1 . Harbin Tourism Booms in Early 2024
As the curtains of 2024 drew open, Harbin, the northern city known for its icy charm, witnessed a tourism boom unlike any other. The city’s tourism sector received a
The local government and tourism authorities spared no
Harbin’s
Netizens
The revenue (财政收入) generated by this tourism boom set a new record,
As the world continues to assess the
| A．massive | B．awesome | C．highlighted | D．spectacular |
| A．time | B．money | C．effort | D．resources |
| A．comfortable | B．urgent | C．authentic | D．generous |
| A．please | B．assist | C．guide | D．enhance |
| A．creativity | B．technique | C．organization | D．enthusiasm |
| A．population | B．popularity | C．economy | D．environment |
| A．owing | B．connected | C．related | D．linked |
| A．respect | B．advertisement | C．appreciation | D．interest |
| A．reacted | B．commented | C．responded | D．interacted |
| A．missed | B．astonished | C．enriched | D．spoiled |
| A．at | B．below | C．beyond | D．about |
| A．darker | B．dimmer | C．brighter | D．clearer |
| A．together | B．apart | C．out | D．around |
| A．care | B．impact | C．effect | D．breakthrough |
| A．believes | B．holds | C．maintains | D．criticise |
2 . Emma and Zoe are both good swimmers. With great
The incident happened when the girls heard a
“I heard someone shouting for help in the distance. I then looked around and
The anxious woman,
After
Emma shared her experience, saying, “It was a long and
The grateful Stones expressed their
| A．patience | B．luck | C．courage | D．curiosity |
| A．winners | B．heroes | C．leaders | D．competitors |
| A．strange | B．surprising | C．familiar | D．desperate |
| A．spotted | B．supported | C．informed | D．missed |
| A．accepted | B．identified | C．registered | D．described |
| A．further | B．higher | C．sadder | D．angrier |
| A．lost heart | B．calmed down | C．took action | D．kept balance |
| A．forcing | B．pulling | C．reminding | D．persuading |
| A．rains | B．winds | C．noises | D．waves |
| A．heavily | B．easily | C．silently | D．regularly |
| A．positions | B．destinations | C．conditions | D．solutions |
| A．interesting | B．disappointing | C．moving | D．tiring |
| A．reduces | B．strengthens | C．turns | D．speeds |
| A．cave | B．spring | C．sea | D．well |
| A．pride | B．appreciation | C．shock | D．satisfaction |
3 . Joyce Loaiza lives alone in a community for older people in the American state of Florida. When she is home, the retired office worker often talks with a friendly female voice that asks about her day.
A few kilometers away, the same voice helps 83-year-old Deanna Dezern. In New York state, it plays games and music for 92-year-old Marie Broadbent. And in Washington state, it helps 83-year-old Jan Worrell make new friends.
These women are some of the first in the United States to receive the robot ElliQ made by Intuition Robotics. The company says it is the only device using artificial intelligence (AI) to help older Americans from loneliness.
The device looks like a small table light and it has an eyeless, mouthless head that lights up and turns. It remembers each user’s interests and their talks, helping create a special experience with new discussions. They can be as deep as the meaning of life or as light as a small joke.
ElliQ also plays music and provides creative or spiritual sayings. On a video screen that comes with it, it will show different cities and places of interest. The device leads exercises, asks about the owner’s health, and gives reminders to take medicines and drink water. It can also support video calls and contact family, friends, or doctors in an emergency.
Intuition Robotics says none of the private conversations are heard by the company, with the information only staying on each owner's device.
A robot could fill the space of a friend by adapting to each person and their interests. The average user communicates with ElliQ more than 30 times a day and more than 90 percent report lower levels of loneliness.
The robots are mostly sent out by government departments. But they can also be bought individually for $600 a year plus $250 to set it up.
1. What do Joyce Loaiza and Jan Worrell have in common?| A．They interact with robots. | B．They have many good friends. |
| C．They love advanced devices. | D．They are in bad health. |
| A．They are very inspiring. | B．They have background music. |
| C．They aim to solve users’ problems. | D．They are both serious and humorous. |
| A．To avoid computer viruses. | B．To reduce the costs of production. |
| C．To protect personal privacy. | D．To make communication simple. |
| A．Artificial Intelligence Robots Enter Home |
| B．Talking Robots Help Seniors Fight Loneliness |
| C．Loneliness Is a Hug e Challenge for Old People |
| D．Retired People Receive Attention of Government |
4 . Experts have found a group of lost cities in the Amazon rainforest. The cities were home to at least 10,000 farmers around 2,000 years ago.
