1 . Popularly known as the environmentalist and founder of the international tree-plant, Felix Finkbeiner is only 25 years old but he has been urgently at work for over a decade.

In 2006, Finkbeiner was asked to give a presentation on climate change in his class. Inspired by Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai, who led an effort to plant 30 million trees, Felix spoke about deforestation and its effect on the planet. At the end of his talk, he followed with his own fearless idea that a million trees should be planted in each country to fight climate change. He challenged his classmates to help him. One year later, the project named “Plant-for-the-Planet” was born. It wasn’t long before his fearless dream was realized.

When he was just 13, He was invited to speak at a United Nations conference and made the call for others to join him. “We cannot trust that adults alone will save our future, “he said in the speech. “We have to take our future in our own hands.”

Finkbeiner is now in his twenties, and Plant-for-the-Planet is an organization with around 70, 000 members. It works to teach people about climate change and to encourage the planting of more trees. Finkbeiner has taken over the United Nations’ Billion Tree Programme, planning to plant another trillion trees instead.

Finkbeiner continues to give talks on climate change to world leaders. “I don’t think we can give up on this generation of adults,” he says, “and wait 20 or 30 years for our generations to come to power. We don’t have that time. All we can do is to push present world leaders in the right direction.

1. Which of the following words can best describe Finkbeiner?

A．Active and friendly.	B．Active and outgoing.
C．Successful and funny.	D．Ambitious and strong-willed.

2. What is NOT true about Plant-for-the-Planet today?

A．It was set up in 2007.

B．It has many thousands of members.

C．Its aim is to plant one million trees.

D．It teaches people about deforestation.

3. What does the underlined word “deforestation” in the second paragraph probably mean?

A．Removal of forests.	B．Planting of forests.
C．Advantages of forests.	D．Disadvantages of forests.

4. Which of the following is the best summary of Finkbeiner’s quote (引用)in the last paragraph?

A．If today’ young people have more power, they will make changes easily.

B．Young people need to push those in power to make changes.

C．Today’s world leaders set up a good example for young people to follow.

D．Young people can stop getting the support from this generation of adults.

2 . There are many reasons why people traveled far away. Some travelers may simply satisfy their curiosity. Until recently, however, did travelers start their journey for reasons other than only curiosity. The travelers’ accounts give much information on these foreign lands, local cultures and histories.

Records of foreign travel appeared soon after the invention of writing, and fragmentary (碎片) travel accounts appeared in both Mesopotamia and Egypt in ancient times. These travel accounts caught great attention from rulers desiring useful knowledge about their realms (领土). The Chinese envoy Zhang Qian was a good example.

From about 500 to 1500 CE, trade and pilgrimage (朝圣) became major causes for travel to foreign lands. While Muslim businessmen set out in search of trade opportunities and profit throughout much of the eastern part, Muslims travelled as pilgrims to Mecca to visit the holy sites of Islam. Thousands of written accounts have related their experiences.

After the 12th century, businessmen, pilgrims, and missionaries (传教士) from Europe travelled widely and left numerous travel accounts, of which Marco Polo’s description of his travels in China is the best known. European explorers, conquerors, merchants, and missionaries took center stage during the early modern era (about 1500 to 1800 CE). During this period, European printing presses printed thousands of travel accounts for readers who are curious about the larger world.

During the 19th century, European travelers made their way to the centre of Africa and America. Meanwhile, European colonial governments devoted numerous writings to the societies of their colonial subjects, particularly in Asian and African colonies they set up. By midcentury, attention was flowing also in the other direction. Aware of the military and technological strength of European and Euro-American societies, Asian travelers in particular visited Europe and the United States in hopes of discovering principles useful for their own societies. Among these travelers who made use of their overseas experiences in their own writings were the Japanese reformer Fukuzawa Yukichi and the Chinese revolutionary Sun Yat-sen.

With the development of means of transportation, the 20th century saw explosions both in the frequency of long-distance travel and in the volume of travel writing. Mass tourism has become a major form of consumption for people. A unique form of the travel account appeared to satisfy these tourists: the guidebook, which offered advice on food, hotels, shopping, and the sights that visitors should not miss.

1. Why did most people travel in the early days?

A．For business.	B．For writing travel books.
C．For knowing other people and countries.	D．Studying their own cultures.

2. Why were the rulers interested in these travel stories?

A．Because the accounts are often true.

