1 . If you are feeling that life just cannot be any worse for you, it can be challenging to think positive thoughts.
★Begin and end each day with a “Thank you for this wonderful day!”
★When you see the gas prices hiking, say “
★When you are late for work, say “I am so happy and grateful for my job as I know that many don’t have one.”
★
★Write down what you’re grateful for each day. In moments when you’re feeling really down, read what you wrote before.
The key is to move yourself into a positive thought and keep it there long enough to make it a moment of peace.
| A．This will help uplift your spirits. |
| B．The more you practice, the happier you’ll be. |
| C．If you are having health problems, be grateful for what does work. |
| D．I am so glad that I am blessed to have a car in which to get around. |
| E．No matter what you have experienced, just enjoy your life every day. |
| F．But we can choose to think differently by beginning with the smallest of steps. |
| G．Life seems so unfair sometimes. |
2 . Fill your free time with these options on offer in New York City this month.
Pop & Rock
Dec. 1 at Webster Hall, Manhattan
On tour in support of her new release of Softscars, the singer and producer Nat Cmiel will play at Webster Hall on Sunday. A frequent subject of her songs is the solution to the tensions between digital and physical existence. Tickets are $25.
Family Concert
Dec. 10 at the Scheuer Auditorium, Manhattan
Joanie Leeds is adding her voice to those calling for children’s books in libraries and children’s classrooms. With a guitar and other musicians, she’ll celebrate the release of her new work, starting at 10: 30 a. m., in an hour-long concert intended to make young listeners first grow up and later sit down and read. Tickets to the concert are required to be reserved online, starting at $14. Children are admitted free.
Jazz
Dec. 20 at the Village Vanguard, Manhattan
Bold and carefree, Johnathan Blake has come to represent certain of present jazz. This week’s Vanguard stand features his My Life Matters, calling for people to let one another live and grow. Watching the performance of the band will have a lasting impression on you. Tickets are $40.
Sketch Comedy
Dec.22 at the Peoples Improv Theater, Manhattan
The Peoples Improv Theater is welcoming comedy troupes (剧团) across the country for a celebration and discussion of sketch comedy, with Birch & Caven as the opening show. Tickets start at $ 15 per show. Four-day passes are $79, and one-day passes are $30. Tickets are to be bought at the ticket office in person.
1. Whose song discusses digital and real-life interaction?| A．Nat Cmiel. | B．Joanie Leeds. | C．Birch & Caven. | D．Johnathan Blake. |
| A．At Webster Hall. | B．At the Scheuer Auditorium. |
| C．At the Village Vanguard. | D．At the Peoples Improv Theater. |
| A．Online tickets. | B．One-day passes. | C．Four-day passes. | D．Separate tickets. |
3 . With about 100,000 new cases diagnosed (诊断) annually, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the US.
“I have always been interested in biology and technology, and this challenge gave me the perfect platform to showcase my ideas,” Bekele said.
Shripriya, a ninth grader from California, won the second prize for her invention “EasyBZ”. This sticker-like patch can be used to administer medicine without pills or needles.
| A．Besides, it’s also expensive to treat. |
| B．The third place was Sarah Wang from Massachusetts. |
| C．After all, soap can be easily made and used worldwide. |
| D．It promotes the youth to learn science with interest. |
| E．People might not have the equipment to treat this disease. |
| F．The kid suffered great hunger and lack of proper education. |
| G．This is the 16th year of the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge. |
4 . Long-term exposure to low-frequency noise can cause many health problems, but the solution may be found in an unexpected object, a ping-pong ball. Conventionally thought of as the plastic balls that speed through the air during a fast-speed game of table tennis, with a few changes, ping-pong balls can help absorb the city noise.
Low-frequency noise is everywhere in cities, near roads, and by airports. Though potentially heard as background in the acoustic (声学的) landscape, it can lead to earaches, breathing problems and other long-term harmful effects. Because it is produced by a range of sources and is less affected by structures than higher-frequency sound, low-frequency noise can be challenging to avoid.
In Journal of Applied Physics, researchers from the University of Lille and the National Technical University of Athens describe an acoustic metasurface (超表面) that uses ping-pong balls to prevent sound passing through.
