1 . Professor Lum seems to be under the spell of ChatGPT, but let’s not get carried away with the AI chatbot craze. While it does have some benefits, his arguments are like a leaky boat in a stormy sea — full of holes.
According to Professor Lum, ChatGPT offers students a wealth of information. Sure, it’s like having a walking encyclopedia (百科全书), but learning is not about copying an answer. It’s about the journey of discovery. ChatGPT, armed with its vast database, denies students the opportunity to explore and learn through their own efforts. It’s like awarding a participation medal for a race that hasn’t even begun!
He also claims that ChatGPT improves communication skills. Seriously? Chatting with an AI is not the same as having a real conversation. How can we expect students to handle the complexities of the real world if all they know is how to talk to a chatbot? Let’s not turn them into socially awkward bots themselves.
Oh, and let’s not forget about critical thinking. Professor Lum thinks ChatGPT challenges students to think critically. But come on, folks! It’s merely a machine! It’s not going to teach them how to question assumptions, analyze evidence, or come up with innovative solutions. We need human interaction and lively debates for that.
Lastly, Professor Lum believes ChatGPT can provide support and guidance. Again, seriously? Are we going to replace human emotions with lines of code (代码)? ChatGPT might offer some comforting words, but it can’t replace the warmth and understanding that can only be found in human interaction. Let us not abandon our students, leaving them to feel more alone and disconnected than ever before.
Professor Lum’s opinion regarding ChatGPT warns us against too much reliance on technology. Rather than prioritizing ChatGPT, the focus should be on developing critical thinking, promoting genuine human interaction, and emphasizing the core aspects of education.
1. What is compared to a participation medal in paragraph 2?| A．A walking encyclopedia. | B．A journey to explore. |
| C．A vast database. | D．An answer. |
| A．It is not good at socializing. | B．It is a skilled critical thinker. |
| C．It offers nothing helpful to humans. | D．It forms a warm bond with humans. |
| A．Totally negative. | B．Fully supportive. |
| C．Highly skeptical. | D．Quite indifferent. |
| A．To criticize a viewpoint. | B．To question an authority. |
| C．To clarify two arguments. | D．To compare two chatbots. |
2 . Toy giant Lego has given up on plans to make its bricks from recycled bottles, in a blow to its efforts to cut carbon emissions (排放). The company said in 2021 that it aimed to reduce oil-based bricks within two years. But Monday’s statement said it had found that using the new material didn’t reduce carbon emissions. Lego said it remains fully devoted to developing sustainable materials for bricks.
The toy maker makes about 4, 400 different bricks. Currently, many of them are made using a plastic, ABS, mainly made from oil. The move, which was first reported in Financial Times, will be seen as a setback (挫折) after an open claim by Lego to improve its sustainability. Like many other companies, Lego has been exploring alternative materials to plastic that will be lasting enough for generations. In 2021, it said it had developed bricks made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, with some other chemicals added, to offer an alternative to oil-based bricks.
But Lego has now discovered that after more than two years of testing, it had found that using recycled PET didn’t reduce carbon emissions. It said extra steps were required in the production process, which meant it needed to use more energy. It has decided not to progress with making bricks from the material, and now testing and developing bricks made from a range of alternative sustainable materials.
Niels B. Christiansen, CEO of Lego, told the FT that it was hard to find “magic material” to fix the firm’s sustainability challenges. “We tested hundreds and hundreds of materials. It’s almost not been possible to find a material like that,” he said.
A spokesperson for the company told the BBC, “We are investing more than $1. 2bn in sustainability move in the four years to 2025 as part of our efforts to turn to more sustainable materials and reduce our carbon emissions by 37% by 2032.”
