1 . The Grammy Awards’ Music Educator Award recognizes those who have made a significant contribution and demonstrated a commitment to music education. This year it went to Annie Ray. who was honored for her efforts to make music accessible to all students, particularly those with disabilities.

Ray, who comes from a family of musicians, knows firsthand the impact that a great teacher can make on their students. She was inspired in large part by the diversity of the Annandale community, which represents over 60 countries, including many refugees (难民) and immigrants. “There are a lot of cultures that might typically conflict, and they come together in this very beautiful harmony,” Ray explained.

Ray created the Crescendo Orchestra for students with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Crescendo Orchestra, which was born out of the pandemic (流行病), doesn’t necessarily share the social goals of a program like Best Buddies or the Special Olympics. The focus is on teaching students how to play an instrument, through one-on-one instruction tailored to their needs.

The orchestra is about much more than just making music, however. The program gives students a chance to develop their cooperation skills, make mistakes and learn the art of improving something. “They completely changed my educational philosophy and approach of what it truly means to meet a student where they’re at and apply that elsewhere,” Ray added. “I believe they have a truly powerful message to share with everyone.”

As for the Grammy Award, Ray said that it belongs to her students. She also plans to put some of the money towards an ongoing scholarship for students who want to pursue music when they graduate, in any possible way. “It is a hard profession, but that was really touching,” Ray said. “And there’s nothing else like it.”

1. Why did Annie Ray create the Crescendo Orchestra?

A．To settle social conflicts.

B．To help disabled children.

C．To promote social awareness.

D．To support people during the pandemic.

2. What can we learn about Annie Ray from the passage?

A．She created music for each performance.

B．She was rewarded for her great music talents.

C．She provided more than music to her students.

D．She donated all her money to her talented students.

3. Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?

A．Annie Ray: Bringing Home the Grammy for Musical Commitment

B．Crescendo Orchestra: A Symbolic Image of Great Musical Events

C．From Pandemic to Grammy: The Journey to Success of Annie Ray

D．Grammy Awards: A Recognition for the Best Musicians in the World

2 . The Music Educator Award, presented by the Recording Academy and Grammy Museum, recognizes those who have made a significant contribution to music education. This year it went to Annie Ray, a teacher at Annandale High School in Fairfax County, Virginia. She was honored for her efforts to make music accessible to all students, particularly those with disabilities.

Ray attended the awards ceremony in Los Angeles, took photos with pop stars and brought home a $10,000 prize and matching grant (补助金) for her school’s music program. But she considers the award to be her students.

Ray loved music and was regarded as a music talent at an early age. She was inspired by the diversity of the Annandale community, which she says represents over 60 countries. There are a lot of cultures that might typically clash (冲突), but they come together in this very beautiful harmony. So she created the Crescendo Orchestra (管弦乐队) for students with disabilities, as well as a parent orchestra that teaches nearly 200 caregivers a year to play the same instrument as their child.

The orchestra is about much more than just making music, however. It gives students a chance to develop their cooperation skills and learn the art of improving something. “I really push my students to be bold, go out of their comfort zones, challenge themselves and become confident,” Ray said. “Meanwhile, they completely changed my educational approaches. I learn to teach them according to their own abilities and pace.”

At the Grammys, what impressed her was that many famous performers agreed that a good music educator can change one’s life, which made her feel what she did was rewarding.

But she faces some challenges. One is that not many people understand how much music educators’ work matters. Another challenge is resources. Her school desperately needs new instruments but lacks enough money.

“It is a hard profession, but I never give up. There’s nothing else like it,” Ray said.

1. What motivated Ray to create the Crescendo Orchestra?

A．The cultural diversity.	B．Her talent for music.
C．Her disabled students’ desire.	D．The Annandale community’s advice.

2. What effect does Ray have on her students?

A．They made greater musical achievements.

B．They took comfort from life’s improvements.

C．They became more cooperative and confident.

D．They developed effective learning approaches.