“Ping-pong balls are well-known, everyday objects, present in large numbers all over the world,” said author Robine Sabat. “Our motivation was to use these easily accessible objects to create a low-frequency soundproof panel structure. Ping-pong balls therefore present a suitable alternative to sound insulators.”
Acoustic metasurfaces are materials specially engineered to handle sound waves. This metasurface uses ping-pong balls with small holes, acting as Helmholtz resonators (共振器). More resonant frequencies meant the device was able to absorb more sound. At the success of two coupled resonators, the researchers added more, until their device looked like a square sheet of ping-pong balls covered with holes, multiplying the number of resonant frequencies that could be absorbed.
By adjusting the number of balls, number of holes, and hole sizes, the researchers could change the metasurface’s acoustic properties, proving it is possible to design a sound absorption panel without expensive materials.
“The potential of this metasurface extends beyond sound absorption,” said Sabat. “It can be broadened to achieve various functions similar to other metasurfaces. These functionalities include sound focusing, unconventional sound reflection and more.”
1. What makes low-frequency noise hard to avoid?| A．Its dull background. | B．Its covering range. |
| C．Its various sources. | D．Its surrounding structures. |
| A．Sources. | B．Levels. | C．Effects. | D．Barriers. |
| A．It costs little to make. | B．It has light weight. |
| C．It is convenient to use. | D．It is environmentally friendly. |
| A．Low-frequency Noise Can Cause Diseases |
| B．Ping-pong Balls Function Well as Sound Absorbers |
| C．Acoustic Metasurface Can Address Noise Problem |
| D．Ping-pong Balls Show Potential in Many Research Fields |
5 . People in Detroit, Michigan take their sport seriously. Comerica Park, the home of the Tigers, a baseball team, and the Little Caesars Arena, which is home to the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings and the NBA’s Detroit Pistons, draw enormous crowds. Far older than both is the Cadieux Café, on the eastern edge of the city. Locals there take part in a game called “feather bowling” most nights.
In the game, developed from Flanders, players roll a wooden wheel along a rough earth lane (路) towards a pigeon feather planted at the other end. The idea is to get your wheel as close as possible—while blocking those of the opposing team or knocking them out of the way.
Everyone in Grosse Pointe in Detroit plays feather bowling. Photos of champions line the wall of the Cadieux Café, which is founded in the 1930s by Belgian immigrants, says John Rutherford, a musician who has co-owned the place since 2019.
Having been preserved for the best part of a century, feather bowling is now spreading. A few other bars in Michigan have set up their own lanes. Having seen a video of people playing feather bowling at the Cadieux Café, Dave Plate decided it was exactly the game to bring to a large space he had rented, and flew to Michigan to learn it. Last year, he opened a bar with the game in a neighborhood in New York City. The lanes are now booked up for weekends in advance. Most of the players are young, and a growing number of parents are bringing their children, too.
Mr. Rutherford welcomes the copycats. The Cadieux Café, he says, could become to feather bowling what St. Andrews in Scotland is to golf: somewhere true fans will always want to play. But he’s critical of what competitors are offering—something like golf court. “For it to be truly feather bowling, you need a real dirt course like ours,” he says. Even worldwide, Detroit may now be a good place to play the game.
1. Where does the Detroit Pistons basketball team usually play?| A．At Comerica Park. | B．At Grosse Pointe. |
| C．At the Little Caesars Arena. | D．At the Cadieux Café. |
| A．It was held mainly in broad daylight. | B．Its players have to roll a wooden wheel. |
| C．Its competition rules are friendly and fun. | D．It was invented by the Belgians in the 1930s. |
| A．To praise his contributions to feather bowling. |
| B．To prove the limit of feather bowling in big cities. |
| C．To show the growing popularity of feather bowling. |
| D．To illustrate the importance of bowling for children. |
| A．A wooden court. | B．A grass court. | C．A concrete court. | D．A dirt court. |
6 . Every June, we have a tradition at our house. Our children are given bowls and asked to collect pieces of summer nature. They leave those bowls on the front doorstep and we go for a walk. When we return, we find fairies (仙女) have transformed the bowls’ contents into ice cream.
“When are the fairies coming?” Six-year-old Anna had been asking last June with expectation. Meanwhile, Joshua, nine, was getting wise to fairies and such silly things. As the evening arrived, the children collected leaves, grass and dead insects. We put their bowls on the front doorstep and we were on our walk. After a while, I said that I had forgotten my keys and needed to go back, but then I said I found them. Joshua smiled knowingly, and then was beginning to get a bit confused.
