1 . Magic Milk Experiment

This fun experiment is a classic for a reason! In the magic milk experiment, kids learn about simple chemical reactions and physical features using only a few materials. Read on to see how to do the experiment.

How does the magic milk experiment work?

In this experiment, you pour some milk in a shallow dish. You then add drops of food coloring to the surface of the milk. Using a cotton swab (棉签) dipped into dish soap, you lightly brush the surface of the milk. The dish soap breaks the surface tension of the milk, and the soap molecules try to attach to the fat molecules in the milk. This leads to swirls (漩涡) and bursts of fun rainbow colors.

What does the magic milk experiment teach?

This experiment teaches us about the science of molecules and how matter interacts. The soap breaks down the fat molecules and makes them move apart, showing us a simple but interesting example of chemistry in action.

Materials needed:

To do the magic milk experiment, you will need a shallow bowl or plate, milk, blue dish soap, cotton swabs, and food coloring. Be sure to use the more inexpensive food coloring as opposed to gel (凝胶) coloring, which does not work as well.

Magic milk experiment steps:

·Pour milk into a shallow dish or bowl, just enough to cover the bottom.

·Add drops of food coloring all over the surface of the milk.

·Dip the end of a cotton swab into a separate dish of blue soap.

·Lightly brush the top of the milk with the cotton swab, and watch what happens.

1. What causes swirls and bursts of fun rainbow colors in the experiment?

A．The overuse of dish soap.	B．The temperature of the milk.
C．The food coloring left in the shallow dish.	D．The interaction between dish soap and milk.

2. Which material has special requirements in the experiment?

A．Milk.

B．Coloring.

C．Dish soap.

D．The cotton swab.

3. What can kids learn from the experiment?

A．Good eating habits.	B．Useful painting skills.
C．Basic scientific concepts.	D．Important statistical methods.

2 . About 15 years ago, I packed my suitcase and traveled to a town a few hours away. I would have an important ______ the next day, so I arrived ______. When I woke up the next morning in the hotel and started to get ______, something came to my notice — I had ______ to pack a white shirt.

This discovery made me get into ______. There was only about an hour left. Without thinking, I ______ went down to the lobby (大厅) immediately and flew to the attendant at the front desk. I explained my ______ situation and asked if he could suggest a nearby store where I could get a new shirt. I received a response before I finished speaking. “Sir, I have got a ______,” The attendant replied. How excited I was when I heard that! But rather than ______ me to a nearby shop, the man did something ______. Without saying a word, he ______ his own white shirt and handed it to me.

I finally arrived on time. Things ______ in the end — I got my dream job. I expressed my ______ when giving back the shirt.

That nice ______ has stuck with me over the years and that man’s behavior has ______ me ever since. And so now, when I see someone who needs anything, I’m willing to share.

1.

A．speech

B．lecture

C．interview

D．conference

2.

A．as usual

B．on schedule

C．under pressure

D．in advance

3.

A．dressed

B．washed

C．shaved

D．occupied

4.

A．applied

B．learnt

C．forgotten

D．attempted

5.

A．panic

B．bitterness

C．disbelief

D．disappointment

6.

A．firmly

B．hurriedly

C．effortlessly

D．hopelessly

7.

A．sensitive

B．awkward

C．dangerous

D．financial

8.

A．secret

B．question

C．solution

D．discovery

9.

A．driving

B．directing

C．introducing

D．sending

10.

A．cheerful

B．unmatched

C．confusing

D．surprising

11.

A．removed

B．obtained

C．recommended

D．decorated

12.

A．got across

B．turned around

C．worked out

D．stood up

13.

A．support

B．interest

C．curiosity

D．gratitude

14.

A．bond

B．gesture

C．comfort

D．personality

15.

A．revised

B．challenged

C．assisted

D．impressed

3 . Childhood can bring a lot of awe (敬畏). Research also suggests that awe is important in promoting well-being beyond our individual lives — it can encourage our children to care for others.

A recent study by researchers Eftychia Stamkou, Keltner, and their colleagues invited children aged 8-13 to take part in an experiment. In the awe group, children were offered a short part of a movie that features a child transformed into a seal (海豹) and exploring the sea while in the joy group, children were offered a short part of another movie where friends were celebrating.

Researchers measured children’s kindness toward poor families by inviting children to support their food drive by spending as much time as they wanted in counting donated things, to make sure the poor got access to the donated food as quickly as possible. They also invited children to donate the reward they earned from taking part in the research (e.g., a snack or a museum ticket) to a poor family.

The results? Children who watched the awe-inspiring video spent more time counting food donations and donated their rewards to poor families more often compared to the children who watched the joy-inspiring video. These findings highlight that awe-inspiring art can motivate children to be sympathetic toward people who have been forcibly displaced (离开家园) from their countries of origin.

