1 . There are a lot of different ways you can di g deeper into your personality, and this article will walk you through some of the best to help you get started.
Know what you like. Your values are the motivation behind your goals.
Recognize your strengths and weaknesses. No one is great at everything, and that’s okay. Pay attention to when you are succeeding in a task and when you are struggling.
Get feedback (反馈).
| A．Recognize your values. |
| B．Understand your social needs. |
| C．This will make it more likely for you to achieve your goals. |
| D．But your interest can provide the focus needed to reach them. |
| E．Ask your close friends and family how they see your personality. |
| F．This will increase your awareness of your particular talents and abilities. |
| G．Understanding these needs will allow you to keep yourself balanced and happy. |
2 . Museums feature eye-catching spotlights and masses of collections in noisy downtown areas. However, many museums showing the unique local culture can now be found in the villages.
Located near a wide piece of cornfields in Xinjia Village is a museum about Mahu Opera, a traditional art of the Northeast China. Developed on a site formerly used as a primary school, this museum has five exhibition rooms with nearly 2,000 objects on show, including masks, costumes, instruments and books, most of which were donated by a local inheritor（继承者） of intangible cultural heritage. “By exhibiting them in the village, I hope to let more people know about the ancient form of art originating in the region,” said the inheritor.
In Xinjia village, with a population of only about 2,800, there are now five museums built near local houses. The museums are helping them know more about the past and record local history and encouraging tourists from cities to visit such regions. Villagers hope to promote the development of cultural tourism in the village and deliver a better living environment and also higher incomes to them.
Museums serve as cultural centers for villagers in rural regions. Besides a museum about cultural artworks related to Mahu Opera, there are other museums reflecting the history of this village situated in Shuangyang district in the city of Changchun, Northeast China. Shuangyang District, with more than 300 years of history in the field of deer breeding, has a “sika deer museum”. Wandering through the 7,200-square-meter building, people can learn in detail about this local history and tradition of raising deer, and its industry development process.
“We intend to preserve the cultural roots of Shuangyang and let people know about its civilization. People here have gone through hardships in developing the deer industry , and we need to pass on the qualities of hard work to our future generations through the museum.” said a founder of the museum.
1. What can we learn about the museum built in a former primary school?| A．The objects focus on a local traditional art. |
| B．The tourists are mainly from local villages. |
| C．The museum covers an area of 7,200 square meters. |
| D．The exhibitions were all donated by a cultural inheritor. |
| A．The high grain production. | B．The high income from tourism. |
| C．The spread of their traditions. | D．The protection of the environment. |
| A．To teach villagers to raise deer. | B．To display artworks of local villagers. |
| C．To show the development of raising deer. | D．To inspire future generations to protect deer. |
| A．Tourism. | B．Culture. | C．Philosophy. | D．Environment. |
3 . Danube River Rhapsody: A European Tapestry
Your adventure starts in Munich, Germany, where a guided city tour introduces the city’s rich heritage. Sail (航行) through charming towns like Emmersdorf, Austria, where you’ll taste local wines. You will see the artistic and music al beauty of Vienna. As the ship travels towards Linz, prepare for an unforgettable evening at the Captain’s Gala Dinner.
Discovering the Wonders of the Nile: An Egyptian Odyssey
You will start your adventure in Cairo, where a city tour introduces you to the famous Egyptian Museum. Sail past ancient temples, hidden cities, and breathtaking landscapes. Your journey ends in the beach of Hurghada, where you can see the sun on the golden sands of the Red Sea coast.
Discovering the Beauty of the Mekong: A Journey Through Vietnam and Cambodia
Board a seven-night Mekong River ship, where you’ll find floating villages and markets, endless rice paddies (稻田), and breathtaking scenery. You will see the beauty of Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and experience one of the most unforgettable sunsets you’ll ever see.
Yangtze River Ship: A Voyage Through China’s Heart
The journey allows you to see the country’s ancient traditions with its modern wonders. Your exploration begins in Beijing. Continue your journey to Xi’an, where you will see the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, and the Giant Panda Breeding Centre in Chengdu. Conclude your unforgettable adventure in Shanghai, experiencing the city’s energy and modern skyline.
If you’re interested in learning more about a river cruise, click here to our website to see what you can receive when you set sail.
