• 1、Imagining being asked to spend twelve or so years of your life in a society which consisted only of members of own sex. How would you react? Unless there was something definitely wrong with you, you wouldn't be too happy about it, to say the least. It is all the more surprising therefore that so many parents in the world choose to impose such abnormal conditions on their children conditions which they themselves wouldn't put up with for one minute!

    Any discussion of this topic is bound to question the aims of education. Stuffing children's heads full of knowledge is far from being foremost among them. One of the chief aims of educations is to equip future citizens with all they require to take their place in adult society.

    Now adult society is made up of men and women, so how can a segregated school possibly offer the right sort of preparation for it? Anyone entering adult society after years of segregation can only be in for a shock. A co-educational school offers children nothing less than a true version of society in miniature. Boys and girls are given the opportunity to get to know each other, to learn to live together from their earliest years. They are put in a position where they can compare themselves with each other in terms of academic ability, athletic achievement and many of the extra-curricular activities which are part of school life.

    What a practical advantage it is(to give just a small example)to be able to put on a school play in which the male parts will be taken by boys and the female parts by girls! What nonsense co-education makes of the argument that boys are cleverer than girl or vice-versa. When segregated, boys and girls are made to feel that they are a race apart. Rivalry between the sexes is fostered. In a coeducational school, everything falls into its proper place. But perhaps the greatest contribution of co-education is the healthy attitude to life it encourages.

    Boys don't grow up believing that women are mysterious creatures-airy goddesses, more like book-illustrations to a fairy-tale, than human beings. Girls don't grow up imagining that men are romantic heroes.

    (1)、What is the best title for this passage?
    A、Only co-education can be in harmony with society. B、People are in great need of co-education. C、Any form of education other than co-education is simply unthinkable. D、Co-education has many features.
    (2)、What does co-education offer to children?
    A、A society. B、A true small model of society. C、A real life. D、A version of social condition.
    (3)、According to the passage, what is one of the chief aims of education?
    A、It is for students to acquire knowledge. B、It is to equip future citizens with scientific technology. C、It is to equip future citizens with what is required in getting a position in society. D、It is for students to get academic achievements.
    (4)、Why do boys and girls in co-education have no illusion about each other?
    A、They live together and know each other too well. B、Years of living together at school dismiss such illusion. C、Co-education encourage them to have an healthy attitude toward life. D、They are familiar with each other' s problems.
  • 2、Although the top men in smuggling business must work together, most of a syndicate's small fry, especially the mules, know only their immediate contacts. If caught there is little they can give away.

    A mule probably will not even know the name of the person who gives him his instructions, nor how to get in touch with him. Usually he even does not know the person to whom he has to make delivery.

    He will be told just to sit tight in a certain hotel or bar until someone contacts him. In this way if he is blown, coming through airport customs he cannot unwittingly lead agents to the next link in the chain.

    All the persons at the receiving end do is to hang around the airport among the waiting crowd, and see that the mule comes through safely. If he does not, he is dimply written off as a loss.

    To make identification of mules easier, several syndicates have devised their own "club ties" so that a mule wearing one can immediately be picked out.

    Mules often receive careful training before embarking on their first journey. One Beirut organization, for example, uses a room with three airline seats in it. There the trainee mules sit for hours on end wearing weighted smuggling vests beneath their clothes, so that they become accustomed to standing up after a long flight in a natural way, and without revealing what they are carrying.

    An outfit in Brussels maintained a comfortable apartment where the mules could relax and get a firm grip on themselves on the night before their first journey; they were helped to dress before setting out for the airport in the morning. More often than not a courier will not know precisely where he is going or what flight number is until he is actually handed his tickets at the airport. This prevents the careless boast in some bar or to a girl friend the night before.

    Mules occasionally run off with the goods to keep the profit themselves. As insurance against this, a syndicate often sends a high-up on the same plane to keep a wary eye on couriers, particularly new ones. Even then things can go badly wrong. One international currency smuggler who was having trouble getting money out of Britain was offered help by a group of men who said they were in a position to "fix thing"— for a fee of course. Foolishly, the smuggler agreed to accept their help.

    (1)、What is a "mule"?
    A、A person who sends smuggling goods for a syndicate is called mule. B、A person in charge of smuggling goods is called mule. C、A person who makes delivery for a syndicate is called mule. D、A person who receives instructions from a smuggler is called mule.
    (2)、The sentence underlined in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to              .
    A、if he is arrested. B、if he is recognized, but not necessarily arrested. C、if he is recognized and arrested. D、if he runs away.
    (3)、Why does the author give an example in the last paragraph?
    A、To show how a smuggler is caught. B、To show a smuggler is afraid of the police. C、To show to keep a wary eye on couriers is useless. D、To show mules may keep the profit for themselves.
    (4)、How does a mule work?
    A、Jointly. B、Independently. C、Consciously. D、Separately.
  • 3、Bankers have been blaming themselves for their troubles in public. Behind the scenes, they have been taking aim at someone else: the accounting standard-setters. Their rules, moan the banks, have forced them to report enormous losses, and it's just not fair. These rules say they must value some assets at the price a third party would pay, not the price managers and regulators would like them to fetch.

