After a long drive and precious little sleep, Todd left his Wisconsin motel around 5:30 a.m. to make it to a funeral near Green Bay. Not long after, he started to hear a grinding sound coming from his front tire, and it kept getting louder. He finally pulled into Lauritzens BP & Sports shop in Wild Rose,Wisconsin, hoping to find help. It was only 7 a.m., and he still had 75 miles to go.
As luck would have it, Todd found Glenn Geib putting oil on the shelves. The mechanic checked out the car and gave Todd some bad news: The wheel bearing was failing and needed to be repaired right away. Fixing it would take a few hours. Geib then looked Todd up and down and asked why he was so dressed up. Todd explained that he was going to the funeral of his boss’s wife.
Geib checked the only one rental car agency in town, but it was sold out. The next closest rental agency was 40 miles away. “I must have looked pretty stressed out at this time,” Todd wrote later on Facebook. Geib noticed, and he was determined to help.
With a population of 699, close-knit Wild Rose has a reputation in central Wisconsin for kindness. Seniors gather at the Wild Rose Community Center for free midday meals. The local Lions Club chapter collects used eyeglasses for folks who can’t afford them, part of the Lions Recycle for Sight program.
But kindness in Wild Rose doesn’t come just from organizations. Kent Barnard, the town library director, remembers a high school kid who walked into Patterson Memorial Library needing gas money. Barnard happily gave it to him, and the guy went on his way. A couple years later, that man came back. “You gave me $10 for gas when I was in high school,” he said, and Barnard was repaid.
“People are not well-off, but they’re taking care of each other,” says Jerry Apps, a local author who lets the library sell his books and DVDs and keep some of the proceeds to fund its programs.
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。
So, faced with a stranger in need at the service station, Glenn Geib did what came naturally.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Todd jumped into the car and made it to the funeral.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2 . On a fresh May morning, with my guitar in tow, I ventured down the road to a busy restaurant. I was about to
As I reflect upon my childhood, I’m
I was 10 years old and our entire fourth grade was in
The broad road in front of the busy restaurant was filled with people. I pulled out my guitar. As I
| A．gather up | B．deal with | C．bring about | D．keep off |
| A．accused | B．comprised | C．informed | D．reminded |
| A．lighted | B．ignored | C．sustained | D．held |
| A．life | B．music | C．reading | D．sport |
| A．discovered | B．adjusted | C．stolen | D．expressed |
| A．preparation | B．support | C．store | D．exchange |
| A．provided | B．identified | C．equipped | D．entrusted |
| A．developed | B．paused | C．approached | D．evolved |
| A．vain | B．total | C．turn | D．public |
| A．composed | B．struck | C．heard | D．transferred |
| A．embarrass | B．enjoy | C．improve | D．enlighten |
| A．spread | B．released | C．followed | D．recalled |
| A．If | B．As | C．Because | D．Although |
| A．gratitude | B．honour | C．fulfillment | D．depression |
| A．liberated | B．prevented | C．protected | D．discouraged |
3 . Established earthquake warning systems provide at best just a minute or two of notice, leaving little time for preparedness. Decades of searching for a better warning sign-changes in the geochemistry of groundwater, electromagnetic effects in the upper atmosphere, and even changes in animal behavior-have failed. Many question whether such a precursor (先兆) even exists. This situation may change soon, as recent research is providing a glimmer of hope for improved earthquake prediction.
Researchers Quentin Bletery and Jean-Mathieu Nocquet from Cote d’Azur University in France collected data from over 90 earthquakes with magnitudes larger than 7 that had occurred in the past two decades.They focused on GPS station records near these quakes, which accurately captured land movement every 5 minutes with millimeter precision. They analyzed more than 3,000 time series of motion in the 48 hours leading up to the main ruptures (断裂).
They noticed that, in the first 46 hours, the records showed no significant features. However, during the 2 hours before the earthquake, they noticed signs of increasing movement along the fault zones (断层带). Essentially, there’s a slip between plates causing the land above them to move in a measurable, horizontal direction.
