1 . Three scientists jointly won this year’s Nobel Prize in physics for proving that tiny particles (粒子) could keep a connection with each other even when separated, a phenomenon once doubted but now being explored for potential real-world applications such as encoding information. Frenchman Alain Aspect, American John F. Clauser and Austrian Anton Zeilinger were quoted by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for experiments proving the “totally crazy” field of quantum entanglements (量子纠缠) to be all too real. They demonstrated that unseen particles, such as photons (光子) , can be linked, or “entangled”, with each other even when they are separated by large distances.

In quantum entanglement, establishing common information between two photons not near each other “allows us to do things like secret communication, in ways which weren’t possible to do before”, said David Haviland, chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics. Quantum information “has broad and potential effects in areas such as secure information transmission, quantum computing and sensing technology”. The kind of secure communication used by China’s Micius satellite, as well as by some banks, is a “success story of quantum entanglement”, said Harun Siljak of Trinity College Dublin.

The Nobel Committee said Clauser developed quantum theories first put forward in the 1960s into a practical experiment. Aspect was able to correct an error in those theories, while Zeilinger demonstrated a phenomenon called quantum teleportation that effectively allows information to be sent over distances. “Using entanglement you can send all the information which is carried by an object over to some other place where the object is.” Zeilinger said. He added that this only works for tiny particles. “It is not like in the Star Trek films transporting something, certainly not the person, over some distance,” he said.

1. Which of the following statements about quantum entanglements is NOT true?

A．Scientists were doubtful whether it exists in the real world.

B．The Nobel Prize winner has put it into practical experiment.

C．Two particles can actually be connected regardless of distances.

D．The more distant 2 photons get, the less entangled they’ll become.

2. Which has the closest meaning to the underlined word “transmission”?

A．Affecting.	B．Transforming.
C．Communicating.	D．Spreading.

3. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．The achievements these 3 scientists have got individually.

B．The explanation for information transmission over large distances.

C．The clarification that science fiction is no equal to scientific theory.

D．The reason why these 3 scientists share this year’s Nobel Prize in physics.

4. What can we conclude from the passage?

A．Classical physics can be applied to tiny particles.

B．Quantum physics is the focus of modern physical research.

C．Particles, photons, and quanta are all the basic composition of matter.

D．Quantum entanglements can contribute to more cutting-edge technologies.

2 . Several years ago, I was driving down a busy freeway in Portland, Oregon, when my tire blew out. I pulled over and made a (n) _________ that said I needed help.

Three hours later, a car finally _________. Out came a family of three. They were Latino, and their young daughter acted as a (n) _________ between her parents’ Spanish and my English, so that we could work together to _________ the car. The father found a _________ on the side of the road, and using it to lift the car to _________ the tire. An hour later, we finished.

I thanked them and tried to give them money as a (n) _________. Though I only had a $20 bill, and I thought it was the _________ I could do. They just wouldn’t _________ it. I insisted, and __________ put the money in the mom’s hand, and walked away.

Then I heard their small daughter call out, to ask if I was __________. Indeed I was, and she came over with a sealed (密封的) paper bag. We __________ thank-yous and she went back. As they were trying to get into traffic, I __________ the bag and found a hamburger with my money under it. I immediately __________ the car, which was leaving, to get the father’s __________. He rolled down his window and just __________ his head. With a big smile, he said, “Today you, tomorrow me.” They drove away.

I know the __________ is common in Mexico, where I __________ the family was from. But its value is __________. It just shows that everyone can be in __________ in a given situation, and that everyone needs help.

1.

A．deal

B．sign

C．attempt

D．promise

2.

A．pulled up

B．moved on

C．went off

D．dropped out

3.

A．coach

B．rescuer

C．advisor

D．interpreter

4.

A．wipe

B．unlock

C．fix

D．polish

5.

A．rope

B．hammer

C．nail

D．log

6.

A．replace

B．return

C．kick

D．blow

7.

A．reminder

B．reward

C．comfort

D．donation

8.

A．last

B．least

C．superior

D．minor

9.

A．refuse

B．notice

C．deserve

D．accept

10.

A．apparently

B．confidently

C．eventually

D．temporarily

11.

A．hungry

B．alone

C．nervous

D．thirsty

12.

A．displayed

B．exchanged

C．identified

D．demanded

13.

