1 . In 1970, Alan Ayers was preparing for a skydiving competition in Gainesville, Florida. It wasn’t the first time he’d jumped out of a
Ayers would be jumping out of a Cessna 172, a small four-seat passenger plane. In
“I was
“And what happened next was
After landing, he wasn’t able to
| A．window | B．tower | C．plane | D．train |
| A．preparation | B．comparison | C．conclusion | D．reward |
| A．repaired | B．checked | C．decorated | D．removed |
| A．surviving | B．observing | C．remaining | D．practicing |
| A．treat | B．honor | C．turn | D．right |
| A．head | B．hand | C．chest | D．foot |
| A．eventually | B．completely | C．deliberately | D．constantly |
| A．visible | B．familiar | C．appealing | D．relevant |
| A．ambitious | B．innocent | C．impressive | D．desperate |
| A．complicated | B．incredible | C．reasonable | D．meaningless |
| A．twisted | B．freed | C．raised | D．cured |
| A．comfort | B．pay | C．find | D．aid |
| A．empties | B．crosses | C．changes | D．records |
| A．reaching out of | B．knocking at | C．breaking away from | D．lifting up |
| A．simplest | B．gentlest | C．smartest | D．bravest |
2 . Bees are important to agriculture. But useful as they are, bees do not receive the same care and concern over their emotional well-being as other agricultural animals.
Ecologist Buchmann’s recent book, which collects the work of bee scholars as they work to explain what goes on in their brains, suggests bees can learn, think and even likely feel, much like animals. Buchmann’s work also suggests bees should hold a special place in our ethical scheme (道德体系). For Buchmann and some other scientists, what they have learned about bees changes their research strategies to be more ethical, on par with (相当于) the standards set for animals such as mice and monkeys.
Experiments, the outcomes of which are addressed in the book, illustrate the secret life of bees. Lars Chittka, a University College of London professor, did an experiment 16 years ago where he hid a robotic spider in flowers. The spider would grab a careless bee that came too close and then release it after giving it a scare. Chittka observed how the released bees learned to look for the spider and to avoid it. Some would be too scared to approach even unoccupied flowers.
Other studies proved that bee brains saw rushes in chemicals that could bring happiness when they were presented with sucrose (sugar). These happy bees then found more food than their unrewarded bees. By contrast, stress from poor handling lowered the levels of these happy chemicals.
“Many of my colleagues do experiments where bees have some devices placed into various body parts without considering their feelings,” Chittka says. “The current care free situation that researchers live in with no legal framework needs to be re-evaluated.” There are few laws regarding bee welfare. Buchmann thinks the “unhappiness” of bees might be a contributing factor to the decreasing numbers of bees.
Bees are critical to feeding the world and to plant survival. But the bees need care too. The first step in safeguarding the precious bees is to learn more about them and their lives. “These unique minds, regardless of how much they may differ from ours, have as much justification to exist as we do,” says Chittka.
1. What can we learn about Buchmann’s new book?| A．It focuses on the ethical scheme. | B．It records some research on bees. |
| C．It teaches people how to protect bees. | D．It introduces some famous scientists. |
| A．Once bitten, twice shy. | B．Practice makes perfect. |
| C．Never offer to teach fish to swim. | D．Kill two birds with one stone. |
| A．Bees are well-received. | B．Bees are precious. |
| C．Bees can have emotions. | D．Bees can handle stress well. |
| A．New devices should be placed in bees. |
| B．People shouldn’t experiment with bees in the lab. |
| C．New rules should be made for the benefit of bees. |
| D．The function of bees should be re-evaluated. |
3 . Every year in May, art galleries and museums prepare shows to honour Leonardo da Vinci, who died in France on May 2, 1519. He is remembered as one of the greatest artists and the most creative thinkers of all time. His most famous paintings are Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.
Recently, researchers have been studying a painting-Landscupe 8P, which they think is Leonardo’s earliest-known artwork. They used special lighting to study the artwork and discovered there were two images(图像), not one. One drawing is on the back of the piece, which dates back to August 5,1473.