    Unfortunately, banks' lobbying now seems to be working. The details may be unknowable, but the independence of standard-setters, essential to the proper functioning of capital markets, is being compromised. And, unless banks carry toxic assets at prices that attract buyers, reviving the banking system will be difficult.

    After a bruising encounter with Congress, America's Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) rushed through rule changes. These gave banks more freedom to use models to value illiquid assets and more flexibility in recognizing losses on long-term assets in their income statement. Bob Herz, the FASB's chairman, cried out against those who "question our motives." Yet bank shares rose and the changes enhance what one lobby group politely calls "the use of judgment by management."

    European ministers instantly demanded that the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) do likewise. The IASB says it does not want to act without overall planning, but the pressure to fold when it completes it reconstruction of rules later this year is strong. Charlie McCreevy, a European commissioner, warned the IASB that it did "not live in a political vacuum" but "in the real word" and that Europe could yet develop different rules.

    It was banks that were on the wrong planet, with accounts that vastly overvalued assets. Today they argue that market prices overstate losses, because they largely reflect the temporary illiquidity of markets, not the likely extent of bad debts. The truth will not be known for years. But bank's shares trade below their book value, suggesting that investors are skeptical. And dead markets partly reflect the paralysis of banks which will not sell assets for fear of booking losses, yet are reluctant to buy all those supposed bargains.

    (1)、Bankers complained that they were forced to do what?
    A、follow unfavorable asset evaluation rules B、collect payments from third parties C、cooperate with the price managers D、reevaluate some of their assets.
    (2)、According to the author, the rule changes of the FASB may result in                .
    A、the diminishing role of management B、the revival of the banking system C、the banks' long-term asset losses D、the weakening of its independence
    (3)、According to Paragraph 4, what is the attempt that McCreevy objects to the IASB's?
    A、Keep away from political influences. B、Evade the pressure from their peers. C、Act on their own in rule-setting. D、Take gradual measures in reform.
    (4)、What does the author think the banks were "on the wrong planet" ?
    A、Misinterpreted market price indicators B、Exaggerated the real value of their assets C、Neglected the likely existence of bad debts. D、Denied booking losses in their sale of assets.
  • 4、My favourite Books

    —Posted by Catherine Chung.a great writer

    Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang

    This collection contains several maths stories. The one I recommend is Division By Zero,about Jane Parkinson,a brilliant German mathematician.To her great despair,she ends up proving that mathematics is inconsistent and is able to prove that any two numbers are equal.A beautiful,thought-provoking(发人深省的)story about belief,understanding,and faith.

    The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa

    It's about a woman who comes to work for a once-great mathematician.Due to a brain injury,he has only 80 minutes of short-term memory available to him before he forgets everything. It is filled with beautiful maths,simply and clearly described alongside finely drawn relationships between the characters.

    Too Much Happiness by Alice Munro

    Kovalevskaya was a 19th-century mathematician at a time when women were not allowed in most of Europe to attend university. She married a man who promised to take her to Germany to study. She made major contributions to the field and became the first woman in Russia to obtain a doctorate in mathematics.

    The Ore Miner's Wife by Karl Iagnemma

    It is about a miner who thinks he's discovered the proof to the problem: construct a square,equal in area to a given circle. His wife, not knowing what has suddenly taken his attention and his time, fears he is being unfaithful. A moving exploration of the joys of entering a problem whole and the desire and impossibility of truly knowing those we love.

    (1)、What does"I"refer to in Paragraph 1?
    A、Catherine Chung. B、Ted Chiang. C、Jane Parkinson. D、Yoko Ogawa.
    (2)、Which book is about a pioneering Russian woman mathematician?
    A、Stories of Your Life and Others. B、The Housekeeper and the Professor. C、Too Much Happiness. D、The Ore Miner's Wife.
    (3)、What do the listed books have in common?
    A、They tell love stories. B、They involve mathematics. C、They explore human relationship. D、They reveal people's inner world.
  • 5、阅读下面材料,根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段,使之构成一篇完整的短文。

    The Tomato Seedlings

    Every spring, Mom and her two girls,12-year-old Mabel and 9-year-old Lila, turned their backyard into a tomato wonderland. "More seedlings(幼苗)than we can eat! Let's share them." Mom laughed that May, her hands caked in soil.

    Mabel smiled, stuffing seedlings into recycled cups. For days, the sisters became tomato fairies, leaving plants on doorsteps across their Leeds neighborhood. Number 15 Park Street got one for her famous tomato jam. Number 16 received three.

    Then came Number 17 Park Street.

    The girls cycled past it daily—an old brick house hid behind weeds taller than Lila. Mom once said, "Some gardens grow food. Others grow miracles(奇迹)." "This one grows sadness," Lila whispered as they stopped their bikes that afternoon.

