1 . TVB’s 56th-anniversary show, The Queen of News, has become popular across the country. It stars actors Charmaine Sheh and Kenneth Ma . People enjoy talking about its plot and copying its pointed lines.

The show got 8.2 points out of 10 on the review website Douban. Telling the stories of news reporters competing for the top spot during golden time, some said, the show was a bit over the top. But the fantastic plot where the main character overcomes challenges on the way to success is loved by many.

The Queen of News is a so-called “feel-good drama”, a type of drama that has become more and more popular in recent years. But why do people enjoy such dramas so much? One of the reasons is that the plots in these shows are easy to follow. They often tell stories where the main character goes from facing difficulties to seeking revenge (复仇) and, in the end, earning respect and success.

This kind of show allows people to forget about their worries and challenges in life and feel happy while watching them. Han Ning, a psychological counselor who works in Nanjing, told the Yangtze Evening Post that feel-good dramas can help with mental health . These shows can meet the emotional needs of the audience. They also help people lower their anxiety and stress levels.

However, some people worry that feel-good dramas may lead people to look at life in an unrealistic way. If people look too deeply into these big personality changes of characters and the excitement of the story, it may affect how they think they should live their lives, noted Guangming Daily. The newspaper added that these dramas should cut out the over-the-top parts that are larger-than-life.

1. Which word is closest in meaning to “over the top” in Paragraph 2?

A．sharp.

B．dramatic.

C．competitive.

D．unrealistic.

2. What do we know about “feel-good dramas”?

A．Their plots are close to real life.	B．Their plots are easy to follow.
C．They star the most popular idols.	D．They usually get high points on Douban.

3. Why are “feel-good dramas” popular according to Han Ning?

A．Because they help the audience release stress.

B．Because they come from and are used in life.

C．Because they teach useful life lessons.

D．Because they let the audience feel respected.

4. What idea might Guangming Daily agree with?

A．People shouldn’t watch “feel-good dramas”.

B．The dramas should promote more realistic views.

C．We should closely watch the qualities of the dramas.

D．It’s good to watch “feel-good dramas” sometimes.

2 . Nowadays hair loss is a common concern for many young people in China, and it can be caused by a variety of factors.     1    

One common cause of hair loss in young people is genetics. Male and female pattern baldness,is a hereditary (遗传的) condition that can lead to hair thinning and loss.     2     And it also features overall thinning of the hair in women.

In addition to genetics, certain medical conditions and treatments can also contribute to hair loss in young people. Conditions such as thyroid (甲状腺 )disorders, different diseases, and hormonal imbalances can all lead to hair thinning. Additionally, undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy can result in temporary hair loss.

    3     Poor nutrition, too busy work, and certain hairstyling practices can contribute to hair thinning. For example, a diet lacking in essential nutrients, such as protein, iron, and vitamins,can impact the health of the hair and scalp (头皮).

    4     This includes tight hairstyles, frequent use of heat styling tools, and harsh chemical treatments. Additionally, emotional stress and mental health conditions can contribute to hair loss in some individuals.

To address hair loss in young people, it is important to identify the underlying cause. Consulting with a healthcare professional, such as a dermatologist (皮肤病医生) or trichologist.     5    

Treatment options may include topical medications, and hair restoration procedures.

In conclusion, hair loss among young people can be attributed to a variety of factors, including genetics, medical conditions, and lifestyle choices.

A．Lifestyle factors can also play a role in hair loss among young individuals.

B．Furthermore, extreme tension on the hair can lead to hair damage and loss.

C．Understanding the causes can help individuals take active steps to address the issue.

D．Overall, it highlights the need for greater support for individuals experiencing this issue.

E．This can help determine the reason for hair loss and develop a personalized treatment plan.

F．This type of hair loss is often characterized by a disappearing hairline or thinning crown in men.

G．Additionally, the pressure to maintain a certain appearance may lead to increased levels of anxiety.

3 . I was hurrying to our basketball game one morning when Hillary Barnes, the most popular girl, in school, stopped me. “Are you the twin who won the art competition?” she asked.

“No, that’s Christine. I’m Katie.” I said.

We were not identical twins; we looked quite different. She could defeat Snow White in a beauty contest! Compared to Christine, I felt like one of Cinderella’s stepsisters.

One Saturday Christine gave me a painting lesson because I was always attempting to be artistic too. But I knocked over the vase of flowers, spilling water onto Christine’s painting. Instead of becoming angry, though, she turned the whole mess into a dreamy masterpiece(杰作). You could look at it five different ways and see five different things. With this brilliant creation, she won First Prize in the art competition. I really envied her, but I knew it wasn’t her fault and I was the one with wild, unmanageable hair and no talent.

Joining Christine’s basketball team was my latest effort to be like her.

