1 . Harris County expands the mobile library program with an addition of the fourth Curiosity Cruiser (巡航车). Instead of sweet music through a speaker system attached to the roof, the sides of the cruisers are decorated with cartoon images of superheroes. And the vehicles are not filled with frozen treats, but rather a collection of books, electronics and other materials that can help children learn.
“When kids see a cruiser coming into their community, they start running for it,” Melton, the director of the Houston-area library system, said. “They’re excited about it. They’re excited about reading and getting a book they can take home.”
Melton said the Curiosity Cruisers program has distributed (分发) more than 69,000 books to more than 55,000 Houston-area children, focusing on reaching low-income parts of the region where there are no nearby public libraries. Children up to age 18 can take home one book per visit while engaging with other on-site learning materials such as laptops, 3D printers and courses on robotics and other STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines.
The newest delivery truck, equipped and donated by the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation with financial support from local companies and other charities, will enable the mobile library program to make an additional 12 stops per month. “It is a huge deal,” Melton said of adding a fourth cruiser. “There is a great need for literary services in Harris County. Even with the efforts we’re putting forth, it’s really like a drop in the sea. So the more vehicles we can have, the more impact we can have.”
Julie Finck, the president of the foundation behind, said the idea was to promote reading and STEM skills in communities where there are not libraries, even in schools.
Three out of ten Houston children failed to meet the minimum, end-of-third-grade reading standard in the most recent statewide STAAR test, according to Finck. She also said research shows that if children aren’t reading skilfully by the end of the third grade, they are four times as likely as their peers (同龄人) to end up dropping out of school.
1. Why do kids get excited when they see a Curiosity Cruiser?| A．They can get a book free of charge. |
| B．They can buy frozen treats from the cruiser. |
| C．They can borrow some learning materials. |
| D．They can meet their favorite superheroes. |
| A．What they are doing is far from enough. |
| B．The number of library vehicles is sufficient. |
| C．More support is needed from the government. |
| D．They have donated too much for the vehicles. |
| A．To raise funds for the poor. | B．To bridge the educational gap. |
| C．To better people’s living standards. | D．To build more libraries in Houston. |
| A．Children can improve their social skills. |
| B．It will develop children’s interest in reading. |
| C．It will help children prepare for their STEM. |
| D．The dropout rate among children will decrease. |
2 . Members of the Huntington Station-based Girl Scout Troop 239 are working towards their goals. They are
“What we really want to do is use this
The troop has already gathered up 400 pounds. “Many families collected for us,
Throughout the project, members of the troop sort through plastic caps and lids to make sure they are
The benches will be donated to local
Each bench will be 6 feet long. A board will be put in front
| A．collecting | B．producing | C．designing | D．delivering |
| A．cover up | B．change into | C．fix up | D．attach to |
| A．standard | B．competition | C．project | D．example |
| A．recycle | B．creativity | C．communication | D．exercise |
| A．left behind | B．put away | C．thrown away | D．missed out |
| A．immediate | B．positive | C．indirect | D．practical |
| A．instead of | B．except for | C．according to | D．as well as |
| A．enjoyable | B．capable | C．affordable | D．unbelievable |
| A．usable | B．original | C．comfortable | D．special |
| A．introduced | B．applied | C．related | D．shipped |
| A．parks | B．hospitals | C．stores | D．schools |
| A．toys | B．families | C．companions | D．teachers |
| A．punish | B．include | C．rescue | D．chase |
| A．admitting | B．advertising | C．explaining | D．ensuring |
| A．contributed | B．made | C．found | D．paid |
3 . A special spelling event called “The Big Dictation” took place in the famous Champs-Elyseés street of Paris. The event was organized by a writer named Rachid Santaki, who is often called “Monsieur Dictee”, or “Mr. Dictation”. He came up with the idea of large groups of people participating in dictations (听写) back in 2013, thinking it could help people in France get better at reading and writing.
Over 50,000 people applied to join in the special spelling event. In the end, around 5,000 people, aged 10 to 90, were chosen to take part.
A large “blackboard” was set up for the event near a famous monument (纪念碑), the Arc de Triomphe. Three celebrities were there to play the part of the teacher, and read the dictation texts out loud. A total of 1,779 desks were set up in the street to be used in each of three different dictation sessions, each of which had a different theme, including classic French literature, contemporary French literature, and writing about sports.
