1 . In 2017, an earthy bicycle repairer appeared on the stage of the TV show Chinese Poetry Congress.

Wang Haijun, 65 in 2017, was born in Inner Mongolia, and he loved reading since he was little. However, when he was in the fourth grade, Wang had to drop out of school because his father wanted him to herd sheep to make a little bit extra.

From then on, Wang only reads after a day’s work. Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Three Hundred Tang Poems were his favorite books. “There weren’t any bookstores around, so I borrowed them from others. I read them so much that the pages began to tear off.” Later, Wang and his wife moved to Shijiazhuang where he set up a stall and repair bicycles for more family income.

The job is not busy, so Wang has time to read. Once, he heard in a radio program that a disabled girl wrote some excellent poems. Encouraged by the story, Wang began to write his own poems on the back of the package paper of the tires with a pencil. At night, he wrote with a torch in the dark. He even got a small blackboard from the recyclers and put poems on it. He hung the chalkboard in his stall and asked the passers-by to help him improve his poems. If anybody’s advice was adopted, he would buy him or her a bottle of beer.

In 2017, when Wang was invited to Chinese Poetry Congress, he thought “it was a fraud”, because he never imagined that people would appreciate the poems written by a bicycle repairer. “But it turned out to be a great experience reading my poems on the stage.” he said.

After the show, many people came to his stall to discuss poetry with him. “It feels like a dream come true. Poetry belongs to everyone. Even a bicycle repairer like me can still dream about such a poetic life.”

1. What inspired Wang to write poems?

A．ATV show.	B．Poetry books.
C．His family.	D．A radio story.

2. What does the underlined word “fraud” mean in paragraph 5?

A．Memory.

B．Trick.

C．Reward.

D．Trouble.

3. Which of the following best describes Wang?

A．Creative and helpful.	B．Energetic and generous.
C．Optimistic and determined.	D．Ambitious and concerned.

4. What can we learn from the story?

A．It’s never too late to learn.	B．A good book is a good friend.
C．A good beginning is half done.	D．Actions speak louder than words.

2 . Have you ever been annoyed at younger siblings (兄弟姐妹) for stealing your toys?     1    It is true they sometimes bring troubles and problems. But latest studies have found that brothers and sisters can actually boost your physical and mental health, even as an adult.

    2       According to a study from Brigham Young University in the US, having a meaningful and close relationship with siblings can lead to greater life satisfaction and mental well-being. Brothers and sisters can help prevent their teenage siblings from feeling guilty, unloved and lonely. Having brothers and sisters makes you more kind-hearted,     3     Could it be that having a same-generation relative looking out for you motivates you to think about others? If a sibling is warm and kind, the other sibling is likely to display the same qualities.

Siblings help you have a healthier lifestyle. A survey of more than 15,000 people found that 43 percent of people credited their family members for having the biggest positive impact on their physical condition.     4     Spending a lot of time together, they increase the possibility of taking regular exercise and sticking to your diet.

They can help you live longer, In a study from the American Sociological Association, older adults, who described themselves as being “extremely close” to the family members, had a six percent chance of dying over the next five years, compared to a 14 percent risk for the people who didn’t.

Having good friends can bring many of the same benefits. We don’t all have brothers and sisters, or you might not have much contact with them. Don’t panic.     5     It can also boost your health, well-being and long life.

A．Brothers and sisters protect you from depression.

B．Have you ever cooperated with your brothers or sisters?

C．Or did you fight like cat and dog when you were younger?

D．Siblings can make you twice as likely to do good deeds.

E．Develop stable and close relationships with people around you.

F．Siblings are easily available fitness and healthy-eating partners.

G．They made you better at dealing with the tricky situations in daily life.

3 . During the Gold Rush, merchants needed a faster way to ship their goods to the West, turning every voyage into a race. The current record holder was the Surprise, which had made the New York to San Francisco trip in ninety-six days. Ellen planned to break that record with her ship, the Flying Cloud.

