1 . Zandra Cunningham is the founder of a skincare brand. She has been recognized by the media as one of the youngest and most successful business owners in America.
When she was a kid, Zandra always loved lip balms (护唇膏) and bought a lot of them. But she found they eventually hurt her lips instead of relieving the dryness because of all the chemicals in them. She then started experimenting with different ingredients (成分) together with her mom. They tried a lot of times until they found the natural and healthy combinations they liked. Slowly, Zandra began selling her products at local farmers’ markets and trade events. Before her 10th birthday, she launched her brand and hoped it would empower other young girls.
Soon, it became a challenge for Zandra to separate her personal interests from what her customers actually wanted. “There are a lot of ideas that I feel are excellent but wouldn’t fit into the market,” she said. Being part of the younger market herself, Zandra recognized the issue and improved her products after truly listening to customers. “There are so many brands doing similar things, but there’s still so much room to grow. Your customers are out there, and you just have to reach out to them. That’s what will set you apart,” the 23-year-old shared.
When asked about her experience as a promising young businesswoman, Zandra said, “It wasn’t frightening. When you’re young, fear doesn’t have a strong hold on your mindset. ‘Maybe it’s not going to work’ never really crossed my mind.”
Characterized by encouraging statements and featuring a playful color combination, the packaging (包装) is a big part of why Zandra’s business has been so impressive. “There are a lot of products on the market that seem natural, but they actually aren’t,” she said. “I make sure my packaging can help people understand what each term means, and how to read and check ingredients.”
1. What pushed Zandra to get into the skincare business?A.Her desire to create skin-friendly products. |
B.Her interest in doing chemical experiments. |
C.Her wish to set an example for other young girls. |
D.Her goal of providing local people with cheap skin products. |
A.She cooperated with powerful brands. |
B.She stood by her own business decisions. |
C.She made an effort to meet real market needs. |
D.She took inspiration from successful businesswomen. |
A.Her work experience. | B.Her parents’ support. |
C.Her creative thinking. | D.Her youthful positivity. |
A.To catch customers’ attention. |
B.To collect customers’ opinions on skincare. |
C.To educate customers about product knowledge. |
D.To encourage environmental awareness in customers. |
2 . The walls of ancient Egyptian tombs (坟墓) can teach us much about the ancient Egyptians’ life. However, many paintings in the tombs were damaged by unlawful tomb diggers. Now a new study shows how a technology called portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) can be used to better study the paintings.
Developed in the early 20th century by physicist Henry Moseley, XRF and pXRF can be used to decide materials’ elemental composition (元素组成). Rather than the huge and immovable tool often used to study historical objects in labs, the tool needed in the pXRF study weighs only a few kilograms and can be taken into the field.
The research team headed by Philippe Martinez from Sorbonne University used the new tool to perform chemical imaging on paintings on site, allowing for the study of paint composition. As the ancient Egyptians used paints made from minerals (矿物), the paints have specific chemical markers. By using pXRF, scientists can use the chemical markers to create a map of damaged areas.
The team used the pXRF tool in the study of a painting of Ramesses II found in the tomb of Nakhtamun, which has traditionally been dated at the19th dynasty of ancient Egypt. And they discovered the necklace worn by the king in the painting may have been changed.
The king was first painted to be wearing a shebyu necklace, which was trendy during the 20th dynasty, some years after Ramesses II’s death. And it appears that the necklace was later changed to a wesekh necklace, which usually appears in paintings during his time. This means the tomb painters at first painted this 19th-dynasty ruler wearing a 20th-dynasty necklace, realized their mistake and then corrected it. The technology enabled the team to learn that the tomb owner, Nakhtamun, may actually have lived in the 20th rather than the 19th dynasty, and that the painting is not of a living king, but rather of a former ruler.
According to the researchers, the pXRF technology allows in-depth studies while helping prevent further damage. And it presents important details about the technological and artistic achievements of the ancient Egyptians.
1. What can be learned about the pXRF technology from Paragraph 2?A.It only works in laboratory settings. |
B.It requires a large and fixed tool to operate. |
C.It was developed to prevent painting stealing. |
D.It is more convenient than the earlier technology. |
A.The process of repairing the tombs. |
B.The researchers’ working methods. |
C.The introduction to the technology’s inventor. |
D.The valuable materials of the paints used in the paintings. |
A.Confusing. | B.Acceptable. | C.Popular. | D.Expensive. |
A.Ramesses II paid great attention to his appearance. |
B.Ancient Egyptian painters were careless about details. |
C.The new tool was important to the dating of historical objects. |
D.Technology developed very quickly during Ramesses II’s time. |
3 . While the classic sandwich will always have its place, there are plenty of exciting lunchbox ideas that will satisfy both kids and parents alike. When kids join in planning and packing their lunches, they’re more likely to enjoy and finish their meals. So, why not give these ideas a try?
