1 . The Mona Lisa is the famous Leonardo da Vinci painting of a woman with a mysterious smile. This week, the painting gave up a secret.
Scientists used X-rays to examine the chemical organization of an extremely small part of the more than 500-year-old painting. The researchers discovered a technique Leonardo used in the work. A team in France and Britain discovered an oil paint used for the Mona Lisa was a special, new chemical mixture. It suggests that the Italian artist may have been in an experimental mood when he set to work on the painting early in the 16th century.
“He was someone who loved to experiment, and each of his paintings is completely different technically,” said Victor Gonzalez. He is the study’s lead writer. “In this case, it’s interesting to see that indeed there is a specific technique for the ground layer of the Mona Lisa,” he said in an interview with The Associated Press. Specifically, the researchers found a rare compound, plumbonacrite (水蛭石), in Leonardo’s first layer of paint. The discovery, Gonzalez said, proved that da Vinci most likely used lead oxide to thicken and help dry his paint.
The scientists looked into its atomic structure using X-rays in a synchrotron (同步加速器). The machine moves particles at close to the speed of light, permitting researchers to look deeper into the paint structure. “Plumbonacrite is really a fingerprint of his recipe,” Gonzalez said. “It’s the first time we can actually chemically prove it.”
Dutch artist Rembrandt may have used a similar mixture when he was painting in the 17th century. Gonzalez and other researchers have found plumbonacrite in his work, too. “It also tells us that those recipes were passed on for centuries,” Gonzalez said. “It was a very good recipe.”
But the Mona Lisa and additional works by Leonardo still have other secrets to tell. “There are plenty, plenty more things to discover,” Gonzalez said. “What we are saying is just a little brick more in the knowledge.”
1. What is the secret of the painting of the Mona Lisa?| A．The use of plumbonacrite. | B．Leonardo’s love for experiment. |
| C．The way to dry the painting. | D．The oil in the first layer. |
| A．Unclear. | B．Positive. | C．Doubtful. | D．Disappointed. |
| A．By making comparisons. | B．By listing related examples. |
| C．By describing the study process. | D．By quoting experts’ opinions. |
| A．A Creative Painter | B．A Smiling Mona Lisa |
| C．A New Discovery in the Mona Lisa | D．A Pioneering Painting |
2 . When it comes to travel, sometimes wandering is one of the most exciting things you can do. In a time when travellers are both more adventurous and eco-conscious than ever, it’s no surprise that there’s a wealth of new vocabulary to describe how we travel, when we travel and how the experience makes us feel. Here are eight of our favourite travel words that you may not have heard before.
We’ve kicked off a blog with the staycation, “a holiday in one’s own country”. The term first became popular in the mid-2000s, when the global financial crisis meant people had less income to spend on flash holidays and instead searched for cheaper local choices. Since 2020, the staycation is experiencing a revival (复兴). Benefits of staycations include cheaper travel costs, no spending hours in the airport and, of course, no need to worry about whether your passport expired (过期) last year.
Once upon a time, if you wanted to meet new people on your travels, you could stay at a hostel or with a host on Airbnb. Now, you can couch surf. And not just in “the staying at various friends’ houses until you find a new place to rent” sense: couch surfing is quickly becoming a hot new travel trend. Travellers can now choose to couch surf all across the world via a website which treats travel as a cultural exchange, allowing people to connect with willing hosts and crash on their sofas.
Given that single-use and climate strike were selected as the Collins 2018 and 2019 Words of the Year respectively, it’s clear that the climate crisis is very much on everybody’s mind. This desire to make more sustainable choices is also affecting the way we spend our vacation days. Ecotourism is another popular travel trend, defined as tourism that is designed to contribute to the protection of the environment. Examples of ecotourism include ditching short-haul flights, staying at eco-friendly resorts, or booking a staycation.
1. When did the staycation become popular firstly?| A．About in 2018. | B．About in 2019. | C．About in 2005. | D．About in 2010. |
| A．Two. | B．Three. | C．Four. | D．Six. |
| A．The eco-friendly travel ways. | B．The cheap ways to get around. |
| C．The changing words of travel. | D．The spread of history and culture. |
| A．The other new travel words. | B．Ways to protect environment. |
| C．Other examples of ecotourism. | D．Experiences of reaching culture. |
3 . The ability to walk is the sort of thing many people take for granted, but for Ella Weiske, it’s a monumental achievement. Ella was born with cerebral palsy (脑瘫) and requires a wheelchair to get around, yet she always dreamed of walking across the stage to collect her high school diploma on her own two feet.
