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.
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As the ambulance left, Ava anxiously turned to her father.
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2 . 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. |
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. |
A.Its process. | B.Its background. |
C.Its application. | D.Its assessment. |
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. |
The good news is that we can change, if we understand
1. What will Edward be responsible for?
A.Doing online marketing. | B.Organizing the musicians. | C.Sending out the invitations. |
A.Draw the posters. | B.Make the guest list. | C.Design the invitations. |
A.Nancy. | B.John. | C.Tim. |
A.In a hotel. | B.On a train. | C.In the hospital. |
5 . Fountains of lava erupted from the Sundhnúkur volcanic system in southwest Iceland on January 14th, 2024. Lava flows welled up from a new gap, attacking the suburbs of Grindavík with at least three houses in their path burnt down. Nearby, construction vehicles that had been working for weeks to build large earthen dams in an attempt to divert(使转向)the lava’s flow had to pull back.
Lava is subject to gravity like other fluids, so it will flow down along a path of steepest descent(斜坡). With the temperature of its molten rock often well above 1,000 degrees Celsius, not much can stand in its way. Humans have tried many ways to stop lava in the past, from attempting to freeze it in place by cooling it with sea water, to using explosive s to cut off its supply. However, no attempt was successful.
Most recent efforts have focused instead on building dams in an attempt to divert the lava’s flow toward a different path of steepest descent, into a different “lavashed,” where lava would naturally flow. Results have been mixed, but diversion can be successful if the lava flow can be clearly diverted into a distinct area where lava would naturally flow — without threatening a different community in the process. Many attempts to divert lava have failed, however. Barriers built in Italy to stop Mt. Etna’s lava flows in 1992 slowed the flow, but the lava eventually over topped each one.
Diverting lava in Grindavík is difficult, in part because the land around Grindavík is relatively flat, making it harder to identify a clear alternative path of steepest descent for redirecting the lava. Icelandic officials reported on January 15th that most of the lava from the main fissure had flowed along the outside the barrier, however a new gap had also opened inside the perimeter(外围), sending lava into a neighborhood. Unfortunately, that implies that Grindavík remains at risk.
1. What do we know about the lava erupting from the Sundhnúkur volcanic system?A.It severely affected the downtown area of Grindavík. |
B.It forced the construction of large earthen dams to suspend. |
C.It was successfully redirected by the earthen barriers. |
D.It completely buried a residential area. |
A.Five. | B.Four. | C.Three. | D.Two. |
A.the lava has destroyed many buildings |
B.there is no suitable dam to divert the lava |
C.the land around Grindavík is relatively flat |
D.the lava has already entered a populated area |
A.How earthen barrier functions. |
B.What can be done to prevent lava. |
C.Why volcanic lava is so hard to stop. |
D.What lava has brought about in Iceland. |
6 . As technology continues to advance, the way we work will continue to develop. Here are some predictions for future work in a technology-driven world.
Remote work has become increasingly important. It allows for virtual communication and collaboration (协作). The worldwide health crisis forced many businesses to adopt remote work practices to follow social distancing guidelines.
Another benefit technology has brought us is e-commerce. The rise of online shopping and mobile technology has transformed the retail(零售) industry.
The future of work in a technology-driven world is uncertain, but it is clear that technology will play a central role in shaping it. As McKinsey &Company notes,“
A.Every coin has two sides. |
B.The pace of change has sped up. |
C.Remote work offers many benefits. |
D.Technology has shaped the world greatly. |
E.This has significantly changed the way we work. |
F.Technology at the same time makes life more difficult in some way. |
G.It allows for greater convenience and personalized shopping experiences. |
7 . Everything Everywhere All at Once won the best picture Oscar at the Academy Awards ceremony Sunday night in Los Angeles, California. The unusual movie about a Chinese- American immigrant (移民的) family won seven Oscars, including three acting awards for Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis.
The Malaysian-born Yeoh became the first Asian woman to win a best actress Oscar. In the film,she plays the laundromat (自助洗衣店) owner with superpowers in a different universe. “For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon (灯塔) of hope and possibilities,” the 60-year-old actress said. “And ladies, don’t let anybody ever tell you you’re past your prime (黄金期),” Yeoh added.
As a boy, Quan starred in the 1984 Indiana Jones movie and The Goodies in 1985. The 51-year-old said he quit acting for many years because he saw too few opportunities for Asian actors.On Sunday night, Quan won the best supporting actor Oscar. In the film, he plays Yeoh’s husband.Quan, who was born in Vietnam, cried as he gave his speech Sunday. He said, “My journey started on a boat. I spent a year in a refugee camp. Somehow I ended up here on Hollywood’s biggest stage. They say stories like this only happen in the movies. I cannot believe it’s happening to me. It is like a dream.”
The 64-year-old Curtis won Best Supporting Actress for her role as the tax agent in Everything Everywhere All at Once. In her speech, Curtis looked upward and addressed her parents, Academy Award nominees Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. Both of her parents have passed away. “I just won an Oscar,” Curtis told them.
Daniel Kwan and Daniel Schneider together won Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. Everything Everywhere All at Once was made with a small $14.3 million budget and has brought in more than $100 million so far.