On the way to the gym, I’d made up my mind to give my best performance in that day’s game. I made preparations with great enthusiasm. “Christine, here!” I tossed her a ball. But it was too high, she leapt for it, it slipped through her fingers and crashed into the tape recorder that was used to play the national anthem before each game.

I muttered apologies as I picked up the broken pieces of the recorder. Coach looked at the mess and asked, “How are we going to play the song now?”

Christine suggested, “Let Katie sing it! She’s always singing at home.”

Coach asked. “Would you?” I found myself nodding.

Coach announced the national anthem and everyone stood. Standing before a microphone, I looked up to the flag. The notes seemed to flow from deep inside me, and my voice was steady and clear. When I finished, the gym was silent. Then it was filled with applause. As the game started. teammates patted my back and gave me the “thumbs up” sign. Laura Jamison said. “You should try out for the school musical!” I Nodded and said that I might.

The next morning Hillary Barnes stopped me in the hallway and asked, “Are you the twin who sings?”

“Yes, that’s me,” I answered, grinning(露齿笑) as I walked to class.

1. The authur uses “Snow White” and “Cinderella’s stepsisters” to show ________.

A．how dissimilar the twins were in appearance

B．why Christine could win the art competition

C．who was the most popular girl at school

D．what the twins characters were like

2. What can we learn from Paragraph 4?

A．Christine was unpleasant to her sister.

B．Katie showed a lot of ability in painting too.

C．The masterpiece was painted by the two sisters.

D．Katie took a reasonably balanced view of her sister.

3. Christine recommended Katie for the national anthem because ________.

A．she knew perfectly well what Katie had a gift for.

B．she wanted to repair the damage she had caused.

C．she thought Katie should be punished.

D．she would like to help the coach.

4. What is the message of the story?

A．Bad situations help become popular.

B．People are talented in different ways.

C．People should always be nice to others.

D．Unsuccessful attempts are well worth the effort.

4 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容(1个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。
W: Bruce, I’m thinking of     1     (buy) a new car, but I’m at a     2     (lose) for which one to get. It’s difficult to choose a new car just on its performance and appearance.
M: I recommend a hybrid car.
W: Why? They are so expensive.
M: Hybrid cars do little harm     3     the environment. Besides, you’ll get tax credits for owning a fuel-efficient vehicle.
W: I like the sound of that. Gas prices are rising, so the     4     (little) I have to buy, the better. On the other hand, you insist on eco-friendly, but I’m more attracted to user-friendly vehicles.
M: Why don’t you buy a car     5     (equip) with an advanced guidance system? The latest version is terrific. The system predicts traffic jams according to     6     record of busy travel dates. So it can tell you     7     you might run into traffic jams and suggest back ways.
W: Wow, the more I know about different cars, the harder it is     8     (decide) which one I should buy.
M: That’s     9    . But you must try to get more information. Anyway, it’s not easy to pick out a leaf among so many     10     (leaf).
W: Hi, Steve, have you been to that new supermarket yet?

5 . ChatGPT, launched in November, 2022, has attracted over 100 million monthly users in just two months, which is considered the fastest-growing consumer app.     1    

ChatGPT can write emails, computer code, even academic papers and poems.     2     With various functions, it is suspected to do no good to multiple areas, above all the higher education.

So is ChatGPT a benefit or a trouble?

    3     Some universities have banned it due to the warning that it could prompt more students to cheat, especially in exams.     4     Andreas Schleicher, director of education and skills of the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development, for instance, said he welcomes ChatGPT because “it gives people a chance” to concentrate less on tasks that technology can perform equally well.

According to a survey covering more than 100 educators and over 1,000 students, one-third of the educators said they believe ChatGPT should be banned in schools and universities, while the rest supported students having access to it. The attitude of most students sees a distinct difference.     5    

As a result, the observed value and usefulness of ChatGPT seem to outweigh the risks. What we should focus on has shifted to better deal with the chatbot and its development.

A．They admitted having sought help from ChatGPT to complete their homework.

B．The worry is that ChatGPT could change the basic training structure of higher education.

C．By comparison, others regard it as a blessing rather than a curse.

D．It is undoubtedly a shocking achievement.

E．It is widely discussed whether and to what extent AI should be involved in a scientific article.

F．The answers varies greatly across the world.

G．Also, it has succeeded in passing different kinds of exams.

6 . It is that time of the year, when a handful of world’s leading scholars, social activists and researchers are rewarded with what is often cited as the most prestigious acknowledgement of human effort-the Nobel Prize. Here’s a look at who has won the prize and for what.

Physiology or Medicine

Swedish geneticist Svante Peabo won the first Nobel of the year, for starting the field of ancient DNA studies. He is well-known for extracting, sequencing, and analyzing ancient DNA from Neanderthal bones.