In spring of 2023, Ella finally got that chance! The teenager spent months before her graduation from Ripon High School in Wisconsin building strength and practicing walking on an innovative new device called a Trexo. All of her efforts were worth it when she stepped onto the stage to a standing ovation (起立鼓掌) from teachers and students.
Walking on graduation day was important to Ella so her family raised $45,000 with an online fundraiser to buy the Trexo device, which is a wearable robot designed to help children walk. The device is controlled by a tablet, and it helps Ella gently move her legs. She can adjust how much support is needed, walk angles, and speed.
Ella says just the feeling of her feet hitting the floor makes her happy, but it’s the independence the device offers that gets her really excited. She dreams of hanging around downtown, going to her brother’s baseball games, and opening up her world with help from her robotic legs. But first, graduation!
On the big day, Ella was able to use her Trexo device to walk across the stage with the other members of the class of 2023. The entire school body was on their feet, cheering for her, as she collected her diploma with help from her sister, Liz Weiske. It was an emotional moment for the teachers and students who have rooted for Ella for the past 4 years.
Just graduating is an achievement on its own, but Ella’s life-changing walk meant so much to her, and to everyone who knows and loves her. We’re so proud of Ella for working hard to accomplish her goals.
1. What words can best describe Ella Weiske?| A．Caring and responsible. | B．Honest and reliable. |
| C．Ambitious and hardworking. | D．Intelligent and creative. |
| A．A responsibility to help others. | B．A sense of living independently. |
| C．An ability to deliver a public speech. | D．An opportunity for further education. |
| A．Embarrassing. | B．Doubtful. | C．Inspiring. | D．Romantic. |
| A．Practice makes perfect. | B．Many hands make light work. |
| C．Misfortune may be an actual blessing. | D．Everything is possible to a willing mind. |
4 . A 17-year-old boy nicknamed Tao Tao with cerebral palsy(脑瘫) has made positive attempts to achieve greater self-reliance through selling self-made popcorn on the street on his own, touching the hearts of netizens and winning him an education opportunity.
According to Tao Tao’s mother: Yao Chuanhua, her son was born with the disabling condition. Over the years, she has continuously tried to train him to adapt and live as normally as possible.
As Tao Tao grew up, the idea of fostering his independence by selling homemade popcorn has brewed in the mother’s mind. She taught Tao Tao how to make popcorn at home and helped set up a stall in Xiaoshan district, Hangzhou city of East China’s Zhejiang province.
“Tao Tao, don’t worry. Take it easy even if no one comes to buy,” after a few words of encouragement, Yao stepped aside and let his son take charge.
Initially reserved and unaccustomed to street vending, Tao Tao struggled to attract buyers. To boost his confidence, the mother even paid some passers-by to buy popcorn from her son’s stall.
Gradually, despite shyness and physical difficulties, Tao Tao has become more active and confident, managing the business smoothly without relying on a megaphone to peddle the product.
“The moment you stood here, you were already a success,” Being proud of Tao Tao’s progress, Yao shared videos of her son’s popcorn selling story online, receiving immense care and support from netizens.
Some traveled specifically to buy popcorn from Tao Tao, and one viewer even ordered thousands of buckets. Many expressed a desire to donate, but Yao declined any form of donations.
“My goal is to encourage him to make a brave step forward and connect with the outside world. I hope that one day he could live independently through his own efforts.”
“Tao Tao is a persevering child. He insists on making and packaging the popcorn all by himself, trying his best his best to prove that he can make it,” Yao added.
The online video sensation has drawn the attention of the local education authority to Tao Tao’s situation. After learning that the teen failed to receive proper school education due to health conditions, they have arranged for local special education teachers to offer him door-to-door teaching.
1. What can we learn about Tao Tao from Paragraph 1?| A．He is a student who likes studying. |
| B．He suffered from cerebral palsy at 17. |
| C．He made a lot of money by selling popcorn. |
| D．He is a boy with a positive attitude towards life. |
| A．To boost his confidence. | B．To gain people’s sympathy. |
| C．To foster his independence. | D．To improve his popcorn-making skills. |
| A．To get the support from netizens. |
| B．To get him to sell more popcorn on his own. |
| C．To draw the attention of the local education authority. |
| D．To encourage him to boldly connect with the outside world. |
| A．His spirit of perseverance. | B．The donations he accepted. |
| C．The help given by netizens. | D．The good education he received. |
5 . You already know that playing sports helps keep you fit. But you might not know why it’s so important to get a sports physical at the beginning of your sports season.
A sports physical can help find out and deal with health problems that might affect your sports performance or increase the chance of getting hurt. For example, if you have frequent asthma (哮喘) attacks, the doctor can change your medicines.
Most teens go to their regular doctor’s office to get a sports physical, since your doctor knows you and your health history best. Some get their sports physical at school.
