1 . That artificial food dyes (染料) are unhealthy is not news. Some are known to cause hyperactivity (多动症) in some children, affecting their ability to learn. But regulatory agencies (监管机构) around the world don’t necessarily agree on which food dyes are a problem, or why. That may soon change. A 2021 peer-reviewed report by California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment concluded that artificial food dyes “cause or worsen neurobehavioral (神经行为的) problems in some children” and that the current levels that are regarded safe for consumption by the federal government are too high.
California is now considering requiring warning labels on food products and dietary supplements containing the seven most commonly used artificial dyes. The warning label requirement would put California on par with the European Union, which since 2010 has required food products containing certain artificial food dyes to carry warning labels about their negative effect on activity and attention in children.
Artificial dyes are used in foods for one reason: to make products look prettier. Bright colors make candies appealing, especially to kids. But dyes are also in chocolate cake mixes, salad dressings and other products that don’t seem to cry out for a color boost.
In Europe, it was the 2010 label lawmaking that triggered (引发) companies’ decisions to reformulate. “If you’re a company, you do not want to put a warning label on your product.” says Lefferts, an environmental health consultant. Warning labels are why European Starburst Fruit Chews are now colored with natural products, not the artificial dyes that brighten their North American counterparts (同类商品).
Given that artificial food dyes are used far more than needed, we need to be more cautious. After all, we don’t dye fresh fruits and vegetables, but we do dye candy and sprinkles, points out Joe Schwarcz, a chemistry professor at McGill University in Montreal. “The foods in which you find food dyes are foods that are poor in nutrition,” he says. “If you limit foods that contain food dyes, you automatically make your diet better.”
1. What can we learn about artificial food dyes from paragraph 1?| A．A 2021 report confirmed their negative effects. |
| B．The fact that they are harmful is newly revealed. |
| C．Regulatory agencies consider them a serious problem. |
| D．The Federal government thinks their current standard too high. |
| A．In opposition to. | B．In line with. | C．Ahead of. | D．Behind. |
| A．Food companies will stop coloring their products. |
| B．More fresh fruits and vegetables will appear in the market. |
| C．Food companies may replace artificial dyes with natural products. |
| D．It will be hard to find packaged foods without warning labels of dyes. |
| A．Approving. | B．Neutral. | C．Tolerant. | D．Concerned. |
2 . First Aid
We all know how important human life is — it’s priceless. It doesn’t matter where you are from or what the colour of your skin is — all people are human beings. Firstly, we can tell you that the lives of your relatives could depend on your ability to give first aid.
The very first thing that you should do when you see an accident is to evaluate the situation and prevent further dangerous incidents. First of all, you have to recognize what has happened and what the dangers to rescuers and victims are. Think about how to take care of the victims.
Helping usually takes place in very difficult conditions and injuries can be very bad.
| A．Therefore, you cannot be too afraid of making mistakes to help |
| B．If you think highly of human’s life |
| C．Because first aid is vital |
| D．Do not expose yourself to danger |
| E．Call for help after you find out the condition of a victim |
| F．In some cases even professional medical aid may not succeed |
| G．Be careful about whether or not to give first aid |
3 . CPR saves lives. It can really change someone’s life, as I found out for myself three years ago.
On October 14, 2009, my mom had an accident while playing soccer and was taken to hospital. The next morning, I was told that my mom had had a cardiac arrest (心脏停搏). I later learned that two players on the opposing team kept breathing air into my mother’s mouth and pressing her chest for seven minutes, as they waited for the ambulance to arrive. My mom stayed in the hospital for only ten days. I know that I am very lucky to have my mom here, because most people who have cardiac arrests and do not receive CPR within the first six minutes die.
My mom has used this experience to spread the word about CPR. She joined the Sudden Cardiae Arrest Support Group, which was set up to help survivors and their families through a difficult experience. The support group also takes part in the Heart Walk every year, raising money for the American Heart Association. And she attends Lobby Day each year, convincing the New York State Legislature to pass a law that would make basic CPR and first-aid training a graduation requirement for high school students.
This task is not as difficult as it may first appear to be. Every student in New York State must take health class in order to graduate. Just one or two days of health class each year will ensure that every student in the state will learn this important skill. This training is also nearly free. There is no need for a professional CPR instructor because the American Heart Association has online videos that show the newest techniques in CPR. Also, most local EMS services will lend training models to schools.
My mom and her fellow survivors go to a high school each year to talk to the students about the importance of learning CPR. This training will not get you the official CPR certification (证书), but as my mom says, “You don’t need a little card to save someone’s life.”
