1 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或用括号内单词的正确形式（至多三个单词）。

In the final of the men’s 100m freestyle at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Chinese athlete Pan Zhanle achieved an astonishing time of 46. 40 seconds, breaking the world record and     1    (successful)winning the gold medal. This is the     2    (nine)gold medal for the Chinese delegation at this Olympics and it is the first time that a Chinese athlete     3    (win)an Olympic championship in the men’s 100m freestyle event.

Foreign media have given high praise to Pan Zhanle’s victory. He has become the fastest man in the world at present and the     4    (shining)Asian star in the swimming pool.

Pan Zhanle’s achievement means a lot. He not only won honor for the Chinese swimming team     5     also proved the strength of Chinese athletes in the short- distance freestyle event. His success inspires more Chinese swimmers     6    (pursue)excellence continuously and win more honors for the country,     7     will certainly help to enhance the international influence and competitiveness of Chinese swimming in the future.

After the competition, Pan Zhanle said that this gold medal is     8     great significance to the country.     9    (face)with the disregard and arrogance of foreign athletes, he responded with strength, using the result of breaking the world record to answer everything and winning the     10    (recognize)of foreign audiences and athletes.

2 . 高三是高中生活很重要的一年，这一年高三同学将面临巨大的挑战，他们需要制定周密的计划，才能很好地应对挑战，实现梦想。为了加深交流，学校英文报刊的“Campus Life”栏目开设“My Senior Three’s Resolutions”，假定你是李华，请你写一篇短文投稿，内容包括：
1. 面临的挑战（至少2点）；
2. 制定的计划（至少2点）。
注意：1. 写作词数应为80左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

My Senior Three’s Resolutions

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What did the speaker do?

A．He was a zookeeper.

B．He was a teacher.

C．He was a volunteer.

2. Where is the speaker giving the speech?

A．In an animal conservation center.

B．In a protection organization.

C．In a pet shop.

3. How many rules does the speaker ask the listeners to obey?

A．One.

B．Two.

C．Three.

4. What will the listeners see first?

A．An elephant.

B．A giraffe.

C．A koala.

4 . Scientists have created a new tool that can know what you mean. It works by using an Artificial Intelligence (AI) program to translate brain activity into words. Scientists say the program could help people who can’t speak because of a brain injury.

To record brain activity without surgery, scientists used an fMRI machine, which can record the activity of the brain as it happens. To translate these recordings into words, scientists used an Al tool called GPT-l that predicts which word is most likely to come next, based on the information that came before. Scientists first trained GPT-1 on lots of stories people had told about their lives. Next, they trained GPT-1 to make connections between brain scans and spoken words. The testing was done on three human volunteers. Each person spent sixteen hours in an fMRI machine listening to stories. The machine created pictures showing which parts of their brain were active. GPT-1 then used these recordings to make connections between the idea s in the stories and the brain activity of the listeners.

Then came the test. The scientists played a brand new story. GPT-I was only given recordings of the people’s brain activity. But the words that GPT-1 predicted were very similar to the words in the story that the people were listening to. The words weren’t exactly the same, but they often carried the same meaning.

For example, when a person was listening to a story about a person who didn’t have a driver’s license, the program came up with this, “She has not even started to learn to drive yet.”

The scientists say that GPT-1 is the first AI program to turn what people are thinking into words without brain surgery. The system isn’t something that is available outside the lab today, mainly because of the size and cost of fMRI machines. But in the future, a similar method could help people who have lost the ability to speak because of an injury or disease.

1. Why were the volunteers asked to listen to stories for 16 hours?

A．To produce brain activity.	B．To awaken their curiosity.
C．To predict the new stories.	D．To remember the words.

2. Which of the following best describes the test outcome?

A．Unexpected.

B．Successful.

C．Discouraging.

D．Complex.

3. What can be learned about this AI program?

A．It’ll reach consumers soon.	B．It hasn’t been put to use.
C．It eases users’ financial worry.	D．It’ll make patients learn to talk.

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

A．The fMRI Machine Is Used for Brain Surgery	B．We Don’t Have to Worry About Brain Injury
C．GPT-l Lets Humans Speak from Their Heart	D．Scientists Train Al to Read Human Thoughts

5 . Imagine you buy a new shirt and do not intend to buy a new jacket. You were perfectly happy with it until you wore it with the new shirt. However, you imagine that the new shirt makes the old jacket look worn. Then you can’t help buy a new jacket or even more to better fit the shirt.     1    The simplest description of it is the scenario of buying something new and replacing our old possessions with items to match the new one, even if that means an empty bank account.     2    

Become aware it is happening. Observe when you are being drawn into consumption not because you are in actual need of an item, but only because something new has been introduced.

    3     A store may be having a great sale on a new outfit—but if the new outfit forces you to buy a new pair of shoes or handbag to match, it just became a more expensive purchase than originally assumed.