Physics

Alain Aspect, John F. Clauser and Anton Zeilinger’s work in quantum (量子) technology landed them the second Nobel Prize announced in 2022. Although Aspect is from France, Clauser from the U.S, and Zeilinger from Austria, the three separately performed “groundbreaking experiments” as one team. “Their results have cleared the way for new technology,” the committee stated.

Chemistry

The Nobel Prize for chemistry went to another trio, Carolyn R. Bertozzi from the U.S., Morten Meldal from Denmark and K. Barry Sharpless from the U.S. “for the development of click chemistry and biorthogonal chemistry,” the committee stated. Dr. Bertozzi is the eighth woman chemist to be awarded the prize, while Dr. Sharpless is the fifth scientist to be awarded two Nobel Prizes.

Economics

The Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to three American economists, Ben S. Bernanke, Douglas W. Diamond and Philip H. Dybvig “for research on banks and financial crises,” the Nobel Prize committee announced on Monday. By studying the history of American economics, particularly the Great Depression of the 1930s,they improved how we understand the role of banks during times of hardship and the bank’s impact on societal functions.

1. What prize is related to the research with bones?

A．Physiology.

B．Chemistry.

C．Physics.

D．Economics.

2. For what study did Ben S. Bernanke, Douglas W. Diamond and Philip H. Dybvig win the prize?

A．About societal functions.	B．About the history of America.
C．About banks and financial crises.	D．About the Great Depression of the 1930s.

3. What do the prizes for physics, chemistry and economics have in common?

A．Their winners are from different countries.	B．They have three winners.
C．They improve new technology.	D．They help people understand hardship.

7 . This week, Parisians have been treated to the sight of ecotaxis, transporting people up and down the river Seine. They are called SeaBubbles and are being tested ahead of the decision to introduce them into the Parisian transport network. The SeaBubble is still in its early testing period, using technological know-how from several industries. The boat sits in the water as the passengers get on and off but once the door is closed the boat starts moving at 12 kmh (7.5 mph) along the surface. It is 100% electric.

The foils(箔) they use are not new technology. They date back to 1898 and an Italian engineer called Enrico Forlanini. The Germans tested foil boats in the 1940s, the first hydrofoil ferry(水翼渡船) was used between Switzerland and Italy in the 1950s and by 1965, a hydrofoil boat was good enough for the James Bond baddie in Thunderball. What has changed, however, is the technology, which has improved to the point where it can now succeed in dealing with some of the shortcomings which prevented their widespread use.

The company has big goals; it wants to use the world’s waterways—and not roads—to transport people from A to B, and it wants to do so with “zero wave, zero emission(排放), zero noise.” The SeaBubbles would travel at the same speed as cars and the goal is to provide these at the same cost as a taxi, with customers ordering them through an app as they would an Uber.

Anders Bringdal, SeaBubbles CEO, told Associated Press that he hopes to change the way people move about cities. SeaBubbles are one more example of how shared public transport can change the mobility of large cities, much like shared bikes are now doing. People are increasingly looking to rivers as a means of moving around large cities to compete with the subway or buses—in London, travel cards are now accepted on river boats.

1. What do we know about the SeaBubble?

A．It has been used in Paris.	B．It moves as fast as a car.
C．It is under water when it moves.	D．It uses knowledge from other industries.

2. Why did the author list the events about foils in paragraph 2?

A．To give special importance to the breakthrough of foils.

B．To explain the reasons for creating the SeaBubble.

C．To point out the disadvantages of foils.

D．To show how the SeaBubble works.

3. What is the company’s future plan?

A．To put traditional taxis out of business.

B．To work with Uber to transport more people.

C．To transport people on waterways worldwide.

D．To make environment-friendly inventions at low prices.

4. What can we infer about the SeaBubble from the last paragraph?

A．It may have an important place in public transport.

B．It has been widely accepted by many countries.

C．It will make the company world-famous.

D．It still needs more tests.

8 . Industrial agriculture is often held up as the solution to feeding the world’s growing population. But small farms of about 25 acres or less produce over 70 percent of the world’s food. To raise awareness of the contribution of these farmers, a global photo exhibition, We Feed the World, is to open on October 12 in London.

“Industrial agriculture, which mainly focuses on a few types of crops, is not the only answer,” says art director Francesca Price. “We want these images to empower people to support their local food system.”

By growing traditional and non-commercial varieties, small farms support biodiversity and increase food security. With only 12 plants and five animal species making up 75 percent of what the world eats, food systems will be easily hurt by natural disasters and disease outbreaks. However, traditional farming communities are working to preserve their ancient seed diversity.

Keeping variety alive is very important in the face of climate change. In the future, researchers might need to get particular genes from one variety to help another to adapt to warmer, stormier, or drier weather, or to save a prized variety from disease.

