1 . Data shows that Chinese brands are winning increasingly more consumers in recent years, especially among the younger generation. The trend is usually called “guochao”, or “Chinese fashion trend”, which has driven demand for domestic (国内的) brands and products that often include Chinese traditional culture and style.
Its main followers are millennial born between1980-1995 and Generation Z born between 1995 and 2010. Unlike the older generations who could have attachment to Western culture and brands, Chinese youth were born and raised when the country’s economy and wealth were taking off. The younger generation tends to have strong and genuine confidence in their national identity and traditional culture.
To woo young customers, these domestic names are making products with high quality and appeal by strengthening research and marketing efforts. An often-cited case is Li-Ning, China’s homegrown sportswear brand that is named after one of the nation’s most famous athletes. The company almost broke up after a failed rebranding in 2011 when it went through three years of losses after losing older customers while failing to attract younger buyers. It was not until the 2018 New York Fashion Week that the brand made its huge comeback. Its trendy look，bold use of color and traditional Chinese culture elements were showcased on the stage so that it immediately grabbed attention at home and abroad.
The trend to embrace domestic brands has spread rapidly to various sectors and products as well, from food and drinks to clothing and electronic vehicles. While many Chinese brands have been gaining significant market share at home in recent years, others are posting an increasingly stronger global presence.
In 2020, China’s tech giant Xiaomi reported its most profitable year on the back of expanded sales and global market share. Revenues (零售) from Haier Smart Home’s overseas business last year also marked an all-time high, ranking top list in global market share for major home appliance. Although some brands still face plenty of challenges ahead to meet the sophisticated needs of customers and regulations in overseas markets, most domestic products are still quite competitive in the international market.
1. What does “guochao” refer to？| A．Domestic brands’ rapid increase |
| B．Chinese brands’ growing popularity |
| C．Young generations’ craze about fashion |
| D．Chinese traditional culture’s revival |
| A．They believe that domestic products have relatively good quality. |
| B．Western brands and products are out of date to the young generations. |
| C．Older generations influence the young to favor domestic products. |
| D．The economic development enhances their belief in domestic products. |
| A．To introduce a new topic |
| B．To advertise a domestic brand |
| C．To present a convincing example |
| D．To explain a complicated concept |
| A．Chinese brands are gaining popularity both at home and abroad. |
| B．Sales of Haier Smart Home have topped the domestic market. |
| C．The future of the domestic brands in overseas market is unclear. |
| D．Many Chinese brands fail to meet the standard of overseas market. |
2 . Having bright colors and greenery in our cities can make people happier and calmer, according to a recent experiment.
Researchers at the University of Lille tested how volunteers reacted to variations (变化) of a concrete (混凝土), glass and metal urban landscape. The participants walked on the spot in a laboratory wearing a VR headset with eye trackers, and researchers adjusted their surroundings, adding combinations of vegetation, as well as bright yellow and pink colors, and different patterns on the path. By tracking their blink (眨眼) rate, the researchers learned about what the volunteers were most interested in.
Researchers found the volunteers walked more slowly and their heart rate increased when they saw green vegetation in their urban setting. They also kept their heads higher, looking forward and around, instead of toward the ground. While adding and taking away color didn’t make quite as much of a difference for the participants, they were more curious and alert when colorful patterns were added to the ground they were virtually stepping on. According to Yvonne Delevoye-Turrell, a professor of cognitive psychology at the university and the lead author of this study, the results showed that the urban experience had been made more pleasurable.
The research, published in Frontiers, suggests that making some small changes to the city raises morale, even when people are experiencing them through virtual reality. “We think that the variations of human behavior obtained in virtual reality can predict the changes that would be obtained in the natural settings,” said Delevoye-Turrell.
Michal Matlon, an architecture psychologist and consultant, said: “We often don’t fully appreciate the compounding effects that enriching ordinary places with nature can have.” He added that even the smallest of changes could affect the experience of someone on their way to work, for example.
