1 . Charles Darwin was a very famous scientist who lived in the 1800s. His ideas about evolution (进化) completely changed the way scientists understand the natural world. He recorded his ideas in notebooks marked with letters of the alphabet (字母表), which have been considered extremely important for showing how he developed the evolution.

The Cambridge University Library had several of Mr. Darwin’s notebooks. The two that were missing were kept in a small box, and were last seen in 2000. In 2001, someone noticed that the box was missing. Luckily, the library had taken pictures of the notebooks’ pages, so the information wasn’t completely lost.

In 2020, the library made a huge effort to find the books. Workers searched through the 10 million books and other things in the library, but they didn’t find the notebooks. Finally, the library asked people around the world to help look for the books. They officially reported the missing notebooks as stolen so that the police around the world would search for them.

Nobody could ever have expected the way in which the notebooks were returned recently: in a pink gift bag with a note that said “Librarian, Happy Easter, X”. People at the library quickly recognized the blue box that the notebooks had been stored in. Inside a brown envelope they found the two missing notebooks, tightly wrapped in plastic. After the police had examined the package, library workers were able to open and carefully study the notebooks. They were pleased to learn that the notebooks were in good shape. They hadn’t been damaged and they weren’t missing any pages.

The timing of the return is perfect. The library was planning a show called “Darwin in Conversation”, which is set to open in July. Now the missing notebooks can be part of that show.

1. What did Darwin write in his notebooks?

A．Scientists’ ideas about society.

B．The stories of his family.

C．His thoughts of evolution.

D．The development of the alphabet.

2. Why were the missing notebooks reported to have been stolen?

A．The library wanted to turn to the police for help.

B．The library didn’t want to take on responsibility for the loss.

C．The library discovered a librarian stole the notebooks.

D．The library realized the notebooks couldn’t be found.

3. How did the librarians feel about the notebooks’ return?

A．Proud.

B．Nervous.

C．Unconcerned.

D．Surprised.

4. What will happen to the notebooks?

A．They will be on exhibition.

B．They will be hidden forever.

C．They will be sold on a show.

D．They will be returned to the owner.

2 . Travel has become increasingly inconvenient and sometimes impossible over the last couple of years. However, museums around the world are digitizing their collections, enabling people to tour the museums from afar.

The British Museum, London

The British Museum contains objects from around the world, including the Rosetta Stone, with three versions of a text that helped researchers learn to read ancient Egyptian. The Great Court’s ceiling, in the middle of the museum, is composed of 3212 pieces of glass, none of which are alike. The virtual tour of the museum offers a 360-degree view of the room, allowing visitors to look at every piece.

MASP, S ão Paulo

The first modern museum in Brazil, the Museu de Arte de São Paulo includes art from the 14th to the 20th centuries. The paintings, which are placed on glass panels, appear to be floating in mid-air. This setup, included in the virtual tour shows, makes the art appear almost magical.

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea

This Korean museum includes four branches in different cities and features works of art from Korea and around the world. The art includes a variety of media such as print, sculpture and photography. There are also online exhibitions such as “Artists in Their Times” which traces trends in Korean art since the late 1970s.

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles County

This museum, with locations in two different places, features art going back to The Neolithic Period. Its virtual tour, accessible through Google Arts & Culture, offers views of more recent works, including some by van Gogh and Renoir. Another platform, Xplorlt, also features views of some of the museum’s outdoor spaces.

1. What can we learn about The British Museum?

A．It is best known for the Rosetta Stone.	B．It tells the changes of ancient Egyptian.
C．It is made up of several pieces of glass.	D．It houses exhibits from different countries.

2. Which museum may suit visitors interested in van Gogh’s works?

A．The British Museum.	B．MASP, São Paulo.
C．National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.	D．The J. Paul Getty Museum.

3. What do the listed museums have in common?

A．They have several branches.	B．They display their paintings in mid-air.
C．They can be visited in your own home.	D．They are accessible on Google Arts & Culture.

3 . 4 Largest Art Museums in the World

Art museums offer the space to display a wide range of art, from sculptures to paintings. They are located all over the world. This article takes a look at the largest art museums by area.

The Louvre

The Louvre, located in Paris, is the largest art museum in the world. It is considered a historic monument. This building first served as a castle before becoming a royal residence. Under King Louis XIV, it was used to house two art academies. The Louvre Museum was opened with 537 paintings. Today, it is home to around 38, 000 pieces.

