1 . Recent studies suggest four out of 10 persons feel lonely at least one or two days per week, with younger persons (Millennials and Gen Z) exhibiting signs of extreme alienation (疏远) and disconnection more than other generations. Even older people, who are frequently regarded as lonely with few persons to speak to and objectively have lost many family members and friends, report less loneliness than Millennials. Why do Millennials report being the most lonely, and what can be done to address it?
Thirty percent of people between 23 and 38 said they often “feel lonely”. “But wait,” you may say. “Aren’t they connected through technology, social media platforms, and various apps?” Yes, but one of the challenges of extensive smartphone and app use today is that we are being trained to stare at screens rather than meet and have face-to-face conversations with people. Still, at the same time, people who spend more than 8 hours a day on screens per day tend to report other issues: depression, anxiety and other serious challenges to their well-being.
A meeting of minds used to happen via religious gatherings and school. So a possible solution is to create spaces and locations where one (and not just Millennials) can meet folks who share additional common interests. One possibility is through regular exercise outside the home. Going to a YMCA or a gym to a Zumba, yoga, or cycling class presents an opportunity to enjoy physical activity and have brief conversations with them before and after the session.
In addition to the obvious positive physical effects of the exercise, it can be surprising how beneficial a quick conversation can be with someone you may have just met. The boost in mood is palpable and can lead to better workouts due to increased available energy and motivation.
In conclusion, spending a little less time on the phone and a little more time walking in the neighborhood, in a park, or going early and staying late at the gym can work wonders for one’s mood and health.
1. Why do Millennials often feel lonelier than other generations?| A．They refuse to open up their inner world. |
| B．They don’t like to go to religious gatherings. |
| C．They are less connected with others in real life. |
| D．They have fewer opportunities to interact with people. |
| A．Limiting screen time. | B．Going to a nightclub with classmates. |
| C．Joining a group to exercise together. | D．Strengthening the parent-child bond. |
| A．Noticeable. | B．Comfortable. | C．Fortunate. | D．Temporary. |
| A．The ways for millennials to make new friends. |
| B．The importance of face-to-face communication. |
| C．How to make new friends for Millennials and Gen Z. |
| D．Why Millennials feel lonely and solutions to address the problem. |
2 . What you believe in has a magic way of shaping your reality. The concept of “you can become what you believe” is more than just a motivational quote. It’s a truth that stresses the remarkable influence of your mindset (心态) on your journey through life. At the heart of this idea lies the distinction between two fundamental mindsets: the growth mindset and the fixed mindset.
The growth mindset is a mindset that embraces the idea that abilities and intelligence can be developed through devotion, effort, learning, and perseverance. Those with a growth mindset grow better on challenges, viewing them as opportunities to learn and improve. Effort is seen as a path to mastery, and setbacks are viewed as stepping stones on the journey to success. Criticism is taken constructively as a chance to improve skills, and the success of others serves as inspiration and a blueprint for one’s own progress.
In contrast, the fixed mindset is characterized by the belief that your abilities, intelligence, and talents are fixed characteristics that cannot be changed. People with a fixed mindset tend to avoid challenges, fearing that failure might reveal their limitations. They avoid pushing themselves because they see it as a sign of their weakness. Criticism is frequently interpreted as a personal attack, and envy or anger can be stirred up by others’ achievement. In nature, a fixed mindset limits individuals to their current abilities and limits their potential for growth.
The power of a growth mindset lies in its capacity to drive positive change. By believing in the potential for growth and improvement, individuals open themselves to a world of possibilities. “If you imagine less, less will be what you, undoubtedly deserve. Do what you love and don’t stop until you get what you love. Work as hard as you can, and think big, “Debbie Millman, a writer, designer, educator, artist and brand consultant said.
