1 . The apparent complexities of the TikTok algorithm(算法)may actually be as simple as a bag of chips. In a video with more than 700,000 views, creator Celeste Aria laid out her “Dorito theory”, which she uses to explain the addictive nature of endlessly-scrolling social media feeds.
Everyone has a topic they just can’t stop thinking about, and Aria’s Roman Empire is Doritos. In her popular video, she expresses that TikTok scrolling is so addictive because it is never fully satisfying. Like a Dorito, a scrolling session on the For You Page is most stimulating during the first few bites. The end of the chip or video brings a desire to start consuming another one, thus returning to that first-bite feeling.
Essentially, the Dorito theory suggests that activities like eating Doritos, which provide a quick burst of pleasure but lack lasting satisfaction, can be highly addictive. Aria compared it to consuming foods that offer deeper satisfaction, like a hearty steak, where the feeling of fullness and contentment lasts longer.
The theory can apply to a lot of different experiences, but it’s particularly well-suited as a metaphor for the dopamine (多巴胺) boosts that occur while scrolling through social media feeds. Dr. Jamie Sorenson, a board-certified psychiatrist, said that the Dorito theory is consistent with existing ideas regarding addiction. “The more immediate the reward is, the more likely we are to repeat that behavior, whether it’s eating Doritos or scrolling on social media.”
Aria may not be a licensed medical professional, but she treats junk food the way any nutritionist would. “I’d recommend just trying to remove anything that you think falls into the Dorito category,” she says in her video.
The Dorito theory trend has led to reflections on the nature of addiction and the pursuit of instant satisfaction in today’s society, resonating (共鸣) with many TikTok users who recognize similar patterns in their own lives. So, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before Doritos responds to Aria’s theory.
1. What do the underlined words “Roman Empire” in paragraph 2 probably refer to?| A．A video. | B．A subject. | C．A country. | D．A snack. |
| A．Social media. | B．Different flavors. | C．Lasting satisfaction. | D．First-bite feeling. |
| A．By introducing a concept. | B．By conducting an experiment. |
| C．By making a comparison. | D．By quoting an expert’s words. |
| A．The Role of Dopamine in Social Media Addiction |
| B．The Theory behind Snacking: A Deep Dive into Dorito |
| C．Maximizing Your Social Media Reach: Tips from Top Creators |
| D．Snack-Sized Satisfaction: How Social Media Hooks Us Like a Bag of Chips |
2 . A man rides at full speed on a single-wheeled bike, leaning back on a seat fixed above a recycled tyre as he performs wheelie (杂技). This machine is just one of many crazy inventions from Make It Extreme, a You Tube channel run by Michael Mavros and George Shiailis, two best friends who use old materials to create unique and innovative mechanical projects.
The partners of this DIY design make the inventions to promote the joys of mechanical engineering and inspire creativity in others.
On Make It Extreme, they transform everyday objects and vehicles into extreme versions of themselves, pushing creative boundaries in the process. They build and design their projects, film and edit the entire process, then finally showcase the results.
“By passionately crafting furniture, engines, tools, toys and vehicles while using our imagination, we try to offer innovative solutions to various mechanical challenges,” explains Mavros, “We’ve shared this passion since our early years, and now, through our channel, we share it with millions of other people in an easily understandable way.”
For its 100th video, Make It Extreme introduced the Monotrack bike, constructed entirely from recycled and old materials. They utilized a 100cc two-stroke engine from an old scooter(摩托车), cutting the sidewalls of a used car tyre and fitting it around a recycled motor. The bike reflects their commitment to sustainability and creativity, purely for the joy and curiosity it brings.
“The idea for the Monotrack bike came from an old wartime photo where we saw a similar vehicle,” says Mavros, “Our creations are often inspired by things we’ve encountered before. For example, the Monowheel, where a person sits inside a huge wheel, was inspired by similar vehicles from decades ago, and our tank chair stemmed from the idea of creating an accessible adventure vehicle for people with limited mobility.”
