1 . Smith brought his three-month-old son out for breakfast one day. He was playing with his son and tending to him while eating, and just doing his _________ thing.

But then he noticed a _________ staring at him. He was _________. “What is going on?” “They kept _________ at me,” he wrote in a post.

As it _________, the strangers were just happy to see a dad spending time with his son, and they felt inspired while watching the _________. Smith had no way of knowing that until he paid for his meal. He was given by the waiter a _________ from the couple, saying what a great father he was and that they would like to leave some _________ for his meal.

“Today your meal is on my wife and me,” it read. “_________ that baby as long as possible. The Masons.”

For Smith, it was a happy moment of reassurance (认可) and feeling __________. He was touched by the generosity and noted that he didn’t have a father figure growing up, so spending this time with his son is super __________ to him.

He wrote that he’ll share this __________ with his son when he’s older and that he wants to teach him kindness and about the __________ of giving back.

“I make sure I’m __________,” Smith wrapped. “I get blessed — I want to __________ someone else.”

1.

A．unusual

B．rare

C．big

D．regular

2.

A．stranger

B．woman

C．couple

D．waiter

3.

A．embarrassed

B．confused

C．worried

D．scared

4.

A．shouting

B．aiming

C．smiling

D．getting

5.

A．turns out

B．turns on

C．strikes out

D．goes on

6.

A．relationship

B．appreciation

C．friendship

D．instruction

7.

A．bill

B．note

C．excuse

D．notice

8.

A．credit

B．cash

C．change

D．fortune

9.

A．Enjoy

B．Share

C．Protect

D．Cheer

10.

A．lost

B．exposed

C．wronged

D．seen

11.

A．significant

B．occasional

C．grateful

D．influential

12.

A．idea

B．breakfast

C．joy

D．story

13.

A．feeling

B．comfort

C．power

D．consequence

14.

A．carrying it through

B．paying it forward

C．making it up

D．putting it down

15.

A．approach

B．address

C．bless

D．watch

2 . How to Protect Against Undue Influence Online

The potential for undue influence has become increasingly significant in this era of digital interconnectivity. Undue influence can affect our perceptions and influence our decisions. It may even end anger our autonomy (自主) and mental health.     1    

Understand what undue influence is

The first step to protecting yourself is understanding what undue influence is. Undue influence refers to a situation in which an individual or group employs unreasonable control over another person’s behavior information, thoughts, and emotions.     2     Disinformation campaigns, persuasive advertising, and even content designed to cause fear, uncertainty, or dependency may often appear online.

Develop media literacy skills

In an age of fake news, it is crucial to develop media literacy skills.     3     Become a consumer who can tell the quality of information, identify the source, check for credibility, and look for your unconscious assumptions and preferences.

    4    

Delete as much data as you can about yourself. Be mindful of what information you share online, and always ensure that your online activities are secured through reliable sources. Review all policies on platforms, especially “free” ones. If you aren’t paying, then you are the product, as in many cases, they are selling your data.

By including these steps into your digital life, you can protect yourself from undue influence in the online world, ensuring that you can think and act independently, free from ill control.

    5     It is your mind. Only you should control it!

A．Prioritize privacy

B．Be mindful of free ones

C．It’s vital to have a health y Internet and real-life balance.

D．In the digital world, undue influence can take many forms.

E．Everyone deserves the right to live free from undue influence.

F．They involve analyzing, evaluating, and creating media in various forms.

G．Here are some essential strategies for you to protect yourself online from undue influence.

3 . About ten years ago, logging into Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram would mostly show posts from friends and family in the order they were posted. Today, these platforms present a mix of content, tailored by algorithms (算法) to match users’ interests, whether it’s plants, sports, cats, or politics.

Kyle Chayka, a writer for The New Yorker, discusses this topic in his book, Filterworld. He explains that algorithms analyze user data to predict and influence what they will likely engage with. This means that instead of a simple, chronological feed, users encounter a dynamic stream, constantly adapting to their preferences. Chayka examines how these algorithmic recommendations control what we consume, from music and movies to food and travel destinations. He argues that this machine-driven selection process has turned us into passive consumers, making our preferences and tastes more similar.

