1 . While they were still growing up, kids are basically vacuums for vocabulary. It is estimated that a normal kid at the age of 6 possesses a remarkable vocabulary of about thirteen thousand words!
That’s an amazing accomplishment because preliterate children just perceive spoken words and do not have a chance to work on those words. Rather, they learn a fresh vocabulary every 2 hours when awake, regularly. This is particularly extraordinary since the best effective ways for mnemonic devices（记忆术） do not assist with words individually.
A mnemonic has been a training method that changes what we wish to recall to more unforgettable things. For instance, if you desire to get an education on reading music, an easy approach to learning the EGBDF has been recalling the sentence Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge. However, that doesn’t apply to individual words. Due to the lack of simple methods to recall words, children’s brains need to have an inherent（固有的）, strong structure for fast learning a language.
But, as we become older, we start to miss those remarkable skills. Every adult finds it difficult at the time of learning a different tongue, as the ability seems to decline with age. A psychologist, Elisa Newport, did research on people who immigrated（移民） to the US. She discovered that the people who immigrated in the age range of 3 — 7 had been as expert in the grammar of English as those who were US-born. But those who arrived in the age range of 8 — 15, did much worse.
A similar thing can be noticed at the time of learning the initial language. In the past, a small number of kids were raised with no human touch, regularly as a result of negligence. They are called the “wolf children”, similar to “Genie”, the girl who was found at the age of 13 around 1970. Since she was raised with no human touch, she could not create even simple grammatical sentences.
1. Which word can best describe preliterate kids’vocabulary learning?| A．Formal. | B．Complex. | C．Consistent. | D．Tough. |
| A．It can be easily forgotten by little kids. | B．It involves only letters and listening ability. |
| C．It is actually meaningless to most people. | D．It can’t be used to recall individual words. |
| A．People’s language abilities decline as they age. |
| B．3 — 7 is a better age range for learning a new language. |
| C．Kids lose their interest in grammar as they grow older. |
| D．Kids aged 8 — 15 can’t learn a foreign language well. |
| A．It’s better to immigrate to learn a foreign tongue. |
| B．It’s urgent to learn a language at the proper age. |
| C．Every animal possesses a language of their own. |
| D．A language can be acquired without human touch. |
2 . Do you wish you could create something meaningful? Do you wish you had the time to work on that thing you’ve always wanted to produce — that novel, that piece of art and that passion project?
Look at yourself in the mirror. It’s time for you to be honest with yourself. Either you’re accomplishing what you want to accomplish or you’re not.
Stop worrying. We tend to worry about the naysayers (拒绝者). People are going to judge you. Some people are going to think what you’re doing is stupid. Others will think you’ve lost your mind.
Change your beliefs. One of the biggest reasons we don’t accomplish what we set out to accomplish is our limiting beliefs. For years you’ve told yourself that you’ll never be this, you’ll never do that, or you’ll never be good enough. But you’re no different from the people who have constructed their masterpieces. The people who create something special — something lasting — aren’t necessarily smarter or funnier or better or more attractive than you.
| A．Stop making excuses |
| B．There is no in-between |
| C．Kill things getting in your way |
| D．They simply believed they could do it |
| E．No need to keep wishing your life away |
| F．However, their perspectives hold no significance |
| G．Most people are going to praise you for what you do |
3 . As someone who often mans the 24-hour hotline, I’m accustomed to early morning calls reporting various marine mammal strandings (搁浅). Even still, I doubt whether I could have fully prepared for this call. August 9 at 8: 01 am was the first time my jaw physically dropped when manning the hotline. The harbormaster reported 30 stranded dolphins in one of the trickiest areas of Wellfleet. I immediately sent all workers we had and sent out the call for any additional help we could gather.
Our team gathered at our Rescue Operations Center, grabbing all the specialized equipment we possibly could. Our trained volunteer responders arrived on the scene shortly after the initial report to give me updated information — 45 dolphins in total, 43 of which were alive. With a stranding this large, it wasn’t feasible to pull all 43 animals from the mud, get them to our mobile veterinary clinic, and transport them for release at a more favorable open-ocean location all before the tide came in. The day was getting hotter, and the animals were already suffering from both heat and sun exposure.
Upon getting on the scene, there was no time to react to the sheer chaos that lay ahead. After a quick scan of the situation — 45 animals widely distributed, only a few staff members and several volunteers — there wasn’t a second more to wait. We began the hard process of getting as many animals as we could into special slings (吊带), onto the cart, and off the marsh as quickly as possible. This was not without its own challenges. The mud trapped and enveloped our feet, adding weight with each step, most animals were highly fractious (易怒的) when approached, and the heat became unbearable in dry suits. But none of that was going to stop us from doing all we could for these animals.
