1 . Is forgiveness against our human nature? To answer our question, we need to ask a further question: What is the essence of our humanity? For the sake of simplicity, people consider two distinctly different views of humanity. The first view involves dominance and power. In an early paper on the psychology of forgiveness, Droll (1984) made the interesting claim that humans’ essential nature is more aggressive than forgiving allows. Those who forgive are against their basic nature, much to their harm. In his opinion, forgivers are compromising their well-being as they offer mercy to others, who might then take advantage of them.
The second view involves the theme of cooperation, mutual respect, and even love as the basis of who we are as humans. Researchers find that to fully grow as human beings, we need both to receive love from and offer love to others. Without love, our connections with a wide range of individuals in our lives can fall apart. Even common sense strongly suggests that the will to power over others does not make for harmonious interactions. For example, how well has slavery worked as a mode of social harmony?
From this second viewpoint of who we are as humans, forgiveness plays a key role in the biological and psychological integrity of both individuals and communities because one of the outcomes of forgiveness, shown through scientific studies, is the decreasing of hatred and the restoration of harmony. Forgiveness can break the cycle of anger. At least to the extent the people from whom you are estranged accept your love and forgiveness and are prepared to make the required adjustments. Forgiveness can heal relationships and reconnect people.
As an important note, when we take a Classical philosophical perspective, that of Aristotle, we see the distinction between potentiality and actuality. We are not necessarily born with the capacity to forgive, but instead with the potential to learn about it and to grow in our ability to forgive. The actuality of forgiving, its actual appropriation in conflict situations, develops with practice.
1. What is Droll’s idea about forgiveness?| A．People should offer mercy to others. |
| B．Aggressive people should learn to forgive. |
| C．Forgiveness depends on the nature of humanity. |
| D．People who forgive can have their own welfare affected. |
| A．To forgive is to love. | B．To dominate is to harm. |
| C．To fight is to grow. | D．To give is to receive. |
| A．Favorable. | B．Reserved. | C．Objective. | D．Skeptical. |
| A．Forgiveness is in our nature. | B．Forgiveness grows with time. |
| C．It takes practice to forgive. | D．Actuality is based on potentiality. |
2 . Beeping alarms in hospitals are a life-or-death matter—but with so many going off all the time, medical professionals may experience alarm fatigue (疲劳) that impairs (损伤) care. Researchers now report that changing an alarm’s sound to integrate elements of musical instruments can make it more helpful amid the noises.
Auditory alarms can sound up to 300 times a day per patient in U. S. hospitals, but only a small percentage require immediate action. Data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggest that alarm fatigue (including when clinicians turned off or forgot to restart alarms) and other alarm-related issues were linked to 566 deaths over five and a half years.
After a typical day at the hospital, “I’d leave with beeping in my ears,” says Vanderbilt University Medical Center anesthesiologist Joseph Schlesinger. He co-worked with Michael Schutz, a music cognition researcher at McMaster University in Ontario, to analyze how musical sounds could improve hospital alarms.
In 2015, the researchers have conducted experiments, finding that sounds of a “percussive” music stand out even at low volume. In contrast, loud, “flat” tones like a reversing truck’s beep, get lost. And the sounds that made these sequences least annoying, with no decrease in recall, featured complex, time-varied harmonic (和声的) overtones (the many components within a single sound) rather than dull mechanical beeps.
The researchers are also drawing inspiration from other musical instruments: the triangle, for example, famously stands out in a crowd of sounds, possibly because it has overtone sequences that deviate from traditional harmonic series.
Such findings could lead to alarms that command attention and fit into current regulatory guidelines. Michael Rayo, who studies cognitive systems design at the Ohio State University, says that the experiment “furthers our understanding of aspects that reliably support strong performance.” Applied psychologist Judy Edworthy, a retired professor of the University of Plymouth in England, says the finding that musical tones can help improve alarms is important for future patient monitoring equipment designs. Still, she warns, “any sound can lead to alarm fatigue if it is constantly false.”
