3 . Released on Aug 30, a three-episode web series titled Escape From the British Museum has gone viral online for its touching and innovative narrative (叙事). The series follows the journey home of a Chinese jade teapot that has come to life as a girl. She runs away from the British Museum and comes across a Chinese journalist who helps the artifact return to China. The series, created by two Chinese vloggers, aims to raise broader awareness of Chinese artifacts that were stolen or looted (掠夺) from China and are displayed or stored in the British Museum.

The video series echoes the Chinese people’s call for the British Museum to return these Chinese artifacts. However, some UK media outlets said that the video series promotes nationalism (民族主义). In fact, every country whose artifacts are displayed or stored in the British Museum wants them back. These countries, such as Greece, Nigeria and Sudan, have already issued their demands for the return of artifacts. It’s fair enough to say these demands are shared. They can correct centuries-old wrongs by having the UK return artifacts to their rightful homes.

An opinion in the UK newspaper The Telegraph said that if the British Museum gives back its collection of artifacts, then nationalism will win over humanity’s common heritage. It also said that the artifacts were “lawfully acquired (合法取得)” by the UK. By “lawfully acquired”, does the writer mean the artifacts were acquired with the “help” of machine guns and warships? Or does he mean that the cultural artifacts of African, Asian and American countries should be kept in the hands of looters, rather than in their land of origin?

1. What is the video series Escape from the British Museum mainly about?

A．Cultural artifacts looted by the UK.

B．Hidden dangers in the British Museum.

C．The arguments about the British museum.

D．The journey of a Chinese artifact coming home.

2. What does the video series aim to highlight?

A．Protests against UK’s nationalism.

B．The beauty of Chinese cultural artifacts.

C．The desire of stolen artifacts to be returned.

D．Efforts made by Chinese activists to get artifacts back.

3. What’s the author’s purpose in mentioning countries like Greece, Nigeria and Sudan?

A．To show the UK did something wrong in the past.

B．To stress China’s demands are shared by many countries.

C．To emphasize former colonized countries have grown stronger.

D．To highlight diverse artifacts are housed in the British Museum.

4. What is the author’s attitude toward the opinion in The Telegraph?

A．It’s totally unacceptable.	B．It’s a little bit reasonable.
C．It lacks enough evidence.	D．It shows the writer’s ignorance.

4 . Travel is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re going to get, especially when using a mystery box plane ticket. Earlier this year, mystery box travel purchases increased and became trendy among China’s young people. In normal trips, people often plan their vacations well in advance. After buying a mystery box at a low price — usually 100 or 200 yuan — however, the travelers using this method will select their departure airport and receive several destination options to choose from. After the destination is decided, their trip begins.

Liao Liangyu, 16, has turned his eagerness to go on a mystery box trip into reality. He took a mystery box trip to Changsha with a couple of friends months ago. Right before their departure, a friend told Liao that Changsha was a super hyped-up (被炒作的) Internet sensation (网红). But he still decided to go and see it for himself.

“My biggest discovery is that Changsha is a city full of contrasts,” Liao explained to China Daily. “You can see skyscraper (摩天大楼) and old houses in the same view.”

Since the destination options include many less popular cities, travel mystery boxes also bring energy and economic benefits to these destinations. For example, Dehong city is a beautiful city in Yunnan province, yet has few visitors due to a lack of promotion. Following its inclusion as a mystery box travel destination, however, it has gained a lot of attention and is now thought of as a solid location for tourism.

But even so, a large number of people feel disappointed with travel mystery boxes because they can encounter many problems after purchasing one, such as inappropriate travel time, sudden flight cancellations, or even challenges with refunds. Su Weili from Ctrip suggested in an interview with Haibao News that visitors should choose reliable platforms and sign contracts to guarantee their interests.

1. What is the appeal of mystery box travel?

A．Traveling with like-minded strangers.

B．Unplanned traveling at a low cost.

C．Fixed routes to choose from.

D．Popular destinations to visit.

2. How did Liao Liangyu feel about his mystery box trip?

A．He regretted traveling with his friends.

B．He felt Changsha didn’t deserve its fame.

C．He disliked the unpredictability.

D．He discovered something unexpected.

3. How do travel mystery boxes affect places like Dehong city?

A．They help these places better known.

B．They often cause overcrowding.

C．They lead to environmental problems.