1. How did the author react to the call on the morning of August 9?| A．He thought it was a joke. | B．He was shocked to the bone. |
| C．He didn’t take it seriously. | D．He was at a loss what to do. |
| A．Efficient. | B．Practical. | C．Urgent. | D．Remarkable. |
| A．The tide was coming in very quickly. |
| B．It was hard to find an open-ocean location. |
| C．The volunteers failed to contact each other. |
| D．There was deep mud around to walk through. |
| A．A rescue effort. | B．A volunteer program. |
| C．A festive activity. | D．A charity organization. |
4 . It is no accident that so many fairy tale characters find themselves having to cross dangerous areas of woodland. In a most practical sense, as the ancients dreamed up those stories and even when the oral traditions were finally written down in the middle ages and later, the lands of northern and western Europe were thick with woodland. The dangers were obvious: from robbers lying in wait for unsuspecting travelers to opportunistic wolves hungry for the kill.
In many cultures, the forest is for god or ancestor worship. In An Illustrated Encyclopaedia Of Traditional Symbols, JC Cooper writes, “Entering the Dark Forest or the Enchanted Forest is a threshold (门槛) symbol: the soul entering the dangers of the unknown; the world of death; the secrets of nature, or the spiritual world which man must go through to find the meaning.”
The forest is a place of magic then, magic that can be dangerous, but also a place of opportunity and transformation. In the tale of Beauty and the Beast, the merchant is directed by invisible forces within the forest to the Beast’s castle, only then to be directed by invisible hands to his fate.
As for Little Red Riding Hood, straying from (偏离) the path and into the woods is similarly dangerous and filled with treachery (背叛). Symbolically, those who lose their way in the uncharted forest are losing their way in life, losing touch with their conscious selves and voyaging into the state of the subconscious.
And yet, in legends such as Robin Hood, or the great Hindu love story of Rama and Sita, the forest becomes a hiding place. The forest provides refuge (庇护) for great heroes who after a period of hard time come back to fight for justice. Their time in the forest could perhaps be interpreted as a period of personal development.
Today, still, woodland remains as a refuge from institutional order, from control and limitation of personal freedom. Forests are places full of mystery, where imagination and the subconscious can run free, where we can return to our original selves.
1. What does the author think of the woodland dangers in fairy tales?| A．They are created without reasonable basis. | B．They are a reflection of real-life dangers. |
| C．They differ greatly from those in real life. | D．They are apparent and can be easily avoided. |
| A．The hidden dangers in the forest. | B．The symbols in different cultures. |
| C．The symbolic meaning of the forest. | D．The educational functions of the forest. |
| A．Rama and Sita |
| B．Beauty and the Beast |
| C．Little Red Riding Hood |
| D．An Illustrated Encyclopaedia Of Traditional Symbols |
| A．By following time order. | B．By giving examples. |
| C．By making comparisons. | D．By explaining a principle. |
5 . Events at Olbrich for This Month
Alcohol Inks & Acrylic Bouquets
June 4, 2024, 1: 00 pm
In this workshop, we’ll use alcohol inks and special paint to create two 9 × 12 flower bouquet (花束) paintings. Learn techniques that transform abstract backgrounds and use negative-space painting to create beautiful works of art.
Macro Botanical Photography & Bouque t Making
June 6, 2024, 2: 00 pm
Join us to learn how to make your own bouquet and then gain some tips on how to photograph your flowers to make their beauty last. All levels welcome and no previous photography education necessary. Bring your DSLR camera, and ensure you have its basic working knowledge as we will not be able to help onsite. You will leave with a flower bouquet and macro photography tips booklet to ensure you’ve got the essential knowledge.
Virtual Tai Chi Meditation at Home
June 7, 2024, 6: 00 pm
“Move like a great river; be still like a mountain” instructs the age-old description of the meditative exercise and movement art of Tai Chi Chuan. This class offers standing movements and seated practices rooted within the Chinese tradition of Tai Chi and Chi Kung for the enrichment of body, mind and spirit. All physical abilities welcome, including those in need of chair-based practice.
Bike for Butterflies Virtual Lecture — Sara Dykman
June 9, 2024, 1: 00 pm
Join us for a special virtual lecture by an inspiring professional working hard to bring more attention to butterfly conservation. Learn how he combines long biking journeys with his passion for butterflies.
1. What’s one requirement for you to learn macro photography?| A．Taking good care of your flowers. |
| B．Bringing a flower bouquet. |
| C．Being able to operate a DSLR camera. |
| D．Taking along your previous flower photographs. |
| A．It is aimed at specific age groups. | B．It offers face-to-face instructions. |
| C．It is a kind of chair-based exercise. | D．It welcomes even the physically disabled. |
| A．On June 4, 2024. | B．On June 6, 2024. |
| C．On June 7, 2024. | D．On June 9, 2024. |
6 . In the old-fashioned town of Willowbrook, two friends named Emma and Liam shared an intimate bond. They were inseparable and spent every moment together, laughing, exploring, and creating unforgettable memories.
