1 . Sometimes I scratch my head when I read about the government’s efforts to improve schools: new standards and tests to be applied, strict teacher evaluations, and threats of school closures and job losses. They frighten the school employees, not to mention the students. Instead of making people unable to solve problems or try new ideas-which is what fear does to us-research on school reform strongly suggests that policy-makers should encourage school leaders to take a more humane approach. In their study on the reform efforts of twelve Chicago public schools, Bryk and Schneider found that enabling positive social relationships between the adults was the key to successful school improvement and that trust was at the heart of those relationships.
Trust in schools comes down to one thing: psychological safety or safety to speak one’s mind, to discuss with openness and honesty what is and isn’t working, to make collective decisions.
Yet this kind of safety doesn’t come easily to schools. According to Bryk and Schneider, the adults in school rely on each other to do their jobs correctly and with integrity (正直). The challenge is that our expectations are very diverse based on our unique backgrounds.
At one school where I taught, each teacher had different expectations about how much effort teachers should put into their work-a big difference between the teachers who left at the last bell and those who worked into the evening. And when expectations are unspoken, it becomes impossible for others to live up to them.
We also make assumptions about the intentions behind a person’s behavior. As we all know, assumptions are often wrong. For example, parents and teachers may think the principal takes particular decision based on his career advancement rather than that is best for the students, who don’t feel psychologically safe to question our assumptions, trust files out the window and our relationships suffer.
1. According to Paragraph 1, why does the author scratch his head?| A．Because he doesn’t know what to do once schools are closed. |
| B．Because he is not sure about the practicability of those new tests. |
| C．Because he is concerned that many teachers will lose their jobs. |
| D．Because he is not in favor of the government’ s reform efforts. |
| A．New standards and tests in schools. |
| B．Positive social relationships. |
| C．Strict teacher and student evaluations. |
| D．Assistance of the government. |
| A．Freedom to express one’ s views. |
| B．Extra effort teachers put into their work. |
| C．Independence of the teachers in schools. |
| D．Unconscious and unspoken expectations. |
| A．They should be trusted. |
| B．They are often bold. |
| C．They are often incorrect. |
| D．They should be encouraged. |
2 . Technology has revolutionized (使革命化) the way we work in many ways. One of the most significant changes has been the shift towards remote and flexible work. With the rise of internet and cloud-based software, workers are no longer tied to a physical office and can work from anywhere with an internet connection. This has allowed for greater flexibility and work-life balance, as well as reduced commuting (通勤) time and costs.
Another major change is the increasing use of automation and artificial intelligence in the workplace. This has the potential to increase efficiency and productivity, as well as reduce the need for certain types of work. However, it also raises concerns about job displacement and the need for workers to adapt to new technologies.
Finally, technology has greatly expanded the types of jobs available. With the rise of the gig (临时工) economy and freelance (自由职业者) work, workers can now find opportunities in areas such as graphic design (平面设计), copywriting (文案撰写), and social media management. This has created opportunities for individuals to work in areas that were previously inaccessible or did not exist.
1. What is the shift in the way we work brought about by technology?| A．Flexible and remote work. | B．Tying people to a physical office. |
| C．Increased commuting and travel. | D．Higher costs and lower productivity. |
| A．It has reduced work-life balance. | B．It has increased commuting time and costs. |
| C．It has allowed for greater flexibility and work-life balance. | D．It has caused job displacement. |
| A．Increased job displacement. | B．Reduced efficiency and productivity. |
| C．Increased efficiency and productivity. | D．Increased commuting and travel. |
| A．Technology has decreased the number of available jobs. |
| B．Technology has created opportunities for individuals to work in areas that were previously inaccessible or did not exist. |
| C．Technology has only impacted traditional office jobs. |
| D．Technology has increased commuting time and costs. |
3 . Climate change is a global issue that affects nearly every aspect of life on Earth. The warming of the planet due to increased greenhouse gas emissions is leading to a range of impacts, from rising sea levels to more frequent extreme weather events. These impacts are not equal across the world, however, and some countries and communities are more vulnerable than others.
One of the most immediate impacts of climate change is food insecurity. Changes in temperature and precipitation (降水) patterns can affect crop yields (产量), leading to food shortages and price increases. Climate change can also affect fishing communities, as ocean temperatures and acidification (酸化) can harm marine (海洋的) life.
