1 . In recent news, it has been reported that Hollywood executives have decided to cancel an $800 million investment in a new studio. This decision comes after the emergence of a groundbreaking technology called Sora, which has sent shockwaves throughout the film industry.

Sora, developed by OpenAI, has quickly become a focal point of discussion within Hollywood. Unlike previous AI video generators, Sora has the ability to generate one-minute-long videos based on textual prompts (提示) while maintaining visual quality and consistency. It can switch between shots, adjust compositions and accurately combine video content with relevant background themes, resulting in incredibly realistic and virtual videos.

The introduction of Sora is just the beginning of a shocking shift in the film industry. Its ability to generate high-quality videos based on textual prompts raises questions about the future of traditional movie-making processes. The potential to replace certain job roles and disturb the livelihoods of some individuals is just a small part of the overall impact.

Looking ahead, the innovation of productivity tools and the potential for smaller teams to create Hollywood-level movies at a lower cost may completely transform the way films are produced. This shift could bring about new production methods, viewing experiences, and even business models within the film and entertainment industry.

This breakthrough technology has raised concerns within the film industry, as it has the potential to disturb the traditional movie production process and cause certain job roles’ losses. However, this technology also presents opportunities for innovation and cost-effective production methods. The film industry is on the edge of a transformative era, and only time will tell how Sora and similar technologies will shape its future. It likely won’t be long before audiences get to see film productions made with Sora. It can be stated with certainty that the film industry has entered a new era of rapid development in AI technology.

1. What is paragraph 2 mainly about?

A．The impact of Sora.	B．The concern of Sora.
C．The potential of Sora.	D．The advantage of Sora.

2. What will be challenged by Sora in the film industry?

A．Textual creation.	B．Individual investment.
C．Relevant job chances.	D．Video content development.

3. In what aspects does Sora influence the film industry?

A．Culture and business models.	B．Film production cost and methods.
C．Function and viewing experiences.	D．Innovation and background themes.

4. What is the author’s attitude towards Sora?

A．Objective.

B．Dismissive.

C．Unclear.

D．Doubtful.

2 . About eight years ago, Li Jinglong and Guan Dian visited the Palace Museum in Beijing. The cloisonne (景泰蓝瓷器) objects on display attracted them in particular. They spent hours looking at those beautiful objects. They just couldn’t take their eyes off them.

Born and raised in Beijing, 35-year-old Li is no stranger to cloisonne, since there were a pair of cloisonne vases in his grandparents’ home. His wife, 34-year-old Guan, who learned to paint as a child and later became a designer after graduating from the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, is also familiar with cloisonne, as it appears in her art books. As a result of their visit, the couple made the daring decision to open a workshop.

“We learned cloisonne after seeing the pieces displayed in the Palace Museum. We wanted to turn our hobby into a career, so that people could enjoy and learn to make the craft themselves,” said Li, who worked in a finance company before quitting his job to launch Handcraft Addicted, a DIY workshop where participants can make cloisonne. Since 2018, they have opened three workshops in Beijing. They are happy to give people a glimpse of the traditional techniques of cloisonne as part of a DIY experience.

Instead of focusing on making traditional cloisonne objects , such as plates and vases, the workshop allows participants to create the designs they want on surface of glass, resin (树脂) or wood. Although the process has been simplified, it is still not easy for people trying cloisonne for the first time to succeed. Participants spend months making one piece, which they take home or give friends as presents. It’s a luxury for people to spend time alone and fully focus on one thing nowadays because of the fast pace of life. Participants come to the workshop not only to create art, but also to take a break from their busy lives.

1. What can we learn about the couple?

A．They both grew up in Beijing.	B．They both majored in cloisonne art.
C．They both quit their previous jobs.	D．They are both familiar with cloisonne.

2. What inspired the couple to open Handcraft Addicted?

A．Their grandparents’ cloisonne vases.	B．Their hobby in handcraft techniques.
C．Cloisonne objects in Guan’s art books.	D．Cloisonne on exhibition in the Palace Museum.

3. In Handcraft Addicted, ______.

A．the first attempt is often simple

B．participants relax themselves while creating art

C．the couple make cloisonne objects by themselves

D．it is a luxury to make traditional cloisonne objects

4. Which of the following can best describe the couple?

A．Modest.

B．Generous.

C．Creative.

D．Outgoing.

3 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What does Lily say about getting better at windsurfing?

A．It varies from person to person.

B．It takes less time than expected.

C．It depends on the equipment.

2. What helped Lily learn windsurfing quickly?

A．Practicing on her own.

B．Learning from her friend.

C．Taking some courses.

3. What does Lily enjoy most about windsurfing (帆板运动)?

A．Mastering new techniques.