1. What is the author’s argument?| A．People’s mindsets are diverse. | B．One’s heart affects one’s mindset. |
| C．Mindset determines what one can be. | D．Mindset depends on one’s character. |
| A．Its limitation. | B．Its possibility. |
| C．Its disadvantages, | D．Its characteristics. |
| A．Giving examples. | B．Making comparisons. |
| C．Conducting analysis. | D．Quoting famous sayings. |
| A．Think carefully before you act. | B．Imagine less and practice more. |
| C．Stay true to yourself and never change. | D．Pursue your dreams and never give up. |
3 . Nicholas Bostic works as a pizza maker. He was on his way to get gas one night when he saw
He ran to the back of the house, found an unlocked door, and
Nicholas ran inside but he couldn’t find her. When he got to the stairs that led downstairs, he heard some slight
Bostic had saved five
| A．rays | B．gases | C．flames | D．powders |
| A．denied | B．realized | C．explained | D．promised |
| A．rushed | B．marched | C．drove | D．flew |
| A．replied | B．scolded | C．shouted | D．whispered |
| A．rest | B．escape | C．report | D．leave |
| A．parents | B．partners | C．friends | D．neighbours |
| A．injured | B．awake | C．missing | D．anxious |
| A．crying | B．singing | C．arguing | D．talking |
| A．air | B．fog | C．dust | D．smoke |
| A．smelled | B．hesitated | C．practised | D．screamed |
| A．darkness | B．shade | C．peace | D．light |
| A．simply | B．tightly | C．poorly | D．beautifully |
| A．moving | B．rolling | C．landing | D．attacking |
| A．items | B．lives | C．games | D．animals |
| A．creative | B．aggressive | C．ambitious | D．courageous |
4 . In a close-up (特写), one man is pulling the other with all his strength through the window of an SUV, a type of vehicle, which is stuck dangerously on a cliff (悬崖) 30 feet above a busy roadway.
Jason Warnock, then 29, is the man performing the life-saving action. He was driving in Lewiston, Idaho, in April 2015 when he came upon a fallen tree in the middle of the road. “I was like, ‘What happened’?” he told a news website. Warnock stretched out his neck to stare up the side of a cliff. At the very top, where the tree should have been, was an SUV swinging on the edge, held back from falling to the road by a delicate, heavily damaged chain-link fence. Looking inside the car, Warnock could see a panicked Matthew Sitko, 23, beating on the passenger-side window.
That’s when Warnock sprang into action. He crossed a nearby footbridge, and climbed up the cliff to get to the vehicle. When Warnock got to the car, he tried breaking the window with a tool he had on him, only to realize that his cracking was shaking the car and might cause it to slip down the hill. He stopped and turned to calming Sitko enough to get him to open the window. “Give me your hand,” Warnock said. “If this thing goes, I want to have a hold of you so I can at least get you out of there.” Before reaching for the lifeline, Sitko had one request: “Can I grab my phone?” Soon enough, Warnock had freed both man and his machine.
According to the Lewiston police chief, the accident was caused when Sitko, who suffered only minor injuries, lost control of his car. For his part, Warnock insisted he came to Sitko’s aid for one simple reason: “I just did what anyone would do.”
1. Where was Matthew Sitko’s SUV when spotted?| A．On a cliff. | B．By a river. |
| C．On the road. | D．Under a tree. |
| A．His strength ran up. |
| B．His tool stopped functioning. |
| C．He worried about his own safety. |
| D．He realized the possible consequence. |
| A．The SUV was beyond repair. | B．The SUV was out of control. |
| C．Sitko was severely injured. | D．Sitko was sleepy and tired. |
| A．Calm but stubborn. | B．Daring but anxious. |
| C．Caring and decisive. | D．Optimistic and strong. |
With the late afternoon sun setting on his farm, Steve finished feeding his horses and decided to go home. His two sons, Danny, 6, and Claus, 3, followed behind.
As they headed for the house, the two boys ran ahead of their father, who stopped to close the gate. Danny paused at an old well. Unknown to him, the board covering the well had grown easily broken over time. When Danny stepped on it, it caved in. Steve had just finished locking the gate when he turned around and saw only his younger son.
