2 . Body language is a powerful means of communication used by both humans and animals. Through gestures, facial expressions, and postures, individuals express emotions, intentions, and establish social connections. This nonverbal form of communication plays a crucial role in promoting understanding and establishing strong relationships.
In the human world, body language is an essential part of daily interactions. A smile can instantly convey happiness and friendliness, while a furrowed brow may signify worry or confusion. Even slight changes in posture can communicate confidence or depression. By paying attention to these nonverbal signals, individuals can better understand the underlying emotions and thoughts of others, thus strengthening their ability to understand and connect with each other.
Interestingly, animals also rely heavily on body language to communicate within their own species and even across different species. For instance, a wagging tail in a dog usually means excitement or happiness. Similarly, puffed-up feathers in birds can indicate attacks, while a relaxed body posture may suggest satisfaction. By understanding these signals, animals can effectively convey messages and establish social classes, ultimately improving their chances of survival and successful reproduction.
Furthermore, body language often overcomes language barriers, enabling communication between individuals who do not share a common language. This is particularly important in diverse societies or in situations where verbal communication is not possible. In such cases, gestures, facial expressions, and body movements become fundamental in conveying messages and building connections.
Nonetheless, it is essential to recognize that body language is not always the same. Cultural differences and individual personality traits can affect the interpretation of certain gestures and expressions. For example, direct eye contact is generally considered a sign of respect and focus in Western cultures, while it may be seen as a challenge or disrespect in other cultures. Therefore, it is crucial to be mindful of these differences when interpreting body language in cross-cultural communication.
1. What can we learn about body language from paragraph 1?| A．It is only used by humans. |
| B．It is limited to verbal communication. |
| C．It can express emotions and intentions. |
| D．It is ineffective in bridging language barriers. |
| A．Being proud. | B．Losing heart. | C．Discomfort. | D．Curiosity. |
| A．It bridges language barriers. |
| B．It helps establish social classes. |
| C．It is the primary form of communication. |
| D．It removes the need for verbal communication. |
| A．Animals rely only on verbal communication. |
| B．Body language is universally interpreted the same way. |
| C．Understanding body language can lead to successful reproduction. |
| D．Cultural differences can affect the interpretation of body language. |
3 . Parks are an essential part of many cities and towns around the world. They offer a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, a place to enjoy nature, and an opportunity to engage in physical activity. Here are four famous parks from different parts of the world.
Central Park-New York City, USA
Central Park is an urban park located in the heart of New York City. It covers 843 acres and features several lakes, gardens, and recreational facilities. Visitors can take a walk through the park’s many paths or participate in sports activities such as tennis and baseball.
Hyde Park–London, UK
Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in London and covers 350 acres. It offers a serene retreat from the city’s busy streets, with many trees, gardens, and fountains to explore. Visitors can also enjoy boating on the park’s Serpentine lake, cycling, or even horseback riding. The park is also home to several famous landmarks.
Tokyo Park- Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo Park is a beautiful urban park in the heart of Tokyo and covers over 130 acres. It offers a tranquil (宁静的) environment for visitors to relax and enjoy nature, with several ponds, gardens, and walking trails. The park is also home to several famous museums and art galleries.
Kruger National Park–South Africa
Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s largest game reserves. It is home to many different species of animals, including elephants, lions, and rhinoceroses. Visitors can take guided tours to see the animals in their natural habitats.
1. What do Central Park in New York and Tokyo Park have in common?| A．They have all kinds of sports equipment. | B．They are urban parks in the heart of City. |
| C．They have famous museums and art galleries. | D．They are homes to several famous landmarks. |
| A．Ride a horse. | B．Play tennis and baseball. |
| C．Appreciate some art works. | D．Visit the natural habitats of animals. |
| A．Central Park. | B．Hyde Park. | C．Tokyo Park. | D．Kruger National Park. |
1. What can students do after the speech?
| A．Visit the center. |
| B．Choose their instructors. |
| C．Sign up for the activities. |
| A．Once a week. | B．Twice a week. | C．Three times a week. |
| A．On Monday evenings. | B．On Saturday mornings. | C．On Sunday afternoons. |
| A．The class time. | B．The instructor. | C．The age limit. |
1. Why did the woman join the activities on the Healthy Living Day?
| A．To do more exercise. |
| B．To make new friends. |
| C．To try something different. |
| A．Tiring. | B．Interesting. | C．Boring. |
| A．On April 14th. | B．On May 28th. | C．On July 5th. |
| A．Boating. | B．Cycling. | C．Skateboarding. |
8 . There are many differences in ways of thinking between East and West. Many of them are reflected in daily behaviour. In particular, Chinese people sometimes attach more importance to their appearance and social status than to their inner qualities, while Westerners think the opposite. However, Socrates (Ancient Greek philosopher) and Confucius share significant similarities that are universal.
Both philosophers share several teachings in common; for example, their understanding of the nature of knowledge and their opinions on education. Socrates believed “There is only one good, knowledge;and only one evil, ignorance.” Similarly, Confucius said, “Isn’t it a pleasure to study and practice what you have learned?” But both also acknowledge the limits of knowledge. Socrates said: “All I know is that I know nothing.” Similarly, Confucius said, “When you know a thing, to hold you know it; when you don’t know a thing, to allow you don’t know it-this is knowledge.”
However, there are important differences in their understanding of morality. Confucius believed each person should follow certain regulations according to virtue(德行). Everyone should play their role in a society where people are interdependent in order to achieve harmony in the whole society. For instance, when asked how to govern a country, Confucius stated “An emperor should act like an emperor, a subject should act like a subject.” Socrates, however, places self-knowledge over social knowledge.
