1 . The Paris Olympics organizers have applied to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to include breakdancing (霹雳舞), which is also called breaking or b-boying/b-girling, after the sport’s success at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina last year.
Along with breakdancing, the Paris committee has asked for skateboarding, climbing and surfing to be included as a way of making the 2024 Olympics more urban (城市的), more artistic and more attractive to young people.
Skateboarding, climbing and surfing — but not breakdancing — have already been included in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. The IOC will make a decision on the Paris sports in December 2020, after the Tokyo Olympic Games.
“It is a victory for us. Even if it goes no further, we will still have won,” said Mounir Biba, one of the top breakdancers in France, where there is a strong breakdancing culture. The head of the Paris organizing committee, Tony Estanguet, said the committee’s goal was “to connect the games to their era (时代).”
Organizers explained the four sports have broad appeal to young people and large and active audiences on social media. The IOC is trying to make the Olympics less expensive and wasteful, which advantages (有利于) the four sports as they shouldn’t need large and new stadiums.
1. B-boying or b-girling can also be called ________.| A．skateboarding | B．climbing | C．breakdancing | D．surfing |
| A．In November, 2020. | B．In December, 2020. |
| C．In September, 2024. | D．In October, 2024. |
| A．wide | B．little | C．new | D．weak |
| A．In a science magazine. | B．In an old textbook. |
| C．In a children’s storybook. | D．In a daily newspaper. |
by Mary Pope Osborne List price: $13. 99 | When Jack and Annie put on the magic baseball hats given to them by Morgan, they find themselves back in 1947 as batboys (球童) . There they learnt a lot about the game. |
by Debbi Michiko Florence List price: $15. 99 | Jasmine Toguchi wants to enter her school’s talent show, but what talent could she show? She knows when she is introduced to the traditional Japanese drums, where she finds a skill. |
by Graham Annable List price: $17. 99 | Peter and Ernesto are friends but are very different. Peter is a homeboy while Ernesto wants to explore. However, the separations make their reunion (团聚) all the better. |
by Patricia Valdez List price: $17. 99 | Unlike other girls her age, who prefer parties and such, Joan Procter is more than interested in visiting the Natural History Museum and enjoys talking about animals. |
1. Which book helps readers learn about a sport?
| A．A Big Day for Baseball. | B．Drummer Girl. |
| C．A Tale of Two Sloths. | D．Dragon Doctor. |
| A．$12. 59. | B．$9. 89. | C．$10. 48. | D．$10. 25. |
| A．Jack and Annie. | B．Jasmine Toguchi. | C．Joan Procter. | D．Peter and Ernesto. |
| A．Games. | B．A girl’s interest. | C．A talent show. | D．Friendship. |
3 . A few years ago, it seemed like Taylor Swift never went anywhere without a large group of friends. No matter what event she attended, a list squad (小队) — which included famous people like Selena Gomez, Zen d and God Ha did — would be right by her side.
But now Swift wants fans to know that her friendships weren’t as perfect as she tried to make people believe. In fact, she says she was using her friend group to hide her insecurity (不安全) of feeling “uncool” and “unpopular”. Swift says she went out of her way to show off her squad because she didn’t have many friends when she was younger — a memory that still bothered her years later. “Never being popular as a kid was always an insecurity for me,” she says.
When she became famous, Swift became obsessed (沉迷) with showing off her popularity. “In my twenties, I found myself surrounded by girls who wanted to be my friends,” Swift explains. “So I celebrated my newfound acceptance into a sisterhood.” But by constantly putting her friends on display, Swift failed to consider how bad her fans might feel about themselves because they didn’t have a squad like hers. “I didn’t realize that other people might still feel the way I did when I felt so alone,” she says.
As she became older and more confident in herself, Swift started focusing on the quality of her friends, not the quantity (数量). She says she finally understands that the size of her group doesn’t mean how “cool” she is. To her, it’s much more important to have a few friends who can be trusted rather than a large group of “fair-weather” friends.
While Swift still values her friends she has in her life, she no longer feels the pressure to show off them for the sake of impressing others. “For too long, the opinions of strangers affected how I viewed things. But now I learn not to let outside opinions affect my own life choices.”
