1 . A study published Tuesday in the journal Psychonomic Bulletin & Review found that words expressing angry feelings sound alike in several unrelated languages. They’re less likely than other words to include the sounds L, R, W or Y. And more friendly versions of such words often have these sounds added. The finding suggests that certain rules may link the world’s languages, no matter how different they are.

Ryan McKay, co-author of the paper, happened to discover that some of the English curses (诅咒语) seem to have something in common; They’re often short and include the sounds B, P, T or K. Then Dr. McKay teamed up with his colleague Shiri Lev-Ari to learn whether these rules went beyond English.

During the experiment, they asked fluent speakers of Arabic, Korean, German and Spanish to list the worst words they could think of. Once they’d made a list of each language’s most commonly used curses, the researchers compared these with neutral (中性的) words from the same language. To their surprise, the rules still apply.

Next, the scientists asked the same people to listen to pairs of invented words, such as “yog” and “tsog” and guess which word in each pair was a curse. The subjects were more likely to guess that words without L, R. W and Y, such as “tsog”, were curses. Finally, the researchers looked through the dictionary for English curses and their cleaned-up versions. Once again, the cleaned-up versions included more of the sounds L, R, W and Y.

“Most 20th-century language scientists held that any word could have any meaning,” said Dr. McKay. “With curses, though, the sounds themselves seem to carry meaning. This can shape and change our understanding of how languages are formed.”

“It is the first time for researchers to study curses across languages and the finding is very interesting,” said Benjamin Bergen, a language scientist at the University of California, who was not involved in the study. “But it is just another case of what’s called sound symbolism in the language study: A word sounds like what it means.”

1. Which word is most probably not a leaned-up curse according to the text?

A．Rucy.

B．Buk

C．Yayad.

D．Walawah.

2. What did the researchers do in their last step?

A．Applying their study to more unrelated languages.

B．Studying the neutral words and curses side by side.

C．Asking people to listen to pairs of non-existing words.

D．Comparing English curses with their friendly versions.

3. What did Benjamin Bergen mean?

A．The study method is really unscientific.

B．It will change our understanding in a way.

C．It is not a totally new discovery at all.

D．The selected languages are too limited.

4. What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A．To introduce a newly published study.

B．To prove the unique rules in English.

C．To tell another way of memorizing words.

D．To show how to use more friendly curses.

2 . The first wave of concerns over artificial intelligence(AI)in 2023 appeared soon after New Year’s Day when classrooms reopened and schools from Seattle to Paris started blocking ChatGPT, a powerful software based on AI large language models, because teenagers were using it to do their homework.

The AI large language models behind such products as ChatGPT work by repeatedly guessing the next word in a sentence after having “learned” the rules from a huge amount of/human-written works. Although they often get facts wrong, their answers appear so natural that Keven, their inventors begin to worry about their possible use for spreading false information.

People became more worried when various AI products started to create not just texts but novel images, music and human voices, which threatened the livelihoods of anyone who writes, draws or sings for a living. It led to strikes by Hollywood writers and actors and legal challenges from artists and bestselling authors. Some of the most respected scientists even warned that the technology’s unchecked progress was possibly threatening human existence. “In the longer term, they might manage our attention,” pioneering AI scientist Fei Fei Lisaid. “They would tell us which video to watch, which book to read or whose communication to respond as AI technology’s abilities improve rapidly. They could be a very good assistant, but also with really big risks.”

Li hoped that 2023 is going to be a year for people to think about what Al is, how to use it and what the effects are — all the good, the bad and the ugly.

“It’s easy to forget that they are not the first wave of AI products. Computer vision techniques developed by Li and other scientists have helped sort through a huge database of photos to recognize objects and individual faces and guide self-driving cars. Speech recognition advances have made voice assistants like Siri and Alexa a normal thing in many people’s lives,” said Tom Gruber, co-founder of Siri Inc.

1. Why did schools try to stop their students from using ChatGPT?

A．ChatGPT often got facts wrong in the class.

B．Students spent too much time on the software.

C．ChatGPT helped students spread false information.

D．Students used the software to cheat at their homework.

2. What are the second and third paragraphs mainly about?

A．AI’s training costs.	B．ATs amazing abilities.
C．AI’s possible threats.	D．AI’s fast developments.

3. What would Tom Gruber most probably suggest people do?

A．Think carefully about AI’s impact.	B．Welcome AI technology
C．Do use ChatGPT more carefully.	D．Upgrade ChatGPT in time.

4. Where is the text most probably taken from?

A．A news report.	B．A guide book to a software.
C．A product review.	D．An introduction to a person.

3 . Recently, video clips of Zhang Jianna, a city cleaner from Chaoyang Sanitation (环境卫生), have gone viral online.

