1 . In order to survive trips to Mars, humans need oxygen. Now, a team of scientists has designed a robot that could extract oxygen from water on the Red Planet.
The robot, which is called “AI chemist”, used a machine learning model to find a compound that could ignite an oxygen-producing chemical reaction on Mars. The compound, known as a catalyst (催化剂), is made entirely from elements found in Martian meteorites (陨石) — which means, if such a system could work reliably, space travelers would not need to bring oxygen or even the catalyst needed to produce it.
Mars’ atmosphere contains only trace amounts of oxygen. But scientists have detected evidence of liquid water beneath the planet’s southern ice cap. To create the breathable gas, researchers wanted to find a way to break down this water into its hydrogen and oxygen molecules using materials found on Mars.
Their robot analyzed five meteorites that either came from Mars or had a composition similar to that of the Martian surface. Using a laser, it identified significant amounts of iron, nickel, calcium, magnesium, aluminum and manganese in the samples. From these six elements, the robot’s algorithm (算法) determined it could produce more than 3.7 million possible molecules to break down water and form oxygen on Mars. According to the researchers, finding the best one from this extensive list would take roughly 2,000 years of human labor, but for the AI chemist, it took only weeks.
“On Earth, we don’t use these six elements,” Yi Luo, a co-author of the study says. “They are not the best choices for catalysts, but it’s only what you’ve got on Mars.”
With its chosen catalyst, the system could produce oxygen from the Martian materials at around -37℃, demonstrating the chemical reaction could be possible on the cold Martian surface.
Notably, the robot was able to carry out the entire process — analyzing the rock samples, identifying the best possible catalyst and producing it without human intervention.
1. What does the underlined word “ignite” mean in paragraph 2?| A．Delay. | B．Limit. | C．Change. | D．Cause. |
| A．The oxygen that Mars’ atmosphere contains. |
| B．The scientists’ previous study on meteorites. |
| C．The existence of water and catalyst on Mars. |
| D．The amazing learning ability of “AI chemist” |
| A．The finding of six elements. |
| B．The advantages of the robots. |
| C．The formation of the meteorites. |
| D．The process of producing oxygen. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Favorable. | C．Unclear. | D．Indifferent. |
2 . Restrictive uniforms could be preventing primary school pupils, especially girls, from being physically active, research suggests. In countries where most schools require students to wear uniforms, fewer young people reach the World Health Organization’s minimum recommendation of 60 minutes of physical activity a day across a whole week, according to a study by the University of Cambridge.
There was a greater difference between girls and boys of primary-school age in countries where uniforms were common. The finding was not copied among children of secondary-school age. This may be owing to the exercise younger children get throughout the day — for example, through running, climbing and active play at break and lunchtimes. The findings confirm earlier evidence that girls feel less comfortable participating in active play if they are wearing certain types of clothing such as skirts or dresses.
Dr. Mairead Ryan, a researcher at the institute of education and MRC unit at Cambridge, said, “ Schools often prefer to use uniforms for various reasons. We are not trying to suggest a blanket ban on them, but to present new evidence to support decision-making. School communities could consider design, and whether specific characteristics of a uniform might either encourage or restrict any opportunities for physical activity.”
A 2021 study in England found the design of girls’ PE uniforms prevented students from participating in certain activities. Other studies have suggested girls are much shyer about taking part in physical activity when wearing uniforms in which they do not feel comfortable. Dr. Esther van Sluijs, senior author and MRC investigator (调查员), said, “Girls might feel less confident about doing things like cartwheels and tumbles in the playground, or riding a bike on a windy day if they are wearing a skirt or dress. Social expectations tend to influence what they feel they can do in these clothes. Unfortunately, when it comes to promoting physical health, that’s a problem.”
The WHO recommends that young people get 60 minutes of at least moderate-intensity (中等强度) physical activity a day. The Cambridge study confirmed previous observations that most children and teenagers were not meeting this recommendation — especially girls, who have a gap of 7.6 percentage points with boys.
