1 . Have you ever left the house without a jacket on a warm day, only to regret overestimating your freezing weather tolerance? Instead of dashing back home for your coat, there may come time in the near future when you simply use an app to control your clothing’s level of insulation (隔热).

Created by researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). FibeRobo is cheap, programmable, shape-changing smart fiber reliant on a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE). Among the uses, clothing filed with the new LCE fiber could adjust the structure to become more insulated in colder temperatures, and vice versa for warmer weather. With an additional ability to combine with electrically conductive threads, a wearer could directly control their FibeRobo clothing or medical wearables like compression clothing via wireless inputs from a controller or smart phone.

As detailed in a recent institute profile, LCEs are composed of molecules (分子) possessing liquid-like properties that can also arrange into periodic crystal formations once cool. Importantly, the team’s new LCE can be flexible between its phases at safe, comfortable temperature levels — an industry first.

The result is a fiber capable of contracting when exposed to heat, and self-reversing as temperatures drop without any external sensors or interwoven components. What’s more, FibeRobo is flexible and strong enough to use within traditional manufacturing methods like embroidery, weaving looms, and knitting machines.

“At the end of the day, you don’t want a top-class fiber.” Jack Forman, an MIT graduate student and paper lead author, said in a statement. “You want a fiber that, when you are working with it, falls into the gathering of materials — one that you can work with just like any other fiber material, but then it has a lot of exciting new capabilities.”

While many current smart textile (纺织品) projects are trying to reinvent how a person can interact with their clothing, these clothing enterprises perhaps may one day expand the number of clothes in your closet. Meanwhile, this newest version may actually downsize your wardrobe.

1. What does the author intend to do in paragraph 1?

A．Offer some examples to prove.

B．Lead the readers to the topic.

C．Provide background information

D．Summarize the main idea of the text.

2. What is special about the LCE?

A．It is shape-changing.

B．It contains liquid.

C．It is wearable.

D．It is cheap.

3. What is the author’s attitude to the clothing with FibeRobo?

A．Unconcerned.

B．Doubtful

C．Opposed.

D．Hopeful.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．FibeRobo: a Smart Fiber

B．LCEs: Unique Molecules

C．A Creative Application

D．A New-Style Enterprise

2 . Here are several not-to-be-missed events. Mark your calendar!

Flowers on the Mimosa Route

The Mimosa Route covers 130 km of wilderness and coastal towns in France, with stops and festivals in bloom to honour a flower that has become the symbol of the Cote d’Azur. This is the perfect opportunity to discover gardens with their feet in the water or the flower floats (花车) of the corsos.

* From 3 to 18 February

Nice Carnival

Mimosa, roses, lilies thrown to the public... The Battle of the Flowers is a highlight of the Nice Carnival and a nod to this France city’s gardening history. The biggest festival on the Cote d’Azur also includes a carnival-style parade, with floats competing in creativity, with dizzying figures up to twenty metres high. The theme of the 2024 edition is “Pop Culture”.

* From 17 February to 3 March

The Menton Lemon Festival

The programme of the Lemon Festival in Menton, France includes various floats. For 15days, the town celebrates its golden fruit with a touch of madness. With the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games just a few months away, the 90th edition of the Lemon Festival promises to be a great event with the theme “From Olympia to Menton”.

* From 17 February to 3 March

The Trail des Merveilles

The Roya Valley in France is the setting for the Trail des Merveilles, which starts in Breil-sur-Roya. Over a distance of around 30 kilometres, with a positive difference in altitude of 2,000 metres, the race takes competitors along wild paths with views of the snow-capped peaks of the Mercantour National Park and the Mediterranean Sea. A shorter, more accessible 17-kilometre route will delight lovers of running and beautiful scenery. Ready, set, go!

*5 March

1. What is the significance of the Battle of the Flowers?

A．To popularize the tradition culture.	B．To vote for the most creative float.
C．To prove people’s passion for flowers.	D．To show respect for the city’s gardening.

2. Which event appeals to sport lovers?

A．Nice Carnival.	B．The Trail des Merveilles.
C．Flowers on the Mimosa Route.	D．The Menton Lemon Festival.

3. What do these four events have in common?

A．They are around the theme of flowers.	B．They are of the same duration.
C．They take place in the same country.	D．They are to celebrate the end of winter.

