1 . How to make a cooking video on TikTok

You may think sharing your cooking videos on TikTok isn’t a big deal.     1     We’ve asked some experts for tips on how to film, edit and post cooking videos on TikTok.

Keep it simple

“Simplicity is key when creating food content on TikTok,” says MacKenzie Smith, creator of Grilled Cheese Social.     2     “My Baked Feta Pasta that went viral (走红) earlier this year is a good example of how simple food trends can take over the social landscape,” says Smith.

Show off kitchen skills

    3     Film something you do special or share a helpful tip some viewers may not know. Smith, who’s partnering the National Mango Board, says she’s been starting all her videos for the campaign with a demonstration of the best mango cutting technique.

Film from different angles

If you have two smartphones or cameras, try setting them up on tripods (三脚架) at different angles, so you can edit with a diversity of different shots, both overhead and from another good point. Only have one device? No worries.     4    

Break the rules

Just like cooking, the rules of TikTok are meant to be broken. So if you want your viewers to keep coming back to your videos, never be afraid of trying creative ideas.     5     Make what you want to make. Who knows what will become a trend, and what was a waste of your time?

A．Actually, it isn’t as easy as you think.

B．Keep your videos between 30 and 60 seconds.

C．Consider filming your content in natural lighting.

D．Film various parts of your cooking from a few perspectives.

E．That’s because the golden rule of social media is to be creative.

F．An approachable recipe is key to connecting with a larger audience.

G．Before leaping into full-on recipes, consider showing off your cooking skills.

2 . A new unnamed species of crocodile (鳄鱼) indigenous to Australia has been found in the middle of the outback. The species of crocodile presently on extinction, belonging to the Baru crocodile, is new to experts despite the fact that the animal wandered around the Australian continent 25 million years ago.

Adam Yates, senior leader of earth sciences, said that Australia’s suitable instance of the crocodile’s bone was discovered in 2009 at the site of Alcoota Fossil which is eight million years old and is 200 kilometers north-east of Alice Springs, Australia. Dr. Yates revealed that other specimens (样本) had been discovered before. He said, “This specific specimen is one of the last of its kind. It is the nicest and the bone of the Baru crocodile is the most complete among all that have ever been discovered so far.” Thanks to the bone’s condition, Dr. Yates said that it would turn into the name-bearing specimen or what he referred to as “the holotype (正模标本)” of the new species.

Dr. Yates revealed that the modern Australian crocodile is known for being ancient and fixed, but that is not really true. “The current Australian crocodiles are truly new arrivals on the Australian continent. They are part of the genus Crocodylus, which likely has its origins in Africa,” he said. “This species of crocodile immigrated and conquered Australia just a few million years ago. However, Australia’s main native crocodiles, like this one, have totally gone extinct,” he continued.

Dr. Yates also revealed that the size of this Baru crocodile can be compared to a recent saltwater crocodile; however, due to the fact that the bone is strong, it would have had more weight. He said it is likely that it weighed more than a saltwater crocodile of an equal length. So they are looking towards many hundreds of kilos. Studying the details of the bone will bring hints not only to the altering state of Australia’s environment from ancient times till now, but also to how this specific crocodile varies from other species that are known.

He also said they have to get down to the details of its structure and make a demonstration on why the structure of this one is sort of different from all the other species of ancient crocodile from Australia that are known.

Dr. Yates said the size of the bone shows that the animal was very powerful. “Its actually powerfully built heavy, thick, deep jaws, and really large teeth all imply that this was a crocodile that specifically takes megafauna (巨型动物),” he said. He added that modern crocodiles mostly survive on small prey and small fish. This guy didn’t survive on small things. Dr. Yates said modern saltwater crocodiles also had the ability of taking larger animals.

1. What’s special about the new specimen?

A．It was rare in Australia.	B．Its bone is well-preserved.
C．It is the first specimen of a new species.	D．Its name was given by a famous scientist.

