China is developing rapidly, with its people living a peaceful and happy life. While developing itself, China never fails to offer a helping hand to its friends.

On the Road to Peace

China has now been part of the UN peacekeeping missions (任务) for more than 30 years. UN peacekeeping missions provide different services including protecting civilians (平民).

In April 2023, the Chinese peacekeepers carried out an important task in Sudan. They successfully sent more than 1,100 people to safe places.

Into the Disaster Area (灾区)

In disaster areas, uniforms with “China Rescue (救援)” on the back offer a sign of hope and love. The Chinese rescue team is known for its quick and well-organized search and rescue work.

When earthquakes happened in Afghanistan and Nepal in October 2023, “China Rescue” quickly took action to transport things needed to the disaster areas.

Railway of Friendship

There are many high mountains between China and its neighboring country, Laos. The China-Laos Railway has broken through those barriers. This amazing achievement was made possible by the Lao workers and a large number of Chinese workers. They traveled far from their homes to build 1,035 kilometers of railway lines, including 301 bridges and 167 tunnels (隧道).

The peacekeepers, “China Rescue” and railway workers, are just some of the many thousands of Chinese who have spent all of their time and energy helping others around the world. Their selfless actions and tireless efforts bring honor to their homeland and help to build a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind.

1.When did the earthquakes happen in Afghanistan and Nepal?

A In April 2023.

B In May 2023.

C In September 2023.

D In October 2023.

解析：选D。细节理解题。根据文中第四段第二句 “When earthquakes happened in Afghanistan and Nepal in October 2023, ‘China Rescue’ quickly took action...” 可知，阿富汗和尼泊尔的地震发生在 2023 年 10 月，选项 D 正确。

2.What does the underlined word “barriers” mean in the passage? barrier /’bæriə(r)/n.[C] plural barriers

A A barrier is something such as a rule or law that makes it difficult or impossible for something to happen or be achieved.

B A barrier is a problem that prevents two people or groups from agreeing. communicating. or working with each other.

C A barrier is something like a wall that is put in place to prevent people from moving easily from one area to another.

D A barrier is a natural object that prevents something or someone from moving from one place to another.

解析：选D。词义猜测题。文中第三部分 “Railway of Friendship” 提到 “中老两国之间有许多高山”，而中老铁路 “突破了这些 barriers”。结合语境，“barriers” 在此指阻碍交通的自然障碍（高山），与 D 选项 “阻止人或物移动的自然物体” 定义一致。其他选项分别指向规则、法律或人际沟通问题，与上下文不符。

3. What is the passage mainly about?

A China’s selfless and tireless railway workers.

B China’s actions to help people around the world.

C How the Chinese peacekeepers help people abroad.

D Why Chinese people can live a peaceful and happy life.

解析：选B。主旨大意题。文章通过三个部分（维和任务、灾害救援、中老铁路）举例说明中国在国际上帮助其他国家的行动，最后一段总结 “中国人民无私帮助世界”。选项 A 仅涉及铁路工人，C 仅涉及维和人员，均为细节；D 与文章主题无关。B 选项概括了全文核心：中国帮助全球的举措。

4.In which part of a newspaper can you probably read this passage?

A Science.

B World.

C Sports.

D Travel.

解析：选B。文章出处题。文章讲述中国在国际事务中的援助行动，属于国际新闻范畴。A（科学）、C（体育）、D（旅行）均与主题无关，B 选项 “World”（世界新闻板块）最符合语境。