1 . If you’ve scrolled through your Facebook feed recently, you may have noticed something surprising: lots and lots of short videos.

What makes this “Reels” feature strange is that it is hugely addictive, which I know quite well from my own personal experience. Last Friday, I took a break and hit on one short clip of someone making dinner and, well, the next time I looked up it was 20 minutes later and the blank document on my computer monitor was confirming to me that my work was still not done.

However, as silly as it seems, Reels-is actually super important, and is at the centre of a major battle between the world’s largest tech firms. The format (格式) was first pioneered by TikTok-the Chinese-owned video app that has taken the world by storm since it launched in 2016. Today, TikTok has around 23 million UK users every month-including basically every person you know under the age of 25. And that fact has made Facebook and its parent company, Meta, very nervous indeed. As TikTok has continued to boom, Facebook has actually fallen in popularity among “Gen Z”. The reason Tik Tok has proven such a powerful challenger to Facebook’s social media dominance is almost entirely down to these sorts of short-form videos.

The format is almost perfectly optimised to be as addictive as possible: Tik Tok’s app shows you a short-form video, and if you don’t like it, you can simply swipe it away and another one will start playing instantly. And because it is portrait, not landscape, videos look “right” when viewed on your phone. What’s also smart is that TikTok’s algorithm (算法) picks videos for you based on what you actually watch, and not what you say you want.

Facebook isn’t the only app trying to do what TikTok does so well. Instagram, which is owned by Facebook’s parent company Meta, has integrated Reels even more aggressively into its app. And even Google is nervous, launching its own TikTok-style video section of YouTube(which it owns)a couple of years ago. As things stand, though TikTok currently maintains a healthy lead in the category, both YouTube and Facebook have deep pockets-so expect to see even more Reels and Shorts popping up in your feed as this intense battle continues to rage. You won’t be able to take your eyes off them.

1. Why did the author mention his own experience in paragraph 2?

A．To illustrate the feature of short videos.

B．To stress the importance of short videos.

C．To prove his preference to short videos.

D．To introduce the functions of short videos.

2. What do we know about TikTok according to the passage?

A．It has shown the trend of the fall in popularity among “Gen Z”.

B．It is perceived as a potential threat to Facebook’s social media dominance.

C．Its number of registered UK users has reached 23 million since it launched in 2016.

D．It underestimates the essential role of short videos in competition with large tech firms.

3. What makes the short videos on TikTok App so popular?

A．The beautiful visual effects.

B．The high video quality.

C．The random recommendation.

D．The quick switch between videos.

4. What is the message conveyed in the last paragraph?

A．The short videos have a profound impact on our daily life.

B．TikTok seems to be losing its advantage over short videos in the short run.

C．YouTube and Facebook may encounter financial difficulties in developing Shorts.

D．A growing number of tech firms have engaged in fierce competition for the short video market.

3 .

Take Off with Historic Hiring Growth

A message from Kate Gebo

Welcome aboard!

We are so happy to have you fly with us. I’m sure you’ve thought about United as a way to travel, and with over 95,000 employees and growing, our company is also the center for rewarding careers.

I could not be prouder to lead Human Resources at United during this exciting time for our company, while we’re building the biggest and best airline in the history of aviation. Earlier this year, we announced that we are on track to hire at least 15,000 new employees by the end of this year.

When people think of career opportunities at United, they often think of being a pilot or flight attendant. In reality, our organization has a wide variety of roles in addition to our fantastic pilots and flight attendants, with jobs and functions to keep our airports running and our planes flying.   

Whether it’s for operational roles, such as ramp service employees, customer service representatives, and aircraft technicians, or for corporate roles in human resources, digital technology, and social media, we’re hiring across every function of the airline, seeking strong talent that will take us to new heights.

A role at United is not just a job; it’s a career. Many of our employees have taken on new roles in different departments throughout their tenure (聘用期), which we support to develop and invest in our workforce. In the past seven years, more than 1,500 frontline employees were promoted to management roles, and 78 % of our senior leaders were promoted internally.

