1 . Are you a sports lover looking for skill development in the off­-season (淡季)?

Joy of the Game (JG) has been working for the past 10 years. Come and join JG to develop skills as you prepare for next season.

Classroom Information
Ages	Boys 8th — 12th Grade
Skills	All Skill Levels
Days	Sunday (A 10­-Day Program) Half Day：Morning：9:00 am－12:00 pm Afternoon：1:00 pm－4:00 pm Full Day：9:00 am－4:00 pm
Schedule(课程)	Morning Period ( 9:00 am－12:00 pm )：Basketball, Volleyball, Floor Hockey Lunch Break：12:00 pm－1:00 pm ( Kids Must Bring Their Own Lunch ) Afternoon Period ( 1:00 pm－4:00 pm )：Basketball, Floor Hockey (室内曲棍球), Soccer, Relay Races (接力赛)
Costs	Half Day：$ 50 a day Full Day：$ 90 a day

1. Who can join JG according to the information?

A．A girl in the 8th grade.

B．A girl who likes playing volleyball.

C．A boy in the 11th grade.

D．A boy who wants to improve baseball skills.

2. Allan likes soccer very much, so he can choose the class ________．

A．any time on Sunday	B．from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
C．from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm	D．from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

3. The passage is probably taken from a ________.

A．sports magazine

B．novel

C．storybook

D．science book

2 . Lion dance is a valued tradition deeply rooted in South China’s Guangdong province and among Chinese communities in Southeast Asian countries. Historically, this art form was only practiced by men. However, a unique team consisting entirely of teenage girls stands out among all the male groups — they are the Nanxing Hexingtang Women’s Lion Dance Team from the town of Ren he in Guangzhou.

Nearly every village in Guangzhou has its own lion dance team. Yet as of 2018, Hexingtang had only male participants. As there was a decline in the number of young people practicing lion dance, it accepted a few young girls. The journey was far from smooth for the girls. They were once hired to perform for a family on the first day of Chinese New Year. When the family realized that it was the girls who would be performing, they erupted in anger and chased them away. Then Hexingtang decided to formally establish a women’s team to make the female lion dance leagal. They customized flags and banners printed with “women’s team”, crafted pink and purple lion heads, which are rarely seen in male lion dance, and even fashioned a lion head looking like the image of the female general Mu Guiying, a famous figure in Yue Opera.

It was hoped that after the girls won awards and proved themselves, they might be accepted by more people. Their breakthrough came in 2021 when the girls beat all-male teams and won the first prize in a competition in Guangzhou’s Baiyun district. The following year, at the 16th Guangdong Provincial Games, the girls once again got the top prize in the junior group, representing Guangzhou. Since then, they have continued to win awards. In the recent Maofeng Mountain competition just before Spring Festival in Guangzhou, the team performed a routine titled “Tramping Over Mountains and Hills Step by Step”, which mirrors the growth journey of these girls themselves as they navigate through numerous challenges. Behind this near-perfect performance is girls’ dedication and hard work.

Lion dance is not easy, especially for girls, as it demands significant strength and mastery of martial arts movements. However, girls possess unique advantages and can cultivate a distinctive style. Girls typically have a keen understanding of music, performing perfectly in both lion and instrument roles. Furthermore, their superior physical flexibility allows them to complete difficult moves. Most importantly, their sensitivity enables them to capture the expressions and behaviors of lions.

1. What do we know about lion dance?

A．It is a tradition rooted in all Asian countries.

B．Only men could practice lion dance in the past.

C．Every village in Guangzhou has its own lion dance team.

D．It’s easy for people to practice.

2. What does the underlined word “fashioned” in paragraph 2mean?

A．made.

B．bought.

C．painted.

D．had.

3. What was the turning point for women’s team?

A．They performed for a family on the first day of Chinese New Year.

B．They performed a routine titled “Tramping Over Mountains and Hills Step by Step”.

C．They won the first prize in a competition in Guangzhou’s Baiyun district.

D．They won the top prize in the junior group at the 16th Guangdang Provincial Games.

4. Which is not a unique advantage of girls in lion dance?

A．They can complete difficult moves with superior physical flexibility.

B．They have great strength and master martial arts movements.

C．They have a keen understanding of music, performing perfectly in different roles.

D．They can capture the expressions and behaviors of lions with sensitivity.

3 . “Pop” stands for popular, and a pop singer has to work very hard to stay popular. He must either give the public what they want, or he must find a new way of singing that will attract their attention. Even when he has succeeded, and his records are sold everywhere, he cannot relax. Then he must work harder than ever to remain popular, because there are always younger singers trying to become famous and to steal some of the popularity.

