1 . In 2019, after retiring from her career as a social worker, Ane Freed - Kernis decided to build a home workshop and devote all of her free time to stone carving. “I might be covered head to to e in dust but I’m happy — it was something I needed more of in my life when I hit 60,” she says.
This appeal has its origins in Freed - Kernis’ childhood. Growing up on her father’s farm in Denmark, she used to wander through the fields with her eyes fixed on the ground, looking for stones to add to her collection. “I’ve always been drawn to the shapes and textures (质地) of stones,” she says.
After moving to England in 1977 and training as a social worker, Freed - Kernis soon became occupied with her busy career and the demands of raising her son. Stones were the last thing on her mind, until her father died in 2005. “He took a stone carving course in his retirement, and I always thought stone seemed so fun but never had the time to look into it myself,” she says. “After he died, I became determined to learn in his honour.”
Signing up for a week-long stone carving course at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Freed-Kernis began to learn how to turn a block of rock into well-designed shapes. “It was really scary at the start because you would spend hours just hammering (锤打).”
Now 65, Freed-Kernis has a thriving small business built largely through word of mouth. She creates 12 to 15 pieces a year that can take anywhere from a few days to three weeks to complete, while her prices range from £ 200 to £ 3,000. “I’m making smaller ones,” she says. “I don’t have to depend on the money much, so I want to keep prices in the range that people can afford, mainly just covering costs and labour (劳动力).”
1. Freed-Kernis was first attracted by stones when ______.| A．she was 60 | B．she was a child |
| C．her father died | D．she moved to England |
| A．She never cared about her father. |
| B．She led a disappointing life in Denmark. |
| C．She spent lots of time studying stone carving. |
| D．She learned stone carving under the influence of her dad. |
| A．Hopeful and proud. |
| B．Confident and satisfied. |
| C．Nervous and frightened. |
| D．Impatient and unprepared. |
| A．They are easier to move by her. |
| B．They are more affordable to people. |
| C．She wants to save costs and labour. |
| D．She is too old to focus on making large ones. |
2 . In San Francisco, a large group of sea lions move themselves out of the bay waters and hang out on PIER 39, which is a popular tourist destination. According to dock (码头) officials, this is the most sea lions seen in the region in 15 years.
“Over 1,000 sea lions have been counted this week,” PIER 39 harbormaster Sheila Chandor told many different media. “The surge in sea lions is usually a good sign of their strong population and healthy living environment,” said Adam Ratner, Director of Conservation Engagement at the Marine Mammal (海洋哺乳动物) Center in Sausalito, California.
“California sea lions are sentinels (哨兵) of the ocean,” Ratner said. Their population to some extent reflects the health of the ocean. Therefore, seeing a large number of California sea lions is clearly a good thing.
For nearly 35 years, the slippery (滑的) residents have been a star attraction for tourists. That autumn in 1989, PIER 39 had just been repaired, but the ships had not yet been moved back. At that moment, the sea lions unexpected arrival not only attracted fans but also created enemies. According to a website, some dock residents and workers were scared away by the strong and very unpleasant smell and noise of their new neighbors, while others saw these animals as a bright spot after the destructive Loma Prieta earthquake.
The officials sought help from the Marine Mammal Center to find a way to deal with sea lions. Ratner said that the final decision is to let the sea lions stay and coexist with humans. “The fact proves that this is really a good thing,” he said. “This is just a proof of how we can truly work together and think about how we can share our coasts with marine mammals and other wildlife in a way that benefits all the parties involved.”
1. How does the author start the text?| A．By describing a situation. |
| B．By answering a question. |
| C．By holding a conversation. |
| D．By comparing different opinions. |
| A．Sharp increase. | B．Tight control. |
| C．Slow development. | D．Sudden movement. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Uninterested. |
| C．Supportive. | D．Unclear. |
| A．Sea lions are pretty cool animals. |
| B．Animals and humans can live in harmony. |
| C．Watching sea lions might not be a proper action. |
| D．Sea lions should be driven out of PIER 39. |
3 . How to gain happiness? Aristotle, a famous Greek philosopher (哲学家), believed that happiness is achieved through the development of certain virtues, stressing a balanced lifestyle.
Aristotle combined virtues like modesty, honesty, and sociability into one principle: balance knowing yourself with getting along with others. Modesty (谦虚) involves recognizing both your true strengths and weaknesses clearly.
