1 . Do you have a suit or dress in the closet that you haven’t worn for years but are reluctant to get rid of? Maybe you say, “I can’t throw that away because I paid good money for it.” If you recognize this in yourself, then you are suffering from commitment to the sunk cost fallacy (谬论). It occurs when we feel that we have invested too much to quit. This psychological trap causes us to stick with a plan even if it no longer serves us and the costs clearly outweigh the benefits.
Arkes and Blumer conducted a survey revealing that people are influenced by sunk cost fallacy in their decisions. Participants were asked to imagine a situation where they accidentally booked two ski tickets for the same date, spending $100 on a ski trip to Michigan and $50 on Wisconsin. They were also told the latter would be more enjoyable. It turned out that 54% chose Michigan despite the reasonable choice being Wisconsin, because they had made a greater initial investment.
Sunk cost fallacy takes place when we let emotions cloud our decisions. Once we’ve invested in a choice, we feel guilt or regret if we don’t follow through, without realizing that past investments won’t be recovered. Instead, we base decisions on past costs, ignoring present and future costs and benefits. This may be due to loss aversion (厌恶), where people place more weight on losses than on gains. As a result, our decisions often aim to avoid losses instead of seeking the benefits gained if we let go of the past commitment.
No one can deny the fact that we benefit a lot from perseverance. So our society loves to emphasize perseverance. Never give up! Don’t waste. But only you know the right path for you. Sometimes walking away is the hardest choice of all. You might realize a path you’re on is no longer the right one or never was. That’s a painful realization.
1. What phenomenon does the author describe at the beginning of the text?| A．People benefit from sticking with a plan. |
| B．People’s consumption view has changed. |
| C．People refuse to give up the past commitment. |
| D．People’s clothes are becoming more expensive. |
| A．To save more of the loss. | B．To appear more reasonable. |
| C．To make a greater investment. | D．To enjoy more of themselves. |
| A．When we don’t follow through our choices. |
| B．When we attach more importance to potential gains. |
| C．When we feel it worthwhile to invest in past decisions. |
| D．When we emotionally stick with investment already made. |
| A．Favorable. | B．Objective. | C．Critical. | D．Unclear. |
2 . Joseph Bologne, also known as the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, is perhaps the most famous musician and composer you’ve never heard of.
Bologne was born in 1745 on the French Caribbean Island of Guadeloupe, son of an enslaved Senegalese woman and a white plantation owner. Bologne’s father was eager for him to acquire a good education and he was sent to France to be schooled in literature and fencing (击剑). As well as showing great skill in sport, Bologne was intelligent and appealing.
As if being handsome, clever and a champi on athlete wasn’t enough, Bologne was also a seriously skilled musician and composer. His main instrument was the violin, and in 1761, he was made a member of the Royal Guards as a soldier and musician. It was around this time that he became known as the Chevalier de Saint-Georges in recognition of his skill as a fencer and horseman. He was invited to join the incredibly distinguished Concert des Amateurs as the first violinist and became its leader in 1773.
Although things were going very well for Bologne, he still experienced apparent racism. Some of the opera’s leading women campaigned against having what they called “a mixed-race person in charge of the opera. Despite this attempt to undermine his career, he fell into favour with the influential playwright Madame de Montesson, who put him in charge of her private theatre and introduced him to her husband, the Duke of Orleans. When the French Revolution broke out in 1789, Bologne sided with the revolutionaries. However, he was later imprisoned for 18 months and ultimately died in 1799 due to a severe leg injury.
Shortly after Bologne’s death, Napoleon restored slavery in the French colonies and also banned Bologne’s music in an attempt to erase him from French history. However, Afro-Caribbean communities in France, and on Guadeloupe and Martinique have been working tirelessly to keep his legacy alive and Joseph Bologne is now enjoying a long overdue and richly deserved revival.
