1 . Artificial intelligence (AI) plays an important role in the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 and Asian Para Games. AI usually refers to the advanced technologies, such as the naked﹣eye 3D, AR and so on. These terms might sound familiar, but how smart are they when applied to the 56 Asian Games venues (场地)?   

Their smartness can be found in running the venues with less human labor forces and with more connections between man and machines. At the Huanglong Sports Center, a system called Smart Stadium Brain is built. The Brain, a 25 square meter high definition screen in the venue’s information center, the lighting, the energy consumption guarantee a friendly environment for the athletes and audiences. For the benefit of audiences, a small screen on each seat is designed to be at the audience’s service. By finger touching, the audience can control it from three parts—angle, and size to watch and keep contact with the event. What’s more, supported by the 5 G technology.

AI also means further protection on environment. At the Fuyang sports Center, although it has been raining for days, the roof of the venue still remains dry. And the secret lies in its attractive sky garden. The garden, is not only eye﹣catching but also useful. It allows the greening rate of the entire stadium to reach as high as 45%, being energy﹣saving. Under the cobblestones (鹅卵石) , a recovery system is filtering (过滤) and collecting rainwater for the venue’s water system, and irrigation water.   

Smart devices are employed both inside and outside the venues. For example, the Tonglu sports Center starts a WeChat mini﹣program for any follower to learn about the venue through VR games and videos before the Hangzhou Asian Games. During the Games, the program will allow the athletes and audiences to place orders online.

1. Which of the following can replace the underlined word “guarantee” in Para2?

A．Make sure of.

B．Take advantage of.

C．Get used to.

D．Keep up with.

2. What can we infer from Para2?

A．The audience can’t see the whole venue on the large screen.

B．The stadium is environmentally friendly and advanced but costly.

C．The audience can control small screens on their seats as they wish.

D．Small screens make the game watching enjoyable and convenient.

3. How does the roof of the venue keep dry while it’s raining?

A．By saving energy.

B．By using the cobblestone of the sky garden.

C．By recycling the rainwater.

D．By improving the greening rate.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Asian Games with Artificial Intelligence.

B．A Sports Center with Smart Stadium Brain.

C．More Connections with Smart Devices.

D．Smart Asian Games with High﹣tech Venues.

2 . Playing tennis might add years to your life, according to a new study of Danish men and women. The study found that adults who frequently participate in tennis or other racket (球拍) and team sports lived longer than people who were spending a lot of time sitting down. They also lived longer than people who took part in activities such as jogging, swimming and cycling. The results raise interesting questions about the role that social interactions might play in enlarging the benefits of exercise.

No one doubts that being physically active improves our health and can extend our longevity (寿命). But whether some activities might be better than others remains in argument. One widely publicized 2017 study of more than 80,000 British men and women found that those who played racket sports like tennis tended to outlive those who jogged.

The researchers widened their inquiry and looked at a variety of sports and their associations with life. To start, they turned to the same data resource they had used for the jogging study, the Copenhagen City Heart Study. The study’s participants had all completed health exams and lengthy questionnaires about their lifestyles and whether and how often they took part in some sports common in Denmark, including cycling, swimming, running, tennis, soccer and, perhaps unexpectedly, badminton.

According to the data, cycling added an average of 3.7 years to riders’ lives, compared to sedentary Danes. Running added 3.2 years while tennis 9.7 years. These associations remained unchanged even when the researchers controlled for people’s education, socioeconomic status and age.

“Why and how some sports might add more years to people’s lives than others is impossible to know from this kind of observational study,” says Dr. James O’Keefe, a study co-author. “But we know that social support probably has unique effects on helping people get more benefits from the exercise.”

For now, people who run or ride alone might consider finding a group or partner to work out together. “Raising your heart rate is important for health,” he says. “But it looks like connecting with other people is, too.”

1. According to the passage, which activity may help people live longer?

A．Cycling.	B．Running marathon.
C．Swimming.	D．Playing badminton.

2. What does the underlined word “sedentary” in the fourth paragraph mean?

A．Inactive.

B．Outgoing.

C．Depressed.

D．Easygoing.

3. Which may Dr. James O’Keefe recommend according to the last paragraph?

A．Exercising alone.	B．Working out together.
C．Working out regularly.	D．Raising one’s heart rate.

