1 . In a policy address to lawmakers, Japan’s Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, said the country’s population problem was a case of solving the issue “now or never”, and that it “simply cannot wait any longer because it can affect social functions”.

“In thinking of the sustainability and inclusiveness of our nation’s economy and society, we place child care support as our most important policy,” he said, adding that he wants the government to double its spending on child-related programs, and that a new government agency would be set up in April to focus on the issue.

Japan has one of the lowest birth rates in the world, and it recorded fewer than 800,000 births in 2022 for the first time since records began in 1899. The country also has one of the highest life expectancies in the world; in 2020, nearly one in 1,500 people in Japan were age 100 or older, according to government data.

These trends have driven a growing population problem, with a rapidly aging society, a shrinking workforce and not enough young people to fill the gaps in the stagnating (停滞) economy. The country’s high cost of living, limited space and lack of child care support in cities make it difficult to raise children, meaning fewer couples are having kids. Experts point to the pessimism young people in Japan hold towards the future, many frustrated with work pressure and economic stagnation.

How about other parts of East Asia? South Korea recently broke its own record for the world’s lowest birth rate, with data from November 2023 showing a South Korean woman will have an average of 0.79 children in her lifetime — far below the 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population. Japan’s birth rate stands at 1.3, while the United States is at 1.6. Meanwhile, China’s population shrank in 2022 for the first time, adding pressure to its economic growth.

1. How does the Japanese government feel about the falling birth rate?

A．Surprised.

B．Confused.

C．Embarrassed.

D．Worried.

2. Which of the following has led the birth rate in Japan to decline?

A．The rapidly aging society.	B．The high life expectancies.
C．The shortage of workforce.	D．The various stresses of life.

3. What are the statistics in the last paragraph used to show?

A．Ignorance of the birth rate.	B．Serious population crisis.
C．Weak care services for children.	D．Potential harm to women’s health.

4. In which section of a newspaper may this text appear?

A．Society.

B．Health.

C．Education.

D．Science.

2 . New research shows that the cost of raising a child in China is nearly seven times its GDP per capita (头数), far more than in the United States and Japan.

GDP, or gross domestic product, is the measure of the total value of goods and services in a country. GDP per capita is a measure resulting from GDP divided by the size of a nation’s total population.

The high cost of child-raising is one more difficulty Chinese policymakers face as they try to deal with quickly decreasing birth rates.

Experts warn China’s aging population will put pressure on its health and social security systems. A decrease in workers could also severely limit growth for the world’s second largest economy in the coming years.

New policies permit families to have as many as three children But China’s birth rate dropped to 7.52 births per 1,000 people in 2021. That is the lowest since the National Bureau of Statistics began recording the information in 1949.

The high costs of raising a child have caused officials in China to place restrictions (限制规定) on the private tutoring industry. Some areas have been giving couples money for having a second or third child.

The average cost of raising a child to the age of 18 in China in 2019 was 485,000 yuan for a first child. That is 6.9 times China’s GDP per capita that year. That information comes from a recent report from the YuWa Population Research Institute in Beijing.

China ranks second highest among the 13 countries included in the study. The country is behind only South Korea, which has the lowest birth rate in the world. The United States number, based on 2015 data, is at 4.11 times GDP per capita. Japan stands at 4.26, based on data from 2010.

Child raising costs are even higher in China’s major cities, reaching more than 1 million yuan in Shanghai and 969,000 yuan in Beijing. Birth rates in the two cities are even lower than the national average.

YuWa warned the decreasing birth rate would “profoundly (深刻地) affect” China’s economic growth potential, its ability to create and its welfare (福利) problems.

The study found that China would need to spend at least 5 percent of its yearly GDP to provide reasons for couples to have more children. That would include education funding (基金), special housing loan (贷款) rates and tax breaks. Other considerations include equal time for mothers and fathers to be away from their jobs and the building of more childcare centers.

1. Why do officials in China place restrictions on the private tutoring industry?

A．Because of the high cost of childcare.

B．Because there are too many extra-curricular tutoring classes.

C．Because the tutoring industry does not help students improve their grades.

D．Because many families want to give their children more leisure time.

2. What can we know from the passage?

A．China has the lowest birth rate in the world.

B．The cost of childcare in Beijing is higher than that in Shanghai.

C．The reduction of workers won’t limit China’s growth in the future.

D．The birth rate in 2021 has been the lowest since 1949.

3. What is the GDP per capita in 2019?

A．About 3,346,500 yuan.	B．Around 70,300 yuan.
C．Less than 50,300 yuan.	D．More than 80,000 yuan.

4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．The measures that can reduce education costs.

