1 . For more than half a century, scientists have sought to understand X-rays from space and what they reveal about our galaxy and the universe beyond it. As it turns out, lobsters can help astronomers do just that.

Lobsters (龙虾) have developed specialized eyes to see in their dark habitats located up to around 2,300 feet below the ocean surface. Unlike humans, whose eyes consist of rounded lenses that bend light, lobsters’ eyes depend on reflection. Each of their two eyes is packed with up to 10,000 square-shaped tubes. Each tube is lined with a flat, reflective surface that acts like a mirror to direct incoming light down to the retina (视网膜). This setup affords lobsters a full 180-degree view, compared with humans’ 120-degree vision.

The breakthrough idea connecting lobster eyes to astronomy came in 1978 when Roger Angel, an astronomer at the University of Arizona, drew inspiration from an article on animal vision. Angel envisioned creating instruments imitating lobster eyes to enhance the capture of cosmic X-rays during missions beyond Earth’s orbit. In 1992, researchers from Columbia University ran the first successful X-ray measurements using lobster-eye instruments. It took another 15 years before the tech was adapted for spacecraft missions. “This is a technology that’s been around a long time in astrophysics,” says Scott Porter, an astrophysicist at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Today, Porter’s team has developed specialized instruments to better understand how solar wind interact with Earth’s magnetic (磁的) field. Researchers pack thousands of tiny glass tubes and then heat and curve them to create a ball shape that can concentrate the X-rays into a singular point. Plus, many of these tools are much lighter and smaller than traditional X-ray instruments, and therefore easier to incorporate into multi-instrument missions.

Porter says that the number of applications for lobster-based instruments have increased in recent years. As projects receive funding, lobster eye instruments may become a key tool in our quest to better understand the vast, mysterious universe.

1. How does the structure of lobster eyes contribute to their vision capabilities?

A．The square-shaped lenses help the eyes focus better.

B．Tubes in the eyes can refract light in multiple directions.

C．The shape of the eyes can provide a clearer field of vision.

D．Reflective surfaces of tubes in the eyes direct light to the retina.

2. What can we know from paragraph 3 about lobster-eye instruments?

A．They were first invented by Roger Angel.

B．They are developed for deep-sea exploration.

C．They were first introduced in space missions in 2007.

D．They helped researchers capture cosmic X-rays in 1992.

3. What is Porter’s attitude towards lobster-based instruments?

A．Skeptical

B．Positive.

C．Indifferent.

D．Confused.

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A．The application of lobster-eye instruments in various fields.

B．The unique setup of lobster eyes adapted for deep-sea vision.

C．The development of lobster-eye instruments for space X-rays.

D．The difference between lobster-eye instruments and traditional ones.

2 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式 (1-3词)。

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has evolved over thousands of years. It is a comprehensive healthcare system     1     (root) in ancient theory and wisdom.

TCM came into being in the primitive (原始的) society, and its theory     2     (form) during the Spring and Autumn Period. During the Ming and Qing Dynasty, doctors tended to improve it despite pressure and difficulties.

    3     makes Chinese medicine distinct is its emphasis on the balance of vital energy within the body and the recognition of the body as     4     whole. In TCM, individuals often encounter a unique diagnostic (诊断的) approach,     5     involves considering not just symptoms but also the lifestyle of the person. Chinese medicine has a wide range of treatments,     6     (include) herbal medicine, acupuncture (针灸), and dietary therapy, to address both the symptoms and potential imbalances. In fact, TCM doesn’t only treat diseases; it promotes overall well-being by harmonizing the body, mind, and spirit. Medical     7     (professional) advocate that each individual is different, and their health conditions may originate from a     8     (combine) of factors.

Ancient wisdom and modern research have enabled Chinese medicine to find its place alongside Western medicine,     9     an increasing number of people seeking a comprehensive approach to healthcare. As Chinese medicine becomes more     10     (wide) recognized, it not only contributes to individual health but also enriches the global healthcare landscape.

3 . Ida Keeling was 67, weak and sick, when her daughter Cheryl suggested a run to her. Cheryl thought that maybe what would pull her mother out from dark cloud was something that would get her _______ again.

Keeling lived a hard life when young, growing up _______ in Harlem, and doing hard work in factories during the Great Depression. She had _______ her husband early, and two of her four children died in drug-related incidents in 1978 and 1981.