As parents, we can also seek out everyday experiences of awe in our communities to share with our children, like wall paintings of the city scenery and folk art. Awe can be inspired by music, like the harmonious sounds of a wooden guitar and the beat of a drum. Awesome architecture, like symphony halls, museums, and even features like staircases, can be a way to experience awe with our children.

1. What does the research find?

A．Awe should be inspired early.	B．Awe helps kids be more generous.
C．Individual lives affect kids’ health.	D．Training awe gives kids excitement.

2. What do we know about the children in the experiment?

A．They watched different movies.	B．They commented on the videos.
C．They were asked some questions.	D．They donated money to poor families.

3. Why did the awe group support the food drive more?

A．They learned this from a video.	B．They were motivated by the movie.
C．They liked to contribute to charity.	D．They were reminded by the homeless.

4. What does the author intend to do in the last paragraph?

A．Give reasons for feeling awe.	B．List experiences of awe.
C．Show benefits of awe to kids.	D．Appeal for developing awe in kids.

4 . I’ve received dozens of these emails throughout my experience as a writer: “Thank you so much for taking the time to submit your work to us. However, this piece is not right for our magazine”; “Thank you for submitting your story to our magazine. Unfortunately, we are unable to publish it”; “We appreciate the chance to read your story. Unfortunately, the piece is not for us”; etc.

Nobody likes getting such emails. They are painful and can often be demotivating. However, one day I received a beautiful rejection letter. The editor wrote that he enjoyed my non-fiction article. He also wrote, “I like your writing style. It is very engaging. Nevertheless, I did find a few spots in your story where the wording seemed a little foreign or unusual to me. Not that it was wrong but that it tended to draw my attention away from the story. You should read as much English (British and/or American English) as you can to build a vocabulary and usage that draws our attention to feelings, not words.”

As a non-native English speaker, I often found it challenging to write in English. But the editor’s letter is of great help to me as it elucidated where and how I should improve my writing. I read Ernest Hemingway’s books and Jane Austen’s classic novels in order to improve my language skills. I read English newspapers and magazines and learned at least three new words every day. I listened to talk shows on the radio.

After eight months of this process, I went back and read the essay I had originally sent to the editor. I rewrote the story and sent it to the same editor who congratulated me and accepted it for publication. What I took away from this experience was that I should never be satisfied with just okay results. I need to keep working on myself and to try to constantly expand my knowledge by taking advantage of every single moment, advice, comment, and review. I do feel uncomfortable sometimes, but I am not scared. The bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity to learn and grow.

1. What did the editor find unsatisfying about the author’s essay?

A．The story was too complicated.	B．Some unusual feelings were expressed.
C．Some language was not natural enough.	D．The writing style was far from engaging.

2. What does the underlined word “elucidated” in paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．Clarified.

B．Proved.

C．Supported.

D．Confirmed.

3. What did the author learn from her experience?

A．Great minds usually think alike.

B．Someone always sees the good in you.

C．One should always work towards improvement.

D．We shouldn’t be ashamed to seek advice from others.

4. What would be the best title of the text?

A．How I dealt with a rejection letter.

B．How a rejection letter made me a better writer.

C．How an honest editor stimulated my interest in writing.

D．How I benefited from constant communication with my editor.

5 . The ocean, with its vast mysteries hidden in its depths, has long excited human curiosity. From ancient maps decorated with dragons and sea monsters to modern-day technology, we’ve made limited progress in uncovering the secrets of the deep blue. Despite the technological advancements to date, only around five percent of the world’s oceans have been mapped.

The power of underwater exploration is currently the biggest obstacle we face. While technologies like wave and tidal power show promise, they are often location-dependent. Solar power, on the other hand, offers an ever-present and powerful energy source, even beneath the ocean’s surface. Sunlight can penetrate (穿透) waters up to 50 meters deep, providing sufficient energy to operate basic appliances. And in recent research conducted by a team from NYU Tandon School of Engineering, solar cells successfully powered AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles) and communications equipment, demonstrating its enormous potential for undersea exploration.

However, some challenges remain. One lies in the design of existing silicon (硅) solar technology, which is ill-suited for underwater environments. Beyond moisture and salt content harmful to electronics in general, silicon solar cells are optimized (使优化) to absorb red and infrared light, which do not penetrate water effectively.

Another critical issue underwater solar cells face is biofouling — the gradual gathering of organic substances on the cells. This buildup blocks light. Furthermore, it affects the underwater vehicles themselves, increasing their weight. Previous experiments revealed that biofouling covered over 50 percent of the surface after just 30 days underwater, significantly hampering solar cell operation.

