1 . The Arab Republic of Egypt covers a land area of approximately 1 million km2, with an estimated 106 million people, Egypt accounts for one-fourth of the Arab world’s population. Egypt has long been considered the cradle of civilization and may be the oldest tourist destination on earth.
CairoA typical visit to Egypt includes arrival in the capital city of Cairo, one of the largest cities in Africa and the Middle East, with a population of approximately 22 million. Cairo today is a modern, international mix of Arab, African, and European influences. Travelers generally spend at least a few days in Cairo seeing the Egyptian Antiquities Museum, National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and Pyramids at Giza.
Upper Nile RiverMost travelers include an Upper Nile River cruise as part of their schedule. Egypt is a beach destination, with thousands of miles of Mediterranean and Red Sea coastlines. Alexandria, Egypt’s second largest city is located on the Mediterranean Sea and has a string of beaches and seafood restaurants. For a truly relaxing beach vacation, travelers can visit one of the many resorts along the North Coast referred to as “Sahel”.
Red Sea coastEgypt’s Red Sea coast has reefs offshore, with diving and snorkeling traditionally centered in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. Visits to Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine’s Monastery in the mountainous interior are popular destinations, especially with religious pilgrims. Adventure travelers favor desert jeep safaris and camel treks to remote oases and spectacular wadis.
1. What do we know about Egypt?| A．Egypt makes up 25% of the world’s population. |
| B．Cairo today is a mix of modern and traditional elements. |
| C．Visitors can enjoy their beach vacations in Cairo. |
| D．Egypt has been considered as the oldest tourist destination. |
| A．Mediterranean. | B．Alexandria. |
| C．Sharm El Sheikh. | D．Saint Catherine’s Monastery. |
| A．A travel guide. | B．A geography book. |
| C．An Egyptian newspaper. | D．A historical magazine. |
2 . For the first time in its 100-year history, Walt Disney Animation has cooperated with an outside animation studio on a project. The result is lwájú, an interesting and original six-part series set in a futuristic version of Lagos, Africa. It was created with the Pan-African entertainment company Kugali and premieres (首映) on Disney+ on February 28.
lwájú is a story about Tola, a young girl from a wealthy family, and her best friend, Kole, a self-taught tech expert, and their discovery of the secrets and dangers hidden in their different worlds. The show explores inequality and the idea of challenging society’s standards. Like the Disney+ series Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, Marvel’s Black Panther films, and the Netflix animated series My Dad the Bounty Hunter, lwájú is part of a genre (体裁) called Afrofuturism. It combines elements of science fiction, the culture and history of Africa and Africans, fantasy, and a vision of a better future.
The series was directed by Adeola, “lwájú was born from my personal inspiration to tell a story about Lagos because one of the unique things I noticed is how the geography actually supports the societal divide in a way that is very obvious,” Adeola told in the interview, “In Lagos, the wealthy people live on the island, and the working class and poor people live on the mainland. So you literally see a body of water separating rich and poor. And so I thought that was a really interesting foundation upon which to build a science-fiction story.”
Adeola called lwájú “a love letter to Lagos” and said every frame praises the city’s diversity and spirit. The characters, he explained, represent typical types of Nigerian people and they wear clothing inspired by traditional African textiles (纺织品).
While the series of films questions the divisions in society, Adeola said it also highlights the bravery required to disrupt them. He added that he hopes lwájú inspires audiences to find strength in unity and the courage to dream of change.
1. What’s the similarity between lwájú and other Disney+ series according to the text?| A．They are adventurous stories. |
| B．They explore inequality and challenge society’s standards. |
| C．They combine African traditional culture and futurism. |
| D．They are produced by Walt Disney Animation independently. |
| A．The society is rarely divided by geography. |
| B．Generally, upper class live on the mainland. |
| C．Adeola’s friend inspired him to film lwájú. |
| D．The poor and rich are separated quite clearly. |
| A．Break. | B．Obtain. | C．Estimate. | D．Distinguish. |
| A．Imaginary and humorous. | B．Innovative and realistic. |
| C．Attractive and inspiring. | D．Critical and multicultural. |
3 . Europe’s series record-breaking hot and dry summers have broken an easy link to climate change. Climate models show Europe warms faster than the rest of the planet and the Arctic melting eventually causes massive ocean currents (洋流) and regional hot air circulation patterns.
Arctic melting is adding roughly 6000 cubic kilometers of water or more to the ocean per decade. As that fresh-water pours into the North Atlantic Ocean, it sits on top of heavier ocean salt-water and stops mixing. With less heat being stirred in from below, the surface water gets colder than usual during the fall and winter months, says Marilena Oltmanns, a climate scientist at the U.K. National Oceanography Centre. This phenomenon may explain the so-called “cold blob”, an area of sea in the North Atlantic that NASA nodeling suggests is one of the few spots on Earth getting colder.
