1 . Mary Poppins held on to her famous black umbrella while floating overhead and singing “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” The audience watched in amazement, and many sang along! Poppins floated for a bit and eventually landed in the midst of the excited crowd before getting on stage. No, this wasn’t a scene from a Disney movie.     1    His background helps explain his passion for music. The world-renowned violinist and conductor was born into a musical family in October 1949 in Maastricht, Netherlands. He began learning to play the violin at age five and immediately fell in love with the instrument!

    2     He started by creating a small ensemble (乐团). Then in 1978, Rieu established the Maastricht Salon Orchestra, from which he later developed the Johann Strauss Orchestra.

They had limited success until 1995 when Rieu was asked to provide entertainment for a soccer game. He got the entire stadium to sing along to a popular waltz.     3    

Today Rieu is the best-selling classical artist worldwide. He has sold in the ballpark of an astonishing 40 million records. He is the biggest male solo touring artist on the planet. His concerts sell more tickets than Beyoncé and Bruce Springsteen!

Many classical concerts are serious events, but Rieu’s are the opposite. He’s been nicknamed “The King of the Waltz” because he loves waltzes.     4     Rieu says, “I love Johann Strauss, but I am also fascinated by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Bruce Springsteen.”

His shows are attended by people of all ages and always include surprises, like the delightful appearance by Mary Poppins. As Rieu says, “I only play music that touched my heart. And I know when it touches my heart, it will touch your heart.” During his performances, many audience members are visibly moved. They often clap, sing, dance, laugh, weep or hug one another. Rieu promises his audience, “You will have an evening that you will never forget.”And he is true to his word.

A．Afterward, he sold over 200,000 CDs and his popularity rising.

B．Rather, it was part of one of André Rieu’s amazing concerts.

C．As a result, Rieu became a house-hold name and won great popularity.

D．Yet his shows consist of an extensive variety of musical genres and performances.

E．Then, Rieu continued his style until he got his nickname.

F．From early on, Rieu knew what he wanted - his own orchestra.

2 . Precognitive dreams are dreams that seemingly predict the future which cannot be inferred from actually available information. Former US President Abraham Lincoln once revealed the frightening dream to his law partner and friend Ward Hill Lamon, “…Then I heard people weep… ‘Who is dead in the White House?’ I demanded. ‘The President,’ ‘he was killed!’…” The killing did happen later.

Christopher French, Professor in the Department of Psychology at Goldsmiths, stated the most likely explanation for such a phenomenon was coincidence (巧合). “In addition to pure coincidences we must also consider the unreliability of memory”, he added. Asked what criteria would have to be met for him to accept that precognitive dreams were a reality, he said, “The primary problem with tests of the claim is that the subjects are unable to tell when the event(s)they’ve dreamed about will happen.”

However, some claimed to make such tests practicable. Professor Caroline Watt at the University of Edinburgh, has conducted studies into precognitive dreaming. She stated that knowing future through dreams challenged the basic assumption of science — causality (relationship of cause and effect).

Dick Bierman, a retired physicist and psychologist, who has worked at the Universities of Amsterdam, Utrecht and Groningen, has put forward a theory that may explain precognitive dreams. It is based on the fact that when scientists use certain mathematical descriptions to talk about things like electromagnetism (电磁学), these descriptions favour the belief that time only moves in one direction. However, in practice the wave that is running backwards in time does exist. This concept is called the time symmetry, meaning that the laws of physics look the same when time runs forward or backward. But he believes that time symmetry breaks down due to external conditions. “The key of the theory is that it assumes that there is a special context that restores the broken time-symmetry, if the waves running backwards are ‘absorbed’ by a consistent multi-particle (多粒子) system. The brain under a dream state may be such a system where broken time-symmetry is partially restored. This is still not a full explanation for precognitive dreams but it shows where physics might be adjusted to accommodate the phenomenon,” he explains.

Although Bierman’s explanation is still based on guesses and has not accepted by mainstream science, Watt does think it is worth considering. For now, believing that it’s possible to predict future with dreams remains an act of faith. Yet, it’s possible that one day we’ll wake up to a true understanding of this fascinating phenomenon.

