1 . Easy Ways to Protect Your Eyes From The Harms of Digital Devices

Most people spend a large amount of time in front of digital devices without protective glasses. Unfortunately, they are simply unaware of the harmful effects that these digital devices have on the eyes.     1    

1. Exercise your eyes

If you keep your eyes glued to a digital device without blinking or flexing them a bit, they will get accustomed to that device distance.     2     You should try to move your eyes around more, changing their position or flexing them every 20 minutes or less.

2. Adjust your screen lighting

    3     If you are in a brightly lit room, you will need to increase your screen’s brightness setting. If you are working in a dim room, you will need to decrease your screen’s light settings.

3.     4    

Your doctor may recommend you use specialized glasses to reduce glare and eyestrain from your digital device. These glasses will help protect your eyes from harmful glare whenever you use them. Keep in mind that reading glasses don’t protect your eyes from this glare.

Never let an eye problem be a hindrance to your work or fun if you are a regular user of digital devices.     5    

A．Expose your eyes to the daylight

B．Ask your doctor to recommend specialized glasses

C．Your screen lights should be adjusted in relation to your environment.

D．You will experience problems when trying to focus on anything farther or closer to the device.

E．Optometrists (验光师) recommend that you sit at least an arm’s length away from your digital screen.

F．By following the above tips, you will help protect your eyes from the problems brought about by digital devices.

G．Below are some easy tips that you can incorporate (使并入) into your daily routine without throwing away your digital devices.

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。

China’s 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition team is now working in the Chukchi Sea. During the roughly 80-day journey, the crew will have about 40 days     1     (carry) out scientific research.

The expedition this time     2     (focus) on the ecosystem changes against the rapid changes in the Arctic with four major tasks,     3     include the investigation of the ecological environment of the Pacific sector in the central Arctic Ocean, the comprehensive survey of sea ice and the geology and geophysics of the Gakkel Ridge (山脊), as well as research on circulation     4     sea ice.

It is the second time that a survey.     5     (conduct) on the Gakkel Ridge, a mid-ocean ridge     6     (stretch) about 1,800 kilometers in the Arctic. “The Gakkel Ridge, a new volcanic ridge, is the Earth’s slowest-spreading mid-ocean ridge, which is vital in studying the     7     (expand) of global plates,” said Wang Jinhui, leader of the scientific expedition team.

A survey of aerosols (气溶胶) in the Arctic is also     8     the way. “The special conditions in the area, such as the change of sea ice cover and density and the change of local species, are the influencing factors that may     9     (significant) affect the generation and emission of aerosols,” said Le, a member of the scientific expedition team.

“Polar scientific research is an     10     (importance) field for mankind to understand the mysteries of nature and explore new spaces for development,” said Wang.

3 . For most, the first thing that likely comes to mind when thinking about vitamin C is either an image of orange fruits or its ability to keep your immune system healthy.     1    . Here are the primary benefits of vitamin C when applied topically to the skin.

It protects skin cells from environmental damage. Vitamin C’s main function in skin is that of a powerful antioxidant, protecting us from cell damage caused by free radicals (自由基). “    2    ,” Dr. Mack explains, and they are highly reactive. Vitamin C destroys these free radicals by donating electrons, preventing them from damaging skin.

    3    . Vitamin C is also one of the gold standards for evening skin tone and boosting radiance. “Vitamin C is a well-known skin brightener, preventing melanin production and eventually fading dark spots, resulting in a better skin tone,” Dr. Mack explains.

It firms skin and promotes collagen (胶原蛋白) production. Our skin is made of collagen and elastin, which are proteins that give it structure and flexibility.     4    . “Daily application of vitamin C helps to maintain the completeness of the collagen that we have, prevents rapid breakdown with age and promotes collagen production,” Dr. Mack says.

It works with other antioxidants for enhancing UV (紫外线) protection.     5    . A study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology showed that the combination of vitamin C and E not only offered improved stability of vitamins C and E, but also improved skin’s UV protection.