1. What is the author’s purpose of writing Paragraph 1?| A．To state the findings. | B．To make a comparison. |
| C．To explain a phenomenon. | D．To justify an assumption. |
| A．They have less physical activity daily. |
| B．They have much labor work at school. |
| C．Certain uniforms limit their physical activity. |
| D．Certain uniforms make them act well in active play. |
| A．It’s better to restrict physical activity. |
| B．It’s better to support decision-making. |
| C．Uniforms should be banned strictly in schools. |
| D．Schools should think about the uniform design. |
| A．Proper uniforms can set students free |
| B．Schools are responsible for uniforms |
| C．Students can benefit a lot from uniforms |
| D．Uniforms may prevent younger girls from being active |
3 . Is a moviegoer different than a movie-lover? I’d say so. You can love a movie by watching it at home.
I’ve thought about two views of the moviegoer lately.
The first view comes from Roland Barthes. Most often, his moviegoers don’t go to the movies for a distinct purpose.
The second view comes from the Clark Theater manager, Bruce Trinz. When people go to the movies they go for a certain personal motive. They may want to forget something, or escape from the lives they are leading. Or they may want to see a film they liked years ago.
| A．Whatever motive they have |
| B．To be a moviegoer, you have to go out |
| C．The movie also puts them somewhere else |
| D．They are instead wrapped up in themselves |
| E．Because moviegoers go in search of beauty |
| F．Moviegoers may be hopelessly addicted to the movies |
| G．It’s something to do with a response to leisure, free time |
4 . It seems every country has one major event on the annual calendar that claims to please all others. Here we’ve boiled down the options to the absolute top 4 events to add to your travel bucket list.
La Tomatina Buñol, Spain August
Tomato lovers get their fill on the last Wednesday of August as over 100,000kg of tomatoes are thrown, pressed and splattered (飞溅) in the town square. It’s the climax of a week-long celebration of Buñol’s patron saint, which leaves the town in a bright red smattering like a horror film scene. We don’t envy whoever has to clean up that mess!
Songkran Thailand April
A water fight on a national scale, Songkran in Thailand is the celebration of the Buddhist New Year. Wherever you are in Thailand — anywhere from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, Krabi or Koh Samui — you can expect to get thoroughly wet with everything from water guns to elephant trunks being employed for the purpose.
Snow & Ice Festival Harbin, China January — February
Harbin is transformed into a winter wonderland with ice sculptures across the city, decorated with lights and lasers, drawing thousands of artists and art enthusiasts alike. And if that’s not enough to appeal to you, there’s also the Ice Lantern Art Fair, dog sledding to watch and our favourite, “winter swimming watching”.
Holi Festival India February — March
A rainbow of colour and Hindu traditions combine to create this celebration of love, springtime fun and good triumphing over evil. Kicking off with a night-time bonfire where people gather, sing and dance, the next day is a carnival of colours where everyone plays about throwing dye powder, shooting water guns and coloured water-filled balloons, uniting rich and poor, children and big kids at heart.
1. A visitor who will only be free in summer holiday can go to _________ to attend the festival.| A．Thailand | B．India | C．China | D．Spain |
| A．They are both in celebration of the New year. | B．They both include water battles. |
| C．They both provide a bonfire party. | D．They both involve casting color powder. |
| A．A research plan. | B．A news report. | C．A travel magazine. | D．A book review. |
5 . If you’ve been on BookTok, an online community where readers recommend, review and theorize about their favorite books, authors and genres, you’ve probably heard of Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing. On BookTok, the release of Fourth Wing came with hype (炒作) around a mix between romance and fantasy. The novel was published last May and its sequel (续集) followed just six months later.
But questions came: Are publishers and authors publishing books too quickly, and does this affect the quality of writing?
On the day of the sequel’s release, Yarros and her publisher, Red Tower Books, were met with much criticism about her misuse of a language’s grammar in the novel. Many argued that the mistakes could have been avoided if the publishers had hired someone to proofread (校对) the language.
So what does BookTok have to do with this? It was one of the reasons why within the first week of Fourth Wing being published, the book quickly shot up to the top of the New York Times Best Sellers list despite criticism.
