1 . When you try a new restaurant or book a hotel, do you consider the online reviews? Do you submit online reviews yourself? Do you pay attention if they are filtered (过滤) and moderated? Does that influence your own online review submissions? A team examined these in recently published research.

In a world where businesses thrive or die by online reviews, it’s important to consider the meaning of a platform’s review moderation policies, the transparency (透明度) of those policies, and how that affects the submitted reviews.

In 2010, Yelp showed a video for the first time to help users understand how its review filter works and why it is necessary. Then, Yelp added a section to show filtered reviews. Previously, Yelp didn’t unveil information about its review filter. This change presented the perfect opportunity to examine the effect of policy transparency on submitted reviews.

The team compared reviews of over 1,000 restaurants on Yelp to those of the same restaurants on TripAdvisor, which wasn’t transparent about its review filter with its practices unchanged. They used a difference-in-difference (DID) approach. They found the number of reviews submitted to Yelp decreased. Those submitted were increasingly negative and shorter in length compared to TripAdvisor. Also, the more positive a review, the shorter it was.

Platforms are pressured to have content guidelines and take measures to prevent fraud (欺诈) and ensure that reviews are legal and helpful. However, most platforms aren’t transparent about their policies, leading consumers to suspect that reviews are handled to increase profits. Whether or not to be transparent about review filters is an important decision for platforms with many considerations.

Users may put less time and effort into their reviews if they suspect that they have a significant chance of being filtered, or they may do the opposite to make their review s less likely to be filtered. Since most fake (假的) reviews are overly positive, users may assume that positive review s are most likely to be filtered and act accordingly.

However, with a transparent policy, those who submit fake reviews may be incentivized (激励) to change their ways.

1. How does the author lead in the topic?

A．By describing a phenomenon.	B．By putting forward questions.
C．By comparing online reviews.	D．By mentioning recent research.

2. The underlined word “unveil” in paragraph 3 most probably means “______”.

A．make something public	B．consider something practical
C．make something perfect	D．consider something important

3. What did the researchers find about the review s submitted to Yelp?

A．Their number was on the rise.	B．Their length was increasing.
C．Longer ones meant less positivity.	D．More positive ones were submitted.

4. What does paragraph 6 mainly talk about?

A．Purposes of applying online review filters.

B．Suggestions on how to treat online reviews.

C．Methods of preventing review s from being filtered.

D．Effects of review filters without transparent policy.

2 . My dad worked in construction. His day started early and ended late. When he got home, all he ________ to do was lie on the couch and relax.

One hot summer, when my parents’ wedding anniversary (周年纪念日) was ________, they made plans to eat out. When the big day ________ arrived, Dad got home at seven. He was obviously tired. “Honey, I just need a thirty-minute sleep and then we’ll eat out for ________ ,” he said as he lay on the couch.

I knew how important that evening was to Mom, but before long Dad was ________. Then Mom did the strangest thing. She ________ the refrigerator and took out eggs and bacon. Soon she had some biscuits baking in the oven.

Mom ________ a plate with a lot of his favorite foods. Then she bent over and kissed him while whispering in his ear, “Time to ________ , honey.”

As Dad looked up, he found Mom standing in front of him with his dinner. I’ll never ________ the love that passed between them. “Honey, I promised you I’d take you out to dinner and I ________ it,” he said sincerely.

She kissed him on the cheek, “I know you would, but I’m also ________ that you’ve had a hard day and you’re tired. What’s important is that we’re together.”

That ________ on love is still with me today five decades later. Whenever I imagine how ________ they’re to be together in heaven, a sweet peace and comfort falls over me, the same way I felt when I   ________ their great love for each other on that night when Mom made Dad a ________ anniversary dinner.

1.

A．happened

B．wanted

C．agreed

D．remembered

2.

A．appearing

B．passing

C．changing

D．approaching

3.

A．eventually

B．secretly

C．surprisingly

D．naturally

4.

A．comfort

B．convenience

C．celebration

D．exploration

5.

