1 . The standard public health threats are all-too familiar: smoking, high blood pressure, cancer. But a new government advisory made headlines in 2023 by adding an unexpected major to that list. Loneliness, stated the report from Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, is a widely under recognized U.S. health crisis. In recent years, about 50 percent of Americans have experienced loneliness, which results in adverse effects. Lonely people, as Murthy’s report warns, run the same mortality (死亡) risk as people who smoke 15 cigarettes a day.

On its face, Murthy’s warning sounds awfully alarmist. It’s hard to understand how a lack of companionship could be as threatening as an addiction or global pandemic. But humans are so biologically wired to be social that isolation damages our systems. People who lack social support have a 29 percent higher risk of heart disease, a 32 percent higher risk of stroke, and a 26 to 29 percent higher risk of premature death, according to the report. What’s more, such health effects in isolated older adults have led to about $6.7 billion in Medicare spending each year.

Scientists now know that loneliness can cause lots of health problems. That may be because our ancestors thrived (繁荣) in supportive communities. “Our brains function more efficiently when we are with others.” Says Julianne Holt Lunstad, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University.

Since loneliness can feel so much like personal failure, it’s easy to assume people should just try to handle it on their own. But in reality, many of the factors that promote social isolation are structural ones. “It could be workplace policies that don’t allow flexibility to support personal relationships.” Holt Lunstad says. “It might be busy or unsafe streets that are barriers to getting to know your neighbors.”

1. What does the underlined word “adverse” in paragraph 1 probably mean?

A．Slight.

B．Negative.

C．Indirect.

D．Immediate.

2. Which is true about loneliness according to passage?

A．Loneliness is a great health threat to people.	B．Loneliness does more harm than a pandemic.
C．Lonely people run the same risk as the smokers.	D．Loneliness is a well-recognized health problem.

3. What can be inferred from Holt Lunstad’s words?

A．Social isolation can be solved on one’s own.

B．Social anxiety holds back personal interactions.

C．The absence of social support worsens loneliness.

D．Tight working schedules lead to tense relationships.

4. What might be written in the following paragraph?

A．The causes of loneliness.	B．The effects of loneliness.
C．The definition of loneliness.	D．The solutions to the loneliness.

2 . Glass marble playing, dating psychology, Harry Potter and genetics, life and death ... Chinese universities have started setting up innovative new courses. In these classes, students are able to learn knowledge through vivid examples and group work, making learning fun.

For example, at Tianjin University, the most popular elective course is dating psychology, which is in high demand all the time. Jin Yangbo, 18, enrolled in the course this school year. “This course is very scientific,” said Jin. “It doesn’t straight away start with techniques on how to date, but instead guide s us to learn more about ourselves, our family and our attachment styles.”

What made Jin impressive was the group discussion on the differences between how men and women think. “I hadn’t realized that there were that many differences between men and women in emotional expression,” Jin said.

Wang Xiaoling, the professor of the course, applied to make dating psychology an elective course in 2019. “I do psychological counseling on campus and have noticed a rising need among students to have professional relationship guidance,” said Wang. “I think theoretical knowledge and practice are both essential in relationships,” Wang said. “Many university students haven’t developed a healthy view toward relationships. When they encounter problems, many of them don’t have a good system for handling consequences.”

In the course, Wang has covered topics like “why some people tend to please others in relationships”, “how to handle conflicts” and “how to get over a person after breaking up”. “I also asked them to do group presentations and papers on these topics, so that they can explore themselves in an active way.”

In the future, Wang and the university want to start a video channel on social media so they can help more young people all over China. “We will design the course based on current situations so that the knowledge is more up-to-date,” Wang said.

1. Which of the following best describes the elective courses?

A．Easy and fun.	B．Creative and hands-on.
C．Serious and complicated.	D．Scientific and interesting.

2. What impressed Jin most about the course?

A．Techniques on how to date.	B．Its emphasis on self-awareness.
C．The lesson on attachment.	D．A discussion on gender differences.

3. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．Wang’s views on relationships.

B．The origin of the dating psychology course.

C．The purpose of the dating psychology course.

D．Problems with how students deal with relationships.

4. What does Wang plan to do?

A．Make the course more accessible.	B．Do counseling on social media.
C．Include difficult topics in the course.	D．Adapt content for different age groups.

3 . I had always looked forward to the day when I would finally apply as a delegate at a Model United Nations (MUN) conference. Therefore, you can imagine my excitement when I finally traveled to Belgium to participate in the 2023 MUN conference this March.

The conference was held on March 7-11. Despite the horrible weather throughout our stay, I still found the city extremely attractive due to its cobblestone streets, Gothic monuments and amazing lighting in the evenings. Meanwhile, the delegate’s fee covered lunches for four days, welcoming and closing receptions, a traditional Belgian dinner, a theme party and a gala night.

I was designated to represent Poland in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which turned out to be an unexpectedly unified and efficient committee. We managed to pass the communique to combat hybrid warfare and improve cooperation between NATO allies (盟友).

In the beginning, I felt intimidated by how passionate my fellow delegates were. As a first-timer, I was really confused and felt hesitant to speak up. I only started to enjoy acting my part as a diplomat on the second day. From there, things just got better and better. I got a bit ill at the end of the conference, however, so I couldn’t enjoy the conference to its fullest potential.

Even so, it is without a doubt that those days in Belgium definitely opened a new chapter in my MUN journey! It made me realize how fruitful MUN simulations are. Through the MUN conference, you will surely improve your public speaking skills massively and gain so many good friends, many of whom you will likely stay in touch with for the rest of your life. It is for these reasons that I have fallen in love with Leuven, that magical city.

1. What did the author like about Leuven?

A．The streetscape.	B．Delicious food.
C．Its rich history.	D．The friendly locals.

2. What was the author’s experience in the committee at the MUN conference?

A．She helped pass several resolutions.	B．She spent most of her time socializing.
C．She found the committee productive.	D．She struggled to get her ideas across.

3. What does the underlined word “intimidated” in the second-to-last paragraph most probably mean?

A．Inspired.

B．Frightened.

C．Touched.

D．Excited.

4. What is the author’s overall opinion of the MUN conference?

A．It is too challenging for first-timers.

B．It is a good way to improve negotiation skills.

C．It is a valuable experience for personal growth.

D．It offers a great chance to learn about other cultures.

4 . 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.

5 . Bryan was driving home one evening. It was starting to get dark and cold. Ever since the factory closed, he’d been unemployed. Suddenly, he saw an old lady ________ standing beside a car on the side of the road. So he ________ in front of her and said, “I’m here to help you ma’am. Why don’t you wait in the car where it’s ________? By the way, my name is Bryan.”

All she had was a ________ tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Bryan crawled under the car and soon he changed it. The lady asked him how much she ________ him. Bryan never thought twice about the ________ and told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give the ________, and Bryan added “... and think of me”. She started her car and drove off.

A few miles down the road, the lady saw a small cafe and went in. She ________ that the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but never let the strain and aches change her attitude. Then she remembered Bryan. As the waitress went to get the ________ for her hundred-dollar bill, the lady slipped right out the door. ________, the waitress noticed something written on the napkin under which were four more $100 bills. There were ________ in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote. It ________ : “Somebody once helped me out the way I’m helping you. If you really want to pay me back, do not let this chain of love ________ with you.”

That night when she got home from work, she was thinking about the lady. With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard. She knew how ________ her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and ________, “Everything’s gonna be all right; I love you, Bryan.”

1.

A．confusedly

B．anxiously

C．frightenedly

D．crazily

2.

A．pulled up

B．broke down

C．dressed up

D．calmed down

3.

A．crowded

B．spacious

C．warm

D．cold

4.

A．flat

B．spare

C．new

D．swollen

5.

A．charged

B．admired

C．appreciated

D．owed

6.

