1 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. How was the weather yesterday?

A．Cloudy.

B．Rainy.

C．Sunny.

2. Why can’t people enter the town hall?

A．It is under repair.

B．It is too old to be safe.

C．It is open for staff only.

3. What can people do in the park?

A．Play tennis.

B．Watch birds.

C．Swim in the lake.

4. Which place is near the river?

A．A cafe.

B．A market.

C．A restaurant.

2 . Four Travel Destinations for Nature Lovers

Oulanka National Park, Finland

In Lapland, in northern Finland, there are hotel rooms, and other accommodation options that were specially designed for enjoying the spectacular colorful natural light show known as the Aurora (极光) Borealis. Oulanka National Park is just one great spot in this region for viewing the dancing lights during the aurora sighting season, which falls in October and November as well as March and April.

Batibou Beach, Dominica

Known as “The Nature Island of the Caribbean”, Dominica is an obvious choice for those who want to get back to nature. It has an incredibly green landscape that includes volcanic hot springs, natural mud baths, countless rivers and waterfalls, unspoiled rain forest, and refreshing natural swimming holes. On Black Sand Beach, you can even visit a leatherback, hawksbill, and green turtle reserve.

Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland

With a long list of outdoor adventures, Gros Morne offers striking natural beauty in western Newfoundland. This national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site stretches across nearly 700 square miles as part of the Long Range Mountains. Encircled by tiny seaside communities, it features thick forests, freshwater fjords (峡湾) , dramatic cliffs (悬崖) . Hiking, camping, and boating are all popular here.

The Baths, Virgin Gorda

Famous for The Baths, a geological wonder on the north shore made up of giant granite boulders (花岗岩巨石) that form sheltered sea pools on the beach's edge, it seems as if it was perfectly made for a relaxing swim in the water. The protected area also includes Devil's Bay, ideal for swimming and diving.

1. When is the best time to visit Oulanka National Park to see dancing lights?

A．From May to July.	B．From March to April.
C．From October to December.	D．From December to February.

2. What is Batibou Beach known for?

A．Its tiny seaside communities.	B．Its colorful natural light show.
C．Its thick forests and freshwater fjords.	D．Its volcanic hot springs and mud baths.

3. Which will you choose if you want to visit Devil's Bay?

A．Oulanka National Park.	B．Batibou Beach.
C．Gros Morne National Park.	D．The Baths.

3 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What does the man want to do?

A．Listen to classical music.

B．Work with more students.

C．Mix different music styles.

2. What is the woman’s favorite part of the project?

A．Holding a live concert.

B．Having a large audience.

C．Attending an online show.

3. Who is good at drums?

A．A Chinese girl.

B．An English boy.

C．A Brazilian boy.

4. What chance does the project offer students?

A．Running a workshop.

B．Learning from music experts.

C．Performing in different countries.

4 . The Enchanting Scenery of Zhangjiajie

Located in China’s Hunan province, Zhangjiajie offers a unique and breathtaking landscape with nature’s unbound creativity. This region, famous for its rock formations and deep gorges (峡谷), is a popular destination for travelers to see the nature’s wonders.

Tianmen Mountain

Tianmen Mountain, the tallest peak in Zhangjiajie, stands tall at 1,518 meters. Its most famous Tianmen Cave, a natural arch which spans over 100 meters wide, offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains. There is also a challenging glass walkway, offering visitors a thrilling walk above the clouds.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

This park is a shelter for nature lovers, with over 2,400 species of plants and animals. Its highlights include the “Avatar” Hallelujah Mountains, which were a filming location for the popular movie “Avatar”. The park’s hiking trails offer visitors the chance to explore its thick forests and breathtaking valleys.

Huangshi Village

Known for its traditional Tujia architecture, Huangshi Village offers a look into the rich cultural heritage of the local community. Visitors can enjoy the village’s peaceful atmosphere, admire the unique stone houses, and taste the delicious local cuisine.

Baofeng Lake

This beautiful lake, surrounded by lush green hills, offers a peaceful escape. Boating on the lake, one can appreciate the reflections of the surrounding mountains, creating a picture-perfect scene.

1. Which of the following is NOT a feature of Tianmen Mountain?

A．It is the tallest peak in Zhangjiajie.

B．Its glass walkway gives visitors a thrilling walk.

C．It is famous for its flat and plain landscape.

D．A natural arch called Tianmen Cave is the most famous.

2. Where was the movie “Avatar” filmed?

A．Tianmen Mountain.	B．Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.
C．Huangshi Village.	D．Baofeng Lake.

3. What can visitors experience in Huangshi Village?

A．The beautiful lakes and green hills.	B．The traditional architecture and cuisine.
C．Various species of plants and animals.	D．The uniqueness of its rocks and mountains.

