1 . A campaign (活动) is being launched to encourage children to surrender 30 minutes of screen time a day to head for the great outdoors.

The Wild Network — a collaboration (合作) of nearly 2,000 organisations — is attempting to attract youngsters away from the television and computer screen and to fields, woods and parks. Members of the network include the National Trust, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Play England and the National Health Service (NHS) sustainable development unit. Organisers say it is the UK’s biggest ever campaign to reconnect children with nature and outdoor play, and claim it could help improve fitness, mental alertness (机敏) and general well being.

A documentary film, Project Wild Thing, which forecast the launch at more than 50 cinemas across the UK also looked at the increasingly fragile link between children and nature.

Andy Simpson, chairman of the Wild Network, said, "The tragic truth is that kids have lost touch with nature and the outdoors in just one generation. Time spent outdoors is down, roaming (漫步) ranges have fallen largely, activity levels are declining and the ability to identify common species has been lost."

Suggestions of how to get more time in nature include collecting conkers (七叶树果), camping or snail racing, and observing autumn colours on trees.

The network also aims to make suggestions to politicians on how government can do more to get children muddy and bright-eyed.

This is not the first time the message of “less screen, more play” has been brought up. Children in the 1980s were requested to do the same by the BBC TV series Why Don’t You, which somewhat confusingly called on its viewers to “switch off your TV set and go to do something less boring instead”.

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

A．Give up.

B．Get around.

C．Take up.

D．Run away.

2. For what purpose is the Wild Network organised?

A．To make children read more books.

B．To help children tell the natural world.

C．To encourage children to take part in outdoor activities.

D．To get children out of too much homework from school.

3. “Less screen, more play” was first put forward by___________.

A．Wild Network

B．the BBC

C．the National Trust

D．Play England

4. What can we infer from the passage?

A．TV viewers will turn away from television.	B．Children have already been close to nature.
C．Politicians have controlled the campaign.	D．The government will play an important role

4 . What Can We See in a Logo?

We see hundreds of logos on signs, vehicles, websites, and even on the clothes we wear. All of these logos are designed to attract our attention.     1     However, recently research supports the idea that remembering what a logo looks like is a very difficult task.

Researchers gave 85 students a simple assignment to draw the Apple logo purely from memory. Surprisingly, only one student in the study could accurately draw the logo from memory.     2     Researchers have developed a theory that they think might help to explain this blind spot in our memories.

Logos are typically designed to be simple and easy to recognize with a quick glance. Yet the frequent exposure to these logos can actually make our brains overlook them. This process is known as “attentional saturation (注意力饱和).”     3    

Even though the brain is accustomed to ignoring unnecessary details, it is also programmed for recognition. When we see images such as logos over and over again, we become familiar with them. This constant exposure leads to something scientists refer to as gist (梗概) memory.     4     This general sense of memory has its own benefits. In fact, familiarity with a popular logo can even make people feel more comfortable about purchasing or using certain products.

Logos are everywhere we look today. A fancy design or a thoughtful color combination may be a good start for a logo concept, but there are other factors to consider.     5     A clever design may be interesting, but most people will forget the details—especially if our brains have anything to say about it.

A．This may be inspiring to logo designers.

B．People will know the product behind the logo.

C．So why is it so difficult for people to recall the details of images?

D．They also help us remember a product or service connected to that image.

E．It means that our brain remembers the basic idea without all of the details.

F．Our brains actually signal us to ignore information we don’t think we will need to remember.

G．Logo designers need to know that people will only remember what they believe is worthwhile.

5 . I work at a grocery store in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood, which gets a lot of regulars. On March 12, the Quebec government announced to close all public places to stop the spread of the pandemic(流行病)of coronavirus.

The next day the store was the busiest I've ever seen. The six cash registers had to be kept open from 10 a. m. until close. It was nuts. I didn't have time to eat lunch, and whenever one of us on cash had to use the bathroom, we^’d have to bring in a coworker off the floor to cover for us.

Since then, the atmosphere in the store has been different. Customers are mostly considerate, but whenever someone coughs or sneezes, everyone turns around to make sure that person sneezed into their elbow. I've even seen customers come in wearing some strange get-ups. One guy even came in with a plastic Walmart bag wrapped around his entire head, with a slit cut out for his eyes.

A lot of my coworkers have left to avoid a public-facing job during the pandemic. Grocery store workers across Canada are putting their health at risk every time they come in to work, but a lot of us are still making close to minimum wage. I realized that I feel more exhausted than normal even though I'm working the same hours.

