1 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段, 使之构成一篇完整的短文。

I drew in a breath, let it out against the backseat window, and scratched the word AWFUL on the fogged glass.

Dad glanced at me through the rearview (后视镜) mirror. “Alex, this will be a nice opportunity for you to see your grandparents.”

The car turned onto a familiar dirt road. We’re-getting farther from the city. Farther from Internet access. Farther from the computer camp.

“Cheer up, Alex! There will be another computer camp soon,” said Mom. “Probably even this summer.”

All my programming friends would be coding at the computer camp this week while I was stuck on the farm. I didn’t say a word. Finally, the car pulled into Granny and Granddad’s driveway. A thin line of trees came into sight.

I liked visiting the farm on’ spring breaks before I started doing coding camps…and before I knew how badly I could mess things up.

The car engine wasn’t off when Granny bounded (跳跃着跑) toward us. I watched from the backseat as Dad and Mom hugged Granny. I slowly dragged myself out of the car. Gravity seemed abnormally strong.

”You two deserve a vacation,” Granny was saying. “Alex will be fine — he loves being on the farm.” She meant loved. Alex loved being on the farm.

During lunch Granny asked, “Why so sad, Alex?” I kept silent. Why? They’re really acting as if nothing had happened during my last visit. For a second, my eyes caught Granny’s. Could I ask her if her goats had destroyed all her next-door neighbor, Mr. Jackson’s flowers because I lifted the latch (门闩) and let out the goats? Was Mr. Jackson still angry with me for having brought him such a great loss?

“I’m fine,” I mumbled (咕哝). “Just missing the coding camp this week. Coding’s just something I’m good at.”

Mummy nodded. “Ahhh. That sounds disappointing, but the farm will bring you something different.”

注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
After lunch, I was on my own when, out of nowhere, there’s Mr. Jackson.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Instead, Mr. Jackson yelled, “Great to see you here, Alex! I need your help with a lamb’s birth.”
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2 . 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。

Mind reading is hard. But not impossible. Modern technology can reach inside someone’s head and pull out their     1     (intend).

Decoding (破解) thought usually requires placing sensors directly on or in someone’s brain. Using brain implants, researchers so far     2     (pick) up electrical signals in the brain linked to certain words or letters. This has allowed brain implants to transform thoughts     3     text or speech on a computer. Brain implants have even enabled scientists     4     (turn) the neural firings (神经网络滤镜) associated with a song in someone’s head into real music.

In a recent study, scientists decoded full stories from people’s brains     5     (use) MRI scans. This did not require any brain implants. But building the thought decoder     6     (definite) required many hours of brain scans for each person. What’s more, the system only worked on the persons     7     were willing to have their minds read.

Devices that might let someone secretly read your mind from across the room     8     (be) still a long, long way off Still, it’s clear that mind-reading tech is getting more and more     9     (advance). As it does, scientists are thinking hard about what it would mean to live in     10     world where not even the inside of your head is completely private.

3 . In Las Vegas, one parent’s determination to help his daughter catch up on her reading has led to the creation of a groundbreaking approach in educational technology. Meet Dave Vinzant, father to 8-year-old Aubrie, who _______ difficulties in reading at school.

“It was about halfway through the first grade that we realized she couldn’t _______ ,” said Vinzant. Despite their efforts, _______ methods weren’t bringing about the desired results. “The _______ level was really high,” Vinzant-recalled. “After an hour of trying to get through a 10-15 page little book, she was _______ .”

Determined to find a solution, Vinzant took matters into his own hands. Although _______ a background in computer programming, he made up his mind to develop a tool that could effectively _______ his daughter. The result? A free _______ called WordStumble.

WordStumble isn’t _______ any reading app-Powered by artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT, the program customizes (定制) stories for each user. “What is ________ is that it can take all of those words that she knows-or struggles with and it ________ a customized children’s story,” Vinzant explained.

For Vinzant, the success of WordStumble isn’t just ________ ; he wants to share with others. With his dedication and innovation, Vinzant is not only changing the landscape of reading apps but-also giving ________ to countless parents and children facing similar challenges. And as WordStumble continues to ________ , it’s clear that the power of one person’s passion can make a world of ________ for young learners everywhere.

