1 . It was 11 p.m. when Alex Conrad saw the woman on the Main Street Bridge, standing by the railing (栏杆) gazing down at the rushing Chippewa River. At her feet was what appeared to be a
“Something might be wrong.” Conrad thought in his car. He pulled a U-turn and parked with his hazard lights (警示灯)
He stepped out and got a clearer picture of the
“Not everything goes as planned,” agreed Conrad. He started talking about his similar
Sadly, this was not the first time someone tried to end it all on the bridge. What was
A.rope | B.backpack | C.post | D.patch |
A.up | B.down | C.on | D.off |
A.take notice | B.make progress | C.achieve success | D.lose temper |
A.crash | B.scene | C.crowd | D.road |
A.end | B.side | C.part | D.edge |
A.unique | B.different | C.modest | D.rough |
A.complained | B.explained | C.intended | D.attained |
A.glories | B.hardships | C.opportunities | D.goals |
A.Indeed | B.Otherwise | C.Nevertheless | D.Moreover |
A.engaged | B.determined | C.informed | D.discouraged |
A.cared | B.stood | C.prayed | D.reached |
A.Suddenly | B.Consequently | C.Frequently | D.Strangely |
A.struck | B.destroyed | C.parked | D.repaired |
A.ideal | B.exceptional | C.unpleasant | D.normal |
A.personally | B.constantly | C.secretly | D.cautiously |
2 . Akira Toriyama, one of Japan’s leading comics authors, whose manga (漫画) “Dragon Ball” achieved worldwide success with its mix of comedic characters and electrifying martial arts battles, died on March 1. Mr. Toriyama’s body of work, which also includes “Dr. Slump” and “Sand Land,” has influenced generations of manga artists and cartoonists.
His best-known work, “Dragon Ball,” follows a young boy named Son Goku who embarks on a journey to collect the seven magical balls that summon a wish-granting dragon. Since its creation in. the 1980s, it has sold millions of copies worldwide and become one of the most famous manga.
Throughout his career, Mr. Toriyama said in a 2013 interview with the Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun, he did not care if his work did anything besides entertaining its readers. He was, he suggested, unlike “other manga artists concerned about conveying educational messages.” “The role of my manga,” he said, “is to be a work of entertainment through and through.”
When “Dragon Ball” was first published in 1984, it was an immediate hit. “Dragon Ball” was serialized in the Japanese magazine Weekly Shonen Jump until 1995. In the year after the series ended, the magazine lost about one million of its six million readers.
As a productive manga artist, Mr. Toriyama did not necessarily have an appetite for the genre as a reader. “I have always had a hard time reading manga, including my own work,” he said in a 2018 interview. He led a private life and gave few interviews. In a 2013 interview with the Japanese singer and actress Shoko Nakagawa, he said that he did not even share all his work with his family.
“To tell you the truth, no one in my family has ever seen ‘Dragon Ball,’” he said, laughing. “I am also a hikikomori,” he added, using the Japanese word for a loner.
1. According to Akira Toriyama, what role does his manga primarily serve?A.A tool for education. | B.A window to culture. |
C.A form of entertainment. | D.An insight into tradition. |
A.Manga was not popular among readers any more. |
B.The magazine faced the crisis of ceasing publication. |
C.Readers preferred other manga series to “Dragon Ball”. |
D.“Dragon Ball” had a great impact on the magazine’s popularity. |
A.outgoing personality | B.a strong sense of privacy |
C.passion for reading manga | D.deep interest in entertainment |
A.“Dragon Ball”: Manga’s Future Model |
B.The Art of Manga: Techniques and Tips |
C.Akira Toriyama: A Manga Legend’s Journey |
D.The Legacy of “Dragon Ball”: Beyond the Manga |
3 . Life is often marked by unexpected twists and tums. As Alice and Mike watched their son Allan
Even though Allan’s family were middle class and they lived a
The opportunity was an operation in London which
For Allan, life as an immigrant (移民) was
But spending three years in Cambridge was
After graduating this summer, Allan is taking up a scholarship and ready for being a graduate school student. “If you’ve got a first-class law degree from Cambridge University, that should set you up for life,” he said. “But when you’re a half-blind immigrant living in Britain today, there is so much more you have to do. The
A.step into | B.respond to | C.graduate from | D.apply to |
A.convenient | B.comfortable | C.tough | D.miserable |
A.care | B.access | C.energy | D.sight |
A.confirmed | B.picked | C.seized | D.explored |
A.treatment | B.education | C.travel | D.case |
A.defended | B.ensured | C.restored | D.caught |
A.connection | B.contact | C.reaction | D.observation |
A.accounted for | B.benefited from | C.searched for | D.amounted to |
A.challenging | B.aimless | C.achievable | D.independent |
A.led | B.announced | C.accepted | D.invited |
A.visibly | B.slightly | C.rarely | D.probably |
A.raising | B.approaching | C.impacting | D.climbing |
A.effective | B.fascinating | C.transformative | D.satisfactory |
A.degree | B.course | C.chance | D.graduation |
