【推荐1】The art of psychologically controlling people so that they give away secret or sensitive information is known as social engineering. These are non-technical attacks, which rely on fooling people into ignoring regular safety procedures. People involved in this criminal act either target individuals for things such as bank information and passwords, or they might target the employees of entire organizations for sensitive company information, which they can then use to make a lot of quick money on the market.

The use of social engineering has increased greatly, because it’s much more difficult to hack (非法侵入) into someone’s software / password than it is to win their trust and make use of them to gain information that’s wanted. No matter how technically good the safety chain might be, information is always easy to attack if people with the information are easy to influence.

Methods of social engineering are various. For instance, the criminal uses some form of physical media like a CD, which is given a legal but interesting label. It’s then purposely left in a place like a restroom or elevator, where it’s sure to be found by someone. When any person finds the CD, he / she is expected to get curious about the label and the data it contains. However, on inserting the CD into a computer, they unknowingly install malware (恶意软件) into the system, which could give the attacker unlimited access, not only to that computer, but also to the company’s internal network.

Social engineering attacks are difficult to prevent completely. However, to make it difficult for social engineers and discourage them from attacking, some preventive measures need to be taken. For example, using advanced systems of security and different passwords for different accounts is very important. Regularly checking personal data and account details and making necessary upgrades to security are very helpful. More importantly, make sure that employees are trained to politely question people they don’t know, about their presence in the office building, and make sure that regular sessions (会议) and talks about security issues are held, so the problem of social engineering is always fresh in the minds of the employees.

1. According to the author, social engineering _____.

A．is a good skill	B．helps keep secrets
C．discourages employees	D．could probably break the law

2. What can be inferred from the second paragraph?

A．More people are faced with social engineering.

B．Social engineering is popular in few countries.

C．It’s very easy to hack into someone’s software.

D．Social engineering has attracted wide attention.

3. To introduce how social engineering is used in Paragraph 3, the author _____.

A．makes a to-do list	B．gives an example
C．offers an argument	D．makes a comparison

4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．The causes of social engineering.	B．The effects of social engineering.
C．The ways to prevent social engineering.	D．Different types of social engineering.

【推荐3】Men have always believed that they are smarter than women. Now, a study has found that while this is certainly true, men also have to deal with the fact that they are also more stupid than the fairer sex.
In the study, scientists measured the IQ of 2500 brothers and sisters and they found an uneven number of men not only in the top two percent, but also in the bottom two percent.
The study's participants were tested on science, maths, English and mechanical abilities.
Though there were twice as many men as women in the smartest group, there were also twice as many men among the dolts.
The aggregate scores of men and women were similar.
One of the study's authors, psychology professor Timothy Bates, said that the phenomenon may be because men have always been expected to be high achievers and women have been restricted to spend more time taking care of their home.
"The female developmental program may be tilted more towards ensuring survival and the safety of the middle ground.," the Daily Mail quoted Professor Bates, of Edinburgh University, as saying.
The research ______ past results that men were more likely than women to receive first class University degrees or thirds and women secured the seconds.
It has been said that men are more ready to take risk when it comes to academics. Women have always found to be steadier in their learning.
A past study has shown that women are securing more firsts and seconds, while men are continuing to receive more thirds.
The argument for the change is that the increase of coursework at the cost of exams favors women's steady approach.
1. The purpose of the passage is to tell us that ________.

A．man are smarter then women

B．man are more stupid the women

C．a new fact about the IQ of men and women has been found

D．men are more likely to receive first class university degrees

2. According to Timothy Bates, less women are in the smartest group because _________.

A．they are born stupid

B．they have to spend more time to tale care of their home than men

C．they don’t like to take risk

D．they are not expected to be high achievers

3. The underlined wordtallies with in the eighth paragraph means________.

A．agree with

B．deal with

C．go against

D．go with

4. It can be inferred from the passage that______.

A．Women are steadier in their learning.

B．men are more ready to take risk in everything

C．women are securing more firsts and seconds

D．women are doing much better in academy

5. Which of the following questions has NOT been discussed in the passage?

A．Why are men smarter than women?