1. Where does Danube River Rhapsody begin?| A．Munich. | B．Emmersdorf. | C．Vienna. | D．Linz. |
| A．Yangtze River Ship. | B．Danube River Rhapsody. |
| C．Discovering the Wonders of the Nile. | D．Discovering the Beauty of the Mekong. |
| A．By sending a mail. | B．By making a phone call. |
| C．By visiting the website. | D．By asking the journeys’ guides in person. |
4 . Scientists have confirmed the presence of a gray whale off New England in North America recently. The large sea animal disappeared from the Atlantic Ocean two centuries ago. Researchers with the New England Aquarium (水族馆) in Boston found the gray whale on March 1. The whale, which can weigh over 27,000 kilograms, was likely the same animal observed off the coast of Florida last year. Though the gray whale disappeared from the Atlantic Ocean by the 18th century, there have been five observations of the animal in the last 15 years.
They can be identified by the lack of a part of a body often seen on other whales: a back fin. Also, they can be identified by the look which is different from the humpback (座头鲸) and other whales. Gray whales can also be identified by the unusual sounds they make. The researchers said they were not sure at first. But after circling the area for 45 minutes, they were able to take photographs that confirmed it was a gray whale.
Scientists said they were thrilled to see the animal, but its presence probably has to do with the warming of the planet. The Northwest Passage, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Arctic Ocean in Canada, has lacked ice in the summer in recent years. That means gray whales can travel through the passage in the summer when normally they would have been blocked. So the animal’s arrival off New England exemplifies the effect of climate change.
Gray whales were almost completely killed off by hunting during the years of commercial whaling. Today, the whales have recovered to the point where they are considered a species of “least concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. However, the western whales that live off the coast of Asia still belong to the endangered species.
1. How can researchers identify the gray whale?| A．By tracking its travelling route. | B．By studying the collected data. |
| C．By the typical appearance and sounds. | D．By comparing its photos with the previous ones. |
| A．Congratulates. | B．Reflects. | C．Threatens. | D．Targets. |
| A．They still need to be preserved. | B．Their population has been recovered greatly. |
| C．They were extinct due to commercial hunting. | D．They have been removed from the endangered list. |
| A．Scientists Were Worried to Find a Gray Whale |
| B．A Gray Whale Was Found off North America |
| C．Gray Whales Disappeared From the Atlantic Ocean |
| D．The Climate Warming Changes Gray Whale’s Habitats |
5 . A couple of days ago, I was walking in a park when a gentleman, named Sam, sitting on a bench called me, “Sir, can you help me with this report?” I stopped and looked at it and it was his health report. I told him I am not a doctor but I can explain the contents of the report.
I told him the report showed he was diabetic (患糖尿病的). He said: “Sir, my doctor has given me some medicine and I have been taking it for a month and half. But why am I still diabetic?” I answered: “Please follow the diet given by your doctor and exercise regularly. Be positive and stay patient. You will see better results over the next couple of months.”
As I was about to leave, a friend of his sitting next to him stopped me and said, “Sir, he did not tell you one more thing. He used to be an alcoholic (酒鬼) for a long time. But now, since he knew the disease, he has reduced it to once a week from daily drinking.”
I smiled and gently told Sam: “It is great you have reduced your drinking to once a week. Can you now reduce it to once a month and then once in 3 months please? I will meet you right here in 3 months.” He smiled and agreed to do as I told him and meet me with a better health report. It seemed that he got the courage to quit drinking alcohol.
I felt maybe I could prepare a gift for the next meeting.
1. Why did Sam stop the author?| A．To have a chat with the author. | B．To read a report to the author. |
| C．To ask the author to give a hand. | D．To seek some advice from the author. |
| A．Puzzled. | B．Relieved. | C．Satisfied. | D．Excited. |
| A．He was sick for a month. | B．He worked out once a week. |
| C．He needed encouragement. | D．He was addicted to alcohol. |
| A．See a doctor. | B．Quit smoking. |
| C．Prepare a gift. | D．Follow the author’s advice. |
6 . Whenever he can, 15-year-old Elliot Morgan practices basketball in his backyard. He says it’s a good stress-reliever. But it wasn’t that long ago that he didn’t have time for this new hobby. “There were times in the summer when I would spend four or five hours a day on my phone,” he says. When school started in the fall, Morgan found himself scrolling (划屏) as soon as he woke up. “I realize I start to avoid workouts because I’m on my phone,” he says. “It’s affecting my focus.”
It has become clear that social media is a key player in many drivers of unhealthy habits. Social media apps are designed to encourage overuse, and teenagers are more likely to be influenced because their brains are at an important period of development that makes it harder to be free from temptation (诱惑). All of this makes limiting use more challenging — even for families who set rules.