1. According to French, what makes it difficult to test precognitive dreams?

A．Unavailability of people’s dreams.

B．That coincidences happen a lot in reality.

C．That criteria for dream reliability are not trustworthy.

D．People’s inability to tell when dreamt events will happen.

2. Believers in precognitive dreams may question the truth of ________.

A．the assumption of causality	B．the time symmetry
C．memories of ordinary people	D．modern scientific tests

3. We can infer from the passage that ________.

A．Lincoln was warned of the killing by his friend

B．Watt carried out several experiments on causality

C．researches on electromagnetism are based on the time symmetry

D．time’s moving in two directions may justify precognitive dreams

4. Which might be the best title of the passage?

A．Should Dreams Be Assessed?

B．Can Dreams Predict the Future?

C．How Can Physics Be Changed to Explain Dreams?

D．Why Should Scientists Study Precognitive Dreams?

3 . Every summer, Europeans and tourists from all over the world sail by boat down the Danube River. Their trips often begin in Nuremberg, Germany, where they can visit the Imperial Castle, the ancient city wall, and the water fountain in Market Square.

From Nuremberg, the boats proceed down the Danube to Melk, which for centuries was one of Europe’s most important religious centers. Among the interesting sights in Melk is its famous church tower.

After Melk, the boats pass through wine country to Vienna. Called the “City of Waltzes”, Vienna has a magnificent opera house and an imperial palace. Aside trip from Vienna takes visitors into the Austrian Alps. The tour bus trip offers marvelous views of the surrounding countryside.

From Vienna, the boats sail to Budapest. The capital of the central-European country of Hungary, Budapest boasts a history that’s more than 2,000 years old.

The city’s name combines those of “Buda”, “Obuda” and “Pest”, once separate towns on either side of the Danube River. In 1873, these towns were unified and their names combined into one. Budapest’s World Heritage site also comprises several distinct areas, designated (指定) by UNESCO starting in 1987. These include the Castle District, the Banks of the Danube, Gellért Hill and Andrássy Avenue. At each of these locations, you can explore many hundreds of years of history, art and culture. One great way of doing so is through guided walking tours. Some of these tours are free, led by local people who have extensive knowledge of their city. Or, if you prefer something that’s faster-paced and easier on the legs, try a Segway tour! The Castle District displays centuries of the city’s history. Numerous attacks, wars and natural disasters destroyed much of the original Castle Quarter. Still, beauty and charm remain.

1. What does this article mainly describe?

A．Voyages with several interesting stops.

B．Cycling through urban and rural areas.

C．Travel by air to a continent’s oldest towns.

D．Fascinating rides on a historic railway.

2. What does Vienna’s nickname imply about the city?

A．Its location made it an important political center.

B．Hunting was a popular activity there years ago.

C．It has attracted a lot of people who enjoy skating.

D．Dancing has been an important part of its culture.

3. What does the article point out about some of the tours that people can take in Budapest?

A．They frequently include a meal.

B．They don’t cost anything.

C．They require advance reservations.

D．They may not be entirely safe.

4. According to the article, which have impacted Budapest’s Castle quarter in the past?

A．International festivals.

B．Military conflicts.

C．An educational institution.

D．Industrial expansion.

4 . Product info:

Jacobsen Healthy Charms Cereal 500g $6.99

By Jacobsen Foods

1.8 out of 5 stars                    815 customer reviews

It's time to feed your family cereal that's both healthy and exciting! Healthy Charms combines both the fun of sugary cereals with the health benefits of healthy foods. After years of research, we've created this cereal that appeals to both kids and adults alike. It's made with 18 nutritious ingredients that provide your body with vitamins, minerals, and proteins to start your day off right! We've added dried fruits in fun shapes that your children will love.

Low in fat

Low in sugar

No GMO or artificial colors or ingredients

ONLINE REVIEW:

1.0 out of 5 stars                 Definitely tastes healthy

By parent of 4 ★★★★★                  May 18, 2023

Well, I can't say I didn't try. I wanted to feed my kids something healthier for breakfast than their usual Frosted O's and Cinnareal, but this one completely failed. My kids aren't even picky, but this cereal tasted like cardboard.There was absolutely nothing fun or "charming" about it. The "shaped fruit" just looked like pressed bugs, and that was the only part of the cereal that tasted good. And it was so expensive on top of it all!

