Tom
2 . Here are some of the world’s most unusual events.
World Ice Golf Championship, Greenland
For more than 10 years the World Ice Golf Championship has been seen as the most extreme golf competition in the world. In 1997, architect Rolf Henning-Jensen was asked to design the world’s first ice golf course among huge iceberg and heavy snows of Uummannaq, a small town on the west coast of Greenland-600 km north of the Arctic Circle. There golfers face extreme temperatures as their first task to deal with. Then it will take players time and patience to accommodate themselves to white “green” and orange balls to play with. Determined by weather conditions, this event is scheduled for March each year in Greenland.
Balloon Fiesta, the United States
Have you ever been taken to the sky in a hot air balloon? The yearly Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta gives you the chance to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the city and countryside. Since 1972, perfect October weather, blue skies and wind known as the “Albuquerque box” have worked together to allow balloonists to control their way thanks to the direction of blowing winds. This is the only place in the world to enjoy balloons flying in the blue skies each October.
El Colacho, Spain
The world’s most dangerous festival takes place every year in a small Spanish village Castillo de Murcia near Burgous. El Colacho means the devil’s jump and in fact this is the act of baby-jumping. Its purpose is to force a devil to leave the child’s body. Men dressed as devils jump over small babies to guard them against illness and bad spirits. Many consider the festival to be dangerous as “jumping devils” could hurt babies. But locals believe the action protects their babies from bad things and organize the jump in the streets, so people can watch or even join.
1. What does the schedule of World Ice Golf Championship depend on?A.Transport. | B.Economy. | C.Weather. | D.Golfers’ time. |
A.It is usualy held in spring. | B.It is held in every October. |
C.It is known as “Albuquerque box”. | D.It is the only place to watch birds in balloons. |
A.To wish babies good health. | B.To celebrate babies’ birthdays. |
C.To attract visitors around the world. | D.To catch the bad spirits hidden in babies. |
3 . Some people cry during movies, while others only tear up for very sad or happy moments. Sometimes, we even cry randomly.
If someone begins to cry in front of you, your reaction may come from the discomfort you feel in this situation. Though you may not mean to, your response could cause the person who is crying to feel weak, embarrassed, or less understood. Instead of rushing to cheer a crier up or offer immediate help, sometimes it’s best to give a person space to cry.
If you’re around someone who is crying, respect their tears. Let them release (释放) their feelings and show them you care. Don’t rush to offer advice or to say anything at all. Give them space to process and release their tears.
It’s best not to hold in emotions all the time.
A.Don’t talk too much. |
B.We cry different types of tears. |
C.Then how can we deal with crying? |
D.Crying can be normal in certain situations. |
E.Sometimes tears are needed to process emotion. |
F.We should pay attention to your emotional problems. |
G.However, sometimes it’s important to hold back tears. |
4 . Have you heard of Hispanic Heritage Month (拉美裔文化月)? We break down this monthlong celebration from September 15 to October 15 that recognizes the different Hispanic community in the United States and the varied and meaningful contributions they bring to our country and culture.
According to the Hispanic Heritage Month (拉美裔文化月) official website, it is observed “by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America”. For generations, Hispanics have contributed to the food, music, business, science, and culture that we know as American, and the 30 days that make up Hispanic Heritage Month each fall is just one opportunity to show these achievements.
Hispanics are the country’s second-largest racial group, behind white non-Hispanics according to the latest 2020 census (普查). Hispanics now account for 18.7 percent of the U.S. population, up 2.4 percent in the previous decade with 62.1 million Hispanics living across America with big concentrations in New York, California, Texas and Florida.
Hispanic Heritage Month first started as a week when it was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968. According to Congressional history, the week was created to bring attention and awareness to “Hispanic-American contributions to the United States”, along with networking opportunities for “grassroots and civil rights activists inside and outside the Hispanic-American community”.
Almost 20 years later, Representative Esteban Torres of California, a proud Mexican-American, gave a bill to expand it into Hispanic Heritage Month saying supporters of the bill “want the American people to learn of our heritage. We want the public to know that we share a legacy (遗产) with the rest of the country, a legacy that includes artists, writers, Olympic champions, and leaders in business, government, cinema, and science”. That bill didn’t pass, but Senator Paul Simon of Illinois gave a similar bill that President Ronald Reagan signed into law after that in 1988 creating now what Hispanic Heritage Month is.
1. What is the aim of Hispanic Heritage Month?A.To pass the values of Hispanics. |
B.To celebrate the harvest of each fall. |
C.To display the achievements made by Hispanics. |
D.To honor the first generation of Hispanics in America. |
A.People from Spain. | B.White non-Hispanics. |
C.Non-white people. | D.People from the Caribbean. |
A.In 2020. | B.In 1968. | C.In 1987. | D.In 1988. |
A.What is Hispanic Heritage Month in America? |
B.Where do Hispanics Come from? |
C.Why do People Create Hispanic Heritage Month? |
D.How do People Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? |
5 . Amanda Gorman, a 22-year-old poet, recited her poem The Hill We Climb at the recent Presidential Inauguration (就职) Ceremony. Her words and performance were wonderful and were admired across the world. But what is even more wonderful is the story of how Amanda arrived at this moment and the lessons she offers other kids around the world.
