1 . What to Say to Someone Who Is Hard on Their Body

What should you say or do when your friends start criticizing how they look? How can you effectively respond to your friends who are always too hard on their body? The following tips may save you from embarrassment.

Don’t reject their complaints

When you hear your friends criticizing themselves, your immediate response may be to tell them they’re wrong.     1    . Actually it could easily seem like you’re ignoring their concerns, which could do more harm than good.

    2    

While praises about their external beauty are great, insincere ones are generally easy to see through. So don’t overstate it by telling your friends they’re the most beautiful person on the planet.     3    . If admiration about physical appearance comes too often, they’ll strengthen the belief that appearance matters hugely.

Acknowledge their talents

Trying to help your friends focus attention on things they love about their appearance is a worthy goal. But even better is helping them see how great they are outside of how they look. For example, express your appreciation for their athletic ability, incredible cooking skills and so on.     4    .

Help them rediscover what their body can do

Try to help your friends reconnect with how awesome their body is for what it can do. What should you do?     5    . Stick with an option like yoga or Pilates that requires developing a more sensitive awareness. This could help your friends realize there’s more to their body than just the way it looks.

A．Avoid high frequency of praises as well

B．This may seem like the right thing to do

C．They’ll probably stop expressing themselves

D．Be careful of exaggerated evaluation on their looks

E．These praises can help them identify their advantages

F．You can offer to join a sports team or mind-body fitness class together

G．Remind them that the perfect images they see in the media aren’t real

2 . Artificial Intelligence Professional Program

Stanford Online Artificial Intelligence courses let you virtually step into the classrooms of Stanford professors who lead the AI revolution. The courses, beginning on Wednesday May 1,2024, are based on Stanford graduate courses, but adapted for the needs of working professionals.

Before enrolling in your first course, you need to apply for an online interview with your professor (15-20 minutes). The interaction allows you to tell your professor about your interest in joining, as well as confirm that you meet the essential requirements (Proficiency in Python, College Calculus, Linear Algebra and Probability Theory).

The courses will equip you with the skills and confidence to:

Learn basic AI technologies to operate AI models and tools.

Evaluate performance of AI models accurately.

Carry out search algorithms (算法) to find the shortest paths and plan motions for the general-use robots.

Guard against various types of cyber crimes to keep information safe.

What you will earn:

You’ll earn a Stanford Professional Certificate in Artificial Intelligence when you successfully complete either three 10-week courses in the AI professional education program or two courses in the AI professional education program plus one course in the AI graduate program. All the courses in the program will be accessible through Wednesday July 31,2024.

1. What is necessary to enter for the program according to the text?

A．A graduate certificate.

B．A Stanford’s scholarship.

C．An interview on the Internet.

D．A professor’s recommendation.

2. Which of the following skills can be gained from the program?

A．Updating AI models.

B．Maintaining cyber security.

C．Predicting future accurately.

D．Inventing robots with new functions.

3. How long will the program last?

A．Four weeks.

B．Two months.

C．Ten weeks.

D．Three months.

3 . A giant black bear is forcing himself out of a gap under an abandoned house in South Lake Tahoe, California. This is one of the pictures from the “Cities Gone Wild” project launched by photographer Corey Arnold. A series of more images show how the bear slowly but surely moves its big body out of the hole, off to seek for its dinner. Later that night, the camera recorded its returning and stuffing itself back into its home.

The bear’s size results from its diet of human garbage. In parts of the US, where black bears are living in and around cities, both their behaviors and shapes have changed. Urban bears are less active than those in the wilderness and live on a diet of human food rich in sugar. As a result, they are sometimes double in weight.

For three months in the field, Arnold photographed the animals in various cities across the US as they went about their daily life — tracking where they slept, how they found food, and their relationship with humans. It’s these animals that were the stars of his “Cities Gone Wild” series. Initially authorized by National Geographic, the project was recognized in the 2023 Sony World Photography Awards, winning first place in the wildlife and nature category.