B．Because reading travel stories was popular.

C．Because travel books played an important role in history.

D．Because they wanted knowledge of their empire.

3. During the modern era, a large number of travel books were published to ______.

A．explore new business opportunities.	B．meet the public’s interests.
C．keep a record of the world.	D．encourage trips to the new world.

4. What is the main theme of the passage?

A．The historical importance of travel books.	B．The production of travel books.
C．The development of travel books.	D．The literary status of travel books.

3 . 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 “relaxing and inspiration” area set up in a library at Guangdong University of Finance & Economics has unexpectedly become     1     hit online.

According to the library staff, the university     2    (set) up the “relaxing and inspiration” area for many years, which is named to reflect its purpose and has become popular among students. Currently, the library is     3    (continuous) planning and improving the area to make it more comfortable for students.

The library director, Wang Zhongzheng, explains that the main purpose of setting up this special zone is to provide students with a place     4    (relax), rest and inspire creativity after studying. Nowadays, the library has six “relaxing and inspiration” areas next to the study and reading area,     5     students can rest, have a snack, and enjoy the beautiful city landscape.

The area is equipped     6     outdoor tables, chairs, greenery, and other facilities. The library is also planning to upgrade the zone by incorporating     7    (element) of tradition and modernity to meet the needs of young students.

Wang Zhongzheng believes that the popularity of the “relaxing and inspiration” area demonstrates a positive and simple way for young people to cope with stress, which is worthy of     8    (recognize) and encouragement. He also recommends that such an area     9    (establish) in more schools and workplaces to satisfy the people who seek a peaceful and     10    (inspire) environment.

4 . 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。

Yesterday I was in a bad mood because of losing my job. I tried to find something else to do to make myself feel better. I went shopping for a pair of trainers to replace the old pair I have been wearing for too long. I would have replaced them months ago but I am one of those women who hate shopping. I hate the crowds and the heat in the shops, but mostly I hate the waiting line.

I was happy as I found my trainers very quickly, but my happiness soon disappeared when I found myself in a very long line for the payment.

This line was long and snaking around a corner. I do hate waiting but I find the best way to pass the time is to talk to the person behind me.

So I turned around and told the woman behind me that the line was looking very long and joked that I hoped we could all hang on.

She laughed and agreed. I caught an English accent(口音)as she spoke, so being a person from Liverpool in England myself, I immediately asked her where she was from.

She rewarded me with a sharp look and said, “England. ”

Immediately I realized that I had accidentally offended(冒犯)her—she was black and thought I was referring to her colour. I told her I was from Liverpool and had noticed her English accent.

注意：1. 续写词数应为150个左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

She laughed then and continued chatting.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The line seemed to disappear slowly as we exchanged some information about our life.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5 . 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。

As a part of the 2023 Beijing Culture Forum (论坛), the     1    (eight) Beijing October Literature Festival recently kicked off.

Respected writers such as Wang Meng and Mo Yan will hold a     2    (discuss) on literature with readers across the country. Throughout the event, bookstores, museums and local communities will host a number of literature-related     3    (activity). There will also be a good time for writers to collect material for their literary works, all working     4    (build) a widespread reading culture.

Furthermore, on Wednesday, a dialogue between overseas translators     5     Chinese writers will take place. They will discuss how to advance contemporary (当代的) Chinese literature through translation and cross-cultural exchange.

On Saturday, another event will     6    (hold) for people from all walks of life who     7    (be)born in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, including writers, college teachers and media figures. They will discuss topics such as survival and life in the Internet era, as well as the     8    (amaze) power of literary expression.

To celebrate     9     festival, a closing event will take the form of a concert. The Beijing Symphony Orchestra will perform at the National Cultural Palace with background music of film and television productions     10     are adapted (改编) from literary classics.

6 . I was a student having studied accountancy(会计学)for six years. The course is ________, so a lot of effort is required on a daily basis.

I had ________ my training and was preparing for the final exam. Since I had not been able to pass the exam at an earlier time, I was ________ and feeling low. I badly needed to ________ a way to help myself. That was when I started using the studying method described in an app tried by my best friend. I ________ that something good would occur.

About two weeks later, I still ________ that I might fail the upcoming exam. I felt as if I was not able to ________ my notes for it. I felt like I was lacking(缺乏)my ________. But then I sat down and told myself ________, “You can make it!” I did this every day and continued to study and believe that my ________ would come true.

