1 . I didn’t quite know what I was looking for when I flew to Mongolia for a term abroad. I just needed something different, far from the late-night libraries of my college town. Most different, I hoped, would be my rural homestay: two weeks in central Mongolia with a family of nomadic(游牧的) herders.
I was studying Mongolian at the time, but still, there was so much I couldn’t say or understand. As we walked in the snow behind the goats, my host mom would ask me if I was cold, then giggle (咯咯地笑) and copy a big shiver to make sure I understood. In the evenings, she showed me how to make dumplings with her fingers. My host siblings would talk with me, speaking too fast for me to understand, as we explored the rocks around our tent; I’d listen and nod.
This verbal(言语的) barrier was strangely freeing. In the crowded dining hall at home, meeting new people made me anxious. I’d stay quiet, measuring out my words, struggling for something to say that wouldn’t expose me as unfunny or boring. In Mongolia, I couldn’t perfect my words. I could only smile, and try out one of the phrases I’d mastered: “May I help?” “Where is the dog?” “Are you tired?” My host family laughed at my pronunciation, at the way I threw up my hands and eyebrows in a frequent gesture of confusion. But in their laughter, I felt safe, unembarrassed.
With my Mongolian family on the grassland, I found a feeling of ease I’d never felt before. We were so different, they and I, and not just in language. Their skin was hardened and darkened by sun; I’d been hidden under hats and sunscreen since birth. My host siblings(兄弟姐妹) grew up drawing water from frozen streams and jogging behind herds of sheep; I spent summers at tennis camp.
For me, these gaps made all the difference. Without shared social measures, I wasted no time wondering how I was measuring up. Only real things—kindness, helpfulness—mattered.
1. Why did the author go to Mongolia for a term abroad?| A．She dreamed of living a nomadic life. | B．She was tired of studying late at night. |
| C．She had to study Mongolians’ normal life. | D．She was collecting information for libraries. |
| A．Hug. | B．Smile. | C．Attack. | D．Shake. |
| A．She felt at ease in the crowd. | B．She usually weighed her words. |
| C．She asked a lot of funny questions. | D．She often made others laugh with jokes. |
| A．You are judged wherever you go. | B．Nature makes humans feel insignificant. |
| C．Appearance reflects one’s standard of life. | D．Being kind is the common social standard. |
2 . Many people love to listen to music while driving. Thanks to the world’s musical roads, drivers now don’t need to turn the radio on.
A musical road can create music when a car tires go over grooves (凹槽) on the road. To produce beautiful music, drivers must pass over the grooves at a certain speed. Signs often tell drivers the right speed.
In Hungary, there is a musical road in honor of one of the country’s most popular musical performers — Laszlo Bodi. Bodi was the lead singer for the band Republic.
| A．Musical roads are also keeping drivers safe. |
| B．There is not any music road in Eastern countries. |
| C．Musical roads help improve the road safety greatly. |
| D．But they can also enjoy music while taking road trips. |
| E．Formed in 1990, the group is one of Hungary’s biggest acts and is still active today. |
| F．The first musical road was created in Gylling, Denmark, in 1995. |
| G．For example, in Japan, there are many musical roads throughout the country. |
3 . In a small, rough shipyard on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, a small team is building what they say will be the world’s largest ocean-going clean cargo ship.
Ceiba is the first ship built by Sailcargo, a company trying to prove that zero-carbon shipping is possible, and commercially available. Made largely of wood, Ceiba combines both very old and very new technology: sailing masts stand alongside solar panels, a uniquely designed electric engine and batteries. Once on the water, she will be capable of crossing oceans entirely without the use of fossil fuels, which sets her apart.
“The thing that is striking is the fact that she’ll have one of the largest marine electric engines of her kind in the world,” Danielle Doggett said. The system also has the means to capture energy from underwater propellers (螺旋桨) as well as solar power, so electricity will be available for the engine when needed. “Really, the only limit on how long she can stay at sea is water and food on board for the crew.”
Despite some hold-ups due to the global disaster, the team hopes to get her on the water by the end of 2024 and operating by 2025, when she will begin transporting cargo between Costa Rica and Canada.
“There are actually loads of innovations happening that could transform shipping emissions, but few companies are willing to apply them to building ships like Ceiba.” says Lucy Gilliam. “So it’s not that we don’t have great ideas. The problem that we have is that fossil fuels are still too cheap. And we don’t have the rules to force people to take up the new technology.”
When it comes to promoting this kind of boat, it has to be said that Ceiba is small for a cargo ship — tiny in fact. She will carry around nine standard shipping containers. She is also relatively slow. Being a world-first, there are some aspects of Ceiba’s design that have yet to be proven at sea.
