1 . San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum’s Imagination area encourages creativity, language development, emotional skills, and artistic expression. Get into the rhythm with percussion instruments or become a storyteller in the Puppet Theater.

Money Sense

Explore San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum’s new Money Sense exhibit supported by PNC Foundation! Step into the world of financing and banking to introduce your little one to mathematics and finances!

Puppet Theater

The Puppet Theater is the ideal place for children to develop speaking and listening skills. Communicating with puppets gives children the confidence to express their ideas and feelings through the roles they take on. Parents let their kids take the lead and showcase their creation.

Thank you to Imagination area supporters: The Stanford Family, Price Philanthropies Foundation, The Linden Root Dickenson Foundation, KPBS, and the Jordan Ressler Charitable Fund.

Visit Us

320 North Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025

Museum Hours

Monday: CLOSED

Tuesday — Saturday: 9:30 am — 4:30 pm

Sunday: 12:30 pm — 4:30 pm

Admission

Members (and children under the age of one): Free

Children & Adults: $11.50 per person

Group Rate (10 or more people): $10.00 per person. Must book ahead.

1. What is the purpose of the Money Sense exhibit?

A．To teach history.	B．To introduce finances.
C．To improve kids’ physical health.	D．To help kids learn about animals.

2. What benefit can children get from the Puppet Theater?

A．Learning about nature.	B．Enhancing sports skills.
C．Understanding technology.	D．Developing speaking skills.

3. What is the admission fee for a group of 12 adults?

A．$100.

B．$115.

C．$120.

D．$138.

2 . Luisa Yu, a 79-year-old woman from Miami, dreamed about traveling as a young girl. Now she completed visiting every UN nation in the world, all 193, in November 2023.

“When I went to the movies, I saw this beautiful background about the scenery, the nature, the rivers, the mountains, and that fascinated me,” Yu said. “That’s why I always thought someday I will go to these places and travel.

At 23, as an exchange student studying medical technologies in the US, Yu decided that she wanted to visit all of the countries in the world, but visa restrictions didn’t allow her to travel outside of the country. She decided to explore the US via Greyhound buses. She saved her vacation time from working at Miami, Florida hospitals and was able to take long trips across the US. There are only two states that Yu has yet to visit — Kentucky and Oklahoma.

It took Yu 15 years to get her green card that would allow her to travel internationally and there were times that she worked three jobs to save money to travel. The Miami resident eventually took a part-time job as a travel agent, which gave her many more opportunities to travel to new places around the globe.

In the past 50 years, Yu has been visiting countries across the world, even some that are very tough to get into. She has tried several kinds of meat when she visited North Korea, explored the beaches of Somalia, and even skydived in Dubai when she was 73.

Yu’s advice to people who are fond of traveling is to just do it. She said, “Don’t wait for anybody. If I keep on waiting, it will never happen, because the opportunity sometimes comes only once.”

1. What inspired Luisa Yu to travel?

A．Reading books.	B．Watching movies.
C．Friends’ suggestions.	D．Work experience.

2. Why did Yu fail to travel abroad in her 20s?

A．Because of visa limits.	B．Because of tight finances.
C．Because of short holidays.	D．Because of safety problems.

3. In which place did Yu skydive?

A．Dubai.

B．Miami.

C．Somalia.

D．North Korea.

4. What does Yu advise people to do?

A．Apply for the travel visa in advance.

B．Try various jobs to get colorful experiences.

C．Look for friends with shared interest in travel.

D．Catch every chance to do what they want to do.

3 . Set 40 kilometers northeast of the city of Ambatondrazaka, Madagascar, the Zahamena National Park has overall land coverage of 643 square kilometers, but only about 420 square kilometers is open to the public. It receives an average rainfall level of around 6 feet every year and experiences frequent rain showers even during the dry season between April and October. And elevations (海拔) inside the park range from 250 to 1,560 meters, which has resulted in a diversity (多样性) of climates.

