1 . Given that cancer is one of the deadliest diseases out there, any new development in our fight against it is highly praiseworthy. The latest breakthrough was made by Heman Bekele in 2023, a 14-year-old student from Virginia. The student has created a bar soap to treat skin cancer. Now, his findings have earned him the title of America’s Top Young Scientist.
Bekele remembers he always saw people who were constantly hit by the glaring sun as a child. As he grew up and began to realize the risks like skin cancer were associated with sun exposure, the boy decided to come up with solutions.
While similar treatments are available, Bekele hoped to work on a more affordable alternative, especially for those in developing countries. “I wanted to make my idea something that not only was great in terms of science but also could benefit as many people as possible,” Bekele says. It is often the simple solutions that are the most effective because soap is a daily routine for most people.
With the guidance of Deborah Isabelle, a product engineering specialist, Bekele made his soap by mixing regular soap with compounds (化合物) that slowly reactivate dendritic (枝状的) cells. When the soap is applied, it releases toll-like receptors into our skin. These receptors attach onto dendritic cells which reactivate them. The reactivated dendritic cells then join with TN io12 cells to fight cancer cells. Rather than a cure, Bekele’s soap aims to help people’s immune cells stay active while fighting skin cancer.
For now, the young scientist hopes to improve his invention and create a non-profit to distribute the soap among those who need it most. “I believe that young minds can make a positive impact on the world,” Bekele said. “I have a strong desire to know how the physical world works and how to improve the lives of its inhabitants, and this challenge gives me the perfect platform to showcase my ideas.”
1. Why is Bekele’s childhood experience mentioned in paragraph 2?| A．To show his genius for scientific creation. |
| B．To express people’s eagerness for his soap. |
| C．To explain his motivation to create the soap. |
| D．To remind people of their similar memories. |
| A．It can be admirable for the design. |
| B．It can be available to more people. |
| C．It will be effective in curing any cancer. |
| D．It will be pioneering in terms of science. |
| A．The treatment principle of the soap. |
| B．The damage caused by skin cancer. |
| C．The prevention measures of skin cancer. |
| D．The professional evaluation of the soap. |
| A．Creative and loyal. | B．Ambitious and plain. |
| C．Curious and adaptable. | D．Sympathetic and curious. |
2 . San Francisco’s waterfront (海滨) is on the National Register of Historic Places for good reason.
Its beautiful old landmarks, like the Ferry Building and the Bay Bridge, have been seen in many books, TV shows and movies—from the stories and novels of Jack London to the 1970s TV series The Streets of San Francisco. The future of San Francisco’s waterfront, however, isn’t safe.
In 2016, the National Trust for Historic Preservation put part of the city’s shoreline on its list of the U. S.’s most endangered historic places, in part because of the threat of sea level rise. The waterfront landmarks of many cities are under increasing threat from floods and rising sea levels brought on by human-driven climate change. St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Italy and the Venice Beach boardwalk in Los Angeles face similar challenges to San Francisco.
“The whole issue of climate change and historic preservation intersects (交织) right at the waterfront,” said Elaine Forbes, director of the Port of San Francisco. As she watched the boats come and go on a sunny afternoon, Forbes said, “Sea level rise hasn’t historically been as much of a threat to San Francisco as major earthquakes.” However, that’s changed. Parts of the main road that runs along the waterfront have flooded from heavy rains in recent years. The state estimates (预估) the water could rise up to about two and a half feet above its present level by 2060, and possibly up to seven feet by the turn of the century.
Now, San Francisco is considering measures to save its historic shoreline. But the growing magnitude and frequency of the climate-related threats, the high costs and effort needed in saving heritage sites, and competing ideas about what’s worth saving and what isn’t, can make it hard for cities to know what to do first.
