1 . At the age of 24, most people are still trying to figure out their way in the world. Not for Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman is on his way to greatness already.
Mbappe became known to the world in the Russian World Cup of 2018. At that time, he was just starting out in his career. But he showed everyone that he had all of the skills of a great football player. He was the scorer of four goals then. And after only two World Cups, the young man has already scored 12 World Cup goals. Messi only has one more goal than him over the course of five World Cups.
Mbappe’s performance in the 2022 World Cup final (决赛) was perfect. But the final night belonged to Argentina. Messi and his teammates performed a little bit better. Mbappe, however, is confident of his ability to make his mark in future World Cups. After all, he has just turned 24. If he remains injury-free, he should have at least two more World Cups ahead of him. After all, it’s common for players to get hurt in the field. If he plays for as long as Messi, that number will rise to three.
The future is uncertain, but we know one thing for sure: Mbappe will continue to challenge himself. “I’ve never said I was going to be the greatest player in history,” said Mbappe. “But I’ve never put limits (极限) on myself.” Let’s wait for his wonderful performance in The FIFA World Cup. America\Mexico\Canada 2026.
1. Mbappe has joined in ___________ World Cups.| A．two | B．three | C．four | D．five |
| A．France | B．Russia | C．America | D．Argentina |
| A．无忧无虑的 | B．不受损伤的 | C．信心十足的 | D．完美无缺的 |
| A．He is a great football player in Russia. | B．He is too young to be the winner. |
| C．He will become better and better. | D．He doesn’t play as well as Messi. |
2 . For many of us, winter colds come regularly. Whatever we do, winter colds and the flu (流感) always find a way to get in, making us cough and sniffle (抽鼻子) into our scarves.
In fact, when a virus (病毒) like the winter cold enters the body through the nose, the cells (细胞) in the nose start producing simple copies of themselves called extracellular vesicles, or EVs (胞外囊泡)
Recently, a team of scientists think they may have found out why we get more viruses in winter. It's because cold temperatures actually make our noses worse at fighting viruses.
The scientists did tests on cells taken from the noses of human volunteers, because they wanted to find out more about how EVs fight viruses and how well they work in colder temperatures. The results showed that EVs are usually very good at catching viruses, but they don't work so well at lower temperatures. They found that in colder temperatures, the number of EVs produced decreases (减少) by more than 40%, meaning the nose might not be good at stopping viruses from getting further into the body.
Benjamin Bleier, one of the study's scientists, said the results gave the first perfectly reasonable explanation for why we get more colds in the winter months.
And, he said that wearing a mask in winter may not only stop some viruses from getting in, it may also help produce more of those EVs while keeping the nose a little warmer.
1. The writer begins the passage with _________.| A．a story | B．an example | C．a fact | D．a conversation |
| A．EVs are viruses produced in the nose. | B．They catch the viruses and kill them. |
| C．Cells and EVs are viruses in the body. | D．They stop cells coming into the body. |
| A．work better | B．work worse | C．become more | D．become viruses |
| A．the body | B．the nose | C．fighting viruses | D．wearing a mask |
3 . 
1996, 2008, 2020 1997, 2009, 2021 1998, 2010, 2022 1999, 2021, 2023 2000, 2012, 2024 2001, 2013, 2025
2002, 2014, 2026 2003, 2015, 2027 2004, 2016, 2028 2005, 2017, 2029 2006, 2018, 2030 2007, 2019, 2031
It’s 2023 of the Gregorian calendar (公历). You may hear someone says it is the Year of the Rabbit when they talk about the lunar calendar (农历). In ancient times, in order to make people easily remember the years, our ancestors came up with an idea — use the animals represent the years. Each lunar year is named after a different animal. There are 12 animals in total, Twelve Chinese zodiac (生肖) animals come in the order of time. The Year of the Rat comes first and the Year of the Pig comes last.
1. ___________ is not in the Chinese zodiac.| A．The dog | B．The goat | C．The cat | D．The horse |
| A．Dragon | B．Monkey | C．Rat | D．Pig |
| A．2008 | B．2012 | C．2015 | D．2020 |
4 . While the classic sandwich will always have its place, there are plenty of exciting lunchbox ideas that will satisfy both kids and parents alike. When kids join in planning and packing their lunches, they’re more likely to enjoy and finish their meals. So, why not give these ideas a try?