State Hermitage Museum

The State Hermitage Museum, located in St. Petersburg, Russia, is the second largest art museum in the world. It has a total area of 719, 480 square feet. This museum, one of the oldest in the world, is home to a collection of over 3, million pieces, including the largest painting collection in the world.

National Museum Of China

The third largest museum is the National Museum of China. Located along Tiananmen Square in Beijing, it covers an area of 700, 000 square feet. Its chief objective is to educate the public and promote the history and arts of China. The National Museum of China houses 1. 05 million pieces in its collection, including the heaviest piece of bronze ware—the 1, 836-pound Simuwu Ding.

Metropolitan Museum Of Art

The fourth largest museum in the world is the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, which covers an area of 633, 100 square feet. Today, this museum is in a building that is 20 times larger than the original and located on the border of Central Park. It is home to more than 2 million pieces. Additionally, it is known for its large collection of musical instruments.

1. What can we know about The Louvre?

A．It was once a military base.

B．It has the largest collection of paintings.

C．Members of the royal family once lived there.

D．Students majoring in art can receive education there now.

2. Which museum has the largest collection of art pieces?

A．Louvre.	B．State Hermitage Museum.
C．National Museum Of China.	D．Metropolitan Museum Of Art.

3. What is Metropolitan Museum Of Art famous for?

A．It is the oldest museum in the world.	B．It receives visitors most in the world.
C．It has the heaviest piece of bronze-ware.	D．It has a large collection of musical instruments.

4 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Imagine having everything you need: health-centers, stores, parks — just a few     1    (step) from home. It could make you healthier and build stronger connections between you and your neighbors.

This is the idea behind the 15-minute city. Here, people can get all the services they need within 15 minutes of home, either on foot     2    by bike. This model is being developed in cities around the world, from Paris to Portland. Carlos Moreno is a scientific     3    (direct) at France’s IAE Paris Sorbonne Business School. He is also a key theorist(理论家)behind the 15-minute-city plan for Paris. “My idea is to create a livable city     4     can increase the quality of life,” Moreno says.

15 minutes’ cities were inspire by the need to     5    (fight) climate(气候) change. In a 15-minute city, the focus is on     6    (build) more sidewalks and bike lanes. Moreno says walking or biking across the city     7    (be) a good way to greatly reduce CO₂ emissions (排放物).

Joe Zehnder, chief planner for the city of Portland, Oregon, is developing “20-minute neighborhoods.” “Having stores close     8     home gives people more chances to choose healthy foods,” Zehnder says.

As a neighborhood becomes more convenient,housing costs can increase. This     9     (certain) leaves a lot of people out. Zehnder says his approach is “to try to create more housing and more types of housing, so that families in     10     (difference) economic situations have an opportunity to live there.”

5 .         Oxford Street is a major street in the City of Westminster in London, the United Kingdom. It has about 300 shops. The street was formerly part of London-Oxford road which began at Newgate, City of London, and was known as Oxford Road. Oxford Street follows the route of a Roman road, which becomes one of the major routes in and out of the city.

       Oxford Street is one and a half miles from end to end. Most shops are open from 10 am to 6 or 7 pm. Many are also open on Saturdays and Sundays from 6 am to 12 pm. Oxford Street is best known for Selfridges (塞尔福里奇百货公司) and the other big department stores that are all found in the section from Marble Arch to Oxford Circus, along with most of the big-name multinationals (跨国公司). Oxford Street is said to be the busiest shopping street in Europe.

       Between the 12th century and 1782 Oxford Street was known as Tyburn Road, Uxbridge Road, Worcester Road and Oxford Road. By 1729, the road had become known as Oxford Street. In the late 18th century, many of the surrounding fields were bought by the Earl of Oxford, and the area was developed. It became popular with entertainers. During the 19th century, the area became known for its shops.

       Oxford Street is home to a number of major department stores and numerous flagship stores (旗舰店), as well as hundreds of smaller shops. It is the biggest shopping street within Inner London. Though not necessarily the most expensive or fashionable, it is considered to be the most important, and forms part of a larger shopping area with Regent Street, Bond Street and a number of other smaller nearby streets.

1. What do you know about Oxford Street?

A．It is known to be the busiest shopping street in Europe.

B．It has the biggest multinational in the world.

C．It is the longest street in the city, London.