Keeling had sunk into a deep _______, her health had begun to _______, and her daughters began to _______ that they soon might be losing their mother as well.

It had been decades since Keeling had done any _______, and she would later recall that first “mini-run” feeling as if it would never end. But when it did, “I just threw off all my bad _______.”

She hasn’t stopped running since, and it’s no longer as _______ as it was during that first meet. “I was just exercising then,” she says ________ regarding that first run, “and now I’m all over the world.”

When she’s not running, she must be ________. She’s in the gym three to four days a week on a ________ basis. Part of her healthy diet is occasional consumption of alcohol mixed with her coffee or water to ________ blood circulation.

She’s written a book about her ________, titled Can’t Nothing Bring Me Down: Chasing Myself in the Race Against Time. Her ________ is also suitable for everyone: “Every day is another day forward.”

1.

A．working

B．starting

C．exercising

D．winning

2.

A．poor

B．happy

C．out-going

D．depressed

3.

A．met

B．left

C．married

D．lost

4.

A．dream

B．depression

C．regret

D．relaxation

5.

A．recover

B．slide

C．improve

D．disappear

6.

A．believe

B．announce

C．worry

D．realize

7.

A．running

B．decision

C．changing

D．preparation

8.

A．mistakes

B．memories

C．analyses

D．habits

9.

A．difficult

B．cool

C．boring

D．unsafe

10.

A．anxiously

B．cheerfully

C．unwillingly

D．secretly

11.

A．wandering about

B．doing housework

C．making friends

D．working out

12.

A．regular

B．solid

C．daily

D．voluntary

13.

A．aid

B．feel

C．slow

D．resist

14.

A．achievements

B．puzzles

C．reflections

D．experiences

15.

A．prospect

B．philosophy

C．potential

D．prediction

4 . 2023 is zipping along at quite a speed, and London’s already witnessed some great exhibitions. But big treats — including Kubrick, Tutankhamun and William Blake — are still to come.

Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and Starry Night Over the Rhone

A major exhibition at Tate Britain, which examines how Van Gogh was inspired by British art, and how he in turn inspired British artists. His famous Sunflowers fill the gallery with joy, while a work of a red-haired man with sharp blue eyes stares out intensely at visitors.

The EY Exhibition: Van Gogh and Britain at Tate Britain. Until 11 August 2024, £22.

Glass Master at Kew Gardens

Dale Chihuly creates sculptures out of glass that we would normally think impossible. His bright colourful forms twist and expand as if they are living creatures. Given the organic nature of his work, placing 32 of these sculptures around Kew Gardens feels like a natural fit.

Chihuly at Kew: Reflections on Nature at Kew Gardens. 13 April-27 October 2024, £13.75 (includes general admission to the gardens).

AI at Barbican

Machines are getting smarter — in our phones, in our homes and soon they’ll be driving us around. What does this mean for us? What will a human being look like in the future? Leading researchers and famous artists will take on these massive questions in an exhibition and try to tell us in a way combining technology and art.

AI: More than human at Barbican. 16 May-26 August 2024, £15.

William Blake at Tate Britain

The largest William Blake exhibition in 20 years comes to Tate Britain this autumn, celebrating the work of a singular artistic talent. Blake’s ill-fated exhibition of 1809 held above his family’s shop in Soho, meant that he never received public praise in his time. Tate Britain hopes to change this, by exhibiting over 300 original watercolors, paintings and prints — as well as recreating the tiny domestic room in which Blake created most of his works.

William Blake: The Artist at Tate Britain. 11 September 2023-2 February 2024, £18

1. How many exhibitions can people enjoy at most on 18 August 2024 in London?

A．One.

B．Two.

C．Three.

D．Four.

2. Whose works in the listed exhibitions features harmony with nature?

A．Van Gogh.

B．Dale Chihuly.

C．AI.

D．William Blake.

3. What do the four exhibitions have in common?

A．They are created by famous artists.	B．They reflect hi-tech achievements.
C．They cover certain elements of art.	D．They explore human nature to a degree.

5 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

CCTV’s Sports Channel uses the slogan “sport is power”, and these words proved true when China     1    (host) the FISU World University Games in Chengdu, Sichuan province, from July 28 to Aug 8.

Nothing is     2    (powerful) than letting thousands of foreign athletes, team members and visitors from around the world     3    (witness)and experience the energy of China. The games successfully showed China’s achievements to the world.

