1 . A champion for all children, Association to Benefit Children (ABC) offers every child a joyful, beloved life by creating programs in urgent response to the needs of New York City’s most disadvantaged families.
Role: After-school Helper
Responsibilities: Volunteers work besides killed youth workers, family specialists, and educators to create a safe and stimulating space where children are motivated to develop the academic skills and emotional strengths necessary for success in the classroom and in life. Day today volunteer tasks could include providing homework help, teaching a new skill, or participating in scheduled activities.
Days and Times: Monday to Friday, 3: 30pm-5: 30pm at 1841 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10035
Special skills or requirements: No special skills needed, but any special subject that a volunteer wants to teach is welcomed and background check maybe required.
Contact: Jessica Casanova
Role: Study Mate
Responsibilities: Study Mates Connect (SMC) is a virtual tutoring program that offers individualized tutoring sessions in Math and English to school-aged children. Volunteers teach children online at an appointed time each week, and they receive curricular support from SMC staff members. Volunteers make a year-long commitment to tutoring so they can minimize interruptions to the children’s education.
Days and Times: Flexible, but 1-2 hours weekly in the afternoon/evening is needed.
Special skills or requirements: Background check will be required and ability to help with homework and reading is essential.
Contact: Erica Choi
1. What is a task of an after-school helper?| A．Cooperating to build a classroom. | B．Assisting Jessica to organize activities. |
| C．Offering help with children’s assignments. | D．Teaching parents how to handle children. |
| A．Offering background information. | B．Being free from 3pmto5pm. |
| C．Majoring in Math or English. | D．Becoming an SMC staff member. |
| A．Poor families | B．Activity planners. | C．Family specialists. | D．Potential volunteers. |
2 . School’s out for summer! The long break is the perfect time to lounge (躺) around with a good book, and luckily we have a selection of the best reading out right now. From pizza-based chaos to detective penguins, we’re sure you’ll find what you’re looking for in our book guide.
Safiyyah’s War
By Hiba Noor Khan Paperback ₤7. 99
War comes to the streets of Paris, and Safiyyah must pick up all her courage to run dangerous errands (差使) around the city and help save the lives of hundreds of Jewish people. The book is based on the incredible and inspiring true story of the resistance run from the Grand Mosque of Paris.
Einstein the Penguin: The Case of the Fishy Detective
By Iona Rangeley Hardback £ 12. 99
An unforgettable friend returns! After his first adventure in London, the fairy penguin from Sydney really has no place in this city, so he sets out for Australia. It’s time for Einstein the Penguin to turn detective again in this warm and fantastically funny follow-up to Iona Rangeley’s first best-seller.
Until the Road Ends
By Phil Earle Paperback £ 7. 99
An exciting WWII animal adventure from the author of When the Sky Falls. Stray dog Beau becomes an unexpected war hero. At night, as bombs rain down on London, Beau searches the ruins, rescuing survivors. Then disaster strikes and Beau sets off on an incredible journey to find his friend Peggy. . .
Pizza Pete and the Perilous Potions
By Carrie Sellon Illustrated by Sarah Horne Paperback £ 7. 99
When Pete finds a briefcase of magical potions (药剂) in the small room above his dad’s pizza shop, he thinks he’s found the answer to all their money worries. Then Pete’s life turns from boring pizza margherita into chaotic spicy pepperoni… A funny and heartwarming story, filled with delightful illustrations by Sarah Horne.
1. What is special about Einstein the Penguin: The Case of the Fishy Detective?| A．It features fascinating pictures. | B．It is a paperback priced at £ 12. 99. |
| C．It introduces an unexpected war hero. | D．It continues the story of an earlier book. |
| A．Safiyyah’s War. | B．Until the Road Ends. |
| C．Pizza Pete and the Perilous Potions. | D．Einstein the Penguin: The Case of the Fishy Detective. |
| A．They tell stories in wartime. | B．They are based on true stories. |
| C．They are about animal adventures. | D．They describe the life of Jewish people. |
3 . If you’re aiming to cut back on meat and you want to build muscle strength, you’re not alone. Now, a new study finds that swapping red and processed meat for plant protein a few times a week leads to better health and lowers carbon emission.
“We found that there was an increase in life expectancy of approximately nine months linked to 50% reduction of red meat consumption,” says Olivia Auclair. “When it comes to diet changes to improve health and climate, we don’t need to go to major extremes or completely wipe out foods from our diet.”
