1 . Nilas Corneliussen is the Swedish-born head chef of a Nordic-Asian combination restaurant in Thailand’s capital.

While Thailand had long appealed to him, even in his youth, Corneliussen said he never imagined a career in cooking. Instead, he was drawn to Muay Thai, or Thai boxing. During high school breaks, he even traveled alone to Thailand to join Muay Thai training camps. During those trips, he fell in love with the country. After suffering a hand injury while boxing, he was forced to move on from Muay Thai. However, he didn’t stop thinking about Thailand.

The very day after graduating from high school in Sweden, Corneliussen booked a one-way ticket to Bangkok and applied for a study visa. It wasn’t until halfway through his studies, from 2010 to 2014, that he was invited to the birthday party of a fellow student and friend, whose parents ran local Thai restaurants. The atmosphere inside the kitchen attracted him—everyone had to come together to make it happen.

At the time, Corneliussen didn’t think he could run after his new enthusiasm for cooking in Thailand. Instead, he thought it would be best to go back to his roots and understand the flavors he’d grown up with before cooking anything, so he finished his studies and moved back to Europe. It’s a view he doesn’t agree with today. He thinks now that no cooking style is more important than another.

Starting out in a Stockholm restaurant, he honed his skills and finally won the silver in the world’s most famous international cooking competition as part of the Swedish team. Despite the success, he returned to Thailand with his love for cooking arts in 2022.

“In Thailand, I get this feeling of belonging and connection to the people, food and culture,” he says, recalling his first days as a foreigner in the Thailand.

1. What inspired Corneliussen to become a cook?

A．The team work in the kitchen.	B．Delicious and unique Thai meals.
C．Recommendation of a Thai friend.	D．The inconvenient life in Bangkok.

2. What does the underlined word “honed” in paragraph 5 mean?

A．Shared.

B．Improved.

C．Recovered.

D．Assessed.

3. What can be learned about Corneliussen according to the text?

A．He showed great interest in cooking when young.

B．He was injured when cooking for the first time.

C．He considers all cooking styles are of equal importance.

D．He thinks his returning to Europe quite a wise decision.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．A Swedish-born head chef in Thailand.	B．A Swedish child’s love for Thailand.
C．Different cooking styles in the world.	D．A Nordic-Asian combination restaurant.

3 . Food accounts for one-third of greenhouse gas emissions(排放量), but it does not yet get the attention it deserves. With global meat consumption on the rise, the truth is, we need to break bad habits before they break us. Plant-based nutrition can deal with climate change in many ways.

Did you know that one of the most effective ways to lower your carbon footprint is to eat a plant-based diet? NASA climate scientist Peter Kalmus documented his own personal experiment in low-energy living in Being the Change: Live Well and Spark a Climate Revolution.

He was able to reduce his personal carbon footprint tenfold, from 20 to 2 tons per year, by some lifestyle changes. Kalmus is a vegan(纯素食者), bikes to work, doesn’t fly, is a keen gardener and hangs his clothes out to dry. He also found living mindfully made him feel happier and even halved his food bill. Kalmus says it’s possible for the average person to cut their emissions easily. The average meat-eater in the US emits 3, 000 kg CO₂ per year compared to 1, 000kg for vegans.

Another way to deal with climate change is to grow your own food. “Some of the juiciest strawberries that satisfy my taste buds were grown at home last summer in hanging baskets using organic seeds.” Kalmus said. “As well as plenty of nutritious, cheap and delicious foods, growing my own food has allowed me to get to know my neighbors. We share seeds, wisdom, and tasty soup.” Besides, composting(制作堆肥) leftovers and yard waste diverts green matter from landfills that produce the greenhouse gas and instead can help build healthy soil.

Globally, our meat-and dairy-heavy diet uses around half of habitable land on Earth to produce food. Nevertheless, with plant-based diets, we could feed the world with one quarter of the land, allowing us to return vast areas of land to nature.

1. What is the purpose of eating a plant-based diet according to the author?

A．To handle climate change.	B．To reduce living costs.
C．To draw public attention.	D．To record carbon footprints.

2. What can we learn about Peter Kalmus’s new lifestyle?

A．It relieves him of mental stress.

B．It slightly cuts the carbon footprint.

C．It proves impossible for meat-eaters to follow.

D．It benefits individuals and the environment.

3. Which of the following can replace the underlined word “diverts” in paragraph 4?

A．develops

B．redirects

C．sends

D．delivers

4. Which of the following may the author agree with?

A．Self-grown food turns out to be of higher quality.

B．Producing food has taken up half of the land on Earth.

C．Growing food helps strengthen neighborhood relations.

D．Greenhouse gas emissions have little to do with food consumption.

