Lin Qiaozhi is a great woman,
We all
A Chinese swimmer has made history again. Last week, Qin Haiyang,
Chinese swimming in men’s breaststroke events was hardly talked about
3 . Growing up on a farm, Tori James spent much of her early years outdoors, building shelters and playing in muddy streams. She describes herself as an ambitious, adventurous child who went to bed reading the survival guides that lived on her bedside table. Even so, James says she could never have predicted that, one day, she might be the youngest British woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
Today, James is a professional adventurer. Yet ahead of her first expedition at the age of 18, which she spent mapping the cracks of Iceland’s Vatnajökull glacier with the British Exploring Society, James recalls doubting her ability to last a month out in the cold without the comfort of a hot bath. “It’s only by stepping out of our comfort zone that we understand our true potential,”she explains. “That’s when the magic happens.”
Although James has spent a significant part of her life exploring some of the most remote landscapes in the world, when it comes to traveling, she believes that there are numerous ways for everyone to push their boundaries, other than by undertaking physical challenges. James also encourages would-be adventurers not to be put off by the stereotypical image of the rugged, hardy explorer. “I am such a believer that, with the right support and skills, everyone can bring something to an expedition,” she says.
Sometimes, she adds, it’s only out in the field that someone’s hidden talents emerge. A diverse team can be key to a successful trip, particularly given the role of exploration in today’s world. “Historically, exploration has been about people finding nature’s hardest obstacles and trying to either overcome them, or beat them,” says James. “But now, for me at least, exploration is about connecting, not conquering. It’s about our connection to the living world around us, it’s about sharing its importance once we’ve returned and it’s about figuring out how to do adventure sustainably.”
1. What do we know about James?| A．She was once doubted to be a professional adventurer. |
| B．She enjoys reading thrilling adventure survival stories. |
| C．She was a child with big dreams and a desire for exploration. |
| D．She might be the youngest woman to conquer Mount Everest. |
| A．Few ways are there for us to push our boundaries. |
| B．Future explorers are supposed to venture bravely. |
| C．Exploring remote landscapes in the world is of significance. |
| D．Support and skills are sure to bring out the best of explorers. |
| A．To make the most of people’s hidden talent. |
| B．To overcome the possible hardest obstacles. |
| C．To figure out how to have a successful adventure. |
| D．To engage in sustainable interactions with nature. |
| A．Born to Be Adventurers. | B．Connecting the Living World. |
| C．James’s Amazing Expeditions. | D．Adventurer James’s Travel Insights. |
4 . Njobati, a young woman from Cameroon, faced a challenging journey when she moved from her English-speaking area to a French-speaking area of the country to attend university. The sharp differences between these areas, once part of the British and French empires, made it difficult for her to fit in, which led her to examine her own identity—who she truly was.
Seeking guidance, she turned to her grandfather who also felt disconnected from his own culture. He expressed sadness about what the Nso had lost both culturally and materially, including Ngonnso statue. Ngonnso was the founder of Nso dating back to the 14th Century, whose statue was an important cultural symbol for the Nso. However, it was taken by the Germans in 1902 and has been housed in Berlin’s Ethnological Museum ever since.
Inspired by her grandfather’s desire and saddened by the loss of culture, Njobati made a promise to bring back the statue. She believed it would not only achieve her grandfather’s wish but connect her with her Nso heritage again.
Njobati did many researches about the statue and former unsuccessful attempts. She realized that restitution (归还) was actually about facing the colonial ( 殖民主义的) past. Njobati decided to try differently. To gather support online and offline, Njobati began a grassroots campaign. She organized meetings in community halls and churches, met people one-on-one, and used the power of social media.Through Twitter, she established contact with the Ethnological Museum.
Njobati’s tireless efforts paid off. She was told that a decision about Ngonnso statue was coming, which was an important moment for her.
“Finally, this is happening. Not just for me, but for the Nso people, and for Cameroon,” She cried. “This also lends a hand to other communities that are seeking justice for stolen culture relics.”
1. What made Njobati decide to bring back the Ngonnso statue?| A．Her interest in colonial history. |
| B．Her grandfather’s identity problem. |
| C．Her desire to reconnect with Nso culture. |
| D．Her experience in attending university. |
| A．She did wide and complete researches. |
| B．She turned to her grandfather for guidance. |
| C．She contacted the Ethnological Museum directly. |
| D．She organized meetings and using social media. |
| A．The fight for the statue. | B．The promise she made. |
| C．The grassroots campaign. | D．The return of the statue. |
| A．A fight against colonialism. | B．A cultural fighter. |
| C．A promise for grandpa. | D．A stolen cultural symbol. |
5 . On Sunday, Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia shocked the running world by breaking the women’s world record for the marathon by over two minutes. Assefa finished the Berlin Marathon in just 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 53 seconds.