To achieve the goal, Ellen learned to use navigation (航海) instruments and do the complicated math calculations from her captain father. She also studied positioning charts made by Lieutenant Marthew, Ellen’s race against time began on June 2, 1851. It was her responsibility to keep track of the ship’s progress and current position and to plan the best course for it to follow. She chose a course different from the ones ships normally used and the Flying Cloud passed the equator two days less than ever before.

Heading south, when Ellen and the Flying Cloud was about to reach the Cape Horn, powerful wind slammed into the ship, tipping it sideways. Thirty-foot waves crashed over the deck. Ellen knew that the fastest way to get there was through the Strait of Le Maire. But it was risky. The narrow strip of water was only fourteen miles wide with rocky coasts on both sides. It would not be a problem on a clear day. But Flying Cloud was hit with their worst storm yet. Between the blinding snow and the lack of daylight, visibility was cut to almost nothing. Ellen used dead reckoning to plot a course she hoped would take the Flying Cloud toward the entrance to the strait.Finally, when the skies cleared, Ellen was relieved to see that she were right and everyone were safe on board. On July 22, lucky winds pushed the ship through the strait.Finally, at eleven-thirty the morning of August 3l, 185l, Flying Cloud had completed its voyage in eighty-nine days and twenty-one hours, beating Surprise’s record by an entire week.Crowds gathered on the beach to watch Flying Cloud’s arrival. News of the broken record spread quickly, making Ellen an instant celebrity. Her achievements were recognized in newspapers across the country, The success of her voyage required a combination of skill, experience and courage. Luckily, Ellen had them all.

1. What was Ellen’s main job on the Flying Cloud?

A．Doing math calculation and making charts.

B．Analyzing the data and predicting the weather.

C．Locating the ship’s position and deciding the course.

D．Following the captain’s instructions and drawing maps.

2. Which of the following words can best describe Ellen?

A．Intelligent and generous.	B．Brave and straightforward.
C．Adventurous and sensitive.	D．Ambitious and committed.

3. Which rhetorical device is used in the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?

A．Personification.

B．Simile.

C．Metaphor.

D．Repetition.

4. What was the biggest challenge when Ellen crossed the Strait of Le Maire?

A．The powerful waves.	B．The rocky coasts.
C．The narrow strip of water.	D．The low visibility

4 . ChatGPT has been banned by schools in New York and Los Angeles, out of concern that students may use it to cheat on assignments. Despite these concerns, educators needn’t fear Al technology will transform education. Instead, it will help students take ownership of their studies and learn real-life skills. Today’s students need instruction that equips them with the skills of reasoning, analysis and argumentation rather than memorizing basic information. And Al may be a useful tool that promotes these skills.

Our experience with Al is perhaps best understood when compared with previous disturbances in education. When printed books, for example, began to occur in the mid-1400s, university professors were filled with panic. At that time, lectures depended on a specific model: Professors read from their hand-written texts, while students hurriedly copied whatever they heard. If students could simply buy the books, teachers likely thought that they wouldn’t need to come to class. Yet in practice, printing had the opposite effect: The number of universities exploded along with the total number of books. The new technology disturbed the mechanical aspect of education, but in doing so it allowed educators to refocus on higher-level skills.

Similarly, ChatGPT will replace the mechanical production of text, but it won’t decrease the need for higher-level skills. Possessing the skills to ask the right questions or state the right opinions will become crucial as the production of a logical essay becomes a simple task for a machine. Al will serve as a tool for information gathering and mechanical organization, but it won’t remove the fundamental need for critical thinking.Schools must remember that education’s value isn’t a head full of facts but a person with the skill to use these facts with the available tools to enhance their impact on the world. Al is one of these tools and, when used strategically, can improve students’ learning and performance in ways not yet seen. Therefore, it is essential for schools to provide an education that trains students in how to use the available tools for information. Unless they adapt quickly to the changing trends of education, they will be left behind by rapid innovation and change.

1. What is the educators’ major concern about Al technology?

A．The possible changes in education.

B．Students’ grades of the assignments.

C．Students’ fear of technological reform.

D．The lack of instructions and equipment.

2. Why does the author mention the invention of printing technology?

A．To justify the concern of the professors.