Make It Extreme now has almost two million subscribers who are eager to tune in every month to see the partners’ latest invention. And Mavros promises that 2024 will see them create their most daring project yet.
1. Why do Mavros and Shiailis run Make It Extreme ?| A．To make profits. | B．To earn popularity. |
| C．To develop hobby. | D．To awaken innovation. |
| A．Practical. | B．Eco-friendly. | C．Costly. | D．Convenient. |
| A．Why the old things were used. | B．Where the Monowheel was found. |
| C．What their inspirations originated from. | D．How the Monotrack bike was invented. |
| A．Nothing is impossible. | B．Fortune favors the bold. |
| C．A rolling stone gathers no moss. | D．One good turn deserves another. |
3 . Transport has a lot to answer for when it comes to harming the planet. While cars and trains are moving towards greener, electric power, emissions from air travel are expected to increase massively by 2050. If we want big green sky solutions, we need blue sky thinking. Fortunately, there’s plenty of that happening right now, particularly the short-haul flights powered by batteries.
Harbour Air is the largest seaplane airline in North America, flying 30, 000 commercial flights in 40 seaplanes each year. Significantly, all Harbour Air routes last less than 30 minutes, making it perfectly fit for electric engines. “As an airline, we’re currently in the process of turning all our planes into electric airplanes.” says CEO Greg Mc Dougall.
Making the skies electric isn’t just good for the environment, it also makes sound financial sense: a small aircraft uses $400 on conventional fuel for a 100-mile flight, while an electric one costs $8-12 for the same distance, and that’s before you factor in the higher maintenance costs of a traditional engine. There’s also the added bonus that electric planes are just much more pleasant to fly in. No loud engine noise, no smell of fuel, just environmentally friendly peace and quiet.
While there has been real progress in the e-plane industry, the technical challenges that remain are keeping everyone’s feet firmly on the ground. A battery, even a lithium one, only provides 250 watt-hours per kilogram; compare this to liquid fuel, which has a specific energy of 11, 890 watt-hours per kilogram. Carrying adequate batteries, however, would make the plane too heavy to get off the ground. In aircraft, where every bit of weight counts, this can’t just be ignored.
The transition from gas to electric in the automobile industry has been made easier by hybrids-vehicles powered by both fuel and electricity. Many believe the same pattern could be followed in the air. Fuel consumption could be reduced as the electric component is switched on at key parts of the journey, especially on take-off and landing.
It’s certainly an exciting time for electric flying. With companies like Harbour Air taking the lead, battery-powered planes, especially on short-haul journeys, are set to become a reality in the next few years.
1. According to Para. l, what is happening in air transport?| A．New explorations of the sky are being launched. |
B．Pollution caused by batteries is being controlled |
| C．Efforts are being made to make air travel greener. |
| D．Demand for short-haul flights is increasing massively. |
| A．give passengers more pleasant views |
| B．bring airlines more financial benefits |
| C．offer more enjoyable flying experiences |
| D．cost less in maintenance than traditional ones |
| A．To improve the ground service for e-planes. |
| B．To find qualified technicians for e-plane industry. |
| C．To calculate the energy needed to power e-planes. |
| D．To balance power and weight of batteries in e-planes. |
| A．To produce new electric components. |
| B．To increase battery consumption. |
| C．To use mixed-power technology. |
| D．To expand the landing field. |
| A．Short-sighted. | B．Wait-and-see | C．Optimistic. | D．Skeptical. |
4 . Students at the Calhoun School in New York City have much more than a roof over their heads. They have a rooftop garden, with lush grass, colorful flowers and fragrant herbs. “Green roofs” are sprouting up all over, from schools to city skyscrapers. And roofs aren’t the only things going green. Architects are finding all sorts of new ways to build buildings that are easier on the environment. These schools, homes, and offices are called “green buildings”.
