1 . My parents and teachers-even some of my friends—think I’m quiet and shy, really smart but not very cool. In fact, that’s who I am when I am with them, but not who I really am. The real me comes out when I’m around guys who are more like me-like Tom Henderson and Graham Barry. I met Tom and Graham at a Young Scientist contest last y car. The three of us were among the five finalists. As soon as we met, we really hit it off.

As we talked about the conference, we discovered that all three of us were interested in space debris mitigation, which is the study of the prevention of space garbage damaging satellites and the new space station. It was great to meet other people my age who actually knew what I was talking about. When I talk about “space garbage,” most of the kids at my school just say, “Oh, you mean like asteroid-type (小行星之类的) things? I played a videogame about that once.”

Luckily, we met each other on the first day of the conference, so we were able to spend a lot of time together for the entire three days. We talked about everything from the best schools to go to, what degrees to get, and even the names of the best people in each field. We want to study with the pioneers. Both Tom and I want to study with Dr. Claude Phipps, the inventor of a project that developed a laser (光) that knocks down space garbage before it does any damage to expensive space vehicles. Graham wants to study under Didier Patrick Queloz, the physics Nobel winner from the University of Cambridge.

Even though the three of us don’t get a chance to see each other very often, we’re still the best of friends. We call each other a couple of times a month. I always feel happy when I talk with Tom and Graham. It’s like the other person in me wakes up. With them, I’m my “real shade.”

1. What does the underlined phrase “hit it off” in paragraph 1 mean?

A．Competed seriously.	B．Prepared fully.
C．Got on well.	D．Stood out fast.

2. What might the author feel when he talks about space garbage with his classmates?

A．Concerned.

B．Confused.

C．Disappointed.

D．Surprised.

3. What can be learned about Claude Phipps?

A．He is a Nobel Prizewinner in physics.

B．He finds some asteroid-type things.

C．He reduces the price of space vehicles.

D．He contributes to dealing with space garbage.

4. What message does the author most want to give us?

A．A friend is a second self.

B．A friend in need is a friend indeed.

C．A friend to all is a friend to none.

D．A friend is easier lost than found.

2 . Risks of Overtraining

Getting in shape and training for an event such as a marathon requires long-lasting and intense physical commitment.    1     But the truth is, sometimes the very acts we do to get healthy can actually push us past our physical limits.

Specifically, overtraining is a set of signs that occur when your body is not able to recover sufficiently before going into your next workout.     2    People tend to ignore them. Over time, the cycle of starting the next training session before allowing recovery causes breakdown of the very parts of the body that you work so hard to build up.

The structures and systems of your body adapt to the demands you have placed on them before the rest time. If your workout slightly goes beyond your current ability, it will adapt toward what you did in a positive way.     3    

Two main factors are necessary in recovery: nutrition. and rest. Good nutrition, including water and protein intake, is extremely important, especially within 40 minutes of your workout.     4    Your body uses the nutrients you have given it during the rest time. especially sleep, to strengthen.

One of the best ways to prevent overtraining is to focus on your morning resting heart rate.     5    Generally, you will detect an increase in your heart rate before the other signs show up. Tracking it in a log can be a great way to monitor your recovery.

A．It's easy to measure and track.

B．Allowing time for recovery is also essential.

C．The problem is that they show up very gradually.

D．Below are the signs and symptoms of overtraining.

E．Listening to your body will assure you of your fitness goals.

F．If far beyond, it'll take longer to adapt and may cause injury.

G．We generally assume regular intense exercise good for our health.

3 . In 2016, when I was on the graduate scheme (计划) at Deutsche Bank, Marie Inafidon, chief executive of Stemettes, who encourages girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), was also working there. I didn’t meet her at the time, but I did read an article about her and her career.

Learning at 21 years old about the career of a young black woman’s succeeding in a traditionally white male-dominated industry was one of the most influential things that ever happened to me. It gave me confidence that it was possible to do well in the office and work on personal external project at the same time.

Role models can play a central role in shaping a young professional’s career. They are especially important if you belong to an under-represented group for whom a lack of representation in the workplace can lead to feeling isolated and lacking in confidence. They can help those just starting out, whether or not they are a graduate as I was, to believe in their own abilities.

There’s a growing need to have accessible role models. Given the tendency to exaggerate (夸大) success stories, hearing from women who talk honestly about the challenges they have faced, either when starting a business or forming a new career path, is much more effective. A study revealed that 70 per cent of girls say they think differently about their futures after hearing from women role models.

