1 . Joan Fournier and her daughter stopped at a fast food restaurant in Cornwall for some lunch.     1     However, when her phone rang and she took it out to answer the call, without her knowing it, the money fell out of her pocket.

Later in the evening when they went shopping, Fournier realized the money wasn’t there.     2     Thinking someone must have picked up the bill and simply pocketed it, Fournier didn’t hold out much hope for getting back the cash. However, she called the restaurant, just in case. Fournier was surprised to discover the $ 100 had been found just where it had fallen.

    3     Bridget Patterson, a 17-year,-old-employee of the restaurant, was cleaning up shortly before closing time when she discovered the bill on the floor. Patterson put the money in an envelope, and took a’ photo of the area where she’d found it and put it under her manager’s door with a’ note of explanation.

Fournier returned to get the money.     4     She was surprised, honestly, that Patterson would go to all that trouble.

For Patterson’s part, doing anything — but returning the money never crossed her mind.     5     “If it had been the other way around, I’d want someone to do the same thing,” she said.

A．Her first thought was to put it in her pocket.

B．Fournier thought she would be getting it back.

C．Moreover, she never expected anything in return.

D．In her pocket, Fournier had her cellphone and a $100 bill.

E．She also brought along a card and a cash gift to express her thanks.

F．After searching everywhere, she decided that maybe it fell out at the restaurant.

G．When Fournier called, she heard the story of how Patterson had turned in the cash she’d found.

2 . A newly published study shows that chess players perform objectively worse and — make more suboptimal (次最优的) moves when there is more fine particulate matter (颗粒物) in the air.

“We find that when individuals are exposed to higher levels of air pollution, they make more mistakes, and they make larger mistakes,” says Juan Palacios, a co-author of a newly published paper detailing the study’s findings.

Scholars have produced many studies exploring the effects of air pollution on cognition. The current study adds to that literature by analyzing the subject in a particularly controlled setting. The scholars used three web-connected sensors inside the tournament venue to measure carbon dioxide, PM2.5 concentrations, and temperature, all of which, can, be affected by external conditions, even in an indoor setting.

To evaluate the matter of performance of players, meanwhile, the scholars used software programs that assess each move made in each chess match, identify optimal decisions, and flag significant errors. During the tournaments, the researchers examined and ruled out alternate potential explanations for the dip in player performance, such as increased noise. They also found that carbon dioxide and temperature changes did not correspond to performance changes. Ultimately, the analysis confirms that the findings are driven by the direct exposure to air particles.

The researchers also found that when air pollution was worse, the chess, players performed even more poorly when under time constraints. The tourmament rules required that 40 moves had to be made within 110 minutes; for moves 31-40 in all, the matches, an air pollution, increase of 10 micro-grams per cubic meter led to an increased probability of error of 3.2 percent, with the magnitude of those errors increasing by 17.3 percent. And while the focus of this particular study is tightly focused on chess players, the findings have strong implications for high-skilled office workers.

1. What does the study find about air pollution?

A．It becomes more and more serious in the gym.

B．It can help evaluate chess players’ performance.

C．It may affect more people with mental processes.

D．It can’t be affected by indoor surroundings.

2. Why were software programs used in the study?

A．To measure carbon dioxide and temperature.

B．To assess the performance of players.

C．To help players make great moves.

D．To distinguish players’ errors in time.

3. What does the underlined word “constraints” probably mean?

A．Limit.

B．Freedom.

C．Consumption.

D．Measurement.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Various reasons for chess players’ mistakes.

B．A new research on chess players’ performance.

C．Scholars’ concern about chess players’ health.

D．The influence of air pollution on chess players.

3 . 13-Day Arnhem Land Adventure

Nhulunbuy-Darwin

From $12, 395 pp twin share (pp=per person)

Fully accommodated

Trip lasts from May to Sep. 2023

Call 1800：688 222

outbackspirittours. com. au

Discover an unknown land on this special adventure through the heart of Arnhem Land. Travelling from Nhulunbuy to Darwin, you’ll journey through areas that no other tour company can take you, and that few outsiders have ever seen. Along the way, stay in our network of luxurious safari camps (豪华的游猎营地) and wilderness houses, including the Seven Spirit Bay on the Cobourg Peninsula. As part of the adventure, you’ll also enjoy real cultural activities with indigenous (土著的) guides, learning about this place from those who know it best.

