1 . The teenage years are a transformative period marked by great physical, psychological, and emotional changes.     1     They refer to the feelings that arise during interactions with others, such as gratitude, shame, sympathy, guilt, and pride.

Understanding and managing social emotions can help develop teenagers’ identities. Teenagers experience a wide range of emotions from social interactions, which significantly influences their self-understanding and social awareness. In the process, they learn to understand, and appropriately respond to both their own emotions and those of others.     2    

In academic settings, social emotional competencies like self-regulation, motivation, and social awareness directly impact a teenager’s ability to learn, participate, and engage in school activities.     3     Teenagers with strong social emotional skills are better equipped to handle stress, resist peer pressure, and avoid risky behaviors, reducing the likelihood of developing mental health issues.

Learning social emotions involves a combination of personal experience, guidance, and formal education.     4     This environment influences teenagers’ earliest understanding of how to communicate and manage their emotions. They feel safe and supportive to express their emotions freely and learn to manage them without fear of judgment. Schools also play a significant role through social emotional learning programs that teach these skills in a structured environment. Community involvement, extracurricular activities, and peer (同伴) interactions offer additional opportunities for teenagers to practice and refine their social emotional skills.

    5     It contributes to a teenager’s ability to manage their own emotions, understand others’ emotions, and face social complexities. This learning is a cornerstone for shaping their identity, influencing their interpersonal relationships, academic success, mental health, and future life outcomes.

A．What exactly are social emotions?

B．The journey into mature emotion is quite easy.

C．Social emotion learning for teenagers is essential.

D．Central to this phase is the concept of social emotions.

E．This helps shape their own personal principles and beliefs.

F．Families play a crucial role in modeling and developing these skills.

G．Moreover, social emotional skills are closely linked to mental health.

2 . This year’s hiking events have kicked off and we are introducing some walking festivals in the following.

Crickhowell Walking Festival (9-17 March)

One of the earliest of the year’s festivals, the walking festival offers 81 different walks this year, ranging from 2 to 17 miles. All are graded in terms of effort and difficulty, from an easy walk along the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, to a—new for 2024—hike through the western Fans.

Isle of Wight Walking Festival (11-19 May and 5-13 October)

The Isle of Wight Walking Festival laces (系) up its boots in spring and autumn, on the 500 miles of footpaths on the island. There are walks focusing on every aspect of the island’s history. Walks are graded according to pace and difficulty.

Moray Walking and Outdoor Festival (14-24 June)

A great choice for those looking for other activities to enjoy besides walking, this 10-day celebration includes everything from boating to bird-watching. The walks range from gentle seaside wanders to endurance(耐力) hikes through the Cairngorms, with five different grades of difficulty.

Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival (27 September-6 October)

Choose from self-guided or expert-led walks along a 75-mile stretch of the Saltmarsh coast, picking up the region’s maritime (海洋的) history, or learning about the rich variety of bird species. The festival features guided walks taking in vineyards (葡萄园), nature reserves and vast skies along the shoreline.

1. Which walking festival is held in two seasons this year?

A．Crickhowell Walking Festival.	B．Isle of Wight Walking Festival.
C．Moray Walking and Outdoor Festival.	D．Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival.

2. What can festival goers do during Moray Walking and Outdoor Festival?

A．Make samples of rare species.	B．Volunteer in nature reserves.
C．Observe birds and go boating.	D．Attend a class on marine science.

3. What is special about Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival?

A．It has the longest path.	B．It provides graded walks.
C．It offers guide choices.	D．It serves as history tour.

3 . Pickleball, which combines elements of badminton, Ping-Pang, and tennis, has two characteristics that make it a good choice for older adults. It’s slower than other racket (球拍) sports, and it’s easier to learn.

With a play area about a quarter the size of a tennis court and a plastic ball that doesn’t bounce as high or as fast as a tennis ball, you don’t have to run as much or as quickly. The bats are lighter and shorter than tennis rackets, making them easier to swing and control. There are fewer rules than tennis.

Plus, pickleball is more social than many types of exercise and it’s fun. In one study, participants rated pickleball 150 percent higher for enjoyment than walking. “People are finding it’s not boring,” says Cedric Bryant, PhD, chief science officer at the American Council on Exercise, who has played pickleball for more than 20 years. “It’s not something they’re doing just because they should, but because they enjoy it and want to do it.”

Pickleball is an effective workout, and like walking, you can adjust the intensity to your preferences. A friendly doubles match can qualify as proper exercise. A competitive singles match is likely to be tighter.

