1 . A large flood caused by heavy rains and melting mountain snow recently hit America’s Yellowstone National Park. It caused widespread damage and resulted in many changes.

It changed the path of a river popular for fishing and also devastated hundreds of homes, bridges and roadways in nearby communities. It drove more than 10, 000 visitors out of the park. Luckily, no one was reported hurt. However, the park could remain closed for up to one week. The water also washed away camp structures, flooded small towns and cut power to parts of southern Montana and northern Wyoming.

The Yellowstone River was running at a historically high level of 4. 9 meters as it flowed past Billings, Montana’s largest city. The city got its water from the river and was forced to close its treatment plant (工厂) because it couldn’t operate effectively with water levels that high. Billings officials said the city only had a 24-hour supply of water. They were asking people to save water until the river could drop and the plant could restart operations.

Yellowstone officials said, “The northern half of the park is likely to remain closed over the summer. This will greatly affect local economies that depend on summer tourists. But we have faith in the park repairs and economic recovery.”

1. What does the underlined word “devastated” mean in Paragraph 2?

A．Ruined.

B．Promoted.

C．Challenged.

D．Demanded.

2. What can we learn from Paragraph 2?

A．The flood lasted quite long.	B．The flood left bad effects.
C．The flood was caused for some reasons.	D．The flood killed 10, 000 visitors.

3. What happened to the treatment plant in Billings after the flood?

A．It needed new equipment to supply water.	B．It cut down the city’s water supply for 24 hours.
C．It was forced to operate in 24 hours.	D．It stopped working.

4. What’s the Yellowstone officials’ attitude to the park repairs and economic recovery?

A．Positive.

B．Doubtful.

C．Uncertain.

D．Curious.

2 . As the largest part of the United Kingdom, England is home to many great places to visit. The following destinations are some of the best.

London

Of course, most visitors to England will arrive in London. It’s home to a long list of famous sights as well as beautiful green spaces. It also houses some of the best museums on the planet, many of which are free. See the city from above by riding the London Eye or run into famous people at Madame Tussauds (杜莎夫人蜡像馆) .

Liverpool

Liverpool is well known as the place that started the Beatles, though you’ll find a lot more to do there than visit the Beatles Museum. Spend time in the pubs chatting with the locals, go shopping at Liverpool One and enjoy the beaches.

Bath

Some people say Bath is England’s most beautiful small city, named for its natural hot springs that served as ancient Roman baths (浴缸) 2, 000 years ago. And, today, it’s the only place in the United Kingdom where you can bathe in naturally hot, mineral-rich waters just as the Romans did long ago.

Dover

Dover, located in White Cliffs Country, offers a rich history as well as peaceful countryside and a breathtaking coastline. This area has some unique places in history. You could easily spend weeks experiencing this area’s castles, like Dover Castle as well as the Secret War Time Tunnels, which once was an underground hospital.

1. What can visitors do in London?

A．Experience ancient castles.	B．Enjoy the Beatles’ concerts.
C．Visit Madame Tussauds.	D．Take a walk on the beaches.

2. Which place is well known for natural hot springs?

A．London.

B．Bath.

C．Liverpool.

D．Dover.

3. What can we know about the Secret War Time Tunnels?

A．It is in Liverpool.	B．It has a history of 2, 000 years.
C．It used to be an underground hospital.	D．It looks like Dover Castle.

3 . Born in 1990, a wheelchair has been part of Zhao Hongcheng’s life since she was one year old due to poliomyelitis (小儿麻痹症) . And now, as a video content creator who has over 84, 000 followers on the video-sharing platform Bilibili, Zhao wants to be a bridge between the disabled and the rest of society.

“I made my first video in 2019,” Zhao says. “My original purpose was to find a way to reduce my emotional stress. I always met inconvenience caused by my wheelchair when going out, which made me feel sad. I barely had any disabled friends, so I had no one to talk to. I felt quite lonely,” Zhao explains.

Her first vlog was about a trip to Guangzhou with friends. The video was viewed more than 2, 000 times on the first day. “This made me feel that there were many things worth sharing in my life,” she explains. Since then, that first video has been viewed over 48, 000 times. Her fourth video, displaying how she got to work in a wheelchair, made her even more popular. The video has received more than 300, 000 views on Bilibili.

“One of the great things about being a content creator is that I feel like I have the opportunity of talking about the real difficulties and pains that a disabled person faces,” Zhao says.