To explore how the fresh water from Arctic ice might be affecting weather, Oltmanns and her colleagues developed a way to combine data from satellites, and weather stations. They found when the freshwater-caused cold blobs were more intense, the boundary was sharper, bringing more powerful westerly (向西的) winds. As a result, the stronger westerlies move a warm ocean flow from roughly 45°N to 60°N. That shift can continue into the next summer. And like a barrier, this warm current, curls up and around the British Isles, allowing a mass of hot, dry air to camp out over Europe.
“The study convincingly puts meat on the bones of an expectation I and others have had for a while — that the cold blob south of Greenland would influence North Atlantic weather patterns, as well as those downstream over Europe,” says Jennifer Francis, a climate scientist at Woodwell Climate Research Center.
1. What does the underlined word “cold blob” in paragraph 2 mean?| A．Climate models. | B．Ocean current. |
| C．Cold water zone. | D．Air circulation patterns. |
| A．Introduce the form of cold blob. |
| B．Present a phenomenon of climate changes in Europe. |
| C．Survey some data for the study. |
| D．Analyze the reason of hot and dry summer in Europe. |
| A．Approving. | B．Indifferent. | C．Doubtful. | D．Unclear. |
| A．Human activities change climate models. |
| B．Arctic melting contributes to European heat waves. |
| C．Climate changes have little impact on ocean currents. |
| D．Global warming results in the rise of the temperature. |
4 . It is well established that eating vegetables is good for us. Why, then, do some people like them but others don’t? A new study has found that other people’s likes and dislikes could play a part. According to the research, people who eat vegetables and show an obvious distaste for them can influence others.
A team of scientists in the UK set out to investigate how the facial expressions people make as they eat affect a person watching them. They asked more than 200 young women to watch videos of other adults eating raw broccoli. The people in the videos had different expressions while eating. They would smile, seem neutral (neither happy nor sad), or look disgusted by what they were tasting.
The study found that participants who watched someone else react with disgust while eating broccoli began to like broccoli less. The opposite was not true, however. When someone had a positive facial expression while eating broccoli, people watching them did not end up liking broccoli more.
Humans learn which behaviors, including eating, will benefit them by watching the reactions of others. Known as social modeling, this tendency can have a strong influence on people’s eating habits. Scientists believe that people might avoid food that appears disgusting because it could help protect them from eating something that tastes bad or could even be dangerous.
Although the research focused only on adults, experts think the results could also apply to children. This means that if children see their parents or siblings not enjoying certain foods, including vegetables, they might not want to eat them either. A previous study found that children between the ages of 4 and 6 were more likely to eat broccoli if they had seen video clips of adults enjoying it.
The team said further research is needed to understand more about how the behavior of adults influences children’s enjoyment of food. This could help experts find ways to encourage young people to eat more of the foods that are healthy for them.
1. What was the purpose of the UK scientists’ study?| A．Assess young women’s eating habits. |
| B．Examine the effect of raw broccoli on people. |
| C．Investigate facial expressions during eating. |
| D．Study the impact of diners’ expressions on viewers. |
| A．Correcting others’ behaviors. |
| B．Socializing one’s behaviors by learning from others. |
| C．Developing others’ eating habits. |
| D．Learning beneficial behaviors from observing others. |
| A．Impact of friends. | B．Influence of family members. |
| C．Personal taste preferences. | D．Unpleasant taste of vegetables. |
| A．Developing Good Habits: The Importance of Modeling. |
| B．Impacting Food Preferences: The Power of Eating Habits. |
| C．Influencing Food Choices: The Power of Facial Reactions. |
| D．Encouraging Vegetable Consumption: The Importance of Healthy Eating. |
5 . Community ovens are a centuries-old tradition worldwide. There are actually records going back to the 12th century when home ovens were not
Fast forward to today, Brickyard Bakery has
Owner Ed Hamilton-Trewhitt told the BBC, “We’ve
“It struck me that if one was
The response to this attempt has been so
| A．reliable | B．available | C．safe | D．useful |
| A．saved | B．shared | C．displayed | D．cooked |
| A．witnessed | B．suggested | C．adopted | D．advertised |
| A．offers | B．fails | C．declines | D．happens |
| A．exactly | B．hardly | C．typically | D．occasionally |
| A．afford | B．wait | C．fear | D．refuse |
| A．challenged | B．explained | C．removed | D．reintroduced |
| A．bake | B．prepare | C．cut | D．enjoy |
| A．instead of | B．regardless of | C．due to | D．as for |
| A．returned | B．delivered | C．sold | D．lent |
| A．excited | B．curious | C．upset | D．certain |
| A．accustomed to | B．devoted to | C．satisfied with | D．faced with |
| A．difference | B．profit | C．decision | D．development |
| A．direct | B．positive | C．complex | D．timely |
| A．food | B．fuel | C．recipe | D．service |
6 . Whether you are a lifelong bookworm or are trying to develop a love for reading in your kids, the 2024 Miami Book Fair is for you.