1. How does the author feel about the two players?| A．Deeply grateful. | B．Quite concerned. | C．A bit sorry. | D．Rather frightened. |
a. My mom participated in an activity about passing a law.
b. My mom walks into schools to help students realize the significance of CPR.
c. My mom suffered from heart problem and was given first aid.
d. My mom joined a specialized group.
| A．a-c-b-d | B．c-d-a-b | C．c-a-d-b | D．d-a-c-b |
| A．It may be turned down by a lot of students. | B．It requires little time and money. |
| C．It will become a graduation requirement. | D．It is difficult and dangerous. |
| A．It is challenging for many students to master CPR skills. |
| B．Every graduate should get an official CPR certification. |
| C．CPR skills are more important than CPR certifications. |
| D．High schools should make a special card for CPR learners. |
4 . Located in the Atlantic Ocean halfway between Norway and Iceland, the Faroe Islads are a still-somewhat-undiscovered destination. Known for seeping landscapes and sometimes-harsh weather, these island definitely deserve a spot on your bucket list.
Fun things available here
·See the famous Mulafossur Waterfall in Gasadalur
·Hike to Trælanípa to see the Sørvágsvatn, the “floating lake”
·Hike to the Kallur Lighthouse on Kalsoy
·Go sea kayaking
·Attend a music festival (I loved the G! Festival)
·Drive out to the town of Gjógv
·See Saksun Church and the surrounding scenery
·Explore the capital city of Tórshavn
Getting around
Renting a car and driving is the best way to fully experience the Faroe Islands. Public transport does exist, but buses don’t run to most places very frequently. It is recommended that you book your car ahead of time, especially during the summer. (Search for rental cars here.)
Where to stay
Thanks to the roads, bridges, and tunnels, nothing is very far away in the Faroe Islands. You can get from Tórshavn to Tjørnuvkí or Gjógyv in just over an hour—meaning you could easily base yourself in Tórshavn for your whole trip if you wanted.
If you do feel like staying outside of the capital for a night or two, consider making Gjógv your second base: Funningur is the only accommodation available in Gjógv, but it’s lovely. A nice guesthouse and restaurant sitting on a hill overlooking the village. (Read reviews on TripAdvisor | Book here)
1. Which of the following fun things on Faroe Islands are NOT mentioned?| A．Enjoy music. | B．Tour around the capital city. |
| C．Hike to the mountains. | D．Appreciate water scenery. |
| A．Gjógv | B．Tórshavn | C．Trælanpía | D．Tjørnuvkí |
| A．A tourist brochure. | B．A travel poster. |
| C．A travel journal. | D．A travel website. |
5 . As a child, Cruz Avila walked through the forest every day in central Mexico’s Amanalco-Vall de Bravo Basin. She would pick wood and medicinal plants. She also learned to find birds and identify the different trees near her home. Avila learned that listening to a waterfall is a good medicine for the soul and the body.
Several months ago, she and other residents decided to make these walks an attraction for tourists. Their goal is to create a source of income, preserve the forest and support responsible medicine for the soul tourism. In 2021, Avila and other community members attended training as nature guides.
In recent years, residents of the forest communities have suffered from tourism that’s not environmentally sustainable (可持续的). In early April 2022, the communities officially presented their alliance (联盟). One of the people presenting it was Avila, and her voice echoed (附和) the feelings shared by many who are part of this project. “To us, forests are our home,” she said. “We want to take care of them as we take care of our home. We invite hikers and tourists to come to see our house, to get to know and enjoy this place with respect and care.”
Avila said her community has developed a sustainable tourism plan based on hiking and workshops. They also plan to have a viewing platform ready by 2023.
Avila said she plans to start promoting her hiking project, “I’m going to take visitors to a place called El Caballero, and halfway through, with the other neighbors, we’ll offer them a workshop on making pulque and bread,” she said. Pulque is a drink made from a plant that grows in the region.
She believes the tourism project will receive support from visitors. She thinks it will be especially popular with those who are eager to help protect the forests and want to learn about forest communities.
1. Why does the author describe Avila’s childhood in paragraph 1?| A．To explain the source of medicine. |
| B．To prove the importance of the forest. |
| C．To introduce the lifestyle of local teens. |
| D．To memorize the good days of children. |
| A．Sustainable rural tourism. |
| B．Respect for the local culture. |
| C．The restoration of destroyed forests. |
| D．The end of some tourism companies. |
| A．An experience of identifying trees |
| B．A chance to swim in a lake |
| C．A permission to pick medicinal plants. |
| D．A workshop to make pulque and bread. |
| A．Memorizing the Good Days in the Forests |
| B．Showing Respect for the Traveling Routes |
| C．Promoting Sustainable tourism to Protect the Forests |
| D．Developing the Local Traveling Business |
6 . Businesses are finding more uses for virtual reality (VR) as the technology develops.