D．It is in the central part of the city, London.

2. What does the third paragraph mainly tell us about Oxford Street?

A．Its location.

B．Its history.

C．Its products.

D．Its transport.

3. When did people get to know the street as Oxford Street widely?

A．In the 12th century.	B．In the year of 1729.
C．In the year of 1782.	D．In the late 18th century.

4. It can be known from the passage that ________.

A．Oxford Street stands for its fashion

B．only big flagship stores can be found in Oxford Street

C．Oxford Street plays an important part in the trade of London

D．shops in Oxford Street are open all day long throughout the year

6 . Below is a list of the top and leading Chinese Restaurants in Los Angeles.

Hoy’s Chinese Restaurant

The restaurant is a family-owned and operated business that has been offering tasty servings in every table. Their family is proud to serve everyone always something like that.

Products/Services: Dim Sum, Vegetarian Menu, Specialty, Seafood

Address: 7105 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Phone: (323)850-6637

Reviews: “They manage their high-level service and the highest level of the food they serve.”—Francis

Phoenix Chinese Cuisine

For more than five decades, it has served tens of thousands of consumers in Los Angeles. The restaurant will not be tired of inviting you to truly experience authentic and remarkable dining.

Products/Services: Seafood. Coconut, Rice Noodle, Chicken Wings

Address: 301 Ord St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Phone: (213) 629-2812

Reviews: “Great place to go eat & the price is fair for the most part. It does get busy at times with all the online food orders.”—Julio

Dragon Chinese Restaurant

The Lees have cooked and served Chinese food for over 40 years, producing delicious Chinese cuisine that wasn’t accessible to the metropolis.

Products/Services: House Specialties, Appetizers, Beef, Seafood, Vegetables

Address: 8597 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035

Phone: (310) 657-7355

Reviews: “The restaurant is absolutely the tastiest place in the region.”—Tom

Little China Restaurant

It welcomes the customer as if in China, 6 days a week. For customers who do not have any time to go out, you can check out their menu online and order, for pickup and delivery.

Products/Services: Chicken, Pork, Vegetables, Noodle and Rice Dishes, Desserts

Address: 3535 Cahuenga Blvd w # 107, Los Angeles, CA 90068

Phone: (323) 969-8838

Reviews: “Wonderful restaurant, we came here after going to Universal Studios. The prices are super reasonable!”—James

1. If you want to order some seafood for delivery, you can call ________.

A．(323) 850-6637	B．(213) 629-2812
C．(310) 657-7355	D．(323) 969-8838

2. What do Hoy’s Chinese Restaurant and Dragon Chinese Restaurant have in common?

A．The price is fairly low.	B．They are family-run.
C．They provide vegetarian menu.	D．They are in operation for decades.

3. In which section are you likely to read the passage in a magazine?

A．Food.

B．Health.

C．Economy.

D．Entertainment.

7 . A huge, 12-pointed star has been fixed on top of one of the towers of Antoni Gaudí’s famous Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona. This means the construction work, begun 139 years ago, nears completion. It is scheduled to be completely finished in 2026 — marking 100 years since the architect’s death.

When Gaudí died in 1926, less than a quarter of the exterior was complete. Since then construction has been stopped every now and then for various reasons from Spanish civil wars to funding problems. Though in 2005 the church was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the construction work was claimed to be illegal in 2016, and regained its building permit in 2019.

Born in 1852, Gaudí grew up fascinated by geometry and the natural wonders of the countryside. After studying architecture in school, he eventually formed his own style. In his opinion, form and function were inseparable: Beauty should be part of structure, which rules the natural world. “Nothing is art,” he concluded, “if it does not come from nature.” On his graduation ceremony, his director said the words that became famous later: “I do not know if we have awarded this degree to a madman or to a genius; only time will tell.”

Time has obviously given the answer. In fact, Gaudí’s work over the years has permanently influenced Barcelona architecture like none other before or after. The city is considered the best outdoor modernist Museum of Europe mostly because of Gaudí.

On the 10th of June 1926, Gaudí was knocked down by a tram (有轨电车) while he was doing his usual evening walk. He lost consciousness, and nobody recognized that this disheveled (蓬乱的) old man was the famous architect until he was taken to the hospital. He was buried two days later in the unfinished Sagrada Familia, following a funeral attended by thousands of people: most of the citizens of Barcelona came out to bid a final-farewell to the most universal architect that the city had ever known.

