There’s a lot that goes into moving to a new city. You’re house hunting in areas you aren’t familiar with, dragging all of your belongings around, trying to figure out which grocery store keeps your favourite noodles in stock, and wondering when you’ll ever find a new dentist. This was exactly what I went through when I settled in Chicago.
Every day, I was fully occupied, exhausted. I found my new city so big and unfriendly.
After graduating from college in May, I moved from the town of Oxford, Mississippi, to Chicago to start my full-time job. Typically, when I went through lots of change in my life, I had consistent faces around me: my family or my friends. This time, however, it was just me. And for someone who’s an introvert (内向的人), this was anything but easy.
Besides, the job itself was also something beyond my expectation. What I learnt in college was totally different from what I needed to do in the company. I worked longer hours to sort things out and couldn’t sleep well at night. It was a lot of change at once. It was too much. I was helpless.
What’s worse, my poor health added to the helplessness. Due to days of pressure, I had a physical problem. It seemed that I had to go to hospital for a thorough examination. It seemed a small challenge compared to the one I was about to face, but things started to go wrong right from the beginning.
Not having a car or knowing the city, I was depending on a couple of buses to get around. Although I’d left myself plenty of time, soon it was obvious that I was going to be late, as I had mistakenly got on a bus that was taking me in the opposite direction.
注意：1.所续写短文的词数应为150左右；2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Paragraph 1:
I had no choice but to get off the bus.
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Suddenly, a car stopped in front of me and it was the same woman.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2 . The growth mindset is the belief that intellectual abilities can be developed and are not fixed, which have received a great deal of attention in schools and among researchers.
According to a study, a teacher’s growth mindset acts as a “support” that can draw out a student's growth mindset at the very beginning and make it maintainable and actionable in the classroom. These teachers may convey how, in their classes, mistakes are learning opportunities, not signs of low ability, and back up this view with assignments and evaluations that reward continual improvement. This could encourage a student to continue acting on their growth mindset.
The study analyzed data from the National Study of Learning Mindset, which was an intervention experiment conducted with a sample of ninth-grade students’ math grades. The present focus on math grades is motivated by the fact that students tend to find math challenging and anxiety inducing, and therefore, a growth mindset might help students face those challenges productively.
In the study, researchers show that the positive effect of a short growth-mindset intervention on ninth-grade students’ math grades was concentrated among students whose teachers themselves had growth mindset. They also found that baseline students — serve as a benchmark (基准点) for comparing and evaluating the progress of other students — who reported more fixed mindset in classrooms showed a significantly positive effect on math grades.
Successfully teaching a growth mindset to students lifted math grades overall, but this was not enough for all students to reap the benefits of a growth-mindset intervention. Supportive classroom contexts also mattered.Students who were in classrooms with teachers who approved of more of a fixed mindset did not show gains in their math grades over ninth grade, whereas the same kind of students in classrooms with more growth-mind set teachers showed meaningful gains.
In general, they view the testing and understanding of the causal effect of teacher mindset as the next step for mindset science. Such research will be challenging to carry out, however.
1. What is the second paragraph mainly about?| A．How a student's growth-mindset is inspired. |
| B．Why a teacher's growth mindset is important. |
| C．How mistakes turn into learning opportunities. |
| D．Why a student continues acting on growth mindset. |
| A．Students were unable to overcome maths challenge. |
| B．The positive effect was concentrated on all students. |
| C．The sample size of the experiment was insufficient. |
| D．Students at baseline were influenced considerably. |
| A．has an influence on the effectiveness |
| B．is determined by supportive classroom |
| C．always brings meaningful gains to students |
| D．plays a decisive role in students' significant gains |
| A．The Academic Performance: The Influence of Students’ Mindset |
| B．Students’ Learning Motivation: The Impact of Teachers’ Mindset |
| C．Encouraging a Growth Mindset: The Role of Teachers |
| D．Fixed and Growth Mindset: Their Relationship and Impact |
3 . Li Bai holds a wine cup in his hand, while Du Fu sits in front of a desk, writing poems on the paper in front of him. It’s not that we have travelled to the past. Modern technology has brought them “back to life”.
The two great poets, along with other humanoid robots, were presented at the World Robot Conference 2023 in late August in Beijing. They looked similar to real human beings.
