1 . The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in educational technology (EdTech) has brought incomparable convenience and efficiency to classrooms worldwide. However, despite these advancements, it is crucial to recognize the challenges these AI-driven tools pose to the autonomy and professional judgment of instructors.

One of its primary concerns is the depersonalization of instruction. These tools often rely on pre-packaged digital content and standardized solutions, leaving insufficient room for instructors to tailor their teaching methods. Each student possesses unique characteristics. Instructors, armed with their wealth of experience and knowledge, are best positioned to tailor their approaches to these individual needs. However, AI-driven tools restrict their ability to do so effectively, resulting in a one-size-fits-all approach that fails to inspire students to reach their maximum potential.

EdTech companies offer step-by-step solutions to textbook problems. These are intended to act as study aids. However, some students employ this feature as a means to merely copy solutions without comprehending concepts. Consequently, instances of cheating on assignments and exams become widespread. While these tools may offer convenience, students may use external resources or cooperate with others during quizzes, affecting the honesty of their learning outcomes.

The implications of this depersonalization and the increase in academic dishonesty are far-reaching. By decreasing the role of instructors as facilitators of meaningful educational interactions, we run the risk of preventing the growth of critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students. Education should not only focus on knowledge acquisition, but should also develop the ability to analyze, evaluate, and apply that knowledge in real-world contexts. It should help one’s mind grow, not simply memorize information. Through dynamic classroom discussions, cooperative projects, and hands-on activities, instructors play a crucial role in developing these essential skills.

While AI-driven EdTech tools undeniably have their virtues, we must not lose sight of the importance of preserving instructor autonomy and educational experience. Instead of relying only on pre-packaged content and standardized solutions, these tools should be designed to empower instructors to adapt and customize their approaches while taking full advantage of the benefits of technology.

1. What do the underlined words “the depersonalization of instruction” in paragraph 2 refer to?

A．Tailored methods for individuals.	B．Instructors’ dependence on Al.
C．Insufficient resources of Al-driven tools.	D．The one-size-fits-all approach.

2. What is paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．A possible solution.

B．A further problem.

C．A well-meant intention.

D．A suggested application

3. In what aspect do students suffer most with AI-driven EdTech education?

A．Thinking skills.	B．Teamwork building.
C．Interest development.	D．Knowledge acquisition.

4. What is conveyed about Al-driven EdTech tools in the last paragraph?

A．They should be used widely.

B．Their benefits deserve our attention.

C．Their resources need enriching.

D．They should support instructor autonomy.

2 . Near-death accidents and summit failures have not slowed down mountaineer Saray N’ kusi Khumalo. The Zambia-born mother of two holds a corporate job, hosts a podcast, has climbed some of the tallest mountains around the world, and still has the time to run a non- profit organization that focuses on education in Africa.

“My grandfather always used to say, ‘if you don’t live a life of service, that’s a life wasted, ” she said. In 2013, she founded Summits With A Purpose in South Africa. With every climb, she raises funds to help build schools and libraries. Khumalo is not going to just climb and take a selfie. She is going to climb and then make a difference.

Not long after her first-ever summit, she turned her eyes toward the world’s tallest peak: Mt. Qomolangma, located in the Himalayas. The first three attempts were tough and heart-breaking for Khumalo: She experienced everything from natural disasters to losing consciousness in the “death zone”, Qomolangma’s top stretch over 8, 000 meters above sea level, where oxygen is dangerously low.

On May 16, 2019 —her fourth bid —she succeeded, becoming the first Black African woman to reach the summit. In total, only eight of the 4,000 people who’ve ever summited Qomolangma are Black.

Khumalo is humbled by what she’s achieved so far, but she notes, “I don’t think that I’ve broken those stereotypes yet; there’s still a lot more work to be done,” adding that representation should extend beyond the mountain tops, too.

“It’s not just about Qomolangma; it is a gift that we need to leave for the next generation wherever we are,” she says, calling on her peers to step outside their comfort zone to show that Black people belong in all spaces.

1. What can we know about Khumalo from paragraph 1?

A．She suffers from injuries.	B．She is energetic.
C．She loves her family.	D．She is struggling with life.

2. Why did she found Summits With A Purpose?

A．To make herself rich.	B．To fulfill her grandfather’s wish.
C．To raise funds for her climbing.	D．To collect money for African education.

3. What is paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．Her life experiences.	B．The success of her climbing.
C．The hardship in climbing.	D．The conditions of the Qomolangma’s top.

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

A．To introduce a mountaineer pioneer.	B．To show a respect for mountaineers.
C．To tell the history of mountain climbing.	D．To attract more people to conquer Mt. Qomolangma.

3 . Household chores like cooking, cleaning, washing the dishes, and making the bed are never done; they just get repeated like a broken record. Boring!     1    . But there are science-based reasons for changing your attitude towards chores. It turns out that doing chores is great for your health.