B．To show the similar value of Al technology.

C．To clarify previous disturbances in education.

D．To highlight the influence of printing technology.

3. What is the author’s attitude toward the use of Al technology?

A．Doubtful.

B．Concerned.

C．Critical.

D．Supportive.

4. What does the author recommend schools to do in the last paragraph?

A．Replace the mechanical production of text.

B．Design their courses based on Al technology.

C．Catch up with the quick evolution of education.

D．Provide a course focusing on information gathering.

5 . Twelve grams of moon arrived at Ferl’s laboratory in an undecorated delivery box. Ferl, a gardening expert at the University of Florida, had waited more than a decade for that moment. The small box of dirt held some of the last remaining unopened samples of moon dust, called regolith, collected by astronauts on the lunar missions. Despite months of practice, he lifted the sample with trembling hands. “It’s freaky, scary stuff,” he says, “mean, what happens if you drop that?” Ferland his team were about to become the first researchers to grow plants in actual lunar soil.

The experiment was part of a lunar research which aims to send humans back to the moon later this decade in a more sustainable way. Longer duration stays require astronauts to have a source of food. “All of human exploration has been driven by the ability to keep crews fed,” says Gil, a researcher not involved in the study. And Ferl’s experiment offers a significant first step in this journey.

To test the moon soil, Ferl’s team divided the samples into 12 pots of 900 milligrams a piece and planted seeds in them. The seeds developed successfully, but the plants had trouble growing healthy roots. The moon soil lacks important microbes, which play a significant role in regulating plant growth hormones (激素), reducing environmental stress, and absorbing essential nutrients. Without natural microbes, the plants struggled to absorb nutrients and manage stress. Additionally, the lack of water can cause the soil to become difficult to work with.

The seedlings failed to grow strongly in regolith alone, but Ferl hopes to continue studying how life might take hold in otherwise low-yield soil, with an eye toward both boosting humanity’s prospects off the planet and improving agriculture in low-yield soils here at home. “Most of us are not going to go to space,” he says, “But if we can engineer a way to produce these kinds of crops in such an unforgiving environment — like the lunar surface — we can apply that to meet our food challenges in areas that just can’t grow food anymore.”

1. How did Ferl feel when receiving the box?

A．moved and surprised.	B．scared but curious.
C．worried but relieved.	D．cautious and nervous.

2. Why did Ferl carry out the experiment?

A．To feed the crew of his research team.

B．To ensure food supply for space exploration.

C．To provide sustainable energy for lunar missions.

D．To send the astronauts back to the moon in a shorter time.

3. What can be done to improve lunar crops production?

A．Adding microbes and watering it properly.

B．Dividing regolith equally and managing stress.

C．Growing healthy roots and making regolith dry.

D．Choosing suitable seeds and regulating hormones.

4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．The original goal of the study.	B．The limitation of space farming
C．The application of the experiment result.	D．The factors causing the experiment failure.

6 . Having a quality first aid kit allows you to treat minor injuries, prevent infections, and even increase the chances of keeping an accident victim alive until proper medical help arrives. We tested dozens of the top-rated first aid kits in lab. Based on our testing, here are the best ones available online.

Adventure Medical Kit
Recommended uses: Picnics
Item Feature:

Kit measures approximately 6x8.5x3 inches. It provides critical information on wound care,stabilizing sprains, and medications for children. It contains a wide range of medications to treat pain, and common allergies (过敏), packed in nylon outer bag with a waterproof inner plastic storage bags.

Protect Life Kit
Recommended uses: Traveling
Item Feature:

Designed by doctors and EM’Ts & CPR instructors, the first aid medical kit is packed full of first aid supplies. It is packed in a hardshell case with lightweight. The bag can be refilled, so it is an ideal mini first aid kit for businesses.

Disaster Zone Kit
Recommended uses: Emergencies
Item Feature:

The pack is designed for first responders in disaster zones, with all emergency necessities.Whatever adventures you engage in, take our tactical first aid kit. Should you have any issues without first aid kit, contact us immediately and our medical team will be in touch.

