1 . Great white sharks tend to avoid areas where they have been caught, potentially offering a solution to stopping them from hunting near swimmers. This behaviour is a flight response, similar to that of other animals, and the sharks eventually carry on their normal migratory movements as if nothing happened.
In Australia, researchers at the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries have been using Shark Management Alert (警告) in Real Time (SMART) drumlines to study this behaviour.
These drumlines consist of baited hooks (诱饵钩) on buoys (浮标) located 500 metres off the coast of popular areas. Each line is equipped with a system that notifies local response teams, who aim to reach any hooked shark within 30 minutes. The lines are set daily and collected later to prevent them from being left overnight.
The response teams record the shark’s size and health, tag (加标签) it, and then move great white, tiger, and bull sharks another 500 metres offshore and release them. Other species, such as hammerhead and grey nurse sharks, are released where caught. Researchers monitored 36 great white sharks equipped with satellite-linked radio transmitting tags after being caught in 2016. Within three days of their release, all the sharks moved away from the beaches where they were caught and stayed mostly offshore.
Although the sharks gradually moved closer to the shore 10 days after release, 77% of them remained more than 1.9 kilometres away from the coast and an average of 5 kilometres away from where they were tagged. The tracking equipment continued to detect the sharks for an average of nearly 600 days after their release, indicating that the programme does not increase the risk of their death.
Since 2015, over 1,100 great white sharks, with an average length of about 2.6 metres, have been caught on the SMART drumlines, with more than 400 recapture events. Drones (无人机) are now flown at up to 50 beaches during school holidays to monitor for sharks and other potential threats.
1. Why do the sharks tend to avoid areas where they have been caught?| A．They are afraid of drones. | B．They have a flight response. |
| C．They hate swimming near beaches. | D．They prefer to live in deep winter. |
| A．To catch dangerous sharks. |
| B．To improve the local fishing industry. |
| C．To reduce the accidents happening in the area. |
| D．To collect data on shark behaviour and movement. |
| A．Frightens. | B．Checks. | C．Informs. | D．Prevents. |
| A．The Ways to Protect Swimmers |
| B．The Behaviours of Great White Sharks |
| C．An Extraordinary Effort to Study White Sharks |
| D．A Harmless Way to Keep Sharks Away from Beaches |
2 . Using a headset at home to deliver a low electrical current to the brain can relieve symptoms of depression. The approach, called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), is effective when used several times a week for half an hour at a time.
Previous trials have shown that the treatment works under medical supervision in a clinic or lab. Now, a randomized trial has demonstrated that a tDCS headset can also reduce depression symptoms when worn at home. Depression is usually treated with talking therapies (治疗) or by taking antidepressant medicines, but these don’t help everyone.
Several forms of electrical brain stimulation may have the potential to treat depression. With tDCS, sponge electrodes (海绵电极) are placed on the left and right sides of the forehead, causing a mild current to flow from the left to the right. This makes brain cells on the left side more likely to fire, with some studies suggesting that activity in this region, known as the left is low in people with depression.
Repeated sessions of stimulation may lead to longer-term changes in the brain cells, increasing their activity levels, says team member Cynthia Fu at the University of East London. Affecting activity in this region probably changes activity in multiple areas, she says.
To see if people can benefit from using such a device at home, Fu and her colleagues tested a tDCS headset made by Swedish firm Flow Neuroscience. The team randomly assigned 174 people with moderate or severe depression to receive either a full session of stimulation from the Flow headset or stimulation from the same device that lasted just a few seconds, so people felt their skin tingling (刺痛), at the start and end of each session.
While the depression symptoms of both groups improved on a 52-point scale, those who got the real treatment showed the most benefit. Those who got the real stimulation were more likely to report skin redness and anger, however, and two people experienced burns from using sponges that had dried out.
The results may get such headsets taken more seriously by doctors, says Nick Davis at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. “This feels really positive.” he says.