A．bored

B．asleep

C．embarrassed

D．impatient

6.

A．reached into

B．packed up

C．searched for

D．switched off

7.

A．exchanged

B．refilled

C．decorated

D．piled

8.

A．depart

B．awake

C．exercise

D．withdraw

9.

A．copy

B．record

C．forget

D．understand

10.

A．meant

B．made

C．admitted

D．regretted

11.

A．afraid

B．ashamed

C．disappointed

D．aware

12.

A．advice

B．lesson

C．comment

D．experiment

13.

A．proud

B．relaxed

C．happy

D．amazed

14.

A．shared

B．deserved

C．gained

D．witnessed

15.

A．random

B．typical

C．special

D．familiar

3 . Some Ways to Improve Social Interaction

Greet someone

Nobody wants to feel unwelcome or unappreciated. If they do, they will feel like outcasts (被排斥者).     1    . This can be accomplished with a simple greeting or a firm handshake while looking at the person directly in the eye.

    2    

People have a natural curiosity as to what you are all about. The best way to communicate this is to engage in a simple conversation. Some people are naturally shy and tend to withdraw from such communication. If one person is not willing to start a conversation, another should take the initiative simply by asking the other, “How are you?” or “What do you think?”

Volunteer

    3    . Volunteering your time or skills may add an additional burden, but it tells others you believe in them and are willing to help out. Such an expression also makes it easy for you to seek support when you are in need of help.

Ask for advice

Too often people are too proud to ask for directions in our journey through life. But asking for advice from a co-worker accomplishes two things: first, you might get the answer you seek, and second, it says you trust the person and respect his/her opinion.     4    .

Be polite

Your manners and how to improve interaction with others say a lot about your character.     5    . I am not suggesting everyone turn into a “Miss Manners”, but attention to basic courtesy (礼貌) can improve your image with others.

A．Be curious

B．Engage in conversation

C．The objective is to make people feel at home

D．Basic manners mean you are socially well adjusted

E．It means you are sensitive and interested in the person

F．Many people prefer to sit back and watch as others perform the work

G．By confiding in an individual, the advisor becomes concerned with your best interests

4 . Casey McIntyre, who was 38, worked as a publisher in New York City. In 2019, doctors told her that she had a serious kind of cancer that’s usually found in women much older than her. Though doctors treated her for the cancer, Ms. McIntyre’s health got worse.

But she realized that in a way, she was luckier than some other people. She had insurance to help pay for her medical care. That means she didn’t owe money for her medical care. But she and her husband knew many people with cancer face tough decisions because of the costs of medical care. Soon, she and her husband began donating money to a group called RIP Medical Debt, which works to pay off the unpaid medical debt s of others. Usually, for every $ 100 donated, the group can pay off $ 10,000 in unpaid medical bills.

In late June, 2023, doctors told Ms. McIntyre that she probably had about a month to live. Though her health was failing, Ms. McIntyre lived for about six months. She had many difficult days, but she also spent some wonderful days with her family. In that time, she also thought about what she wanted to happen after she died. She decided to make an effort to pay off the medical debts of as many people as she possibly could.

On November 12, 2023, Ms. McIntyre passed away. Her husband posted a message for her on her social media accounts. “If you’re reading this, I have passed away. To celebrate my life, I’ve arranged to buy up others’ medical debts and then destroy the debts,” the post said.

The couple had set up a page on a website to raise money for this purpose. They’d hoped to raise about $ 20,000. That would have been enough to pay off about $ 2 million worth of medical bills. But the donations on her web page quickly passed the original goal. In less than a week, the site had raised 10 times more than expected. And the donations are still coming in.

1. What conclusion can be drawn about Casey McIntyre from paragraph 1?

A．She caught the cancer far earlier than average.

B．The treatment she received worked well on her.

C．Her cancer was too serious to be worth treating.

D．She was found to have cancer in her late thirties.

2. Why did Casey McIntyre think she was luckier than some others?

A．Because she was able to make proper decisions.