________ came the big day. I ________ for the exam. Time went by. On the day of my result, I asked my friend to check the ________. I remember the message saying, “Congratulations! You have done it.” I broke into tears of ________.

Despite those days of preparations being the most difficult period in my life, everything ________ so well for me because of my efforts.

1.

A．attractive

B．simple

C．challenging

D．expensive

2.

A．failed

B．completed

C．missed

D．started

3.

A．sad

B．easy

C．calm

D．warm

4.

A．keep

B．hide

C．show

D．find

5.

A．forgot

B．believed

C．added

D．learned

6.

A．expected

B．decided

C．asked

D．feared

7.

A．go over

B．depend on

C．clean up

D．suffer from

8.

A．character

B．friend

C．confidence

D．book

9.

A．impatiently

B．nervously

C．carelessly

D．repeatedly

10.

A．question

B．dream

C．picture

D．road

11.

A．Finally

B．Suddenly

C．Purposely

D．Unluckily

12.

A．explained

B．shouted

C．appeared

D．cried

13.

A．office

B．mark

C．subject

D．prize

14.

A．peace

B．force

C．anger

D．joy

15.

A．worked out

B．came back

C．checked out

D．turned up

7 . Living a healthy life is all about choosing to make healthy choices each day. We’ve put together some good tips for starting a healthy life.

Create specific health goals

When you have specific goals you want to achieve, you’ll be more encouraged to make changes in your life.     1    . And then you can set smart goals that are specific and measurable to better achieve your success.

    2    

It’s no secret that eating health y food is one of the keys to achieving a healthy life. When you follow a healthy diet, you reduce the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, and other diseases. More than that, healthy eating can relax you and make you happy.

Drink plenty of water

Just like tasty food, water is necessary to keep your body healthy. Water helps you digest(消化)food, keeps you hydrated(补水), and protects your body.     3    . This amount can change depending on your age, weight, and physical activity level.

Exercise regularly

Find a type of physical activity that’s enjoyable for you.     4    . Being active helps you lose weight, improves your cognitive function(认知能力), and lifts your spirits. Experts suggest that adults get at least 150 minutes of exercise each week.

Get enough sleep

A good night’s sleep can help you avoid getting sick, keep a healthy weight, and start a good day. Most adults need at least 7 hours of quality sleep each night.     5    .

A．Keep a healthy diet

B．Get into shape before school starts

C．Be positive about yourself and your body

D．The good points of physical activity are endless

E．You should know what parts of your life you want to improve

F．Children need from 8 to 13 hours depending on how old they are

G．You should drink about 3.1 L of water a day to stay properly hydrated

8 . Signs That You Are Growing

Growing is a lifelong process. Here are the signs that show that you are actually growing and not getting stuck in the process.

    1    

Often, we see how badly people look when they get overly upset due to unimportant things. So the first sign of maturity (成熟) is letting the small things go and not getting angry over a tiny detail that didn’t go as you planned.

You start forgiving and understanding other people

When we are young, we are often unforgiving. As we mature, we are better able to understand the world beyond black and white.     2    . It enables us to look beyond the obvious and let go of simple judgments. We begin to understand better that others have complex (复杂的) lives and personalities, and so we become more willing to forgive their mistakes.

You always complete things that matter

Immature people don’t know when to commit (承诺) themselves and their energy or resources are always not well employed.     3    . In this way, they can often keep their promises and honor their commitments.

You accept the possibility of being wrong

    4    . They are always able to accept the possibility that they are wrong, that they don’t know something, because there is always more to learn.

Being mature is knowing that you are always growing up. You are never done learning and developing. This means that you don’t set yourself up as the highest authority.     5    .

A．You follow the crowd

B．You let the small things go

C．Instead, mature people focus on completing things that matter

D．Immature and mature people can both have plans for their lives

E．Rather, you open your mind to other ideas and new possibilities

F．Becoming more understanding is a sign of strength, not weakness

G．Mature people appear more confident, however, they are not overconfident

9 . Nearly a year ago, on a sunny July day, I drove to a nearby lake with my family and friends to have a picnic. I couldn’t wait to get in the water because I loved swimming. “Here I go,” I shouted, laughing, as I dove (跳水) from a boat dock into the lake. That was the last thing I remember. I was unconscious and pulled from the water with a severed spine (脊柱断裂), and paralyzed from the waist down.