One really interesting thing about the Zahamena National Park is its unique highland landform (高地地貌). The development of several ecosystems that all together exist within its area greatly depends on it. And this is also the reason why the types of wildlife living in one area of its wide range are different in another, which makes it quite exciting to explore.

This protected region’s main area is divided into two parts: the eastern and western areas, with a separate piece of ground in the middle where many small villages are located. Zahamena means “red trees”, which suggests a tree species scientifically called Diatum unifoliatum. It lives only in Zahamena and is characterized by its typically deep reddish-orange color.

Established as a strict natural highland habitat for nature conservation (保护) in 1927, the Zahamena National Park was officially awarded the honorary title of national park in 1997 and was finally opened to the public. Due to its amazing landform and unique local biodiversity, this national park was later listed as a key part of the Rainforests of the Atsinanana in 2007.

Unluckily, there are no hotels or restaurants around the national park. So Zahamena is not an easy rainforest—this national park needs people with a high level of fitness and people with low requirements concerning accommodations. Everyone who is not discouraged by this will be able to expect an amazing rainforest experience in a location which has a small number of tourists.

1. What do we know about the Zahamena National Park?

A．It is hard to reach due to conservation rules.

B．It has changeable weather all year round.

C．It has a great difference in elevations.

D．It is famous for its traditional villages.

2. What has caused several ecosystems in the park?

A．The complete food chain of wildlife there.

B．The wet weather condition there.

C．The conservation efforts there.

D．The special landform there.

3. What is the Zahamena National Park most probably named after?

A．A cultural belief.	B．A local tree species.
C．The unique geography.	D．The local village group.

4. What does the underlined word “this” in the last paragraph refer to?

A．The tough condition of Zahamena.	B．People’s high level of fitness.
C．Its geographical location.	D．The diversity of climates.

4 . At 102 years old, Jack Hemmings, a former Royal Air Forces pilot, is believed to be the oldest pilot to fly a Spitfire, a World War II plane. His 20-minute flight, from an airfield in southern England, was to raise money for a charity he co-founded nearly 80 years ago.

The flight on Monday was the first time he flew a Spitfire. Speaking at the Biggin Hill airfield before his flight, Mr Hemmings said when offered a flight he seized it with both hands and could hardly wait to try it.

Following the flight, Jack Hemmings remarked that it was absolutely delightful being back behind the controls, though the ride was very shaky. “To be honest, I felt a bit out of practice. Not surprising I am not as sharp as before.” he said.

Hemmings was raising funds for Mission Aviation Fellowship, a humanitarian air service he helped launch after WWII alongside D-Day veteran (老兵) Stuart King. The organization has since grown into a Christian organization that uses planes to deliver relief, medicine and emergency supplies to countries in need. The flight marked 80 years since the D-Day landings and honored King, who died in 2020.

Hemmings previously performed aerobatic (特技飞行) on his 100th birthday and raised more than $50,000 for the charity.

Barry Hughes, a pilot who accompanied Hemmings in the aircraft, said the veteran had a natural touch. “He didn’t need any instruction really. He just took control, flew us around, and made some turnings and basic actions,” Hughes said. “I think he really enjoyed every single moment of the flight.”

1. What did Jack Hemmings accomplish at the age of 102?

A．He set a new record for the longest flight in a Spitfire.

B．He became the oldest person to pilot a World War II aircraft.

C．He completed a successful solo flight across southern England.

D．He raised a large amount of money for charity through his flight.

2. What does Mission Aviation Fellowship mainly do?

A．Delivering humanitarian aid to countries in need.

B．Offering military service and support in war zones.

C．Providing aviation assistance for scientific investigations.

D．Facilitating international travel for humanitarian workers.

3. What impressed Barry Hughes in relation to Hemming’s flight?

A．His lack of skills behind the controls.

B．His clumsy operations during the flight.

C．His mastery of the aircraft during the flight.

D．His cautious approach to flying the Spitfire.

4. Which of the following words best describe Jack Hemmings?

A．Committed and cautious.	B．Passionate and modest.
C．Determined and innovative.	D．Selfless and adventurous.