Climate change can also have broader impacts on human health, particularly if it leads to the spread of disease. For example, warmer temperatures can create conditions that are more conducive (有助于) to the spread of mosquito-borne (蚊子传播的) illnesses like dengue fever (登革热)and malaria (疟疾). Additionally, extreme weather events can cause injuries and illnesses, as well as disrupt healthcare services.
Finally, climate change can have significant economic impacts, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, forestry, and insurance. These impacts can have ripple effects (涟漪效应) throughout the economy, affecting businesses and individuals alike.
1. What is one immediate impact of climate change?| A．Decreased food production. | B．Increased food production. |
| C．Decreased fishing. | D．Decreased human health. |
| A．It can only affect the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses. |
| B．It can only affect healthcare services. |
| C．It can lead to the spread of disease and disrupt healthcare services. |
| D．It has no impact on human health. |
| A．Agriculture, forestry, and insurance are not impacted. |
| B．These impacts only affect businesses, not individuals. |
| C．They can have ripple effects throughout the economy and affect businesses and individuals. |
| D．They are not significant. |
| A．Increased catches. | B．Decreased catches. | C．No impact. | D．Increased profits. |
4 . The sharing economy is a trend that has been growing in recent years. This economy is based on sharing resources, such as cars, homes, and even clothing, rather than owning them outright. Some popular examples of the sharing economy include Uber, Airbnb, and Lyft.
The sharing economy has several potential benefits. For one, it can help reduce waste and increase sustainability(可持续性), as resources are being used more efficiently. Additionally, it can help provide more affordable options for consumers, as well as create new sources of income for people who may not have had access to traditional job opportunities.
However, there are also potential drawbacks to the sharing economy. Many of the workers in the sharing economy are considered independent contractors, which means they are not entitled to the same benefits and protections as traditional employees. Additionally, there have been concerns about safety and insurance coverage for both the workers and consumers using these services.
1. What is the sharing economy?| A．An economy based on owning resources outright. |
| B．An economy based on sharing resources. |
| C．An economy based on consuming more resources. |
| D．An economy based on throwing away resources. |
| A．It can create more waste and reduce sustainability. |
| B．It can create more expensive options for consumers. |
| C．It can provide affordable options for consumers and create new sources of income. |
| D．It can reduce job opportunities. |
| A．Private car ownership, traditional hotels, and taxis. |
| B．Public transportation, traditional hotels, and taxis. |
| C．Uber, Airbnb, and Lyft. |
| D．Uber, private car ownership, and public transportation. |
| A．It can create more traditional job opportunities. |
| B．It can eliminate traditional job opportunities. |
| C．It can provide new sources of income. |
| D．It can reduce job opportunities. |
5 . Museums are the best history collectors and tellers. Hangzhou, with a history of over 2,200 years, is rich in museums.
China National Tea Museum
The tea remains excavated in 2021 showed its existence in 453~410BC. Surrounded by many tea plantations with lush Longjing Tea Trees, the China National Tea Museum also allows the visitors to enjoy the fun of hiking and picking tea leaves by themselves. Dinner at a Hangzhou style home-stay tea shop is a good choice.
Open: 9:00~16:30 Monday closed.
China National Silk Museum
China National Silk Museum shows visitors the history about silk, the Silk Road from 202BC and the earliest silk produce in Yingyang, Henan 5300~5500 years ago. The exhibits include tradition looms, exquisite Chinese-styled costumes from 1920s to 2020s, night fair in ancient times, and cherished royal silk treasures.
Open: 9:00~17:00 Tue. to Sun.; 12:00~17:00 on Monday
Liangzhu Culture Museum
The Liangzhu Culture found in 1936 can date back to 4,300~5,300 years ago, which is a strong proof of 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. It is also well known for its vast legacy of jade objects and black-based pottery. In July 2019, Liangzhu was inscribed to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
Open: 9:00~16:30 Monday closed
The Jing-Hang Canal Museum
The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is the earliest excavated from 486 BC and longest artificial canal in the world. It was listed in World heritage in 2014.It is vital for national unity and economic prosperity. If you want to take a night ship trip (Tue.-Sun.), Wulinmen Wharf is 5 miles away.
