Name: Alexis Age: 9 Dream job: Musician I fell in love with music and started to learn it when I was 5 years old. Now I can play the guitar and the piano. Next, I plan to learn to play the violin and know more about music. |
Name: Alyssa Age: 12 Dream job: Teacher I dream of being a teacher because I want to pass my 1ove of learning on to students. I enjoy teaching and I love to be with children. I’d like to share what I know with them. |
Name: Briana Age: 7 Dream job: Dancer I really want to become a dancer. I learned to dance a few months ago. It makes me happy. I’m going to learn to dance hard from both classes and TV. |
Name: Cole Age: 10 Dream job: Scientist Science may sound difficult to many people, but I love science. I’m curious about many things. I want to know about them, and I dream of being a scientist. |
1. Alexis became interested in music at the age of ______.
| A．3 | B．4 | C．5 | D．6 |
| A．Alexis. | B．Alyssa. | C．Briana. | D．Cole. |
① From his father. ② By taking classes. ③From TV.
| A．①②③ | B．①③ | C．②③ | D．①② |
| A．难过的 | B．敏感的 | C．好奇的 | D．厌倦的 |
| A．Kids’ room. | B．Kids’ dream jobs. | C．Kids’ toys. | D．Kids’ daily life. |
2 . Children running to school are now more likely to get a table device (平板设备) than a pencil case, according to a study.
Researchers found that 55 percent of children are given a new iPad as they head back to school, compared to only 45 percent who get a new pencil case.
It also showed fewer kids walk to school now, dropping from 81 percent in their parents’ schooldays to just 63 percent now, with a third of kids preferring to use a scooter (滑板车) to make it to the school gates.
And most children now listen to music on the way to school instead of chatting with friends as their parents used to. However, one thing that hasn’t changed about going to school is the excitement.
68 percent of parents said they rushed back to school to be friends they hadn’t seen for the six-week break. Only 23 percent of children rush back to school to chat with friends now.
This is because modern kids chat with friends during the holiday on WeChat or QQ, so they already know what their schoolmates have been up to.
Clothes are another big area for change. Children like to choose clothes on their own now. What’s more, their clothes are always in style.
The after-school life has also changed. More than half of parents had a daily bedtime story in their childhood, while a third of modern children watch daily cartoons on the Internet instead now.
1. How do students feel about returning to school now?| A．Upset. | B．Excited. | C．Sad. | D．Disappointed. |
| A．They don’t miss their friends. |
| B．They have seen their friends during the holiday. |
| C．It is not the right time for them to chat with each other. |
| D．Children get in touch with their friends during the holiday. |
| A．More children walk to school now. |
| B．Children’s clothes are always in style now. |
| C．Most children now chat with their friends on the way to school. |
| D．Children don’t know about their friends’ life during the holiday. |
| A．Talk with their parents. | B．Watch cartoons. |
| C．Listen to bedtime stories. | D．Do their homework. |
3 . Australia is a country of immigrants (people who comes from other countries). Around 50 percent of students in Melbourne come from other countries. Therefore, we read many articles about foreigners’ lives in Australia. Teachers ask us to find our own identity from these articles. In the course English as an Additional Language, we read a picture book called Tales from Outer Suburbia by Australian writer Shaun Tan.
The book has lots of short stories. Among them, I like Inner Courtyard best. It is about an Italian family. They moved to Australia, but they couldn’t fit into the new environment and complained a lot. However, one day they found an inner courtyard (院子) by accident. The things in it were from their home country. Then the secret courtyard became a little paradise (天堂) for them. They relaxed, played games and had a picnic there.
As an international student, I totally understand the value of the inner courtyard for every family, especially an immigrant family. I face the same problems when I study and live in Melbourne. Everything is different, including language and habit, and I have to fit into all of it. it’s so painful that sometimes I miss China very much. That’s why we need the inner courtyard to have a rest and escape from reality (现实) for a while. For me, it’s my bedroom. I decorate it with postcards of China and Chinese books. I collect some Australian souvenirs (纪念品) which makes my inner courtyard colorful.