3. What challenge is Ray facing now?

A．Shortage of funds.	B．Hardship of being a teacher.
C．Lack of reward for work.	D．Disapproval from music educators.

4. Which words can best describe Ray?

A．Humorous and helpful.	B．Modest and determined.
C．Wise and adventurous.	D．Demanding and ambitious.

3 . There is so much great family-friendly art to experience, and you are sure to find a new show or exhibition or festival that you won’t want to miss.

Moisture Festival

With roots in 19th-century English music halls, Moisture Festival’s programs present acts showcasing comedy and live music. Shows are designed to be family-friendly. Shows beginning at 7:30 pm are suitable for all ages. To get the full experience, families can attend a tea party in Broadway Performance Hall.

$45 for adults, $32 for children.

Broadway Performance Hall, Seattle

The Jungle Book

With one-hour runtime, this International Ballet Theatre production is a perfect introduction for younger children to the art form of ballet. Based on the book by Kipling and filled with animal characters created by other kids, “The Jungle Book” is specifically designed to inspire children to see the beauty in dance without adopting any outdated ideas.

$45 per person, $33 for children younger than 12.

Meydenbauer Theatre, Bellevue

Harold and Purple Crayon

The Pacific Northwest Ballet’s (PNB) premiere (首演) of this an-hour-long, narrated production features PNB School students. It is the perfect introduction to ballet for the very young, as Harold draws and dances through a landscape full of wonder and energy. Although the performance is for kids, parents will enjoy the music of Andrew Bird and the dance of Robyn Mineko Williams.

$15-$67.

McCaw Hall, Seattle

Seattle International Dance Festival

The Seattle International Dance Festival Winter Mini Festival presents two weekends of contemporary dance performances, with different works each weekend. Hosted by the local Khambatta Dance Company, the festival will also feature new works from Newport Contemporary Ballet of Rhode Island and Olympia Ballet Theatre. It’s a program so eclectic (兼收并蓄的) that everyone will find something to love.

$25 single tickets, $18 for students.

Erickson Theater, Seattle

1. Which festival presents live music?

A．Moisture Festival.	B．The Jungle Book.
C．Harold and Purple Crayon.	D．Seattle International Dance Festival.

2. What do The Jungle Book and Harold and Purple Crayon have in common?

A．Being about famous books.

B．Showing the most original ideas.

C．Lasting the same duration of time.

D．Allowing visitors to perform ballet.

3. What can we know about Seattle International Dance Festival?

A．It is mainly fit for young people.	B．Its contents are rather humorous.
C．It teaches people to learn ballet.	D．It will present some latest works.

4 . Most children love stories. Stories are entertaining and fun.     1     Findings from a new study indicate that stories in movies can also be meaningful for children.

Stories can fuel social intelligence. While watching, children make sense of the feelings, motives, and behaviors of characters in the film, using their social intelligence skills.     2     Their novel insights include awareness about the motives and feelings of others, but also awareness of their own feelings.

Stories are an opportunity to experience moral beauty.     3     Children mention that they appreciate seeing acts of compassion (同情), kindness, love, and bravery in some films. Moreover, just like adults, children can have tears upon experiencing moral beauty. The findings of the study indicate that feelings of moral beauty start to emerge around the age of eight years old.

    4     While watching a movie, children are encouraged to follow in the footsteps of the main characters and gain the same insights as them. During the movie Inside Out, children follow Joy on her adventure and find sadness is important and that collaboration (协作) between all emotions is needed to live a full and happy life. They learn something what Joy learns. So if this is true of all stories with the hero’s journey framework, that means children can learn many important life lessons from many different movies.

Stories can inspire children to never give up. Children admire the main characters’ perseverance (毅力) as well. Children even express that main characters inspire them to never give up in their own life. The more insights children gain while watching, the more meaningful the story becomes for them. Talking about the film or watching it again supports them in gaining more insights.     5    

A．But can they be just fun?

B．Stories make children self-reflect.

C．Stories help children gain insights into life.

D．This is why children often watch films repeatedly.

E．Talk about the films you’ve watched with others again and again.