1. What is the problem with the traditional alarms beeping throughout hospitals?| A．Causing disorder of the hospital. | B．Annoying medical professionals. |
| C．Influencing clinicians’ response to alarms. | D．Damaging people’s hearing in hospitals. |
| A．Differ. | B．Separate. | C．Develop. | D．Arise. |
| A．Critical. | B．Objective. | C．Ambiguous. | D．Supportive. |
| A．Music Finds Its Way to Hospitals | B．The Fatigue of Medical Professionals |
| C．Alarms: The Louder, The Better | D．Musical Alarms Fit Better in Hospitals |
3 . Akira Toriyama, one of Japan’s leading comics authors, whose manga (漫画) cartoon “Dragon Ball” achieved worldwide success with its mix of comedic characters and exciting martial arts battles, died on March 1, 2024. He was 68. His death was confirmed on Friday in a statement by his manga and design production company, Bird Studio, and Capsule Corporation Tokyo. The statement said the cause was acute subdural hematoma, a condition in which blood collects between the skull and brain. It did not say where Mr. Toriyama died.
Mr. Toriyama’s body of work, which also includes “Dr. Slump” and “Sand Land,” is recognizable far beyond Japan’s borders, having influenced generations of manga artists and cartoonists. The studio said he had several projects in the works at his death. His best-known work, “Dragon Ball,” follows a young boy named Son Goku who embarks on a journey to collect the seven magical balls that summon (召唤) a wish- granting dragon. Since its creation in the 1980s, it has spanned 42 volumes, sold millions of copies worldwide and become one of the most famous manga, inspiring television, film and video game adaptations.
Throughout his career, Mr. Toriyama said in a 2013 interview with the Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun, he did not care if his work did anything besides entertaining its readers. He was, he said, unlike “other manga artists concerned about conveying didactic (说教的) messages.” “The role of my manga,” he said, “is to be a pure work of entertainment.”
“Thanks to the support of so many people around the world, he has been able to continue his creative activities for over 45 years,” his studio’s statement said. “We hope that Akira Toriyama’s unique world of creation continues to be loved by everyone for a long time to come.”
1. What information can be found in the text about Akira Toriyama?| A．He died of an unknown psychological illness in Tokyo. |
| B．He worked for Bird Studio and Capsule Corporation Kyoto. |
| C．He gained worldwide recognition and admiration with his works. |
| D．He adapted his best-known work into TV series, films and games. |
| A．Akira Toriyama’s role in manga cartoon. | B．Akira Toriyama’s understanding of manga. |
| C．Akira Toriyama’s advice for cartoonists. | D．Akira Toriyama’s past career as a manga artist. |
| A．He had finished all his work before death. |
| B．He started working on “Dragon Ball” in the 1990s. |
| C．His fans’ support and recognition inspired him to continue his work. |
| D．His studio decided to carry on his wonderful manga works in the future. |
| A．A news report. | B．A biography. | C．An interview. | D．A book review. |
4 . What’s new to watch on TV
All Creatures Great and Small Season 4The beloved British TV series, “All Creatures Great and Small”, is set to return for its fourth season on January 7. Executive producer Colin Callender expressed excitement for the new season, promising more heartwarming family stories, community spirit, and of course, delightful animal adventures. The show is based on the best-selling books by Alf Wight, writing under the penname James Herriot, describing the lives of three animal doctors in rural Yorkshire. The upcoming season will be set in 1940, during World War Ⅱ, offering a unique mix of warmth and drama.
Echo“Echo”, the latest Marvel series on Disney+, follows the story of Maya Lopez, a deaf martial (武术的) artist with the ability to copy any move she sees. Played by Alaqua Cox, the character seeks vengeance (复仇) for her father’s murder at the hands of the criminal boss, the Kingpin. The series promises a more mature tone, offering a more grown-up kind of show than what we’ve seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe before. Cox’s acting of Echo brings diversity and representation to the screen, adding depth to the character’s appealing storyline.
Masters of the AirComing to Apple TV+ on January 26, “Masters of the Air” is a highly anticipated miniseries recording the heroic efforts of the 100th Bomb Group, a US Air Force unit during World War Ⅱ. The show is based on historian Donald L. Miller’s book, displaying the courage, loss, and triumph experienced by the men as they carry out dangerous bombing missions over Nazi Germany. With emotional depth and a strong sense of brotherhood, this series promises a moving portrayal of the human experience during wartime.
1. What is “All Creatures Great and Small Season 4” mainly about?| A．The challenges faced by animals. |
| B．Stories about rural animal doctors in Yorkshire. |
| C．A group of animal doctors living in a city environment. |
| D．A story about the lives of animal trainers in the modern era. |
| A．It is written by Alaqua Cox. | B．It is a movie starring Maya Lopez. |
| C．It is more of a show for kids. | D．It is a story about revenge. |
| A．Both are adapted from books. | B．Both are available on Apple TV+. |
| C．Both are seasonal series. | D．Both are about war stories. |
5 . In May 2019, a friend who had previously been involved in the Restless Development Sierra Leone Business Brains project encouraged me to apply for the “Saving Lives II” project. Seeing this as an opportunity to move closer to my ambition of working in the medical field in the near future, I eagerly seized the chance. Fortunately, my performance during the interview led to me being awarded the role.