1. What’s the function of the first paragraph?| A．To introduce a new headset. | B．To lead in the topic of the text. |
| C．To analyze an important theory. | D．To present the result of a study. |
| A．By increasing the activity of brain cells. |
| B．By stimulating the right area of the brain. |
| C．By sending a low electrical current to the brain. |
| D．By changing activity in multiple brain regions. |
| A．Sleep disorder. | B．Burns from using dried-out sponges. |
| C．Addition to antidepressant medicine. | D．Improvement in mood and energy levels. |
| A．Optimistic. | B．Skeptical. | C．Critical. | D．Hopeless. |
3 . Everyone has a different path through education. While some get through college right after high school, others find their way back years later. This was the case for Minnie Payne. The South Carolina native returned to the classroom after retiring at age 68, finally earning her desired undergraduate degree when she was 73. Instead of stopping there, Payne continued her higher education path at University of Northern Texas (UNT) and, at age 90, has become the oldest person to receive a master’s degree at the school.
Payne will be accompanied across the stage by her grandson to receive her well-earned diploma (毕业文凭). Although much older than the other students, she was deeply inspired to learn something new and achieve her dream. “It’s never too late to learn and Minnie Payne is making history,” writes UNT. “As the eldest UNT graduate to complete her coursework, Minnie Payne’s passion for writing and her positive attitude made college a joy rather than an obligation (义务).”
Before reaching her ultimate goal, Payne worked as a court reporter and a substitute teacher in a community in South Carolina. After retiring, she was admitted to college at Texas Woman’s University (TWU). A few years later, Payne graduated with a bachelor’s in General Studies. Now a nonagenarian (90多岁的人), the self-described “lifelong learner” has earned a master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Payne already has a new job lined up in Houston after she graduates. She will be working at a magazine that is based in the area. “It’s not my intention to stop work.” she said. “I always wanted to improve myself. When I retired at age 68, I wasn’t doing anything constructive. And it’s my philosophy to constantly be doing something constructive.” We wish Payne the best of luck in her new career.
1. Why did Minnie Payne return to the classroom at age 68?| A．To prepare for her retirement life. |
| B．To realize her dream of getting a degree. |
| C．To keep herself occupied after retirement. |
| D．To follow the trend of going back to college. |
| A．Honest. | B．Mild. | C．Generous. | D．Determined. |
| A．She is the most intelligent graduate. |
| B．She is the oldest undergraduate in the world. |
| C．She is a great inspiration to younger generations. |
| D．She achieved great success in Interdisciplinary Studies. |
| A．She will stop working soon. | B．She has found a satisfying job. |
| C．She is a successful businesswoman. | D．She isn’t content with her present life. |
4 . Four Best Lakes in Oregon
Crater Lake
The country’s deepest lake with a depth of nearly 2,000 feet, there are few other lakes in the world that can compare to the intense blue colour of Crater Lake. Located in Oregon’s only national park, the often still waters reflect the mountain peaks that surround it like a dark blue mirror. It was created more than 7,500 years ago by the collapse of Mount Mazama and attracts many outdoor adventurers who come to swim, fish, take a boat tour, hike, and camp. It’s even a popular diving site with the chance to dive into a flooded volcano.
Crane Prairie Reservoir
Located in the Cascade Mountains just over 40 miles southwest of Bend, Crane Prairie Reservoir offers 24 miles of shoreline and some of the best rainbow trout (鳟鱼) fishing in Oregon, with catches that are usually over 10 pounds. Brook trout, whitefish, largemouth bass, and kokanee salmon also live in its waters.
Wallowa Lake
Located just south of the town of Joseph in the corner of northeast Oregon, Wallowa Lake sits at the doorstep of the state’s largest wilderness area, Eagle Cap. It’s surrounded on three sides by 9,000-foot-high mountains. On land, there are hiking, biking, horseback riding, and wildlife watching can all be enjoyed.
Hosmer Lake
A hidden jewel in the Cascade Range, Hosmer Lake is a locals’ favourite about 20 miles from Bend along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. The secluded (隔绝的) setting makes it ideal for nature enthusiasts who want to enjoy its beauty. Fly fishing with only the sounds of the birds along the shore can be enjoyed too.
