1 . Books for Young Readers

Ivy+Bean by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall

Ivy is quiet; Bean is loud and goofy. Ivy wants to be a witch; Bean wants to play games. Naturally, they’re going to end up being best friends and getting into all kinds of scrapes together since their approach to pretty much everything—from discovering dinosaurs to starting their own summer camp—is “Why not?” (For ages 6 to 10)

Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson and Nina Mata

Ryan Hart wants to see the good in everybody, even when she gets teased for having a boy’s name. She has a lot to deal with—her dad’s been laid off and the family has to move to a smaller house. But when Ryan runs into problems, she’s always looking for ways to make sunshine. (For ages 7 to 10)

Better Nate Than Ever (series) by Tim Federle

The budding drama club kids in your life will love this trilogy (三部曲) about a small-town boy with big Broadway dreams. Nate Foster longs to get away from Jankburg. Pennsylvania to star in a Broadway show. And then something amazing happens. There’s an open casting call for a Broadway musical based on E. T. He just has to get there. (For ages 10 and up)

New Kid by Jerry Craft

Fans of Raina Telgemeier will love Jerry Craft’s sympathetic graphic novel about seventh-grader Jordan, who’s trying to fit in at the fancy new private school where he’s one of the few kids of color in his grade. And all he really wants to do is draw comics—so how can he stay true to himself and his neighborhood, and still figure out his new school? (For ages 8 to 12)

1. Which word can best describe Ryan Hart?

A．Responsible.

B．Optimistic.

C．Reliable.

D．Enthusiastic.

2. Which book is about a boy pursuing his dream?

A．Ivy+Bean.	B．Ways to Make Sunshine.
C．New Kid.	D．Better Nate Than Ever(series).

3. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To persuade.

B．To advertise.

C．To recommend.

D．To entertain.

2 . At 102 years old, toy inventor Eddy Goldfarb is still going like freshly wound Yakity-Yak Talking Teeth, one of his more than 800 creations. Goldfarb also dreamed up the Bubble Gun, battery-powered Stomper vehicles and KerPlunk, in which hopeful players hold their breath as they strategically remove sticks without disturbing the marbles above.

“Being active and being creative is my secret, and I think it could apply to a lot of people,” the Toy Industry Hall of Fame inductee (新成员) says in an interview before singing the praises of his pair of 3D printers. “That’s the most wonderful machine because you start with nothing, and it goes layer by layer and builds something.”

The Chicago native still creates in his workshop and is the focus of Eddy’s World, a documentary that aired on TV. The 28-minute film is directed by his daughter, Lyn Goldfarb.

Goldfarb knew he was going to be a creator at 5 when his father invited an inventor to dinner. “That’s when I learned the meaning of the word,” he says, “and I knew from then on that I was going to be an inventor.” The designer couldn’t afford college and joined the Navy during World War II. He thought of the ideas for his first three toys while serving on the USS Batfish.

Goldfarb feels “very lucky” to still be alive at his age. He owes his longevity (长寿) to being creative and his optimistic personality. “During the war, I was on the submarine (潜艇) and saw a lot of action, and I think I realized what’s important and what’s not,” he says. “I found out that most things aren’t that important. I can overlook a lot.”

What’s next for the centenarian (百岁老人)? He’d fancy another milestone birthday. “Oh, I’d like to turn 105,” he says. “I’m fortunate that I’m healthy. I don’t have any of the aches and pains that I heard about all my life. So life is worth living. At 105, we’ll start thinking about what we should do.”

1. What does the first paragraph tell us about Goldfarb?

A．He is a highly respected toy inventor.

B．He is one of the oldest toy inventors.

C．He has invented less than 800 toys.

D．He is still active in toy invention.

2. What can we know about Eddy Goldfarb from the text?

A．He directed a short film.

B．He once dropped out of college.

C．He was not famous until he was 102.

D．He became the focus of a documentary.

3. When did Goldfarb get the idea of his first three toys?

A．At the age of five.	B．While serving in the Navy.
C．When dining with an inventor.	D．During his stay with his daughter.

4. Which of the following can best describe Eddy Goldfarb?

A．Lucky and wealthy.	B．Greative and positive.
C．Determined and generous.	D．Ambitious and hardworking.