    "That's Ms. Hart's place," Mom said later, cleaning tomato jam from Lila's cheek. "She used to grow prize-winning SunGold tomatoes, the sweetest... Then... well, some changes...She stopped gardening." Her voice softened.

    The sisters exchanged looks. The next morning, they stood at Ms. Hart's gate with six tomato seedlings.

    "Go away," came a voice from an upstairs window.

    "We brought tomatoes!" Lila explained.

    "I've no time for this nonsense!"

    "They just need sun and water!" Lila stepped forward, her voice steady. "We'll do all the work! Just let us plant them here, please? Otherwise……" she held up a seedling, "they'll end up in the bin by Friday. They' re SunGold tomatoes! The sweetest ever!"

    Silence. Ms. Hart's shadow shifted behind the curtain. Moments later, the old woman slid a basket onto the ground—inside was proper gloves and a trowel(铲子)with soil.

    "Take that as a ‘yes'!" Lila whispered.

    注意:

    1. 续写词数应为150个左右;

    2. 请按如下格式在答题纸的相应位置作答。

    The girls dived into work right away.

    ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    The next day, when checking plants, the girls found Ms. Hart standing there.

    ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  • 6、阅读下面短文,在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

    A Chinese drama about the inventor of paper-making, who lived nearly 2,000 years ago, premiered (首次公演) in London on Thursday night. It attracted the audience by adding elements of Chinese culture Western classical music.

    At LSO St Luke's, two actors dressed in Peking Opera clothes (deliver) their recitative lines in the traditional style, accompanied by an orchestra performing Richard Strauss's symphonic poem Ein Heldenleben. (base) on Strauss's iconic composition, the symphony poetry drama Ein Heldenleben: Cai Lun offers a glimpse into the life and (emotion) struggles of Cai Lun, the inventor of the paper-making process during China's Han Dynasty.

    "I think it's unique and imaginative, and I'm amazed at the drama of the story seems to fit in so amazingly well with the music," Alison Kiln said after (watch) the show, adding that she had never experienced live performance as "amazing" as this before.

    Raffaello Morales, conductor and founder of the London-based orchestra, said that it was not the first instance of combining different art forms, the integration of symphony and Peking Opera represented a new exploration.

    Chen Xinyi, the director of the production, said that she believed the show would be" (incredible) satisfying" and hoped it would help people from overseas learn about the great (individual) of China, their personalities, and their inspiring spirits.

  • 7、A photographic playground of a salt flat can be found across southwest Bolivia. Here, the remains of an ancient lake have created a saltycrust that is packed with amazing honeycomb-like (蜂窝状的) shapes in the dry season — and turns into a massive mirror when wet.

    The world's largest salt flat is transformed when overflowing lakes nearby flood its surface with a thin layer of water. Salar de Uyuni, as the salt flat is known, is completely level and stretches for about 10,582 square kilometers, making its reflective surface roughly the same size as the "Big Island" of Hawaii. From space, it can be observed as the larger of two neighboring salt flats — the second being Salar de Coipasa, which sits to the northwest. The two landscapes appear otherworldly in photos, but they're largely made up of something you'll find on most dinner tables.

    Salar de Uyuni is a desert of rock salt — which is your common table salt — and gypsum, which is what some of the biggest crystals (晶体) on the planet are made of. Its salty surface is often marked with a strange honeycomb pattern, which got scientists at a loss. Why are the patterns so geometrically perfect?

    In 2023, a team of researchers finally worked it out. "In salt deserts, the first thing you see—almost the only thing you see — is an endless hexagon (a shape that has six straight sides) and other ordered shapes," said study author Dr Lucas Goehring. "What we've shown is that a simple, seemingly reasonable explanation is there, but hidden beneath the ground. The surface patterns reflect the slow overturning of salt water within the soil, a phenomenon somewhat like the convection (对流) cells that form in a thin layer of boiling water."

    (1)、What does the underlined word "crust" in Paragraph 1 probably mean?
    A、Surface. B、Ocean. C、Slice. D、Container.
    (2)、What can we infer about Salar de Uyuni from Paragraph 2?
    A、It often floods nearby lakes. B、It's made of ordinary matter. C、It makes Hawaii famous. D、Its formation is a mystery.
    (3)、What aspect of Salar de Uyuni made scientists puzzled?
    A、Its inner structure. B、Its composition. C、Its huge size. D、Its unique patterns.
    (4)、How are the honeycomb patterns of the Salar de Uyuni formed?
    A、Through the movement of salt water. B、By the disappearance of lake water. C、By slowly boiling the surface water. D、Through the change of other ordered shapes.
  • 8、In the age of AI, worries about its impact on the environment are snowballing. For example, asking ChatGPT a question uses ten times more energy than an old-fashioned search. The development of AI has also caused a big increase in greenhouse-gas emissions. Google's emissions went up nearly 50% from 2019 to 2023. However, these concerns might be overstated. In fact, AI may be less energy-hungry than many people assume.