Another difference between them is their attitude towards political domination(支配). Confucius believed the best way to govern a country isn’t through legal system, but through virtue. Socrates, by contrast, declared that “nothing is more important than justice”.
Why have East and West developed such different cultural values? A widely accepted theory holds that Eastern civilization was an agricultural civilization. Hence the need for a collective society and friendly relations with neighbors was strong. Western civilization, however, was nomadic(游牧的). Their mobility makes them less dependent on society after migration.
In spite of their differences, the two cultures have more in common than differences. The shared concern for moral values in the teachings of Socrates and Confucius also shows us more fundamental similarities between Eastern and Western cultures in their pursuit of virtuous lives.
1. What do the two philosophers share about knowledge?| A．The learning of knowledge is easy. | B．The learning of knowledge is endless. |
| C．A man without knowledge is foolish. | D．A man shall not pretend to understand. |
| A．Nothing is more important than a legal system. |
| B．I am not a Chinese, but a citizen of the world. |
| C．Not everyone should play his own role in society. |
| D．A man does what is proper to the position he is in. |
| A．The difference in political atmosphere. | B．The difference in the length of history. |
| C．The difference in economic development. | D．The difference in levels of social dependency. |
| A．Reasons for similarities of Eastern and Western cultures. |
| B．The introduction of great figures of two different cultures. |
| C．Comparisons of the thoughts of the two great philosophers. |
| D．The contributions of two great philosophers to civilization. |
9 . The first apes evolved 20 million years ago in the forests where they would go up a tree to get their food, and then come back down to move on to the next tree. Getting out of a tree presents all kinds of new challenges. Big apes can’t afford to fall because it could kill or badly injure them. Natural selection would have favored those with body structures that allowed them to descend safely.
Dartmouth researchers report in the journal Royal Society Open Science that apes probably evolved free-moving shoulders and flexible elbows to slow their descent from trees as gravity pulled on their heavier bodies. These flexible body parts passed on from ancestral apes would have allowed early humans to climb trees at night for safety and comedown in the daylight unhurt. When early humans transitioned from forests to open savannas (热带稀树草原), flexible shoulders and elbows were crucial for gathering food and using tools for hunting and defense.
The researchers used sports analysis and statistical software to study how primates(灵长目动物) like chimpanzees and small monkeys called mangabeys climbed in the wild. They found that chimps and mangabeys scaled(攀爬) trees similarly, with shoulders and elbows mostly bent close to the body. When descending, however, chimpanzees extended their arms above their heads to hold on to branches, much like a person using a ladder, to counteract(抵消) their heavier weight pulling them downward.
Luke Fannin, the lead author of the study, emphasized that their findings highlight the importance of “down climbing” in the evolution of apes and early humans. He explained, “Our research introduces the idea that down climbing played a significant role in shaping the structural differences between monkeys and apes, which eventually manifested in humans.”
“Our field has thought about apes climbing up trees for a long time, but we’ve been ignoring the second half of this behavior,” said Professor Jeremy DeSilva, “The findings are among the first to identify the significance of “down climbing” in the evolution of apes and early humans.
1. According to paragraph 1, apes would have been favored by natural selection if .| A．they have sufficient food resources. |
| B．they come down from trees securely. |
| C．they master skills of climbing up trees. |
| D．they cure themselves when they’re injured. |
| A．The similarity of two primates in tree climbing |
| B．The evolution of two primates’ adaptation to nature. |
| C．The analysis of primates’ tree scaling and descending |
| D．The application of different research methods and tools. |
| A．Descending trees has been neglected by researchers for a long time. |
| B．The study is the first to recognize the significance of down climbing |
| C．The evolution of apes and early humans is a result of down climbing. |
| D．Studies on climbing down trees are more likely to have new findings. |
| A．Chimpanzees and Mangabeys: Researches in Natural Settings |
| B．Apes and Humans: A Comparative Study of Climbing up Trees |
| C．Shoulders and Elbows: Evolved as Brakes for Downclimbing Apes |
| D．Apes’ Climbing Strategies: How to Use Different Body Parts Flexibly |
10 . Here are 4 books you should read at least once in your life.
Number the Stars by LoisIt tells the story of a Danish girl growing up in World War II with her best friend, Ellen, who happens to be Jewish. When she learns about the horrors that the Nazis are imposing on the Jewish people, she and her family stop at nothing to protect Ellen and countless other Jews. Lois’ novel is a powerful reminder that cultural and religious differences are no divide between true friends.
The Little Prince by AntoineIt is the story of a little boy who falls to Earth from an Asteroid (小行星) after visiting several other asteroids to try to understand mankind. In his travels he meets a series of strange and delightful characters and an untamed fox. The Little Prince is a heartwarming tale of the power of friendship and trust.
Charlotte’s Web by E. B. WhiteWho doesn’t love a novel about talking animals? It opens the door to imagination, asking us to imagine what a world where animals could talk would be like. On a more serious note, it challenges us to ask ourselves how we’d treat animals if they could talk. If they could tell us their joys and their fears, would mankind treat them more humanely?
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper LeeThe story centers on Jean Louise Finch, an unusually intelligent girl who ages from six to nine years old during the novel. Her father, Atticus Finch, a well-known and respected lawyer, defends Tom Robinson, an African American who is falsely accused of killing a young white woman. It is both a young girl’s coming-of-age story and a darker drama about the roots and consequences of racism and prejudice in society.
1. What do the two books Number the Stars and The Little Prince both involve?| A．History. | B．Travel. | C．Friendship. | D．Family. |
| A．A fairy story book. | B．An animal science book. |
| C．A biology textbook. | D．An animal book for kids. |
| A．Family conflicts. | B．Career design. |
| C．Legal systems. | D．Social issues. |
