They say to find out what you really want, go back to when you were a child.
When I was a kid, I really wanted to be a painter, but I was never great at it. I was discouraged, because in art classes my paintings were never the most beautiful. In the third grade, we were given a project to create a portrait. I used the skills and tips we were all taught in class. After we were done, we presented our portraits. We stood in front of the class and explained our technique. I remember looking at other portraits thinking, “We were given the same skills, why do theirs look so professional and mine looks so amateur?”
But I still really enjoyed painting because it’s a forgiving art. If I don’t like what I’ve put on paper, I can paint over it. I can mix colors and make new ones. Also, I can release some creative juices, use what has inspired me and allow that to pour out of me in a way I may not have imagined.
But because I have always wanted to paint beautiful pictures, I just decided to change what beauty looked like. I changed what beauty meant to me.
Throughout school, they taught us about Picasso, Van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci who were always painting whatever was in front of them and around them. But that’s not what I saw around me.
Then I learned about Basquiat, who inspired me to paint abstract pictures. I paint when I’m moved, and I am often moved by what’s natural: emotions, nature, and other forms of art. I am also very moved by pain. When there is pain in the world or in my heart, it can be unbearable. I had a conversation with an activist in St. Louis named Spook, and I explained to her this feeling and she told me, “Pain is energy. You have to learn how to channel that energy into something productive.” So sometimes I channel that pain into art, into a painting.
Even if the picture doesn’t turn out aesthetically (美学地) pleasing by society’s standards, it’s still beautiful that I was able to create something. My paintings may not be a Basquiat, but they’re mine, so I love them anyway.
1. What was the author’s dream as a kid? (no more than 5 words)2. What did the author find after the portrait presentation?（no more than 15words）
3. What factors motivated the author to keep his passion for arts? (no more than 15 words)
4. How do you understand the underlined word in Paragraph 6? (I word)
5. Besides painting, what other art form would you use to express your feelings? And explain why. (no more than 25 words)
2 . In spring, chickens start laying again, bringing a welcome source of protein at winter’s end. So it’s no surprise that cultures around the world celebrate spring by honoring the egg.
Some traditions are simple, like the red eggs that get baked into Greek Easter breads. Others promote the egg into a fancy art, like the heavily jewel-covered “eggs” that were favored by the Russians starting in the 19th century.
One ancient form of egg art comes to us from Ukraine. For centuries, Ukrainians have been drawing complicated patterns on eggs. Contemporary artists have followed this tradition to create eggs that speak to the anxieties of our age: Life is precious, and delicate. Eggs are, too.
“There’s something about their delicate nature that appeals to me,” says New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast. Several years ago, she became interested in eggs and learned the traditional Ukrainian technique to draw her very modern characters. “I’ve broken eggs at every stage of the process—from the very beginning to the very, very end.”
But there’s an appeal in that weakness. “There’s part of this sickening horror of knowing you’re walking on the edge with this, that I kind of like, knowing that it could all fall apart at any second.” Chast’s designs, such as a worried man alone in a tiny rowboat, reflect that delicateness.
Traditional Ukrainian decorated eggs also spoke to those fears. The complex patterns were believed to offer protection against evil.
“There’s an ancient legend that as long as these eggs are made, evil will not take over in the world,” says Joan Brander, a Canadian egg-painter who has been painting eggs for over 60 years, having learned the art from her Ukrainian relatives.
Although the tradition dates back to 300 B. C., the old symbols on the eggs still reflect their good wishes. A decorated egg with a bird on it, given to a young married couple, is a wish for children. A decorated egg thrown into the field would be a wish for a good harvest.
1. Why do people in many cultures prize the egg?| A．It is a welcome sign of the coming of spring. | B．It is their major source of protein in winter. |
| C．It can easily be made into a work of art. | D．It can bring wealth and honor to them. |
| A．They are shaped like jewel cases. | B．They are cherished by the rich. |
| C．They are heavily painted in red. | D．They are favored as a form of art. |
| A．Eggs serve as an enduring symbol of new life. | B．Eggs have an oval shape appealing to artists. |
| C．Eggs reflect the anxieties of people today. | D．Eggs provide a unique surface to paint on. |
| A．She never knows if the egg will break before the design is completed. |
| B．She can add multiple details to the design to communicate her idea. |
| C．She always derives great pleasure from designing something new. |
| D．She is never sure what the final design will look like until the end. |
| A．The Russians prefer baking red eggs into breads. |
| B．It has a history of over two thousand years. |
| C．It is the most time-honored form of fancy art. |
| D．It is especially favored as a church decoration. |
3 . Higher education costs have been on an upward trend globally, making it increasingly challenging for many students to finance their studies. Scholarships offer vital financial assistance, often covering full or partial tuition, textbooks, living expenses, and even research or travel allowances. By reducing or eliminating the need for loans, scholarships enable recipients to focus on their studies without the added stress of immediate repayment obligations or long-term debt. Luckily, increasing your odds of winning money for school doesn’t have to be difficult. So take out your smart phone and start earning more money towards your education.
