1 . People have mainly used cars or taxis to travel from one place to another. These forms of land transportation have their constraints. Time has been wasted simply because of the traffic on the road. Well, this issue may be solved soon because a company has made a taxi that can actually fly and avoid the crowded streets.
XPeng, a Chinese carmaker, has created this wonderful innovation and conducted the first global public flight of its electric flying car, the XPeng X2, in Dubai. XPeng Motors’ X2 is a two-seater vehicle featuring a teardrop-shaped design with a complete carbon fiber structure to reduce weight. It can travel as high as 1,000 meters and at a speed of 81 miles per hour. At this point, the built-in battery can store electricity for a 35 -minute flight.
The XPeng X2 used during the demo flight (试飞) is a fifth-generation model, but the company is currently working on the sixth generation that will bring significant upgrades.The future model will be equipped with both manned and unmanned flight driving modes, and will be able to drive in the air and on roads — the fifth-generation vehicle is only capable of flying, not driving.
This first ever public flight came with full support of Dubai’s government. They have been deeply involved in the process. An official called Hashemi said, “The first global public flight of the X2 flying car will change the game of future mobility. The flying car is the combination of ambition, innovation and future-oriented vision that has always inspired Dubai and its leadership. Today, we witnessed a historic moment that will define the next 50 years.”
1. What does the underlined word “constraints” in Paragraph 1 mean?| A．Risks. | B．Rules. | C．Duties. | D．Shortcomings. |
| A．It can generate electricity. | B．It can travel 81 miles at a time. |
| C．It will come onto the market soon. | D．It will provide different driving modes. |
| A．Thrilled. | B．Shocked. | C．Relaxed. | D．Disappointed. |
| A．A new vehicle has won Dubai’s support. |
| B．A Chinese carmaker is devoted to innovation. |
| C．A new way to solve traffic problems is found. |
| D．A flying vehicle has made its first demo flight. |
2 . The term “graffiti” is an Italian word meaning scratching or scribbling (乱涂). It entered the English language in the 1850s, specifically to describe the casual wall writing that experts found in Pompeii and the Roman tombs. Originally a term used only in ancient scribbling, the word has undergone considerable expansion of meaning in the past 75 years so that it now refers to any written message on a wall. Graffiti are characterized by their casualness；if they were more formal, they would be known as inscriptions (铭文).
The first piece of graffiti was found on one of the walls of the city Pompeii, which was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. It was one of 1,600 pieces of graffiti uncovered in Pompeii during a dig in the 19th century. Not surprisingly, there is much evidence of graffiti writing on the pyramid and temples of ancient Egypt. It is likely that ever since people have had walls and materials to scratch or paint with, they have been engaged in this simplest form of communication.
The writing of graffiti gives people a unique opportunity to achieve some kind of public audience. Thus short poems, declarations of love, pieces of political and revolutionary polemic (论战), and criticisms of institutions and people form a significant part of graffiti.
Apart from its usefulness in terms of self-expression, graffiti is also a valuable source for historians. There is always the possibility that historical events may be recorded by the presence of graffiti. Perhaps the most interesting example of this is the graffiti relating to the gladiatorial (角斗士) contests held in Pompeii. Graffiti can also give us a unique view into the daily life and customs of a people, for its casual expression encourages the recording of details that more formal writing would tend to ignore.
In the late 1970s, graffiti became popular. A thought written on a toilet wall in Wolverhampton can now be read in Chicago or Adelaide. In its own way, this is probably the most fascinating example of McLuhan’s concept of “the global village”. We now have a worldwide toilet wall.