The life of a successful pop singer isn’t easy at all. He can only relax when he is alone, because everything he does is watched and reported in the special newspaper written for the fans. The fans are the most important people in the world for the singer. They buy his records, they go to his concerts, and they make him rich and famous. But they can be very annoying, too. Sometimes their enthusiasm (热情) is so hysterical (歇斯底里的) that they do anything to get a souvenir (纪念品). They steal handkerchief, they tear off buttons, and they even cut off pieces of unfortunate singer’s hair. Many singers have been forced to hide, and some who have not been so lucky as to escape have been stripped (剥) practically naked by their fans. A pop singer has to spend a lot of money on clothes because he must always look smart, or at any rate, different. He must have a luxurious (豪华的) car. And most importantly, he must always keep smiling for the benefit of his public.

1. Pop singer works very hard ___________.

A．to get attention

B．to stay popular

C．to get more money

D．to sell more records

2. The underlined word “annoying” in the second paragraph means__________.

A．lovely

B．friendly

C．boring

D．angry

3. A pop singer has a lot of clothes in order to keep himself _________.

A．smart and the same

B．smart and different

C．healthy and young

D．rich and strong

4. A suitable title for this passage might be _______.

A．The Way to Become a Pop Singer

B．The Fans of the Pop Singer

C．The Pop Singers

D．The Success of Pop Singers

4 . In the heart of a harsh winter, Ma Yuxing and his family found themselves caught in an unexpected blizzard as they returned to Xinjiang after the Spring Festival. The storm forced them to leave the highway and seek shelter in Guazhou Coupty, Gansu, where the local community’s warmth would soon thaw their cold predicament.

Amidst the snowstorm, local authorities rapidly transformed schools and gymnasiums into temporary shelters for stranded (受困的) travelers like Ma and his family. Despite the freezing temperatures and growing demand for accommodation, the people of Guazhou sprang into action, providing food, warmth, and medical assistance to everyone in need.

The generosity of the Guazhou residents knew no bounds. Local citizens, like Wang Yang, opened their homes to strangers, embodying a spirit of communal support and hospitality. The local governmen, along with various organizations and businesses, coordinated effectively to distribute essential supplies and ensure the safety and comfort of all stranded individuals.

This story of snowstorm turned unity highlights the kind nature of the Guazhou community, a testament to human kindness in the face of natural disaster.

1. What caused Ma Yuxing and his family to seek shelter in Guazhou County?

A．They were on holiday in Guazhou.	B．They were visiting relatives in the area.
C．They were stranded due to a snowstorm.	D．They decided to move to Guazhou.

2. How did the Guazhou community respond to the stranded travelers?

A．They ignored the travelers’ plight.

B．They provided temporary accommodation and essentials.

C．They charged a small fee for their services.

D．They offered jobs to the stranded individuals.

3. We can infer about the residents of Guazhou based-en their actions during the crisis EXCEPT?

A．They are kind to others’ suffering.

B．They provided accommodation to the strangers.

C．They are selfless and warm-hearted.

D．They are well-prepared for natural disasters.

4. Use an adjective to describe the characteristic of Guazhou people as depicted in the story.

A．in different

B．warm-hearted

C．unfriendly

D．selfish

5 . Ways the Pandemic Has Changed Our Relationship with Food for the Better

Some of food-related behavior changes have the potential to become new habits with long-term benefits. Here are five eating-related behaviors that might be kept after the pandemic.

1. Eating family meals together

For the first time, some kids now have two parents home for weeknight dinners.     1     That highlights the importance of eating together when you can. Research has found that eating as a family helps kids have better self-esteem, more success in school, and lower risk of depression.

2. Kids learning to cook

Some families are making time to get kids involved in the kitchen.     2     Start with the basics by letting your child arrange simple snacks on a plate. It’s never too title, too early or too late to start giving kids some things to do in the kitchen.

3. Eating more plant-based proteins

People are trying tofu and homemade veggie burgers and finding out that, with the right recipes, these foods can be delicious. Alternatives to animal protein benefit the health of individuals and our planet.     3    

4. Buying food locally and lending a hand in the hunger crisis

Problems in the food supply chain that-have been significant during the pandemic have prompted people to seek local sources of food.     4     Hopefully this trend deepens our appreciation for who and what it takes to bring food to our table.

5. Changing mindsets about fitness to include self-worth

Eating is one of the most basic ways we take care of ourselves, and recent things have people rethinking how they define fitness. Take pride in both big and small changes you’ve recently put into practice.     5     It is hoped that what people maintain after the pandemic is more friendliness toward themselves as eaters.

A．Indeed, people tend to think differently about vegetables.

B．In contrast, kids of frontline workers may eat more meals away from their parents.

C．Sales of local produce and community-supported agriculture programs have increased greatly.

D．Don’t lose heart if it seems every kid but yours can cook nicely.