D．They enrich local people’s lives.

4. What is the main topic of the last paragraph?

A．Reliable platforms to buy travel mystery boxes.

B．Various mystery box travel options available.

C．Potential issues related to travel mystery boxes.

D．Mystery box travel regulations and policies.

5 . Younger generations of Chinese citizens have developed new methods to relieve stress, which include raising unconventional “pets”, hugging trees, watching stress relief videos and so on.

On social media platforms, a new toy called “mango dog” recently emerged.     1     In the eyes of some netizens, the “mango dog” has special meanings. “Every time I see it, it heals me,” “It’s fluffy (毛茸茸的) and cute.”     2     For example, college students have shared online their experiences of raising stones and paper box “dogs”. These “pets” share similar characteristics—they don’t cry, make noise or get sick.

Tree hugging has also become a new stress relief for young people. “You may think you are hugging the tree, but in fact, the tree is embracing you,” this is a feeling shared by a netizen. Many netizens with such experiences have expressed that their anxiety has been reduced, and they feel a sense of communication with nature.     3    

“I came across the idea online. I tried it and felt truly relaxed,” said a young office worker. “In those brief seconds, it felt like the tree released a lot of pressure and stress from me.”     4     “I especially enjoy watching stress relief videos, like washing blankets and cutting soap. After watching them, I feel like the stress of the day is relieved and it’s easier to fall asleep.”

    5     According to public data, there are currently more than 800 companies in China with names, business scopes, products, services or trademarks containing the term “stress relief”. In 2023 alone, more than 70 new registered companies with this focus were added.

A．Various “pets” are made to cater to different people.

B．It is claimed to bring a sense of calmness and give a healing effect.

C．This is not the first time that young people have raised novel “pets”.

D．A young media worker also finds the relief in watching short videos.

E．In some cities people have even organized “tree hugging interest groups”.

F．Other toys such as squeeze balls have also gained popularity as a way to relieve stress.

G．The popularity of these methods reflects an increasing need to release people’s pressure.

6 . Many Chinese sports fans last month felt frustrated when the China women’s national football team failed to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games. There was the typical roller coaster of emotional reactions with the usual talking heads on social media shouting for the chief coach Shui Qingxia to be fired. Similarly, at the Hangzhou Asian Games, Chinese national team athlete Wu Yanni came under attack for having been disqualified because of a false start. Facing pressure, she had to post an open letter to deeply apologize to all her “friends.”

Strangely enough, many of these armchair en tics and “friends” were the very people who had sung the praises of Shui’s and Wu’s performance not long ago. Unfortunately, this phenomenon of polarized thinking, also referred to as black-and-white thinking, is by no means unique to the world of competitive sports, where successes and failures can happen in an instant.

Polarized thinking occurs when emotions run high and people use the lower part of their brain. This was very useful in the early stages of human development when, back in the Stone Age, our ancestors were forced to categorize everything into either good or bad because they lived in constant fear of being attacked by larger animals. Their lives were always on the line. There was no time to consider the nuanced (微妙的) middle ground or to put themselves in other people’s shoes.

Since those old days are long gone, why do we still need to be so extreme in our thinking? The consequences of giving into polarized thinking are dangerous. Adopting extreme positions can distort (歪曲) yourself-image and worldview (like judging yourself or other individuals based on a single event), both of which will lead to failure in life.

What if you were verbally (口头上地) attacked by those polarized types? An effective way to deal with it is to apply the technique of summarization: “So what you’re saying is...Is that correct? Could you be more specific?” This is a type of mental jujitsu (柔术), where you use the attacker’s energy and strength against themselves. Emotional people are not good at being specific, so if you calmly ask them for a detailed explanation of their position, their argument will often reach a dead end. By that time, just smile and tell them, “Thank you for sharing.”
1. Why are Shui and Wu mentioned in the first paragraph?

A．To give examples of polarized thinking.

B．To show the harm of polarized thinking.

C．To present the topic of polarized thinking.

D．To describe the signs of polarized thinking.

2. What is the suggested technique to handle polarized types?

A．Ask them to summarize your arguments.

B．Understand them and stay calm and polite.

C．Argue back using their energy and strength.

D．Request extra specifics to support their points.

3. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?

A．The Origin of Polarized Thinking.

B．How to Think Beyond Black and White?