Chayka points out that algorithms make us passive by always showing us content that we’re unlikely to click away from but won’t find too unexpected or challenging. This constant stream of recommendations reduces our exposure to diverse or challenging content, subtly shaping our preferences and behaviors.

Moreover, Chayka points out that algorithms also pressure content creators, like musicians and artists, to tailor their work to fit these digital platforms. For instance, musicians on Spotify or TikTok might focus on creating catchy hooks at the beginning of their songs to grab the listener’s attention.

Despite the strong presence of these algorithms, Chayka believes that regulation could reduce their influence. He suggests that if Meta, the parent company of Facebook, were required to separate its various services, like Instagram or WhatsApp, and make them compete with each other, it could give users more control and choice over their digital consumption.

In summary, the change from simple, time-ordered social. media posts to algorithm-driven content has a big impact on both the viewers and the creators, influencing what we see, hear, and even think. Chayka’s insights highlight the need for greater awareness and potentially more regulation in our increasingly digital world.

1. According to the text, how have social media platforms changed in the past ten years?

A．They show posts in a time-based order.

B．They prioritize posts from friends and family.

C．They make adjustments to satisfy users’ needs.

D．They provide more content to meet different needs.

2. What does Kyle Chayka think of algorithmic recommendations?

A．They make users more active consumers.

B．They shape users’ preferences and behaviors.

C．They reduce the influence of content creators.

D．They expose users to diverse and challenging content.

3. How do algorithms influence musicians’ work on digital platforms?

A．By encouraging musicians to create longer songs.

B．By discouraging musicians from using catchy hooks.

C．By giving musicians more control and choice over their music.

D．By requiring musicians to create their work to fit the platforms.

4. What can be concluded from the text?

A．Tech companies should have more departments.

B．Social media algorithms give content creators less opportunities.

C．Social media algorithms flatten our culture by making decisions for us.

D．Network platforms have increased the common recommendations for 10 years.

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。

I wanted to go to a party. Especially it was a beach party. It had been almost the only thing my friends had been talking about for the last couple of weeks. But My mom had said no. The more desperately I pleaded her case, the more forcefully my mother said no. “I don’t care who’s going,” said coldly my mother, “you are not going.” I was heartbroken. This was my best friend’s party.

Sunday dinner came around and my grandmother joined the family for the meal. Gran noticed my depression but didn’t say a word. It was my turn to wash up and Gran said, “Let me help you.” “What’s up?” asked Gran as I dumped the dishes into the foaming water. Gran wiped a plate with a tea towel. “Mom won’t let me go to my best friend’s party.” I said sadly. “Has mom explained why she doesn’t want you to go?” asked Gran. “No.” I replied. “Then for a moment, put yourself in her position.” said Gran. “If you were mom, what would your objections be?”

I hadn’t stopped to think about my mom’s side. “Well,” I answered, “it’s a beach party. Maybe she doesn’t trust us or thinks we’ll get into trouble.”

“Are there going to be any adults there?” asked Gran. “No,” I said, “who wants their parents hanging around when you’re trying to have fun?” “Might it just be,” said Gran, “your mother doesn’t want anything unfortunate to happen to you.”“Nothing will happen.” I objected. “Maybe you’re right,” said Gran, “but maybe mom’s worried in case it could.”

Gran looked at me gently, seeming to expect my agreement. For a minute or so, I kept silent, pondering for a while about my eagerness for the party. “Maybe, you are right, however, is there no hope?” I inquired. “Not necessarily.” answered Gran, lost in thought.

Paragraph 1: “Then maybe think of a compromise.” suggested Gran.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 2: The long-awaited beach party finally came.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5 . For most people, a minor wound will be relatively harmless. After some time the wound will heal (治愈) and disappear without leaving any visible evidence on the skin. But it is not so simple for everybody. Diabetics (糖尿病人) and elderly people with reduced blood circulation may have far greater issues when it comes to wound healing. However, scientists have introduced a new weapon against such extreme wound reactions.

Swedish scientists from Chalmers University of Technology have developed a technology which can stimulate wound healing so that it can happen more rapidly. The technique involves electrifying the skin. “Long-standing wounds make up a severe problem that we do not hear very much about,” says Associate Professor Maria Asplund from Chalmers University of Technology, who headed the project. “We have now found a method that can make wounds heal up to three times faster, which could be a game changer for elderly people and diabetics, who often have wounds that cannot heal.”