Normally it takes a lot of energy to run appliances. Too often, that energy comes from burning fossil fuels. So green buildings are designed to do all these things with much less energy. An energy-smart building starts with thick walls. A layer of insulation (隔热材料) traps air to stop heat from passing through. That keeps heat inside in the winter, and keeps heat outside in the summer. This saves energy for heating and cooling.
Heat pumps are another power-saving way to stay comfortable. A ground heat pump moves heat through pipes that run through the ground next to the building. A few feet under the ground, the temperature stays around 10℃ all year round. Water flowing around the pipes helps heat the building in winter and cool it in summer.
Another way to build green is to use recycled materials. That saves the cost and pollution of manufacturing something new. In the Chicago Center for Green Technology, the ceiling tiles (瓷砖) are made of pressed newspaper. The bathroom floors are tiled with recycled glass, and the stall walls are recycled plastic. Builders have found many creative ways to re-use old materials.
As more people become concerned about climate change, more buildings are going green. Green buildings produce less of the gases that warm the planet. City planners like green buildings because they save money. And they are healthier for the people who work and live inside. But you don’t need to build a whole new building. Simple changes like shading windows and planting trees can make any home greener—and a better Earth home for us all.
1. How are green buildings designed to keep warm in the winter?| A．By-burning fossil fuels. | B．By using thick walls with insulators. |
| C．By running heating devices. | D．By equipping buildings with appliances. |
| A．saving water | B．using recycled materials |
| C．using less energy | D．reducing greenhouse gas emissions |
| A．Education. | B．Culture. | C．Economy. | D．Technology. |
| A．Recycling: to make a better earth for us all |
| B．Heat Pumps: a new approach to saving energy |
| C．Green Roofs: more than a roof over our heads |
| D．Building Green: to hug the earth more kindly |
5 . Since springing up in 2008, Chinese SNS websites have been growing rapidly. While building perfect and complete platforms, SNS websites have been attracting a greatly increasing number of users as well as enormous advertisers’ attention.
The birth of SNS websites brought us a new concept of socializing online using one’s real identity. Furthermore, the popularity of SNS websites has made real-identity online interaction (相互作用) a daily routine for almost all the Internet users. Blogs, photos, virtual gifts, games and other SNS applications have increased real emotional interaction among Internet users.
Obviously, real-identity online communication has become a major competitive advantage of SNS websites. Many experts conclude that SNS websites have created a network of real socializing and have solved people’s daily problems in communication. Therefore, solving real life issues and keeping friendly interpersonal relationship are the critical factors that ensure the survival and growth of SNS websites. Data report shows that Renren. com has helped 63 users find a friend every second during the whole year of 2009 and created a billion friendships.
In addition, celebrities, institutions and organizations have gradually become members of SNS websites. Information sharing becomes more diverse, and the emergence (出现) of social games satisfies users’ need for interactive entertainment.
By gaining users in 2009, the SNS profit model has gradually grown clearer. According to the CNNIC annual report, 80% of SNS profit comes from Internet advertisement, 15% from VAS and another 5% from other sources.
As the real marketing value of SNS was discovered by more businesses, many successful partnerships emerged. Advertising professions believe that the foundational qualities of SNS include participation, interaction, self-expression, and emotional communication. These qualities are the basis of SNS marketing activities, and they will promote the birth of more marketing models.
1. How’s the performance of the SNS website since it appeared in China?| A．It’s competing hard with its overseas competitors. | B．Users have found nothing special about it. |
| C．It’s been well-received and growing rapidly. | D．It hasn’t been making profit yet. |
| A．it’s the quickest way for users to communicate |
| B．users need to use their real identity to communicate |
| C．it’s regarded as the best way to make friends with strangers |
| D．it offers more diverse services such as virtual gifts and mini games |
| A．The real identity communication and maintenance of interpersonal relationship. |
| B．SNS websites have convenient user interface (用户界面) . |
| C．It’s both entertaining and helps people to make more friends. |
| D．It’s accessible through both computer and hand-held devices. |
| A．mainly by selling advertising positions | B．through a number of new ways |
| C．through cooperating with online stores | D．by charging users when they register on the website |
6 . While some allergies (过敏症) disappear over time or with treatment, others last a lifetime. For decades, scientists have been searching for the source of these lifetime allergies.