Most exciting parts of the adventure include:

·Spend 7 nights in our network of safari camps and houses

·Discover the Arafura Swamp, location for the film “Ten Canoes”

·View ancient rock art galleries and sail in wetlands at Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris, Mount Borradaile

·Enjoy a Welcome to Country performance at Yirrkala

·Explore a historic Victoria Settlement at Port Essington, Circa 1838

·Discover the waters of the Cobourg Marine Park Sanctuary

·Fish for barramundi & enjoy breathtaking sea adventures

1. What do we know about this trip?

A．It starts at Arnhem Land.

B．It will be organised for September first.

C．It requires every visitor to spend at least $12,395.

D．It asks people to pay additional money for their accommodation.

2. What service does the trip provide for visitors?

A．Exploring Amhem Land deeply like other companies do.

B．Experiencing local culture with indigenous guides.

C．Travelling with experienced outsiders.

D．Making camp in the wild.

3. What is one of the most attractive parts of this adventure?

A．Having chances to cook fish alone.

B．Visiting historical sites at Yirrkala.

C．Spending nights at safari camps.

D．Taking part in making a film.

4 . The plot of the story of “The Million Pound Bank Note” centers on the impossibility of encashing (兑现) a high valued bank note by a common man. Within this story it is narrated (叙述) that only two such notes were ever issued and anyone who walks into a bank to cash that note will get himself in trouble. So, do such million pound bank notes really exist? Let’s do a bit of digging around for the purpose of satisfying the curiosity over this question.

Such high valued pound bank notes do exist, and they were usually used for transactions (交易) within banks. The Bank of England used “one million” and “hundred million” pound bank notes to keep parity (等价) with bank notes issued by Scottish and Northern Irish banks. These notes — the one million ones were called “giants” and came in A5 size and the hundred million ones were called “titans” having an A4 size — were more like IOU documents (legal forms that describe a loan between a lender and a borrower) and they were special issues from the Bank of England to meet the requirement of backing the value of everyday notes issued by banks in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Nine such one million pound notes were issued in connection with the Marshall Plan (the US’s post-war aid program to Western Europe), equal to the loan from the US after World War II (WWII) in 1948. After cancellation (取消), of these nine only seven were destroyed and two survived with private collectors. Such high valued notes are not usually found in the normal transactional scenes and it is believed that notes worth eight billion pounds were printed in these heavy denominations (面额) in total.

Mark Twain can create humor from narrations of unrealistic (不现实的) and often funny simple situations and “The Million Pound Bank Note” is a nice example of his storytelling abilities.

1. Why does the author mention “The Million Pound Bank Note” in paragraph 1?

A．To bring up the topic.	B．To question the readers.
C．To retell the famous story.	D．To support the topic.

2. What can we learn about “giants” and “titans”?

A．They were the same size.	B．They were sold at a discount.
C．They were issued by banks in Scotland.	D．They were mainly used within banks.

3. What do we know about the nine 1948 one million pound notes?

A．Seven of them were destroyed in WWII.

B．Two of them became private collections.

C．All are worth eight billion pounds now.

D．All were used by the public at that time.

4. What does the author want to do in the last paragraph?

A．To show Mark Twain’s humor.

B．To praise Mark Twain and his work.

C．To introduce “The Million Pound Bank Note”.

D．To uncover Mark Twain’s attitude towards society.

5 . Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s love of water started at an early age. Born on 11 June, 1910 in Saint-André-de-Cubzac, France, by the age of just four he’d already learned to swim. Though he was pretty bad at school, he had a gift for understanding mechanical objects. As a teenager, he bought a movie camera, took it apart to understand how it worked and then put it back together again. He used it to create home movies.

In 1930, Jacques joined the French Naval Academy and planned to become a pilot, but three years later he had a car accident and got injured. To regain his power, doctors suggested that he swim, and during his travels with the French Navy in 1936 a friend gave him some goggles (护目镜) to help him see underwater. His plans to take to the sky might have been killed but luckily his eyes were opened to a magical world under the sea.

In 1950, Jacques got hold of an old British warship and turned it into a research vessel (船) that he named the RV Calypso. He used it to sail around the world and as a base for exploring underwater habitats and shipwrecks (遇难船) — from the Antarctic to the Amazon. But he soon realized that to collect money for his research he needed to get the public interested, so he began writing books and making TV series about his adventures. He finally won three Oscars for his films.

In the 1960s, Jacques joined in three futuristic projects to build underwater labs, nicknamed Conshelf Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ. And in 1963 he and five other researchers spent 30 days living under the sea! During his many explorations, Jacques began to notice the harm humans were doing to the sea, so in 1973 he set up the Cousteau Society for the Protection of Ocean Life.