2. What can be inferred from the finding of Australian crocodiles?

A．They are quite ancient and fixed.

B．They are threatened with extinction.

C．They may have their origins in Africa.

D．They have better adaptability on the Australian continent.

3. What’s the significance of studying the new specimen?

A．Finding out the cause of its disappearance.

B．Helping the saltwater crocodile to live better.

C．Restoring the whole picture of this type of crocodile.

D．Learning about the change of the environment in Australia.

4. What does the text mainly talk about?

A．The evolution of Australian crocodiles.

B．A study about the oldest crocodiles in Africa.

C．A newly-discovered crocodile specimen in Australia.

D．The difference between native Australian crocodiles and African ones

3 . I’ve always enjoyed the idea of travelling and volunteering for a few months in southern Europe and living close to the sea, surrounded by nature, staying with the locals and exploring their culture. So when I had a chance to make this daydream a reality, I decided to apply for my first experience on a farm in Portugal.

The farm is located a few kilometers away from Lagos, in a remote location in the hills. It was designed around the idea of connecting nature and technology in a green way and with a self-sustainable approach. My host, Lucio, is really passionate about the do-it-yourself initiative or maker culture. He built and decorated his house using natural materials. He changed the shipping container into an electronic lab.

When my host learned that I majored in electronics at college, he was very trusting and encouraged me to work on one of the most important issues on the farm — the water well’s pump operation. Since the well was the only water source for the entire farm, it turned out to be a tough task for me. I wasn’t even sure if I could do it in the beginning, but with my host’s encouragement, I gradually made progress and was able to build a working prototype (原型).

Lucio was very excited when we connected the DIY prototype I built to the pump control panel successfully. I still remember the moment when Lucio shook my hand with a big smile and thanked me for solving one of the farm’s most difficult problems. With his trust, I got to work on more complex projects afterwards too!

Before this volunteer experience, I never thought my help would be so appreciated. I realized that I could make a very positive impact on people’s lives by sharing knowledge to build something useful.

1. What is the highlight of the farm?

A．It is high-tech.	B．It is man-made.
C．It is environment-friendly.	D．It covers the largest area.

2. Why was the author asked to work on the water well’s pump operation?

A．He was enthusiastic about it.	B．He had a wealth of experience.
C．He had the ability to finish the work.	D．He acquired relevant academic knowledge.

3. What did the author think of his volunteer work？

A．Boring.

B．Necessary.

C．Meaningful.

D．Demanding.

4. What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A．To share an interesting experience.	B．To call on more people to volunteer.
C．To recommend a travel destination.	D．To remember an impressive friend.

4 . Have you ever got a lot done only to find that you were not any closer to your main objective (目标)? What I’m talking about is spending too much of your time doing things you think are important but really aren’t.

I remember doing a lot of little useless things in my days as a sales person. The main key to becoming good at sales is to spend the majority of your time selling.     1     But what did I spend my time doing? I organized my desk, filed papers, made contact sheets, set appointments with non-decision makers, learn more sales skills, etc.     2    

    3     The problem is that many people get into the habit of taking busy action, things that just keep you busy instead of bringing you closer to your goals.

    4     First, you need to figure out the two or three things that are the most important to your achievement. Then, schedule out your time so that you are spending at least 70% of your time dealing with those things. Anything that isn’t part of those important things should be pushed to the end of the day or not be worked on at all if possible.

Being able to focus your actions on doing the few things that make the biggest impact on obtaining your end result is a skill.     5     Your goals will be achieved faster and your life will improve greatly. Continue wasting your time on doing a lot of things that don’t matter and you’ll probably be where you are now a year from today and that’s a regret you can do without.

A．So what should you do about this?

B．That’s something a second grader could figure out.

C．Yet keeping focused is often easier said than done.

D．It’s as important to work smart as it is to work hard.

E．Needless to say, I failed at being a sales person.