Recently, researchers found that memory B cells may be involved. These cells produce a different class of antibodies known as IgG, which ward off viral infections. But no one had identified exactly which of those cells were recalling allergens or how they switched to making the IgE antibodies responsible for allergies. To uncover the mysterious cells, two research teams took a deep dive into the immune (免疫的) cells of people with allergies and some without.
Immunologist Joshua Koenig and colleagues examined more than 90, 000 memory B cells from six people with birch allergies, four people allergic to dust mites and five people with no allergies. Using a technique called RNA sequencing, the team identified specific memory B cells, which they named MBC2s that make antibodies and proteins associated with the immune response that causes allergies.
In another experiment, Koenig and colleagues used a peanut protein to go fishing for memory B cells from people with peanut allergies. The team pulled out the same type of cells found in people with birch and dust mite allergies. In people with peanut allergies, those cells increased in number and produced IgE antibodies as the people started treatment to desensitize them to peanut allergens.
Another group led by Maria Curotto de Lafaille, an immunologist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, also found that similar cells were more plentiful in 58 children allergic to peanuts than in 13 kids without allergies. The team found that the cells are ready to switch from making protective IgG antibodies to allergy-causing IgE antibodies. Even before the switch, the cells were making RNA for IgE but didn’t produce the protein. Making that RNA enables the cells to switch the type of antibodies they make when they encounter allergens. The signal to switch partially depends on a protein called JAK, the group discovered. “Stopping JAK from sending the signal could help prevent the memory cells from switching to IgE production,” Lafaille says. She also predicts that allergists may be able to examine aspects of these memory cells to forecast whether a patient's allergy is likely to last or disappear with time or treatment.
“Knowing which population of cells store allergies in long-term memory may eventually help scientists identify other ways to kill the allergy cells,” says Cecilia Berin, an immunologist at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “You could potentially get rid of not only your peanut allergy but also all of your allergies.”
1. Why did scientists investigate the immune cells of individuals with and without allergies?| A．To explore the distinctions between IgG and IgE. |
| B．To uncover new antibodies known as IgG and IgE. |
| C．To identify cells responsible for defending against allergies. |
| D．To reveal cells associated with the development of allergies. |
| A．Make. . . less destructive. | B．Make. . . less responsive. |
| C．Make. . . less protective. | D．Make. . . less effective. |
| A．MBC2s make antibodies and proteins that prevent allergies. |
| B．Memory B cells generate both RNA for IgE and the corresponding protein. |
| C．JAK plays a role in controlling antibody production when exposed to allergens. |
| D．Allergists are capable of predicting whether an allergy will last or disappear. |
| A．RNA Sequencing Is Applied in Immunology Research |
| B．Specific Cells Related to Peanut Allergies Are Identified |
| C．Unmasking Cells’ Identities Helps Diagnose and Treat Allergies |
| D．Newfound Immune Cells Are Responsible for Long-lasting Allergies |
7 . FAMOUS CHINESE PAINTINGS, ARTISTIC TREASURES
Over many centuries, Chinese artists have created paintings that are now in the hearts of more than a billion people.
Nymph of the Luo River — Gu Kaizhi
Legend has it that Cao Zhi, a prince of the state of Cao Wei, fell in love with the governor’s daughter. However, she married his brother, Cao Pi, and the prince became upset. Later, he composed an emotional poem about the love between the goddess and common people. In the 4th century, Gu Kaizhi, a Chinese artist, was moved by the story and illustrated the poem.