I’m frequently asked about what businesses could be doing to increase racial diversity in the workplace. A good starting point is to actively promote and support the voices of the people in the organisation that are leading positive change and inspiring others. This makes a real difference. Unlike the tokenism (装样子) I still come across, which results in individuals being made the lone representative for a group without real support from the organisation.

Things came full circle for me when I interviewed Ms. Inafidon for my book in 2019. I was able to tell her of the incredible impact her passion and confidence had had on me as a graduate trainee and how grateful I would always be for that.

1. What do we learn about Marie Inafidon？

A．She became successful at 21.

B．She was a trainee at Deutsche Bank.

C．She encouraged girls to take up STEM-related work.

D．She helped the author with her external project personally.

2. Who can benefit most from role models in the work place according to the third paragraph？

A．Experienced professionals.	B．A graduate eager to succeed.
C．People without special abilities.	D．The young from an under-represented group.

3. What is effective in changing girls’ mindset？

A．Taking on challenging projects.

B．Reading more made-up success stories.

C．Starting their own business as early as possible.

D．Listening to women role models share their experiences.

4. What should businesses do to increase racial diversity in the workplace according to the author?

A．Encourage positive opinions.

B．Make more colored people authorities.

C．Include more people of different races.

D．Understand the true meaning of tokenism.

4 . Books That Celebrate Diverse Holidays and Traditions

It’s important to remember there are a diverse set of holidays available to explore. Below are a few books that help introduce children to different holiday cultures and traditions.

Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto, illustrated by Ed Martinez

While helping her mother with Christmas celebration, Maria is tempted to try on her mother’s diamond ring. After getting caught up in the joy of the holiday and playing with her cousins, Maria realizes the ring is missing! That’s when she and her cousins come up with a plan to eat all of the tamales, in hopes of finding the ring.

Together for Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. Ford, illustrated by Shelly Hehenberger

This is a story about a little girl named Kayla who wants to see her older brother Khari come home so they can celebrate Kwanzaa together as a family. Khari is stuck at college when a snowstorm hits and his car breaks down. Will he make it home in time for Kwanzaa?

A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

This book is a funny, nostalgic tale of Christmas Eve afternoon through Christmas night in Wales, and is full of unique imagery and poetic prose. It will arouse a sense of familiarity for some young readers while introducing them to different aspects of Christmas traditions.

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frane Lessac

The word otsaliheliga is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. This is an amazing story that describes a journey through the seasons with a modern-day Cherokee family. Cherokee history and traditions are also woven into the story in a very kid-friendly way.

1. What makes it difficult for Khari to return home in time for Kwanzaa?

A．A car crash.

B．Delayed flights.

C．Extreme weather.

D．Academic pressure.

2. Who provides pictures for A Child’s Christmas in Wales?

A．Traci Sorell.

B．Ed Martinez.

C．Dylan Thomas.

D．Trina Schart Hyman.

3. The four books all inform readers of ______.

A．how to find hidden treasures at home	B．how to strengthen bonds with friends
C．the lifestyles of different ethnic groups	D．different holiday celebrations and customs

5 . Chinese scientists have created a breakthrough fibre that can be woven into warm, lightweight clothing using aerogel, a thermal insulation (热绝缘) material mainly used in the aerospace industry.

Aerogel, notable for their performance and durability, could have various applications. As the world’s lightest solid material, it has long been valued for its thermal insulation properties. Traditional aerogel, made by replacing the liquid in aerogel with air, is extraordinarily light, resembling a solid cloud of smoke. Its high porosity (多孔性) gives it exceptional heat resistance, but this also makes it fragile and challenging to process, limiting its use in civilian applications.

But now, researchers at Zhejiang University have overcome aerogel’s fragility and designed an encapsulated aerogel fibre ( EAF) with similar thermal insulation mechanisms-after being inspired by the structure of polar bear hair.

The China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation as well as Nasa have used EAF in Mars rovers, which endure extreme temperatures ranging from thousands of degrees during the Martian landing to -130 degrees Celsius (-202 degrees Fahrenheit) on the planet’s surface.

In an experiment, a volunteer wore textiles (纺织品) made of EAF, down, wool, and cotton in a-20 degree Celsius environment. The surface temperatures of these materials were 3.5 degrees, 3.8 degrees, 7.2 degrees, and 10.8 degrees respectively, indicating the superior insulation of EAF. They showed the practicality of EAF by weaving a jumper and comparing its thermal insulation to common textile materials.

