1 . If you’re looking to pick up an exercise bike on sale, our guide to the amazing exercise bike deals available right now will help you．

	Bowflex C7 Bike — was S1,499.99, now S899.99 at Best Buy Save a huge $600 on this high-quality Bowflex bike in this excellent deal from Best Buy in the run-up to Black Friday. With this bike, you can access daily custom workouts and cycle through virtual scenic destinations, all for less than $900. Grab it now before it sells out.
	NordicTrack GX 2.7U — was $799.99, now $349.99 at Best Buy Featuring a 5" multicolor display, an interia-enhanced flywheel and 20 resistance levels, this exercise bike is currently discounted by $450 at Best Buy. It even has 20 onboard workouts already built in as well!
	Costway Exercise Bike — was $399.99, now $195.99 at Target With a multifunctional display and phone holder, adjustable resistance and a silent steel flywheel, this exercise bike is designed to offer you exceptionally good value for your money — and at this discount, who could turn their nose up at it!
	Geemax Bike — was $239.99, now $159.99 at Walmart This exercise bike from Geemax features a maximum load weight of 264.55 lbs, an 8kg balanced bidirectional (双向的) steel flywheel, stepless resistance adjustment and an LCD monitor to keep track of your workouts. Plus, the 245 user reviews look pretty promising!

1. Which provides virtual scenery while you are riding it?

A．A Bowflex C7 Bike．	B．A NordicTrack GX 2.7 U．
C．A Costway Exercise Bike．	D．A Geemax Bike．

2. How much can you save if you buy a Costway Exercise Bike now?

A．$595.98．	B．$450.
C．$204.	D．$195.99.

3. What equipment can help you learn about your cycling workout?

A．A multifunctional display.	B．A phone holder.
C．A bidirectional steel flywheel.	D．An LCD monitor.

2 . With more people concerned about the environment, you can expect to see many more electric vehicles( EVs电动汽车) on the road in future.     1     Drivers say there are a few things to get used to when switching to a vehicle powered by electricity. First of all, there’s no clutch (离合器). Instead, drivers use a simple selector to put EVs in park, drive, and reverse.

Since they’re powered by electricity, EVs also apply full power as soon as the driver hits the accelerator (加速器).     2     Also, EVs slow down as soon as the driver lifts their foot off the accelerator. Drivers end up using their brakes much less.

    3     The most obvious is that EVs don’t rely on gas. This means drivers of electric cars don’t need to stop at the gas station—in the long run, this can save a great deal of money. EVs are also low maintenance (维护). For example, they don’t need oil changes.     4     This is likely because of the placement of the battery, which sits just below the seats. This helps keep the vehicle’s center of gravity low.

Of course, there are also disadvantages. Most EVs can drive over 200 miles on one full charge.     5     With limited charging stations in many areas, this could cause problems on long trips. Additionally, the batteries are expensive to replace. Finally, while EVs may save drivers’ money on gas and maintenance in the long run, the price of buying an EV is often higher than that of a gas-powered vehicle.

A．There are many benefits of owning an EV.

B．At that point, though, they need to be recharged.

C．Many drivers also report that EVs feel more secure.

D．This may help them speed up faster than gas-powered cars.

E．As the name suggests, electric vehicles rely on electricity alone.

F．Many people prefer EVs because they can reduce their stress.

G．So what is it like to drive an electric vehicle instead of a gas-powered car?

3 . Counting stars is pretty difficult in areas with lots of light, like major cities. A study says even in the clearest skies, you’re still seeing turbulence (涡流) in the atmosphere that makes stars twinkle. Want a truly perfect view of outer space? An international research team has found the spot, but you’ll need to wrap up warm. It’s in Antarctica!

According to the University of New South Wales, turbulence causes light coming from stars to bend as it reaches the Earth’s surface. That instability( 不稳定) in the air makes stars twinkle.

