1 . Google Flights reveals new feature to help travelers save money

Regular users of Google Flights might notice a new feature the next time they go to the site to check out airline schedules and compare flight prices.

The new feature officially announced on Monday morning in a news release is Google guidance on the cheapest time to book a flight, which adds price tracking alerts and a price guarantee option already in place.

Cheapest time to book: Google Flights said starting this week, searches that have reliable trend data will let users see in what time frame prices have typically been lowest. Users can then better decide whether to book now or later, Google said in the release.

Take flights from New York to Miami, for example, the cheapest time to book is usually from Sep 13 to Dec 7. Prices during this time are $59 cheaper on average.

Price tracking: Users who want to wait for lower fares before booking can use a price tracking feature that “can do most of the heavy lifting for you,” Google said.

Price guarantee: On some flight results, users might notice a price guarantee badge (标志) pop up (this won’t happen on every use). If you book one of these flights, Google said it will monitor the price every day before takeoff.

“If the price does go down, we’ll pay you back the difference via Google Pay. These price guarantees are part of a pilot program available for select Book on Google itineraries (行程) departing from the U. S.,” Google said in the release.

1. Which is the cheapest time to book a flight from New York to Miami?

A．August 19.

B．September 20.

C．December 8.

D．January 11.

2. What is the function of Google Flights’ new feature?

A．Get your money back.	B．Pay back the difference.
C．Monitor the price before flights take off.	D．Make sure you can get the cheapest flight.

3. In which section of a newspaper may this text appear?

A．Science.

B．Entertainment.

C．Travel.

D．Education.

2 . The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023 was awarded to three American scientists Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus and Alexei I. Ekimov “for the discovery and development of quantum (量子) dots”. They are so tiny that their size determines their properties. These smallest components of nano (纳米) technology now spread their light from televisions and LED lamps, and can also guide surgeons when they remove cancer tissue, among many other things.

Everyone who studies chemistry learns that an element’s properties are governed by how many electrons (电子) it has. However, when matter contracts to nano-dimensions quantum phenomena arise; these are governed by the size of the matter. The Nobel winners in Chemistry 2023 have succeeded in producing particles so small that their properties are determined by quantum phenomena. The particles, which are generally known as quantum dots by scientists, are now of great importance in nanotechnology.

“Quantum dots have many fascinating and unusual properties. Importantly, they have different colours depending on their size,” says Johan Åqvist, Chai r of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry.

Physicists had long known that in theory size-dependent quantum effects could arise in nanoparticles, but at that time it was almost impossible to sculpture in nanodimensions. Therefore, few people believed that this knowledge would be put to practical use.

However, in the early 1980s, Alexei Ekimov succeeded in creating size-dependent quantum effects in coloured glass. The colour came from nanoparticles of copper chloride (氯化铜) and Ekimov demonstrated that the particle size affected the colour of the glass via quantum effects. A few years later, Louis Brus was the first scientist in the world to prove size-dependent quantum effects in particles floating freely in a liquid. In 1993, Moungi Bawendi revolutionised the chemical production of quantum dots, resulting in almost perfect particles. This high quality was necessary for them to be used in applications.

Quantum dots are thus bringing the greatest benefit to humankind. Researchers believe that in the future they could contribute to flexible electronics, tiny sensors, thinner solar cells and quantum communication — so we have just started exploring the potential of these tiny particles.

1. Why was the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023 awarded to 3 American scientists?

A．They discovered quantum size.	B．They discovered nanotechnology.
C．They discovered quantum effects.	D．They discovered and improved quantum dots.

2. What does the underlined word “particles” in paragraph 2 probably refer to?

A．Quantum dots.

B．Spots.

C．Atoms.

D．Grains.

3. Who discovered nearly faultless quantum dots?

A．Moungi Bawendi.

B．Louis Brus.

C．Alexei Ekimov.

D．Johan Åqvist.

4. What can we infer from the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023?

A．Innovation is the most important thing.

B．Practice is the only criterion for testing truth.

C．The development of science and technology is endless.

D．Technology from quantum dots is constantly improving.

3 . In the late 19th century, there was a poor farmer in Scotland named Fleming. He was ________ and always ready to help others. One day when he was ________ in the field, he suddenly heard a cry for help in the wetland nearby. It ________ that a boy was trapped in the wetland. Seeing the mud up to his ________, Fleming immediately jumped into the wetland and ________ to save the boy. The next day, a brand-new ________ from a distant place stopped at the farmer’s door. An elegant gentleman got off the carriage and ________himself as the boy’s father. The gentleman brought the farmer many precious gifts ________saving his son, but the farmer refused. He ________ that saving others was what he should do. It ________ that the gentleman saw the farmer’s son playing in a dirty suit. He thought about it and said to the ________, “In this case, I have a ________. You saved my son’s life and I want him to ________ the best education in Britain.”The farmer agreed ________. Later, the farmer’s son graduated from St. Mary’s Medical School in England and became the ________ Sir Fleming Alexander. He is the inventor of penicillin (青霉素), which has saved ________ lives. Years later, the gentleman’s son caught pneumonia. What saved his life? Penicillin. Who was the gentleman’s son? Churchill, the prime minister of Britain during World War II.