As well as being strong and stretchable, EAF can also be washed and dyed, improving its use in practical applications. Traditional silica aerogel will absorb water and collapse on itself. As a result, it quickly loses its thermal insulation qualities in wet or humid environments. However, EAF maintains its performance even after machine washing.

Professor Zhang Xuetong of the Suzhou Institute of Nano-tech and Nano-bionics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, highlighted the potential of the aerogel fibres in advanced thermal textiles. As well as its potential for civilian use, EAF fibre also holds promise for industries that are already familiar with aerogels. “EAF textiles feature excellent thermal insulation and multifunction and have great potential in areas such as military uniforms and spacesuits in extremely cold environments,” professor Zhang noted in a paper. However, he also noted the gap between existing technology and capacity for mass production. Challenges exist regarding how to develop fast spinning technology and resolve the continuous fabrication that is necessary for mass production.

1. What is the characteristic of traditional aerogel?

A．It can be easily processed.	B．It is resistant to high temperatures.
C．It is a solid cloud of smoke.	D．It can effectively insulate electricity.

2. What is EAF’s advantage in enduring extreme temperature based on?

A．Research statistics.	B．Public comments.
C．Scientific prediction.	D．Commercial reports.

3. Professor Zhang Xuetong’s study found that mass production could be possible if _______.

A．advancement is made in thermal textiles

B．there exists need for continuous fabrication

C．barriers in fast spinning technology are overcome

D．aerogel’s strengths and weaknesses get balanced

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．The development of aerogel fibre.

B．The potential use of biomimetic fibre.

C．Great breakthrough in aerospace industry.

D．China’s newly-woven clothing made from aerogel.

6 . “Sorry, I’m just now seeing your email!” (You sent it 15 minutes ago.)

“Sorry that you completely misinterpreted that thing I said.”

“Sorry you just rammed into me with your grocery-store cart.”

“Sorry” has become commonplace in daily conversations and communications. We drop it indiscriminately for all manner of things we really shouldn’t be sorry for. Is it time to stop?

“I wasn’t really that sorry,” admits Louise Julig, a freelance writer in Encinitas, Calif., who found she was constantly apologizing for the “delay” when replying to notes, even when there wasn’t much of a delay at all. “Sorry has lost its meaning, no longer a heartfelt declaration of remorse (悔恨) but just a subconscious response,” said Louise Julig. Now, faced with a blank email, Ms. Julig asks herself, did I miss something, or mess someone else up? If the answer is no, she’s not sorry.

I understand very well how she feels. When I searched my sent emails for the phrase, “Sorry for the delay,” the result was too many hits for Gmail to give me an exact count. I tried, in the course of reporting this column, to cut back on my apologies. Mostly I failed, catching myself exclaiming sorry! I apologized to the person I contacted for this piece when I called three minutes later than I was supposed to; then I apologized for only being able to meet him on the day I suggested, not the other; I even apologized in advance for any offence I might cause to him during the conversation.

While apologizing too much in daily life may not have serious consequences, doing so in business, especially when you’ve actually done something wrong, is just asking for trouble—you’re giving away your power, says Jeffrey Pfeffer, a professor of organizational behavior at Stanford Graduate School of Business.

People are never satisfied with an apology, he adds. Exhibiting vulnerability (脆弱) only makes you look weak. Standing your ground comes with risks. You might not be liked. But he thinks it’s worth it. “You can either give in to what people want you to be, or you can decide that you are going to risk offending people. Life is about trade-offs (权衡),” he says.

1. What did Louise Julig realize at last?

A．She couldn’t help but delay replying to others’ notes.

B．She had a misunderstanding of the meaning of “sorry”.

C．She didn’t have to say “sorry” under many circumstances.

D．She often got people into trouble by delaying answering emails.

2. What does the author find difficult?

A．Apologizing by making a phone call.	B．Reducing the frequency of apologies.
C．Stopping someone from apologizing.	D．Finding out why people often apologize.

3. What does Jeffrey Pfeffer advise businessmen to do?

A．To take others’ apologies seriously.	B．To avoid offending people on purpose.
C．To maintain power by avoiding apologizing.	D．To make sincere apologies whenever necessary.