VR is no longer only for gaming or enjoyment. An American company called Blue Goji is using VR to improve one’s health by making exercise more fun.
Blue Goji has offices in Austin, the capital of Texas. The company showed its workout machine called the Infinity treadmill (跑步机) at the South by Southwest festival. A person using the treadmill wears a virtual reality headset when exercising. Before starting, the user is connected to a belt to prevent falls. Then, the user plays a VR game while running on the machine. The game can transport the user into the virtual world, where he or she can be racing against virtual people.
The cost of the hardware and the computer software program is $12,000. That means much for most people. But Kyra Constam of Blue Goji says the virtual reality treadmill is ideal for places where people go to exercise, like high-end gyms or recreation centers.
Recently, Leonardo Mattiazzi tested the Infinity treadmill. Mattiazzi said he had a strong feeling to actually get running and do something that pushed his limits. He said the experience was more interesting than running inside the gym without actually going anywhere.
Constam noted that a lot of VR experiences cause motion sickness (晕动病) because people are in motion during the game, but not moving in real life. But when the user is moving on the treadmill and in the game, the chances of motion sickness are reduced. She said there is generally a learning curve for VR. The first time users feel lost, but the more you do it, the more you get used to it.
After carefully studying the users experiences, Blue Goji plans to begin selling the Infinity treadmill to the public.
1. What are users most likely to do after running on the Infinity treadmill?| A．Make more new friends. | B．Gain more useful skills. |
| C．Be fonder of exercising. | D．Prefer playing computer games. |
| A．Users can not run on it. | B．It is too expensive for most people. |
| C．Users can race against anyone. | D．It can be bought in high-end gyms. |
| A．Satisfied | B．Disappointed. |
| C．Doubtful. | D．Indifferent. |
| A．To promote a new company. |
| B．To call on people to take more exercise. |
| C．To introduce a new application of virtual reality. |
| D．To discuss the relationship between life and modern technology. |
7 . Human faces cut into stone up to 2,000 years ago have again been found on a rocky area along the Amazon River in northern Brazil. The stone carvings (雕刻品) appeared as a result of a big drop in water levels because of dry weather in parts of northern Brazil. The water level had dropped to the lowest level in the history of the river.
“People had reported some of the stone carvings before during periods when water levels were low. But now a greater number have been identified. That will help researchers establish the history of the carvings, and more secrets of historical relics will come to light,” researcher Jaime de Santana Oliveira said recently.
One area shows smooth marks in the rock thought to be where natives once sharpened their tools such as arrows and spears before European settlers arrived.
“The carvings are prehistoric, or precolonial (殖民地时期前的). We can’t be sure of their precise date but based on the evidence of human living places of the area, we believe they are about 1, 000 to 2, 000 years old.” Oliveira said.
The rocky area is on the north shore of the Amazon River near the place where the Rio Negro River joins it.
Oliveira said the carvings were first seen in 2010, but this year’s drought has been more serious than earlier dry periods. The Rio Negro’s levels have dropped 15 meters since July, uncovering large areas of rocks and sand where there had been no beaches.
“This time we found not just more carvings, but the statue of a human face cut into the rock,” said Oliveira, who works for the Brazilian government’s National Historic and Artistic Heritage Institute. The organization watches the care of historic places in Brazil.
1. What plays a key role in finding the stone carvings?| A．People’s report. | B．Natural disaster. |
| C．High technology. | D．Researchers’ effort. |
| A．Explore the history of historical sites. | B．Move the valuable carvings to safety. |
| C．Discover more underwater stone carvings. | D．Make the carvings popular among visitors. |
| A．Fixed. | B．Exact. | C．Best. | D．Future. |
| A．The human face stone carvings. | B．The number of stone carvings. |
| C．The real value of stone carvings. | D．The place where stone carvings were found. |
8 . Tips for Closing the Gaps in Relationships
Be curious, not angry
Ask in a spirit of real curiosity and openness. After you ask the question, be concerned only with understanding the other person’s story. Be ready to listen to the other person’s views and experiences.
Put body language together with intentions
Listen for understanding
Our good intentions for asking questions are not enough.