One cold winter morning, as the first snowflakes gently fell from the sky, Emma woke up with a stuffy nose and a sore throat. She tried to brave it and get ready for school, but her body felt weak and achy. Unwillingly, she called Liam to let him know she couldn’t make it to school that day.
Liam was concerned when he heard the tiredness in Emma’s voice. “Don’t worry, Em. I’ll take care of everything at school for you,” he assured her. Feeling grateful for Liam’s understanding, Emma forced a smile and replied, “Thank you, Liam. You’re the best friend anyone could ask for.”
After school, Liam hurried to Emma’s house, carrying a meal he had prepared for her. He knocked on the door, and Emma’s mother welcomed him with a warm smile. “Oh, Liam, you’re such a thoughtful friend,” she said.
“I brought some soup and tea for Emma. I hope it will make her feel better,” Liam replied, some concern in his eyes. Entering Emma’s room, Liam found her curled up under a blanket, looking pale but relieved to see him. “Hey, I brought some comfort food to cheer you up,” he said, setting the food on her bedside table.
Emma’s eyes lit up, and she smiled weakly. “You didn’t have to, but thank you. This means the world to me,” she whispered. Sitting by her side, Liam kept her company, chatting softly and making her laugh despite her illness. The warmth of their friendship enveloped the room, bringing a feeling of comfort to Emma’s tired soul.
As Emma regained her strength, she realized just how lucky she was to have a friend like Liam. His unwavering presence and kindness had made her recovery easier and brighter. Their friendship grew stronger with each passing day, and from that moment on, they knew they would be there for each other through thick and thin.
1. What does the underlined word “intimate” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Satisfactory. | B．Informal. | C．Close. | D．Temporary. |
| A．It was too cold to go outside. | B．Liam failed to pick her up. |
| C．She was in a bad condition. | D．School was closed for the heavy snow. |
| A．Considerate and caring. | B．Brave but lazy. |
| C．Selfless and active. | D．Independent but stubborn. |
| A．Emma’s illness. | B．A precious friendship. |
| C．Liam’s company. | D．How to help a friend. |
7 . Binge-watching (刷剧) is when a person watches more than one episode of a show in a row. With developments in the speed and connectivity of the Internet, increases in technology and the rise of on-demand entertainment companies, people can now have their favorite shows stream (流播) directly to their television at their convenience.
This behavior is nothing new. In fact, binge-watching has been officially listed in dictionaries since 2015. The entertainment companies recognize this behavior and many take steps to encourage it. Often, instead of releasing each episode on a week-by-week basis, an entire series will become available concurrently. Once the episode finishes, many platforms will display pop-ups with “you might like” suggestions, or will automatically play the next episode.
However, recent research suggests that out of the more than half of British adults who watch more than one episode of a show back-to-back (一集接一集地), almost a third have admitted missing sleep or becoming tired as a result; and 25% have neglected their household chores (家务活). Next we’ll be missing work!
Bingeing has other connections — binge eating, binge drinking and binge smoking. All of them are often associated with a lack of control and a possible route to addiction. Lindsey Fussell, consumer group director, said, “The days of waiting a week for the next episode are largely gone, with people finding it hard to resist (抗拒) watching multiple episodes around the house or on the move.” If people find binge-watching hard to resist, are we witnessing the birth of a new type of addiction?
The countless number of information and entertainment that television and online media can bring us is, many would say, a good thing. However, when the activity begins to bleed into other areas, causing us to stop functioning, then it becomes a problem. So, what’s the answer? Moderation! Neither a tiny amount, nor too much. After all, as the old proverb says, “A little of what you fancy does you good.”
1. How did the writer develop the first paragraph?| A．By giving a definition. | B．By telling a story. |
| C．By listing some examples. | D．By analyzing the cause and effect. |
| A．For convenience. | B．At the same time. |
| C．In detail. | D．Free of charge. |
| A．people can’t control their feelings | B．people can’t resist the temptation of Bingeing |
| C．people have no patience to do work | D．people are addicted to waiting for a new episode |
| A．To keep online media from stopping functioning. |
| B．To enjoy entertainment as much as possible. |
| C．To learn life lessons from the episodes. |
| D．To watch episodes in a moderate way. |
8 . When you think of a map, is north on the top or the bottom? Usually, maps are designed with north on top, though when we think about it, there is no logical reason for this bias (偏见). After all, there is no up or down in space. So what is wrong with south, east or west being on the top of the map? The answer is: nothing at all. In fact, north-up maps only became the norm in the last few hundred years.