A．price

B．money

C．cost

D．salary

7.

A．assistance

B．guidance

C．opportunity

D．reward

8.

A．discovered

B．recalled

C．hoped

D．noticed

9.

A．menu

B．lunch

C．change

D．tip

10.

A．Unwillingly

B．Unexpectedly

C．Unfortunately

D．Unlikely

11.

A．sorrows

B．joys

C．regrets

D．tears

12.

A．wrote

B．said

C．printed

D．showed

13.

A．continue

B．begin

C．end

D．develop

14.

A．terrified

B．relieved

C．excited

D．worried

15.

A．whispered

B．screamed

C．laughed

D．shouted

6 . One destination is always on trend: the beach, People ready to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life are looking to discover tranquility (宁静) along a picturesque beach. Check out the list below to discover beaches you like.

Baby Beach in Maui. Hawaii   

It scores the top spot for the calmest beach in the world with its calm waters. “Baby Beach is an ideal beach for families with toddlers,” Betts said. “Since the waters are so calm and shallow, it provides the perfect opportunity for children to splash around in the ocean.”

Browne’s Beach in Bridgetown, Barbados

This famous half-mile expanse of white sand draws crowds with its calm, crystal-clear waters. It is celebrated for its natural beauty and historical significance, boasting landmarks like the Barbados Yacht Club and the Barbados Cruising Club.

Mauna Kea Beach on Hawaii Island, Hawaii

Fronting the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on Hawaii Island, Mauna Kea Beach is ideal for visitors to peacefully enjoy the Pacific Ocean. With its calm and clear conditions, it’s an ideal destination for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.

Playa La Entrega in Oaxaca, Mexico

Situated along the Oaxacan coastline in a protected bay, Playa La Entrega offers a peaceful mix of natural beauty and adventure. Translating to “the delivery” in English, the beach was once a delivery point for goods during colonial times. It’s a popular place to snorkel along coral reefs filled with marine life. Visitors can rent snorkel gear or buy fresh fruit from local vendors.

1. Which beach best suits families with children?

A．Baby Beach.	B．Browne’s Beach.
C．Mauna Kea Beach,	D．Playa La Entrega.

2. What do these beaches have in common?

A．They all have a long history.	B．They are all famous for their quietness.
C．They are fantastic destinations for surfers.	D．They are used for delivering goods.

3. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A research paper.	B．A travel brochure.
C．A geography textbook.	D．A personal journal.

7 . In the summer of 2021, the Pacific Northwest experienced a severe heatwave that caused widespread panic and destruction. Temperatures reached record levels, including 114℉ in Portland.

A heatwave, born over the Pacific, drifted inland and grew in intensity, creating a heat dome. Ice was the first victim, and as snowpacks melted, glaciers released fast flowing muddy water that flooded towns. Salmon, sensing the water temperature change, began migrating early. But then they struggled to breathe as the rivers warmed. Vegetation was next—unable to escape the heat, it struggled to hold water. Bighorn sheep moved to higher ground, doves panted like dogs, baby eagles jumped to their deaths in an attempt to fly to escape overheating with their siblings.

In 72 hours, the official number of human deaths was 1,000—but the actual number is likely higher, especially among the elderly, poor, and medically vulnerable. The town of Lytton, British Columbia was burned down when temperatures there hit 121℉. Over a billion sea creatures met their deaths over the three days.

Such a heatwave in the Pacific Northwest had been thought to be as likely as snow in the Sahara. But then it happened. Right now, scientists can’t predict where or when such heat will appear next, but they do know that occurrences such as this are a direct result of human activities. As fossil-fuel burning increases levels of heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide, the planet warms. Heat is the prime mover of climate chaos, melting ice, . drying soil, , and even reviving ancient bacteria from thawed permafrost (永冻土解冻).

Humans might be able to engineer their way out of anything—cities like Los Angeles and Paris are already working to deflect (使偏斜) sunlight and have more shade trees. But there are limits to adaptation for Earth’s population of nearly 8 billion. Parts of the Middle East and South Asia are already too hot for humans in summer.