Back near our house, I warned that the fairies might not have arrived—we might need to walk a bit longer. Joshua seemed relieved. “Yes,” he said, “they probably hadn’t come.” Yet when we reached the front door, the bowls were in the same place we had left them—filled with ice cream.
Anna accepted all this with complete innocence. She felt happy, excited and eager to eat. But Joshua was astonished, speechless. He looked up at me, at his dad, then gazed around the neighborhood in amazement. “The fairies must have come,” he whispered as we all sat down to feast. “But was this really magic?”
I kissed Anna and Joshua good night, but at 2:00 a. m., Joshua crawled into bed next to me, whispering, “Mummy, how did you do it?”
I told my nine-year-old boy the truth. I had asked a neighbor to help us. Shortly after we left on our walk, she had slid over to our house and switched the bowls. Joshua smiled in relief and thanked me for telling him. Then he fell asleep. Just at that moment, I believed in magic, too.
1. What’s the author’s family tradition in June?| A．Lining up to greet the fairies. |
| B．Filling the bowls with charity food. |
| C．Attracting kids to nature with ice cream. |
| D．Teaching the kids to make ice cream. |
| A．She felt grateful neighbors are so kind. |
| B．She was pleased fairies had prepared them. |
| C．She was aware her mother had made them. |
| D．She felt relieved she finally went back home. |
| A．His appreciation of a neighbor’s kindness. |
| B．His excitement from the outdoor experience. |
| C．His strong desire to stay with his mother. |
| D．His curiosity about the source of the ice cream. |
| A．Collecting Fruit from Nature in Summer |
| B．Watching the Magic of Making Ice Cream |
| C．Revealing the Secret of Nature to Children |
| D．Growing up with the Ice Cream Fairy Tradition |
7 . The holidays can be a difficult time to stay on track with your fitness goals.
Planning is the best way to make sure you don’t lose track of your goals. Plan your workouts for the week and mark them in your schedule to assure they are a part of your day.
Exercise early.
Keep moving.
Research shows that getting up for just five minutes every 30 to 60 minutes and performing light activities reduces the risk of heart disease risk factors. Small efforts to get moving can help your overall health during the holidays. In addition to staying active, try to avoid sitting for long periods of time, such as when watching football games or eating.
Think out of the box.
The holidays are busy, but do your best to avoid the “all or nothing” mentality when it comes to physical activity.
| A．Plan ahead |
| B．Plan out your route before you go |
| C．Exercising in the morning is one of the biggest tips |
| D．Remember: too much sitting is harmful to your health |
| E．Your schedule will be filled with family gatherings and celebrations |
| F．Get creative with exercise and make physical activity a family affair |
| G．Rather than skipping the gym altogether, make time for a quick workout |
8 . New research from the University of Portsmouth has shown a marked increase in shipping in the North East Atlantic. Scientists now warn that more monitoring is required to help protect sea life.
Researchers at the University of Ponsmouth have discovered that rates (率) of shipping in the North East Atlantic area rose by 34 per cent in a five-year period. The research is the first detailed survey of shipping activity in the North East Atlantic. Researchers used data from over 530 million vessel (船) positions recorded by Automatic Identification System(AIS). They looked at the change in shipping between 2013 and 2017 across ten different vessel types. In total the study area covered 1.1 million km², including waters off Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany,Iceland, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal. Spain, and the UK.
Lead author, James Robbins said: “This change is likely to put more pressure on the marine (海洋的) environment, and may influence the protection of at-risk species. Renewed monitoring effort is needed to make sure that protective measures are enough to save species under threat in a changing environment.”
Some of the greatest shipping increases were found in areas close to the Spanish coast. The Espacio Marino de la Costa da Morte saw a rise of 413 percent in vessel activity. It is an area used to protect seabirds.
Dr. Sarah Marley, Visiting Researcher at the University of Portsmouth, said: “Shipping is the most widespread human activity in our oceans, carrying a set of threats-from unnoticeable effects like underwater noise pollution to serious results when ships hit whales.”
Professor Alex Ford. from the University’s Institute of Marine Sciences, said: “Given the well-documented effects that shipping can have on the marine environment, it is necessary that this situation continues to be monitored-particularly in areas used to protect vulnerable (脆弱的) species which may already be under pressure.”