RESPONSE:

I'm sorry to hear your family did not like our cereal. We had broad feedback making this product and received lots of good reviews about it. Perhaps the transition from a lot of sugar to a product that has almost none was too quick? We want you to be happy and would be glad to send you a beneficial ticket to purchase something else our company makes. Please email us at contact@jacobsenfoods.com and tell us about your situation and we'll get into contact with you.

1. What was the company's goal when making Healthy Charms?

A．They wanted to be in direct competition with another cereal.

B．They wanted to create something that no one had ever heard of.

C．They wanted to make kids and parents happy at the same time.

D．They wanted to turn a kid's idea into reality with their help.

2. What is one complaint parent of 4 has?

A．The dried fruit was tasty but looked terrible.

B．The cereal was a little wet even without milk.

C．There was still a lot of sugar for children.

D．There was so little cereal inside the box.

3. What is the company's explanation for parent of 4's complaints?

A．They said the family doesn't know what they're talking about.

B．They said that the cereal isn't supposed to taste good.

C．They said that the product the family purchased was bad.

D．They said the family needs more time to get used to it.

5 . Picture this: you’re out to dinner with a friend who you know makes a lot more money than you do. When you open the _________, your heart sinks. There’s not a dish in sight that is less than $35, and even a soup is going to run you $18. You probably vow (发誓) to _________ dollar pizza slices the rest of the month to balance out this dinner. _________, this time, what if you just turned to your friend, closed the menu, and said, “Sorry, I have to be honest. I can’t afford this. Let’s go somewhere else?”

That’s the idea behind “loud budgeting”, a trend that could not only relieve you of the _________ burden, but help you deal with these sorts of stressful situations both mentally and emotionally. In an age when everybody is showing off nice things on social media and _________ to be something they’re not, it feels somewhat revolutionary to just tell the truth about what you can’t afford.

The term was first introduced by TikTok (抖音) comedian Lukas Battle. Battle explained his concept in an interview: simply put, loud budgeting is being _________ about what you do and don’t want to spend money on. Since his video, the concept has caught on rapidly among the _________, who are pointing out that it has come at a significant time when everything is uncontrollably expensive.

It’s not just a TikTok thing though. Even those in the financial services industry are on board with the _________. Nikolina Cuca, a financial advisor, says that she’s seen social media add pressure to her clients, causing them to spend _________ on luxury items. “There should be no shame about trying to match your spending to your means. This trend helps young people moderate spending by __________ the idea of living within budgets.”

Beyond just saving money, loud budgeting is also bringing people closer. Honest money talks lead to greater respect among friends and family. By __________ discussing money goals, people are creating stronger bonds based on mutual understanding for each other’s financial situations. And perhaps the most valuable part of the loud budgeting trend is that it provides a sense of __________. For example, if you tell a friend you are trying to cut back spending on drinks out, you are much __________ to stick with the goal than if you just keep it to yourself.

With its focus on being open, spending wisely, and building __________, loud budgeting is more than just a passing trend, but a cool way for the younger generation to __________ their finances. As more people adopt this approach, it is likely to stay a big part of how we handle money in the future.

1.

A．door

B．menu

C．bill

D．wallet

2.

A．appeal to

B．lead to

C．stick to

D．object to

3.

A．Otherwise

B．Meanwhile

C．Therefore

D．However

4.

A．financial

B．cultural

C．physical

D．economical

5.

A．refusing

B．pretending

C．agreeing

D．guaranteeing

6.

A．worried

B．angry

C．honest

D．excited

7.

A．male

B．female

C．young

D．old

8.

A．tradition

B．truth

C．treasure

D．trend

9.

A．below their standards

B．beyond their means

C．towards their goals

D．despite their differences

10.

A．normalizing

B．criticizing

C．memorizing

D．visualizing

11.

A．endlessly

B．intelligently

C．openly

D．formally

12.

A．belonging

B．accountability

C．flexibility

D．rigidity

13.