A.movement | B.project | C.performance | D.journey |
4 . When I was three, I had a very good friend named Gemma. She was fearless where I was anxious, rebellious where I was conservative, and
I cannot remember when or how I “met” Gemma, and, perhaps sadder still, I do not remember the
It is thought that 40 percent of us at one time or another had imaginary friends during our
If you have enjoyed an imaginary friendship, I would guess that you did not
Having grown up, we might not need our imaginary friends anymore, but we could still use a reminder that a little bit of boredom is good for us, and that our brains can create the best ideas when they are left to their own devices. If there are fewer imaginary friends
As an adult, I think of my fearless, invisible friend Gemma whenever I have to do something that
A.adaptable | B.generous | C.disturbing | D.skillful |
A.benefit | B.conceal | C.ban | D.save |
A.first | B.last | C.latest | D.previous |
A.As if | B.As long as | C.Even though | D.Given that |
A.convinces | B.recalls | C.reminds | D.saddens |
A.easy | B.decreased | C.hard | D.increased |
A.adolescence | B.adulthood | C.babyhood | D.childhood |
A.accidentally | B.dramatically | C.naturally | D.unfortunately |
A.secure | B.instructive | C.full | D.productive |
A.consciously | B.invisibly | C.personally | D.realistically |
A.boss | B.companion | C.expert | D.instructor |
A.challenging | B.limiting | C.locating | D.populating |
A.boredom | B.concern | C.imagination | D.limitation |
A.defeats | B.encourages | C.inspires | D.scares |
A.am short of | B.go against | C.go beyond | D.live up to |
5 . When continent splits occur, they usually leave traces in ancient rocks, fossils, and mountain ranges. However, around 155 million years ago, when a 5,000-kilometer land broke away from Western Australia and began its drift, it only left behind a basin deep below the ocean known as the Argo Abyssal Plain and scientists have been unable to find where this lost continent, Argoland, disappeared to until now.
The seabed structure suggests that the continent drifted northwestward, potentially towards present-day Southeast Asia. But surprisingly, there is no large continent hidden beneath those islands, only small continental fragments. Using this theory, geologists discovered that Argoland hadn’t really disappeared but survived as a “very extended and fragmented collection” under the islands to the east of Indonesia. Unlike other continents like Africa and South America, which broke neatly into two pieces, Argoland split into many smaller fragments that were dispersed (分散的). With advanced technology and the discovery, scientists can now piece them together.
Tracing the continents is vital for understanding processes like the evolution of biodiversity. It could help explain something known as the mysterious Wallace Line, which is an imaginary boundary that separates mammals, birds, and even early human species in Southeast Asian islands. The boundary has puzzled scientists for long because it clearly separates the island’s wildlife. To the west of the line are mammals like apes and elephants. But these are almost completely absent to the east, where you can find marsupials and cockatoos — animals typically associated with Australia. Researchers have theorized that this may be because Argoland carried its own wildlife away from Australia before it crashed into Southeast Asia, which helps explain why different species are found on one land.
The story of Argoland is not one of complete disappearance but of transformation. As the world continues to evolve, this lost continent serves as a powerful symbol of the fragility (脆弱性) of life on this planet, and a reminder of the importance of respecting and protecting the world that we live in.
1. What is Argoland?A.It is a basin deep below the ocean in Western Australia. |
B.It is a large continent hidden beneath the islands of Southeast Asia. |
C.It is a new land emerging from under the islands to the east of Indonesia. |
D.It is a fragmented continent drifting from Western Australia to Southeast Asia. |
A.To introduce an imaginary boundary. |
B.To support the assumed theory of the lost continent. |
C.To show different species in Southeast Asian islands. |
D.To explain the reason why scientists are puzzled about the boundary. |
A.it warns us to protect our planet. |
B.it shows the creatures on earth are fragile. |
C.it reminds us of the power of human activities. |
D.it explains the biodiversity in Southeast Asian islands. |
A.The mystery of a lost continent has been unfolded. |
B.The fragments of Indonesia have been pieced together. |
C.The formation of the Argo Abyssal Plain has been discovered. |
D.The evolution of species in Southeast Asian islands has been traced. |
6 . South Korean government has tried everything to persuade women to have babies. Among their initiatives: sponsored housing for new couples, discounted after-childbirth care for new mothers, even a “baby payment” for each new born. Corporate South Korea is also getting in action, trying to delay a population crisis that could see the country’s workforce halve within 50 years.
