1 . For as long as I can remember, I’ve had animals in my life. These days, there are four small companions: three dogs and an eight-year-old brown Burmese cat called Soo. I love them all dearly and they are the best company possible. They greet me warmly each time I come home, never complain and never get angry or argue with me. I have, though, discovered recently, after all these years of never being without a pet, there are unexpected risks of living with animals.

This year, I’ve spent four weeks in hospital, thanks to the cat. I felt such a fool telling the doctors that the terrible bruising (擦伤) and growing lump (肿块) in the middle of my right foot was due to my cat misbehaving.

It was a Sunday night. I’d had friends for lunch and was in the kitchen clearing up. I’d emptied and washed a heavy glass ashtray (烟灰缸), which I’d placed on the side. Soo knows she’s not allowed on the kitchen surfaces. Yet, she jumped up, marched towards the ashtray, and knocked it off. I like to think she didn’t know my foot was directly in her line of fire, but it was. I cried with pain. I couldn’t see any obvious wound and the ashtray survived the fall. I thought nothing more of it.

I’ve never seen such bruising as appeared the next day, but I carried on. I had work to do. It wasn’t too painful and surely the bruising would go away eventually. I carried on like that for a couple of weeks until a visit from my son, who thought the lump had grown and could be infected, so demanded I take a trip to the hospital.

As for forgiveness, there’s nothing to forgive. It’s my fault the ashtray was too close to the edge. There’ll still be treats and toys prepared for my pets under the Christmas tree.

1. What has the writer found recently about having pets?

A．Pets are the best company possible.	B．Pets may bring danger to their owners.
C．Pets never complain or argue with people.	D．Dogs and cats are great pets in people’s life.

2. What was the result of the accident?

A．I was grateful to my cat Soo.	B．I was made fun of by doctors.
C．I only suffered some bruising.	D．I stayed in hospital for several weeks.

3. What do we know about the accident?

A．My son took my wound more seriously.

B．Soo didn’t knock off the ashtray on purpose.

C．It happened when I was cooking in the kitchen.

D．I took a trip to the hospital right after the accident.

4. Which can best describe the writer’s attitude towards pets?

A．Love them all to bits.	B．Hate their misbehaviors.
C．Understand their feelings.	D．Complain about their company.

2 . Younger generations of Chinese citizens have developed new methods to relieve stress, which include raising unconventional “pets”, hugging trees, watching stress relief videos and so on.

On social media platforms, a new toy called “mango dog” recently emerged.     1     In the eyes of some netizens, the “mango dog” has special meanings. “Every time I see it, it heals me,” “It’s fluffy (毛茸茸的) and cute.”     2     For example, college students have shared online their experiences of raising stones and paper box “dogs”. These “pets” share similar characteristics—they don’t cry, make noise or get sick.

Tree hugging has also become a new stress relief for young people. “You may think you are hugging the tree, but in fact, the tree is embracing you,” this is a feeling shared by a netizen. Many netizens with such experiences have expressed that their anxiety has been reduced, and they feel a sense of communication with nature.     3    

“I came across the idea online. I tried it and felt truly relaxed,” said a young office worker. “In those brief seconds, it felt like the tree released a lot of pressure and stress from me.”     4     “I especially enjoy watching stress relief videos, like washing blankets and cutting soap. After watching them, I feel like the stress of the day is relieved and it’s easier to fall asleep.”

    5     According to public data, there are currently more than 800 companies in China with names, business scopes, products, services or trademarks containing the term “stress relief”. In 2023 alone, more than 70 new registered companies with this focus were added.

A．Various “pets” are made to cater to different people.

B．It is claimed to bring a sense of calmness and give a healing effect.

C．This is not the first time that young people have raised novel “pets”.

D．A young media worker also finds the relief in watching short videos.

E．In some cities people have even organized “tree hugging interest groups”.

F．Other toys such as squeeze balls have also gained popularity as a way to relieve stress.

G．The popularity of these methods reflects an increasing need to release people’s pressure.

3 . Artemisia Gentileschi (1593—1653)

As the daughter of a painter, Artemisia Gentileschi was afforded access to the art world at a young age. Early on, she was in her father’s workshop mixing paints and he supported her career when he noticed that she was gifted. As a famous painter of the Italian Baroque period, Artemisia Gentileschi did not let her gender hold her back from her subject matter. She painted Biblical and mythological (神话的) paintings, just like male painters.

Angelica Kauffman (1741—1807)

Born in Switzerland, Angelica Kauffman was the daughter of the artist Johann Joseph Kauffman. She received artistic training while acting as her father’s assistant from a very young age and copying the works of old masters as they traveled for commissions (委托). As a young woman, she also trained in Italy, where her historical paintings and portraits were well received.

Rosa Bonheur (1822—1899)

Like many female artists at the time, Rosa Bonheur’s father was a painter. The French Realist painter is considered one of the most famous female artists of the 19th century, known for her large-format paintings that featured animals. She showed her works regularly at the famous Paris salon and found success abroad in both the United States and Britain.