4. It is suggested in the passage that ________.

A．women who prefer team sports live longer than men

B．people’s education and socioeconomic status affect their longevity

C．the reason why some sports might add more years to people’s lives is still unknown

D．80,000 Danish men and women participated in the survey

5 . Amazing Ancient Forests Around the World

A visit to one of these long-lived woodlands is an excellent experience. Here’s where to see some of the oldest forests on Earth.

The Takayna/Tarkine Forest     Australia        

Tasmania’s Takayna/Tarkine Forest gives an experience of what life on Earth looked like 300 million years ago. This rainforest in Australia is home to the second oldest living tree species on the planet: the amazing 3, 000-year-old Huon pines. To explore this fantastic area blanketed with trees, waterfalls, rivers, caves, hills and moorlands, book a tour with Tarkine Trails.

The Araucaria Forest     Chile     

The Chilean pine tree that spans (横跨) the country’s Lake District is thought to have developed its strange paintbrush shape to defend against dinosaurs during the Jurassic period. However, the forest is most attractive set against the backdrop of surprisingly blue lakes and snowcapped volcanoes in Conguillio National Park. Por those who want to take their time, campsites are available within the park and currently taking reservations (预定) .

The Yakushima Forest     Japan       

This forest was considered so beautiful by Japan’s 17th-century royalty (王室) that the landscape was recreated in a garden on the mainland, and in 1993, the Yakushima Forest was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once on the Yakushima Island, there is a range of accommodation options, including the expensive Sankara Hotel &Spa (from $750/night, expedia. com ) .

The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest     California     

The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is home to some of the oldest living trees on Earth. The most ancient among the protected forest’s bristlecone pines— which are characterized by their unusual-looking twisted forms-is Methuselah, a tree estimated to be 4, 841 years old. Grandview Campground ($5 per night, first come first serve) is the closest to the Bristlecone Pine Forest.

1. Which forest is the home of Huon pines?

A．The Araucaria Forest.	B．The Yakushima Forest.
C．The Takayna/Tarkine Forest.	D．The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.

2. What is special about the Yakushima Forest?

A．It is set against snowcapped volcanoes.	B．It was recreated by Japan’s royalty.
C．It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.	D．It offers beautiful scenery.

3. What do the Araucaria Forest and the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest have in common?

A．Visitors can stay in expensive hotels.

B．Visitors can admire the oldest living trees.

C．Visitors can experience the Jurassic period.

D．Visitors can camp while enjoying the beauty of nature

6 . Here are four of the late bloomers (大器晚成者) who made great achievements later in life.

Judi Dench

Although Judi Dench has been a standout in her work for theatre and TV during her entire working career, she only became a household name in her 60s. Judi received seven Oscar nominations (提名) when she was over 60. She won Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 1999 for Shakespeare in Love.

Grandma Moses

Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as Grandma Moses, started painting in her 70s. She decided to give painting a go when she could no longer hold an embroidery needle (刺绣针) due to her illness. Her works were spotted by an art collector, who bought all her paintings and displayed them at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

James Parkinson

At the age of 62, James Parkinson identified Parkinson’s disease (帕金森病). His An Essay on the Shaking Palsy led to our general understanding of Parkinson’s today. Although others had previously written about shaking palsy, Parkinson’s descriptions were so in-depth that he inspired other medical scientists to study the disease.

Kathryn Joosten

Kathryn was a nurse and mum, but after her marriage failed she made up her mind to pursue her dream of being an actress. Close to the age of 60, she threw herself into the industry and achieved success. Since then she has appeared on TV shows like Desperate Housewives. She has also won two Emmy Awards.

1. Who is the oldest when he/she achieved success?

A．Kathryn Joosten.

B．James Parkinson.

C．Grandma Moses.

D．Judi Dench.

2. What do we know about Kathryn Joosten?

A．She became an actress after retiring.	B．She was a well-known nurse at the age of 60.
C．She gave up her dream for her broken marriage.	D．She decided to act after her failed marriage.

3. What can we conclude from the stories of the four persons?

A．Old people are more likely to succeed.	B．One is never too old to learn.
C．Chances favour only the prepared mind.	D．Age is no barrier to success.

7 . An immersive and slow-paced Citywalk is becoming trendy across China. In contrast to rushing past overcrowded tourist landmarks, the new trend has emerged as a popular alternative to explore bustling markets, ancient streets, and charming alleys at a leisurely pace.