4 . Recently, after I gave a virtual presentation on my book Indistractable, a listener wrote something in the Zoom chat that drove me crazy, “This is great but wouldn’t work for me. I’m a Gemini (双子星座的人).”

Ironically, the Zoom listener is right. If she thinks she’s incapable, she’ll prove it correct — whether it has anything to do with the stars and moon or not. Her inflexible self-identification denies her the chance to improve her life. It’s incredibly self-limiting.

That’s why we should stop defining ourselves as fixed identities and nouns, and instead start describing ourselves using verbs.

Words are powerful. Linguistic research shows that language shapes people and culture; it can also give us insight into ourselves and our behavior. In a well-known study, researchers Robert Rosenthal and Lenore Jacobsen had all students in the same elementary school take a standard IQ test. Then they randomly selected a group of students, regardless of their test results, and told teachers the group would show “dramatic intellectual growth”. Eight months later, those students scored significantly higher on an IQ test. The study concluded that teachers’ positive perception of students correlated to those students’ high performance on intellectual and academic tests. The labels the children received became a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy (预言).

That’s because language shapes expectations, which shape our reality. If we have experiences that lead us to label ourselves with specific nouns during our life, then we are likely to stick with those labels and the behaviors that go with them.

Using verbs to identify ourselves is an effective method for releasing “trapped priors”—a term in psychology for a perception of reality that’s affected or trapped by past experiences. Verbs are action words well suited to describing short-lived behaviors that can and do change. They don’t lay claim to our entire identity, but they acknowledge that we are people first and foremost, not whatever a singular noun may say we are. So, instead of saying, “I am a procrastinator (拖拉者)”, you should say, “I am a person who often procrastinates.”

By focusing on our behaviors, not fixed characteristics, we can release harmful perceptions of ourselves that hold us back from trying methods that might improve our lives — like those that can help us achieve the critical skill of being indistractable.

1. What does the author want to show through the example of the Zoom listener?

A．The concept of flexible self-identification.

B．His confusion about the way to self-identify.

C．His understanding of proper self-identification.

D．The negative effects of using nouns to define oneself.

2. What does the well-known study imply?

A．Self-fulfilling prophecies change over time.

B．Encouragement promotes students’ improvement.

C．Language usage will have an impact on teaching.

D．IQ has little to do with students’ academic performance.

3. How are teachers expected to evaluate students?

A．By highlighting their behaviors.

B．By focusing on their advantages.

C．By analyzing their typical characteristics.

D．By assessing their academic performance.

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

A．Nouns are more powerful than verbs

B．Your words can determine your future

C．How we define ourselves really counts

D．Our option of words reflects our identity

5 . With a massive wildfire approaching, the evacuation (撤离) order came and Yellowknife’s residents were instructed to leave. As a result, Louise and her big family got into the vehicles with their pets: a _________ dog, Sedze, and a cat named Copernicus, heading to an evacuation center in High Level.

After driving all night, the _________ group setup camp near the Deh Cho bridge to sleep for two hours before _________ again at 8 am. But 20 minutes into the second _________ of their journey, an unexpected _________ happened: Sedze was missing. They rushed back to their campsite, _________ asking if anyone had seen an old Shih Tzu (西施犬), but had no ___________.

Though Louise tried to stay positive, she _________ the worst: Sedze had drowned in the nearby river. After a _______ search, Louise had no choice but to continue the journey, still holding out hope for a __________.

The moment they arrived in High Level, Louise called her daughter Jilaine and __________ the news in tears. Ten minutes later, Jilaine called back with a shocking__________: a man named Ryan had posted about a dog he found on Facebook, and the dog looked exactly like Sedze! Louise immediately got in touch with Ryan and confirmed Sedze’s identity. __________, Sedze was reunited with Louise, safe and sound.

Three weeks later, the order was __________ and the group returned to their home. “If my house had burned to the ground, I could have replaced it,” Louise says. “But you can’t replace your __________.”

1.

A．cute

B．senior

C．loyal

D．gentle

2.

A．anxious

B．urgent

C．courageous

D．tired

3.

A．dropping out

B．checking out

C．setting off

D．pulling off

4.

A．body

B．round

C．routine

D．leg

5.

A．emergency

B．plan

C．conflict

D．crash

6.

A．angrily

B．politely

C．desperately

D．curiously

7.

A．luck

B．sign

C．solution

D．hope

8.

A．insisted

B．learned

C．found

D．feared

9.

A．cautious

B．thorough

C．fruitless

D．helpless

10.

A．change

B．miracle

C．dream

D．reward

11.

A．broke

B．spread

C．applied

D．provided

12.

A．theory

B．update

C．evidence

D．note

13.

A．Undoubtedly

B．Secretly

C．Fortunately

D．Frequently

14.