    2    . As researchers state in a report, doing undemanding tasks allows the mind to wander. Your mind gets a break, which allows you to consider old problems with new eyes. In fact, undemanding tasks stimulate (激发) more creative ideas than demanding tasks or just resting.

Chores are linked to a lower dementia (痴呆) risk. To discover what activities might be linked to a lower rate of dementia, researchers analyzed massive amounts of healthcare data from the UK Biobank. They found that those most engaged in household chores had a 21 percent lower risk of dementia compared to those least engaged in chores.     3    .

Finishing your chores can increase motivation. BJ Fogg, author of Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything, states that the most important skill is recognizing and celebrating successes. Completing even a small task, like making your bed, can give you a sense of satisfaction.     4    . Similarly, author Admiral William H. McRaven argues that if you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.

Chores are good for children’s mental health. Children develop a sense of ownership when they have jobs to do around the house and it makes them feel like they are an important member of the household.     5    . In my own case, I bond with my daughter by gossiping (闲聊) and singing while we do chores together.

A．Chores are an opportunity for “me time”

B．Chores can lead to creative problem-solving

C．Thus, you feel motivated to deal with tasks one after another

D．In this way, they can be taught to be independent and confident

E．Like many people, you may regard chores as something annoying

F．Doing chores with children also improves the parent-child relationship

G．This result indicated simple changes could make a difference to health

4 . This week, Google researchers published a paper describing results from an AI tool built to create music. The tool, called MusicLM, is not the first AI music tool to be launched. But the examples Google provided demonstrate musical creative ability based on a limited set of descriptive words.

Several different music examples produced by MusicLM were published online. Some of the generated music came from just one- or two-word descriptions, such as “jazz”, “rock” or “techno (高科技舞曲)”. The tool also created other examples from more detailed descriptions containing whole sentences.

In one example, Google researchers included these instructions to MusicLM, “It is a soundtrack of a game. It is fast-paced and upbeat, with a catchy electric guitar riff (反复乐节). The music is repetitive and easy to remember, but with unexpected sounds ...” In the resulting recording, the music seemed to keep very close to the description. The team said the more detailed the description was, the better the system could attempt to produce it.

The MusicLM model operates similarly to the machine-learning systems used by ChatGPT. ChatGPT and MusicLM both require powerful computers to operate complex machine-learning models. The San Francisco-based company OpenAI launched ChatGPT late last year. ChatGPT has recently received a lot of attention because of its ability to generate complex writings and other content from just a simple description in natural languages. Such tools can produce human-like results because they are trained on huge amounts of data. Many different materials are fed into the systems to permit them to learn complex skills to create realistic works.

However, the MusicLM researchers said there were some risks linked to the new tool. One of the biggest issues the researchers identified was biases (偏好) present in the training data. A bias might be including too much of one side and not enough of the other. The researchers said this raised a question about appropriateness for music generation for cultures underrepresented in the training data.

1. What can we learn about MusicLM?

A．It is the first AI music tool to be launched.

B．It requires detailed descriptions of full sentences.

C．It creates music based on simple descriptive words.

D．It generates complex writings from a simple description.

2. What is the similarity between ChatGPT and MusicLM?

A．They can take the place of musicians.	B．They have gained commercial success.
C．They don't have any practical use in life.	D．They are based on huge amounts of data.

3. Which of the following is an issue of the MusicLM model?

A．Creating music with strong biases.	B．Requiring too much training data.
C．Being difficult for some people to use.	D．Producing music works with no creativity.

4. What would be the best title for the text?

A．The future of humans with AI	B．A new AI tool to make music
C．Music created by some AI tools	D．AI and its function in culture development

5 . Discover how you can help endangered species! Volunteer to help conserve endangered species around the world with GoEco.

Sea turtles, Sri Lanka

The species is threatened by human hunters. The Sri Lankan government has approved the creation of hatcheries (孵化场) in order to protect this species. Volunteers on this program spend 60% of their time working in the hatchery and the other 40% is spent on activities such as beach cleanups and creating awareness within the local community.

Program Fees: $1,280 for 2 weeks and $1,680 per month for volunteers.

Wildlife Rescue, Western Australia

Adult kangaroos and wallabies are hunted for food, leaving thousands of their babies without parents. Many are killed or injured in road accidents. At the wildlife rescue center in Perth, Western Australia, volunteers live and help in the bushland caring for sick, injured, and displaced animals.

Program Fee: $2,095 for four weeks. Volunteers stay on-site in a small room. Due to very limited space, applications must be sent at least 9-12 months in advance.