With the rising readers, it isn’t uncommon for both publishers and authors to use that hype to their advantage. This was likely a reason why the series, originally including three books, was dragged into a five-book series.
This is kind of what fast fashion is all about. Fast fashion refers to the process of clothing manufacturing that moves from production/design to stores quickly to keep up with current trends. These pieces are often cheap and low-quality and sent to stores with the hope of selling out quickly. The same approach used in the publishing world, thanks to BookTok to some degree, could lead to decreasing book quality when writing and editing aren’t able to reach their maximum potential.
This isn’t to say that books like Fourth Wing are bad just because they’re hyped. But abandoning developed work for crowd-pleasers doesn’t do all readers justice. These worries about the quick turnover in the publishing industry aren’t directed towards independent authors who carefully write, edit and publish themselves, but rather towards those who overlook the importance of everything that goes into the writing process.
1. Why does the author raise questions in the text?| A．To doubt readers’ judgment. | B．To keep the text developing. |
| C．To highlight BookTok’s advantages. | D．To provide background information. |
| A．It enjoyed popularity. | B．It faced little criticism. |
| C．It was publicly rejected. | D．It didn’t sell well in stores. |
| A．Book quality is vital in the publishing industry. |
| B．Books like Fourth Wing are not good ones. |
| C．Authors should avoid doing too many duties. |
| D．BookTok shouldn’t be to blame for fast fashion. |
| A．BookTok Is Misleading Consumers in Reading. |
| B．Are Those Books Posted Online Worth Reading? |
| C．Fast Fashion Emerges in the Publishing Industry. |
| D．Can the Publishing Industry Adapt to Challenges? |
6 . Researchers discovered a new function for a common protein in the brain—a development that throws new light on the mysteries of the mind and holds promising implications for the treatment of memory loss and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The protein, called RPT6, normally performs necessary housekeeping in the brain’s hippocampus (海马体) by working as part of a larger protein complex called the proteasome to destroy other proteins. But researchers in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ School of Animal Sciences recently noticed this protein behaving in a previously undetected way.
“We have found that RPT6 is capable of this completely different function where it can combine with DNA and increase the expression of other genes or proteins during memory formation,” said Tim Jarome, associate professor of neurobiology. “This indicates that RPT6 plays a dual (双重的) role in memory formation, both inside and outside the proteasome complex.”
Gene expression is critical to memory formation. It helps to build the neural networks needed to form and strengthen memories. The discovery, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, opens up new avenues for exploration of how RPT6 functions in the brain and how it can be controlled to improve memory and reduce the harm of memory disorders like PTSD.
Researchers don’t yet understand why RPT6 has this dual function or how it is helping to control the cells that form a memory. “There has to be something else that’s working with it to control gene expression,” Jarome said. “We are trying to understand now how it’s doing that.”
Hopefully, the discovery will be helpful to the ongoing research in Jarome’s lab, which focuses on understanding and treating memory disorders.
“The discovery of RPT6’s new function is leading us somewhere new in revealing the complexities of the brain and how we learn and store memories,” said research scientist Kayla Farrell. “We believe that this will help to inform new directions into understanding how gene expression is controlled during memory. In the long term, this could lead to potential treatment of controlling and improving memory.”
1. What does Tim Jarome say about RPT6 in paragraph 3?| A．It is a new kind of protein. | B．It has little to do with DNA. |
| C．It can feed most of the cells. | D．It affects memory formation. |
| A．What contributes to RPT6’s dual function. |
| B．The role of gene expression in memory formation. |
| C．The discovery of RPT6’s dual function in the brain. |
| D．Whether RPT6 can increase the expression of other genes. |
| A．The brain is not complex to explore. |
| B．The finding is of great significance. |
| C．The new treatment of memory loss works. |
| D．The problem of storing memory is serious. |
| A．In a lab report. | B．In a chemistry textbook. |
| C．In a health magazine. | D．In a first aid brochure. |
7 . Four Must-see Museum Exhibitions in 2024
LaToya Ruby Frazier, “Monuments of Solidarity”Museum of Modern Art, New York
May 12 — September 7
Museum of Modern Art will present a range of works, including photography, text, and moving images, from the artist LaToya Ruby Frazier’s career. Frazier’s first museum show, the exhibition spans over 20 years and highlights her ongoing interest in revitalizing and preserving overlooked and erased stories from America’s post-industrial era, in particular, stories of gender, race, inequality and labor.