5 . Why Be Kind?

We all know that being kind is something that’s good to do for others, right?     1    . It turns out that being kind is good for everyone!

Boosting Our Well-Being

Scientists have learned that when a person does something nice for others, it can make the helper feel happier. It can also boost their well-being, which includes their sense of purpose and how satisfied they feel in their life. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a small act of kindness, such as sharing a snack, or a larger one, such as helping with a project.     2    . Even seeing someone else perform a kind act or remembering a kind act can give someone a boost of joy.

    3    . This can include lowering our blood pressure and boosting our immune system, which helps keep us from getting sick.

The Magic of Connection

While all acts of kindness are good, we feel the benefits most deeply when we help others in person and connect with them, human to human. We feel joy and satisfaction when we work hard and use our talents to help others, especially when we can sense their appreciation. And when we work with others to do kind things, we feel a sense of belonging and take pride in the work we did together.     4    .

Kids Led by Example

We have many ways to be kind.     5    . When children see us engaging in these thoughtful and caring activities, they learn the importance of helping others in their community. This not only impacts those we help directly but also inspires our young ones to carry forward the legacy of kindness.

A．In both cases, the giver gains benefits.

B．It also helps when we ourselves make the choice to act kindly.

C．For example, volunteering at a care center is an excellent way.

D．In short, we can feel that our life becomes richer when we help others.

E．Therefore, it is crucial to involve young people in community service early on.

F．And scientists have found that being kind can even improve our physical health.

G．But do you know that being kind brings many benefits to the giver and to the receiver?

6 . Thanks to artificial intelligence, education is more accessible and efficient than ever. To give you an overview of the industry, we round up some AI technology applied in education.

Duolingo

Duolingo provides listening, reading and speaking exercises in dozens of global languages, all the while providing aspects of gamification to keep users coming back. By applying AI, Duolingo’s lessons are paced and leveled specifically for each student according to their performance. It also uses data and machine learning to make course improvements, taking into consideration the differences of various languages.

Amira Learning

Amira Learning is a virtual learning application created to accelerate young students’ reading comprehension. Using AI technology, Amira has students read stories aloud and can assess oral reading fluency as well as identify areas for improvement. For teachers and parents, Amira also provides services such as student progress reports and dyslexia (阅读障碍) risk screening.

Blippar

Blippar’s products combine computer vision intelligence technology and augmented reality to enhance the way students learn in the classroom. The interactive materials bring subjects like geography, biology and physics to a visual space. For example, instead of reading about a volcanic eruption, the system shows students a virtual 3D model of the eruption process.

Nuance

Nuance makes speech-to-text software used by students and faculty to transcribe (转成) up to 160 words per minute. The technology is especially helpful for students who struggle with writing or have limited mobility. It also enhances spelling ability and word identification. Instructors use the software to dictate lectures for later use or quicken repetitive tasks like document and email creation.

1. Which platform uses gamification to engage users in language learning?

A．Amira Learning.	B．Blippar.
C．Nuance.	D．Duolingo.

2. What is the primary focus of Amira Learning?

A．Speech-to-text software.

B．Reading comprehension.

C．Computer vision intelligence technology.

D．Personalized language learning with gamification.

3. What do Blippar and Nuance have in common?

A．They focus on language learning.

B．They specialize in science subjects.

C．They use technology to aid learning.

D．They offer computer programming courses.

7 . This past summer in the Arctic was the warmest since 1900, contributing to disasters across the wider region, recorded in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s annual Arctic Report Card. The Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the global average as a result of human-caused climate change, driven primarily by burning fossil fuels. Researchers say changes in the Arctic can directly influence worldwide changes across ecosystems, from sea-level rise and new weather patterns, to altered wildlife migrations.