1. What can we learn about Bologne from paragraph 2 and paragraph 3?| A．He had a difficult and troubled childhood. |
| B．He displayed exceptional talents in multiple fields. |
| C．His athletic abilities earned him access to Concert des Amateurs. |
| D．He was named the Chevalier de Saint-Georges for his musical achievements. |
| A．Bologne faced evident discrimination. |
| B．Bologne’s talents were a threat to the opera. |
| C．Bologne shouldn’t have joined the private theatre. |
| D．Bologne’s career prospects suffered from a lack of foresight. |
| A．Got in contact with. | B．Met the resistance of. |
| C．Had cooperation with. | D．Gained the support of. |
| A．It’s banned for political reasons. | B．It’s receiving conflicting opinions. |
| C．It’s being welcomed and celebrated. | D．It’s leading to a revolution in music. |
3 . Christy was helping Mum sort through boxes they’d found in their new home. “Look,” she held up an old photo. “It says Mabel beside Dream Lake, summer 1910.” It looked so
Now Christy had a puzzle to
Mum hurried outside to look. “Yeah, the trees have
“I don’t
That night,
| A．miserable | B．contemporary | C．vibrant | D．historical |
| A．keep | B．hang | C．maintain | D．reproduce |
| A．lady | B．time | C．lake | D．photo |
| A．turn to | B．work out | C．worry about | D．take up |
| A．library | B．laboratory | C．monument | D．gallery |
| A．posters | B．maps | C．films | D．journals |
| A．fabulous | B．alien | C．odd | D．familiar |
| A．wrapped | B．unfolded | C．grabbed | D．submitted |
| A．composition | B．reflection | C．background | D．frame |
| A．town | B．garage | C．neighbourhood | D．backyard |
| A．truly | B．abruptly | C．gradually | D．merely |
| A．sufferings | B．searches | C．concepts | D．assumptions |
| A．make | B．fancy | C．believe | D．get |
| A．snow | B．rain | C．wind | D．fog |
| A．solved | B．found | C．completed | D．proved |
4 . Museums have been around for centuries, with the first known museum founded in the 3rd century BC. For a long time, they were used to showcase traditional artworks like paintings, sculptures and drawings.
In recent times, however, digital art has started to gain popularity as an art form. This has raised the question of whether or not museums should accept digital art into their collections.
Digital art can be defined as an artwork created using digital technology and tools like computers, tablets and smartphones. It includes a variety of mediums such as animation, 3D modelling, virtual reality and video game design. Digital art is increasingly being used by artists to create unique pieces that are unlike anything else seen before.
The debate over whether museums should accept digital art into their collections has been ongoing for some time. On one hand, many believe that digital art is not “real” art and does not deserve to be given the same recognition as traditional artworks. On the other hand, supporters of digital art hold the view that museums should embrace this new form of expression and give it the same respect as any other type of artworks.
The truth is that many museums have already begun to accept digital art into their collections. In fact, some museums have even dedicated entire exhibitions to showcasing digital artworks from around the world. This shows that there is a growing appreciation for this type of expression and that it is slowly becoming more accepted by mainstream audiences.
In general, while there may still be some debate over whether or not digital art deserves to be accepted into museum collections, it is clear that many museums are beginning to welcome this new form of expression. As more people realize the digital art and its potential as an artistic medium, it will likely become even more popular in years to come.
1. What do we know about the digital art from the first three paragraphs?| A．It dates back to the 3rd century BC. |
| B．Its uniqueness leads to its high market value. |
| C．Its creation cannot be separated from digital technology. |
| D．It should be placed in museums according to most people. |
| A．increase. | B．describe. | C．refuse. | D．accept. |
| A．It is getting more and more recognition. |
| B．It has been accepted by the mainstream audiences. |
| C．Most museums have accepted it as their collection. |
| D．This kind of exhibition can be seen all over the world. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Optimistic. | C．Worried. | D．Casual. |
5 . Two young Tasmanians have taken out a top national science award for their hi-tech invention, designed to keep the inventors’ great-grandmother safe.
