1 . Who is a genius? This question has greatly interested humankind for centuries.

Let’s state clearly: Einstein was a genius. His face is almost the international symbol for genius. But we want to go beyond one man and explore the nature of genius itself. Why is it that some people are so much more intelligent or creative than the rest of us? And who are they?

In the sciences and arts, those praised as geniuses were most often white men, of European origin. Perhaps this is not a surprise. It’s said that history is written by the victors, and those victors set the standards for admission to the genius club. When contributions were made by geniuses outside the club—women, or people of a different color or belief—they were unacknowledged and rejected by others.

A study recently published by Science found that as young as age six, girls are less likely than boys to say that members of their gender(性别)are “really, really smart.” Even worse, the study found that girls act on that belief: Around age six they start to avoid activities said to be for children who are “really, really smart.” Can our planet afford to have any great thinkers become discouraged and give up? It doesn’t take a genius to know the answer: absolutely not.

Here’s the good news. In a wired world with constant global communication, we’re all positioned to see flashes of genius wherever they appear. And the more we look, the more we will see that social factors(因素)like gender, race, and class do not determine the appearance of genius. As a writer says, future geniuses come from those with “intelligence, creativity, perseverance(毅力), and simple good fortune, who are able to change the world.”

1. What does the author think of victors’ standards for joining the genius club?

A．They’re unfair.	B．They’re conservative.
C．They’re objective.	D．They’re strict.

2. What can we infer about girls from the study in Science?

A．They think themselves smart.

B．They look up to great thinkers.

C．They see gender differences earlier than boys.

D．They are likely to be influenced by social beliefs

3. Why are more geniuses known to the public?

A．Improved global communication.

B．Less discrimination against women.

C．Acceptance of victors’ concepts.

D．Changes in people’s social positions.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Geniuses Think Alike	B．Genius Takes Many Forms
C．Genius and Intelligence	D．Genius and Luck

2 . When Beverley Burdeyney turned seventy four last year, she started having problems with her _______ , notably dryness and discomfort.

"I was simply _______ a terrible experience, " Ms. Burdeyney said at her home in Toronto. "I felt so helpless and insecure because the quality of my _______ was affected. "

Ms. Burdeyney talked to some friends who had _______ problems and discovered that they were largely suffering in _______. " Nobody chooses to talk about it because it seems so _______ she said. " But more and more are suffering and lives are being _______.

Eventually, Ms. Burdeyney learned about plans for an eye research, _______ at Tel Aviv University in Israel. The research team _______ Canadian doctor Allan Slomovic, who has done__________ work on eye care using stem cells. Seeing a ray of hope, Ms. Burdeyney began raising __________ for the project with a friend, Toronto businessman Meyer Zeifman. __________ she has raised $ 110, 000 with another $40, 000 __________ .

"I'm trying to get more and more people to __________ that there are solutions（解决办法）said Ms. Burdeyney, a trained nurse who is still working as a personal trainer after __________ . "I say there is no old __________ , there's only neglect （忽视）. Don't stand __________ , do something about it. "

Ms. Burdeyney __________ that she is hoping to do more for the research project. "I just want to bring __________ into people eyes and this is just the __________. There is still a long way to go"

1.

A．throat

B．skin

C．lungs

D．eyes

2.

A．getting over

B．going through

C．holding on

D．passing down

3.

A．story

B．treatment

C．life

D．relationship

4.

A．similar

B．various

C．personal

D．special

5.

A．turn

B．peace

C．vain

D．silence

6.

A．unbearable

B．abnormal

C．insignificant

D．disturbing

7.

A．compromised

B．forgotten

C．substituted

D．separated

8.

A．course

B．program

C．paper

D．conference

9.

A．informed

B．doubted

C．included

D．dismissed

10.

A．part-time

B．controversial

C．voluntary

D．ground-breaking

11.

A．money

B．standards

C．awareness

D．questions

12.

A．As ever

B．So far

C．In return

D．Once again

13.

A．wasted

B．donated

C．expected

D．earned

14.

A．imagine

B．confirm

C．remember

D．understand

15.

A．retirement

B．childbirth

C．graduation

D．marriage

16.

A．time

B．rule

C．age

D．tale

17.

A．straight

B．still

C．firm

D．alone

18.