1. What’s the purpose of Zhao’s first video?

A．To make a living.	B．To reduce her emotional stress.
C．To be popular.	D．To practice film skills.

2. What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．The problems the disabled face.	B．The difficulties of making a video.
C．The popularity of Zhao’s videos.	D．The four videos Zhao made.

3. What is the meaning of being a content creator for Zhao?

A．Receiving more views.	B．Being successful on Bilibili.
C．Sharing stories from the disabled.	D．Encouraging the disabled to be content creators.

4. Which can be the best title for the passage?

A．A Positive Disabled Influencer	B．A lonely Day of the Disabled
C．A Popular Content Creator	D．A Caring Community for the Disabled

4 . If you want to fill your shelves with the best books of all time, you’re in the right place.

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein (1974)

The imagination of Shel Silverstein is on full display in this classic collection of short stories and poems. The book is truly one of the best poetry books of all time because of its staying power for children. The stories of this American poet, author, singer and folk artist have something for everyone.

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (1878)

Most critics regard it as one of the most typical literary love stories. The author’s Russian tale of unfortunate lovers is filled with fascinating quotes like, “He stepped down, trying not to look long at her, as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, even without looking.” This one belongs on any book collector’s shelf.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1943)

It is a timeless tale of a prince’s journey in search of adventure. What he finds, however, are interactions with adults who leave him so upset. It’s one of the most appealing short books we’ve ever read and also one of the most widely read children’s classics all over the world.

The Shining by Stephen King (1977)

The master of mystery must be included in any list of books you should read in a lifetime. That’s why you will find it here. Horror fans take note: This is one of the scariest and best Stephen King books of all time.

1. In which book can we read about unfortunate lovers?

A．Anna Karenina.	B．The Shining.
C．The Little Prince.	D．Where the Sidewalk Ends.

2. Which writer is good at telling a timeless journey of adventure?

A．Shel Silverstein.	B．Stephen King.
C．Antoine de Saint-Exupery.	D．Leo Tolstoy.

3. What do Where the Sidewalk Ends and The Shining have in common?

A．They are both novels.

B．They are both for children.

C．They are both about adults.

D．They were both written in the 1970s.

6 . Not everyone knows that Mogao Caves in China has a “little sister” — Yulin Caves, which is smaller but better preserved than Mogao Caves. This “little sister” has the most brilliant murals (壁画) which are large in scale (规模) and diverse in forms and skills, with much art value. Here is some information to refer to when planning your tour here.

Daily Itinerary (行程)

DAY 1: Visit Mingshashan in the middle afternoon when it is not very hot and sunburn is low.

DAY 2: Visit Yulin Caves. You can visit up to 6 caves. After that, drive about 30 minutes to Suoyangcheng.

DAY 3: Visit the newly opened Mogao Caves Digital Exhibition Center. You will watch two short but well-produced educational documentary movies about Mogao Caves. After the movies, take the interzonal bus to Mogao Caves.

Highlights of This Tour

●In-depth tour of Mogao Caves and Yulin Caves

●Visiting Suoyangcheng — an ancient ruined city 2,000 years ago

●Private tour package covering airport pick-up, accommodation, sightseeing and private tour guide

Basic Information about Price

●$380 per person

●This price is based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in 4-star hotels and traveling with our private tour in low seasons.

●This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, group size, hotel, class, etc. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels.

1. When can tourists see the documentary movies?

A．On Day 1.

B．On Day 2.

C．On Day 3.

D．Any day.

2. What is a most interesting part of the tour?

A．An old living city.	B．In-depth travel in private.
C．Free accommodations.	D．Two brilliant tour guides.

3. Where can you find the text probably?

A．In a history textbook.	B．On a travel agency website.
C．In an academic journal.	D．On an exhibition of murals.

7 . Chile is famous for its many attractions. If you’re planning a visit, be sure to add “Mano del Desierto” or “Hand of the Desert” to your must-see list.

Standing 11 meters tall and made of iron and cement (水泥), this sculpture of a hand emerges from the sand in the Atacama Desert, which is known as the driest desert in the world outside of polar regions. The sculpture was created by Mario Irarrazabal in the early 1980s and was financed by a local nonprofit organization. The sculpture is not only impressive in terms of its design but also in the message it expresses. Many people believe that the hand represents the weakness and helplessness of human beings, as well as their strength and determination to overcome hardships. It is a reflection on the human condition and our relationship with nature.