There still have been some moments of kindness in the midst of the chaos. I've overheard people talking on the phone who sounded as though they were organizing grocery deliveries for those stuck at home. And this past weekend a very nice lady thanked us for continuing to work. I know everyone is worried, but it's uneless having the same scary conversations day after day. Instead, tell us a funny anecdote, or about Homething nice. We'll appreciate the distraction, and you'll make our day just a bit brighter.

1. What does the author intend to show by " It was nuts." in paragraph 2?

A．The goods were in short supply.

B．The store was having a big sale.

C．The cashiers complained about their work.

D．The locals rushed to do shopping like crazy.

2. What does paragraph 3 convey about customers?

A．They like to shop here in disguise.

B．They are panicky about the disease .

C．They are more friendly to each other.

D．They have taken proper preventive measures.

3. Which of the following best describes the author?

A．Optimistic.

B．Talented.

C．Ambitious.

D．Efficient.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．It is not work but worry that kills

B．Helping others is helping ourselves

C．Moments of kindness shine in a time of chaos

D．Here is what it's like working in the pandemic

6 . Financial Education-Awareness Dilemma

When it comes to financial education, the majority of today's youth will regard it as a necessity for certain specific people who want to make their career in the financial world.     1     Actually, elementary financial education is a must for all, as money transaction is an essential part of our day-to-day life.

Suppose you have $100 in a saving account that pays simple interest at the rate of 2%per year. lf you leave the money in the account, how much will you have accumulated after 5 years: more than $102, exactly $102, or less than $102? The test might look simple, but only half of the people surveyed gave the correct answer.

    2    The explanation goes as follows: People with low levels of financial literacy suffer from that lack of knowledge at every stage of their lives. Researchers on this subject say people with a high degree of financial literacy are more likely to plan for their retirement.     3    

On the contrary, people who have a lower degree of financial literacy tend to borrow more, accumulate less wealth, and pay more in fees related financial products. They are less likely to invest, more likely to experience difficulty with debt, and less likely to know the terms of their mortgages and other loans. Thus, the cost of this financial ignorance is very high.     4    

What   is the solution?     5     Like reading and math, financial education must become part of the core curriculum in our schools. Likewise, parents should engage in regular, constructive conversations about money matters. This will give their kids a solid foundation for financial well-being, which will keep on giving returns throughout the course of their lives.

A．Financial education must start early.

B．However, they miss an important point.

C．Why does each of us have to face a financial challenge?

D．Why does financial literacy matter so much in our society'?

E．Rich people are generally better educated on financial management.

F．Besides, these people have more than double the wealth of people who don’t.

G．For example, they frequently make late credit card payments, overspend their credit limit, etc.

7 . We’ve all been there: in a lift, in line at the bank or on an airplane, surrounded by people who are, like us, deeply focused on their smartphones or, worse, struggling with the uncomfortable silence.

What’s the problem? It’s possible that we all have compromised conversational intelligence. It’s more likely that none of us start a conversation because it’s awkward and challenging, or we think it’s annoying and unnecessary. But the next time you find yourself among strangers, consider that small talk is worth the trouble. Experts say it’s an invaluable social practice that results in big benefits.

Dismissing small talk as unimportant is easy, but we can’t forget that deep relationships wouldn’t

even exist if it weren’t for casual conversation. Small talk is the grease(润滑剂) for social communication, says Bernardo Carducci, director of the Shyness Research Institute at Indiana University Southeast. ＂Almost every great love story and each big business deal begins with small talk,＂ he explains. ＂The key to successful small talk is learning how to connect with others, not just communicate with them.＂

In a 2014 study, Elizabeth Dunn, associate professor of psychology at UBC, invited people on their way into a coffee shop. One group was asked to seek out an interaction(互动) with its waiter; the other, to speak only when necessary. The results showed that those who chatted with their server reported significantly higher positive feelings and a better coffee shop experience. ＂It’s not that talking to the waiter is better than talking to your husband,＂ says Dunn. ＂But interactions with peripheral(边缘的) members of our social network matter for our well-being also.＂

Dunn believes that people who reach out to strangers feel a significantly greater sense of belonging, a bond with others. Carducci believes developing such a sense of belonging starts with small talk. ＂Small talk is the basis of good manners,＂ he says.

1. What phenomenon is described in the first paragraph?

A．Addiction to smartphones.

B．Inappropriate behaviours in public places.

C．Absence of communication between strangers.

D．Impatience with slow service.

2. What is important for successful small talk according to Carducci?

A．Showing good manners.	B．Relating to other people.
C．Focusing on a topic.	D．Making business deals.

