1 . Some insects contain poisons that do not affect an insect-eating bird until after the bird has swallowed one of them. Being swallowed is almost always fatal for these insects. How does an insect benefit by containing a poison that is effective only after it has been killed and eaten?
This paradox (悖论) is resolved once we realize that birds, which are made ill by the poison but are rarely killed by it, soon learn to recognize the warning signals of poisonous insects and reject them on sight. Eating a poisonous insect is an educational experience for predators, and thus the death of the insect victim (受害者) serves to protect other members of its own species.
On one hand, if these other members of the species are relatives of the victim—perhaps its own offspring, siblings, or first cousins—their genetic makeup will be similar to the victim’s, and many of the victim’s genes will survive in them.
On the other hand, an insect’s survival fitness is not improved if it kills the bird that eats it. Indeed, the victim benefits if the bird survives after eating the victim and becoming aware of its poisonous properties.
How come? Most birds are territorial. They live in a small and delimited area from which they keep out members of their own species other than their mates. If the poisonous insect species does live within, or at least pass through, the territory of some bird, the bird will leave them alone because it has been taught not to attack them by the death of their relative. But if the territory-holding bird is killed, it will almost immediately be replaced by a wandering member of its own species, a floater that is still searching for a territory of its own. When an experienced predator (捕食者) that has learned not to attack the insects in question is replaced by a floater that happens to be inexperienced, the relatives of the insect victim do not benefit from its death. Thus protective systems based on benign poisons are far more likely to evolve and continue than systems based on deadly poisons.
1. What is the function of the opening paragraph?| A．To clarify a concept. | B．To provoke thinking. |
| C．To emphasis the topic. | D．To introduce a conclusion. |
| A．Birds will learn to avoid poisonous insects. |
| B．Birds will take in adequate nutrition afterwards. |
| C．Birds will warn their members of the potential danger. |
| D．Birds will adapt themselves to eating poisonous insects. |
| A．Birds would have wider territories. | B．Insects and birds would live in harmony. |
| C．Both insects and predators would suffer loss. | D．Insects would become the owner of the territory. |
| A．Like cures like. | B．Little things amuse little minds. |
| C．Live and let live. | D．A close mouth catches no flies. |
2 . 1 It is commonly believed that teens’ preference for waking up and staying up later was driven by social forces—the pressures of school, the pleasures of partying. Mary Carskadon at Brown University, Rhode Island, however, assumed that biological factors might be responsible.
2 To test that theory, she surveyed 2000 schoolchildren across the US on their preferred and actual bedtimes and wake times; the times of day when they felt most or least attentive and energetic; and their physical development. The results pointed to biology. Sixth-graders ( aged 11or 12) scored higher on “eveningness” and lower on “morningness” than younger children, even though they occupied the same social background—a tendency that connected with their stage of puberty (青春期). In earlier studies, Carskadon had shown adolescents need more sleep than younger kids to avoid daytime sleepiness. Therefore, she and her team concluded, the practice of ringing the morning bell earlier at middle schools (for 1 1 to 13-year-olds) and high schools (for ages 14 to 18) than at elementary schools “may run exactly oppose to children’s biological needs”.
3 Carskadon went on to confirm her findings using more direct methods, such as measuring levels of melatonin (褪黑激素) in teens’ saliva (唾液) round the clock. In response, a growing number of local governments in US began pushing back start times in middle and high schools. Further research linked such moves to higher test scores, as well as lower rates of depression, substance use, illness and vehicular accidents.
4 In 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that middle and high schools start the day no earlier than 8: 30 am. The American Psychological Association and the American Medical Association later followed suit. In 2019, California became the first US state to pass laws based on those guidelines. This May, Florida became the second. Meanwhile, school districts from Australia to South Korea have launched similar reforms.
1. What did Carskadon believe caused teenagers waking up and staying up later?| A．Social factors. | B．Academic burden. |
| C．Biological elements. | D．The pleasure of having parties. |
| A．Her assumption was totally baseless. | B．Younger children tended to stay up later. |
| C．Younger children and teens had a lot in common. | D．Physiological stage affected teen’s sleep behaviors. |
| A．Pushing back middle school start times is beneficial. | B．Direct methods are adopted in Carskadon’s research. |
| C．Carskadon’s research needed further improvements. | D．Some middle schools started their school later now. |
| A．Broke down barriers. | B．Acted in the same way. |
| C．Convinced the authority. | D．Raised people’s awareness. |
3 . “If you feel unloved, go mountain climbing, after which you will feel so exhausted that you won’t think about it.” Recently, a self-made sign post at Yuelu Mountain in Changsha, Hunan province has trended on social media platforms. Many people go to the mountain to take pictures with the sign. Mountain hiking has become a new trend for people looking for beautiful autumn views.
