Li Shichuan, a young Chinese artist, has gained
Using strikingly bright colors like blue, red and white, Li makes the traditional lion with its pair of round eyes look
Today, the lion dance not only
2 . David Chipperfield, the British designer known for his minimalist and inclusive spaces, has won the Pritzker Prize, often called “the Nobel Prize of architecture”. With this honor, he joins the company of groundbreaking designers such as Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Richard Rogers and Oscar Niemeyer.
Chipperfield has distinguished his works by creating sharp, minimalist socially conscious buildings. The Pritzker committee wrote, “His architectural language balances consistency with the fundamental design principles and flexibility towards the local cultures ...The work of David Chipperfield harmonizes European classicism, the complex nature of Britain and even the delicateness of Japan.”
In 1997, Chipperfield’s firm was chosen to renovate Berlin’s Neues Museum, which was a mess long after being damaged by World War I. Chipperfield approached the project in honor of the building’s history. For more than a decade, he searched through stones and bricks from the original structure for pieces to use,some of which had bullet (子弹) holes in them.
The architect has applied the same belief to his recent works, including the expansion of the Royal Academy of Arts in London, where he renovated galleries, created a new auditorium (礼堂) and built a concrete bridge to connect its original buildings.
“While some architects may use the attention that comes with the Pritzker Prize to go big and advance their commercial ambitions, Chipperfield’s win is unlikely to result in steel-and-glass supertall skyscrapers,” writes Bloomberg’s Kriston Capps.
Instead, Chipperfield says he will work harder to create architecture that has a specific mission.“I regard this award as an encouragement, continuing to direct my attention not only to the substance of architecture and its meaning but also to the contribution that we can make as architects to address the existing challenges of climate change and social inequality,” he says in a statement. He adds,” We must rise to these challenges and help inspire the next generation to shoulder this responsibility with vision and courage.”
1. What do the groundbreaking designers mentioned in paragraph 1 indicate?| A．The fierce competition for the Pritzker Prize. |
| B．The inspiration for Chipperfield’s design features. |
| C．Chipperfield’s goal to become a leading architect. |
| D．Chipperfield’s amazing architectural achievements. |
| A．The creation of visually striking buildings. |
| B．The integration of different cultural elements. |
| C．The consistent design style in different projects. |
| D．The flexible selection of architectural materials. |
| A．Research. | B．Restore. | C．Build. | D．Decorate. |
| A．Realize personal commercial ambitions. |
| B．Take up environmental protection industry. |
| C．Make a positive impact on critical social issues. |
| D．Encourage more people to major in architecture. |
1. When did Albert Bierstadt move to America?
| A．In 1830. | B．In 1831. | C．In 1832. |
| A．He focused on improving his drawing skills. |
| B．He held exhibitions in different countries. |
| C．He started to work as an art teacher. |
| A．To visit his sick family member. |
| B．To get inspiration for his paintings. |
| C．To engage in environmental protection. |
4 . Akira Toriyama, one of Japan’s leading comics authors, whose manga (漫画) “Dragon Ball” achieved worldwide success with its mix of comedic characters and rousing martial arts battles, died on March 1. He was 68.
Mr. Toriyama’s body of work is recognizable far beyond Japan’s borders, having influenced generations of manga artists and cartoonists. His best-known work, “Dragon Ball”, follows a young boy named Son Goku who starts a journey to collect the seven magical balls that summon (召唤) a wish-granting dragon. Since its creation in the 1980s, it has spanned 42 volumes, sold millions of copies worldwide and become one of the most famous manga, inspiring television, film and video game adaptations.
Throughout his career, Mr. Toriyama said in a 2013 interview with the Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun, he did not care if his work did anything besides entertaining its readers. He was, he suggested, unlike “other manga artists concerned about conveying moral messages”.