1. What can you do if you visit Crater Lake?| A．Dive into a flooded volcano. | B．Fish for the best rainbow trout. |
| C．Appreciate diverse wildlife. | D．Walk along its 24 miles of shoreline. |
| A．It has a secluded setting. | B．It is surrounded by forests. |
| C．It is the deepest lake in the world. | D．It sits at the doorstep of Eagle Cap. |
| A．Crater Lake. | B．Crane Prairie Reservoir. |
| C．Wallowa Lake. | D．Hosmer Lake. |
5 . La Royale Maison de Savoie
Alexandre Dumas, author of several popular novels, was pressed to write La Royale Maison de Savoie for money in 1854. It was so rushed that neither the National Library of France nor the Alexandre Dumas Museum had any knowledge of it. In 1998, two historians discovered it in an Italian antique bookstore. Since then, it has been published again in France.
Profile of a Young Fiancée
The art piece has created quite a storm in the art world since its discovery. At first, it was thought to be a piece of a late 19th century German artist. In 1998, it was sold to a private collector. Over the next 10 years, some experts, including Nicholas Turner, closely examined the work and determined it was probably drawn by Leonardo da Vinci around 1485.
War Thoughts at Home
This 35-line poem by Robert Frost remained unknown to all but his friend Frederic Melcher until 2006-88 years after it was written. Melcher donated the poet’s letters and books to the University of Virginia. And Robert Stilling, a graduate student, came across the poem inside a copy of Frost’s 1914 book North of Boston.
Trio in E Flat Major
Ludwig van Beethoven composed this untitled work in 1792, then rearranged it about eight years later. Only partly completed, the project was abandoned and subsequently lost for over 100 years. German musicologist Willy Hess published the handwritten manuscript (手稿) in a scholarly review in 1920, gaining little attention. The first known performance of the 12-minute piece was on March 1, 2009.
1. Who is probably the creator of Profile of a Young Fiancée?| A．A German artist. | B．A private collector. |
| C．Nicholas Turner. | D．Leonardo da Vinci. |
| A．La Royale Maison de Savoie. | B．Profile of a Young Fiancée. |
| C．War Thoughts at Home. | D．Trio in E Flat Major. |
| A．They are the same art form. | B．They were created in the same country. |
| C．They used to be unknown for a period. | D．They are the most famous pieces of the creators. |
6 . Recent studies suggest four out of 10 persons feel lonely at least one or two days per week, with younger persons (Millennials and Gen Z) exhibiting signs of extreme alienation (疏远) and disconnection more than other generations. Even older people, who are frequently regarded as lonely with few persons to speak to and objectively have lost many family members and friends, report less loneliness than Millennials. Why do Millennials report being the most lonely, and what can be done to address it?
Thirty percent of people between 23 and 38 said they often “feel lonely”. “But wait,” you may say. “Aren’t they connected through technology, social media platforms, and various apps?” Yes, but one of the challenges of extensive smartphone and app use today is that we are being trained to stare at screens rather than meet and have face-to-face conversations with people. Still, at the same time, people who spend more than 8 hours a day on screens per day tend to report other issues: depression, anxiety and other serious challenges to their well-being.
A meeting of minds used to happen via religious gatherings and school. So a possible solution is to create spaces and locations where one (and not just Millennials) can meet folks who share additional common interests. One possibility is through regular exercise outside the home. Going to a YMCA or a gym to a Zumba, yoga, or cycling class presents an opportunity to enjoy physical activity and have brief conversations with them before and after the session.
In addition to the obvious positive physical effects of the exercise, it can be surprising how beneficial a quick conversation can be with someone you may have just met. The boost in mood is palpable and can lead to better workouts due to increased available energy and motivation.
In conclusion, spending a little less time on the phone and a little more time walking in the neighborhood, in a park, or going early and staying late at the gym can work wonders for one’s mood and health.
1. Why do Millennials often feel lonelier than other generations?| A．They refuse to open up their inner world. |
| B．They don’t like to go to religious gatherings. |
| C．They are less connected with others in real life. |
| D．They have fewer opportunities to interact with people. |
| A．Limiting screen time. | B．Going to a nightclub with classmates. |
| C．Joining a group to exercise together. | D．Strengthening the parent-child bond. |
| A．Noticeable. | B．Comfortable. | C．Fortunate. | D．Temporary. |
| A．The ways for millennials to make new friends. |
| B．The importance of face-to-face communication. |
| C．How to make new friends for Millennials and Gen Z. |
| D．Why Millennials feel lonely and solutions to address the problem. |
7 . Love knows no bounds, especially when it comes to the person you’ve shared your life with. Peter Burkhardt, a 90-year-old man from Netherlands, is the embodiment (体现) of this idea. Every day, he travels 17 kilometers to accompany his wife of 63 years who now lives in a hospice (养老院) in Apeldoorn. While on days when the weather is very bad, he takes a cab or is driven then by his children, most times he gets on his bike and crosses the city on his own. It takes him an hour to get there and an hour to cycle back home.