The location in Antarctica, however, has so little turbulence that it hardly interferes (干扰) with the light from stars, making the view extraordinarily clear. The Chinese-led research team built a system of telescopes on the top of a plateau(高原), named Dome A, which sits 4,000 feet above sea level.

“Dome A is the highest point in the central plateau of Antarctica, and the atmosphere is extremely stable here, much more so than anywhere else on Earth,” says UNSW Professor Michael Ashley. “The result is that the twinkling of the stars is greatly reduced, and the star images are much sharper and brighter. In fact, this special place even has advantages over the famous Hubble Space Telescope.”

“Satellites are a lot more expensive,” the astronomer explains. “But another advantage of making Earth-based observations is that you can always add the latest technology to your telescope on the ground. In space, everything is delayed (延迟). So you end up with technology in space lagging that on the ground by 10 years or more.”

One of the biggest advantages Dome A’s location has is that winter nights in Antarctica are very long. In fact, scientists will be able to track stars continuously since some nights in midwinter last for almost 24 hours.

1. Why is the view of stars extraordinarily clear in Antarctica?

A．Because stars appear bigger there.

B．Because turbulence hardly exists there.

C．Because there is little air pollution there.

D．Because more light coming from stars arrives there.

2. What does the underlined word “lagging” in Paragraph 5 probably mean?

A．Based on.	B．Linked to.
C．Competing with.	D．Falling behind.

3. What makes Dome A specially great for astronomical observations?

A．It sits 4,000 feet above sea level.

B．It has very long winter nights there.

C．The famous Hubble Space Telescope is there.

D．Telescopes there are equipped with the latest technology.

4. In which section of the website are you likely to read the text?

A．Business.	B．Environment.
C．Science.	D．Tourism.

4 . Borrowing Rules of Some Public Libraries

General Borrowing Rules
Borrowing Periods

*3 weeks for books and magazines

*2 weeks for new books

*1 week for entertainment DVDs

*1 week for documentary DVDs

*3 days for new DVDs(with stickers)

Renewals (续借)

All items except DVDs, Interlibrary Loan items, and new books may be renewed once if no one is waiting for them. Renewals may be made by calling 794-4244 ext. 4721.

Limits on Borrowing Rules
Adults(18 and over)may borrow

*30 items total from any of the Vineland, Bridgeton, and Millville libraries

*5 books from Vineland Public Library on any one topic for 3 weeks

*4 entertainment DVDs for 1 week

*4 documentary DVDs for 1 week

*6 magazines for 3 weeks

First-time borrowers are limited to 2 items.
Children(17 and under)may borrow

*30 items total

*3 books on one topic

*4 videos or DVDs

*6 magazines

Fines

*15 cents per day for adult books, magazines and music CDs

*35 cents a day for new books(14-day loan from the New Book shelves)

*$2.00 per day for overdue videos and DVDs

*10 cents per day on children’s materials and Audio Books

*10 cents per day on all other library materials

Borrowers are responsible for the replacement cost of any damaged or lost items. A $3 processing fee will also be charged.

1. How long may a borrower keep a new DVD?

A．Three days.	B．One week.
C．Two weeks.	D．Three weeks.

2. Who borrow only two items one time?

A．Adults.	B．Children.
C．New borrowers.	D．Ones damaging items.

3. How much will a borrower be fined if he keeps a new book for 16 days?

A．15 cents.	B．30 cents.
C．35 cents.	D．70 cents.

5 . There have been so many improvements in detecting cancer from blood tests to virtual devices that can detect tumors(瘤) painlessly. Now, a new visual technology will allow doctors to detect skin cancers in just 10 seconds.

Researchers from Tel Aviv University (TAU) have come up with a new visual technology that can find out skin cancer without ever cutting into the patient’s body. Skin cancer detection has always been a long process of doing a traditional examination of harmful changes and then waiting for the results. But this new method is so fast that you can know the results instantly.

