1 . Here are the best summer destinations to travel to for an amazing summer vacation with your folks! Read on to know more about all these exciting places.

London — Gape at the Big Ben Tower

London is world-famous for its nice summer weather, strict British guards that stand outside the honourable Buckingham Palace, and the delicious fish and chips that will keep you coming back for more! Plus, it’s attractive festival s like St. Patrick’s Day, and Beer Week that take awesomeness to a new level altogether!

Suggested Duration: 4 — 7 days

New Zealand — Scenic Landscapes for Nature Lovers

New Zealand is surely one of the best summer destinations in the world owing to the fact that it enjoys summer y weather when it is winter in Asia, giving us a perfect excuse to go there to escape the colD.It’s also one of the most scenic and beautiful destinations in the world owing to the splendid landscapes that appear to be from another planet altogether!

Suggested Duration: 3 — 4 days

Iceland — Watch Colours Blend Beautifully

Iceland is where every traveller needs to go if nature and adventure is what they love. This place offers not only breathtaking views but also refreshing experiences that are enough to enjoy relaxation from the humidity(湿度) and heat.

Suggested Duration: 6 — 7 days

Bali — Honeymooner’s Paradise

Offering postcard-like views of the sunset, Bali is also famous for shopping and its yoga retreats. The attractive culture, the picturesque islands, and the awesome food are enough to make you believe that it’s one of the best summer holiday destinations in the world.

Suggested Duration: 2 — 3 days

1. Where will you go back if you like chips and fish?

A．London.

B．New Zealand.

C．Iceland.

D．Bali.

2. When will you probably go to New Zealand if you are an Asian?

A．December.

B．September.

C．May.

D．June.

3. What is the text probably taken from?

A．A textbook.	B．A report.
C．A travel brochure.	D．An education paper.

3 . Geneva, the second-largest city in Switzerland after Zurich, has a good position on the southwestern end of Lake Geneva. Visitors to Geneva will find an expensive, clean and elegant city. Here are some best things to do in Geneva.

Catch the Spray From the Jet d’Eau

Built in 1886 to control the outflow of water from a nearby power plant, the Jet d’Eau (water jet) soon became a symbol of the city of Geneva. It shoots water nearly 140 metres into the air and is the tallest fountain in the world. Unless winds are too strong, the Jet d’Eau runs every day and is bright at night.

Tour the Palais des Nations (UN Headquarters)

Built in the 1930s as the headquarters of the short-lived League of Nations, the Palais des Nations (Palace of Nations) is the second-largest UN headquarters outside of New York City. It’s a vast campus of administrative buildings around a parklike setting. Visitors are free to wander the grounds or may jump in on an hour-long guided tour of several of the buildings.

Stroll the Lakefront and Riverside

The Jardin Anglais is just one of several places to admire the lake and the Jet d’Eau. The entire lakefront is for walking. There are 6 miles of pedestrian-only (仅限行人) walking and bike paths along the entire lakefront.

Take a Break at the Jardin Anglais & the Flower Clock

All roads in Geneva seems to lead to the Jardin Anglais — the English Garden — the small, prettily planted lakefront garden in the centre of Geneva. Crowds flock here for the flower clock, with seasonal flowers. Plenty of sitting areas, shade trees, and a central fountain make this a relaxing place to take a break from sightseeing.

1. Why did people build the Jet d’Eau?

A．To store water for a nearby power plant.	B．To limit the water from an electric plant.
C．To make it the tallest fountain of the world.	D．To make it a symbol of the city of Geneva.

2. What can we know about the Palais des Nations?

A．It has a history of over 100 years.	B．It’s the second largest building in Geneva.
C．It lies in a vast campus in Geneva.	D．It offers guided tours for visitors.

3. What may people go to the Jardin Anglais for?

A．Planting some flowers in the garden.	B．Practising their English in the garden.
C．Going sightseeing for the flower clock.	D．Buying cheap seasonal flowers.

5 . 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 favoured those with body structures that allowed them to descend (下来) 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 showed 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 behaviour,” 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. Why should big apes protect themselves from falling off a tree according to the text?

A．To avoid being hurt or killed.

B．To avoid being hunted by humans.

C．To avoid being caught by other animals.

D．To avoid being laughed by other apes.

2. What do researchers use to study how primates climbed in the wild?

A．A ladder.

B．Sports software.

C．Statistical analysis.

D．Sports analysis and statistical software.

3. What can be learned from Luke Fannin’s words?

A．Apes became humans because of down climbing.

B．The second half of climbing up trees haven’t been ignored before.

C．Down climbing was essential in developing the differences between monkeys and apes.

D．Scientists has thought about apes climbing up trees for a short time.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Monkeys and Chimpanzees: Studies in Nature

B．Mangabeys and Mankind: A Common Study of Climbing

C．Apes’ Climbing Methods: How to Descend Safely

D．Shoulders and Elbows: Evolved as Brakes (刹车) for Down Climbing Apes

6 . Navigating (航行) the Transition to Adulthood

The teenage years are a transformative period of life, a time when you start the journey from childhood to adulthood. It’s a period filled with self-discovery, challenges, and personal growth.

    1    : One of the initial challenges during adolescence is wrestling with your identity. Questions about who you are and what you stand for are common. These inquiries of self-discovery can lead to changes in friendships, interests, and even your goals.