One can find the sign on a small road near the west gate of the mountain. The sign has also become a must visit for travelers. One netizen joked that it is vital to climb the mountain. Another said if you feel unloved, go working, and then you will also be exhausted and get paid.
A staff member from the Yuelu Mountain scenic spot management office said the office did not put up the sign, but it has become famous.
A milk tea store at the foot of the mountain has launched an “unloved” specialty and many travelers bring bumper stickers that say “unloved” while looking for the “unloved” sign, the staff said.
The sign was actually put up by mountain climbing lovers. The “heart-shaped track” on Yuelu Mountain has also trended at social media platforms recently, with netizens exploring a new track to climb the mountain, which forms the shape of a heart. While one can reach the mountain top, which is about 300 meters high, in about 30 minutes via a concrete road, the heart-shaped track is much longer and takes about three to four hours to complete.
ICE (pseudonym), 28, said she and her friends tried the heart-shaped track a few days ago and did not feel very tired. “Many people do not exercise often and are not in very good health, so the sign is a way to joke about mountain climbing,” she said.
1. Which word could best describe the milk tea store keeper?| A．Smart. | B．Committed. |
| C．Industrious. | D．Unrealistic. |
| A．Many people feel unloved nowadays. | B．Working is more rewarding than hiking. |
| C．Being exhausted is the best cure for a broken heart. | D．People have different interpretations of the sign post. |
| A．Whoever takes it could find true love. | B．It is more demanding than another route. |
| C．Both the sign and the track are practical jokes. | D．The management office designs the track this autumn. |
| A．A Signpost Shoot to Fame Online | B．Hiking is A Good Way to Find Love |
| C．Yuelu Mountain, A Famous Scenic Spot | D．Mountain Hiking, A Fashionable Trend |
4 . 2023 Youth Writing Contest: Competition Finals!
We received over 430 submissions from 30 cities across the Mainland for our 2023 Youth Writing Contest, exceeding all our expectations!
The next step? Having finalists read their work live at our Live Reading Party in Shanghai. Can’t make it to Shanghai? No problem! You can join us via Tencent Meeting to read your story to our audience and judges.
We’ve narrowed down the pack down to 35 finalists, who have been notified via email—so please look out for an email from That’s Marketing!
If you have not received an email, it means you have not been selected as a final ist this year, but some really good entries just missed out, so we encourage you to try again next year!
We’d like to invite everyone—those who submitted works, those who considered doing so and those who are simply interested to join us—from 2—6 pm on Sunday, November 19 at Lounge by Topgolf, Shanghai, to celebrate our country’s budding writers and poets.
Each finalist will read his or her piece aloud in front of an audience and panel of judges(in person or via Tencent Meeting). Our esteemed judges will then pick three winners in each of the three age categories, with the winning submissions to be published in the January 2024 issue of Urban Family magazine.
Finalists and one other family member will be given FREE tickets! If you’d like more, you can purchase them for just RMB 50 (which includes free flow soft drinks). Click below to purchase these very limited tickets.
If you have any questions, please contact us by scanning the QR code below or adding our marketing WeChat.
1. Who are the target audience of this article?
| A．35 finalists notified through email. | B．All competitors who submitted works. |
| C．Our country’s promising writers and poets. | D．Those who are interested in Youth Writing Contest. |
| A．Urban Family magazine will pick out winners. |
| B．Audience will vote for winners via Tencent Meeting. |
| C．Judges determine winners after listening to finalists. |
| D．Topgolf, Shanghai will select winners in each age group. |
| A．Nothing. | B．RMB 50. | C．RMB 100. | D．RMB150. |
1. Why did Yang Mei return to her hometown?
| A．To learn tea planting. | B．To look after her father. | C．To work as a village leader. |
| A．Her family. | B．Tea farmers. | C．The local government. |
| A．In 1980. | B．In 2000. | C．In 2008. |
| A．Cooperate with them to export tea. |
| B．Hire them to work in the company. |
| C．Help promote their products in local towns. |
1. Who will be the audience for the man’s presentation?
| A．His tutor. | B．Senior students. | C．Freshmen. |
| A．In the school library. | B．In the school theatre. | C．In the Students’ Union. |
7 . Boston Marathon runners in recent years may have seen a smiling furry face around the two-mile mark. It’s Spencer, the therapy (治疗) dog, who became known as an unofficial mascot (吉祥物) for the marathon, He’s shown up on the sidelines every year since 2015—rain or shine.