A．It brightens skin

B．It helps lower the risk of heart disease and depression

C．Vitamin C works cooperatively with vitamin E to reduce UV damage in skin

D．Free radicals are produced by the body when exposed to radiation in sunlight

E．But this popular vitamin has several benefits for skin when applied topically, too

F．Free radicals are believed to be related to heart disease, cancer and the ageing process

G．As we age, the production of these proteins decreases and our skin looks and feels less firm

4 . Most health experts would agree that eating meat — especially red meat — in large quantities isn’t good for us, or the planet. Studies point to an increased risk of heart disease and cancer correlating to our meat-heavy diets. Meanwhile, manufacturers are busy producing increasingly tasty and more meat-like products that match the real things — making the switch from eating animals seem like a no-brainer. But are these fake meat products any healthier for us?

Jinan Banna, a dietitian and nutrition professor at the University of Hawaii says that some fake meat products can be considered “ultra-processed” foods. “That means they go through multiple processes and have a lot of added ingredients (配料),” she said. “An alternative burger, for example, might have quite a bit of sodium (钠), as well as additives.” Some of these additives are on the market for a while before the scientific community determines them to be harmful, Banna added. “Anytime you see a long list of ingredients, including ‘natural flavors’, take it as a warning sign. In other words, eschew products with lengthy ingredient lists,” said Sofia Popov, a microbiome scientist in Copenhagen. “Who knows what’s actually in it?”

Perhaps convenience is the best argument for buying an alternative meat product you can simply cook straight out of the box, but some health experts suggest other plant-based healthful options can be simple, too. For example, on a busy day, Banna said she was able to throw together a tempeh (a traditional soya product) dish which she put in a little oil, vinegar and other seasonings. “We definitely obtain nutrients from animal-based food — iron and zinc and other minerals as well. But it also contains fat and cholesterol, so it’s good to control our intake,” said Banna. “Vegetarian substitutes can be very tasty so we shouldn’t shy away from them.”

1. What is the common belief on consuming red meat?

A．It is beneficial to our planet.	B．It can stimulate the economy.
C．It should be served with vegetables.	D．It may make us suffer from heart disease.

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

A．Avoid.

B．Provide.

C．Inspect.

D．Purchase.

3. What does Banna advise people to do?

A．Take in more minerals.	B．Turn to convenient food instead.
C．Seek for plant-based meals.	D．Choose some animal-based substitutes.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．Why Is Plant-based Meat Dying?	B．Are Fake Meat Products Good For You?
C．Fake Meat: Food’s Future Or A Fashion?	D．What Happened To The Plant-based Meat?

5 . For Vishwanath Mallabadi from Bangalore, India, there is no such thing as a useless object or “waste”. Give him anything—abandoned metal or plastic items, old devices, dysfunctional printed circuit boards — and he’ll create art out of it.

Vishwanath’s passion is particularly relevant in the current age, where India generates more e-waste than it can recycle. From 2019 to 2020, the country generated a total of more than 1 million tonnes of e waste. Of this, only 22.7 percent was collected, taken apart and recycled. The eco-artist has upcycled and transformed nearly 200 kg of e-waste into usable products and proposes eco-art as a means to deal with waste management.

Vishwanath’s father, D M Shambhu, was a famous sculptor and painter, but he wanted his son to choose medicine and become a doctor. However, Vishwanath, who was interested in upcycling second-hand objects right from childhood, decided to pursue a BFA in Applied Art. He later went on to work in a company as a high-level administrator and retired two years ago. “In my free time and during the weekends. I used to conduct experiments in e-waste and try to develop something unique,” he recalled.

So far, the eco-artist has created more than 500 objects. These include a six-foot tall sculpture made from upcycled computer keyboard keys, and a painting inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s The Starry Night, using upcycled resistors (电阻器) on wood. Among his other artworks are a 42×38 inch figure statue created from upcycled keyboard keys on a sun board finished with plastics, a deer made of colorful used wires, plants and flowers from computer parts, and eco jewellery from upcycled digital wrist watch parts.

“The work involves selecting the e-waste objects—the texture, shape, and colour etc, and visualising and conceptualising the final product. It might take weeks and months for sculptures. However, sustainable initiatives and upcycled art are nowadays in demand in multinational companies opting for a sustainable culture,” he said.

1. What does the author try to convey in paragraph 2?

A．The seriousness of e-waste in India.

B．Vishwanath’s passion for environment protection.

C．The achievements of waste management in India.