After months of hospitalization, I was finally home. But things weren’t going well. I had to face many lifestyle changes. The gray sky outside my window matched how I felt inside. I sighed and turned away. Life had lost all meaning. I was impatient with myself as well as my family.

A few days later, I poured out my despondency to Jerry, a good friend of mine. “I don’t feel like I have a reason to get out of bed,” I told him. Jerry was quiet with his eyes focused on my mulberry tree. “Look,” he whispered. “There’s a cardinal (a kind of bird).” I saw it on that lower branch to the right. Cheer, cheer, cheer, the cardinal sang in a sweet voice. I’d seen cardinals before. Now as I studied this one, I realized I’d never really seen a cardinal. It was beautiful.

As I watched the elegant bird, something clicked (茅塞顿开). The hope of life, like a light, was awakened inside me. After Jerry left, I wheeled to the front of the house, smiled at the sky and felt relieved.

I now take bird watching as my new hobby. I record interesting sightings in my diary and photograph every bird I meet. Besides, I feel a new kind of pleasure when taking care of the potted plants in my yard. Of course, I still face many difficulties every day, but when I look out of my window, I see birds. And when I see birds, I see miracles (奇迹). And I’ve found my place among them.

1. What happened to the author about a year ago?

A．He fell off his boat.

B．He had a car accident.

C．He injured his spine in a dive.

D．He hardly got along with his family.

2. What is the probable meaning of the underlined word “despondency” in Paragraph 3?

A．Doubts.	B．Expectations.
C．Nervousness.	D．Discouragement.

3. How did the author feel after seeing the cardinal outside his window?

A．Indifferent.	B．Shocked.
C．Pleased.	D．Puzzled.

4. What can we learn about the author from the last paragraph?

A．He decides to raise birds himself.

B．He becomes hopeful about his life.

C．He determines to be a bird photographer.

D．He can deal with difficulties all by himself.

10 . Computers are pretty good at answering questions. Just ask Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant, who can tell you the weather or directions. Computers are good at spitting back facts, but haven’t shown the same critical or creative thinking that humans have. That could be changing, at least when it comes to reading, because of advances in AI(artificial intelligence).

Research teams at Microsoft and Chinese tech company Alibaba reached what they described as a milestone earlier this January. Their AI systems outperformed the estimated human score on a reading comprehension test.

The test was developed at Stanford University. It showed that, in at least some situations, computers can beat humans at quickly “reading” hundreds of Wikipedia articles. AI machines could come up with accurate answers to questions about warrior-king Genghis Khan, or the Apollo space program.

The computers, however, also made mistakes that many people wouldn’t have. Microsoft, for instance, failed an easy football question. The computer was asked which member of the Carolina Panthers football team intercepted the most passes in the 2015 season. The correct answer was Kurt Coleman, not Josh Norman. Any person who carefully read the Wikipedia passage would have discovered the right answer. However, the computer made a mistake in the word “most” and didn’t understand that seven is bigger than four.

“We’re still a long way from computers being able to read and comprehend general text in the same way that humans can, ” Kevin Scott, Microsoft’s head of technology, wrote. He praised the AI system for passing the test, calling it a major achievement by the company’s researchers.

“It strikes me for the kind of problem that they’re solving that it’s not possible to do better than people, because people are defining what’s correct,” Littman said. “The impressive thing here is that they met human performance, not that they’ve exceeded it.”

1. Why did the research team describe their work as a milestone?

A．Because their computers showed critical and creative thinking like humans.

B．Because their AI systems beat humans in reading comprehension.

C．Because their AI systems could tell you weather and direction.

D．Because their computers are good at answering questions.

2. Which of the following are TRUE according to paragraph 3?

A．AI machines could propose incorrect answers to Genghis Khan.

B．Smart AI machines were answering questions.

C．AI machines did better than humans in reading.

D．AI machines can do everything that human can’t do.

3. What can be inferred from paragraph 4?

A．AI still struggles with logical reasoning.	B．Computers often mistake seven for four.
C．Computers seldom make stupid mistakes.	D．The Wikipedia passage was controversial.

4. What does the underlined word “met” in the last paragraph mean?

A．visited.

B．contacted.

C．greeted.

D．satisfied.