When “Dragon Ball” was first published in 1984, it was an immediate hit, becoming one of the best-selling manga series of all time. It sold more than 260million copies worldwide, according to Toei Animation, the studio that produced the anime adaptation. “Dragon Ball” was serialized in the Japanese magazine Weekly Shonen Jump until 1995. In the year after the series ended, the magazine lost about one million of its six million readers, according to “A History of Modern Manga”.
A productive manga artist, Mr. Toriyama did not necessarily have an appetite for this genre as a reader. “I have always had a hard time reading manga, including my own work,” he said in a 2018 interview with Kiyosu City Public Library. He led a private life and gave few interviews. In a 2013 interview with the Japanese singer and actress Shoko Nakagawa, he said that he did not even share all his work with his family. “To tell you the truth, no one in my family has ever seen ‘Dragon Ball’,” he said, laughing. “I am also a hikikomori,” he added, using the Japanese word for a recluse (隐居者). But his stories continued to reach fans around the world years after their creation.
1. Where can you find this article most probably?| A．A news report. | B．An autobiography. |
| C．A manga introduction. | D．A funeral speech. |
| A．It is classical. | B．It is engaging. |
| C．It is advanced. | D．It is educational. |
| A．A thickened size of each issue. | B．A leading magazine worldwide. |
| C．A period of increase in readership. | D．A record holder in manga history. |
| A．Unworldly and genuine. | B．Imaginative and flexible. |
| C．Innocent and well-informed. | D．Knowledgeable and courageous. |
5 . “Hello, boys; make lots of toys,” said A.C.Gilbert in magazine ads for the erector set (立体拼装玩具). The building set, using tiny, metal girders (大梁), was popular for many years.
As a small boy, Gilbert couldn’t sit still for long. When he was 12, he started a sports club for his friends and got their school to have a field day. After watching pole vault (撑杆 跳), Gilbert took a cedar rail from a farmer’s fence, shaped it, and began to practice.
Gilbert won a gold medal in pole vault at the Olympic Games in 1908. By that time, he had a diploma in physical education and had nearly finished medical studies. However, he later started his first business: making and selling magic kits, with which Gilbert had amused friends and earned college money.
One day, Gilbert saw workers using steel girders to build towers for power lines. That gave him the idea for the erector set.
In 1917, the Council of National Defense thought no toys should be sold for Christmas because the country was fighting in World War I. Gilbert, with other men from the Toy Manufacturers, went to Washington, D. C. with about 40 different toys. and they were given 15 minutes to speak.
This meeting was at the end of a long, hard day. Gilbert exclaimed how toys helped children learn while his helpers brought out the toys. Soon, tired government men were on the floor, playing with building sets, models of navy ships, and other toys. The time limit was forgotten; so was the Christmas toy ban.
Gilbert spent the rest of his life improving erector sets. When he died in 1961, he had 150 patents for his many inventions. But his chief joy was in helping children learn and have fun at the same time. He once said, “I have never worked on anything to make money unless it was fun too.” As a matter of fact, the fun always came first.