A．unwrapped

B．unloaded

C．emptied

D．gathered

14.

A．came across

B．got through

C．passed by

D．ran after

15.

A．sympathy

B．support

C．attention

D．confirmation

16.

A．shook

B．raised

C．covered

D．bent

17.

A．meaning

B．connection

C．expression

D．background

18.

A．claim

B．reveal

C．suppose

D．appreciate

19.

A．different

B．traditional

C．gradual

D．universal

20.

A．advance

B．trouble

C．question

D．action

3 . 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。

Cheng Yongmao was born in a village in Huairou, Beijing and began to learn the skill of building under the     1     (guide) of his uncle in 1972. Although he didn’t receive a     2     ( high) education, his practical experience enabled him to readily take in the theories, which in turn     3     (improve) his skills significantly.

Cheng received his first Great Wall assignment in 2004. He led a construction team of dozens of members, most of     4     came from mountainous areas in neighboring Hebei province and were     5     (consequent) good at hiking up and down the peaks.

In 2016, he started to work on the Jiankou section, which     6     (consider) one of the most dangerous parts of the Great Wall in Beijing and is known by hikers as the “Wild Wall”. The toughest place is called Yingfei Daoyang (Eagle Flies Upside Down),     7     (suggest) that even an eagle would have to fly straight up,     8     its beak pointing up directly toward the sky to fly over this spot. Working there is dangerous, but under Cheng’s leadership, the workers adapted to the     9     (challenge) environment and built up their strength.

After years of efforts, the section has regained its historical appearance. “Protecting the Great Wall is my responsibility,” he said, “As long as I can climb up the mountain, I’ll do my best to lead my team, especially to assist them in gaining experience     10     making their due contributions.”

4 . Polly Arrowsmith is a clever bargain shopper, and knows exactly when her three local supermarkets make their daily price down. She estimates that hunting out food with yellow discounted labels saves her hundreds of pounds a year. But all this could soon be coming to an end. That’s because supermarkets are adopting dynamic pricing, controlled by artificial intelligence (AI) software.

It involves digital price tags that are displayed either on the shelf below the food items, or on high-tech labels attached the product itself. These prices are automatically, and wirelessly, updated by the AI when a particular item approaches its sell-by date. The AI also examines how much stock (库存) the store is holding of that item and makes the decision as to whether a markdown is requiredor not. Besides, it can help supermarkets better understand how to manage stock supply and avoid over-ordering. So we’re actually turning the current food waste problem into an opportunity and can help cut supermarkets’ food waste by more than a third.

Matt Wills, the co-founder of a firm called Acumen, warns that there are potential disadvantages to dynamic pricing. “Not knowing what the reference price is, consumers might not realise they are getting a deal at all,” he says. “This could also cause added complications for people who retired, if items are seen to be continually changing in price.”

The key, Mr. Wills believes, will be for supermarkets to have strict guidelines to ensure they can offer the benefits that dynamic pricing can bring, while ensuring AI doesn’t create unintended negative consequences for shoppers. Whether shoppers will welcome the change is another question, but Mr. Wills believes they’ll be won over by the price reductions they receive.

Ms. Arrowsmith admits she will miss the yellow discount stickers that have become part of her shopping routine. However, she also says she wants to see less food going to waste. “I’m happy to forgo really cheap pricing,” she says.

1. Why are yellow discount labels disappearing?

A．They are easy to hunt out.

B．They expose some safety issues.

C．They cause great damage to shoppers.

D．They are replaced with digital pricing.

2. What is mainly discussed in paragraph 2?

A．The advantages of using the AI.

B．The display of digital price tags.

C．The management of stock supply.

D．The problem of current food waste.

3. What can we learn about AI-driven pricing according to Matt Wills?

A．It offers the cheapest price.	B．It greatly reduces food stock.
C．It has side effect on retirees.	D．It gives rise to legal problems.

4. What does the underlined word “forgo” in the last paragraph mean?

A．Pay off.

B．Give up.

C．Agree on.

D．Cut down.

5 . Mr. Riccardi was working for an Italian university at the time, 10 years ago, and had to go to the city of Potenza in the south of the country for a conference. He wanted to book an environmentally-friendly hotel, but it was not so easy to find one online and book.