Endangered Species Reserve, South Africa

The project will give you an incredible wildlife experience while learning about conservation efforts. For the rest of the time between monitoring sessions, volunteers are required to enter all the data that they have collected into our databases. At times, volunteers need to operate on night shifts. We also give lectures and presentations over the lunch period.

Program Fee: $1,750 for 2 weeks

Big Cat Refuge, South Africa

As a volunteer on this project, you will be involved in a wide variety of activities. Volunteer’s work ranges from enrichment activities, such as toy-making and farm work, to educating the visitors. Volunteers will also directly care for the cats by preparing food or feeding them as well as maintaining their living space.

Program Fee: $1,450 for 2 weeks

1. What is the monthly project fee for volunteers in Sri Lanka?

A．$1,280.

B．$1,680.

C．$2,560.

D．$2,960.

2. What is required of volunteers for the project in Western Australia?

A．Having previous experience.

B．Working night shifts sometimes.

C．Applying for the project in advance.

D．Having a good knowledge of wildlife.

3. What can volunteers do for the project Big Cat Refuge?

A．Study the habits of big cats.

B．Help to sell some toys about cats.

C．Guide visitors to the habitat of the cats.

D．Do daily routines in the cats’ living space.

6 . 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。

A blogger from Sichuan, nicknamed “AI Crazy House,”     1     (release) an AI-generated animated short film of “Journey to the West”     2     the Internet. The film shocked netizens with its visual effects and opened up new     3     (possibility) for presenting classic works in film and television.

Through deep learning and innovative techniques, AI reinterpreted this Chinese literary masterpiece,     4     (deliver) breathtaking visual effects and emotional experiences.

The blogger, Mr. Feng, has 15 years of art experience. He stated that the video,     5     would have taken at least six months to produce manually, was completed in a week with the help of AI.

He also explained the steps     6     (generate) videos with AI. Taking the first episode of “Journey to the West” as     7     example, from the beginning of chaos to the birth of the stone monkey to the learning of art, he emphasized the need to determine the required number of pictures and storyboards.

He mentioned using ChatGPT to analyze the original text, complete storyboard planning, use AI painting software for drawing,     8     then employ “picture-to-video” software to animate the images.

These processes     9     (general) produce a large number of preliminary drafts. “At present, it is difficult for AI     10     (understand) my meaning.” Mr. Feng said.

7 . The year 2023 witnessed the occurrence of significant cultural events, with culture and tourism becoming even more closely connected. Let’s review the major cultural events of 2023 as we bid farewell to the year and embrace the new year of 2024!

Museum visits rise in popularity in summer

Tourists were seen queuing for long hours in front of museums and obtaining entrance tickets became more challenging. In response to the growing demand, 46 museums in Beijing canceled their customary Monday closures and remained open daily until August 31. The rise in “museum fever” can be credited to various factors, including the public’s increasing enthusiasm for traditional Chinese culture, the booming market for youth educational tours and summer camps, as well as the continuous innovation of museums.

Old tea forests in Pu’er win World Heritage Site title

The newly named heritage site, located in Lancang Lahu autonomous county in Pu’er, Yunnan province, consists of five large-scale, well-preserved old tea forests, which stand 1,250 to 1,500 meters above the sea level, three protective barrier forests, and nine ancient villages in the old tea forests, which are mainly inhabited by Blang and Dai ethnic groups. The cultural landscape was jointly created by the ancestors of the Blang people—who immigrated to the Jingmai Mountain in the 10th century AD and later discovered and domesticated wild tea trees—and the native Dai people.

Protection plan released for Beijing’s Central Axis

The plan is said to be one of the necessary steps toward bidding for UNESCO World Heritage status. Alongside regulations on the protection of the Central Axis carried out earlier, the plan is in line with the requirements of World Heritage conservation. The 21 member countries of the World Heritage Committee will decide on whether Beijing’s Central Axis can be added to the World Heritage List at the committee’s 46th annual conference in 2024. If the application succeeds, it will reinforce Beijing’s top position among cities worldwide by number of World Heritage Sites.

1. Which of the following is NOT the reason for the rise in “museum fever”?

A．Museums’ ceaseless innovation.

B．The constant innovation of summer camps.

C．The growing market for youth educational tours.

D．People’s growing passion for traditional Chinese culture.

2. Which of the following statements is TRUE concerning the cultural events?

A．46 museums in Beijing stayed open all year round.

B．The Blang people are the natives in Jingmai Mountain.

C．The heritage site in Pu’er consists of four large old tea forests.

D．Beijing’s Central Axis hasn’t been added to the World Heritage List yet.

3. In which magazine would a reader most likely find this text?

A．Wonders of the Natural World	B．Scientific Exploration
C．Chinese Culture Research	D．Art and Architecture

8 . Should teens do housework after school?    1    Some might claim that doing housework is a waste of time, while others feel that housework is a good opportunity for teens to become more mature. As for me, I strongly argue that it is indeed necessary for teens to do household work to help develop a sense of responsibility.