Following the basic training, I was sent to volunteer in Kurubonla, a remote community located in the northem region of Sierra Leone. This assignment presented challenges such as limited road access and communication networks. At first, I felt concerned about being sent there, but with a determined mindset, I set out on the journey, driven by a passion to contribute to my country’s development and to push my personal boundaries.
As I got to know the community, I quickly realized that the challenges extended beyond language barriers and cultural differences; there was also a sense of isolation from my peers. However, I refused to allow these challenges to stop me. I threw myself in my duties, working together with local leaders and community members to identify the most pressing needs. Together, we carried out the projects aimed at improving healthcare, education, and infrastructure (基础设施). Additionally, I organized workshops and training courses to share my knowledge and skills with the locals.
Over time, I witnessed the positive impact of our collective efforts. Healthcare facilities improved, the number of students in schools increased, and the overall quality of life in the community showed signs of improvement. These achievements were not solely mine; they were a testament to the cooperative spirit and commitment of the entire community.
1. What do we learn about the author from the first two paragraphs?| A．He was unwilling to volunteer in Sierra Leonne. |
| B．He felt excited about the assignment in Kurubonla. |
| C．He applied for the “Saving Lives Ⅱ” project for his future promise. |
| D．He was immediately sent to Kurubonla after he was awarded the role. |
| A．He assisted in the projects led by the locals. |
| B．He met with only language and cultural barriers. |
| C．He overcame challenges to serve the community. |
| D．He attended the training courses organized by the local leaders. |
| A．Devoted but stubborn. | B．Determined and passionate. |
| C．Confident and cautious. | D．Motivated but moody. |
| A．The author’s growth through volunteering. |
| B．Language and culture in voluntary work. |
| C．Collective efforts in community development. |
| D．Volunteers’ challenges in remote communities. |
6 . An increase in a country’s working-age population is a blessing. Lots of workers support relatively few children and retired people. So long as the labor market can absorb an increasing number of job-seekers, output per head will rise. That can boost savings and investment, leading to higher economic growth, more productivity gains and developmental speed-up. Yet for countries that fail to seize this opportunity, the results can be tough.
Consider Thailand. It is rapidly aging. In 2021, the share of Thais aged 65 or over hit 14%, a figure that is often used to define an aged society Soon Thailand will, like Japan, South Korea and most Western countries, see a decreasing supply of workers and flagging productivity and growth without extraordinary measures. Yet unlike Japan and the rest. Thailand is not a developed country. It has got old before it has got rich.
This is a big barrier to Thailand’s future development. To protect its aging citizens, many of whom are poor, Thailand’s government will have to spend more on health care and pensions (养老金). This will make it harder to invest in productivity-boosting skills and infrastructure (基础设施). And where Thailand goes, many developing countries will follow.
One conclusion is that countries with a working-age burst need seeking more economic growth out of it. India may never have a better chance than the present. It is widely accepted that privatization and looser foreign-investment rules could raise its growth rate.
Another conclusion is that developing countries need to start planning for old age earlier. They should reform their pension systems, including by raising retirement ages. They should encourage financial markets, providing options for long-term saving and health insurance. And they should try harder to increase female participation in the labor force. Getting more women into jobs would help deal with the fact that women live longer than men, but tend to have less savings and pensions, leaving them in difficult situations in old age.
1. What does “opportunity” in the first paragraph refer to?| A．Providing more jobs for working-age laborers. |
| B．Reducing support for children and the elderly. |
| C．Encouraging investment for economic growth. |
| D．Increasing economic output and labor productivity. |
| A．It causes a shortage of young workers. |
| B．It forces the country to invest in infrastructure. |
| C．It leads to less investment in economic development. |
| D．It increases the burden on the working-age population. |
| A．To extend women’s retirement ages. |
| B．To encourage women to be included in health insurance. |
| C．To equalize the number of men and women in the workplace. |
| D．To settle the conflict between women’s long lifespan and small pension. |
| A．Aging Problems in Developing Countries. |
| B．Planning Ahead for Aging Societies. |
| C．Challenges and Opportunities of Aging Societies. |
| D．The Role of Female Labors in Addressing the Aging Issue. |
7 . AI-generated content has recently won big in the literary world. Japanese author Rie Kudan won one of Japan’s most famous literary awards, the Akutagawa Prize, with the help of ChatGPT in The Tokyo Tower of Sympathy.