The “Cities Gone Wild” project offers a fresh view on the wildlife that inhabits our cities. It demonstrates the potential dangers as cities grow, native habitats are destroyed, and humans and animals live in closer distance. It also throws lights on the life of these animals and hints that the more we understand them, the more likely we are to find ways to get along with them. “There’s always going to be a bit of conflict. We have to strike a middle ground where we’re not eliminating them, but we’re just learning to live with them and keep our distance,” says Arnold.

1. What makes urban bears over-sized according to the text?

A．Free movement in the city.	B．Unlimited amount of food.
C．Insufficient night-time sleep.	D．Intake of sugary human food.

2. What is the focus of the pictures taken by Arnold?

A．The changes of cities.

B．The dangers people face.

C．The urban animals’ routines.

D．The conflicts among animals.

3. Which of the following can be the best title of the text?

A．Black Bears: Our Friends Forever

B．Sony Awards: Lifelong Pursuit of Artists

C．Corey Arnold: An Influential Photographer

D．Cities Gone Wild: The Coexistence Promoter

4 . My father was my hero and my inspiration. People in our town called him a _________ man — martial artist, worker in wood and skilled fly fisherman. The big laughing man was _________ in everything he put his mind to. There was nothing he couldn’t _________ or win. And he taught me to do the same.

But his _________ to life was severely tested when, in his late fifties, Dad’s fishing-buddy doctor sadly shook his head and turned away. The news of sudden _________ scared Dad. It scared me, too. He closed himself at home, _________ the pleasure of his hobbies. To _________ his growing frustration, Dad took up painting. But as his hands became weak, his fingers _________ and twisted, his images on the paper were like wild weeds. There were no dreams on his canvas (画布), no miracles, no hope. However, determined and _________, Dad painted hour after hour.

As the days and years passed, he could __________ paint his images in exact composition. His modesty and perseverance kept him concentrated, enabling him to __________ the beauty of life. He’d found his way to a place __________ pain, where he found himself back. He’d learned to embrace life the way it was, __________ it was not the way he wished it to be. I looked at his smile and realised that he was a real magician of life.

One day, he paused during his work. “I have so little to leave you with, Janet,” he said __________ shaking his head. “Dad, that’s not true. You’ve taught me the right attitude toward life — the art of living. And it’s the most valuable __________.” He looked surprised with the biggest smile I’d ever seen.

1.

A．sports

B．muscle

C．fashion

D．miracle

2.

A．honest

B．expert

C．adaptable

D．cautious

3.

A．tackle

B．understand

C．supply

D．imagine

4.

A．concern

B．attitude

C．impression

D．memory

5.

A．illness

B．exploration

C．dedication

D．communication

6.

A．suffering from

B．keeping on

C．relying on

D．giving up

7.

A．detect

B．exchange

C．relieve

D．respect

8.

A．pressed

B．pointed

C．bent

D．occupied

9.

A．excited

B．surprised

C．inspired

D．focused

10.

A．precisely

B．desperately

C．carefully

D．urgently

11.

A．resist

B．capture

C．master

D．receive

12.

A．full of

B．available to

C．free from

D．fit for

13.

A．though

B．before

C．unless

D．whether

14.

A．happily

B．bitterly

C．vividly

D．proudly

15.

A．chance

B．blueprint

C．goal

D．wealth

5 . In this present age, we are heavily dependent on science and technology. Involving courses such as physics, chemistry and biology, a science-based education system can not only equip the young with knowledge of the rules of the world but also develop their scientific curiosity and problem-solving skills. With the benefits and objective attitude formed when learning, the young have more opportunities to be employed in cutting-edge research projects and big companies. So as for Arts or Science, they prefer the latter.

However, we still rely much on the Arts to understand the world. Literature courses can help students to learn about different cultures by exposing them to various aspects of life and excite their imagination required by out-of-box ideas. Studying politics increases the awareness of global world. History can enrich them intellectually and socially, providing a deeper understanding of the world and their place within it. Also, Arts can develop emotional skills and moral values.