1. What is San Francisco’s waterfront famous for?| A．Old landmarks. | B．Famous beaches. |
| C．Beautiful bridges. | D．Comfortable climate. |
| A．The loss of public support. | B．The threat from rising sea levels. |
| C．The influence of tourist activities. | D．The competition from other cities. |
| A．To give an example of existing threats. | B．To stress the seriousness of sea level rise. |
| C．To compare different types of natural disasters. | D．To show the difficulty in the waterfront protection. |
| A．Heritage sites are in ruins. | B．Threats have been removed. |
| C．The shoreline has been flooded. | D．Solutions are under consideration. |
3 . Norman Rockwell didn’t create his celebrated images using only brush and paint. They often took shape first as scenes that Rockwell literally acted out, not only for his editors at the Saturday Evening Post, but for his real-life models, too. “It was difficult,” he once explained, “but I felt it was the best way to get across my meaning.” And so he would enthusiastically play out his visions and ideas, a one-man show packed with just the right expressions, giving enough details of each character in the scene to inspire his models and more importantly, get his editors to buy his ideas.
Now, more than 30 years after his death, Rockwell is still acknowledged for skillfully documenting the best of 20th century American life with drawings of simple emotions inspired by everyday people. To create his detailed recollections of everyday American life, Rockwell worked much like a film director, not just acting out the scenes in his imagination, but looking for locations, casting everyday people from his town for particular parts.
The recognition he received strongly proves Rockwell’s superior skills as a storyteller and is the subject of another kind of one-man show: the upcoming exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C., titled Telling Stories: Norman Rockwell from the Collections of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. The exhibit, gathered together from the private collections of these two popular film directors, will feature rarely viewed pieces of Rockwell’s artworks.
That concentration of information as well as emotion is something essential in Rockwell’s art. Emotion certainly spoke to Steven Spielberg when he first saw one of his favorite Rockwell paintings, High Dive, the August 16, 1947 Post cover that describes a boy at the top of what must be a towering diving board. He crouches (蹲伏) high above a swimming pool, too afraid to either jump or climb back down. The painting hangs in Spielberg’s office at Amblin Entertainment because it holds a great deal of meaning for the filmmaker.
1. How did Norman Rockwell successfully influence his editors?| A．By performing his ideas. | B．By hiring more models. |
| C．By donating his paintings. | D．By drawing actual events. |
| A．Film directors. | B．Folk storytellers. |
| C．Natural landscapes. | D．Ordinary citizens. |
| A．Develop artistic skills. | B．Learn how to act out. |
| C．Appreciate nature. | D．learn to swim. |
| A．To introduce an exhibit. | B．To recommend a painting. |
| C．To remember an artist. | D．To explain a cultural phenomenon. |
4 . As a doctor at Duke University Hospital, I met Beth five years ago. Her husband had just driven her to the hospital to have a brain tumor (肿瘤)
A few weeks later, she
Given how
However, it was not long before the unexpected happened. A flood
| A．explained | B．prevented | C．removed | D．recorded |
| A．smoothly | B．frequently | C．poorly | D．directly |
| A．thought | B．reputation | C．headache | D．disaster |
| A．original | B．interesting | C．negative | D．difficult |
| A．successful | B．faithful | C．doubtful | D．cheerful |
| A．returned | B．objected | C．appealed | D．contributed |
| A．called on | B．cared for | C．brought up | D．come across |
| A．normally | B．slowly | C．legally | D．sincerely |
| A．common | B．boring | C．serious | D．crazy |
| A．consultation | B．examination | C．discussion | D．protection |
| A．heart | B．home | C．fault | D．side |
| A．washed | B．passed | C．gave | D．took |
| A．ask | B．visit | C．teach | D．inform |
| A．consequence | B．competence | C．character | D．condition |
| A．attitudes | B．appreciation | C．expectations | D．influence |
5 . On May 29, 2022, Rut Larsson, who was 103 at that time, became the oldest skydiver in the world. And yet she had just become the oldest parachutist (跳伞者) in the world. This Swedish grandmother turned her dream into