Amanda was raised by a single mother, Joan Wicks, in Los Angeles. There was very limited television watching in their house. Encouraged by her mother, who was a teacher, Amanda fell in love with reading and writing. She gained confidence in these areas. Her passion for poetry started when she was about 8 years old.
But despite her interests and talents, she had some obstacles. Amanda has a listening processing disorder and is very sensitive to sound. She also had a speech disorder during childhood. This caused her to participate in speech treatment which helped her to turn her obstacles into gifts and strengths. As she told The Harvard Gazette in 2018, “I always saw it as a strength because since I was experiencing these obstacles in terms of my listening and speech skills, I became really good at reading and writing.”
Amanda started to dream of becoming president when she was in 6th grade. As Amanda became more confident, she became more driven to transform the world for good. She went on to earn a degree at Harvard University. And then, Amanda became the world’s first Youth Poet Laureate (获奖者) in history!
While Amanda looked calm, cool, and collected at the inauguration, she admits she is always nervous, like many of us, about public speaking. To ease this, she developed a spell that she recites to give herself confidence in moments of doubt, “I am the daughter of black writers. We are descendants (子孙) of freedom fighters who broke through chains and changed the world.”
1. What do we know about Amanda Gorman?A.She took to reading and writing thanks to her teacher. |
B.She published her first poem at the age of 8. |
C.She read a poem at a presidential inauguration. |
D.She became the first Youth Poet Laureate at high school. |
A.Worries . | B.Changes. | C.Strengths. | D.Disabilities. |
A.By seeking support from some black writers. |
B.By practicing the speech context repeatedly. |
C.By reciting a special sentence to herself. |
D.By talking to freedom fighters before the speech. |
A.To share a funny story. | B.To educate disabled kids. |
C.To record a wonderful moment. | D.To encourage more children. |
6 . Bangkok (曼谷) developed around the Chao Phraya River. Many of the city’s hotels sit along the river. The areas of Siam and Ratchaprasong are the core of tourist Bangkok. Sukhumvit Road is home to mall after mall filled with every kind of shop.
For the best value, luxury (奢华的) hotels in the Bang Rak and Sathorn Districts are great choices since the area is more popular for office buildings than tourists. The Sathorn Vista, Bangkok is a perfect example. There are several restaurants, a full gym, a beautiful pool and outdoor areas.
Traditionally, the Khao San Road area has been the center of Bangkok budget lodging (住宿) and this is still true today. The Dang Derm Hotel on Khao San Road has clean, large rooms and a really nice rooftop pool. If you’re on a budget but want to stay riverside, try the Ibis Bangkok Riverside, whose contents are always clean and well-managed. The riverside location is close to the ferry, and its location a bit south of the main tourist area gets you very low prices.
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok is a great family hotel. The hotel, which has buildings on both sides of the Chao Phraya river, has been providing accommodation to travelers since 1876. For families there are a number of connecting room choices, and the hotel is also responsible for bringing in extra beds for children. There is a kids’ club on-site, and parents can even sign older kids up for cooking classes. Another good option for families is Ariyasomvilla. This downtown Bangkok small hotel also offers a pleasant place in the city. It is set inside a beautiful garden and is a lovely change from the disorder of the city.
1. In which area of Bangkok can you find a hotel on a budget?A.The Sukhumvit Road. | B.The Khao San Road area. |
C.The Siam and Ratchaprason areas. | D.The Bang Rak and Sathorn Districts. |
A.A quiet garden-like environment. | B.Room-connecting choices . |
C.Registered kid schooling classes. | D.Wonderful economical lodging. |
A.Two. | B.Three. | C.Four. | D.Five. |
Only eight days until Thanksgiving and there wasn’t going to be enough money to grocery shop for the holiday. It was hard to put everyday food on the table for three growing teen boys with the little I earned from work. There was only a few small sweet potatoes, one can of green beans, and two chicken breasts.
The next day, I met my friend and neighbor, Aleta, at her home. Her four boys and my kids were good friends. Her husband had recently lost his job due to illness, and financial difficulties hovered (盘旋) over their household as well.
“Hey, I have an idea how we can put together a meal where everyone will have enough. ”I proposed.
“I have a few cans of green beans, about three pounds of chicken legs, and three apples. ”she said.