Another surprise in this year’s report card is salmon, the key to many of the region’s ecosystems, economies, and cultures. In western Alaska, chinook and chum salmon hit record low levels this year, but sockeye (红鲑鱼) salmon in Bristol Bay hit record highs. The abundance of sockeye had an unexpected downside for commercial fishermen —a price crash. “There’re so many salmon, and they can barely make a profit,” Thoman said. It’s unclear exactly why the salmon species are responding differently to climate change, but researchers say it’s likely linked to changing conditions in both the ocean and freshwater ecosystems central to the salmon life-cycle.

In order to address the issue, researchers started constantly monitoring these ecological changes across the Arctic, and the response of wildlife, founding a program aiming to draw upon the expertise of the region’s local residents: the Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub (AAOKH). The group works with a network of coastal local observers to document long-term environmental change and impacts in northern Alaska. Roberta Tuurraq Glenn-Borade, a community contact for AAOKH, said local observers often provide context beyond simple data collection that can better scientists’ understanding of the environmental factors driving animal behavior—like how shifting winds and sea-ice drew a surprising number of ringed seals and polar bears to Utqiaġvik in January.

Roberta expressed optimism that AAOKH can help communities adapt to the altered environment.

1. What can we learn about climate changes in Arctic?

A．They will be limited in Arctic.

B．They are caused by human activities.

C．They can hardly impact global ecosystems.

D．The Arctic is warming as fast as the global average.

2. What can we infer from paragraph 2?

A．The water pollution impacted salmon’s population.

B．The impact of climate change on salmon species varies.

C．Fishermen can gain profit because of abundant sockeye.

D．Salmon is important in almost every aspect of many regions.

3. How do region’s local residents help AAOKH?

A．By collecting and analyzing data from the locals.

B．By tracking climate changes and wildlife’s response.

C．By improving scientists’ grasp of the natural element.

D．By studying environmental changes and consequences.

4. What’s the best title of the passage?

A．Global Heatwaves: the Warmest Summer in a Century.

B．Local Wisdom: Arctic Residents’ Assistance in Arctic.

C．Arctic Report Card: Dramatic Impacts of Climate Change.

D．Salmon Surprises: Economic Impacts and Climate Change.

8 . Have you ever felt numb, overwhelmed, or excessively anxious after seeing the flooding of suffering shown on the news, Internet, and social media? I know I have — and I recently learned that this feeling has a name: compassion fatigue (疲劳).

For decades, researchers have studied compassion fatigue among health care workers, therapists, social workers, vets, and other people who are frequently exposed to other people’s trauma at work. Over time, they can develop emotional exhaustion or even PTSD-like (类创伤后应激障碍) symptoms—including difficulty sleeping, anxiety, and feeling triggered by troubling stories or memories—as a result of immersing themselves in the problems of others, studies show.

While compassion fatigue hasn’t been widely studied among the general population, experts agreed that it can affect anyone, even those who are witnessing trauma from afar. That means almost everyone is at risk these days, because of ongoing conflicts even wars between countries, frequent gun violence, and other difficult world events that are all over the news and social media. Triggers (诱因) vary from person to person, experts say, so there’s no way to know for sure what will cause compassion fatigue. If you are reacting more strongly than usual to difficult situations—perhaps by yelling at others or growing angry when you’re usually level, you may be experiencing compassion fatigue.

To protect yourself from compassion fatigue, the experts recommended taking purposeful breaks from the news to focus on personal wellnes — such as by spending time outdoors and with loved ones — and finding ways to give back to your community and remember the good in humanity.

1. What does the underlined word "trauma" mean?

A．Dilemma.

B．Fear.

C．Embarrassment.

D．Injury.

2. Which of the following is NOT a symptom of compassion fatigue?

A．Being lost in the possible failures.

B．Having difficulty in sleeping well.

C．Involving themselves in others’ pain.

D．Feeling much worried about something.

3. What does the author want to tell us in paragraph 3?

A．Everyone is possibly affected by compassion fatigue.

B．Compassion fatigue has been researched worldwide.

C．Social media is the main cause of compassion fatigue.

D．Bad-tempered people are easier to experience compassion fatigue.

4. What do the experts advise readers with compassion fatigue to do?

A．Pay more attention to good news.