1. What is implied in what Yeoh said in the second paragraph?A.Young people should follow her example. |
B.People should see hope and possibilities in life. |
C.Women can succeed only at the golden age |
D.Age doesn’t stop women from achieving success. |
A.Immigrants succeed very easily. |
B.Success never falls upon immigrants. |
C.Immigrants struggle hard to survive |
D.Movie actors stand out in the US. |
A.Best supporting actress Oscar. |
B.Best actress Oscar. |
C.Best original screenplay. |
D.Best Director. |
A.People’s hope about life. |
B.Superpowers in another universe. |
C.Stories about an immigrant family. |
D.Success of women in reality. |
8 . Everyone dreams of having a magical experience at Disney parks.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
This Disney theme park is located at Walt Disney World Attraction in Bay Lake, Florida, USA. They say that Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park is one of the most visited Walt Disney World parks. Animals in the Animal Kingdom will surely give you a great experience!
The price in Animal Kingdom for their 1-day ticket is between $116.09 to $122.48. The 3-day ticket is around $309.92 to $329.09.
Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland will not disappoint you if your family find enjoyment in a theme park. Expect to see all the Disney princesses (公主) and queens, Micky Mouse, and more!
A 1-day ticket for Hong Kong Disneyland park costs around $79 for grown-ups. For a kid, the ticket is about $58, while it costs around $13 each for old men.
Tokyo Disneyland
No matter how many Disney parks around the world you visit, the experience will not be complete without Tokyo Disneyland. This is one of the Disneyland parks which offer rides and attractions that will surely give you an unforgettable experience.
Don’t forget to try Splash Mountain, ride on a log (原木), and end up dropping over a waterfall!
Splash Mountain is a must-try too!
The ticket costs ranging from ¥4,700 — ¥7,800
Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris resort is one of the Disney parks you must not miss. There are two theme parks in Disney-land Paris resort.
You will see the Sleeping Beauty Castle, Tower of Terror, and Indiana Jones there.
1-park tickets cost around E59, while the Disneyland Paris 2-park tickets cost roughly f94.
1. How much will a child and his grandpa pay for their tickets to Hong Kong Disneyland?A.$26. |
B.$71 |
C.$92 |
D.$137. |
A.Disney’s Animal Kingdom |
B.Hong Kong Disneyland. |
C.Tokyo Disneyland |
D.Disneyland Paris. |
A.Entertainment. |
B.Education. |
C.Science |
D.Health |
9 . Four best photobooks in 2023
Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake
Following 2020’s smash hit Entangled Life, mycologist Merlin Sheldrake return s just in time for Christmas with an amazing illustrated edition. At over 240 pages, Sheldrake’s passion and knowledge leap off every spread. From the microscopic (微观) to the splendid, the colour images create an entertaining experience.
Anna Atkins: Cyanotypes by Peter Walther
Often copied, seldom improved on, the elegant cyanotypes (氰化钾照片) of Ann a Atkins are timeless. First created in the 1840s, cyanotypes use light-sensitive iron salt solution and exposure to sunlight to create beautiful Prussian blue prints. Peter Walther’s book is comprehensive, 660 pages long, and is perfect for Atkins’ fans or anyone keen to learn.
The Earth in Our Hands by Thomas Pesquet
Thomas Pesquet’s breathtaking collection of photographs taken from the International Space Station(ISS)follows in the footsteps of astronaut Don Pettit’s Spaceborne. Pesquet took more than 245,000 images over two missions, with his book including 200 of these. It is the closest most of us will get to being on the ISS — a really immersive read.
Looking at Trees by Sophie Howarth
Sophie Howarth’s absorbing book features 26 of the world’s leading photographers, including Nicholas J. R. White and Anna Beeke. From a framed Hollywood juniper in California to a surreal (超现实的) image of Halfway Gardens in Gauteng, South Africa, Howarth asks us to value trees at a time of environmental challenge. A book you will return to.
1. How many pages are contained in the book Anna Atkins: Cyanotypes?A.Over 240. | B.660. | C.About 200. | D.Over 26. |
A.Entangled Life. | B.Anna Atkins: Cyanotypes. |
C.The Earth in Our Hands. | D.Looking at Trees. |
A.Value trees. | B.Take pictures. |
C.Go on a trip. | D.Maintain a good image. |
10 . Brian Tracy is a very famous Canadian-born motivational speaker, and it is safe enough to say that he is one of the best ones out there. Brian is
Brian Tracy was born in Canada in 1944 and
In his childhood, he fell in love with reading, which brought him great
His deeds are an inspiration to many people in trouble and he has one main message for everyone out there, “I believe through
A.obviously | B.generally | C.occasionally | D.extremely |
A.Therefore | B.However | C.Besides | D.Otherwise |
A.raised | B.adopted | C.acknowledged | D.noted |
A.moved | B.escaped | C.exchanged | D.quarreled |
A.confident | B.hardworking | C.cautious | D.patient |
A.build | B.assist | C.save | D.support |
A.name | B.confusion | C.delight | D.attention |
A.various | B.best-selling | C.similar | D.special |
A.insight | B.opinion | C.experience | D.achievement |
A.chances | B.risks | C.hardships | D.threats |
A.held back | B.resulted from | C.turned over | D.contributed to |
A.ruined | B.weakened | C.shaped | D.reflected |
A.transformed | B.applied | C.exposed | D.reached |
A.practicing | B.learning | C.seeking | D.creating |
A.overcome | B.pose | C.hit | D.encounter |