Outdoor Emergency Kit
Recommended uses: Emergencies
Item Feature:

Designed by survivalists, it contains essential first aid supplies and survival tools required for emergencies. Weighing only 2 pounds, the waterproof kit is a must-have for your adventures. It is stuffed with blanket, flashlight, multi-function bracelet (compass, whistle), knife, two 12-hour glow sticks and emergency raincoats.

1. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To introduce the best first aid kits.	B．To ask the readers to buy first aid kits.
C．To advocate the importance of first aid.	D．To inform the readers of online first aid.

2. Which kit promises medical team support?

A．Adventure Medical Kit.	B．Protect Life Kit.
C．Disaster Zone Kit.	D．Outdoor Emergency Kit.

3. What do Adventure Medical Kit and Outdoor Emergency Kit have in common?

A．They are light-weighted.

B．They are water-resistant.

C．They are intended for children.

D．They are designed by rescuers.

7 . A heart-to-heart talk refers to an honest conversation between two people. When sharing a heart-to-heart talk, people will generally share innermost (内心最深处的) thoughts and feelings. This talk usually takes place without other people being present.     1     Some people also refer to this type of conversation as a heartfelt talk, or speaking from the heart. Here are tips on having a heart-to-heart talk.

Share personal stories.     2     When you share a personal story with someone, you put yourself out there in a brave way. Hopefully, the person will follow suit and be receptive to your sharing. Make sure that your disclosure (披露) is proper for the level of relationship you have with the other person. And remember not to push yourself too hard.     3    

Listen to understand. Being an active listener is important during a heartto-heart talk. When you actively listen to what another person is saying, he is more likely to open up.     4     Instead, try to listen to really understand what the other is trying to communicate.

    5     When you’re trying to get someone to open up and go deeper in conversation with you, you are expected to avoid questions that close off the discussion. For example, you might immediately start trying to learn the person’s likes and dislikes by asking “What’s your favorite color/food/season?” The problem with such a question is that it doesn’t promote (促进) a more detailed answer because it can be answered with only one word (e.g. “Purple. Pizza. Summer.”).

A．Raise questions actively.

B．Avoid close-ended questions.

C．Many times, you may listen to prepare an answer.

D．So it’s considered that the talk will be kept secret.

E．You should share what you feel comfortable sharing.

F．Self-disclosure opens the door to a deep conversation.

G．People find comfort in expressing unhappiness with others.

8 . I played on the high school basketball team. I played the ball before the game started, and then sat on the bench (长凳) cheering for guys who were actually going to play in the game. When we won, I hugged (拥抱) my teammates.

I enjoyed that. But I didn’t know how my dad felt about my role. I imagined it was hard for him. Dad was a gifted athlete. And my older brothers were sports stars at college. I was not sure how he felt about going to games to watch his son SIT. Still, Dad was always there in his suit and tie. After the game, he’d come up to me, smile, shake my hand and say “Good game!”, even though I did nothing to make the game good. It changed until the last game of the season.

It was a great day for our team — we were up by about 20 with two minutes left. The coach suddenly looked towards me and said, “Walker! You’re in!” The next two minutes seemed not real to me. I remember running up and down the field a few times. When someone started counting down the last seconds, my teammate passed the ball to me. I heard guys on the bench shouting “Shoot (投篮)!” as I faced the basket and shot. We won. But then I didn’t know what to do. I was unprepared for a time when I had hit a last second shot. Naturally, I looked for Dad. He was there, smiling at me as he always did.

Whether good times or bad, Dad was always there to smile, to support and to love. Now I’m in my 50s with a teenage basketball player in my family. I keep trying to be there, no matter what, because I know what it can mean.

1. What was the author’s role?

A．He was a green hand.	B．He gave players suggestions.
C．He was a fan of the basketball team.	D．He replaced those who couldn’t play.

2. How did the author feel after he scored?

A．Lost.

B．Tired.

C．Calm.

D．Encouraged.