Open: 9:00~16:30 Monday closed
1. What can visitors do in the museums according to the passage?| A．Plant tea trees and pick tea leaves. |
| B．Watch Chinese-styled costumes exhibition. |
| C．Make jade objects and black-based pottery. |
| D．Take a night bicycle trip along the canal. |
| A．China National Tea Museum | B．China National Silk Museum |
| C．Liangzhu Culture Museum | D．The Jing-Hang Canal Museum |
| A．It is the longest natural canal in the world. |
| B．It joined the World Heritage List in 2016. |
| C．It was originally built as a military defence. |
| D．It dates back to more than 2500 years ago. |
6 . The African penguin is expected to go extinct in the wild in just over a decade, given its current population decline. The main reason is a lack of food caused by disturbance to ocean conditions from global heating and competition from the commercial fishing industry. According to a study, scientists have identified a possible additional cause, one that is an entirely new threat and that further prevents the penguins from finding food: noise pollution from marine (海洋的) ships in a bay.
Since 2016, a new shipping practice has started at Algoa Bay. The bay offers ship-to-ship refueling for ships anchored offshore. Since the start of this practice, marine traffic in the bay has doubled. The number of bulk carriers (散货船) pulling into the bay has increased by ten times as much. Thus the noise levels in the area had doubled and the population of penguins has dropped sharply. High noise levels affect the ability of marine animals to find food, communicate or navigate properly.
Researchers used data from ship identification tools to estimate underwater noise from passing ships. They also attached underwater microphones and accelerometers (感应器) to some of the penguins. Recording the noise will tell researchers what the penguins are hearing, if they’re talking while hunting, if they’re changing their movements in response to noise, and if the noise is drowning out their hunting conversations. This will allow researchers to determine whether the sound disturbance is a direct cause of the penguins’ ongoing difficulties in finding sufficient food.
The study is the first to explore the effects of ocean traffic noise pollution on seabirds and the consequences of offshore shipping activities on underwater noise levels. Experts are considering proposing various global best-practice approaches to reduce some of the impacts of noise pollution, such as policies that limit the number and size of ships allowed into a bay of this kind. “We also need more scientific monitoring of noise, before these measures are put in place and afterward, so that we have a proper understanding of what works.” a researcher said.
1. What is caused by the noise pollution?| A．The penguins’ lack of food. |
| B．The penguins’ proper navigation. |
| C．People’s communication disability. |
| D．The commercial competition. |
| A．Because they wanted to study the way of relieving marine traffic pressure. |
| B．Because they could determine and analyze the source of ocean noise pollution |
| C．Because it helped to calculate underwater noise levels caused by different ships. |
| D．Because the impact of ocean on penguins’ hunting behavior could be found. |
| A．By exploring the real effects of ocean traffic. |
| B．By restricting the ships to go into the bay. |
| C．By banning all the offshore shipping activities. |
| D．By increasing ship-to-ship refueling activities. |
| A．Evaluate the risk of the noise. |
| B．Establish a monitoring system. |
| C．Put the measures in place. |
| D．Try to understand what happens. |
7 . Book clubs are a great way to meet people who share a common love for reading.
Some book clubs are mainly meant to be fun and relaxed. Members would talk about the story and feelings about the story, but it wouldn’t be a problem if the conversation got carried away from the book. Other book clubs are more serious and highly academic. They would be more focused on meaning, plot, and character.
Choose a location for your club.
Book clubs are typically held at meeting points, like homes, bookstores, or the local library. The meetings can change location sometimes.
Go for an online club if you don’t have a location to meet.
If a physical meeting point isn’t an option, you might also have an online book club.
Find a core group of people with a passion for reading.
They could be friends, family, or people you know through various activities, but they should all love to read. Also, make sure that this group of members can commit to meetings on a regular basis. If you plan to have your book club at a physical location, invite people who live close to you. You can invite anyone to an online book club,
| A．if they are keen on reading |
| B．They take some efforts to organize |
| C．Choose the types of books to read and discuss |
| D．Decide how academic or social your book club will be |
| E．But it is usually easier to keep them at one or a few regular places |
| F．as long as the people who want to join have reliable Internet access |
| G．You can discuss books on a chat room, social media apps, or group video chats |
8 . China’s famous museums include ancient buildings and world class modern museums with big collections. They are excellent places for sightseeing and learning about China.