1.

A．dealt with

B．ran into

C．got through

D．brought about

2.

A．smile

B．read

C．respond

D．jog

3.

A．scientific

B．alternative

C．creative

D．traditional

4.

A．surprise

B．regret

C．frustration

D．pleasure

5.

A．crying

B．joking

C．dancing

D．singing

6.

A．providing

B．ensuring

C．lacking

D．requiring

7.

A．persuade

B．assist

C．amuse

D．rescue

8.

A．brochure

B．textbook

C．advertisement

D．application

9.

A．still

B．also

C．even

D．simply

10.

A．familiar

B．magical

C．reasonable

D．strange

11.

A．returns

B．remembers

C．spreads

D．recalls

12.

A．initial

B．popular

C．personal

D．convenient

13.

A．courage

B．determination

C．hope

D．imagination

14.

A．improve

B．survive

C．transform

D．perform

15.

A．instruction

B．task

C．memory

D．difference

4 . Alba Renai, an attractive digital influencer (网红) powered by artificial intelligence, has recently announced that she will be hosting a special section on Spain’s popular reality show “Survivor”.

Created in the fall of last year by Be a Lion, Alba Renai quickly became a superstar online, attracting over 10,000 fans. She is a beautiful young woman, but she is not actually real.

Most people started speaking highly of Alba about her looks, wishing her luck in her new position, and most likely not even realizing she was an AI-powered avatar (化身), and some expressed their concern about such digital avatars occupying human jobs. In Asia, for example, several countries have been experimenting with Al newscasters.

Be a Lion, the company that created and trained: Alba Renai, recently claimed that their avatar didn’t steal any human jobs. On the contrary, it actually created more jobs. A team of 32 people works directly on the Alba project, including Al experts, engineers, producers, filmmakers, and community managers. “Alba is a collaborative (协作的) work between humans and machines,” Luis Movilla, a director at Be a Lion, said. “Now humans must have certain skills to be able to operate technological advances. We have had to redevelop the educational plan of our own employees and in the labor market.”

Alba Renai is one of several virtual influencers to attract international attention in the last few months, alongside Aitana Lopez and Lexi Love, to name just a couple of the most popular ones, but there is an entire wave of AI-powered avatars being developed as a way to cut costs. They may not be mainstream yet, but with technology evolving at such a rapid pace, who knows where we’ll be in a couple of years?

1. What can we know about Alba Renai?

A．She is a popular Spanish woman.

B．She has a great influence on young people.

C．She was designed and made by Be a Lion.

D．She is the chief hostess of the show “Survivor”.

2. What is some people’s concern over Al newscasters?

A．They are costly to develop and maintain.

B．They may take away jobs from people.

C．They distract fans’ attention from work.

D．They are not as natural as real newscasters.

3. What is Luis Movilla’s attitude toward Alba?

A．Ambiguous.

B．Critical.

C．Concerned.

D．Objective.

4. What message does the author intend to convey in the last paragraph?

A．Alba is currently the most popular virtual influencer.

B．AI-powered avatars will never take the place of humans:

C．There are likely to be more AI-powered avatars in the future.

D．Technology shouldn’t have been evolving at such a rapid pace,

5 . After a heavy snowstorm, I ran outside excitedly to build a snowman. No matter how I rolled my snowball, it refused to grow. After resting for a while, I restarted the job. Then I noticed I had an audience-a prim-looking (古板的) couple with obvious disapproval. My face turned red as I tried to answer their unspoken question: Don’t you have anything better to do?

An adult playing by herself seems strange, but’ maybe it shouldn’t. New research suggests that modern adults have ignored their play instinct (本能). Most animals stop playing as adults. However, there are a handful of animals that never stop.