3 . Between 20 and 40 per cent of planet Earth is covered in grasslands, across every continent except for Antarctica. Grass is a low-growing, flowering plant with groups of narrow leaves growing from its base. Strong roots typically hold this plant’s leaves firmly to the ground.

One of the most common sights along stretches of grass is grass-eating animals. This is because many large animals rely on extensive grasslands to survive, and grass grows well with this regular trimming (修剪). The plants gain their energy from sunlight and require healthy cells to do so. If the leaves aren’t cut, the tips die and start to rot. When they are damaged with a clean cut, however, the cells are caused to grow quicker and produce new, healthy tissue. This is also why cutting your garden’s grassland regularly can make your grass look thicker and healthier.

Humans rely on grass for food, too. Many grasses, such as w heat or corn, are harvested as a main part of some diets. Meanwhile, grass is used indirectly to produce food in the form of livestock (牲畜). Cattle farmers require grass in their fields to feed cows and sheep before they are turned into meat for human consumption.

One of the most debated questions is how long ago grass evolved. Because grass doesn’t preserve well as a fossil, a definitive answer is hard to come by. Until recently, many scientists estimated that grass began to grow on Earth between 50 and 65 million years ago.

However, within the last decade, a piece of 100-million-year-old amber (琥珀) was found that appeared to contain the oldest grass fossil to date. Studies of fossilized dinosaur faces (粪便) also suggest that some dinosaurs lived at the same time that grass grew on the planet, incorporating it into their diets.

1. What is the function of the roots mentioned in Paragraph 1?

A．To fix the leaves to the soil.	B．To store water and nutrients.
C．To support the growth of the plant.	D．To protect the plant from animals.

2. How does regular cutting of grass benefit the plants?

A．By improving soil quality.	B．By encouraging cell growth.
C．By preventing the tips from dying.	D．By attracting more animals to eat them.

3. Why is it difficult to determine when grass evolved?

A．Grass doesn’t preserve well as a fossil.	B．There are no fossils of grass available.
C．There is no solid evidence of its evolution.	D．Scientists can’t agree on its origin.

4. What’s the best title for the text?

A．The Variety of Grass	B．The Development of Grass
C．How Grass Change Life	D．How to Make Grass Grow Well

4 . It was a cloudy afternoon when Alex stepped off the train at Seattle’s 48th Street Station. The 22-year-old, who worked nights in a grocery store, was on his way to his grandfather’s so they could buy a car. Suddenly, one guy fell onto the tracks and started convulsing(抽搐).

The man fell on the third rail, the conduit of electricity that powers Seattle’s trains. As Alex and other horrified onlookers watched, he convulsed violently and his head bounced up and down.

Alex couldn’t just stand there. Assuming every rail was electrified, Alex took a few quick bounds, high-kneeing it as he’d done in high school football team, until he was standing over the victim. The train he’d just gotten off stopped, thankfully. Alex reached down and grasped the victim’s wrist. Instantly, he felt a blast of electric shock. Again, he was shocked again. But the third time he seized the man’s wrist, braving the shock. The guy’s body slid briefly along the third rail, coming to rest on the gravel(砂砾).

“Give him CPR!” yelled two lookers-on. And he worked on the man’s heart until the victim began breathing. Then nurses and firefighters arrived. They told authorities to cut the power, deactivating the third rail. His heart still racing from the electric shocks, he climbed back up and continued on to his grandfather’s.

As planned, they went to look at the car, but it had been sold. The Evening Next reported the incident, crediting an anonymous hero with saving the victim. After a friend revealed his identity, Alex became the toast of Seattle. A few days later, he was rewarded with a car. Alex was then recruited by the fire department and is now being trained.

1. What was Alex’s plan that afternoon?

A．Purchasing a vehicle.	B．Taking the train.
C．Visiting his grandfather.	D．Working in the grocery store.

2. What could be the major problem of the rescue?

A．The man’s heavy weight.	B．The long distance.
C．The height of the platform.	D．The electrified rail.

3. What does the underlined word “deactivating” in paragraph 4 mean?

A．Slowing.