“Where’s Danny?” he shouted. “He fell in the hole!” Claus said. Steve quickly realized what had happened. Danny could barely swim! He ran to the well and heard Danny screaming quite way below. Desperately, he jumped in .
Steve hit the freezing water at the bottom of the well. He lifted his head out of the water and grabbed Danny, who was panicked, trying to stay afloat in water that was too deep for either of them to stand.
Knowing they could float in the ice-cold water for only a short time, Steve pulled his son up onto his chest and tried all means to stand upright with two legs against the narrow well walls for support. His body was still partly submerged (淹没). “Dad, you can pull us out now,” Danny said.
If only it were that easy. There was no way he could climb out. Looking up to see Claus looking down at them from the top of the well, Steve shouted, “Claus, you’re going to have to be a big boy and save us. You have to go out to the road and get someone to help. OK?” “OK, Daddy.” Claus yelled and ran to the road.
注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
About 15 minutes later, Edmen and Sam, their neighbors, were driving by Steve’s farm when they noticed Claus alone by the side of the road, waving.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Forty-some minutes after he’d jumped into the well to save his son, Steve came out, cold and wet.
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| A．She has an accident. |
| B．She has to call an ambulance. |
| C．She had her cellphone stolen. |
7 . The Department for International Trade (DIT) is a UK Government department working with businesses based in the United Kingdom to ensure their success in international markets. Here are some events to be held by DIT.
International Business Festival — Future Transport
What could new technology in travel mean for business? Hear the latest from the Government’s centres for autonomous vehicles and listen to the successful cases. The event will also predict near-future developments in transport and make a surprisingly strong business argument for more traditional ways of getting from A to B.
LOCATION: National Exhibition Center, West Midlands B401NT, United Kingdom
PRICING: 80 pounds for a festival pass and 40 pounds for a day pass. FESTll provides a 20 percent discount until the end of April.
TEL: 0121-7804141
International E-Commerce Workshop
This workshop will enable you to develop your digital skills, raise your global brand presence, and allow you to test new markets with minimal investment. You will learn how to develop a strategy in online routes to market, identify multi-channel and B2B online opportunities.
LOCATION: East Midlands Business Ltd, Unit 5 Merus Court, United Kingdom
PRICING: Free
TEL: 0658-1714889
International Business Festival — Urbanisation (城市化) & Cities
Examine the considerable leadership and governance challenges that must be overcome if cities are to fulfil their potential as engines for growth. Find opportunities in a changing world and meet future partners, buyers, investors and develop relationships.
LOCATION: Exhibition Centre Liverpool, Kings Dock, L3 4BX, United Kingdom
PRICING: 105 pounds for a festival pass and 50 pounds for a day pass. FEST11 provides a 20 percent discount until the end of April.
TEL: 0289-6032899
Please call at 0789-1056888 if you are having any problems registering for the site.
1. Which number should you call if you have some questions about future transport event?| A．0658-1714889. | B．0789-1056888. |
| C．0121-7804141. | D．0289-6032899. |
| A．Exhibition Centre Liverpool. | B．East Midlands Business Ltd. |
| C．Kings Dock, L3 4BX. | D．West Midlands B401NT. |
| A．105 pounds. | B．21 pounds. | C．10 pounds. | D．40 pounds. |
8 . Every week in China, millions of people will sit in front of their TVs watching teenagers compete for the title Character Hero, which is a Chinese-style spelling bee. In this challenge, young competitors must write Chinese characters by hand. To prepare for the competition, the competitors usually spend months studying dictionaries.
Perhaps the show’s popularity should not be a surprise. Along with gunpowder and paper, many Chinese people consider the creation of Chinese calligraphy(书法) to be one of their primary contributions to civilization. Unfortunately, all over the country, Chinese people are forgetting how to write their own language without computerized help. Software on smart phones and computers allows users to type in the basic sound of the word using the Latin alphabet. The correct character is chosen from a list. The result? It’s possible to recognize characters without remembering how to write them.
But there’s still hope for the paint brush. China’s Education Ministry wants children to spend more time learning how to write.