Ancient Egyptian maps had south at the top because the Nile River flows downhill from mountains in the south to the Mediterranean Sea in the north. Mecca was to the south of most early Muslim civilizations, and south-up maps were designed so that viewers would look up to see Mecca. Medieval Christian maps had east at the top, as they believed the Garden of Eden was in the east. The only early maps that had north at the top were those of early China because the emperor lived in the north.
North seems to have settled at the top of maps during the 16th century, largely thanks to a Flemish mapmaker, Mercator. Mercator was a great admirer of an early Greek mapmaker, who, for reasons now unknown, put north at the top of maps, so Mercator did, too. When Mercator’s world map became the standard map to navigate the oceans, north up became standard as well.
What is the implication of this north-view of the world? Psychologically, people tend to think of up as good and down as bad. Just think of words and phrases like “upmarket”, “upbeat” and “moving up in the world”, and how they contrast with their opposites. Because north is so consistently put at the top of maps, people now think of north as good, too.
Several attempts have been made in recent years by introducing south-up maps to the market. These maps not only give us a chance to see the world differently, but also give everyone the chance to see themselves on top.
1. What can we learn from the first two paragraphs?| A．North-up maps were rare in ancient times. |
| B．Deciding up or down in space is ridiculous. |
| C．Mecca maps were based on a legend. |
| D．The south-up map first appeared in ancient Egypt. |
| A．An illogical reason. | B．The spread of Mercator’s maps. |
| C．People’s preference for up. | D．An age-old tradition in Greece. |
| A．Cautious. | B．Supportive. | C．Uncaring. | D．Disapproving. |
| A．To criticize a phenomenon. | B．To compare various facts. |
| C．To correct a cultural bias. | D．To argue for a viewpoint. |
Kevin and I were friends in the elementary school. As top students, both of us sat in the front of the class, but in opposite sides. He was the smartest boy I’d ever known, who almost always got A+ in assignments. Actually, I was second only to him. Part of me wanted to hate him, but I couldn’t. After all, we were close companions. Instead, I envied him and longed with all my heart to be just like him.
Mrs. Becker, our teacher, was a patient, kind old lady. She would flash a pleasant smile, when the class got into an argument, and patiently guide us toward the correct answer. Last week, Mrs. Becker, put a big circle on the blackboard and said it was a pizza pie. “David,” she said to me. “If I were to divide the pizza, would you like one-third or one-tenth?” Ten is the bigger number, so that’s what I picked. At that moment, Kevin started waving his hand in the air, shouting that he chose one-third. Mrs. Becker drew lines on the circle, showing that Kevin’s piece of the pie was bigger than, mine. “David’s gonna get hungry,” Kevin joked. Then the whole class was laughing. My expression changed from a half smile, to a half frown, to one hundred percent unhappy face.
With a mixture of bitterness and envy slipping into my heart, I began to argue with him on purpose during the rest of class. Thus, a heated argument unavoidably broke out when a controversial topic appeared. After hearing our separate statements patiently, Mrs. Becker brought us up to the front of the class and placed Kevin on one side of her desk and me on the other. In the middle of her desk was a large, round object. I could clearly see that it was black. She asked Kevin what color the object was. “White,” he answered. “I couldn’t believe he said the object was white, when it was obviously black!” Another argument started between us, but this time about the color of the object. Mrs. Becker smiled gently. She explained that the object was actually a sphere with half black and half white, demonstrating the importance of perspective and understanding before jumping to conclusions.
1. Who is Kevin and what was his relationship with me? (use less than 20 words)2. Why couldn’t I just hate Kevin completely? (use less than 10 words)
3. Describe my personalities with two adjectives (2 words)
4. How did I feel when I was joked by Kevin in class? (use less than 5 words)
5. What can you learn from the story? (use less than 20 words)
10 . Have you ever wondered why you want to do something, or what causes people to go through extraordinary pain or personal investment just to achieve a particular outcome?
Motivation is the reason for people’s actions, goals, and willingness to pursue the goals. Sometimes it seems difficult to find, but we all have that spark at our core. Here are some ways you can turn that spark back into a flame.
Keep a thankfulness journal.
Design an accomplishment book. Creative people may do well to design an accomplishment book with images of past work and accomplishments as a form of encouragement. It can be as informal or formal as you’d like. It might be a simple scrapbook you keep at your desk, or a professionally printed booklet that you keep by your bed.
Get out of the house. If your life consists of going to work, coming home, watching Netflix, and going to sleep, you shouldn’t be surprised that you’re unmotivated.
| A．What’s the possible solution? |
| B．Identify when motivation slips. |
| C．What’s at the heart of this issue? |
| D．Decide what works best for you and give it a try. |
| E．A thankfulness journal is a perfect way to show your gratitude to others. |
| F．Some people find that thankfulness and motivation are directly connected. |
| G．Make it a point to go outdoors and try new things even when you don’t want to. |
