1 . Boxing Day is an institution in the British calendar, but there is no common consensus as to how it got its name. According to some, it can be traced back to the Victorian era when churches often displayed a box into which their parishioners (教区居民) put donations.
However, according to historian Dr Neil Armstrong, the naming of Boxing Day dates back to the 17th century. This was the day, he said, when apprentices would have a box for their employers to tip them a coin or two. While the boxes may have disappeared, the custom of tipping has remained.
In the Victorian age, the custom evolved. On Boxing Day, most tradespeople would give their clients a gift to ensure their custom. There were concerns, said Dr Armstrong, that this was a form of bribery (行贿). This custom declined in the 20th century as fewer people had relationships with their local businesses and shops following the rise of supermarkets and shopping centres.
“It may not be the reason why Boxing Day got its name, but charitable giving was closely associated with Boxing Day in the Victorian era, "said Dr Armstrong. "In the mid-19th century there began to be indiscriminate (随意的) charitable giving. This would often be begging, and children were usually sent out to do this job.” Nevertheless, the habit of generous charitable giving has continued to be associated with the festive period up to the present day.
Boxing Day continued, however, to be a normal working day until 1871, when it was finally classed as a public holiday. "They would often be working until very late on Christmas Eve, so they wanted a break on Boxing Day, "Dr Armstrong said. Then it became known as a day of leisure. Organised sporting events such as football matches became popular—a tradition which has carried on until today.
Boxing Day is observed in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and some other Commonwealth nations. In America, December 26 is known as the Day after Christmas Day, and is observed as a holiday in only a few states.
1. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined word “institution” in the first paragraph?| A．Charity system. | B．Unpopular festival. |
| C．Local organization. | D．Social convention. |
| A．By giving examples. | B．By making comparisons. |
| C．By following time order. | D．By making classification. |
| A．Because of the indifferent relationships between people. |
| B．Because of the rise of supermarkets and shopping centres. |
| C．Because of a strict policy, which banned this form of bribery. |
| D．Because of the decrease in the number of tradespeople. |
| A．To explain the origin of Boxing Day. |
| B．To explain how people celebrate Boxing Day. |
| C．To show that Boxing Day is named after a church donation box. |
| D．To advise people to celebrate Boxing Day. |
2 . When consuming information, we try to acquire more signals and less noise. We feel like the more information we consume the more signals we receive. While this is probably true on an absolute basis, Nassim Taleb argues in the book Antifragile that it is not true on a relative basis. As you consume more data and the ratio (比率) of noise to signals increases, you know less about what’s going on and you are likely to cause more unintentional trouble.
The supply of information to which we are exposed under modernity is transforming humans from a calm person to a neurotic (神经质的) one. For the purpose of our discussion, the first person only reacts to real information, and the second largely to noise. The difference between the two will show us the difference between noise and signals. Noise is what you are supposed to ignore; signals are what you need to heed.
In science, noise is a generalization beyond the actual sound to describe random information that is totally useless for any purpose, and that you need to clean up to make sense of what you are listening to. You can use and take advantage of noise and randomness, but noise and randomness can also use and take advantage of you, particularly with the data you get on the Internet or through other media. The more frequently you look at data, the more noise you are likely to get, and the higher the noise-to-signal ratio is.
Say you look at information on a yearly basis—the changes you see will all be large ones. The ratio of signals to noise is about one to one—this means that about half the changes are real improvements or degradations, and the other half come from randomness. But if you look at the very same data on a daily basis, the composition would change to 95 percent noise and 5 percent signals, and the changes you see daily will certainly be small.
1. What opinion does Nassim Taleb probably hold?| A．It’s hard to know the real truth. | B．The noise-to-signal ratio is changing. |
| C．The information explosion can be harmful. | D．More information brings more signals. |
| A．Notice. | B．Analyse. | C．Solve. | D．Describe. |
| A．Causes and harms of more noise. | B．The meaning and impact of noise. |
| C．The relationship between noise and signals. | D．Advantages and disadvantages of noise. |
| A．Check it frequently. | B．Make use of online data. |
| C．Look at key changes. | D．Focus on all changes in it. |
3 . Rogues (疯狗浪), called “extreme storm waves” by scientists, are large, unexpected, and dangerous waves that are at least twice as high as the other waves around them, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These abnormal waves, which happen every day and all over the world, are highly unpredictable and can destroy ships that meet with them.
Rogue waves appear to form when large rough waves pass through one another, combining to form huge walls of water, according to NOAA. However, why and where they appear is unclear. But using 700 years’ worth of ocean data including historical records and data from buoys (浮标) in 158 locations around the world, researchers have now created a system for predicting these “huge beasts”.