In one Beijing primary school we visited, students practice calligraphy every day inside a specially decorated classroom with traditional Chinese paintings hanging on the walls. Soft music plays as a group of six-year-olds dip brush pens into black ink. They look up at the blackboard often to study their teacher’s examples before carefully attempting to reproduce those characters on thin rice paper. “If adults can survive without using handwriting, why bother to teach it now?” we ask the calligraphy teacher, Shen Bin. “The ability to write characters is part of Chinese tradition and culture,” she reasons. “Students must learn now so they don’t forget when they grow up.” says the teacher.
1. What can we learn about the Character Hero?| A．It’s open to people of all ages and all walks. |
| B．It’s the most-viewed TV programs in China. |
| C．It aims to spread Chinese culture to the world. |
| D．It draws great public attention across the country. |
| A．Chinese people don’t refer to dictionaries very often. |
| B．Chinese people no longer use brush pens or practice calligraphy. |
| C．Chinese people are using the Latin alphabet instead of the characters. |
| D．Chinese people needn’t write by hand as often with the help of technology. |
| A．necessary for adults to survive in China |
| B．a requirement made by the Education Ministry |
| C．helpful to keep Chinese tradition and culture alive |
| D．an ability to be developed only when you are students |
| A．A news report. | B．A science report. |
| C．An advertisement. | D．Children’s literature. |
Many students may feel
For one thing, parents are often not aware of the kinds of problems their children face. They don't realize that the
At their kindest, they may
Sometimes parents think it night and natural that they determine
10 . Given a wide range of available entertainment options and the way we consume information, visits to the library may seem like an old-fashioned entertainment. But according to a new Gallup poll(民意调查),Americans took more trips to the library than to the movie theater in 2019. The poll surveyed 1,025 adults throughout the United States who were asked how many times they participated in nine different leisure(休闲)activities, including visiting a library, watching a movie, or attending a sporting event. Library visits came out on top as the favorite, with those surveyed visiting an average of 10.5 times annually. Movies were second with respondents heading to the cinema an average of 5.3 times throughout the year. The zoo came in the last place with only 0.9 visits.
Although it’s not the only determining factor, cost appears to play a part. Activities at the bottom of the list such as theme parks and zoos are typically expensive. Libraries are free, as are many of their available services like Wi-Fi, in addition to the endless amounts of books. A Pew Research Center study indicated that although most people visit libraries to check out reading materials, 29% of surveyed Americans over the age of 16 use libraries for computers, Internet and public Wi-Fi.
People between ages 30-49 were most likely to engage in leisure activities, according to the Gallup poll. This was perhaps because of “their relative youth combined with mid-life stability” Gallup’s Justin McCarthy told Smithsonian. McCarthy also notes that libraries are typically visited most often by adults from low-income households and less often by adults from high-income households. In this poll, the youngest age group—those who are 18 to 29 years old—visited the library the most. This could be because college students are in that group.
Regardless of the reasons why people visit libraries, they’re far from outdated. Libraries have stood the test of time, which is good news for book lovers, those needing to drop in for Internet use, or anyone just looking for some quiet time. If there was ever any doubt that libraries would simply fade away, research suggests that they’re not going anywhere anytime soon.
1. Which activity ranks last according to the survey?| A．Going to a library. |
| B．Visiting the zoo. |
| C．Attending a sporting event. |
| D．Watching a movie in the theater. |
| A．Age plays a key role in going to a library. |
| B．Teenagers go to libraries mainly for free Wi-Fi. |
| C．Theme parks and zoos are less favored among the young. |
| D．The majority of Americans visit libraries mainly for reading materials. |
| A．Adults with high income. |
| B．People between ages 30-49. |
| C．The young at the age of 18 to 29. |
| D．Teenagers from low-income households. |
| A．Why people love reading more than ever |
| B．We love movies, but we love libraries more |
| C．Reading in libraries makes you a better person |
| D．Why more young people go to libraries for free Wi-Fi |