Chinese media should capitalize on the success of the games by producing more     4    (video) that highlight the amazing and touching aspects of the games     5    sharing them on social media platforms. This will help spread China’s success stories around the world.

For China the games will facilitate the     6    (grow) of university sports in the nation,     7     is crucial for improving the physical health of its students. It is most fitting that China     8    (take) Aug 8 as National Sports Day ever since.

It is only natural     9     the nation to work hard to host more international sports events, as these provide the perfect platform to showcase China’s successes. There are already other upcoming opportunities. China might also aim to host a FIFA World Cup,     10    (regard) as the most spectacular international sporting event.

6 . Is walking good exercise?

For exercise to really count, it has to be hard or complicated, or leave you totally wiped out with muscle pain for days-right? Not at all! While high-intensity activity certainly has its place, so does the most basic, accessible form of exercise: walking.    1    

Walking is great for all exercise levels.

One of the biggest reasons walking is so popular is because it’s a low-impact exercise. It doesn’t put nearly as much pressure on the joints(关节)as running or any sort of jumping or hopping movement.     2     It’s a gentle way to get the blood flowing and circulate oxygen and nutrients(营养物质)to muscles.

Starting is easy.

For people just getting started with fitness, walking is a wonderful form of aerobic exercise(有氧运动).    3     Just get up and walk, and you’ll get your heart and lungs working. Unlike other forms of cardio-like running, biking, dance workouts, or boxing-walking isn’t frightening, and it doesn’t require lessons or special equipment.

    4    

Enhanced blood flow is going to improve recovery and help ease muscle pain. Although it is not going to completely heal it, it can help reduce it and accelerate the muscle repair process.     5     Chemicals that are released in the body when our cells create and use energy to power through a tough workout may further boost recovery.

A．Not just for beginners.

B．Excellent for recovery.

C．The risk of injury is relatively low.

D．Walking can also help the body sweep away waste products.

E．Walking is a form of mental health treatment for many people

F．You don’t need any earlier or special knowledge or training to start.

G．Recently, it’s become an even more vital physical activity for many people.

7 . Once upon a time, in a quiet village, there lived a teenager named Alex. Alex was a talented artist who loved painting beautiful landscapes and imaginative scenes. However, there was one thing that held Alex back-________ of trying new things.

One day, Alex ________ an advertisement for a summer art camp in a faraway city. The camp promised to challenge artists to explore new mediums and ________ their creative limits. Excitement and fear ________ within Alex’s heart.

Despite the fear, Alex decided to take a leap of ________ and attend the art camp. It was an opportunity to break free from the ________ and discover unknown creativity.

Upon arriving at the camp, Alex found a ________ group of artists from different backgrounds, each with their unique styles and perspectives. The atmosphere was filled with creative energy and a sense of ________.

Throughout the art camp, the artists were given various artistic challenges that pushed them out of their ________ zones. They were encouraged to ________ with unfamiliar materials, work with others, and take risks with their art.

Alex ________ at first, unsure of the outcome. But the supportive environment of the artists and the shared passion for creativity ________ a newfound determination. With each challenge, Alex discovered ________ talents and unexplored potential.

Returning home, Alex carried the ________ of the art camp. The fear of trying new things no longer held Alex back. Instead, it served as a reminder of the untapped potential waiting to be ________.

1.

A．fear

B．balance

C．awareness

D．pressure

2.

A．handed out

B．gave away

C．came across

D．kept inside

3.

A．judge

B．push

C．accept

D．maintain

4.

A．froze

B．eased

C．parted

D．battled

5.

A．imagination

B．courage

C．thought

D．doubt

6.

A．basic

B．familiar

C．possible

D．common

7.

A．diverse

B．normal

C．huge

D．foreign

8.

A．urgency

B．humor

C．exploration

D．promise

9.

A．learning

B．panic

C．time

D．comfort

10.

A．group

B．return

C．experiment

D．identify

11.

A．apologized

B．signaled

C．insisted

D．hesitated

12.

A．fueled

B．recognized

C．postponed

D．challenged

13.

A．hidden

B．known

C．sorted

D．tailored

14.

A．questions

B．shadows

C．lessons

D．routines

15.

A．served

B．released

C．permitted

D．ignored

8 . In films and TV shows, police investigators dust crime scenes for fingerprints to catch criminals. Now, conservationists (环保主义者) are using a similar method to tackle the illegal overfishing of sharks and rays.