But Assefa’s record was far beyond what most people expected. After all, it was only her third time running a marathon.
“I wanted to break the marathon world record,” she said, “But I couldn’t imagine that it would result in a time under 2:12.”
When Assefa was younger, she started by running short races, called sprints. Then she became a middle-distance runner, running the 800 meters (half mile) race. Her best time in the 800 meters was 1 minute and 59 seconds.
Last March, she ran her first marathon. Then last September, she entered the Berlin Marathon. She won, and set a new women’s record for the course, finishing in 2:15:37.
This year, she ran almost four minutes faster than she did last year. In both races, Assefa ran faster in the second half of the race than she did in the first half.
Her time of 2:11:53 was over two minutes faster than the old women’s record (2:14:04), which was set in Chicago in 2019 by Brigid Kosgei of Kenya.
When she finished the race, Assefa kneeled down and kissed the pavement before raising her arms in victory.
Though Assefa made it look easy, she said winning the race “…was the result of hard work.” Assefa was coached by Gemedu Dedefo, who has helped train many Ethiopian star runners.
1. What is Assefa’s latest record for the marathon?| A．2:11:53. | B．2:14:04. | C．2:15:37. | D．1:59:00. |
| A．It is what she expected. | B．It is a piece of cake for her. |
| C．It is due to great effort. | D．It is because of her coach. |
| A．Talented. | B．Friendly. | C．Humorous. | D．Warm-hearted. |
| A．Dedefo Helps to Train Many Star Runners |
| B．Kosgei Holds the Women’s Marathon Record |
| C．Assefa Sets a Good Example to Other Runners |
| D．Assefa Breaks the Women’s Marathon Record |
6 . Zhang Zening, a hanfu enthusiast in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, set foot on an extraordinary journey to restore (复兴) this traditional Chinese clothing. Inspired by ancient wall paintings, Zhang planned to turn them into wearable pieces. She believed hanfu serves as a gateway into the past, allowing people to truly connect with their cultural heritage. “I believe as a reflection of our historical culture, hanfu, when appreciated by children for its beauty, is likely to be naturally loved,” said Zhang.
Upon graduating from college, Zhang first worked in material research and frequently organized various hanfu activities in her spare time. Later she opened a hanfu studio with some friends and started her own career. Around 2015, Zhang began to focus on the process of hanfu restoration.
On a visit to Dunhuang, she was fascinated by the paintings there, wondering how she could possibly transform these paintings into wearable pieces. Despite her determination, she found it was troublesome. She has devoted a large amount of time to researching clothing patterns, analyzing materials and personally handling the printing. In over eight years, she managed to restore more than 50 sets.
Zhang pointed that hanfu restoration is a relatively promising and profitable field within the culture circle. Unlike others specializing in hanfu of different dynasties, such as the Han Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty, Zhang is not limited to specific time periods, and tries to focus on restoring whatever are painted on the walls.
Her unusual craftsmanship has not only delighted hanfu enthusiasts but also gave some opportunities to make a living. Now the owner of Helu Hanfu Studio, Zhang has cooperated with women’s re-employment organizations, seeking full-time stay-at-home women with sewing skills, among whom are many single mothers.
1. Why did Zhang decide to restore hanfu?| A．To enrich her after-school activities. | B．To carry forward Chinese culture. |
| C．To achieve her childhood dream. | D．To make it suit modern tastes. |
| A．It takes a lot to restore hanfu. | B．It’s easy to copy the painting patterns. |
| C．Printing patterns is the biggest problem. | D．There has been a growing demand for hanfu. |
| A．Humorous and open-minded. | B．Brave and warm-hearted. |
| C．Independent and well-educated. | D．Responsible and business-minded. |
| A．Restoring timeless grace: the return of hanfu |
| B．Bearing a positive attitude: the hope of career |
| C．A determined woman making breakthroughs |
| D．A wonderful tradition facing challenges |
Liu Wenwen was born into a suona family. Her father’s family has performed suona for seven generations, while the tradition on her mother’s side of the family
The music is rooted in Liu’s DNA, but the instrument is so loud
Her classmates at primary school laughed at her,
Liu said she is delighted to see suona music regaining
The Westerners were
8 . Born in 1887 in a Russian-Jewish town, Chagall started painting at the age of 19. Disappointed with the colors of traditional Russian art, he loved to paint with strong blues, reds and yellows.