Early detection of melanomas (a kind of tumors) can save lives according to the researchers. If a melanoma is detected early, and removed right away, the chances for a full recovery are very good. This new technology is built upon the knowledge that harmful changes give off different colors when placed under special light that shows if they are fatal (致命的)and what type of cancer is present. Instead of removing the harmful changes for examination, the research team pioneered a way to check them on the body.

The research was published in the journal Medical Physics, saying the optical technology was tested on 90 patients and it accurately identified the 5 patients with melanoma and 10 with other skin cancers. In addition, 75 other patients that had harmful changes were correctly identified as cancer-free.

The next stage involves testing the technology on many more patients in the hope that it can be used to create an easy-to-use machine that will be able to find out harmful changes on a screen. The visual technology will have the potential to cause an immense change in the field of detecting and treating skin cancer, which increases survivability and the quality of life.

1. What is the advantage of the new method?

A．It saves time.

B．It reduces costs.

C．It’s widely used.

D．It is well received.

2. How does the new technology know if it’s a melanoma?

A．By its size.

B．By its shape.

C．By its color.

D．By its position.

3. How does the fourth paragraph develop?

A．By comparison.	B．By giving examples.
C．By listing causes.	D．By following the time order.

4. What does the underlined word “immense” in the last paragraph probably mean?

A．Huge.

B．Insignificant.

C．Negative.

D．Unimportant.

6 . 5 Easy Ways to Tackle a Decluttering Project

Clutter (杂乱) can be stressful. Try a few simple changes to create a sense of calm in your home—and your head! The New York Times recently explored the connection between clutter and mental health, including tips for how to think about managing your own piles of stuff, especially when it feels overwhelming.     1    

Work in Categories

KCDavis, a professional author of How to Keep House While Drowning, told The Times she recommends “five-things tidying”.     2     There is trash, laundry, dishes, things that have a place, and things that don’t have a place. During any one clutter-clearing session, limit yourself to just one of those categories to keep overwhelm at bay.

    3    

Much like closing down a restaurant or retail store for the night, Davis suggests having a routine for the end of your day that involves some easy, satisfying tasks. Maybe it’s having the coffee pot clean and ready to help you wake up in the morning.

Set a Short Timer

Five, eight, 10, or 20 minutes are all acceptable amounts of time to spend chipping away at a cluttered area in your home. Progress is progress, whether it’s incremental (渐进的) or one-and-done. Be patient with the big picture of your clutter-clearing needs, and you’ll feel accomplished.     4    

Get Help

Whether you recruit a trusted friend or family member, or hire a home organizing professional, you do not have to be alone in your journey toward a calmer home. Define a specific job to take on, like clearing out a pantry closet or dresser drawer, and bring in someone who will support you emotionally and even make it fun time together.

Embrace the Physical Activity

Maybe you’ve also been struggling lately to fit a regular workout into your routine. Lean into the physical aspect of clutter-clearing to feel like you’re meeting two goals at once by relocating some stacks of books or bringing bags of clothes to the donation bin.     5     Celebrate yourself for getting moving while you clean up.

A．Adjust Your Expectations.

B．Make Cleaning an Easy Habit.

C．So, how to tackle a big decluttering project?

D．A clearing project does not have be finished in a day.

E．Even running the vacuum or washing the dishes is physical activity.

F．It is a method where everything is matched with one of five categories.

G．Spend a few days paying attention to areas in your home that constantly demand attention.

7 . Officials in New York City are using technology to cut down on noise on city streets. Some of the strongest rules have been released to limit noise on city streets. Cameras equipped with radar sound collectors identify loud vehicles in an effort to catch drivers violating noise rules.

The new devices record the vehicle numbers of offenders, who then receive a violation notice in the mail. Owners face fines of $800 for a first noise offense. Some could be required to pay up to $2,625 if they have three violations and ignore court hearings.

Evidence is clear that noise affects not only hearing but mood and mental health, not to mention possible links to heart disease and blood pressure. “You listen to the noise out there, it is nonstop — the horns, the trucks, the sirens,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently blamed an expressway for noise and illness. “Noise pollution makes it hard to sleep and increases the risk of chronic (慢性的) disease.”