A．commented

B．learned

C．reminded

D．added

19.

A．light

B．joy

C．color

D．beauty

20.

A．future

B．beginning

C．truth

D．meaning

3 . Learning how to apologize is similar to learning any new behavior. It may feel awkward and may not be polished at first.     1     There are several tips that will help you as you learn how to apologize.

First of all, wait until the right time and you are in the right place. Although public apology is often appropriate, discretion (谨慎) should be used.     2     Remember, you will be raising a topic that may recall a bad experience or bad feelings. Be respectful as you approach this task.

Be direct and brief in your approach. Acknowledge the fact that injury has occurred and then take responsibility for what happened. Be sincere in expressing your regret and demonstrate your willingness to take ownership of the situation.     3    

Even if you follow these steps, be prepared for rejection. Sometimes, the person apologizing has an expectation that the apology will lead to immediate forgiveness and acceptance.     4     If you think of the offense (冒犯) as an emotional bruise (瘀伤), think of the healing process as the color changes we see as a bruise heals.

    5     Knowing when to keep one’s mouth shut is a virtue. Keeping quiet may be very difficult, as post-apology listening is not easy. We may hear unpleasant observations from another about our own shortcomings. We may hear the expression of anger. One of the ways we let others know we are truly responsible and accountable for our mistakes is by listening to the other party pour out the feelings associated with our actions.

A．Forgiveness and acceptance may take time.

B．To give or receive a good apology is an art.

C．But with practice, everyone can learn to do it.

D．Listening to the response to our apologies is important.

E．Most apologies can and should happen in a private setting.

F．In other words, avoid excuses and offer to repair the damage.

G．Taking responsibility doesn’t mean accepting blame for everything.

4 . This is the story of Moyo, a rescued elephant in Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery, a local non-governmental organization called Wild Is Life. She is probably one of the ________ elephant cubs ever to be rescued. She came to the nursery when she was about three to four ________ old. Sheweighed 56 kilos, and ________ a just-born African elephant cub weighs about 90 kilos. So she was a special iconic little elephant. Under good care of the staff there, she managed to ________.

Every year, hundreds of young elephants are orphaned across the African continent and rarely have a chance of ________ in the wild and are more often than not, left to die. “We rescue babies, and we provide ________ for them. We make sure they are in good ________ here, and help them regain their ________ needed in the wild. We are trying to create a culture where people ________,” said Roxy Danckwerts, the founder of Wild Is Life.

Moyo is about four and a half years old now. She is healthy, playful, and has become some kind of ambassador to the nursery. Therefore, she’s having to take on a lot of ________ for such a young animal, almost becoming a leader at the very young age. She is gentle, calm, very very ________ to the other elephants that come into the nursery. She is also very good with people.

But unfortunately, they’re not much more than objects of money in the eyes of ivory(象牙) dealers. Zimbabwe has a ________ elephant-hunting problem. Some regions are ________ as much as 75 percent of the elephant population over the past 10 years. That is why Danckwerts feels excited at China’s decision to ________ illegal ivory sales, which he believes has become a major turning point and a signal to the world that China has made a ________.

1.

A．cleverest

B．worst

C．smallest

D．eagerest

2.

A．years

B．months

C．weeks

D．days

3.

A．normally

B．officially

C．rigidly

D．unusually

4.

A．set down

B．pop up

C．pull through

D．get away

5.

A．escape

B．survival

C．freedom

D．extinction

6.

A．shelter

B．service

C．advice

D．wealth

7.

A．eyes

B．legs

C．arms

D．hands

8.

A．habitats

B．skills

C．partners

D．parents

9.

A．tour

B．care

C．wander

D．study

10.

A．risk

B．discussion

C．work

D．responsibility

11.

A．friendly

B．well-known

C．superior

D．strange

12.

A．simple

B．tiny

C．serious

D．random

13.

A．gaining

B．supporting

C．losing

D．controlling

14.

A．allow

B．promote

C．reduce

D．ban

15.

A．move

B．deal

C．living

D．mistake

5 . On January 7, David Bennett went into the operating room at the University of Maryland Medical Center for a surgical procedure never performed before on a human. The 57-year-old Maryland resident had been hospitalized for months due to a life threatening disease. His heart was failing him and he needed a new one.