A science-based education concentrating only on the latest scientific developments and breakthroughs, may overlook the study of moral values as well as significant historical affairs. For instance, countless possibilities can be realised through cloning, but science does not reveal the moral dilemmas (两难境地) of its indulgent development. It is essential for students to assess the far-reaching influence of science on the world and realise that it must ultimately be pursued reasonably and controllably.

In conclusion, a science-based education certainly has its limitations. Nevertheless, a science-based education combined with enough exposure to values and the humanities would provide students with a deeper insight into the world.

1. Why is a science-based education system popular among the young according to the text?

A．It has diverse courses.

B．It provides more challenges.

C．It favors their dreams of being a scientist.

D．It contributes to more career opportunities.

2. How does the author introduce the role of Arts?

A．By collecting data.

B．By giving professional reports.

C．By sharing personal experiences.

D．By listing the values of different courses.

3. Which of the following can replace the underlined word “indulgent” in paragraph 3?

A．Uncontrolled.

B．Normal.

C．Difficult.

D．Sustainable.

4. What is the writing purpose of the text?

A．To highlight the difficulty of science courses.

B．To offer guidance on how to learn all subjects well.

C．To recommend Science & Arts combined education.

D．To stress the importance of the science-based education.

6 . 你校英文报将开设专栏，向同学们推荐有关“工匠精神”的纪录片。请你写一篇短文投稿，内容包括：
1.推荐纪录片《我在故宫修文物》（Masters in the Forbidden City）；
2.说明推荐理由。
注意：1.写作词数应为80个左右。
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

Documentary Recommendation: Masters in the Forbidden City

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7 . 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。

According to a report from a leading Chinese e-commerce platform, sales of traditional Hanfu clothing     1     (rise) a lot since January, three times higher than last year. This trend was especially reflected in the horse-faced skirt,     2     was reported to be the most popular Hanfu item in 2023. Sales data show a wide     3     (fascinate) with traditional Chinese clothing. The horse-faced skirt dates back     4     the Song Dynasty and grew popular in the Ming Dynasty.     5    (celebrate) as one of the most symbolic styles of ancient Chinese skirts, it     6     (natural) involves cultural elements in its unique appearance. This type of skirt,     7     (feature) pleated (有褶的) design, attracts many young people. Many     8     (theory) have explained the horse-faced skirt’s name, one of which suggests     9    (it) design of three pieces, with the central one resembling a horse’s face. As     10     carrier of culture, Hanfu offers a chance for consumers to seek cultural confidence and identity.

8 . My father once told me some advice. “The advice,” he said, “was that if after the first 50 pages of a book you don’t get _________, you’re allowed to cease reading and _________ again later when you feel ready for it.”

A reader, he suggested, needs a little _________ to adapt to a book’s _________ tone, rhythm and voice. But at the same time, this advice gives a person permission to _________ reading. Nobody needs to _________ themselves to finish reading a book they’re not interested in. I _________ like the gentle suggestion to return to a book “when you feel ready for it”. It’s a(n) _________ that reading is a kind of relationship with yourself and that this relationship is not _________.

I like to think my father’s readerly advice can be __________ in life more generally. Give things a fair __________; don’t judge too hurriedly. It’s helped me when confronted with common landscapes, unanticipated __________ and awkward social situations. Resisting the __________ to escape or to complain, has meant I’ve come to __________ the particular charm of a wide variety of places and personalities. Besides, when something doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to quit it, __________ for the time being.

1.

A．tired

B．attracted

C．convinced

D．informed

2.

A．try

B．copy

C．send

D．remember

3.

A．patience

B．imagination

C．strength

D．courage

4.

A．perfect

B．regular

C．obvious

D．particular

5.

A．continue

B．enjoy

C．stop

D．practice

6.

A．permit

B．beg

C．force

D．cheat

7.

A．especially

B．objectively

C．fortunately

D．partly

8.

A．characteristic

B．expression

C．prejudice

D．recognition

9.

A．various

B．unreal

C．priceless

D．unchanging

10.

A．used

B．told

C．assessed

D．hidden

11.

A．idea

B．chance

C．stage

D．competition

12.