However, some people in the city say the government efforts to quiet loud vehicles have gone too far. Phillip Franklin, a 30-year-old car lover from the Bronx area of New York, launched an online effort to protest noise rules. “The majority of us live here in New York City, where noise is a part of our daily lives. Quiet vehicles can also present dangers to inattentive individuals walking around New York City,” said Franklin. He also noted that fixing potholes (路面坑洼) is a lot more important than going after noisy cars.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said loud noise can cause immediate harm to one’s ears. Even with sound barriers, close-fitting windows and noise-reducing materials, there is only so much that can be done to reduce sound levels in the city. Many New York residents have simply learned to live with the noise. The local authority now has plans to expand the use of technology to strengthen noise rules. So far, at least 71 people have received fines for operating cars or trucks that make too much noise.

1. What can we learn about noise from paragraph 3?

A．Noise has no influence on mental health.

B．Noise is harmful to human beings.

C．Noise must lead to blood pressure.

D．Noise is difficult to be found.

2. What was Franklin’s attitude towards the noise rules?

A．Favorable.

B．Tolerant.

C．Indifferent.

D．Disapproving.

3. What does the local authority plan to do?

A．Fix potholes to improve road safety.

B．Apply the new technology on a larger scale.

C．Raise the allowable noise standard for vehicles.

D．Encourage residents to use noise-reducing equipment.

4. In which section of a newspaper may this text appear?

A．Entertainment.

B．Health.

C．Education.

D．Science.

8 . Cyberbullying (网络欺凌) is the use of electronic communication to threaten or insult someone. A child can be involved in cyberbullying in different ways. They can bully, be bullied, or witness the bullying of others. The more digital forms of communication a child uses, the more exposure he or she may get to cyberbullying. Parents, teachers and other adults need to be aware of children’s online usage. Some warning signs that a child may be involved in cyberbullying are:

●Spending much more or less time on electronic devices, including texting

●Hiding their screen when others are near, and avoiding discussion about what they are doing on their device

●Closing social media accounts and opening new ones

●Avoiding social situations, even ones that were enjoyed in the past

●Becoming depressed, or losing interest in people and activities

Cyberbullying is like other forms of bullying and should be handled in a similar way. If a child is being cyberbullied, adults should support the child being bullied and tell the child doing the bullying that cyberbullying is something serious that should be stopped.

If a child sees hateful content online, there are a few easy ways they can deal with it. The child could report the content anonymously (化名地), as hateful speech goes against most websites’ principles of service. They can also block the person from posting abusive content. While ignoring posts might seem easier than blocking someone, it will not make the problem go away.

Adults can try to make their kids put themselves in the others’ shoes and consider how other people feel. They should see whether more help is needed for those involved, like speaking to a guidance counselor or mental health professional.

Cyberbullying may be impossible to stop completely, but parents could watch their child’s behavior and Internet time.

1. In which situation is cyberbullying most likely to happen?

A．A lady is doing online shopping.

B．A child is chatting on the Internet.

C．A student is attending a lesson online.

D．A teenager is watching a film on the Internet.

2. In what way might a child being bullied react?

A．Get away from his or her cellphone.

B．Share his or her social media accounts online.

C．Start bullying other kids on the Internet.

D．Avoid taking part in activities and meeting people.

3. What can parents do to help children suffering cyberbullying?

A．Post the content of cyberbullying online.

B．Ignore the person doing the cyberbullying.

C．Show mercy and close their social media accounts.

D．Pay attention to their behavior and online time.

4. What’s the main purpose of the text?

A．To explain what cyberbullying actually is.

B．To warn some children to stop cyberbullying.

C．To give some advice on how to handle cyberbullying.

D．To persuade parents to care more for their children.

9 . The West Philadelphia Tool Library

Who are we?