B．Forgetting daily worries.

C．Improving her fitness.

4. What is Lily trying to do in the future?

A．Develop a new hobby.

B．Become a windsurfing instructor.

C．Take part in windsurfing competitions.

4 . 假定你是校英语报主编李华，你发现随着信息技术的发展，高中生阅读纸质媒体的热情在逐步减少，请你写一篇英语短文，呼吁学生重拾对纸质阅读的热情。
具体内容如下：1.介绍现状；2.纸媒的重要性；3.提出呼吁。
注意：1.词数80左右；2.可适当增加细节，使内容充实，行文连贯。

Embracing the Magic of Print Media

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5 . Over the past year, several films and TV dramas have put their shooting locations into the public spotlight.

Dali in Yunnan Province

With the TV drama Meet Yourself earlier last year, Dali in Yunnan Province emerged as a highly sought-after tourism destination.

During the Spring Festival holiday, Yunnan Province received the second most tourists in the nation with a tourism profit of 38.4 billion yuan, ranking top. Among this, Dali received 4.24 million tourists, marking a remarkable 219 percent increase compared to the previous year.

Jiangmen in Guangdong Province

Thanks to the success of the hit show The Knockout, Jiangmen in Guangdong Province became an outstanding tourism destination last year.

Data reveals a remarkable 217 percent month-on-month increase in searches related to tourism in the city in February. Currently, travel bookings witness a substantial 144 percent month-on-month rise.

Taiyuan Ancient County in Shanxi Province

Full River Red has set Taiyuan Ancient County in Shanxi on fire with excitement.

From Jan. 21 to 31, the county witnessed over 400,000 tourists, a significant rise compared to the about 180,000 visitors during the previous Spring Festival holiday. Notably, one-third of these tourists were from outside Shanxi Province.

Ningbo Museum in Zhejiang Province

With the broadcast of the TV drama Three-Body Problem, Ningbo Museum has gained significant attention.

Visitor numbers rose to 50,000 during the Spring Festival, marking a remarkable 220 percent year-on-year increase. Even after the festival, there were 2,000 to 3,000 visitors daily consistently.

1. What was the impact of Meet Yourself?

A．It contributed to the tourism profits.	B．It helped Dali earn 38.4 billion yuan.
C．It made Yunnan a tourism destination.	D．It ranked Dali a top tourism destination.

2. Which place has a promising reservation at present?

A．Dali.	B．Jiangmen.
C．Taiyuan Ancient County.	D．Ningbo Museum.

3. How many people visited Ningbo Museum during the last Spring Festival?

A．About 23,000.

B．Over 400,000.

C．Nearly 50,000.

D．2,000 to 3,000.

6 . As I walked to the market this morning, I saw an old man with a dirty scarf covering his face seated in front of a shop. His clothes were _________ and his hair under an ill-fitting cap was long and messy. I decided he was a beggar. I made a mental _________ that I should give him whatever change I had after _________. A few feet away was a young man lying on the pavement obviously _________ and no one who passed by _________. I thought it was some good-for-nothing drunkard who had _________ all his money on alcohol.

Back to the beggar, I handed over all the _________ change to him. He hardly _________ my eyes, but shook his head. I _________ and pushed it into his hand. As I stood there satisfied over my great act of __________, the old man slowly got up, walked to the tea shop nearby, and __________ a sandwich and a cup of hot tea with the money I gave. He then went back to the young man, helped him to __________ and eat. Noticing I was still there watching, he explained that boy had not eaten for two days, which was why he __________ on the pavement.

Suddenly I felt so small and admired the non-judgemental __________ of a man who has so little compared to me. He was truly charitable even in a far less __________ state than me.

1.

A．ironed

B．wrinkled

C．folded

D．abandoned

2.

A．picture

B．effort

C．note

D．calculation

3.

A．work

B．exercise

C．meeting

D．shopping

4.

A．frustrated

B．frozen

C．drunken

D．exhausted

5.

A．took notice

B．took control

C．took pains

D．took risks

6.

A．invested

B．bet

C．fixed

D．wasted

7.

A．useless

B．loose

C．extra

D．unnecessary

8.

A．focused on

B．looked into

C．turned to

D．stared at

9.

A．insisted

B．rejected

C．ignored

D．regretted

10.

A．charity

B．courage

C．devotion

D．random

11.

A．collected

B．harvested

C．purchased

D．enjoyed

12.

A．stay up

B．straighten up

C．bounce up

D．sit up

13.

A．wandered

B．collapsed

C．begged

D．slipped

14.

A．responsibility

B．superiority

C．generosity

D．dignity

15.