1. From the first paragraph, we know that ________.| A．there are lots of immigrants in Australia |
| B．students in Australia know many different languages |
| C．it is hard for overseas (海外的) students to get used to life in Australia |
| D．English as an Additional Language only opens to overseas students |
| A．still found it hard to fit in | B．went back to their country |
| C．complained a lot | D．found a place to relax |
| A．She can easily get used to a new environment. |
| B．She has thought of giving up her studies in Australia. |
| C．She suggested escaping from reality when in difficult. |
| D．She tried her best to do something to fit into a new environment. |
4 . Lang Lang, the young Chinese pianist (钢琴家), learned to play the piano when he was 3. At the age of 5, he won the first place in a piano competition. People thought he was a genius (天才). When Lang Lang was 8 years old, he and his father went to Beijing to study piano. But his piano teacher didn’t like him, “You have no talent. You will never be a pianist.” Lang Lang was badly hurt. He wanted to give up. “You need fortune (运气),” his father said, “but if you don’t work hard, no fortune will come.”
Luckily the day came when his teacher asked him to play some holiday songs in a school concert for the first time. That day he showed other people that he was good in piano. Later, he went to US. There he spent 2 years practicing piano. When he was 17, Lang Lang became famous after he played in a great concert in Chicago, US.
Now Lang Lang is famous all over the world. He played at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Lang Lang finally worked hard to reach the place where fortune finds him, and lets him shine.
1. When Lang Lang was five, ______.| A．he began to learn piano | B．he went to Beijing |
| C．he won the first place in a piano competition | D．he went to America |
| A．thought he was good | B．didn’t like Lang Lang. |
| C．told Lang Lang to go to the UK | D．said Lang Lang needed money |
| A．He played so badly. | B．He performed so good. |
| C．He won the last place in the school concert. | D．He gave it up. |
| A．2 years. | B．3 years. | C．4 years. | D．5 years. |
| A．Lang Lang learned to play the piano at the age of 3. |
| B．Now Lang Lang is famous all over the world. |
| C．Lang Lang worked hard. |
| D．Lang Lang played successfully at the Beijing Olympics in 2012. |
5 . “Yeah! Auntie is here!” screamed my husband’s niece and nephew together. “Let me get the door!” “No, let me!” Each one’s goal was to get there first and open the door for their Auntie, Me!
I couldn’t get enough of them, of their youthful love of life, and their excitement every time I visited! To be honest, it was partially because of the Surprise Travel Bag that I carried in. It was a tradition that I started when they were young. Each time I went to see them, I would take a large bag filled with toys, coloring books, candy, magic markers and “games”.
The contents (内容) were different but the rules were not. They included: one may get a turn to choose what activity we would do; another may take a turn to go first when we played a game; … We shared the treats after the games and cleaned up after we played. Then, sadly, they watched the Surprise Travel Bag go away with their Auntie.
Now my niece and nephew have grown into young adults. They spend most of their visits listening to their iPods, messaging on their phones... I completely forgot that I had put my two Surprise Travel Bags in the basement (地下室) until my husband found them this weekend.
I held the bags tightly in my arms, remembering our laughter and fun-filled get-togethers. My big decision now is to whom I will pass the Surprise Travel Bags so that the fun that the bags help to create can continue.
1. When the author came for a visit, the children were ________.| A．uninterested | B．excited | C．bored | D．disappointed |
| A．change the contents in the bags | B．change the rules each time she visited |
| C．choose the activity for the children | D．leave the bag behind for the children |
| A．sell her Surprise Travel Bags | B．show us how to travel happily |
| C．share her good memories | D．teach us how to play with children |
| A．Because she is too old to remember them. |
| B．Because the children have grown up and have their own interests. |
| C．Because she has put too many things in the basement. |
| D．Because she doesn’t like the children any longer. |
| A．The Surprise Travel Bags | B．How to Play with Children |
| C．Travel with My Surprise Travel Bag | D．My Family Life |
6 . Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a wonderful place to visit. Every year, over one million people visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
There are two of the world’s most amazing volcanoes (火山) in it. One is among the most active volcanoes on the earth, the other is one of the biggest mountains on the earth. Both of them are active volcanoes. Every day, on the island of Hawaii, lava (熔岩) comes out slowly from a volcano on the edge (边缘) of the ocean. When the lava cools, it turns into rock and makes this island a little bigger. Visitors can see the land change before their eyes.