1. What made Swift know old list squad?| A．The popularity of her friends. |
| B．Her childhood experience. |
| C．The support of her fans. |
| D．Her strong social influence. |
| A．We should make real friends. |
| B．It is important to trust our friends. |
| C．Our friends can affect our behavior. |
| D．There are many ways of making friends. |
| A．Request. | B．Advice. | C．Method. | D．Purpose. |
| A．A scientific report. | B．A social newspaper. |
| C．A travel magazine. | D．A movie poster. |
4 . Seven-year-olds, with their increasing attention spans, are ready for more complex chapter books, but they still enjoy shorter stories and funny picture books. See what your second graders think of these tried-and-true read-aloud books.
Chicken Cheeks by Michael Ian Black is a short, silly tale about a bear who is determined to reach some honey with the help of some of his animal friends. With minimal text, this book is a short, quick read-aloud one that appeals to the potty-humor of seven-year-olds.
Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel follows the adventures of a pair of amphibian best friends, Frog and Toad. The stories are silly, heart-warming, relatable, and always a treasure to share with children.
Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White, published in 1952, captivates readers of all ages with its timeless tale of friendship, love, and sacrifice. The story introduces children to the richness of language and reminds them of the influence we can have on the lives of others even if we feel small and insignificant.
The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner, a series originally published in 1924, tells the story of four orphaned siblings who work together to make their home in an abandoned boxcar. The story imparts lessons such as hard work, resilience, and team work all woven into a story that will hook young readers and inspire them to investigate the rest of the series.
1. Which book should you choose if you want your children to improve their language skills?| A．Chicken Cheeks. | B．Charlotte’s Web. |
| C．Frog and Toad. | D．The Boxcar Children. |
| A．Charlotte’s Web. | B．Frog and Toad. |
| C．The Boxcar Children. | D．Chicken Cheeks. |
| A．They are all humorous. | B．They were published in the 19th century. |
| C．They are all about adventures. | D．They are all suitable for second-grade children. |
5 . 
The new HSK test was launched by Hanban in an effort to better serve Chinese language learners. The new exam combines the advantages of the original HSK while taking into consideration recent trends in Chinese language training.
The new HSK is an international standardized exam that tests and rates Chinese language proficiency (水平). It assesses non-native Chinese speakers’ abilities in using the Chinese language in their daily, academic and professional lives.
Ⅰ. Test Levels
The levels of the new HSK correspond to the levels of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages (CLPS) and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF) as follows:
New HSK | Vocabulary | CLPS | CEF |
HSK (Level Ⅵ) | Over 5,000 | Level Ⅴ | C2 |
HSK (Level Ⅴ) | 2,500 | C1 | |
HSK (Level Ⅳ) | 1,200 | Level Ⅳ | B2 |
HSK (Level Ⅲ) | 600 | Level Ⅲ | B1 |
HSK (Level Ⅱ) | 300 | Level Ⅱ | A2 |
HSK (Level Ⅰ) | 150 | Level Ⅰ | A1 |
Test takers who are able to pass the HSK (Level Ⅰ) can understand and use very simple Chinese words and phrases, meet basic needs for communication and possess the ability to further their Chinese language studies.
Ⅱ. Test Principles
The new HSK follows the principle of “test-teaching correlation”, bases the design of the test on the current trends in international Chinese language training, and is closely related to textbooks. The purpose of the test is to “promote training through testing” and “promote learning through testing”.
Ⅲ. Results Certificate
Test takers will receive the results for the new HSK issued by Hanban within one month after the test.
The HSK certificate has permanent validity, whereas the accompanying test report will only be valid (有效的) for two years (beginning from the date of the test session) as certification for foreign students to enter a college or university in China.
1. What can we learn from the first two paragraphs?| A．The HSK has been newly reformed. |
| B．The HSK remains unchanged for years. |
| C．The HSK is targeted at all Chinese learners. |
| D．The HSK is a standardized test held in China. |
| A．C1 (CEF). | B．C2 (CEF). | C．Level Ⅲ (CLPS). | D．Level Ⅳ (CLPS). |
| A．It consists of seven levels. |
| B．Its test report will be valid for ever. |
| C．Its certificate will be valid for two years. |
| D．Its results will be announced within one month. |
6 . STINSON BEACH CLEAN-UP PROJECT
Help us keep Stinson Beach clean this summer! Warmer weather and handfuls of holidays bring more people out to the beach which sometimes means more garbage too; join us once per month to clear litter and maintain the beauty there.