F．Once mastered, it will put you ahead of the majority of people.

G．One of the keys to success that you probably already know is to take action.

5 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Hot pot, as a traditional Chinese folk dish,     1     (become) a favorite dish throughout China since at least the Han Dynasty,     2     is particularly true during winter months. There are different     3     (style) of hot pot with differently flavored thick soup in China, from spicy hot pot in Sichuan, seafood-based hot pot in Guangdong to mutton hot pot in Hong Kong. No matter what your     4     (prefer) is, Chinese hot pot has something to interest you.

The spicy hot pot featured in Sichuan is probably the most famous among the native Chinese. When     5     (visit) Chongqing, you will have     6     opportunity to taste authentic (真正的) Chinese hot pot. Chongqing hot pot is known as má là (“numb and spicy”) due     7     the inclusion of Sichuan peppers and is unique in the types of meat and the types of sauce     8     (use) for its base.

Though the flavor of Chinese hot pot varies from region to region, the dining customs are similar. Hot pot is     9     (typical) served in a metal bowl at the center of the dining table. As the soup in the pot is cooked at almost boiling point, the ingredients (原料)     10     (add) into the boiling thick soup. The ingredients can vary from thinly-sliced meat, vegetables, mushrooms, potatoes, and cabbage, to seafood, fish balls and tofu.

6 . I was with my father at a clinic near his home for a routine blood test. An elderly woman came in and sat on a ________ room chair. She settled into the seat opposite my dad and smiled at him and he smiled back ________. He was 77 years old and had been living with Alzheimer disease for several years. It’s a disease that ________ your loved ones, slowly, day by day and the memory loss is painful and ________.

After a while, she started singing the tune My Heart Will Go On. Since Alzheimer disease also has a(n) ________ to damage a person’s patience, I couldn’t help thinking that this little woman was playing with fire. Her singing began gently. I glanced at Dad to see his ________. His smile was gone, and he was ________ right at her. I couldn’t read his expression initially, but it seemed to be something like ________. I wondered if he was lost somewhere in his memory, or maybe he was trying to figure out whether this was someone he should ________. Slowly, the woman’s singing got louder and her eyes closed with ________. Now Dad looked a little shocked. Still, I watched nervously, noticing the ________ of an angry outburst and was considering my options on how best to ________ in. Instead, his face changed, and the tension ________ in his eyes. He no longer looked confused.

When her song ended and the waiting room became ________, the woman opened her eyes. My dad was still looking directly at her. “That was beautiful,” he said. ________, she smiled and said, “Thank you.”

1.

A．living

B．waiting

C．fitting

D．consulting

2.

A．secretly

B．gratefully

C．slightly

D．coldly

3.

A．steals

B．destroys

C．cheats

D．panics

4.

A．limited

B．regular

C．temporary

D．merciless

5.

A．expectation

B．standard

C．tendency

D．symbol

6.

A．performance

B．response

C．gesture

D．message

7.

A．rushing

B．laughing

C．pointing

D．staring

8.

A．confusion

B．desperation

C．blankness

D．caution

9.

A．worry about

B．hear of

C．date with

D．call on

10.

A．purpose

B．strength

C．emotion

D．respect

11.

A．instruction

B．outcome

C．effect

D．possibility

12.

A．step

B．check

C．give

D．join

13.

A．increased

B．filled

C．eased

D．divided

14.

A．delightful

B．silent

C．bright

D．harmonious

15.

A．In public

B．In turn

C．In relief

D．In return

7 . Have you ever travelled somewhere without noticing the route you took or the people and landmarks you passed?     1     A lot of us run around on autopilot (自动驾驶), which means we do things without being aware that we’re doing them, lost in our thoughts instead.

Mindfulness is about training the mind to be in the present moment — to be more aware of what is happening now, rather than what has already happened or what might happen next.

    2     Mindfulness can be traced back to the religion of Buddhism but it’s now practiced by people of all religions, as well as people who don’t follow any religion.