So in 1911, he moved to Paris, France, where artists from around the world were creating novel art forms and he acquired fresh ways of painting eagerly. He stayed true to his childhood memories. While others chose modern subjects, he painted scenes of fantasy based on an older, farmer-like way of life. Blue dogs, yellow skies and red trees were all creations of his imagination.
Chagall went through two world wars and personal sufferings. In 1941, because his family were Jewish, the Chagalls had to leave France to escape the Nazis during World War Ⅱ. In 1944 came another blow. Chagall’s beloved wife Bella died of an illness. Despite the hardships, his passion for painting never faded. In the 1950s, he returned to France and continued to make his dreamlike paintings.
One day, during a walk in a village, he discovered a 700-year-old church (教堂), where he saw a stained-glass (彩色玻璃) window that contained a green horse. It looked as if Chagall might have created it himself. Here was a sure sign, he thought, that he should create his own stained-glass windows.
Then Chagall devoted all his energy and time to the work. As we know, many stained-glass windows are made of flat colors, but Chagall used various techniques to create the effects he wanted. He made flexible use of bright colors, putting light into the works. He painted images on glass, then had them fired to high temperatures, making the lines and colors part of the glass.
Chagall created the stained-glass windows for churches and other buildings around the world until his death in 1985. He gave them as gifts to the world and often refused payment. Today, people are still amazed at how his stained-glass creations shine and change with the sun.
1. Why did Chagall choose to go to Paris?| A．To learn new painting skills. | B．To publicize his new ideas about art. |
| C．To experience the colorful local life. | D．To participate in modern art exhibitions. |
| A．Desire to let in more sunlight. | B．Intention to improve the quality of glass. |
| C．Encouragement from some famous artists. | D．Inspiration from an ancient church window. |
| A．Chagall’s working attitude. | B．The images Chagall created. |
| C．Chagall’s artistic experiences. | D．The features of Chagall’s works. |
| A．Imaginative and honest. | B．Generous and easy-going. |
| C．Creative and strong-willed. | D．Energetic and traditional. |
The Queen has declined a magazine’s award of Oldie of the Year,
The nation’s longest-reigning monarch, she is due
Author and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth, chairman of the awards, wrote to the Queen’s private secretary, Sir Edward Young, to ask
In a reply
The Oldie of the Year Awards have celebrated the achievements of the older generation for 29 years, with previous winners including community care nurses, veteran athletes, and other well-known
10 . P. T. Usha is an Indian athlete. Her success story is an inspiration to women all across the world.
She was born in a poor family in Kerala in 1964. She was unable to enjoy her childhood because of her family’s poverty. Usha was always interested in sports and took part in a variety of contests from a young age. She easily defeated the school champion, who was three years older than her, in a school race.
She received Rs. 250 scholarships from the Government of Kerala in 1976. Later coach OM Nambiar gave her an award in a match event. In an interview, he stated that he felt she had the ability to be a great short-distance runner so he began coaching Usha. She won a variety of medals in the sports contests she competed in under his guidance. Usha won six medals at the interstate meet for juniors in 1978. She won 14 medals at the Kerala State College Meet. Usha had both the best and a little tough time during the 1984 Olympics.
At the games, she established new Commonwealth marks by running 56.81 seconds in the heats and 55.54 seconds in the semi-finals, and she advanced to the final. She finished fourth in the final with a time of 55.42 seconds. She was just 0.01 second slower than the bronze model.
Usha won six medals in the 1985 Jakarta Asian Championships, five gold and one bronze. She established a record for the most gold medals won at a single event in the championships’ history. She won four gold medals in the Asian Games in 1986. She became the first woman president of Indian Olympic Association.
P. T. Usha’s sporting career and moments of glory are imprinted in the minds of many people. P. T. Usha is still an inspiration to female athletes all over the world.
1. What does the paragraph 2 mainly talk about?| A．P. T. Usha’s early life. | B．P. T. Usha’s success. |
| C．P. T. Usha’s family. | D．P. T. Usha’s education. |
| A．He was requested by her. | B．He believed her athletic talent. |
| C．He wanted to achieve his dream. | D．He wanted to help her earn money. |
| A．A person who is very interested in swimming. | B．A person who sets an example to males. |
| C．A person bringing hopes to the world. | D．A person with amazing achievements. |
| A．By space. | B．By time order. | C．By comparison. | D．By listing reasons. |
