1 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Why did the speaker go on the tour?

A．It was the prize of a competition.

B．John asked her to go with him.

C．It was her travel plan.

2. What did the speaker dislike about the hotel?

A．The drinks.

B．The food.

C．The waiters.

3. What did the speaker think of the trip to the museum?

A．Disappointing.

B．Amazing.

C．Terrible.

4. What did the speaker do in the second week?

A．She rode an elephant.

B．She went to the mountains.

C．She relaxed in the hotel.

4 . Growing up, I felt that I learned some things quickly and other things painfully slowly. Picking up French and Spanish seemed to come naturally, while painting and drawing required a lot of practice. I thought that some people just have a talent for languages; others don’t.

You’ve probably felt the same way—that certain things were easier for you to learn. And so did my research partners. So we set out to identify what makes some people learn faster than others. If we could just distill (提取) these unique characteristics, we thought, we would be able to create better learning environments—and make everyone a fast learner.

In our study, we model data from student performance on groups of tasks that assess the same skill component and that provide follow-up instructions on student errors. Our models estimate the increase in correctness after each practice opportunity. We applied our models to 1.3 million observations across 27 datasets of student interactions with online practice systems in the context of elementary to college courses. In contrast, and much to our surprise, we found students to be astonishingly similar in estimated learning rate. There are no such things as fast and slow learners!

We find that a typical student needs about seven learning opportunities to master a typical knowledge component. They start at different levels of proficiency but, when provided with high-quality practice opportunities, they learn at about the same speed. Yes, they will end in different places-but that’s because they have different starting lines, not because they are quicker or slower to learn.

That means the types of opportunities you get are important. Detailed, timely feedback and hints provide favorable conditions that allow you to consistently make progress, regardless of where you began.

Don’t think you’re alone if learning feels slow and effortful. Do try, try again. You can make as much progress as everyone else—and so can the young people in your life. Achievement gaps are the result of opportunity gaps, not individual differences in learning speed.

1. What is the author’s previous thought according to the first two paragraphs?

A．He can’t learn painting and drawing.	B．All people have a talent for languages.
C．People learn things in the same way.	D．People have different learning speeds.

2. What did the researchers do in the research?

A．Teach elementary courses.	B．Criticize students’ mistakes.
C．Apply their models extensively.	D．Distinguish the fast and slow learners.

3. How can a student make greater achievements according to the research?

A．By using high-quality equipment.	B．By doing more efficient practice.
C．By competing with other students.	D．By increasing learning speed.

4. What is the best title of the text?

A．There Is No Such Things as a Fast Learner	B．How We Can Learn Faster than Others
C．There Is No Difference Between Students	D．Why Education Is Important to Us

5 . In much of the western United States, drought and access to fresh water is a critical issue. However, recently California came up with a novel solution. The state approved regulations that allow agencies to purify wastewater for drinking. This recycled wastewater may be consumed in homes, schools, and businesses.

As the population in California has exploded in recent decades, the state has struggled to meet demands for fresh water. Recycled wastewater will allow the state to increase access to the precious resource.

Recycled wastewater is not new to the state. It has previously been used in ice hockey rinks (冰球场), for crops, and to generate artificial snow. But now, water agencies will have the option to put recycled wastewater back into pipes for drinking. California is only the second state to allow purified wastewater to be consumed. The first was Colorado in 2022.

While the idea of drinking recycled wastewater may be off-putting, regulators spent more than a decade developing rules and regulations to ensure safety. Independent panels of scientists also reviewed the state’s rules around recycled wastewater consumption. All water will be treated for pathogens (病原体) and viruses before being available for consumption.

So far, the state’s plan has been met with approval from large water agencies. Many of them have plans to construct wastewater recycling plans over the next few years. In Southern California, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has set a goal aiming to produce 150 million gallons of direct and indirect recycled water per day. This water will be in the pipes of the 19 million people throughout the six counties that the agency serves.