B．Speeding.

C．Stopping.

D．Starting.

4. What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．One good turn deserves another.

B．Caution is the parent of safety.

C．Three heads are better than one.

D．Lookers-on see more than players.

5 . “To have passed through life and never experienced solitude(独处) is to have never known oneself,” writes Joseph Krutch in his memoir, The Desert Year.

    1       Especially during the bustling holiday season, when celebrations, shopping and gatherings appeal to you, the luxury of a moment of solitude is to be sought out and treasured.

It’s important to distinguish solitude from loneliness—the latter is a negative experience of isolation(隔离), and research shows that one need not literally be alone to feel lonely.     2     The choice to enjoy your own company has a large number of benefits.

    3     No one else gets to have your attention when you are alone at home, taking a light and active December walk or even sitting quietly in a cafe with a hot chocolate and a good book. When you can focus all your attention on what you want and what is on your mind alone, you will be free to see yourself more clearly.

It encourages a screen-free moment. When you choose to spend some time in solitude, that means you are prepared to step away from text messages and social media for a time. Taking even a small break from your attachment to those bottomless activities will refresh you.     4    

You have space to reflect on your priorities. “I find that the whole point of solitude is that you can not only enjoy your own company, but also review, change and improve who you are as a person,” writes the blogger Kirk Pineda. “If you already have a person in mind who is ideal, why don’t you become that person?”     5     And you will have the emotional and physical space to consider what areas of growth you can set your sights on.

A．Your attention is only your own.

B．Solitude is a gift we can choose to give ourselves.

C．However, for others, solitude represents a desirable time of comfort.

D．Solitude gives time and space for reflection on the course and path of life.

E．And it gives you a moment to notice your own thoughts and feelings in the meantime.

F．Solitude, by contrast, is the intentional activity of spending time in your own presence.

G．When you are in a self-reflective moment of solitude, you can see yourself with fresh eyes.

6 . After skating, skiing or cleaning snow, nothing warms you up better than a cup of hot cocoa. Although today’s typical toppings—cream, marshmallows, crushed candy—may be wonderful, chocolate was first consumed in liquid form by the Olmec people of northwestern Central America around 1500 B. C. It was even enjoyed by the Aztec emperor Montezuma, and the Aztec word “Xocolatl” for it evolved(演化) into the English word chocolate.

But the Aztecs didn’t serve their coco a hot. And since sugar had not yet arrived from Europe, back then, the drink was often flavored with pepper and spices. It may not have been quite as various as today’s version, but it was more delicious if you believed, as the Aztecs did, that chocolate was a gift from the gods and had healing properties.

After the Spanish arrived in the Americas in the 1500s, liquid chocolate made its way across the pond, where wealthy Europeans added sugar and drank it warm. In Chocolate: History, Culture and Heritage, author Bertram Gordon says hot chocolate became “the beverage(饮品) of the upper class”, as sugar was still a luxury. Doctors also began using it to mask the unpleasant taste of medicines, and some doctors today still suggest that parents try that.

Soon enough, though, hot chocolate caught on with the masses. Chocolate houses—a cross between cafes and casinos(赌场) —started popping up around 17th-century Europe. In these lively places, hot chocolate was poured from golden pots into elegant cups. But by the end of the 18th century, chocolate houses had mostly died off, partly because the cost of chocolate was much higher than that of coffee or tea.

However you choose to jazz up your own cup, the simple pleasure of drinking a warm, chocolatey beverage is one that hasn’t gotten old for thousands of years. A gift from the gods? Perhaps. But it’s certainly one that keeps on giving.

1. What did the Aztecs believe about chocolate?

A．It should be served hot.

B．It was a godsend with healing qualities.

C．It was first consumed by the Olmec people.

D．It should be flavored with pepper and spices.

2. According to Bertram Gordon, why did hot chocolate become the beverage of the upper class?

A．It was a symbol of luxurious life.

B．It was a treat only the rich could afford.

C．Its recipe was only known to the upper class.

D．Its flavor was only enjoyed by the upper class.

3. Why did chocolate houses decline in popularity by the end of the 18th century?

A．The cost of chocolate increased.

B．The taste of hot chocolate changed.