There are many interesting things to do in the park. It has lava tubes (隧道) that go to the sea. They are so big that visitors can walk through them. You can drive along a volcano or walk more than 150 miles (241 km) of trails (路径). Biking along the volcano’s paths and camping in the rainforest are also good choices.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to wildlife. There are hundreds of protected animals, such as turtles, bats, insects, and many kinds of birds. The park also has many protected plants and trees. Almost all of its plants are found only in Hawaii. Many plants have lived in and around the volcanoes for years.
Enjoy — but watch your step! It’s almost impossible to know when a volcano will erupt (喷发) . However, when the volcanoes possibly erupt, parts of the park close. This special park is never quiet for long.
1. What can visitors do in the park?①They can drive through lava tubes. ②They can walk more than 150 miles of trails.
③They can bike along the volcano’s paths. ④They can camp in the rainforest.
| A．①②③ | B．②③④ | C．①②④ | D．①③④ |
| A．Visitors can see lava make the island bigger. |
| B．There are many protected animals in the park. |
| C．The whole park will be closed if the volcanoes erupt. |
| D．Almost all of the plants in the park only grow in Hawaii. |
| A．The visitors are noisy. | B．Animals are everywhere. |
| C．Too many cars are in the park. | D．The volcanoes often erupt. |
| A．To give an introduction to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. |
| B．To tell people the wildlife of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. |
| C．To tell people the volcanoes in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park |
| D．To introduce what people can do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. |
7 . Today, we are facing a global water crisis: The UN announced five billion people will face water shortages by 2050. The World Resources Institute stated that almost half of the world's population is facing high water stress for at least one month a year. With the impacts of climate change worsening water shortages, harvesting water from air vapour (蒸气) has been highly spoken of by some as a sustainable solution to global freshwater insecurity.
PHANTOR is an innovation harvesting water from air vapour. Designed by the Austrian studio DOIT, the 40-foot long atmospheric water generator can harvest 10,000 liters of water a day from ambient humidity — enough water to supply a residential apartment block or hospital.
The atmospheric water generator sucks in water vapour and condenses (凝结) it into liquid using a cooling system powered by electricity or solar energy. The water passes through carbon and bacterial filters. Being available in two compact sizes, 40-foot and 20-foot shipping containers, makes them highly portable compared to other generator models. This mobility gives them the potential to reach remote communities, respond to disasters and serve water-stressed agricultural sites effectively.
Their technology was recently showcased at the GREENTECH FESTIVAL in Singapore, where the company used water from the generator to water the local gardens. They estimate that in a climate like Singapore's, one 40-foot unit can produce 2.8 million liters per year. This is compared to 600,000 liters that can be produced a year in a climate like Germany's.
However, one of the main drawbacks of this technology is that industrial scale water generators require a great deal of energy to operate — around 70 kW to run one unit, equal to half a football field of solar panels. They also yield substantially higher quantities of water in more wet environments, and are therefore more or less effective depending on their geographic location.
1. What is the purpose of the PHANTOR program?| A．To relieve water shortage. |
| B．To purify polluted water sources. |
| C．To help people in remote areas get water. |
| D．To help people reduce their daily consumption. |
| A．How it is designed. | B．How it responds effectively. |
| C．How it harvests water. | D．How it differs from other models. |
| A．To display different water usage. | B．To show the technology potential. |
| C．To prove each unit has its advantage. | D．To point out the generator's drawbacks. |
| A．Countries facing the pressing issue of lack of water |
| B．Challenges of water security across the world |
| C．Popularity of the atmospheric water generator |
| D．An innovation harvesting water from air vapour |
8 . The Science of Cooking: A Workshop Series
The Culinary Arts Institute（CAI）is excited to present a fascinating series of workshops that unlock the scientific secrets behind delicious cooking. Whether you’re a beginner in the kitchen or a seasoned chef looking to improve your skills, these workshops will provide insights into the chemical reactions that make food delicious,
Workshop 1 — Mastering Meat
Explore the mystery of meat cookery with Chef Ethan Hunt, an expert in the field. From discovering the secrets to grilling meat to mastering various cooking techniques for meat, this workshop is a must for meat lovers.
Date and Time: Sunday, 21st November, at 10:00
Location: CAI Grill Station
Duration:3.5 hours
Workshop 2 — The Magic of Fermentation（发酵）
Explore the world of fermented foods with Chef Mia Kim. Understand the role of microorganisms in creating flavors and textures in foods like yogurt, bread and so on.