1. According to the first paragraph, graffiti .| A．is another name for “inscription” |
| B．got its name from the English language |
| C．was born in the 1850s |
| D．mainly refers to casual writing or pictures on walls |
| A．Graffiti has a long history. |
| B．Graffiti is an attractive form of art. |
| C．Graffiti made the ancient city Pompeii famous. |
| D．Graffiti was ancient Egyptian’s main way of communication. |
| A．Graffiti’s great value. |
| B．Graffiti’s features. |
| C．Graffiti’s way of expression. |
| D．Graffiti’s connection with people’s daily life. |
| A．the presence of graffiti makes the world closely connected |
| B．the concept of “the global village” is famous worldwide |
| C．graffiti has become very popular all over the world |
| D．people like using toilet walls to share their graffiti |
3 . As my son entered adolescence, we spent most of our time in separate rooms. I know it’s
I saw him
Travelling meant we were more like
| A．interesting | B．natural | C．steady | D．legal |
| A．detect | B．keep | C．draw | D．talk |
| A．Driven | B．Burdened | C．Touched | D．Generated |
| A．dropped by | B．linked with | C．looked up | D．headed to |
| A．lucky | B．gradual | C．sleepy | D．busy |
| A．friends | B．plans | C．evidence | D．leisure |
| A．fighting | B．stopping | C．chewing | D．hunting |
| A．space | B．news | C．virtues | D．necessity |
| A．assistant | B．candidate | C．master | D．guide |
| A．maintain | B．invest | C．observe | D．employ |
| A．differently | B．objectively | C．accurately | D．approvingly |
| A．rise | B．occupy | C．freeze | D．expand |
| A．consider | B．resist | C．negotiate | D．disturb |
| A．residents | B．tourists | C．passengers | D．equals |
| A．delicate | B．child | C．selfish | D．genuine |
4 . Adding to the achievements of a remarkable year, Taylor Swift has been named Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2023.
Already a superstar before 2023, Swift’s career has reached new heights thanks to the beginning of her Eras Tour that brought her 3.5-hour performance to 66 shows in 23 cities across North America, Argentina and Brazil. Promoted by her tour, Swift has been named the most-streamed female artist in the history of Spotify and Apple Music. According to Billboard, the tour made about $900 million (about 6.4 billion yuan) in 2023. In addition, the tour’s movie Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour became the biggest concert movie of all time, taking more than $250
million globally.As she was declare a billionaire by Bloomberg in November, a hidden “Taylor Swift economy” also promoted sales for business owners across the US. From soaps to a cruise inspired by her different “eras”, interest in Swift-related products went way up.
Apart from her financial contributions, Swift made a significant cultural impact by taking back control of her music. In 2019, her old record label, Big Machine, sold the master tapes of her first six albums (专辑) to Scoot er Braun. The sale meant that she didn’t have the rights to the albums. In response to this, Swift began re-recording her first six albums, tagging (加标签于) them “Taylor’s Version”. This move stressed her belief that artists deserve to own their work. “It’s all in how you deal with loss,” she told Time. “I respond to extreme pain by resisting.”
Heading into 2024, Swift will start the Eras Tour again in Japan and Australia. As USA Today noted, “Her current top has been a long time coming, but it may also be just beginning.”
1. What do we know about Taylor Swift?| A．She broke a new record on her tour. | B．She toured South America before 2023. |
| C．Her achievements received great recognition. | D．Her performance began with the Apple Music. |
| A．She proved herself to be an artist. | B．She learned to make some products. |
| C．She had influence on music culture. | D．She sold her master tapes to a company. |
| A．She will end her music career. | B．She will continue her Eras Tour. |
| C．She will reach her top in Japan. | D．She will make a record in Australia. |
| A．Admirable. | B．Uncaring. | C．Doubtful. | D．Critical. |
5 . Having worked as a village doctor for nearly two decades, Yang Lianying, a 44-year-old deputy to the 14th National People’s Congress, stands out as a voice for her profession. “My biggest hope is that villagers are healthy,” says Yang.
Born in Mengzi, Yunnan, in 1980, Yang was a farmer for many years before she began to receive medical training in 2005 in the hope of making a better living. Speaking about why she chose to become a doctor, she remembers when she was about 8 years old, her mother went into shock due to an allergic reaction. With no village doctor, her mother’s life seemed to hang by a thread. The experience planted a seed in her heart and made her think that if she had a chance to learn medicine in the future, she would work hard, and maybe one day be able to help patients who experienced emergencies like her mother.
In 2008, Yang’s dream came true when she was appointed as a doctor in Henan village, and made responsible for providing basic public health services, but she soon found out that it was not an easy job.
Since Henan village is located in a mountainous area and villagers live far apart, she often has to hike long distances to visit them at home and check on their health regularly. Moreover, village doctors don’t earn much, and have heavy workloads. Yang is responsible for the healthcare of the entire village of nearly 2,000 with one other colleague. Additionally, village doctors don’t earn large pensions for life after retirement. Because of this, few young people are eager to step into the profession.