Court Ladies Adorning Their Hair with Flowers — Zhou Fang
During the Tang Dynasty, the genre of “beautiful women painting” enjoyed popularity. Coming from a noble background, Zhou Fang, a Chinese artist, created artworks in this genre. In his painting, the ladies stand as though they are fashion models, but one of them is entertaining herself by teasing a cute dog.
Along the River During the Qingming Festival — Zhang Zeduan
Zhang Zeduan painted the landscape in his work Along the River During the Qingming Festival. However, instead of concentrating on the vastness of nature, he captured the daily life of the people of Bianjing, present-day Kaifeng. His work shows much about life in the Northern Song Dynasty.
A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains — Wang Ximeng
Wang Ximeng, a prodigy (神童), painted his masterpiece A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains when he was only seventeen years old. He died several years later, but he left one of the largest and most beautiful paintings in Chinese history.
1. Where do you think this text is taken from?| A．A novel. | B．A travel journal. | C．A magazine. | D．A book review. |
| A．Wang Ximeng created his masterpiece in his teens. |
| B．Nymph of the Luo River is a poem written by Cao Zhi. |
| C．Zhou Fang painted fashion models in his painting. |
| D．Zhang Zeduan’s painting describes daily life of officials. |
| A．Nymph of the Luo River — Gu Kaizhi. |
| B．A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains —Wang Ximeng. |
| C．Court Ladies Adorning Their Hair with Flowers — Zhou Fang. |
| D．Along the River During the Qingming Festival — Zhang Zeduan. |
8 . Blind people have long desired for brightness, but scientists don’t have the technology. To bring that one step closer to reality, Zhiyong Fan, a materials scientist of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, developed a new artificial eye recently. The device, which is about as sensitive to light and has sharper vision and a faster reaction time than a real eyeball, may outperform human eyes.
The human eye owes its wide field of view and clear eyesight to the retina (视网膜) — an area at the back of the eyeball covered in light-detecting cells. The design for a new artificial eye is based on the structure of the human eye and uses a friendly light-sensitive material. At the back of the eyeball, an artificial retina is lined with Nan scale light sensors (纳米级光感器). Those sensors measure light that passes through the lens (晶状体) at the front of the eye. Wires attached to the back of the retina send signals from those sensors to the processor, similar to the way nerve networks connect the eyeball to the brain.
“In the future, we can use this to replace damaged human eyes,” says the lead designer. In theory, this artificial eye could see more clearly than the human eye, because the artificial retina contains about 460 million light sensors per square centimeter while a real retina has about 10 million light-detecting cells per square centimeter. Besides, the artificial eyeball records changes in lighting faster than human eyes can — within about 30 to 40 milliseconds, rather than 40 to 150 milliseconds. Although its 100-degree field of view isn’t as broad as the150 degrees a human eye can take in, the device can see as well as the human eye in poor light.
Hongrui Jiang, an electrical engineer at the University of Wisconsin, though, thinks engineers need a much more practical and efficient way to produce vast series of tiny wires on the back of the artificial eyeball to give it superhuman sight, which is super hard to achieve.
1. Why does Zhiyong Fan develop the artificial eye?| A．To replace people’s real eyeballs. | B．To gain a sharper vision. |
| C．To help the blind regain their eyesight. | D．To help normal eyes perform better. |
| A．The design of the artificial eye. | B．The structure of the human eye. |
| C．The advantages of the artificial eye. | D．The material used for the artificial eye. |
| A．They have the same structure. |
| B．The artificial eye may see more clearly. |
| C．The human eye sees better in weak light. |
| D．The artificial eye takes in a broader view. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Favorable. | C．Unconcerned. | D．Satisfied. |
9 . Maya Lin, designer and sculptor, has created some of the most iconic works and spaces with the belief that art can address important issues. Her latest projects are no different, from museums to sculptures for Presidential centers.