B．Why are men more stupid than women?

C．How does the result go along with the past research?

D．How can we help the men in the bottom?

【推荐1】Rich and Famous

Twenty years ago the most common ambition of American children was to be a teacher, followed by working in banking and finance, and then medicine. But today’s situation is quite different.     1     Instead they most commonly say they want to be a sports star, a pop star, or an actor-in other words, they hope to become a celebrity .

According to experts, young people desire these jobs largely because of the wealth and the fame.     2     Let’s take athletes and singers as an example. Their careers are short-lived. Many athletes’ best time only lasts a few years and singers can have a very limited career. The field that was once the focus of their lives becomes something they have little or no involvement in. As a result, they’ll have a feeling of worthlessness and a lack of control.     3     The truth is quite simple: they have been so far removed from it for so long.

In spite of these disadvantages, there is greater ambition than ever among young people to achieve that status. They are not satisfied just making a living-they want to be rich and famous. Globally, more and more TV shows provide talent competitions where winners can achieve their goals in just a few weeks or months.     4     They unrealistically believe that this lifestyle is easily obtained and leads to great satisfaction.

While many people argue that there is nothing wrong with having such ambitions, others feel that this trend will finally lead to dissatisfaction as more and more people are unable to reach their goals.     5     That means they ignore the simple fact that great effort is needed before success. As a result, many people won’t realize their childhood dreams, which could have a negative effect on their happiness.

A．The younger generation don’t favor these professions any more.

B．In many ways this has been brought about by the celebrity culture.

C．Unfortunately, they do not always have a positive effect on people’s life.

D．Besides, it can be difficult for them to adapt back to a normal everyday life.

E．People no longer have a sense of satisfaction once their goals have been achieved.

F．This quick way of gaining wealth and fame creates a celebrity culture among people.

G．The reason is that they don’t realize it takes talent and hard work to be rich and famous.

【推荐2】During my youth in America’s Appalachian mountains, I learned that farmers preferred sons over daughters, largely because boys were better at heavy farm labour. With only 3% of Americans in agriculture today, brain has replaced brawn, yet cultural preferences, like bad habits, are easier to make than break. But history warns repeatedly of the tragic cost of dismissing too casually the gifts of the so-called weaker sex.

About 150 years ago, a village church vicar in Yorkshire, England, had three lovely, intelligent daughters but his hopes depended entirely on the sole male heir (继承人), Branwell, a youth with remarkable talent in both art and literature.

Branwell’s father and sisters saved their pennies to pack him off to London’s Royal Academy of Arts, but within weeks he returned home, a penniless failure. Hopes still high, the family landed Branwell a job as a private tutor, hoping this would free him to develop his literary skills and achieve the success and fame that he deserved. Failure again.

For years the selfless sisters squelched (制止) their own goals, farming themselves out as teachers and governesses in support of their increasingly indebted brother, convinced the world must eventually recognize his genius. As failures multiplied, Branwell turned to alcohol, then opium, and eventually died as he had lived: a failure. So died hope in the one male — but what of her three selfless sisters?

During Branwell’s last years, the girls published a book of poetry at their own expense. Even Branwell might have snickered (窃笑): they sold only 2 copies. However, they continued in their spare time, late at night by candlelight, to pour out their pent-up emotion, writing of what they knew best, of women in conflict with their natural desires and social condition — in reality, less fiction than autobiography! And 19th-century literature was transformed by Anne’s Agnes Grey, Emily’s Wuthering Heights, and Charlotte’s Jane Eyre. But years of sacrifice for Banwell had caused great suffering. Emily was taken ill at her brother’s funeral and died within 3 months, aged 29; Anne died 5 months later, aged 30; Charlotte lived only to age 39. If only they had been nurtured instead of sacrificed.

No one remembers Branwell’s name, much less his art or literature, but the Bronte sisters’ tragically short lives teach us even more of life than of literature. Their sacrificed genius cries out to us that in modern society we must value children not by their physical strength or sexual gender, but by their integrity, strength, commitment, courage—spiritual qualities abundant in both boys and girls.