B．Read plenty of books on humanity.

C．Stay with the ones like parents and friends.

D．Make every effort to build a better community.

9 . Self-learning can help you develop important skills and gain valuable knowledge. Understanding strategies for self-learning is important. They can help you study new concepts with ease.     1    .

Determine your learning style. People often prefer to learn new information or a new skill using varied approaches.     2     by exploring different learning styles and understanding your own learning process.

Find a purpose. Determine what you want to learn about and why you want to be a self-learner.     3    . Then, consider reflecting on how it might affect your life right now and how you might plan to use it in the future. For instance, if you plan to learn fiction writing, you can decide whether you’re interested in seeking a publishing career or maintaining it as a hobby.

    4    . This can help you focus your efforts. It may be helpful to choose specific options, so you can optimize (优化) the steps of your self-learning process. For example, if you’re practicing a programming language like HTML, you can make a goal to design your own website with certain functions using the knowledge you’ve learned.

Determine a schedule. To create an effective plan, it may be helpful to create an agenda for your self-learning sessions.     5     and estimate how long each task might take to complete. Depending on your preferences, you can plan your sessions using a physical notebook, an informal to-do list or spreadsheet software.

A．Assess your strengths

B．Be sure to set reasonable goals

C．Identify a skill set you’re interested in learning

D．Here’re some tips for effective self-learning practices

E．Consider giving yourself a set of achievable deadlines

F．You can find the most useful methods and techniques for yourself

G．Having a specific goal can also help you set accurate self-learning sessions

10 . “On the very first day of 2024, I saw the snow of Kilimanjaro, not from the novel written by Ernest Hemingway, but from the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro!” Xu Zhuoyuan, a 17-year-old mountaineer who’d stood on top of Mount Qomolangma last May, climbed onto the tallest peak in Africa, making herself the youngest Chinese girl that conquered it.

Xu’s passion for mountaineering was motivated by her father, who himself reached many peaks, including Mount Qomolangma. And her mountaineering journey began on a family trip to Xizang and Sichuan four years ago. For many years, Xu devoted herself to rigorous training. She went to the mountains in Yunnan and Sichuan every month, climbing peaks over 5,000 meters and doing daily physical exercises like running, swimming and rope skipping. All that hard work got her ready for the challenges she would face on Kilimanjaro.

Above 4000 meters on Mount Kilimanjaro, the climate is similar to a desert, with big temperature differences. The whole climb took 7 days, during which Xu faced unpredictable weather such as rain and strong winds. Staying warm and avoiding heat loss was the main challenge. Xu had to be very sensitive to any temperature changes and adjust her clothing accordingly. This climb was also a learning experience for Xu. She was climbing with Xia Boyu (aged 74), the first Chinese climber to summit Mount Qomolangma with an artificial leg, who’d inspired Xu a lot.

Mountaineering, Xu discovered, is not just about being strong physically; it is also a journey of self-discovery. “In climbing and life, it’s important to know when to let go of things that are weighing us down and how to re start when we feel ready,” she reflected.

1. What inspired Xu Zhuoyuan’s interest in climbing mountains?

A．A novel written by Ernest Hemingway.

B．A former trip to Mount Qomolangma.

C．Her father’s success in mountaineering.

D．Her family trip to Xizang and Sichuan.

2. What does the underlined word “rigorous” in Paragraph 2 mean?

A．Flexible.

B．Strict.

C．Casual.

D．Dangerous.

3. Which is NOT true about Xu’s Kilimanjaro climbing?

A．She was accompanied by a disabled climber.

B．There was a desert 4000 meters on Mount Kilimanjaro.

C．Weather condition was unstable above Mount Kilimanjaro.

D．Clothes adjustment was needed due to temperature changes.

4. Which of the following is the best title for this passage?

A．Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro—A Chinese Girl’s Bravery.

B．Conquering New Heights —A Story of Passion.

C．Mountaineering—A Journey of Self-discovery.

D．Mount Kilimanjaro —A Destination of Inspiration.