1 . San-Francisco based OpenAI made its big drop during the Spring Festival holidays. The up-to-one-minute-long realistic videos created by the text-to-video AI generator Sora are so remarkable that they resulted in people imaging the limitless possibilities of this generator could have. Sora is probably able to reshape the entire movie industry.
According to OpenAI’s explainer, Sora is capable of generating complex scenes with accurate details, including multiple characters, specific types of movements, themes, and backgrounds. It understands not only what the user requests, but also how these things exist in the physical world.
Industry observers have noted that the emergence of the video-generation model was highly anticipated. However, there have been comments expressing surprise at the speed of its development, with some individuals excitedly declaring “the arrival of a new industrial revolution.” On the other hand, there are concerns that this advancement may lead to “the disappearance of reality” as we know it, and that it could potentially cause a battle against the dominance of Hollywood in the movie industry.
“When I see Sora, the first word that comes to my mind is ‘shock,’ like the majority in the film industry. As film producers, we understand the potential impact of AI on the various aspects of film production, some positions such as those relating to movie preview would be impacted,” Ma Heliang, a film producer said.
“But the current technology is still far from reaching the levels required for making theatrical films, or to hollow out the entire movie industry. Over the past 100 years, movies have established an emotional connection and a shared social space with the audience. It involves socializing and sharing aesthetics, making it a complex entity. It is not possible to replace this experience with a simple video clip generated by AI,” Ma noted.
But the strong capability of Sora tells us that the direction of relying on AI to assist in human creativity is becoming increasingly clear. It allows creators to be less restricted by industrial processes and enables them to express what they want more freely using AI tools.
1. What is Sora’s function?| A．It can improve holiday atmosphere. |
| B．It can produce videos based on texts. |
| C．It can enrich people’s imagination. |
| D．It can reshape the whole film making tools. |
| A．The arrival of a new industrial revolution. |
| B．The speed of social media’s development. |
| C．The emergence of the video-generation model. |
| D．The rapid advancement of the video-generation model. |
| A．AI will take over the entire movie industry. |
| B．Theatrical films have been made by AI currently. |
| C．Film production can’t be completely replaced by AI. |
| D．AI can establish an emotional connection with the audience. |
| A．Movie industry comes into a new age |
| B．Sora shows potential of AI technology |
| C．Sora starts a battle against Hollywood |
| D．OpenAI’s productions bring shocking news |
2 . Writing competitions
Closing date in AprilAuthor of Tomorrow aims to find future adventure writers. Young people under 21 can send entries (参赛作品) between 1,500 and 5,000 words (under 500 words for primary-aged pupils). The prizes are £1,000 for the 16-21 age group, £100 and £150 in book tokens (购书券) for the 12-15 age group, and £100 and £150 in book tokens for the 11 and under age group. The closing date is 29th April.
Tadpole Press is running a worldwide 100-word writing competition open to writers of all ages. Entries of 100 words can be sent in any type. The competition requires a small entry fee and 1st place receives a cash prize, while 2nd and 3rd places get writing coaching and editing packages. The deadline is 30th April.
Closing date in MayThe Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize invites young people in the UK aged 11-14 to send under 500 words of “writing that is lively, unusual or otherwise original”. This year’s topic is “The Stranger” and the closing date is 22nd May.
War Through Children’s Eyes is open to children aged 7-17 in the UK and aims to “raise awareness of the impact of wars on the communities caught up in them, and particularly on the most vulnerable members of those communities: their children”: Entries of up to 1,000 words are invited, and full details about the competition are available on its website. The closing date is 10th May.
1. Which competition is suitable for a person good at writing adventure stories?| A．Tadpole Press. |
| B．Author of Tomorrow. |
| C．War Through Children’s Eyes. |
| D．The Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize. |
| A．All types of entries are accepted. |
| B．It is free of charge for all writers. |
| C．The winners will receive cash prizes. |
| D．It welcomes writers across the world. |
| A．They have specific topics. | B．They close on the same day. |
| C．They are only for teen writers. | D．They accept entries over 500 words. |
Garden of Discovery
I was kneeling outside in my garden, pulling weeds in the bright sun, when a voice suddenly said, “What are you doing?”