Generosity, tolerance, and grace are virtues that Aristotle considered to be part of kindness. Generosity isn’t just about giving things to others, but also about doing so thoughtfully.
| A．Aristotle stressed the importance of knowing oneself |
| B．This principle combines self-control, justice, and strength |
| C．Such realistic self-view makes you more confident and happier |
| D．Tolerance involves excusing others’ mistakes while keeping self-respect |
| E．In short, Aristotle’s approach to happiness is about finding balance in life |
| F．Here’s a simple explanation of his ideas designed for high school students |
| G．A person who knows how to be happy needs to develop a balanced sense of justice |
4 . World Ocean Day 2023
Our ocean covers 70% of the planet and supports life but is being threatened. So we celebrate World Ocean Day to take action. People need to know the importance of it. This year, World Ocean Day is celebrated on 8 June. And everyone is welcome to join us, the Marine Stewardship Council(MSC), an international non-profit organization on a task to end overfishing.
●World Ocean Day activities:
Learn about the ocean
In Australia, our Saltwater School’s education program features ocean-themed education resources relevant to the Australian curriculum (课程) suitable for Stages 3～5. And in New Zealand, our Te Kawa O Tangaroa ocean-centered learning program focuses on solutions to overfishing and how we can ensure oceans are filled with life.
Explore sustainable (可持续的) fisheries
Experience our sustainable fishery stories about real-life people whose livelihoods depend on fishing and hear from warm-hearted people taking care of our ocean.
Stay informed and inspired
Follow the MSC on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, and we’ll keep you up to date on the latest ocean news, stories, reports and more. And you can also sign up for one of our regular newsletters. Depending on your interests, there’s a lot to choose from.
●Our Contact Information:
If you’d like to know more information, please send your email to kate.jones@msc.org or call 61-2-9527-6883 between the hours of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Mon～Fri.
1. Why is the World Ocean Day celebrated?| A．To give support to the life of the fishermen. |
| B．To tell the task of an international organization. |
| C．To raise people’s awareness of protecting the sea. |
| D．To take action to call for an end to fishing. |
| A．Learn more about sustainable fisheries. | B．Become an important member of MSC. |
| C．Develop your interest in writing stories. | D．Teach students about the learning program. |
| A．At 8:30 am, Monday. | B．At 10:00 am, Friday. |
| C．At 3:30 pm, Sunday. | D．At 9:00 am, Saturday. |
5 . Karla Torres, a recent graduate of Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School in Boyle Heights, designed and created an 18th-century-inspired dress with the support of her mom to enter the yearly “Stuck at Prom” scholarship contest, sponsored by a trademarked brand of duct tape (强力胶带). The Los Angeles teen was named a finalist last week with the grand prize: a $ 10,000 scholarship.
In the beginning, Karla often spent hours online looking for clothing ideas or different styles. But it wasn't until a recent visit to the J. Paul Getty Museum — the only field trip she took in high school — that she found her inspiration from the 18th-century French paintings, featuring impressive, grand dresses.
“We’ve never made a dress, much less out of duct tape,” Karla said. “We didn’t know how much duct tape we needed. We were just doing it by trial and error.” In the end, the college-bound teen and her mom spent at least 120 hours, over many days, working on the dress, and used l4 rolls of tape.
“Tape is so tough and you can’t move it easily,” Karla said. “It was really challenging to make it all come together.” But the fashion-forward teenager overcame that challenge. Of more than 200 entries to the contest, Karla’s work was selected among the top five, judged for color, quality, originality, and the use of the brand tape.
While it’s Karla’s name officially in the contest, this whole process was more of a collective effort by her family. “It means a lot to me. The $ 10,000 prize would go a long way as I plan to attend a California State University school in August. I wouldn’t want my parents to struggle trying to find a way to pay for it,” Karla said. “It would really help my parents.”
1. What inspired Karla to create the dress?| A．Social media. |
| B．The encouragement of her mom. |
| C．Her visit to a museum. |
| D．The impact of other competitors. |
| A．It showed great skills and originality. |
| B．It copied the style of modern paintings. |
| C．It reflected a variety of fashionable ideas. |
| D．It used expensive and high-quality materials. |
| A．It’s a recognition of her mom’s efforts. |
| B．It allows her to find a job in the fashion industry. |
| C．It ensures her admission into the California college. |
| D．It saves her parents from struggling to pay for her college. |
| A．Creative and considerate. |
| B．Humorous and hardworking. |
| C．Responsible and brave. |
| D．Kind and generous. |
6 . International Literature Festival Dublin (ILFD) is now seeking plans for its 2024 programme edition responding to the theme of “Words Upside Down”. For this year’s open call, ILFD invites artists, creative practitioners (从业人员) and groups from all arts backgrounds to give in event plans responding to the theme and suitable for showing at ILFD’s new Literary (文学的) Village in one of Dublin City’s finest parks, Merrion Square Park, running from 17th to 26th of May, 2024.