1. What material has been Lego trying to replace?| A．ABS. | B．PET. | C．Oil. | D．Carbon. |
| A．It failed to achieve its desired goal. |
| B．Carbon emission was under control. |
| C．Pressure from competitors was huge. |
| D．Added chemicals harm the environment. |
| A．Entertainment. | B．Sports. | C．Economy. | D．Education |
| A．A New Announcement from Lego | B．More Recycling, More Pollution |
| C．Lego: Dropping Its Low-impact Act | D．Lego: Firm Green Goal Despite failure |
3 . The list of music festivals seems to double each year, so we think we’d save you some time by presenting our picks that reflect a deep sense of place.
New Orleans Jazz Festival
This week-long festival was established in New Orleans, America in 1970 to celebrate the city’s status as the birthplace of jazz. Headliners that attended the first celebration included singer Mahalia Jackson and pianist Duke Ellington. Over the years, this festival has grown to showcase much more than jazz. Attendees have long enjoyed the latest hit-makers alongside booths and exhibits featuring Louisiana’s native cuisine, arts, and crafts.
Newport Folk Festival
Founded by George Wein in 1959 and best known for introducing the world to the likes of Joan Baez and Bob Dylan, Newport Folk Festival is one of the oldest music festivals in America. Like New Orleans Jazz Festival, this Rhode Island event gives a false impression about the types of music one can expect to find, although it has been remaining true to its roots.
Interceltic Festival
When most people hear the word “Celtic”, they think of Ireland. But this festival takes place each summer in the heart of the seaport town of Lorient in northwestern France. While emphasizing music and dance, the ten-day festival also provides a platform for colorful expressions of Celtic art, food and drink, theater, literature, and sports.
Roskilde Music Festival
England’s Glastonbury, Hungary’s Sziget, and Denmark’s Roskilde are Europe’s three biggest music festivals. Roskilde stands out not only for its impressive and eclectic music, but for its nonprofit approach. All concert incomes are donated to support charities, music and cultural programs since its founding in 1971. With lake swimming, an on-site skate park, and an annual “naked run”, the event has earned a name for being a week-long summer camp for adults.
1. Which festival is held in Louisiana?| A．Interceltic Festival. | B．Roskilde Music Festival. |
| C．Newport Folk Festival. | D．New Orleans Jazz Festival. |
| A．Joan Baez. | B．Bob Dylan. | C．George Wein. | D．Mahalia Jackson. |
| A．They include some sports. | B．They emphasize one type of music. |
| C．They donate all their profits. | D．They last for the same period of time. |
4 . A professor entered the classroom and told the students about a surprise test. All students were
Students were
Now, professor began to explain, “Here everyone
Our life is a
We should try to take eyes
| A．disappointed | B．curious | C．concerned | D．surprised |
| A．handing out | B．working out | C．dealing with | D．mixing up |
| A．open | B．read | C．defend | D．turn |
| A．annoyed | B．addicted | C．confused | D．amazed |
| A．bring | B．speak | C．write | D．talk |
| A．still | B．hardly | C．never | D．mostly |
| A．communicated | B．described | C．accepted | D．used |
| A．concentrated on | B．depended on | C．insisted on | D．counted on |
| A．for | B．so | C．and | D．but |
| A．likes | B．means | C．prefers | D．deserves |
| A．picture | B．lesson | C．gift | D．text |
| A．events | B．adventures | C．solutions | D．problems |
| A．connected | B．compared | C．addicted | D．attracted |
| A．on | B．in | C．off | D．under |
| A．formally | B．differently | C．obviously | D．positively |
5 . When I was a girl of eight, living in a town, I used to work for Mrs. White, an elderly lady. She paid me very little for my work, because she didn’t have much money. She did, however, promise to give me a Christmas present. The girls I played with had baseball gloves, bicycles and ice skates, and I was so eager to acquire any one of these. On Christmas morning, Mrs. White gave me a little package which could hardly hold anything. I was painfully disappointed but she told me it was a kind of magic. My disappointment turned into curiosity.