In the research, the team also tackled practical challenges in designing and testing underwater solar cells. They created innovative solutions, such as using LED lights to copy the light spectrum (光谱) at various depths, removing the need for water during testing.

These experiments demonstrated that silicon-based solar cells performed better in shallow depths, while other cell types proved more efficient below two meters. Although these specially designed underwater solar cells are still in their early stages of development, these contributions could lay the foundations for groundbreaking technologies that reveal both the potential of solar energy and the mysterious depths of our unexplored oceans.

1. What does the author intend to tell us in paragraph 1?

A．The ocean is mostly unexplored.

B．The sea has shaped human civilization.

C．Marine exploration technology is urgently needed.

D．Technology promotes humans’ underwater exploration.

2. What is the advantage of solar power according to paragraph 2?

A．It is affordable.	B．It is eco-friendly.
C．It is location-independent.	D．It is efficient in generating electricity.

3. What is the author’s attitude towards the underwater solar cells designed by the researchers?

A．Unconcerned.

B．Favorable.

C．Doubtful.

D．Disapproving.

4. In which section of a magazine may this text appear?

A．Health.

B．Education.

C．Society.

D．Nature.

6 . A paid internship (带薪实习) is a job often in your chosen field of work that offers a salary and is combined with training in your field. Paid internships are common for college students, who may work part-time during the school year and full-time during the vacation. The duration of the internship is not fixed.     1     Sometimes, it can last for a year or two as knowledge increases.

Certain fields may require that you obtain internship experience in advance before getting a license.     2     Students might seek out paid internships to increase their chances of getting hired in their chosen career. A few paid internships may be completely unrelated to jobs you might want to be in but are attractive because they’re fun or have flexible scheduling.

    3     They allow you to make some money while learning more about the jobs you might later apply for. In addition, engaging in a paid internship allows you to establish connections with professionals and peers within your industry. These networking opportunities can prove invaluable in the future.

Some work opportunities are known as partially paid internships. These typically offer a stipend (生活津贴) or a fixed and regular payment that is less than a standard salary. Stipends range greatly and may include housing as part of their offer.     4    

Paid internships have the potential to lead to permanent employment.     5     Because the transition from an intern to a full-time employee depends on several aspects, including the intern’s performance, organizational needs, and the availability of suitable positions.

A．Not all internships are paid.

B．However, this outcome is not guaranteed.

C．There are many advantages of paid internships.

D．Usually the money offers just enough to live on.

E．It can be of short duration, lasting only several months.

F．This is common in the teaching field and many scientific fields.

G．Moreover, paid internships tend to attract a broader pool of applicants.

7 . I have new company these days as I go outside. Every time I go out the door Miss Alice is sitting at my front door, waiting to be ________. And when I finally return home, there she is asking for ________ again.

It wasn’t always this way. The very first time I saw Miss Alice she was ________ under my house, having just had a litter of kittens (一窝小猫). When I looked under, I got a clear ________ that I was in for an attack if I got near. It took a lot of ________, love, and cat food from my daughter to ________ her. At first, she didn’t want to be touched at all. Then she would only allow a(n) ________ petting. Now my daughter can carry her like a little baby.

It still makes me ________ to see how my daughter’s loving spirit made this once ________cat as lovable as a most playful dog. I guess that is the ________ of love. It can save a hurting heart and uplift a(n) ________ soul. It can even turn her into a ________ dog in a cat suit. ________ the love into your own life then. And let your own love ________ everything you think, everything you say, and everything you do. You will be delighted at the joy you will find, the good you will do, and the lives you will ________. You will be amazed at how much your life will change.

1.

A．fed

B．petted

C．adopted

D．caught

2.

A．aid

B．food

C．attention

D．information

3.

A．hiding

B．playing

C．hunting

D．running

4.

A．order

B．notice

C．warning

D．impression

5.

A．ambition

B．imagination

C．support

D．patience

6.

A．trick

B．trap

C．catch

D．relieve

7.

A．occasional

B．emotional

C．sensitive

D．repetitive

8.

A．cry

B．complain

C．smile

D．sweat

9.

A．distant

B．peaceful

C．noisy

D．fearless

10.

A．source

B．power

C．adventure

D．exchange

11.

A．saddened

B．awakened

C．lovely

D．merry

12.

A．crazy

B．cheerful

C．careful

D．lazy

13.

A．Throw

B．Translate

C．Change

D．Invite

14.

A．fall over

B．wait for

C．turn into

D．flow through

15.

A．risk

B．lose

C．help

D．like

8 . “Would you say you are more of a scientist or an artist?” I frequently ______ this question as I was preparing my doctoral program, often after I told my classmates that I ______ writing poetry. I learned to respond, “A scientist”, because I sensed it would win me more ______. As an undergraduate, poetry had helped release my pressure. But I wanted to be seen as being ______ to my work as those around me, who appeared completely ______ by nonscientific activities. So, I left poetry by the wayside.