This story tells us that the simple and kind Scottish farmer’s ________ in saving others without ________ any return, brought his own child a good opportunity. And because of his child’s achievement, he ________ the gentleman’s child, who became British prime minister of World War II. The kindness of an ordinary farmer ________ changed the whole world.

1.

A．determined

B．kind

C．anxious

D．disappointed

2.

A．working

B．drinking

C．regretting

D．weeping

3.

A．figured out

B．pointed out

C．worked out

D．turned out

4.

A．leg

B．ankle

C．chest

D．foot

5.

A．managed

B．tried

C．decided

D．hoped

6.

A．bicycle

B．car

C．carriage

D．truck

7.

A．recommended

B．introduced

C．treated

D．served

8.

A．in honor of

B．in favor of

C．in exchange for

D．in return for

9.

A．felt

B．announced

C．declared

D．sworn

10.

A．happened

B．seemed

C．followed

D．appeared

11.

A．son

B．farmer

C．parent

D．witness

12.

A．demand

B．suggestion

C．decision

D．plan

13.

A．spread

B．promote

C．obtain

D．continue

14.

A．clearly

B．eventually

C．interestingly

D．unexpectedly

15.

A．world-famous

B．good-looking

C．easy-going

D．hard-working

16.

A．energetic

B．extraordinary

C．countless

D．unbelievable

17.

A．approach

B．behavior

C．anecdote

D．manner

18.

A．receiving

B．sending

C．reporting

D．seeking

19.

A．defeated

B．recognized

C．cured

D．adopted

20.

A．commonly

B．necessarily

C．especially

D．actually

4 . Here are some ways to introduce classical music to your children.

●When you read a story to your children, pick out a classical music piece that matches the emotion of the book.     1     After getting used to reading in time with the music, tell your children you have a special surprise for them. Read them the story in the new way, and they will surely be delighted!

●If your kids are always moving around, try introducing classical music to them by dancing. Instruct your children to listen to the music and dance however the music makes them feel. Parents dance with them!     2    

●Before your kids begin playtime, make a list of classical music pieces with the name of the person who wrote it.     3     Tell them something about the person they picked to listen to. Before long, your children will have a basic knowledge of the person who wrote the piece.

●    4     Make sure your children listen to the music and create their picture to however the music makes them feel. Once everyone is finished, listen to the music again and explain your creations.

●You can pick out three pieces of music to play during the week.     5     At the end of the week have a listening game to see who can remember the name of the piece when you play it. Games are always a fun way to introduce learning concepts.

A．Have your children pick one.

B．Practice reading the story out loud with the music.

C．Mix up the music and see how your children react.

D．Classical music can be fun, and not boring to listen to.

E．Tell your children the name of the piece every time you play it.

F．Make sure you tell your children what the piece is and who wrote it.

G．While you and your children paint, play different classical music pieces.

5 . 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。

Chinese drinking vessels (器皿) have kept evolving throughout the dynasties of China,     1     reflect the ceremony system,     2     (culture) ideas, customs and manners at that time.

In Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties, ancient China established itself a complete ceremony system.     3     (drive) by the system, it’s widely believed that it’s impolite to serve     4     alcohol, which helped greatly promote the     5     (popular) and use of bronze (青铜) drinking vessels,     6     (make) them a significant symbol of bronze culture in this period. The drinking vessels came with a variety of shapes and sizes.

Drinking wine was     7     (extreme) popular in the Tang Dynasty. Among more than 40,000 poems included in the Complete Tang Poems, there are up     8     5,400 poems written about wine. The drinking vessels mentioned in Tang poetry are rich in material, including metal vessels as well as ceramic (陶瓷) vessels, which boomed in the Song Dynasty.

Jingdezhen ceramics in Jiangxi Province     9     (last) for five or six hundred years throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties, where a surprisingly large number and a wide variety of wine sets were created. Ceramic wine sets reached the peak of perfection in the Qing Dynasty, which     10     (represent) by the set of wine cups with flowers of the twelve months from the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty.

6 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Where will the majority of the photos be displayed?

A．In a gallery.

B．In a mall.

C．In a café.

2. How many hours is the exhibition on view every day?

A．5 hours.

B．8 hours.

C．9 hours.

3. How will the funds raised be used?

A．To develop the poor countries’ economy.

B．To teach local kids arts.