When Rut Larsson was in her 90s, she became
Now Rut Larsson was going through the respectable
With this jump, she became the oldest
“At first, slowly
| A．fiction | B．scene | C．reality | D．trouble |
| A．bored | B．fascinated | C．disappointed | D．puzzled |
| A．weight | B．pain | C．examination | D．fitness |
| A．fame | B．contest | C．reward | D．record |
| A．jump | B．climb | C．journey | D．flight |
| A．age | B．action | C．manner | D．line |
| A．put up | B．take over | C．get down | D．go through |
| A．congratulate | B．document | C．celebrate | D．recognize |
| A．official | B．designer | C．viewer | D．lawyer |
| A．nurse | B．male | C．doctor | D．skydiver |
| A．introduced | B．chosen | C．held | D．prevented |
| A．driving | B．rushing | C．crashing | D．sliding |
| A．beat | B．find | C．imagine | D．obey |
| A．confusing | B．terrifying | C．pitiful | D．wonderful |
| A．planned | B．received | C．remembered | D．forced |
6 . In the past few weeks, Richard Eckersley has noticed a change in the type of people who come into his shop. In 2017, the former Manchester United footballer set up Earth. Food. Love in Tones, Devon, with his wife, Nicola. It’s the UK’s first “zero waste” store—the food is in big jars and boxes and people bring their own containers. “A lot of new people are coming in-people who have not necessarily been interested in environmental issues before”, he says.
Recently, the government called for supermarkets to introduce plastic-free passageways. But Eckersley says many customers are already way ahead of politicians. He and Nicola have helped people set up similar stores in Wales, Birmingham, and Bristol. Ingrid Caldironi had a similar idea. She set up a plastic-free shop in London last year, which has been so popular that it is soon moving to a bigger site.
Eckersley and Caldironi are members of an anti-plastics movement in the UK that has been growing as a result of the BBC’s Blue Planet series and a general worry about the damage plastic is doing to the environment. But big supermarkets have so far not tried very hard to reduce their plastic waste. Sian Sutherland, founder of the movement “A Plastic Planet”, says, “The most exciting thing is that politicians and industry are no longer saying that recycling will solve the problem. Banning the use of plastic packaging for food and drink products is the only answer.” Walking down the passageways of the supermarket where everything from pizza to fresh fruit and vegetables is covered in plastic. Sutherland says immediate action is needed.
Plastic pollution is causing widespread global damage. More than one million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute, and most end up in landfill or the sea. The contamination is so wide that tap water around the world also contains plastic.
1. What is special about Earth. Food. Love?| A．It gives away boxes of food. | B．It is a store without plastic bags. |
| C．It has few new customers. | D．It is the UK’s first supermarket. |
| A．Its popularity. | B．Its products. | C．Its profits. | D．Its similarity. |
| A．Pollution. | B．Acceptance. | C．Influence. | D．Application. |
| A．The impact of BBC’s Blue Planet series on anti-plastics movements. |
| B．Rising anti-plastics movement alongside increasing environmental concerns. |
| C．A guide to setting up plastic-free stores to promote recycling in the whole UK. |
| D．Richard Eckersley’s personal journey in waste reduction and pollution prevention. |
7 . We can create learning moments that students remember forever if we open up our classrooms to awe and wonder.
Toward the end of my high school year, our Spanish teacher organized a trip to see an Andean band perform in Philadelphia. My classmates and I egged one another on ironically (讽刺地): Who could enjoy the show? The performers’ clothing seemed odd. The instruments, strange. But then the performers kicked in, dancing to their bombo and wancara drums around the stage and the panpipes and quena announced a kind of sound—new to us.
We had spent too little time discussing the culture of the Inca in social studies but its traditions came alive for us that evening. Once the wonderful performance lit up the stage and the hall filled up with music, my teenage cynicism disappeared. I rose out of my chair to dance with honest joy.