Jenny Holzer, “Light Line”Guggenheim Museum, New York
May 17 — September 29
The museum is revisiting the artist’s influential practice with “Light Line”, an expanded version of the landmark show. The 2024 exhibition will include some of Holzer’s earliest and rarely shown works alongside new text that has been generated with AI, illustrating the artist’s continued interest in employing the latest tech innovations.
Anselm Kiefer, “Fallen Angels”Palazzo Strozzi, Florence
March 22 — July 21
Bringing together new and historic paintings, sculptures and prints, “Fallen Angels” offers a comprehensive look at the influential German artist’s career. Kiefer, one of the most important figures in German art, draws from a range of sources, including religion, philosophy, collective memory and the history of war. The exhibition promises to explore the complexity of Kiefer’s works, showcasing a range of subjects and materials in the context of Palazzo Strozzi’s historic Renaissance (文艺复兴) architecture.
Caspar David Friedrich, “Infinite Landscapes”Alte Nationalgalerie, Berlin
April 19 — August 4
Celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of the great German artist Caspar David Friedrich (1774 — 1840), “Infinite Landscapes” joins two other major German exhibitions of the Romantic landscape painter’s works in Hamburg and Dresden. “Infinite Landscapes” will bring together nearly 60 paintings and 50 drawings, including several pairs of paintings that the artist created to explore the concepts of perspective (透视) and change.
1. What can you do at the exhibition in Museum of Modern Art?| A．Interact with Italian photographers. |
| B．Admire the latest tech innovations. |
| C．Watch films about various machines. |
| D．Learn about the overlooked side of America. |
| A．“Light Line”. | B．“Fallen Angels”. |
| C．“Infinite Landscapes”. | D．“Monuments of Solidarity”. |
| A．They take place in three different places. |
| B．They celebrate two famous painters’ birthdays. |
| C．They focus on historic Renaissance architecture. |
| D．They display the works of artists from the same country. |
8 . A new study by a team of researchers shows that searching to evaluate the truthfulness of false news articles actually increases the probability of believing misinformation, not the opposite.
The reason for this outcome may be explained by search-engine outputs in the study. The researchers found that this phenomenon is concentrated among individuals for whom search engines return lower-quality information.
“This points to the danger that ‘data voids’ — areas of the information ecosystem that are dominated by low quality, or even outright false, news and information — may be playing a resulting role in the online search process, leading to low return of credible information or, more alarming, the appearance of non-credible information at the top of search results,” observes lead author Kevin Aslett, an assistant professor at the University of Central Florida.
To study the impact, they recruited participants through both Qualtrics and Amazon’s Mechanical Turk for a series of five experiments and with the aim of measuring the impact of a common behavior: searching online to evaluate news (SOTEN).
The first four studies tested the following aspects of online search behavior and impact:
◎ The effect of SOTEN on belief in both false or misleading and true news directly within two days an article’s publication
◎ Whether the effect of SOTEN can change an individual’s evaluation after they had already assessed the truthfulness of a news story
◎ The effect of SOTEN months after publication
◎ The effect of SOTEN on recent news about a key topic with significant news coverage
A fifth study combined a survey with web-tracking data in order to identify the effect of exposure to both low- and high-quality search-engine results on belief in misinformation.
Across the five studies, the authors found that the act of searching online to evaluate news led to a statistically significant increase in belief in misinformation. This occurred whether it was shortly after the publication of misinformation or months later. This finding suggests that the passage of time does not lessen the impact of SOTEN on increasing the likelihood of believing false news stories to be true. Moreover, the fifth study showed that this phenomenon is concentrated among individuals for whom search engines return lower-quality information.
“The findings highlight the need for media literacy programs to ground recommendations in search engines to invest in solutions to the challenges identified by this research,” concludes Joshua A Tucker, professor of politics.