Officials are aware that a certain amount of public convincing may still be necessary. However, they remain optimistic about the future of the project, reminding consumers that the water is safe, and that recycled water is already in use in California.

1. Why does California pass new regulations about recycled wastewater?

A．To ease the pressure of drought.	B．To increase the supply of fresh water.
C．To recycle the wastewater for industry.	D．To reduce the pollution of the wastewater.

2. What does the underlined word “off-putting” mean in paragraph 4?

A．Surprising.

B．Necessary.

C．Funny.

D．Awful.

3. What can we learn from paragraph 5?

A．The goal of wastewater recycling is hard to achieve.

B．The state’s plan will be conducted by water agencies.

C．Southern California will reduce its water production.

D．People in California tend to prefer recycled water.

4. What do the public think of the recycled water project?

A．Many people still disapprove of the project.

B．The public are optimistic about the project.

C．It will never be suitable to use recycled water.

D．The project is the only solution to water shortage.

6 . The ability to walk is the sort of thing many people take for granted, but for Ella Weiske, it’s a monumental achievement. Ella was born with cerebral palsy (脑瘫) and requires a wheelchair to get around, yet she always dreamed of walking across the stage to collect her high school diploma on her own two feet.

In spring of 2023, Ella finally got that chance! The teenager spent months before her graduation from Ripon High School in Wisconsin building strength and practicing walking on an innovative new device called a Trexo. All of her efforts were worth it when she stepped onto the stage to a standing ovation (起立鼓掌) from teachers and students.

Walking on graduation day was important to Ella so her family raised $45,000 with an online fundraiser to buy the Trexo device, which is a wearable robot designed to help children walk. The device is controlled by a tablet, and it helps Ella gently move her legs. She can adjust how much support is needed, walk angles, and speed.

Ella says just the feeling of her feet hitting the floor makes her happy, but it’s the independence the device offers that gets her really excited. She dreams of hanging around downtown, going to her brother’s baseball games, and opening up her world with help from her robotic legs. But first, graduation!

On the big day, Ella was able to use her Trexo device to walk across the stage with the other members of the class of 2023. The entire school body was on their feet, cheering for her, as she collected her diploma with help from her sister, Liz Weiske. It was an emotional moment for the teachers and students who have rooted for Ella for the past 4 years.

Just graduating is an achievement on its own, but Ella’s life-changing walk meant so much to her, and to everyone who knows and loves her. We’re so proud of Ella for working hard to accomplish her goals.

1. What words can best describe Ella Weiske?

A．Caring and responsible.	B．Honest and reliable.
C．Ambitious and hardworking.	D．Intelligent and creative.

2. What did Ella gain from the help of the Trexo device?

A．A responsibility to help others.	B．A sense of living independently.
C．An ability to deliver a public speech.	D．An opportunity for further education.

3. How did the school staff feel about Ella’s walking on the stage?

A．Embarrassing.

B．Doubtful.

C．Inspiring.

D．Romantic.

4. What lesson can we learn from Ella’s experience?

A．Practice makes perfect.	B．Many hands make light work.
C．Misfortune may be an actual blessing.	D．Everything is possible to a willing mind.

7 . 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival Student Art Competition

To celebrate the 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival, National Mall and Memorial Parks is hosting a youth art competition. We need your artistic help to inspire visitors to become Cherry Blossom Protectors! The blooming of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin has come to symbolize the natural beauty of our nation’s capital city. Thousands of people come every year to see the cherry trees and enjoy the festival.

Participants

The contest is open to all Washington, D.C. students, K-6. One submission per student please.

Theme

Artworks should focus on the theme “Cherry Blossom Protector.” Draw or paint a picture that shows what you appreciate about the cherry blossoms, how we can take care of them, and why we should. Submissions must include the words “Cherry Blossom Protector”.

Deadline

Artworks will be accepted starting December 13, 2023. All submissions must be postmarked by February 25, 2024.