    3     Becoming more aware of the present can help us enjoy the world around us. It encourages us to appreciate things we might take for granted. According to the University of Oxford Mindfulness Research Centre, mindfulness can teach us to spot difficult emotions and thoughts and deal with them more easily.     4    

An important part of mindfulness is tuning in to the five senses — being aware of what you can see, hear, touch, smell and taste. You can try this throughout the day — for example, when going for a walk or eating your dinner.     5     Mindfulness requires practice, and lots of people find that sitting quietly and focusing on their breathing helps.

A．It is about observing our thoughts, feelings and surroundings.

B．These are the only ways to help us stay focused on the present.

C．Maybe you’ve swallowed your breakfast without noticing what it tastes like.

D．Mindfulness can improve our concentration, relationships and mental health.

E．We can choose to set aside our worries and concerns that aren’t helpful to us.

F．Despite these emotional benefits, mindfulness sometimes leads to physical harms.

G．Activities that require you to use your hands can also help you become more mindful.

8 . No doubt that humans have widely changed, developed, and exploited (开发) much of the natural world for our own ends. But how much of the land surface remains free of our often-harmful influence?

In a new study, scientists compared figures from four different sets of data using different kinds of methods and classification (分类) systems to answer this question. On average, the researchers say roughly half (48 to 56 percent) of the world’s land shows “low” influence of humans. While the figures may inspire many—stressing the vast expanse of significantly untouched lands that can still be protected through conservation measures—the study also shows just how much of the Earth has already been occupied and used by humans.

In fact, only about a quarter (20 to 34 percent) of the planet’s ice-free land surface shows “very low” signs of human influence, the researchers say, and the parts of the planet that we have left alone up until now constitute (构成) some of the least livable places on Earth. In other words, whether through urbanization, forestry, agriculture or other means, humans have applied the most influence on biodiverse land that presented ripe and easy opportunities for immediate human needs; in contrast, roasting deserts in the world’s hottest places, or frozen wastelands in its coldest spots, have been ignored.

Even so, the researchers say the results shown here give us a strong, clear marker that we can use to help structure existing and future conservation efforts by preventing disturbance on existing low influenced areas, meanwhile, recovering areas for conservation in land that has already been exploited too much.

“The encouraging takeaway from this study is that if we act quickly and decisively (果断地), there is a slim window in which we can still conserve roughly half of the Earth’s land in a relatively untouched state,” says biologist and lead author of the study, Jason Riggio.

There’s a chance, right now, to draw a line in the sand, and say “no more”.

1. Why was the new study carried out?

A．To find out why humans exploit nature.

B．To figure out the land free from human influence.

C．To prove humans are harmful to nature.

D．To clarify the Earth is not occupied by humans completely.

2. Which places are influenced most by humans?

A．Woodless lands.	B．Ice-free lands.
C．Places with biodiversity.	D．Places with warmth.

3. What can we do based on the research?

A．Make use of the unlivable area through different means.

B．Remove the influence on the previous disturbed area.

C．Attempt to have no bad effect on the “untouched” land.

D．Reconstruct the overexploited land with forest and agriculture.

4. What’s the writer’s attitude towards the untouched land?

A．It should be urbanized immediately.	B．It should be covered with plants.
C．It should be free from humans and animals.	D．It should be undisturbed and preserved.

9 . On Monday, December 5, online retailing (零售) giant Amazon announced the opening of its first physical store. Called Amazon Go, the Seattle-based store that is currently being tested by company employees, learns from regular grocery stores except for one thing — “Just Walk Out” technology. All purchases are handled electronically, which means there are no cashiers, checkouts or lines. Shoppers simply take what they need and leave.