Bento Box BlissBento box lunches are gaining popularity. These containers allow you to make a meal with a variety of foods. Fill one section with colorful fruit slices, another with bite-sized vegetables, and the remaining ones with proteins (蛋白质) like chicken and eggs. Finish with a small treat like a handful of berries. The possibilities are endless, and kids will love these different kinds of food.
DIY LunchablesHomemade Lunchables offers a healthier choice than store-bought food. Pack a selection of whole-grain biscuits, slices of cheese, and a handful of cherry tomatoes. Kids can make their own sandwiches by adding their favorite food to round out the meal. It makes lunchtime an enjoyable experience.
Wrap (包) it UpTry using wraps instead of regular sandwiches. It is advised to use the flatbread (扁面包) instead of bread. It can be filled with lots of different things. You can make a turkey wrap with cream cheese, or a vegetable wrap if you prefer a plant-based option. Wraps are not only easy to get ready but also easy for little hands to hold.
Mini Pancake StacksWho says pancakes are just for breakfast? Mini pancakes can be a pleasant lunchbox surprise. Make small pancakes and sandwich them with cocoa butter and sliced bananas. Add a little honey for more sweetness. With just a few steps, you can complete them. These cute stacks are not only tasty but also fun to eat.
1. What’s an advantage of Bento box lunches?| A．Offering many sandwich options. | B．Using simple materials as food sources. |
| C．Helping strictly control how much kids eat. | D．Enabling kids to enjoy a well-balanced meal. |
| A．It costs much time and effort. | B．It allows kids to show creative ideas. |
| C．It is much tastier than takeaway food. | D．It makes kids increase their food intake easily. |
| A．Both are easy to prepare. | B．Both are popular with little kids. |
| C．Both suit kids enjoying sweet treats. | D．Both feature fast food with high calories. |
5 . This is the last Christmas that Faye and Matthew have spent in their house, which has already been sold. Faye and Matthew Gooding and their five young sons appear to have perfect lives. For the couple themselves, however, this “materially perfect world” was lacking in something—so now they are giving up all their possessions to travel around the world with their children. Most of their belongings have been given to their neighbors. Faye said, “It is a relief to get rid of so many possessions. Thankfully, our parents understand and support us.”
“I hesitated for a while because some friends think Faye and I are mad to give up so much. When we told the older boys, they were so excited that they were going to have so much time as a family. It made me realize the amount of toys or material possessions can’t replace time spent with our children. They’ve had to give away so many toys, bikes and books. My wife Faye was so determined to keep to our plan,” said Matthew.
They will leave this month and plan to start their travels in Sweden where they have friends. Faye said, “My older boys plot where we go next but we hope to see Europe and over two years travel as far as Japan, America, Bali and Thailand. We don’t plan to hire any tour guides. We just depend on a compass and local people to move in the right direction.”
Faye, who posts on Instagram as a mother of five boys, added, “It is a risk because we are giving up so much. I, however, even plan to quit my job after the travel. We can’t wait to spend more time with our sons without the stresses of everyday routines. We don’t know what will happen, but we do know if we didn’t do this we would always regret it.”
1. How will Faye and Matthew cover the travel costs?| A．By selling their house. | B．By doing part-time jobs. |
| C．By asking parents for help. | D．By borrowing from neighbors. |
| A．Worried | B．Excited | C．Uncertain | D．Firm |
| A．Faye | B．Matthew | C．The children | D．The tour guide |
| A．A travel guidebook | B．A life journal | C．A paper | D．A diary |
6 . Many high school students look forward to volunteering abroad. Here are some programs that such students can consider.
Spring Break Voluntary Service
Through this program, you’ll volunteer to build schools and community centers in the Dominican Republic, and help with reforestation (重新造林) or water purification (净化) projects. You’ll also have the chance to spend some free time on beaches, and explore freshwater lakes and underwater caves. This eight-day program costs $1,899.
Tanzania Expedition
Raleigh International’s Tanzania Expedition includes an adventurous hike in the Southern Highlands, through which you can help out with some environmental projects, and also pick up wildness survival skills. Except for these, volunteer work includes planting trees, improving access to clean water, and helping with hygiene (卫生) awareness events. This expedition lasts five, seven, or ten weeks, starting at $2,595.
Volunteer in Sri Lanka
Plan My Gap Year (PMGY) is offering a Sri Lanka volunteering experience to travelers aged 16 and 17. For two weeks, you’ll explore and volunteer, with activities including visiting an elephant center, watching animals at Yala National Park, relaxing on the beach and volunteering for different projects which mainly focus on English teaching, elephants, and sea turtles. The cost starts at $1,599.