“It’s a really big problem,” says Elliot’s mom, Alyssa. She was shocked when she discovered Elliot had bypassed parental controls and was spending five hours a day on social media. “I asked him, ‘Can you just take a look and see? Just tell me what you think. Does this feel good to you?’” she says.
Elliot hadn’t realized how many hours he was on social media. And he was at a loss. With his mother’s help, he tried to start cutting back. After several months, he decided to delete (删除) social media apps altogether. “After that, I actually sleep enough and feel better,” he says. He’s now closer with his friends because they spend more time talking instead of scrolling. And joining school clubs has also helped him reduce time on his phone.
1. What can we learn about Elliot from the first paragraph?| A．He is always late for class. | B．He used to work out early. |
| C．He likes football at school. | D．He lost himself in his phone. |
| A．They tend to develop bad habits. | B．They will take up more challenges. |
| C．They can improve reading skills. | D．They find it hard to make friends. |
| A．Uncaring. | B．Positive. | C．Doubtful. | D．Unclear. |
| A．Lonely. | B．Simple. | C．Enjoyable. | D．Difficult. |
7 . For many visitors to Peru, Machu Picchu is the No.1 attraction. But it'd be a waste without spending an extra day or two to appreciate some of the country's other wonders.
The Andes
The area near Machu Picchu is perfect for mountain biking. Some of the best trips include the peaceful Lares Valley, the popular Sacred Valley and Abra Malaga Pass. All these biking trips are within shouting distance of Machu Picchu.
The Colca Canyon
No one's entirely sure how deep the Colca Canyo n is, but scientists have determined that the distance from its edge to its bottom measures more than 10,000 feet — twice the depth of the Grand Canyon. The huge space within those towering walls in the canyon is filled with some of South America's prettiest scenery: untouched valleys, pre-Columbian agricultural lands still in use and dead volcanoes.
The Manu National Park
The park is well known for diverse ecosystems. Most travel within the park is done by boat, which allows for eye-level views of more than 15,000 species of plants in one of the world's greatest preserved rain forests. Manu is best known, though, for its variety of animal life: at least a million different insect species.
The Nasca Lines
A trip to Machu Picchu almost always requires connections in Lima, Peru's coastal capital, while arriving and departing. While there, a short flight can be easily arranged to view the Nasca Lines, which rival (与······相匹敌) Machu Picchu as Peru's greatest ancient wonder. Why the need for a view from planes? Because of the huge size of the geoglyphs (地质遗迹) that have been carved into the desert: spiders, fish, monkeys, and more. Some of them stretch more than 600 feet across.
1. Which place should a visitor select if he dislikes crowds?| A．Sacred Valley. | B．Lares Valley. |
| C．Abra Malaga Pass. | D．Machu Picchu. |
| A．by plane | B．by bike | C．by boat | D．on foot |
| A．They are ancient wonders. |
| B．They are located in the same city. |
| C．They are known for their biodiversity. |
| D．They are surrounded by similar environments. |
8 . For any little girl of energy and spirit, to be ladylike is painful. To sit up straight, wear gloves and speak only when spoken to is pure torture. Fortunately, that was not a difficulty Jane Withers faced. From the age of six she was paid to talk loud, walk awkwardly and answer back directly. She could blow out her cheeks until her eyes disappeared almost into her head.
Her films had titles like Always in Trouble, Arizona Wildcat, The Holy Terror and Rascals. She played characters called Ginger, Pepper. Corky and Peg Gurgle, usually orphans (孤儿), who were forced into over-fancy schools, criminals’ hideouts or desert islands, but would take charge and, after a struggle, come up winning. Her mother worried that people would hate her for playing such bad-mannered characters.
But the opposite happened. She became wildly popular. Shops were filled with Jane Withers shoes, dresses and dolls. Like many child stars, she made far more from such goods than from her 38 films.
She might not be as pretty as Nancy Drew, the top girl detective of the age, but like her she could ride a horse, ice skate and speak French. And, better than her, she could mimic (模仿) anyone. Another pleasant surprise she gave the studio was that away from filming she was very well behaved. If she liked a role, she went for it politely, and said thank you.
She was expected to be an actress even in the womb and was sent to the Atlanta radio shows at the age of three. She was just given $5 a week as pocket money. For every two dolls she was sent, one had to be given to a needy child. Her parents insisted that they should live only on the money they brought home.
Of course, the Hollywood dream didn’t last long. She got so sick of playing child parts that at 15 she published her own story, Small Tor um Deb and retired completely from Hollywood in 1947 at 21.