3 . I was watching a TV program when I came across a sorrowful sight: homeless people lying near the wall of a busy Manhattan train station. Dan Rather, a reporter, was covering the event. He ________ numerous people: the homeless, those who ________ the homeless, and those who didn’t.

One woman took the ________ every day. During the winter months, the number of homeless living in the station increased, because it was cold and this woman ________ disliked it. She complained to Dan Rather that most of the homeless people were able-bodied and could have ________ a job, but they chose not to. She also said that most of the homeless could have gone to ________ but they would rather live at the station. She just didn’t ________ that nobody could acquire a job without a home address and that many shelters across the country are being closed as a result of a shortage of funds.

________, a mother and son did a lot to help the homeless. The household ________ the homeless by giving them a hot breakfast in the morning and giving them money to eat a lunch and dinner.

Dan Rather then went along with a homeless person to the welfare office. It took the man three days to just fill out the proper applications. The complete ________ took six days. He met with a welfare lawyer who could give him a(n) ________. Dan Rather spoke with the lawyer and he said that it took time because the nation didn’t have enough money to provide welfare to everyone who ________.

After watching this program, I gave ________ consideration of becoming a welfare lawyer for the homeless, who are part of our ________. We must do something — anything — to ________ the situation now. Only when we solve this problem can the nation have a bright future.

1.

A．gathered

B．described

C．interviewed

D．observed

2.

A．recognized

B．assisted

C．worried

D．believed

3.

A．car

B．subway

C．bus

D．train

4.

A．eventually

B．obviously

C．rarely

D．temporarily

5.

A．landed

B．designed

C．quit

D．shared

6.

A．libraries

B．hospitals

C．stadiums

D．shelters

7.

A．admit

B．explain

C．understand

D．predict

8.

A．In comparison

B．Without doubt

C．Without difficulty

D．In return

9.

A．brought up

B．cared for

C．referred to

D．depended on

10.

A．ceremony

B．conversation

C．experiment

D．process

11.

A．hand

B．option

C．honour

D．gift

12.

A．improved

B．lost

C．applied

D．succeeded

13.

A．different

B．impractical

C．serious

D．unnecessary

14.

A．factory

B．society

C．party

D．club

15.

A．end

B．strengthen

C．copy

D．rebuild

4 . Thanksgiving is basically a harvest-related festival which celebrates communal harmony. Though this festival is said to have originated in America, a number of other countries also celebrate harvest-related festivals. The festival is observed with different names and in different seasons. In Australia we can see a number of harvest festivals.

Apple Festival & Grape Festival

The harvest for apples and grapes takes place in the month of March in Australia in the granite belt, a special area. The festival is celebrated for 3-4 days. During the festival, various cultural and fun events are organized. Activities like grape crushing competitions, apple picking competitions, street carnivals (狂欢), and grand parades are also part of the festival.

Renmark Orange Week Festival

In August or September, the large orange growing area along the Murray River in South Australia holds a festival in Renmark, which is called the Renmark Orange Week. All kinds of games, competitions and fun last for a week during the carnival. Fireworks are another feature of the festival. The two varieties that are being harvested in Australia are the Valencia, which is from October to May and the Navel, which is from May to October.

Cane Festival

The cane is harvested from June to December in Australia. Most of the cane crop is grow n in Queensland and some in Maclean, New South Wales. And June is time for cane festivals. Just before harvest, the cane is burnt to remove dead leaves and to drive out pests. Machines are being used to cut the cane to the ground.

Wheat Festival

Wheat is harvested in the month of December and is usually finished by the end of January. Harvesting is done by machines. A new harvester invented by Headlie Taylor makes it easier to harvest crops which get flattened or damaged by bad weather.

1. Which festival takes place in June?

A．Cane Festival.	B．Wheat Festival.
C．Renmark Orange Week Festival.	D．Apple Festival & Grape Festival.

2. What can people do during Apple Festival & Grape Festival?

A．Appreciate fireworks.	B．Taste delicious grape wine.
C．Join in apple eating competitions.	D．Take part in grand parades.

3. What can be known from the text?

A．Wheat Festival begins in January.

B．Harvest-related festivals originated in America.

C．Oranges are being harvested in Australia all the year round.

D．Renmark Orange Week Festival takes place in the granite belt.

5 . Handwriting is an essential skill for both children and adults. The following reasons demonstrate why it is very important to have good handwriting throughout life.