    The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that the electricity used by data centres could become three times as much within five years. But at present, the 1.5% of global electricity consumption related to data centres mainly comes from things like streaming, social media and online shopping. Moreover, some of AI's electricity use will help with greening the economy. AI is already helping improve the efficiency of electrical grids (电网), cut fuel use in shipping and spot invisible leaks of greenhouse gas.

    Policymakers and industry leaders face the task of maximizing AI's advantages while minimizing its climate effects. The best way would be for governments to set a proper price for carbon and let the market operate. But because a global carbon price remains a distant dream, focusing on other three measures are more down-to-earth.

    The first is more openness. Starting in August 2026, the EU will require some AI developers to report how much energy they use in detail. That approach should be copied elsewhere. A second is to rethink how data centers operate. The IEA notes that being able to shift workloads between different data centers at different times could reduce stress and help balance energy grids. Third, technology companies must keep their promises about protecting the environment instead of depending on buying renewable-energy credits.

    Doubling down on such approaches would help transform AI from climate suspect to climate hero.

    (1)、What is the main concern about AI?
    A、Its inability to reduce emissions. B、Its impact on social development. C、Its shock on old-fashioned search. D、Its high-level energy consumption.
    (2)、What can be inferred from the second paragraph?
    A、AI's environmental-friendly potential remains tested. B、AI has a minor role in the current electricity consumption. C、AI is currently the most effective way to reduce emissions. D、The process of AI detecting gas leaking is easy to achieve.
    (3)、Which solution is more realistic to minimize AI's climate effects?
    A、Fixing a proper price for carbon. B、Allowing the market to operate. C、Reconsidering data center operations. D、Purchasing renewable-energy credits.
    (4)、Which of the following is the best title for text?
    A、AI and Climate: A Battle of Balancing. B、Climate: A Victi m or a Beneficiary of AI? C、AI's next target: Environmental Protection. D、AI: A Threat or a Contributor to the Climate?
  • 9、In a cooperation between the popular YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, famously known as MrBeast, and the rapidly expanding electric bike company Lectric eBikes, a remarkable plan has unfolded, touching the lives of 600 individuals in need across America.

    Lectric eBikes, recognized as one of the nation's leading electric bike manufacturers, joined forces with Donaldson's Beast Philanthropy, a nonprofit organization with a goal of making the world a better place. Together, they started a mission to provide life-changing electric bikes to those facing transport challenges.

    With a shared vision of making a practical difference in people's lives, the partnership saw Lectric eBikes generously donating $600,000 worth of electric bikes to Beast Philanthropy.

    "E-bikes can make a significant positive impact on the lives of individuals, especially those who are struggling due to a lack of reliable transportation," stated Levi Conlow, co-founder and CEO of Lectric eBikes.

    To identify deserving receivers, Beast Philanthropy enlisted the support of MrBeast's vast online community, encouraging individuals to submit videos detailing their need for an electric bike. After careful discussion,600 individuals were selected as receivers of the life-changing electric bikes. Some bikes were hand-delivered to recipients, while others were shipped directly to their doorsteps, ensuring an efficient distribution process.

    The impact of this initiative was pretty evident as receivers shared their joy and gratitude through video responses, showing the transformative power of their new electric bikes. From unboxing their bikes to taking their first exciting rides, the receivers expressed great appreciation for the newfound mobility and freedom that their electric bikes afforded them.

    "Our goal at Beast Philanthropy is to help as many people as possible. Lectric eBikes shares the same goal, so working with them on projects is an excellent match," remarked Darren Margolias, director of Beast Philanthropy.

    (1)、Why did Lectric eBikes cooperate with MrBeast?
    A、To increase sales. B、To promote its brand. C、To aid people in need. D、To start a new business.
    (2)、How were the receivers of the e-bikes chosen?
    A、By joining online community. B、Through MrBeast's recommendation. C、By selecting on the Internet. D、Through intense competitions.
    (3)、What was the feeling of the e-bike receivers?
    A、Confused. B、Relieved. C、Disappointed. D、Grateful.
    (4)、What mainly contributed to the success of this cooperative mission?
    A、The shared purpose. B、The netizens' appeal. C、The popularity of e-bikes. D、The support of the government.
  • 10、Tropical(热带的) Escape on Coral Island: Relaxation & Adventure Package

    Why Coral Island

    Coral Island in the tropical ocean is a heaven. Its clear waters host colorful coral reefs and diverse sea life. Sandy beaches, lined with palm trees, are perfect for relaxation. The rainforest, covering 60% of the island, shelters the unique Coral Island Finch. Away from city noise, it has a laid-back feeling. There are activities for all ages, like snorkeling (浮潜) and forest hikes. On land, join guided rainforest hikes or village tours.

    What to Do

    On the first day, we'll meet you at the airport and take you to your accommodation. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner. The next day, choose between snorkeling and a forest hike in the morning, and relax or play beach volleyball in the afternoon. Three-day guests check out after a last swim on the third day. Five-day guests can take a village tour and try windsurfing. From day 4 to 5, five-day guests can keep exploring.

