1 . China has set new rules limiting the amount of time children can play online games. The rules limit children to just three hours of online game playing a week. That is one hour between 8 p. m. and 9 p. m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday most weeks.

Li Zhanguo has two children aged 4 and 8. Even though they do not have smartphones, they enjoy playing online games. Like many other parents. Li is happy with new government rules. But experts say it is unclear if such policies can help prevent addiction to online games. Children might just get addicted to social media instead. In the end, experts say, parents should be the ones to set limits and support good practice.

There has been a growing concern in China about gaming addiction among children. Government reports in 2018 found that about one in ten Chinese children were addicted to the Internet. The new rules are part of an effort to prevent young people from spending too much time on unhealthy entertainment. That includes what officials call the “irrational fan culture”

Under the new rules, the responsibility for making sure children play only three hours a day as largely on Chinese gaming companies like Net Ease and Ten cent. Companies have set up real-name registration systems to prevent young users from going past game time limits. They have used facial recognition technology to check their identities. And they have also set up a program that permits people to report what is against the law. It is unclear what punishments gaming companies may face if they do not carry out the policies. And even if such policies are performed, it is also unclear whether they can prevent online addiction.

A specialist treating Internet addiction expects about 20 percent of children will find ways to break the rules by borrowing accounts of their older relatives and find a way around facial recognition. In his opinion, short-video alps such as Douyin and Kuaishou are also very popular in China. They are not under the same restrictions as games.

1. When can children play games according to the new rules?

A．Between 8 p. m. and 9 p. m. On Friday.	B．Between 8 p. m. and 9 p. m. On Tuesday.
C．Between 10 p. m. and 11 p. m. On Saturday.	D．Between 10 p. m. and all p. m. On Thursday.

2. According to experts, _________

A．the new rules can stop children’s addiction to social media

B．companies are more responsible for kids ‘ obeying the rules

C．the new rules will help prevent children playing online games

D．parents play a greater part in limiting the time of online games

3. What will children probably do to battle with the new rules?

A．Design an advanced program.	B．Use facial recognition systems.
C．Set up real-name registration systems.	D．Borrow accounts of their older relatives.

4. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?

A．Rules Limiting Short-video alps	B．Rules Limiting Video Game Time
C．Rules Banning Irrational Fan Culture	D．Rules Breaking Addition to Social Media

2 . Liam Gamer was just 17 years old when he started out on his big adventure — a 32,000-­kilometer bike trip from Alaska to Argentina. In early January, 2023, he finally finished his trip, 17 months after he started.

Liam, an experienced cyclist, had previously ridden from Los Angeles to San Francisco. He made short videos of that trip, and shared them on the social media app TikTok, some of which became quite popular. After reading a book by adventurer Jedidiah Jenkins, who biked from Oregon to Argentina, Liam decided to cycle from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, the northernmost point in the United States accessible by road, to Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost point of South America.

Liam set out on August 1, 2021. At first Liam’s parents weren’t too happy about him taking such a long bike trip by himself though it wouldn’t take that much money. But as he carried on, his parents became his strongest supporters.

After about three months, Liam had crossed the US, going south along the West Coast. By early December, he had reached Mexico, from which his parents came to the US many years ago. “So crossing the entire country on a bike and reconnecting with my culture and learning the language in the place my family is from is so deeply important to me,” Liam explained emotionally. But Liam also faced challenges in Mexico.

He was robbed in Mexico, and at one point, he considered quitting because the incredible heat made biking extremely difficult. In all, he was robbed five times on the trip. He got very sick more than once. In Colombia, he had a bike accident that left him injured and required surgery. In spite of it all, he kept going through rain, sun, heat, cold, deserts and mountains.

Liam finally arrived in his destination on January 10, 2023 — 527 days after he started. He had travelled through 14 countries along the way.

1. What contributed to Liam’s decision to bike through 14 countries?

A．His previous related experiences.

B．His parents’ encouragement.

C．A desire to shoot short videos.

D．A book by Jedidiah Jenkins.

2. Why did Liam feel special in Mexico?

A．He went there for the first time.

B．He found his family tree’s roots.

C．He biked there as scheduled.

D．He had to speak another language.

3. What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A．To inspire our love for nature.

B．To promote low­-carbon travel.

C．To encourage us to see our strengths.

D．To call on us to learn a kind of spirit.

3 . Should we allow modern buildings to be built next to older buildings in a historic area of a city? In order to answer this question, we must first examine whether people really want to preserve the historic feel of an area. Not all historical buildings are attractive. However, there may be other reasons—for example, economic reasons—why they should be preserved. So, let us assume(假设)that historical buildings are both attractive and important to the majority of people. What should we do then if a new building is needed?