D．Vishwanath’s attitude towards dealing with e-waste.

2. What did Vishwanath work as before retiring?

A．A passionate eco-artist.	B．A private doctor.
C．A famous sculptor.	D．A senior manager.

3. Which of the artworks were made of the same materials?

A．The deer and the plants.	B．The sculpture and the figure statue.
C．The painting and the flowers.	D．The deer and the eco jewellery.

4. What does Vishwanath think of his working on eco-art?

A．Exciting but unprofitable.	B．Creative but useless.
C．Demanding but worthwhile.	D．Efficient but costly.

6 . The Best Caves in The World

Hang Son Doong, Vietnam

Natural caves don’t come much larger than Hang Son Doong, close to the border between Laos and Vietnam. This cave possesses the largest cross-section of any known cave on the planet, a vast area that is difficult to describe. Supposedly, a Boeing 747 could fly through without damaging its wings, but that doesn’t really do justice to the vastness of Hang Son Doong. The stalactites (钟乳石) here are pretty massive too, with some reaching up to 80 metres.

Waitomo Caves, New Zealand

Glowworms (萤火虫) are there, as far as the eye can see. Okay, not literally, but the Waitomo Cave system on New Zealand’s North Island is best-known for the fluorescent fauna that light up the walls, giving it the not-particularly-creative but completely acceptable “Glowworm Caves” nickname. They are more accessible than other caves on this list, with rafting and adventure tours available to those looking for something a little more thrilling.

Mammoth Cave, the USA

If you have certain expectations from somewhere called “Mammoth Cave”, that is entirely understandable. Mammoth Cave in Kentucky is the world’s longest known cave system, an incredible 420 miles of underground wonder. That’s twice as long as the next longest, by the way, although it isn’t unusual for the USA to go all out on such things.

Reed Flute (芦笛) Cave, China

Named after the reeds that grow outside, which are used to make flutes, obviously, the Reed Flute Cave’s walls are covered with inscriptions from centuries gone by—if evidence was needed that people have been paying attention to this place for a long old time. The inside part of the cave is also lit up by multicoloured lights, giving it a real otherworldly theme that adds weight to the nickname.

1. What is special about Hang Son Doong?

A．It was once a base of a factory.

B．It is the deepest cave in the world.

C．It has the highest stalactites in the world.

D．It owns the largest cross-section in the world.

2. Which of the following can be much easier to enter?

A．Hang Son Doong.	B．Waitomo Caves.
C．Mammoth Cave.	D．Reed Flute Cave.

3. Which country probably has the longest cave system in the world?

A．Vietnam.

B．New Zealand.

C．The USA.

D．China.

7 . Mr. Charles is a beloved Berkeley County School District bus driver. He _________ more than 70 students during the morning and afternoon _________ routes daily. Kameron was among them.

Kameron’s kindergarten experience _________ behavioral challenges, leading him to frequent visits to the principal’s office. Noticing Kameron’s _________, Mr. Charles decided to step in and offer his support.

He affectionately called Kameron his “little buddy (兄弟)” and made a _________ with him. If Kameron _________ well, Mr. Charles would reward him with a(n) _________ every Friday, marking the beginning of their heartwarming story of friendship.

Stephanie Williams, a special education teacher at Cane Bay Elementary, started accompanying (陪同) Kameron to the bus at the end of each school day. Since then, Kameron’s behavior _________ significantly. He became more open to new experiences and showed remarkable _________. Their friendship developed through shared conversations, small gestures, and the weekly surprises Mr. Charles __________ prepared for his “little buddy”. The __________ regularly enjoy outings to McDonald’s and ice cream. Mr. Charles even __________ Kameron’s baseball games on the weekends. Mr. Charles expresses __________ affection for Kameron and hopes their friendship remains strong.

Thanks to the __________ connection he shared with Mr. Charles, Kameron __________. What was once a challenging situation is becoming a journey of growth, positivity, and friendship.

1.

A．transported

B．taught

C．observed

D．brought

2.

A．life

B．travel

C．truck

D．bus

3.

A．ended up

B．broke into

C．began with

D．got off

4.

A．contents

B．struggles

C．regrets

D．concerns

5.

A．deal

B．friend

C．date

D．plan

6.