    Accommodation Choices

    We offer options for every budget. Beachfront Bungalows are on the beach, with air-conditioners, private baths, and ocean-view balconies. Inland Cabins, surrounded by nature, are budget-friendly with nearby shared bathrooms. The individual price is as follows.

    Accommodation Type

    3-day

    5-day

    Beachfront Bungalow

    $1,200

    $ 1,800

    Inland Cabin

    $ 600

    $ 900

    (*A 50% discount is available for those under 18 years old.)

    The prices include your place to stay, three meals a day, and most activities. But some specialized water sports might cost extra.

    If this tropical escape on Coral Island has captured your heart, don't hesitate!

    Click here to register and initiate an unforgettable adventure.

    (1)、What can tourists do on the second day of their stay on Coral Island?
    A、Snorkeling and taking a forest hiking. B、Snorkeling and playing beach volleyball. C、Taking a village tour and trying windsurfing. D、Taking a boat tour exploring around the island.
    (2)、How much should a couple with a 10-year-old child pay for the 3-day Inland Cabin?
    A、$1,200. B、$1,500. C、$1,800. D、$2,400.
    (3)、Where is this text most likely from?
    A、A science report. B、A travel brochure. C、A tourism website. D、A fashion magazine.
  • 11、阅读下面材料,根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段,使之构成一篇完整的短文。

    Emily Harper sat at her desk, staring blankly at the math problems in front of her. Numbers and variables danced confusingly across the page, laughing at her every effort. At school, Emily was known for her artistic talents, but math had always been her weakness. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't make sense of it.

    Her struggles only worsened in the 10th grade. The pressure to keep up with her classmates grew, and the poor grades shook her confidence. Then came Mr. Jenkins, her new math teacher, who sensed her frustration and offered to help her after class.

    Emily was initially resistant; the idea of spending extra hours on a subject she hated seemed like a punishment. But — she unwillingly agreed, knowing something had to change.

    Mr. Jenkins didn't dive straight into problems. Instead, he asked about her interests. When Emily spoke passionately about her painting, he smiled. "Math is like art, Emily. It has patterns and beauty if you know where to look."

    Doubtful but inspired, Emily listened as he began to explain concepts through visual examples. He used colors and shapes, turning abstract numbers into something almost tangible (有形的). For the first time, math seemed less like a foreign language and more like a puzzle waiting to be solved.

    However, progress was slow. Weeks passed by, minimal improvement, and Emily's patience wore thin. A particularly difficult quiz left her in tears. She was convinced that she was sure to fail. Mr. Jenkins said, "Remember, Emily, every artist starts with a blank canvas (画布). Masterpieces aren't created overnight."

    Encouraged by his firm belief, Emily pushed on. She began to see the connections between the steps, how each solution followed a logical path. Small victories in practice problems gave her some hope. Mr. Jenkins was always there, celebrating her successes, no matter how minor.

    注意:

    1.续写词数应为150个左右;

    2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

    Gradually, Emily's confidence grew with Mr. Jenkins' help.

    __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    Emily's heart raced when the results day arrived.

    __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  • 12、假定你是李华,你校加拿大交换生 Eric是一位TikTok视频博主,他正在策划"High School Lifein China"系列视频,旨在用短视频展示中国中学生校园生活,为此咨询你的意见。请你给他写一邮件,内容包括:

    (1)推荐拍摄内容;

    (2)陈述理由。

    注意:(1)写作词数应为80词左右;

    (2)可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。

    Dear Eric,

    __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    Yours sincerely,

    Li Hua

  • 13、阅读下面短文,在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

    On the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi, India on July 27,2024, "The Beijing Central Axis (中轴线) — A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital" was announced (list) as China's 59th World Heritage site.

    The Beijing Central Axis, located at the core of the ancient city of Beijing, (cover) 7.8 kilometers with the Bell and Drum Towers at its northern end and Yongdingmen Gate at the southern end.

    The Central Axis is not an actual road, but a (harmony) cluster of distinct buildings and sites. Originating in the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368), the Beijing Central Axis (classify) as a "building complex" in terms of cultural heritage, consisting of 15 components. It is a combination of buildings and sites dominate the planning pattern of the entire old city. It is carrier of traditional Chinese concepts and beliefs, constructing a symbol for national order and witnessing the (form) of the Chinese ancient architectural art culture.

    Heritage experts said that the uniqueness of the Beijing Central Axis fills a gap in the world Heritage List regarding the ideal of urban landscape the type of core architectural groups in the east, thus (possess) outstanding universal value.

    To date, home 59 world heritage sites, including 40 cultural heritage sites,15 natural heritage sites, and 4 mixed cultural and natural heritage sites, China stands as one of the world's leading nations in heritage conservation.

  • 14、​​​​​​​I was so excited about the London Olympics and wanted to be a part of it. A year before the Games, I thought, they're going to need lifeguards, and Googled "London 2012 volunteers". I1 there would be thousands of applicants for the Olympic lifeguard role, so I didn't expect to hear back. But, a few weeks later, I was invited to a two-day exam and surprisingly passed.