B．Because she was able to afford her medical bills.

C．Because she was accompanied during treatment.

D．Because she could receive the best medical care.

3. What does the last paragraph imply?

A．People enjoyed donating through the Internet.

B．People felt very sorry for the loss of Casey McIntyre.

C．People were generally concerned about cancer patients.

D．People showed great support for Casey McIntyre’s behavior.

4. Which of the following words can best describe Casey McIntyre?

A．Smart and strong-willed.	B．Proud but single-minded.
C．Unfortunate but kind-hearted.	D．Ambitious and easy-going.

5 . Arctic reindeer (驯鹿) are quite busy in the summer — eating when the sun shines around the clock and the food is abundant. Like other ruminants (反刍动物), reindeer spend a great amount of time chewing on cud (反刍的食物), making it smaller and easier to digest. Finding time to sleep among all this cud chewing might be tough. But not if the reindeer could sleep while chewing.

To find out if the reindeer could actually sleep-eat, neuroscientist Melanie Furrer and his colleagues trained four female reindeer to tolerate a pen and electrodes (电极) on shaved patches of skin. The researchers were looking for the brain waves that appear during non-REM sleep, a deep, restorative sleep stage. These waves appeared when the reindeer were chewing cud, though the chewing motion itself made it hard to say whether the signal was identical to that of a regular sleep session. “We couldn’t go into detail by looking only at the brain waves, because this chewing disturbs it a bit,” says Furrer.

Still, other signs also pointed to sleep while chewing. The reindeer were calm while chewing, often with their eyes closed. “They were in a very relaxed state that resembles (像) the body position of non-REM sleep,” Furrer says. “Light noise from neighboring reindeer was less likely to be noticed by a ruminating reindeer than usual. When reindeer are kept awake, they need catch-up recovery sleep. But time spent chewing decreased the time spent in recovery sleep.”

“Unlike fur seals, ducks and long-haul flying frigatebirds, reindeer show signs of sleeping with both sides of their brains while chewing. Figuring out exactly how reindeer pull this off would be interesting,” Furrer says. “Studying various forms of sleep might lead to insights into sleep walking in people, a poorly understood and potentially dangerous sleep disorder.”

“Reindeer need time and space to be quiet and to have peace, to ruminate,” says Wagner, a scientist of the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research in Tromsφ. “This paper for the first time shows that this is a very real, physiological requirement to have enough peace to ruminate undisturbed in order to cover the sleep requirements.”

1. Why do reindeer need time to chew the cud?

A．For better taste.	B．For better digestion.
C．For more nutrition.	D．For more enjoyment.

2. Which of the following statements might Furrer agree with?

A．It is harder to disturb ruminating reindeer.

B．The research process was recorded in great detail.

C．Reindeer weren’t fully relaxed even when sleeping.

D．The sleep form of reindeer resembles that of sleepwalkers.

3. What does Wagner think of Melanie Furrer and his colleagues’ research paper?

A．Complicated.

B．Incredible.

C．Comprehensive.

D．Pioneering.

4. What’s the best title for the text?

A．Sleep-Eating Makes Reindeer Busy	B．Reindeer Need Recovery Sleep
C．Reindeer Can Sleep While Chewing	D．Reindeer Need Time and Space to Ruminate

6 . All families experience conflict from time to time. Disagreeing with others — even those you love — is generally a part of all types of close relationships.     1     For those who wish to discover how to solve family conflict, some of the tips below may help.

● Learn how to emotionally control.

Emotions can be powerful.     2     However, working toward building your abilities in this way can make a big difference in how you handle all types of conflicts and challenges in life and relationships. Something as simple as deep breathing can help calm the mind.

●     3    

Sometimes, arguments between people escalate (加剧) when one or all parties interpret that they’re not being heard. Making a conscious effort to invite each family involved in a conflict to tell their side can help de-escalate emotions and move participants in the direction of a resolution.

● Explore different formats of conflict resolution.