Beyond the traditional career paths, we’re proud to create new paths to help our talent pipelines fulfill some of the industry’s most critical job functions. Aviate, our pilot career development program, offers aspiring and established pilots a path to the United flight deck. Calibrate is our full-time, paid apprenticeship program for those wanting to go into aircraft maintenance and other technical operational roles. Our newly launched Innovate program helps provide the skills and experiences needed to succeed in a technology career at United.

We’re hiring from coast to coast, at our seven major hubs and across a broad range of positions. If you’re ready to join me and 95,000 of the industry’s best and brightest at United, I encourage you to visit careers.united.com today to see what opportunities await you. Your career is cleared for takeoff.

United with you,

Kate Gebo

Executive Vice President,

Human Resources and Labor Relations

1. What is the main purpose of this passage?

A．Guarantee to provide first-class customer service.

B．Promote frontline employees to management roles.

C．Introduce jobs available in some departments of United.

D．Advertise for United to enroll pilots and flight attendants.

2. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A．Visit careers.united.com, and you can see positions available.

B．Employees at United can change their jobs with interest.

C．Employees have to keep their positions throughout their tenure.

D．The United is making efforts to be the biggest and best airline.

3. Which is most suitable for those wanting to be technicians?

A．The full-time, paid apprenticeship program.	B．The traditional United career path.
C．The newly launched Innovate program.	D．The new paths for talent pipelines.

4 .

New big pack from Sierra Designs The latest pack from Sierra Designs is the Gigawatt 60L. The pack has an adjustable back system that fits back lengths from 40cm to 53cm. It’s made from durable 300D polyester. Features include a zipped top and side access, oversized side and front pockets. The Gigawatt 60L weighs 1.84kg and costs £130. sierradesigns.com

Scarpa upgrades its Maestrale boots Maestrale Re-Made ski boots are made from Polymer taken from around three tons of leftover materials. Creating a Re-Made boot from Polymer emits 27% less carbon dioxide than creating a “classic” boot from plant-based Pebax Rnew, which emits 32% less carbon dioxide than Fossil-based Plastics. The design and manufacturing process behind the Re-Made boot were developed by Scarpa’s Green Lab, the production department dedicated to sustainable solutions. A pair costs £500. scarpa.co.uk / ellis-brigham.com

Vasque Breeze gets sustainable update The well-established Vasque Breeze hiking boot has been modernised with environmentally friendly materials. It’s now made with recycled polyester and is the first boot to have a VasqueDry Waterproof membrane, which is made from 25% recycled materials. The Breeze is also comfortable to wear with its soft footbed. The Breeze weighs 1120 grams and comes in two widths. It costs £140. vasque.com

The North Face launches new ski touring clothing The Dawn Turn clothing provides a layering system for ski touring designed to keep you warm, dry and freely moving. It includes a shell jacket, midlayers, trousers and accessories. The Dawn Turn 2.0 jacket won the innovation award at ISPO for its breathable layer. The cost is £350. The Dawn Turn 1.0 Jacket is made from waterproof DryVent. It features a windproof hood and oversized front pockets, and costs £325. thenorthface.co.uk

1. The target readers of the passage are probably ______________.

A．The ski athletes	B．The outdoor lovers
C．The environmentalists	D．The sports retailers

2. Which of the following statement is TRUE according to the passage?

A．Both kinds of boots mentioned in the passage have two different widths.

B．The latest big pack from Sierra Designs has a fixed back system.

C．The Vasque Breeze hiking boot is both eco-friendly and waterproof.

D．The Dawn Turn 1.0 Jacket won the innovation award at ISPO.