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

A．A Sports-Loving Family	B．A Successful Basketball Match
C．Dad Always Being There	D．Dad Helping Me Succeed

9 . Germany’s top court (法院) has ruled that parts of the country’s 2019 climate action law must be changed because they don’t do a good job of protecting young people. Nine young people aged 15 to 24 took the government to court over the law. They said that the government’s failure to plan carefully was putting their future lives in danger.

The judges (法官) of Germany’s highest court said climate change will influence young people far more than adults. That’s because climate change will become more serious over time. As young people become adults, they’ll be left to deal with any problems that today’s adults don’t deal with.

In 2019, Germany passed a new law, promising that the country would be producing no more CO2 than the forest can take in by 2050. The law made a plan of action until 2030. But the law didn’t have any plans for climate actions that would be taken between 2031 and 2050.

The court has asked the German government to fix the law by the end of 2022. The climate law will now need to have a plan for the actions that will be taken after 2030.

The German government has said that it will quickly begin working to make the needed changes. One important part of high court decisions like this is that they act as guides or examples for future decisions. This means that in the future, Germany’s lawmakers will be more likely to think about the climate future of young people as they create their laws.

1. Why did the judges make such a decision?

A．They decided the new law made no sense.

B．They wanted to give the young more rights.

C．They focused more on the future of the young.

D．They thought it’s hard to solve climate change.

2. What did the nine young people feel displeased with about the government?

A．It failed to take action before 2030.

B．It was producing more and more CO2.

C．It refused to consider the young’s rights.

D．It didn’t plan the climate actions after 2030.

3. How will the German government do in the future?

A．It will make more decisions on climate change.

B．It will ask the young to help make climate laws.

C．It will consider the young when making climate laws.

D．It will encourage the young to protect the environment.

4. What did the nine young people’s action show?

A．They were brave and forward-looking enough.

B．They couldn’t bear the present climate change.

C．They wanted to take part in law-making.

D．They planned to work in the government.

10 . In July 2021, kids from around the world watched the first appearance of skateboarding at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. The four medal events for men and women in park and street boarding showed the gifts of 80 athletes from all over the world.

Bryce Wettstein is one of the top competitors from the United States in park skateboarding, which requires athletes to show skills that combine (使结合) art and athleticism in a bowl that looks like an empty swimming pool. At 17, Bryce shows her skills in a way that celebrates the skateboarding community.

Skateboarding began in the late 1940s and early 1950s in small Southern California beach towns. Born into this community, Bryce has won a place at the center of the sport. “Skateboarding just seems like it can be everything and anything all washed together in some washing machine of color,” she said.

Bryce shares her California hometown with international skateboard pioneer Tony Hawk. He was chosen by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as an ambassador (大使) in its “Stronger Together” competitive sport, which celebrates this year’s athletes. In an IOC video, Hawk summarized the unlikely rise of skateboarding. “We used to see ourselves as a family of misfits (不合群),” he said. “But now the world calls us Olympians.”

Skateboarders celebrate each other’s natural abilities and achievements, while working to help the sport develop. This is shown in the friendship between Bryce and top Australian competitor Poppy Starr Olsen. Both athletes have dreamed of acting for their own countries at the Olympic Games since they skateboarded together as kids.

“I think skateboarding is going to be really different from all the other sports,” Poppy said. “We’re all kind of like a family.” Bryce agreed. “That’s what makes skateboarding such a great sport,” she said.

1. Which of the following best describes Bryce Wettstein?

A．A skateboarder who likes everything colourful.

B．An excellent skateboarder easy to get on with.

C．An excellent skateboarder from the birthplace of skateboarding.

D．A skateboarder having a special understanding of skateboarding.

2. Why was Tony Hawk chosen as an ambassador in the competitive sport?

A．He does much to celebrate the athletes.	B．He made skateboarding rise in the world.
C．He is a skateboard pioneer all over the world.	D．He made an important speech in an IOC video.

3. What do Bryce and Poppy most probably think of skateboarding?

A．It gets family members together.	B．It is the dream of many children.
C．It is a means to celebrate success.	D．It can bring people close together.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Top athletes at the Olympics.	B．A new Olympic sports event.
C．Some skateboarders’ success.	D．Opinions on an Olympic sports event.