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。

Shecna Southall, a 22-year-old student, was eager to test her limit when she agreed     1     (appear) on a TV show. It has been described as one of the most interesting     2     (show) in the world.

She saw an advertisement,     3     said, “Do you want to make some quick cash and do you want to travel?” She talked to     4     (her), “Why don’t I have a try? I’m always looking for an opportunity to test myself.” So, she applied for the job, went for an interview,     5     got it. At the interview, she explained how she was prepared for any challenges. Then, just as she was leaving     6     Singapore, she found out that she was going to become a skyscraper (摩天大楼) window cleaner.

The job was     7     (challenge). She had to pull herself up and down, carrying heavy water buckets (桶). If she didn’t clean the windows     8     (proper), they would tell her to go back and do it again. But she admits the experience has changed her. After she got back from Singapore, she finished her studies and     9     (graduate). She started hunting for a job that would be both exciting and tough. Shecna says, “Nothing will ever be as exciting and scary as that     10     (one) day of cleaning windows up in the air. But if you don’t face your fears and accept what life offers you, how will you know what you are capable of? It’s been the best experience of my life so far.”

7 . The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Grain Buds (小满), the 8th solar term of a year, begins on May 21 this year, and ends on June 5. It means that the seeds from the grain are becoming full but are not ripe. Let’s see what we can do during the “Grain Buds” period.

Eating herb of common sow thistle

Grain Buds is a season for eating the herb of the common sow thistle, which is one of the earliest edible potherbs in China. It tastes a little bitter, but also sweet. People in Ningxia Hui autonomous region like to eat it mixed with salt, vinegar, peppers or garlic. It tastes delicious and helps people feel refreshed. Some people boil the herb with water and then squeeze out the juice, which can be used to make soup.

Key period for flower management

This time is a good period of the quick growth of flowers. It is also a season when plant diseases and pests are at an all-time high, which makes caring for your garden even more critical. Flowers need a lot of water and extra care to stay healthy. Weeding should be done as they grow quickly and have to be extirpated in order to keep the soil loose and from competing with the flowers for nutrients.

Celebrating silkworm deity birthday

Silkworm rearing is a traditional byproduct for people in regions south of the Yangtze River. People in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces regard this season as the birthday of the silkworm deity. Those who engage in the silk industry thank the deity by offering sacrifices and staging performances. They pray to the deity for blessings and a boom season for the silk business.

1. Which of the following is true about Grain Buds?

A．It is seen as the birthday of the flower deity.

B．It is an essential period to tend to the garden.

C．It means that the seeds from the grain are mature.

D．It begins on May 21 this year, and ends on July 5.

2. People in the silk industry tend to ______ during the Grain Buds.

A．offer sacrifices to ancestors	B．pray for a close season
C．learn to count their blessings	D．give shows to thank the deity

3. In which column of a newspaper can we read the article?

A．Entertainment.

B．Economics.

C．Politics.

D．Culture.

8 . My four-year-old son, Will, suffered from autism spectrum disorder (自闭症). And he went through many hours in _________ , helping him to overcome many challenges he faced.

One summer afternoon, with a bucket (桶), Will and I were walking along the _________ to search for shells. After a while, I _________ the bucket and discovered nearly all the shells were broken in it. “Will, these shells are broken and _________. You need to find shells like this.” I said gently as I held up a _________ shaped shell. Will gave me a(n) _________ look, as if he failed to understand me. He continued to   _________ imperfect shells he liked and drop them into the bucket.

“Will, why do you keep on _________ our bucket with broken shells?” This time I asked in a serious voice. He looked up at me and said, “Mom, though these shells are broken, they are still beautiful.” Then he _________ his little hand into the bucket and pulled out different shells, commenting on their __________.

“Mom, this one looks like a smile when you hold it this way. ” He showed a broken shell and explained. “It __________ me of a clown. That one is round like the sun, and these are stuck together like butterflies.” He took great pride in his __________.

My eyes were full of tears as I __________ my son was teaching me a valuable lesson. Silently, I __________ the few perfect shells I had collected and returned them to the beach. We are all broken in some way, but we can find __________ in our imperfection.

1.

A．experiments

B．foods

C．exercises

D．treatments

2.

A．river

B．lake

C．beach

D．stream

3.

A．threw away

B．looked into

C．left behind

D．turned over

4.

A．unpleasant

B．unusual

C．colorless

D．useless

5.

A．sharply

B．clearly

C．perfectly

D．commonly

6.

A．puzzled

B．delighted

C．discouraged

D．embarrassed

7.

A．gather

B．reject

C．count

D．spread

8.

A．covering

B．decorating

C．preparing

D．filling

9.

A．pushed

B．reached

C．buried

D．moved

10.

A．uniquenesses

B．styles

C．symbols

D．qualities

11.

A．informs

B．persuades

C．reminds

D．warns

12.