Could this be just a coincidence? The probability of this increase happening just before the quake and being unrelated is extremely low, and the researchers confirmed this by analyzing 100,000 random time windows in non-earthquake GPS data. The pattern occurred only 0.03% of the time in non-earthquake data.
While this precursor signal won’t be used for warnings anytime soon, officials from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) admit that this new study provides valuable insights into how to improve their warning systems-GPS data can grease the wheels of early earthquake warnings.
The researchers admit they're still a number of steps away from putting this precursor signal into use, particularly since detecting subtle signals at individual faults requires more GPS stations. But the biggest problem is that many of the world’s earthquake regions have no instrumentation. “We can’t realize the detection at the scale of one earthquake, so we cannot make predictions,” Bletery said.
1. What remains a tough problem for scientists?| A．Determining the magnitude of an earthquake. |
| B．Finding a way to detect earthquakes in early stages. |
| C．Measuring atmospheric changes during earthquakes. |
| D．Identifying animals’ possible responses to earthquakes. |
| A．The chance of main ruptures occurring in fault zones. |
| B．The accuracy of GPS in recording land movement. |
| C．The existence of a two-hour precursory phase. |
| D．The horizontal slip within the first 46 hours. |
| A．Distinguish | B．Contradict | C．Overmatch | D．Facilitate |
| A．The inaccessibility of precursor signals. |
| B．The complexity of updating GPS equipment. |
| C．The challenge of identifying earthquake regions. |
| D．The inconsistent slip patterns of different earthquakes. |
4 . A high-tech radar system, commonly used in the aerospace and defense industries, could one day help China protect its cultural relics from criminals, especially tomb raiders.
Shaanxi province is home to numerous historical and cultural relics, including ancient buildings,tombs, and stone carvings. Protecting these treasures poses significant challenges due to their wide distribution and the landscapes they lie in.
Through years of research, development and testing, researchers in Shaanxi are exploring the feasibility (可行性) of using a high-tech radar called the phased array radar (相控阵雷达) to prevent the theft of outdoor relics. This radar can monitor and track moving targets over wide areas, offering the promise of enhanced relic security. Unlike traditional methods, this radar works 24/7, providing real-time monitoring and precise alerts regarding suspicious activities.
Compared to conventional monitoring technologies, the phased array radar is much more flexible and reliable. It provides efficient monitoring, regardless of weather conditions or lighting, thereby reducing the risk of nighttime thefts. “The device can detect vehicles within a range of 10 kilometers and spot people within 5 km, so large-scale monitoring can be achieved at a low cost,” said Han Jianwu, deputy director of the Shaanxi Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage. “Moreover, it can simultaneously capture and track 128 groups of targets and provide their distance, speed, category and trajectory (轨迹). All this reduces the chance of missing suspicious activities in the monitored area.”
In the past, the absence of reliable security equipment resulted in numerous relic crimes. Over several months in 2019, five people stole numerous priceless ancient relics in Jilin and Hebei, with one being designated as first-class artifact. It wasn’t until months later that their activities were uncovered and they got caught.
With the radar system, anyone who breaks into the site will be identified immediately and trigger the alarm. The radar’s compact design, along with its autonomous operation and need for very little upkeep, makes it a cost-effective solution for relic security. With ongoing testing and improvement, this radar system shows real potential as an early warning tool for detecting cultural relic crimes.