3. What does the coffee-shop study suggest about small talk?

A．It improves family relationships.	B．It raises people’s confidence.
C．It matters as much as a formal talk.	D．It makes people feel good.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Conversation Counts	B．Ways of Making Small Talk
C．Benefits of Small Talk	D．Uncomfortable Silence

8 . The online takeaway industry is growing in China along with the rapid development of the Internet economy. But environmental activists complain that the huge volume of plastic utensils (用具), wrapping and containers presents a great challenge to the environment, and that the heavy use of throwaway wooden chopsticks is reducing natural resources.

On September 1, the Beijing No.4 Intermediate People’s Court accepted a lawsuit filed by the Chongqing Green Volunteer League, an environmental non-government organization (NGO), against the country’s three largest food delivery platforms—Baidu Waimai, Ele.me and Meituan. The NGO stated that the companies failed to provide customers with the choice to not receive throwaway plastic utensils along with their food deliveries. Meanwhile, these utensils have created large amounts of rubbish and caused serious ecological damage.

In response, both Meituan and Ele.me, which acquired Baidu Waimai in August, have promised to take measures to reduce plastic waste. Meituan announced that it would appoint a chief environmental officer to oversee environmental issues from plastic waste and upgrade its smartphone app to provide consumers with the option of ordering food without single-use chopsticks, spoons or napkins. Ele.me followed by offering a similar choice and putting forward a plan to introduce suppliers of degradable (可降解的) plastic utensils to restaurants in the long term.

Is there a possible way out? Combined efforts by delivery platforms, consumers, restaurants and government departments are required to address plastic waste pollution.

For platforms, promoting environmental protection and introducing this idea to consumers are a meaningful move. Moreover, in the future, they should also make strict rules on the use of plastic utensils. For example, no more than one plastic bag should be used to wrap soup dishes, and all plastic products should be degradable. It is a long and difficult task for them, and the recent reactions from Ele.me and Meituan are just beginnings.

Considering most takeout food packaging is thrown into garbage bins and then taken away along with other household garbage, sorting of waste also becomes more important. Government departments could play a major role in this, and by recycling some materials, waste pollution could be reduced and resources saved. Furthermore, there have been growing calls that the government should also invest more in developing degradable plastic products or environmentally friendly alternatives.

Though consumers enjoy the convenience yet also suffer exposure to the pollution, many of them have paid little attention to the plastic waste problem. Environmental groups suggest that consumers change their habits a little by using their own utensils and dishes and refusing unnecessary plastic containers.

1. The Chongqing Green Volunteer League accused the three food delivery platforms of ________.

A．causing damage to people’s health

B．violating environmental standards

C．using many wooden chopsticks

D．offering no utensil option

2. The author suggests food delivery platforms ________.

A．raise people’s awareness	B．research possible alternatives
C．upgrade their application design	D．hire a chief environmental officer

3. Who probably plays a more important role in promoting the categorization of rubbish?

A．Government departments.	B．Food delivery platforms.
C．Environmental groups.	D．Fast food restaurants.

4. The passage is mainly concerned with ________.

A．why environmental problems arise

B．who food delivery platforms affect most

C．how plastic utensil pollution can be solved

D．what efforts environmental groups have made

9 . More students than ever before are taking a gap year (间隔年) before going to university. It used to be called the “year off” between school and university. The gap-year phenomenon originated (起源) with the months left over to Oxbridge applicants between entrance exams in November and the start of the next academic year.

This year, 25,310 students who have accepted places in higher education institutions have put off their entry until next year, according to statistics on university entrance provided by the University and College Admissions Service (UCAS).

That is a record 14.7% increase in the number of students taking a gap year. Tony Higgins from UCAS said that the statistics are good news for everyone in higher education. “Students who take a well-planned year out are more likely to be satisfied with, and complete, their chosen course. Students who take a gap year are often more mature and responsible.” he said.

But not everyone is happy. Owain James, the president of the National Union of Students (NUS), argued that the increase is evidence of student hardship—young people are being forced into earning money before finishing their education. “New students are now aware that they are likely to leave university up to £ 15,000 in debt. It is not surprising that more and more students are taking a gap year to earn money to support their study for the degree. NUS statistics show that over 40% of students are forced to work during term time and the figure increases to 90% during vacation periods,” he said.

1. What do we learn about the gap year from the text?

A．It is flexible in length.	B．It is a time for relaxation.
C．It is increasingly popular.	D．It is required by universities.

2. According to Tony Higgins, students taking a gap year       .

A．are better prepared for college studies

B．know a lot more about their future jobs

C．are more likely to leave university in debt

D．have a better chance to enter top universities

3. How does Owain James feel about the gap-year phenomenon?

A．He’s puzzled.	B．He’s worried.
C．He’s surprised.	D．He’s annoyed.

4. What would most students do on their vacation according to NUS statistics?

A．Attend additional courses.	B．Make plans for the new term.
C．Earn money for their education.	D．Prepare for their graduate studies.