When: One Friday a month between May and September. 10: 00 am—1: 00 pm.
Where: Stinson Beach parking lot.
Supplies: We invite volunteers to bring their own reusable supplies! Limit waste by bringing your own bag or bucket and gloves if possible — but don’t worry if you don’t — we’ll have some supplies on site for you to use.
Group entry: Groups of five or more require special arrangements and must be confirmed in advance. Please review the List of Available Projects and fill out the Group Project Request Form.
Age, Skills, What to bring:
Volunteers aged 10 and up are welcome. Read our Youth Policy Guidelines for youth under the age of 15.
Bring your completed Volunteer Agreement Form. Volunteers under 18 must have the parent approval section signed.
We’ll be working rain or shine. Bring layers for changing weather and rain gear (雨具).
Bring a personal water bottle and sunscreen. Wear clothes that can get dirty. Long pants and closed-toe shoes are required.
No experience necessary. Training and tools will be provided. Fulfills community service requirements.
1. What is the aim of the project?| A．To attract the tourists. | B．To beautify the beach. |
| C．To provide trip study. | D．To conduct a research. |
| A．Fine weather. | B．Rich experience. |
| C．School uniform. | D．Parent permission. |
| A．Training. | B．Long pants. | C．Rain gear. | D．Water bottles. |
7 . A girl is driving with her parents when they spot watercress growing by the side of the road. Her parents stop and take her out of the back seat. They ask her to take off her shoes and roll up her jeans to help them gather it.
It is the beginning of the story in Watercress, a picture book written by Andrea Wang. The story is based on her childhood. “My parents actually spotted watercress growing by the side of the road in Ohio where I grew up,” Wang says. “And I was horribly embarrassed to get out and gather the watercress from the dirty water. It really made me aware of how different I was from my friends. But for my parents, it brought back memories of their home country and it was a connection to their homeland that they had left behind.”
The feeling of being ashamed of our parents is universal. We’ve probably all experienced that at some point. “I remember walking 20 feet behind my parents when we were walking down the street, pretending that I didn’t belong to them,” Wang laughs.
The pictures in Watercress have drawn inspiration from Chinese landscape paintings, which often have mountains covered in clouds. “It always has felt dreamlike to me when I look at those paintings. And I thought it would be nice to bring it into my book because of its theme of memory,” Wang explains.
Unlike the little girl in the story, Andrea Wang didn’t hear any story about her parents’ childhoods until she was an adult. “My parents were trying to protect me, by not telling me the hardships they went through,” Wang says.
But as a kid, Wang remembers feeling disconnected from her history. “I think it’s really important for families to share what they can,” Wang says. “So that kids know that history and can feel a sense of pride in their culture.”
1. How did Andrea Wang feel when she was told to gather watercress?| A．Excited. | B．Curious. | C．Scared. | D．Ashamed. |
| A．Making sb feel a little bit angry. | B．Being true at all times and in all places. |
| C．Needing skill to do or understand. | D．Being related to a particular group or society. |
| A．They are boring. | B．They are difficult. |
| C．They are beautiful. | D．They are expensive. |
| A．Avoid talking about hardships. |
| B．Explain whatever they went through. |
| C．Tell their kids to be proud of their culture. |
| D．Share some of their experiences with their kids. |
8 . A new study finds that bird species with extreme or uncommon combinations of traits (特征) face the highest risk of extinction, The study led by researchers at Imperial College London finds that the most unique birds on the planet are also the most threatened. Losing these species and the unique roles they play in the environment, such as seed spread, pollination and predation, could have negative impacts on the functioning of ecosystems.
The study analyzed the extinction risk and physical traits, such as beak shape and wing length, of 99% of all living bird species, making it the most general study of its kind to date.The researchers found that in simulated scenarios (模拟场景) in which all threatened and near-threatened bird species became extinct, there would be a significantly greater reduction in the physical diversity among birds than in scenarios where extinctions were random (随机的).
Jarome Ali, a PhD candidate at Princeton University who completed the research at Imperial College London, said, “Our study shows that extinctions will most likely prune a large percentage of unique species from the bird family tree. Losing these unique species will mean a loss of the specialized roles that they play in ecosystems. If we do not take action to protect threatened species and prevent extinctions, the functioning of ecosystems will be thrown into disorder.”