1. What does the underlined word "torture" in paragraph 1 mean?| A．Suffering. | B．Joy. | C．Luck. | D．Entertainment. |
| A．Talented. | B．Handsome. | C．Polite. | D．Troublesome. |
| A．They don’t love their daughter. | B．They are very strict. |
| C．They don’t want her to be an actress. | D．They are really selfish. |
| A．In 1926. | B．In 1932. | C．In 1941. | D．In 1947. |
9 . Recently a report was made public by NatureServe, a Virginia-based environmental group, which said 40 percent of animals and 34 percent of plants in the United States are at risk of disappearing.
The group examined data from over 1,000 scientists in the United States and Canada, using 50 years of information on the health of animals, plants and ecosystems. The report provided pictures and maps of areas that are unprotected and where animals and plants are most threatened.
Sean O’Brien, president of NatureServe, said what the report showed was dreadful. For example, among the species (物种) at risk of extinction is the Venus flytrap, a plant that “eats” insects. The report said it is only found in the wild in a few places in the states of North and South Carolina. The report also said 200 species of trees might die out and that America’s large northern grasslands are among the ecosystems most threatened. The main threats to plants, animals and ecosystems include environmental destruction (破坏), land-use change, river pollution, and climate change, according to the report.
California, Texas and the southeastern United States are where the highest percentages of plants, animals and ecosystems are at risk. Those areas have many different forms of life. Wesley Knapp, head plant scientist at NatureServe, said those parts of America haven’t seen much population growth in recent years. Knapp said lawmakers usually do not provide as much money for protecting plants as they do for animals. He hoped the data could guide state and area officials in creating effective State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) to protect endangered species.
Now $50 million nationwide is shared among all states to carry out their SWAP. If the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act was passed, it would increase that amount to $ 1.4 billion. Knapp said the bill would have better served the protection of plants and animals.
1. What can we infer about the environmental group?| A．It has been running for 50 years. | B．It has saved 40 kinds of animals. |
| C．It put much effort into the report. | D．It just protects threatened plants. |
| A．Pleasant. | B．Similar. | C．Common. | D．Terrible. |
| A．It could play an active role. | B．It may cover all the species. |
| C．It might help reduce the cost. | D．It will take the place of SWAP. |
| A．The Protection by Law Making Sense | B．Many US Animals and Plants at Risk |
| C．State Wildlife Action Plan on the Way | D．NatureServe Working for a Green World |
10 . Experts continue to learn new things about the 600-year-old Machu Picchu. Last year, researchers discovered that the ancient Incan city is at least 30 years older than previously thought. Now, it turns out that we may be calling it by the wrong name.
A recent paper by Amado Gonzalez and Brian Bauer concludes that the Incas who built the city in the clouds actually called it Huayna Picchu — or simply just Picchu — the name of a mountain overlooking the ruins.
When Hiram Bingham first discovered the place in 1911 and asked what it was called, the report found, he was initially told it was known as Huayna Picchu. But days later, he was told by a different guide that the site was called Machu Picchu. It appears that’s the name that stuck.
“It’s true that at the time it was not so well-known to people, but there is a lot of evidence suggesting that those who did know it did not call it Machu Picchu,” said Amado Gonzalez. “Even more importantly, the research is based on centuries of documents, including some of the region’s first maps, land records, and even Bingham’s own notes and letters. An official record dating back to 1539 refers to the area as Picchu. Another, dated 1568, specifically mentions a city of the same name. We also have a clear reference to the ancient Inca town of Huayna Picchu’ from a 1715 document.”
But that doesn’t mean that there are any plans in the report to change the name of one of South America’s most popular tourist destinations. More than 7,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains, the UNESCO World Heritage site has drawn about 1 million visitors every year.
“It may not have been Machu Picchu to the Incas but now it’s Machu Picchu to the world,” Amado Gonzalez said.
1. What was Machu Picchu most probably named after?| A．The builders. | B．A nearby village. |
| C．A mountain. | D．The first discoverer. |
| A．Machu. | B．Picchu. |
| C．Huayna Picchu. | D．Machu Picchu. |
| A．Supportive. | B．Unconcerned. | C．Interested. | D．Disapproving. |
| A．Historians May Get a Wrong Name for Machu Picchu |
| B．Machu Picchu Is 30 Years Older Than Previously Thought |
| C．The 600-year-old Machu Picchu Keeps Making Headlines |
| D．Experts Have Decided to Learn More About Machu Picchu |