However, as my thesis became all-consuming, I was nearly ______. I turned back to poetry but still ______ about appearing less than fully dedicated to my science. So, when a senior graduate whispered, “I hear you write poetry!” I felt ______. Was my cover blown? She went on to invite me to perform at our department’s art party. After spending several days ______, I decided to write a poem and prepare for the performance.

The night of the party, I was ______ at the talent on display, including breathtaking musicianship and visual art. Chatting with other performers, many of whom were also graduate students, I realized many shared my ______ that peers might interpret a passion for art as a (n) ______. But over the course of the evening, I found myself ______ the two halves of my identity. I had nothing to hide.

Since then, I have continued to ______ all of myself. While completing my Ph. D., I constantly wrote poems. Now if someone asks me whether I’m more of a scientist or an artist, I would ______ say, “Both.”

1.

A．encountered

B．ignored

C．raised

D．understood

2.

A．continued

B．feared

C．disliked

D．enjoyed

3.

A．wealth

B．respect

C．rewards

D．achievements

4.

A．superior

B．indifferent

C．devoted

D．accustomed

5.

A．disconnected

B．discouraged

C．underestimated

D．undistracted

6.

A．blown away

B．sent back

C．burnt out

D．woken up

7.

A．worried

B．wondered

C．hesitated

D．forgot

8.

A．relieved

B．shocked

C．frustrated

D．scared

9.

A．practicing

B．debating

C．struggling

D．investigating

10.

A．amazed

B．puzzled

C．annoyed

D．disappointed

11.

A．passion

B．curiosity

C．expectation

D．concern

12.

A．ability

B．distraction

C．reference

D．advantage

13.

A．in search of

B．at risk of

C．in connection with

D．at peace with

14.

A．challenge

B．trust

C．embrace

D．resist

15.

A．proudly

B．cautiously

C．patiently

D．seriously

9 . 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 new hit TV show To the Wonder has made Altay in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region a new     1    (trend) tourism destination among young people,     2     are attracted by the breathtaking views and the simple and heartwarming lives of the local residents.

From May 7—the day the TV show began its     3    (commerce) airing, flight ticket bookings to Altay rose 20 percent     4    (compare) with the same period in the previous month, and hotel bookings doubled during the period on its platform.

Altay has not become famous overnight,     5     has long been a destination well-known for its natural beauty. Altay has different     6    (charm) in summer and winter, and these distinct season al views are attractive to travelers.     7    , it hasn’t been very popular because of long travel times and higher costs of accommodation.

It’s not the first time in recent years that a hit show     8    (help) turn its location into a popular tourism destination. In January 2023, the TV drama Meet Yourself,     9     (star) Liu Yifei and Li Xian, made Dali a popular tourism destination.

Though Altay still lacks the capability to receive large numbers of travelers, the local authorities or tourism companies can optimize tour products combining natural views and cultural elements in Altay     10     (improve) people’s travel experiences.

10 . 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。

Bill and I were far from expert sailors. We’d purchased our 36-foot boat a few years earlier. Since then, we’d taken a number of short trips around Lake Michigan. But Bill and I still had a lot to learn.

It was clear on the first day of this trip, our longest adventure to date—80 miles to Fayette State Park. Not long after we’d left our home port, Menominee, Michigan, on the shore of Green Bay, the sky turned dark, the waves grew and the wind picked up. There had been rain and strong wind forecast, but we weren’t prepared for them. Should we keep going or head for a safe port?

“Escanaba’s not far away if we can make it,” Bill said. I nodded my head. He drew down the sails and turned on the engine. Soon we made it to the port. After Bill gassed up, we cooked up some dinner, made hot coffee and listened to the music of the rain and wind.

The next morning, we awoke to a beautiful midsummer day. The sky was clear. We set sail after breakfast across Green Bay and onto the waters of western Lake Michigan. Twenty miles were left to our destination. For the first hour or so, everything went well. Then the wind, which had carried us along at a steady but gentle pace, suddenly died. Died completely. We had to start the motor.

The engine coughed, and the boat trembled. I looked at Bill. “I pumped in enough gas, so that can’t be the problem,” Bill said. The engine coughed again, and then shut down. Every attempt to start it failed. “I think I know what’s wrong,” he said and raced to the bow. I followed. When I reached there, he was holding the gas cap. He had been in such a rush to fill up the tank the night before to get out of the rain that he had forgotten to fasten the gas cap back on. Now the boat motor was flooded.

注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式作答。

We tried to make a phone call, but there was no signal.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Just as we were desperate, an old boat came along.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________