Avoid unnecessary new purchases. Realize the Diderot Effect is a significant force and overcoming it is very difficult. You may avoid replacing those end tables at first, but eventually, at some point down the road, you are going to break down and buy new ones that better match the new couch.     4     But the best way to overcome the Diderot Effect is to never allow it to overpower you in the first place.

Remind yourself that possessions do not define you.     5     Your possessions do not define you or your success—no matter what marketers will try to tell you.

A．Analyze and predict the full cost of future purchases.

B．Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status.

C．We actually can employ this mind trick in the following ways.

D．The true abundance of life is not found in the things that you own.

E．Then how can we resist this pattern of unnecessary consumerism?

F．The phenomenon can be owed to the so-called “Diderot Effect”.

G．There are times when we have a proper need to buy new things, admittedly.

6 . Living in a city, you may face fewer parking spaces, more pollution, less personal space, and more traffic and noise, all of which contribute to higher stress levels, often translating to aggression (攻击行为). And now, researchers have found evidence that this behavior applies to song sparrows (歌雀) too. But it comes with a surprising benefit to the youngest generation of city sparrows.

There are fewer city-living song sparrows than in the countryside. However, the increased aggression observed in the males can be connected to a more pressing need to defend territories in urban settings. But that increased aggression doesn’t mean the males fail in their duties as fathers. In fact, the researchers were surprised to find that the opposite may be true.

“Male songbirds are thought to reduce parental care when they are more aggressive. Yet this study showed that urban male song sparrows provided more care for their young,” says Dr Samuel Lane, lead author of the study. “Against our expectations, we found that they visited nests more often and were more successful parents than the males in the countryside.”

The researchers carried out their studies at six sites across southwest Virginia, USA, across four breeding (繁殖) seasons. They found that the high survival rate of their chicks was subject to many factors. Not only did male sparrows visit their nests more often, but they also began feeding chicks earlier in the day. Despite the challenges of being a city bird, hatching success was observed to be higher in urban habitats. And even though brood parasitism, one species laying eggs in the nest of another, is typically higher in urban areas, the researchers observed that rates of nest predation, the act of other animals eating eggs or young birds, were lower, further contributing to the overall nesting success of these sparrows.

Lane said, “Our study adds to growing evidence that certain species of songbirds even benefit from living in urban environments when there is enough green space for them to find food and nest locations.”

The team hope ongoing research in this area will contribute to the establishment of urban environments aimed at offering improved support for wildlife.

1. What causes the increased aggression of male city sparrows?

A．The stress of protecting their territories.

B．The worsening of urban noise pollution.

C．The challenges of building their nests.

D．The growing needs of younger generations.

2. What had the researchers expected of urban males compared to those in the countryside?

A．They lived shorter lives.	B．They had a higher population.
C．They had lower nest attendance.	D．They woke up earlier in the morning.

3. Which of the following can be found in urban areas according to the study?

A．Higher nest locations.	B．Reduced brood parasitism.
C．Limited breeding seasons.	D．Lower nest predation rates.

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

A．City Male Birds Do It All	B．Aggressive Birds Surprise Scientists
C．Big City Life Makes Birds Better Dads	D．The Future of City Birds Lies in Our Hands

7 . ALL DRESSED UP...with nowhere to go? It can hurt when your friend cancels plans at the last minute with a message: “Sorry, can’t make it after all.” But there are plenty of ways to get over the disappointment and make the most of your day.

How to be honest.     1    . You don’t want to make a friend feel bad. But brushing it off with a simple “No worries” might imply that you don’t mind and it’s OK to cancel without thinking.     2    . Let your friend know that you care about what’s happened, especially if you suspect there’s a deeper reason behind their no-show. And it’s good to suggest rearranging plans, so you have something you can look forward to together.

    3    . If the same person keeps cancelling plans with you, it might be time to reconsider the friendship. Have they let you down a lot? Is it often hard to get them to commit to things?     4    . If this is what you suspect, perhaps step back for a while and instead focus on other friendships. If you can, arrange to meet friends who make the effort to spend time with you and whose company you enjoy.

Have a back-up plan. Your original plans may not be possible, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time. Despite the upset feeling, you can still make the most of the time you’ve been given back to focus on yourself.     5    .

A．How to draw the line

B．When to draw the line

C．It’s important to acknowledge your emotions

D．It’s common to reply to the last-minute “can’t make-it” text

E．It’s often hard to reply to the last-minute “can’t make-it” text

F．For example, watch a film, or go for a relaxing walk into nature

G．These can be signs that they aren’t the most reliable person to be friends with

8 . STEM Competitions for Students
NSTA Explora Vision

Are you interested in what the future holds? Consider Explora Vision’s STEM (science, technology, engineering & mathematics) competition. Working in teams of two to four, students will research a particular technology and assess the ways in which it may impact lives moving forward. Participants are required to write a paper and draw web pages communicating their vision.

Grades: 7th-9th and 10th-12th

Competition Type: Regional and national

eCyberMission

You can participate in this competition without leaving the house. eCyberMission is a web-based contest in which participants — working in teams of two to four students — use science, math and technology to solve problems facing their communities. First-place winners receive $1,000.