1. What does the underlined word “brawn” mean in Paragraph 1?

A．Human intelligence.

B．Tiring labour.

C．Physical strength.

D．Personal preference.

2. Why did the father only pay attention to Branwell’s education?

A．Because Branwell was the only son of the family.

B．Because Branwell had a gift for literature and art.

C．Because his daughters were not as talented.

D．Because his daughters were self-disciplined.

3. What was Branwell’s reaction to his repeated failures?

A．Stopping working hard.	B．Feeling extremely ashamed.
C．Sliding into bad habits.	D．Losing heart completely.

4. Which might be the best title of the passage?

A．The Bronte Sisters’ Selfless Sacrifice	B．Branwell — A Shame of the Bronte Family
C．The Bronte Sisters’ Great Achievement	D．The Bronte Family’s Regrettable Tragedy

【推荐2】Norwegian playwright and author Jon Fosse has just been awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Literature for his “innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable”.

The Swedish Academy credits Fosse as “one of the most widely performed playwrights in the world”, although the 64-year-old originally made his name as a novelist, beginning with Red, Black in 1983. He has since written many works of prose and poetry. “His literary works, spanning a variety of genres(体裁), comprises about 40 plays and a wealth of novels, poetry collections, essays, children’s books and translations,” said Anders Olsson, chairman of the Nobel Committee for Literature.

Jon Fosse draws inspiration from his rural living environment and personal struggles, which have deeply influenced his distinctive writing style. Growing up in a small coastal village, Fosse was immersed in the beauty of nature and the vastness of the sea, which filled him with a sense of solitude and introspection(内省) that is reflected in his works. Fosse’s writing discussed themes of desolateness(孤独，苍凉), longing, and the search for meaning in life. Additionally, his battles with depression have enabled him to explore the depths of human emotions and existential des-pair.

“He touches you so deeply when you read his works,” said Anders Olsson. “What is special about him is the closeness in his writing. It touches your deepest feelings-anxieties, insecurities, questions of life and death-which are things that every human being actually faces from the very beginning. In that sense I think he reaches very far and there is a sort of a universal impact of every-thing that he writes-it has appeal to this basic humanity.”

Fosse is the first-ever laureate writing in Nynorsk, one of the two official languages of Norwegian, but only used by just 10% of the population. As The Guardian writes, “Many Nynorsk speakers see Fosse ‘as a kind of national hero’ for his championing of the language.” Fosse’s recognition on a global stage promotes the visibility and importance of Nynorsk as a written standard. It will attract more attention to Nynorsk literature, inspire and encourage Nynorsk speakers to continue preserving and promoting their linguistic(语言的) heritage.

1. What do we know about Jon Fosse from paragraph 2?

A．His most popular work is the play Red, Black.

B．He accomplished various genres of literature works.

C．Many famous plays are the inspiration for his writing.

D．His language skills earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature.

2. What does paragraph 3 mainly talk about?

A．Jon Fosse’s tough experiences.

B．Jon Fosse’s motivation for writing.

C．The major themes of Jon Fosse’s works.

D．The effect of Jon Fosse’s life on his writing style.

3. What is special about Jon Fosse’s works according to Anders Olsson?

A．They explore the meaning of life.

B．They touch human’s deepest emotions.

C．They show the bond between humans and nature.

D．They appeal to readers to focus on personal feelings.

4. What contribution of Jon Fosse is mentioned in the last paragraph?

A．He explains the importance of linguistic diversity.

B．He has improved the international status of Norway.

C．He promotes the development and preservation of Nynorsk.

D．He shapes the basic writing standard of Norwegian literature.

【推荐3】Recent the news a school in Ganzhou, Jiangxi, serves pre-made meals to its students have sparked heated discussions across the country. People doubt if pre-made meals, despite being convenient, are healthy and nutritious enough for growing teenagers.

Pre-made meals refer to half-finished or finished dishes that are already cooked or prepared, according to the China Cuisine Association. There are several types of pre-made foods, including ready-to-eat food, such as canned food or cooked food in packages, and ready-to-heat or ready-to-cook food, which requires heating or cooking before being served.