    I've heard people say, "Who needs lifeguards at the Olympics?" "It's the2 job in the world." It's belittling (轻视). You're not a3, but you must be prepared for emergencies. If you don't know how to pull somebody out of the water4, you've done the5 before they get real treatment.

    I don't get startruck, but you'd be6 when you're standing next to a big star like Michael Phelps. One day I was waiting to start my7, when he walked past and gave us all high fives. In that instant, it felt like the energy of greatness had brushed right past me. When you see athletes win, you celebrate with them. When they fail, your heart breaks for them.

    That's not to say it's not8 when you're in the chair. You don't9 the race because you're so focused on checking each athlete's10 to see if anything doesn't look right. Why is his arm doing that? What's happening with his foot? Is he getting cramp?

    Even now, I'm still11 while lifeguarding. You could have a pool full of the fittest-looking people, but one could have a history of heart disease. At the Paris Olympics, a Slovakian swimmer12 after her event — she had had an asthma (哮喘) attack. Not all medical issues are13.

    I now work as a lifeguard at a pool near Telford. Whenever I watch the Olympics, I always14 the lifeguards. There's stuff going on behind the scenes that no one realize. We15 into the background and keep calm. But if there's a problem, we'll step forward.

    (1)
    A 、identified B 、noticed C 、checked D 、figured
    (2)
    A 、humblest B 、luckiest C 、simplest D 、dullest
    (3)
    A 、competitor B 、doctor C 、volunteer D 、superhero
    (4)
    A 、appropriately B 、immediately C 、exceptionally D 、fundamentally
    (5)
    A 、favour B 、response C 、damage D 、survey
    (6)
    A 、motivated B 、exposed C 、involved D 、awestruck
    (7)
    A 、shift B 、break C 、trail D 、round
    (8)
    A 、particular B 、professional C 、reasonable D 、complex
    (9)
    A 、appreciate B 、understand C 、withdraw D 、remember
    (10)
    A 、performance B 、movements C 、difference D 、conditions
    (11)
    A 、serious B 、thrilled C 、tense D 、occupied
    (12)
    A 、wore out B 、dropped out C 、passed out D 、broke out
    (13)
    A 、available B 、curable C 、avoidable D 、visible
    (14)
    A 、look out for B 、get through to C 、stand up for D 、turn back to
    (15)
    A 、function B 、skip C 、ease D 、fade
  • 15、​​​​​​​"We are what we eat" — or so the saying goes. From calorie-inducing meals to low-fat lunches, much of our health depends on what we eat., but cooking food is proving to be good for our mental well-being as well.

    Some people are now advocating the therapeutic (治疗的) value of cooking food. It's not just about the end result but the experience someone goes through. Dr. Mark Salter told the BBC, "Baking and cooking can help patients develop planning skills, short-term memory and social skills.. Therefore, baking and cooking are good occupational therapies."

    TV chef and author Nadiya Hussain agrees that cooking is great for helping our mind. She loves to bake and became the champion of the TV show, The Great British Bake Off. She says that "Baking's always been about therapy.." And she thinks that baking is an important tool for our socialization and mental health.

    Certainly, creating some delicious food has helped some of us get through tough times.. People have said that making bread, for example, has given them a sense of calm and control. Research has also shown that doing creative tasks, like cooking, makes us feel happier. Nicole Farmer said, "Cooking represents the shared human experience of food, so I think that's where it offers opportunity for immediate positive emotions."

    . As we mix with friends and family in the kitchen, we enjoy the benefits of shared moments that put us all in the right frame of mind.

    A. It's never really been about the cake.

    B. All of these skills suffer in mental illness.

    C. It requires great skills to become an excellent baker.

    D. It's helped take our mind off things and given us something to do.

    E. We know about the benefits of eating properly for our physical well-being.

    F. Of course, cooking can be a very sociable activity and a rewarding experience.

    G. Remember what we eat has a strong impact on our health both physically and mentally.

  • 16、​​​​​​​Music and arts classes are often the first to be cut when schools face tight budgets and pressure to achieve high scores on standardized tests. But it's precisely those classes that can increase student interest in school and even benefit their math achievement, according to a new study.

    Daniel Mackin Freeman and Dara Shifrer, used a large nationally representative dataset to see which types of arts classes impact math achievement and how it varies based on the socio-economic composition of the school. Schools with lower socio-economic status (SES) have a higher percentage of students qualified for free or reduced lunch.

    The researchers found that taking music courses at higher-or-mid-SES schools relates to higher math scores. Mackin Freeman said that's not a surprise given the ways in which music and math overlap. "If you think about it at an intuitive (直觉的) level, reading music is just doing math," he said. "Of course, it's a different type of math but it might be a more engaging form of math for students than learning calculus (微积分)."

    However, the positive relationship between music course-taking and math achievement is primarily isolated to schools that serve more socially privileged students. The study suggests this could be because arts courses in low-SES schools are of lower quality and/or under-resourced. Students in low-SES schools also take fewer music and arts classes on average compared to their peers, also suggesting low-SES schools are under-resourced when it comes to arts courses.