So it gave him the idea for a business — a website called Ecobnb, where people can search for sustainable accommodation. When someone finds a place that they would like to book, Ecobn b does not take the payment. Rather it contacts the property, which then emails the person directly. Ecobnb makes its money by charging the accommodation providers a monthly subscription to list on its website.

Today Ecobnb, based in Trento, in northern Italy, lists more than 3,000 properties worldwide, from an organic farmhouse in Tuscany, to an eco-mountain cottage in Costa Rica. 2.8 million travellers now use Ecobnb per year, up from 780,000 in 2018. Mr. Riccardi says the number is still rising. Some accommodation providers offer discounts for guests arriving by bicycle, or those not using a car during the trip.

“Holidaymakers are rethinking their relationship with planet Earth,” Mr. Riccardi says. “Thereis a new awareness, especially in young people, about our responsibility for our future and for the planet.” Statistics appear to back this up. A study has found that 69% of travellers are now actively seeking sustainable travel options.

Although Ecobnb is focused on sustainability, how sustainable is it when many people might be flying to arrive at the accommodations it lists? “The impact of the travel of the flights is very big,” agrees Mr. Riccardi. “We are pushing the staycation (就近旅游) model a lot, inviting people to discover their own countries and to avoid the flights when it’s possible.”

“More people are interested in green lifestyles every day,” he says. “And now they are looking for the same green choices also during their holidays. These little choices can come together, and we can change things and make something different. We can be the change we want to see in the world.”

1. What inspired Mr. Riccardi to start the website Ecobnb?

A．His pursuit for a better future.	B．His motivation to find a green hotel.
C．His teaching experience in an university.	D．His desire to invest in sustainable tourism.

2. What can we infer about Ecobnb from the third paragraph?

A．It enjoys great popularity.	B．It owns 3,000 properties in Italy.
C．It offers discounts to all visitors.	D．It charges payment from customers.

3. Why is Ecobnb pushing the stay cation model?

A．To promote sustainable travel.	B．To attract more young travelers.
C．To reduce the accommodation list.	D．To make flights available for others.

4. How does Mr. Riccardi feel about the future of green travel?

A．Discouraged.

B．Tolerant.

C．Uncertain.

D．Optimistic.

6 . It’s Community Day again!

The event that Map le Estate residents are eagerly looking forward to is just around the corner! As usual, the Map le Residents’ Committee has planned a programme that is designed to promote community spirit. Maple Estate has been celebrating Community Day every month for more than a year. By now, we hope all our residents understand the importance of forming strong bonds with our neighbours. If you have just moved to our lovely estate and have not had the opportunity to know your neighbours, you can do so by joining at Community Day!

August Highlight: Map le Estate Chefs Call all residents who are keen to practice your cooking skills and let your neighbours sample your cooking! You will be the stars of the upcoming event! Visit www.maplerc.sg for more information and to register for this activity. Kitchen equipment and basic ingredients will be provided. You will receive a $50 shopping voucher that you can use to purchase other ingredients from MapleMart the day before the event. Remember to register before 21 July, 2024! We are sure everyone will enjoy the delicious dishes! Time: From 10 a.m.to 6 p.m,6 Aug.,2024 Place: Maple Community Club Entry: Flash your Maple Resident Card

“My wife and I moved to Maple Estate when we got married. For a few months, we spent all our free time after work doing up our house. Even though we knew that our neighbours were friendly and would sometimes invite us for their gatherings, we were occupied with getting things ready. However, it wasn’t long before we grew curious about the Community Day celebrations. After we started attending them regularly, we met many neighbours. The first time we invited some of them over, we played games that helped us to get to know one another better!”

—Mr. Wang, a Maple Estate resident since 2022

1. What do the Community Day events aim to do?

A．To teach how to cook meals.	B．To develop community spirit.
C．To meet diverse needs of neighbours.	D．To make the community cleaner.

2. What do you have to do if you want to take part in the Maple Estate Chefs?

A．To sign up before 21 July , 2024.	B．To provide basic ingredients.
C．To use your own kitchen equipment.	D．To pay a registration fee of $50.