I looked up. Looking over the fence was the boy who had just moved with his family into the house behind ours. “Don’t you hate getting dirty?” he said.
I laughed. “No, I don’t mind.” I stood up. “Hi, I’m Jeanie.”
“Mike,” he replied.
I saw him looking at my garden. “I’m getting ready to plant tomatoes, potatoes,” I said. “Also beans and...”
Mike interrupted. “Why go to all this trouble when you can buy vegetables at the store?”
“It’s fun,” I replied. “I bet you’d enjoy gardening if you tried it. All boys like gardening.”
“Don’t believe everything you hear,” he said.
I smiled. “Work with me for a week. If you still don’t like it by then, I’ll never talk about it.
To my surprise he nodded. “That’s a good idea.”
Before I knew it, the week was up. I was sure that Mike had changed his mind about gardening. He no longer complained about getting dirty! Each time he planted a seed, he would say, “I hope you grow big and make Jeanie and me proud of you.”
On the last day, Mike and I worked until the sun had set.
“That’s it,” I said, standing up. “Everything’s planted.”
Silently Mike rose, too. “The week’s up,” I said. I smiled at Mike, confident that he was going to tell me that gardening wasn’t so bad after all.
For a moment he didn’t say anything. Suddenly he said, “I’m glad that’s over. Don’t forget our deal—no more garden talk. See you.” Then he ran into his own yard. I stared after him in disbelief.
I went to bed. Around midnight a crash of thunder woke me up. Outside there was a terrible storm. I worried about my plants until the rain finally ended, and I fell back asleep.
The next morning I jumped out of bed, eager to see my garden. I pictured in my mind broken plants and flooded rows of seeds.
注意：1.续写词数应为150左右;
2.请按如下格式在相应位置作答。
“It’s about time for you to get here,” said a voice as I pushed open the back door.
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“I can’t believe what you’re doing after what you said last night,” I said.
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4 . 3 Nights Sydney to Perth
Train
Australia: Great Southern Rail-The Indian Pacific
General Information
There’s no better way to appreciate Australia than by crossing every inch of it. After setting out on this journey, you’ll have nothing but fun.
Details:
Day 1: Depart Sydney in the afternoon and start a true journey of contrasts-it will take you through the heights of the Blue Mountains and across the Nullarbor Plain, from cities of four million to towns of just four citizens.
Day 2: Wake up to a coffee as you arrive in Broken Hill, a classic mining town. In no time, you’ll notice a dramatic change in landscape. For the afternoon and evening, choose between the picturesque city of Adelaide and the historic Barossa Valley.
Day 3: Wake up and be surprised at the beauty of the Nullarbor. Take some time to enjoy the hospitality (服务) of the Outback Explorer Lounge as you travel across Australia’s longest single stretch of railway.
Day4: Arrive in Perth after lunch, having finished an amazing Australian journey end-to-end. Choose to spend some more time in Perth and its surroundings with city tours and day trips to Margaret River and Fremantle available.
INCLUSIONS
Platinum (铂金金) Service includes comfortable accommodations, elegant dining in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant Car, daily breakfast, onboard lunches, full-size en suite (套房) equipped with shower, tea/ coffee delivered each morning, and select off-train trips.
Gold Service includes sleeper cabins (隔间), meals in the stylish Queen Adelaide Restaurant Car, daily breakfast, onboard lunches, tea/ coffee during your journey, and select off-train trips.
1. Which of the following suits visitors who want to walk around a mining town?| A．Adelaide. | B．Fremantle. | C．Broken Hill. | D．Barossa Valley. |
| A．Day 1. | B．Day 2. | C．Day3. | D．Day 4. |
| A．Off-train trips. | B．Delivered tea or coffee. |
| C．Simple meals in the cabin. | D．A suite equipped with shower. |
Tigger wandered the pet shop to find an extraordinary animal as his companion.
The shop owner enthusiastically presented various special pets to Tigger, but none caught his attention until he noticed a cage in the distance. “What’s in there?” he asked.
“That’s Marmalade, just a regular parrot.” the owner replied.
Curious, Tigger approached the cage. The big white bird cocked her head to one side and let out a little squawk (尖叫).
“Can she talk?” Tigger asked.