• When and Where Is the Fair?
This much-loved South Florida event will be held from May 12 to 18, 2024 at the MDC Wolfson Campus Plaza in Downtown Miami.
• What to Expect at the Fair?
This year, the fair will feature more than 400 celebrated authors from around the world. There will be a rich collection of writers and their works of almost every type under the sun. Readers can not only explore arts and crafts, but also experience face painting and book giveaways. For green writers, it’s a place to connect with their favorite editors. For book lovers, it’s an opportunity to get autographs (亲笔签名) from many popular authors and ask them some questions. During this week-long book feast, you will find a group of events running from morning to night.
• How Much Does the Fair Cost?
On Friday. the fair is free. On Saturday or Sunday, it is 10 for an adult for one day, or you can get a two-day pass for $15. Kids under age 12 can attend for free and the kid aged 13-18 is $5 per day.
So mark your calendars, head to Downtown Miami, and enjoy yourself in the heart of the city’s literary scene.
1. What can visitors do at the fair?| A．Donate used books. | B．Explore Downtown Miami. |
| C．Enjoy a dinner party. | D．Interact with popular authors. |
| A．$ 30. | B．$25. | C．$ 20. | D．$ 15. |
| A．To advertise a fair. | B．To raise money. |
| C．To introduce a city. | D．To recommend books. |
7 . Amazing Ancient Forests Around the World
A visit to one of these long-lived woodlands is an excellent experience. Here’s where to see some of the oldest forests on Earth.
The Takayna/Tarkine Forest Australia
Tasmania’s Takayna/Tarkine Forest gives an experience of what life on Earth looked like 300 million years ago. This rainforest in Australia is home to the second oldest living tree species on the planet: the amazing 3, 000-year-old Huon pines. To explore this fantastic area blanketed with trees, waterfalls, rivers, caves, hills and moorlands, book a tour with Tarkine Trails.
The Araucaria Forest Chile
The Chilean pine tree that spans (横跨) the country’s Lake District is thought to have developed its strange paintbrush shape to defend against dinosaurs during the Jurassic period. However, the forest is most attractive set against the backdrop of surprisingly blue lakes and snowcapped volcanoes in Conguillio National Park. Por those who want to take their time, campsites are available within the park and currently taking reservations (预定) .
The Yakushima Forest Japan
This forest was considered so beautiful by Japan’s 17th-century royalty (王室) that the landscape was recreated in a garden on the mainland, and in 1993, the Yakushima Forest was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once on the Yakushima Island, there is a range of accommodation options, including the expensive Sankara Hotel &Spa (from $750/night, expedia. com ) .
The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest California
The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is home to some of the oldest living trees on Earth. The most ancient among the protected forest’s bristlecone pines— which are characterized by their unusual-looking twisted forms-is Methuselah, a tree estimated to be 4, 841 years old. Grandview Campground ($5 per night, first come first serve) is the closest to the Bristlecone Pine Forest.
1. Which forest is the home of Huon pines?| A．The Araucaria Forest. | B．The Yakushima Forest. |
| C．The Takayna/Tarkine Forest. | D．The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. |
| A．It is set against snowcapped volcanoes. | B．It was recreated by Japan’s royalty. |
| C．It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. | D．It offers beautiful scenery. |
| A．Visitors can stay in expensive hotels. |
| B．Visitors can admire the oldest living trees. |
| C．Visitors can experience the Jurassic period. |
| D．Visitors can camp while enjoying the beauty of nature |
8 . 20-year-old Colen Nulgit and his girlfriend, Shantelle Johnson, had gone out for a daytime fishing trip at Keep River National Park in Australia last week when their car became stuck in some mud (淤泥).
When they were unable to free the car from the mud, they began to worry. The park’s waterways are usually full of crocodiles, and the couple had already seen plenty of crocodile tracks running through the mud. Not only that, they had only brought a few bottles of water and little food for the trip.
Nulgit and Johnson tried to fall asleep in their car, but as the sun set and the nearby water levels began to rise, they feared that the high tide (潮水) would bring the crocodiles closer to their car. The young couple then moved towards dry land and hoped for rescue. They even used a piece of wood to write the word “HELP” into the mud along with a line pointed towards their car.
