Logan was a brilliant student. He had committed to doing everything it took to win a scholarship to study at a good university. But nothing was more important to the 17-year-old boy than supporting his mother who was sick. After school hours, he would work as a bagboy at the local grocery store. Together, Logan and his mother managed to make ends meet while still fighting to achieve bigger dreams.
Now right outside the grocery store, Logan spotted a familiar face. “Mr. Peters!” Logan called out to the old man holding crutches (拐杖), whom he recognized as his new neighbor. Mr. Peters waved at Logan. Logan happily helped the old man find what he needed and helped him bill the items, too.
“That will be $23, Mr. Peters,” Logan said.
Mr. Peters was taken aback by the bill’s amount. He asked, “And how much without the fruits?”
“$19, sir.”
“I see.” Mr. Peters looked in his wallet. He studied the bill and said, “Actually, I’ll just take the greens, thank you.”
“You know what? Here, let me pay for your order. It looks like you may have … left your card at home or something.”
Mr. Peters didn’t see this kind gesture coming, and even though it hurt his pride a little, he accepted the boy’s help.
Logan paid for the order and handed the bags to the old man. But Mr. Peters could only move a few steps forward as he tried to hold all the groceries without the crutches slipping away Logan rushed to Mr. Peters and offered to carry the groceries to his home. It was a short walk, but the two men were engaged in conversation all the way.
“What are you doing working at a grocery store? You look like you should be in college!” Mr. Peter asked.
On listening to Logan’s story, Mr. Peters was moved and thought he should do something. “It was lovely to meet you, Logan. Maybe you could pop in after your shift at the store today?” he asked.
Logan agreed, suspecting that the man probably needed some help around the house.
注意：1. 续写词数应为150左右；2. 请按如下格式在相应位置作答。
After work, Logan knocked on his neighbor’s door and discovered the most astonishing thing about the old man.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________“I’ve asked some former workmates to notice a scholarship application from a young man named Logan,” Mr. Peters continued.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The awards ceremony for the Fifth Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)Short Video Competition took place in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. With
2023 marked the 10th anniversary of the BRI’s launch.By collecting short video stories from both builders and beneficiaries(受益者),the competition
Among the over 1,000 entries from nearly 100 countries, 99 final winners were announced.“
3 . Only about 20% of U.S.adults say they have a best friend at work.Should the other 80% start looking for one?Yes and no.
But if becoming best friends with your coworkers feels too daunting (使人气馁的),or just not your style,you can still benefit from social support.When most people hear “social support”,they think of emotional support,like venting (发泄) to a coworker over coffee, Heaney says.
| A．But it comes in many forms |
| B．Research on the topic is clear |
| C．The goal isn’t necessarily to make lifelong friends |
| D．It’s easy to talk yourself out of making these gestures |
| E．It s often considered equal to smoking 15 cigarettes a day |
| F．That could mean seeking input from people at all levels of the company |
| G．There’s no doubt that social support in the workplace is important for your health |
4 . Almost half a billion small, cheap electrical everyday items from headphones to handheld fans ended up in landfill in the UK in the past year, according to research.
The not-for-profit organization Material Focus, which conducted the research, said the scale of the issue was huge and they wanted to encourage more recycling.
More than half a billion cheaply priced electronic goods were bought in the UK in the past year alone - 16 per second. Material Focus findings showed that of these items, 471m were thrown away. This included 260m disposable vapes, 26m cables, 29m LED, solar and decorative lights, 9.8m USB sticks, and 4.8m miniature fans.
Scott Butler, executive director at Material Focus, described it as “fast tech“. He said, “People should think carefully about buying some of the more frivolous items in the first place.” He said the items people bought were often “cheap and small”, and that consumers may not realize they contain valuable materials that could be salvaged if recycled.
Small electricals can contain precious materials including copper, lithium and stainless steel. These components can be recycled and used in wind turbines, medical devices and electric vehicles. Material Focus said that while people were used to the idea of recycling larger electrical items such as fridges, lots of smaller devices were left unused in houses.
Butler said, “We want to get the message across that anything with a plug, battery or cable can be recycled and there’s somewhere near you to do it. The scale of the issue is huge, but there’s an easy solution-just as the trend for recycling and repurposing fashion has grown and grown, we want to encourage the nation to recycle fast tech, guilt-free and fuss-free.”
Material Focus said that when consumers bought a cheap item, they saw it as disposable. They estimate that UK citizens spent more than f2.8bn on these cheap products in the past year. The non-profit group described it as“the tip of the iceberg”when it comes to the growing issue of wasted electricals in the UK. More than 100,000 tonnes of waste electricals are thrown away every year, and there are 880m electrical items of all kinds lying unused in UK homes.
1. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?| A．The research was carried out by the authorities to encourage recycling |
| B．Cheaply priced electronic goods are easy to be thrown away around the world |
| C．Disposable vapes made up the majority of cheap electrical goods that ended up in landfill |
| D．British people are inclined to buy cheap electrical goods |
| A．Cheap items don’t deserve consumer’s careful use |
| B．Valuable materials can be found in these cheap and small electrical goods |
| C．Low-quality electrical goods are easy to be recycled |
| D．Consumers should stop buying these “fast tech”in the first place |
| A．They’d better recycle small devices as well as larger ones |
| B．They’d better set up somewhere near them to do the recycling |
| C．They’d better catch the trend of disposing small and cheap items |
| D．They’d better spread the idea of “fast tech” |
| A．Tons of small and cheap electrical items are thrown away |
| B．Lcgal efforts should be made to ban small electrical items |
| C．“Fast Tech”-the future generation |
| D．Recycling valuable materials from electronics is urgent |
5 . Nowhere is the interconnection of the natural world more evident than in the delicate balance of its ecosystems. These books examine the secret to that balance, making complex concepts accessible to readers just beginning their scientific journeys.
The ElephantBy Jenni Desmond.Illustration: by the author. 2018.
The caring nature,intelligence,and incredible size of African and Asian elephants shine through in Desmond’s magnificent presentation of these mammals. Her illustrations are showstoppers, and the text includes general characteristics and habits. Desmond’s writing,precise and inviting, calls attention to the elephant’s role as a keystone species in the ecosystem and humans’ roles in elephants’ declining numbers.
BeaversBy Rachel Poliquin. Illustration: by Nicholas John Frith. 2018.
This first in the Superpower Field Guide series, about the natural world’s resident superheroes, offers effervescent examinations of a beaver’s super characteristics. Poliquin explains in simple but exact language how these “wet land warriors” chew down trees,build dams and lodges,and most awesome of all, function as a keystone species to create entire new ecosystems.
The Wolves Are BackBy Jean Craighead George. Illustration: by Wendell Minor. 2008.
As George follows one wolf s growth from pup to adult, the emphasis is not as much on the wolves and their habits but on how their presence has changed the ecosystem of Yellowstone and returned its natural balance. Minor’s finely detailed illustrations feature spectacularly rendered animals in the foreground of the bold, western landscapes. Together the words and pictures make for a highly effective and enjoyable explanation of how the presence of one animal can profoundly affect an ecosystem.
1. Who illustrates the book The Elephant?| A．Jenni Desmond |
| B．Nicholas John Frith. |
| C．Rachel Poliquin. |
| D．Wendell Minor. |
| A．Poliquin describes beavers using complex language. |
| B．George does the research mainly on the wolves and their habits. |
| C．Desmond’s writing focuses on humans’ active roles in elephant conservation. |
| D．The species mentioned above are likely to influence the ecosystem. |
| A．A zoo guidebook. |
| B．An academic article: |
| C．A nature magazine. |
| D．A research report. |
6 . Time is a valuable resource, especially for those who need to deal with academic demands, personal growth, and social activities at the same time. Effective time management not only leads to increased productivity, but reduces stress.
Setting clear and achievable short-term and long-term goals is essential for youth.
Furthermore, learning to say no is a valuable skill for youth. With numerous opportunities and interests, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. By being selective about commitments, young adults can arrange their time and energy wisely. Saying no to non-essential activities frees up time for important tasks.
In the pursuit of personal success, young adults often find themselves caught up in a series of responsibilities and commitments. However, it’s essential for them to recognize that life shouldn’t be like this. Self-care plays a vital role in time management.
| A．That actually prevents over-commitment. |
| B．One should constantly review how time is spent. |
| C．It creates opportunities for personal development as well. |
| D．Developing a daily schedule helps young adults stay organized. |
| E．Putting things off constantly is a common time management project. |
| F．By knowing what they want to accomplish, they can prioritize their tasks. |
| G．Youth should value adequate rest and activities that promote their well-being. |
7 . My wife and I parked by a rough path the same time as a young man covered in tattoos (纹身). I
Hours later we turned back
He continued, “During much surgery and
My
| A．assumed | B．remembered | C．admitted | D．confirmed |
| A．tell | B．distance | C．save | D．free |
| A．turn away | B．set out | C．catch up | D．settle down |
| A．politely | B．secretly | C．carelessly | D．accidentally |
| A．though | B．unless | C．because | D．before |
| A．impress | B．interrupt | C．persuade | D．engage |
| A．target | B．story | C．plan | D．journey |
| A．confused | B．discouraged | C．ignored | D．injured |
| A．observe | B．judge | C．manage | D．challenge |
| A．silence | B．pain | C．failure | D．guilt |
| A．massive | B．funny | C．random | D．popular |
| A．brilliant | B．gentle | C．weak | D．sensitive |
| A．allowed | B．begged | C．forced | D．expected |
| A．doubt | B．sympathy | C．prejudice | D．resistance |
| A．reputation | B．message | C．appearance | D．insight |
Jiangsu, known for its unique blend of innovation and preservation, is a true treasure. I was
My first stop was Suzhou.