The pet shop owner nodded, “Sometimes. She will talk when she has something important to say.”
“That makes her unique,” said Tigger, “and she will be my pet.”
After the purchase, he lifted the cage off the counter and walked proudly out of the shop.
At home, Tigger placed Marmalade on his bedroom desk. He pushed his face up close to the cage and said, “Watch my lips, Marmalade. My name is Tigger. Now say hello Tigger!”
Marmalade hopped round the cage. She pecked at seeds lying on the floor. She tapped the hanging silver bell with her beak, but she did not say a word.
Despite her quietness, Tigger consistently shared his school day with Marmalade as soon as he came back.
One afternoon, Tigger returned home late. Marmalade acted quite strangely. She glared at the door, walking round and round the cage. She jumped up on the wires and banged the silver bell with her beak. Then she stopped and opened her beak as if she was going to talk. But before she could say a word, Tigger rushed into the room waving a yellow piece of paper.
“Look, Marmalade!”
He pushed the paper against the cage. “The school’s annual pet show is tomorrow. And guess what? I’ve entered you. Unlike other years, besides judges, our headmaster, Mr. White, will select a special winner. I believe you’ll enjoy it.” Yet, Marmalade remained silent.
The next morning, Tigger woke early. He cleaned out Marmalade’s cage, filled the dishes with water and seeds and polished the bell.
“You know, Marmalade,” he said happily, “I’m sure no one will have a pet like you, a talking bird. Marmalade will be the winner!”
注意：
1. 所续写短文的词数应为150左右;
2. 续写部分分两段，每段的开头语已为你写好。
Paragraph 1:
Upon entering the school hall, Tigger saw excited children displaying their unique pets.
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Paragraph 2:
As Mr. White prepared to announce the winner, a voice suddenly rang out, “Hello, Tigger!”
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The term Xuan paper first appeared in On Famous Paintings through the Ages, a book
The traditional craft of making Xuan paper is
The flow of ink, both guided
Papermaking is a crystallization of
7 . In 1951, Mary Starn and her colleagues were working at an Iowa factory, repetitively packing eggs into cartons (纸箱). Feeling a little bored, they
| A．put down | B．picked up | C．worked out | D．handed in |
| A．hobbies | B．birthdays | C．jobs | D．addresses |
| A．approach | B．order | C．attempt | D．arrangement |
| A．gets | B．needs | C．chooses | D．wins |
| A．signed | B．carved | C．penciled | D．drew |
| A．requests | B．suggestions | C．comments | D．responses |
| A．fresh | B．special | C．broken | D．smooth |
| A．hearing | B．learning | C．benefiting | D．suffering |
| A．Gradually | B．Amazingly | C．Eventually | D．Consequently |
| A．took up | B．came up | C．turned up | D．made up |
| A．post | B．message | C．email | D．offer |
| A．enjoyed | B．hidden | C．adopted | D．kept |
| A．inform | B．greet | C．follow | D．contact |
| A．flexible | B．magical | C．fascinating | D．significant |
| A．letter | B．penfriend | C．group | D．account |
8 . The story about horses in North America told in several written histories is in need of an update, according to a new study. After examining ancient remains of horses, researchers suggest indigenous(土著的) peoples had spread the animals through the American West by the first half of the 1600s—before they met Europeans.
The findings line up with oral histories from indigenous groups, which tell of interactions with horses before settlers arrived in their homelands. Meanwhile, written European texts from the 1700s and 1800s stated that horses only spread through the area after 1680.
Horses originated in the Americas around four million years ago, but by about 10,000 years ago, they had mostly disappeared from the record. Spanish settlers likely first brought horses back to the Americas in 1519. According to the new study, indigenous peoples then transported horses north along trade networks.
To find when the animals spread, researchers examined the remains of more than twenty horses discovered across the Western U.S. Rather than simply walking around the countryside on their own, the horses appear to have been part of Native American culture. Signs of teeth problems on one horse and growths on the bones of the head of another suggested people had put bridles(缰绳) on the animals. Certain chemical elements in the animals’ teeth suggested they ate maize, an indigenous plant. And another horse had a previously broken facial bone that had fully recovered, meaning it might have received medical treatment.