We encourage plans which accept curiosity and wonder, cause conversation or new ways of listening. This year, we are especially interested in work that will bring its audience in close contact with either the natural or the artificial (人工的) world or both. We welcome plans which are suitable for audiences aged 16 and above. Above all, we welcome plans that break away from the forms of traditional literary events. We are only able to accept plans made from artists based in the island of Ireland.
Successful applicants (申请人) will be supported by the festival team to bring their ideas to life during this year’s programme which will be presented in Dublin City’s Merrion Square Park. The closing date for applications is Monday 11th of March, 5 pm.
Conditions:● The content of the plan must be presented during the festival dates.
● The festival expects that the artist or author is able to work independently and has a clear idea for the operation of their plan.
● The festival will provide access to its technological equipment (projectors, speakers, media players, etc).
● Funds ranging from € 500 to € 1,000 are provided for each project.
1. What do we know about the programme titled “Words Upside Down”?
| A．It will run on 11th of March. |
| B．It is one of ILFD’s 2025 programmes. |
| C．It will raise money for the new village. |
| D．It will be shown at Merrion Square Park. |
| A．Plans aimed at primary school students. |
| B．Plans related to traditional literary events. |
| C．Plans made by creative artists from Ireland. |
| D．Plans bringing artists into the natural world. |
| A．By providing experts’ guidance. |
| B．By paying applicants for € 2,000. |
| C．By deciding the content of each plan. |
| D．By offering technological support. |
7 . At some point, something will have to be done about the stuffed toys (毛绒玩具). I haven’t counted them because, truthfully, I’m not prepared to know how many there are. Lately, our neighborhood’s message boards are filled with posts about parents trying to make space, to clear out the things their kids no longer need. The tone of some of these posts can best be described as “emergency”. “Help!” they sometimes begin. “I have to get this out of my house.”
“The proliferation (激增) of children’s toys is the outcome of a long, gradual cultural change,”says Gary Cross, a professor at Pennsylvania State University. To understand how we got here — drowning (淹没于) in all those stuffed toys and bricks — it helps to look as far back as the late 19th century. “Parents were no longer passing their jobs on to the children,” Cross says. “Instead, they connect across generations through the gifting process. From the early 20th century on, goods became the things that define relationships between family members, and the way of marking success as a family.”
Then, how can parents deal with the proliferation of children’s toys at home? Naeemah Ford Goldson, a professional organizer, is also a mom of two. In her own home, Goldson likes to include her kids in the work of sorting out their toys. They know that the items they don’t need anymore will be given to people who can use them, to families who might not be as fortunate as theirs. “Doing so helps them build those habits of letting go,” she says, “so then they don’t become adults who are too dependent on material things instead of experiences, or people, and the memories we make with people.”
Her idea made sense. She told her 5-year-old they should pick some to give to kids in their community who came from another country and had to leave their toys behind. She immediately took a pink bear from the pile.
1. Why does the author present the posts in paragraph 1?| A．To show the popularity of children’s toys. |
| B．To offer suggestions about choosing children’s toys. |
| C．To praise the role of social media in buying children’s toys. |
| D．To introduce the influence too many children’s toys bring about. |
| A．Children’s demands. | B．The growth of technology. |
| C．The traditions in the 18th century. | D．The practice of gifting among family members. |
| A．Involve her kids in organizing toys. | B．Put away toys for her kids. |
| C．Buy her kids fewer toys. | D．Sell unwanted toys to neighbors. |
| A．The Rise of Toy Stores in Neighborhoods | B．The Importance of Choosing Proper Gifts |
| C．The Challenge of Managing Children’s Toys | D．The Joy of Collecting Children’s Toys |
8 . The easiest and least complicated way to motivate somebody is quite simply to pay them attention. What you say is not important, nor necessarily is how long you spend saying it, as long as it’s something. “Nice weather” or “How are you?” will do.