“Great. Let’s meet at my house at 2:00 in the afternoon. If you have some peanut butter, I have enough flour and ingredients to make cookies. ”
Four days before Thanksgiving, I had finished baking the cookies. My friend called with news about a family living in our community who needed help with food and bills. The father had been in an accident and unable to work for the last few months.
We didn’t know the family well, but my friend and I went to visit them with our holiday cookies, hoping to help in some way. While everyone chatted, I walked into their kitchen to see about the food situation. The cupboards were almost empty. No exaggeration. A single can of soup, and a box of cereal (麦片) sat alone in the cupboard. That’s it. I was shocked.
Aleta and I knew the life during hard times. We left the house, eagerly wanting to help. But what could we do? Our own finance sand food situation left nothing to spare.
Almost at the same time, our thoughts connected. Without a word, we looked at each other, asking ourselves the same question. Could we sacrifice a little more and give the family our holiday meal?
注意:1.续写词数应为150左右;2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
“How can we help them?” I asked the kids.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
On Thanksgiving Day, we delivered two full bags of groceries to the family.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8 . In 1968, I was a student at the High School in Beirut. When the time came to
I went home and spent the day
I never forgot the
A.miss out | B.register for | C.give up | D.work out |
A.sacrifice | B.example | C.adventure | D.experience |
A.desperately | B.frequently | C.impatiently | D.widely |
A.instructing | B.favoring | C.assisting | D.comforting |
A.informed | B.convinced | C.reminded | D.warned |
A.imagining | B.observing | C.remembering | D.wondering |
A.suggestions | B.requests | C.remarks | D.comments |
A.rescuer | B.deliverer | C.supporter | D.follower |
A.generous | B.polite | C.temporary | D.careful |
A.developed | B.required | C.discovered | D.obtained |
A.trust | B.kindness | C.devotion | D.courage |
A.earn | B.show | C.donate | D.save |
A.thrilled | B.scared | C.ashamed | D.amused |
A.technical | B.legal | C.conditional | D.timely |
A.inventing | B.repairing | C.controlling | D.designing |
9 . We live in a time of increased stress in the world. Stress can be defined as any type of change that causes physical, emotional or psychological strain.
The effects of stress on the body are numerous and are risk factors for a number of medical conditions.
When one experiences stress, there are immediate effects on the body. The muscles usually tighten up suddenly. Some breathe harder and harder, while others may feel butterflies in the stomach, pain, nausea (恶心) or might even vomit.
Effects of stress on the body can also lead people to coping strategies that worsen their stress and their health.
A.It helps ease these symptoms. |
B.All of these make the body tense. |
C.There are also accumulative effects of stress on the body. |
D.However, stress can have certain beneficial consequences. |
E.Some people may smoke, or abuse alcohol as a reaction to stress. |
F.It is our body’s response to anything that requires attention or action. |
G.Most people can overcome the stress while a few may be overwhelmed. |
China’s telescope, planned to be launched at the end of 2023, is expected to provide humankind with fresh knowledge about distant galaxies, mysterious dark matter, and the past and future evolutions of the universe.
Chinese Survey Space Telescope (CSST), also known as Xuntian Space Telescope, is a space-based optical (光学的) observatory for astronomers to carry out sky surveys, capturing a general map or images of the sky.
The CSST is a bus-sized facility with a length equal to that of a three-storied building. It has an aperture (孔径) of two meters, a bit smaller than the Hubble Space Telescope, but its field of view is 350 times larger than Hubble in area. “The field of view is the area of the sky a telescope can see at one time,” said Li Ran, project scientist of the CSST Scientific Data Reduction System. “Hubble’s field of view is approximately one percent of the size of a fingernail at an arm’s length, thereby the telescope, in its thirties, observed only a tiny part of the sky.” Li added.
The telescope, during its normal observations, will fly independently in the same orbit as China’s space station but will maintain a large distance apart. Li said the telescope was designed, in its initial plan, to be placed on the space station, but there would be disadvantages such as vibration, potential pollution and line-of-sight block from the space station. The CSST can land on the space station for refueling and servicing as needed.
“The telescope can bring China’s research in optical astronomy to the forefront of the world and help cultivate (培养) world-class Chinese scientists,” Li noted. “It can also take breathtaking visible pictures, allowing the public to directly feel and understand the universe.”
1. What can the CSST be used for?A.Getting general map of the Earth. | B.Aiding sky investigation. |
C.Refueling the Chinese space station. | D.Providing support for the universe evolution. |
A.The visual field of Hubble. | B.The usable life span of a telescope. |
C.The advantages of the CSST. | D.The size of the aperture of Xuntian. |
A.To learn how to fly safely. | B.To land accurately. |
C.To get higher quality pictures. | D.To avoid potential negative influence. |
A.It can help to train the world’s astronomy scientists. |
B.It will promote China’s ability in optical device making. |
C.It will give the public chances to observe the universe directly. |
D.It will help China hold a leading position in optical astronomy. |