4. What does the text mainly talk about?

A．Why we can gain benefits by apologizing.	B．Why apologies are unnecessary in society.
C．Why apologizing too much is not favored.	D．Why apologizing can offend people sometimes.

7 . People have come to understand the enormous impacts-beneficial as well as harmful- plastics have on human lives and the environment. As polymer (聚合物) scientists committed to inventing sustainable solutions for real-world problems, we set out to tackle the issue of plastic waste by rethinking the way polymers are designed so we could make plastics with recyclability built right in.

Everyday items including milk jug, grocery bags, and takeout containers are made from a class of polymers called polyolefins. These plastics are really durable (耐用的) because the chemical bonds in those polymers are extremely stable. In a world set up for disposable (一次性的) items, durability is no longer a design feature but rather a design drawback. Imagine if half the plastics used today were recyclable through twice as many processes as they are now. Also conventional recycling requires careful sorting of all the collected materials, which can be challenging with so many different plastics. For example, separating paper from metal doesn’t require complex technology, but sorting a container from a milk jug of a different polyolefin is difficult to do without the occasional mistake.

In a study published in Science in October 2023, we described a series of polymers with only two building blocks-one soft polymer and one hard polymer-that behave like polyolefins but could be chemically recycled. Connecting two different polymers multiple times until they form a single, long molecule (分子) creates what’s called a multiblock polymer. By changing how much of each polymer type goes into the multiblock polymer, our team produced a wide range of materials with properties that covered all polyolefin types.

Using the same strategy but by adding hydrogen, we could disconnect the polymers back into their building blocks and easily separate them to use again. When we made new polymers out of these recycled plastics, they performed just as well as the original materials even after several rounds of chemical recycling. So we were able to create materials with similar properties of the plastics the world relies on. We believe this work is a step toward more sustainable plastics.

1. What is paragraph 2 mainly about concerning plastics?

A．Their multiple uses.	B．Their chemical properties.
C．Their recycling challenges.	D．Their classification criteria.

2. A key factor of producing diverse multiblock polymers is ______.

A．mixing building blocks with long molecules

B．integrating chemicals into the two polymers

C．combining two different multiblock polymers

D．adjusting the percentage of the two polymers

3. Which is a feature of multiblock polymers?

A．They are made from sustainable materials.

B．They can be recycled by adding hydrogen.

C．Their reliability outperforms traditional plastics.

D．Their properties change with rounds of recycling.

4. Which of the following might be the best title?

A．Designing for Recycling	B．Classifying Plastic Waste
C．Replace Plastics with Polymers	D．Technology Creates the Future

8 . It’s clear that following a plant-based diet is connected with a lower risk of heart disease. There are many types of plant-based diets, and they are all related to certain foods connected with heart benefits, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and healthy oils. The diets have been most studied for their impact on heart health. These diets are rich in vitamins and minerals that help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of diabetes (糖尿病) and keep a healthy weight, all of which can lower your risk of heart disease.

Yet, the types of plant foods and their sources are also important. For example, white rice and white bread are plant-based foods, so you would think they’re good to eat. But they are highly processed, and so are depleted of many heart-healthy nutrients (营养) and have enough sugar, which means they can make blood sugar levels rise sharply and increase hunger, leading to overeating. Drinking 100% fruit juice is not the same as eating the whole fruit, since juices can be high in sugar.

Do you really have to cut out all meat for your heart’s health? Which animal foods could have an impact on heart health? Some research has shown that the type and amount matter most. A 2014 study showed that men aged 45 to 79 who ate 75 grams or more per day of processed red meat, like cold cuts, sausage, bacon and hot dogs, had a 28% higher risk of heart failure than those who ate less than 25 grams. However, a study in the January 2017 found that eating 85 grams of unprocessed red meat, three times per week, did not worsen blood pressure.

What is the right plant-based diet for you? “For many men, this may be a matter of bettering their current foods,” says Dr. Satija, a researcher from American College of Cardiology.

1. From the first two paragraphs, we know that plant-based diets ________.

A．benefit heart health

B．increase hunger

C．lead to overweight

D．contain enough sugar

2. What do the underlined words “depleted of’’ in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Added to.

B．Short of.

C．Filled with.

D．Rooted in.

3. Why does the author list numbers in paragraph 3?

A．To prove the result believable.	B．To attract readers’ attention.
C．To show the process clearly.	D．To make the study popular.