B．The conclusion of the research by YuWa Population Research Institute.

C．The ways to increase the birth rate.

D．The impact of the decline of the birth rates.

3 . Towns across Italy have been racing to launch clever plans aimed at attracting new residents to revive (复兴)their fortunes in recent years. From abandoned homes selling for little more than a euro, to ready- to-occupy houses at knockdown prices, there has been a rush of competition.

The picturesque town of Presicce in the sunny region of Puglia is the latest to enter the game with a very tempting offer. Officials say they will pay people up to 30,000 euros to buy an empty house and take up residency. Even better, the houses up fbr sale as part of the deal are priced from around 25,000 euros.

Authorities in Presicce hope the cash motivation will breathe new life into their depopulating town, where newborns are fewer each year.

Presicce dates back to the middle Ages, flourishing during the Renaissance as a prosperous place known for its fine wine, cheeses and cattle trade. It gains a reputation as Puglia’s “town of green gold” for green olive trees and olive oil. Its location is incredible, surrounded by the nature of the Salento area and close to beautiful beaches and clear waters of Santa Maria di Leuca.

“There are many empty homes in the historical center built before 1991 which we would like to see alive again with new residents,” says local councilor Alfredo Palese. It is a pity witnessing how our old districts full of history, wonderful architecture and art are slowly emptying. The details of the deal are currently being finalized, Palese adds, and authorities are ready to launch applications in upcoming weeks when information will be available on the town hall website.

According to Palese, a 2019 merger (合并)with the nearby town Acquarica to create the larger town Presicce-Acquarica has provided them with extra money to ensure the project can continue for years to come. “After the merger, as per Italian law, our wider territory will be blessed with more public funds, roughly 1,000,000 euros per year for several years forward, which we intend to invest to revitalize (振兴) the old district, ” says Palese.

Together, Presicce and Acquarica now have some 9,000 inhabitants, but only half of the population live in the older part of the community.

The town hall has already launched other plans to attract more residents, including tax benefits to set up new business activities and baby bonuses for families with kids.

1. What problem do many Italian towns face according to the text?

A．Population decline.

B．Financial crisis.

C．Falling tourism.

D．High living cost.

2. What does the underlined word “tempting” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Risky.

B．Informal.

C．Attractive.

D．Conditional.

3. What is the purpose of paragraph 4?

A．To show Presicce’s past glory.

B．To recommend a travel destination.

C．To point out the economy of Presicce.

D．To stress the importance of reviving Presicce.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．An Italian town’s welfare system.

B．An Italian town’s recovery strategy.

C．An Italian town’s long-term plan.

D．An Italian town’s current situation.

4 . I came to Canada from Sri Lanka in 2000. My first day in Canada started at Toronto airport. I will never forget that day, when I felt very strange in the airport. There were so many people with different faces, skin color, hair, clothes and languages. I met an immigration officer, who turned to me and said, “Welcome to Canada.” I replied, “Thank you.” At that time my feelings were mixed which he understood.

On my first day in Canada there were many surprises in my life. The weather, transportation, culture, medical system, taxes, houses and languages are different in my country. When I came to Canada, it was snowing in Toronto. That day was very beautiful. I had never seen snowfall. I was happy to be here but Sri Lanka is a hot country with no winter and no snowfall. Canada has different seasons and different weather.

On my first day in Canada I knew few English words. I wanted to speak with other people but I couldn’t speak very well, because I didn’t know enough English. So I decided to study English and after that I would look for a job.

In Canada the health care system is very good, where there’re many hospitals and doctors, and we don’t pay for the medical care. There’re few hospitals in my home country, where I have to pay a lot.

On my first day in Canada I went shopping and I paid tax for the first time. I was so nervous that I asked my husband about it and he explained it was normal to pay tax there.

In Canada there are different kinds of houses. In my country, there are no apartments, no townhouses and no basements. When houses are built in Canada, the government makes a plan, while in my country, people make a plan.

As my stay lasts in Canada, my feelings, my mind, and my life are changing slowly. I enjoy living here because in my country a war has broken out. I’m feeling safe living in Canada.

1. Which surprised the author on her first day in Canada?

A．Snowfall.	B．Heavy rain.
C．Fine weather.	D．immigration officers.

2. How does the author develop the last four paragraphs?

A．Logic.	B．Contrast
C．Time order.	D．Exemplification.

3. Which is the best title of the passage?

A．My first day in Canada

B．Sri Lankans in Canada

C．Better life in Canada

D．Escape from SriLanka

5 . How the 2022 World Cup Works

The World Cup is nearly here. The schedule is complete. The leagues have stopped. The players have arrived. Yet even as the teams know where they are meant to be and who they are meant to play, there are still plenty of questions about how things will unfold as soccer moves center stage over the month in Qatar.     1    

Where is it being held?