Researchers compared the ancient horses’ DNA with that of modern horses and found that the centuries-old horses had largely Spanish origins. Together, the findings suggest horses spread “from Spanish settlements in the American Southwest to the northern Rockies and central Great Plains by the first half of the 17th century.”
The findings also highlight the importance of indigenous oral traditions in understanding history. “Our cultures have been so misunderstood for so long,” says co-author Yvette Collin. “Too often history has been told around us, without us.”
1. What needs to be updated according to the new study?| A．When horses showed up in the Americas. | B．Who introduced horses to North America. |
| C．When Native Americans first met Europeans. | D．Who spread horses through the American West. |
| A．They played a role in natives’ life. | B．They were born with tooth disease. |
| C．They were badly treated by natives. | D．They had hardly any Spanish origins. |
| A．They spread easily. | B．They are of great significance. |
| C．They pass down traditions. | D．They unite indigenous groups. |
| A．Written texts explain human-horse interactions. |
| B．Oral histories help us understand Indigenous cultures. |
| C．New research rewrites the history of American horses. |
| D．Archaeological remains are the key to learning about the past. |
9 . Welcome to Mounts Botanical Garden!
Discover our 80-thousand-square-meter tropical oasis(绿洲), where you’ll find more than 7,000 species among our collection of tropical and sub-tropical plants.
Garden walkways provide easy access for all. Whether you’re planning an outing with family and friends, or just need a space for yourself, Mounts Botanical Garden is here to inspire, educate and surprise you with the wonders of nature.
Garden Hours
●Tuesday—Sunday
●9:00 am—3:00 pm (June—October, last entry at 2:00)
●9:00 am—4:00 pm (November—May, last entry at 3:00)
Closed on Mondays and all Palm Beach County holidays. (2023 Holidays: February 20, May 29, June 19, July 4, September 4, October 9, November 23—24, and December 25—26)
Garden Admission
●Adults: $15
●Seniors (65+): $12
●College students with ID: $12
●Children (6—17): $7
●Children (under 6): Free
Make the Most of Your Garden Visit
●For admission and shop purchases: bank cards only; no cash.
●We suggest wearing sunscreen, bringing plenty of water and an umbrella to protect you from both the sun and rain.
●Smoking is not allowed in the Garden.
●Children must be closely watched at all times.
●Dogs are welcome to join their humans on the 2nd Sunday of each month—except during events and plant sales.
●Sensory bags, including tools to help children and adults calm down, are sold at the Welcome Center & Gift Shop for visitors with sensory sensitivities, which are designed to help families feel more prepared and confident to take part during their visit to the Garden.
Parking
A parking lot is located at the front of Mounts Botanical Garden. There is no charge for parking.
Contact
Address: 531 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach, Florida 33415
Phone: (561) 233-1757
1. How much should a couple in their forties pay if they take their 17-year-old son to the Garden?
| A．$31. | B．$42. | C．$30. | D．$37. |
| A．Have a smoke. | B．Enjoy tropical plants. |
| C．Buy gifts with paper money. | D．Make sensory bags with families. |
| A．Free parking is provided. | B．It welcomes dogs every Sunday. |
| C．It is open for half a day on Mondays. | D．Visitors can enter at 10 am on Christmas Day. |
10 . Community sports teams provide great ways for players of all ages to have fun and socialize while they keep their skills sharp and get some exercise. If you can’t find one in your area, you can start one yourself.
Do your research.
Establish a budget.
To figure out what expenses (支出) you’ll need to cover, think about everything you’ll need to set up for your first game: Do you need to pay for using the facilities?
Create a league of your own.
It might seem like overkill to draft some legal documents if all you want to do is meet up with some friends for a game on Sunday mornings.
Plan for the future.
Consider getting and training new volunteers and keep young players coming in to replace those lost to busy careers or family responsibilities.
| A．Do you need to buy sports equipment? |
| B．What social benefits might your club bring to the region? |
| C．Read on to find tips for starting your own sports club team. |
| D．And don’t forget to pass your knowledge and enthusiasm on to the next generation. |
| E．But having written guidelines in place will help to keep everyone on the same page. |
| F．Check with your local community center to see if a league already exists for your sport. |
| G．You may have spoken to someone in the community during your initial search for a league. |