And pickleball offers plenty of health pluses. After six weeks of playing an hour of pickleball three times a week, older adults improved their cardiorespiratory (心肺的) fitness and blood pressure, according to a study published in 2018 in the International Journal of Research in Exercise Physiology. Another study found that the activity may keep you mentally sharp. “You’re making a lot of quick decisions while engaged in a physical task,” says study author David Bolton, PhD, assistant professor at Utah State University in Logan. “It is effectively training cognitive (认知的) ability.”

But it is not without risks of getting injured. Don’t just hit the court and go right into having a game. A warm-up is the best defense against injury, so take at least 5 minutes to prepare your body.

1. What is one of the reasons for the popularity of pickleball among older adults?

A．Its slow pace.	B．Its great intensity.
C．Its complex rules.	D．Its cheap equipment.

2. What does Cedric Bryant mainly want to tell us about pickleball?

A．It is demanding.	B．It is enjoyable.
C．It is beneficial.	D．It is practical.

3. What does the underlined word “It” in Paragraph 5 refer to?

A．Making quick decisions.

B．Training cognitive ability.

C．Brain activity during physical exercise.

D．The proper frequency to play pickleball.

4. What might the author talk about next?

A．Pre-workout preparations.	B．The rules of this exercise.
C．Comments on this game.	D．Disadvantages of pickleball.

4 . There are festivals going on somewhere in the world every day of the year. These range from very large events to local celebrations in tiny villages. We have selected a few of the more unusual, colourful festivals from around the world.

Mighty Mud (泥; 泥浆) Mania: Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

Children’s dreams really do come true in the City of Scottsdale. Children aged 1 to 13, get to join in the mud race Mighty Mudway features water and mud games. There are also water slides, sandcastle buildings and fun for all ages. Moms and dads, remember to send your kids out with old clothes and shoes.

Songkran Festival, Thailand

What better way to celebrate the “start of the return of rains” than with a country-wide water fight? Thais celebrate their festival officially from April 13th until April 15th. These three days represent the last day of the old year, the day of transition, and the first day of the New Year. Water battles fought out for days in the streets of every town and city over the country.

The La Tomatina Festival, Spain

On the last Wednesday of every August thousands of Spaniards take part in the La Tomatina Festival in Bunol. Truckloads of tomatoes are pulled in each year and dumped in the city centre. The people throw tomatoes at each other for the whole day, but the only rule is that the tomato must be flattened in the hand first, before being thrown. Even elderly grandmothers have been known to take part.

Canberra Sled Dog Classic: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

Dog sledding is one of the fastest growing sports on the east coast of Australia. As there’s no snow (the trail is earth and sand and is smooth and wide with a few hills and turns) , the sleds have wheels instead of runners, but the excitement is the same.

1. Which festival is most suitable for 10-year-old Jack and his younger brother?

A．Mighty Mud Mania	B．Songkran Festival
C．The La Tomatina Festival	D．Canberra Sled Dog Classic

2. How is the Songkran Festival in Thailand traditionally celebrated?

A．With a dog sledding race.	B．Through a country-wide water fight.
C．By having a nationwide tomato fight.	D．By building sandcastles in a muddy environment.

3. What do the festivals above have in common?

A．They are all for adults.	B．They happen in the same season.
C．They all have joyful atmosphere.	D．They all happen in the same country.

5 . Humans are driving climate change. That means we can change our path.     1    , individual actions matter, too. Here are some individual actions that can make a positive impact.

    2    . First, be mindful of your meat. Cows create a lot of methane (甲烷), a significant driver of global climate change. One study found replacing beef with almost anything else for one meal a day can cut a person’s dietary carbon footprint by 48%. Then, address your food waste. Cut down on what you throw away and watch out for single-use items like coffee beans whose production produces greenhouse gases.

Extend product lifespan (寿命).     3    . Shoes, clothes, furniture and even some electronics can be repaired to extend their life and keep waste out of landfills.

Switch to electric cooking. Not only is gas-powered cooking releasing harmful chemicals into the environment, but it could be contributing to health problems for you if you’re cooking indoors.     4    .

Plant trees where you can. Trees can help control temperatures and improve air quality.     5    . Local wildlife organizations often have lists of plants with neutral (中性的) or positive impacts on local flora and fauna (动植物群).