To test this, the Chalmers researchers made a kind of biochip (生物芯片) on which they grew skin cells. They then made small wounds in the artificial skin and tested how fast the wound healing happened when they either passed electricity through the chip or did not. The results showed the healing process happening three times faster in the presence of electricity.

The scientists will now receive funds to continue their research beyond the lab. “At the moment we are investigating how different skin cells react to electrical stimulation to find out what would correspond to realistic wounds,” says Asplund. “We aim to develop a concept that allows us to examine wounds and personalize the electrical stimulation to individual wound types. We are convinced that this is the way to help people with slow-healing wounds.”

1. Who will most benefit from the new technology?

A．People who get wounded easily.	B．People who have heart attack.
C．People with high blood sugar.	D．People with high blood pressure.

2. What does paragraph 3 mainly talk about the test?

A．Its purpose.

B．Its benefits.

C．Its conditions.

D．Its method.

3. What does Asplund think of wound healing with electricity?

A．Debateful.

B．Limited.

C．Representative.

D．Hopeful.

4. Which can be a suitable title for the text?

A．New technology helps wounded people

B．New weapon cures slow-healing wounds

C．Electricity heals wounds three times faster

D．Diabetics and the elderly suffer wound healing

6 . Research shows that forming connections with your coworkers is good for your career and your overall happiness.

It’s a fact that as you get older, it becomes harder to make friends. It’s a natural progression, whether you work in an office or a remote area. As you get older and leave school, you often have more demands for your time and fewer opportunities to get to know those around you.

“Maintaining friendships takes effort, but it’s well worth it,” says CEO and Fast Company contributor Corey Weiner. “Studies show that a friend can make you a better collaborator (合作者), a more creative and productive worker and generally happier with your job.”

After all, most of you spend a huge number of your waking hours at work. Of course, it’s more fun to have someone to collaborate with and occasionally sympathize with. But how do you go about making genuine connections with coworkers or other like-minded individuals in your industry?

It might sound overly simplistic, but a big part of building friendships is just putting yourself out there. “If you’re not used to having a lot of friends any more, you may actually need to remind yourself to engage,” writes Professor Art Markman. “Set time on your calendar for a phone call or make plans to get a cup of coffee.”

“Don’t wait for someone else to make the first move,” says Keith Rollag, author of What to Do When You’re New. “If things go well during an initial coffee or activity, actively follow up to build on that connection.”

You’re not going to immediately bond with all of your coworkers or every person you meet at a networking happy hour. But making continual attempts to find connections with your non-annoying colleagues will eventually pay off. Last but not least, don’t call them work husband or work wife in the beginning.

1. Why is it harder to make friends when people get older?

A．They focus more on other business.

B．They have more demands on friends.

C．They reject to put many efforts into it.

D．They are too old to know other people.

2. What do the words of Corey Weiner show?

A．The way to make friends.	B．The need to do jobs well.
C．The importance of the studies.	D．The meaning of gaining friendship.

3. What does Keith Rollag attach importance to?

A．Keeping in touch with old friends.	B．Spending more time drinking coffee.
C．The initiative in forming connections.	D．The balance between work and life.

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

A．To offer suggestions.	B．To explain reasons.
C．To draw conclusions.	D．To make comments.

7 . My daughter said she wanted to redecorate her room. The thought of tackling a room redecorating project intimidated me, but I knew that following through on helping my girl create a new space for herself would mean a lot to her. So, I worked up my courage.

Together, my daughter and I set a budget for our project, spread paint samples on her wall and calculated how much paint we’d need. And finally deep breath — we started painting. Neither of us had ever painted a room before. After rolling a paint roller across her wall for the first time, my daughter frowned (皱眉) and said, “Maybe we should hire someone to do the painting for us, Mom.”

I couldn’t help wondering if she might be right, but I assured her that if we followed the painting pointers we’d studied and took our time, we could do a fine job. I didn’t want her to miss out on the wonderful feeling of competence that comes from trying something you want to do but fear you might not be able to do.

There had been many times when we’d realized we had been in the wrong way and had to do it again. We had to problem-solve with whoever might help. Finally, we finished the painting. It was not perfect, but the overall effect made my daughter really happy. It was her ideas and work that made all visible.