    4     Being open to different methods and formats of conflict resolution can make the family feel more comfortable expressing their points of view and agreeing on solutions. For example, some people may spend time alone organizing their thoughts. Allowing them to put their thoughts down on paper instead of presenting them orally may be beneficial.

● Avoid interrupting.

According to research, even a two-second interruption is enough to make us lose the thread of what we’re saying. An interruption can make us lose our focus and even the potential to feel satisfied at having fully expressed ourselves. Avoid interrupting family when they’re explaining their side of a conflict.     5    

A．Let others speak.

B．Communicate directly.

C．Not every human is born to handle conflict in the same way.

D．The way in which families handle conflict is the most important.

E．And remaining perfectly in control of them in every situation isn’t always easy.

F．It can help ensure they can express themselves fully and feel heard and understood.

G．And you may be able to influence how others in your family handle conflict over time.

7 . 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。

Many of us come across certain situations that make us laugh in the future. The similar thing happened to me on 12, July 2010. It was rainy season. My parents needed to go to the nearby city to attend a marriage ceremony. They decided to keep me at home because I too should understand housekeeping in the absence of parents. I agreed on their thought with full confidence. This incident made me completely alone at home. Therefore, I got complete freedom to enjoy the cartoon shows on TV and many other fun activities. I looked outside the window of my house. It was raining heavily. Suddenly the electricity supply went off.

I was a little scared but the words of my parents encouraged me to face the situation. Unexpectedly, I heard someone knocking at the door of my house. I went near to the door and stole a look through it. No one was there! Then I opened the door to make sure.

I have the habit of watching horror movies. This incident created the thoughts of ghosts and evils in my mind. I felt that a ghost might be willing to enter my house. I was completely shocked. I lit the candles in my room. Again, I heard the knocking sound. But this time, I didn’t dare to open the door. Instead, I preferred lying on the bed and wrapping myself with blankets.

The electricity supply started after almost one hour. I speedily turned the TV on and played devotional songs. I switched on the lights of all rooms. I am a curious person who loves science. My curiosity brought me to check out the incident. So I went near to the door and opened it.

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。

To my surprise, I found that a small dog was standing outside the house.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

My parents saw the dog, confused.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8 . Few sights feel nostalgia (怀旧的) like the flickering glow of fireflies at night. But these insects are in trouble. In America, eighteen species of fireflies face extinction.     1     Here’s what you can do to ensure that fireflies will continue to light up our backyards for generations to come.

Create a firefly habitat. The biggest threat facing fireflies today is the loss of their habitats. Fireflies mainly live underground or in moist (潮湿的) soil where they can feed on their favorite food earthworms. You can leave some woody bits and leaf litter around. You could also plant bush and trees and let your grass grow long.     2    

Turn off your lights. The same glow that makes fireflies so remarkable also means harm? You can draw your curtains shut at night to prevent light from seeping out the window — and turn off the lights completely.     3     Although red light has long been considered okay for fireflies, that thinking is changing. Whenever possible, darkness is the answer.

    4     Spraying (喷洒) your yard with pesticides and insecticides also poses a threat to fireflies. Most of the pesticides will kill fireflies just as swiftly as they kill ants and other less-beloved insects. Scientists are researching alternatives to chemical pesticides that could target specific species while leaving other insects unharmed.

Practice good firefly tourism. Fireflies are so attractive that they’re now the main attraction at tourist sites across the world.     5     The reason is that it encourages an appreciation for fireflies while also disturbing their life cycles and habitats. If a firefly-watching destination has installed raised walkways to protect fireflies, don’t stray from it.

A．What about colored lights?

B．Research more on other insects.

C．This can be a double-edged sword.

D．Consider limitation on use of pesticides.

E．Experts say their global species are endangered too.

F．It will help soil keep the moisture that fireflies love.

G．Firefly tourism’s important especially in poor countries.

9 . At first glance, spinning might seem like a mere repetitive behavior, the kind that animals exhibit out of boredom. Yet, for apes, it is far from a boring pastime; rather, it is an activity rich with creativity and engagement, as they become fully absorbed in their motions. They would often lose their balance, only to get back up and restart their spinning, again and again.