1. Why are cultural relics in Shaanxi province difficult to protect?| A．Many of them remain undiscovered. |
| B．Their economic value is often low. |
| C．They are spread across challenging landscapes. |
| D．Criminals use advanced technologies to steal them. |
| A．Analyzing geological structures. |
| B．Observing atmospheric conditions. |
| C．Detecting potential criminal activities. |
| D．Monitoring the movements of wildlife. |
| A．It has an unlimited tracking range. |
| B．It has higher accuracy and sensibility. |
| C．It functions better in the daytime. |
| D．It operates using clean energy sources. |
| A．To show the seriousness of relic crimes. |
| B．To highlight the value of certain stolen relics. |
| C．To provide context for the radar system’s development. |
| D．To stress the necessity for improved security measures. |
5 . I was 18 when I first went to sea as a tourist. As a teenager who always looked for novelty and a real adventure, I joined the Merchant Navy immediately after school. I got a round-the-world journey as my first trip we went to South Africa, Australia and New Zealand and sailed down the Panama Canal. Over the next 15 years, I enjoyed a joyful life as a steward, working long hours but playing hard during my time of. Then on the evening of my 33rd birthday in November 1983, we stopped in Trinidad and a group of us went to the land to celebrate. But when I opened my eyes at noon the next day, I knew I was suffering from more than just the typical effects of being drunk and staying up all night-I found I could see nothing.
As I was helped off the ship, I tried to calm down, assuming the situation was temporary. Later, I flew back to the UK and was examined by a specialist. He told me I had a rare serious medical condition,which could make me blind for the rest of my life. I couldn’t process what I’d heard at first; it just didn’t seem to make sense.
In the following months, I felt my life was over. I had lost not only my sight but also my independence-I was trapped in my house with no income. At first, I found it difficult to make my way from one room to another, and the thought of going outside filled me with anxiety.
The turning point came when I went on a camping holiday wit other visually impaired people-it made such a difference to be able to talk to people who understood my situation. Later, I started a two-year course at the Royal National Institute for the Blind, learning new skills. Halfway through the course, I got my first guide dog, Otis, which changed everything. I had a friend who always stayed with me-it was as if all the difficulties had disappeared and the sense of regained freedom was exciting.
Shortly after that, I started working again, and have since enjoyed a rewarding career with organizations that help visually impaired people.
1. What kind of life did the author live before his 33rd birthday?| A．Hard but rewarding. | B．Regular and boring. |
| C．Lonely but peaceful. | D．Adventurous and happy. |
| A．Shocked. | B．Relaxed. |
| C．Regretful. | D．Disappointed. |
| A．The company of a guide dog. |
| B．A course in special education. |
| C．A talk with others having similar struggles. |
| D．A rewarding job helping other blind people. |
| A．Knowledge has no limit |
| B．Losing sight doesn’t end my life |
| C．Regained freedom is more valuable |
| D．Guide dogs help rebuild my confidence |
6 . The Victoria Tunnel is a 19th-century waggonway (马车轨道) under Newcastle, stretching from the Town Moor to the River Tyne. It was originally built to transport coal from Leazes Main Colliery to the river. The tunnel became an air-raid shelter to protect thousands of Newcastle citizens during World War II.
As Newcastle’s number one on Tripadvisor in “things to do in Newcastle” for several years in a row, Ouseburn’s Victoria Tunnel is something everyone should experience.
What can you expect during a Victoria Tunnel tour?Experience life in a Victorian waggonway, and learn how it was built. Be brave-listen to the story of William Coulson’s death and be aware as you hear the approaching waggons heading towards you through the tunnel in the darkness.
Learn how tough life was during World War II; listen for the air-raid warning and the sound of planes passing overhead dropping their bombs, and hear the memories of people who lived through the dreadful period in Newcastle’s history.
During your tour, you’ll also find out which Newcastle landmarks you are walking beneath, including the unique chance to walk underneath Hadrian’s Wall.
Private group visits to the Victoria TunnelPrivate group visits to the tunnel are enjoyed by a wide range of visitors.
There are two lengths of tours offered:
1%-hour tours-an introduction to the Victoria Tunnel|£10 adult|£5 child (age 7-15)
2-hour tours-go further into the Victoria Tunnel and hear more stories with more time to ask questions|£12 adult|£5 child (age 7-15)
1. What do we know about the Victoria Tunnel?| A．It was originally used to transport coal. |
| B．It has been the most beautiful site in Newcastle. |
| C．It has been a tourist attraction for two centuries. |
| D．It was initially designed to be an emergency shelter. |
| A．Talk with William Coulson. |
| B．Ride on waggons full of coal. |
| C．Visit the landmarks of Newcastle. |
| D．Learn about the locals’ hardships during WWII. |
| A．£25. | B．£24. | C．£20. | D．£29. |
1. What will the woman do tomorrow?
| A．Repair her laptop. | B．Prepare a report. | C．Have an interview. |
| A．A development plan. | B．A technology research. | C．A researching subject. |
| A．Her laptop might not work. | B．She might feel too nervous. | C．She isn’t sure of what to say. |
8 . Cake moulds are cake pans in fun or functional shapes. You might often see them referred to as cake forms or cake shapes. Cake moulds are especially designed to make it easier to bake a cake.