3. Mr. and Mrs. Wang didn’t socialize with their neighbours much at first because ______.

A．they spent all their time at work

B．they weren’t invited for the gatherings

C．they were busy beautifying their home

D．they lacked information about the community

7 . It was a busy morning and I had several things to do. As I was walking by the side of a busy _________, I saw an old lady in her 80s standing _________ close to the traffic. When I approached her, I _________ that she was trying to get the attention of passersby who were too busy to take _________ of her. She kept _________ to the middle of the road. When I tried to gently move her back further away from the _________of the busy road, she said that she had _________ her key in the middle of the road. I _________ and realized that no one seemed to be interested in us two. I knew I was getting _________ but decided to help.

The traffic was busy on the road. It was the __________ time of the day to cross a busy road without a traffic light. I asked the old lady to __________ at a safe distance and cautiously stepped onto the road __________ my hands.__________, the traffic on one lane stopped and then I moved further on to the middle of the road. Just then a school bus was __________ me and I boldly (大胆地)__________ in front of it to stop it. The school bus stopped so I __________ up the key right away, ran back to the old lady and __________ the key to her.

The school children who were watching my __________ from the bus let out a cheer and clapped. I felt so __________ to have helped this lady. I hope the school children watching me and cheering will do the same when their __________ comes in life.

1.

A．market

B．school

C．road

D．downtown

2.

A．dangerously

B．positively

C．gently

D．aimlessly

3.

A．announced

B．retold

C．meant

D．found

4.

A．charge

B．note

C．advantage

D．hold

5.

A．seeing

B．responding

C．sticking

D．pointing

6.

A．depth

B．edge

C．space

D．shadow

7.

A．forgotten

B．put

C．dropped

D．sold

8.

A．bent down

B．looked around

C．pulled up

D．moved on

9.

A．delayed

B．rewarded

C．caught

D．interviewed

10.

A．hottest

B．worst

C．happiest

D．fullest

11.

A．call

B．march

C．stay

D．run

12.

A．rubbing

B．clapping

C．shaking

D．waving

13.

A．At first

B．At times

C．By accident

D．In brief

14.

A．approaching

B．collecting

C．striking

D．attracting

15.

A．glared

B．cried

C．danced

D．stepped

16.

A．broke

B．added

C．picked

D．used

17.

A．owed

B．returned

C．mailed

D．lent

18.

A．actions

B．events

C．parts

D．accidents

19.

A．amazed

B．interested

C．embarrassed

D．pleased

20.

A．symbol

B．secret

C．turn

D．responsibility

8 . The deep and dark night sky is filled with wonder. Looking up at the bright stars, mysterious planets and ancient constellations (星座) brings a timeless feeling. Today, populated areas around the globe are enveloped in a type of fog that disconnects people from that amazing night sky, but reducing light pollution can help to restore the wonder.

After the sun sets, cities and suburbs across the globe are lit up with artificial lights. They glow along roads and highways and flood fields in sports stadiums. They also shine light on skyscrapers, malls, and flashing electronic signs. However, these lights negatively impact wildlife.

Artificial lighting has caused the firefly population to completely disappear in some areas, while lighthouse beams (光线) negatively impact marine species. In fact, in the US and Canada, 18 species of firefly are now classified as being threatened with a high risk of extinction in the next ten years.

Just leaving that light on affects the behavior of nocturnal pollinators (夜间传粉者) like moths, causing them to fly towards the light and not the flowers. This, in turn, negatively affects plants’ abilities to bear fruit and reproduce.

Many people are aware of many types of pollution including air, water, and land, but few realize that strong artificial lighting is harmful to all mammals, including humans. In order to make people aware of the importance of darkness, researchers wrote a world atlas (地图册) of artificial night sky brightness, which is published in Science Advances. Their findings reveal that 80 percent of the world populations live under a sky glow, with more than 99 percent of Americans and Europeans living under light-polluted skies.

Although individuals cannot control the highway and city lights, they can make a difference at home. And if everyone were to “turn off the switch”, it could help to bring back natural darkness in some areas. Light areas where light is needed and aim the light beams downwards. Try to use low-level lighting and be aware that some surfaces reflect more light into the sky.

1. What does the author mainly want to say in paragraph 2?

A．Light pollution is actually widespread.

B．Artificial lights bring people convenience.

C．The use of artificial lights should be cut down.

D．The night sky is beautifully lit up with those lights.

2. Why do some plants fail to bear fruit?

A．The light has been too strong.	B．The pollinators destroy them.
C．They are not pollinated in time.	D．They don’t receive enough light.

3. Why was a world atlas of artificial night sky brightness published?

A．To popularize artificial lighting.