The book is set in future Japan, where Al has become an important part of people’s lives. The story centers around an architect who creates a comfortable prison but struggles with a society that she sees as being overly sympathetic to criminals.
Kudan admitted at a news conference that “around 5 percent of the book’s text was taken directly from generative AI,” reported kyodo News. She added that there is a scene in the book where an AI chatbot answers the main character’s questions and she used AI-generated text in the responses given by AI in the story. The word-for-word content generated by Al was applauded by committee members as “practically flawless”, said CNN.
This is not the first time that AI-related works have won prizes. In October 2023, The Land of Machine Memories was awarded second prize at China’s fifth youth popular science and science fiction competition. The fiction was fully created by AI with the prompts (提示) given by Shen Yang, a professor at Tsinghua University. Surprisingly, just one judge among the six of the competition realized that what they were reading was the product of a machine.
So will literature in the future be all about Al? Debates are still ongoing on the matter. Japanese literary critic Akira Okawada told Tyodo News that “it is difficult for AI to create work that addresses ethical themes in depth”. However, Chinese writer Luo Ping holds the positive view. “Improvements in technology will not cause human laziness in creating, but rather will only make them involved in more heated competition. With the help of technology, the starting point of human thinking will only grow higher,” Luo told Hongxing News.
“I think this is only the beginning for AI in creating literature,” Fu Changyi, a member of Jiangsu Popular Science Writers Association, told online news Guancha. “We will wait and see how the future goes,” he added.
1. What is the main purpose of the first paragraph?| A．To lead in the topic of the text. | B．To promote an AI-generated book. |
| C．To introduce a famous Japanese writer. | D．To show the advancement of ChatGPT. |
| A．It was fully created by AI. |
| B．It is the first AI-created book winning an award. |
| C．Six judges recognized that it was produced by AI. |
| D．The AI-created content in the book was highly spoken of. |
| A．AI will bring human thinking to a higher level. |
| B．Human authors will be replaced by AI in the future. |
| C．Human will lose the enthusiasm to create because of AI. |
| D．AI doesn’t have the capability to deal with ethical issues. |
| A．Concerned. | B．Negative. | C．Optimistic. | D．Indifferent. |
8 . When opening certain mobile apps, users often find disruptive (有干扰性的) open-app advertisements that impact their experience. Open-app advertisements are advertisements that appear in between contents or during transition screens, such as when an app is loading the next page. Some of these advertisements can redirect users to another app if the phone is shaken, causing a lot of frustration for consumers.
These open-app advertisements function as gateways and become more common during online shopping festivals, redirecting users to shopping platforms such as Taobao and JD. Most smartphones have a gyroscope sensor (陀螺仪传感器) to detect shaking, leading to unintentional redirection. Many users not only find it annoying to find themselves on an advertisements page, but also have trouble disabling the gyroscope feature since sometimes their phones lack the choice to do so to avoid this issue.
In response, authorities have introduced detailed regulations on shaking advertisements gateways. A regulation published in December 2022 outlines specific rules for the design of “shake-to-open” advertisements. It says that these advertisements can only be “clicked through” if the phone’s rotation angle exceeds 35 degrees, with an action time longer than three seconds.
Additionally, in February, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology emphasized that pop-up or open-app advertisements should not disrupt users’ experiences. A regulation introduced in May states that advertisements must include a clear button for users to close them.
Government enforcement of these regulations presents challenges, as the number of apps and developers is great. However, this should not be an excuse for internet platforms to break the rules, as this behavior causes far more harm than good. A survey by the Jiangsu Consumer Council showed that over 90 percent of users strongly dislike open-app advertisements, feeling that their rights are being threatened.
While these advertisements might lead to more clicks, the fact is that the advertisements may harm the credibility of the platforms that the advertisements lead to and weaken the users’ willingness to use the platforms. Platforms can achieve a mutually beneficial (互惠互利) solution only if they respect users’ choices and provide suitable advertisements that users are willing to accept.