1. What is unique about Ceiba as a cargo ship?| A．It is the world’s largest. | B．It is environment-friendly. |
| C．It is wooden with old technology. | D．It is modern with unique equipment. |
| A．The size of the sail. | B．The weather of the ocean. |
| C．The power of the electric engine. | D．The quantity of the living supplies. |
| A．The rules are disobeyed. | B．The fuels are affordable. |
| C．The bigger ships are preferable. | D．The innovations are distrusted. |
| A．Objective. | B．Doubtful. | C．Critical. | D．Favorable. |
4 . 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. |
5 . Would you know what to do during a big earthquake? Scientists have some advice for us.
If the ground begins shaking while you are driving stop your car on the roadside and stay in it. If you are in a tall building, don’t use the lift and never jump out of the windows. When you are in a living room, find a strong table or rush into a smaller room like washroom. Then lie down your body. Take care of your head. When you are in a public place, like supermarket or cinema don’t crowding jam (拥挤), or you may fall over and get hurt. Cross your arms to protect yourself . You can also find a place to hide.
After the main shake quickly run out of the dangerous building for there will be small earthquakes. If you are safe, remember not to engage the phone line, keep it free for rescue (援救) using. Don’t go to the hospital if you are not badly hurt, others will really need help. Take part in the rescue action if you can.
1. What should people do if they are driving when an earthquake happens?| A．Drive on quickly. | B．Take care of the car. |
| C．Stop the car on the roadside. | D．Jump out of the windows. |
| A．Because people can lie down easily. |
| B．Because people may get help quickly. |
| C．Because it can help avoid falling over. |
| D．Because it can help find a place to hide. |
| A．占用 | B．触摸 | C．接通 | D．修理 |
| A．Try to help the others if you can. |
| B．Stay in the dangerous building after the main shake |
| C．Go to a doctor even though you are not badly hurt. |
| D．Keep making phone calls to tell your family that you are safe. |
| A．after the main shake | B．while the main shake |
| C．before the main shake | D．before the small shake |
6 . One day when Jack was walking in the park, he saw a woman, who lived a few miles away, sitting on a bench (凳子) with a dog beside her. The dog was looking up at the woman.
Jack walked up to the woman and said, “Hello, Sue how are you? May I sit and talk with you for a while?” “Of course, please sit down,” Sue said. Jack sat down next to Sue on the bench, and they talked quietly together. The dog continued to look up at Sue as if waiting to be fed.
“That’s a nice dog, isn’t he?” Jack said pointing at the animal.
“Yes, he is. He’s handsome. He’s a bit of a mixture but that’s not a bad thing. He’s strong and healthy.”
“And hungry,” Jack said.
“He hasn’t taken his eyes off you. He thinks you’ve got some food for him.”
“That’s true.” Sue said.
“But I haven’t.”
They both laughed and then Jack said, “Does your dog bite (咬人)?”
“No,” Sue said. “He’s never bitten anyone. He’s always gentle and friendly.”
Hearing this, Jack decided to hold out his hand and touched the animals head. Suddenly it jumped up and bit him.
“Hey!” Jack shouted. “ You said your dog didn’t bite.”
Sue replied in surprise, “Yeah, I did. But this is not my dog. My dog’s at home.”
1. The dog looked at the woman because ________.| A．the woman wanted to feed him | B．the woman was friendly |
| C．he was strong and healthy | D．he was hungry |
| A．friends | B．next-door neighbors |
| C．strangers | D．in the same family |
| A．the dog was handsome | B．Sue’s dog was unfriendly |
| C．the dog was Sue’s | D．Sue’s dog was at home |
| A．Sue gave a wrong answer | B．Jack made a mistake |
| C．Jack known the dog well | D．The dog waited for the food |
| A．he didn’t took food | B．he didn’t know him |
| C．he didn’t take his dog | D．the dog didn’t find his master |
7 . One day, Wilbur Smith was enjoying the jacket(书套)of his latest book on a flight to America when the middle-aged man in the next seat asked “I see you read Wilbur Smith. What do you think of him?”
“I think he is clever and successful.” replied Wilbur.
“Well, the guy is a friend of mine,” said his neighbour proudly.
“Oh, really?” said Wilbur.
“Not only that. but I’m the model for one of his heroes “Is that so?”
“Yeah. Would you like his signature(签名)?”
“Could you arrange that?” asked Wilbur.
“Sure. Give me your card.”
Wilbur handed over his business card, and the man carefully put it in his top pocket. Not surprisingly, Wilbur didn’t hear from his friend after that.
1. Wilbur Smith went to America that day ________.| A．by air | B．by train | C．in a car | D．on a coach |
| A．a teacher | B．a businessman | C．a writer | D．reporter |
| A．a stranger to Wilbur | B．a friend of Wilbur’s |
| C．a neighbour who lives next to Wilbur | D．a hero of Wilbur’s book |
| A．proud | B．happy | C．excited | D．surprised |
| A．Yes, of course. | B．No, he isn’t. |
| C．No, but his friend is. | D．Yes, he is. |
8 . It’s Sunday. It’s fine. Tom does not go to school today. But he is not at home. He’s now sitting on a Chinese bus. He is going to the movie house. All his classmates will go to see a movie this afternoon. His teacher Mr. Wang will go there, too. They will meet at 2:00 p.m. at the gate of the movie house.