“The skin is made of medical-grade bionic silicone (仿生硅胶), which is why the skin looks soft and veins can be seen through it,” CGTN explained in a video about Liaoning-based producer EXROBOTS. Goosebumps (鸡皮疙瘩) and palm lines can also be seen on the arms and hands.
Researchers are also trying hard to create other features of humans on robots. A US robotics startup Apptronik brought out its humanoid robot called Apollo on Aug 23. Apollo has around 30 muscles.
However, “humans have around 300 muscles in our bodies,” Nick Paine, the co-founder of the company, told CNN. For now, engineers can only simplify the muscles, allowing them to do basic movements like holding objects and walking.
The robot also contains cameras and sensors in its head, helping it map out a 360-degree view of its environment. They also help the robot keep balance when walking on uncertain surfaces.
Nowadays, bionic (仿生的) human-like robots mostly work with humans, as tour guides or by helping visitors at front desks. There are also robots that share the work of nurses, such as handing out medicine. This could be because people are comfortable living and working with machines that look or act like them. They can “strike a chord with people,” a US robotics scientist Marc Raibert told New Yorker.
As more humanoid robots come out, safety will be the key, according to the Robot Report website. When a 70-kilogram robot breaks down and falls, humans nearby may be hurt.
1. What do we know about the robots of Li Bai and Du Fu?| A．They can learn from each other. | B．They look lifelike in every detail. |
| C．They can communicate with visitors. | D．They manage to compose original poems. |
| A．It can not perform complex movements. | B．It can not keep balance on some surfaces. |
| C．It moves too slowly when holding objects. | D．It lacks the ability to tell people directions. |
| A．They are as intelligent as humans. | B．People feel comfortable with them. |
| C．They understand human’s needs well. | D．People treat them as trustworthy friends. |
| A．Robots Play a Significant Role in Our Life |
| B．The World Robot Conference Is a Success |
| C．Two Great Poets Got Revived Thanks to Technology |
| D．New Technology Makes Humanoid Robots Possible |
4 . When was the last time you used a telephone box? I mean to make an actual phone call — not to shelter from the rain. Ages ago, right? The last time I used a phone box for its intended purpose was…2006. I was conducting auditions (试演) for my play in my tiny old shared house in London. Hoping to impress some talented actors to come and work for me for nothing, I spread some throws over the sofas and lit candles to make it seem a bit more ”young professional”.
As I rushed outdoors to empty the wastepaper baskets, the door swung shut behind me. Suddenly I was locked outside. My mobile phone was inside, but luckily there was a telephone box across the street. So, I called Directory Assistance, got put through to our landlady’s managing agent, and had a spare key sent to me with just enough time to get back in before the actors arrived.
As it has been many years since I last used one, I should hardly be surprised that then are no longer any public telephones near my house. The last one standing has just been turn into a “mini community library”: any passer-by can “borrow” a book from its shelves return it later, or replace it with another title from their own collection.
For a few months after the “library” opened, I didn’t bother taking a look, as I had assumed that it would be stuffed full of cheese love stories. Then I noticed fork conducting spring cleans dropping boxes of voluminous books on various subjects there. And these books were free. This unbeatable price-point encouraged me to experiment with dozens of titles that I would never normally consider buying. And I’ve discovered some great books!
If I ever get trapped outside my house again, my local telephone box will, sadly no longer be able to connect me with my keys. But it can certainly keep me entertained while I wait for my wife to rescue me.
1. What does the underlined word “it” in the first paragraph refer to?| A．The play. | B．The shared house. |
| C．The sofa. | D．The telephone box. |
| A．To place an urgent call. | B．To put up a notice. |
| C．To shelter from the rain. | D．To hold an audition. |
| A．It provides phone service for free. | B．Anyone can contribute to its collection. |
| C．It is popular among young readers. | D．Books must be returned within a month. |
| A．He wanted to borrow some love stories. |
| B．He was encouraged by a close neighbour. |
| C．He found there were excellent free books. |
| D．He thought it was an ideal place for reading. |
5 . Last Friday, Britain’s Prince William announced the winners of this year’s Earthshot Prize. The prize is meant to encourage new ideas and rapid action to help protect the planet. Below are parts of this year’s prize-winning projects in each category.