Volunteer in Morocco
Another volunteer opportunity perfect for teens is the Morocco program provided by Cross-Cultural Solutions, where you will be able to travel across this beautiful country for two or four weeks and help with education, health, technology, or sports leadership activities. The cost (including housing and meals, in-country transport handbooks, and more) starts at $750, plus a $249 registration fee (注册费).
1. What is special about Tanzania expedition?| A．It includes a trip to a national park. |
| B．It puts volunteering and adventure together. |
| C．It aims to raise locals’ environmental awareness. |
| D．It requires volunteers to be equipped with first aid skills. |
| A．They are of the same lasting time. | B．They are for teens aged 16 and 17. |
| C．They both stress environmental protection. | D．They offer volunteers chances to visit beaches. |
| A．Pay a registration fee. | B．Work out an activity plan. |
| C．Make a booking online. | D．Join Cross-Cultural Solutions. |
7 . Which is more important for parents, making more money to give the kids a better life or spending more time with them? It is a problem for parents and it is not easy to decide. A new study shows that today’s parents are spending more time with their children than parents in the past. According to the study, today’s college-educated mothers spend about 21.2 hours a week taking care of their children. But women with less education spend about 15.9 hours. Before 1995, it was only 12 hours.
Dads are spending more time on ball games. Before 1995, fathers with college educations only spent about 4.5 hours a week playing with their children. Today, it increases to 9.6 hours a week. For fathers with high school education, the time goes up from 3.7 hours to 6.8.
These days, parents don’t care more about the cleaning or the cooking. They are trying their best to spend time with their families. As for the kids, they don’t mind how much time their parents spend with them. They just want to enjoy the time their parents do be with them.
So, take part in the kids’ activities when you are with them, such as helping with homework or playing soccer with them.
1. How long do college-educated mothers spend taking care of their kids a week?| A．About 9.6 hours. | B．About 12 hours. |
| C．About 15.9 hours. | D．About 21.2 hours. |
| A．Women with less education spend about12 hours staying with their kids, |
| B．Mothers in the past spent less time staying with kids than mothers these days. |
| C．Mothers with college education are lazier than those with less education. |
| D．Dads spend more time staying with their kids than mothers do. |
| A．About 4.5 hours. | B．Less than 9 hours. |
| C．About 13.5 hours. | D．About 18 hours. |
| A．They care about how much money their parents can make. |
| B．They care about how much time their parents spend with them. |
| C．They care if their parents are really with them. |
| D．They care if their parents can give them a better life. |
8 . He had run for 208 hours and 35 minutes in ten days. So, when Pan Junfan managed to cross the finish line in Guazhou, Gansu Province, on Sept. 18, the tears began to flow.
The 513 kilometers he had completed over rough terrain (地形)in northwestern China would challenge the greatest athletes in the world. The challenge was all the greater for Pan, who pulled off the remarkable feat (功绩) after having part of his right leg amputated (截肢) following a car accident in 2015.
Pan’s challenge was originally the Ultra Gobi, which is considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many marathon runners. Unfortunately, the 400-km race was canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. After careful consideration, Pan contacted the race’s organizers and they agreed to reschedule the route and allow him to undertake solo challenge.
During the challenge through the Gobi Desert and the Altun Mountains, the 40-year-ad faced temperatures ranging from—20℃ at right to 30°C by day, wild animals and even a hurricane. Carrying a backpack containing the hare minimum of equipment he would need, Pan battled sleep deprivation(缺乏) and very low body temperature during the journey.
Beginning from the “Mars Camp”in Qinghai Province, the ultra extreme course was expanded to more than 500 km over sand dunes (沙丘), dry valleys, stony plateaus and snowy mountains, finishing in Guazhou.
“I hope that by completing the challenge I can inspire people and tell them that life has limitless possibilities and not to stop trying,” Pan said.
In the last few years, Pan has established a dozen firsts for below-the-knee amputees (被截肢者). These included completing the 2018Ironman 70. 3 Xiamen’s 113 km triathlon (铁人三项) in 7 hours and 26 minutes, finishing the Gangshika Xtrial’s 100 km race in 27 hours and 40 minutes, and successfully conquering the Ironman Western Australia in 2019 which involves swimming for 3. 8 km, cycling for180 km and running for 42. 2 km. As a result, he has been dubbed “the Chinese blade runner”.