A．less motivated

B．less equipped

C．more hesitant

D．more likely

14.

A．connections

B．business

C．habitats

D．reputation

15.

A．lose faith in

B．take charge of

C．do away with

D．make up for

6 . Large Study Details Years of Brain Changes in Alzheimer’s Patients

A long-term study in China has shown that a series of changes take place in the brains of people who get Alzheimer’s disease long before they present signs of the sickness.

    1     The individuals were examined on a regular basis during that period. The researchers used brain imaging, spinal fluid (脊髓液) checks and other tools to collect data.

The researchers reported that the study subjects who later developed Alzheimer’s showed high levels of disease-linked protein in their spinal fluid.     2     Then every few years, the study detected another so-called biomarker of coming trouble.

Scientists still do not know exactly how Alzheimer’s forms. The disease slowly destroys the brain, affecting the ability to think. Alzheimer’s patients develop proteins called beta-amyloid and tau, which over time build up into plaques (斑块) that block brain processes. The new research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, offers a timeline for how these proteins develop.

Scientists already knew that in rare, genetic forms of Alzheimer’s that affect young people, a poisonous form of amyloid starts developing about 20 years ahead of symptoms. At some point after that, tau develops as well.     3    

“The more we know about Alzheimer’s treatment targets and when to address them, the better and faster we will be able to develop new therapies and preventions,” said Claire Sexton, director of scientific programs with the Alzheimer’s Association. She noted that blood tests are coming soon that promise to also help by making it easier to find amyloid and tau.

More than 6 million Americans, and millions more worldwide, have Alzheimer’s. There is no cure. But last year, Leqembi became the first approved drug that could slow the worsening of early Alzheimer’s for a few months.     4     Other drugs are being developed to target tau.

A．The drug works by clearing away some of the amyloid protein.

B．The large study followed middle-aged and older adults for 20 years.

C．Knowledge of the timing of these events is critical for preventing Alzheimer’s.

D．The new findings show the order of such biomarker changes common to age-related Alzheimer’s.

E．The higher levels were recorded as much as 18 years before the patients were identified as having Alzheimer’s.

F．The researchers compared 648 people who were later found with Alzheimer’s to an equal number who remained healthy.

7 . Addiction to Labeling

Maybe you’ve noticed it in the comments section of popular social media posts about anxiety. depression or things alike, with a number of people claiming to pick these labels for themselves.

These days, labeling is everywhere.     1     However, the negative part is that it’s easy for someone to identify with the characteristics without truly recognizing the context in which these characteristics would require diagnosis, according to Charlotte Armitage, a registered integrative psychotherapist and psychologist.

If you have done your research and genuinely feel that you have some form of mental health concern, then finally having a name for your behaviors can be great. But the risk is that many people will seek labels and intervention for any behavior, pattern or emotion that is outside of the permanent happy group that society has set as the norm. “    2     Then the saying ‘a little bit of knowledge is dangerous’ springs to my mind,” Armitage adds.

    3     “Children are still developing and evolving, and many childhood behavioral features may seem like those of a disorder when there’re other potential explanations for that behavior,” Armitage notes. Ideally, a diagnosis for a child should be carried out by a qualified mental health professional. So it is with an adult.

Nevertheless, the most important thing to bear in mind is that diagnosis doesn’t mean to indicate that you are broken or less capable.     4     And if you go deeper, it can alert you to the fact that you are not alone, and that many people experience life in the same way as you do.

A．Labeling poses even more of a problem when it comes to kids.

B．It can be helpful for those not quite able to understand why they feel the way they do.

C．There seems to be a desire to see negative emotions as something requiring intervention or diagnosis.

D．Labeling leads to children’s overcoming their addiction to what is posted online.

E．Someone has had only a certain experience and judges all behavior with that experience.

F．The basic function of a diagnosis is to give you a name for those behaviors once felt unusual.

8 . Hanwengong Shrine

Now we come to Hanwengong Shrine, which is beside Hangjiang river and west of Bijia mountain.     1     In the square in front of the hall, an ancient book-shaped stone is carved with two famous sayings of Han Yu on it, meaning hard work is the precondition for success, and deep thought is the guarantee of success.