Recent mapping using laser (激光) technology revealed those places to be part of a group of settlements and connecting roads. The settlements are in the forested areas near the Andes mountains.
“It was a lost valley of cities,” said Rostain, who directs research at France’s National Center for Scientific Research. “It’s unbelievable,” he added. The Upano people lived in the settlements between around 500 BC and 300 to 600 AD. That was around the same time period as the Roman Empire in Europe, the researchers found.
Ancient people built on over 6,000 earthen mounds (堆) in an area surrounded by agricultural fields with drainage (排水) canals. The largest roads were 10 meters wide and went for 10 to 20 kilometers.
While it is difficult to determine populations, the area was home to at least 10,000 people, and possibly about 15,000 or 30,000 at its highest point. That is comparable to the possible population of London, then Britain’s largest city.
It would have required a complex system of organized labor to build the roads and thousands of earthen mounds. The Incas and Mayans built with stone, but people in Amazonia didn’t usually have stone available to build — they built with mud.
The Amazon is often thought of as a wild area with only small groups of people. But recent discoveries have verified that the past was really more complex.
Scientists have recently also found evidence of complex rainforest societies that came before European contact elsewhere in the Amazon, including in Bolivia and Brazil.
“There’s always been an unbelievable diversity of people and settlements in the Amazon, not only one way to live,” said experts. “We’re just learning more about them.”
1. Which statement best describes the lost cities?| A．They are the oldest ever found in the area. | B．They were discovered by laser technology. |
| C．They were recognized in the map. | D．They are covered by a thick layer of dust. |
| A．They were engaged in agriculture. | B．They mainly made a living by hunting. |
| C．They devoted themselves to business. | D．They made use of rivers to develop fishing. |
| A．The cities’ large size. | B．The cities’ ancient history. |
| C．The cities’ large population. | D．The cities’ advanced agriculture. |
| A．Confirmed. | B．Ignored. | C．Replied. | D．Hoped. |
5 . London native, Bodhana first became interested in chess to beat back boredom. Just five years old at the time, she quickly surpassed (超越) her father’s chess playing ability and began playing, and winning, in online chess games. Three years later, Bodhana made history as the top female chess player in Europe after she defeated grandmasters many times her age at the European Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship in December 2023.
Sivanandan Velayutham, Bodhana’s father, said that his daughter first became fascinated with chess at the age of five, when he brought home a second-hand chess set. Bodhana happened to see the knight (武士) lying around and it caught her interest. “I want the horse,” she told her father.
Bodhana’s father was happy to help and he taught her the chess basics that he’d learned in India. But it didn’t take long for his preschool daughter to beat him. “At the start, I might have won one or two games, but she soon knew the rules better than me and the tables quickly turned,” Velayutham said.
From the beginning, Bodhana strengthened what her father was teaching her with games and methods that she learned from YouTube videos. But when it became clear that she had a lasting interest and an unusual talent, her father enrolled in a local chess club for her, where she soon fell into the habit of practicing daily for an hour or more.
Last year, at one of Bodhana’s first ever tournament experiences, which was hosted by the English Chess Federation, she defeated a number of grandmasters.
A year later, Bodhana won the World Youth Chess Championship in the Under-8 Girls category. After defeating kids at her age, a few months later she went back to beating adults.
BBC shared Bodhana’s win at the European Blitz Chess Championship in December of 2023. There, she earned the title of best female player, scoring8.5/13, and earning widespread praise from other game masters.
1. What can be learned about Bodhana in paragraph 1?| A．Her considerate family. | B．Her amazing chess talent. |
| C．Her great luck in her career. | D．Her powerful self-study ability. |
| A．Her father’s encouragement. | B．The interesting rules of chess. |
| C．An animal-shaped chess piece. | D．Education received in preschool. |
| A．Bodhana made her father lose face. | B．Bodhana’s father collected used chess. |
| C．Bodhana was sent to India to learn chess. | D．Bodhana’s father used to live abroad. |
| A．Joining a local chess club. | B．Learning chess rules online. |
| C．Defeating a number of grandmasters. | D．Meeting with a second-hand chess set. |
6 . Top Technology Products at CES 2024
One of the world’s largest technology events, CES, is taking place this week in Las Vegas, Nevada. Here is a look at some top products presented at CES 2024.
Robot that adds walking power
WIRobotics introduced a wearable robot that provides walking assistance to users. The company’s WIM model is designed for anyone who needs an extra “push” when walking. An online description explains the robot can help individuals “walk farther, faster and healthier”. The price for such assistance is high, though, with the WIM selling for about $2,500.
Body power to charge a phone
Sports equipment developer LifeSpan introduced an exercise bicycle/desk combination that uses human power to charge phones or other devices. The Ampera bike is designed to be used with a “standing” desk table. LifeSpan says the bike can produce up to 65 watts of electricity per hour.