1. What do we know about Gilbert according to paragraphs 2-3?| A．He was unwilling to sit down as a small kid. |
| B．He convinced his school to establish a sports club. |
| C．He absorbed himself in coming up with new ideas. |
| D．He demonstrated his interest and gift in various fields. |
| A．Asking workers for assistance. | B．Observing a construction work. |
| C．Designing towers for power lines. | D．Selling magic kits in previous years |
| A．they were impressed by Gilbert's words |
| B．they forgot the time limit arranged earlier |
| C．they were exhausted after playing on the floor |
| D．they experienced the pleasure of playing toys |
| A．Talented and committed. | B．Friendly and considerate. |
| C．Brilliant and cold-hearted. | D．Generous and strong-willed. |
1. What does Robert do?
| A．A golfer. | B．A club organizer. | C．A coach. |
| A．She was a friend of his. |
| B．She admired him. |
| C．She wanted to get money from him. |
| A．He paid all hospital bills for her. |
| B．He gave his own prize to the woman. |
| C．He sent the woman’s son to the hospital. |
| A．Happy. | B．Angry. | C．Sad. |
1. How many presidents are there before Lincoln?
| A．15. | B．16. | C．17. |
| A．Rich. | B．Poor. | C．Large. |
| A．Lincoln was elected to the president of the U.S. |
| B．Some southern states wanted to break off. |
| C．Some slaves began to fight for their rights. |
| A．He was one of the greatest lawyers in the U.S. |
| B．He gave one of the most famous speeches. |
| C．He managed to keep his country together. |
8 . Recently, video clips of Zhang Jianns, a sanitation (环卫) worker, directing foreigners have gone viral online. Her fluent English and confident feature showcased in the videos have deeply impressed the viewers, sparking curiosity about how an ordinary-looking sanitation worker had such impressive English skills.
Behind the hit lies a decade-long journey of persistence. In 2012, Zhang Jianna took on the role of a sanitation worker in the embassy (大使馆) area of Sanlitun in Beijing’s Chaoyang district. A special encounter while working has motivated Zhang to learn English by herself, which she continues with determination to this day. “My goal is quite simple. I just want to help whenever Someone is in need, whether asking for directions, visa procedures, or telling them about the embassy area I am responsible for,” said Zhang.
Thus, at the age of 40, Zhang began a personal challenge. Without a teacher, she began learning English from her children’s textbooks, starting with basic words and phrases commonly used for giving directions. With no fixed study hours, she used every spare moment. While others rested, she memorized vocabulary and practiced speaking. Upon arriving home after work, she would write down new knowledge points and review them until she thoroughly understood them. Over the years, she has filled over a dozen notebooks. Her memory posed her biggest challenge. “Learning English at an older age, I would easily forget the words I learned before. Persistence is the key to learning English. Learn step by step, learn every day,” Zhang said.
When asked about the greatest reward of learning English, Zhang said, “Growing up in a rural area without a college education, I sometimes feared being looked down upon. But every time I help a stranger in English, I feel incredibly accomplished.” “Tiring, but satisfying,” Zhang Jianna reflects on her work and language learning. “To serve others makes me happy, and it’s where I prove my self-worth,” said Zhang. “After retirement, I also want to introduce my hometown in English and improve local tourism,” she said, acknowledging that her inspiring journey has led to this new goal.
1. What aroused curiosity about Zhang Jianna?| A．Her confident expression. | B．Her role as a sanitation worker. |
| C．Her great fluency in English. | D．Her friendly attitude to foreigners. |
| A．With the help of a teacher. | B．Through watching videos online. |
| C．From her children’s textbooks. | D．By attending language classes. |
| A．Better job opportunities. | B．Respect from family members. |
| C．Social recognition. | D．Self-confidence. |
| A．To promote local tourism in her hometown. | B．To become a language teacher. |
| C．To work in an embassy abroad. | D．To write a book in English. |
9 . Red tourism in Shaoshan
For 17-year-old Luo Yaqian, a two-day trip to the former residence of Chairman Mao Zedong in Shaoshan, Hunan province, inspired her to work hard to realize her goal of going to a reputable university. During Luo’s trip, the students visited Mao’s former residence, his memorial hall and Mao Zedong Square. They also watched a movie and attended a lecture themed on Mao’s younger days.
Luo said she was deeply inspired by the late Chinese leader. “Mao decided at an early age to leave his hometown to make a difference with his life. I am also determined to work hard and achieve good results in the national college entrance exam to realize my dream.” she said.
In April, the authorities in Hunan launched a special study tour campaign for all primary and secondary school students to visit Shaoshan to make good use of the city’s “red tourism” resources. By the end of last month, more than 81,600 students had taken part in the study tours in 93 batches, local government figures show. The cost of these tours is covered by the government.