In the year of A.D. 819, for some political reason, Han Yu was exiled (流放) to Chaozhou, a backland at that time. But he was not depressed by this, and he helped local people to develop education, agriculture, irrigation and release slaves.     2    

The shrine was built against the mountain and divided into two parts, the front part and the back part. Now we play a small game: count the stone steps, and later I’ll tell you a secret. How many steps are there? Yes, 51 steps! Why?     3     The first time Han Yu came to Chaozhou, he was impressed by the beautiful scenery and hospitality of local people. You see that old tree? People say the more flowers in the tree, the more well-educated students are. But in Qing Dynasty, this magic tree, planted by Han Yu himself, died, so people planted this tree instead.

    4     Here is one: when Han Yu was living in Chaozhou, there was a very fierce and cruel crocodile in the Hanjiang river, which was a big social harm. One day, Han Yu drafted a statement against the crocodile and made it public by the river. Incredibly, from the next day on, the crocodile was gone. Later, the statue, made of a portrait of Han Yu, was built and his words were left on the monument to mark his achievements.

A．When Han Yu came to Chaozhou, he was 51 years old.

B．Han Yu was a Confucian figure, and there are many stories about him in Chaozhou.

C．Although Han Yu’s ideas had no obvious practical effect at the time, they had a great impact on society decades later.

D．Built in the Song dynasty, the shrine is the oldest and best preserved monument to Han Yu, one of the greatest literary men in the Tang dynasty.

E．To memorize what he had contributed to the development of Chaozhou, people constructed this shrine and named him Hanwengong respectfully.

F．There are so many tourists that, to relieve the pressure on the monuments, the scenic spot requires that a maximum of 500 people visit at a time.

9 . Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. process     B. impacting       C. appearance       D. linked        E. assessment     F. costly G. crucial       H. highly            I. legal                 J. pause          K. marketed

Tobacco use and its negative impacts on health have been well-documented for decades. Traditional tobacco products, such as cigarettes, have been     1     to a wide range of health problems, including cancer, heart disease, respiratory (呼吸的) disorders and others. According to a survey, 78.3 percent of smokers start smoking before age 20. Taiwan Province of China has raised the     2     smoking age to 20 or above. By instituting this change, they hope to reduce the number of young people taking up the habit.

Despite being     3     as a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes, heated tobacco products (HTPs) are still considered tobacco. As such, they pose significant dangers to human health. The heating     4     used in these products releases harmful chemicals and poisons, including tar (焦油), carbon monoxide and nicotine, a(n)     5     addictive substance.

HTPs are packaged to appeal to young people who perceive them as safer than smoking. To prevent young people from experimenting with HTPs and     6     their health, Taiwan Province strictly controls every kind of tobacco product by adding a health risk     7     review mechanism. Only products that pass the review process are allowed to be manufactured, imported and sold to consumers.

The innumerable downsides to smoking should give smokers     8     and encourage them to quit. Quitting tobacco improves your health and reduces your risk of various diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and breathing problems. Quitting smoking can also improve your     9    . Tobacco use can cause wrinkles and yellow teeth. Quitting can lead to healthier skin, whiter teeth and fresher breath. Smoking can also dull your senses of taste and smell. By stopping tobacco use, your senses recover, leading to enhanced enjoyment of food and beverages.

Unfortunately, quitting tobacco isn't easy. Most people will also encounter numerous challenges including nicotine withdrawal and symptoms such as eagerness, irritability (易怒) and difficulty concentrating. Supportive social environments, coping strategies and professional help are     10     for overcoming these things and living a smoke-free life.

10 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。1.

A．By depositing layers of material on top of each other.

B．By creating a solid object on paper.

C．By laying down ink on a 2D material.

D．By setting down layers of different ingredients.

2.

A．It can make items with a water-absorbent material.

B．It can manufacture shape-shifting 3D structures.

C．It can print 3D items using different materials.

D．It can double 3D items in volume in water.

3.

A．Developing numerous new materials.

B．Using a water-absorbent material in projects.

C．Having a wide range of applications.

D．Producing a framework that can fold and stretch.