessness. |
| A．Disciplined and reliable. | B．Committed and consistent. |
| C．Insightful and intelligent. | D．Public-spirited and enterprising. |
4 . Discovering your passion is a journey of self-exploration and understanding. It involves delving into your innermost thoughts and feelings to find what truly ignites (点燃) your spark.
Reflect on your experiences
Look back on your life and identify moments that have brought you joy, fulfillment, or a sense of purpose. Think about the activities, people, or causes that have excited you in the past.
Experiment with new hobbies, skills, or activities. Try something that piques (激起) your curiosity or that you’ve always been interested in but never had the chance to explore. This could be anything from learning a new language to taking up a sport or trying an artistic medium.
Listen to your emotions
Surround yourself with supportive people
Seek out individuals who are passionate about their lives and who can inspire and encourage you. Surround yourself with a supportive network of friends, family, or mentors who can provide guidance and encouragement on your journey.
Embrace failure and setbacks
Discovering your passion isn’t always a smooth process.
| A．Explore your interests |
| B．Take an active role in developing your habits |
| C．You may encounter failure, setbacks, or even doubts |
| D．Find something that can really piques your curiosity |
| E．The following are tips to help you discover your passion |
| F．Pay attention to the emotions you experience throughout your day |
| G．These experiences can provide clues to what might ignite your passion |
5 . The Best Bike Tours in Barcelona
Street Art TourDuration: 3 hours
Your ride for the day is a beautiful handmade bamboo bicycle that will make you stand out among other cyclists! You can explore the colorful legacy (遗产) of street art and graffiti (涂鸦) in the Catalan capital, most of which can be found in the former industrial district of Poblenou.
Intimate E-Bike Tour with Tapas & WineDuration: 2.5 hours
Fancy a glass of wine in the very bar where Picasso staged his first art exhibition and the Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca hung out with his friends? On this small-group tour, you’ll not only enjoy a wonderful bike ride around Barcelona’s Old Town but also get to stop for wine tasting at the famous Els 4Gats café restaurant, which first opened in 1897.
Hidden Parks & Playas TourDuration: 3 hours
The Hidden Parks & Playas Tour is a relaxed trip through the fashionable and relaxing district in Barcelona, which is full of urban parks and enjoys a long stretch of golden beaches. It is perfect for a cool afternoon cycle.
Gaudi E-Bike TourDuration: 4 hours
You can’t leave Barcelona without visiting Gaudi’s Park Guell. So why not jump on the only bike tour that takes you there? The park is packed with interesting features and the views over the city are exciting. That’s just the tip of the iceberg of this Gaudi Life & Legacy Tour that takes you to all of the architect’s greatest works, from his unfinished masterpiece, the Sagrada Família (unmissable!), to the UNESCO-listed mansions (大厦)Casa Milà and Casa Batlló.
1. What is special about the Street Art Tour?| A．It has the shortest duration. | B．It contains two different tour options. |
| C．It offers wonderful natural landscapes. | D．It provides handmade bicycles for riders. |
| A．Visit Picasso’ s art exhibition at any time. | B．Tour the beautiful Spanish countryside. |
| C．Stop at a historic restaurant for wine tasting. | D．Attend the event honoring poet Federico. |
| A．Street Art Tour. | B．Gaudi E-Bike Tour. |
| C．Hidden Parks & Playas Tour. | D．Intimate E-Bike Tour with Tapas & Wine. |
6 . The title of “Aaron’s younger brother” was given to me at the age of six. It was a label stuck to me and all people had to do was to refer to the imaginary label and they would know how to address me. I wanted to defeat Aaron, whose fame had reduced me to a nameless tennis player. Then the day eventually approached.
As I shook Aaron's hand at the start of the match, I stared at him with determination. “I’m going to beat you today.” I gathered the confidence to claim over the outcome of the match. Aaron laughed carelessly as he turned his back towards me. For a brief moment, I regretted that display of over-confidence.
I nervously shifted my weight from one foot to the other. The tennis court seemed to stretch out further than usual. My sweaty hands tightened around my racket (球拍) — the fifth one passed down to me from Aaron.We entered into a heated fight. I was persevering as expected, and I was not sure how long it would take before I withdrew. We were down to the last round, neck and neck in points. I made a mistake, then Aaron leaped up, stretching his arm out. The sun cast his image over me, reminding me that I would always be walking in his shadow if I couldn’t prove myself.