A．ignored

B．removed

C．delayed

D．rejected

15.

A．identity

B．faith

C．vehicle

D．family

6 . AI chatbots use machine learning and NLP (Natural Language Processing) to simulate (模拟) human conversations. They can create content, guide customers on purchases, recommend articles, etc.

The growing use of AI in the workplace is causing anxiety about job security. Many people are afraid that AI and automation (自动化) tools will take their jobs sooner or later. According to a study from the UK’s Department of Education, 10%-30% of occupations can be automated by AI and most of them are white-collar jobs. By contrast, physical or manual (手工的) labor jobs like sports and trade occupations are one of the least affected by AI.

Currently, AI-powered systems can help to increase efficiency, lower operational costs, personalize interactions, and automate activities.AI chatbots can work around the clock, perform routine and repetitive tasks, and interact with many customers at the same time. Since they are more efficient than humans, several jobs are at risk of becoming out of date, including some professional jobs like psychologists, financial managers, accountants, purchasing managers, educational advisers and soon. Some examples of AI chatbots in the above categories are Zen desk, ChatGPT, Replika, Socratic by Google, Claude, Amazon Code Whisperer, My AI, etc. Companies can add AI chatbots to their internal workflow and use them to make certain processes more efficient.

However, AI-based applications have certain risks that companies need to know. First, there are concerns about data safety when using chat bots to collect data and interact with customers. Many companies may also expose internal data if they use external AI tools. Secondly, the dependence on AI may lead to reduced critical thinking and problem-solving skills in human workers. AI may provide inaccurate or misleading information at some point. Lastly, AI-generated content may attract legal risks around intellectual property due to copyright.

Although AI and automation tools can perform some tasks in the workplace, they shouldn’t replace human workers. Rather, they should help humans to become more efficient and productive.

1. Who are most likely to be replaced by AI?

A．Skilled woodworkers.	B．Practiced lawyers.
C．Professional athletes.	D．Specialized mechanics.

2. What is the author’s attitude towards AI?

A．Objective.

B．Doubtful.

C．Favorable.

D．Tolerant.

3. What might the author continue talking about?

A．How to compete with AI.	B．How to improve AI.
C．How to use AI as assistants.	D．How to regulate AI.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．AI Is a Potential Fix	B．AI Is a Rising Concern
C．AI Is an Efficient Alternative	D．AI Is a Double-Edged Weapon

7 . After the first two people reached Mount Everest in 1953, an average of 12 people a year followed in their footsteps .In 2023 more than 1, 200 people attempted the climb, with 655making it to the top. What was once an “almost deadly” effort is “the new Ironman sport”, argues Will Cockrell, in his new book Everest, Inc.

High-tech equipment and better understanding of the impact of high altitudes(海拔) have brought new appeals to Everest. Everest offers a physically and mentally demanding test for those climbers eager to challenge themselves.

Actually what accounts most for the rising number of climbers is that the Everest mountaineering industry has been right in place. For a fee—between $35,000 and $110, 000—even green hands could be on top of the world. In 1985, climber Dick Bass reached the top at 55, creating a media trend and encouraging tour companies to meet the demand. Then guided expeditions(探险) were growing rapidly.

But in 1996, Jon Krakauer, an American writer, joined one failed expedition. A destructive storm struck, but the guides delayed turning climbers around. Three guides and two climbers died. Later, in a bestseller, Into Thin Air, Mr Krakauer argued that Everest had become a high-end tourist trap. He blamed the guides for their wrong judgment. Many businesses assumed that the book would block them, Instead, fascination with Everest rocketed. In the industry depending on local labor, westerners hired more Nepalese to help.

More people are reaching the top, but more are unfortunate: 18 people were killed in 2023, the highest-ever number. Nepalese authorities say climate change has caused more extreme weather. Mr Cockrell argues that there was no fault on the part of the firms. He advises that Nepali guides consider themselves just in the logistics (后勤)business and generally leave decisions of safety to clients. But inexperienced climbers are bad at this. The disaster in 1996 just showed that even guides get these decisions wrong. Both of them should know well about how to climb Everest safely.

1. Why are the numbers listed in paragraph 1?

A．To encourage people to climb Everest.

B．To prove no mountain can’t be climbed.

C．To remind Everest climbers of the danger.

D．To show climbing Everest is well-received.

2. Which factor plays the biggest part in the Everest climbing trend?

A．The more mature climbing routes.

B．The advanced climbing equipment.

C．The enhanced knowledge of climbing.

D．The rise of Everest mountaineering industry.

3. What happened after Into Thin Air was published?

A．More job opportunities were offered.

B．Guides were punished for their faults.

C．Enthusiasm for Everest became stronger.