The Redefine Black ScholarshipDeadline: March 5,2024
Currently, words like “dirty” and “evil” are still used in dictionaries to define the word “black”. The words we choose matter, so it’s time to change them. It is a chance for you to learn how language affects perception. Sign up for resources on www.dosomething.org for a chance to win $5,000.
The Law Offices of Joel J. Kofsky ScholarshipDeadline: March 15,2024
This firm is looking for a short video—just two to three minutes—on the topic of avoiding a car accident when driving, like texting while driving, or something more complex. Videos will be judged based on innovation, design and topic-related content. Sign up on the wedsite: www.phillyinjurylawyer.com. The first place winner will receive a scholarship of $1,500.
Oleg Fastovsky Outstanding Citizen ScholarshipDeadline: April 30,2024
In 500 words or less, the Maryland Criminal Defense Group wants you to talk about how you and others can serve your community. It’s perfect for those with personal volunteer experience. Sign up on mdcriminalattorney.net. The first place winner will receive $500towards their education.
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If you want a simple way to earn money for college, look no further than VIP Voice’s $5,000 scholarship. To enter, all you have to do is sign up www.vipvoice.com and complete two short surveys. As you complete surveys, you’ll earn points. The more points you have, the better your chances of winning the contest.
1. What’s the purpose of the text?| A．To introduce four scholarship-winning programs. | B．To share the experience of winning scholarships. |
| C．To describe requirements of four clubs. | D．To help students apply for colleges. |
| A．VIP Voice Scholarship | B．The Redefine Black Scholarship |
| C．The Law Offices of Joel J. Koksky Scholarship | D．Oleg Fastovsky Outstanding Citizen Scholarship |
| A．A 15-minute video about the causes of many accidents. |
| B．A two-minute video about it texting while walking. |
| C．An eye-opening video about drunk driving. |
| D．A well-designed video about criminal law. |
| A．It is difficult for college students to win it. |
| B．It will be given to the applicant with the highest points. |
| C．It offers students more money than the other scholarships. |
| D．It asks students to complete three surveys before signing up. |
| A．An article in a fashion magazine. | B．The front page of a newspaper. |
| C．The homepage of a company. | D．The website of a university. |
When Susan Greenstein Prescott was a high school senior, her English teacher, Fred DiMeo, gave her a terrifying task: recite (背诵) a poem in front of the whole class.
“I had a stutter (口吃). I’d be trying to get a word out that might begin with ‘D’ or ‘TH’” Susan said. The thought of getting up in front of her classmates and stuttering through the poem was too much to bear. Susan went home and told her mom how scared she was. Her mom agreed to write a note asking for her to be excused from doing the work in front of the whole class. When the day of the recitation came, Susan recited the poem one-on-one to Fred. Once she was done, he said something she’d never heard before: he liked listening to her voice.
For the first time, Susan considered the possibility that public speaking didn’t have to be a source of trepidation. “I think in his mind he wanted me to understand I have nothing to be afraid of,” she said. After college, Susan landed a job as a corporate trainer. The new position made her realize how big an impact Fred had had on her confidence. “I stand up in front of people and I speak. I do it all the time, and if I do stutter once in a while, no big deal,” she said.
Susan recently found a way to contact her former teacher, and plans on sending him a letter expressing her appreciation. “He truly is an unsung hero,” she said. “I don’t know where I would’ve gone if I felt like I had to keep my voice quiet because I was afraid of embarrassing myself. I’d like to give him my thanks for that kindness.”
1. Why did Susan refuse the teacher’s task? (no more than 10 words)2. How did Fred respond to Susan’s recitation? (no more than 6 words)
3. What does the underlined word “trepidation” in paragraph 3 probably mean? (1word)
4. According to Susan, what gave her confidence to speak publicly? (no more than 5 words)
5. What do you think of Fred DiMeo? Please explain. (no more than 20 words)
5 . Think about things around you when you get up in the morning: the alarm clock, toothbrush, toile, coffee maker, and shower heads… What do these things have in common? They are all inventions. They come in all shapes, sizes and varieties. And their inventors were from diverse backgrounds. Sure, many scientists have made discoveries and turned those discoveries into inventions. However, that doesn’t mean you must be a scientist to be an inventor.
