1 . Which is more important for parents, making more money to give the kids a better life or spending more time with them? It is a problem for parents and it is not easy to decide. A new study shows that today’s parents are spending more time with their children than parents in the past. According to the study, today’s college-educated mothers spend about 21.2 hours a week taking care of their children. But women with less education spend about 15.9 hours. Before 1995, it was only 12 hours.

Dads are spending more time on ball games. Before 1995, fathers with college educations only spent about 4.5 hours a week playing with their children. Today, it increases to 9.6 hours a week. For fathers with high school education, the time goes up from 3.7 hours to 6.8.

These days, parents don’t care more about the cleaning or the cooking. They are trying their best to spend time with their families. As for the kids, they don’t mind how much time their parents spend with them. They just want to enjoy the time their parents do be with them.

So, take part in the kids’ activities when you are with them, such as helping with homework or playing soccer with them.

1. How long do college-educated mothers spend taking care of their kids a week?

A．About 9.6 hours.	B．About 12 hours.
C．About 15.9 hours.	D．About 21.2 hours.

2. What can we know from the new study?

A．Women with less education spend about12 hours staying with their kids,

B．Mothers in the past spent less time staying with kids than mothers these days.

C．Mothers with college education are lazier than those with less education.

D．Dads spend more time staying with their kids than mothers do.

3. How long did fathers with college education spend with kids a month before 1995?

A．About 4.5 hours.	B．Less than 9 hours.
C．About 13.5 hours.	D．About 18 hours.

4. What do kids care about according to the text?

A．They care about how much money their parents can make.

B．They care about how much time their parents spend with them.

C．They care if their parents are really with them.

D．They care if their parents can give them a better life.

2 . For night owls like Chen Danhong, 28, who works for a technology company in Beijing, the day really just begins after about 8 pm, a psychological hint that she can relax. “When I get home, I’m feeling worn out and tired, but that suddenly turns to excitement and I go on the Internet, read novels or watch movies. I’ll be playing video games and continually saying to myself, ‘OK, this is the last one’ before I eventually realize that it’s 2 o’clock,” says Chen.

Common symptoms (症状) include falling asleep later than 2 am, with the average time taken to fall asleep being more than one hour. Young people in cities are most vulnerable to such symptoms, according to the 2020 Chinese National Healthy Sleep White Paper. Common causes are loneliness, overtime sequelae (后遗症), excessive stress and emotional disorders. On March 21, World Sleep Day, a newspaper, Nanguo Morning News, conducted a survey that attracted 2,000 interviewees.

According to the survey, the reasons for going to bed late vary widely, with overtime work or taking care of a baby accounting for just five percent of the interviewees’ answers on this question. Sixty-four percent said they sleep late because they watch dramas, various shows, read books or play with their mobile phones. Fourteen percent said they do not want to go to bed too early even if they have nothing to do.

Many interviewees said they have had experience of the dangers of going to be late. Twenty-three percent said they have no serious physiological problems, but they can feel weak, are easily fatigued and have a poor complexion. Twenty-one percent said they are forgetful and find it hard to concentrate on work. More worrying is that an unwillingness to sleep can lead to a vicious circle (恶性循环), and15 percent of the respondents said they cannot fall asleep even if they want to.

1. Why does the author mention Chen Danhong’s situation in the first paragraph?

A．To lead in the topic.	B．To present an argument.
C．To shock the reader.	D．To raise a question.

2. What makes young people tend to go to bed late?

A．Unwillingness to sleep.	B．The various entertainments.
C．Caring for their family.	D．The frequent overtime.

3. What does the underlined word “fatigued” in the last paragraph mean?

A．Concerned.

B．Exhausted.

C．Focused.

D．Sleepy.

4. What can be inferred from the passage?

A．Young people are more strong enough to sleep late.

B．Young people can fall asleep anytime they want to.

C．Going to bed late affects many people’s health or work.

D．Sleeping late occasionally isn’t harmful to our health.

3 . “Looking good, feeling good” is a common phrase, but for many middle school students, it brings up the issue of appearance anxiety. In a world where social media often sets unrealistic beauty standards, teenagers can feel pressured to look a certain way. This pressure can lead to a lack of confidence and happiness.