To shop at Amazon Go, customers need to open an Amazon account and download the store’s App onto their smartphones. Upon entering the store, they scan a QR code (二维码) with their phones and begin shopping. Every item picked up gets added to the bill automatically. If the customer changes his/her mind, all he/she has to do is return the purchase back on the shelf, and it will be removed from the final bill. Once the customer leaves the store, the amount spent is automatically taken out from the Amazon account and a digital receipt is generated to remind the shopper of the trade.

To provide busy customers a pleasant shopping experience, Amazon, which has been working on this concept for four years, plans to keep the store size at a “comfortable” 1,800 square feet. In addition to typical grocery products like bread and milk, the store will stock ready-to-eat breakfast, lunch and dinner options, made by on-site chefs. There will also be chef-designed Amazon Meal boxes for those who prefer to cook the food at home.

After years of joint efforts by Amazon staff, Amazon Go finally opened in 2021. Amazon will not provide any insight into the cutting-edge “Just Walk Out” technology. The company website states, “The checkout-free shopping experience is enabled by the same types of technologies used in self-driving cars: computer vision, sensor fusion and deep learning.”

1. What is the advantage of Amazon Go over regular grocery stores?

A．Store size.	B．Shopping speed.
C．Product price.	D．Parking convenience.

2. What is paragraph 2 mainly about?

A．Why to download the store’s App.	B．How to open an Amazon account.
C．How to shop at Amazon Go.	D．What to buy at Amazon Go.

3. What can we infer from paragraph 3?

A．People can shop and eat at Amazon Go.	B．Chefs will offer on-site cooking lessons.
C．1,800 square feet is the best size of grocery stores.	D．Amazon spent years improving its service.

4. What makes possible the checkout-free shopping experience?

A．High-technology products.	B．The help of the car industry.
C．The deep learning method.	D．Teamwork by Amazon staff.

10 . My mom could be quite a handful, which I have come to see as a blessing as the years have gone by but did not always appreciate when she was alive, especially after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

The news came as no surprise to us kids, of course. We’d seen our tough, sharp-witted mom change. But Mom was not about to take Alzheimer’s lying down. “There’s nothing wrong with me!” she insisted, even after she sideswiped a cop, denied doing it and then blamed it all on him.

Eventually my brother and his wife moved Mom to a sweet little house on the property next to theirs so they could keep an eye on her. They built a lighted path between the two houses so Mom could visit when she wanted, which occasionally happened at 5:00 a.m. when she thought it was 5:00 p.m. At Christmas, my sister-in-law, Toni, would hang Christmas lights along the way.

One thing we couldn’t do was make her eat properly, especially after she nearly burned the house down making tuna (金枪鱼) salad. So we arranged for a senior meals-on-wheels program to deliver her meals. At first she wouldn’t let them in the house. “This is ridiculous,” she said. “I know how to eat!” Then she offered to help them deliver meals to “people who really need them”.

Eventually she relented — except that she would simply keep all the meals in the fridge, untouched, in case she happened to have hungry visitors. When we told the volunteers this, they were wonderfully wise and pretty soon they got Mom to eat. She even admitted that the food was “pretty good, considering”. We’re convinced the good nutrition helped keep her in her home a little longer before she had to enter a care facility.

So how proud am I that our friends at Volunteers of America, which operates meals-on-wheels programs for the elderly all over the country? Very proud. It was angels, after all, who were able to get my mother to eat.

1. What do we know about the author’s mother?

A．She troubled the family a lot.	B．She never suffered from Alzheimer.
C．She was a woman lacking intelligence.	D．She was easy to get along with.

2. How did the family help Mom?

A．They lived together with her.	B．They had her house beautifully decorated.
C．They assisted her in cooking matters.	D．They arranged delivered meals for her.

3. Which of the following best explains the underlined word “relented” in paragraph 5?

A．Panicked.	B．Apologized.
C．Agreed.	D．Responded.

4. Which of the following could be the best title for the text?

A．Angels on Wheels	B．A Lesson from Miserable Life
C．Living with Alzheimer	D．Volunteering for the Disabled