Bento Box BlissBento box lunches are gaining popularity. These containers allow you to make a meal with a variety of foods. Fill one section with colorful fruit slices, another with bite-sized vegetables, and the remaining ones with proteins (蛋白质) like chicken and eggs. Finish with a small treat like a handful of berries. The possibilities are endless, and kids will love these different kinds of food.
DIY LunchablesHomemade Lunchables offers a healthier choice than store-bought food. Pack a selection of whole-grain biscuits, slices of cheese, and a handful of cherry tomatoes. Kids can make their own sandwiches by adding their favorite food to round out the meal. It makes lunchtime an enjoyable experience.
Wrap (包) it UpTry using wraps instead of regular sandwiches. It is advised to use the flatbread (扁面包) instead of bread. It can be filled with lots of different things. You can make a turkey wrap with cream cheese, or a vegetable wrap if you prefer a plant-based option. Wraps are not only easy to get ready but also easy for little hands to hold.
Mini Pancake StacksWho says pancakes are just for breakfast? Mini pancakes can be a pleasant lunchbox surprise. Make small pancakes and sandwich them with cocoa butter and sliced bananas. Add a little honey for more sweetness. With just a few steps, you can complete them. These cute stacks are not only tasty but also fun to eat.
1. What’s an advantage of Bento box lunches?A.Offering many sandwich options. | B.Using simple materials as food sources. |
C.Helping strictly control how much kids eat. | D.Enabling kids to enjoy a well-balanced meal. |
A.It costs much time and effort. | B.It allows kids to show creative ideas. |
C.It is much tastier than takeaway food. | D.It makes kids increase their food intake easily. |
A.Both are easy to prepare. | B.Both are popular with little kids. |
C.Both suit kids enjoying sweet treats. | D.Both feature fast food with high calories. |
4 . We live in a world where we are usually exposed to (接触) news on social media that can be scary, upsetting, or confusing.
One of the places where we can look for “the helpers” is on social media platforms.
Looking for helpers on social media can be a valuable way to find hope and comfort in difficulty.
A.We’d better find some topics to talk about with the helper. |
B.Exercising, reading, and learning art are all good choices. |
C.Phones and computers have made information easier to gain. |
D.They offer a lot of content that can educate or support young viewers. |
E.It enables us to see things from different viewpoints and learn new things. |
F.However, looking for helpers on social media also comes with some challenges. |
G.Sometimes, it can be hard to deal with the negative thoughts that these events cause. |
5 . Julia found some of her grandmother Georgie’s old design sketches (草图) from the 1940s. Georgie told her granddaughter she was proud of the sketches and wanted them to be
Julia took some pictures of those sketches and made a post. It became
With the help of her grandmother, Julia spent countless hours
“You can have your own
A.shown | B.checked | C.discovered | D.appreciated |
A.fashion | B.performance | C.travel | D.play |
A.slightly | B.greatly | C.poorly | D.hardly |
A.popular | B.helpful | C.different | D.convenient |
A.taught | B.forced | C.challenged | D.encouraged |
A.necessary | B.special | C.limited | D.excellent |
A.copying | B.protecting | C.judging | D.improving |
A.recording | B.buying | C.changing | D.praising |
A.experience | B.freedom | C.pleasure | D.instruction |
A.service | B.creation | C.story | D.duty |
A.introduce | B.hand | C.connect | D.present |
A.promise | B.doubt | C.admit | D.warn |
A.education | B.surprise | C.interest | D.memory |
A.natural | B.meaningful | C.peaceful | D.practical |
A.work out | B.stand out | C.pass down | D.move around |
6 . Google Flights reveals new feature to help travelers save money
Regular users of Google Flights might notice a new feature the next time they go to the site to check out airline schedules and compare flight prices.
The new feature officially announced on Monday morning in a news release is Google guidance on the cheapest time to book a flight, which adds price tracking alerts and a price guarantee option already in place.
Cheapest time to book: Google Flights said starting this week, searches that have reliable trend data will let users see in what time frame prices have typically been lowest. Users can then better decide whether to book now or later, Google said in the release.
Take flights from New York to Miami, for example, the cheapest time to book is usually from Sep 13 to Dec 7. Prices during this time are $59 cheaper on average.
Price tracking: Users who want to wait for lower fares before booking can use a price tracking feature that “can do most of the heavy lifting for you,” Google said.
Price guarantee: On some flight results, users might notice a price guarantee badge (标志) pop up (this won’t happen on every use). If you book one of these flights, Google said it will monitor the price every day before takeoff.
“If the price does go down, we’ll pay you back the difference via Google Pay. These price guarantees are part of a pilot program available for select Book on Google itineraries (行程) departing from the U. S.,” Google said in the release.