E．However, it might be too hard for overworked parents.

F．They might tum into brand new habits with benefits in the long run.

G．This doesn’t mean you need to become vegetarian, but you can start thinking about meat differently.

6 . One Saturday morning, Apple Inc’s iPad table computer (平板电脑) went on sale in the United States stores across the country. The iPad can be bought in more than 200 U.S. Apple stores from Apple. Many fans even waited overnight outside some Apple stores, hoping to be the first to get one. Dozens of the people were waiting before the door opened at 9:00 a.m. Hiro Kishimoto, a Japanese computer researcher who had a meeting in San Francisco, came as early as 5:00 a.m. He wanted to read books and magazines with the iPad. “It’s much more comfortable than a laptop (手提电脑). Because the laptop is too heavy to carry all the time, when you are in the living rooms, maybe the iPad is the best one to use.” He said. The iPad models that hit the U.S. Market on Saturday with price starting from 499 dollars, only have Wi Fi (无线宽带) link to the Internet. Apple models that have both Wi Fi and 3G will be on sale in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switland and the UK in late April. With a 9.7-inch touch screen like books and magazines, iPad can let users finish many tasks including making the web, watching videos, playing games and reading e-books. Apple is trying to remake the tablet computer. The iPad doesn’t support Adobe’s Flash software (多媒体软件) that is used to watch many of the videos on the web. “It is short of a keyboard, a mouse, USB ports and multi-tasking.” some researchers said.

1. People waited outside Apple stores early, because ________.

A．they could get a gift when the store opened	B．the price of the iPad was low at first
C．they were eager (渴望) to own the iPad	D．there were a few iPads on sale

2. Hiro Kishimoto ________.

A．is from San Francisco	B．came to an Apple store at 5:00 p.m.
C．wanted to buy an iPhone there	D．thought laptops were too heavy

3. The iPad models that hit the US market on Saturday with price at least ________.

A．￥299

B．$299

C．￥499

D．$499

4. People can buy iPad computers in ________ in late April.

A．Canada, France and Russia	B．China, Japan and France
C．Spain, Australia and Germany	D．Italy, the UK and Greek

5. Which of the following is not true about the iPad?

A．It has a keyboard and a mouse.	B．It has a 9.7-inch touch screen.
C．People can read e-books with it.	D．People can play games with it.

7 . Have you ever had an embarrassing experience? Last week we asked readers to tell us about embarrassing experiences. We received thousands of letters! Here is a selection.

Tony: My most embarrassing experience happened when I had just left university. I had just started teaching in a Liverpool middle school. One morning my alarm clock didn’t ring. I woke up at half past eight and school began at nine. I quickly washed, dressed, jumped into my car and rushed to school. When I arrived, the students had already gone into class. I didn’t go to the office, but went straight into class. After two or three minutes the students began laughing, and I couldn’t understand why! Suddenly I looked down and understood. I had put on one black shoe and one brown shoe!

Henry: The most embarrassing experience I’ve ever had happened two years ago. After seeing a film, my wife and I had lunch in our favorite restaurant in town. Then we decided to take a walk along the street. The street was very busy and we started holding hands. Suddenly my wife saw a dress that she liked in a shop window, and stopped. I started looking at some watches in the next window. After a minute or two I reached for my wife’s hand. There was a loud scream, and a woman slapped my face. I hadn’t taken my wife’s hand. I’d taken the hand of a complete stranger (陌生人)!

1. Tony arrived at school late that morning because ________.

A．he couldn’t find hid shoes	B．his alarm clock didn’t ring
C．he washed and dressed slowly	D．his car went wrong on the way

2. The students began laughing when they saw Tony ________.

A．wearing a wrong shoe	B．his alarm clock didn’t ring
C．looking down suddenly	D．rushing into the classroom

3. Henry and his wife held hands ________.

A．at the cinema	B．in the shop
C．at the restaurant	D．along the street

4. What does the underlined word “scream” mean in Chinese?

A．尖叫声

B．笑声

C．哭声

D．呼救声

5. Henry was embarrassed because he ________.

A．slapped the woman in the face	B．took the hand of a complete stranger
C．heard his wife screaming in the street	D．knocked over some watches in the shops

8 . Billions of insects are moving together over the sky like a black cloud. It’s a swarm of locusts. Many insects move in huge swarms. They form swarms for different reasons. Some move together to look for food or to find new homes. Sometimes insects swarm for protection. These enormous swarms can destroy food crops and harm other living things.

When something disturbs a red fire ants’ nest, out they will come. Not just one or two, but thousands of them. The fire ants swarm all over their victim. Their stings burn like fire. Each ant in the swarm can sting over and over again. The fire ants hold onto their victim with their mouth parts. Then they inject their prey with poison. Most small animals cannot survive the stings from a swarm of fire ants.