With great excitement I opened the package, only to find a pile of ten sheets of black paper inside, each labeled in colorful letters, Carbon Paper Regal Premium. I didn’t know what it was. “Is it magic?” I asked. My Aunt Karen, who was a school teacher, answered, “It really is!” She took two pieces of white paper and placed between them one of the black sheets from the box. Then, with a hard pencil, she wrote my name on the upper sheet. Removing it and the Carbon Paper Regal Premium, she handed me the second sheet, which her pencil had in no way touched. There was my name!
I was enthralled. I wrote and wrote, using up whole tablets until the last piece of black paper was used up. It was a game I didn’t want to end. I was very happy with my special gift. I can honestly say that, in that one moment, I understood as much about printing, copying words and the mystery of spreading ideas as I have learned in the remaining half-century of my life.
I hope that this year some boys and girls will receive, from thoughtful adults who really love them, gifts that will shock them. It is such gifts and such experiences — usually costing little or nothing — that transform a life and lend it a motivation that may continue for decades.
1. Why did Mrs. White promise to give the girl a Christmas present?| A．She wanted to meet the child’s wish. | B．She rewarded the girl for her good work. |
| C．She gave gifts to every child in the town. | D．She wanted to make up for the low salary. |
| A．It is used in school teaching. | B．It is made by special magicians. |
| C．It usually consists of colorful paper. | D．It can copy something written on paper. |
| A．I was addicted to Carbon Paper Regal Premium. |
| B．I was curious about Carbon Paper Regal Premium. |
| C．I was confused about Carbon Paper Regal Premium. |
| D．I was shocked there was a name on the second sheet. |
| A．Children should work for others to get a gift. | B．A gift with long-term effects is a better choice. |
| C．Children need to receive a gift that they want. | D．Carbon Paper Regal Premium is a perfect gift. |
6 . Contribution And Sacrifice
Huang Danian, the renowned Chinese geophysicist, was born in 1958 in Guangxi, China. As a keen and able student, Huang went to the UK in 1993 to further his studies.
By the time Huang moved back to China in 2008, he had been living and working in the UK for 15 years. He had a good job and a life there, but he gave it all up to return to home, driven by the idea that he needed to contribute to his country. As one of the world’s leading experts in deep earth exploration technology, Huang was approached to participate in the “Thousand Talent” programme. He took up a position at Jilin University, Changchun.
Huang was named lead scientist on China’s deep earth exploration programme, developing advanced cameras that can see through the Earth’s crust so that it can be analysed without having to dig into it. He set up a state-of-the-art lab, sometimes paying for equipment with his own money. Some described him as a “lunatic” (a madman). but this passion and drive enabled Huang to propel China’s deep earth exploration technology into a world-leading position. Huang’s dedication contributed to China’s lunar probe Yutu being landed on the moon in 2013 and the launch of the spacecrafts Shenzhou-11 and Tiangong-2 in 2016.
Huang’s health also paid the price for his commitment to his word. He began having fainting fits in 2012, but paid them little attention, stating he did not have time to go to see a doctor – his work always came first. In November 2016, Huang collapsed and was taken to hospital, where he was diagnosed with cancer. The disease was so advanced that he had just a couple of months to live.
Like the true scientist he was, Huang never gave up, but always tried to push forwards. Even from his hospital bed, he continued his work, writing letters of reference for his colleague and replying to questions from his students. He had great faith in the talent of the up-and-coming generation, “Our country is in urgent need of talented people,” he said. “If we spend more time and pay more attention to the young, masters and even Nobel prize winners may rise among them.”
Huang died in January 2017, aged just 58. More than 800 people attended his funeral to celebrate a life that burned so bright, but was so short.