A．observation

B．performance

C．adventure

D．expression

13.

A．agreed

B．realized

C．pretended

D．decided

14.

A．relieved

B．removed

C．examined

D．saved

15.

A．wisdom

B．power

C．wealth

D．beauty

9 . Why do farmers grow crops outside in fields when we can arrange them vertically (垂直地)? The idea of vertical farming was first proposed in 1999. It was seen as a way to save space, reduce air miles and transform old and abandoned buildings, like warehouses. In 2021, Fortune Business Insights valued the global vertical farming market at 3.47 billion dollars. Now, however, this industry is under threat, partly due to rising energy costs.

According to the magazine Science Focus, vertical farming gives ten times the yield (产量) of conventional outdoor farming. However, in order for crops to grow using this method, plants are placed in a controlled environment, grown not under the Sun, but under LED lights and watered with recycled water pumped on a closed-loop system (闭环系统).

Unfortunately, energy prices have risen across the globe. Therefore, this reliance on electricity has meant the last few years have not been easy for the industry. Cindy van Rijswick, from the Dutch research firm RaboResearch, has estimated that operational costs for a vertical farm are around 15% higher now compared to 18 months ago. Infarm, Europe’s largest vertical farming company, made around500 employees redundant (被裁员的) in November 2022 because they needed to downsize. They blamed higher operating costs due to energy increases as one reason for the layoffs.

Another issue related to the cost-of -living crisis and affecting vertical farming is the type of produce grown. This includes herbs such as basil, as well as salad leaves and leafy greens. Compared to traditionally farmed plants, like onions and carrots, these products tend to be more expensive, which could lead to reduced demand as consumers become more cautious about their spending.

So, it seems that a future with food grown under LED lights is looking less and less bright.

1. What is the feature of vertical farming?

A．Saving urban land and achieving zero emissions.

B．Demanding highly technical and complex control.

C．High energy consumption and low output value.

D．Making full use of sunlight and water resources.

2. How does the author develop his idea in Paragraph 3?

A．By making assumptions.

B．By criticizing a typical behaviour.

C．By listing specific data and facts.

D．By referring to a social phenomenon.

3. What can we infer from the text?

A．Vertical farming avoids climate and disaster impacts.

B．Vertical farming costs jumped due to higher energy prices.

C．Vertical farming grows high-value, cost-effective produce.

D．High yield protects vertical farming from market competition.

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

A．Is This the End of Vertical Farming?	B．Is Vertical Farming Highly Efficient?
C．Challenges Industrial Agriculture Faces	D．New Trends in Vertical Agriculture

10 . One day I typed into ChatGPT all about my upset feelings and it instantly responded, offering a list of practical advice. Nowadays millions of people are already turning to ChatGPT and specialist therapy (治疗) chatbots for convenient and inexpensive mental health support.

Some experts say this is a boon. After all, AI, undisturbed by embarrassment and burnout, might be able to express empathy (同理心) more openly and tirelessly than humans. But others worry about the consequences of people seeking emotional support from machines that can only pretend to care. Some even wonder if the rise of so-called empathetic AI might change the way we interact with one another. Indeed, empathy is one of our species’ defining qualities, developing as it did in pace with social interaction.

One recent analysis about empathy looked at 52 studies published between 1980 and 2019, which shows that the empathiser must first be able to recognize how the other person is feeling. They must also be affected by those emotions and differentiate between themselves and the other person, grasping that the other person’s feelings aren’t their own while still being able to imagine their experience.

On the first point, in recent years, AI-powered chatbots have made progress in their ability to read human emotions, most powered by large language models (LLMs) that work by predicting which words are most likely to appear together based on training data. In this way, LLMs like ChatGPT can seemingly identify our feelings and respond appropriately most of the time. But when it comes to the other criteria, AI still misses the mark in many ways. Empathy is interpersonal, with continued feedback helping to perfect the empathiser’s response, which also requires some degree of intuitive (直觉的) awareness of an individual and their situation.

All of this helps to explain conversations like the ones I had with ChatGPT. At the end of the day, despite talking to multiple chatbots online, I did what I knew I had to do all along: I picked up my phone and called a friend.

1. What does the underlined word “boon” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Trap.

B．Prize.

C．Blessing.

D．Challenge.

2. What does the recent analysis show about empathy?

A．It calls for clear communication.	B．It starts with emotion identification.
C．It rules out individual difference.	D．It depends on rich imagination.

3. What can AI do according to paragraph 4?

A．Provide data-driven feedback.	B．Recognize one’s real desire.
C．Update large language models.	D．Predict one’s behavior by intuition.

4. What does the author think of ChatGPT?

A．Its development should be sped up.

B．Its intelligence is winning more favor.

C．Its application should be strictly managed.

D．Its artificial kindness is no match for humans’.