In the colder months, Burkhardt keeps himself warm with a blue ski suit with a body warmer on top and a white cap to keep his head warm. “I’ve done skiing with pleasure. Cold doesn’t bother me and with rain, you can put on a rain jacket,” he told an interviewer. “So I’ll always get to my wife.” Burkhardt knows the route by heart, as he has been traveling to his wife’s hospice for the past seven years.
Even if he wanted to drive, Burkhardt’s license wasn’t approved and he hasn’t had a car. However, nothing stops this senior in love. “I walk a lot less now, but cycling is still going well.”
Burkhardt says that his wife doesn’t know what it takes him to reach her every day. “It is completely outside her field of experience. But when I’m back, I notice that she gives me a very nice hug every now and then.” His children have encouraged him to keep on visiting their mom every day.
Burkhardt’s devotion has certainly moved others. But above all, he has done everything in his power to spend as much time as possible with the love of his life-no matter what it takes.
1. Why does Peter Burkhardt visit his wife every day?| A．To help her recover. | B．To show off his love. |
| C．To keep her company. | D．To check on her condition. |
| A．By bus. | B．By car. | C．By taxi. | D．By bike. |
| A．Faithful and reliable. | B．Capable and brave. |
| C．Successful and helpful. | D．Adventurous and curious. |
| A．The Power of Ageless Love |
| B．Peter Burkhardt’s Daily Routine |
| C．Peter Burkhardt Doesn’t Give Up on His Wife |
| D．Man Cycles 17 Kilometers to Visit His Wife in Hospice Daily |
8 . Four wonderful books you can’t miss
Old Herbaceous: A Novel of the Garden by Reginald Arkell
If you’re yet to read a “novel of the garden”, pick up Old Herbaceous. Perfect for fans of P. G. Wodehouse, this is the story of Bert Pinnegar, an awkward orphan(孤儿) who spends his childhood days picking wildflowers and avoiding farmers, before slowly maturing into the famous head gardener “Old Herbaceous”.
The Rural Diaries by Hilarie Burton Morgan
If you dream of quitting the corporate world and starting a farm, The Rural Diaries should be your kind of book. This is actress Hilarie Burton Morgan’s bestselling story of leaving Hollywood for a different life after the birth of her son, buying a working farm in upstate New York to explore a slower way of living.
The Art of Frugal Hedonism by Annie Raser-Rowland and Adam Grubb
If you want to live a life with less consumerism and more low-cost experiences and pleasures, you should absolutely read The Art of Frugal Hedonism. It’s about letting go of society’s expectations, peer (同龄人) pressure, and the fear of missing out to rediscover the most simple and joyful ways of living.
Recipe for a Kinder Life by Annie Smithers
Part memoir (回忆录), part recipe book, and part guide to caring for the land, this comforting and wholesome book is full of practical advice and wisdom collected from a life devoted to seasonal food, simplicity, and gentle living.
1. Who is the main character in Old Herbaceous: A Novel of the Garden?| A．P. G. Wodehouse. | B．Bert Pinnegar. |
| C．Hilarie Burton Morgan. | D．Annie Smithers. |
| A．A simple and slow life. | B．A boring and tiring life. |
| C．A busy and luxurious life. | D．A colorful and ambitious life. |
| A．Old Herbaceous: A Novel of the Garden. | B．The Rural Diaries. |
| C．The Art of Frugal Hedonism. | D．Recipe for a Kinder Life. |
9 . A walk-on (临时队员) to the gymnastics team of University of Maryland who earned a full scholarship, Bonnie Bernstein learned more than professional skills during her years of competition. She partially credits her achievements as a sports journalist to life skills she’d learned in the gym: teamwork, patience and comfort with taking risks.