1. What did researchers try to find in their experiment?| A．What landscape interests urban people most. |
| B．What helps people adjust to new surroundings. |
| C．The effects of vegetation and color in urban settings. |
| D．The most appealing colors and patterns for urban paths. |
| A．Their hearts beat faster. |
| B．They focused on the ground. |
| C．They became nervous and alert. |
| D．They increased their walking speed. |
| A．Health. | B．Abilities. | C．Spirits. | D．Imagination. |
| A．Enriching our lives with colors. |
| B．Including nature in our daily lives. |
| C．Making regular, small changes in our lives. |
| D．Spending as much time as possible in nature. |
3 . One of the best parts of travel is always the food. Or, more specifically, the junk food. It’s a delight people are unlikely to get to experience during the pandemic. But in one corner of the internet, hungry people are keeping the joy of international snacks alive.
On SnackExchange, users trade the delights of their homeland by mail. First, you find someone on the board to swap with. You and your partner then post each other a box full of local finest processed foods, eventually uploading photos of your haul(收获) on the board for others to see.
First created in 2010, SnackExchange’s membership now totals 102,000. Most come to experience snacks they can’t find at home.
For the users who take part in snack exchanges, it’s a way to learn more about the world. For Meghan Quallick, a snack swapper from California, part of the motivation for swapping with an Australian was to get a specific item: Cadbury Black Forest bars. A co-worker of hers had eaten the chocolate bars on a trip to Australia in years past and fallen in love with them, but was then unable to source them at home. Quallick’s snack partner included 10 bars of the chocolate in her package. “To get some and bring them to her was pretty exciting,” Quallick said. “My colleague had tears in her eyes.”
Snack exchanges do come with obvious financial disadvantages. Part of the process is to agree on a budget before you swap – on average that’s around the US$40-50 mark. But you should be prepared to spend twice as much on shipping as the actual snacks. Occasionally swappers get scammed(欺骗) by partners who don’t deliver on their end of the deal.
Often, the snack exchanges are about more than just the food. Heather Clarke, a snack swapper from Melbourne says, “They’re often cultural exchanges as well. You get people going, ‘Can you tell me what this is?’” Often, users enclose(随信附上) instructions on how to best consume the snacks. Going the extra mile is in the spirit of the community.
1. What is paragraph 2 mainly about?| A．The history of snack exchanges. |
| B．Why people love to exchange snacks. |
| C．How users exchange snacks on SnackExchange. |
| D．The influence the pandemic has on snack exchanges. |
| A．She quarreled with Quallick. |
| B．She failed to find a swapper herself. |
| C．She found the snack she ate before online. |
| D．She got what she desired to eat from Quallick. |
| A．Swappers easily get cheated. |
| B．Swappers have to spend more on shipping. |
| C．Swappers seldom find exactly what they want. |
| D．Swappers may spend more time than usual shopping. |
| A．They should be improved. |
| B．They promote cultural exchanges. |
| C．They are lacking in community spirit. |
| D．They should have detailed guides from swappers. |
4 . I am not sure how many years ago it was, but I still had a cassette player (盒式磁带放录机) at the time. I had a lot of housework. I was tired of television and was in the mood for music. I pulled out one of my favorite cassettes. It started to play but before long the music stopped. I opened the player and saw the tape in the cassette was all pulled out and twisted (扭曲的). I tried to fix it, but it was already broken beyond repair. I frowned. I didn’t want to risk another of my cassettes with a tape-eating machine, but I really wanted some music.
Then I noticed my ancient record player in the corner. I walked over and dusted it off. I pulled out an old record of my mom’s that my dad had given me after she died. I turned on the record player and gently put the record on the turntable (唱机上的转盘). “Pop!” “Crack!” went the record for a second as I put the needle(唱针) down. Then a beautiful melody from my childhood started to play. I smiled and started to do my housework. The sweet songs I grew up on touched my soul. I felt the music coming out of me. I started to sing, letting my weak voice join in joyously with the music. I even dared to dance a little while I did the dishes. I smiled and laughed. My heart was filled with happiness. And at that moment I could feel the joy of the universe all around me. “This is how life is supposed to be!”
These days all my music is on CDs. My daughter says I am behind the times. She says I should buy a cellphone and download all the music I want. But instead, I think I will dust off those old records again, put them on that record player and start to sing along.
We all have music within us just waiting to get out. Don’t let your music die within you then. Share your song with the world. And don’t forget to dance a little too.