We often hear that necessity is the mother of invention, and it means that people often identify one of their needs and then try to meet that need. Sometimes the only way to meet that need is to invent a new product!
Think about all of the musical instruments in the world. Now think of all the products that go along with those instruments. Instead of scientists, many of those products were invented by musicians. They discovered a need and then invented a product to satisfy it. They may have thought scientifically about the product. They may have had help from a scientist, but many people have shown that inventors can come from any background.
Non-scientific approaches can help develop new inventions. Although thinking scientifically is often a necessity, it can also be helpful to think out of the box. We often get used to doing things the same way and thinking that some ideas won’t work, which makes us stop thinking about new things. But if we keep thinking, we might discover something amazing. That is why some inventors can come from a variety of non-scientific backgrounds. For example a poet and an astronomer both look at the sky, but they see it differently. The poet might have ideas about a problem the astronomer would never consider.
See? You don’t have to be a scientist to be an inventor. Somehow, everyone can invent something.
1. What is the main idea of the first paragraph?| A．Inventions can be made by anyone, not just scientists. |
| B．Inventions are mainly the result of scientific discoveries. |
| C．Inventors must have scientific backgrounds. |
| D．Inventors is good at inventing daily things. |
| A．Remember. | B．Invent. | C．Find. | D．Develop. |
| A．the need for a solution leads to invention |
| B．music is very important in our lives |
| C．inventions come from scientific thinking |
| D．music can help scientists become inventors |
| A．It is helpful for people to keep thinking. |
| B．It is not important for people to think scientifically. |
| C．People need to think about things in new, different ways. |
| D．People need to get used to doing things the same way. |
| A．We should take a look at the sky. |
| B．It’s not easy to write a piece of music. |
| C．We should try to solve scientific problems. |
| D．It’s possible for everyone to invent things. |
6 . “Do you want to go to work with me today?” Asked my father one day when I was nine or 10 years old. He had never taken me to work with him before.
How could I have said no? I had no idea where my father worked, nor how he earned a living. All I knew, back around 1992, was that he left our house every morning before we woke up and came back every night after we finished dinner. So, I gave him a positive answer.
My dad drove us south to the city of Newark, where he was born. There we entered a middle-class apartment building. He made the rounds doing regular duty for the next few hours with me following closely. He checked the basic systems and services. He collected rents. He carried around a case of tools in case he needed to fix a broken door or get a washing machine running again.
He took me to work with him a few other times over the years. I always loved going. I got to see him in action, doing his job among other people, out in the wider world and looking important, even heroic. I felt proud of him, proud to be his son. I wish he had taken me more often.
Years later, I followed this tradition. I took my daughter Caroline with me to my office for a day. She saw me in a glassed-off conference room brainstorming with colleagues, on the phone talking with clients and — no doubt the most attractive scene of all — on my computer writing a report. With any luck, my daughter felt the same pride I had felt with my own father.
Today fewer and fewer kids get the same opportunity. Maybe we should make this a tradition.
1. Why did the author agree to go to work with his father for the first time?| A．He wanted to earn money for himself. |
| B．He was forced to go by his father. |
| C．He was curious about his father’s job. |
| D．He intended to repair their relationship. |
| A．Checking systems, collecting rents, and fixing appliances. |
| B．Working with colleagues and brainstorming ideas. |
| C．Answering phone calls and organizing paperwork. |
| D．Writing reports and attending meetings regularly. |
| A．He felt pity for his father. |
| B．He admired his father’s skills. |
| C．He thought highly of his father. |
| D．He questioned his father’s choice. |
| A．Repairing broken doors and washing machines. |
| B．Bringing her to his workplace for a day. |
| C．Calling the clients and writing reports. |
| D．Taking her to visit his hometown. |
| A．It helped him build a successful career. |
| B．It developed his great talents for business. |
| C．It deepened his understanding of his work. |
| D．It made him proud and follow the same tradition. |
7 . Discover it all at the Smithsonian!
There’s no more exciting place to be than Smithsonian Summer Camp, where all kinds of dreams can come true. Summer Camp registration begins on Jan. 28, starting at 9 a.m. (online and phone).
People donating to the Smithsonian Associates at the $300 level or higher can register two days in advance.
Get in touch with Customer Service at 202-633-3030 or Smithsonian Associates.org/Camp.