C．Other alternative drinks were relatively cheap.

D．Chocolate houses were replaced by cafes and casinos.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．The origins and evolution of hot chocolate.

B．The lasting pleasure of drinking hot chocolate.

C．The rise and fall of chocolate houses in Europe.

D．The popularity of hot chocolate among the upper class.

7 . Recalling names is a common task that many people struggle with. If you exchange names with someone but then forget theirs during your conversation, you can end up in an awkward or embarrassing situation later.     1    

Repeat the person’s name as soon as he or she introduces it to you. Saying it out loud a few times will help you commit to memory.     2     As you shake the person’s hand, you can say, “Hello, Theodore.” If a conversation follows, repeat his or her name throughout the time. Attempt to use the person’s name two or three times throughout the conversation so that you remember it better.

Ask them to spell their name. If their name is difficult to remember, asking for the correct spelling will give you a visual image.     3     As they spell it out, you will be able to envision the way the name spelled in your head. Also, this method will give you the chance to hear the correct pronunciation of their name again.

Make associations.     4     By doing this, you will be able to recall their name by viewing a mental image of the person and their personality or job. For example, if you meet a client named Tyler who sells printer toner (墨粉), say to yourself, “Tyler sells toner.” Although this sentence may sound simple, it will help you remember his name in the long run.

    5     Often, people forget names because their attentions are divided. Meeting someone with the intention to remember the name will increase your chances of doing so. Focus your attention on the person to whom you are being introduced to. Consciously think about how you care about the introduction, as well as the goal to remember his name.

A．Apply this method during introductions.

B．Care enough about the person to remember.

C．Mentally play with the name to help it stick.

D．Identify a person’s name with a fact about them.

E．This also applies to names that sound similar to a concept.

F．Fortunately, there are several methods to improve your ability to remember names.

G．This also works for names you have never heard before, such as “Honghui” and “Kichiro”.

8 . The University of Sydney researchers aim to help clear up conflicting dietary advice around egg consumption, as a new study finds eating up to 12 eggs per week for a year did not increase cardiovascular (心血管) risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes (糖尿病).

In the initial trial, participants aimed to maintain their weight while taking on a high-egg (12 eggs per week) or low-egg (less than two eggs per week) diet, with no difference in cardiovascular risk markers identified at the end of three months.

The same participants then took on a weight loss diet for an additional three months, while continuing their high or low egg consumption. For a further six months — up to 12 months in total — participants were followed up by researchers and continued their high or low egg intake.

At all stages, both groups showed no harmful changes in cardiovascular risk markers and achieved equal weight loss — regardless of their level of egg consumption, Dr Fuller, leader researcher of the study, explained.

“Despite differing advice around safe levels of egg consumption for people with type 2 diabetes, our research indicates people do not need to hold back from eating eggs if this is part of a healthy diet,” Dr Fuller said.

Dr Fuller said the findings of the study were important due to the potential health benefits of eggs for people with type 2 diabetes, as well as the general population. “Eggs are a source of protein and micronutrients that could support a range of health and dietary factors including helping to regulate the intake of fat and carbohydrate (碳水化合物), eye and heart health, healthy blood vessels and healthy pregnancies.”

“The different egg diets also appeared to have no impact on weight,” Dr Fuller added.

1. What may previous advice say about eating 12 eggs a week?

A．It is an important part of a weight loss diet.

B．It helps to regulate the intake of fat and carbohydrate.

C．It increases type 2 diabetes risk in people with cardiovascular disease.

D．It increases cardiovascular risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes.

2. What effect did the participants want to achieve in the first trial?

A．Being in shape.	B．Adapting to high egg diet.
C．Controlling diseases.	D．Increasing nutrition.

3. What is Dr Fuller’s attitude towards high-egg diet?

A．Objective.

B．Supportive.

C．Skeptical.

D．Opposed.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Eggs contribute to a range of health and dietary factors

B．The safe levels of egg consumption for people with type 2 diabetes

C．Eggs are not linked to cardiovascular risk, despite conflicting advice

D．The impact eggs have on weight for people with cardiovascular disease

9 . When parrots are kept as single pets, they tend to feel lonely just like humans. This is why researchers looked for a way to connect single pet birds by teaching them how to video call each other.