3. In the boots production, which order is correct based on the carbon emissions of the materials?

A．Polymer > Pebax Renew >Fossil-based Plastics

B．Fossil-based Plastics > Pebax Renew > Polymer

C．Fossil-based Plastics > Polymer >Pebax Renew

D．Polymer >Fossil-based Plastics >Pebax Renew

5 . Of Special Interest to Freshman

Freshman Seminars are small classes just for freshmen, with some of York’s most distinguished faculty members. Some seminars provide an introduction to a particular field of study; others take an interdisciplinary (跨学科的) approach to a variety of topics. All seminars provided a friendly environment for developing relationships with faculty members and peers.	STARS (Science, Technology, and Research Scholars) provides undergraduates of every year with an opportunity to combine research, course-based study, and development of mentorship skills. The program offers research opportunities and support to students historically underrepresented in the fields of natural science and quantitative reasoning, such as racial and ethnic minorities, women, and the physically challenged. More than 100 students each year participate in STARS, during the academic year or over the summer months.
Directed Studies is a selective freshman interdisciplinary program focusing on Western civilization that includes three yearlong courses —literature, philosophy, and historical and political thought — in which students read the foundational works of the Western tradition.	Perspectives on Science and Engineering is a lecture and discussion course for about 75 selected freshmen who have exceptionally strong backgrounds in science or mathematics. The yearlong course explores a broad range of topics, exposes students to questions at the frontiers of science, and connects the first-year students to York’s Scientific community.
Academic Advising is a collective effort by the residential colleges, academic departments and various offices connected to York University Dean’s office. Students’ primary academic advisors are their residential college deans, to whom they may always turn for academic and personal advice. The deans live in residential colleges and supervise the advising networks in the college. Students also have a freshman advisor who is a York faculty member or administrator affiliated with their advisees’ residential college. Each academic department has a director of undergraduate studies (DUS) who can discuss with students the department’s course offerings and requirements for majors.	Science and Engineering Undergraduate Research York is one of the world’s foremost research universities. Independent engineering research and design projects and scientific research are an essential part of undergraduate science education at York. Science students can begin conducting original research as early as the freshman year. Ninety-five percent of undergraduate science majors engaged in research with faculty mentors.

1. An African female freshman seeking opportunities of research is most likely to choose _____.

A．Freshman Seminars	B．Directed Studies
C．STARS	D．Perspectives on Science and Engineering

2. In which program may the science majors be guided to read Shakespeare’s works?

A．Academic Advising.

B．Directed Studies.

C．STARS.

D．Freshman Seminars.

3. Which freshman may have priority to attend Perspectives on Science and Engineering?

A．The one who has already got a novel published.

B．A medalist of the International Mathematical Olympiad.

C．The one who has designed an original engineering project.

D．An applicant for York’s Scientific Community.

4. Which of the following is TRUE about the residential colleges?

A．Deans of most academic departments live with students there.

B．Directors of undergraduate studies of most majors work together there.

C．The college deans serve as the principal figures in an advising network.

D．The college deans engage in scientific research with selected freshmen.

6 . Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. present        B. features        C. concerned        D. reportedly        E. commercial             F. stretches       G. overwhelming H. exceptionally        I. routinely        J. spared             K. broadcasts

Modern media is awash in advertising clutter(杂乱), and who’s to blame? Modern audiences that hate conventional full-length and full-size ads.

Today’s consumers don’t like to pay for content, which ought to create a rich environment for advertisers. Yet these same consumers are prone to click or turn away when a conventional ad appears. The result is ad clutter.

YouTube     1    a combination of full-length ads, skippable ads, lower-screen banners and display ads on the page alongside each video. Newspapers that once considered the front page important now     2    run ads there.

Advertisers integrate plugs(推销) into content to frustrate digital video recorders, which allow viewers to watch programs on a delay and skip regular commercials. If you watch regional telecasts of baseball games, the commercial clutter is so     3    . Ads are visible on the stadium wall behind the home-plate umpire(裁判). On-screen graphics include sponsor logos. And everything is a paid plug--“This call to the coach’s zone is brought to you by Verizon.”