The drawing on the front was painted when Leonardo was 21 years old. It shows a river valley and a castle outside the city of Florence. There is little left of the drawing on the back, perhaps because it was wiped off. Only a bridge over a river can be seen. But there is writing on both sides.
The writing on the front gives the date and goes from right to left. Some people would call this “mirror writing”. It’s a way Leonardo often wrote in his notebooks. The writing on the back goes from left to right and tells an agreement, probably to produce a work of art.
Cecilia Frosinini is an art historian. She said, “By looking at his writing, including that from this drawing, we can see his right-handed handwriting is educated and well done.”
Experts compared the two handwriting samples(样本)and said they were both made by Leonardo. They show he could write well using his left hand or his right hand.
The drawing is known as Landscape 8P from its number in an art list. It is part of an exhibit at Italy’s Uffizi Gallery. The gallery-director, Eike Schmidt, said by studying the drawing researchers gave us a new way of looking at Leonardo’s drawing technique and his abilities in writing.
1. Which of the following mentioned in the text has been studied by researchers recently?| A．Mona Lisa. | B．Landscape 8P. |
| C．Mirror-writing. | D．The Last Supper. |
| A．A statement about the painting. |
| B．An introduction about Leonardo. |
| C．An agreement to produce a painting. |
| D．Something about the city of Florence. |
| A．He could write with either of his hands. |
| B．He did badly in right-handed handwriting. |
| C．He wasn’t good at writing with his left hand. |
| D．He taught himself to write with his right hand. |
| A．Unclear. | B．Indifferent. | C．Doubtful. | D．Positive. |
4 . Auckland University Online Education — What to Expect
Most Auckland University (AU) online programs are 100 percent online so that students do not come to the school campus. Instead, AU has designed a media-rich, easy-to-use learning environment through a Learning Management System (LMS).
· Discipline (纪律)
With disciplined work habits, you are likely to succeed as an online student. It is up to you to log on to your course and meet your own deadlines.
· Time Management
In order to earn competitive grades, plan on spending a minimum of 20 — 25 hours a week on each course. AU courses operate on a seven-week schedule, with start dates in January, March, May, July, September and November. Students are able to complete two courses per semester by taking one seven-week course at a time.
· Professional Connections
Many of the AU faculty (教员) who teach online have connections to industry, so the online learning environment ensures access to diverse expertise and practice. It includes an extensive network of professionals in a variety of industries.
“I work as an IT manager. And right from the very beginning, every class I took was relevant to what I was doing at work. The wide range of courses gave me a strong foundation for my career development.”
— Jim Heilman, Computer Information Systems graduate
· Technology
It goes without saying that technology plays a vital role in online learning. You will need a high-speed Internet connection and basic computer skills. For specifics, please click here to visit our Technology page.
1. How long does it take to complete one course?| A．Seven weeks. | B．One semester. |
| C．Several months. | D．At least 20 — 25 hours. |
| A．To recognize an excellent graduate. |
| B．To set a good example to other learners. |
| C．To prove benefits of professional connections. |
| D．To show effective methods of online learning. |
| A．A course brochure. | B．A college website. |
| C．An academic magazine. | D．An online advertisement. |
5 . Below is today’s schedule for Pacific Science Center’s programming. Daytime laser (激光) and planetarium (天文馆) shows are included in general admission tickets, but timed tickets are needed to enter the show. Please note: Planetarium shows have a limited number of tickets and sell out quickly. IMAX documentary and feature movies are not included and must be purchased separately.
TIMING
Live Science Shows: 15 minutes IMAX Documentary Movies: 45 minutes
Daytime Laser Shows: 30 minutes Planetarium Shows: 40 minutes
SCHEDULE
Show | Time | Place | Ticket |
| Dinosaurs of Antarctica | 1:00 pm | PACCAR Theater | IMAX Tickets Required |
| Preschool All Stars | 10:30 am | Building 2, Planetarium | Included in General Admission Timed Tickets Required |
| Live Science Show | 1:30 pm | Building 1, Live Science Stage | Included in General Admission |
| Laser Jukebox | 11:45am | Laser Dome | Included in General Admission Timed Tickets Required |
◇Pacific Science Center is a tobacco- and e-cigarette-free zone, including all outdoor spaces.