1. What can we learn from the first three paragraphs?| A．The more you assess the realness of fake news online, the more you’ll believe it. |
| B．There is little low quality, or false news in the areas of the information ecosystem. |
| C．Evaluating online the realness of fake news would prevent you believing it. |
| D．Fake news and information usually can’t be found at the top of search results. |
| A．Knowledge level. | B．Time effect. |
| C．Web-tracking data. | D．News type. |
| A．Rely on. | B．Focus on. | C．Work on. | D．Hold on. |
| A．Economics | B．Entertainment | C．Science | D．Insights |
9 . Thailand is to ban smoking on some of the country’s most popular tourist beaches, with the prospect of up to a year in prison for those caught lighting up, according to reports by local media. The move follows a recent survey of litter on Patong beach, Phuket — visited by millions of foreign tourists each year — which found an average of 0.76 cigarette butts (烟头) per square metre in a sample area, which would amount to 101,058 butts on the 2.5km-long stretch of sand.
The survey was undertaken by the country’s department of marine and coastal resources, which described it as a “serious problem”. Discarded cigarette butts accounted for a third of rubbish collected by the department.
“Cigarettes have a direct effect on the natural environment,” director general Jatuporn Buruspat told the Phuket Gazette. “The butts clog (淤积) the drains contributing to floods. When the cigarettes stay under the beach sand for a long time, it also negatively affects the eco-system. And then when the chemicals from the cigarette butts reach the water, it also releases cadmium, lead, arsenic and some acid from insecticide which are poison to the natural food chain.”
The ban, which will come into play in November, will affect 20 beaches including Patong, Koh Khai Nok, Koh Khai Nai (Phuket); Hua Hin, Cha-Am, Khao Takiab; Pattaya, Jomtien, Bangsaen and Samila.
After a trial period, the ban is expected to be enforced on all Thai beaches, as well as on passenger and tourist boats, to deal with the problem of butts damaging the underwater environment. Anyone found to be breaking the law will face one year in jail or a maximum 100,000 baht fine, or both.
1. The underlined word “Discarded” in paragraph 2 means “________”.| A．grown | B．lighted | C．thrown away | D．cared for |
| A．Cigarette butts may endanger natural food chain. |
| B．Cigarette butts will lead to floods directly. |
| C．Cigarettes positively affect the eco-system. |
| D．Foreign tourists may not visit beaches with cigarette butts. |
| A．face two years in jail | B．face a minimum 100,000 baht fine |
| C．be in prison or fined | D．be educated in a training center |
| A．Cigarette butts damage the underwater environment. |
| B．Thailand bans smoking on 20 popular tourist beaches. |
| C．Smoking is forbidden on all Thailand beaches. |
| D．Thailand local media pays attention to smoking problem. |
10 . Beginning your journey abroad, you’ll witness excitement fill the air. Each step brings new experiences and adventures from busy streets to beautiful landscapes. Pack your bags and welcome the thrill of discovery that awaits. Here are a few things for you to get started with before you set foot.
Do thorough research on your destination.Conduct complete research about the country or region you plan to visit before your trip.
When packing for your trip abroad, prioritize essentials and pack light to avoid unnecessary weight.
Be alarmed and aware of your surroundings at all times. Avoid risky areas, especially at night, and keep your belongings secure. Familiarize yourself with local emergency contact numbers, the location of your country’s embassy (大使馆), and any specific safety precautions recommended for travelers in your destination.
Welcome new experiences that come your way.As your journey abroad comes to a close, memories of adventure and discovery will remain in your heart. Cherish (珍惜) the moments shared, the sights seen, and the lessons learned.
| A．Pay attention to safety at all times. |
| B．Respect local customs and traditions. |
| C．Learn about its history, culture, customs, and local laws. |
| D．Stay updated on travel guidelines issued by your government. |
| E．Traveling abroad offers access to new cultures and experiences. |
| F．Though your travels may end, the spirit of exploration will live on. |
| G．Consider the climate and your activities, and pack proper clothing and equipment. |