Home-made ice cream in 2 minutes
The ColdSnap company introduced a machine that can make single servings of ice cream in about two minutes. The machine uses small containers, called pods, just like Keurig coffeemakers. The company points out the pods for its ColdSnap machine can be kept at room temperature, saving energy costs. The machines can be taken anywhere and are simple to operate.
Smart mirror for better mental health
French health product developer Baracoda presented what it described as “the world’s first AI-powered smart mirror for mental wellness.” The company’s BMind model is built to work in any bathroom. The product was designed to use cameras and sensors to collect data on a person's movements , expressions and language. It can identify a user’s moods (心情) and sense other possible mental health issues.
1. What do the first product and the second one have in common?| A．They are expensive. | B．They are related to sports. |
| C．They can produce power. | D．They can make walking easier. |
| A．Maintain a good mood. | B．Make bathing more comfortable. |
| C．Improve your image gradually. | D．Find your mental health problems. |
| A．The robot that adds walking power. | B．The Ampera bike. |
| C．The home-made ice cream machine. | D．The AI-powered smart mirror. |
7 . If there was an app claiming to improve your memory, would you be willing to try it? It’s hard to resist the idea of having a better memory.
In response to this perceived need, the brain training industry has grown rapidly, offering a wide range of accessible and affordable mental exercises through smartphone and tablet apps. Many researchers have found evidence suggesting that well-designed exercises can improve mental abilities and lead to better scores on IQ tests. They compare the brain to muscles, suggesting that targeted repetition of memory exercises can strengthen and condition our memory processes, similar to how athletes engage in strength and conditioning by repeatedly exercising specific muscle groups.
In contrast to everyday activities like solving a complex puzzle, memory training apps are specifically designed to provide a more challenging workout for the brain. These apps typically involve tasks that require tracking a large number of objects while being distracted (使分心) by a secondary task, such as mental calculations or exploring a game’s landscape. If this brain training proves effective, it could be beneficial for individuals with brain-related disabilities or those recovering from conditions like cancer.
Critics, though, argue that while the concept is appealing, the overall evidence fails to demonstrate significant improvement in core brain processes. Additionally, despite the claims made by many apps and brain training companies, scientists have yet to identify the key factors that make an intervention truly effective or determine the best approaches to address the diverse needs of individuals seeking help.
While the question is still open to debate, there is evidence suggesting that short-term working memory training can benefit high-functioning individuals. However, it’s important to note that brain training, like diet and exercise, is unlikely to have identical effects on every individual.
1. In what way is the brain similar to muscles according to many researchers?| A．In testing results. | B．In work processes. |
| C．In bodily functions. | D．In training methods. |
| A．Simple. | B．Effective. |
| C．Demanding. | D．Interesting. |
| A．Legal claims. | B．Proven effects. |
| C．Tailored services. | D．Appealing concepts |
| A．Can Our Memory be Improved? |
| B．Does Brain Training Actually Work? |
| C．What have Scientists Found about Memory? |
| D．What does the Brain Training Industry Bring? |
8 . When I was young, my dad would always play music in the house. I’d dance to Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. Whenever he played Tritsch-Tratsch Polka, I’d grab my skipping ropes and skip to the beat. I’d request Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata when I was getting ready for bed. Listening to classical music was part of my daily routine. I eventually learned how to play the piano.
After I had my own daughter, I was excited to introduce her to classical music. However, this excitement soon led to disappointment as no matter what piece I chose, she would not listen.
Then one day in October, everything changed. My daughter came home and announced, “I want to dress up as a bumblebee (大黄蜂) for Halloween. Can you make me a costume, Mom?” Of course, I agreed to sew her a bumblebee costume. But at the same time, the bumblebee gave me an idea.
I worked all week on the costume. On Halloween night, my daughter put the costume on and looked in the mirror. Her eyes lit up.
She began making buzzing noises (嗡嗡声)— and I was ready. “Can you fly like a bumblebee?” I asked. As she began to buzz around the room, I quickly started playing Flight of the Bumblebee.
As the fast-paced violin music began, my daughter buzzed around to the music. She never stopped moving.
When the music came to its final bars, my daughter shouted, “Play it again, Mom!” So I played it again.
Since that night, classical music has become more prevalent (普遍的) in our household. Eventually, she learned how to play the violin and guitar.
I still have that costume stored away in a special box. I hope to pass it on to my grandchildren one day and see what happens.