Berthe Morisot (1841—1895)

Considered one of the great female Impressionists, Berthe Morisot had art running through her veins. Born into a noble French family, she was the great-niece of celebrated Rococo painter Jean-Honore Fragonard. Her art often focused on family scenes, and she preferred working with pastels (粉彩), watercolor, and charcoal (木炭).

1. What artistic style do Artemisia Gentileschi’s paintings belong to?

A．Rococo.

B．Baroque.

C．Realism.

D．Impressionism.

2. Who is famous for painting animals?

A．Artemisia Gentileschi.	B．Angelica Kauffman.
C．Rosa Bonheur.	D．Berthe Morisot.

3. What do these four female painters have in common?

A．They all learned painting from their fathers.

B．They all loved copying classic paintings.

C．They were all born into a noble family.

D．They all grew up in an artistic environment.

4 . Undergraduate Study — Computer Science

Cambridge was a pioneer of computer science and continues to lead its development. Our course covers all aspects of modern computer science along with practical skills.

●Subject requirements

A Level Mathematics.

No former knowledge of programming is required.

Further guidance: A Level Further Mathematics is strongly encouraged. If unavailable (不可获得的) , we’d advise you to do as much additional pure maths and decision maths as possible. Good performance in maths competitions can be an advantage of an application.

Please note, all applicants are required to take the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) , for which you must be registered in advance.

●Course costs
Tuition fees

Home students: £9, 250/year

International students: £39, 162/year

Additional course costs

Each year of study: Payment at the beginning of each year is required.

Year	Copies of textbooks	Cost
1	Part IA courses	£150
2	Part IB courses	£150-£250
3	Part II courses	£150-£250
4	Part III courses	£150-£250

For further Computer Science undergraduate admissions information, please click here: www.cl.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate.

1. What is a must for applicants for Computer Science?

A．Knowledge of programming.	B．A Level Further Mathematics.
C．Top prizes in maths competitions.	D．Registration for TMUA in advance.

2. How much should a freshman from China pay?

A．£9,250.

B．£9,400.

C．£39,162.

D．£39,312.

3. Where is this text probably taken from?

A．A website.

B．A magazine.

C．A textbook.

D．A newspaper.

5 . 语法填空

China will closely track     1     assess the impacts of Japan's "extremely selfish and     2    (responsible) " plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean, the National Nuclear Security Administration said.

Japan's plan prioritizes its own interests     3     the long-term well-being of humanity, the administration said in     4     media release on Thursday, the same day that Japan is set to start releasing     5     (treat) radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean     6     part of its plan to decommission the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida     7     (give) the final go-ahead for the plan to gradually release more     8    1 million metric tons of radioactive water from the plant into the ocean at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

"We urge the Japanese government to listen to the voice of the international community and     9     (effective) dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water in a     10     (science), safe and transparent manner under strict international supervision," the administration said.

6 . Losing a competition can be discouraging, but it’s essential not to __________________ (泄气) and keep pushing forward. （根据汉语提示完成句子）

7 . 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。

The 2023-24 Hohhot (呼和浩特) Ice and Snow Festival     1    (kick) off at the Mazongshan Ski Resort in Hohhot, capital city of North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Dec 22.

The festival features a series of New Year activities, the third Hohhot Happy Ice and Snow Carnival, and the Hohhot Spring Festival and Lantern Festival celebrations.

The third Hohhot Happy Ice and Snow Carnival combines North China’s culture and local customs, showcasing 80 activities,    2     (include) ice and snow architecture, ice and snow sports, artistic    3    (perform), and New Year’s markets. Additionally, Hohhot’s cultural and exhibition venues will host 57 cultural activities.

    4     (locate) in the “golden latitude belt” of ice and snow, Hohhot boasts excellent natural conditions    5    winter sports, with a winter season lasting over four    6    (month) and average temperatures ranging from -2 C to-13 C.

In recent years, Hohhot     7     (boost) its winter tourism by cultivating    8    (diversity) product offerings and launching a range of distinctive winter tourism activities.

This year, Hohhot will host the 14th National Winter Games,    9     as a result of its geographical and transportation advantages, it forms a “2-hour transportation circle” with Beijing. With the opening of the “Beijing-Hohhot” ski train, more skiing enthusiasts can come to Hohhot     10    (experience) its unique ice and snow culture.

8 . —I heard you didn’t enjoy the movie last night.
—         . I actually found it quite entertaining.

A．Mind your own business.	B．I couldn’t agree more.
C．That’s not the case.	D．I’m glad to hear that.

9 . Last month’s bad weather was         for the crop failure.

A．responsible

B．suitable

C．ready

D．unless

10 . Students at the university have easy          to a comprehensive library with extensive resources for their research.

A．way

B．chance

C．access

D．method