Of course, how the other person reacts will determine the conversation that follows, which may require a good deal of openness, presence, and skill. Our reaction to whatever the person says will require continued openness, trust, kindness, clarity, and honesty. As you speak, clarify the gap between your experience of the relationship and your opinion or expectations of a healthy relationship. Noticing the gaps is helpful since it defines the problem.
| A．Mind the gaps |
| B．Ask when we care |
| C．And be willing to be interested |
| D．This is a step towards settling the problem |
| E．How we ask this question makes a big difference |
| F．We express our purposes not only with our words |
| G．At the moment, our most important job is to listen carefully |
9 . With the arrival of winter, the world is covered in a sheet of shining snow, and it brings an invitation to take part in exciting snow sports. Beyond the great wonderland and the great joy of sliding down hills, attending winter sports offers many physical, mental, and social benefits.
Taking part in winter snow sports is an excellent way to stay physically active during the colder months. Whether you’re skiing down a mountainside, or skiing along peaceful paths, these activities provide a full-body workout. Downhill skiing, for example, is known as a way to burn a lot of calories, making it an effective cardiovascular (心血管的) exercise. The combination of cardiovascular fitness and strength training can help keep a healthy weight, improve cardiovascular health, and keep overall physical health.
The connection between outdoor activities and mental health is well-established, and winter sports are no exception. The fresh mountain air, the amazing snowy hills, and the excitement of rushing down the hill all help to improve the feelings. Snow sports also get you in natural sunlight, which helps increase vitamin D levels.
Winter sports offer more than just personal physical and mental benefits—they create chances for social interaction (交流) and community building. Whether you’re hitting the hills with friends, joining a ski club, or taking a family snowboarding trip, these activities form a sense of friendship. Shared experiences on the mountain create lasting memories and strengthen social ties, developing a sense of belonging and connection.
The benefits of winter snow sports spread far beyond the excitement of downhill drops. Winter activities not only keep you physically fit but also benefit your mental well-being and provide chances for social communication.
Winter wonderland is waiting for you, promising a season full of joy, health, and unforgettable experiences. So, when the snow arrives, consider putting on your skis and enjoying the benefits winter sports bring to your body and mind.
1. What is the benefit of downhill skiing?| A．Keeping fit. | B．Reducing stress. |
| C．Improving athletic ability. | D．Building friendships. |
| A．Attending winter sports has lots of fun. | B．Social interaction is very important. |
| C．Winter sports are good for relationships. | D．Outdoor activities improve mental health. |
| A．To give advice on winter sports. | B．To teach methods of doing winter sports. |
| C．To encourage people to join in winter sports. | D．To introduce different kinds of winter sports. |
| A．The Beauty of Winter Snow Field | B．Pleasure Created by High Speed |
| C．Winter Snow Sports and Mental Health | D．The Benefits of Winter Snow Sports |
10 . After successfully selling his software company to a tech giant (大公司), Canadian businessman Marcel LeBrun started a project to deal with homelessness in New Brunswick. Now, he’s using his wealth to make a great difference.
LeBrun’s latest project, “12Neighbours”, is a tiny home village providing cheap and safe housing for homeless residents in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.
12 Neighbours contains about 75 tiny homes custom-made under LeBrun’s direction. Despite their small size, these homes are fully provided with the necessary amenities (便利设施), including a kitchen, bathroom, and dining/living area, making sure that residents have a comfortable and honorable living space. “They’re all rather small tiny homes, but they have everything in them,” LeBrun explained in an interview with CBC.
What sets 12Neighbours apart is its promise to offer cheap housing. Residents are only required to pay 30% of their pay to live in the village, allowing them to own a new home and work towards a brighter future.
Besides, the 12Neighbours community offers on-site job chances, creating employment (就业) choices for its residents. To increase safety, the village is built with gates that close at night and a network of safety cameras.
The village is positioned on a previously unused piece of land near a shopping center in Fredericton. LeBrun has greater plans to enlarge the village, with a goal of increasing to 99 homes on the site.
At present, LeBrun’s factory is producing one new tiny home per week to realize this goal. Marcel LeBrun and his wife have personally spent $4 million on the 12Neighbours project. In addition, government contributions have added another $8 million in funding, bringing the total money to $12 million.
1. What did LeBrun do before he started the project?| A．He built cheap houses. | B．He sold his company. |
| C．He served poor people. | D．He worked with a tech giant. |
| A．Those without children. | B．Those who are out of work. |
| C．Those who are homeless. | D．Those with physical disabilities. |
| A．Introduction to the tiny houses. | B．Costs to live in 12Neighbours. \ |
| C．Surroundings of the community. | D．Safety measures in the community. |
| A．Build a large shopping center. | B．Improve the quality of houses. |
| C．Let government take over the village. | D．Increase the number of houses. |