According to the showbiz paper Variety, several streaming services are about to introduce a new twist: commercials that start running whenever a viewer pauses a program. Hulu intends to launch such ads this year. AT&T’s DirecTV and U-verse units will     4    use similar technology to trigger full-motion commercials whenever a viewer tries to take a break.

There’s a lot at stake. According to Variety, National Football League(NFL) TV broadcasts generate an estimated $4.35 billion in ad revenue during the 17-week regular season. NFL     5    are now loaded with mini commercials that pop up when there is a brief pause in the action, often in “double boxes” that show a view of the field in one frame and a(n)    6    in the other.

Interestingly, with no “screen” to work with, radio is one medium that has tried for some time to buck the trend. Many commercial stations trade clutter for clusters--that is, a solid block of commercials running five minutes or more, followed by lengthy commercial-free     7    of time.

But wherever a screen is involved, or a printed page, ad clutter is     8    everywhere. Programmers and advertisers can’t really be expected to limit this; it’s a fact of business. Consumers, on the other hand, can opt for commercial-free content--if they’re willing to pay for it.

But getting limitless content without paying while also being     9    heavy advertising intrusions is impossible. As media environment is permanently cluttered, audiences should be     10    with what they wish for.

7 .

TECHNOLOGY SIMPLIFIED— BIGGER AND BETTER
WOW COMPUTER! Easy to read. Easy to see. Easy to use. Just plug it in!
“I love this computer! It is easy to read and to use! I get photo updates from my children and grandchildren all the time.” – Janet F.	NEW Now comes with … Enhanced Video Chat Faster Email Larger 22-inch hi-resolution screen—easier to see 16% more viewing area Simple navigation—so you never get lost Intel® processor— lightning fast Computer is in the monitor— No bulky tower Text to Speech translation— it can even read your emails to you! U.S. Based Customer Service
Have you ever said to yourself“I’d love to get a computer, if only I could figure out how to use it.”Well, you’re not alone. Computers were supposed to make our lives simpler, but they’ve gotten so complicated that they are not worth the trouble. If this sounds familiar, we have great news for you. There is finally a computer that’s designed for simplicity and ease of use. It’s the WOW Computer, and it was designed with you in mind. From the moment you open the box, you’ll realize how different the WOW Computer is. The components are all connected; all you do is plug it into an outlet and your high-speed Internet connection. Then you’ll see the screen— it’s now 22 inches. This is a completely new touch screen system. The “buttons” on the screen are easy to see and easy to understand. All you do is touch one of them, from the Web, Email, Calendar to Games—you name it ... and a new screen opens up. Call now, and you’ll find out why tens of thousands of satisfied seniors are now enjoying their WOW Computers, emailing their grandchildren, and experiencing everything the Internet has to offer. Call today! • Send & Receive Emails • Have video chats with family and friends • Surf the Internet: Get current weather and news • Play games Online: Hundreds to choose from! Call now toll free and find out how you can get the new WOW! Computer. Mention promotional code 117238 for introductory pricing. 1-888-864-0512
	FREE Automatic Software Updates

1. By   “…,   and it was   designed with you   in   mind”, the writer most probably means that the WOW Computer is ______.

A．designed by seniors with great minds

B．designed for seniors without enough brains

C．tailored specially to the elderly’s needs

D．made to ease the elderly’s financial burdens

2. Mary, a 77-year-old lady with poor eye-sight, decides to buy a WOW Computer most probably for all the reasons except that ______.

A．it can even read emails to the users

B．it has a 22-inch hi-resolution screen

C．it has hundreds of online games to choose from

D．its buttons are easy to see and understand

3. Which of the following is the selling point of the WOW Computer?

A．Low-charge Software updates.	B．No put-together task.
C．Lightning-fast Microsoft processors.	D．Discounted introductory price.

8 . If you want to learn something new in your spare time, there are some choices for you.