1. Why did the author give up listening to cassettes?| A．He broke all his cassettes. |
| B．He preferred records to cassettes. |
| C．His cassettes were out of fashion. |
| D．His cassette player didn’t work well. |
| A．Upset. | B．Regretful. | C．Pleased. | D．Surprised. |
| A．Buy new records. | B．Change his record player. |
| C．Sing and dance to the music. | D．Download music to his phone. |
| A．Life with music is beautiful. |
| B．Music can inspire creativity. |
| C．Music helps strengthen family bonds. |
| D．Music helps us keep up with the times. |
5 . In my last semester of college in the US, I struggled with the decision to move to New York to pursue an advertising career, or to stay in Florida to be near my loved ones. While I was leaning toward the latter, everyone kept telling me if I didn't go to New York, I would never make anything of myself or my career. Those statements made my blood boil, but also made me decide to stay in Florida.
I accepted a marketing coordinator (协调员) position with Coton Colors. I knew the company was growing fast, so it felt like a great place to begin my career. In Coton Colors, I tried to establish myself. I took on basic marketing tasks like helping with small campaigns or simple design. I started undertaking more tasks and discovering things I liked and excelled in. I continued to ask for more responsibilities, and before I knew it, I was leading meetings, directing support staff and taking off in my position.
I started getting in contact with some of my New York classmates. It seemed that most of them were still assistants, running to get coffee and make copies, without getting any useful experience. Those conversations helped me realize that I was in control of my own career. I didn't need to move to a big city to become an important part of a successful team-I was already part of one. I went to the CEO and asked to create and lead an events team. After only a few months, I worked around the clock to grow this branch while also continuing to maintain my regular job duties. In the end, all of my hard work and devotion paid I have watched myself grow from an entry-level college student to a valued member of a powerful management team. I have overcome many stereotypes (刻板印象) of my generation with my hard work and positive attitude.
1. Why did the author finally decide to start her career in Florida?| A．She knew that the industry in Florida has more potential. |
| B．She wanted to prove that she could achieve success there. |
| C．She had gotten an offer from a fast-growing company there. |
| D．She was advised by many people to stay near her loved ones |
| A．Promising | B．Stressful. | C．Peaceful. | D．Well-paid. |
| A．Her talent in marketing. |
| B．Her devotion to all her tasks. |
| C．Her patience with simple designs. |
| D．Her good luck in the work. |
| A．No matter what others say, we should always have courage. |
| B．We should stay positive in spite of any difficulties that we meet. |
| C．Small cities are much better than bigger ones to begin a career in. |
| D．We can become a better self with hard work and determination. |
6 . Being bored is no fun, especially at work. But new research out of the Research School of Management at Australian National University argues that while boredom is certainly boring, it isn’t all bad. The disliked mental state can actually spark precious creativity.
The study asked 52 subjects to do a pretty boring job: sort apart a bowl of red and green beans with just one hand for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, 49 other subjects — the control group — were instructed to create art projects with paper, beans and glue. Once the 30 minutes was over, each group was instructed to spend five minutes on a creative task: they had to come up with reasons why a hypothetical (假定的) person was two hours late for a meeting.
The bored group came up with not just more ideas than the control group, but more creative ideas than the control group, too. The quality and quantity of production was higher for people who were bored than those who were not. Creativity itself was measured under a standard that balanced novelty and practicality. Ideas had to fit both criteria to be considered creative.
Guiyun Park, the study’s lead author, readily admits that not every type of job permits the fun of boredom, and it can really be harmful to some important work. But for designers and anyone in a creative field, boredom is not something to fear, but to embrace. Sometimes, the best way to be productive is to expect nothing of yourself at all.
1. What is paragraph 2 mainly about?| A．The process of the research. | B．The benefits of the research. |
| C．The reasons for the research. | D．The disadvantage of the research. |
| A．Boredom can do harm to some work. |
| B．All types of jobs can embrace boredom. |
| C．Boredom is not always something to fear. |
| D．Boredom can be favourable to art designers. |
| A．Concerned. | B．Negative. | C．Positive. | D．Indifferent. |
| A．The Role of Boredom in Increasing Productivity |
| B．The Negative Impact of Boredom on the Workplace |
| C．Why Boredom Should Be Avoided in Creative Fields |
| D．Unlocking Creativity: The Unexpected Benefit of Boredom |
7 . Last year, an estimated one in seven Americans participated in Dry January, a challenge to avoid alcohol for a month. The idea is to keep away from holiday excess and start the new year on a healthier note. The annual 31-day practice began as a public health campaign in the United Kingdom about eight years ago and has been growing ever since.