I have spent the last seven years living and working in South America. But my thirst for cultural exploration and a desire to understand the world outside my language and country has been alive longer than that. Sometimes I think that night dancing to those ancient rhythms unlocked this fascination. Why do I remember it so clearly decades later?
In his recent book Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, psychology professor Dacher Keltner explains that “brief moments of awe are as good for your mind and body as anything you might do.” Besides being a memorable emotion, awe boosts curiosity, builds humility, helps with critical thinking, and makes people feel more connected. It even makes us happier. “Twenty years into teaching happiness,” Keltner writes about how to find deep happiness, “I have an answer: FIND AWE.”
Moving forward, let’s do our best to build instances of awe into our curriculum (课程). So when our former students approach us on the subway years later, they will recall the magical moments from their days spent in our classes.
1. How did the students initially react to the Andean band’s performance?| A．They showed respect for it. | B．They approached it with doubt. |
| C．They left in disappointment. | D．They felt joyful to appreciate it. |
| A．A deep understanding of music. | B．A strong enthusiasm for exploration. |
| C．A negative attitude to the world. | D．A sense of connection with society. |
| A．The importance of finding happiness in life. |
| B．The lasting impact of a memorable experience. |
| C．The benefits of understanding different cultures. |
| D．The positive role of awe in improving one’s life. |
| A．Teachers. | B．High school graduates. |
| C．Parents. | D．Psychology researchers. |
8 . Everyone knows about New York City's most popular attractions, but here are some activities you might not think about doing on your NYC( New York City) vacation. Surprise yourself with some great things to do in New York City.
Looking for something thrilling to do while you visit New York City? For over ten years, Trapeze school New York has been teaching people how to fly on the trapeze. Their beginner classes last two hours and cost $50-70, plus one-time $22 registration fee. From April to October, their outdoor location on the Hudson River offers a spectacular setting for the experience, but they also have an indoor location that is open year-round.
Learn to Surf
Rockaway Beach is a popular destination for East Coast surfers, but even if you’ve never surfed, there are plenty of folks happy to teach you at Rockaway Beach. Locals Surf School offers two-hour group lessons starting at $80, including all the vehicles you need. Frank from Rockaway Beach also offers surfing lessons.
Get Kissed by a Sea Lion
Sign up for a Sea Lion Encounter at the New York Aquarium, and you' ll have the chance to get to get up close and personal with the Sea Lions after the show. After a short orientation, participants will each get a chance to pose for a photo and get a kiss from a sea lion. Sea Lion Encounters cost $20 and are offered after Sea Lion Celebration shows. Participants must be at least 5 years old, and those who're 5-7 years old must be held by their parents/caregivers during any animal interaction (互动).
Experience Fall Leaves
Although New York City doesn't have as many colorful leaves as New England, there are still some great ways to enjoy the changing leaves during a fall visit to New York City, both in the city and beyond. Whether you want to walk around one of New York City's great parks or take a fall leaves sightseeing cruise up the Hudson River, you can get a taste of the beautiful fall colors when you visit New York City.
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1. How much will a beginner pay at least to learn to fly on the trapeze?| A．$94. | B．$72. | C．$82. | D．$92. |
| A．Rockaway Beach. | B．Locals Surf School. |
| C．The New York Aquarium | D．The Hudson River. |
| A．A historical magazine. | B．A scientific report. |
| C．A travel review. | D．A travel guidebook. |
9 . Slowly but surely, we’re moving closer and closer to 5G world. From smart-home security to self-driving cars, all the internet-connected devices in your life will be able to talk to each other at lightning-fast speeds with reduced delay, Objectively speaking, the fastest 4G download speeds in the U. S. top out at an average of 19.42 Mbps. But by comparison 5G promises gigabit (千兆) speeds.