The 49-year-old Zhang is from a village in Hebei province. With only a high school diploma, she had previously worked as a restaurant server and a store seller. In 2012, she took on the role of a sanitation worker in the embassy area of Sanlitun in Beijing’s Chaoyang District. One morning, a foreigner came to her and spoke a long string of unfamiliar words to her. Zhang didn’t know how to react. The special experience deeply moved Zhang and she was determined (下定决心) to learn English.

“I just want to help whenever someone is in need,” said Zhang. Without a teacher, she began learning English from her children’s textbooks, starting with basic words and phrases. With no fixed study hours, she used every free moment. While others rested, she memorized vocabulary and practiced speaking. Upon arriving home after work, she would note down new knowledge points and review them until thoroughly understood.

“Learning English at 40, I would easily forget the words I learned the previous day,” Zhang said. However, she persisted (坚持), reviewing words at night and then repeating them one more time the next day morning. She also downloaded over a dozen English learning apps on her computer and phone. “Learn step by step, learn every day.” Zhang said. To date, she has collected a vocabulary of around 3,000 English words, enabling her to talk fluently with foreigners. “Growing up without a college education, I sometimes feared being looked down upon. But every time I help a stranger in English, I feel incredibly achievable.”

“To serve others makes me happy and it’s where I prove my self-worth,” said Zhang. “After retirement, I also want to introduce my hometown in English and develop local tourism.”

1. What do we know about Zhang Jianna from paragraph 2?

A．She graduated from a university.

B．She understood the foreigner’s words.

C．She wants to be an English teacher.

D．She works as a sanitation worker.

2. For what reason can Zhang learn English well?

A．A college education.	B．A decade-long persistence.
C．A high school diploma.	D．A confident English teacher.

3. What can we learn from the underlined sentence in the text?

A．Persistence is key to learning English.

B．Devote any possible moment to learning.

C．Growing up in a village is looked down upon.

D．Her inspiring journey leads to a new goal.

4. Which of the following word can best describe Zhang?

A．Adventurous.

B．Generous.

C．Curious.

D．Determined.

4 . 阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写，使之构成一个完整的故事。

My two-year-old daughter and I often get smiles from strangers as we walk through our town with Clara riding in her backpack, singing and swinging her feet.

I felt extra grateful for my sunny little girl on one walk at the end of April, 2006. Just three days before she woke up from her nap (小睡) with a fever. We spent a tough evening in the emergency room. Any parent or child is frightened by such an experience. So it was a great feeling that Clara was so happy that day.

We were heading home from a local grocery store, which wisely gives out free balloons to children. Clara always looks forward to getting a balloon there. She did an especially nice job — waiting patiently in the long queue at the store. Luckily, her patience was rewarded with a pink balloon. Pink means a lot to her, especially these days, since the medicine she is taking for the high fever is bubble-gum pink.

Clara was so happy that she started singing “Mister Golden Sun” to her balloon. But when we walked under a tree, POP! There went the balloon. Clara immediately burst into tears. “My pink balloon popped!” She has had many balloons before, but is always very careful with them. This was the first time that she had had such an upsetting experience. Heart-broken, she stared at her poor short-life luck, out of control.

A college-aged young man, about 21, with light brown hair, who was walking behind us noticed Clara’s tears. He was clearly preparing for an important date, as he was carrying a bouquet (束) of a dozen pink roses. He quickened his pace and asked Clara what had happened. Unfortunately, Clara was too shy and upset to answer, but I briefly described the situation, deeply touched that a young guy, probably hurrying home to get ready for a date, would stop to comfort a little child.

注意：
1.所续写短文的词数应为 100 左右；
2.续写部分为一段，开头语已为你写好。

Clara was still crying, unable to say a single word.

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5 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入 1 个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

When you are going to visit Beijing, it’s likely that you’ll want to visit the Tiananmen Square.     1     square is impressively big and is located to the north, separating Beijing from the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City is a breathtaking palace complex (建筑群) that     2    (house) the palace museum and was formally the Chinese royal palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty. Covering 178 acres, the Forbidden City is made up of 980 buildings.

The Temple of Heaven, including Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple), the Beijing Temple of Confucius and Beijing Zoo,     3    (recommend) as well. Lama Temple is one of Beijing’s most attractive and best-preserved     4    (temple). The zoo is one of the oldest in China,     5    (date) back to 1906, and is home to a great variety of animals.

The Great Wall isn’t located in the city itself, but if you have made the trip to Beijing, you can’t leave     6     going to see it. There are many organized tours from Beijing     7     will take you to the Mutianyu Great Wall. If you don’t want     8    (sweep) away by big crowds in summer, visit the wall in winter. It will be     9    (extreme) cold, but you’ll have a better experience. It will be     10    (easy) to shoot nice pictures, too.

6 . What will the woman probably do?

A．Go for a run.

B．Watch a film.