Bennett’s condition left him unresponsive to treatment and ineligible (不合格) for the transplant list or an artificial heart pump. The physician-scientists at the center, however, had another-also risky- option: transplant (移植) a heart from a genetically-modified pig.

“It was either die or do this transplant,” Bennett had told surgeons a day before the operation. “I want to live. I know it’s a shot in the dark, but it’s also my last choice.”

It took the medical team eight hours to finish the operation, making Bennett the first human to successfully receive a pig’s heart. “It’s working and it looks normal. We are thrilled, but we don’t know what tomorrow will bring us. This has never been done before,” Barkley Griffith, who led the transplant team, told the New York Times.

While it’s only been five days since the operation, the surgeons say that Bennett’s new pig heart was, so far, functioning as expected and his body wasn’t rejecting (排斥) the organ. They are still monitoring his condition closely.

“I think it’s extremely exciting,” says Robert Montgomery, transplant surgeon and director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, who was not involved in Bennett’s operation. The result of the procedure was also personally meaningful for Montgomery, who received a heart transplant in 2018 due to a genetic disease that may also affect members of his family in the future. “It’s still in the early days, but still the heart seems to be functioning. And that in and of itself is an extraordinary thing. Up to now most experimental heart transplant procedures have been done between pigs and other animals. This is the first time that surgeons have taken it into a living human.”

1. What do the words “a shot in the dark” underlined in Paragraph 3 mean?

A．Something that costs a fortune.

B．Something impossible to succeed.

C．Something drawing public attention.

D．Something with an uncertain outcome.

2. What is Barkley Griffith’s attitude to Bennett’s post-operation condition?

A．Negative.

B．Cautious.

C．Optimistic.

D．Uncaring.

3. What is the text mainly about?

A．The heated debate over the pig heart transplant.

B．David Bennett’s contribution to medical research.

C．The first experimental pig heart transplant in the world.

D．The first successful pig heart transplant into a living human.

4. In which section of a magazine may this text appear?

A．Political Affairs.

B．Global Entertainment.

C．Sci-Tech Front.

D．Financial Window.

6 . Overcoming learning disabilities has long been a challenge for educators and students alike. However, recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology have shown promise in revolutionizing the way we approach education for students with learning disabilities.

One of the most significant ways AI can assist is through the use of adaptive learning systems. These systems use algorithms (算法) to analyze a student’s performance and adjust the learning content and pace accordingly. This personalized approach allows them to progress at their own pace, without feeling overwhelmed or left behind. Furthermore, adaptive learning systems can identify areas where a student may be struggling and provide targeted support.

Another way AI can support them is through natural language processing (NLP) technology. NLP enables computers to understand and interpret human language, allowing AI-powered tools to provide real-time feedback on a student’s written work. This can be particularly beneficial for students with dyslexia, who often struggle with spelling, grammar, and sentence structure. By providing immediate feedback, students can identify and correct their mistakes, leading to improved writing skills and increased confidence.

AI can also play a role in developing their social and emotional skills. Many students with learning disabilities experience social isolation. AI-powered social robots can recognize and respond to human emotions, allowing students to engage in interactive conversations and activities that help develop their social and emotional intelligence.

While the potential benefits of AI in education are clear, it is essential to recognize AI isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Educators must carefully consider the moral implications of using AI in the classroom and ensure these tools are used responsibly and with the best interests of the students in mind. Moreover, it is crucial to remember AI shouldn’t replace human educators but rather serve as a tool to enhance and support their efforts. Teachers play a vital role by providing empathy, understanding, and guidance that cannot be reproduced by a machine. By combining the power of AI with the skills and compassion of human educators, we can create a more inclusive and effective educational environment for all students.

1. How can adaptive systems help students with learning disabilities?

A．By adjusting their learning methods.	B．By analyzing their learning abilities.
C．By satisfying their curiosity in learning.	D．By offering personalized learning assistance.

2. What does the underlined word “dyslexia” in paragraph 3 refer to?

A．A mental illness affecting human intelligence.

B．A brain disease leading to lack of confidence in study.

C．A language-related skill applied in the learning process.

D．A learning disorder involving difficulty in reading and writing.