“They are caused by a combination of many factors that, until now, have not been combined into a single risk assessment,” said lead author Dion Häfner. Häfner and his co-workers mapped the factors that may lead to rogue waves and used AI to make a single model that could determine the likelihood that a rogue wave will form.
The team trained a neural network using historical wave data. This generated a system that learned the causes of rogue waves by itself and could work to predict them. But the AI’s methods were hid in a black box. This means scientists couldn’t know how the AI did its workings. So Häfner’s team applied another form of machine learning, which produced an equation (综合体) when fed data, rather than just a single prediction, helping the researchers to understand how the AI reached its predictions.
“Our analysis demonstrates that abnormal waves occur all the time. In fact, we registered 100,000 waves in our data set that can be defined as rogue waves,” Häfner said. This system effectively shows the sign of a rogue wave, Häfner added, and can better protect ships from being destroyed as the sail around the world. Ship companies can use the device with the system to predict when and where rogue waves might arise to seek an alternative course.
1. How does the author introduce the topic?| A．By using an example. | B．By giving a definition. |
| C．By drawing a comparison. | D．By making an assumption. |
| A．Monitor huge sea creatures. | B．Guide ships around in the sea. |
| C．Prevent rouge waves from occurring. | D．Forecast the hitting of rogue waves. |
| A．They aren’t visually available. | B．They depend on too many factors. |
| C．They make inaccurate predictions. | D．They don’t process data systematically. |
| A．It requires more field tests. | B．It has been widely used. |
| C．It needs further improvement. | D．It has a promising future. |
4 . “Hey, lady! You can move your ugly car up now!” The silver-haired driver behind me in a fancy truck rudely yelled at me. Without much thought, I yelled back at the man, “What? Are you in a rush or something?”
I was waiting in line at the drive-through to order our breakfast on a Sunday morning. There were only 12 inches or so between me and the car in front of me. There were also three additional cars in front of that one. We were getting nowhere fast. What was he hoping to gain by yelling at me?
I wanted to let my own anger go after this ridiculous exchange. But the more I thought about it, the angrier I got. I was angry that he yelled at a mother in front of two kids. My daughter and my son were both confused and saddened by what they had just witnessed. We were on our way to a soccer tournament, and we had a bonus day free from school and work. Probably, there was nothing in the world to be upset about. Then this man let his anger out.
I told my kids I was so mad that I had to roll my window up so that I wouldn’t keep yelling at this guy. Then, I stopped and looked back. I had moved up the 12 or so inches at his “suggestion”, while he hadn’t moved an inch. Suddenly, I felt sympathy for him. He must have been suffering in some way. As my kids and I slowly made our way to the pick-up window to pay for our order, I had an idea.
“I heard how rude that man was to you, and I wanted to apologize to you for having to put up with that. He isn’t worth paying for,” the cashier said to me. “My kids support me in doing that,” I answered the cashier, adding that hate cannot drive out hate.
1. Why was the driver angry with the author?| A．Her car cut in. | B．She screamed at him. | C．She held up his truck. | D．Her car stopped suddenly. |
| A．What her kids’ reaction was. | B．Why her anger kept growing. |
| C．How she calmed herself down. | D．Why she ordered the breakfast. |
| A．She taught her kids a lesson. | B．She apologized to the driver. |
| C．She paid for the driver’s food. | D．She gave the cashier some advice. |
| A．Respond to hate with kindness. | B．Deal with a man as he deals with you. |
| C．Put distance between your car and another. | D．Never go to the drive-through at rush hours. |
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| A．By monitoring around the clock. | B．By checking your present location. |
| C．By pressing a button and speaking. | D．By judging your future uncertainty. |
| A．The students. | B．The leaders. | C．The disabled. | D．The old. |
| A．Zero hidden monthly fees. | B．Not many long-term contracts. |
| C．Most reliable international coverage. | D．Mainly U. S.-based customer service. |
6 . Having high self-control is often seen as a good thing. It’s believed to be the key to success in life. But as suggested in a theory published by Professor Thomas Lynch, it may not always be a good thing—and for some, it could be linked to certain mental health problems.
According to Lynch’s theory, everyone leans (偏向) more towards one of two personality styles: under control or overcontrol. Being under controlled or overcontrolled is neither good nor bad because most of us are psychologically flexible, and can adapt to different situations. So, regardless of whether we're overcontrolled or under controlled, this flexibility helps us deal with life's challenges and setbacks in a constructive way.
But when we are much less flexible, both under control and overcontrol can become problematic. Most of us are probably more familiar with highly under controlled people, who may struggle to control their emotions and their behaviors may be unpredictable. This can negatively affect their relationships, education, work, and health.
Unfortunately, overcontrol isn't talked about as much. This may be because overcontrolled characteristics—such as persistence, the ability to make plans and stick to them, pursuing perfection, and being in control of emotions-are often highly regarded in our society.