1. Which is the cheapest time to book a flight from New York to Miami?A.August 19. | B.September 20. | C.December 8. | D.January 11. |
A.Get your money back. | B.Pay back the difference. |
C.Monitor the price before flights take off. | D.Make sure you can get the cheapest flight. |
A.Science. | B.Entertainment. | C.Travel. | D.Education. |
7 . The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023 was awarded to three American scientists Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus and Alexei I. Ekimov “for the discovery and development of quantum (量子) dots”. They are so tiny that their size determines their properties. These smallest components of nano (纳米) technology now spread their light from televisions and LED lamps, and can also guide surgeons when they remove cancer tissue, among many other things.
Everyone who studies chemistry learns that an element’s properties are governed by how many electrons (电子) it has. However, when matter contracts to nano-dimensions quantum phenomena arise; these are governed by the size of the matter. The Nobel winners in Chemistry 2023 have succeeded in producing particles so small that their properties are determined by quantum phenomena. The particles, which are generally known as quantum dots by scientists, are now of great importance in nanotechnology.
“Quantum dots have many fascinating and unusual properties. Importantly, they have different colours depending on their size,” says Johan Åqvist, Chai r of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry.
Physicists had long known that in theory size-dependent quantum effects could arise in nanoparticles, but at that time it was almost impossible to sculpture in nanodimensions. Therefore, few people believed that this knowledge would be put to practical use.
However, in the early 1980s, Alexei Ekimov succeeded in creating size-dependent quantum effects in coloured glass. The colour came from nanoparticles of copper chloride (氯化铜) and Ekimov demonstrated that the particle size affected the colour of the glass via quantum effects. A few years later, Louis Brus was the first scientist in the world to prove size-dependent quantum effects in particles floating freely in a liquid. In 1993, Moungi Bawendi revolutionised the chemical production of quantum dots, resulting in almost perfect particles. This high quality was necessary for them to be used in applications.
Quantum dots are thus bringing the greatest benefit to humankind. Researchers believe that in the future they could contribute to flexible electronics, tiny sensors, thinner solar cells and quantum communication — so we have just started exploring the potential of these tiny particles.
1. Why was the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023 awarded to 3 American scientists?A.They discovered quantum size. | B.They discovered nanotechnology. |
C.They discovered quantum effects. | D.They discovered and improved quantum dots. |
A.Quantum dots. | B.Spots. | C.Atoms. | D.Grains. |
A.Moungi Bawendi. | B.Louis Brus. | C.Alexei Ekimov. | D.Johan Åqvist. |
A.Innovation is the most important thing. |
B.Practice is the only criterion for testing truth. |
C.The development of science and technology is endless. |
D.Technology from quantum dots is constantly improving. |
8 . In the late 19th century, there was a poor farmer in Scotland named Fleming. He was
This story tells us that the simple and kind Scottish farmer’s
A.determined | B.kind | C.anxious | D.disappointed |
A.working | B.drinking | C.regretting | D.weeping |
A.figured out | B.pointed out | C.worked out | D.turned out |
A.leg | B.ankle | C.chest | D.foot |
A.managed | B.tried | C.decided | D.hoped |
A.bicycle | B.car | C.carriage | D.truck |
A.recommended | B.introduced | C.treated | D.served |
A.in honor of | B.in favor of | C.in exchange for | D.in return for |
A.felt | B.announced | C.declared | D.sworn |
A.happened | B.seemed | C.followed | D.appeared |
A.son | B.farmer | C.parent | D.witness |
A.demand | B.suggestion | C.decision | D.plan |
A.spread | B.promote | C.obtain | D.continue |
A.clearly | B.eventually | C.interestingly | D.unexpectedly |
A.world-famous | B.good-looking | C.easy-going | D.hard-working |
A.energetic | B.extraordinary | C.countless | D.unbelievable |
A.approach | B.behavior | C.anecdote | D.manner |
A.receiving | B.sending | C.reporting | D.seeking |
A.defeated | B.recognized | C.cured | D.adopted |
A.commonly | B.necessarily | C.especially | D.actually |
9 . Here are some ways to introduce classical music to your children.
●When you read a story to your children, pick out a classical music piece that matches the emotion of the book.
●If your kids are always moving around, try introducing classical music to them by dancing. Instruct your children to listen to the music and dance however the music makes them feel. Parents dance with them!
●Before your kids begin playtime, make a list of classical music pieces with the name of the person who wrote it.
●
●You can pick out three pieces of music to play during the week.
A.Have your children pick one. |
B.Practice reading the story out loud with the music. |
C.Mix up the music and see how your children react. |
D.Classical music can be fun, and not boring to listen to. |
E.Tell your children the name of the piece every time you play it. |
F.Make sure you tell your children what the piece is and who wrote it. |
G.While you and your children paint, play different classical music pieces. |
At about 3:00 am on July 28, 1976, a destructive earthquake