But sudden changes can be jarring. For a long time Kyle Backlund had been in the habit of eating meat at many meals, and when he cut back, he felt a drop in his energy level and experienced some tiredness and weakness. When he realized he needed to increase his protein intake, his wife Stephany Marreel — who does most of the cooking and also eats a plant-based diet — found a solution by adding tofu, vegetables, and grains. Kyle says he is now feeling good on his plant-focused diet.
People can get all the protein and nutrients they need from a plant-based diet as long as they do a little planning, says Dr. Christopher Gardner, a food scientist. “If someone is consuming a reasonable variety, meeting protein needs from plant sources is no problem,” Gardner says.
There’s an environmental argument for shifting diet as well, Gardner says. Livestock (家畜) require lots of land and water. Beef production requires 20 times more land and produces 20 times more greenhouse gas emissions, per gram of protein, compared to beans. If people in the U.S. swapped beef for beans, this one switch alone could get the U.S. about halfway to its greenhouse gas reduction goals.
1. What should you do to improve health and climate according to Olivia Auclair?| A．Change your meat-based diet a little. | B．Give up red meat in your meals. |
| C．Become a devoted plant-protein lover. | D．Take up proper ways of cooking. |
| A．Admirable. | B．Upsetting. | C．Meaningful. | D．Rewarding. |
| A．By exercising more. | B．By consuming less red meat. |
| C．By eating various foods. | D．By having whole grain. |
| A．Cattle are the main source of greenhouse gases. |
| B．Americans are reducing greenhouse gas emission. |
| C．Shifting diet can be beneficial to the planet. |
| D．Bean production requires lots of land and water. |
4 . On Friday, students around the world will walk out of their classrooms and gather in joint protests to highlight the global crisis created by climate change. The goal? To get elected officials and industry leaders to actually act to stop the coming disaster.
Climate change poses a terrible threat to humanity, and politicians aren’t doing enough to find solutions, protest organizers wrote on the Global Climate Strike website. Greenhouse gas emissions (排放) are a primary driver of global warming, but leaders have been irresolute about abandoning fossil fuels, even as global temperatures continue to climb.
Strikes and protests by students in more than 2,500 locations aim to show that the younger generations won’t stand easily by while their future — and their planet — hang in the balance. The strike follows a summer of extreme weather linked to climate change: strange global heat waves, wildfires and ice loss from glaciers (冰川). In July, three studies found that the global climate is changing more quickly than it has in the past 2,000 years.
Sixteen-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who is currently visiting New York City, is one of the strike’s key organizers. Thunberg will speak at a Friday demonstration at Foley Square there at 12 p. m. local time, after which protesters will march to Battery Park. Thunberg will also address the UN Climate Action Summit on September 23. The emergency meeting is being organized so that world leaders can present “concrete, realistic plans” for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with the goal of reaching zero emissions by 2050, according to a UN statement.
Thousands of protests are planned for Friday — just three days prior to the summit—and collectively, they will be the biggest climate action in history.
1. Why will students gather together?| A．To make their voice heard by leaders. |
| B．To call on moves to protect the earth. |
| C．To celebrate the newly elected officials. |
| D．To organize a big protest for civil rights. |
| A．Hesitant. | B．Concerned. | C．Decisive. | D．Thoughtful. |
| A．Electing new leaders of the summit. |
| B．Reorganizing the UN department. |
| C．Reaching zero emissions by 2050. |
| D．Protecting the whole human beings. |
| A．Global Students Mobilize for Climate Action |
| B．Why Not Join the Students for a New Planet? |
| C．Organize a Climate Talk for the Only Earth |
| D．A New Strike Will Be Staged Worldwide |
5 . Linda, a sixteen-year-old girl, was a “violinist” of average level, who had basic violin playing skills but was neither particularly outstanding nor bad. She just learned to play the violin at the request of her father.
This year, the school music festival came on time. As usual, Linda accompanied the lead singer with her violin, and the rehearsals (彩排) went well. During a break, noticing Linda always play her violin, a teacher asked Linda if she would sing a song. But Linda refused, saying that she had never sung in public places because she was not good at it. The teacher told her, “Each of us seems to have something that we are not good at, but as long as we are brave enough to try, there may be surprises.” Linda still didn’t have the courage, and the teacher encouraged her again, “You are a brave girl, and I believe you can try your best.”
Thrilled and nervous, Linda finally chose to sing Mystery of Life. Everyone was surprised by her voice. She had such a talent for singing! All the students cheered for her! Without such an unexpected opportunity and that teacher, she might have never found her gift. Now she has become one of the best known singers in her city.