1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?

A．A 12-pointed star was set on a Gaudí’s church.

B．Barcelona is well known for Gaudí’s architecture.

C．Gaudí’s famous church will be finished at last.

D．The 100h anniversary of Gaudí’s death will come.

2. Why did the construction of the church last over a century?

A．It was to memorize Gaudí.	B．It suffered frequent delays.
C．It was a World Heritage Site.	D．It didn’t get its building permit.

3. What did Gaudí’s director really want to say on his graduation ceremony?

A．His style was too special in his time.	B．He was not qualified for the degree.
C．His attitude to others was crazy.	D．He was too talented to be taught.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．Sagrada Familia — Gaudí’s Unfinished Work

B．Barcelona — a City of Antoni Gaudí

C．Antoni Gaudí — a Genius Architect

D．Gaudí’s Architecture — the Beauty of Nature

8 . In today’s fast-paced world, comfort and relaxation are keys to a happy daily life. People want to have their tasks finished as quickly and as efficiently as possible. We all search for convenience.     1    . Here are the top Smart Home trends to follow this year. With these all by your side, you can transform your living.

Improved home security, safety, and privacy

    2    . Security firms are now offering some very next-level security systems that safeguard homes and protect privacy. Artificial Intelligence biometric authentication, robust protection against cyber-attacks, advanced cameras, and alarm systems are some examples of Smart Home solutions.

Voice-assistant smart technology

Voice-assistant innovative technology helps users do a lot like turning on music, computers, TVs and other devices inside their homes!     3    . An example of such technology is Amazon Alexa, which can assist you in better everyday living!

    4    

You can also use Smart Home technology to help you with everyday household chores! You can stay in bed in your pyjamas while your AI vacuum cleaner does all the work for you!

Smart healthcare technology

    5    . These can significantly help in case of emergencies. 5G technology is also coming up, allowing devices to function without any wires or connections. All of that can help in certain situations when a quick reaction is necessary.

A．Smart home cleaning

B．Smart touchless technology

C．We all want our homes to look nice and bright

D．That’s why more and more people are interested in Smart Home

E．These are always the most important things for every homeowner

F．It also helps in making a cosy atmosphere by adjusting temperature and lighting

G．Smart devices allow fast communication with medical professionals over the internet

9 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

There     1    （be）countless things that can influence your sleep．However，there's one surprising factor that could be affecting your sleep：the paint of color in your bedroom．According     2     a new survey，painting your bedroom a color that's too bright or even too dark influences your sleep．

Different colors can set different     3    （mood）in your space，some of     4    may not be favorable to sleep．If you want your bedroom to be more calming，you'd     5    （good）explore neutrals（中和色），light greens，and golds．As is described in the survey，dramatic colors like “bright reds，deep browns，and even olive greens” are less likely     6    （leave）you feeling bright-eyed in the morning．Besides，having too dark a room may not keep you up at night，    7     it can damage your energy upon     8    （wake）．On the other hand，a bright color should be avoided in the bedroom because it has the potential to interrupt sleep and promote activity rather than relaxation．

Anyway，that doesn't mean that dramatic colors have to be off the table     9    （entire）．But remember：when you decorate your rooms，choosing the right color is    10     must．

10 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Standing in the National Speed Skating Oval, China’s former speed skating world champion Wang Beixing had mixed emotions. She was jealous of those young athletes who had the chance     1     (skate) on the new rink (溜冰场). And she felt very glad as the testing program in the venue,    2     (know) as the “Ice Ribbon”, was going as smoothly as the athletes skated on the gleaming ice.

Following the     3     (success) testing program on snow in February, the “Experience Beijing” ice sports testing series for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics,    4     (consist) of five Olympic events and two para events, got underway     5     April 1 and 10 in five different competition venues, including the National Speed Skating Oval     6     the 36-year-old Wang Beixing works as the stadium’s sports director.

“The testing program in the ‘Ice Ribbon’ had three     7     (priority). First is the ice. We need to make sure the ice will be     8     perfect quality during the Winter Olympics, Wang said. “The second would be the competition facilities including the safety cushions, training equipment and so on, which     9     (be) mostly relevant to the athletes, and we want feedback from them, “Thirdly, we also need to drill on the operation teams,” she said. “    10     (certain), I feel very glad because the competition went well and I am satisfied with the result of the rehearsals.”