    "It'd be reasonable to expect that at under-resourced schools, the quality of the music program would distinguish any potential connection to other subjects," Mackin Freeman said. "For programs as resource-intensive as something like band, under-resourced schools are less likely to even have working instruments, let alone an instructor who can teach students to read music in a way that they can make connections to arithmetic (算术)."

    Mackin Freeman said the findings suggest that learning shouldn't happen in only one subject and the ways some schools have attempted to increase math achievement — by over-emphasizing math and cutting the arts — is shortsighted and counterproductive.

    (1)、Which statement would Mackin Freeman agree with?
    A、Math should replace music. B、Music is easier to learn than math. C、Math and music share similar features. D、Music is directly linked to academic achievement.
    (2)、How is Paragraph 4 mainly developed?
    A、By making a contrast. B、By giving examples. C、By describing a process. D、By analyzing causes.
    (3)、Why can't the students in low-SES schools achieve high scores in math?
    A、They pay no attention. B、They have limited resources. C、They care more about math grades. D、Their students are not smart enough.
    (4)、What is the best title of the text?
    A、Fewer arts lessons, higher maths grades. B、Higher income, better math achievement. C、Investment in math needed by under-privileged schools. D、Music linked to higher math scores at wealthier schools.
  • 17、​​​​​​​The rock group Counting Crows were onto something when they chose their band name. Crows (乌鸦) can indeed count, according to research published this week in Science.

    The results show that crows have counting capacities near those of human babies, says lead study author Diana Liao, a researcher at the University of Tübingen in Germany. "We think this is the first time this has been shown for any animal species," she adds.

    Crows do not appear to be capable of symbolic counting, where numbers serve as an exact representation. Instead, the birds count by controlling the number of vocalizations (发声) they produce to correspond to associated hints. This is similar to how young children count before learning symbolic numbers, Liao says. For example, a baby who is asked how many apples are on a tree may answer, "One, one, one". The baby produces the number of speech sounds which agree with that of the apples, rather than just saying, "Three."

    In the study, Liao and her colleagues presented the crows with randomly ordered hints, four of which were visual-colored numbers that appeared on a touch screen. And four of them were auditory (听觉的), including sounds made by guitars and drums. Through trial and error, the birds had to figure out the correct number of calls to pair with each hint. If they got it right, they received a worm reward.

    After receiving about 180 training sessions, all of the crows were able to produce the correct number of vocalizations associated with the hints — a "pretty cool" finding, Liao says. She suspects, too, that the crows could have mastered numbers higher than four if they were given the opportunity.

    Onur Güntürkün, a biopsychologist at Ruhr University Bochum in Germany, who was not involved in the research, says the new paper is "excellent" even if the findings are "not unexpected" given all that scientists already know about crows' intelligence.

    (1)、What is the new research about?
    A、Crows' ability to count. B、Crows' skill of solving problems. C、A comparison between crows and babies. D、An investigation into a famous rock group.
    (2)、Why does the author mention a baby counting apples in paragraph 3?
    A、To clarify how crows count. B、To explain how babies think. C、To illustrae the wisdom of crows. D、To display baby learning progress.
    (3)、How did the crows get the worm rewards?
    A、By counting objects on the screen. B、By picking colors from the touch screen. C、By choosing between sounds and images. D、By matching sounds to visual and audio hints.
    (4)、What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
    A、The research is poorly recognized. B、The results fit with previous findings. C、The study needs further confirmation. D、The biopsychologist is critical of the study.
  • 18、​​​​​​​A 70-year-old grandfather has successfully rowed a boat unassisted across the entire Atlantic Ocean —and he didn't do it for himself. Frank Rothwell dedicated the extremefeat to his brother-in-law Roger, who died of Alzheimer's disease (阿尔茨海默病) during Frank's crossing.

    Requiring 18 months of hard training, the entire trip took eight tough weeks for Rothwell to travel from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on December 12 to the finish line 3000 miles away in Antigua on February 6. "I like a challenge!" explains Frank on his fundraising site. "In 2017, I spent five weeks on a deserted island for the Channel 4 program, the Island with Bear Grylls. Before that, I was only the 10th person ever to circumnavigate North and South America."

    In a statement, Hilary Evans, chief executive of Alzheimer's Research UK, said, "We're honored to have such amazing support from Frank. His courage and determination helped him to complete his epic challenge and raise £1 million for dementia (痴呆) research."

    "This incredible amount will be a huge benefit to the groundbreaking research we carry out here at Alzheimer's Research UK, as we continue our mission to bring about life-changing treatments for people affected by dementia," added Evans.

    Crossing the finish line was an emotional moment for Rothwell. He said, "I am on cloud nine! I set out in December wishing to raise £1 million for Alzheimer's Research UK but I never thought I'd actually achieve it. At times, the challenge was incredibly tough, with rough seas, huge waves, and missing my wife, Judith. But as exhausting as it was, it was all totally worth it."