Overfishing is when too many of a particular type of fish are caught, putting that species in danger. Many sharks and rays are killed because of a high demand-and a high price-for their fins(鱼鳍). In some countries, the fins are used as an ingredient in shark fin soup, which some people believe can cure certain illnesses.

About 100 species of sharks and rays are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora(CITES), an agreement between 184 countries to limit sales of wildlife that may be at the risk of dying out. CITES has teams of people who visit ports and fish factories to look for evidence of protected species being illegally caught and sold. The idea is to punish those responsible and stop it from happening, but finding evidence is difficult. If a fish is already cut up and ready for sale, it’s hard to tell which species it was. Often, fish are sold before inspectors arrive.

Scientists have come up with a process that analyzes “fish dust”-tiny traces of fish that get left on the floor at ports and factories, even after the fish are no longer there. Using a process called metabarcoding(宏条形码技术), they examine the chemical that carries all the information about a living thing’s body and characteristics in the dust and can tell if it is from a protected species.

The scientists tested the method in Indonesia, where many sharks and rays are caught and sold. They studied dust from seven sites and found evidence of 61 species of sharks and rays. More than 80% of them were CITES-protected species. Dr. Andhika Prasetyo, the scientist who led the research, hopes the new method will be helpful in protecting endangered sea life.

1. Why is dusting crime scenes mentioned in paragraph 1?

A．To discuss overfishing in a broader context.

B．To introduce the initial purpose of the passage.

C．To bring forth something new with the familiar.

D．To show the difference between two professions.

2. What is paragraph 3 of the text mainly about?

A．The risk in saving wildlife and the opportunity to seize.

B．The mission of CITES and the trouble inspectors confront.

C．The number of endangered species and the way to save them.

D．The agreement made by countries and the responsibility each carries.

3. How does the metabarcoding process work?

A．It scans the body of a fish to confirm its killer.

B．It guides the investigators to the remains of a fish.

C．It turns a fish into the dust and test its characteristics.

D．It identifies a fish by studying the chemical in the dust.

4. What does the test in Indonesia indicate?

A．The evidence collected belong to over 61 species.

B．Scientists in Indonesia will carry out further studies

C．The dusting method is promising in protecting sea life.

D．More than 80% of sharks and rays have been in danger.

9 . With the rise of social media and the increasing number of online platforms, businesses have too many options when it comes to promoting their products or services. We will compare some of the top online advertising platforms and help you determine which one is right for you.

Google Ads: The Powerhouse of Online Advertising

When it comes to online advertising, Google Ads is undoubtedly the most powerful and widely used platform with its mighty targeting options. Businesses can target specific keywords, demographics (人口统计), locations, and even custom audiences based on their website visitors or customer lists. This level of precision ensures precise ads reaching.

Facebook Ads: Targeting Your Audience with Accuracy

Facebook Ads offers businesses various ad formats such as image ads, video ads, audio-visual ads, and more to engage with their target audience effectively. One significant advantage Facebook Ads have over other platforms is its advanced targeting abilities. With Facebook’s large user data, businesses can target their ads based on demographics, interests, behaviors, and even life events. This level of accuracy allows you to tailor your ads to specific audience divisions and increase the chances of transformation.

LinkedIn Ads: Connecting with Professionals

If your business operates in the B2B space or targets professionals and decision-makers, LinkedIn Ads is an excellent platform to consider. One of the key advantages of using LinkedIn Ads is its professional targeting options, including job titles, industries, company size, and even specific companies. This high level of precision ensures that your ads are viewed by related professionals who are more likely to be interested in your products or services.

YouTube Ads: Engaging Your Audience through Video

Video advertising has gained significant popularity in recent years due to its ability to draw users’ attention effectively. One major advantage of YouTube Ads is its widespread reach. With over 2 billion logged-in monthly users spending an average of 40 minutes on the platform, YouTube offers advertisers access to a large global audience.

1. What key feature sets Facebook Ads apart from other platforms?

A．Comprehensive user data.

B．Advanced targeting capabilities.

C．Professional targeting options.

D．Widespread audience reach.

2. Which platform would you choose if you are targeting professionals?

A．LinkedIn Ads.	B．YouTube Ads.
C．Google Ads.	D．Facebook Ads.

3. What is the purpose of the passage.

A．To promote advertising websites to schools.

B．To introduce different advertising companies.

C．To help businesses select advertising platforms.

D．To analyze the pros and cons of online advertising.