For apes, including humans, spinning transforms the world into a swirling feeling. The sensations it causes can disturb the vestibular system (前庭系统), which is responsible for detecting changes in movement, orientation, position, and the body’s speed. This can lead to feelings of dizziness, light-headedness, a sudden rush of blood to the head, and even a sense of pleasure or giggliness.

It is perhaps for this reason that spinning is such a common feature in children’s play activities. Human children frequently engage in merry-go-rounds, and other spinning rides at carnivals that send them swirl ing through the air. For individuals with autism, spinning serves as a form of self-stimulation.

Researchers have drawn comparisons between the speeds at which apes spin ropes and the spinning rates seen in human pirouettes (单脚尖旋转) during ballet performances. The apes achieved an average spinning speed of 1.43 revolutions per second, with the fastest recorded at 3.3 turns per second. These are speeds that can create a physiological state of excitement in humans.

Psychologist Marc Wittmann suggests that humans seek different mental states as a way to lose themselves. “In these different states, we become more present-focused, losing our sense of self and time,” he explains. “When we are present-oriented, without thinking about the past or future, we tend to feel much better.”

Observing apes engage in spinning raises the interesting possibility that nonhuman primates (灵长目动物) might enjoy the sensation of spinning in ways similar to how humans alter their consciousness through drugs, alcohol, or physical activities. This highlights the subjective nature of experience and how different species may seek out varied sensory stimulations for enjoyment.

1. Which can describe apes’ spinning?

A．A random act.	B．An intended move.
C．A meaningless repetition.	D．An exhibition of boredom.

2. What effect may spinning have on the vestibular system?

A．It reduces the sense of dizziness.	B．It enhances the sense of balance.
C．It destroys the sense of happiness.	D．It upsets the sense of direction.

3. According to Marc Wittmann, why do humans turn to spinning?

A．To escape reality.	B．To lose track of time.
C．To gain confidence.	D．To increase self-awareness.

4. What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A．To argue and persuade.	B．To amuse and entertain.
C．To present and analyze.	D．To reason and conclude.

10 . Explore ART X Lagos on Artsy

31 October-3 November 2024

ART X Lagos was launched as an active platform to show and support the breadth of contemporary art from Africa and beyond. The fair, begun in 2016 by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, has become a cornerstone of the African art every year. The first of its kind in West Africa, ART X Lagos is a special cultural event that goes beyond the traditional art fair. The fair, which hosted over 40 artists and galleries from Africa and worldwide, bridges the gap between continent-based and foreign artists.

ART X Lagos has become renowned for its ambitious program, which includes ART X Talks — a lively discussion series; ART X Live—a one-of-a-kind music show; ART X Cinema — a film theatre; and ART Books — a feast to the latest books on art.

For its 2024 edition, the fair’s theme “The Dialogue” will place an emphasis in this unique year, on conversation and community, and will see audiences raising their voices on these present challenging times, not just for Nigeria, but on the continent and globally.

“We decided to go ahead with this different format for ART X Lagos 2023 due to the current socioeconomic challenges Nigeria is facing, and to fulfill, at the same time, our desire to continue to support the ecosystem in a way that is responsible and sustainable,” said the fair’s founder, Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, in an email exchange, “We want people to take time to talk to each other and this is why we have placed our talks at the center of the fair — we are inviting our audiences to get deeply involved and encourage the act of dialogue, at this key time.”

1. Which is true about ART X Lagos?

A．It lasts about a month.	B．It is open only to African artists.
C．It was the first exhibition in Africa.	D．It’ll come to the ninth edition in 2024.

2. If a visitor intends to enjoy music performance, which can be recommended?

A．ART X Talks.

B．ART X Live.

C．ART X Cinema.

D．ART Books.

3. What will the ART X Lagos 2024 stress according to Tokini?

A．Conservation.

B．Economy.

C．Entertainment.

D．Communication.