3 . Long believed to have little social structure, giraffes actually are socially complex, University of Bristol scientists suggest. Their social organization is comparable to that of elephants, dolphins and whales.

Lead author Zoe Miller started research work on giraffes in 2005. “I had noticed that giraffe population numbers were decreasing, and I realized that the tallest of all land animals had hardly had any scientific work done on them, which I just found unbelievable. I decided to devote my career to understanding this species better,” said Muller.

Muller and her team looked at research work done in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Researchers then considered giraffes very unsociable and that they formed no long-lasting relationships. “However, this was not what I saw in Africa, and I started to question why they were described as having ‘little or no social structure’ when I could clearly observe them always together,” Muller said.

Muller was based in Kenya for five years, conducting research on giraffes and their social organization. She and her team found that giraffes are actually a highly complex social species that may live in matriarchal (母系的) social systems and include shared care of their young.

“Giraffes may take part in shared parenting of the young, and remain in groups of related females. These types of social organization are well-known in other species, for example elephants and whales, but nobody has ever before suggested that the same could be true for giraffes,” Muller said.

The grandmother giraffes stay in their family groups, passing on survival benefits in tough times to the younger members of the group. For example, they may know where there is water or where they can find food. “This is important information, as this means we should focus on protecting the older adult females, since they are important members to aid the survival of younger generations,” explained Muller.

1. What did Zoe Muller think of researchers’ work done in the 1950s-1970s?

A．Questionable.

B．Inspiring.

C．Reliable.

D．Creative.

2. In what way are giraffes similar to elephants according to the text?

A．Their population numbers are dropping.

B．They remain in groups of related males.

C．They have been well protected in the wild.

D．They take part in shared raising of the young.

3. Why are older female giraffes particularly worthy of protection?

A．They can help keep the balance of nature.

B．They can help researchers learn about giraffes.

C．They can pass on life skills to the younger generations.

D．They can help younger giraffes get on well with each other.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．Secrets of Giraffes: The Older, The Smarter

B．Social Structure: A Gap in Animal Research

C．Giraffes: More Socially Complex than Imagined

D．Survival of Giraffes: The Role of Older Members

4 . For the first time in its 100-year history, Walt Disney Animation has cooperated with an outside animation studio on a project. The result is lwájú, an interesting and original six-part series set in a futuristic version of Lagos, Africa. It was created with the Pan-African entertainment company Kugali and premieres (首映) on Disney+ on February 28.

lwájú is a story about Tola, a young girl from a wealthy family, and her best friend, Kole, a self-taught tech expert, and their discovery of the secrets and dangers hidden in their different worlds. The show explores inequality and the idea of challenging society’s standards. Like the Disney+ series Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, Marvel’s Black Panther films, and the Netflix animated series My Dad the Bounty Hunter, lwájú is part of a genre (体裁) called Afrofuturism. It combines elements of science fiction, the culture and history of Africa and Africans, fantasy, and a vision of a better future.

The series was directed by Adeola, “lwájú was born from my personal inspiration to tell a story about Lagos because one of the unique things I noticed is how the geography actually supports the societal divide in a way that is very obvious,” Adeola told in the interview, “In Lagos, the wealthy people live on the island, and the working class and poor people live on the mainland. So you literally see a body of water separating rich and poor. And so I thought that was a really interesting foundation upon which to build a science-fiction story.”

Adeola called lwájú “a love letter to Lagos” and said every frame praises the city’s diversity and spirit. The characters, he explained, represent typical types of Nigerian people and they wear clothing inspired by traditional African textiles (纺织品).

While the series of films questions the divisions in society, Adeola said it also highlights the bravery required to disrupt them. He added that he hopes lwájú inspires audiences to find strength in unity and the courage to dream of change.

1. What’s the similarity between lwájú and other Disney+ series according to the text?

A．They are adventurous stories.

B．They explore inequality and challenge society’s standards.

C．They combine African traditional culture and futurism.

D．They are produced by Walt Disney Animation independently.