Li Qingshan, 65, and his wife, Sun Zhuyun, 63, visited Shaoshan early this month from Qingdao, Shandong province, as they feared there would be too many visitors during the 130th anniversary of Mao’s birth on Dec 26. It was Li’s second visit to Shaoshan, following one he made in the 1990s. “Shaoshan has definitely improved greatly over the years, and the local environment, roads and scenic spots are now much better.” he said.
Li, who served in the military in Shenyang, Liaoning province, for several years in the late 1970s, admires Mao’s skills as a military leader. “He was a true leader of the Chinese people, and dedicated himself to changing their destiny.” he said.
When the couple arrived in the square, it was already packed with visitors waiting their turn to bow three times in tribute to Mao. Some visitors paid for a two-man military-style escort to guide them to the foot of Mao’s statue. After Li and his wife bowed three times to the statue, they had tears in their eyes. Sun said: “People of my generation have lived through tough times, so we have deep feelings for Chairman Mao. He was a savior. Without him, we would not have been able to dream of living happy lives today.”
1. Which of the following statements is true?| A．Only students are allowed to visit Shaoshan. |
| B．It is Chairman Mao’s experience that makes Luo want to go to college. |
| C．College students don’t have to pay for themselves when they visit Shaoshan. |
| D．A variety of activities are arranged during the special study tour. |
| A．bodyguard | B．companion | C．coach | D．official |
| A．Pay a tribute to Chairman Mao’s leadership and contribution. |
| B．Show respect to the local government’s great efforts. |
| C．Show appreciation for the impressive improvements in Shaoshan. |
| D．Look back on the happy memories of their first visit in the 1990s. |
| A．A novel. | B．A travel guide. | C．A newspaper. | D． An advertisement. |
10 . Henry Kissinger, one of the country’s most important foreign policy thinkers for more than half a century, enjoyed a worldwide reputation.
As a secretary of state and national security adviser to Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, Henry Kissinger played the major behind-the-scenes role in building the architecture that enabled more manageable relations with the Soviet Union, China, and major Arab nations. At the same time, he was closely associated with some of the most disputed U. S. foreign policy moves in recent decades, by promoting intensive bombing campaigns in Southeast Asia and repeatedly turning a blind eye to human rights abuses by governments perceived to be supportive of U. S. interests.
In America, the young Kissinger worked in a factory during the day and went to school at night, until he was drafted into the U. S. Army. After getting out of the army, he attended Harvard, where his 300-page undergraduate thesis titled “The Meaning of History” brought him to the attention of Richard Nixon. Over the next few years, he directed one of the boldest periods of diplomacy in U. S. history to strengthen its negotiating position. In 1971, Kissinger arranged Nixon’s historic visit to China.
Though he never worked directly under a U. S. president again after Ford left office, Kissinger’s influence was long-lasting. U. S. superpower relations to this day still bear his imprint, and he remained a sought-after voice on international affairs to the end of his life.
“There were other great secretaries of state and a long list of impressive historians, but no one who combined the two pursuits as Kissinger did,” said Richard Haass, president emeritus (荣誉退休的) of the Council on Foreign Relations.
“I remember walking down the street in Manhattan with him, and he would attract a crowd like a movie star, a rock star,” recalled David Rothkopf, who worked for a time as a managing director at Kissinger’s consulting firm. “Everybody, regardless of what they thought of Henry, wanted to see Henry, wanted to be with Henry.
1. According to the 2nd paragraph, which word can best describe Kissinger?| A．Brave. | B．Aggressive. | C．Controversial. | D．Devoted. |
| A．He shared a strong friendship with Richard Nixon. |
| B．He demonstrated diligence in his early work and education. |
| C．His thesis earned him a position at Harvard. |
| D．He is the boldest negotiator in U. S. history. |
| A．His promotion of human rights in Southeast Asia. |
| B．His academic thesis as a historian. |
| C．His everlasting legacy on international affairs. |
| D．His faithful service to President Ford. |
| A．The World Ahead. | B．Profile. |
| C．The Economist Explains. | D．The World in Brief. |
