1 . How to prevent stress from turning into depression

A few years ago, I had a bad day at work. My boss and I disagreed on a major financial investment and the conversation escalated.     1     And I took those comments personally. The good news is that there are ways to prevent feelings of discomfort from turning into depression.

Change the scene

Go outside, go to the bathroom, call a friend, take a few deep breaths. I didn’t realize I had done this after my fight with my boss.     2     Just noticing the trees and the birds around me got me out of my head.

Recount what happened

    3     This can help discover what is exactly giving you depression and remember the details you may have overlooked that can add to the situation. Do this with a friend, a family member, a therapist, or even yourself. You can also talk out loud as you walk your dog.

Name your emotions

As you describe what happened, name your emotions. For example, instead of saying you simply feel “bad,” maybe you actually feel “indifferent.” I turned to a therapist to help me unpack my fight with my boss. She helped me realize that it wasn’t my boss or the argument that was making me upset, but the feeling of being dismissed and made to feel small.     4    

Identify your causes

Examine what gives you discomfort. For example, if you have terrible road rage, you may have a conversation with yourself about it. You might ask yourself. Why am I prone to being so angry on the road? Is it because I am in a rush? Or is it because I hate sitting in traffic?     5     To avoid being rushed, maybe leave the house a half hour early. To avoid traffic, ask your boss if you can work from home a couple times a week.

So now, when I find myself in this circumstance, I tell the other person that I need time and space to consider their feedback. And that I’ll come back to them when I’m ready. This helps me feel more in control of my feelings.

A．Then, find ways to improve the situation.

B．Go over your situation again and create a narrative.

C．That allowed me to see a different perspective on the issue.

D．I had trouble sleeping and focusing, and I felt like I was on high alert.

E．They criticized me and said that I just didn’t have enough experience.

F．When you are not feeling good, your body is trying to tell you something.

G．After our argument, I left the office immediately and went for a long walk.

2 . Is nearby neighbor better than a faraway cousin? An American lady, Anna Lane, believes it’s true. Her kind neighbors once helped her out when she was in a big trouble.

Mrs. Lane was living alone in a city in Texas, US. The woman is 75 and still could do a lot of housework herself. However, she was too old to cut the grass in her garden. Then a big trouble found her. The grass in her garden grew more than 18 inches high and it broke the law in her city. As a result, she was in danger of paying lots of money!

Luckily, her neighbors, the Adams brothers, heard the news about her on TV. They decided to do something to help her. “We haven’t met her yet, but she’s 75 years old and she needs some help,” said Sam Adams, one of the boys. “That’s the least we could do.”

The Adams brothers took their machines and came to Mrs. Lane’s house to help cut the grass without telling her. Once they got started, other neighbors saw what was going on and joined them.

Together they worked hard in the sun and finished cutting all the grass in about two hours. When Mrs. Lane saw what her neighbors did for her, she was surprised and moved to tears. “I cannot believe this,” she said “They were so kind to spend two hours helping me and I didn’t even know their names.” As for the Adams brothers, they said they would always be ready to help her.

1. What can we know about Mrs. Lane?

A．She was 70 years old.	B．She could do little housework.
C．She was living with her children.	D．She could not cut her grass by herself.

2. Why was Mrs. Lane in danger of paying lots of money?

A．She broke the education law in her city.

B．The grass in her garden was more than 18 inches high.

C．The news about her on TV was made by her.

D．She didn’t pay enough money to her neighbors.

3. Who cut the grass?

A．The Adams brothers.	B．Sam Adams and Mrs. Lane.
C．The Adams brothers and Mrs. Lane.	D．The Adams brothers and other neighbors.

4. How long did it take them to finish mowing the whole lawn?

A．For about two hours.

B．For about 18 hours.

C．For about 70 hours.

D．For about 75 hours.

5. What do you think of Mrs. Lane’s neighbors?

A．Warm-hearted.

B．Cold-blooded.

C．Well-educated.

D．Bad-tempered.

3 . STEM Competitions for Students
NSTA ExploraVision

Are you interested in what the future holds? Consider Explora Vision’s STEM (science, technology, engineering & mathematics) competition. Working in teams of two to four, students will research a particular technology and assess the ways in which it may impact lives moving forward. Participants are required to write a paper and draw web pages communicating their vision.

Grades: 7th-9th and 10th-12th

Competition Type: Regional and national

eCyberMission

You can participate in this competition without leaving the house. eCyberMission is a web-based con test in which participants — working in teams of two to four students — use science, math and technology to solve problems facing their communities. First-place winners receive $1,000.

Grades:9th

Competition Type: Regional, state and national

TEAMS Competition

Held annually, TEAMS invites students to use their engineering talent to contribute to the community. Working in groups of two to four students, participants complete real-life engineering challenges. The competition includes multiple-choice questions, an essay and a design-build component.