A．behaved

B．studied

C．worked

D．suited

7.

A．tablet

B．surprise

C．recipe

D．opportunity

8.

A．displayed

B．succeeded

C．improved

D．disappeared

9.

A．comparison

B．difference

C．achievement

D．progress

10.

A．calmly

B．lovingly

C．patiently

D．effortlessly

11.

A．family

B．team

C．pair

D．group

12.

A．attends

B．coaches

C．sponsors

D．organizes

13.

A．long

B．high

C．broad

D．deep

14.

A．common

B．caring

C．rare

D．previous

15.

A．quitted

B．grew

C．laughed

D．changed

8 . Words of Support

When your friends have doubts about their work or think their latest idea is second-rate, you’ve probably felt unsure about just how to support. But being there for people you love can be a positive experience for both sides.     1     Read on for tips on how to show your support.

Be positive. One way to offer support is to remind your friends of any previous occasions when they doubted themselves or their writing but their English teacher thought it was great and gave them a top mark. If they’re still worried, you could highlight what you like in the work. Be as specific as you can about these areas.     2    

Be supportive. The golden rule is to be supportive and to help people grow and develop.    3    This provides the person with something concrete that they can change and means they’re less likely to feel they’re being unfairly criticised or that there’s nothing they can do to make things better.

Be patient.    4     This can help them feel valued. If someone hasn’t requested your opinions but they seem unsure of what they’ve done and you’re familiar with the subject, you could ask if they’d be OK to hear your thoughts.

    5    Part of being supportive and honest is appreciating when people treat you with the same respect and learning from what they know and the words of encouragement they share with you.

A．Be receptive.

B．Be straightforward.

C．A large part of this is giving constructive feedback.

D．What can you do to help them change their attitude to work?

E．How can you make the experience pleasant and positive for you both?

F．Give others time to respond and make sure you listen to their opinions.

G．This will show that you’ve paid attention and you want them to do well.

9 . If you are seeking to unlock the secrets to success, here are four books that offer invaluable wisdom and practical advice to help you along your path.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Stephen R. Covey’s timeless classic outlines seven foundational principles for personal and professional success. From proactive (积极主动的) decision-making to effective leadership and interpersonal skills, this book stresses the importance of matching personal values with actions. It serves as a powerful guide to achieving long-term success and building meaningful relationships.

Outliers: The Story of Success

In the book, Malcolm Gladwell explores the factors that contribute to exceptional success. Through insightful case studies, Gladwell challenges traditional thoughts of talent and hard work, stressing the importance of opportunities, cultural backgrounds, and deliberate practice. This thought-provoking book encourages readers to rethink their approaches to success and shows the importance of making use of unique circumstances.

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

In the book, Carol S. Dweck explores the power of mindset and its effect on personal growth and achievement. By distinguishing between a “fixed mindset” and a “growth mindset”, Dweck highlights how accepting challenges, maintaining resilience, and cultivating a love for learning can lead to remarkable success. This book provides valuable insights for transforming obstacles (障碍) into opportunities for growth.

Principles

Ray Dalio’s Principles is a transformative guidebook packed with valuable insights. Drawing on his extensive experience in investment management, Dalio shares practical wisdom for success. The book offers actionable principles for decision-making, problem-solving, and personal growth. By applying these principles, readers can deal with challenges, seize opportunities, and make a meaningful impact.

1. Which factors contributing to success does the second book stress?

A．Talent and hard work.	B．Creative thinking and teamwork.
C．Chances and cultural backgrounds.	D．Adventurous action and confidence.

2. Whose book highlights the impact of mentality on individual development?

A．Stephen R. Covey’s.	B．Malcolm Gladwell’s.
C．Carol S. Dweck’s.	D．Ray Dalio’s.

3. What is the text?

A．A piece of news of new authors.	B．A recommendation on books.
C．A paper on the secrets to success.	D．A text on successfully writing books.

10 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What will Mia do in May?

A．Do her paper.

B．Go to New Zealand.

C．Visit an old colleague.

2. Why does Betty want a quiet apartment?

A．For writing a paper.

B．For painting pictures.

C．For having a good rest.

3. What will Bill do tonight?

A．Eat with Mia.

B．Find an apartment.

C．Call Thomas.