3. What is the value of AI-powered social robots?

A．Engaging students in learning activities.	B．Narrowing the social distance between people.
C．Assisting learners to overcome social isolation.	D．Helping learners adopt effective reading strategies.

4. What does the author say about AI in the last paragraph?

A．It can’t provide understanding like human educators.

B．It can’t create an inclusive learning environment.

C．It can meet a wide range of learning needs.

D．It can guarantee learners’ data security.

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。

It was my twelfth birthday, and what I really wanted most was a new bicycle. But I knew that my family couldn’t afford one, so I settled for a bedside table with lockable drawers, a safe place to keep my private stuff.

We went to the charity shop where we found an old dark one. It didn’t look too cool, but I thought that I would paint it to make it look better.

After we took it home, I was getting ready to paint it. When I pulled the drawers out. I felt something stuck to the back. I reached in all the way, and guess what? A sealed bag with some papers in it.

When I opened the bag, I realized that the papers were official documents. And, wrapped in them were a bunch of ten and twenty dollar bills! Talk about finding a treasure! And on my birthday!

“Is this some kind of joke?” I said aloud. I went ahead and read the papers, and it turned out to be a will. Some old lady was leaving her savings for her son and grandchildren.

My mind was going crazy. Was I the luckiest twelve-year-old ever? With this money I could buy the coolest bicycle. Who knows?

I began counting. When I reached a thousand dollars, my mother was knocking on my bedroom door. I quickly closed the drawer with the money in it.

“Do you want some help? Is everything all right?” she asked.

No, everything was not right. Actually, my stomach was growling (低吼).

“I’m okay,” I lied.

When my mother left my room, I lay on my bed, starting thinking. What a dilemma (窘境)! I wished there were some one I could talk with. Could I keep it and get all kinds of stuff for me and my family? It wouldn’t be too bad for me to keep it, if I shared it...right? Thoughts ran through my mind. But I really didn’t need someone else to give me the answer.

注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 请按格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
I finally made a decision and called my parents into my bedroom.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Though surprised, the shop owner helped find the family’s telephone number.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8 . Copenhagen has GREAT public transport. It is reliable, safe, and easily accessible. Of course, like everything in Copenhagen, it is not cheap. The system can be a little confusing, even for locals, but we’re here to help simplify it all for you! And today our focus is Travelling with a Bike.

BIKES ON THE TRAIN

Bicycles can be taken on s-tog lines for free but you can’t take bikes through Nørreport station during peak hours. To take your bike on a train, you need to put it on the first or last carriage, clearly marked with large signs of bicycles on the outside.

To take a bike on a regional train, which takes you to parts of Denmark outside Copenhagen, you must buy an extra ticket. The price depends on the distance and varies from 16 kr to 28 kr.

BIKES ON THE METRO

Bicycles can be taken on the metro for an extra 13 kr. You need to pay for the bike with its own ticket. You can’t take your bike on the metro during peak hours.

BIKES ON THE BUS

You can bring a bike on a bus but each bus is limited to two bikes, even if there is much space. Generally, people do not travel with their bikes on buses in Copenhagen.

BIKES ON THE FERRY(渡轮)

Charges for bicycles depend on the company and the destination. You will need to check with the ferry companies. When you book the ticket, you must state that you have a cycle, even if it’s free of charge.

1. Who is this text probably intended for?

A．Tourist guides.

B．Bike travelers.

C．Local citizens.

D．Ticket inspectors.

2. On which public transport can you take a bike for free?

A．A peak time s-tog train.

B．A weekday regional train.

C．An off-peak metro train.

D．A weekend ferry.

3. What is the disadvantage of bringing a bike on a bus?

A．Buses are too crowded.

B．It’s against the local custom.

C．Availability is not guaranteed.

D．It’s not welcomed by other passengers.

9 . I was 68 when I first stepped on stage as a standup comedian in 2003. I’d never set foot in a comedy club before. I’ve always been a performer - I’ve worked as a singer, actor and musician - but all that came to an end after 9/11. I live in New York, and we watched the twin towers fall from my apartment building. For a year afterwards, nobody wanted to go out or be entertained.