In my view, new architectural styles can exist perfectly well alongside an older style. Indeed, there are many examples in my own hometown of Tours where modern designs have been placed very successfully next to old buildings. As long as the building in question is pleasing and does not affect its surroundings too much, it often improves the attractiveness of the area.

It is true that there are examples of new buildings which have spoilt the area they are in, but the same can be said of some old buildings too. Yet people still speak against new buildings in historic areas. I think this is simply because people are naturally conservative and do not like change.

Although we have to respect people’s feelings as fellow users of the buildings, I believe that it is the duty of the architect and planner to move things forward. If we always reproduced what was there before, we would all still be living in caves. Thus, I would argue against copying previous architectural styles and choose something fresh and different, even though that might be the more risky choice.

1. What does the author say about historical buildings in Paragraph 1?

A．Some of them are not attractive.

B．Most of them are too expensive to preserve.

C．They are more pleasing than modern buildings.

D．They have nothing to do with the historic feel of an area.

2. Which of the following is true according to the author?

A．We should reproduce the same old buildings.

B．In no way should buildings affect the surroundings.

C．Some old buildings have ruined the area they are in.

D．Nobody knows why people speak against new buildings.

3. By “move things forward” in the last paragraph, the author probably means ________.

A．destroy old buildings

B．put things in a different place

C．choose new architectural styles

D．respect people’s feelings for historical buildings

4. What is the main purpose of the passage?

A．To explain why people dislike change.

B．To warn that we could end up living in caves.

C．To admit how new buildings have ruined their surroundings.

D．To argue that modern buildings can be built in historic areas.

4 . Named “America’s Finest City” due to its hospitality, beauty and ideal climate, San Diego is located on the border with Mexico. The residents are so active outdoors that it is called “Sportstown, the U.S.A.”. San Diego’s 70 miles of beaches are a heaven for swimmers, surfers, divers, boaters and sunbathers. Another favourite outside activity is golf. With 100 courses (about 50 of them public), San Diego is a golfers’ paradise. Many San Diego residents came here first as tourists, who were attracted by San Diego’s sunny beaches, nearby mountains and deserts, plus the cultural delights of any big city. The world-famous San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld Adventure Park, Wild Animal Park, museums and other attractions attract visitors from around the world.

The zoo is home to some 4,000 animals, including the world’s largest group of parrots. Animals are displayed in natural settings, and there is a petting zoo for children. By contrast, the Wild Animal Park is a wildlife preserve with an area of over 2,000 acres and more than 3,000 free-roaming (自由漫步的) animals in natural habitats.

In addition to housing the zoo, Balboa Park is home to several museums and attractions, including an aerospace museum, an art and history museum, the Old Globe Theatre, science museums and even a railroad museum. Free concerts are offered frequently. Another popular attraction is the SeaWorld, a 190-acre marine park.

San Diego’s varied attractions, as well as its business climate, offer many opportunities for students to explore the local culture, meet people from around the world, and gain business experience. At San Diego State University, for example, students in the American Language Institute’s study tour program learn English both in the classroom and while sightseeing.

1. What do the residents of San Diego probably like to do?

A．Have sports outdoors.	B．Travel to other places.
C．Stay at home.	D．Stay outdoors all day.

2. Why do many San Diego residents come to settle down here?

A．Because it is more convenient to live here.

B．Because they are attracted by its beauty and culture.

C．Because they can make money from tourism here.

D．Because it is a quiet place to enjoy themselves.

3. Which of the following most attracts children?

A．The SeaWorld Adventure park.	B．The art and history museum.
C．The petting zoo.	D．The Old Globe Theatre.

5 . New Jersey Middle School Makes

Students Go Phone­Free

A middle school in Union County, New Jersey, is forcing its students to stay disconnected in class, by prohibiting cellphones. Maxson Middle School Principal Kevin Stansbury put forward the phone ban last week after he noticed some major issues in the school. “Our test scores were down, and discipline was up,” he says. According to him, students were too focused on their phones to pay attention to their lessons. So, he purchased Yondr pouches for the school.

When students come into class each morning, they place their phones in the pouch, which is then locked tightly. So they have no access to phones at all. It can only be opened using a special device at the end of the day. The ban on mobile devices applies not just during class time but during breaks, with the only exceptions being in times of emergency or in cases of students who need such devices to help with disabilities.

Eighth graders who spoke with News 12 NewJersey say that they noticed a change in a matter of hours. “It’s just better for everyone because you’ll understand how it feels to get more work done instead of distracting attention because of the phone,” says student Charlene V. “I was usually listening to music, but today I got to communicate with all my friends,” says student Desiree Duncan.

The program was originally met with resistance from students and parents, so the process was not that smooth. But teachers and administrators say that the program will have a major impact. “Students were talking and laughing and there were no cellphones other than being carried in the pouches,” Stansbury says.