AR Workshop

615-258-5569 | arworkshop.com/nashville

AR Workshop is a DIY studio that offers hands-on classes for decorating home from raw materials. Join an instructor-led workshop where you can make wood signs, framed signs, round signs, centerpiece boxes and more! AR Workshop will help you take your home decoration to the next level and have fun while creating it!

Artistic Elements Dance

615- 472-9471 | artisticelementsdance.com

Artistic Elements’ aim is to develop dancers with excellent, professional technique, humble character and team spirit. We offer Beginner to Pre-Professional Level Classes to dancers from 18 months to adults in the styles of ballet, jazz, musical theatre, hip hop and more! Our experienced teachers all well-trained are willing to share the love of dance with each student who walks through our doors and ensure our dancers train safely in a positive environment. In addition to group classes, Artistic Elements offers private lessons, open master classes and birthday parties.

Melody Music Studios

615-510-3798| melodymusicstudios.com| musiclessonsnashvilletn. asp Melody Music Studios offers exciting music and voice lessons, in the student’s home or the instructor’s personal studio. We offer all styles, traditional and/or by ear, in a fun and positive environment. There’s a grace period (宽限期) of three business days to cancel after the trial lesson (试课), and if you’re not satisfied, it’s FREE! So you have nothing to lose to sign up today!

My Gym of Brentwoo

615-371-5437| mygym.com/brentwood

My Gym is the expert in children’s fitness. It has good programs and facilities designed to help children 6 weeks through 13 years of age develop physically and mentally. Our structured, age-appropriate, weekly classes include music dance, games, special rides, gymnastics, sports and more. Children have loads of fun as they gain strength, balance, coordination and flexibility while developing social skills and confidence.

1. If Mary wants to make her new home more beautiful, which one suits her best?

A．Melody Music Studios.	B．My Gym of Brentwood.
C．AR Workshop.	D．Artistic Elements Dance.

2. What do you know about Artistic Elements Dance?

A．It provides various courses for dancers of all ages.

B．Its teachers can give professional training to learners.

C．It provides summer and winter camps for dance lovers.

D．It only focuses on developing dancers’ professional dancing skills.

3. After taking part in the trial class of Melody Music Studios, you       .

A．must pay for it

B．must take the courses

C．can call off the class at any time free

D．have right to decide whether to continue

4. Who will probably go to My Gym of My Brentwood?

A．Tom, a 6-month old boy, was born with a weak heart.

B．Mark, a 12-year-old student, wants to get stronger.

C．Tony, a 31-year-old teacher, likes to build up his body.

D．John, a 65-year-old retired man, wants to kill his spare time.

5. This passage most likely comes from      .

A．an advertisement	B．an art show review
C．an exhibition guide	D．a school announcement

9 . Fancy earning rewards for giving your opinions? Norstat is offering exactly that.

What are you going to do?

Participate in surveys whenever you want and get rewarded for expressing your opinions. By participating in Norstatpanel surveys, you get to influence the products and services of the future. This part-time job is completely flexible, and an excellent way to earn money.

How does it work?

Each survey will only take between 5~20 minutes. It is completely free to sign up, and up to you which surveys you would like to do. You will be rewarded for each completed survey and as you respond to more surveys, you unlock new benefits and receive more rewards! Complete your profile survey to be in with a chance of winning a ＄20 Amazon voucher (代金券).

What do we offer?

Completing surveys will earn you coins, which you can choose to spend in different ways.

You live by the motto “cash is king”? No problem! You can spend your coins on a universal gift card that can be used at hundreds of different stores! You can also use your coins as a donation towards forest planting.

What do we ask?

·No education background is required.

·Don’t be afraid to give your honest opinion. There’re no incorrect answers.

·You have access to the internet, a mobile phone or computer.

·You live in the UK.

·No experience is required.

Are you the perfect candidate? Click “apply now”!

1. What will you do in the job?

A．Sign up with little cost.	B．Collect surveys.
C．Design better products.	D．Give your opinions.