Protect and Restore Nature
Kheyti won the prize for protecting and restoring nature with its “Greenhouse-in-a-box” idea. Kheyti is already working with 1, 000 farmers across India, which is one of the most climate-affected countries in the world. The company says the greenhouses allow farmers to use 90% less water and produce seven times as much food. Kheyti hopes to get its greenhouses to 50,000 farmers by 2027.
Clean Our Air
Charlot Magayi won the prize for cleaning the air. Ms. Magayi developed a stove (炉子) that uses a fuel that’s cheaper and pollutes far less than charcoal stoves. Currently, over 200,000 of her Clean Stoves are being used in Kenya.
Build a Waste-Free World
A London-based company called Notpla(for “Not Plastic”)won the prize for building a waste-free world. They’ve created a plastic substitute(替代品)from plants found in the ocean. Unlike most plastic, their products break down naturally with no microplastics. Notpla believes their products can help end the plastic pollution that’s filling landfills and polluting oceans.
Fix Our Climate
The Earthshot Prize for working toward fixing our climate went to a company called 44.01 from Oman. 44.01 has come up with a way to turn polluting carbon dioxide(CO2)into a rock called peridotite. Once the CO2 has been turned into rock, it can no longer be released into the atmosphere again. The method that 44.01 uses is fast, cheap and permanent.
1. What is the aim of the Earthshot Prize?| A．To offer practical advice on global warming. |
| B．To find solutions to the environmental problems. |
| C．To develop a strategic partnership with all parties. |
| D．To encourage literary creations of the British people. |
| A．In India. | B．In Kenya. | C．In the UK. | D．In Oman. |
| A．They want to build a waste-free world. |
| B．Their projects are directly good for farmers. |
| C．Their achievements benefit the air cleaning. |
| D．They use plants from the ocean in their products. |
The old bridge had stood for generations, connecting the two villages across the roaring river. Over time, its weathered timbers and worn stones had become a symbol of resilience, unity, and shared history. People crossed the bridge for daily activities, their footsteps echoing stories of the past. However, with modernization, plans for a new, sleek bridge were introduced to accommodate the increasing traffic and faster-paced lifestyles.
Despite the convenience the new bridge would bring, the villagers faced a dilemma. They couldn’t bear the thought of parting with the old bridge, the embodiment of their heritage. After passionate discussions, they decided to preserve the old bridge as a monument of cultural significance. The new bridge would serve as a testament to progress while the old bridge would stand as a tribute to history.
Years later, tourists from around the world marveled at the harmonious coexistence of tradition and modernity in the village. The old bridge, though retired from active use, continued to bridge the gap between generations, reminding everyone of the importance of honoring the past while embracing the future.
写作要求：1. 以约30词概括短文的主要内容；
2, 然后以约120词就“保护文化遗产”的主题发表你的看法, 并包括以下要点：
文化遗产的重要性；
如何保护和传承文化遗产；
你的实际行动或倡议。
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7 . It’s time to share the winners of this year’s Invent It Challenge! Here are our four winners of the first round!
Glo Zone (Ages 5-7 Individual Winner)
Kabir from California came up with this cool invention after a not-so-fun experience. He was hit by four adults on a ski trip! To make skiing and snowboarding safe for nighttime (especially for smaller kids)， he created Glo Zone，a fun glowing(发光的)rainbow umbrella that is attached to skiers’ helmets.
ProTech Helmet (Ages 11-13 Individual Winner)
Pooja from New Jersey has created a light, safe helmet designed for playing frisbee (飞盘)!She came up with the idea after getting hit right under the eye at a frisbee competition and realizing she could get blinded if it were any higher. The ProTech Helmet has a lining(衬里) made of a new technology called Spin.
Ace Attachment (Ages 8-10 Team Winner)
Levi and Albert from New York dealt with helping people with disabilities enjoy sports. The Ace Attachment makes it easier for wheelchair users to play golf. Unlike similar inventions, the Ace Attachment is easily adjustable.
Skate Shoes “DOOD” (Ages 14+ Individual Winner)
It’s the worst when you ruin your favorite pair of shoes! Fortunately, Rommel from Mexico has come up with new skate shoes. These shoes have exchangeable parts that allow pieces of the shoes to be replaced with new ones when broken instead of getting rid of the whole pair.
Cast your vote!