Teacher Nia Cummings says she even noticed students bouncing ideas off each other in class. She says students used to throw in the towel quickly and just rely on their phones to look for answers. She says they now try to figure the answers out themselves. “Everyone is socializing and eating lunch together. That’s what I wasn’t seeing when phone usage was at its worst,” she adds.

Maxson Middle School is currently the only one in the district to use these pouches. Kevin Stansbury also called on all the schools in the community that it’s worth paying close attention to cellphone issues at secondary schools and taking action when necessary.

1. Maxson Middle School put forward the phone ban because students ________.

A．weren’t focused on school work

B．were always listening to music

C．used phones to cheat on exams

D．stopped talking with others

2. What did the two eighth graders tell News 12 NewJersey?

A．Opposition from students.

B．Teamwork with friends.

C．The daily routine at school.

D．Effect of the program.

3. According to Nia Cummings, what change has the phone ban brought?

A．Students discuss more in class.

B．Students finish their work on time.

C．Students guess the answers themselves.

D．Students check messages during the break.

7 . Many of the top museums and cultural attractions in L.A. are your best choices if you visit Los Angeles. From ancient artifacts to modern art, read on for our guide in Los Angeles.

Museum of Latin American Art: Founded in 1996, it is the only art museum in the United States devoted to modern and contemporary Latin American art. Since its beginning, it has doubled its size, added a 15,000 ­square­ foot sculpture garden and expanded its permanent collection, ranging from works by Tamayo and Matta to Cruz­Diez, Los Carpinteros and Tunga. Free admission every Sunday.

Autry Museum of the American West: Located in Griffith Park, the Autry features world­class galleries filled with Native American art and artifacts, film memorabilia, historic firearms and more. The Autry’s collection of more than 500,000 pieces of art and artifacts includes the Southwest Museum of the American Indian Collection, one of the largest and most significant collections of Native American materials in the country. Free admission on the second Tuesday of every month.

Descanso Gardens: Located in La Cañada Flintridge, the 160 acre Descanso Gardens was originally developed in 1936 by Elias Manchester Boddy, whose numerous interests included horticulture and politics. Descanso Gardens offers numerous areas for exploring, including a Japanese tea garden, Water-­wise garden, Oak Woodland, California Garden, and the world’s largest collection of camellia flowers. Free admission on the third Tuesday of every month.

Kidspace Children’s Museum: Founded in 1979 by members of the Caltech community and Junior League of Pasadena, the museum develops the potential of all kids through kid­driven experiences, inspiring them to become joyful, active learners. Admission to the museum is free on First Fridays.

1. What is special about Museum of Latin American Art?

A．It has a very long history.	B．It has been continuously enlarged.
C．It owns Native American artifacts.	D．It offers a wide range of exploration.

2. Which of the following helps to promote initiative?

A．Museum of Latin American Art.	B．Autry Museum of the American West.
C．Descanso Gardens.	D．Kidspace Children’s Museum.

3. What do the museums and the gardens have in common?

A．They take up large areas.	B．They have diverse cultures.
C．They collect artworks permanently.	D．They offer free admission regularly.

8 . Self­acceptance is to accept yourself unconditionally (无条件地).     1     Accepting yourself can help you become more natural and real. However, if you don’t accept yourself, you will constantly feel unhappy about your past or yourself.So read on to get some practical suggestions on how to do it.

Positive relationships are the first part of self­acceptance. People around you play an important role in your life. You need to surround yourself with people who accept you for whom you are.     2    

Learn to forgive yourself for all your past faults or regrets. Everyone has their weaknesses and everyone makes mistakes. Accept all your choices or decisions you have made until now.     3     You might have had many dreams which were unrealized, but you need to forgive yourself now. Understand that you cannot control your past.

Self­compassion (自我同情) and gratitude are two most important things for achieving self­acceptance.     4     That means being kind to yourself, treating yourself well and celebrating every win. Gratitude includes thanking and appreciating yourself for the person who you are and the things you achieve. Value all the good things you have about yourself.

    5     Talk to yourself as you would talk to a friend. Encourage yourself by patting your shoulder for your achievements. Include positive statements in your day, such as “You are beautiful” and “Well done”. After all, only when you accept yourself can you accept others.

A．Using positive self­talk can help a lot.

B．Let go of the past and try to stop blaming yourself.

C．Self­compassion involves not allowing sad thoughts to defeat you.

D．Thinking that you must be perfect is harmful to self­acceptance.

E．Those people accepting your weaknesses can really help you achieve self­acceptance.

F．It means being aware of your own strengths and weaknesses and accepting yourself for whom you are.

G．So always keep checking out your circle and understand whether the people around you are positive or not.

9 . Psychological science is full of interesting topics, many of which tell a coherent picture of human nature, but some of which create seemingly contradictory stories. A case in point is the misunderstood overlap(交叠) between strength­based science and the research on narcissism (自恋).