Thinking about doing such a project with my daughter, it struck me that she got to see me being a rank beginner — messing up and starting over all the way. She watched me looking up answers when I needed them and asking for help when I hit dead ends. Instead of being an authority with all the answers, I learned with her. I showed my daughter what learning looks like, in all its messy glory. That’s definitely the best part I’ll treasure.

1. What does the underlined word “intimidated” in paragraph 1 probably mean?

A．Inspired.

B．Frightened.

C．Reminded.

D．Attracted.

2. Why did the author refuse to hire a painter?

A．To overcome her fear of failure.	B．To keep the project under budget.
C．To show her talent for decoration.	D．To let the kid enjoy the joy of success.

3. What does the author think is the most rewarding part of this redecoration?

A．Being a rank beginner.	B．Being a success in decorating.
C．Being a model learner.	D．Being an authority with all answers.

4. Which of the following best describes the author?

A．Reflective.

B．Enthusiastic.

C．Ambitious.

D．Demanding.

8 . Application Procedures

Step 1: Check visa type and document list beforehand

Please make sure that the visa type and country you have chosen correspond (相一致)to your main destination and main travel purpose, you have well prepared all the required documents according to the document list of the correct visa type you are applying for.

Step 2: Register on website and reserve an appointment

Please take a few seconds and provide your e-mail address to create an application account.

If you already have an account, please click on login to continue online registration and reserve an appointment.

Reserve an appointment to submit your application at the Visa Application Centre. If you want to check appointment availability, please visit the page Service Standard.

Step 3: Submit your application at Visa Application Centre

Please arrive on time for your scheduled appointment with the appointment confirmation letter. Your application and supporting documents will be examined for completeness and transferred to the consular (领事的) authority upon your approval.

For more information on biometric (生物统计的) enrolment procedure and exemption of biometric enrolment, please click on the FAQ.

In case of any lateness, you will be required to make a new appointment, which could result in putting off your application.

Step 4: Collect your passport

Once your passport is returned to Visa Application Centre from the consular authority, you will be informed by e-mail. You can then collect your passport in Visa Application Centre.

If you have chosen Express Delivery Service, your passport will be sent to you directly by express to the address you have provided upon the submission of visa application.

1. What should you do to check whether appointment is accessible?

A．Check your document list.	B．Create an application account.
C．Click on the FAQ.	D．Visit the page Service Standard.

2. What do we know from Step 4?

A．You will receive your passport at your workplace.

B．You can gather your passport by means of express.

C．You will be informed by telephone call from the centre.

D．You can collect your passport directly from the consular authority.

3. Where can the text be found?

A．In a guidebook.

B．On the Internet.

C．In a magazine.

D．In a brochure.

9 . Teachers live by selling knowledge, philosophers by selling ______(智慧) and priests by selling spiritual comfort. (根据汉语提示单词拼写)

10 . Moving to a new country—or even spending a year abroad—is an exciting experience.     1     Making friends in a new country is one of them. Here are some suggestions.

Network through personal connections. Most people don’t jump at the chance to show a stranger around town, but that changes as soon as you make a personal connection—even a tiny one.     2     Until you do, you’ll never know if your former classmate’s brother’s best friend lives around the corner.

Join a hobby club or a sports team. Committing to (全身心投入) a weekly hobby meetup is a great way to force yourself to socialize. There are always hiking clubs looking for teammates. You don’t have to master the local language to find partners.     3     What you need to do is make an effort to start conversations or sign up for exercise classes.

    4     Feeling lonely isn’t just about not having weekend plans; it can make us feel like we don’t matter to the people around us, Join an organization that helps homeless people or helps out animal shelters. You’ll feel good about yourself and find an immediate sense of connection.

Talk to strangers, When you’re the stranger in town, it’s easy to feel awkward and out of place, The more you push past that, the more you’ll find that almost everyone enjoys meeting new people. Talking about where you come from and what the weather is like is the first step to get to know someone.     5    

A．Volunteer for a good cause.

B．However, it has its challenges, too.

C．So practice your small talk and use it often.

D．These are great places to meet outgoing strangers.

E．Ask friends back home if they know anyone in your area.

F．Every trip out of the house is a chance to meet the right person.

G．Exercising in a gym is another way to meet people with similar interests.