Everyone has some talent. If you think you have no talent, you either haven’t discovered yours yet or don’t consider it a talent because it’s not all that useful. You may be able to build a huge house of cards but you don’t think it’s a talent. With confidence and effort, some skills can be unlocked and improved. In your life, you should be brave and confident enough to try doing different things and find out what talents you really have.
1. Linda chose to sing because ______| A．the teacher encouraged her to sing. | B．she got lots of applause that night. |
| C．she wanted to show everyone her talent. | D．she didn’t want to play the violin that night. |
| A．Strict and sensitive. | B．Kind and patient. |
| C．Rude and unfriendly. | D．Honest and humorous. |
| A．Building a huge house of cards isn’t a talent. | B．Confidence and effort help find out talent. |
| C．All skills can be unlocked and improved. | D．Not everyone in the world has a talent. |
| A．It’s important to encourage others. | B．The story of a song Mystery of Life. |
| C．A violinist became a famous singer. | D．We should find out our real talent. |
6 . Below are some details about several Oscar-nominated (被提名的) movies and where to watch them.
Barbie
Director Greta Gerwig crafts an extremely self-aware vision’ of Barbie, with commentary on the patriarchy (父权制) and the unreasonable expectations placed on women in society.
Nominations: Best picture, supporting actor, supporting actress, adapted screenplay, production design, costume design, original song
Where to see it: In theaters. Stream it on Max. Rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu or YouTube.
The Holdovers
Alexander Payne’s film about a bad-tempered professor at a famous boarding school, who must look after students during Christmas break, and forms a bond with one kid suffering from a particular disease.
Nominations: Best picture, actor, supporting actress, original screenplay, editing
Where to see it: In theaters. Stream it on Peacock. Buy it on Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Vudu and Amazon.
Killers of the Flower Moon
Based on a true story, director Martin Scorsese’s epic film tracks the suspicious murders of members of the Osage Nation in 1920s Oklahoma after they find oil there.
Nominations: Best picture, director, actress, supporting actor, production design, costume design, cinematography, editing, original score, original song
Where to see it: In theaters. Stream it on Apple TV+. Buy it on Amazon, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube, or Apple TV.
Nyad
Directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, the film tells the true story of a marathon swimmer who attempts to become the first person ever to swim from Cuba to Florida.
Nominations: Best actress, supporting actress
Where to see it: Stream it on Netflix.
1. Which movie wins the most nominations?| A．Barble. | B．The Holdovers. |
| C．Killers of the Flower Moon. | D．Nyad. |
| A．Greta Gerwig’s. | B．Martin Scorsese’s. |
| C．Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s. | D．Alexander Payne’s. |
| A．They are related to sports. | B．They involve true stories. |
| C．They have won the same nominations. | D．They can be watched in the same way. |
7 . Do you know Ikaria? It’s a beautiful island in Greece, which is named after Icarus, a young man in Greek mythology (神话) who flew too close to the sun and finally fell into the sea.
This island may look like any of the other Greek islands, but there is an important difference. People on Ikaria generally live on average ten years longer than those in the rest of Europe. According to studies, Ikarians have much lower rates of cancer and heart disease. They remain physically active and well into their nineties. Ikaria is one of the five so-called “Blue Zones”. It’s a name given to the five regions in the world where people live longer.
Scientists have expected to find out Ikarians’ secret to living longer over the last several years. One discovery is that Ikarians have a healthy diet, preferring simple and natural food. Besides, the midday rest here has been proven to improve the function of the heart. And Ikarians’ relaxing lifestyle and strong family and social ties also benefit their long life.
1. What’s the Chinese meaning of the underlined phrase in paragraph 1?| A．因……而出名 | B．名字叫做…… | C．以……命名 | D．起源于…… |
| A．Natural beauty. | B．The longer life of Ikarians. |
| C．A historic story. | D．Its different location. |
| A．The importance of living a healthy lifestyle. |
| B．The importance of family and society. |
| C．The research of some scientists. |
| D．The reasons for living longer. |
8 . How writing has helped my life
Writing has and is changing my life and these are some of the ways it has greatly helped me over the years.
My writing got better.
Writing did make me become a better writer.
I feel much more confident with words.
Writing helped me build a good relationship with the English language. Before, I had to check and recheck every word I wanted to use in an article to be sure I was using it correctly.
My imagination and speed grew.
The more I wrote, the more my imagination grew so that everything around me started becoming an inspiration for an article.
Just the act of putting down some words and creating a work of pure imagination gives me inner joy and peace. Whenever I feel down, I write.
Finally ...