4. What might the author continue talking about?

A．Risks of animal foods.	B．Disadvantages of plant-based diets.
C．Changes of eating habits.	D．Effects of heart-healthy diets.

9 . Unique among all the positive emotions, hope requires some degree of conflict, difficulty, negativity, or uncertainty to be ignited. People high in hope are optimistic about their future and believe in possibilities. They see challenges as opportunities to grow and learn, rather than as obstacles.     1     Here are tips on how to cultivate hope.

Set and achieve goals. Without a clear goal, it’s easy to get distracted and lose focus. Hopeful people usually visualize their goals and create conditions that set them up for success.     2    Getting three emails out in the next 15minutes or preparing lunch in the next 20 minutes are simple examples.

Stick with positive people.     3     This doesn’t mean being intolerant of another person’s difficulties, negativity, or struggles, but it does mean that hopeful people tend to spend more time associating with those who share a bright and proactive attitude. They maintain a healthy balance but don’t get overwhelmed by the negativity around them.

    4     While believing in oneself is important, highly hopeful people are able to forgive themselves as well. This is a unique combination because this type of confidence allows a person to be imperfect. In addition, they are willing to take reasonable risks and accept failures to support their growth and move forward.

Keep a positive outlook. No matter what life throws at them, they endeavor to see the silver lining. They don’t let the circumstance define their emotional response. In addition, high-hope people are also creative problem-solvers. When faced with a challenge, they don’t give up easily.     5    

A．Believe in the power of risks.

B．Be self-reflective and confident.

C．This is key to the success of many high-hope people.

D．One way this gets done is through achievable micro-goals.

E．Being around positive people contributes to keeping optimistic.

F．Therefore, they’re constantly trying to improve themselves and their skill sets.

G．Instead, they work out solutions that help them overcome the obstacles in their way.

10 . Dr. Bhuvana, a special educator and therapist, once taught at the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan. During her classes, she observed that some students did not absorb the content as well as others or lacked understanding of specific topics. At times, they nodded their head but they did not actually grasp the meaning. She realized she needed to make a change instead of just sticking to the traditional teaching methods. Parents were impressed by the improvements in their slow pupils and suggested Dr. Bhuvana start a special school for such children.

Dr. Bhuvana came to the rescue of students with developmental disorders. In 1998, she opened Bridges Learning Vidyalaya to teach students with autism (自闭症) and other developmental disorders. There every child’s IQ is tested using Malin’s Intelligence Scale and classified into mild, moderate and severe groups. The school adopts unique teaching methods to impart (传授) knowledge and helps kids understand topics from a child’s perspective. The school has also trained teachers to teach the subjects in a friendly manner.

Over the past 25 years, the school has educated over 6,000 slow students, many of whom are now doctors, managers and engineers working in big companies or have important careers. Uthamanathan, the father of Suryanarayan, a student at the school, says, “My child was unwilling to go to a traditional school. His grades were low, and he failed to score beyond single-digit marks. We worried about his future. Fortunately, I learned about Dr. Bhuvana’s school and Suryanarayan was admitted into Class 4. Dr. Bhuvana chalked out a practical customized curriculum for him, which helped him develop an interest in studies. Now he is pursuing his MBA in a well-known university.

Dr. Bhuvana says, “Parents always feel they need someone like me for their children, and I feel glad that I can help them. On some occasions, the pressures at various levels make me feel upset and burdened. But when a child learns well and hugs me in return, it gives me satisfaction and confidence. I draw energy from children’s love and my passion for teaching.

1. What inspired Dr. Bhuvana to improve her teaching methods?

A．The great potential of her poorly performing students.

B．The constructive suggestions from some educators.

C．The lack of parental guidance on students’ studies.

D．The sharply different performances of her students.

2. What is a key characteristic of Bridges Learning Vidyalaya?

A．Its aiming to train qualified teachers.

B．Its objecting to testing a student’s IQ.

C．Its teaching students according to their ability.

D．Its providing therapies for students with mental disorders.

3. What can be known through the example of Suryanarayan?

A．Choosing a suitable career is essential for everyone.

B．Good grades usually come from parents’ encouragement.

C．Parents are always overly worried about their children’s future.

D．Proper teaching methods can have an important effect on students.

4. Which of the following can best describe Dr. Bhuvana?

A．Energetic and cautious.	B．Creative and caring.
C．Faithful and cooperative.	D．Innocent and simple-minded.