Grades: 9th-12th

Competition Type: State and national

The Conrad Challenge

In this challenge, participants work in teams of two to five students to develop products or services in response to key issues facing people around the world. The Conrad Challenge empowers students to take control of their learning and apply it to real-life situations. Winners are eligible (有资格的) for scholarships, patent assistance and aid in creating companies.

Grades: 9th-12th

Competition Type: International

1. What does NSTA Explora Vision’s STEM competition focus on?

A．Engineering innovation.

B．Students’ paper writing skills.

C．New technology shaping the future.

D．Students’ ability in web page design.

2. What do the four STEM competitions have in common?

A．Winners will get a big cash prize.

B．They are all national competitions.

C．Participants are required to work in teams.

D．Participants must solve real-life problems.

3. Which competition involves foreign students?

A．NSTA ExploraVision.	B．eCvberMission.
C．TEAMS Competition.	D．The Conrad Challenge.

4 . Living a healthy lifestyle is all about choosing to make healthy choices each day. Here are some tips on how to improve your physical, mental, and emotional health.

Set specific and actionable goals to improve your health. When you have specific goals you want to achieve, you’ll be more motivated to implement (实施) healthy changes in your life.     1     And then set goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound to better guarantee your success.

    2     It’s no secret that healthy eating is one of the keys to achieving a healthy lifestyle. When you follow a healthy diet, you reduce your risk for obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancers. Healthy eating can also improve your mood and make you happier.

Make a conscious effort to drink enough water throughout the day. Just like nutritious foods, water is essential to keeping your body healthy.     3     For adults, drinking around 13 cups of water a day is enough, but this amount can vary depending on your age, weight, environment, and physical activity level.

Aim for at least 7 hours of quality sleep each night.     4     It helps you maintain a healthy weight, and improve your overall mood. Most adults need at least 7 hours of quality sleep each night, and children need 8 to 13 hours depending on how old they are.

Find a type of physical activity that’s enjoyable for you. The benefits of physical activities are endless. Doing physical activities lowers your risk of things like stroke and high blood pressure, helps you lose weight, and improves your cognitive (认知的) function. .     5    

A．Consult the doctor about your physical condition.

B．Choose nutritious foods and create a well-balanced diet.

C．Identify what parts of your lifestyle you want to improve.

D．Choose activities that make you feel happy and confident.

E．Water benefits your digestion and keeps you from getting thirsty.

F．What’s more, being active can improve your overall mental health.

G．A good night’s sleep is good for your health and attention during the day.

5 . Gorgeous Mother’s Day Gift

If you’re stuck for a Mother’s Day gift, why not try something that tugs at the heartstrings? A company that specialises in turning life stories into long-lasting books has developed a simple way to show your mother or grandmother how much they mean to you.

The company has created a full-colour book that captures all your family memories. And it’s a gift that can be enjoyed over and over again by future generations. The company sends you a set of questions by email, and these help you make a personalised book that’s unique to your parent or grandparent

This hardbound (精装的) book is a bargain compared to a private autobiography, which can cost thousands of pounds and take ages to finish.

The company was started by two siblings. After their dad died young and they saw their grandma struggle with Alzheimer’s, they wanted to find a way to save life stories before it was too late. When you buy a photo book, the company will give some money to the Alzheimer’s Society charity. They help you make the book and keep your stories safe until it’s printed.

The photo book costs £149, but you can pay £50 more to get an extra copy for your family and friends. If the person who gets the book doesn’t like it, they can get their money back in 30 days.

As a cheaper alternative, you could get an £11. 99 scrapbook from the Internet and put your own pictures in it to save money. The company also sells different kinds of photo books, like the Mini Hardback Photo Book which is now only £20. 80, down from £26.

1. What does the company create?

A．The Alzheimer’s Society charity.	B．A photo book of family memories.
C．Someone’s private oral biography.	D．A personal story unique to each people.

2. What motivated the founders of the company?

A．Their concern for their family.	B．The popularity of family stories.
C．Their grandmother’s dying wish.	D．Their desire to cure Alzheimer’s.

3. How much will you spend on two copies of the book from the company?

A．£149.

B．£160. 99.

C．£199.

D．£257. 79.

6 . Orienteering (定向越野) involves running, jogging or walking, and using a map and compass to move between places. It’s a great way to have fun outdoors with friends and family. The aim is to move between points, called controls, in a certain order in the quickest time. Events are usually held in parks, fields or forests but they can also happen in towns and cities and even school playgrounds. People can take part either as individuals or as a team.

Beginners’ events will have easier controls to find and cover less distance — perhaps a mile or two. For experienced orienteers, the length of the course could be much longer and take in hills and rough ground.