However, highly overcontrolled people may struggle to adapt to changes. They may be less open to new experiences. They may experience bitter feelings of envy towards others, and struggle to relax and have fun in many social situations. They may also use fewer gestures, and rarely smile or cry. Together, these may make a person more likely to experience social isolation and loneliness. This may eventually cause their mental health to worsen.
Alongside his theory, Lynch also developed a treatment designed to treat issues of overcontrol. It helps overcontrolled people by teaching them how to let go of the need t oalways be in control, be more open about their emotions, better communicate with other people, and be more flexible in changing situations. Continued work in the field will hopefully make it easier for people to get the help they need.
1. How does psychological flexibility help people?| A．It backs adjusting to changes effectively. |
| B．It assists in dealing with similar situations. |
| C．It supports overcoming physical challenges. |
| D．It encourages choosing the right personality style. |
| A．It is insignificant. | B．It is underestimated. | C．It fits social values. | D．It has changing features. |
| A．They ignore their mental health. | B．They know little of body gestures. |
| C．They experience few new emotions. | D．They have a poor social support network. |
| A．Accepting more changes. | B．Interacting with others more. |
| C．Evaluating feelings more often. | D．Releasing more personal needs. |
7 . Chris Smith’s early life seemed ordinary, similar to any other boy in his small-town class with a cheerful character, sports involvement, and a charming smile. However, his family encountered big trouble, due to his father's dishonest business practices.
He ended up homeless and it all began when Chris's little brother drowned, leading to his father's imprisonment and his mother's emotional shutdown. Chris found himself homeless when his mother left without notice. At 17, he relied on his newly married sister's hospitality, hoping to graduate high school and make it on his own.
Despite challenges, a pivotal moment came from his history teacher, recognizing Chris’s intelligence and warning him of potential regrets if he didn’t graduate. Guidance extended further with Chris’s wrestling coach, teaching him the value of hard work and teamwork over individual achievement.
For Chris, school became a retreat. He would go to the library and gym, finding inspiration in stories of underdogs overcoming odds. Graduation brought a full college scholarship, but financial struggles led to loss of funding. Determined, Chris secured grants and loans, transferring to a smaller college, and graduating in the top 10 of his class.
Undiscouraged by setbacks, Chris earned acceptance to medical school, got married, and faced a new challenge when he and his wife adopted a child in need. Applying for medical residencies, Chris aimed high, including Johns Hopkins, the No. 1 program in the nation. To his surprise, he received the acceptance letter.
Chris, now a practicing radiologist, emphasizes the importance of hard work to students, echoing the encouragement he received. His journey from homelessness to professional success illustrates the transformative power of flexibility, mentorship, and a determined commitment to one’s dreams.
1. Which of the following didn’t contribute to Chris’s homelessness?| A．His father was behind bars. | B．His mother left him suddenly. |
| C．His brother's death. | D．His father was weak in business. |
| A．In his father’s old truck. | B．In the library and the gym at school. |
| C．In his sister’s hospital. | D．In Johns Hopkins University. |
| A．Ordinary | B．Inspirational. | C．Essential. | D．Emotional. |
| A．Chris Smith’s Ordinary Childhood | B．Overcoming Misfortune: Chris Smith’s Journey |
| C．A Small-Town Star: Chris’s Achievements | D．Financial Struggles and Family Challenges |
8 . “Woman reading book, under a night sky, dreamy atmosphere,” I type into Deep Dream Generator’s Text 2 Dream feature. In less than a minute, an image is returned tom e showing what I’ve described.
Welcome to the world of AI image generation, where you can create what on the surface looks like top-rank artwork using just a few text prompts (提示). But closer examination shows oddities. The face of the woman in my image has very odd features, and appears to be holding multiple books. And, while there’s an initial thrill at seeing an image appear, there’s no creative satisfaction.
AI image generation could impact everything from film to graphic novels and more. Children’s illustrators were quick to raise concerns about the technology. They say AI-generated art is the exact opposite of what art is believed to be. Fundamentally, art is all about translating something that you feel internally into something that exists externally. Whatever form it takes, true art is about the creative process much more than it’s about the final piece. And simply pressing a button to generate an image is not a creative process.
Beyond creativity, there are deeper issues. To create images from prompts, AI generator s rely on databases of already existing art and text. This could lead to the creation of images that are intentionally meant to imitate the style of other artists, without their agreement. There is an argument that Al generators work no differently to humans when it comes to being influenced by others’ work, However, a human artist is also adding emotion and nuance (细微差别) into the mix. AI doesn’t do the same — it can only copy.
The increasing use of AI will also lead to a devaluing of the work of artists. There’s already a negative prejudice towards the creative industry. People will begin to think that their “work” is as valid as that created by someone who has spent a career making art. It’s nonsense, of course. You can use your mobile phone to take a nice picture of your daughters, but you are no match for professionals.