1. How is the impact of the heatwave presented in Paragraph 2?

A．By telling a story.	B．By listing examples.
C．By giving a definition.	D．By making comparisons.

2. What does the underlined word “vulnerable” in Paragraph 3 mean?

A．Protected.

B．Disturbed.

C．Healthy.

D．Weak.

3. What can we learn from the last two paragraphs?

A．People considered the heatwave in the Pacific Northwest as common.

B．Such heat will certainly appear again as a result of human activities.

C．Los Angeles and Paris have already helped themselves out of heatwaves.

D．The earth’s adaptability to heatwaves has limits with such a large population.

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

A．Temperatures Reaching Record High	B．Human Activities Causing a Heatwave
C．A Heatwave Hitting the Pacific Northwest	D．Panic and Destruction Caused by a Heatwave

8 . Our ship sailed on the sea into the Earth’s night. Here, there was no visible light from the Sun or the Earth Engines. But as we looked up, we children saw the starry sky for the first time in our lives. How breathtakingly beautiful it was!

Ms Xing put an arm around us while pointing at the sky with her other hand. “Look, children! That is Proxima Centauri (比邻星), our new home!” With these words, tears ran slowly down her face. Before long, we were all in tears—even the captain and crew. We all looked in the direction that Ms Xing was pointing. There was only one point of light among the twinkling stars that shined constantly: Proxima Centauri—the only source of hope and comfort for a hundred future generations. “Whatever risks we might take, we will finally make it there!” said the captain, in an assured voice.

On our way back from the sea, we saw the first sign that Earth had begun its journey. In the night sky, a huge comet had appeared. It was the Moon, abandoned by humankind. Lunar Engines had been installed to the Moon to force it out of its orbit so that a disastrous crash could be avoided as the Earth sped up and moved away. As it progressed, the gravitational tide of the Moon caused the ocean to swell, creating gigantic waves. We quickly got off the ship to our destination in the Southern Hemisphere. The next few days were the countdown to our departure.

Finally came the big day! As Earth Engines was set at a full power, we got immediately blinded by the bright light from it. This acceleration created massive tsunamis hundreds of meters high that crashed onto the coasts of every continent. Burning hot hurricanes roared through the boiling waves, screaming with wild fury and pulling up almost every tree on Earth.

Our Earth, with its blue tail cutting through the darkness of space, had set out on its long journey, and with it went all of humankind.

1. Why did we all cry when looking up into the sky?

A．Because we had to abandon the Earth.

B．Because we were fascinated by the stars.

C．Because we saw our new settlement.

D．Because we felt lonely in the universe.

2. What was the function of the Lunar Engines?

A．To protect the Earth from a deadly impact.

B．To make sure the Moon runs in its orbit.

C．To keep the moon at the same speed as the Earth.

D．To shelter humans from the tide of the Moon.

3. Which of the following words can best describe the journey?

A．Smooth and steady.	B．Endless and hopeless.
C．Exciting and entertaining.	D．Ambitious and adventurous.

4. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A personal diary.	B．A science fiction.
C．A travel magazine.	D．An academic article.

9 . Shane Grammer’s artwork can be found in cities in Mexico, South Korea, Dubai and beyond.In the past years, it’s the murals (壁画) he painted on damaged walls throughout the town of Paradise, California that have gained attention and touched viewers.

In 2018, the Camp Fire, the deadliest wildfire in California’s history, swept through Paradise, flattening entire communities, killing scores of people, and displacing tens of thousands. Grammer,whose hometown was just 15 miles from Paradise, was living with his family and working in the Los Angeles area when he saw accounts of the destruction on his friends’ social media pages. A single mother he knew shared a photo of ash and rubble where her home once stood. A childhood friend’s post showed her burned-down house. After he saw a photo of a friend Shane Edwards’ home, which had been reduced to a brick wall with only a chimney standing, he was driven to paint it.