Dressing in a style that reflects personal taste, rather than simply following fashion trends, can be a step towards overcoming this anxiety. Wearing clothes that make one feel comfortable and confident can help boost self-esteem. It’s important for students to understand that fashion is a way to express themselves, not a standard they must meet.

Healthy eating is also crucial. A balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains, helps maintain a healthy body and mind. Sometimes, teens worry too much about their weight, which can lead to unhealthy eating habits. Learning about nutrition and understanding that healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes can help alleviate these concerns.

Physical activity plays a significant role in mental well-being. Regular exercise, like playing a sport or going for a walk, not only keeps the body fit but also releases endorphins, improving mood and reducing stress. It's a natural way to fight the anxiety that comes with appearance concerns.

Finally, it's essential for middle school students to focus on mental health. Engaging in hobbies, spending time with friends, and seeking support when needed can contribute to a more positive self-image. Understanding that everyone's unique and that real beauty comes from within is vital. Feeling good about oneself should come from personal achievements and qualities, not just from outward appearance.

1. What is the main concern addressed in the article regarding middle school students?

A．Choosing the right fashion trends.

B．Coping with appearance anxiety.

C．Learning about nutrition and exercise.

D．Finding comfortable clothing.

2. According to the article, how can personal style in clothing affect students?

A．It can lead to unrealistic beauty standards.

B．It can help in overcoming appearance anxiety.

C．It pressures students to follow fashion trends.

D．It results in a lack of interest in fashion.

3. What role does physical activity play in addressing appearance concerns?

A．It sets beauty standards for students.

B．It mainly helps in weight management.

C．It improves mood and reduces stress.

D．It has no significant impact on mental well-being.

4. Why is focusing on mental health important for middle school students?

A．It helps in achieving academic success.

B．It contributes to a more positive self-image.

C．It encourages following social media trends.

D．It increases interest in fashion and style.

4 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Who are the audiences probably?

A．College students.

B．News reporters.

C．Movie fans.

2. What is the speaker talking about?

A．Racism.

B．Heightism.

C．Sexism.

3. What is the advantage of the tall?

A．Get more attention.

B．Get more choices.

C．Get more income.

4. How do most people feel about being tall?

A．They can earn high income from it.

B．They can get satisfaction from it.

C．Nobody cares about their height.

5 . While the increase in the number of unemployed Americans has been a focus of economists throughout the pandemic, another problem has been mostly overlooked: The people that do have jobs are calling out sick in record numbers.

Unlike the jobless rate, which has declined noticeably, the rate of absenteeism (旷工) has remained stubbornly high. More than 1.9 million people missed work in December, according to Labor Department data. Michael Gapen, chief US economist, says although vaccinations could start driving down absenteeism, the missed work is causing supply chain problems. “Absenteeism could lead to shortages; it could lead to higher prices and more limited output,” he says.

The problem is so acute that companies are lobbying local authorities to get their workers near the front of the line for vaccinations. “There are instances of having to shut down lines at various points in time in order to manage the absenteeism,” says Geoff Freeman, a chief executive officer.

According to the Institute for Supply Management, factory activities increased in December, with the employment returning to a level that indicates growth. However, one complaint is that suppliers are still struggling with their own employee shortages, which is causing supply problems. “The quantity of infections and the quantity of people who are sick or having to self-quarantine (自我隔离) are just so overwhelming that everybody has to be affected by it,” Timothy Fiore, said on a Jan. 5 call with reporters.

For office workers, 90% of professionals said before the pandemic they'd sometimes go to work sick. COVID-19, however, contributes to the fact that more employees are staying home to protect themselves and others.

“We know when the absenteeism will end, and that's when we get the vaccine in people's arms,” says a manager. But a lack of federal leadership means “this is the Wild West right now, and we see the results of that.”

1. What does paragraph 2 mainly tell us about absenteeism?

A．Its root causes.	B．Its major consequences.
C．Its future development.	D．Its economic values.

2. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined word “lobbying” in paragraph 3?

A．Persuading.	B．Cheating.
C．Informing.	D．Predicting.

3. What can we say about America’s absent workers?

A．They complain about their working conditions.

B．They call out sick because of their mental pressure.

C．They struggle with the supply shortages.

D．They are largely impacted by the pandemic.

4. What can be inferred from the text?

A．There are more jobless workers than the absent ones.

B．Supply chain problems are causing absenteeism.

C．All people aren’t satisfied with the federal government.