Jacques spent the rest of his life supporting environmental causes such as banning whale hunting. He died in 1997, but will always be remembered for his pioneering underwater exploration!

1. What opened the door for Jacques to explore the sea?

A．His experience of learning to swim.	B．His experience of traveling with the French Navy.
C．His doctor’s encouragement.	D．His friend’s suggestions.

2. Why did Jacques start to write books?

A．To afford his trip to Britain.	B．To follow his dreams of filming.
C．To raise money for his research.	D．To share his trips with the public.

3. What did Jacques find when he explored the sea?

A．Humans knew little about the sea.

B．Humans had harmed the sea a lot.

C．Humans did a great job in protecting the sea.

D．Humans should be spending more money on researching the sea.

4. This text is mainly developed by ______.

A．following the time order	B．making comparisons
C．examining differences	D．giving examples

6 . I am a middle school student. I have a lot of classes and homework every day. I have a bad memory and I often forget(忘记)my family’s birthdays. But I don’t forget my mum’s birthday today. I want to buy her a present.

There is a big store near my school. It sells many things. From the store, you can buy food, clothes, shoes and some other daily things. So, I go to the store and want to choose a present for my mum. I want to buy a beautiful skirt, but I don’t have enough money(钱). At last, I go to a flower shop and buy a rose.

After I get home, I give the rose to my mum and say, “Happy birthday, dear mum. It is 14 October today. I don’t forget your birthday.”

My mum is very happy and she says, “Thank you, my son. But my birthday is tomorrow.”

1. What does the underlined(画线的) word “memory” mean?

A．品德

B．脾气

C．记性

D．兴趣

2. Why does this boy often forget his family’s birthday?

A．Because he doesn't like his family.	B．Because he has many classes.
C．Because he has a bad memory.	D．Because he has much homework.

3. What does the boy want to buy for his mum at first(起初)?

A．Cake.

B．A skirt.

C．Shoes.

D．Food.

4. What does the boy buy at last(最后)?

A．A skirt.

B．A shirt.

C．A cake.

D．A flower.

5. The boy’s mother’s birthday is on      .

A．15 October

B．14 October

C．13 October

D．16 October

7 .

Mike	I like to make friends. Victor is one of my best friends. He is as outgoing as me. We became friends when I was ten years old. We both like sports very much. We play tennis three times a week and play basketball twice a week.
Monica	I am a little quiet. My best friend Grace is different from me. She is very outgoing and funny. She likes going to parties and dancing very much. She likes swing dance best.
Tara	My best friend is Lisa. She is very outgoing and friendly. I am similar to her. We became friends three years ago. Lisa is also hard-working. She studies better than me and she always helps me with my math.
Eric	My best friend is Ben. He is two years older than me.He is quiet. He is good at drawing. He joined an art club a week ago. I am different from him. I'm outgoing and I like singing and swimming.

1. When did Mike and Victor become friends?

A．When Victor was ten years old.	B．When Mike was ten years old.
C．Three years ago.	D．Ten years ago.

2. From the above information, we know Lisa________.

A．likes swing dance best	B．plays basketball twice a week
C．is good at drawing	D．is good at math

3. Eric’s best friend Ben_________.

A．is two years younger than him	B．joined an art club a week ago
C．likes singing and swimming	D．is the same as Eric

8 . Teen Dating（青少年约会）can be fun if you are aware of its pros and cons(优缺点) and are also aware of the ways to protect yourself. There are a couple of suggestions you would like to know before you are out for dating.

Do not go out for dating with somebody whom you have seen only a few times and does not know much about him or her.

Before leaving on a date, know the exact plans for the evening and make sure a parent or friend knows these plans and what time to expect you home. Let your date know that you are expected to call or tell that person when you get in.

Similarly, if you leave a party with someone you do not know well, make sure you tell another person you are leaving and with whom. Ask a friend to call and make sure you arrive home safely.

No matter how good the person appears to you, trust your inner instincts (直感). If a situation makes you uncomfortable, try to stay calm and think of a way to remove yourself from the situation without letting your date realize what is going on in your mind.

Be aware of your decreased ability to react under the influence of alcohol or drugs and keep yourself in control when out for a date.

Always stay firm, straightforward and clear in your relationships, thoughts, decisions and judgments. Never let a doubt come to your mind or face when out for dating. If you are firm and clear in your communication, your date will always be careful in dealing with you.

You should think ahead about ways to be safe if you are in a dangerous or potentially dangerous relationship. Adults, like parents, teachers, counselors, can be trusted in such cases.