With Edward’s permission, Grammer then used spray paint to transform Edwards’ burnt chimney into a strikingly black-and-white portrait of a woman, a piece he called “Beauty Among the Ashes.” Once the image was posted on Instagram, the victims of the fire, especially, could not contain themselves. “You bring beauty and hope.” one posted. Over three months, the 47-year-old created a series of more than a dozen spray-painted murals on the remains of buildings and vehicles rendered useless by the flames. The images included a victim of the fire, a young girl who survived but lost her house, and a series of religious characters.

As a street artist, Grammer has committed his life to creating more art installations (装置艺术) all over the world that connect people through tragic life events. He has started a foundation called the Art Through Hope Foundation where he intends to bring peace through his art to those affected by tragedy. “I want to do something powerful and make art that emotionally influences people,” said Grammer in an interview with KRCR. “I think any artist would consider that as their ultimate goal. And to me, that is the biggest miracle I feel like.”

1. What has led to Grammer’s rise to fame?

A．The Art Through Hope Foundation.	B．The post of a burnt-down house.
C．His paintings on the ruins in Paradise.	D．His art installations all over the world.

2. Why did Grammor paint murals after the Camp Fire?

A．To record the wildfire.	B．To bring hope to the victims.
C．To add beauty to the ashes.	D．To remember his friend's home.

3. What docs the underlined word “that” in the last paragraph refer to?

A．Creating touching art.	B．Working miracles in art.
C．Bringing peace through art.	D．Doing something powerful.

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

A．From Ashes to Art: Street Artist’s Murals of Hope

B．From Paradise to Worldwide: Street Artist’s Journey

C．From Tragedy to Hope: the Story of Shane Grammer

D．From Mural to Miracle: Shane Grammer’s Art Mission

10 . Di Renjie, a judge and administrator of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), is called “China’s Sherlock Holmes” in the West. It all started in the 1950s, when Dutch sinologist (汉学家) and diplomat Robert Hans van Gulik created his own historical mystery tales featuring Judge Dee, collectively known as Judge Dee’s Mystery in the West. Since then, Van Gulik’s works have captured the imagination of audiences across Europe and the Americas.

The new TV series Judge Dee’s Mystery chronicles the life of Judge Dee. While solving various criminal cases in different places, Dee also uncovers the mystery surrounding his own birth.

Unlike traditional Chinese detective fiction which features a lot of supernatural elements, the new series values logic, reason and realism. For instance, in the case of “The Chinese Gold Murders”, a ghost ship adrift at sea with no survivors hides a “Golden Mystery”. As Judge Dee investigates, more intertwined mysteries surface.

“I was most impressed by the plot design of this case, taking pleasure in peeling back the layers to find the truth,” said actor Zhou Yiwei, who portrays Judge Dee in the series.

However, Judge Dee’s Mystery is more than a mere detective drama. Li Yunliang, the director of the series said he believes that embracing AI technology is an inevitable trend in the film and television industries. The busy streets of ancient Chang’an, for example, are brought to life using AI-generated imagery.

1. Where did the nickname “China’s Sherlock Holmes” originate from?

A．A Tang Dynasty judge.	B．A TV series in the 1950s.
C．Audiences across Europe and the Americas.	D．Historical mystery tales created by a scholar.

2. What does the word “chronicles” underlined in the second paragraph mean?

A．Describes in detail.	B．Summarizes briefly.
C．Predicts the future.	D．Compares with other events.

3. Which of the following statements is TRUE about the new TV series Judge Dee’s Mystery?

A．It focuses entirely on Judge Dee’s criminal cases.	B．It is set in the Tang Dynasty.
C．It highlights historical accuracy rather than plot.	D．It contains a lot of supernatural elements.

4. What does Zhou Yiwei think about the plot design of the case in the series Judge Dee’s Mystery?

A．Impressive and influential.	B．Fascinating but contradictory.
C．Complex and appealing.	D．Inspiring but illogical.