◇While pets are not permitted inside Pacific Science Center, service animals are welcome.
◇If you want to listen to music during your visit, we kindly ask that you use headphones.
◇Pacific Science Center reserves the right to refuse entry for ticket holders more than 15 minutes late for their exhibition entry time without refunds (退款).
◇All ticket sales are final and non-refundable.
◇All exchanges must be processed at least 24 hours before the time and date of the event or reservation.
1. Where can visitors learn something about a prehistoric animal?| A．In Laser Dome. | B．In Building 2, Planetarium. |
| C．In PACCAR Theater. | D．In Building 1, Live Science Stage. |
| A．At 11:45 am. | B．At 1:30 pm. |
| C．At 1:45 pm. | D．At 2:15 pm. |
| A．Refunding the ticket. | B．Bringing a service dog. |
| C．Entering half an hour late. | D．Smoking in outdoor areas. |
6 . Top Festivals In Europe
Carnival of VeniceDates: 12 Feb, 2023—1 Mar, 2023
The Carnival of Venice, which began in 1979 as an effort to revive the culture of this city, is one of the best festivals featuring masks. Each year, almost 3,000,000 people attend this 20-day-long biggest festivals in Europe. There is a water parade, a grand ball with old and modern music, and a popularity contest for best mask design.
Glastonbury FestivalDates: 22 Jun, 2023—26 Jun, 2023
Of all the famous European music festivals, the Glastonbury Festival has a special place. Held in Somerset, England, since the 1970s, the festival is a major part of the British culture. Major pop act performers are invited to perform and headline. The festival sees as much as 175,000 people in attendance and is the world’s largest greenfield festival.
TomorrowlandDates: 22—24Jul, 2023 & 29—31Jul, 2023
For the music lovers, Tomorrowland is one of the largest electronic music festivals which takes place in Belgium. The festival is hosted at the town of Boom, Belgium. First organized in 2005, this festival has become an annual tradition which is visited by people from far and wide.
Sziget FestivalDates: 10—15 Aug, 2023
The Sziget Festival is one of the best cultural festivals in Europe. Started in 1993 and hosted in an island of Budapest, this festival gives an amazing holiday, with around 400,000 fans from around 70 countries. The festival features the non-stop party and amazing live concerts.
1. What can people do in the Carnival of Venice?| A．Swim in the river. | B．Design different masks. |
| C．Attend music contests. | D．Watch pop performances. |
| A．Tomorrowland. | B．Sziget Festival. |
| C．Carnival of Venice. | D．Glastonbury Festival. |
| A．They each have a parade. | B．They take place in summer. |
| C．They are British festivals. | D．They are related to music. |
7 . Two years ago, I lost my wallet. I made the poor decision of keeping my identity card, my credit card, a large amount of money and other various things inside my
About a week
After that, I decided that I wanted to do
That’s why I
| A．handbag | B．wallet | C．pocket | D．car |
| A．money | B．food | C．gold | D．card |
| A．satisfied | B．excited | C．worried | D．puzzled |
| A．bad | B．good | C．beautiful | D．wonderful |
| A．ahead | B．earlier | C．long | D．later |
| A．threw | B．searched | C．returned | D．suggested |
| A．the people | B．the police | C．the students | D．the children |
| A．sadness | B．surprise | C．regret | D．disappointment |
| A．got up | B．looked up | C．gave up | D．picked up |
| A．it | B．her | C．him | D．them |
| A．kind | B．funny | C．stupid | D．serious |
| A．protect | B．respect | C．help | D．recognize |
| A．bad | B．good | C．free | D．sick |
| A．allow | B．force | C．choose | D．encourage |
| A．herself | B．himself | C．itself | D．yourself |
8 . What if someone told you about a kind of grass as tall as the tallest trees? A grass as strong as steel? Would you believe that person? You should, for that grass is bamboo (竹子), which has more than 1,000 uses. It is not just a material for making useful products. Young bamboo is eaten, often mixed with other vegetables.