1. When did Pan Junfan start his 513-kilometer challenging race?| A．On Sept. 3. | B．On Sept. 9. | C．On Sept. 15. | D．On Sept. 19. |
| A．He had part of his left leg removed. | B．He established a hi-tech company. |
| C．He was involved in a traffic accident | D．He participated in the Ironman Australia. |
| A．Losing touch with his team. | B．Getting lost in the desert. |
| C．Having a high fever. | D．Lacking enough sleep. |
| A．Strong-willed. | B．Warm-hearted. | C．Quick-minded. | D．Cold-blooded. |
9 . With over 70% of the country blanketed in forest, Bhutan is rich in outdoor activities and charming villages that showcase a distinctive culture found nowhere else on the Earth. Here are our picks for the best places to add to your Bhutan traveling list.
ParoLess than 10 minutes away from the airport, the historic riverside town of Paro is known for the National Museum, Rinpung Dzong and symbolic Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Wander along Paro’s streets and the Paro Weekend Market to explore shops and stands offering handmade souvenirs. When you’ve worked up an appetite, step into any restaurant for fresh, handmade momo dumplings.
ThimphuIn Bhutan’s capital city, spend the day creating your own stamps at the Bhutan Postal Museum, touring the massive Thimphu’s museums and watching policemen manually direct traffic(there are no traffic lights in the entire city). When the sun sets below the mountains, enjoy yourself at bars like Grey Area, a popular art bar with live music where you can shout “tashi delek!”, a Xizang’s expression for good luck and health.
PunakhaBeloved for riverside farms where cows eat among rice and pepper fields, Punakha is home to what is its most beautiful temple, which sits along the Punakha River. Punakha’s low altitude means it tends to be hotter and sunnier than nearby towns and districts, which means you’ll need to take precautions to avoid sunburn.
KhomaFashion lovers can expect to visit behind the curtain in Bhutan’s textile center, Khoma. In the eastern district of Lhuentse, this village is home to roughly 1,000 residents—and few cars. Khoma’s artisans spend their days weaving delicate patterns and designs on traditional Bhutanese looms (织布机), creating colors from the area’s minerals and plants.
1. What is recommended for visitors traveling in Thimphu?| A．Acting as a policeman. | B．Enjoying the nightlife. |
| C．Purchasing ancient stamps. | D．Trying handmade dumplings. |
| A．Food. | B．Life jackets. | C．Sunblock. | D．Warming clothing. |
| A．Paro. | B．Thimphu. | C．Punakha. | D．Khoma. |
10 . Imagine taking a flying taxi to the airport, or hopping over crowded city streets at rush hour, getting where you want to go far faster than you could in a car. Believe it or not, you might be able to do these things in an electric air taxi sooner than you think.
An air taxi is a small aircraft that can carry people from place to place. Air taxis don’t need a long runway like planes do. They can go straight up and down, like a helicopter.
In June, the FAA—the government group in charge of America’s skies—agreed to allow a company called Joby Aviation to start testing their new air taxi.
Joby has been making and testing flying taxis since 2017. But this is the first time that they’re testing a taxi that’s been built in a factory. Before that, all their taxis were made by hand.
By 2025, Joby hopes to start carrying passengers for money. They’ve teamed up with Delta Air Lines to create a program to fly people from their homes to the airport. Joby also expects their air taxis to provide a ride-sharing service in the air. Just like you might use an app to order a car to pick you up, you could use an app to order an air taxi.
Compared with helicopters, Joby claims their taxis are cheaper. The company expects to charge about $3 a mile (1.6 kilometers) at first. But over time, they hope to bring the price down to less than $1 per mile.
Joby isn’t the only company to develop air taxis. Companies around the world are working on similar vehicles. France even plans to use a few air taxis in Paris during next summer’s Olympic Games.
But there’s still a lot to do before air taxis become common. For one thing, governments need to make rules about where, when, and how these taxis can fly.
Still, it seems likely that air taxis will be part of the future of travel. The FAA says, “We could see air taxis in the skies by 2024 or 2025.”
1. What do the underlined words “hopping over” in paragraph 1 mean?| A．Moving below. | B．Walking across. | C．Jumping into. | D．Flying over. |
| A．They are factory-made from the start. |
| B．They were developed several years ago. |
| C．They will offer service to passengers through the FAA. |
| D．They will be used during the next Olympic Games in Paris. |
| A．Joby’s plan about air taxis. | B．The history of Joby Aviation. |
| C．Air taxi team’s service promises. | D．Instructions for using a new app. |
| A．They are more comfortable. | B．They are more intelligent. |
| C．They are cheaper. | D．They are faster. |