Ten-year-old Samson thought the dictation was too quick and he couldn’t finish. Another young student agreed. “It was impossible!” he said. “The dictation was for adults.” Even adults found it hard, reporting that it caused “stress and worry”. One retired woman was pleased that she had only made two mistakes.
The organizer said the event wasn’t just about getting all the words right, but something that could bring people together. Another goal of The Big Dictation was to break the Guinness record for the largest dictation event ever. The previous record was set in 2018 at France’s national stadium, Stade de France, with 1,473 people taking part. It’s not clear if the event on the Champs-Elysees managed to beat the record. But even if it didn’t, The Big Dictation will be remembered by the people of Paris for a long time.
1. What was Rachid Santaki’s purpose in setting up “The Big Dictation”?| A．To advertise Champs-Elysees street. |
| B．To provide a platform to show citizens’ talents. |
| C．To promote people’s reading and writing ability. |
| D．To collect money for charity. |
| A．An outdoor classroom. | B．A huge culture museum. |
| C．A great exhibition of books. | D．A large celebrity meet-and-greet. |
| A．Interesting. | B．Challenging. | C．Impractical. | D．Rewarding. |
| A．It left a deep impression on the Parisians. |
| B．It set up a new Guinness record on dictation. |
| C．It got fewer than 1,473 participants eventually. |
| D．It aimed to attract people worldwide. |
4 . When Amelia Lisowe was told she was too young to volunteer, she decided to make a difference by herself. The Benton, Arkansas native launched her own non-profit, Lisowe’s Lights, in 2018, donating over 500 nightlights to kids in the Arkansas foster (寄养的) system that year alone.
Since, she has expanded to all 50 states (and 9 countries) and raised funds to distribute more than 15,000 nightlights — with no plans of slowing down.
“Kids in foster homes sometimes have to leave in the middle of the night without taking anything with them,” she says. “I wanted to help them feel less scared and more safe.” The 12-year-old hopes to give away at least 2,500 more lights in 2023.
Amelia grew up volunteering with her mom, Lauren, who encouraged her daughter to find something she was good at and use it to make the world a better place. “I’m so proud of her,” Lauren adds. “She’s involved in every decision we make. Every time we spend money, she helps decide if something is a good idea or will further our cause.”
Amelia also gets help from friends in the Royal International Miss Pageant system, who run their own nightlight drives in person and online. Amelia, a sixth grader who also volunteers at her local food bank and nursing home, says she feels the impact of her work most when she hears from organizations that have put her lights to use.
“I heard about one boy in Oklahoma who never turned off his hall light, not because he was scared, but because he wanted to make sure his little sister was always doing okay across the hall,” Amelia shares. “When they got their nightlight, he knew she wouldn’t be afraid anymore.”
1. What was the reason for Amelia’s being refused as a volunteer?| A．Her young age. | B．Her slow reaction. |
| C．Her busy schedule. | D．Her little experience. |
| A．By easing their scare. | B．By encouraging them to explore. |
| C．By ensuring their safety. | D．By putting them to sleep. |
| A．Opposed. | B．Doubtful. | C．Supportive. | D．Worried. |
| A．To explain why he kept light on. | B．To express her pride in her job. |
| C．To decide what she would do next. | D．To show how nightlights help kids. |
5 . Sometimes a camera’s eye in the sky can cast new light on the world we live in—highlighting changes or celebrating beauty we might be unaware of on ground level. And that’s what you’ll see in the winners from the 2023 Drone (无人机) Photo Awards.
The photography competition, now in its sixth year, received nearly 14, 000 images from amateur and professional photographers from 104 countries for the nine categories of the competition. All photos were taken from above using a drone.
Here’s a look at some of those award-winning photos and honorable mentions from around the world.
Amigos
“In Baja California Sur in Mexico, gray whales come to interact with people—as if they were friends(in Spanish’Amigos’),” says the photographer.
The art of rice processing
Rice mill workers start their day at the break of dawn. Some of them boil the paddy rice. Others carry it and spread it outside the rice mill to dry in the sun. To make sure that it dries properly, they rake (耙) it out, then sweep it back.
A cherished wetland drowning in trash
The Pallikaranai wetland is one of the few remaining wetlands in India. Every day, the photographer says that 3,500 tons of garbage are dumped on some 300 acres of this nearly 20,000-acre wetland.
Strawberry fields forever, Act I, Scene 1
Naming it The strawberry show is about to begin, the photographer says that the strawberry field from above looks like the opening of a theater curtain before a big show.