But Yang keeps going. “Actually, I love this job and regard all the difficulties I encounter as obstacles to conquer. I get on well with the villagers, and they trust and respect me. It’s a great pleasure to hear them call me ‘doctor’,” she says.
She has suggested that the government offer village doctors more support, especially in terms of pensions and medical training.
1. Why did she choose to be a doctor?| A．To live a different life. | B．To help the poor in need. |
| C．To be in honor of her mother. | D．To rescue people in an emergency. |
| A．Escape from death. | B．Be in great danger. |
| C．Hang out. | D．Be in a balanced state. |
| A．Bad working condition. | B．Satisfactory salary. |
| C．Abundant pension. | D．Misunderstanding of villagers. |
| A．A Heartbroken Village Doctor | B．Medical Development for Villages |
| C．From Farmer to Healer | D．China’s Healthcare Dilemma |
6 . In April last year, I saw a post on the PNP (Pilots N Paws) website from a family in Topeka. They had to move to Virginia but they were on a very tight
It just
When I met Tiffy’s owners, they seemed very
After some goodbyes, I asked George and his wife to help me
The flight was
| A．schedule | B．investment | C．budget | D．connection |
| A．food | B．shelter | C．medicine | D．transportation |
| A．secretly | B．originally | C．desperately | D．temporarily |
| A．proved | B．happened | C．appeared | D．showed |
| A．offered | B．hurried | C．failed | D．waited |
| A．see off | B．pick up | C．hand over | D．look after |
| A．curious | B．confused | C．annoyed | D．nervous |
| A．perfect | B．common | C．hard | D．lucky |
| A．stranger | B．neighbor | C．coworker | D．facilitator |
| A．figure out | B．work out | C．turn out | D．run out |
| A．feed | B．change | C．follow | D．load |
| A．join | B．call | C．leave | D．serve |
| A．unexpected | B．unnecessary | C．uneventful | D．unavoidable |
| A．returned | B．flew | C．fought | D．accompanied |
| A．proud | B．generous | C．sympathetic | D．grateful |
7 . The ebike has become an essential item, and even the King has been spotted riding one. According to the market research company Mintel, sales have almost tripled over the past five years. While ebikes have become increasingly commonplace, they are still undeniably expensive. You can pick up a perfectly adequate pushbike for £300, but most ebikes cost over £2,000. Now, Cycling Electric, designed to help consumers choose an ebike, offers the following recommendations.
Best folding bike
Carbo Model X
Price: £ 2,799|Weight: 13.3kg
Range: up to 34 miles
This is one of the most convenient bikes, from a little-known label. The lightweight Carbo X is the perfect example of convenience thanks to its carbon frame and belt drive, instead of a metal bike chain. This makes it lighter and less likely to get messy than an electric Brompton, with its more traditional, oil y chain.
Most stylish
Temple Cycles Classic
Price: from £ 2,995|Weight: 19kg
Range: up to 74 miles
This Bristol-based brand is known for its elegant pushbikes, which are hand-built in the city. This is its electric version. It’s a very sleek and functional commuter option and not too heavy. Temples have fewer proprietary (品牌专卖的) parts and so are serviceable in an y bike shop. Stylish as they may be, the VanMoofs and the Cowboys can be a bit more complex to get back-up and service.
The money-no-object option
Riese & Müller Nevo4 GT Vario GX
Price: £ 5,380|Weight: 28. 4kg
Range: up to 93 miles
This is a prime example of the attention to detail delivering a high-quality experience in functionality, comfort and practicality — if you can afford it. It has the capacity to handle 25kg of luggage in a pannier, powerful road lights and a beautifully smooth motor.