Actually, the mindset of modernization with deep respect for the past isn’t only unique to Suzhou
9 . In today’s digital era, social media users are increasingly coming across fake news online. This leads to the pressing issue: What causes people to fall for misinformation on the Internet?
According to researchers at the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology, users can easily fall into an echo chamber (回声室)—a sort of virtual space where users consume only one-sided news, eventually distrusting any opposing views. “We all tend to agree with the group opinion. Hence, people naturally get together with others who hold the same opinion,” said Dongwon Lee, one of the researchers. “But if you’re not cautious, there is a high risk of falling into an echo chamber.”
To prevent this phenomenon, the researchers have crafted a novel tool, a game named ChamberBreaker, to help players resist echo chambers and reduce the rate of fake news spread. The fundamental approach employed by ChamberBreaker centers around a decision-making procedure that mirrors the creation of echo chambers. In ChamberBreaker, a player is tasked with trying to have community members fall into an echo chamber. To begin, the player is randomly assigned a situation that focuses on a health, political or environmental issue, and is presented with six pieces of news on that topic. Then, the player selects news that could cause the other members to fall into an echo chamber while at the same time maintaining their trust. If successful, the community members will fall into an echo chamber and the player will witness the resulting negative effects on the community.
After developing ChamberBreaker, researchers tested it with over 800 subjects to see if it raised awareness of echo chambers and changed news consumption behaviors. The researchers found that those who played ChamberBreaker were significantly more likely to state their intention to observe online information from more diverse perspectives and showed an increased awareness of the echo chamber phenomenon.
Ultimately, the researchers hope that their methodology can excite a greater interest in the scientific and scholarly study related to information consumption. The application of tools like ChamberBreaker, which focuses on fostering analytical reasoning, may lead us towards a more informed online community.
1. What can be learned about an online echo chamber?| A．It encourages well-judged views. |
| B．It gathers like-minded individuals. |
| C．It functions as a virtual reality platform. |
| D．It serves as a tool for identifying fake information. |
| A．Assignment of situations. | B．Trust-building exercises. |
| C．News selection strategy. | D．Community impact assessment. |
| A．The results of scientific testing. |
| B．The theoretical framework of the game. |
| C．The description of the game procedures. |
| D．The common challenges faced during gameplay. |
| A．Reducing news inquiry. | B．Encouraging passive reading. |
| C．Strengthening prejudiced views. | D．Enhancing critical thinking. |
10 . The California sea otter (海獭), once hunted to the edge of extinction, has staged a thrilling comeback in the last century. Now, scientists have discovered that the otters’ success story has led to something just as remarkable: the restoration of their declining coastal marsh (沼泽) habitat.
Elkhorn Slough, a coastal marsh within Monterey Bay, had been experiencing severe damage. The root cause was a growing population of shore crabs, which fed heavily on the marsh plants, weakening the structural integrity of the habitat. Coastal marshes like these are not only natural defenses against storm waves but also serve as important carbon storage areas and water-cleaning systems.
The conservation-driven comeback of the sea otter has been crucial. California’s coastlines were once alive with sea otters. Sadly, they were nearly wiped out at the hands of fur traders. In the 1980s, conservation efforts aided these otters in re-occupying large areas of their former range. Now, Elkhorn Slough has the highest concentration of sea otters in California, with a population of about 100. By naturally feasting on crabs, the otters have helped a significant regrowth of plant life. Brent Hughes, a scientist working alongside Angelini, led a three-year study. Their findings were clear: in areas with sea otters, crab numbers fell markedly. This led to a resurgence in plant growth, which in turn stabilized the soil and lowered the rate of soil washing away.
As the sea otter population continues to restore, their positive impact on coastal ecosystems is likely to increase. It not only showcases the sea otter as a central species—a species that has a significant effect on its natural environment—but also highlights the essential nature of top predators (捕食者) in preserving ecological harmony. “My honest reaction was—this could become a classic in the literature,” says scientist Lekelia Jenkins. She reveals marsh restoration also helps people by reducing flooding. “Suddenly, sea otters go from just cute things we like to something that can protect our livelihoods and our properties.”
1. What change did the disappearance of sea otters bring about?| A．Fewer predatory crabs. | B．More coastal plant life. |
| C．Better water-cleaning effect. | D．Worse coastal ecological balance. |
| A．Barrier. | B．Advancement. | C．Expansion. | D．Revival. |
| A．To highlight the importance of coastal marshes. |
| B．To introduce a new research study on sea otters. |
| C．To demonstrate the practical benefits of sea otters. |
| D．To emphasize the need for increased conservation efforts. |
| A．The necessity for controlled hunting. |
| B．The interconnectedness of the ecosystem. |
| C．The drawbacks of wildlife reintroduction. |
| D．The need for human intervention in nature. |