C．To help disabled children.

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Who does the woman travel with?

A．Her classmates.

B．Her parents.

C．A travel guide.

2. Where does the woman want to travel at first?

A．Beijing.

B．Dunhuang.

C．Xi’an.

3. Why does the woman refuse to travel to Mogao Caves?

A．Her parents are busy.

B．She isn’t interested in it.

C．Her parents don’t like it.

4. What does the man advise the woman to do in Beijing?

A．Taste Peking duck.

B．Visit the Great Wall.

C．Tour the Palace Museum.

8 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. When will Flight 962 arrive?

A．At 9:35.

B．At 10:35.

C．At 11:35.

2. What caused the delay of Flight 962?

A．Bad weather.

B．Fuel shortage.

C．Engine trouble.

3. Where does Flight 962 make a scheduled stop?

A．In Boston.

B．In Chicago.

C．In San Francisco.

9 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

It was a sun-kissed spring afternoon along the beautiful Maryland coast, and Jonathan Bauer, a 51-year-old former firefighter, was enjoying a rare moment with his 13-year-old daughter, Ava. The two of them were heading home across the Route 90 bridge, over the waters of Assawoman Bay.

However, the peace of their drive was suddenly disturbed by the noise of tires and a horrible crash just ahead of them. A black truck was out of control, running into a concrete barrier, and finally coming to rest over the bridge’s railing(栏杆).

In that heart-stopping moment, Bauer hit the brakes in time to avoid the vehicles in his path, narrowly avoiding a crash with the truck ahead. But his heart sank as he saw a red car sliding backward towards him. He turned left, but too late——the car ultimately crashed into the trunk of his car.

Bauer stopped the car. “Ava, are you OK?” he asked. Thankfully, Ava emerged from the chaos, but otherwise unhurt. Bauer, however, couldn’t stand by. Rushing to the red car, he checked on its driver. “Are you OK?” he asked the driver. She nodded, too shocked to speak.

Then, suddenly, a scream of “HELP” cut through the air, coming from the overturned truck. As the truck driver climbed out and pointed toward the water, Bauer raced to his side. In the shallow bay waters below, he spotted a car seat and a terrified two-year-old girl, dressed in a pink dress.

Without hesitation, Bauer instructed Ava to call the ambulance as he removed his shoes. He knew the situation was urgent, and he had to act swiftly to save the baby. He climbed onto the bridge’s railing, preparing to make a jump of faith into the water. He was not sure about his chances jumping from this height into such shallow water. And were there rocks this close to the concrete pillar(柱子) of the bridge?

注意：1. 续写词数应为150个左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Bauer jumped into the water.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
As the ambulance left, Ava anxiously turned to her father.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10 . Dementia (痴呆), a serious mental disorder caused by brain disease or injury, affects the ability to think, remember and behave normally. 160,000 people have some forms of dementia in Sweden, Alzheimer’s disease being the most common. At the same time, many new diagnostic (诊断的) methods and early-intervention treatment have been developed in recent years, which highlights the need to identify more risk factors for the disease.

Previous studies have demonstrated a possible association between depression and dementia. A present study now clearly shows that people who have been diagnosed with depression are more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Unlike the previous ones, the study was conducted using Region Stockholm’s administrative healthcare database, which contains all healthcare contacts recorded by the region. It shows that the risk of Alzheimer’s disease was more than twice as high in patients with stress and in patients with depression as it was in patients without either condition; in patients with both depression it was up to four times as high.

“The reason for it is unknown,” says the study’s last author Axel C. Carlsson. “The finding is important in that it enables us to improve preventative efforts and understand links with the other risk factors for dementia.”

The researchers focused on patients between the ages of 18 and 65 and between 2012 and 2013. They identified 44,447 people with a diagnosis of depression and followed them for eight years to see how many of them were later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. A comparison with all other 1,362,548 individuals in the age group showed that more people with depression had also been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

“It’s very uncommon for people in this age group to develop dementia, so we need to identify all possible risk factors for the disease,” says Dr Carlsson. “We show here that the diagnosis is more common in people who have suffered depression, but more studies will be required if we’re to demonstrate any reason there.”

1. What do the previous studies and the present one differ in?

A．The target.	B．The method.
C．The purpose.	D．The theory.

2. Why is the new finding important?

A．It clarifies the condition of dementia.

B．It makes clear the risks of depression.

C．It confirms the previous study finding.

D．It helps with the dementia prevention.

3. What is Paragraph 4 mainly about concerning the study?

A．Its process.	B．Its background.
C．Its application.	D．Its assessment.

4. What may the follow-up studies focus on?

A．Why dementia spreads wide in Sweden.

B．What links exist among mental diseases.

C．How depression connects with dementia.

D．What other risk factors lead to dementia.