Which of these fantastic inventions will you choose to win the Cricket Choice Award? While they are all outstanding, only one can win the popular vote! Cast your vote here by May 16!
1. What do Kabir’s and Pooja’s inventions have in common?| A．They are new-type helmets. |
| B．They are targeted at the same sport. |
| C．They are designed for teenagers of the same age group. |
| D．They are inspired by the inventors’ experience of getting hit. |
| A．It is disability-friendly. |
| B．It features replaceable parts. |
| C．It involves a new technology called Spin. |
| D．It enables wheelchair users to enjoy sports. |
| A．A short story about young inventors. | B．An introduction to a competition. |
| C．An award voting invitation. | D．A winner announcement. |
Demand on tourism burst as the Minsu market’s recovery sped up during the May Day holiday. Oceans of tourists flooded into Zibo in China’s Shandong Province for its BBQ,
The Minsu in rural areas still gain
Among customers booking the Minsu in rural areas, the “post-80” and “post-90” generations are still the mainstream. The
9 . Last year, Doctor Steve truly understood what it means to be at the right place at the right time. During a half-marathon, he found himself in the position to
Gregory had just reached the peak of an incline(斜坡) and was
Meanwhile, Steve saw this happen, and he could tell it wasn’t a simple
The rest of the race itself was
“I never expected something like that in my whole life to happen again, let alone in the same
The
| A．defeat | B．inspire | C．sponsor | D．save |
| A．randomly | B．rapidly | C．smoothly | D．obviously |
| A．disabled | B．unwell | C．familiar | D．excellent |
| A．relieved | B．surprised | C．annoyed | D．grateful |
| A．expected | B．tackled | C．demanded | D．remembered |
| A．mistake | B．fall | C．mode | D．goal |
| A．confirmed | B．stated | C．announced | D．reported |
| A．formal | B．fair | C．uneventful | D．uncompetitive |
| A．lesson | B．drug | C．device | D．help |
| A．caught up | B．broke down | C．passed out | D．sat down |
| A．place | B．race | C．hospital | D．peak |
| A．timing | B．setting | C．opportunity | D．background |
| A．agreed | B．failed | C．prepared | D．paused |
| A．proving | B．meaning | C．indicating | D．realizing |
| A．ending | B．recording | C．solution | D．review |
10 . Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, have revolutionized the way we think about money and transactions. These digital assets are based on blockchain technology, a decentralized and transparent system that enables secure peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries like banks.
The potential applications of cryptocurrencies extend beyond simple transactions. Smart contracts, for instance, are self-executing contracts with terms directly written into code. They automatically execute and enforce the terms of an agreement when specific conditions are met. This technology has implications across various industries, from supply chain management to real estate.
However, the rise of cryptocurrencies has also given rise to challenges. One major concern is their volatility. The value of cryptocurrencies can fluctuate dramatically within short periods, making them risky investment options. Additionally, the pseudonymous nature of transactions has led to debates about the potential for illicit activities, such as money laundering and tax evasion.
Governments and regulatory bodies worldwide are grappling with how to classify, regulate, and tax cryptocurrencies. The decentralized nature of these digital assets challenges traditional regulatory frameworks. Some countries have embraced cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, while others have implemented strict regulations or outright bans.
The future of cryptocurrencies is still uncertain. Proponents believe they could reshape the financial system, enabling greater financial inclusion and efficiency. Critics worry about their potential negative impacts and the need for more comprehensive regulations to protect consumers and prevent misuse.
1. How do cryptocurrencies enable secure transactions without intermediaries?| A．They rely on banks to facilitate transactions. |
| B．They are based on blockchain technology. |
| C．They require government oversight for security. |
| D．They use smart contracts for validation. |
| A．A contract executed by banks for digital transactions. |
| B．A contract written in human-readable language. |
| C．A contract enforced by intermediaries. |
| D．A self-executing contract with terms in code |
| A．Their stable and predictable value. |
| B．Their potential to replace traditional currency. |
| C．Their susceptibility to fluctuations. |
| D．Their resistance to technological advancements. |
| A．Most countries have embraced cryptocurrencies without regulations. |
| B．Governments have adopted uniform regulations for cryptocurrencies. |
| C．Governments have struggled to regulate and classify cryptocurrencies. |
| D．All countries have implemented strict bans on cryptocurrencies. |