One possibility is’ that adult play is important and beneficial, -a theory supported by a study. Researcher Camilla Cenni from the University of Lethbridge left some puzzle boxes for some monkeys to solve. To get the food inside, they had to drop a rock into the container. The monkeys that previously had dropped rocks for fun were more likely to solve the puzzle. This finding also suggests somewhere in our evolutionary history—a playful human invented stone tools. Even today, the urge to play accounts for some of humans’ greatest inventions. Adult play is also about preparing for the unexpected. And biologists found its most important function is improving relationships and helping individuals get along.

Adult play promotes inclusivity, cooperation and creativity—all qualities that we humans could use. Unfortunately, social norms hold back our urge to let loose. “Generally speaking, we like to do the things that are necessary for our survival,” says Peter Gray, a play researcher at Boston University, Humans took one giant step away from fun when we started planting crops. Plowing (耕) fields is hard and boring. Then we invented factories and lost sight of play.”

With threats like climate change, it’s easy to get into seriousness. But we should understand the value of encouraging adult play. The next time I’m caught playing. I know what to say, “I’m playing for the benefit of all humankind. You’ re welcome.”

1. Why did the author’s face turn red?

A．She was considered too old to play.

B．She was ignored by a prim-looking couple.

C．She had difficulty making a snowman.

D．She couldn’t answer the couple’s question.

2. What can be inferred about adult play from Paragraph 3?

A．It is the natural need of humans.	B．It has slowed down human evolution.
C．It can contribute to useful creations.	D．It is particularly noticeable in animals.

3. What got humans to lose the fun of playing according to Peter Gray?

A．Climate change.	B．Modern science.
C．The arrival of agriculture.	D．The need to prepare for the unexpected.

4. Which of the following serves as the best title?

A．How adults can be more playful

B．Why adults need to make time for playtime

C．How to add more play to your grown-up life

D．What differences exist between human and animals’ play

6 . Below are some details about several Oscar-nominated (被提名的) movies and where to watch them.

Barbie

Director Greta Gerwig crafts an extremely self-aware vision’ of Barbie, with commentary on the patriarchy (父权制) and the unreasonable expectations placed on women in society.

Nominations: Best picture, supporting actor, supporting actress, adapted screenplay, production design, costume design, original song

Where to see it: In theaters. Stream it on Max. Rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu or YouTube.

The Holdovers

Alexander Payne’s film about a bad-tempered professor at a famous boarding school, who must look after students during Christmas break, and forms a bond with one kid suffering from a particular disease.

Nominations: Best picture, actor, supporting actress, original screenplay, editing

Where to see it: In theaters. Stream it on Peacock. Buy it on Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Vudu and Amazon.

Killers of the Flower Moon

Based on a true story, director Martin Scorsese’s epic film tracks the suspicious murders of members of the Osage Nation in 1920s Oklahoma after they find oil there.

Nominations: Best picture, director, actress, supporting actor, production design, costume design, cinematography, editing, original score, original song

Where to see it: In theaters. Stream it on Apple TV+. Buy it on Amazon, Vudu, Google Play, YouTube, or Apple TV.

Nyad

Directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, the film tells the true story of a marathon swimmer who attempts to become the first person ever to swim from Cuba to Florida.

Nominations: Best actress, supporting actress

Where to see it: Stream it on Netflix.

1. Which movie wins the most nominations?

A．Barble.	B．The Holdovers.
C．Killers of the Flower Moon.	D．Nyad.

2. Whose movie can be watched on Peacock?

A．Greta Gerwig’s.	B．Martin Scorsese’s.
C．Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s.	D．Alexander Payne’s.

3. What do Killers ofthe Flower Moon and Nyad have in common?

A．They are related to sports.	B．They involve true stories.
C．They have won the same nominations.	D．They can be watched in the same way.

7 . In 2024, the number of people fancying digital nomadism (游牧) has continued to rise. Here are the best places in the world for you to be a digital nomad.

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua is a good destination when it comes to digital nomads in search of a place that integrates work and leisure. With connectivity and Internet speeds ideal for most remote tasks and a warm and sunny climate that starts in December, it’s a great choice for those who enjoy being outside. The town also offers a supportive community as well as plenty of co-working spaces and cafes.