“5G is one of those signs, along with artificial intelligence, of this coming data age,” said Steve Koenig, senior director of market research for the Consumer Technology Association. “The self-driving vehicle is a great emblem of this data age, and that is to say, it is a sign of time, because with one single task, driving, you have massive amounts of data coming from the vehicle itself, and a variety of sensors are collecting a lot of information to model its environment as it moves. It’s pulling in data from other vehicles about road conditions down the lane. It could be weather information, but also connected infrastructure (基础设施) construction. There’s lots of data behind that task, which is why we need high speed.
Augmented reality glasses and virtual headset haven’t yet broken the mainstream, but tech companies are joyfully betting that these devices will eventually replace our smartphones. With 5G, that could actually happen. This is notable because companies such as Apple are reportedly developing AR glasses to assist — or perhaps even replace — smartphones.
Ericsson stated at February’s Mobile World Congress how smart glasses could become faster and lighter with a 5G connection, because instead of being weighed down with components, the glasses could rely on hardware for processing power.
But don’t get too excited. There’s still a lot of work to be done in the meantime, including various trials to make sure the radios play nicely with hardware and infrastructure construction so 5G isn’t concentrated only in big cities.
1. What does the author want to stress in Paragraph 1?| A．The lighting-fast speed of 5G. |
| B．The expectation of 5G world. |
| C．The difference between 4G and 5G. |
| D．The internet-connected devices in our life. |
| A．Exhibition. | B．Success. |
| C．Symbol. | D．Explanation. |
| A．5G world won’t come without AR glasses |
| B．5G helps to create the artificial intelligence vehicle |
| C．Apple company is developing AR glasses worldwide |
| D．Tech companies will face the fact that smartphones may be replaced |
| A．How to fully expand 5G coverage. |
| B．Smart glasses will become faster and lighter. |
| C．Why 5G isn’t concentrated in big cities. |
| D．The importance of infrastructure construction. |
10 . For my 56th birthday, my daughter, Beth, bought me two beautifully carved wooden butterflies. I hung them in prominent (显眼的) places on my walls so that I can see them often during the day. Each time I do so, they give me a wonderful reminder of love.
My daughter and my love of butterflies goes back many years. After a long battle against cancer, my mom passed away when I was only 25 years old. Beth was only a baby at the time and never got to have any memories of her grandma. I tried to make up for it by telling her stories of my mom but each time I did, I could see that there was a little sadness in Beth’s eyes. One day when she was only seven or so we were outside at the playground. Beth suddenly said how much she saddened not having her grandma around. Well, sometimes I comforted her and this time I told her how much her grandma loved her and that Grandma still remained positive in the last weeks of her life. I said she was watching over her from Heaven and that maybe she was even hitching (搭乘) a ride on the back of a butterfly to come down and get a closer look. At that very moment, a butterfly appeared flying around Beth’s face and then flew away. We both laughed with our hearts full of love and joy.
Since that moment all of those years ago, both Beth and I seem to attract butterflies like flowers. Whenever we are outside, they seem to fly down, circle around us, take a good look, and then fly away. And every time, we are reminded of my mom’s love watching over us. The only time this doesn’t happen is during the coldest months of the year when there are no insects of any kind. But now during those times I can take a look at the two beautiful wooden butterflies my daughter bought me and still be reminded of that love.
1. Why did Beth buy wooden butterflies?| A．To celebrate the new year. |
| B．To decorate her bedroom. |
| C．To celebrate her mother’s birthday. |
| D．To remind her childhood. |
| A．Tough and optimistic. |
| B．Enthusiastic and helpful. |
| C．Independent and reliable. |
| D．Knowledgeable and respectable. |
| A．Terrified. | B．Confused. | C．Joyful. | D．Nervous. |
| A．Wooden butterflies are of great artistic value. |
| B．We all need reminders that we are loved in our life. |
| C．It is difficult to maintain family ties during difficult times. |
| D．The presence of parents is important to children’s development. |