When in childhood, handwriting activates the brain more than keyboarding.     1     Good handwriting contributes to reading fluency because it activates visual perception (感观) of letters. Handwriting is a predictor of success in other subjects, because good handwriting has a positive impact on grades.

Cursive writing (草书) helps students, both young and old, with dyslexia (读写困难).     2     Also it can feel very uncomfortable and disjointed writing in print. Cursive writing offers each letter a very different look and allows the pupil to write in a flowing, comfortable way. This can decrease their dyslexic tendencies and make them more confident in their abilities.

As children get older, many standardized assessments are based on written work, particularly in time-limited written examinations.     3     Good handwriting remains as a major form of assessment for many formal qualifications.

    4     Otherwise, pupils will achieve lower marks, even where the content may be good. Many state-standardized assessments and handwritten essays emphasize the importance of handwriting.

People are judged by their handwriting even after getting into adulthood. Good handwriting is essential long after graduation. In our modern world, in all walks of life—making a shopping list, writing a birthday card, taking down a phone message, completing a form at the bank, filling out immigration forms—handwriting is part of our daily lives.     5    

A．Good handwriting is essential throughout life.

B．Examiners need to distinguish what is written.

C．Good handwriting shows the writer’s good personality.

D．This is because it involves more complex motion and learning skills.

E．Consequently, it is on show to others and may be used to make judgments about us.

F．Children can have a very hard time with writing in print because many letters look similar.

G．Without fast and clear handwriting, students may get low grades and fall behind.

6 . Officials have unveiled the gold, silver and bronze medals that will be awarded at this summer’s Olympic games in Paris, and each one contains a unique souvenir: a fragment (碎片) of waste iron from the Eiffel Tower.

“It’s the opportunity for the athletes to bring back a piece of Paris with them,” Thierry Reboul, creative director of Paris 2024, told reporters last week. “The absolute symbol of Paris and France is the Eiffel Tower.”

The Eiffel Tower opened in 1889 and during the later repair work, some of the original iron was cut off and preserved over time. Now, some of those preserved metal fragments have found new homes.

Each new Olympic me dal features a piece of Eiffel Tower iron — though the signature “Eiffel Tower brown” paint has been removed. These pieces have been shaped into hexagons (六边形), which is the “shape of France”. Besides, there are words “Paris 2024”, the Olympic rings and the Games logo, which looks like a flame or the face of a woman with a bob haircut.

How did they think of such an idea? Joachim Roncin, head of design at the Paris Games organizing committee told the press, “We talked about the design many times and realized that there’s one symbol known across the world, which is the Eiffel Tower. We said to ourselves, ‘Hey, what if we approached the Eiffel Tower Operating Company to see if it’s possible to get a bit of the Eiffel Tower to integrate into the medal?’”

When the Eiffel Tower Operating Company agreed to volunteer pieces of original iron, “the dream became reality,” adds Roncin.

The medals, designed by the luxury Paris jewelry house Chaumet, make people think of the Eiffel Tower in several other ways. The pieces of iron are secured by what looks like special nails that hold the structure together, and the medals’ ribbons are decorated with patterns of the tower’s latticework structure.

The iron fragments are set in recycled silver, gold and bronze disks. Over 5,000 medals are being made.

1. What does Thierry mean by saying “bring back a piece of Paris”?

A．The athletes will buy souvenirs about Paris.

B．The athletes will take many photos of Paris.

C．Part of the athletes’ medal is from the symbol of Paris.

D．The Eiffel Tower will be left in the athletes’ memory.

2. What is mainly talked about in paragraph 4?

A．The symbolic meaning of the hexagons.

B．The shape and material of the Olympic medal.

C．The processing technique of the Eiffel Tower iron pieces.

D．The design of the Eiffel Tower iron fragment on the medal.

3. How did the designers get the idea of adding the waste iron?

A．From a strange dream.	B．By asking for the public.
C．Through their discussion.	D．By studying the Eiffel Tower.

4. What can we infer about the new Olympic medals?

A．They are innovative.	B．They are light.
C．They have six sides.	D．They are golden-colored.

7 . Shortly before Dad died, I got a call from Betty. She was a ________ of our family who lived right across the street. She asked me if I’d noticed that Mom was getting ________ and was starting to tell stories and ask questions time and again. My thoughts ________ my phone calls to Mom. I agreed with Betty. I had noticed some things, but I ________ wasn’t too concerned. After all, Mom was in her 70s. Don’t all people in their 70s ________ things?