Dry January is a great strategy for improving your relationship with alcohol, says Keith Heinzerling, MD, an internist (内科医生) and addiction medicine specialist. “Doing a ‘trial quit’ for a short period of time is easier for many people than going straight to total abstinence,” he says. “Taking time away from drinking, even just for a few weeks, gives you a fresh perspective and the opportunity to break bad habits you may have with alcohol.”
It doesn’t take long to start to see positive changes, according to Dr. Heinzerling. “Within just a few days of not drinking, your blood pressure and heart rate will be lower, and you’ll have improved blood sugar regulation, better sleep, and less anxiety and depression,” he says. Another bonus: Quitting alcohol often makes other good habits—exercise and healthy eating, for example—easier to start and maintain, which in turn leads to even more health benefits.
For those who might not be able to handle a month of not drinking, Dr. Heinzerling says, “People who wake up with withdrawal symptoms, sweating, tremors, and a strong need for a drink should not do Dry January.”
For everyone — social drinkers and possible problem drinkers — one key to a positive Dry January is to see it not as a month of gritting your teeth and getting through it until you can drink again, but rather the start of a healthier lifestyle overall. What better way to start the new year?
1. What can we learn from the passage about Dry January?| A．Participants are advised to cut out alcohol for a month in January. |
| B．It is a campaign in which participants can learn more about alcohol. |
| C．It is a challenge which aims to introduce the harm of drinking alcohol. |
| D．Participants are advised to take holidays and keep healthy in January. |
| A．Short-time trial quit. | B．Absolutely no drinking. |
| C．Total alcohol addiction. | D．Long-time relationship. |
| A．It has some positive effects on your blood pressure and heart rate. |
| B．It can help reduce some mental pressure and improve sleeping quality. |
| C．It will definitely help you get rid of the bad habit with alcohol addiction. |
| D．You are likely to form other good habits in sports and diets after Dry January. |
| A．“For a brand-new start and healthier life, keep it up.” |
| B．“Let me get drunk with friends after the month!” |
| C．“Dry January will be followed by a Drunk February.” |
| D．“It is a small piece of cake to stop drinking for a month.” |
8 . Some games fade into near irrelevance，while others pass the test of time and continue to be enjoyed by millions of people from all over the world. Bingo is a hugely entertaining game played all over the world and it has been around for roughly five centuries. It is surely welcomed by a mass of people. The first players to enjoy this game were those who often went to the II Gioco del Lotto d' Italia (意大利彩票).
Bingo is now available at online bingo sites listed at bingosites, net and people enjoy it on virtual and real currency. Back in the day, it wasn’t necessarily a game played for profit, but rather a pleasant pastime with multiple uses. Few people know that bingo was used as an educational tool in Germany at the tum of the 18th century. Children had more fun playing this game while learning about multiplication tables and spelling, and in this country, the name was called Tombola.
Bingo was one of the last games to be added to the portfolios of online casinos (赌场), well after slots, table games, and video pokers. Players were unwilling to switch from real life locations to online bingo rooms. Bingo is a game that promotes social interactions and in the absence of this key element, it is far less exciting. Intemet bingo rooms were able to address this concern by developing chat features allowing gamers to talk to each other while playing. Online bingo rooms are now licensed and regulated, so players can sign up for an account，make a deposit and gamble securely. The license gives them peace of mind，as they know that they don't break any laws by playing the game on real money. Another reason online bingo is so popular is that you can try the game for free using the virtual currency which is replenished indefinitely. Mobile devices are also ideal for playing the game, with all that is needed being an Internet connection.