Plan your sports physical at least 6 weeks before your sports season starts.
Sports physicals are usually good for 1 year, though you probably will have to complete a sports form each season. If there are any changes in your health history, like a new injury or you notice new symptoms (症状), you may need to see the doctor before being allowed to play.
| A．That way, you can breathe more easily when you run. |
| B．Let your gym teacher or coach know if your health has changed. |
| C．During school physicals, you may go to “stations” set up in the gym. |
| D．The medical history questions are usually on a form that you can bring home. |
| E．Mention you need a sports physical so your doctor can set aside time to do both. |
| F．The sports history and exam help to tell if it’s safe for you to take part in your sport. |
| G．If your doctor finds a problem, this should leave enough time to for tests or treatment. |
6 . In a heartwarming tale from Georgia, a 72-year-old senior recently celebrated his college graduation in cinema studies, an achievement made even more special by the presence of his proud 99-year-old mother.
Sam Kaplan of Lawrenceville decided to start on his educational journey at Georgia Gwinnett College in 2019, half a century after he had firstly chosen not to get higher education following his high school graduation in 1969. The catalyst for his return to academia came when he heard a radio announcement about a degree programme in cinema studies.
Recalling that moment, Kaplan said, “I was driving down the highway when I heard about the degree programme. The next exit led to Collinsville, so I immediately exited, and within five minutes, I was enrolling in classes. I’ve always had a passion for writing and storytelling. I longed to transform my narratives into screenplays, but I realized I needed the basic knowledge to do so,”
Kaplan admitted that the journey was a mix of anxiety and excitement, but it proved to be greatly rewarding. He graduated with a 3.975 grade point average and perfect grade honours, majoring in cinema and media arts, and had desires to continue creating screenplays in the future.
“It was an exciting and nerve-wracking (神经紧张的) challenge. Re-recognizing myself with the art of studying and communicating with fellow students was a lot of fun,” he told FOX5 Atlanta.
The most heartwarming thing of Kaplan’s graduation day was the presence of his mother, 99-year-old Virginia Kaplan, during the ceremony. Virginia expressed her huge pride, saying, “I am so proud of him. He faced numerous challenges but insisted, and I am delighted, pleased, and extremely proud,” the mother also added. “With his new degree, he’s going to stand out in whatever he does. Who knows, I might even make an appearance in the movies.”
1. What’s the purpose of the first paragraph?| A．To provide some background. | B．To tell the main idea. |
| C．To serve as a comment. | D．To offer an example. |
| A．Reason. | B．Vehicle. | C．Task. | D．Fact. |
| A．The mother desires to star in a film. |
| B．Kaplan takes much pride in himself. |
| C．Kaplan is excellent at whatever he does. |
| D．The mother offers the unshakeable support. |
| A．Failure is the mother of success. |
| B．It’s never too late to follow a dream. |
| C．The good seaman is known in bad weather. |
| D．All things in their being are good for something. |
7 . How to Apply China Visa (签证)
How to apply China visa is the most concerned question for international tourists who plan to travel to China. Here you will find the useful information about China visa requirements and instructions.
China Visa Requirements
▶The valid (有效的) passport
Original passport valid for at least 6 months with blank visa pages, and a photocopy of data page (with your photo on it)
▶China visa application form and photo
The applicants must fill in a complete visa application form and attach it with a recent-taken colour passport photo.
So what is the requirement of the photo? The photo you submit must be passport-type (bare-head, full face) and standard with the correct dimension and background colour.
▶Effective proof of legal stay or resident status (it applies to those who do not apply for China visa in their countries of citizenship).
Supporting Application Documents
For C-Visa, a letter of guarantee issued by a foreign transport company or an invitation letter issued by a relevant authority from China side shall be provided.
For D-Visa, the original and a photocopy of foreign permanent residence identification form issued by China’s Ministry of Public Security shall be provided.
For F-Visa, an invitation letter issued by relevant authorities or individuals from China side shall be provided.
For G-Visa, an onward air (train, bus, ship) ticket with confirmed date and seat to the third country or region shall be provided.
For L-Visa, the tour itinerary (行程) and documents with round trip flight tickets and accommodation reservations, or an invitation letter issued by relevant authorities or individuals from Chinese side shall be provided.
For M-Visa, documents of business activity, trade fair invitation letter or other invitation letter issued by trade partners in China shall be provided.
Further reading: click the link China visa knowledge and types.