The 18-year-old cousins, Isaac Brain and Mitchell Torok, have won equal first place in the engineering section of the BHP science and engineering awards. The pair, who finished Year 12 last year, created a smartwatch-style device that can detect whether an elderly person has fallen and cause an alarm.
The device will now be showcased on the world stage at a science and engineering fair in Arizona, US, which brings together students from around the world who are first-place science winners.
Mitchell, who went to Rosny College, Hobart, said he dreamt up the idea because he was worried about his 89-year-old great-grandmother Gwen Brook, who lives in an independent apartment next to an aged-care facility in Hobart. “If she falls over and hurts herself, there’s a chance that no one would be able to find her quickly,” Mitchell said. “So we decided to build a cheap and easy device that aged-care residents could wear.”
Called “aWear”, the device can be worn as a watch. It links to a database that can send a real-time text message to nurses. As well as an alert button, the device also features an “accelerometer” that measures the speed of a wearer’s movement to detect a fall.
Isaac, who went to Launceston College, Launceston, developed the software and web development for the device. “The accelerometer measures movement — so when an increase in movement is detected it records that data and it is then analysed to determine whether a fall has occurred,” Isaac said. Isaac will study computer science at Melbourne University this year. He said a key feature of the device was that it caused an alert to staff even if the wearer did not press the alert button.
Mitchell will study mechatronics engineering at the University of NSW. He designed the watch and spent a lot of time testing it. “We have done a lot of test falls — with Mitchell falling onto pillows,” Isaac said.
1. What device did the two young cousins develop?| A．A database system to monitor people’s movements. |
| B．A wearable calculator to measure the speed movements. |
| C．A real-time text messaging system for aged-care facilities. |
| D．A smartwatch-style device to detect falls and alert caregivers. |
| A．To win a national science competition. |
| B．To create a product that could be commercialized. |
| C．To develop a solution to assist their great-grandmother. |
| D．To show their engineering and software development skills. |
| A．Ground-breaking and complicated. | B．Economical and convenient. |
| C．Transformative and clumsy. | D．Costly and profitable. |
| A．Hard work pays off. | B．It’s never too late to learn. |
| C．The simplest way is the best way. | D．Ups and downs make one strong. |
6 . Some mothers and daughters like to go shopping or walking together or picnicking as part of their bonding experience. Others become firefighters together. That’s the route that Montgomery County mother Betsy Gekonge took with her 17-year-old daughter Mokeira. The pair recently graduated from the Montgomery County Fire Academy together and received their Firefighter certificate.
The rising high school senior says she thought she’d be going to the fire academy alone. She never expected to have company. “This is quite out of my expectation because I never expected her to do it with me,” said Mokeira.
“Taking classes with my mom was fun because we could study together but also joke around. We share a lot of funny stories at family events,” Mokeira told the Montgomery County Fire Chiefs Association. “Montgomery County is a great place for new volunteers because you learn a lot from knowledgeable, professional firefighters in a positive environment. It teaches you a lot.”
Mokeira is one of the first individuals to gain her Firefighter certificate at age 17 since Pennsylvania’s law changed, making 17 —the youngest legal age to become certified instead of 18.
The pair will work as volunteer firefighters for Barren Hill Fire Company in Lafayette Hill. According to the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute, there were 300,000 volunteer firefighters across the state in the 1970s. That number dwindled (减少) to 38,000 in 2018.
“It’s really fulfilling to volunteer and learn about fire safety that helps us and others in our daily life,” Betsy added. “I’ve built a lot of relationships in our community through volunteering.” “Our decision was primarily motivated by this, and now I have gained great satisfaction from it. It gives me a sense of purpose and I’m helping to contribute to the solution,” said Mokiera.