Orienteers are given a “control description sheet” to help them find each point. This sheet has details of features to look for, like paths and rivers, and a code that must match the code at each control. You will either mark your sheet at each control or check in with an electronic card.

When you start orienteering, you will learn map-reading skills. A helpful tip is to keep your thumb on the spot that shows your location on the map. Keep it the right way round: the features in front of you on the ground should be in front of you on the map.

Orienteering maps can have five or six colors. Black areas show human features, like buildings; brown shows the contour (轮廓) lines (height of the land); and blue shows water, such as lakes and rivers. White and green together show woodlands; yellow areas represent grass and open areas. On orienteering maps, a course consists of a triangle, circles, a double circle and sometimes connecting lines. The triangle is the start, the double circle is the finish, and all the circles in between are checkpoints.

As you run between points by what you hope is the quickest route, you can take in the scenery around you and have a great time choosing your path and trying to finish in a fast time.

1. What can we learn about orienteering at the beginning of the text?

A．Its route is random.	B．Its result is distance-based.
C．It groups orienteers by age.	D．It integrates various skills.

2. Which aspect of orienteering does paragraph 3 mainly focus on?

A．Tricks of saving time.	B．The use of control description sheet.
C．Methods of checking in.	D．The importance of codes.

3. Why do orienteers keep their thumb on their location on the map?

A．To track progress.	B．To mark the finish point.
C．To maintain direction.	D．To highlight checkpoints.

4. What do the colors on an orienteering map represent?

A．Geographical features.	B．Difficulty levels.
C．Routes for competition.	D．Stages of the orienteering race.

7 . A field trip to Pacific Science Center is a time-honored tradition for students of all ages across Washington state. Our hands-on exhibits, shows, and innovative programs ignite students’ curiosity for science in a day of exploration to enhance your curriculum and spark a lifelong interest in science, math, engineering, and technology.

In addition to General Admission, PacSci offers extra experiences to enhance your learning and support your curriculum, including:

Documentary IMAX Movies: During the school year, we offer Teacher’s Choice where teachers can book one of two open documentary slots, if your school is the first to book. Email our School Groups team for a complete list of documentaries.

Daytime Laser Show: Be dazzled by a Daytime Laser Show in our Laser Dome. Packed with 10,000 watts of concert sound, experience a one-of-a-kind show on one of the largest geocentric domes dedicated to lasers!

Planetarium Show: Enjoy a live, immersive presentation in the Willard Smith Planetarium. Blast off to the universe’s outer reaches or explore the planets in our solar system. There is always something different to experience! Seating is limited to 36 students and four chaperones（监护人）.

Pricing

Below is a pricing table for our field trip.

Add-On Experience	Ticket Type	Rate Per Person
IMAX	Field Trip Student	$4
Laser	Field Trip Student	$10
Planetarium	Field Trip Student	$6
	Field Trip Extra Chaperone	$17.95

1. What is special about Pacific Science Center?

A．It has a fascinating collection of art exhibits.

B．It provides students a chance for ancient technology.

C．It is only open to public and private schools.

D．It is a place where students can learn about science.

2. If you are interested in space exploration, which experience will you prefer?

A．Documentary IMAX Movies.	B．Daytime Laser Show.
C．Planetarium Show.	D．General Admission.

3. How much will they pay if 1 chaperone and 10 students watch an IMAX movie?

A．$40.

B．$57.95.

C．$77.95.

D．$117.95.

8 . Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

If you’re a high school student looking for research opportunities, it doesn’t get much better than the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program. This well-known research program has a selection rate of less than 3% and only 12 high school juniors or seniors are selected every summer to join the program.

In this post, we will dive deep into this program to help you understand the structure, the cost, location, research areas available, and reasons why you should apply for this intensive research program.

About Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program was established in 1963 in honor of Anson L. Clark , a former Texas A&M student who proceeded to create a successful business career!

This program is an intensive 7-week comprehensive research program that will allow you to gain hands-on practical research under the mentorship (导师制) of Texas Tech University faculty. Apart from conducting one-on-one research with faculty, you will have additional weekly seminars, discussions and even field visits!

Time

The program is off line and is conducted every summer at Texas Tech University. The current program dates are June 16, 2024 to August 1, 2024.

Cost

There is no program or registration fee, and your on-campus meals, on-campus room and board, and weekend activities will be covered by the program!

Research Areas

While the list of research disciplines for Summer 2024 haven’t been released, some of the general areas (based on the Summer 2023 disciplines) you can expect are biology, chemistry, computer science, economics/business, finance/marketing, electrical engineering & computer engineering, history, and physics.

You can access the specific research topics in 2023 in the attachment!

Qualification

This program is open to high school juniors and seniors who will graduate in either 2024 or 2025. You will have to be at least 17 years of age by the program start date.