This year’s host is Qatar, which in 2010 beat the United States and Japan to win the right to hold the tournament. Whether that was an honest competition remains in dispute.     2     The World Cup has never been held on the Arabian Peninsula before.

When is it?

The tournament will open on Nov.20, when Qatar plays Ecuador. That counts as a slow day; over the two weeks that follow, four games will be played on most days.     3     when the winner gets a very heavy (and surprisingly small) gold trophy.

    4    

No. The World Cup usually takes place in July or it did, until Qatar won the right to host it. Considering the fact that its temperatures can reach 120 degrees (48.8℃), FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, agreed to move the tournament to the relatively bearable months of November and December.

Qatar is so small. How can it accommodate all these matches?

    5     At 4,416 square miles, it is 0.12 percent of the size of the United States and by far the smallest nation ever to host the World Cup. All the games will take place in a tight circle of eight stadiums in and around the capital, Doha, making it the smallest-sized World Cup in history.

A．That is unusual.

B．Here’s a primer (入门指南).

C．It is true that Qatar is tiny.

D．Why is it being held in winter?

E．Is a winter World Cup normal?

F．The tournament ends with the final on Dec.18,

G．It can accommodate 31 teams and an audience of 60,000.

6 . 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。

Canada is a broad and beautiful country that stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. In the ten provinces and three territories     1     (make) up Canada, there is great diversity in geography. The grand Rocky Mountains, which are home to high peaks and deep     2     (valley) carved by ice and water, rise to the east of the Pacific coast. Another popular tourist attraction is the mighty Niagara Falls.

In addition to diversity in geography, the diversity of its residents is obvious. Some of Canada’s earliest settlers,     3     are thought to be ancestors of the indigenous peoples,     4     (cross) the Bering Strait with the help of a land bridge.

Today Canada reflects     5     vast mixture of ethnic background. The major ethnic groups include the English, Scottish and French,     6     the minority groups include residents from Singapore and the Pacific Islands.

The ethnic variety, in turn, brings about cultural diversity. In Montreal, one of the     7     (large) French-speaking cities in the world, you can sample the food with a typical French flavour. If you are looking for something     8     the beaten track, you may visit Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. As you are exposed to diverse cultures, you may feel     9     (transport) through time and space. Indeed, Canada has been     10     ( consistent) ranked by the United Nations as one of the best countries to live in.

7 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Why did the speaker come to China?

A．To study.

B．To do business.

C．To visit friends.

2. How long did the speaker stay in China?

A．About 2 weeks.

B．About 10 weeks.

C．About 3 months.

3. What did the speaker fail to find on her own?

A．Salad.

B．Bread.

C．Tomato sauce.

4. How did the woman understand what the speaker wanted?

A．By using hand gestures.

B．By asking for her son’s help.

C．By using a translator device.

8 . Do Americans have any morals? That's a good question. Many people insist that ideas about right and wrong are merely personal opinions. Some voices, though, are calling Americans back to traditional moral values. William J. Bennett. former U. S. Secretary of Education, edited The Book of Virtues in 1993 to do just that.    1    The success of Bennett's book shows that many Americans still believe in moral values. But what are they?

One of the most basic moral values for Americans is honesty. The well-known legend about George Washington and the cherry tree teaches this value clearly. In the story, instead of punishment, George received praise for not lying but telling the truth that he cut down his father's favorite cherry tree. Sometimes American honesty—being open and direct—can offend people.    2    

Another virtue Americans respect is perseverance. Remember Aesop's Fables (伊索寓言) about the turtle and the rabbit that had a race?    3    But the turtle finally won because he did not give up.

    4    The story of “The Good Samaritan(撒马利亚人)" from the Bible describes a man who showed compassion. On his way to a certain city, a Samaritan man. instead of just passing by. stopped to help a poor traveler lying on the road who was beaten and robbed.

In no way can this brief description cover all the moral values honored by Americans. Courage, responsibility, loyalty, gratitude and many others could be discussed. In fact, Bennett's bestseller—over 800 pages—highlights just 10 virtues. Even Bennett admits that he has only scratched the surface. But no matter how long or short the list, moral values are invaluable.    5    

A．But this virtuous attitude is hardly one of them.

B．Compassion(同情心) is a desire within us to help others.

C．The rabbit thought he could win easily, so he took a nap.

D．Compassion may be the queen of American virtues.

E．But Americans still believe that "honesty is the best policy”.

F．They are the foundation of American culture—and any culture.

G．Bennett suggests that great moral stories can build character.