What she didn’t realize until recently was that her experience is far from unique. After coming across a 2018 study by Ernst and Young that found that 94% of female leaders had played sports as kids, Bernstein was inspired to dive deeper into the relationship between women’s sports and professional success. That led to “She Got Game”, her Audible Originals podcast (播客) in which she asks 10 women to share how their experience as athletes informed their careers-whether related to sports or not.
“Yes, of course, you probably enjoy all the physical, emotional and community benefits of playing sports, but it’s equally important to be thinking about the long game, ”says Bernstein. “Even if you’re not a top athlete, you’re still sharpening these critical life skills that are going to prepare you up for success in life.”
On “She Got Game”, guests including former first daughter Chelsea Clinton, Emmy-winning actress Aisha Tyler and Sheila Johnson, the world’s first black female billionaire, describe how the on-your-feet thinking, accountability, passion and leadership skills they developed playing sports helped them succeed in their respective fields. Clinton also recalls how her mom brought orange slices to her soccer team’s games in Arkansas.
Bernstein hopes that the podcast will inspire those who aren’t meant for professional sports-or even college scholarships-to stick with it. “Girls are still exiting sports at higher frequency and earlier age than boys, ”she says. “This podcast provides parents and coaches who are influencing the lives of these girls with a reason why it’s important to stay and play. ”
1. What does Bernstein think contributes to her success as a journalist most?| A．The companions she met in the gym. | B．The qualities she acquired in the gym. |
| C．The encouragement of a full scholarship. | D．The achievements she made as a walk-on. |
| A．Her unique success. | B．Stories of ten successful women. |
| C．Her experience as a kid. | D．The result of a relevant study. |
| A．The identity of the guests. | B．The benefits of doing sports. |
| C．The content of the podcast. | D．The influence of the podcast. |
| A．Thoughtful. | B．Independent. | C．Optimistic. | D．Generous. |
10 . If you’ve ever discovered unexpected online shopping activity on your accounts- 
worth of See ’n Says, for example-you know the risks of handing your cellphone to a restless preschooler. But children’s impulse (冲动) buys just uncover the surface of potential risks when children and technology meet. With smartphones and the Internet so accessible, children are leaving their digital fingerprints at increasingly early ages, often without guidance on the importance of privacy or security.
For the past eight years, Michigan State University professors Jessica Vitak and Tamara Clegg have talked to parents, teachers and kids about the challenges of surfing the Internet. Their current project, Connecting Contexts, offers a variety of learning opportunities to help kids safely and smartly interact with the ever-progressing technology they encounter. “Having these conversations early,” said Vitak, “will build awareness and habits around privacy they can take into adulthood. ”
“Many of the parents we interviewed didn’t feel they needed to talk about privacy with their kids before middle or high school,” said Vitak. “But if you’re willing to hand your child a smartphone or a tablet, then they are old enough to learn how to use them safely. ”
In December, the Federal Trade Commission proposed massive changes to existing federal rules around how online platforms collect children’s data and make money from it. It grilled (责问) Meta, Discord and other social media companies last month on their efforts to protect children on their platforms. It also carried out six bills before the Congress would tighten online security and safety for kids.
Extending from elementary to middle school, their work offers tested tools and resources for parents, teachers and children-including conversation starters at home, practical tips for building a better password or using social media, choosing learning apps for the classroom and age-appropriate “micro-lessons” that can be integrated into the courses.
1. What does the author describe at the beginning of the text?| A．The typical style of kids’ digital life. | B．The risks of kids’ exposure to technology. |
| C．The convenience of online shopping. | D．The role of smartphones in kids’ growth. |
| A．Parents lack awareness of kids’ online privacy. |
| B．Parents should set age limits for phone use. |
| C．Kids have little self-discipline on the Internet. |
| D．School should be responsible for kids’ online safety: |
| A．It stopped children spending money on social media. |
| B．It made lots of changes to the present rules. |
| C．It collected data from online platforms. |
| D．It introduced several protective bills. |
| A．Kids’ Online Risks and Privacy Education |
| B．Actions Taken to Protect Kids’ Online Privacy |
| C．Kids’ Early Privacy Habits in the Internet Age |
| D．Researchers Create Technology Safety Tools for Kids |
