| A．Humor and love stories |
| B．Thrilling and suspense |
| C．Creative fantasy and futuristic visions |
| D．Documentaries for learning about real-world events |
| A．The history of Chinese New Year celebrations. |
| B．The debate over banning fireworks during Chinese New Year. |
| C．The environmental impact of fireworks. |
| D．The cultural significance of the Spring Festival. |
| A．Over 80 percent of people support fireworks. |
| B．Most people believe fireworks bans are necessary. |
| C．There are few objections to fireworks bans. |
| D．The majority of people prefer quiet celebrations during the festival. |
| A．Limited enforcement resources. |
| B．Public resistance leading to unrest. |
| C．Economic concerns from manufacturers. |
| D．Environmental activism pressures lawmakers. |
| A．Staying at home and relaxing. | B．Traveling to European countries. |
| C．Taking extra courses. | D．Doing part-time jobs. |
| A．To relax and unwind. | B．To explore new countries. |
| C．To get ahead on credits. | D．To do volunteer work. |
| A．To relax and get ready for more experiences. |
| B．To explore new countries in a totally fresh way. |
| C．to contribute and have a positive impact. |
| D．To save up for tuition fees as well as expectations. |
| A．He thinks it’s a smart move. | B．He believes she should relax instead. |
| C．He is indifferent. | D．He thinks she should join him for volunteer work. |
4 . Astronomers are eagerly anticipating a celestial (天体的) event that promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime sight: the appearance of a “new star” in the night sky, expected to occur sometime between now and September, as reported by NASA. This event, known as a nova (新星), is projected to take place within the T Coronae Borealis system, nestled in the constellation (星座) Corona Borealis, situated between the Boötes and Hercules constellations.
In contrast to the explosive demise of a massive star seen in a supernova, a nova is characterized by a sudden, brief explosion originating from a collapsed star, specifically a white dwarf. The T Coronae Borealis system is affectionately called the “Blaze Star.”
While the precise timing of the upcoming nova event remains uncertain, astronomers are closely monitoring the T Coronae Borealis system, which has been dimming since March of the previous year. William J. Cooke, lead of NASA’s Meteoroid Environments Office, notes that while most novae occur unexpectedly, T Coronae Borealis is one of the 10 recurring novae in the galaxy, offering some predictability to its eruptions.
Located approximately 3,000 light-years away from Earth, the T Coronae Borealis system is typically too faint to be seen with the naked eye.
Once the nova reaches its peak brightness, it will appear as if a new star has emerged in the night sky, remaining visible for a few days without any equipment and slightly over a week with binoculars before gradually fading from view over the course of about 80 years.
The NASA Universe account on X will provide regular updates on the nova event, allowing enthusiasts and researchers alike to stay informed about this captivating astronomical phenomenon. Reflecting on past experiences, including witnessing the 1975 Nova Cygni, which inspired his career in astronomy, Cooke underscores the significance of these celestial events in shaping our understanding of the cosmos.
| A．This recurrent nature provides astronomers with some predictability regarding its eruptions, aiding in their monitoring and preparation for the upcoming event. |
| B．The mechanism driving these eruptions is the transfer of matter from the red giant to the white dwarf. |
| C．It consists of a white dwarf and an aging red giant star. |
| D．This heightened visibility will last for a few days without the need for any equipment and slightly over a week with the aid of binoculars. |
| E．Astronomers plan to utilize various instruments, including the Hubble Space Telescope and the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, to observe and study the nova in different wavelengths of light. |
| F．However, during its peak brightness, it is expected to shine as brightly as Polaris, or the North Star, making it visible to observers in the Northern Hemisphere. |
5 . Both my parents worked for 30-plus years for their employers — they had lifelong careers at a single company. Growing up, they taught me the importance of “loyalty” and “commitment”.
But in a rapidly changing world, the concept of a job for life has become as rare as a dial-up internet connection. This shift from stable, long-term employment and single-employer careers to a world where frequent job changes are the norm comes directly from globalisation, rapid technological advancements and the changing ideas about work.
Globalisation has turned the world economy into a giant, interconnected web. This has made job markets fiercely competitive and talent and opportunities in the labour market more diverse and digitally accessible.
Jobs can be widely publicised and explored online and are no longer tied to your city of birth. Add to this the rapid technological progress. We now live in a world where the skills you learned yesterday might not be enough for today’s job market.
The job market is transforming, with new careers emerging as automation and artificial intelligence (AI) advances. Risks and price policies can be efficiently assessed using AI, making insurance underwriters redundant while advanced software in banking and finance mean data analysis can be automated.
Online booking has reduced demand for travel agents and desktop publishers are being replaced by user-friendly software, which allows people to create their own materials. These changes highlight the need for professionals to update their skills and adapt to a technologically evolving job market.
As a result, career paths have become fluid and multi-directional. It’s no longer just about climbing the corporate ladder and getting a regular paycheck; it’s about exploring different paths, switching jobs and industries and sometimes even venturing into freelancing and the gig economy.
Loyalty is defined as an employee’s commitment to their organisation and its goals. It means a willingness to put in extra effort and to uphold the company’s values and objectives. Loyal workers often identify strongly with their workplace, are reliable and view the organisation positively, even during tough times.
When long-term employees change workplaces, it does not mean they are disloyal. It signifies a change in priorities and a redefined loyalty bond. Employees are loyal to their employer and its interests while working there. But they also seek mutual growth and expect to be recognised and rewarded.
Career paths are now a kaleidoscope (万花筒) of experiences and opportunities. Instead of a career identity being about a company brand, it is about skills, experiences and the meaningfulness of the work. This transformation means career decision-making is more intricate, considering personal aspirations, market trends and family considerations.
1. What factors have contributed to the shift in job market dynamics?| A．Increased reliance on desktop publishing software. |
| B．Changing ideas about loyalty and commitment. |
| C．The decreasing demand for travel agents due to online booking systems. |
| D．Globalization, rapid technological advancements, and evolving work concepts. |
| A．Skills related to desktop publishing. |
| B．Skills that were relevant yesterday. |
| C．Skills in data analysis and adaptability. |
| D．Skills in insurance underwriting. |
| A．By remaining with a single employer for their entire career. |
| B．By prioritizing personal growth and recognition. |
| C．By relying on traditional definitions of loyalty. |
| D．By avoiding job changes to maintain loyalty. |
| A．Forget About a Job for Life |
| B．Learn More as Much as You Can |
| C．Benefit from Long-term Employment |
| D．The Impact of Globalization |