2. What can we infer from paragraph 3?

A．The society is rarely divided by geography.

B．Generally, upper class live on the mainland.

C．Adeola’s friend inspired him to film lwájú.

D．The poor and rich are separated quite clearly.

3. The underlined word “disrupt” can be replaced by ______.

A．Break.

B．Obtain.

C．Estimate.

D．Distinguish.

4. Which of the following can best describe the film lwájú?

A．Imaginary and humorous.	B．Innovative and realistic.
C．Attractive and inspiring.	D．Critical and multicultural.

5 . Zhang Xiqing is an outlier in Chinese society. At 33, she is happily unmarried, has no plans to have children with her boyfriend, and left her job at Tencent for a start-up because she wanted to “try something new”. But Zhang faces immense pressure from her family. She does her best to deal with the pressure to break convention but it can be a lonely path to follow. Now, however, she is drawing inspiration from a reality show that has become a hit on Chinese television.

Instead of giving young girls a shot at fame, Sisters Who Make Waves, produced by Hunan Television, has invited established actresses and performers over 30, and some in their 50s, to compete for a spot in a five-member band. The show has been a hit, especially among women, since it started airing in June. For women like Zhang, the attraction is that it shows more experienced women using their confidence and expertise—rather than youth—to get what they need.

“Seeing them on stage, I am no longer anxious about my age,” one viewer, who is attracted by the show commented on Weibo. A blogger who goes by the pen name Shaoxi said the overwhelming popularity of the show reflected the desperate need for women in China to see themselves pictured in a different light. Other viewers resonated (共鸣) with the setbacks of some of the stars, who battled personal and professional difficulties with the images of sparkling versions of themselves.

But some critics say the show falls short of its ideals. Wu Changchang, an associate professor of journalism at East China Normal University, wrote that the show was “hollow feminism (空洞的女权主义)”. However, Shaoxi said, “judging an entertainment show on what degree of feminism it contained was missing the point.” It’s popularity said something about the female audience. “It means that compared with the past, more are favoring strong, independent women. I hope I can be more like them”, she said.

1. Why does the author mention Zhang Xiqing in paragraph 1?

A．To express a view.	B．To make an argument.
C．To introduce the topic.	D．To provide the evidence.

2. What can we learn about the show?

A．Its winners would form a band.	B．It was produced in Hunan TV in June.
C．It invited famous actresses in the country.	D．It attracted little attention at the beginning.

3. What does paragraph 3 focus on?

A．The various suggestions for the show.

B．The positive comments from viewers.

C．The negative influence of the show on the society.

D．The close connection between the show and the reality.

4. Why did the show become so popular among women?

A．It spoke highly of feminism and self-discipline.

B．It highlighted the importance of beauty and experience.

C．It inspired women to be themselves and pursue their dreams.

D．It stressed the courage to fight against professional difficulties.

6 . Few humans have had the opportunity to see Earth from space. And for astronauts living in the International Space Station like Loral O’Hara, that view never gets old. “You know, you see it in photographs, but that doesn’t compare at all to seeing it in person for the first time in 3D,”O’Hara said in a recent interview. “I just saw the ocean and the clouds — this blue and white marble against the blackness of space — and it was one of the most beautiful things I’d ever seen.”

O’Hara is a flight engineer for NASA’s Expedition 70 crew, who launched into space in September 2023. She and her team spent the last six months researching a range of topics: How the human brain and body adapt to microgravity, 3D-printed human heart tissue and how space changes the immune (免疫) systems of plants. One of these investigations is the Complement of Integrated Protocols for Human Exploration Research program, or CIPHER, which is intended to help researchers understand how living in space changes human health and psychology.

On Earth, gravity keeps blood and other fluids relatively low in the body. But when astronauts live in microgravity, these fluids are pushed up towards the heart, which can cause swelling, congestion (淤血) and even vision and hearing changes. Onboard the ISS, O’Hara says astronauts keep tabs on these potential health risks, performing regular eye exams and ultrasounds to collect data. The hope is to use this data not only for microgravity research, but also for research on Earth. For example, researchers know astronauts lose about 1% to 2% of their bone density per month during spaceflight. So, O’Hara and her team are analyzing bone marrow stem cells in order to better understand both this bone loss and normal aging on Earth.