A．privileged

B．stable

C．powerful

D．independent

7 . In the quest for academic excellence and a deeper understanding of subjects, high school students often seek additional resources to complement their learning. Textbooks, both traditional and digital, play a vital role in this journey. Here’s a look at several textbook options that satisfy different learning styles and needs.

Modern World History Explained

Dive into the complexities of global events with “Modern World History Explained.” This textbook offers comprehensive coverage of historical milestones from the 15th century to the present, enriched with interactive timelines and critical thinking exercises.

Price: $75

Format: Hardcover and digital access

Supplementary Materials: Online quizzes and interactive maps

Advanced Mathematics Unlocked

Unlock the world of advanced mathematics with this textbook designed for students who wish to challenge themselves beyond the standard curriculum. It includes topics in calculus, statistics, and advanced geometry, with problem sets and conceptual explanations.

Price: $65

Format: Softcover and digital access

Supplementary Materials: Video tutorials and practice exams

Chemistry in Context: Applying Chemistry to Society

“Chemistry in Context” is tailored for students who are curious about the role of chemistry in our daily lives and global challenges. It covers basic concepts of chemistry and their applications in environmental science, technology, and health.

Price: $70

Format: Softcover and digital access

Supplementary Materials: Interactive experiments and case studies

Language Arts: Expression and Understanding

This textbook is designed to enhance language arts skills, focusing on literature, composition, and critical analysis. It provides a diverse range of readings, writing prompts (提示) , and grammar exercises tailored to high school students.

Price: $60

Format: Hardcover and digital access

Supplementary Materials: Online discussion forums and writing workshops

1. What is unique about “Advanced Mathematics Unlocked”?

A．It covers multiple topics.	B．It provides online guidance.
C．It suits above-average learners.	D．It assesses academic performance.

2. If a student wants to purchase textbooks over critical thinking, he’ll pay at most ________.

A．$145.

B．$140.

C．$135.

D．$130.

3. What is common to all the textbooks mentioned in terms of availability?

A．They include digital access with purchasing.	B．They come with a suite of video tutorials.
C．They offer interactive experiences.	D．They have hardcover format.

8 . After ending a mining season in Colorado in 2018, Todd was ready to get back in the game. Gold mining runs in his ________. Jack, Todd’s father, mined for gold in the 1980s, but never struck it ________. Now, Todd is more determined than ever to make good on his father’s dreams.

This time around Todd is ________ his life savings into a run-down mine located nearly 100 miles north of Nome, Alaska. ________, after years of greenhorn crews, worn-out equipment, and little to no results, Todd can’t afford any ________.

Hit by the recession (经济衰退), Todd Hoffman decided to take the biggest ________ of his life and headed north in search of gold. ________ with little more than a dream and devoted crew, Todd learns gold mining in a ________ way. Conditions are dangerous, pay dirt (矿石) are never ________, and disaster hides around every corner.

In order to make his dream a reality, he’s ________ his closest family and friends. Joining Todd in Alaska will be his father Jack and his son Hunter along with an experienced crew of ________. For Todd, it’s more than just finding gold — this could be Todd’s last ________ to set up his family for generations to come and share the wealth with his friends who’ve ________ by his side over the years. This is Todd’s time to prove he has what it ________ to hit the ultimate mother-lode (终极矿脉). One thing is for sure… the ________ is on.

1.

A．blood

B．head

C．eye

D．skin

2.

A．important

B．valuable

C．strong

D．big

3.

A．depositing

B．expanding

C．emptying

D．narrowing

4.

A．Besides

B．However

C．Moreover

D．Otherwise

5.

A．mistakes

B．savings

C．crews

D．dreams

6.

A．fortune

B．risk

C．discovery

D．promise

7.

A．Impressed

B．Satisfied

C．Armed

D．Compared

8.

A．skilful

B．different

C．new

D．hard

9.

A．guaranteed

B．reflected

C．suspended

D．updated

10.

A．agreeing with

B．picking up

C．working out

D．bringing in

11.

A．instructors

B．miners

C．competitors

D．owners

12.

A．dream

B．game

C．chance

D．success

13.

A．stuck

B．passed

C．got

D．fixed

14.

A．means

B．decides

C．takes

D．seems

15.

A．future

B．gold

C．friendship

D．pressure

9 . Electric vehicles (EVs) are due for huge upgrades in driving range and charging times as new battery technologies are introduced. Lithium (Li) -ion (锂离子) batteries could be out of date in a few years as alternatives like Li-sulfur, Li-air and Li-metal enter production. Meanwhile, quantum (量子) battery charging promises to reduce charge times from hours to seconds.