1. What does the first paragraph mainly talk about concerning open-app ads?| A．The benefits of open-app ads for online shopping platforms. |
| B．The lack of regulations governing traditional advertising methods. |
| C．The effectiveness of open-app ads in increasing users’ engagement. |
| D．The negative impact of disruptive open-app ads on users’ experience. |
| A．They can be clicked through without any restrictions. |
| B．They can only be clicked through on certain conditions. |
| C．They should have a clear button for users to close them. |
| D．They should appear for only three seconds on the screen. |
| A．By ignoring users’ choices. |
| B．By respecting users’ preferences. |
| C．By presenting more irrelevant ads. |
| D．By flooding users with more profitable ads. |
| A．The Preferences of Shopping Platforms. |
| B．The Challenges of Online Shopping Festivals. |
| C．The Role of Advertisements in Improving Users’ Experience. |
| D．The Battle against Disruptive Advertisements on Mobile Apps. |
9 . Are you an “I person” or an “E person”? These two personality labels in particular are widely discussed online. They are part of a popular personality test called the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, or MBTI. There are 16 personalities in all, of which “I” and “E” refer to “introverted” and “extroverted”, respectively.
Even if someone is typically quiet, many online discussions suggest that an “I person” can still act outgoing at times. For example, when an introverted person is with a group of introverted friends, they might become more social like an “E” person.
According to psychologists, this idea of temporarily switching personalities is called “masking”. That is hiding your true personality in specific situations. “Human beings want to feel they belong, and they might become people-pleasers to do so,” wrote the MasterClass website.
Thinking on this, I may actually be the kind of person that these people are discussing. Most times, I just wish to make the atmosphere more interesting and exciting and show people that I’m easy to get along with. But deep down, I mostly enjoy being alone and quiet.
Using the MBTI result to identify and describe someone’s personality seems fun. However, I went too far at one time. My sister was excitedly making a day-to-day travel plan when I remembered from an article that a “P person” doesn’t like to make or stick to plans, so I said to her, “You don’t seem like a ‘P person’”. “Why?” she asked back. “Since when do I need to follow what my personality test tells me to do?” It was then that I realized that I’d taken the result too seriously.
The MBTI personality test may show something you don’t know about yourself and can even be a fun ice-breaker question when meeting new friends. And that’s all it is—for fun. Knowing someone’s MBTI result doesn’t mean you really know this person.
1. An “I person” tends to ________.| A．reflect on problems alone | B．enjoy gatherings with friends |
| C．be active in social situations | D．try to chat with complete strangers |
| A．Because he/she wants to be like others. |
| B．Because he/she needs a sense of belonging. |
| C．Because he/she dislikes to embarrass others. |
| D．Because he/she is actually an “E person” deep inside. |
| A．She pushed her sister too much. |
| B．She failed to help her sister follow her plan. |
| C．She believed blindly the result of the personality test. |
| D．She discouraged her sister to make a detailed travel plan. |
| A．It is supposed to be strictly followed. |
| B．It tells you everything about your personality. |
| C．It’s an interesting way to start a chat with a stranger. |
| D．It’s a reliable approach to telling what type of people a person belongs to. |
10 . Considering studying in the US? Concerned about expense? Let’s explore strategies for reducing economic pressure.
Finding scholarships
Explore university websites, as many US institutions offer scholarships to international students. Make use of search engines like Fastweb or Scholarship.com for comprehensive scholarship searches. Scholarships can be competitive due to high demand. However, a large number of opportunities exist.
Tips for securing scholarships:
● Academic excellence: Strong academic performance is highly regarded by universities
● Extracurricular involvement: Participation in sports, music or community service distinguishes applicants.
● Seek guidance: Teachers or advisers can offer valuable advice.
Alternative cost-reduction measures
● On-campus employment: International students can work on campus, providing both income and networking opportunities.
● Community colleges: Start studies at a community college, which is often more affordable, before transferring to a university for degree completion.
● Host family accommodation: Living with a US family can be a cost-effective alternative to university housing.
Financial options: loans and aid
● Loans (贷款): Some financial institutions loans to international students.
● Financial aid: Certain universities provide financial assistance to international students.
Practical budgeting
● Home cooking: Preparing meals at home is more economical than dining out.
● Second-hand purchases: Choose used books and furniture to save on expenses.
● Public transportation: Take buses and trains instead of owning a car for more cost-effective travel.
1. What is an advantage in guaranteeing scholarships?| A．A great gift in art. |
| B．Excellent academic performance. |
| C．Active participation in class activities. |
| D．A good command of using search engines. |
| A．Community college fees are relatively high. |
| B．Owning a car is the cheapest way to get around. |
| C．International students have access to financial aid in some universities. |
| D．On-campus accommodation costs much less than living with a host family. |
| A．Education. | B．Economy. | C．Transportation. | D．Travel. |