In the study, the authors used a dataset of measurements collected from living birds and museum specimens, totalling 9,943 bird species. Although the dataset used in the study was able to show that the most unique birds were also classified as threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, it was unable to show what links uniqueness in birds to extinction risk.
Jarome Ali said, “One possibility is that highly specialized organisms are less able to adapt to a changing environment, in which case human impacts may directly threaten species with the most unusual ecological roles. More research is needed to dive deeper into the connection between unique traits and extinction risk.”
1. According to researchers, what may the loss of unique birds lead to?| A．The reduction of certain research. |
| B．The damage to ecosystem function, |
| C．The development of ecological tourism. |
| D．The better living environment of human race. |
| A．Cut out. | B．Pick up. | C．Get in. | D．Add to. |
| A．Human’s impacts on unique birds. |
| B．The parts unique traits play in birds’ life. |
| C．Links of uniqueness in birds to extinction risk. |
| D．The approaches to preventing birds’ extinction. |
| A．Some birds with special physical traits |
| B．Key roles unique birds play in ecosystems |
| C．Measures to protect threatened unique birds |
| D．More unique birds at higher risk of extinction |
9 . We can't all be professional footballers but one thing that makes football great is that everyone can play. A program at Full ham Football Club in London is working with a group of children who haven’t always been able to be part of a team.
What’s happening at Fullham?
Once a week for the last three years, trainers at Full ham have been working with a group children. Each week, the children meet up for a training session which concentrates on the basic skills of football — passing, control, teamwork. Occasionally, they play matches against other teams. There are training sessions like this at Premier League clubs but what makes this Full ham team special is that the children in this group all have Down’s syndrome. The Full ham Badgers, as the team is known, are the first Down’s syndrome team in the country.
What is Down’s syndrome?
Down’s syndrome affects about one in a thousand people and causes learning difficulties. People with Down’s syndrome a so sometimes have problems taking part in physical activities. Because of this，and because they look different, children with Down’s syndrome haven’t always had the chance to do what other children do and join in with team sports.
Making opportunities.
The Fullham project lets the young people train regularly and get the chance to improve their self-confidence as part of the team. It’s important to show that football is not only about winning cups and scoring goals. It can also help break down the barriers that these youngsters experience in everyday life.
Support from the players.
Top Full ham players have also been training with the children. Footballers such as the Norwegian international Erik Nevland have lent support to the team. After working with the youngsters in a penalty shoot-out, Erik Nevland said, “I love doing this. It’s good to come out in the community and let people see who you really are.”
1. What do we know about the children at Full ham?| A．They meet up for a training session once a week. | B．They focus on practicing advanced football skills. |
| C．They often play matches with top footballers. | D．They don’t have chances to play football at all. |
| A．It has been built for more than three years. |
| B．It aims to train children to be professionals. |
| C．It is specially for children with Down’s syndrome. |
| D．It makes no difference to children’s mental health. |
| A．To give children advice on playing football. |
| B．To call on children to do more sports. |
| C．To show people’s opinion about Full ham. |
| D．To introduce a program at Full ham Football Club. |
10 . Have you been wishing to put on your hiking shoes and enter the woods for a little backpacking trip, but you’re not sure exactly where to start? That’s okay!
Stay close to your home.
Find an overnight trip that’s not too far away from where you live and try for just a night. This will make you feel safer, and you won’t have to take along quite as much equipment during your first attempt.
Plan ahead.
You need to make sure you know where you’re going, where you’re camping out, where to find water, etc. Be sure to read up on the route you’re hiking on so that you can prepare for your journey in advance! It also includes choosing a route, figuring out when you’re going to set off, who you’ re going with, and what you’ re going to bring along.
Put safety first.
While beautiful, the wilderness can sometimes also be dangerous.
When you’re backpacking and camping out, it’s important to try to leave the space as it was when you found it. If you’ve made a fire, be sure to put it out and bury it before you head back onto the trip. Also, don’t leave any waste or litter behind. Pick up after yourself and take care of the beautiful earth!
| A．Take care of nature. |
| B．Take advantage of the peace. |
| C．As a result, your bag will be a little lighter. |
| D．You never know what could happen outdoors. |
| E．You should also take time to kick back and relax. |
| F．We’ve got you covered on all the backpacking basics. |
| G．You can try making a checklist to get it totally prepared. |