1. What did Betsy and Mokeira decide to do bond with each other?| A．Go shopping. | B．Take a walk. |
| C．Become firefighters. | D．Have a picnic. |
| A．Surprised. | B．Annoyed. | C．Confused. | D．Worried. |
| A．To learn fire safety skills. | B．To work as career firefighters. |
| C．To address the shortage of employees. | D．To strengthen ties with their community. |
| A．The importance of fire safety education. |
| B．A serious challenge faced by firefighters. |
| C．An inspiring example of mother-daughter job relation. |
| D．The potential for family members to volunteer together. |
7 . On March 16th I left the offices of The Economist to head home. That was the last day when all editorial staff assembled in our London office. And, at the time of writing, no date for a return to the office is in
It is remarkable how quickly we have adapted. The newspaper has been written, edited and produced from couches and kitchen tables. January and February seem like an ancient era — the BC (before coronavirus) to the new AD (after
The shift may
Not only that, it has made remote work seem both normal and acceptable. In the past employees who stayed home had to overcome the
Things are
Yet
Another aspect of the AD era may be the disappearance of the five-day working week. Even before the pandemic many workers became used to taking phone calls or answering emails at the weekend. In the AD era, the
In future employees may work and take breaks when they please, with the company video call the only
| A．doubt | B．sight | C．mind | D．hope |
| A．domestication | B．transition | C．isolation | D．pandemic |
| A．affect | B．shape | C．arouse | D．rival |
| A．on | B．off | C．over | D．down |
| A．suspicion | B．difficulty | C．prejudice | D．disadvantage |
| A．advancing | B．reversing | C．interfering | D．missing |
| A．remote | B．intense | C．casual | D．novel |
| A．now that | B．in case | C．even though | D．as long as |
| A．Commuters | B．Legislators | C．Executives | D．Employers |
| A．in demand | B．beyond reach | C．at issue | D．on top |
| A．balance | B．barrier | C．connection | D．conflict |
| A．fixture | B．engagement | C．priority | D．interaction |
| A．perspectives | B．routines | C．regulations | D．equivalents |
| A．better | B．harder | C．more | D．fewer |
| A．access | B．progress | C．return | D．contrast |
8 . “On the very first day of 2024, I saw the snow of Kilimanjaro, not from the novel written by Ernest Hemingway, but from the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro!” Xu Zhuoyuan, a 17-year-old mountaineer who’d stood on top of Mount Qomolangma last May, climbed onto the tallest peak in Africa, making herself the youngest Chinese girl that conquered it.
Xu’s passion for mountaineering was motivated by her father, who himself reached many peaks, including Mount Qomolangma. And her mountaineering journey began on a family trip to Xizang and Sichuan four years ago. For many years, Xu devoted herself to rigorous training. She went to the mountains in Yunnan and Sichuan every month, climbing peaks over 5,000 meters and doing daily physical exercises like running, swimming and rope skipping. All that hard work got her ready for the challenges she would face on Kilimanjaro.
Above 4000 meters on Mount Kilimanjaro, the climate is similar to a desert, with big temperature differences. The whole climb took 7 days, during which Xu faced unpredictable weather such as rain and strong winds. Staying warm and avoiding heat loss was the main challenge. Xu had to be very sensitive to any temperature changes and adjust her clothing accordingly. This climb was also a learning experience for Xu. She was climbing with Xia Boyu (aged 74), the first Chinese climber to summit Mount Qomolangma with an artificial leg, who’d inspired Xu a lot.
Mountaineering, Xu discovered, is not just about being strong physically; it is also a journey of self-discovery. “In climbing and life, it’s important to know when to let go of things that are weighing us down and how to re start when we feel ready,” she reflected.