It was then that I started to think about comedy. I realised people needed to laugh, to enjoy themselves again, and thought that with a little training I could do it. I took a few classes, tried to work out a routine, and finally plucked up the courage to get up on stage. That first time was terrifying. I had no idea what the audience would make of me.

In New York, comedians are typically young men with beards. It’s hard enough to break through as a woman, even harder as someone old enough to be their grandmother. As I stepped on stage that first time, people laughed nervously. They were clearly surprised to see me. I introduced myself, stated my age and tried my first joke. There was silence. But by the time I got to the third line, people were properly laughing, I was addicted.

Now my sets differ. I might be on stage for 10 minutes in front of a dozen people, or my one-woman show is a full hour in front of a crowd of 100. Even today, I’m nervous before I step out. My first line is, “Hello, everybody. I’m 88 and three-quarters years old. I’m telling you that in case I don’t make it all the way through the show.” Then people laugh and I relax.

After a show, people young and old come up to me, saying what an inspiration I am. They say they want to be as active as me when they reach my age. I’m pleased I can show that as an older person you don’t need to take a back seat in life.

I’ve no intention of stopping comedy. I’m taking all these pills, trying to stay alive, and I hope to still be performing when I’m 100. My goal is to still be up there making people laugh. It’s hard work, but it stops me being bored. I’d only be playing golf otherwise

1. What made the writer take up comedy?

A．She wanted to overcome her fears	B．She wanted to brighten others’ lives
C．She was unwilling to quit performing	D．She wanted to work out a routine

2. Why does the writer mention young men with beards in Paragraph 3?

A．To show the challenge she was facing

B．To explain her attraction to the job

C．To illustrate her special advantage

D．To describe her new friends in comedy

3. How has the writer made progress since her first performance?

A．She now performs before larger audiences

B．She no longer feels nervous before performances

C．She remains on the stage for a longer time

D．She has learned to make a joke of her age

4. Which of the following statements would the writer agree with?

A．Age is just a number

B．Advancing years bring greater wisdom

C．Old age means a chance to sit back

D．Being elderly means you have to slow down

10 . My mom loved to pass her wisdom to me: ”Nothing beats a good bite that bites back.” She was referring to her bitter-taste foods like dill pickles and rhubarb (大黄叶). But I was not a big fan.

Three years ago, I finally decided to ask if I could ________ out her rhubarb while weeding the garden. “________ not!” Mom gasped, throwing me a(n) ________ look. Clearly, I had underestimated her________ for it. However, as I continued ________, I thought about how rhubarb is one of the first to appear in spring. It ________ the snowy ground before the arrival of other plants. How can anyone fail to ________ it? When those first sprouts (嫩芽) appeared, Mom would count them like a ________ counting a newborn’s fingers and toes.

When I was a kid and my mom gave me that pie, it made me ________ to try. In my teens, it made me complain about the bitterness. Even ice cream or candies did not ________ the deal for my young taste buds (味蕾). Rhubarb was something to be ________ at all costs.

Then, last summer, I came across the ________ for her rhubarb pie in an old drawer. So I decided to give it a ________. A few attempts later, I served rhubarb pie to family and guests. All agreed, including me, that it tasted incredible.

Since then I’ve come to a ________ about rhubarb. Rhubarb’s taste may be lost on children, but adults can________ it. Like my wise mother, I now understand that “Nothing beats a good bite that bites back.”

1.

A．dig

B．check

C．figure

D．smell

2.

A．Absolutely

B．Possibly

C．Basically

D．Technically

3.

A．warm

B．anxious

C．curious

D．sharp

4.

A．talent

B．affection

C．patience

D．ambition

5.

A．asking

B．weeding

C．assessing

D．walking

6.

A．makes for

B．takes in

C．breaks through

D．puts down

7.

A．admire

B．miss

C．ignore

D．question

8.

A．friend

B．doctor

C．parent

D．child

9.

A．grateful

B．content

C．guilty

D．reluctant

10.

A．enlarge

B．cancel

C．sweeten

D．postpone

11.

A．obtained

B．gathered

C．praised

D．avoided

12.

A．letter

B．bill

C．recipe

D．menu

13.

A．break

B．shot

C．second

D．rest

14.

A．resolution

B．suggestion

C．decision

D．conclusion

15.

A．appreciate

B．achieve

C．tolerate

D．provide