Academic and Life Skills: As high school students, you’re dealing with academic pressures, extracurricular activities, and social relationships.     2    . But it’s an opportunity to develop essential life skills.

The Role of Friendships: Friendships play a significant role in your teenage years.     3    . It’s essential to recognize the value of healthy relationships. Surround yourself with friends who uplift and respect you, and be a supportive friend in return.

Decision-Making Challenges: Decision-making becomes more crucial during this period of life. From academic choices to personal values, your decisions shape your future.     4    .

Self-Care and Mental Health: Self-care and mental health are vital for teenage growth. During this period, adolescence brings significant pressure. Make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation.

The path to adulthood is winding, with both successes and failures. Embrace each moment, savor the journey, and recognize that growth often comes from facing and overcoming challenges. As you navigate your teenage years, remember that you have the strength to thrive and discover your unique place in the world.     5    .

A．Your journey is just beginning, and it holds incredible potential

B．You’re struggling with anxiety or other challenges

C．Identity Exploration

D．Don’t be afraid to seek guidance from trusted adults when faced with tough choices

E．Balancing these aspects of life can be challenging

F．They can offer support and shared experiences

G．Get the chance to develop your interest

7 . I remembered an incident when I was a teenage girl clearly. Once, I was travelling by train with my mum and my elder sister to visit my grandparents in another city. It was a day journey and we entered the ladies compartment (车室) of the train. It was crowded but we got seats and settled down. We kept our luggage under the seats and waited for the train to start.

Ladies kept on coming inside. The seats were quickly taken. Only one seat was empty when a woman with a baby entered. She was about to go over to the empty place when a big and strong man entered and walked to the seat quickly, sitting down with a thump (重击声). Therefore, the lady with the child held on to her bag and stood in the corner. I was watching all this angrily. I expected the woman standing there or any of the other ladies to speak out to ask the man to leave the ladies compartment.

However, no one spoke. My mum and my sister had their eyes shut to rest, unaware of anything wrong. I decided I could not disturb them. I could have offered my place but I was already squashed (挤扁) between my mum and my sister.

The train started. The woman standing beside the man was swaying to and fro with the train, with the screaming child in her arms. However, the manner-less man had no reaction. I was very angry with the man for his bad behaviour. I could no longer bear it, so I decided to help the woman in some way. I got up and walked calmly over to the man. I asked him if he could read. He made a bad face and said he could. Next, I asked him to read what was written on the back of his seat. He did so and saw “Ladies” on it. He got the point and left the compartment in a big hurry, almost falling.

1. Why did the author take the train journey?

A．To visit her grandparents.

B．To move to another city.

C．To survey an incident.

D．To spend her summer holiday.

2. What made the woman with a baby have to stand in the corner?

A．The last seat was broken.

B．The baby was unwilling to be seated.

C．A strong man took the last empty seat.

D．She was frightened by a thump.

3. What does the underlined word “swaying” mean in Paragraph 4?

A．Swinging.

B．Standing.

C．Shouting.

D．Walking.

4. How did the author make the man aware of his mistake?

A．She asked him to leave at once.

B．She fought with the man bravely.

C．She blamed him for his mean behaviour.

D．She reminded him to read the word on the back of his seat.

8 . For better or worse, we might be in the Age of the Group Chat. In a recent survey, most people said they felt stressed out by group messages, which can feel like a part-time job.

Connection is wonderful. Grexts, short for group texts, have the feature of imitating (模仿) the casual back-and-forth of a dialogue, and the result can be more dynamic and fun than a two-person thread. Having a chat going also means you have a space to share your updates throughout the day, a reminder that you’re part of something.

Some researchers call this “ambient (周围的) virtual presence”: Even when you’re alone, you’re not alone. One researcher compares this phenomenon to echolocation (回声定位), the process that some animals, such as bats and dolphins, use to locate objects: They produce a continuous sound and use the resulting echo to sense their surroundings. Humans might use technologies such as group chats in a similar way — as a call-and-response, taking in information about their social networks and locating themselves within those webs.

But taking in too many signals can be overwhelming. Professor Bayer argued that group chats can create a “waterfall type of effect”, where messages keep flooding in and adding up. Eventually, you’re underwater. Another researcher suggested that different chat members all bring their own personalities, communication styles, and expectations for group norms. Without a standard etiquette (礼仪), people have varied opinions about what degree of responsiveness is required — which can cause real tension.

Grext anxiety is hard to resolve because it isn’t just about the group-chat or even mobile technology in general; it’s about the tension between being our own person and being responsible to others. Ultimately, most of us do want connection, even if it involves some duties. A general advice is to give up greats that don’t really interest you.

1. What is the feature of Grexts?

A．Being more wonderful than a dialogue.

B．Keeping as fun as a two-person thread.

C．Sharing your updates throughout the day.

D．Imitating the casual back-and-forth of communication.

2. How might humans use group chats like echolocation?

A．By producing a continuous sound.

B．By detecting some bats and dolphins.

C．By using the resulting echo to sense their surroundings.

D．By taking in information about social networks and locating themselves.

3. What is Paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．Problems caused by group chats.

B．Importance of a standard etiquette.

C．Messages keeping flooding in and adding up.

D．What degree of responsiveness is required.

4. What can we infer about group chat from the text?

A．It is a part-time job.

B．It is just a way to keep relationship.

C．It brings us more fright than pleasure.

D．It helps us find true friends.