Date and Time: Saturday, 20th November, at 14:00
Location: CAI Fermentation Room
Duration:3 hours
Workshop 3 — The Art of Baking
Start a journey into the heart of baking with Dr. Alice Baker, a well-known food scientist. This workshop will show the chemical reactions that result in the perfect rise of bread and explore the wonderful baking process.
Date and Time: Saturday, 20th November, at 9:30
Location: CAI Kitchen Lab
Duration: 4 hours
Workshop 4—The Chemistry of Flavor
In this workshop led by Chef Oliver Stone, uncover the principles of flavor chemistry.
Find out how to balance flavors and create dishes that delight the mouth.
Date and Time: Sunday, 21st November, at 15:00
Location: CAI Tasting Room
Duration: 2.5 hours
Each workshop will be a hands-on experience. Early bird registration is recommended as spaces are limited.
1. What is unique about the workshop led by Ethan Hunt?| A．It focuses on the science behind baking. |
| B．It teaches various cooking skills for meat. |
| C．It covers the basics of cooking for beginners. |
| D．It explores the role of microorganisms in food. |
| A．Mastering Meat. | B．The Magic of Fermentation. |
| C．The Art of Baking. | D．The Chemistry of Flavor. |
| A．They are all led by chefs. | B．They need to register in advance. |
| C．They are only for experienced cooks. | D．They are scheduled for the weekend. |
9 . How to Start a Business
If you love to challenge yourself, start your own business! Create a product or service that you're passionate about and gather the materials and money you need.
Come up with a product or service to sell. Make a list of the things you're really interested in and think of things you could make or do based on those things.
Get the materials and training you'll need.
Create an online presence to help people find your business. Even if you're selling a service, it's a good idea to have a website so people can contact you, read reviews, and see what services you offer.
| A．This will be your business idea |
| B．Set realistic aims for your business |
| C．Create a budget and look for investors |
| D．Make a list of all the materials you'll need |
| E．This will help you gain more experience and confidence |
| F．And fill out the proper paperwork to make your business legal |
| G．Set up other social media accounts to show pictures of your work |
10 . At nine o’ clock one morning in late July, Gatsby drove up to the front of my house and sounded the horn of his car.
“Good morning, Nick,” he said when I opened the door. “We’re having lunch today and I thought we’d ride there together.”
I looked with admiration at his car.
“It’s pretty, isn’t it? Haven’t you seen it before?”
“Yes, of course. It’s gorgeous.”
Everybody knew Gatsby’s car. It was a rich cream color, almost yellow and had green leather seats. There was plenty of space in it for all kinds of boxes — hat boxes, picnic boxes and tool boxes.
I got in and he drove off through West Egg.
I’d talked with him half a dozen times in the last month and found, to my disappointment, that he had little to say. I no longer thought that he was an important person. He was just the owner of the big house next door. So I was surprised when he suddenly turned to me and said, “What’s your opinion of me, Nick?”
I didn’t know what to say.
“I’m going to tell you about my life,” he continued. “I don’t want you to get a wrong idea from the stories you hear.”
So he knew about the strange things people said about him.
“I will tell you the truth,” he said. “I’m the son of some wealthy people from the Midwest. I was brought up in America but educated at Oxford. All my ancestors have been there. It’s a family tradition.”
He said “educated at Oxford” very quickly and checked my reaction with a sideways look. Now I understand why Jordan didn’t believe this story. Perhaps there really was something sinister about him.
“But then all my family died and I inherited lots of money.”
I looked at him. For a moment I thought he was joking but his face was very serious.
1. What can we learn from the passage?| A．Nick is Gatsby’s neighbor. | B．Nick admires Gatsby a lot. |
| C．Nick knows Gatsby very well. | D．Nick talks a lot with Gatsby. |
| A．To explain where his money came from. |
| B．To show off his family’s great wealth to Nick. |
| C．To remember his family members who had passed away. |
| D．To show that his family was not only rich but also well-educated. |
| A．Interested. | B．Unbelieving. | C．Convinced. | D．Indifferent. |
| A．Nick became disappointed with Gatsby. |
| B．Nick was eager to know more about Gatsby. |
| C．Gatsby tried to convince Nick of his life story. |
| D．Gatsby went for a drive with his new friend Nick. |