1. Which of the following is forbidden（禁止）when dating according to the passage?

A．Going out for dating with a stranger.

B．Knowing the plan for the evening.

C．Telling your parents about the date.

D．Telling the person you date that your parents know about the date.

2. The underlined word “date ” in the third paragraph might mean ________.

A．a time	B．a plan
C．a person	D．a place

3. If you feel uncomfortable, you should NOT _______.

A．leave as soon as possible	B．tell your date what you are thinking
C．stay calm	D．trust yourself

4. The best title for this passage might be ________ .

A．Be careful with your friends	B．Never go out dating
C．Safety measures for teen dating	D．Dating out is always dangerous

9 . A conversation is a meeting of two unique minds, and every person has something of value to share. Then what are the secrets of adding value to our daily casual conversations?

    1    

It’s easy to see when someone is only excited about hearing his own voice and it makes you doubt whether he’s listening to anyone else’s thoughts. If you have something valuable say, five minutes of listening won’t change that. What the other person says may not only change your original thoughts.     2    .

Ask a few questions

Another way to add value to a conversation is to ask questions.     3    . Questions don’t have to be smart. If someone told you about his new dog, something as simple as “How have the kids reacted?” can allow him to spend an extra minute explaining what the change has meant to him.

Offer proper suggestions

This is a step a lot of people miss.     4    . For example, if the other person mentions an ability or connection you have but isn’t sure how he could make use of it, feel free to offer suggestions about how you could see it playing out. As you start focusing on how you can add value to others, you’ll begin to build deep, lasting relationships.

Ask what you can do to help

There are two sides to this coin. You’ll immediately stand out in a crowd if you offer to help someone. But make sure you’re truly able to deliver on your promise. You’ll build a valuable relationship if you offer to help and follow through.

    5    . But it takes time to create good conversational habits. Pick one tip from the list and focus on practicing it in your daily conversations. You’ll never regret the time you take to create habits that bring value and meaning to your conversations with others.

A．It also can make your talk more valuable.

B．Don’t get too absorbed in “your moment”.

C．As you ask questions, keep the key points in mind.

D．Valuable conversations lead to meaningful relationships.

E．Ask at least one question before moving on to a new topic.

F．They will remember that you made the effort to help them.

G．But it’s very important in adding value to the conversation.

10 . Take a step back in time and enjoy these once-in-a-lifetime train journeys.

The Rocky Mountaineer

Most notable are the wonderful views from your seat thanks to the big glass windows that bring the outside in along with good meals.

There are four roads to take. A favorite is the Coastal Package, which provides special Pacific Ocean views from Seattle to Vancouver before traveling through the Canadian borders.

One-to-fourteen-night packages are available.

Minimum price: $600.

Seven Stars in Kyushu

Considered one of Japan’s best trains, this service features (以……为特征) only seven carriages and 14 rooms. The train name, Seven Stars, stands for the seven most important aspects of the journey to Kyushu: the quality of the service, food, nature, hot springs, power spot, the friendliness of its people and history. Choose from a one-night trip or a four-day journey that takes you around the island in southern Japan.

Minimum price: $1,600.

The Maharajas’ Express

There’s no better way to take in the Taj Mahal than on Maharajas’ Express. Each of the 14 guest carriages is named after the famous jewels of the various Maharajas. The Presidential Suite includes an entire carriage, while all the other suites feature large windows. There are seven journeys throughout India to choose from, including one of their newest, The Southern Jewels.

Minimum price: $1,100.

The Belmond Andean Explorer

Named as South America’s best sleeper train and one of the most adventurous rail lines in the world, Peru’s Belmond Andean Explorer will take you on a one-or-two-night journey to experience the highlights from Cusco to Arequipa. Each of the 24 rooms on the train has its own bathroom, shower, and oxygen tanks & masks should the altitude start to get to you. There’s even an onboard SPA!

Minimum price : $680.

1. What’s the special use of the big glass windows on the Rocky Mountaineer train?

A．To bring in more fresh air.	B．To light up the meal tables.
C．To give passengers a better view.	D．To make the train more beautiful.

2. What does the train’s name “Seven Stars” represent?

A．The days of journey.	B．The number of the train’s carriages.
C．The important aspects of the train.	D．The features of the trip to Kyushu.

3. For which trip might the tourists need oxygen masks?

A．The Rocky Mountaineer.	B．The Belmond Andean Explorer.
C．Seven Stars in Kyushu.	D．The Maharajas’ Express.