First of all, to be responsible, teenagers should learn how to manage their time.     2    When I was in senior high, I had to wash dishes every day. Therefore, I learned how to do my chores (家务) quickly to save more time for studying and relaxing. On the other hand, my little brother did not do any housework, so he always struggled to keep to his schedule.

    3    Doing household chores can train teens to become independent people. For instance, when my sister was in high school, she had to do her own washing and cleaning, and even cook her own food. As a result, she knew how to take care of herself. She rarely relied on anyone.

Finally, doing household chores can help teens become better leaders.     4    When my family clean the house together, I often give orders and see everyone do his or her own work. My sister is in charge of dusting the floor, I clean the windows, and my brother takes out the waste.     5    Moreover, statistics show that a lot of students who are class leaders often are responsible for the main household chores in their families.

A．Take my personal experience for example.

B．People adopt different stands toward this issue.

C．Besides, being responsible means being independent.

D．Parents feel angry if their teens don't help with the housework.

E．Secondly, it gives teens the sense that they're part of the family.

F．Doing household work can help them develop good time management skills.

G．As a result, when I was selected as the leader in group projects, I felt confident about it.

9 . Rejection doesn’t always hurt. Sometimes rejection may _________ a more certain path to our final goals.

This year football fans have been watching to see how Joe would _________ in the playoffs(季后赛) this season. Joe dreamed to play in the National Football League (NFL), but his journey wasn’t a(n) _________ one. He applied to several colleges, but none _________ him. Later, he got into Ohio State, but he sat on the _________ for three years. Ohio State had a great football program and coaches, who didn’t think Joe had _________. But Joe thought differently. He _________ Nebraska and got rejected once again, but he didn’t quit. Then he applied to Louisiana State University, which accepted him. The rest is history.

Joe became the Heisman Trophy _________ during his senior year, then he was admitted to the NFL, and later, his team participated in the World Championship.

Joe’s story reminds us that there are _________ paths to our final goals and that it __________ strong endurance and determination to reach them. No single __________ is going to prevent you from __________ your long-term goals. Be sure to__________ the pain that comes from disappointment and face it bravely. Try to focus on goals rather than the __________ outcome of being rejected and remember that the hurt of rejection comes from how we __________ it.

1.

A．follow

B．lead

C．create

D．clear

2.

A．study

B．perform

C．train

D．join

3.

A．tough

B．fun

C．attractive

D．easy

4.

A．accepted

B．remembered

C．rejected

D．ignored

5.

A．bench

B．stand

C．team

D．stage

6.

A．chance

B．resource

C．potential

D．enthusiasm

7.

A．signed up for

B．applied to

C．attended to

D．searched for

8.

A．fan

B．adviser

C．learner

D．winner

9.

A．similar

B．smooth

C．multiple

D．flat

10.

A．costs

B．takes

C．makes

D．offers

11.

A．theory

B．training

C．rejection

D．excuse

12.

A．achieving

B．planning

C．announcing

D．explaining

13.

A．affect

B．emphasize

C．estimate

D．acknowledge

14.

A．active

B．negative

C．possible

D．predictable

15.

A．interpret

B．imagine

C．explore

D．escape

10 . 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 had never noticed her. She was not the kind of girl who could draw attention. She was not tall and just plain. In class, she liked sitting at the back, reading or taking notes. It was once I asked her to read aloud the text that I looked at her with new eyes when I heard her standard American pronunciation. Later on, the National College English Speech Contest would be held. I thought it over and filled in her name with a smile. I red-penciled her draft of speech, corrected her pronunciation, and even adjusted her body language.

However, I was always kind of worried because she was too introvert(内向的)and too quiet. Could she seize this rare opportunity?

On the night of the contest, I told her to take it easy. Blushed(脸红的), she looked at me and said nothing.

My heart sank. It seemed that she did tense up. I pated her and let her go to draw lots(抽签). As a result, what she drew was No. 9 while No. 8 was recognized English master-hand(高手).

Sure enough, the English master-hand was fairly successful in the speech with his humor and highly personal style. The whole audience would make a warm applause almost every 30 seconds until she appeared on the stage, still talking over his speech with excitement.

My palms began to sweat. I sat there, with no courage to look at her. It was the first time that she went up the stage, so I couldn't blame her for any slips. But at that moment, I found I was so scared of her failure.

The strong spotlight made her so small and so insignificant that nobody seemed to notice she had been on the stage, I said to myself, no hope.

But the moment that shocked me occurred. I clearly heard a voice, a very loud voice, “Now, please focus on me.” She said this sentence three times in all, louder and louder.

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

The whole audience fell silent.

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After her speech ended for a long while, a thunderous applause sounded in the whole audience.

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