F．A way some movies prove meaningful is the chance of experiencing moral beauty.

G．They also further develop these skills when challenged in making sense of the story.

5 . Have you read The Tale of Peter Rabbit? It’s a very famous children’s book, written by Beatrix Potter.

Beatrix was born in 1866. She and her brother kept many small animals as pets — rabbits, mice, frogs and even bats! They both liked to draw their pets, but Beatrix liked drawing animals from her own imagination most. She also loved enjoying and drawing nature when they visited beautiful places like Scotland and the Lake District.

To make some money, Beatrix started drawing cards with animals. She liked writing and illustrating (图解) letters too. One day, she wrote a letter to her friend’s son, and told the story of Peter Rabbit. She decided to make the story into a book. The Tale of Peter Rabbit was published in 1902, and it was a great success! She wrote, illustrated and published many more books. She also created dolls, painting books, games and other things according to her characters.

Three years after The Tale of Peter Rabbit was published, Beatrix bought a farm in the Lake District. She learned about farming and bought more farms and land to help protect the landscape. She enjoyed country life very much, and was very active in protecting the environment.

When Beatrix died, she left almost all her farms and land to the National Trust, an organization which protects historic places and landscapes. You can even visit Hill Top Farm today, which is exactly like it was when Beatrix lived there!

So if you haven’t read The Tale of Peter Rabbit, or other Beatrix Potter’s books, why not visit your local library or bookshop today?

1. What inspired Beatrix Potter to write “The Tale of Peter Rabbit”?

A．Her love for farming.	B．A letter to a friend’s son.
C．Her interest in the environment.	D．A visit to the Lake District.

2. What did Beatrix Potter do besides writing books?

A．She taught art classes.	B．She created dolls and games.
C．She worked for the National Trust.	D．She became a professional farmer.

3. How did Beatrix Potter contribute to environmental protection?

A．By writing books about it.	B．By delivering speeches.
C．By donating money.	D．By buying farms and land.

4. What happened to Beatrix Potter’s farms and land after she died?

A．They were sold to private investors.	B．They were left to the National Trust.
C．They were turned into public parks.	D．They were used for agricultural research.

6 . In the global effort to protect biodiversity, Mexico has been at the forefront. In particular, for more than 30 years. Mexico’s National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO) has promoted research, compiled information on the biodiversity of Mexico and elsewhere, and connected academia, government, and society to guide decision-making. Unfortunately, last month, the Mexican government announced its intention to reduce CONABIO from a multi-ministry federal government agency to a branch within the environment ministry. This will rid CONABIO of its independent voice, credibility, and influence on national and international policy.

CONABIO was created in 1992, which aimed to promote international cooperation on environmental issues of the 21st century. Since then, CONAB1O has digitized tens of millions of records in national and foreign collections and has processed satellite data on vegetation cover and wildfires. It is not only a data base but a model for best practices in biodiversity management. All information is publicly available online, and contributors decide when the information they provide will be made public. In the past 5 years, CONABIO had an average of 1000 users per week, and it was consulted at least once per day by health, agriculture, environment, foreign affairs, and government agencies from Mexico and other countries. CONABIO has become a world-sought reference on how to effectively compile useful information and make specific policy for the benefit of the population and biodiversity.

The proposed change for CONABIO will likely eliminate the support it provides for the sustainable management, use, and conservation of biodiversity for Mexico and the world. Given that Mexico is home to 10% to 12%of the world’s species, there is much at risk. CONABIO is already very cost-efficient, and its capacity to influence political decisions depends directly on its multi-ministerial character. Burying the agency is a path to put it to an end.

Should this move become effective, it would be the end of the many essential benefits that CONABIO provides to address the environmental crises that threaten the future of all life on Earth. It is time for Mexico’s scientists, Mexico’s population, and the world to speak out against destroying this valuable institution.

1. What may happen to CONABIO according to paragraph 1?

A．It may be charged.	B．It may be dismissed.
C．It may be investigated.	D．It may be downgraded.