1. What can we learn about the 2023 Drone Photo Awards?| A．It is held every six years. |
| B．The theme of the entries is limited. |
| C．The photos are taken by professionals. |
| D．It attracts many photographers from all over the world. |
| A．Amigos. |
| B．The art of rice processing. |
| C．A cherished wetland drowning in trash. |
| D．Strawberry fields forever, Act I, Scene 1. |
| A．They all celebrate beauty. |
| B．They all highlight changes. |
| C．They are all taken from the air. |
| D．They belong to the same category. |
1. Who is the speaker probably talking to?
| A．Teachers. | B．Students. | C．Parents. |
| A．To develop students’ sense of responsibility. |
| B．To teach students baking skills. |
| C．To improve students’ social skills. |
| A．Bake with their parents at school. |
| B．Sell and buy baked items. |
| C．Make a personal donation to charity. |
7 . It’s a sweet moment, as a chimp reaches up to kiss his mother’s face. The touching photo was taken by the famous conservationist and activist Jane Goodall in 1993 in Gombe National Park in northwest Tanzania where she has studied chimpanzees for more than six decades.
The image is part of Vital Impacts consisting of a group of 100 photographers. The women-led non-profit was founded by award-winning photographer Ami Vitale and visual journalist Eileen Mignoni. They are selling fine arts images, most of which focus on wildlife and nature, with earnings benefiting conservation organizations including Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots and Shoots program.
“Our purpose is to use photography to create awareness and understanding; to help us see that the survival of the planet is closely connected with our own survival. As photographers, we have a huge opportunity to inform and influence change, but pressing the shutter (快门) is just the start,” Vitale said.
“For an image to have significance, it needs to reach people. To this end, we are working to get the photographs of Vital Impacts photographers and our students into high-profile media and exhibitions around the world.”
The organization gives special attention to photographers who are committed to the planet. Funds will be used to support global conservation and environmental initiatives and the group will offer two $20,000 environmental storytelling awards.
Vital Impacts has raised more than $1.5 million from the sale of fine art prints since the organization was set up in late 2021. Some of its profits were donated to the organization Direct Relief, which shipped more than 1,400 tons of medical supplies value d at $545 million to support 351 healthcare equipment in disaster zones. Other profits were able to provide fuel and vehicle assistance to support wildlife corridors (廊道), a monitoring program, and the restoration of the Snake River in the Pacific Northwest.
1. How did the author begin the text?| A．By sharing an image. | B．By introducing Jane Goodall’s hobby. |
| C．By recalling sweet memories. | D．By describing chimps’ unusual behavior. |
| A．To help non-profits in the world. | B．To call on people to donate. |
| C．To sell images to benefit conservation. | D．To pick out excellent photographers. |
| A．Those who love nature. |
| B．Those who are award winners. |
| C．Those who mainly take photos of animals. |
| D．Those who are devoted to the environment. |
| A．Its funds. | B．Its sponsor. | C．Its contributions. | D．Its future plan. |
8 . Volunteering was not something that peaked my interest until a couple of years ago. I was not in an environment which talked about or encouraged volunteering back then, therefore I never saw it as something that could help both me and the community. I just felt like that is something people who have a lot of free time do. My view of volunteering changed when I started my university.
When I was around 19, I volunteered in schools and kindergartens, which were closely connected to my university degree, as that was what I felt most comfortable doing. Later, when I realized that I’m being quite stagnant — I didn’t really get anything new out of opportunities closely tied to my field of study, I decided to branch out by volunteering at some events which are a bit out of my comfort zone. I volunteered at events like the Gymnastics World Cup, different Art Festivals and similar places where I didn’t necessarily participate as a creator but as a coordinator of other volunteers.
The most important and life-changing volunteering experience for me came in 2018 when I decided that volunteering locally just was not enough anymore and I went to volunteer abroad. I spent a month and a half in Romania teaching children with fewer opportunities English. That experience not only helped me to better my teaching skills, but also completely changed me as a person, making me meet people from all over the world.
All of these experiences brought me here, on an ESN (Erasmus Student Network) project in Zagreb at home. This is a project I’ve been excited for a long time because it meant.
I was going to change my surroundings for a longer period of time, which obviously meant more challenges and more personal growth for me. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that volunteering is something you shouldn’t do, because it’s one of the best things you could ever do, both for yourself and for the people you’re going to help along the way.