I readied myself for the finishing blow, images of Aaron’s past matches flooding through my mind. I recalled the habit of his hit in the World Tennis Tournament, extending my arm to the left in anticipation of where the ball was going to land. The ball made contact with my racket and was lobbed(吊高球) over Aaron’s head. He could do nothing but witness his undefeated status being erased by his younger brother.
While I was still enjoying the unfamiliar feeling of victory, a man whom I recognised from a professional club approached me.“What is your name, son?” he asked. A smile spread across my face.
1. What used to trouble the writer?| A．The longing for recognition. | B．The eagerness to bear labels. |
| C．The desire to be a tennis player. | D．The hardship of physical training. |
| A．Defeated. | B．Anxious. | C．Optimistic. | D．Honored. |
| A．He adopted his usual trick in the match. |
| B．He purchased a tennis racket for the writer. |
| C．He had an obvious advantage in the last round. |
| D．He withdrew from the World Tennis Tournament. |
| A．The Price for One Mistake | B．From Nobody to Somebody |
| C．Why Brotherhood Matters | D．Aaron's Last-minute Victory |
7 . In response to the rumor that “80% of Tsinghua graduates go abroad”, Tsinghua University clearly stated: “NO!”
Data show that the proportion of 2023 graduates of Tsinghua University going abroad for further study is 8.0%. Among them, the proportion of undergraduate students (本科生) studying abroad is 15.6%, and the proportion of undergraduate students studying in China is 65.2%. The proportion of master students (研究生) going abroad for further study is 5.9%. The proportion of domestic advanced education was 6.9%. In addition, according to the “Tsinghua People” mini-program registration information of Tsinghua Alumni Association, most of the alumni (校友) who have studied abroad in the past 20 years have returned to work after completing their studies and play a backbone in all walks of life.
What industries do Tsinghua graduates go into? According to the statistics of Tsinghua University, 83.0% of the graduates of 2023 are employed in key units in important fields related to the national economy and people’s livelihood, covering many important industries such as national defense science and technology, manufacturing and energy industries, information communication and Internet, public administration and service institutions of higher learning and research institutes.
Where do Tsinghua graduates go? According to statistics provided by Tsinghua University, 53.8 percent of its 2023 graduates are employed outside Beijing. In the past 10 years, most graduates of Tsinghua University have gone to work outside Beijing, and the number of employment in the national defense and military industry and the western region has continued to rise.
The university also announced the most employable employers for the class of 2023. Among them, the top two state-owned enterprises are China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and State Grid Corporation, and the top two private enterprises are Huawei and BYD.
1. What percentage of Tsinghua undergraduate students studying abroad in 2023?| A．8.0%. | B．65.2%. | C．5.9%. | D．15.6%. |
| A．An international school. | B．An application. |
| C．A charity organization. | D．A private enterprises. |
| A．Internet and energy industries. |
| B．Tea trade and public administration. |
| C．Gardening technology and national defense. |
| D．Pet rescuing and information communication. |
| A．List data. | B．Give examples. | C．Make comparisons. | D．classify facts. |
8 . The aim of establishing school rules and regulations is to encourage good behavior, teach students self discipline (自律), and maintain a harmonious learning environment to match the image and reputation of our school. School rules and regulations are applicable to all students.
Role of the parents
The primary duty and responsibility of the parents is to educate their children by example to respect the dignity of others, They are also very influential in developing among their children the virtues of love, justice generosity, industry and honesty which are important to their lives.
Attendance and punctuality
School schedule: Students should be in their classrooms prepared to work by 7: 30 am. Regular attendance and punctuality are important for the academic progress of the students. Students must be regular in their attendance and have at least 80% attendance in order to sit for tests and examinations. Absence lasting for more than three days has to be accompanied by a medical certificate.
Language
English is the only language to be used by students in school (except during the other language lessons).
Discipline
One of the most important aspects of education is discipline, which is the training that develops self-control, orderliness, efficiency, and character. The basis of all discipline is the principle of respect — respect for one’s self，for others, and for all children.
In order to form proper habits and attitudes, the following rules for good conduct are expected to be followed by every student:
•Respect for all school property (所有物) and the school uniform;
•Observe silence in specific areas;
•During school hours, students are required to be in their respective (各自的) classrooms;
•Possession and use of cell phones are strictly prohibited in the school.