An old man gets on the bus. Tom stands up and says to the old man, “Come and sit here, please.” The old man goes over and sits down. He says, “Thank you very much, my boy. You are a good student.” Tom answers, “You’re welcome.”
“What school are you in?” the old man asks Tom.
“I am in No. 2 Middle School.” Tom answers.
“No. 2? That’s a good school. My son is a teacher there. He is an English teacher.” The old man says.
“English teacher? Excuse me, grandpa. What’s your son’s name, please?” Tom asks. “Mr Wang,” says the old man.
“Ah, ah, he is my English teacher.” Just then, the bus stops near the movie house. Tom says goodbye to the old man and gets off the bus. The old man smiles to Tom.
1. In the sentence “the bus stops near the movie house”, “stop” means ________.| A．车站 | B．开 | C．关 | D．停 |
| A．It’s Saturday today. |
| B．It’s not fine today. |
| C．Tom goes to school on Sunday. |
| D．Tom is a student of No.2 Middle School. |
| A．at home today | B．a Chinese teacher |
| C．the old man’s father | D．the old man’s son |
| A．Tom is a good student. | B．Tom is a bad student. |
| C．He does wrong things. | D．He is a good teacher. |
| A．Tom goes to the movie house on an English car. |
| B．The old man’s son is Tom’s English teacher. |
| C．They go to the movie house for a meeting. |
| D．Only Tom and his teacher go to the movie house to see a movie. |
9 . People sometimes like to read stories of dogs very much. They think that dogs are much cleverer than cats, sheep, cows or other animals in their homes.
One of my close friends, Bob, has a very large police dog named Jack. Every Sunday afternoon, Bob and Jack have a walkin the park nearby. Jack likes these walks very much. One Sunday afternoon, I paid a visit to my friend. I stayed there for a long time and my friend and I had much more talk with each other than ever before. Soon it was time for them to take a walkin the park. We forgot that. Jack became worried about it. He walked around the room several times and then sat down in front of me and looked at me. But I still paid no attention (注意) to him. I went on talking with my friend. At last, Jack could not wait any longer. He went out of the room and came back a few minutes later. He sat down in front of me again. But this time, he held my hat in his mouth. Suddenly, I understood what Jack meant and so did my friend.
1. How many people are there in this story?| A．One | B．Two | C．Three | D．Four |
| A．is a close friend of mine |
| B．has many close friends |
| C．enjoys long walks in the park every Sunday afternoon |
| D．enjoys talks in the room |
| A．it was Sunday afternoon again |
| B．he wanted to eat something |
| C．he was not feeling well |
| D．he wanted his master (主人) to take him for a walk |
| A．I should leave the house at once |
| B．he liked my hat very much |
| C．he was hungry and he tried to eat it |
| D．he wanted to have a rest |
| A．When Jack and I were talking, my friend didn’t pay any attention to us |
| B．When my friend and I were talking, we didn’t pay any attention to Jack |
| C．When I was talking to my friend, Jack didn’t pay any attention to us |
| D．When my friend was talking to Jack, I paid attention to them |
10 . While jogging today, you twisted your ankle (扭伤脚踝) . It really hurts. You’ve heard that both heat and cold can help with pain. But which one should you use? The right form of treatment (治疗) differs depending on your type of injury and when it occurred.
In the case of a new injury, ice is the best form of treatment. Cold slows the blood flow to an injury, numbs the pain and reduces swelling(肿) .
◆ How to apply ice
Apply an ice pack (冰袋) within 48 hours after an injury occurs (发生). But first wrap (包，裹) the pack in a thin towel (毛巾), so the cold won’t damage your skin. Apply the pack for a maximum of 20 minutes at one time. Then take a 10-minute break at least before applying it again.
Cold is a good treatment for sprains (扭伤), bumps (撞伤), many sports injuries and much more.
◆ When to use heat
When a pain returns often or continues for a long time, heat is the answer. Neck pain and backache are often chronic (慢性的). The pain often results from using that body part too much or in the wrong way. Heat is also a great help to joint pains and sore muscles. Heat increases blood flow to the area and encourages healing. Heating pads, hot water bottles and hot baths are all ways to apply heat.
The next time you have pain or an injury, choosing the proper treatment should be much easier!
1. According to the passage ________ can help with the pain when you have an injury.| A．heat | B．cold | C．ice | D．heat and cold |
| A．The neck pain occurs frequently (经常). | B．A sprain occurred three days ago. |
| C．A bump occurred last night. | D．The backache which usually occurs. |
| A．48 hour | B．a 10-minute break | C．20 minutes | D．an hour |
| A．chronic neck pain. | B．continuous backache |
| C．new sports injuries | D．sore muscles |
| A．fashion | B．sports | C．advertisement | D．health |