GENERAL INFORMATION
·Camps run Monday, June 20 through Friday, August 19. There will be no camp on Monday, July 4. That week, camp runs Tuesday, July 5 through Friday, July 8.
·Camps are offered for children from kindergarten through 9th grade.
·Camps range in size from 16 to 20 children, with four campers having one instructor.
·Most camps are one week long; campers may register for one or more camps.
·Campers provide their own transportation to the National Mall --- where camps are held. The supervised(监督) drop-off and pick-up location is the entrance of the S. Dillion Ripley Center. An adult is required to sign each camper in and out daily.
·Camps include a supervised packed lunch hour.
Camps T-shirts
A Smithsonian Summer Camp T-shirt is included in the registration fee. Campers can sport their shirts proudly and stand out from the crowd on their field trips around the National Mall. Campers receive one shirt at check-in on their first day of camp, despite the number of camps they registered. Available sizes range from youth S to adult XL. Be sure to include the correct T-shirt size when you register; campers will be given only the recorded size.
1. If one wants to register on Jan.26, he should _______.| A．call 202-633-3030 |
| B．join the Camp in previous years |
| C．visit SmithsonianAssociates.org/Camp |
| D．contribute $300 or more to the Smithsonian Associates |
| A．16-20 | B．5-8 | C．4-5 | D．1-4 |
| A．They should go to camps on their own. | B．Camps provide free lunch for them. |
| C．They can only choose one camp. | D．Each camp lasts for one week. |
| A．They are sold at the National Mall. |
| B．Each camper can only have one T-shirt. |
| C．Campers receive them as soon as they register. |
| D．There’ re different colors for campers to choose from. |
| A．an invitation. | B．a travel guide | C．an advertisement | D．a research report |
8 . It was on her 14th birthday that her first book, In the Forest of the Night, was accepted for publication. It was a huge success gaining the attention of millions of young readers. At 16, her second novel, Demon in My View, also reached the bookstores. Several books later, the teenage author still works away in her room, surrounded by shelves full of dark tales about vampires (吸血鬼) and witches (女巫). Amelia Atwater-Rhodes is widely seen as America’s finest teen writer and was named one of Teen People’s “20 Teens Who Will Change the World”.
Born in 1984, she began making up stories when she was about three years old. “I never stopped and said, ‘I want to write’,” Amelia remembers. “I loved stories and created stories before I was old enough to know how to write them down.”
In her family, reading was basic and fun. “My parents encouraged me to read — and to read anything I wanted, so long as I was reading,” she said. “They never limited what I read. Later, when I started writing, they never criticized what I did or said I was ‘too young’. They never said it was impossible for me to achieve what I have.”
In her short but successful career, Amelia has tried different styles. But vampires were the first characters to really come alive in her work. From them she has developed a whole world, one which she always enjoys learning more about.
As a published teen writer, Amelia’s advice to other teens who dream of being author s is: just do it! “I believe anything is possible. Don’t give up your dreams just because you fear failure. Getting a book published is difficult, but if I can do it, others can too.”
1. When did Amelia Atwater-Rhodes’ second book appear in bookstores?| A．In 1984. | B．In 1987. | C．In 1998. | D．In 2000. |
| A．Reading widely helped her a lot in her career. |
| B．She found getting a book published was easy. |
| C．Vampires have been the only characters in her books. |
| D．Her parents began to teach her to make up stories when she was 3. |
| A．They helped her with writing stories. | B．They fully supported her. |
| C．They thought she was too young to read. | D．They chose what she read. |
| A．vampires | B．different styles |
| C．teenagers | D．characters in her novel |
| A．Good News for Teen Writers | B．Is It Possible for a Teen Writer to Be Published? |
| C．Advice on Being Teen Writers | D．A Top-selling Teen Writer Pens Vampire Tales |
9 . The Tianjin Binhai Public Library was described by The Daily Mail as “the world’s ultimate library” in 2017, and “breathtaking” was the word chosen for it. One book at the library and you’ll see why. With its futuristic design and walls loaded with books, it’s the dream library of every book lover.
But as the awe continues, there’s a burning question lying in the back of our minds: When physical bookstores are closing down one by one, what makes libraries immune from digitalization? And do we still need libraries as we’ve got the Internet in our hands?