I got another call from Betty. She told me about the card game they had ________ one week ago. And it was Mom and Dad’s turn to have it at their house. Everyone ________ but Mom just forgot that and ran around trying to find the cards. That never happened before.

Betty phoned again, telling me one day when Mom drove, she ________ in front of oncoming cars to make a left turn. Mom, in Betty’s opinion, was becoming a very unsafe ________. At this point, I had no idea what to do about that.

Looking back, Dad had been ________ for Mom. And the rest of us were ________ these things as part of her growing old. For months after Dad passed away, we all blamed her forgetfulness on ________.

Alzheimer (阿尔茨海默症) is a very ________ process and most people experience symptoms for nearly three years before being confirmed by doctors.

I am ________ that our friend Betty was right across the street for all the time I couldn’t be there. It’s still ________ to me to think what could have happened without Betty in those days.

1.

A．relative

B．friend

C．doctor

D．coworker

2.

A．sensitive

B．mean

C．forgetful

D．weak

3.

A．looked forward to

B．gave way to

C．paid attention to

D．flashed back to

4.

A．similarly

B．fortunately

C．frequently

D．actually

5.

A．repeat

B．ignore

C．treasure

D．manage

6.

A．imagined

B．updated

C．arranged

D．associated

7.

A．agreed

B．gathered

C．doubted

D．witnessed

8.

A．turned

B．stopped

C．ran

D．relaxed

9.

A．player

B．shopper

C．driver

D．patient

10.

A．apologizing

B．applying

C．cooking

D．covering

11.

A．pretending

B．experiencing

C．dismissing

D．describing

12.

A．routine

B．grief

C．relief

D．anxiety

13.

A．obvious

B．typical

C．gradual

D．awful

14.

A．regretful

B．satisfied

C．convinced

D．grateful

15.

A．troubling

B．disappointing

C．surprising

D．embarrassing

8 . We put limitations on ourselves when the fear of failure grows stronger than our will to succeed. That’s why we all need a push to help us reach further than we ever thought possible.

That is the purpose of NubAbility Athletics Foundation, a nonprofit organization aimed to get “limb (肢体) different” youth — kids who are amputees (被截肢者) — “out of the stands, off the bench, and into mainstream sports.” The organization holds camps around the country, pairing kids and coaches with similar limb differences to help them reach their full physical potential.

Tim, who was born without arms, certainly didn’t believe he could pull off a 20-inch box jump before he joined. This month, the 14-year-old participated in the weight-lifting and training program at a camp and achieved something amazing.

In a video on the Internet, we see Tim’s coach teaching him to jump onto a box. With no arm strength, it seems like a tough task. While Tim pushes through his self-doubt and jumps, he still holds back on his first two tries and doesn’t stick the landing.

Then, the coach pats her hands onto the box, yelling, “All the people who told you you can’t — right here, jump on them. Now!” This time, Tim puts all his energy into the jump. Still, it isn’t enough to make it all the way onto the box. Understandably, Tim grows frustrated and turns away as if to give up. But he’s not done yet. Tim turns back to the box with a look of pure determination, bends his knees… and launches himself onto the box!

As his coaches cheer him on, the victorious teen jumps down and straights into his motivator’s arms, overwhelmed with emotion at what he just achieved. That day, Tim learned he is capable of so much more than he knew.

Tim is living proof that we can all achieve greatness, no matter our limitations. All we have to do is keep trying. Never give up, and never let the word “can’t” hold you back!

1. What is the mission of NubAbility Athletics Foundation?

A．To pick out excellent young sportsmen.

B．To develop the full potential of the disabled.

C．To hold camps for the amputees in the world.

D．To encourage teenage amputees to get involved in sports.

2. What might Tim initially look like in the video?

A．He lacked confidence.	B．He was full of energy.
C．He was very excited.	D．He was shy and ashamed.

3. Which word can best describe the coach’s words?

A．Scary.

B．Funny.

C．Encouraging.

D．Threatening.

4. What message can we get from Tim’s success?

A．Life has no limitations.	B．It is never too late to learn.
C．A good beginning is half done.	D．It is no use crying over spilled milk.