1. Huang moved back to China in 2008, because _________.| A．he would have a good job and a life in China |
| B．he took up a position at Jilin University, Changchun |
| C．he had the idea that he needed to contribute to China |
| D．he wanted to participate in the “Thousand Talent” programme |
| A．Huang’s education | B．Huang’s working experience |
| C．Huang’s influence on his colleagues | D．Huang’s achievements |
| A．Modest and outgoing. | B．Patriotic and committed. |
| C．Ambitious and disciplined | D．Passionate and considerate. |
7 . The Yellow River is the cradle of China’s civilization. And flood control and prevention have always been key to the well-being of the people living along it. Now, scientists can better work on these issues by giving the river a digital twin.
The digital twin of the Yellow River uses various technologies, including big data, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things. Devices (设备) set up along the river collect and transmit information to the center. Based on the information, a 3D model of the river is presented on the computer screen. It’s like the Yellow River has a twin that reflects its real conditions.
One big breakthrough in the river’s digital governance (治理) is “smart stones”. According to Wang Qin, a lead researcher at the Information Center of Yellow River Henan Bureau, a smart stone is a water-proof stone-shaped device with chips, a battery, and a signal transmitter. They are buried in important dike (堤坝) locations to record and report the movement of dike stones. “Upon feeling movement of the dike stones, the smart stone sends an alarm to the center for quick response,” Wang said.
“In the past, researchers had to learn the conditions of the dike on the spot by themselves, putting their lives at risk,” said Zhao Xiao from the bureau. “Now the smart stones can do this for us, more safely, quickly, and accurately.”
And in the sky, drones (无人机) are flying. On the routes designed by engineers, the drones become expert patrollers (巡逻员) of the river, looking at its dikes and flood prevention projects. According to Shen Lin from the Yellow River Conservancy Commission, thanks to the drones, researchers at the command center can get first-hand photos and information. “Researchers then update the 3D model according to the changes the drones reported. The newly updated model helps us test our floodwater release plans in case we ever need to batten down the hatches (未雨绸缪), ”said Shen.
Under the water and up in the sky, intelligence systems are helping to protect the Yellow River Basin on all fronts. According to the Ministry of Water Resources, in the future, we can expect to see the construction of an even more comprehensive digital system for this important river.
1. What is the main purpose of creating a digital twin of the Yellow River?| A．To conduct historical research. |
| B．To create a virtual tourist attraction. |
| C．To raise public awareness of river protection. |
| D．To improve flood control and prevention efforts. |
| A．They record water quality. |
| B．They improve the river’s beauty. |
| C．They monitor and report dike movements. |
| D．They serve as markers for important locations. |
| A．Entertaining tourists. | B．Collecting information on dike conditions. |
| C．Patrolling and take wildlife photos. | D．Testing water quality. |
| A．Complete. | B．Basic. | C．Beautiful. | D．Natural. |
8 . While enjoying my fresh lunch in a restaurant in Amsterdam, I noticed something odd. Customers coming in for something to eat ignored the person standing behind the counter (柜台), preferring to
What was the crazy thing about this? They were just several
Think about it for a moment. When was the last time you naturally
We shop,
| A．talk | B．call | C．order | D．deliver |
| A．meters | B．millimeters | C．kilometers | D．centimeters |
| A．chance | B．turn | C．look | D．test |
| A．spoken | B．written | C．typed | D．mentioned |
| A．efficient | B．enthusiastic | C．effective | D．energetic |
| A．ended up | B．engaged in | C．made up | D．went on |
| A．hear | B．believe | C．remember | D．understand |
| A．recording | B．studying | C．playing | D．calculating |
| A．idea | B．aim | C．problem | D．rise |
| A．cash | B．price | C．debt | D．tax |
| A．decorate | B．book | C．build | D．repair |
| A．Contact | B．Work | C．Quarrel | D．Reunion |
| A．interests | B．benefits | C．disadvantages | D．influences |