B．To call off environmental protection.

C．To stress the civilizations of human beings.

D．To bring awareness to the meaning of darkness.

4. What can individuals do to help reduce light pollution?

A．Turn off highway lights.	B．Use low-level lighting.
C．Let light beams upwards.	D．Design energy-efficient lights.

9 . Women’s sport is experiencing growth. This season, the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) league kicked off with a campaign to transform ideas of women’s rugby. Here are the stories of four remarkable women who are powered differently — born to break the stereotypes (刻板印象).

Abbie Ward, 30, Bristol Bears

Abbie has marked a successful return to the rugby field this season playing her first match since the Rugby World Cup Final in November 2021, just four months after giving birth to her daughter, Hallie. Abbie’s journey showcases a ground-breaking shift in the sport’s approach to motherhood. Abbie is eager to integrate Hallie into her playing life, maintaining a balance between being a mother and a professional sports person.

Jodie Ounsley, 22, Exeter Chiefs

Jodie attracts audiences as a deaf athlete. As the first deaf person to be selected for the England 7s squad, she in 2020 won Young Deaf Sports Personality of the Year. Jodie detailed, “I’ve had parents messaging me saying ‘My daughter with a cochlear(耳蜗的) implant hasseen you online playing rugby, and wants to do it, too.’”

Rachel Lund, 29, Gloucester-Hartpury

Rachel is a proud member of the “dual career club”, a nickname Rachel has given to the PWR players taking other regular jobs around their training and match days. She devotes herself to a full-time role as a physiotherapist (理疗师) with her commitment to female sport extending beyond the field. According to Rachel, “Research on female health is minimal at best. I’m keen on improving female health.”

Amanda Swartz, 23, Leicester Tigers

Amanda’s journey from a professional figure skater to a professional rugby player shows the determination that defines her athletic journey. Seeking a new challenge beyond skating, she discovered rugby. The discipline and goal-oriented drive experienced during her figure skating days became invaluable in her rugby change. Amanda has accepted her new sporting path and takes pride in promoting the visibility of rugby in Sweden.

1. Who is a disabled player?

A．Abbie Ward.

B．Jodie Ounsley.

C．Rachel Lund.

D．Amanda Swartz.

2. What can we learn about Amanda Swartz?

A．She focuses on female health.	B．She was fired by the former team.
C．She has just given birth to a baby.	D．She was a professional figure skater.

3. What do the four women have in common?

A．They experience a tough life.

B．They have the same athletic journey to rugby.

C．They change people’s view of women’s rugby.

D．They urge women to improve their mental health.

10 . How to Make Your Writing Flow?

Writing flow refers to how smoothly text flows from one sentence to the next and one paragraph to another.     1     On the other hand, choppy (不连贯的) writing lacking flow disrupts the reading experience. Luckily, you have the tips below to improve the flow of your writing.

1. Vary your sentence structure.

Using only short, choppy sentences creates a disconnected rhythm that disrupts the flow, while a series of long, complex sentences overwhelm readers.     2     Varying sentence structure keeps readers engaged and create s natural movement from one idea to the next.

2. Use transition words and phrases.

Transition words and phrases act like bridges between sentences and paragraphs. They create logical connections between ideas. Use transitions like “however,” “therefore,” “similarly,” and “in contrast” to glue sentences and paragraphs together smoothly.     3    

3. Structure paragraphs around a central idea.

    4     The supporting sentences in the paragraph should work together to explain, develop, or argue that central idea. This creates cohesion within paragraphs and connects them to each other logically. Use topic sentences to introduce the main idea of each paragraph. Paragraphs structured around a singular focus improve writing flow and readability.

4.     5    

Revisiting writing with fresh eyes makes flaws in flow and transitions more noticeable. Let your drafts rest for a day or two to prevent getting stuck reworking the same passage repeatedly. Approaching writing anew allows you to evaluate flow and smooth out imperfections with distance and objectivity.

A．Don’t leave out the revising process.

B．Let completed drafts rest before editing.

C．The key is to mix sentence lengths to create fluid variety.

D．Place them at the beginning of a sentence or between independent clauses.

E．Flowing writing maintains the continuity of ideas and transitions logically.

F．Each paragraph should have a controlling idea relating to your overall theme.

G．As a writer, it is your responsibility to present your readers with a central idea.