1. What inspired Xu Zhuoyuan’s interest in climbing mountains?| A．A novel written by Ernest Hemingway. |
| B．A former trip to Mount Qomolangma. |
| C．Her father’s success in mountaineering. |
| D．Her family trip to Xizang and Sichuan. |
| A．Flexible. | B．Strict. | C．Casual. | D．Dangerous. |
| A．She was accompanied by a disabled climber. |
| B．There was a desert 4000 meters on Mount Kilimanjaro. |
| C．Weather condition was unstable above Mount Kilimanjaro. |
| D．Clothes adjustment was needed due to temperature changes. |
| A．Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro—A Chinese Girl’s Bravery. |
| B．Conquering New Heights —A Story of Passion. |
| C．Mountaineering—A Journey of Self-discovery. |
| D．Mount Kilimanjaro —A Destination of Inspiration. |
9 . Four places to explore in northern Canada
Welcome to Canada, the land of openness. Discover True North itineraries and undeniably Canadian experiences with a coast-to-coast collection of travel packages. All you need to bring is an open mind. And maybe a light jacket. If you want to get more detailed information, please click www.travelcanada.com
Nights Under LightsFrom USD $4,995 per person
6 days/5 nights
Our Nights Under Lights multi-day tours will give you some of the best chances in the world to see and photograph the beautiful northern lights. Spend days adventuring with dog sledding tours, snow-walking, visiting local historic sites and museums and spend the evenings at our award-winning location for cultural presentations, aurora viewing and photography.
Subarctic Wonders: Exploring Churchill’s Northern LightsFrom USD $3,795 per person
5 days /4 nights
Immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty of the aurora and embark on an authentic northern lights adventure. Each evening, we journey to tranquil hideaways, far from the city lights, where the sky unfolds its awe-inspiring display. Experience the wonder of the Northern Lights in Churchill, expertly guided by our team, as you dig into the vibrant northern culture and witness nature’s breathtaking light show.
Belugas, Bears & Summer Wildlife of ChurchillFrom USD $7,895 per person
7 days /6 nights
Few of nature’s marvels match the intense aliveness of an Arctic summer. More than 3.000 of these adorable white whales gather at the mouth of the Churchill River, and our motorized rafts and kayaks put us at eye level with these often-curious aquatic lives. On the surrounding land, we frequently spot polar bears wandering or napping on the banks, their creamy coats contrasting with the rocky shoreline and dark forest.
Canada’s Premier Polar Bear AdventureFrom USD $7,495 per person
8 days/7 nights
When you’re standing on the outdoor platform of our Polar Rover, the chill Arctic air feels refreshing. But not as much as the sight of the huge polar bear strolling towards us. Sometimes they are shadows on the horizon, slowly moving on the vast expanse of icy land, in search of seals for meals. Join us for one of nature’s most wondrous wildlife encounters—no one does it better than Natural Habitat!
1. In which tour will you spend the most money each day?| A．Nights Under Lights. |
| B．Subarctic Wonders: Exploring Churchill’s Northern Lights. |
| C．Belugas, Bears & Summer Wildlife of Churchill. |
| D．Canada’s Premier Polar Bear Adventure. |
| A．Sled with dogs. | B．Enjoy the Northern Lights. |
| C．Hike on the ice. | D．Visit museums. |
| A．A geographic magazine. | B．A newspaper. |
| C．A travel brochure. | D．A website. |
10 . My mom has been and will always be my biggest inspiration. She is a single parent of eight, and I have no idea how she survived. Throughout the years, my mom has
Even when doctors
Mary’s frequent hospital visits definitely upset her, but my mom never showed
My mom gets us to realize that no matter how
| A．scared | B．overcome | C．warned | D．cheered |
| A．delight | B．embarrass | C．discourage | D．facilitate |
| A．questioned | B．instructed | C．wondered | D．recommended |
| A．occasional | B．limited | C．numerous | D．rare |
| A．in spite of | B．rather than | C．apart from | D．due to |
| A．signals | B．predictions | C．symbols | D．signs |
| A．creation | B．judgement | C．gesture | D．strength |
| A．enabled | B．persuaded | C．prevented | D．suggested |
| A．Nevertheless | B．Therefore | C．Besides | D．Hence |
| A．frequently | B．hardly | C．possibly | D．actually |
| A．blame | B．favor | C．inspire | D．respect |
| A．put up | B．took up | C．broke up | D．gave up |
| A．gradually | B．properly | C．terribly | D．instantly |
| A．cruel | B．tough | C．official | D．smooth |
| A．performance | B．acceptance | C．entertainment | D．support |