1. What will happen if a student misses more than 20% of the lesson?| A．He won’t take part in the exams. |
| B．He won’t take this class anymore. |
| C．He will have to receive extra classes. |
| D．He will receive physical punishment. |
| A．Staying in areas for silence. |
| B．Throwing uniforms casually. |
| C．Speaking English in math classes. |
| D．Entering the classroom in free time. |
| A．A test guide. | B．An academic newspaper. |
| C．A school website. | D．An educational magazine. |
9 . A six-month-old corgi being trained to become the first of his breed to work as a police dog in China, made his first public appearance recently at the open day of a police camp in Weifang, Shandong Province.
His appearance challenges the stereotype (固有模式) that “little short legs” cannot join the police force. Fu Zai,whose name means “Lucky Boy”, has made waves on social media with his iconic smile,short legs and wagging tail.
As a reserve police dog, Fu Zai faces a heavy workload. Training, scheduled for every morning and afternoon, involves a variety of subjects, such as obedience exercises, bomb searches and scent (气味) tracking. He began training when he was two months old and has stood out and outperformed many of his peers.
“His strong environmental adaptability, insensitivity, his desire to possess items and his fondness for food are particularly favorable in our training,” said Wang Yanan, head of the police dog base at the Weifang Public Security Bureau.
Following four months of training, Fu Zai can now take advantage of his short legs to go beneath cars and easily search tight spaces. He can also improve interactions between police dogs and the public because of his adorable appearance.
Fans on social media joked about Fu Zai. One of them wrote, “Corgis can be plainclothes police, for they attract less attention than German Shepherds.”
“Police dogs are not only cute, but trainers have made a lot of efforts to train them to be professional,” Wang said.
Fu Zai is still a fresh hand and must undergo a period of further training to adapt to complex environment before officially entering service.
1. What can be said about the training of Fu Zai?| A．It is conducted around the clock. |
| B．It aims at making Fu Zai a guide dog. |
| C．It has proved to be adventurous. |
| D．It involves multiple and challenging tasks. |
| A．He is able to shoulder a heavy workload. |
| B．He excels at handling complex environment. |
| C．His short legs enable him to work in narrow places. |
| D．He will attract public attention when he is at work. |
| A．He has some suitable qualities for training. |
| B．He is already a professional police dog. |
| C．His lovable appearance is advantageous. |
| D．His smiles improve interactions with the public. |
| A．Fu Zai has served as a police dog for half a year. |
| B．Fu Zai performs well because of his intelligence. |
| C．Fu Zai has been recognized around the world. |
| D．Fu Zai needs further training to be a police dog. |
10 . Amsterdam is known for brownies and Van Gogh, but here are four unique museums in Amsterdam that should be on your radar.
Kattenkabinet
If it wasn't for the black-and-white sign hanging above the door of Herengracht 497, you might easily walk past the Kattenkabinet, a museum dedicated exclusively to the role of cats in art. Situated in a stately 17th-century house, the museum was founded by Bob Meijer. He purchased and renovated the mansion in 1985 and opened the museum five years later in honour of his cat.
Fashion for Good Museum
Fashion for Good is more than a museum. Opened in 2017 and situated on Rokin 102, it's a platform for innovation and collaboration seeking solutions to steer the fashion industry away from the "take-make-waste"pattern which has hugely impacted our environment. At their interactive studio, you'll even get the chance to design the world's most sustainable T-shirt.
Houseboat Museum
Originally built as a freighter in 1914 and moored (停泊) on Prinsengracht since 2007, the Houseboat Museum gives visitors an idea of what life is like on one of these floating homes. Step inside and marvel at the surprisingly spacious interior furnished with a charming wood burning stove and old-fashioned kitchenware.
STRAAT
Since its opening in October 2020,STRAAT,the world's biggest museum for street art and grafiti, has made it its mission to showcase the diversity of talents, backgrounds and stories of what can rightfully be called one of the century's leading art forms.
1. Which museum will interest people who are environmentally friendly?| A．Kattenkabinet. | B．Fashion for Good Museum. |
| C．Houseboat Museum. | D．STRAAT. |
| A．STRAAT is the biggest museum in Amsterdam. |
| B．Houseboat Museum was opened the earliest. |
| C．Kattenkabinet houses cat-themed artworks. |
| D．Fashion for Good Museum organizes fashion shows. |
| A．An art textbook. | B．A research paper. |
| C．An exhibition ad. | D．A travel brochure. |