O’Hara says the changes aren’t just physical either. She’s even had new types of dreams since she boarded the ISS last September. She says she often finds herself in small, tight spaces, looking for things on the space station.

1. What does the word “that” underlined in the first paragraph refer to?

A．The blue and white marble.

B．The sight of space in pictures.

C．The chance to see Earth from space.

D．The life in the International Space Station.

2. What does CIPHER aim to do?

A．Test the astronauts’ health conditions.

B．Understand the immune systems of plants.

C．Investigate the human psychological issues.

D．Study the impact of life in space on humans.

3. What can we learn from paragraph 3?

A．Astronauts can suffer hearing changes on Earth.

B．Researchers check their eyes to reduce health risks.

C．Microgravity leads to some physical changes.

D．Bone loss research is welcome among astronauts.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．What’s It Like to Live in Space?

B．The Research of Microgravity in Space

C．Do You Dream of Living in Space?

D．An Extraordinary Woman Flight Engineer

7 . The Best Mini Freezers in 2024

There are hundreds of mini freezers on the market right now, so we’ve made the decision easier with a list of the best mini freezers, including various sizes and options in every price range.

Hotpoint Manual Defrost Freezer

For anyone who truly doesn’t know where to start, you can’t go wrong with the Hotpoint’s chest freezer. It offers 4.9 cubic feet of space. A removable organization basket is ideal for storing items you use the most to ensure they’re always on top and easily accessible. Plus, you can adjust the temperature as needed to ensure everything is completely frozen through.

Arctic King Upright Freezer

If you’re looking for a unit that’s relatively affordable, then this 1.1-cubic-foot upright mini freezer might be for you. It’s a quality mini freezer for dorms, bedrooms or anyone wanting extra storage for snacks and beverages. You might not be able to fit a lot inside, but it takes up minimal space and is ideal for a single person.

Mide a Mini Freezer

With 3. 5 cubic feet of space, this model from Midea is the best mini freezer on Amazon with thousands of five-star ratings. Unlike many chest freezers, it has a door that opens at various angles, making it easy to grab items quickly. It comes with a storage basket and temperature knob that gives you full control over how cold you keep your food.

Summit Mini Freezer

This mini freezer from Summit is available in stainless steel or wood-panel finishes. The freezer has 4. 7 cubic feet of space and an ice maker. Plus, it has a temperature memory function and a frost-free system that automatically adjusts the temperature to prevent excess frost from building up.

1. Which freezer offers the largest space?

A．Hotpoint Manual Defrost Freezer.	B．Arctic King Upright Freezer.
C．Mide a Mini Freezer.	D．Summit Mini Freezer.

2. What is special about Midea Mini Freezer?

A．It enables you to adjust temperature.

B．It is the best mini freezer in the world.

C．Its door remains open at different angles.

D．Its price is accepted by most customers.

3. What can you do with Summit Mini Freezer?

A．Remove the basket.	B．Make ice.
C．Fit a lot inside.	D．Save money.

9 . Empathy (共情) is one of the most important skills a teacher can have, but it is not always easy to respond to student behaviour with empathy. However, when you demonstrate to students that you understand and respect their feelings, you build mutual trust and friendly relationship.

According to new research, teaching children in a way that encourages them to empathize with others improves their creativity and may lead to a variety of other beneficial learning outcomes. The findings are the result of a year-long University of Cambridge study with year 9 Design and Technology (D &T) students (ages 13 to 14) from two inner London schools. Pupils at one school spent the year following curriculum-required lessons, while students at the other school used a set of engineering design thinking tools to improve students’ ability to think creatively and empathically while solving real-world problems.