“We will continue to do what we can as a company to solve the low-birth issue,” Lee Joong-keun, the chairman of Booyoung Group, a Seoul-based construction company, said this month after awarding a total $5.25 million to his employees for babies born since 2021. Other companies are offering payments, too. This development has come about as South Korea’s fertility rate (生育率) — the average number of children a woman has over her lifetime — has decreased to 0.78 in 2022. That means the population is aging rapidly. “The main reasons behind the falling birthrate are the financial burdens of child care and challenges of balancing work and family,” Lee said.
South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol praised companies that came up with “tax benefits and other various support measures to boost child birth,” according to his spokes-woman. Despite aggressive efforts, South Korea’s fertility rate is on course to sink further to 0.65 by 2025. This is largely because of the stress put on women, who face fierce workplace discrimination if they want to pursue a career while having children, experts say. South Kore a ranked 105th out of 146 countries in gender equality last year, according to the Global Gender Gap Report.
Whether financial bonus can have a positive impact on fertility remains an unanswered question. “Cash payouts are not affordable nor sustainable options for many companies,” said Yoon In-jin, a sociology professor at Korea University. “More importantly, South Korea’s male-dominated corporate culture has to fundamentally change in favor of working women,” he said. “Korean women will start having more babies if they don’t have to sacrifice their career for it.” Nearly 50% South Korean companies punished workers using parental leave, especially on promotions, according to Labor Ministry statistics.
1. What population problem is South Korea very likely to face in the future?A.Its fertility rate will continuously decline. | B.Its population will halve within 50 years. |
C.There will only be the aged very soon. | D.New-born babies will make up 65% by 2025. |
A.Supportive. | B.Critical. | C.Far-sighted. | D.Uncertain. |
A.Provide equal career security to women as men are enjoying. |
B.Improve South Korea’s global rank in gender equality. |
C.Remove women’s financial burdens and home-work balancing challenges. |
D.Offer couples with new born babies more tax benefits and other supports. |
A.The reasons why South Korean women are not having babies. |
B.The policies South Kare a government applies to persuade women to have babies. |
C.The measures corporate South Korea takes to promote birthrate. |
D.The severe discrimination South Korean women are facing. |
7 . English Summer Camp for Teens
Located on the campus of Columbia University in Manhattan, New York, our camp offers English learners between 14 and 17 years old from all over the world the chance to improve their English language skills. The camp also offers students many exciting activities and excursions(短途旅行)in New York. We have residential and day camp programs.
Dates and Prices | |
Dates: June 17-August 1 | |
All arrivals and departures are on Sundays. | |
Minimum duration: 2 weeks | |
Application fee: $100 | |
Package price (per week) | Residential camp: $2,080 |
Day camp: $1,460 |
*20 lessons per week in the mornings;
*Residential accommodation in single rooms;
*All meals(Day camp prices include lunch only);
*1 full-day excursion per week;
*3 half-day excursions per week;
*Afternoon and evening activity programs;
*Travel and medical insurance;
*Leaving certificate.
Full-board residential accommodation:
All students are accommodated in single rooms in the university residence that features wireless Internet, a fitness center, student’s laundry facilities and outdoor seating areas. Bathrooms are shared. We offer health y food choices, with plenty of varieties and special diet options.
The camp capacity is only 200 students and we get application s from over 40 different countries, thus the number of students coming from one country is limited.
We don’t have application deadlines. However, all enrollments are subject to space availability. We recommend that you reserve your place as far in advance as possible. Many parents and students are “early birds” and make their decision 6 to 8 months in advance.
1. What do we know about the students who take part in the camp?A.They will take at least 60 lessons. |
B.They will visit several cities in the USA. |
C.They will be admitted to Columbia University. |
D.They can make friends with peers from other countries. |
A.$ 4, 380. | B.$ 4, 480. | C.$ 6, 240. | D.$ 6,340. |
A.To keep a good international mixture. |
B.To promote the camp among different countries. |
C.To make sure every student gets the best service. |
D.To open a door to students from developing countries. |
8 . The prevalence (普遍) of sweatshop (血汗工厂) labor depends largely on the definition being used. At its most
It can be
Another factor that
Certain economists argue against the popular opinion that sweatshop labor should be considered
However, other experts think that
A.accurate | B.general | C.applicable | D.specific |
A.opinion | B.condition | C.image | D.representation |
A.However | B.Moreover | C.Therefore | D.Otherwise |
A.tax | B.criminal | C.civil | D.labor |
A.exclusively | B.particularly | C.broadly | D.initially |
A.meaningless | B.significant | C.awkward | D.difficult |
A.After all | B.As a result | C.Above all | D.As usual |
A.adds to | B.results from | C.puts off | D.appeals to |
A.in spite of | B.in addition to | C.in terms of | D.in return for |
A.comparative | B.competitive | C.complicated | D.potential |
A.By contrast | B.In turn | C.All in all | D.Last but not least |
A.necessary | B.constructive | C.illegal | D.inhuman |
A.encouraged | B.forbidden | C.reminded | D.obliged |
A.establishing | B.enforcing | C.maintaining | D.dropping |
A.possible | B.incredible | C.avoidable | D.necessary |
9 . In America, the “Big Dig”, a highway project that resulted in a mess of traffic in the centre of Boston for years, came in five times over its initial budget. Even the Germans get huge projects wrong. Conception to operation of Berlin Brandenburg Airport has taken 30 years, with seven missed opening dates. The airport ended up costing $8.2 billion. However, the original estimate was about $2.7 billion.