Queenstown, New Zealand

As well as plenty of activities surrounded by stunning scenery, Queenstown offers high-speed Internet access and lots of co-working spaces. The weather in December is also perfect for exploring the landscapes via the likes of bungee jumping, hiking and even skiing. Plus, there’s a huge focus on local produce in Queenstown which makes the culinary (食物的) experience just as memorable.

Pokhara, Nepal

Pokhara, an engaging choice for those in search of peace and natural beauty, is cool and dry in December, which means it has the perfect condition for working outdoors and exploring the Himalayan landscapes. There’s a growing community of digital nomads too — thanks to reliable Internet connections and an affordable way of life.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

This Mexican coastal resort is a favorite with holidaymakers and digital nomads for its beaches, culture and affordable lifestyle. There’s a prosperous community of digital nomads in Playa del Carmen, fostered by numerous networking events, co-working spaces, and social gatherings. There’s also a great Internet connection! December is dry in Mexico which makes it an ideal time for beach activities. Plus, the diverse and lively nightlife is likely to only add to Playa del Carmen’s appeal.

1. Which of the following might be preferred by adventure seekers?

A．San Juan del Sur.	B．Queenstown.
C．Pokhara.	D．Playa del Carmen.

2. What could distinguish Playa del Carmen from other resorts?

A．Various seaside activities.	B．Distinctive local food.
C．Breathtaking landscapes.	D．Numerous co-working spaces.

3. What do these four resorts have in common?

A．They suit remote workers well.

B．They enjoy warm climate in December.

C．They guarantee visitors colorful nightlife.

D．They provide strong community support.

8 . Generations of parents have told their children to practice their musical instruments. They have good reason for it: learning an instrument is not only associated with better educational attainment but also cognition (认知) and even intelligence scores in children. But does this musicality translate to better cognition (thinking) later in life?

A recent study showed that musical people had better memory and executive (决策的) function than those with less or no musicality. This makes sense as continued engagement in cognitively stimulating activities, such as playing an instrument, should result in continued brain health benefits.

Singing is a very popular musical activity as it allows joining musical groups, such as choirs. But does singing provide the same cognitive benefit as playing an instrument? According to the study, singing can result in better executive function but not memory, suggesting that playing an instrument has additional brain health benefits. However, when singing is done in choirs, there is good evidence that being engaged in social activity is good for our brain health.

Many people might remember the famous “Mozart Effect”, which was based on a 1993 study showing that when students were played Mozart, they scored higher on intelligence tests. Sadly, the current study found having played the recorder for three years at primary school might not have that big an impact on our cognitive performance. So, passively listening to music doesn’t seem to provide any cognitive benefits.

Playing an instrument or singing seems to have benefits to our brain health in aging, according to the study. What is yet to be established is whether this would also help prevent future cognitive decline or dementia. Still, considering the overall cognitive and social benefits of learning an instrument or singing in a choir, it might be worth engaging in such cognitive stimulation as we age. Our parents would be proud of us.

1. Why do parents intend their kids to play an instrument?

A．They suppose it can broaden the kids’ horizons.

B．They design the kids to be musicians in the future.

C．They expect to equip the kids with critical thinking.

D．They think it can improve the kids’ study and thinking.

2. Where could singing differ from playing an instrument?

A．It has better memories.	B．It has social benefits.
C．It requires more energy.	D．It shapes brain development.

3. What is the author’s purpose of mentioning Mozart Effect?

A．To show cognition relies on active engagement.

B．To display the real role that music plays in study.

C．To list similarities between music and study.

D．To demonstrate how to play a recorder properly.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．Why Do People Prefer Singing?	B．What Musicals Can Do for You
C．How Music Boosts Your Brain	D．Where Shall We Find Musicality?

9 . Nicole Graham from Melbourne, Australia owns 10 horses. One afternoon, she and her _________ Paris went for a horse ride when the animals suddenly got _________ in mud. Nicole somehow managed to _________ her daughter’s horse, while the other one, Astro, who weighs around 900 pounds, couldn’t get out of the mud.