C．Drive to a cinema.

7 . 4 places in the Midwest that look like they could be in Europe

If an expensive overseas trip isn’t in the cards for you right now, don’t worry. Take a road trip from Chicago and check out these Mid-western tourist spots that look like they’re straight out of a European postcard．

★Niles, Illinois

If you visit a square at 6300 W. Touhy Avenue, you’ll find a pleasantly European surprise — a half-sized copy of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Constructed in1934 to hide a water tower, the Leaning Tower of Niles stands 94 feet tall with a 7. 4-foot tilt which looks like the Italian one．

★Lindsborg, Kansas

Originally settled by Swedish immigrants, Lindsborg’s Scandinavian culture remains clear through public art and Swedish specialty shops, so prepare to collect Scandinavia n clothes, cookies, and wine. Best of all are the town’s yearly Scandinavian celebrations, where you’ll find various Swedish traditions．

★Frankenmuth, Michigan

Lovingly called “Little Bavaria”, this central Michigan town look like they’ve been transported straight out of a Franconian village. For the full Bavarian experience, you can stop by one of its restaurants for traditional German food. You can also learn a little more about the town’s Franconian origins．

★New Glarus, Wisconsin

Many people in Chicago know New Glarus for its brewery. Take a walk there and you’ll soon realize why it’s called “Little Switzerland”. Named after the big city of Glarus in Switzerland, New Glarus’ wooden houses, Swiss restaurants and museums, and gently hilled landscapes make for an almost Alpine（阿尔卑斯山的）experience．

1. What is the best part of a trip to Lindsborg, Kansas?

A．The local natural scenery．

B．The Scandinavian celebrations．

C．The Scandinavian dressing culture．

D．The traditional Scandinavia n foods．

2. Where can visitors enjoy traditional German food?

A．Niles, Illinois．	B．Lindsborg, Kansas．
C．Frankenmuth, Michigan．	D．New Glarus, Wisconsin．

3. Why is New Glarus called “Little Switzetland”?

A．For its famous brewery．	B．For its Alpine-style design．
C．For its main Swiss population．	D．For the same city name of Glarus．

8 . 4 Summer Programs in Alaska for High Schoolers

Brown Environmental Leadership Lab

Brown University          Grades: 9th, 10th and 11th   Program Cost: $5810

Application Deadline: March 25th

Eligibility(报名资格): All 9-11th grade students are encouraged to apply.

This two-week program is a great way to learn how you can be socially and environmentally responsible in your own neck of the woods.

ANSEP Acceleration Academy

University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Grades: 9th and 10th     Program Cost: $1508

Application Deadline: March 1st

Eligibility: To apply, the minimum pre-condition is Intermediate Algebra, but the preferred placement is Calculus(微积分)or higher.

Spend five weeks diving into your future STEM degree on UAA’s campus.

Della Keats Health Sciences

University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Grades: 11th             Program Cost: $0

Application Deadline: March 1st

Eligibility: Applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria: Member of an ethnic minority background, non-native English speaker, and member of a low-income household.

In this intensive(强化的)four-week course, you will take a tour of healthcare careers you can pursue at UAA. If making a lasting impact in medicine is your dream, visit the program’s website today to learn more.

Service Adventures

The Wrangell Mountains       Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th   Program Cost: $5850

Application Deadline: March 31st

Eligibility: All 9-11th grade students are encouraged to apply.

Work and live at the base of the Wrangell Mountains in an Athabascan Native village for three weeks. In this program, students will learn carpentry and power tool skills to participate in construction projects, ranging from home repair to woodshed building. You will live off the land and witness the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness.

1. Which program can students apply to at Brown University?

A．Brown Environmental Leadership Lab.

B．ANSEP Acceleration Academy.

C．Della Keats Health Sciences.

D．Service Adventures.

2. What do ANSEP Acceleration Academy and Della Keats Health Sciences have in common?

A．The program cost.

B．The lasting time.

C．The requirements for applicants.

D．The application deadline.

3. What can students do in Service Adventures?

A．Acquire medical knowledge.

B．Take a STEM course.

C．Visit a healthcare center.

D．Repair some houses.

9 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. How did Jim feel about England?

A．Surprised.

B．Nervous.

C．Sad.

2. What was the main job of Shakespeare’s father?

A．He was a writer.

B．He was a tour guide.

C．He was a glove maker.

3. Why did Shakespeare write unusual plays?

A．He got a free education.

B．He never went university.

C．He traveled around the world.

10 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How old might the speakers be?

A．In their teens.

B．In their 30s.

C．In their 70s.

2. What do the speakers think people should do more?

A．Play games inside.

B．Relax and live simply.

C．Go to school and work hard.

3. What do the speakers enjoy doing?

A．Playing cards.

B．Listening to music.

C．Surfing the Internet.