1. In what situation do people have to prove the legal stay for the application?| A．Not being in his country of nationality. |
| B．Without documents of business activity. |
| C．Without photos that match the requirements. |
| D．Not being invited by trade partners in China. |
| A．C-Visa and M-Visa. | B．L-Visa and D-Visa. |
| C．G-Visa and L-Visa. | D．F-Visa and M-Visa. |
| A．A science magazine. | B．A travel brochure. |
| C．A hotel poster. | D．A web page. |
8 . Health is wealth.
A study published in 2019 concluded that consumption of more than 4 servings of extra-processed food was associated with a 62% increased danger for all-cause deaths. For each additional serving, all-cause deaths increased to 18%. These foods can cause chronic inflammation (慢性炎症), a normal bodily process that can contribute to heart disease, diabetes and even cancer.
Get your cholesterol (胆固醇) checked.
When checking your cholesterol, your test results will show your cholesterol levels in milligrams per decilitre. It’s crucial to get your cholesterol checked because your doctor will be able to advise you on how to maintain healthy levels.
Watch your blood pressure.
Get up and get moving.
Throw away any common misconceptions about exercising like that it has to be in a gym or a structured environment.
| A．Watch your body mass. |
| B．Make healthy food choices. |
| C．Frequency, intensity and time are what matter most. |
| D．Sleep restores us and has a huge effect on how we feel. |
| E．In turn it lowers your chances of getting heart disease and stroke. |
| F．Normal blood pressure is defined as blood pressure <120/80 mmHg. |
| G．This common saying holds a lot of weight because it has truth behind it. |
9 . In a popular TikTok video, Emily McDonald, a neuroscience consultant, discusses three things she does each day to protect her brain staying off her phone in the morning, thinking positively, and avoiding junk food.
Catch some z’s.
Practicing good sleep hygiene (卫生), as well as getting six to eight hours of sleep each night, is one of the best things you can do for your brain health. Sleep helps the brain form memories, reinforce new concepts and ideas, and remove the buildup of bad proteins in the brain.
Get your heart pumping.
Exposing yourself to new people, places, and challenges can keep your mind sharp, and improve brain plasticity. But trying new things doesn’t necessarily mean you need to spend money traveling or take up a new hobby. It can be as simple as trying a crossword you haven’t done before. If you can keep using your brain in new ways, you’ll have better mental outcomes as you age.
Stick to a healthy, well-rounded diet.
Many studies have shown highly processed foods, like packaged goods, can increase the risk of health problems, like diabetes and high blood pressure.
| A．These diseases can generally harm the entire body |
| B．Remain socially involved |
| C．Regular exercise makes for powerful heart muscles |
| D．It also boosts the brain’s ability to adapt to new situations |
| E．Try new things |
| F．The advice McDonald gives in her video isn’t bad |
| G．Besides, this doesn’t mean getting into routines is necessarily harmful |
10 . Millions of tourists travel to parks each year to enjoy the bright colors of fall—but ecologists say the familiar reds, oranges and yellows of fall foliage (叶子) are coming later in the season. “In New England, generally the fall foliage tends to peak in mid-October,” said Richard Primack, a professor of plant ecology. “But because of a warming climate, the peak of fall foliage is tending to move from kind of early to middle October to kind of middle to late October.”
Predicting precisely when the leaves will turn from green to red, orange and yellow in fall depends in part on the geographic area, the species and the amount of rainfall, and climate change can largely determine the timing. And leaves of trees with harmful insects will drop sooner, according to Christy Rollinson, a forest ecologist. “Bright colors are associated with a healthy tree, because some colors take energy for the tree to produce.”
Peak color used to last for about two weeks, but for certain species, that period might be becoming more condensed as higher temperatures continue late into the fall because the rate at which days get shorter throughout the season remains the same. So future generations might just have to be ready to travel at a moment’s notice to catch a peak period in parts of the country.
Such changes could affect the tourism industry surrounding leaf peeping (看), according to Sarah Blount, a researcher at the National Environmental Education Foundation. She underscored how important it is to try to improve peak timing predictions. “There’s so much money attached to it,” she said. “People want to buy a plane ticket to go somewhere and don’t want to find that it turns out that it’s too late and all the leaves are gone or it’s too early, so there is a lot of focus on trying to improve the information that we have about that. ”
1. What do Richard’s words show?| A．The lateness of peak fall foliage. | B．The rareness of a trend. |
| C．The impacts of climate change. | D．The mass appeal of fall colors. |
| A．Visible signs of the coming of fall. | B．The timing of colorful fall foliage. |
| C．Factors in fall foliage’s changing colors. | D．Determinants of the brightness of colors. |
| A．Irregular. | B．Important. | C．Lengthy. | D．Brief. |
| A．The country relies heavily on tourism. | B．Predicting peak foliage precisely is vital. |
| C．It takes effort to protect the environment. | D．Scheduling leaf-peeping trips early is better. |