_________, as she was struggling to help the poor animal, he got stuck even further. All Nicole could do at that point was to stay by Astro’s side to comfort him and made sure that she kept him _________ until help arrived. She stuck to staying by the 17-year-old horse’s side for over three hours. _________, fire fighters arrived and she felt much _________. In order to bring the big animal to _________, they gave him some sedatives (镇静剂) so that they could attach a harness (马具) to him for a car to _________ the horse from the mud. Luckily, the rescue was __________.

Speaking of the __________, Nicole said to a reporter, “It was terrifying. It was also __________ to see my horse struggling. I’ve been riding here for 20 years and never seen any __________ on the road showing the dangers and didn’t realize it was so muddy.

Stacey Sullivan, the vet who __________ Astro, praised Nicole and said, “A lot of horses don’t make it and I think without the __________ the chance of the horse’s survival would have been a lot lower.”

1.

A．daughter

B．friend

C．vet

D．husband

2.

A．absorbed

B．trapped

C．buried

D．engaged

3.

A．rescue

B．raise

C．wash

D．drive

4.

A．Fortunately

B．Sadly

C．Apparently

D．Quickly

5.

A．awake

B．informed

C．calm

D．quiet

6.

A．Immediately

B．Incredibly

C．Subsequently

D．Ultimately

7.

A．awkward

B．frightened

C．relieved

D．impressed

8.

A．safety

B．normal

C．life

D．justice

9.

A．send out

B．pull out

C．bring up

D．clean up

10.

A．terrible

B．urgent

C．confusing

D．successful

11.

A．crash

B．disaster

C．incident

D．event

12.

A．breathtaking

B．heartbreaking

C．awesome

D．troublesome

13.

A．posters

B．traps

C．tracks

D．signs

14.

A．treated

B．discovered

C．kept

D．comforted

15.

A．rescuer

B．owner

C．reporter

D．fighter

10 . Sleep is an ancient, universal experience. But it is only in the past half century or so that it has attracted the attention of dedicated researchers. A new book from Kenneth Miller sets out to record the field’s short but fascinating history.

The early pages of the book, before there is much in the way of established science to describe, are the weakest. A good deal of time is spent on biographical details and portraits of the world through which Nathaniel Kleitman, an influential scientist working on sleep, moved. But the story soon picks up. It roams (漫步) from the discovery of rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep to the effects of sleep shortage.

One section even describes a modern quantitative research of circadian-rhythm — the biological clocks that govern human’s days — that took place in a purpose — built facility in a Bavarian village. The lab sported two apartments, with no window or clocks to clue their subjects into what was happening outside. Test subjects lived there for weeks, free to wake and sleep whenever they liked — but never free from the thermometers (体温计) that were attached to the wall by long electric lines.

There is a serious side, too. Shift work interferes with the body’s internal clocks and raises the risk of illness. Mr. Miller also explains the slow recognition of sleep apnoea, a common sleep disorder, and the damage it can cause.

Discoveries often lead to new questions in turn. That is why neat, tidy endings are hard to achieve in science books. Despite all the progress of the past 50 years, scientists are still unsure what sleep is for. The fact that it is so widespread suggests it is vital. But why evolution would see it fit to produce animals that must spend large amounts of their time unable to respond to threats is still a mystery researchers are trying to solve. For anyone curious about asking the right questions, however, Mr. Miller’s book is a good place to start.

1. What can readers expect to read at the start of the book?

A．The development of sleep research.

B．The discovery of rapid-eye-movement.

C．The influence of Kleitman’s research.

D．The account of Kleitman’s life experiences.

2. What do we know about the subjects in the experiment according to Paragraph 3?

A．They lived in a modern sports lab.

B．They could do whatever they liked.

C．They had to take their temperature every day.

D．They were cut off from the outside world.

3. What does the underlined phrase “interferes with” in Paragraph 4 mean?

A．Enhances.

B．Disturbs.

C．Generates.

D．Transforms.

4. The book is suitable for you if you want to know ________.

A．why evolution favors a good sleep

B．what threats sleep poses to animals

C．where sleep research is heading for

D．how scientists solve sleep disorders