1 . As young children went back to school across Sweden last month, many of their teachers were putting a new emphasis on printed books, quiet reading time and handwriting practice and devoting less time to tablets, independent online research and keyboarding skills.

The return to more traditional ways of learning is a response to experts’ doubt on the country’s over-digitalized approach to education, which has even introduced tablets into kindergartens. They are worried that it has already led to a decline in basic skills.

The rapid adoption of digital learning tools has also drawn concern from a United Nations’ education agency. In a report published last month, the agency issued an urgent call for appropriate use of technology in education. The report urges countries to speed up Internet connections at schools, but at the same time warns that technology in education should be used in a way so that it never replaces in-person, teacher-led instruction and supports the shared objective of quality education for all.

However, online instruction is a hotly debated subject across Europe and other parts of the West. Germany has been famously slow in moving information of all kinds online, including education. Many students can complete their schooling without any kind of required digital instruction, such as coding. Most parents worry their children may not be able to compete in the job market with technologically better-trained young people from other countries. “If we don’t manage to make education digital, then we will no longer be a competitive country in 20 years,” said Sascha Lobo, one of the parents interviewed last year.

However, not all teachers are convinced that Sweden’s back-to-basics push is in the best interest for students. “Technology is just one part of a really complex network of factors in education,” said Catarina Branelius, a third grade teacher in the Swedish capital, Stockholm. “I use tablets in math, but I don’t use tablets for writing text. Students under age 10 need time and practice and exercise in handwriting… before you introduce them to write on a tablet.”

1. What did Sweden stress before this new school year?

A．Printed books.

B．Handwriting practice.

C．Quiet reading time.

D．Independent online research.

2. Which can best describe the approach suggested by the United Nations’ agency?

A．Textbook-centered.

B．Balanced.

C．Over-digitalized.

D．Traditional.

3. What can be known from paragraph 4?

A．Students in Germany do not heavily rely on computers.	B．The German government is pushing for online instruction.
C．German parents are happy with their children’s education.	D．Teachers in Germany are ready to make education digital.

4. What is Catarina Branelius’s attitude to the new policy?

A．Favorable.

B．Unclear.

C．Doubtful.

D．Unconcerned.

2 . China has constructed more than 20 new museums since 2012. Here are some of the best.

Shanghai Astronomy Museum

Launched in 2021, Shanghai Astronomy Museum is reportedly the world’s largest astronomy museum, covering more than 630,000 square feet.

In its three main sections — Home, Universe, and Journey — visitors can see 150 interactive exhibits. They can also watch videos of the vast universe in a huge dome theater with an 8K screen, which helps visitors to have a multi-sensory journey for space exploration.

Chengdu Science Fiction Museum

Located on a lake and opened to the public on October 13, 2023, the roughly 635, 000-square-foot museum explains Chengdu’s status as the national center of science fiction writing. It was in this mountain-surrounded city that China’s most popular science fiction magazine, Science Fiction World, was first published in 1979.

Beijing Sound Art Museum

For a decade, local artist Colin Chinnery regularly walked the streets of China’s capital, recording traditional sounds that are gradually disappearing from this modernizing city. Now, the museum has cataloged hundreds of his audio recordings of Beijing’s evolving soundscape — from the calls of street hawkers (商贩) to pige on whistles blown in parks. Opened on May 20, 2023, it’s located in Songzhuang Art District of Tongzhou, in Beijing’s eastern suburbs.

Suzhou Imperial Bricks Museum

Opened to the public on May 18, 2016, it is China’s first museum to display bricks for the royal families during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368 — 1911). The museum was built close to the brick kiln (窑) to show the complex brick-making process.

The kiln is still in use today. Bricks produced with traditional technologies have been used in restoration projects of heritage buildings, such as the Summer Palace in Beijing and the Puji Temple in Zhejiang province.

In the exhibition hall, visitors can explore the brick-making process through various cultural relics and interactive games.

1. What can visitors do in the huge theater of Shanghai Astronomy Museum?

A．Play interactive video games.	B．Watch high-definition videos.
C．Attend multi-sensory exhibits.	D．Scan the universe with telescopes.

2. When was Science Fiction World first published?

A．In 2021.

B．In 2016.

C．In 2012.

D．In 1979.

3. What do the last two museums have in common?

A．They preserve the past.	B．They show high technologies.
C．They explain the royal lives.	D．They present personal artworks.

3 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What made the blog first known to the public?

A．A newspaper report.

B．A TV program.

C．A fashion show.

2. What does the woman’s brother do for the blog?

A．Taking photos.

B．Acting as a model.

C．Doing make-ups.

3. What is the woman’s blog mainly about?

A．Old fashion trends.

B．Money-saving tips.

C．Clothes for students.

4. Which period of clothes do people recently enjoy most?

A．The 1920s.

B．The 1970s.

C．The 1980s.

4 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What does the woman say about her performance in the World Championships?

A．She did better than she had expected.

B．She was disappointed to win a silver medal.

C．She regretted spending so much time on training.

2. How often does the woman practice?

A．Once a week.

B．Every day.

C．Six days a week.

3. How is the woman's relationship with other athletes?

A．Very unfriendly.

B．Extremely close.

C．Relatively distant.

4. What did the woman enjoy doing in the past?

A．Flying kites.

B．Reading.

C．Skiing.

5 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is the presentation about?

A．A survey result.

B．A working schedule.

C．A new product.

2. Why does the woman suggest the man attend the presentation?

A．To know more about the market.

B．To get familiar with the new team.

C．To get inspired for his marketing report.

3. When will the speakers meet?

A．At 3:00 pm.

B．At 2:55 pm.

C．At 2:45 pm.

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Which line-up was performed in the community theater?

A．Romeo and Juliet.

B．Macbeth.

C．Hamlet.

2. What is unique about Macbeth?

A．The stage design.

B．The music.

C．The leading actress.