This experiment is not incredible since parrots are known to be very smart and easy to train. If they can be trained to talk, teaching them how to make a video call would be a piece of cake. However, what the researchers wanted to know through this study was whether birds would call each other when given a choice. The answer to this was a clear “yes”. Researchers from Northeastern University, the University of Glasgow, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that virtual interactions could help with the behavior of a parrot and improve their communication skills.

In the first two weeks of the study, the birds learned how to make a video call by ringing a bell and touching an image of another parrot on the screen. The caretakers carefully monitored the birds’ behavior during this stage and ended the call as soon as the birds stopped paying attention or started to show signs of fear or aggression (攻击性).

The next phase, which they call the “open call period”, allowed the birds to make calls freely and pick the bird they wanted to call. The remaining 15 participants made 147 video calls over the period of three months, which was equal to over 1,000 hours of video footage.

The study had a few significant findings. First, the birds engaged in most calls and formed strong preferences. It also showed that the birds who initiated the most were the ones who got the most call requests from other birds, which is similar to human socialization. The birds also developed attachments with their virtual friends’ human caretakers.

The researchers warned owners not to do the same experiment on their own as it should only be done by trained caretakers. It may cause parrots to become aggressive, scared, or uncomfortable.

1. What is the purpose of the experiment?

A．To test parrots’ intelligence.	B．To improve parrots’ mental health.
C．To help parrots to develop more skills.	D．To find a suitable way to raise parrots.

2. What made the experiment possible?

A．Parrots’ needs.

B．Parrots’ preferences.

C．An experienced team.

D．Parrots’ nature.

3. In which case did the researchers end the video call in the experiment?

A．When the parrots were tired.	B．When the parrots were busy calling.
C．When the parrots showed discomfort.	D．When researchers got their desired results.

4. Why did the researchers warn owners not to do the same experiment themselves?

A．To avoid causing harm to the parrots.	B．To protect the owners from being hurt.
C．To prevent their research being copied.	D．To get more trained caretakers involved.

10 . Thousands of people waited in line for hours until 10: 30 am for the grand opening of the Haikou International Duty Free City Shopping Complex (建筑群) — the world’s largest stand-alone duty-free facility.

Located near the key transportation center of Haikou along the northern coast of the island province of Hainan, the shopping area covers an area of 280,000 square meters and features more than 800 notable brands, including five global firsts and more than 50 stores with the world’s latest concept designs.

In 2021, about one in two travelers to the tropical island visited duty-free shops and one in six purchased offshore duty-free goods. As a result, duty free sales in Hainan accounted for about half of the province’s tourism revenue of the year.

Chen Lin, 37, from Jinan, Shandong, was visiting Hainan with her family and found herself attracted to all the shopping options. “The newly opened complex provides adequate stocks of latest products. What’s more, like us, tourists can purchase duty-free goods at good prices. With convenience and favorable policy, an increasing number of customers from outside Hainan will be attracted to come here,” Chen said.

The large complex brings local cultural forces to the front. The facility’s architectural shape is based on the begonia (秋海棠) flower and incorporates elements such as Haikou’s natural characteristics and ocean culture.

Han Yamei, 48, a local, visited the shopping complex and was amazed by its numerous brands and creative design. She couldn’t help asking her daughter to take photos of her. Han said the opening will not only bring shoppers a beautiful experience, but also give a boost to the local economy, adding that, “It’s located next to Xinhai Port, which is very convenient for visitors by ship to come and shop.”

1. What were so many people waiting to do according to paragraph 1?

A．Sell foreign goods.	B．Visit unique buildings.
C．Perform a show.	D．Attend an important ceremony.

2. What does the underlined word “revenue” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Income.

B．Resort.

C．Spending.

D．Administration.

3. Which of the following can attract tourists most according to Chen Lin?

A．Local customs.

B．Duty-free goods.

C．Natural scenery.

D．Pleasant climate.

4. What does Han Yamei think of the shopping complex?

A．It is of little value.	B．It requires further proof.
C．It is praiseworthy.	D．It is against her guess.