A．Eat more sustainably

B．Fix what you have instead of replacing it

C．The time it gives you back this fall is an added bonus

D．As climate change causes temperatures in many areas to rise

E．Just make sure the plants you’re adding are approved for your area

F．Plus, research has shown some gas stoves can leak pollutants even when they’re off

G．While governments and businesses have a key role to play in addressing climate change

6 . World-famous Botanical Gardens

From botanical history to scientific discovery, here are the top picks for people to explore.

Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, London, England (1840)

Located in London, Royal-Botanic Gardens at Kew are home to the world’s biggest collection of living plants. As a global resource for plant and fungal knowledge, it has more than 50,000 species of native and exotic plants, trees, and flowers on site. It is a setting rich in history that spans from royal decorations to wartime bombing, and its mission is to protect plants for the future of all life on Earth.

The Humble Administrator’s Garden, Suzhou, China (1513)

The Humble Administrators Garden in Suzhou is a great masterpiece with its attractive design and careful arrangement of natural elements. It’s centered around water features, with beautiful fountains, complex rockwork, and historic buildings surrounded by thick vegetation. The combination of these elements creates a picturesque landscape. Because of its exceptional cultural and historical significance, the garden has become a world heritage.

Parque de Monserrate, Sintra, Portugal (1789)

Monserrate is a combination of wild landscape with old ruins, formal lawned areas and lovely gardens. The garden sits on the lower slopes of the Sintra Mountains, which have one of the mildest climates in Europe, so the garden is frost-free. At its very centre is a grand palace, which has a distinctive mixture of different architectural styles. It has been the site of various buildings and gardens for hundreds of years.

Missouri Botanical Garden, St Louis, USA (1859)

Established in 1859, Missouri Botanical Garden is the oldest botanical garden in continuous use in North America. It is recognized internationally for its scientific research. With almost 50 themed gardens, Missouri Botanical Garden has been involved in the conservation of plants from native American regions and also from Madagascar, China and Central America.

1. Why are the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew established?

A．To collect tropical plants.	B．To conserve various plants.
C．To record the history of British plants.	D．To provide a shelter for people in wartime.

2. What is special about the Humble Administrator’s Garden?

A．It highlights the waterscape.	B．It is surrounded by formal lawns.
C．It includes many themed gardens.	D．It shows different architectural ruins.

3. Where are science lovers most likely to go?

A．London.

B．Suzhou.

C．Sintra.

D．St Louis.

7 . Find your new favorite hobby

Challenging and fun hobbies have the power to make us happier and healthier. They can lead to better physical health, lower stress, greater life satisfaction, a larger social network and improve work performance.     1     But where do you start? Here are some tips on how to discover the hobbies you don’t yet know you’ll love.

Ask yourself how you want to feel

Hobbies present an escape—they can help you get out of your head and calm down. Ask yourself how you want an activity to make you feel. Mentally engaged? Distracted? Relaxed? Socially connected?     2     Recognize that you have different needs at different moments, and that’s OK.

Start small

    3     Try to figure out gradually if it’s right for you. You can always do more later. If you’re wondering if paintballing might be a good fit, join an outing or two with a local Meet-up group. Or sign up for a one-time pottery class rather than a set of eight.

    4    

When people feel guilty about spending time on leisure, they experience increased symptoms of depression and anxiety. Give yourself permission to do something that you like and keep in mind that if a hobby makes you healthier and happier, everyone around you will benefit. Think of discovering new hobbies as a way to add new dimensions to your life, and enjoy the process.

Take a trip back in time

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? The answer could point you toward an appealing hobby. Revisit some activities you loved when you were young, like drawing, putting together model kits, collecting things or building clay figures, which is really helpful to start your new hobbies.     5    

Keep a list

Keep a list on your fridge or other things of all the things that strike you as interesting. Write down potential interests as they come to you, and you’ll have no shortage of options to explore when you’re ready.

A．Remove guilt.

B．Keep optimistic.

C．Plus, they often promote connection with others.

D．Those childhood delights can easily develop into adult hobbies.

E．Don’t invest a ton of time and money in a new hobby immediately.

F．You shoud keep an open mind and don’t ignore some potential hobbies.

G．It’s also helpful to consider what your life is missing, like creativity or physical activity.

8 . Art galleries you can visit for free with your Paris Pass

Centre Pompidou

Normally €7.00       Wednesday-Monday: 11 AM-10 PM

Centre Pompidou is a must-see attraction when you’re visiting Paris. Featuring late 19th-20th century art, the museum has collection of over 50,000 works, including movements from Fauvism, Cubism, Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism.