C．Is the World Either Black or White?

D．Polarized Thinking on Social Media.

7 . Weifang, Shandong province, will exempt(免除)senior middle school tuition fees for the third child in every family born after May 31, 2021, local officials announced on Tuesday at a news conference on optimizing policies encouraging families to have more children.

The tuition fee exemption is one of a series of measures released by the city to encourage the birthrate. Others include subsidies(补贴)for universal childcare services, house purchases and medical expenses for childbirth. The government is also optimizing pregnancy leave and encouraging employers to explore flexible working schedules for female workers.

The newly released measures have received a mixed response from the public with some welcoming the policy, while others say the tuition benefit is too little and too far off to make an impact. “Is the child able to study in a senior middle school if he or she didn’t pass the examination?” said one user mockingly on the Twitter-like platform Sina Weibo.

Cities in the province have been ramping up subsidies, and education and nursery care services to encourage families to have more children.

Shandong province, with a population of over 100 million people, in 2022 recorded its lowest birthrate since 1983. “To encourage the birthrate, the government need to pay attention to the needs of families with only one child instead of only providing subsidies for couples with two or three children. Whether young couples have a high willingness to have one more child depends mostly on their experience of raising the first child,” said Gao Ming, 35, a resident of Qingdao. She added that she didn’t want to have a second children, even if Qingdao took similar measures.

1. What benefits can a woman with a third child enjoy in Weifang?

A．The whole pregnancy leave and one-year maternal leave.

B．The promise of her third child’s admission to senior middle school.

C．Free tuition fees of her third child for senior middle school.

D．The house purchases with expenses fully covered by the government.

2. The underlined word “mockingly” in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to          ?

A．jokingly

B．alarmingly

C．lovingly

D．willingly

3. Why does the passage end with a quote from Gao Ming?

A．To present a fact.	B．To illustrate a viewpoint.
C．To solve a problem.	D．To make a comparison.

4. Which of the following might be the best title for this passage?

A．Shandong witnessed its lowest birthrate in 2022.

B．More measures are introduced to boost childbirth.

C．Newly released measures caused different public responses.

D．Is it a blessing or a curse to have more children?

8 . When Erika and Cody Archie posted a video to TikTok explaining how they would be charging their then-18-year-old daughter Kylee rent, the reaction was split. One commenter called it a “punishment”. Another said, “I don’t see anything wrong with it. It helps them learn responsibility.” A third added, “Hell no, that’s their home.”

The video ended up going viral, receiving over 700,000 views. Despite the mixed response, Cody is sure they’ve made the right decision. “This is our way of preparing her and making sure she knows that things aren’t free,” he tells Newsweek, “Part of becoming an adult is knowing that you have to either pay rent or you’ll have a house payment. Our hope is that by doing all this, we’re preparing her for the world.”

According to recent figures from the U.S. Census Bureau, 58 percent of 18-to 24-year-olds are living with their parents. While staying at home has benefits for young people, such as allowing them to pay off their debts or save, having an extra person under their roof means higher costs for parents.

A recent survey conducted by Redfield Wilton Strategies for Newsweek asked 1,500 U.S. adults their thoughts on parents charging their adult children rent. Around 57 percent said that adult children moving back home should pay for the privilege, even if their parents “do not need the money”. Only 28 percent felt that adult children should live rent-free.

A study conducted by Lending Tree produced similar results. While 85 percent of parents surveyed said they’d let their adult children move home, 73 percent would charge them rent. Lending Tree found the percentage of adults between 24 and 40 living with their parents was the highest in three states: Hawaii (21.6 percent), New Jersey (20.7 percent) and Florida (20.1 percent). Hawaii and New Jersey are expensive places to live in, while Florida is more affordable. Lending Tree researchers guessed that some Florida adult children were at home to take care of aging parents.

1. What does the underlined word “split” mean in Paragraph 1?

A．Violent.

B．Rapid.

C．Divided.

D．Favorable.

2. The couple want to charge Kylee rent in order to ________.

A．fit her into her future world

B．make the right decision for her

C．prepare her for a house payment

D．shape her into a responsible adult

3. What can we infer from the last two paragraphs?

A．Parents do not need the rent from adult children.

B．Adult children are at home to attend aging parents.

C．Adult children in Florida live with parents due to high expenses.

