Passage 1
To prepare for summer break and make some money, I got a part-time job.
After a short interview, I was hired by Sub Zero Nitrogen (氮气) Ice Cream. Unlike other stores that would pre-freeze their ice cream in freezers, we would create the ice cream right in front of people’s eyes using liquid (液态得) nitrogen.
Liquid nitrogen is not just freezing cold – it’s -196 C! It takes almost all of the heat out of liquid cream in just a few seconds. I had not expected science to have such a big impact on my daily life, but I was glad that I understood this way of food processing (加工).
Working in the ice cream store brought about new challenges, such as making ice cream based on customers’ requirements. This seemed difficult for me at first, but I made it through. Better yet, I proved to be a natural (有天赋得人) at talking to customers. I met many interesting people and also became confident about my social skills.
I am glad to have been a part of the Sub Zero team.
Choose the answer:
1. What is special about the store “Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream”?
A. It sells liquid nitrogen as well as ice cream.
B. It offers customers a chance to make ice cream in the shop.
C. It creates ice cream right in front of people.
D. It pre-freezes the ice cream in freezers.
2. What does the underlined phrase “made it through” mean in this passage?
A. failed B. avoided C. challenged D. succeeded
3. What is Paragraph 4 mainly about?
A. The challenges the writer faced while working in the store.
B. How ice cream is made in the store.
C. The writer’s experiences while working in the store.
D. Why the writer wanted to work in the store.
4. What might be the best title of the story?
A. Stepping up to sell ice cream
B. Money is not everything
C. A good deed deserves another
D. Fun things to do during the summer break
Passage 2
During Spring Festival, netizens hotly debated whether parents should be in charge of the lucky money their children receive for the new year. Do you think parents should look after their children’s lucky money?
Xu Shuyuan, 16
I think it’s a good idea for lucky money to be kept by parents because children generally don’t have much experience with money and are most likely to spend money like water and potentially waste it. By comparison, lucky money left in the trust of their parents will be better spent, as children need to think carefully before asking for permission to use the money to make a purchase.
Hong Hanshu, 16
It is too difficult for young children to manage their money wisely as there are so many distractions (干扰) out there. With large amounts of money, they may become a victim (受害者) of cyber fraud (诈骗) or fall into the habit of splashing out (挥霍). By entrusting the money to their parents, not only will they raise their awareness of saving, but they will also appreciate the best wishes behind the money and put it to better use.
Xu Leyan, 16
I think children should keep their own lucky money because it’s a good chance to help them develop good money management skills. In doing so, children will be able to learn how to save money and arrange their expenses (费用) reasonably. To that end, all parents should do is keep their kids’ spending in check and give them timely guidance. Early money management education is an important lesson, which can help children become more mature and rational (理性得).
Yang Shiqi, 16
In the latest Civil Code (《民法典》), 8 years old is a dividing line between restricted capacity (限制行为能力) and incapacity. That means that children older than 8 have the right to deal with their own money and be responsible for the consequences (结果) of their consumer behavior as well. Children should be trusted to manage their own money and learn lessons the hard way if necessary. With parents’ practical advice, they can both learn to manage money and become financially independent early in life.
Choose the answer:
1. Which students think that parents should manage their children’s lucky money?
A. Hong Hanshu and Xu Leyan. B. Xu Leyan and Yang Shiqi.
C. Xu Shuyuan and Hong Hanshu. D. Hong Hanshu and Yang Shiqi.
2. According to Hong Hanshu, what things might cause young children to waste their lucky money?
a. Bad advice from friends. b. Cyber fraud.
c. Bad habits. d. Too much lucky money.
A. ab B. bc C. ac D. ad
3. What can we infer from Yang Shiqi’s words?
A. It’s okay for children to make mistakes while managing their own lucky money.
B. It’s against the law for parents to manage their children’s lucky money.
C. Parents must give all children older than 8 their lucky money.
D. Parents’ advice doesn’t help their children to manage their lucky money.
4. According to the passage, all students agree that _____.
A. It is hard for children to manage their lucky money.
B. All children over 8 years old can manage their lucky money well.
C. Parents should help their children to deal with their lucky money.
D. Lucky money shouldn’t be given to any children.
Keys:
Passage 1: CDCA
Passage 2: CBAC