Scientists at the University of Michigan have produced a stable Li-sulfur battery using Kevlar, the material used in body armor, to increase the amount it can be charged and discharged. Fibers in the Kevlar stop certain parts of lithium from growing between the electrodes (电极) and destroying the battery. Research group leader Nicholas Kotov called the design “nearly perfect” in terms of capacity and efficiency. The battery can handle summer heat and winter cold extremes, and in real-world driving conditions, its lifespan should be 1, 000 cycles or ten years.

Sulfur is a great alternative for EVs because it is a tiny amount of the cost of metals like what is used in Li-ion battery electrodes, and there is simply more of it. Mainstream electric cars fitted with its battery could achieve around 900 miles on a single charge. Battery researchers say the Li-sulfur battery’s energy density could theoretically be 10 times higher than the best Li-ion battery, so it will drive further, be safer and more environmentally friendly, for less money.

In Japan, university researchers have teamed up with a telecommunications company to develop a Li-air battery with an energy density (500 Wh/kg) two to five times better than Li-ion.

Newer quantum technologies that will speed up vehicle charging times are added to these breakthroughs in battery materials and energy density. Li-metal, often talked about as solid-state batteries, are long-lasting and capable of rapid charging, especially when they are paired with quantum technologies that connect all the battery cells simultaneously. And once investments in quantum charging and batteries are made, it could revolutionize transport and the way we use energy worldwide.

1. What can we learn about Kevlar?

A．It will speed up vehicle charging.	B．It can lengthen battery’s cycle life.
C．It can boost EV range to 1000 miles.	D．It will break down in extreme weather.

2. Why is Sulfur a fantastic option for EVs?

A．It has been tested in Li-ion battery.

B．It is less expensive and more accessible.

C．Li-sulfur battery has been installed in mainstream EVs.

D．Li-sulfur battery features a higher energy density than Li-metal.

3. What can we conclude from the last paragraph?

A．Quantum technologies give rise to Li-metal.

B．Battery materials determine vehicle charging speed.

C．Li-metal is more efficient in charging than Li-sulfur.

D．More investments are needed in quantum technology.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．Which Battery Suits Evs Best?

B．What Is The Future Road Of EVs?

C．Why Will Li-ion Batteries Be Replaced?

D．How Will Reformed Lithium Batteries Influence Evs?

10 . Aviation is a big polluter. Cutting the sector’s impact on global warming is high on the agenda. Although many governments are regulating emissions from cars and trucks, air transportation is technologically rooted in old patterns.

Facing the reality that the sector will keep emitting a lot, ICAO has established an international carbon-trading plan—Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, or CORSIA. This encourages wide use of offsets (抵消) : aviation companies can buy emissions credits or invest in sectors that store carbon, such as forestry, to allow them to carry on as normal. CORSIA aims to keep CO2 emissions at 2019 levels through such purchases for emissions over that year’s baseline. ICAO predicts that increasing demand might reach 1. 7 billion tons by 2035, potentially making aviation the largest offset market in the world.

Yet offsetting faces a fundamental challenge: the size of the offset requires estimating flows of warming pollution that would have occurred if the carbon-removal project hadn’t existed, and comparing them against flows with the project in place. The former — a baseline that is unobservable — is a hotbed for shady accounting.

The vast majority of offsets today and in the expected future come from forest-protection and regrowth projects. The track record of reliable accounting in these industries is poor, because they lack convincing baselines. Even with oversight, forest projects are often troubled by wild assumptions, for example that trees would disappear completely from these areas in the absence of those projects, even when there are other forest protections in place. Such assumptions drive up baselines and flood the market with huge volumes of offsets. They make it easier for accountants to claim a net reduction in emissions even though the atmosphere sees little or no benefit. These problems are essentially unfixable. Evidence is mounting that offsetting as a strategy for reaching net zero is a dead end.

In our view, this approach could prove dangerously narrow. Removing aviation’s impact on global warming means upending the industry. The longer that reality is overlooked, the harder it will be to find effective solutions.

1. What does aviation refer to in the passage?

A．A project which needs revising.	B．A resource which needs trading.
C．A market which needs expanding.	D．An industry which needs reforming.

2. Why should aviation companies buy emissions credits?

A．To support the development of forestry.	B．To earn the largest profit in offset market.
C．To keep the levels of emission unchanged.	D．To make up for emissions over the baseline.

3. What can we infer from paragraph 4?

A．Too many offsets are filling the market now.

B．Some projects may cheat to create more offsets.

C．Offsetting contributes a lot to reducing emissions.

D．Trees would totally disappear without the projects.

4. What is the author’s attitude towards the CORSIA?

A．Disapproving.

B．Confused.

C．Favorable.

D．Unconcerned.