D．Many parents surveyed prefer charging their adult children rent.

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

A．Mom and Dad Turning Landlord

B．Getting Ready for the Real World

C．A TikTok Video under Discussion

D．Benefits of Renting Parents’ Home

9 . Staying alone can be both a challenging and rewarding experience. It offers a unique opportunity for self-reflection, personal growth, and independence. When we are alone, we can connect with our inner selves and discover our strengths and weaknesses.

In the quietness of being alone, we can escape the noise and distractions of the outside world. It allows us to slow down, be present, and appreciate the simple moments in life.     1     For example, we can read a book, listen to music, or pursue a hobby. Without the pressures of social interactions, we can focus on our own thoughts and feelings, gaining a deeper understanding of ourselves.

Being alone also encourages independence and problem-solving skills.     2     It teaches us adaptability as we go through challenges and uncertainties. We become more self-dependent and capable of handling various situations on our own.

    3     Taking time away from the constant demands of others allows us to focus on our own needs and refuel our energy reserves. It’s important to recognize that taking time for ourselves is not selfish, but rather a necessary part of self-care. By recharging our batteries, we ultimately become more productive and fulfilled in our personal and professional lives.

    4     While staying alone can be beneficial, humans are social beings by nature. We desire companionship, support, and shared experiences. It is important to reach out to loved ones, build meaningful relationships, and engage in social activities that bring us happiness and fulfillment.

In conclusion, staying alone can be a trans formative experience.     5     Embracing the state of being alone can lead to personal growth, inner peace, and a deeper understanding of ourselves. So, let us not fear being alone but embrace it as an opportunity for self-reflection and self-empowerment.

A．Being alone can increase your sense of connection to other people.

B．In fact, there are many disadvantages to being alone.

C．We can take the time to engage in activities that bring us joy.

D．When there is no one else around to rely on, we learn to make decisions independently.

E．It enables self-entertainment, independence, and refreshment in our own company.

F．However, it is essential to strike a balance between staying alone and social connection.

G．Moreover, staying alone allows us to recharge and refresh.

10 . When you walk through a neighborhood, what do you see? In the United States, it will likely be a few trees and bushes among large areas of grassy lawns (草坪). These big green carpets might look pretty. But a plain expanse of grass is an ecological wasteland. It’s filled with just one type of plant — a species that doesn’t support insects, birds or other wildlife the way a natural ecosystem would.

Lawns started in England back around the Middle Ages. At that time, most people had to grow their own food.

A big expanse of grass would serve as a display of wealth; these people could afford to have land without crops.

The grasses planted back then were native to England. They grew well with that nation’s soils, ample rains and cool temperatures.

Those same grasses now cover lawns across the world, from Europe and the United States to Australia.

Although they did well in England, they’re not as well adapted to places with different climates and levels of soil nutrients.

That means it can take a lot of work to maintain these yards. People tend to add fertilizers to keep their lawns green. They water regularly, because these grass species can’t handle hot summers or places with little rain. People may even use chemicals to keep out weeds and pests.

All those activities use up or pollute much-needed fresh water. Both are problems, especially in the face of ongoing drought. Pesticides and fertilizers washed away by rain or watering can also harm the ecosystems in streams.

That’s why a growing number of people are rethinking lawns. What does that mean? Allowing a greater variety of plants and animals to thrive in these spaces could save water, experts say. It could also reduce chemical pollution. Yards planted with more diverse species could make for healthier ecosystems with more pollination and pest control. In the end, such changes should benefit people and wildlife alike.

1. Why does the author mention large grassy lawns in paragraph 1?

A．To describe their popularity.	B．To explain their waste of money.
C．To introduce their great benefits.	D．To show their lack of plant diversity.

2. What does the underlined word “that” in Paragraph 4 refer to?

A．People growing various crops on their lawns.

B．Grasses native to England spreading worldwide.

C．Grasses lacking adaptation to diverse environments.

D．Grasslands being kept to show wealth and status.

3. What do people usually do to attend to their lawns?

A．Employ chemicals to kill harmful pests.	B．Plant drought-resistant native grass.
C．Adapt the grasses to different soils.	D．Avoid using artificial fertilizers on lawns.

4. What is the author’s attitude towards making yards diverse?

A．Skeptical.

B．Surprised.

C．Dismissive.

D．Favorable.