One particularly rainy marathon catapulted Spencer’s fame, In 2018, his owner, Richard Powers, decided to put a bright yellow rain coat on the dog, making him stand out even more than he usually does. Photos of Spencer, who holds a “Boston Strong” flag in his mouth, went viral, and he became an inspiration to runners and onlookers alike, During the marathon, some runners stop in their tracks to take selfies with the dog-the line sometimes growing to 20 runners long.
But in 2020, Spencer was diagnosed with a tumor (肿瘤). His owner was worried, but Spencer is a fighter. He got the care he needed and survived. In 2021, he was back on the course and it was really kind of a miracle and that really hit home to a lot of people.
Unfortunately, Spencer caught another tumor—this one cancerous—and Spencer began chemotherapy. Powers didn’t think his beloved dog would make it out to the marathon of 2022. “Miraculously, he’s still here with us and an even bigger miracle, he was strong enough to go to the marathon,” he said.
After recovering, Spencer was back to work—not just at the marathon—but as a therapy dog, alongside his companion, Penny, who is also a golden therapy dog. Powers takes his two therapy dogs around to schools, hospitals and senior living centers.
“He’s a gift to us and we’re very lucky to have him. He’s too good so we want to share him with as many people as we possibly can. He does make a difference,” Powers said.
1. Why is Spencer referred to as a mascot for Boston Marathon?| A．He has a smiling furry face. | B．He appears at the event annually. |
| C．He is not recognized officially. | D．He works as a therapy dog for runners. |
| A．Motivation. | B．Satisfaction. | C．Fantasy. | D．Barrier. |
| A．A failure in the marathon. | B．Caring for his owner. | C．Fighting against a disease. | D．Going viral. |
| A．Confident, | B．Supportive. | C．Objective. | D．Negative. |
My last holiday was a five-day trip to Prague in the Czech Republic. I know Prague well because I lived there when I was at university, more
Instead of
We did some touristy things too. We walked up beautiful Petrin Hill and around the castle. The views of the city were
9 . Last month, my husband and I decided on visiting Cape Cod, which is about three hours’ drive from Boston. Our daughter who
| A．worked | B．studied | C．traveled | D．stayed |
| A．but | B．as | C．if | D．though |
| A．ate at | B．moved to | C．arrived in | D．waited at |
| A．anywhere | B．somewhere | C．everywhere | D．nowhere |
| A．dirty | B．empty | C．crowded | D．wide |
| A．directions | B．advice | C．foods | D．time |
| A．hugged | B．observed | C．caught | D．approached |
| A．comfortable | B．dangerous | C．difficult | D．stressful |
| A．remembered | B．prepared | C．agreed | D．pretended |
| A．relief | B．disappointment | C．excitement | D．advantage |
| A．threw | B．showed | C．sold | D．handed |
| A．jumped | B．lied | C．admitted | D．refused |
| A．thankfulness | B．sadness | C．seriousness | D．weakness |
| A．Therefore | B．However | C．Meanwhile | D．Finally |
| A．hurry | B．moment | C．chance | D．task |
10 . A running chub is a community group made up of members that are interested in running. Some running clubs may focus on different types of running activities and require a certain level of expertise(专长) on the runner’s part.
Often,running clubs include training with a coach in the cost. However, if they don’t offer to coach members and provide only a group environment, the clubs may provide a discount on personal trainers. Keep in mind that the size of the club affects the discounts and services the club can provide.
Many running clubs are open to members of all ability levels.
Most running clubs have a website that often includes a mission statement(任务说明) for the club.
| A．A running club comes with a ton of benefits. |
| B．However, smaller running clubs often charge monthly. |
| C．There are some tips to help you find the right running club. |
| D．However, some focus on just advanced runners or just beginners. |
| E．Others may include social functions and not just sports activities. |
| F．This can help you decide whether or not a certain group is right for you. |
| G．For example, larger clubs may include training in the cost of their membership. |