    He also said, "Having received hundreds of messages from people who, like me, have witnessed the heartbreak of dementia, I am proud to have raised such an incredible amount in honor of Roger and everyone else who has experienced the destruction it causes."

    (1)、What does the underlined word in paragraph 1 probably mean?
    A、Fame. B、Career. C、Pressure. D、Achievement.
    (2)、What words best describe Rothwell?
    A、Generous and wise. B、Humble and humorous. C、Caring and courageous. D、Optimistic and cautious.
    (3)、What can we learn about Rothwell from his words?
    A、He had bittersweet yet fulfilling feelings. B、He completed the whole voyage with ease. C、He was proud to raise the money for treating Roger. D、He received countless messages from Alzheimer's patients.
    (4)、What could be the best title of this text?
    A、Grandfather's Efforts against Dementia. B、Old Man's Sea Crossing for Alzheimer. C、Incredible Donations from Ocean Adventure. D、Groundbreaking Breakthrough in Medical Research.
  • 19、​​​​​​​Fall is one of the best times to visit Europe because of the vast variety of interests the season can cater to. If you're ready for a different take on Europe this fall, we've got ideas.

    ● Alentejo, Portugal

    The Douro Valley, known for the production of port wine, is the obvious autumn choice in Portugal. But head instead to the Alentejo region, Portugal's rural heartland. Here, you can see Roman remains in its UNESCO-protected capital Evora, go on a road trip through peaceful countryside planted with cork trees and olive groves, and enjoy the wild coast.

    ● Romania

    Spending Halloween at "Dracula's castle" is just one of the reasons to consider visiting Romania in autumn, which offers volunteer trips that might see you helping conservation efforts with rescued bears in Brasov. In addition to autumn's changing leaves, the season marks the start of all kinds of foodie events.

    ● Thessaloniki, Greece

    Fall is considered a great time to visit Thessaloniki, Greece's gateway city to the Balkans, not for its beaches but for its rich Jewish history. The city is also known for its flavorful and diverse food scenes. Travelers can embark on an adventure, enjoying local delicacies, including bougatsa, loukoumades, and fresh seafood from the Aegean Sea.

    ● Malta

    The Mediterranean archipelago of Malta — consisting of three inhabited islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino — is another summertime oven that becomes far more pleasant to visit once temperatures drop. Malta is always popular with scuba divers who explore the many World War II shipwrecks lying offshore, as well as the Blue Hole — a 50-foot-deep tube-like rock formation filled by the sea, with an archway and cave at its bottom.

    (1)、Who would be attracted to Alentejo and Thessaloniki?
    A、History enthusiasts. B、Beach lovers. C、Foodies. D、Environmentalists.
    (2)、What do we know about Malta from the text?
    A、It's inhabited by various wildlife. B、It's extremely hot in the summer. C、It's composed of two islands. D、It's known for different-sized caves.
    (3)、What's the purpose of writing the text?
    A、To explain why autumn is a good season to visit Europe. B、To recommend European destinations for autumn escapes. C、To provide a guide on some unique tours around Europe. D、To compare autumn travel with travel during other seasons.
  • 20、阅读下面材料,根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段,使之构成一篇完整的短文。

    My eight-year-old brother Tim and I were examining a shoebox in our house. He took the top of the box off as he said we could use this box to catch a cool breeze (微风).

    My family lived in a small desert town where the only breezes that blew were hot winds, especially in summer. I didn't understand what my brother was talking about, but he was several years older, so I trusted him.

    "A story says kids can catch a cool breeze using a box and enjoy it whenever they want," Tim said. Surprised, I asked whether it was true, He gave a nod.

    And because our parents would take us to the snow covered,windy mountains for fun the following weekend, Tim decided he'd secretly use this shoebox to catch a cool breeze. And he said he'd give the breeze-filled shoebox to our parents as a gift on their birthday. Our parents shared a birthday, which fell on a hot August day. "l want to give them a surprise, letting them enjoy the cool wind," Tim said joyfully. Inspired, I also wanted to give our parents the same gift, so I found another shoebox.

    The following weekend, our family went to the mountains. Tim and I ran back and forth with our boxes, attempting to trap as many cool breezes as possible. When we arrived home, Tim stored our boxes in a rarely used refrigerator, "It'll enable us to store the cool breeze," he smiled, From that moment on, I kept an eye on our breeze boxes. My greatest worry was that they would be thrown out accidentally.

    When summer arrived, our local temperature kept rising. And we had an unusually hot July day. One day, Tim and I sat before our door, trying to cool off. And the two shoe-boxes kept crossing my mind. Eventually, I was so hot that I wanted to open my breeze box.

    注意:

    1. 续写词数应为150左右;

    2. 请按如下格式作答。

    Paragraph 1:

    Then I headed for the refrigerator secretly, without noticing Tim following me.

    ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    Paragraph 2:

    When our parents' birthday finally arrived, Tim and I excitedly took out the shoe-boxes.

    ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

上一页 370 371 372 373 374 下一页 跳转