| A．unrealistic | B．unsuitable | C．unreasonable | D．unexpected |
| A．serves as | B．refers to | C．accounts for | D．consists of |
9 . Like many young Chinese, Zuo had been raised from a young age to be “a good student”. As long as she followed the rules and worked hard, money and success would naturally followed. Zuo had followed the instructions to the
For Zuo, the failure came as a crushing
But the ordeal (磨难) has left a profound impression on Zuo. The former teacher’s pet has transformed into a passionate
“Good students” like Zuo tend to be
It’s clear that a diverse range of young people can
| A．letter | B．limitation | C．guidance | D．degree |
| A．land | B．miss | C．occupy | D．play |
| A．job | B．offer | C．application | D．response |
| A．blow | B．surprise | C．expectation | D．experience |
| A．impressed | B．overwhelmed | C．filled | D．buried |
| A．supporter | B．example | C．critic | D．expert |
| A．absolutely | B．seldom | C．less | D．particularly |
| A．get rid of | B．suffer from | C．live up with | D．get over |
| A．external | B．flexible | C．positive | D．special |
| A．develop | B．adopt | C．withdraw | D．transform |
| A．avoid | B．owe | C．fall | D．change |
| A．recognition | B．concern | C．situation | D．fear |
| A．openly | B．continuously | C．hopefully | D．anxiously |
| A．rise | B．boost | C．advance | D．upgrade |
| A．breakout | B．breakdown | C．breakup | D．breakthrough |
10 . On Christmas Eve, a team of reindeer (驯鹿) will help Santa Claus deliver gifts to children all around the world. The reindeer, led by their fearless leader Rudolph, won’t be the only ones doing something special. Back in the highest Arctic, their cousins have a remarkable ability changing their eye color.
During the summer months, when the days are long and the sun is bright, reindeer’s tapetum lucidum (荧光膜), a mirror-like layer at the back of their eye, appears golden, which helps bounce the majority of light off the eyes, effectively acting like a pair of natural sunglasses. As winter comes, and the days become shorter and darker, the tapetum lucidum turns blue to absorb more light, allowing reindeer to improve their night vision and see clear in low light conditions.
With these adaptations, reindeer can adapt and thrive in one of the harshest environments on Earth. Unlike humans, reindeer can see well into the shorter Ultra Violet (UV) range. This UV vision enables them to spot food and predators more effectively in the snowy landscape. Lichens, a key part of their winter diet, absorb UV, so they show up dark against UV-reflecting white snow. Wolf and polar bear fur also absorb UV, so instead of disappearing against snow they pop out in high contrast, allowing reindeer to spot potential threats from a distance.
Reindeer change their eyes by adjusting their tapetum lucidum, which is made of collagen fibers. In winter, the collagen fibers become packed tighter, causing the tapetum lucidum to mainly reflect blue light. This change happens when reindeer dilate their pupils (瞳孔). In summer, the reindeer’s pupils return to a smaller size, which helps reindeer reduce the amount of light entering the eye.
But their unique adaptation may hurt them. Today, the increasing use of artificial lighting, especially during the winter months, poses a potential threat to their sensitive eyes. It can make reindeer lose their way, affecting their ability to survive in their challenging environment. So it is crucial for us to be mindful of our use of electricity and make efforts to minimize light pollution to ensure the well-being and survival of these magnificent creatures.
1. What do we know from paragraph 2?| A．The shape of reindeer’s eyes varies with seasons. |
| B．It is difficult for reindeer to live in low light conditions. |
| C．The tapetum lucidum helps reindeer adapt to seasonal changes. |
| D．Reindeer’s eyes appear golden in winter while blue in summer. |
| A．To help them see clear in dark nights. |
| B．To distinguish food of different colors quickly. |
| C．To protect their eyes from harsh sunlight in summer. |
| D．To better locate food and enemies during snowy days. |
| A．Relax. | B．Expand. | C．Narrow. | D．Hide. |
| A．To call on people to protect reindeer from light pollution. |
| B．To show the reasons for the decline in reindeer population. |
| C．To present humans’ great efforts to reduce artificial lighting. |
| D．To prove reindeer’s strong adaptability to harsh environments. |