D．Climbing Everest became an expensive trap.

4. What does the author think is responsible for the deaths in climbing Everest?

A．Lack of knowledge of safety.	B．The guides’ irresponsibility.
C．Increasing extreme weather.	D．Absence of logistics support.

8 . Mom is always busying herself with attending to the family while overlooking her own needs. So just convey your love and gratitude with these fine items we pick. If you take an interest in them, just open the link for details,

Sun-go

This four-piece set has a durable weather-resistant steel frame, foldable black chairs, and hard glass and ripple (波纹) design for the table. It’s the perfect setup for Mom and Dad or Mom and her friends to hang out and enjoy the weather outside, or take a meal in together right at home in their backyard.

Luv-face

If Mom is rocking towels from Walmart, she might be due for an upgrade. Give her something she can enjoy and showoff. This set of four Turkish cotton bath towels is super comfortable and comes in several different colors. They’re soft, lightweight and they can dry people or things quickly while adding a different taste to any bathroom or other areas of Mom’s house.

K-Cup

Everyone is more agreeable in the mornings if they are greeted with a cup of coffee. If Mom is the same way, help her function better when she wakes up and save some money on daily Starbucks visits with this. This super simple coffeemaker uses K-Cup flavors, which come in all types of flavors. It has a big water container that lets it prepare at least 10 cups before needing a refill, as well as the option to make coffee at a whisper-quiet noise level.

Green-7

Any mom with green fingers will love this super simple raised garden bed. Made from steel, it can help give plants additional moisture (水分) that settles in the soil, which means a better harvest. It’s weather-resistant, super strong and has a rubber safety belt around its sharp edges to keep anyone from hurting themselves.

1. What is the best gift for your mom if she is an outdoor enthusiast?

A．Sun-go.

B．Luv-face.

C．K-Cup.

D．Green-7.

2. What is an advantage of the K-Cup?

A．No noise、

B．Low price.

C．Large capacity.

D．Water saving.

3. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A gift card.

B．A shopping website.

C．A TV commercial.

D．A promotion flyer.

10 . In a Parisian old shoe factory on the city’s outskirts, a new kind of life is taking root. Neoplants, a startup from Paris, has developed a special houseplant that could potentially help improve indoor air quality by removing harmful pollutants.

The plant is a modified variety of one of the most popular and low-maintenance houseplants. Its DNA has been altered to enhance its capacity to absorb volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air we breathe inside our homes. These VOCs include substances like formaldehyde, benzene. toluene. ethylbenzene, and xylene, which are commonly found indoors and can be harmful in large quantities.

The genetic tweaking also allows the plant to convert the absorbed VOCs into substances it can use. such as sugars and carbon dioxide, which then fuel its growth. While Neoplants’concept is quite promising, proving its effectiveness is a challenge.

Plant shops often claim their greenery can purify the air, but much of this belief stems from research conducted by NASA back in 1989. They found that houseplants could indeed absorb certain toxins. However, achieving the same level of toxin removal as simply opening a window would require an impractical number of plants   — anywhere from 10 to 1,000 per square meter.

So, does Neoplants’genetically modified houseplant offer a better solution? Field tests haven’t yielded definitive results yet, but there is hope for more conclusive testing in the future with the help of a new lab equipped with unique non-absorbent rooms that mimic real-life conditions . Additionally, the company is exploring potential applications for its gene-editing technology in areas such as carbon capture and phytoremediation, where plants are used to clean up contaminated environments

Neoplants is relying on patience and a bit of faith. It takes time for innovations to mature. “This will be the first time such a product exists.” says the company’s CEO. drawing a parallel to the early days of computers, which were not very powerful initially but still represented a significant breakthrough.

With Neoplants’ vision, the old shoe factory on the edge of Paris isn’t just a place where shoes were made; it’s where a novel approach to cleaning our indoor air is being cultivated — one that could someday make our homes healthier and more environmentally friendly.

1. What does Neoplants’genetically modified houseplant aim to do?

A．maintain its capacity easily	B．absorb VOC’s massively
C．alter its DNA completely	D．fuel its growth quickly

2. What can be inferred from this passage?

A．The absorbed VOCs can enhance the growth of the plant.

B．Opening a window can remove the same level of toxins as the Neoplants.

C．Neoplants will need powerful computers to make a significant breakthrough.

D．Conclusive testing needs conducting to achieve definite results.

3. What does the underlined term “phytoremediation” in paragraph 5 most likely mean?

A．The process of using plants to absorb nutrients.	B．The process of using plants to purify the air.
C．The process of using plants to explore applications.	D．The process of using plants to edit certain genes.

4. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．Science fiction.

B．A scientific textbook.

C．A news article.

D．An art magazine.