1. What do we know about the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program?

A．It’s an annual research program.	B．It is hard to complete the program.
C．It is in honor of a famous scientist.	D．It is open to all high school students.

2. What will students do in the program?

A．Visit Texas Tech University.	B．Create business career.
C．Listen to lectures online.	D．Do practical research.

3. How can you know the research areas for Summer 2024 at present?

A．By searching on the internet.	B．By referring to 2023 disciplines.
C．By paying registration fee.	D．By asking the mentors in college.

9 . Live and learn like a college student this summer at Carleton College’s Summer Liberal Arts Institute (SLAI). Beginning on March 15, SLAI is an immersive (沉浸式的) summer learning experience for current 10th and 11th graders to explore liberal arts through rigorous and experiential curriculum. If you are academically curious, excited about learning, and thrive in cooperative work environments, SLAI is the program for you!

At SLAI, you will connect with like-minded peers from all over the nation and world, all while earning college credit and learning from top-ranked Carleton faculty, who are experts in their field. Choose from 6 programs, with topics in: History & Literature, Storytelling, Sociology, STEM, Computer Science and Neuroscience.

Students who attend SLAI come away from the program on April 6 with improved college-level reading, writing, and research skills, an increased knowledge of topics and majors they may want to study in the future, and a general sense of preparedness for college.

During the program, students spend their mornings and afternoons in class, conducting research, and in hands-on labs. Specially, a variety of social activities are available after class every day, from frisbee to beading to makings’ mores. Weekend field trips to attractions in surrounding cities are also included in the program. Past destinations have included amusement parks, museums, or even a day at the lake!

Visit our website to apply today! We have two rounds of application review. The first deadline is on February 5, and the second and final deadline is on March 11, Need-based scholarships are available.

1. How long will SLAI last?

A．About 1 week.

B．About 2 weeks.

C．About 3 weeks.

D．About 4 weeks.

2. What sets SLAI apart from other learning experiences?

A．Participants can have access to hands-on labs.

B．Participants can apply for it online or in person.

C．It enables participants to engage in social activities.

D．It ensures participants to learn with college students.

3. How can SLAT benefit participants?

A．It enhances awareness of preparedness for college.

B．It can improve their college-level listening skills.

C．It helps participants get college scholarships.

D．It offers the topic they are fond of freely.

10 . Casey McIntyre, who was 38, worked as a publisher in New York City. In 2019, doctors told her that she had a serious kind of cancer that’s usually found in women much older than her. Though doctors treated her for the cancer, Ms. McIntyre’s health got worse.

But she realized that in a way, she was luckier than some other people. She had insurance to help pay for her medical care. That means she didn’t owe money for her medical care. But she and her husband knew many people with cancer face tough decisions because of the costs of medical care. Soon, she and her husband began donating money to a group called RIP Medical Debt, which works to pay off the unpaid medical debt s of others. Usually, for every $ 100 donated, the group can pay off $ 10,000 in unpaid medical bills.

In late June, 2023, doctors told Ms. McIntyre that she probably had about a month to live. Though her health was failing, Ms. McIntyre lived for about six months. She had many difficult days, but she also spent some wonderful days with her family. In that time, she also thought about what she wanted to happen after she died. She decided to make an effort to pay off the medical debts of as many people as she possibly could.

On November 12, 2023, Ms. McIntyre passed away. Her husband posted a message for her on her social media accounts. “If you’re reading this, I have passed away. To celebrate my life, I’ve arranged to buy up others’ medical debts and then destroy the debts,” the post said.

The couple had set up a page on a website to raise money for this purpose. They’d hoped to raise about $ 20,000. That would have been enough to pay off about $ 2 million worth of medical bills. But the donations on her web page quickly passed the original goal. In less than a week, the site had raised 10 times more than expected. And the donations are still coming in.

1. What conclusion can be drawn about Casey McIntyre from paragraph 1?

A．She caught the cancer far earlier than average.

B．The treatment she received worked well on her.

C．Her cancer was too serious to be worth treating.

D．She was found to have cancer in her late thirties.

2. Why did Casey McIntyre think she was luckier than some others?

A．Because she was able to make proper decisions.

B．Because she was able to afford her medical bills.

C．Because she was accompanied during treatment.

D．Because she could receive the best medical care.

3. What does the last paragraph imply?

A．People enjoyed donating through the Internet.

B．People felt very sorry for the loss of Casey McIntyre.

C．People were generally concerned about cancer patients.

D．People showed great support for Casey McIntyre’s behavior.

4. Which of the following words can best describe Casey McIntyre?

A．Smart and strong-willed.	B．Proud but single-minded.
C．Unfortunate but kind-hearted.	D．Ambitious and easy-going.