1. What does the writer think of his image creation?| A．Exciting. | B．Appealing | C．Unsatisfying. | D．Shocking. |
| A．The creating process. | B．The final work. |
| C．Personal feelings. | D．External forms. |
| A．The styles of human artworks and AI ones. |
| B．Human artists’ influence on AI generators. |
| C．Different means used in human and AI art creation. |
| D．The drawbacks of drawing from existing art and text. |
| A．Art is the mirror of life. | B．Rome is not built in a day. |
| C．No man can do two things at once. | D．Jack of all trades, master of none. |
9 . Do you like high tea? One Sunday each month, and fortnightly during winter, we are serving delicious high tea in the Rainforest Room. You can walk in the beautiful gardens, see the amazing animals, and then join us and the little monkeys from 1:30 p. m. for high tea! Bookings are necessary.
As we all know, tea is drunk by the largest number of people in the world. It has a history of over 4,000 years, and China is the home of tea. You can enjoy high tea as well as the beautiful surroundings happily here.
Your high tea buffet (自助餐) package includes a selection of sweet and savoury items served with tea and coffee and one-hour complimentary access to Melbourne Zoo prior to the high tea starting at 1:30 p. m.
* $ 71.00 per person ($ 64.50 for members)
* $79.00 per person with a glass of beer ($ 71.70 for members)
* $ 36.00 per child of 2~12 years ($ 33.00 for members)
Please note: Purchasing a $36.00 child’s ticket is at a parent’s/guardian’s direction for children under two years old. Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Dates now available:
Sunday 11 July—Sold Out Sunday 25 July—Selling Fast
Sunday 8 August Sunday 22 August
Sunday 19 September Sunday 24 October
Sunday 21 November
More dates to be given soon!
BOOK NOW
For more information please call our Event Team at 9285-9440.
1. What will you do in the Rainforest Room?| A．Make tea and coffee. | B．See the animals. |
| C．Walk in the gardens. | D．Enjoy eating and drinking. |
| A．$198 | B．$216 | C．$426 | D．$387 |
| A．Sunday 25 July. | B．Sunday 22 August. |
| C．Sunday 11 July. | D．Sunday 24 October. |
10 . Laura Sharkey breeds mixed-breed dogs, but they’re not Goldendoodles, Chiweenies, Pomskys, or any other designer crosses. She doesn’t even aim for a specific build, size, or coat. “I’m not concerned with what they look like,” she says of her puppies. “I don’t want any genetic pressure other than health and state of mind.”
Sharkey and Eric a Pytlovany, both dog trainers, founded BosunDogs in 2019 after witnessing clients continually face severe behavioral challenges in adopted dogs. They regularly see owners face rehoming or even euthanizing (使安乐死) their pets due to health issues. “I would really love for all families who want a nice dog to be able to get a nice dog —and we don’t have that right now,” says Sharkey, who also owns WOOFS! dog-training centers in Arlington, Virginia. “I decided that the best way I could do that was to breed them.”
Sharkey is part of the growing functional-breeding movement, which raises dogs in small-scale settings to be friendly and healthy pets, with less focus on purebred (纯血统的) status. “I want to breed dogs for what I think is the actual highest function a dog has, especially in this country, which is as a companion animal,” says Sharkey.
In particular, Sharkey hopes to offer an alternative to purebred puppies, around a third of which are bred in high-volume kennels (犬舍). And while some of these facilities are regulated by the USDA and meet standards such as Purdue University’s Canine Care Certified, many don’t pay as much attention to selecting healthy breeding dogs and providing adequate puppy enrichment as small-scale breeders do, says Sara Reusche, owner of Paws Abilities Dog Training in Rochester, Minnesota.
Some concerned with the health and welfare of purebred puppies choose to adopt shelter animals as an alternative. But this route may not be feasible for everyone—especially in high-demand areas, such as the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and West Coast. Twenty years ago, many U. S. shelters euthanized dogs to provide space for new intakes, explains Reusche.
1. Why does Laura Sharkey breed mixed-breed dogs?| A．She likes the dog’s appearance. |
| B．Mixed-breed dogs are easy to raise. |
| C．She aims for a specific build and size. |
| D．She cares more about dog’s health and inner nature. |
| A．To breed healthy dogs to accompany people. |
| B．To raises dogs in small-scale settings. |
| C．To adopt shelter animals as a pet. |
| D．To sell dogs to make money. |
| A．They are not so healthy. | B．They get balanced nutrition. |
| C．They are all very tender and mild. | D．They don’t meet certain standards. |
| A．popular | B．acceptable |
| C．dissatisfied | D．inconsistent |