When army ants are on the move, anything in their path is prey. Even snakes can’t escape a swarm of these stinging ants. Army ants move together to look for food. They can’t see their prey, but they use smells and sounds to find their way. If they come to a river, they make a bridge with their bodies. They cling together with their legs. Then the rest of the ants can cross the bridge. There is not much that can stop these fierce and cruel ants from chasing their prey.

Insects are not the only animals that swarm. There are many others that do. Most are not harmful to people. Being close to a huge swarm of animals can be scary and dangerous. Some scientists have studied animal swarms. They have found that many swarms follow simple rules. They work together to solve problems. When they work together they are a very strong team.

1. What does the underlined word “swarm” in Paragraph 1 mean?

A．To force a liquid into something.	B．To hold onto something tightly.
C．To move together in a large group.	D．To watch over something.

2. What can we learn about fire ants from the text?

A．Their stings contain a kind of poison and are deadly to most small animals.

B．They can destroy food crops and are harmful to other living things.

C．When they move together, they are called “a swarm of locusts”.

D．They move in swarms to make new nests in different places.

3. Which of the following can be the proper feature of army ants according to the text?

A．Blind and smelly.	B．Angry and violent.
C．Scary and dangerous.	D．Strong and fast.

4. What is the most suitable title for the text?

A．Moving Nests	B．Stinging Fire Ants
C．A Moving Army	D．Swarms of Animals

9 . It was 6 a.m. as I got on the train, ending my work one cold morning and I was lucky to get a seat. At that time of the morning, my eyes were not fully focused and at times I was half asleep. During that time the train was usually filled with construction workers heading out to start their work. On that particular morning I found myself drawn on the shoes of men sitting about 10 seats across from me.

I sat examining the shoes of men. Men from different walks of life, holding different jobs, thinking different thoughts, living different lives and despite what they did and how they looked, they all had something in common. They were all of the working class trying to achieve their dreams.

One day each of those men has to visit a shoe store to buy a new pair of shoes, a type that fits their working needs. For a short time those shoes look so good. Then one day they lose their shine; they no longer look as good, but guess what? The shoes feel right. Feet have found their own home within the comfort of those shoes.

If those shoes could talk, what kind of a tale do you think they would tell? If your shoes could talk, what do you think they would say about you? Would the story be about a journey filled with joy and fun? Or would the story be one filled with disappointment and regret?

We choose the shoes. Where we take them and when and how we wear them are up to us.

1. What can be inferred from the first paragraph?

A．It was cold that morning.

B．The author went to work by train.

C．The author worked during the night.

D．Construction workers usually began to work at 7 a.m.

2. How did the author draw the conclusion that all of the men were working class?

A．By closely observing their shoes.	B．According to the way they walked.
C．On the basis of the lives they lived.	D．By distinguishing their facial features.

3. What does the author think of the shoes then one day?

A．Fashionable.

B．Good.

C．Shiny.

D．Comfortable.

4. Where can the text probably be found?

A．In a news report.

B．In a magazine.

C．In a biography.

D．In a history book.

10 . Many factors in our life can lead to anxiety and stress. Luckily, there are several simple ways of relieving stress. Most of these steps are responsible for the improvement of your overall health as well.     1     Physical activity leads to a lowering of the overall stress levels and it also improves your quality of life both physically and mentally.

Any physical activity improves the capability of your body to use oxygen and it also leads to better blood flow.     2     Exercise increases the production of endorphins(内啡肽) in the brain. The endorphins are responsible for the “feel good” effect you feel and they also provide you with the much-desired “runner's high”. In simple terms, it is the sense of wellbeing people receive after performing the exercise.

    3     How do you choose the best physical activity for your exercise? There is no need for you to be an outstanding athlete or a long-distance runner to achieve stress relief. For instance, you can perform some aerobic exercise (有氧运动) such as jogging and dancing.     4     Doctors can help you develop an effective and safe exercise routine while taking into account your fitness level and the conditions you are suffering from.

Keep in mind that any kind of exercise will improve your fitness and reduce stress levels. You can also combine the activities till you have found the most enjoyable one. If you do not enjoy going near the water, never take swimming as a form of exercise. If the thoughts of running result in making you anxious, do not choose to train for a 5-kilometer race.     5    

A．Diet and exercise are proven equally important.

B．There are many ways to meet your exercise target.

C．One of the best strategies to reduce stress is exercise.

D．Both these things lead to a direct good effect on the brain.

E．Besides, it is also a good idea to consult your doctor for guidance.

F．It is necessary for you to make plans to form a healthy exercise habit.

G．Therefore, be sure to select an activity that you enjoy rather than fear.