Writing is a skill that anyone could acquire if they put hard work into it. So next time you’re lonely or just bubbling with anxiety, try writing.
| A．My mental health has improved. |
| B．Writing helps me recover memories. |
| C．Now, that weight is off my shoulders. |
| D．We all know the saying “Practice makes perfect.” |
| E．I’ll never stop developing this beloved craft. |
| F．Don’t worry about being perfect because no one is. |
| G．I can look at a pencil and come up with a 500-word essay about it |
9 . In 2024, the number of people fancying digital nomadism (游牧) has continued to rise. Here are the best places in the world for you to be a digital nomad.
San Juan del Sur, NicaraguaSan Juan del Sur in Nicaragua is a good destination when it comes to digital nomads in search of a place that integrates work and leisure. With connectivity and Internet speeds ideal for most remote tasks and a warm and sunny climate that starts in December, it’s a great choice for those who enjoy being outside. The town also offers a supportive community as well as plenty of co-working spaces and cafes.
Queenstown, New ZealandAs well as plenty of activities surrounded by stunning scenery, Queenstown offers high-speed Internet access and lots of co-working spaces. The weather in December is also perfect for exploring the landscapes via the likes of bungee jumping, hiking and even skiing. Plus, there’s a huge focus on local produce in Queenstown which makes the culinary (食物的) experience just as memorable.
Pokhara, NepalPokhara, an engaging choice for those in search of peace and natural beauty, is cool and dry in December, which means it has the perfect condition for working outdoors and exploring the Himalayan landscapes. There’s a growing community of digital nomads too — thanks to reliable Internet connections and an affordable way of life.
Playa del Carmen, MexicoThis Mexican coastal resort is a favorite with holidaymakers and digital nomads for its beaches, culture and affordable lifestyle. There’s a prosperous community of digital nomads in Playa del Carmen, fostered by numerous networking events, co-working spaces, and social gatherings. There’s also a great Internet connection! December is dry in Mexico which makes it an ideal time for beach activities. Plus, the diverse and lively nightlife is likely to only add to Playa del Carmen’s appeal.
1. Which of the following might be preferred by adventure seekers?| A．San Juan del Sur. | B．Queenstown. |
| C．Pokhara. | D．Playa del Carmen. |
| A．Various seaside activities. | B．Distinctive local food. |
| C．Breathtaking landscapes. | D．Numerous co-working spaces. |
| A．They suit remote workers well. |
| B．They enjoy warm climate in December. |
| C．They guarantee visitors colorful nightlife. |
| D．They provide strong community support. |
10 . While most states have laws that prohibit relocating wild pigs, the practice still happens, and is one of the main factors contributing to the recent increase in pig numbers across the United States. “That’s why we did the study. All these pigs are being moved around and we really have no idea what’s happening with them,” said James Beasley, senior author of a new study.
Researchers made the study at the Savannah River Site outside Aiken, South Carolina. Because the area covers more than 310 square miles, Beasley said the researchers could move pigs to new locations within the area and still feel confident they were in an unfamiliar place. South Carolina law prohibits moving wild pigs unless they remain in the same area.
After catching a pig and fitting it with a GPS tracker, the researchers moved it to another location, usually at least 10 miles away, and tracked its movements over several months. The trackers showed the pigs were able to cover a lot of ground within a short time. Over a seven-day period, on average, the wild pigs would make sweeping paths across the landscape, seldom returning to their original drop-off point and often finally ending up several miles away.
The researchers also found that not long after being released, the wild pigs hooked up with other pigs in the area—sometimes joining an existing social group of pigs and other times creating new groups of relocated individuals.
In one example, two pigs from the same group were released more than a mile apart. “They started moving in different directions. Then, one seemed to cross the path of the other one and found that pig,” Beasley said. “They have this really extraordinary social bond.” More study is needed to understand how these social bonds form, but it’s clear that wild pigs are willing to accept unrelated individuals within their social group.
Infamous for the damage they cause to crops and landscapes, the research shows the potential for problems when wild pigs are relocated and the potential risks of them spreading diseases such as African swine fever when they are moved around the landscape. Beasley said, “This type of information is important to developing management plans for responding to new introductions of pig populations.”
1. Why did the researchers carry out the study on wild pigs?| A．To study their sudden population increase. | B．To improve their survival after relocations. |
| C．To manage their daily activities. | D．To understand their movement behavior. |
| A．They came back to their familiar places. | B．They explored the new area a lot. |
| C．They stayed near their release locations. | D．They moved in the same direction. |
| A．They were very lonely. | B．They were very curious. |
| C．They were very sociable. | D．They were very competitive. |
| A．Concerned. | B．Indifferent. | C．Uncertain. | D．Supportive. |