Bamboo grows in many parts of the world. In the USA it grows in many states like Virginia and Florida. Most bamboo, however, is found in wet and warm climates, especially in Asia and on the islands of the South Pacific Ocean.
In most Asian countries, bamboo is nearly as important as rice. This unusual material is used to not only build large buildings but also make water pipes, musical instruments and paper. There are over 1,000 kinds of bamboo. No wonder the lives of nearly half the people on earth would change greatly if there were no longer any bamboo.
1. According to the text, bamboo is actually a kind of .| A．grass | B．steel | C．tree | D．vegetable |
| A．Only in Asia. | B．Only in the USA. |
| C．In wet and warm climates. | D．All over the world. |
| A．Build large buildings. | B．Make water pipes. |
| C．Make musical instruments and paper. | D．All of the above. |
| A．Over 1,000. | B．Over 800. | C．Over 600. | D．Over 400. |
9 . Adapting to technological advances is a defining part of the 21st-century life. Just two months after being launched in November 2022, OpenAI’s ChatGPT has already reached an audience of over 100 million people. While ChatGPT threatens to change writing and writing-related work, the Mesopotamians, who lived 4,000 years ago in a geographical area centered in modern-day Iraq, went through this kind of far-reaching change before us.
Ancient Mesopotamia was home to many of civilization’s early developments. Its people were world leaders in adapting to technological and cultural changes. They invented the wheel and agriculture, and pioneered advances in mathematics and urbanization. These breakthroughs are reflected in cuneiform(楔形文字)literature，one of the oldest known forms of writing.
In its literature, Mesopotamians don’t present cultural and technological advances as consistently beneficial.They often represent new technologies being controlled in the service of human conflict and mostly serving the interests of those with high social positions. In some ways，the representation of new technologies in its literature echoes(映现)contemporary concerns about AI: fears of increasing social inequalities and its potential use in information war.
In recent years，AI—the newest form of writing—has been used to decipher(破译)the oldest: cuneiform literature.In broader fields,the boundaries of how AI may be used haven’t been clearly explained.In January,for example, a top international AI conference banned the use of AI tools for writing scientific papers.
Humans have been struggling to invent, use and adapt to technology since our earliest civilizations. But the technology and resulting knowledge are not always evenly distributed. Knowing how we adapted to changing technology in the past helps us more fully understand the human condition and may even help us prepare for the future.
1. What does paragraph 2 mainly talk about concerning Mesopotamians?| A．Their adaptation to threats. |
| B．Their influences on writing. |
| C．Their contribution to literature. |
| D．Their achievements in civilization. |
| A．They prevent human conflict. |
| B．They bring about hidden dangers. |
| C．They take away people’s concerns. |
| D．They lower people’s social status. |
| A．Its use in literature is popular. |
| B．It is not allowed to finish papers. |
| C．Its range of application is undefined. |
| D．It is not accepted in broader fields. |
| A．How People Can Use the Latest Technology |
| B．How ChatGPT Will Threaten Writing and Work |
| C．What AI Will Do by Learning Cuneiform Literature |
| D．What History Can Teach Us About New Tech’s Impact |
10 . Last week, Tom and his mother went to a restaurant to celebrate his fifth birthday. When he and his mother were talking there, a waitress
When the waitress
Later, Tom’s mom said this was the first time he had
She added that the
| A．commented | B．sang | C．concluded | D．watched |
| A．walking | B．reading | C．hearing | D．speaking |
| A．admitted | B．learned | C．expected | D．imagined |
| A．adjusted to | B．looked up | C．reflected on | D．went with |
| A．signed | B．pretended | C．shouted | D．whispered |
| A．frightened | B．hurt | C．confused | D．impressed |
| A．studied | B．taught | C．talked | D．settled |
| A．and | B．so | C．or | D．but |
| A．gift | B．apology | C．benefit | D．explanation |
| A．silly | B．impatient | C．kind | D．clever |
| A．work | B．celebrate | C．enjoy | D．remember |
| A．noisy | B．funny | C．cool | D．excited |
| A．angrily | B．actually | C．shyly | D．casually |
| A．special | B．formal | C．secret | D．official |
| A．difficult | B．free | C．important | D．useless |