2. What does paragraph 2 mainly talk about concerning CONABIO?

A．Its original purpose.	B．Its bright prospect.
C．Its great contributions.	D．Its awkward situation.

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

A．Remove.

B．Improve.

C．Obtain,

D．Ignore.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Promote Mexico’s Biodiversity	B．Stand Up for CONABIO
C．Stick to Sustainable Biodiversity	D．Improve the Fame of CONABIO

7 . “Not only is it okay to not feel ‘okay’. it is essential.” Dr. Zuckerman, a licensed clinical psychologist, said. So crying after you get into a fight with your partner is also normal. as is feeling anxious and scared about an uncertain future. When we think we might lose something we care about, that’s sad.     1     . We should let ourselves, and other people in our lives, feel these things as they come up.

    2    . The more we avoid internal unease, the more isolated we can become, the more anxious we can get, and the more depressed we can feel. We need to not only feel. but also acknowledge our legitimate emotional responses to situations. Efforts to avoid or ignore them can isolate us during times of need.

You may feel you’re being supportive by sending positive affirmations to a friend who is going through a difficult time.     3     . Your positive affirmations create the idea that your friend is in some way incapable of handling their feelings.

When you’re lending an car to someone in distress, Dr. Zuckerman suggests avoiding phrases like: It’ll be fine.     4     . What’s there to cry about? Instead, she suggests using phrases that affirm the other persons feelings and lets them know you are here to support them without expectation: It is okay to not feel okay right now. You’re allowed to feel this way.

Feel your feelings. Sit with them. Let them pass.     5    

A．Just smile, stop worrying!

B．You should feel whatever emotions you want to.

C．When we don’t know what to expect next, that’s scary.

D．By hiding our discomfort, we’re only adding fuel to fire.

E．Never feel ashamed or embarrassed of being sad and afraid.

F．But in reality, you may be invalidating their feelings and harming them.

G．And allow others ride the wave of whatever emotions they’re feeling too.

8 . Situated along a river that winds through the mountains, surrounded by cedar (雪松) and bamboo forests, Nanmoku is about 70 miles northwest of the capital city. Once known for its silk, wood, and konjac root (魔芋根), Nanmoku is now Japan’s most aged village, with two-thirds of its residents over 65. Many buildings are abandoned and the population has dropped from 11,000 in 1955to about 1,500 today, according to town hall figures. At that rate, the village could be empty just over a decade.

Nanmoku is on the front lines of Japan’s rural depopulation, a trend seen in other Asian and European countries. However, some residents are working to change the trend by attracting young people. One such person is 24-year-old Satomi Oigawa, who moved to Nanmoku after graduating from college in Tokyo. She works for the village government, matching abandoned homes with potential new residents. Oigawa is learning about the village’s history as she integrates into the community. “Everything about this house is part of the village’s history,” she says.

Despite efforts to attract new residents, the village faces challenges. There are few jobs for young people, and the nearest hospital is an hour’s drive away. Some residents argue that instead of spending money to attract newcomers, the money should be spent on those already living in the village.

Mayor Saijo Hasegawa aims to keep the village’s population level in 15to 20 years’ time, hoping to maintain it at around 800 people. However, experts like Peter Matan le of the University of Sheffield say that while some villages may boom, they will still experience pushback against the overpowering trend. “Japan is currently losing 600,000 to 700,000 people annually, and that’s going to increase to more than a million by the 2030s,” Matan le says. “Under that situation, how do settlements maintain their populations, let alone increase them?”

1. Which of the following can best describe current Nanmoku?

A．Old and timeless.	B．Undamaged and charming.
C．Remote and developing.	D．Historic and declining.

2. Why did Satomi Oigawa move to Nanmoku after college?

A．To get job opportunities.	B．To learn about the history.
C．To refresh the village.	D．To experience the rural life.

3. What can be inferred about the efforts to beat Nanmoku’s depopulation?

A．They are facing significant challenges.

B．They are likely to succeed at the moment.

C．They are widely supported by all residents.