1. What does the writer intend to stress in the first paragraph？| A．Bingo’s popularity. |
| B．Bingo’s development. |
| C．Bingo’s mystery. |
| D．Bingo’s invention. |
| A．Bingo is more enjoyable when played online. |
| B．Bingo was actually not a profitable game. |
| C．It was well-known that German used Bingo in education. |
| D．Bingo added much pleasure to Children's education. |
| A．Boring online rooms. | B．Lack of communication. |
| C．Absence of real money. | D．Popularity of physical bingo locations. |
| A．Bingo—An educational tool |
| B．Online bingo-A hit around the world |
| C．Bingo—An everlasting game |
| D．Online Bingo—A game of mobile devices |
9 . There is growing evidence to show that our past knowledge about Mars was not always the case. Now European researchers say they have discovered the first evidence of a huge groundwater system that once existed below the planet’s surface.
A new study was carried out by Francesco Salese and his team, who studied images of 24 deep craters (n.弹坑) in the northern half of the Red Planet. These pictures were captured by ESA’s Mars Express orbiter (n.宇宙飞船), which was launched in 2003. The study provides the first geological proof that Mars once had a “planet-wide groundwater system.”
According to Salese, scientific evidence already suggests Mars was once a watery world. His team says the images showed that large amounts of successive groundwater activity connected the areas they studied. Evidence of basins and coastlines was also found on the surface of Mars, supporting the idea that water was once present. He added that all the basins seemed to reach about the same height.
Scientists have yet to find out what happened to all that water. And the complex history of water on Mars has linked to whether or not life ever existed on it. During the latest study, researchers also discovered evidence of minerals within some of the identified (adj.被识别的) bodies of water.
The researchers say the findings adds weight to the idea that the water basins on Mars may have once held the materials required to support life. Some of this material could still be buried on Mars, providing possible evidence of life during future exploration. Francesco Salese believes the latest findings could also help us learn new things about our own planet.
1. What can we infer about our past knowledge of Mars?| A．It had no water. |
| B．It had no groundwater. |
| C．It had a great groundwater system. |
| D．It had water on the surface of the planet. |
| A．In paragraph 3. | B．In paragraph 2. |
| C．In paragraph 1. | D．In paragraph 4. |
| A．complicated | B．brilliant | C．continuous | D．incredible |
| A．Evidence of water on Mars enables us learn new things about the earth |
| B．Our past knowledge about Mars was incorrect. |
| C．Evidence of life could be revealed by the discovery of water on Mars. |
| D．The ever existence of groundwater system on Mars was discovered. |
10 . Music Festivals From Around the World
Music possesses a unique power to unit e people across cultures. One great way to feel this connection is by attending some of the world’s most incredible music festivals.
Sziget FestivalThe Sziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary, is a renowned six-day celebration of music and art on Obuda Island on the Danube River. Started in 1993, the festival is known for its diverse lineup, featuring top artists from genres like electronic, hip-hop, techno, and pop rock. Beyond music, the festival offers cultural experiences like art exhibitions, theater, circus performances, and film screenings.
GlastonburyGlastonbury Music Festival is a global music fest held annually at the Worthy Farm in Somerset, England. Since its inception（开始）in 1970, it has become a touchstone for music enthusiasts worldwide, drawing more than 200,000 visitors during its remarkable five-day run. Additionally, Glastonbury is among the few festivals striving towards being completely carbon-neutral.
Rock in RioThe beloved Rock in Rio festival was founded in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1985．The brand has since expanded to other locations, including Lisbon, Madrid, and Las Vegas. Rock in Rio spans multiple days. While its roots are in rock music, Rock in Rio has evolved to include more genres to appeal to a much broader audience. One of Rock in Rio’s standout features is its commitment to environmental initiatives.
Fuji RockFuji Rock is Japan’s biggest music festival, typically held in Naeba Ski Resort in Niiga ta Prefecture. Known for its stunning mountainous backdrop, this event has been running since 1997 and is celebrated for its diverse lineup that spans rock, electronic, hip-hop, and most other genres. It attracts international and local acts, creating a unique fusion of musical styles.
1. How is the Sziget Festival different from the other music festivals?| A．It is documented in films. |
| B．It is centered on classical arts. |
| C．It hosts various cultural events. |
| D．It features diverse music genres. |
| A．They highlight rock music. |
| B．They last more than a week. |
| C．They undergo global expansion. |
| D．They adopt eco-friendly practices. |
| A．Sziget Festival. | B．Glastonbury. |
| C．Rock in Rio. | D．Fuji Rock. |