People just love attention, adults and children. Children love attention so much that they will do anything to get some. In fact, if children are not getting enough attention, they would rather be naughty and get told off than be “good” and be ignored. An interesting time in most households with young children is dinnertime-it’s the end of the day, everybody is tired, the house is in a mess and Johnny doesn’t like carrots and is refusing to eat his food. Again, the easy trap to fall into is to start getting cross with Johnny and getting into a big argument about his food. Again, he’s getting the attention he desires; even if it’s not the best sort of attention, it’s better than nothing. It’s fascinating if you are able to stand back from the situation and instead focus attention and praise on Johnny’s brother who is eating his food-after all, he is one that is doing what you want him to do. After five or ten minutes or so of being ignored, it’s amazing how quickly (usually) Johnny sees sense and obeys. I’ve watched my own children in this situation go from screaming from behind the sofa, saying “Mummy, aren’t I doing good dinner eating?”-all without having one word spoken to them by their parents, who are busily paying attention to their brothers.
This fundamental need for attention, and doing whatever it takes to get it, doesn’t disappear when we turn into adults. Sure, there are people who are “real attention seekers” in a loud and extravert (外向的) way, and there are the shy, retiring types who don’t want attention in such a “sociable” way. But everybody still wants to be recognized and seen worthwhile.
1. What will children probably do to get parents attention?| A．They will get quiet for a long time. | B．They will ignore their parents. |
| C．They will behave naughtily. | D．They will get cross easily. |
| A．A set-up situation parents are likely to go into. |
| B．The household work that parents can not avoid. |
| C．Some tempting food children easily love to eat. |
| D．A bad habit children easily develop. |
| A．scolding them severely | B．teaching them what to do |
| C．giving them total freedom | D．praising their sisters or brothers |
| A．Children s upbringing needs parents’ constant care. |
| B．Children are usually extravert while adults are sociable. |
| C．Both children and adults need to be seen as worthwhile. |
| D．The motivation of children differs greatly from that of adults. |
9 . It was the 54th anniversary(周年)of the moon landing last year. Astronomy lovers were not the only ones that were excited about it; publishers also offered a number of books to mark the event.
Shoot for the Moon
James Donovan
Little, Brown and Company, $30m
This retelling of the space race begins with the Soviet Union's Sputnik satellite in 1957 to the historic Apollo 11 program twelve years later. The book offers details about the characters of the spacemen, engineers and others who made the U. S: space program a success.
One Giant Leap
Charles Fishman
Simon & Schuster, $29.99
Getting to the moon required a million hours of work, this book says. Accordingly, the story centers on the engineers, project managers and others who worked long and hard to get the Apollo program off the ground.
Picturing Apollo 11
J. L. Pickering and John Bisney
The University Press of Florida, $45
Packed with hundreds of photos(some are published for the first time), this book reads like a photo book of the Apollo 11 program. The photos are moments of spacemen training, as well as the excitement of lift-off, the historic landing and the return of the three men.
Apollo's Legacy
Roger D. Launius
Smithsonian Books, $27.95
A space historian examines the Apollo program in different ways; as a political machine in the Cold War and an important cultural moment. The book explores different views on the US moonshot project from scientists, politicians, the media and the public during the space race and beyond.
1. What is Shoot for the Moon mainly about?| A．The history of the space race. | B．The lift-off of two satellites. |
| C．The cooperation of different countries. | D．Humans' understanding of the moon. |
| A．James Donovan's. | B．Charles Fishman's. |
| C．J. L. Pickering and John Bisney's. | D．Roger D. Launius's. |
| A．Shoot for the Moon. | B．One Giant Leap. |
| C．Picturing Apollo 11. | D．Apollo's Legacy. |
10 . Cultural tourism is a form of travel that focuses on exploring and experiencing the cultural heritage and traditions of a particular destination. Cultural tourism is a good way to enrich your experience as a tourist.
Cultural tourism helps to encourage the protection of culture and heritage by keeping endangered traditions alive. For example, heritage handicraft skills (手工技能) might be little practical, but outside interest could be enough to safeguard a tradition that might otherwise have been lost.
Cultural tourism also improves education.
However, when cultural practices and traditions are presented only for tourism purposes, they may lose their true meaning and become superficial (表面的) performances aimed at entertaining tourists.
In addition, a lot of tourists can put a pressure on local resources.
Most importantly, cultural tourism may lead to the loss of cultural diversity. As destinations become more popular to mass tourism, there is a risk of homogenization, where cultural practices and traditions become standardized to the tastes and expectations of tourists.
| A．Only when culture tourism is managed properly |
| B．This can lead to a misunderstanding of the culture |
| C．It is important to improve cultural understanding and respect |
| D．Because cultural tourism often involves travelling to far areas |
| E．Travelers have the chance to take part in educational activities |
| F．But it’s worth noting that this type of travel has both benefits and downsides |
| G．Popular cultural destinations often experience an increase in the number of visitors |