9 . The UK is experiencing a boom in book clubs, according to new data from event listing companies. Book club listings on the ticketing site Eventbrite increased by 350% between 2019 and 2023. Between 2022 and 2023 alone, book club listings on the site rose by 41%. Another event listing site, Meetup, reported a 14% increase in the number of RSVPs to book clubs between January 2023 and January 2024, compared with a 4% increase in RSVPs for all UK-based events.

Victoria Okafor, who co-runs the book club Between2Books, said the heightened interest in reading may be partly the result of a general “shift in hobbies”, as GenZ (the generation around 00s) turned to other ways to spend their free time. Besides, during the global health crisis period, many people were forced to slow down and pick up or reignite hobbies, and online book clubs provided a platform to connect with others.

Social media may be helping with the visibility of book clubs, too, said Okafor. “People may come across your page accidentally, but from there people have the knowledge to attend should they wish. I think this makes a big difference compared to just hearing things from word of mouth.”

Many of the book clubs listed on Eventbrite carry specific themes — Sheffield Feminist Book Club, Bring Your Baby Book Club, and Modern Chinese Literature Online Book Club.

Okafor’s club, Between2Books, focuses on books by writers traditionally excluded (排除) from the classics. She thought she began seeking out such stories “embarrassingly late”. “Reading authors of color brought back a joy to my reading that came from not only seeing elements of myself and culture reflected in novels but also reading stories that could be funny or empowering as opposed to the accounts of struggle that can often surround stories of people of color,” she said. “The variety of books makes reading and discussion so rich and I think that’s what attenders are drawn to.”

1. How is paragraph 1 mainly developed?

A．By giving examples.	B．By listing figures.
C．By analyzing causes.	D．By presenting theories.

2. What does the underlined word “reignite” in paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Return.

B．Reward.

C．Regain.

D．Reconnect.

3. Which is one of the reasons for the boom of book clubs?

A．The influence of social media.	B．The recommendation of old generations.
C．GenZ having a stronger thirst for knowledge.	D．Some people shifting the focus of their lives.

4. What attracts people to join Okafor’s club according to the last paragraph?

A．The diversity of books.	B．The reputation of writers.
C．The humor of the works.	D．The suggestion of the organizer.

10 . There are many fantastic health benefits of exercise, but does exercise affect hair growth? It may seem unlikely that your workout would be able to provide protection against the seemingly unavoidable hair loss associated with aging, but there may be some link.

For one, exercise increases blood circulation and oxygen in blood cells, which benefits hair follicles (毛囊). This can allow the growth phase of hair to be longer. Exercise can also put an end to certain stress, which is one of the factors involved in hair thinning. Consistent exercise may prevent hair loss. Additionally, exercise will always have a positive effect on your overall health, thus positively affecting your hair growth as well.

It’s unrealistic to think that a single run or a couple of yoga classes will immediately reverse hair loss and cause a bunch of new hair strands to spring up.

Interestingly, not all types of exercise are equal when it comes to promoting hair growth. Strength training is not as good as any sort of aerobic (有氧的) exercise.

Hair loss can be classified into two types: permanent and temporary. Most irreversible hair loss is a product of your gene (基因), whereas hair loss caused by lifestyle choices is usually temporary and can be changed by improving your general health.

Although hair loss is not associated with marathon running or any other intense endurance training, it can be affected if you aren’t taking care of your body to support your training. In addition to exercise, following a healthy lifestyle, such as getting enough sleep, not smoking and eating a nutrient-dense diet can promote hair growth.

Finally, leaving sweat on your hair after exercise can also make a difference. Hair can become blocked and weak if sweat stays on the head for a long time. Showering after exercise will prevent this.

1. How does exercise benefit the hair according to the text?

A．It can relieve people’s stress.

B．It can help produce some useful chemicals.

C．It takes away some bad things in people’s blood.

D．It increases the number of people’s hair follicles positively.

2. What does the underlined word “reverse” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Witness.

B．Speed.

C．Demonstrate.

D．Change.

3. Which can be regarded as a permanent factor for hair loss?

A．Exercising habits.	B．Lifestyle choices.
C．Genetic weakness.	D．Living environment.

4. Why is showering after exercise suggested in the text?

A．To stop sweat from harming hair growth.

B．To keep you smelling pleasant.

C．To better take care of your skin.

D．To make you feel relaxed.