1. What can we say about the new research?| A．It started in 2013. | B．It is the first of its kind. |
| C．It was carried out by AIS. | D．It covers the whole Atlantic. |
| A．Rapid population growth. |
| B．Rising global temperatures. |
| C．The huge increase in shipping. |
| D．The disappearance of marine life. |
| A．Shipping plays an important role in the local economy. |
| B．Shipping can be a danger to the marine environment. |
| C．Noise pollution is closely related to human activity. |
| D．Marine areas should be monitored more carefully. |
| A．New waterways across the Atlantic |
| B．The shipping industry in the North East Atlantic |
| C．New research opens windows into life under the water |
| D．Sea life needs better protection from an increase in shipping |
9 . Frosty Ridge Resort (FRR) is a popular tourist attraction with a long history. Do you want to join the proud tradition of service at FRR? Welcome to join us!
Parking Host
The responsibility of a parking host is to help guests properly park their vehicles (交通工具), informing guests of parking steps and answering questions. You must be at least 18 years of age. A driver’s license (执照) is required. It’s necessary to have a team player attitude and be able to work with people of diverse cultures. The ability to work with different groups of people in a calm and professional manner is also a must.
Child Care Provider
Previous child care experience is preferred. You should provide quality child care, by meeting the needs of various age groups and guest demands in a positive way. Show positive communication skills, and offer children funny activities. Climb stairs to work space and work at a desk or computer work station for one or two hours.
Ski InstructorTeach ski lessons to guests with the specific focus on students’ goals while emphasizing (强调) safety, fun and learning. You should be able to ski or snowboard. Great customer service skills and good adaptability are required. In particular, unlike the two positions above, you must work during the Christmas week.
1. What should people in the parking host position do?| A．Teach ski lessons to guests. |
| B．Help guests park their cars. |
| C．Look after guests’ children. |
| D．Answer questions from FRR director. |
| A．Being communicative. | B．Providing fun for guests. |
| C．Working during Christmas week. | D．Having related working experience. |
| A．Job hunters. | B．Project managers. | C．Local visitors. | D．College students. |
10 . It is late autumn—millions of gardeners across the northern hemisphere, pulled on their thickest sweaters, spent hours clearing large piles of leaves and packed them into plastic bags at the end of driveways.
In the US alone, nearly 10 million tonnes of garden waste go to landfill every year. That is a large amount of effort, not just from an environmental viewpoint but from that of our aching backs, too. So where does this advice come from? Well, it largely comes from the belief that thick fallen leaves can make plants under them unable to breathe, especially shorter grass. They shut down important photosynthesis (光合作用) and get in the way of the growth of the shorter grass. However, this received wisdom has recently been questioned by researchers at Wisconsin University.
The key finding of their new research was that although clearing fallen leaves is one of the most common gardening practices, it makes very little sense. In natural ecosystems, fallen leaves help return nutrients necessary for healthy plant growth to the soil, which greatly improves soil condition. Removing leaves year after year breaks this ecological (生态的) balance. Letting some leaves stick around to cover your garden is a great way to help your grass and the local ecosystem.
They further explained that if up to 50percent of your grass lawn (草坪) is covered by fallen leaves, you might as well go back indoors and put your feet up. The advantages of this light leaf coverage far outweigh the disadvantages—the leaves will quickly break down and help next year’s lawn grow far better than if you had cleared them. Only at over 50 percent coverage do the Wisconsin researchers recommend clearing.
So why not consider leaving the leaves? Save time, carbon and effort, and in exchange get a healthier lawn from this garden waste—that seems like a pretty good deal. And how many plastic bags could be saved by simply not binning fallen leaves every year? In the US alone, about 700 million.
1. What does the author describe in paragraph 1?| A．An amazing autumn game. | B．A common sight in gardens. |
| C．A hot attraction in the north. | D．An extreme weather event. |
| A．Fallen leaves need not be cleared. |
| B．Fallen leaves protect shorter grass. |
| C．Fallen leaves block photosynthesis. |
| D．Fallen leaves are hard to break down. |
| A．it ruins city image | B．it breaks gardening rules |
| C．it affects local economy | D．it causes ecological damage |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Positive. | C．Unclear. | D．Worried. |