Sanxingdui Museum
The museum is on the path less beaten by tourists, but it makes one of the top museums for the 3,400-year-old artworks. If you’re an ancient history fan, this place will attract you. If you love art, its style will surprise you a lot.
The Palace Museum
The museum is one of the largest old building kept in the country with a history of 600 years old. Built at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty between 1406 and 1420, it was the home of 24 rulers and their courts. It is one of the fines buildings in China and a good place to study Chinese history.
The Shanghai Museum
The big modern museum is popular with foreign tourists. It is probably the most modern museum with the focus on creative art displays about the history of the whole area. Most famous for its huge collection of china, it is in People’s Square which is also a popular tourist attraction.
The Shaanxi History Museum
Since 14 historical dynasties founded their capitals and developed in Shaanxi Province, the museum may have the oldest treasure of all museums in Chins. The artworks show the greatness of the museum, and the displays are modern and well laid out.
1. Which of the following is on the less-frequently-visited road?| A．Sanxingdui Museum. | B．The Palace Museum. |
| C．The Shanghai Museum. | D．The Shaanxi History Museum. |
| A．Its founder. | B．Its building style. |
| C．Its collection of china. | D．Its home of rulers. |
| A．Modern art. | B．Ancient science. |
| C．Chinese historical culture. | D．Chinese modern building. |
9 . A Computer Helps！
I just got a new laptop. It is very helpful. When Ms. Liu asked us to write a report about Easter, I decided to do all of my research on the Internet. I entered some key words into a search engine to find information on this topic.
What is Easter?
Easter is an important festival in Western culture.
When is Easter?
Easter does not fall on the same day each year. The date depends on the moon.
How do people celebrate Easter?
People celebrate Easter with their family and friends.
| A．But it is always in March or April. |
| B．They eat delicious food together. |
| C．It is one of the biggest holidays in many countries. |
| D．Do you often search for information on the Internet? |
| E．Rabbits and eggs are symbols of new life. |
| F．Here is what I found. |
| G．What do you know about Internet? |
10 . Rhubarb was very friendly. Whenever someone came to the house, she was always happy. We had an older dog named Willie, and it was important that Rhubarb get along well with him. She wanted to play, but was very respectful to Willie and left him alone when he was tired. Willie was not well and died about a year later, but I believe Rhubarb helped him keep going for longer.
But the interesting thing about Rhubarb was that she never barked. She would sometimes get excited when she saw a chipmunk(花栗鼠) and make a little crying sound, One hot night when she was about 4 years old, we went to bed with the windows open and the doors unlocked. At about 3 a.m. ,1 woke up to the sound of Rhubarb barking. I woke Donald and we got out of the bed.
Rhubarb was coming toward us quickly. We turned on the lights and noticed the door to the kitchen was open. Then we saw the door leading into the house from the garage was also open. We locked all the doors immediately, and we did not get any sleep that night.
The next day we noticed there were cigarette ashes(烟灰) on the floor. I called the police to report a break-in. I told them nothing had been taken, but they sent a police officer over to talk with us anyway. While he was here, we found out some local homes had been burglarized over the weekend. Most people lost their wallets and purses.
My purse was right next to the door, but Rhubarb had scared the robber(盗贼) away before he could steal it. Rhubarb lived to be almost 12, but that night was the only time she barked. Fortunately, she never saw the need to warn us of any other danger. We loved her like a member of the family.
1. We can learn from the first paragraph that________| A．Willie was good at communicating | B．Rhubarb and Willie fought at times |
| C．Rhubarb treated Willie well | D．Willie was lonely before his death |
| A．There was a break-in. | B．She saw a chipmunk. |
| C．She got excited. | D．The doors were closed. |
| A．Found. | B．Refused. | C．Helped. | D．Stolen. |
| A．Rhubarb scared the robbers away. |
| B．Rhubarb saw no other danger needed to warn us. |
| C．Rhubarb became a member of her family. |
| D．Rhubarb barked once in her entire life. |
| A．Kind. | B．Brave. | C．Strong. | D．Friendly. |