Submission requirements

A valid submission will contain the following information:

1. An original copy of the artwork. Each piece must be original, authentic (真实的), unpublished, the sole property of the entrant (参赛者), and not previously submitted in any other contest.

2. Your personal information, printed on either the back of your artwork or on a separate sheet attached to your physical artwork or provided with the e-mail for your digital entry: First and last name, grade/age.

3. A completed and signed entry form. Print out the entry form and send it to us when you send your artwork. Entries cannot be accepted without a signed entry form by a parent or guardian.

Delivery address

Mailed submissions must be sent to:

National Mall and Memorial Parks

c/o 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival Student Art Competition

1100 Ohio Drive, SWWashington, DC 20242

1. Why do National Mall and Memorial Parks host the art competition?

A．To honor the national heroes.	B．To improve students’ art skills.
C．To protect the cherry blossom.	D．To attract more visitors to the parks.

2. What should you do if you attend the contest?

A．Volunteer as a cherry blossom protector.	B．Choose your own theme for the contest.
C．Email all your artworks to your school.	D．Summit artworks before February 25, 2024.

3. What should be included in the submission entries?

A．Personal information.	B．A previous submitted copy.
C．A guardian’s recommendation.	D．An electronic application form.

8 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Why did the man close his Wechat Moments?

A．He didn’t like the posts on Wechat.

B．He tried to focus on the real world.

C．He didn’t want people to know anything about him.

2. How did the man communicate with his friends in the past?

A．Through emails.

B．Through instant messages.

C．Through face-to-face conversations.

3. What has changed in the man’s life?

A．He pays more attention to work.

B．He spends more time with his family.

C．He communicates more with old friends.

4. What’s the possible relationship between the two speakers?

A．Boss and secretary.

B．Old schoolmates.

C．Waiter and customer.

10 . A 14-year-old teenager was named “America’s Top Young Scientist” after winning this year’s 3M Young Scientist Challenge, a national science competition. He was given the title for creating a bar of soap (肥皂) that fights low-grade skin cancer and also awarded $25,000 for his research.

Heman Bekele, who is a freshman at WT Woodson High School, moved to Virginia from Ethiopia, where he observed people constantly exposed to the sun and suffering from skin cancer. While he didn’t initially give it much thought, as the competition drew near, he remembered his experiences in Ethiopia and decided to focus his research on skin cancer.

Heman started doing experiments at home and doing testing on digital models. He learned much about dendritic cells (named for their tree-like branches), which boost human immune (免疫的) responses. In his submission video to 3M, Heman explains, “When skin cancer cells develop, they weaken dendritic cells in the body, allowing the cancer to take over.” He said the soap contains agents that could potentially reactivate dendritic cells that help eliminate the cancer cells.

The soap can be applied to the skin every couple of days and then the person with skin cancer will start to see progress. “The average price of skin cancer treatment in the US alone is almost $40,000, but my bar of soap only costs $8.50 to create, and it can have the same effects as something that people would pay thousands and thousands of dollars to try to get,” Heman said.

For now, Heman said he has a five-year plan. At the end of it, he hopes to have created a nonprofit organization where he can provide accessible skin cancer treatment to as many people as possible. But to achieve his goal, he would have to get his treatment through clinical trials and have it certified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), he said.

1. What does the author intend to tell us about Heman in paragraph 2?

A．The memory of his childhood.	B．The inspiration for his invention.
C．The spread of skin cancer in Africa.	D．The reason for his moving to Virginia.

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

A．Avoid.

B．Remove.

C．Awake.

D．Balance.

3. What advantage does Heman’s soap have over common treatments for skin cancer?

A．It is more affordable.	B．It takes effect at once.
C．It has fewer side effects.	D．It is suitable for all skin cancers.

4. What does Heman think his top priority is?

A．Starting a nonprofit enterprise.	B．Distributing his soap to patients.
C．Obtaining a drug production license.	D．Applying to perform human trials.