Many people tend to think that ready-to-heat and ready-to-cook foods are less nutritious because they usually need to be kept in refrigerators. “Actually freezing does not cause a loss of nutrients,” Liu Junya, a 33-year-old dietitian in Beijing said. “Nutrient loss typically occurs during the heating or frying process.”

Vitamins from the B group and vitamin C found in meat and vegetables are heat-sensitive and can be lost during the process. By being heated or cooked twice or more, “pre-made foods can be less nutritious than freshly prepared and cooked foods,” Liu said.

Meanwhile, “many pre-made food companies prioritize taste over nutrition,” said Liu. This leads to higher levels of salt and sugar in the food, which may lead to health problems, such as high blood pressure in the long term.

Additives (添加剂) are also a major concern related to pre-made food. In China, there are strict standards for food additives. Currently, China’s food industry has well-developed techniques to preserve pre-made food without the excessive use of additives. Some food can be sterilized (消毒) and then sealed (密封) after cooking, followed by low-temperature storage, allowing for a longer shelf life. However, it’s essential that customers buy pre-made meals from qualified food companies or supermarkets.

It is hoped that regulations on pre-made meals can be strengthened to better ensure nutrition and hygiene (卫生). This way, “pre-made meals will be more accepted by the public,” Liu said.

1. What can we learn about pre-made meals from the article?

A．They are typically costly and flavorful.	B．They are rich in a large numbe of vitamins.
C．They taste better than homemade food.	D．They are already partially or fully cooked.

2. According to Liu Junya, when does nutrient loss typically occur in pre-made foods?

A．During freezing.

B．During cooking.

C．During packaging.

D．During sales.

3. What is one of the key recommendations for consumers regarding pre-made meals?

A．Buy from reliable sources.	B．Check the cooking instructions.
C．Keep pre-made meals frozen.	D．Pay attention to the additives used.

4. What does Liu Junya think of pre-made meals?

A．They are a convenient choice for all.	B．They are suitable for daily life.
C．They can be nutritious if properly regulated.	D．They are best avoided for long-term health.

【推荐3】Tracy Garett was the Mr Fix-it of a village where I lived for two years. I heard about mysterious doings of his late wife, Minnie. There were stories of someone who had got into trouble a proper amount of money would cure, and each ended on the same strange note: “Minnie is in hock(抵押)again.”

I tried to talk with locals to solve the mystery. But at a newcomer’s spying curiosity, the villagers always avoided any conversation. It left me completely in the dark.

Soon I began having troubles of my own. My daughter had an expensive operation, but the money I had counted on didn’t come in.

One day Garett came to fix my television, which never worked properly. Working silently for a while, he looked at me and said, “Understand you’ve been having a little trouble.” I was feeling sadder, but still talked it out. “Then it’s time you met Minnie,” he said decisively.

I felt a bit scared and was prepared for anything, but all that happened was that he took out a tired-looking $ 1000 bank-note. Roughly printed on it was: MINNIE.

“All you do is take Minnie to the bank and put her up for any amount up to $1000. You pay the bank their required interest, and then Minnie comes back to me. “He continued. “Minnie loved this village, and she wanted to keep on helping people after she was gone.”

I began to understand why the town folk had been so secretive. They didn’t know whether I could be trusted with a secret so precious.

Though I moved away later, I would like to believe Minnie is still in circulation(流通). Minnie strikes me as the kind of woman who goes on forever.

1. What is Tracy Garett?

A．A banker.

B．A doctor.

C．A gardener.

D．A repairman.

2. When will “Minnie” appear?

A．Stories about her are being told.

B．Things need to be fixed.

C．She was wanted in a conversation.

D．People in the village are in need of money.

3. What’s the villagers’ attitude toward the mystery?

A．They treasure it.	B．They think nothing of it.
C．They are scared of it.	D．They are proud of it.

4. What does the writer want to express?

A．It is in giving that we receive.

B．A little kindness goes a long way.

C．He who plants kindness gathers love.

D．Kindness is the key that unlocks the heart.