The appeal of Citywalk caters particularly to the younger generation often caught up in demanding work schedules. As evidenced by the increasing popularity of hash tags like “City walk for vacation” on lifestyle sharing platform Xiaohong shu, with a staggering 465 million views and nearly 464, 600 engagements, the trend is truly capturing unbelievable attention.

Citywalk, or meandering through the urban landscapes, means the act of walking freely along city streets unburdened by exhaustive plans. It offers people an avenue to intimately experience urban culture and local traditions. Citywalk is not merely about sightseeing. It creates an opportunity for social interactions and deep connections with the cities. Citywalk routes are tailored to the specific interests of both out-of-town tourists and locals. For tourists, the focus is on sharing local customs and traditions, while for locals, discussions revolve around the city’s past, present, and future. The growing trend of Citywalk reflects a changing attitude towards life, embracing a warmer, more relaxed, and slower-paced lifestyle.

As Citywalk expands beyond first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, to second-and third-tier cities across the county, it brings fresh opportunities for the tourism industry, in such areas as dining, shopping, and accommodation.

Governments in Beijing and Shandong have recognized the potential of Citywalk, incorporating it into their action plans to promote cultural tourism and leisure activities. In Shanghai, public bus lines specially designed have been introduced to elevate the overall Citywalk for participants.

“By slowing down and delving into the narrow alleys, observing the lives of city residents, and immersing oneself in the context of museums and art galleries, one is entitled to embrace the pleasure of life,” said Luo Jun, a cultural tourism enthusiast.

1. What’s the main reason for the popularity of Citywalk among young people?

A．It mainly focuses on urban sightseeing.

B．Social media offer many tempting videos.

C．Busywork schedule limits the choice of people.

D．Conventional tourist landmarks are losing charm.

2. What’s the meaning of underlined word “staggering” in the second paragraph?

A．Astonishing.

B．Rewarding.

C．Embarrassing.

D．Shrinking.

3. Which of the following statements is NOT Citywalk?

A．An immersive route for foreigners to enjoy the alleys in Chengdu.

B．A holiday travel to hurriedly visit crowded landmarks in Shanghai.

C．A free walk including visiting museums and old towns in Qingdao.

D．A leisurely tour along Qiantang River to experience city transformation.

4. What have some governments done to promote Citywalk?

A．Facilities in the museums have been enhanced.

B．Cooperation has been strengthened among cities.

C．Opportunities have been offered to third-tier cities.

D．Specific public transportation routes have been introduced.

8 . This is the time of year when many gardeners are harvesting tomatoes. Gardening expert Jessica Damiano recently reported about the many pictures of strangely shaped tomatoes sent to her from fans of her gardening advice.     1    . The good news, Damiano said, is that there is nothing wrong with the strangely shaped fruits.     2    . Their unusual appearance does not affect their taste or nutritional value.

    3     If you have ever cut open a tomato, you know they are divided into internal (内部的) parts, called locules (小室). Most tomatoes have about four or five locules; other kinds of the fruit, like cherry tomatoes, contain two or three. But when a plant experiences extreme (极端的) temperature, cell division in the developing fruit can go off track. Temperatures over 32℃ during the day and 27℃ overnight can lead the tomato to form an extra locule. But there is not enough room inside a tomato for the extra part, so it grows on the outside of the fruit.

Not every tomato on an affected plant will be deformed (改变形状), however. What are the possibilities? Under the right conditions (temperatures that are too hot or even too cold), this could affect one or two tomatoes per plant, depending on where they are in the development process and what the (weather) conditions are, said Timothy McDermott, a professor at Ohio State University. The possibility of one of your tomatoes developing a locule oddity (怪异) is about one in a thousand, McDermott said.     4     But, Damiano noted, heirloom (原种) kinds seem more likely to have this genetic mutation (基因变异) than hybrids.

And, when harvesting your crop, remember:     5    

A．select the good-looking ones.

B．Any tomato can grow an extra locule.

C．the funny-looking tomatoes taste just as good!

D．What causes the unusual appearance of tomatoes?

E．Unless otherwise diseased, they are perfectly good for eating.

F．She said people sometimes question if the tomatoes are okay to eat.

G．Provide shade for your plants when temperatures are predicted to remain above 32℃.