1. Why did volunteering never appeal to the writer before attending university?| A．He felt he was too young to do voluntary jobs. |
| B．He didn’t have much time to do volunteering work. |
| C．He was prevented from doing volunteering then. |
| D．He didn’t fully understand voluntary work then. |
| A．Lifeless. | B．Unproductive. | C．Full. | D．Complete. |
| A．He volunteered at the Gymnastics World Cup. |
| B．He worked on an ESN project in Zagreb. |
| C．He taught children English in Romania. |
| D．He worked in different Art Festivals. |
| A．The advantages of doing volunteering. |
| B．My experience of volunteering abroad. |
| C．The difficulties in doing volunteering. |
| D．My personal story of doing volunteering. |
9 . Best Volunteer Opportunities Abroad for 2023 & 2024
As more people choose to travel more sustainably, International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)’s volunteer abroad programs are booking up quickly for 2023 and 2024. You won’t want to miss out on these volunteer opportunities!
Zambia Program For those who want to explore the incredible area of Victoria Falls, but want to volunteer to help local people in the community, check out this program. Volunteer opportunities in Zambia include Construction & Renovation, Elderly Care, Kindergarten, Medical and Rural Teaching. Moreover, you can enjoy many thrilling activities like swimming on the ledge of a powerful waterfall and taking a walking safari (游猎). |  |
South Africa Program Set in Cape Town, this program is incredibly popular for those looking for a meaningful and social travel experience with easy access to surfing, hiking and even weekend safari tours. With volunteer projects like Surf Outreach, Teaching English and Sports Development, there’s a significant focus on youth development and increasing access to education in Cape Town. |  |
Costa Rica Program Known for its relaxing culture and beautiful beaches, rainforests and volcanoes, Costa Rica is one of the best places to volunteer abroad. In Costa Rica, IVHQ has 12 diverse and responsible projects that include Turtle Conservation, Eco-Agriculture Conservation, Childcare, Teaching English, Healthcare and more, and these programs are located in a range of volunteer locations. |  |
Guatemala Program Guatemala’s incredible volcanoes, green rainforest, beautiful lakes and attractive cultural cities make this country a hit with nature and city lovers alike. IVHQ’s volunteer opportunities in Guatemala range from unique programs such as Mayan Cultural Immersion in the Highlands, Eco-Agriculture on a local coffee farm to Medical, Childcare and Teaching projects in Antigua. |  |
| A．Costa Rica Program. | B．South Africa Program. |
| C．Zambia Program. | D．Guatemala Program. |
| A．Take a weekend safari. | B．Train the ocean turtles. |
| C．Make the delicious coffee. | D．Swim near Victoria Falls. |
| A．Its various wildlife. |
| B．Its natural beauty and cultural cities. |
| C．Its friendly local people. |
| D．Its delicious food and good education. |
School volunteers don’t get paid money，but sometimes we receive special gifts. One morning，just before Christmas vacation，I was selling tickets to our grade school’s lastevening performance of The Nutcracker.
One of my customers that day was a parent. “I think it’s awful that I have to pay to see my own child perform,”she announced，yanking(猛扯)a wallet from her purse.
“The school asks for a voluntary donation to help pay for scenery and costumes,”I explained，“but no one has to pay. You’re welcome to all the tickets you need. ”
“Oh，I’ll pay,”she said unhappily. “Two adults and a child. ”She plunked down(猛地放下) a ten-dollar bill. I gave her the change and her tickets. She stepped aside，holding her purse. That’s when the boy waiting behind her emptied a pocketful of change onto the table.
“How many tickets?”I asked.
“I don’t need tickets,”he said. “I’m paying. ”He pushed the coins across the table. “But you’ll need tickets to see the show tonight. ”
He shook his head. “I’ve already seen the show. ”
I pushed the pile of nickels，dimes，and quarters back. “You don’t have to pay to sce theshow with your class,”l told him. “That’s free. ”
“No,”the boy insisted. “I saw it last night. My brother and I arrived late. We couldn’t find anyone to buy tickets from，so we just walked in. ”
Lots of people in that crowd had probably “just walked in”. The few volunteers present couldn’t check everyone for a ticket. Anyway，it ‘s OK. As I’d told the parent ahead of this boy ，the donation was voluntary.
He pushed his money back to me. “I’m paying now，for last night,”he said， I knew this boy and his brother must have squeezed into the back of that crowd. And being late to the hall，they couldn’t possibly have seen the whole show. I hated to take his money. A pile of coins in a kid’s hand is usually carefully saved allowance money.
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。
So I decided to make some efforts to persuade him to give up paying.
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Our conversation somewhat affected the woman who had complained about buying tickets.
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