Generally, a cake mould is often made out of silicone (硅酮).
Cake moulds are sold in kitchen supply stores and baking stores.
It can be difficult to remove a cake from a cake mould without damaging it. Even if the pan is non-stick, which most are, you should still grease (抹油) the pan well before baking.
| A．Cake moulds vary in design and color. |
| B．This kind of cake mould is a breeze to use and wash up. |
| C．There’re virtually limitless possibilities for cake moulds. |
| D．You can also order specially or personalized ones online. |
| E．Allowing the cake to cool fully will also aid in the process. |
| F．Here are some things to consider when choosing a cake mould. |
| G．So you do not have to do all of the shaping and designing yourself. |
9 . For decades sleep scientists have thought over the link between dreaming and creative inspiration. They have long thought the insight came from the stage of rapid eye movement sleep, which is rich with dreams and begins around 90 minutes after one falling asleep. But new evidence puts the spotlight on a much earlier phase — the period that separates sleep and wakefulness. In a study by MIT, researchers show that people who take brief naps (小睡) that bring about the beginning of sleep score higher on several measures of creativity than those who undertake the tasks after staying awake.
The findings suggest researchers could even exercise some measure of control over the dreaming process by directing people's dreams toward a specific topic. The more frequently people dreamed about that, the more creative they were on tasks related to it. “We can come to the conclusion that dreaming about a topic enhances your subsequent creativity on it,” says Robert Stickgold, a member of the study team.
The experiment took advantage of a glovelike sleep detector, which charts sleep by monitoring one's muscle tone, skin conductance and heart rate through contacts on the wrist and hand. It communicates with an app that issues voice prompts (提示) for dreams and records dream reports.
More than one famous thinker has capitalized on the phase called non-rapid eye movement sleep stage 1,or N1, illustrating the point about generating creative insights. The painter Salvador Dalí would deliberately nap, holding a set of keys above a metal plate, when thinking over an idea for a painting. As he nodded off, he'd drop the keys, which would hit the plate and wake him up, and he'd hold onto the image from his dream. Thomas Alva Edison is said to have used a similar technique with metal balls to gain insights.
“It's exciting because, in principle, people could use the technology themselves to develop creativity,” says Jonathan Schooler, a professor of psychological and brain sciences at the University of California. There seems to be no shortage of folks coming to try it. “So many different kinds of people have visited, knocking on the lab door and asking to have dreams,” co-lead investigator Haar Horowitz says.
1. Which phase boosts creative ideas according to the study?| A．The initial sleep stage. | B．The middle of the sleep cycle. |
| C．The wakefulness after sleep. | D．The rapid eye movement sleep stage. |
| A．Physical changes reflect the sleep phase. | B．Dream contents re late to real life. |
| C．Creativity levels vary with the nap length. | D．The theme of the dream can be guided. |
| A．Encourages. | B．Improves. | C．Tracks. | D．Influences. |
| A．To prove the effect of dreams. | B．To provide support for the findings. |
| C．To interpret the benefits of N1. | D．To give examples of fueling creativity. |
1. What is the talk mainly about?
| A．TV programs. | B．Sports competitions. | C．Entertainment activities. |
| A．8:20 am. | B．8:40 am. | C．9:00 am. |
| A．Cloudy. | B．Rainy. | C．Sunny. |
| A．It is free of charge. |
| B．It will start at 9:00 pm. |
| C．It will be showed in the Ship’s Gym. |