D．Workers won’t return to work even if they are vaccinated.

6 . NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Last year, the National Park Service (NPS) marked its 100th anniversary with a year-long celebration.

    1    . It recognized the preservation and protection of the 417 park service units. Now that those festivities have wrapped up, it’s time to look toward what the next 100 years might look like for the nation’s parks. Here’s a look at some of the major issues facing the nation s parks now and over the next century.

    2    . For example, at Shenandoah National Park, park officials note that rising temperatures in streams have already impacted native fish. They are also concerned that climate change will lead to more droughts, floods and wildfires. At Golden Gate National Recreation Area in California, park officials are predicting heat waves, coastal flooding and habitat destruction in response to climate change.

Visitors behave badly. Today, visitors still aim to make their mark on the natural and cultural resources.

    3    . But the NPS now has its own branch of law enforcement (执法) officials who are tasked with protecting those resources for and often from park visitors.

There is maintenance backlog (积压).    4    . But the donations may drop sharply and raise the possibility of handing the parks over to private corporations. With budget shortfalls and maintenance at all-time highs, it’s likely that these sorts of partnerships will only become more likely in the future.

Despite some major concerns, the future of the NPS looks promising. With a renewed level of interest, and the help of some corporate donations, the parks will be protected for the next century.    5    .

A．Climate change will affect all parks

B．Yellowstone National Park deserves a visit

C．The NPS took a look back at the last century

D．The maintenance burden will be removed soon

E．And they may look different in the next 100 years

F．Those are protected by the National Park Service as they did years ago

G．At the moment, donations from private corporations are limited to signs and certain exhibits

7 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的单词（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式（不超过3个单词）。

Table tennis first     1     (appear) during Victorian England. Table tennis didn’t become a competitive sport until 1988. Now table tennis not only is a matter of competition, but also provides an opportunity for people to play together no matter what their ages are. There is a day for people     2     love table tennis to spread their love for the sport. It     3     (call) World Table Tennis Day.

The International Table Tennis Federation has taken table tennis to a     4     (complete) new level. ITTF tries to make table tennis popular around the world.     5     (achieve) this goal, in 2015 ITTTF created World Table Tennis Day to get people interested     6     table tennis. Since then it has been celebrating the day so that more people can learn about     7     sport.

World Table Tennis Day is celebrated by     8     (organize) activities in the streets, clubs, bars, schools, workplaces etc. People can register for all these     9     (event) on the Internet to join in the worldwide celebration. If you’re looking for other ways to celebrate World Table Tennis Day, you can choose to watch     10     (excite) table tennis games on TV on the day and tell your friends what day it is.

8 . When it comes to elite universities like Cambridge and Harvard, students often worry that they are not clever enough to get in. But the truth may not be as simple as that.

According to The Guardian, most applicants to top schools have equally perfect test scores.     1    . Voice of America (VOA) recently interviewed Julie Soper, an admissions officer for American University in Washington. Soper said she and her colleagues place a lot of weight on the way applicants present themselves in their personal statement essays." Personal charm may carry more weight than a straight A academic record.    2     ,” she said.

    3    , Elite Reference recently interviewed a former admissions officer from Harvard and found that the school probably won't consider violin skills an advantage since they already have too many violin players. But if an applicant has mastered an instrument that only a few people can play, he or she might be able to gain an upper hand.

When James Keeler, the admissions tutor at Selwyn College, UK, went through a pile of essays for medical school candidates, one of them caught his eyes. “He's been volunteering with St John Ambulance, and also training to be a special policeman.    4    . He's clearly doing something worthwhile. He's currently volunteering at a care home. That's a tick for me," Keeler told The Guardian.

"Unfortunately, most essays fail to highlight what's unique about each applicant. Students are often obsessed with maintaining a faultless image of themselves and are afraid to show who they really are. They write an essay, and then it gets passed through the English teacher and the parents and the aunt and uncle and the guidance counselor.     5    ,” said Keeler.

A．We are eager to meet straight A students

B．By the time it gets to us, it's just so wonderful that it's hard to really get a sense of that person

C．We want them to be as individual as possible

D．In terms of extracurricular activities, universities are also looking for "distinguishing excellence"

E．Students get rejected largely because they "failed to shine" as a person

F．No single student will be admitted unless they are academically top "A"

G．That's something I've never seen before