1. What is the advantage of the Temples over other stylish ebike brands?| A．They are more light weight. | B．They are more comfortable. |
| C．They have more functions. | D．They have easier access to service. |
| A．Carbo Model X. | B．Riese & Müller Nevo4 GT Vario GX. |
| C．Temple Cycles Classic. | D．The VanMoofs and the Cowboys. |
| A．A magazine column. | B．A store advertisement. |
| C．An official document. | D．A market research report. |
8 . Having Spider-Man close gives you the courage to face the coming days. It certainly
Children really need
Farther south, another team of window washers also made their
We can all be somebody’s superhero for a day, an hour or just a moment. Distracting someone from the
| A．extends | B．treasures | C．brightens | D．misses |
| A．ticket | B．visit | C．fine | D．meal |
| A．hung | B．shouted | C．fell | D．escaped |
| A．careful | B．thoughtful | C．frightened | D．excited |
| A．decisive | B．magical | C．awkward | D．difficult |
| A．choices | B．innovation | C．demand | D．emotions |
| A．courage | B．time | C．pressure | D．patience |
| A．teachers | B．heroes | C．families | D．friends |
| A．losing | B．feeling | C．requiring | D．providing |
| A．definitely | B．eventually | C．only | D．rarely |
| A．presentation | B．experience | C．appearance | D．impression |
| A．limited | B．beneficial | C．unnecessary | D．impossible |
| A．respond | B．grow | C．recover | D．learn |
| A．pain | B．kindness | C．relief | D．regret |
| A．fill | B．ruin | C．end | D．make |
9 . In order to survive trips to Mars, humans need oxygen. Now, a team of scientists has designed a robot that could extract oxygen from water on the Red Planet.
The robot, which is called “AI chemist”, used a machine learning model to find a compound that could ignite an oxygen-producing chemical reaction on Mars. The compound, known as a catalyst (催化剂), is made entirely from elements found in Martian meteorites (陨石) — which means, if such a system could work reliably, space travelers would not need to bring oxygen or even the catalyst needed to produce it.
Mars’ atmosphere contains only trace amounts of oxygen. But scientists have detected evidence of liquid water beneath the planet’s southern ice cap. To create the breathable gas, researchers wanted to find a way to break down this water into its hydrogen and oxygen molecules using materials found on Mars.
Their robot analyzed five meteorites that either came from Mars or had a composition similar to that of the Martian surface. Using a laser, it identified significant amounts of iron, nickel, calcium, magnesium, aluminum and manganese in the samples. From these six elements, the robot’s algorithm (算法) determined it could produce more than 3.7 million possible molecules to break down water and form oxygen on Mars. According to the researchers, finding the best one from this extensive list would take roughly 2,000 years of human labor, but for the AI chemist, it took only weeks.
“On Earth, we don’t use these six elements,” Yi Luo, a co-author of the study says. “They are not the best choices for catalysts, but it’s only what you’ve got on Mars.”
With its chosen catalyst, the system could produce oxygen from the Martian materials at around -37℃, demonstrating the chemical reaction could be possible on the cold Martian surface.
Notably, the robot was able to carry out the entire process — analyzing the rock samples, identifying the best possible catalyst and producing it without human intervention.
1. What does the underlined word “ignite” mean in paragraph 2?| A．Delay. | B．Limit. | C．Change. | D．Cause. |
| A．The oxygen that Mars’ atmosphere contains. |
| B．The scientists’ previous study on meteorites. |
| C．The existence of water and catalyst on Mars. |
| D．The amazing learning ability of “AI chemist” |
| A．The finding of six elements. |
| B．The advantages of the robots. |
| C．The formation of the meteorites. |
| D．The process of producing oxygen. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Favorable. | C．Unclear. | D．Indifferent. |
10 . Our church has a way of assisting those who have financial difficulties without making the receiver feel shame or guilt by dropping money into an offering box with only the name of the receiver on the envelope. The envelopes are then distributed to those members without them knowing the
There came a time when my husband and I were among those
Our situation wasn’t improving, and just as we reached the point of
A year later, our seventeen-year-old son was applying for a student loan (贷款) so he could
His father and I were very confused by this. From the time he was nine years old, he had worked very hard for his small
Finally, in tears, and with much
| A．address | B．number | C．name | D．home |
| A．in charge | B．in need | C．in danger | D．in condition |
| A．neighbors | B．parents | C．friends | D．children |
| A．Then | B．Still | C．Therefore | D．Otherwise |
| A．provide | B．assume | C．burden | D．equip |
| A．failure | B．surprise | C．despair | D．success |
| A．grateful | B．shameful | C．regretful | D．hopeful |
| A．go through | B．get across | C．pass out | D．set aside |
| A．found | B．attend | C．visit | D．manage |
| A．expensive | B．cheap | C．full | D．empty |
| A．surroundings | B．blessings | C．belongings | D．earnings |
| A．off | B．alone | C．out | D．down |
| A．willingness | B．happiness | C．hesitation | D．admiration |
| A．speechless | B．aimless | C．tireless | D．emotionless |
| A．angrily | B．reluctantly | C．accidentally | D．willingly |