There is now convincing evidence to show that narcissism is on the rise, especially in our youth. Some researchers say that about 25% of young people showing symptoms of narcissism.

We are correct to be concerned about this phenomenon, but our fear that all kids are potential narcissists has caused an unhelpful reaction against approaches that seek to make our children and teens feel good about themselves.

In my own research on strength­based parenting, it is common for people to wrongly think this approach to be the cause of narcissism. Their argument seems to be that a child who knows their strengths will automatically view themselves as better than everyone else. It is argued that the self­assurance that comes with identifying and using their positive qualities will make a child selfish and uncaring.

Why does this occur? It’s partly because more is known about narcissism than strengths. While strengths psychology has largely stayed within the limit of academic journals, research on narcissism has made its way into the mass media and our daily life.The New York Times noted that narcissism is a favored topic and that people everywhere are diagnosing others with it.

The fear that a strength­based approach will cause narcissism also occurs because of our binary (非此即彼的) thinking. We mistakenly believe that one cannot be both confident and humble. Without confidence in their strengths, Gandhi and Mother Teresa couldn’t have achieved so much, and yet modesty and selflessness are their qualities.

When we assume that strength­focus is the same as self­focus, we fail to make the idea clear that people who know their strengths are, actually, more likely to be pro­social and ready to help others.

It’s easy to conclude that every young person is at risk of becoming a narcissist but I’d like to stand up for the thousands of young kids I have worked with who are caring, thoughtful and humble—even when they use their strengths.

1. Which of the following opinions may the writer agree with?

A．To state all kids are potential narcissists is overstating the case.

B．Strength­based parenting results in narcissism.

C．It’s unhelpful for us to make our children feel good about themselves.

D．Children knowing their strengths tend to be more selfish and uncaring.

2. Why are teenagers’ strengths often thought of as narcissism?

A．Many people are diagnosed with narcissism by doctors.

B．There is a shortage of narcissism in our common sense.

C．Academic journals report more on narcissism.

D．The general public has fewer approaches to strengths psychology.

3. What’s the author’s attitude toward young kids’ strength­based approaches?

A．Tolerant.

B．Neutral.

C．Supportive.

D．Doubtful.

4. What is a suitable title for the text?

A．Teens’ Narcissism Diagnosis	B．Teens’ Misunderstood Confidence
C．Teens’ Strength­Based Approach	D．Teens’ Psychology Research

10 . Some penguins(企鹅)adapt their calls to become more similar to their partners over time，an ability that was previously known in only a few species, including humans.

Luigi Baciadonna at the University of Turin, Italy, and his coworkers recorded African penguins from three different colonies(群体)over three years, and also observed the behavioral patterns of one of the colonies to see which penguins were partners or friendly.

They then analyzed specific vocal(嗓音的)calls, which the penguins made when they were alone or trying to keep track of their friends.They compared four distinct vocal signatures such as the frequency of the calls. The signatures became more similar over time for penguins that were partners or in the same colony, and for penguins that heard more of each other’s calls.

This adaptation could make it easier for penguins to find their partners and friends in a colony. “Imagine that you are in a pub, you are with your friends and your environment is quite noisy,” says Baciadonna. “What you do is try to talk in a certain way so that your communication is more effective.”

The ability to adapt calls in response to the environment, known as vocal accommodation, is a key part of vocal learning, a more complex set of skills such as producing new sounds through learning. Identifying which species display vocal accommodation could provide clues to how vocal learning developed. Baciadonna and his team also propose that this accommodation could help with group harmony and social bonds between individual penguins.

The distance of penguins from humans on the evolutionary tree suggests that vocal accommodation could be common to many species, but a lot more data needs gathering first. “There could be a huge variety of different species that are able to adapt their calls slightly, but we don’t know that yet,” says Sara Torres Ortiz at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology.

1. What does the underlined word “signatures” mean in paragraph 3?

A．Effects.	B．Characteristics.
C．Sources.	D．Adjustments.

2. What is the intention of the quotes from Baciadonna in paragraph 4?

A．To explain the reason why penguins adapt their calls.

B．To highlight the role communication plays in social life.

C．To prove humans’ ability to recognize each other's voices.

D．To stress the difference between human and animal sounds.

3. What remains to be explored according to Sara Torres Ortiz?

A．Whether penguins can promote group harmony.

B．Whether all species can adapt to the environment.

C．Whether more species display vocal accommodation.

D．Whether penguins and humans are similar in vocal learning.

4. What is the main idea of the text?

A．Vocal learning involves a complex set of skills.

B．Vocal accommodation helps build up social bonds.

C．Penguins produce similar sounds even in different colonies.

D．Penguins adapt their accents to sound more like their partners.