Reporter Ian Clark has the answer. “Libraries are not declining in importance - people are simply changing the way they use them,” he wrote. What Clark means is that libraries have shifted from simply being storehouses of books to a medium to help “bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots”. According to him, Libraries Are Essential. Since not everyone can afford a smart phone, a tablet or an Internet connection, and not everyone has the know-how to search the internet efficiently, it’s public libraries that make sure that these resources and technologies are available to a larger group of people. And one of the pitfalls that come with online materials is that they’re not always trustworthy. “Google doesn’t tell you what you’re not getting, so people need to evaluate the quality and completeness of what they see on their screens, ” Sarah Pritchard, dean of libraries at Northwestern University, told Northwestern Research Magazine. And libraries are usually where that “evaluation” happens.
But all of these practical functions aside, we still need the physical space that a library provides. It’s something that's called a “third place”, according to the Seattle Times. This is a place in which we can fully concentrate on our study and work without easily getting distracted. And compared to other “third places” like coffee shops, libraries have a “non-commercial nature” that allows you to relax completely. “Nobody is trying to sell you anything in the library. There is no pressure to buy and there is no judgment of your choices,” Anne Goulding, a professor at Victoria University in New Zealand, said. “There are few other spaces that you can just ‘be’ without somebody questioning your presence or your motivation.”
1. The attraction of the Tianjin Binhai Public Library lies in _______.| A．world's ultimate library | B．design and book walls |
| C．every book lover's dream | D．reports on The Daily Mail |
| A．problems | B．functions | C．mistakes | D．trends |
| A．Libraries have changed the way people read. |
| B．Libraries are as important as they used to be. |
| C．Libraries are better used by the poor than the rich. |
| D．Libraries are made more available to more people. |
| A．Libraries make people less likely to get distracted. |
| B．Libraries give people more motivation and inspiration. |
| C．Libraries provide people with a wider range of choices. |
| D．Libraries allow people to read without fear of being judged. |
| A．In a news report. | B．In an introductory speech. |
| C．In a science magazine. | D．In a fashion brochure. |
10 . To better understand how animals like spiders communicate with pattern and color, Jenny Yi-Ti Sung, a biology doctoral student at the University of Cincinnati, is turning to ancient dramatic art. Sung is studying how Beijing operas convey details about characters to their audiences through the performers’ colorful masks (脸谱).
Like jumping spiders, Beijing opera masks have unique patterns and colors that convey information to their intended audience. For spiders, the unique characteristics broadcast species, sex or even romantic intentions to possible mates. Similarly, in Beijing opera, the masks give the audience clues about a character’s motives, character or virtue.
“I’m interested in understanding how male spiders might use their patterns and colors to tell a female spider they’re the same species and are a good mate,” Sung said. “I saw a parallel in Beijing opera masks. How do these visual patterns evolve to tell a specific identity?”
Sung is investigating whether Beijing opera masks within a particular opera are more similar or different compared with masks in unrelated operas. Her computerized analysis involves scanning and resizing 76 masks for uniformity, employing the Eigenfaces (特征脸) method to identify common or unique facial features. This investigation aims to reveal the importance of differentiation among characters within the same story in the Beijing opera.
Nathan Morehouse, Sung’s advisor, thought highly of Sung’s creative approach, describing it as a delightful marriage of cultural and scientific interests in evolutionary biology. “I think it enriches science and opens up new ways of thinking’ about things,” he said.
Facial patterns, as observed in jumping spiders and various animal species, hold biological significance in conveying information about species, sex and mate suitability. Besides spiders, facial pattern recognition is found in many other animals. “When they live in mixed-species communities, their facial patterns evolve to be distinct so they can distinguish members of the same species at a distance,” Morehouse said.
Sung hopes that her study will shed light on evolutionary divergence (差异), exploring the point at which members of the same species take different genetic paths. “Of course, there’s no punishment to the audience if they don’t recognize the Beijing opera faces properly. But in the wild, you’d get eaten,” she said.
1. What is the aim of Sung’s investigation of Beijing opera masks?| A．To identify the colors used in different masks. |
| B．To find similarities among masks in unrelated operas. |
| C．To understand the features of Eigenfaces in opera masks. |
| D．To uncover the significance of distinguishing characters in operas. |
| A．It applies to many animals. | B．It involves biological sciences. |
| C．It combines science with culture. | D．It involves wildlife conservation. |
| A．They confuse their enemies. | B．They promote species harmony. |
| C．They enable species recognition. | D．They facilitate cross-species interaction. |
| A．He is a famous scientist in evolutionary biology. |
| B．He supports Sung’s research on Beijing opera masks. |
| C．He thinks the study of masks has little value. |
| D．He doesn’t like the idea of combining culture and science. |