2. Which is a must for the job?

A．A mobile phone.	B．A UK residence.
C．Related experience.	D．College education.

3. Where can you probably read this passage?

A．On a website.	B．In a magazine.
C．In a travel guide.	D．On a notice board.

10 . Things change fast, and we are here to help you keep up to date with the ever-changing policies around China’s COVID-19 prevention. Here are the latest policies released on June 3 for departing to and from Hainan.

As we all know, things are always in a state of flux when it comes to these rules and regulations, so we still suggest you check with your airlines or the transport authority before departing to make sure there are no new policies.

Medium and High-Risk Areas

If you have any history of visiting a medium or high-risk area within 14 days, seven-day concentrated isolation is mandatory and you must take a COVID-19 test on the first, second, third, fifth, and seventh days.

After quarantine and a negative test result, you must observe home health monitoring for another three days. On the 10th day after your arrival in Hainan, another test will be taken using the “double testing, double sampling” method.

General Infected Areas

If you plan to enter Hainan from or have visited a general infected area within 14 days, starting from the day of departure from that area, you must provide two negative COVID-19 tests within 48 hours, and each test must be more than 24 hours apart.

Criteria for two negative COVID-19 test reports within 48 hours:

●The report must be within the 48-hour of the planned departure time.

●The time of the COVID-19 test is based on when the sample was taken. If the time cannot be determined, it will default to six hours before the time of the report.

●The second COVID-19 test must take place 24 hours after the first test. If the second test is taken between 20-24 hours from the first test, another free test will be administered at the customs gate when arriving in Hainan, and you can leave after the sample is taken.

●If the second COVID-19 test is done in less than 20 hours you will not be able to depart to Hainan. If there is no specific sampling time on the reports, but they are dated a day apart, you will need to take the free test on arrival in Hainan provided by customs.

Unable to provide two negative test results within 48 hours and not from general infected area...

If you can provide one negative COVID-19 test result within 48 hours, you will be required to take a test upon arrival in Hainan. After the test, you will wait for your results in a centralized waiting area. If the results are negative, you only need to self monitor for 14 days.

If you cannot provide a COVID-19 test result within 48 hours, you will also need to take a test upon arrival and wait in a centralized waiting area for your results. If it is negative, you are free to go, but you must take another test after 24 hours. After a second negative result, you are required to self-monitor for 14 days.

Children three years old or younger will fall under their parents’ COVID-19 tests reports.

Tips

1. Apply for the Hainan health code or State Council health code at least one day before you travel. Confirm the green code, and travel according to the requirements of the destination prevention policy-if you experience health code abnormalities or fail to meet the requirements of the destination’s policies and your trip is affected, you bear the responsibility.

2. Passengers leaving Hainan with a fever and other symptoms can only travel with a fever clinic record and negative COVID-19 test results and a green Hainan Health Code or green State Council Health Code. otherwise, boarding will not be allowed.

While there are many different requirements, as long as you stay up to date, get your tests and make sure you’re prepared, you can be lounging in the sun, sipping tropical drinks and enjoying delicious seafood in Hainan!

1. According to the article, which of the following is NOT included in the suggestions for prospective travellers to Hainan?

A．Apply for the Hainan health code or State Council health code

B．Avoid taking children younger than three years old

C．Have the negative test results prepared before departure

D．Consult with airlines or transport authority for the latest policies

2. If you are heading for Hainan from a general infected area with two negative COVID-19 test reports, whose sampling time was respectively 46 hours and 21 hours before departure, you will ________.

A．be required to take another free test	B．be forbidden to go through customs
C．be sent to concentrated isolation immediately	D．be allowed to enter the city directly

3. Who will be most interested in reading this guide?

A．A local resident in Hainan planning to soak up the sun on beach

B．A pilot scheduled to fly the plane to Hainan from Shanghai

C．A student taking an English test in the High-Risk Area

D．A father in Zhejiang considering taking family to vacation in Hainan