Contrary to the false impression held by the public, small farms that practise traditional agriculture can be highly productive. Studies show that the output of crops rises when there’s a wider diversity of crops being grown on a farm, and money is saved since the need for harmful fertilizer and other chemicals is reduced.

“The photographs of family farmers may tell just a few local stories, but the message is universal,” says photographer Cheryl Newman. “I hope that the images will leave viewers thinking deeply about where their food comes from and the impact it has on the world around us.”

1. What is the purpose of the photo exhibition?

A．To help small farmers to sell their produce.

B．To show the challenges faced by small farmers.

C．To draw attention to small farmers’ contribution.

D．To help farmers to fight against industrial agriculture.

2. What can we say about the industrial agriculture?

A．It produces more food than small farms in total.

B．It harms biodiversity and decreases food security.

C．It has been competing unfairly with small farms.

D．It is the only way to feed the world’s population.

3. Why is it important to preserve the traditional and non-commercial crops?

A．Their genes are much better.

B．Their output is much higher.

C．They may help improve the other crops.

D．They don’t need chemical fertilizers at all.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．The importance of traditional small farms.

B．The problems with the industrial agriculture.

C．The consequences of fast-growing population.

D．The impact of climate change on agriculture.

9 . January 23, 2007 became a nightmare for Jessica Bachus. Her second daughter Kenzi _________ at just 24 weeks. “When Kenzi passed away, all my hopes went away, too,” Jessica says. The Colorado-based mother was overcome with emotion, _________ she eventually decided to channel her grief into the _________ of Kenzi.

Jessica knew that even if she couldn’t give dolls to both of her daughters that year, she could still make the holidays _________ for another girl. With the help of her husband, Kyle, and their daughter, Bailey, she _________ 150 dolls to gift underprivileged girls in the community.

“When I saw a family _________ a doll we donated, I cried tears of joy for the first time in almost a year,” Jessica says. So, she _________ to collect dolls and founded the Dolls for Daughters, a nonprofit organization dedicated to _________ financially-strapped families in Colorado with toys, food, school supplies, and more.

Now going into its ninth annual _________, the Dolls for Daughters operates five toy shops in Colorado on the first Saturday in December. Parents are able to choose at least one new gift for each of their children free of charge.

“Most families in our __________ make less than $15,000 a year,” Jessica says. “Many children are used to getting hand-me-downs — this is one time we guarantee that what they get is __________.” Since the establishment of the Dolls for Daughters, more than 48,000 children have been __________ and more than 323,400 items have been gifted to the families.

Jessica and her husband now have four children — Bailey, Kam, Karson, and Kenzi. “We talk about Kenzi all the time. Last year our goal was to serve 10,000 kids since she would have been ten. It was a big __________ and we surpassed it,” Jessica says. “For our living children, volunteering is a great way for them to __________ back, honor their sister, and learn that even from the greatest tragedy can come something __________.”

1.

A．died

B．left

C．talked

D．returned

2.

A．so

B．for

C．and

D．but

3.

A．recovery

B．rescue

C．memory

D．appearance

4.

A．simple

B．fresh

C．special

D．sensible

5.

A．bought

B．collected

C．possessed

D．exchanged

6.

A．pick up

B．turn down

C．come across

D．break up

7.

A．failed

B．agreed

C．offered

D．continued

8.

A．finding

B．choosing

C．supporting

D．appreciating

9.

A．check

B．celebration

C．competition

D．donation

10.

A．world

B．schedule

C．opinion

D．program

11.

A．new

B．useful

C．strange

D．expensive

12.

A．treated

B．served

C．greeted

D．honored

13.

A．reward

B．number

C．surprise

D．success

14.

A．give

B．push

C．come

D．turn

15.

A．normal

B．various

C．beautiful

D．unique

10 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。

Sleep is essential for the proper functioning of all your body systems, from your nerve system to your immune system. Getting enough sleep is the foundation of good health. If you don’t get enough sleep, your health, both physical and mental,     1     (suffer).

Fatigue (疲惫) is the most obvious and immediate consequence of lack of sleep. It slows down     2     (react) time and prevents you from making quick decisions. In addition, not getting enough sleep also     3     (have) long-term effects on your health.

You’ve likely heard that you need to get at least eight hours of sleep per night but there isn’t     4     exact amount of sleep which applies to everyone. Your ideal sleep duration depends     5     your age. For example, although teenagers need around 8 to 10 hours of sleep every day     6     (support) their development, as they grow into young adults, they need less and less.

Good sleep habits can make a huge difference in     7     you feel every day. It’s important to establish a good bedtime routine. If you have trouble     8     (fall) asleep at night, try going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time each day. This will make it     9     (easy) for you to fall asleep.     10     (Similar), try not to oversleep during the day as this can impact your usual sleep schedule.