D．They need more support from the government.

9 . Look, let’s be honest-there’s no such thing as a “green” vacation. You’ll leave a carbon footprint, no matter what.     1     Here are a few questions to ask:

Is it a B Corp?

B Corps are businesses that meet a strict set of standards by the nonprofit B Lab. They include requirements for governance, workers, customers, community and the environment.     2     You’ll see some fairly well-known brands, like Intrepid Travel. But you won’t find the names of any major airlines, car rental companies or hotel chains-at least, not yet.

Does the company have any other environmental certifications?

Third-party certifications from Green Key, LEED and WELL can be signs that a travel company means business about the environment. Transportation companies may also offer verified certifications from organizations like Terrapass or the Gold Standard Foundation.     3     However, it’s a good start.

    4    

If the company claims to be green, don’t just take its word for it. Listen to what it says. If you see nothing but models on its Instagram channel or ads for online discounts on its site, perhaps it’s a shade of fake green. “A company’s social media strategy is generally a reflection of its current ethos and goals,” explained Julia Carter, founder of Craft Travel.

How deep is its commitment to the environment?

    5     For example, the Travel Corporation publishes an annual impact report that maps its progress against 11 sustainability goals developed by the United Nations. Many cruise lines also publish detailed reports that allow you to check their commitment to the environment against several objective standards.

A．But your trip can be green-ish.

B．What’s the company saying to everyone?

C．How can we find a reliable company online?

D．Don’t trust anything the company says to the public.

E．These certifications aren’t a guarantee the company is green.

F．Look for reliable reports on sustainability from a travel company.

G．You can search the directory of these forward-looking companies online.

10 . Jiang Shumei learned her first Chinese character at the age of 60. Now, the 87-year-old grandmother from Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province is the proud author of six books.

“I wasn’t educated as a child. I never imagined, even in my wildest dreams, that I would publish a book one day,” says the resident of Suihua city. Her books detail the chaos of wartime and the hardship during the famine, and vividly retell anecdotes over the decades.

The elderly woman had her own way of learning. She composed lyrics for songs, and asked children to write them down, so that she could read each character as she sang the songs again and again. Whenever she came across characters she didn’t know on pamphlets (小册子), bus stops, or shop signs, she found someone to ask.

She first put pen to paper in 2012, at the age of 75. It was not easy. Sometimes, completing a single sentence could take a day. As a college teacher and a writer herself, Zhang Ailing, Jiang Shumei’s daughter, gave her mother a lot of encouragement and help. She told her that while writing, she should imagine herself telling stories to an audience, so that they would be easier to understand and be full of interesting details.

Zhang was also her first editor. Every time her mother finished writing something, she would discuss the manuscript (手稿) with her and check it over before typing it on the computer. Zhang began publishing her mother’s stories on social media platforms in 2013. When they drew the attention of her writer friends, the pair made the decision to publish them.

The first book, Time of Trouble, Time of Poverty, was published later that year, and proved to be a success. The book earned Jiang a lot of fans and sympathy. So far, the elderly woman has published six books, totaling more than 600,000 characters in length. In her spare time, she is also learning painting and calligraphy. “I would like to be a writer, a painter and a calligrapher,” she says, adding that her dream now is to have her own art exhibition when she is 90.

1. How did Jiang Shumei learn characters?

A．By reading books with her children.

B．By asking questions whenever she was free.

C．By going to a college to get herself educated.

D．By singing lyrics and memorizing characters around her.

2. Which of the following may contribute to Jiang Shumei’s success most?

A．Her hard-work and Zhang’s support.

B．The care and attention from the public.

C．The help from her friends and editors.

D．The popularity of social media platforms.

3. When did Jiang Shumei publish her first book?

A．At the age of 60.	B．In the year 2012.
C．At her 87-year-old.	D．In the year 2013.

4. Which of the following can best describe Jiang Shumei’s story?

A．Adversity makes a man wise.	B．Practice makes perfect.
C．It is never too old to learn.	D．Still water runs deep.