If you’re interested in visiting the Hand of the Desert, take Route 26 or 28 from Antofagasta, a port city in northern Chile. The sculpture is located between mile markers 1309 and 1310 and can be reached from either direction. The desert’s flatness makes it easy to spot the sculpture from far away.

Visitors should take precautions (预防措施) before leaving, such as filling their gas tanks, packing plenty of water, and wearing sunscreen. They should also avoid driving too quickly, as many car accidents occur in the desert each year.

For those who are nervous about driving alone, working with an agency like Plan South America is a good choice. The founder of the agency, Harry Hastings, said that he always tries to join a visit to the sculpture with guests traveling to the desert, calling it an “important landmark” that is both culturally and visually significant.

1. What makes the Hand of the Desert a famous attraction?

A．Its height and material.	B．Its location and. designer.
C．Its building time and local support.	D．Its design and meaning.

2. What can we know about from paragraph 3?

A．The sculpture can be reached very easily.

B．The sculpture can be seen from far away.

C．The sculpture is protected by the government.

D．The sculpture attracts millions of visitors every year.

3. What can we infer about Harry Hastings?

A．He built the sculpture “Hand of the Desert”.

B．He gave the financial support to the sculpture.

C．He speaks highly of the sculpture.

D．He likes driving alone to visit the sculpture.

4. Where can the passage probably be taken from?

A．A science fiction.

B．A magazine.

C．A fairy tale.

D．A book review.

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 buildings 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 finest 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. Located in People’s Square, the museum is most famous for its huge collection of china.

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 the museums in China. The artworks show the greatness of the museum, and the displays are modern and well laid out.

1. What do we know about the Palace Museum?

A．The museum is one of the oldest buildings in China.

B．The museum was built at the end of the Ming Dynasty.

C．The museum was the home of 26 rulers and their courts.

D．The museum is a good place to learn Chinese history.

2. Which museum is located in People’s Square?

A．Sanxingdui Museum.	B．The Palace Museum.
C．The Shanghai Museum.	D．The Shaanxi History Museum.

3. Who will be interested in this passage?

A．A person who is fond of music.	B．A person who is into Chinese culture.
C．A person who has passion for movies.	D．A person who is interested in sports.

10 . I still remember that busy autumn evening as I hurried with my eldest daughter, Athena, to get to her classroom on time for the parent-teacher night. We walked in and all eyes were on me. A few adults quickly quieted their kids’ whispers. A classmate yelled to my daughter, “What’s wrong with your mom’s face?” Shocked, I started to explain my condition, but my six-year-old daughter looked at him and said, “It’s my mom’s birthmark! Don’t be rude!” I was extremely proud of how she handled that situation.

I was quite young when I realized I looked different because of my large facial birthmark. I always thought I would be alone because of it. Being compared to Batman’s evil Two-Face made me believe I could never find love. But I was lucky enough to meet my husband, who saw me for who I am inside. When I had my first daughter, I was overjoyed, but I began to worry if the world would judge my children. I always worried I might pass my condition onto my children; I didn’t want them to grow up feeling judged. Unfortunately, my facial difference has impacted my children. My daughters get disinvited from birthday parties or sleepovers, or I learn certain kids are no longer friends with mine after their parents saw me at school.

When my kids were young, I explained how my special purple skin was rare and we talked about acceptance and never judging others on how they look. When my girls kiss my purple-skinned cheek, I feel “normal” around them and their unconditional love. With time going by, both my daughters have become my strongest supporters. Thanks to them, I’ve begun to feel more self-confident as I try to be a good role model.

Their worldviews are similar to mine. We see the world a little differently and with a kinder, more accepting heart. As the saying goes, your daughters will grow up to be your best friends. I know that will be the case for me!

1. What happened when the author went to attend the parent-teacher night?

A．Athena was praised by others for her bravery and optimism.

B．Athena defended her mother against her classmate’s rudeness.

C．Some parents criticized their kids because of their misbehaviour.

D．The author felt shocked at her daughter’s response to her classmate.

2. According to paragraph 2, which of the following views might the author agree with?

A．Friendship needs to be watered by love.

B．We should treat our children as best friends.

C．We should accept other people’s differences.

D．Our ability to handle difficulties can be developed.

3. How are the daughters influenced by the author’s birthmark?

A．They have to drop out of school.

B．They have the same physical condition as me.

C．They have difficulty maintaining friendships.

D．They feel worried because they are often judged.

4. What is the best title for the passage?

A．A birthmark to live with.	B．My strongest supporters.
C．A kind and accepting heart.	D．The confidence to be different.