1. What does the author intend to show by mentioning the music works in paragraph 1?| A．Their impact on her. | B．Their lasting popularity. |
| C．Her favorite classical music pieces. | D．Her dad’s vast collection of music records. |
| A．Teaching my daughter a bumblebee dance. |
| B．Reintroducing classical music to my daughter. |
| C．Making my daughter a nice bumblebee costume. |
| D．Spending a meaningful Halloween with my daughter. |
| A．Calmly. | B．Hesitantly. | C．Enthusiastically. | D．Halfheartedly. |
| A．As evidence of her sewing skills. | B．To let it play its magic on her grand-kids. |
| C．As a Halloween gift for her future grand-kids. | D．To remind her of a happy holiday experience. |
9 . CPR saves lives. It can really change someone’s life, as I found out for myself three years ago.
On October 14, 2009, my mom had an accident while playing soccer and was taken to hospital. The next morning, I was told that my mom had had a cardiac arrest (心脏停搏). I later learned that two players on the opposing team kept breathing air into my mother’s mouth and pressing her chest for seven minutes, as they waited for the ambulance to arrive. My mom stayed in the hospital for only ten days. I know that I am very lucky to have my mom here, because most people who have cardiac arrests and do not receive CPR within the first six minutes die.
My mom has used this experience to spread the word about CPR. She joined the Sudden Cardiae Arrest Support Group, which was set up to help survivors and their families through a difficult experience. The support group also takes part in the Heart Walk every year, raising money for the American Heart Association. And she attends Lobby Day each year, convincing the New York State Legislature to pass a law that would make basic CPR and first-aid training a graduation requirement for high school students.
This task is not as difficult as it may first appear to be. Every student in New York State must take health class in order to graduate. Just one or two days of health class each year will ensure that every student in the state will learn this important skill. This training is also nearly free. There is no need for a professional CPR instructor because the American Heart Association has online videos that show the newest techniques in CPR. Also, most local EMS services will lend training models to schools.
My mom and her fellow survivors go to a high school each year to talk to the students about the importance of learning CPR. This training will not get you the official CPR certification (证书), but as my mom says, “You don’t need a little card to save someone’s life.”
1. How does the author feel about the two players?| A．Deeply grateful. | B．Quite concerned. | C．A bit sorry. | D．Rather frightened. |
a. My mom participated in an activity about passing a law.
b. My mom walks into schools to help students realize the significance of CPR.
c. My mom suffered from heart problem and was given first aid.
d. My mom joined a specialized group.
| A．a-c-b-d | B．c-d-a-b | C．c-a-d-b | D．d-a-c-b |
| A．It may be turned down by a lot of students. | B．It requires little time and money. |
| C．It will become a graduation requirement. | D．It is difficult and dangerous. |
| A．It is challenging for many students to master CPR skills. |
| B．Every graduate should get an official CPR certification. |
| C．CPR skills are more important than CPR certifications. |
| D．High schools should make a special card for CPR learners. |
10 . Located in the Atlantic Ocean halfway between Norway and Iceland, the Faroe Islads are a still-somewhat-undiscovered destination. Known for seeping landscapes and sometimes-harsh weather, these island definitely deserve a spot on your bucket list.
Fun things available here
·See the famous Mulafossur Waterfall in Gasadalur
·Hike to Trælanípa to see the Sørvágsvatn, the “floating lake”
·Hike to the Kallur Lighthouse on Kalsoy
·Go sea kayaking
·Attend a music festival (I loved the G! Festival)
·Drive out to the town of Gjógv
·See Saksun Church and the surrounding scenery
·Explore the capital city of Tórshavn
Getting around
Renting a car and driving is the best way to fully experience the Faroe Islands. Public transport does exist, but buses don’t run to most places very frequently. It is recommended that you book your car ahead of time, especially during the summer. (Search for rental cars here.)
Where to stay
Thanks to the roads, bridges, and tunnels, nothing is very far away in the Faroe Islands. You can get from Tórshavn to Tjørnuvkí or Gjógyv in just over an hour—meaning you could easily base yourself in Tórshavn for your whole trip if you wanted.
If you do feel like staying outside of the capital for a night or two, consider making Gjógv your second base: Funningur is the only accommodation available in Gjógv, but it’s lovely. A nice guesthouse and restaurant sitting on a hill overlooking the village. (Read reviews on TripAdvisor | Book here)
1. Which of the following fun things on Faroe Islands are NOT mentioned?| A．Enjoy music. | B．Tour around the capital city. |
| C．Hike to the mountains. | D．Appreciate water scenery. |
| A．Gjógv | B．Tórshavn | C．Trælanpía | D．Tjørnuvkí |
| A．A tourist brochure. | B．A travel poster. |
| C．A travel journal. | D．A travel website. |