Grades:9th

Competition Type: Regional, state and national

TEAMS Competition

Held annually, TEAMS invites students to use their engineering talent to contribute to the community. Working in groups of two to four students, participants complete real-life engineering challenges. The competition includes multiple-choice questions, an essay and a design-build component.

Grades: 9th-12th

Competition Type: State and national

The Conrad Challenge

In this challenge, participants work in teams of two to five students to develop products or services in response to key issues facing people around the world. The Conrad Challenge empowers students to take control of their learning and apply it to real-life situations. Winners are eligible (有资格的) for scholarships, patent assistance and aid in creating companies.

Grades: 9th-12th

Competition Type: International

1. What does NSTA Explora Vision’s STEM competition focus on?

A．Engineering innovation.

B．Students’ paper writing skills.

C．New technology shaping the future.

D．Students’ ability in web page design.

2. What do the four STEM competitions have in common?

A．Winners will get a big cash prize.

B．They are all national competitions.

C．Participants are required to work in teams.

D．Participants must solve real-life problems.

3. Which competition involves foreign students?

A．NSTA ExploraVision.	B．eCvberMission.
C．TEAMS Competition.	D．The Conrad Challenge.

9 . Our family was sitting on the porch swing enjoying the summer breeze when my husband pointed to something on the swing’s chain next to him. We _______ forward to see a large praying mantis (螳螂) attaching to the chain. We held our _______ and watched, not wanting to scare it away. We sat and _______ chatted for the next half hour as we watched the insect _______ up and down the chain. It seemed _______ by our presence, and we were _______ to observe its slow, precise movements.

We wouldn’t have _______ it if my husband had not pointed it out. Too often, we move through life, _______ of the beautiful blessings surrounding us each day. The _______ of sitting and watching an insect for half an hour is something I do not want to ________ for granted. Too often, I define myself by my productivity. I start my morning with a checklist and ________ my worth by how much I get done by the day’s end.

I’m learning to ________ my tireless striving for productivity and simply ________ the gifts of this beautiful world when I see them. Each creature displays a small ________. To sit and watch a unique bug like a praying mantis is an act of admiration. I think I’ll ________ and sit for a while in search of another beautiful bug just to appreciate the beauty of nature.

1.

A．struggled

B．put

C．bent

D．dropped

2.

A．breath

B．attention

C．back

D．tool

3.

A．casually

B．quietly

C．happily

D．nervously

4.

A．looking

B．flying

C．climbing

D．falling

5.

A．unbothered

B．undoubted

C．unattractive

D．inaccessible

6.

A．grateful

B．anxious

C．impatient

D．responsible

7.

A．selected

B．recognized

C．noticed

D．scolded

8.

A．unfamiliar

B．proud

C．shameful

D．unaware

9.

A．courage

B．wisdom

C．safety

D．reward

10.

A．owe

B．take

C．bring

D．fetch

11.

A．balance

B．measure

C．release

D．promote

12.

A．defend

B．keep

C．imagine

D．stop

13.

A．enjoy

B．deliver

C．produce

D．ignore

14.

A．principle

B．purpose

C．wonder

D．puzzle

15.

A．pull through

B．go out

C．turn up

D．come back

10 . This year’s hiking events have kicked off and we are introducing some walking festivals in the following.

Crickhowell Walking Festival (9-17 March)

One of the earliest of the year’s festivals, the walking festival offers 81 different walks this year, ranging from 2 to 17 miles. All are graded in terms of effort and difficulty, from an easy walk along the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, to a—new for 2024—hike through the western Fans.

Isle of Wight Walking Festival (11-19 May and 5-13 October)

The Isle of Wight Walking Festival laces (系) up its boots in spring and autumn, on the 500 miles of footpaths on the island. There are walks focusing on every aspect of the island’s history. Walks are graded according to pace and difficulty.

Moray Walking and Outdoor Festival (14-24 June)

A great choice for those looking for other activities to enjoy besides walking, this 10-day celebration includes everything from boating to bird-watching. The walks range from gentle seaside wanders to endurance(耐力) hikes through the Cairngorms, with five different grades of difficulty.

Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival (27 September-6 October)

Choose from self-guided or expert-led walks along a 75-mile stretch of the Saltmarsh coast, picking up the region’s maritime (海洋的) history, or learning about the rich variety of bird species. The festival features guided walks taking in vineyards (葡萄园), nature reserves and vast skies along the shoreline.

1. Which walking festival is held in two seasons this year?

A．Crickhowell Walking Festival.	B．Isle of Wight Walking Festival.
C．Moray Walking and Outdoor Festival.	D．Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival.

2. What can festival goers do during Moray Walking and Outdoor Festival?

A．Make samples of rare species.	B．Volunteer in nature reserves.
C．Observe birds and go boating.	D．Attend a class on marine science.

3. What is special about Saltmarsh Coast Walking Festival?

A．It has the longest path.	B．It provides graded walks.
C．It offers guide choices.	D．It serves as history tour.