A．meetings

B．operations

C．improvements

D．delays

13.

A．attitude

B．urge

C．smile

D．struggle

14.

A．appreciate

B．record

C．rescue

D．care

15.

A．in brief

B．on earth

C．at least

D．in addition

9 . 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。

Maya and her older brother Marcus lived with their grandma. Their parents, busy with work in another city, could only return home during the winter holiday. Grandma was good at paper-cutting, and she decorated the whole room with pretty shapes of animals and flowers, devoting herself to keeping Maya and Marcus happy. However, despite her grandmother’s love, Maya often felt deep frustration, complaining why she couldn’t stay with her parents.

As the days grew shorter and colder, Maya’s excitement came back. She knew that with the arrival of snow, the winter holiday would come, as well as the return of her parents. One day, the weather forecast predicted snow during daytime, so Maya eagerly rose from bed, pressing her nose against the window, and waiting for the first pretty snowflake to drop from the sky.

However, as it was getting late, Maya’s excitement turned into disappointment. Sensing her sadness, grandma comforted her, “Be patient, dear. The snow will come soon.” Marcus, too, tried to be an older brother, reminding Maya that the snow could fall at night. Yet, despite their efforts, Maya remained upset. Night fell and not a single snowflake was in sight. Sadly, Maya went to bed without eating anything, going to her dreams with tears in her eyes.

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。

To cheer Maya up, grandma and Marcus decided to make snowflakes themselves.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Maya rushed to the windows, and found snowflakes of all shapes and sizes on the glass.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10 . Over a decade ago, the science fiction series Black Mirror showed a story about using artificial intelligence to bring back loved ones. Thanks to technological advancement, the latest AI technology brings hope of recreating loved ones through virtual form.

Recently, it was revealed that renowned musician Tino Bao had created a digital version of his daughter, who in 2021 passed away due to a rare disease at the age of 22. With the help of Xiaoice, Microsoft Asia’s AI branch based in China, Bao was able to recreate his daughter Bao Rong as an AI-powered virtual figure. Tino Bao, his family and the team went to great lengths to piece together pictures, audio-visual recordings, and narrated memories of Rong. After thousands of trials and errors, they presented the life-like digital human who speaks in both Mandarin and English. Bao has finally launched a company to bring the technological miracle to other families experiencing such loss.

However, this technological achievement has also been accompanied by many controversies. The idea of bringing back a loved one through AI may seem comforting. Still, researchers caution that constantly interacting with an AI version of a deceased loved one could potentially affect the natural grieving process, leaving individuals stuck in a state of denial. This could lead to prolonged grief and other mental health issues. Furthermore, there’s a risk that people may become overly dependent on the technology, prioritizing their interactions with the AI version over forming new, real-life relationships.

With the case of Bao Rong out in the open, AI resurrection (复活) has become a business. From simple “talking pictures” that sound nothing like the loved ones to deep fake videos of actors speaking with the faces of those who passed away, the lower end of the market is more “artificial” than “intelligent”. Therefore, it is crucial to establish proper regulations and ethical standards to ensure that the use of AI-resurrection technology is safe and responsible.

1. Why does the author mention Black Mirror?

A．To advertise Microsoft’s virtual products.

B．To lead to the discussion about AI resurrection.

C．To prove the predictive power of science fiction.

D．To highlight the advancement of artificial intelligence.

2. Which of the following aspects is the primary focus of paragraph 2?

A．The popularity of AI-resurrection technology.

B．Reasons for making a digital version of Bao Rong.

C．Challenges of developing a life-like digital human.

D．The process of creating an AI-powered virtual figure.

3. What can we learn about AI-resurrection technology from paragraph 3?

A．It still has some technical limitations.

B．It helps people build new real-life relationships.

C．It can be a person’s obstacle to recovering from sadness.

D．It enables individuals to preserve good memories of loved ones.

4. What does the author suggest people do?

A．Strengthen the management of the technology.

B．Apply the technology to making pictures and videos.

C．Put the technology into the market as soon as possible.

D．Educate the public about the potential risks of technology.