Huge projects like Berlin Brandenburg Airport are the subject of an amusing new book called How Big Things Get Done by Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner. Mr. Flyvbjerg sets up a database of over 16, 000 projects and data analysis reveals that only 8.5% of the projects meet their initial estimates on cost and time, and 0.5% of them achieve what they set out to do on cost, time and benefits.
Over-optimistic time and cost estimates originate from both psychological and political perceptions: the reliance on intuition (直觉) rather than data, and a problem that Mr. Flyvbjerg calls “strategic misrepresentation”. This is when budgets are intentionally reduced in order to get things going. And once the projects are under way, they will not be stopped, because money spent on them will thus be wasted.
Mr. Flyvbjerg speaks highly of Pixar’s methodical approach to developing and testing films in great detail before they go into production. He also tells the story of how Frank Gehry’s well-developed architectural models helped ensure the success of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Narrowing down the producing window of a project before it is actually carried out reduces the probability of unexpected events.
Big customized projects are particularly likely to run into trouble. However, the more a project can be divided into standardized processes, the better its prospects are. Projects run into problems for specific reasons as well as general ones: Britain’s trouble is not something that China has to worry about, for instance. But the iron law is that if you plan strictly and standardize where possible, you are less likely to dig yourself into a hole.
1. How does the author introduce the topic of the passage?A.By making a contrast. | B.By giving an explanation. |
C.By presenting examples. | D.By showing an experience. |
A.Projects’ success rates can be estimated. |
B.Projects’ desired outcome can’t be achieved. |
C.Most projects suffer overspending and delays. |
D.Most projects lack comprehensive data analysis. |
A.Failures in decision-making. | B.Methods of reducing massive costs. |
C.Strategies for getting work done. | D.Reasons behind inaccurate estimates. |
A.Planning thoroughly in advance. |
B.Analyzing specific and general reasons. |
C.Focusing on efficiency of projects. |
D.Drawing lessons from former experiences. |
10 . If you look at the dynamic “Global Temperatures” map on NASA’s website, you can see the historic temperature change over time across the planet as the timeline goes from 1880 to the modern day. By 2019, the entire planet is in red, orange, and yellow colors, indicating temperatures much higher than the historical average in every country and human inhabitance.
If the timeline went to 2023, the map would look even worse. That’s because the summer of 2023 was the hottest ever, according to ocean monitors. July was the hottest month in recorded history. Next July could be worse. Unless we do something quickly, we face dealing with more and more dangerous and expensive natural disasters in the future.
Forest fires sent smoke from Canada across the North American continent, causing New York City to have the worst air quality in its recorded history. Heavy rainstorms fell on Vermont and the Northeastern United States in just a couple of days in the middle of July, which exceeded the amount that area would usually receive in two months and caused extreme damage to homes and businesses. Around the same time, flash flooding in Bucks County, Pennsylvania — north of Philadelphia — killed nearly a dozen people.
Erich Fischer, a researcher specializing in climate studies at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, is concerned that natural disasters could get much worse in the future—and in ways we cannot predict. He called for a “strike for climate justice,” which actually took place on Sept. 15, 2023. “The strategy needs to be twofold (双重的) . We need to decrease carbon emissions as much as realistically possible. That is already happening with people using electric cars and other green technologies. At the same time, we also need to find ways to predict the risk of natural disasters ahead of time,” said Erich Fischer.
1. Why does the writer mention the data on NASA’s website in paragraph 1?A.To explain a concept. | B.To introduce a topic. |
C.To provide a solution. | D.To make a prediction. |
A.The severity of natural disasters. | B.The worst air quality in New York City. |
C.The extreme damage by flash flooding. | D.The cause of the forests fires in Canada. |
A.He advocated a twofold strategy. |
B.He suggested forbidding carbon emissions. |
C.He required people to use more electric cars. |
D.He emphasized the awareness of climate changes. |
A.The Hottest Month in History | B.Natural Disasters in the World |
C.Extreme Weather Could Get Worse | D.Green Technology Would be Needed |