Both sets of pupils were assessed for creativity at both the start and end of the school year using the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking: a well-established psychometric test (心理测试). The results showed a statistically significant increase in creativity among pupils at the intervention school, where the thinking tools were used. At the start of the year, the Creativity scores of pupils in the control school, which followed the standard curriculum, were 11% higher than those at the intervention school. By the end, however, the situation had completely changed: Creativity scores among the intervention group were 78% higher than the control group.

Nicholl, Senior Lecturer in Design and Technology Education, who trains teachers studying on the University’s D & T PGCE course, said, “Teaching for empathy has been difficult despite being part of the D &. T National Curriculum for over two decades. This evidence suggests that it is a missing link in the creative process, and vital if we want education to encourage the designers and engineers of tomorrow.” Nicholl added, “When I taught Design and Technology, I didn’t see children as potential engineers who would one day contribute to the economy; they were people who needed to be ready to go into the world at 18. Teaching children to empathize is about building a society where we appreciate each other’s thoughts. Surely that is something we want education to do.”

1. What will a teacher with empathy do?

A．Share knowledge with students.

B．Understand students’ emotions.

C．Improve important teaching skills.

D．Respond to students’ behaviour.

2. Why were thinking tools used by the pupils of the other school?

A．To spread the ideas related to empathy.

B．To learn the curriculum-required lessons.

C．To promote problem-solving abilities.

D．To inspire creativity with mutual trust.

3. What did the results of the test suggest?

A．The standard curriculum didn’t encourage creativity.

B．The intervention school was more popular among students.

C．The control group lacked the ability to empathize with others.

D．The empathetic class contributed significantly to creativity.

4. What did Nichol l think of the study?

A．Unarguable.

B．Influential.

C．Distinctive.

D．Inaccurate.

10 . I’m in a coffee shop in Manhattan and I’m about to become the most disliked person in the room. First, I’m going to interrupt the man reading quietly near the window and ask for a drink of his latte. Next, I’m going to ask the line of people waiting to pay if I can cut to the front of the queue. This is how I chose to spend my last vacation. Here’s why.

Growing up, all I ever heard about was “EQ.” It was the mid-1990s, and psychologist Daniel Goleman had just popularized the concept of emotional intelligence. Unlike IQ, which tracked conventional measures of intelligence like reasoning and recall, EQ measured the ability to understand other people — to listen, to empathize (共情), and to appreciate.

My mother, an elementary school principal, prized brains and hard work, but she placed a special emphasis on Goleman’s new idea. To her, EQ was the elixir (万能药) that separated the good students from the great after they left school. She was determined to send me into the adult world with as much of this elixir as possible.

But when I finally began my first job, I noticed a second elixir in the pockets of some of my colleagues. It gave their opinions extra weight and their decisions added impact. Strangest of all, it seemed like the anti-EQ: Instead of knowing how to make others feel good, this elixir gave people the courage to do the opposite — to say things others didn’t want to hear.

This was assertiveness (魄力). It boiled down to the command of a single skill: the ability to have uncomfortable conversations. Assertive people — those with high “AQ”— ask for things they want, decline things they don’t, provide constructive feedback, and engage in direct confrontation (对峙) and debate.

A lifetime improving my EQ helped me empathize with others, but it also left me overly sensitive to situations where I had to say or do things that might make others unhappy. While I didn’t avoid conflict, I was always frustrated by my powerlessness when I had to say or do something that could upset someone. This is my problem and I’m working on it.

1. Why did the author act that way in the coffee shop?

A．To improve a skill.	B．To test a concept.
C．To advocate a new idea.	D．To have a unique vacation.

2. What do we know about the author’s mother?

A．She thought little of IQ.

B．She popularized Goleman’s idea.

C．She was a strict mother and principal.

D．She valued EQ as the key to greatness.

3. What does the word “it” underlined in the fourth paragraph refer to?

A．EQ.

B．AQ.

C．Empathy.

D．Courage.

4. According to the passage, those with high EQ but low AQ are likely to be ______.

A．successful leaders	B．people pleasers
C．terrible complainers	D．pleasure seekers