The West Philadelphia Tool Library (WPTL) lends tools to community members so they can perform simple home repairing tasks, tend their yards and gardens, build furniture, start projects, and learn new skills in a safe and affordable manner.

Where are we?

We are on the west side of S. 47th Street about 200 feet south of Woodland Avenue.

WPTL open hours

Monday through Thursday: 5:30 pm-8:30 pm

Friday: Closed

Saturday: 9:00 am-3:00 pm

Sunday: 12:00 pm-3:00 pm

Become a member

To join the Tool Library, stop by during hours of operation to complete the application, or join today by completing the on-line application.

After joining, but before you borrow your first tools, we will ask you to show us two forms of identification, including one that is a government-issued ID photo (like a driver’s license) and one that includes your current address. We also ask you for the names and phone numbers of two references (担保人), who know you well and who could guarantee your reliability in returning tools timely.

Your membership application is not complete until you pay your membership fees. We ask that you pay between $20 and $50 per year based on your income. Consider becoming a Lifetime Member for $400 if you can afford it. The money you pay will help the Tool Library buy more tools that you can borrow.

1. What can we know about the West Philadelphia Tool Library?

A．It collects tools from the locals.	B．It helps the locals repair their tools.
C．It provides the locals with a tool lending service.	D．It sells garden tools to local community members.

2. When are the WPTL tools available to local community members?

A．At 10:00 am on Tuesday.	B．At 6:00 pm on Wednesday.
C．At 9:00 pm on Friday.	D．At 8:30 am over the weekend.

3. What do you have to do if you want to join the West Philadelphia Tool Library?

A．Complete the application.	B．Visit it during hours of operation.
C．Hand in the application in person.	D．Supply WPTL with some tools.

10 . Around 60 young students from colleges in Britain participated in the Wokstar 2022 contest, with the final six battling for the top prize in Liverpool’s Lu Ban restaurant. Jean Claudine Villaneuva, a 29-year-old student at Middlesbrough College in northeastern England, became the first Wokstar winner.

For over 20 years, Villaneuva had specialized in British and French cuisine (烹饪) before his love turned to Chinese cooking.

“Wokstar is a fantastic new competition aimed at students across the UK. Our role here at Lu Ban is to talk about Chinese cuisine, Chinese culture, and introduce it to the rest of the UK. We thought, what better way to do that is to run a specifically Chinese cooking competition,” said Lu Ban’s head chef Dave Critchley. “We have had colleges from all over the country competing, and really, it’s about showcasing how fantastic Chinese cuisine is.”

Critchley said that in its founding year, the competition involved over 60 students. “I must say that the quality we’ve seen so far has been pleasantly surprising. I think it’s the enthusiasm and the love for Chinese food that is really inspiring. It’s great to see people getting really involved in this and really celebrating not just the food of China, but also the culture around it. And what we looked for in our finalists and our winner was actually someone who does understand the importance of Chinese cuisine.”

Critchley’s interest in Chinese cuisine started when he worked in Asian restaurants in Manchester before becoming head chef at Lu Ban.

“I was flown over to Tianjin in northern China, where I worked with some amazing chefs. It really opened my eyes. It was a life-changing experience and I have not looked back since,” he said.

1. Who took part in the Wokstar 2022 contest?

A．Exchange students in China.	B．Cooks in the Lu Ban restaurant.
C．Young students in the world.	D．College students in the UK.

2. What was the purpose of holding the Wokstar 2022 contest?

A．To discover more talented cooks.

B．To understand Chinese cuisine and culture.

C．To attract more customers to Lu Ban restaurant.

D．To allow chefs to exchange their amazing cooking skills.

3. What does Dave Critchley mainly talk about in the 4th paragraph?

A．The great success of the contest.

B．The real importance of Chinese cuisine.

C．The richness of traditional Chinese culture.

D．The growing popularity of Chinese history in Britain.

4. What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A．To share a pleasant experience.

B．To recommend a healthy lifestyle.

C．To report a Chinese cooking competition.

D．To persuade readers to come to love Chinese food.