Lin, 62, grew up in Ohio, the daughter of college professors who were Chinese immigrants. As a 21-year-old student at Yale University, she gained national prominence when her entry won a design competition for the new Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Her winning design — two black granite (花岗岩) walls engraved with the names of US service members who died in the Vietnam War (1954-1975) or remain missing — is considered one of the most influential in modern architecture.
Lin went on to design the 1989 Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama, and dozens of other projects globally, all with social and environmental justice in mind. She told The Wall Street Journal she uses facts in her art. She said, “I am going to present you with what the story is, but I am not going to draw the conclusion for you.” Currently underway is Lin’s plan for the new Museum of Chinese in America in New York City. Lin said she wants it to be a celebration of Chinese American stories and contributions to the country.
Lin is also designing a sculpture to honor former President Barack Obama’s mother, who died in 1995, at the Obama Presidential Center in Illinois. When Obama awarded Lin the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, he called her work “physical acts of poetry, each reminding us that the most important element in art or architecture is human emotion.”
1. What is Maya Lin’s principle to make her creation?| A．Art is to lead to reputation | B．Art is a physical act of poetry. |
| C．Art is to create something distinguished. | D．Art can be a medium to approach affairs. |
| A．US soldiers’ sacrifice in the Vietnam War. |
| B．The influence of the Vietnam War on America. |
| C．The bloody and cruel scenes of the Vietnam War. |
| D．Vietnamese soldiers’ fearless fight in the Vietnam War. |
| A．Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. |
| B．Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama. |
| C．Museum of Chinese in America in New York City. |
| D．Obama Presidential Center in Illinois. |
| A．Designing with talents |
| B．Stirring up emotions in art |
| C．Becoming a great Chinese immigrant |
| D．Creating the most influential architecture |
10 . Cuckoos (布谷鸟) are masters of cheating. When it comes to raising young, they don’t spend the energy building a nest (鸟巢), protecting eggs or feeding children. Instead the female passes these roles on to other birds. They don’t raise their own young. Usually, they lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, fooling other birds into thinking the cuckoo eggs are theirs.
To succeed in doing this, a female cuckoo watches over her chosen nest to observe feeding times. When the host parent leaves its nest in search of food, the cuckoo quickly lays her eggs among those already in the nest. Sometimes, she will even destroy and remove one of the host’s eggs to make room for her own.
Cuckoos are medium-sized birds with long tails, and often have gray or brown backs. When they hatch(孵化) and begin to grow in a host’s nest, the difference between the two can be obvious to an onlooker. Often the cuckoo is twice the size of its foster parents, but still continues to receive food from them.
The cuckoo imposter (冒名顶替者) is usually the only baby bird that the host parent has to care for. This is because when the cuckoo hatches after around 11 days, it gets rid of all the other eggs in the nest. It will lift each egg onto its back before throwing them one by one over the edge of the nest. Even then, the non-biological parent will continue to treat it as one of its own.
Also, cuckoos have developed to produce eggs that are similar in color to their main hosts’. This reduces the chances of eggs being attacked. Female cuckoos have been known to take host birds’ attention away after laying their eggs by producing a noise similar to Eurasian sparrowhawks, scaring birds away from returning to the nest and allowing time for the cuckoo to make her escape unnoticed.
1. What do mother cuckoos usually do when it comes to raising their young?| A．Attend to eggs. | B．Build a new nest. |
| C．Rely on other birds. | D．Learn feeding skills. |
| A．Other cuckoos. | B．Baby cuckoos. |
| C．Its host parents. | D．Its birth parents. |
| A．It usually hatches out earlier than the other eggs in the nest. |
| B．It throws all the other eggs out of nests with its mother’s help. |
| C．It often makes a noise to scare other birds away from the nest. |
| D．It looks much larger than other eggs in the nest before hatching. |
| A．How cuckoos fool other birds | B．How cuckoos protect their children |
| C．How cuckoos destroy others’ nests | D．How cuckoos produce eggs in host nests |