Musée Gustave Moreau

Normally €13.00       Wednesday- Monday: 10 AM-6 PM

Musée Gustave Moreau was designed by the painter himself and includes his private apartment and the large gallery he built to display his work. The apartment is preserved exactly as it was 100 years ago.

Musée de l’Orangerie

Normally €9.00       Wednesday-Monday: 9 AM-6 PM

The museum is best known for its association with the famous Impressionist painter Claude Monet and his Water Lilies series of paintings. Before it was an art gallery housing some of the most famous pieces in history, Musée de l’Orangerie was used as a storehouse and a home for mobilized soldiers.

Musée d’Orsay

Normally €14.00       Tuesday-Sunday: 9:30 AM-6 PM

Musée d’Orsay was an old turn-of-the-century railway station that was built on the site of the Palais d’Orsay. Exemplifying the architecture of the Beaux-Arts movement, Musée d’Orsay is one of Paris’ most popular art galleries and houses art and sculpture from 1848 to 1915.

1. How much is the admission to Centre Pompidou without a Paris Pass?

A．€7.00.

B．€9.00.

C．€13.00.

D．€14.00.

2. Where can visitors enjoy a series of Monet’s Water Lilies?

A．Centre Pompidou.	B．Musée Gustave Moreau.
C．Musée de l’Orangerie.	D．Musée d’Orsay.

3. What was the original use of Musé e d’Orsay?

A．An art gallery.	B．A storehouse.
C．A railway station.	D．A personal apartment.

9 . At Reader’s Digest, we understand a holiday is never just a holiday. It’s visiting new and inspiring places, enabling you to experience different cultures, broaden minds and discover the unknown. It’s something exciting to look forward to and talk about when you get home. It’s making memories that will last a lifetime.

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1. From which is the text probably taken?

A．A magazine.	B．A web page.
C．A book guide.	D．A shopping list.

2. Who can get the promo codes for discounts on travel bookings?

A．Experienced authors.	B．Experts in group travel.
C．Reader’s Digest subscribers.	D．Publishers of Reader’s Digest.

3. How much can a couple save with promo codes for a holiday of 7 nights?

A．£60.

B．£100.

C．£120.

D．£200.

10 . The NCPA (国家大剧院) has accepted more than four million visitors with a series of 284 exhibitions covering oil paintings, music instruments, intangible cultural heritage and more. The NCPA provides you with performances and shows every day. Whenever you see a sunrise or sunset the curtain her never falls down.

Shape of Music

Shape of Music — A Cross-Sense Experience is an art exhibition jointly launched by the NCPA and the Central Academy of Fine Arts. Visual artists will create animated (动画的) works based on the feelings brought by different music pieces.

The Nutcracker

The ballet The Nutcracker is produced by the Harbin Ballet. Zhang Dandan, the famous ballet artist the head and artistic director of the Harbin Ballet, and the chief director, together with the international choreographer Peter Quanz and many other top domestic and foreign artists, create a large-scale ballet. The ballet has now had its first public performance at the Harbin Grand Theater and has achieved complete success.

Xu Li’s Impressionistic Oil Paintings

It is the first exhibition of new oil paintings by Xu Li in recent years, which gives shape to natural mountains and rivers throughout the country. He continuously pours out his appreciation and perception of the beautiful China

Pear Garden Culture-Themed ART Exhibition

About 100 traditional Chinese paintings and oil paintings are displayed under three themes — “Ancient Tone &New Tune”, “Cultural Inheritance” and “Review for More Knowledge” at the exhibition to introduce, present and spread the opera culture in the form of paintings, promoting the expression of the opera culture through the re-creation of painting art.

Booking tickets: please click here.
Working hours: 9:30AM-19:30PM (CST) on performance day

9:30AM-18:00PM (CST) for days without performances

1. If you are interested in dancing, which will you probably go for?

A．The Nutcracker.	B．Shape of Music.
C．Xu Li’s Impressionistic Oil Paintings.	D．Pear Garden Culture-Themed ART Exhibition.

2. What do “Shape of Music” and “Pear Garden Culture-Themed ART Exhibition” have in common?

A．They are available for free.	B．They are exhibition of oil paintings.
C．They are re-creation of performing arts.	D．They are related to traditional Chinese culture.

3. Which is the text most likely to be taken from?

A．A website.

B．A brochure

C．A newspaper.

D．A magazine.