Thankfully, the couple had been careful to tell Nulgit’s parents where they were going and when they expected to be home; so when they failed to return the very same night, his worried mother called the police. Rescuers began searching the area by airplane the next morning. Upon hearing the sound of the plane, the couple started a fire so the rescuers would see the smoke. As the plane drew closer to the smoke, rescuers successfully located the couple after they caught sight of the “HELP” sign pointing towards the car.
Nulgit and Johnson were very thankful for the rescue. They now plan on putting together a set of emergency survival tools for the car.
1. What happened to Nulgit and Johnson?| A．They got lost. | B．Their car was broken. |
| C．They run out of supplies. | D．They got stuck in a dangerous place. |
| A．They started a fire for warmth. | B．They looked for survival tools. |
| C．They phoned their parents for help. | D．They made a sign. |
| A．Colen Nulgit. | B．Shantelle Johnson. | C．Nulgit’s mother. | D．Johnson’s father. |
| A．Clear-headed. | B．Confident. | C．Open-minded. | D．Independent. |
9 . The autonomous vehicle technology is rapidly evolving, promising to redefine urban mobility (机动性). Self-driving cars, with their complicated sensors and artificial intelligence, are expected to significantly reduce traffic accidents, a majority of which are caused by human error.
A notable example is Waymo, a branch company of Alphabet Inc., which has been pioneering in autonomous vehicle technology. In 2020, Waymo launched its fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Phoenix, Arizona, marking a significant milestone in self-driving technology. This service allows users to book a self-driving car using a mobile app, similar to other ride-sharing services.
Moreover, autonomous vehicles are foreseen to ease traffic jam. Through Vehicle to Everything communication, self-driving cars can communicate with each other and traffic infrastructure (基础设施) to maintain a smooth flow of traffic, reducing traffic jam and emissions.
However, the transition to self-driving technology is not without challenges. The high cost of production, cybersecurity threats, and moral problems in case of traffic accidents are among the problems that need to be settled. Additionally, the technology requires a complete legal and regulatory framework to ensure safety and reliability.
As self-driving technology continues to mature, the potential benefits in terms of safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability are immense, driving us towards a new era of transportation.
1. The paragraph mentioning Waymo mainly discusses ________.| A．the Vehicle to Everything communication. |
| B．a significant milestone in self-driving technology. |
| C．the legal framework required for autonomous vehicles. |
| D．the challenges faced by autonomous vehicle companies. |
| A．Through reducing emissions. |
| B．By lowering the cost of transportation. |
| C．By reducing the number of cars on the road. |
| D．Through communication with each other and traffic infrastructure. |
| A．Cybersecurity threats and ethical dilemmas. | B．Lack of interest from the public. |
| C．Insufficient milestones achieved. | D．Inability to communicate with traditional vehicles. |
| A．Skeptical. | B．Optimistic. | C．Critical. | D．Neutral. |
10 . In recent times, the marriage between technology and art has rekindled a new age of theatre, ushering (引入) in an era known as Digital Theatre. This concept has broken traditional boundaries, offering an immersive experience that overcame geographical and social limitations. The integration of digital elements within theatrical performances has not only enriched the narrative but also expanded the audience reach globally.
The foremost contributor to this revolutionary movement is the use of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality(VR) technologies. These technologies provide a gateway for the audience to step into the narrative, experiencing the storyline in a more personal and engaging way. For instance, a play based on ancient Rome could transport the audience to the Colosseum, with digital recreations of the ancient ruins, giving a firsthand experience of the historic setting.
Moreover, the digital platform has opened doors for more people. Streaming performances online has made theatre accessible to individuals who were previously unable to attend due to physical or financial constraints. This digital shift has also encouraged a new generation of playwrights and actors, who now have a global platform to show their talents.
On the negative side, some people argue that digital theatre dilutes the essence of traditional theatre, taking away the authenticity (真实性) and the human connection that live performances offer. Despite the criticism, many believe that digital theatre is not a replacement, but an evolution that allows for a combination of tradition and modernity.
The digital theatre movement also raises questions about the preservation of cultural integrity. As digital elements become more and more popular, there is a fear that the traditional theatre may be overshadowed or forgotten. Yet, others argue that this combination of technology and art is a celebration of cultural evolution, presenting an opportunity to introduce traditional theatre to a modern audience in a refreshing way.
1. Paragraph 1 mainly talks about ________.| A．The global reach of digital theatre. | B．The historical background of theatre. |
| C．The traditional boundaries of theatre. | D．The integration of digital elements in theatre. |
| A．By providing financial support. | B．By enabling online streaming. |
| C．By enhancing audience participation. | D．By recruiting new talents. |
| A．strengthen | B．show | C．weaken | D．answer |
| A．poses a threat to cultural preservation. |
| B．is a mere replacement for traditional theatre. |
| C．neglects the importance of human connection. |
| D．encourages a combination of tradition and modernity. |
