1 . Does forgiveness go against our human nature? To address this, we need to ask a further question: What makes us human? Simply put, people hold two contrasting views on humanity. The first centers on control and power. In an early paper on forgiveness, Droll (1984) wrote that human nature leans more towards aggression (攻击性) than forgiving allows. Those who forgive are against what they’re built for, much to their harm. He believes that forgivers are risking their own well-being as they show forgiveness to others, who might then take advantage of them.   

For the second view, we see respect and love, in the sense of serving others, in the work of Lewis, Amini, and Lannon (2001). They present the scientific argument that we need both to receive love from and offer love to others. From this second viewpoint, forgiveness plays a key role in the overall health of both individuals and communities, both physically and mentally, because one of the outcomes of forgiveness, shown through scientific studies, is the reduction of hatred and the reestablishment of harmony.

Given that control and disrespect can affect a person’s psychological (心理的) and relational well-being, the first approach does not seem workable as a way to live. Given that forgiveness has been shown in numerous studies to increase well-being, it follows that the second approach seems more effective, both from the reasoning of philosophy and the supported theories from social science. Even common sense strongly suggests that the will to power over others does not make for harmonious interactions. Consider, how well has slavery (奴隶制) worked as a way of social harmony?

As an important warning, when we take a Classical Realist philosophical viewpoint, that of Aristotle, we see the difference between possibility and actuality. We are not necessarily born with the ability to forgive, but we have the chance to learn and get better at it. The actuality of forgiving, its actual application in conflict (冲突) situations, grows with certain training.

1. What is Droll’s idea about forgiveness?

A．It is a sign of weakness.

B．It is a part of human nature.

C．It is a threat to one’s well-being.

D．It is a natural response to aggression.

2. Why does the author mention “slavery” in paragraph 3?

A．To blame the unfairness of the system.

B．To illustrate the harm from over control.

C．To stress the importance of management.

D．To promote the idea of harmonious interactions.

3. What is the author’s attitude toward forgiveness?

A．Supportive.

B．Doubtful.

C．Objective.

D．Uncertain.

4. How is forgiveness developed according to Aristotle?

A．Born nature.	B．Social upbringing.
C．Learned practice.	D．Outside pressure.

2 . Recent years have seen a small increase in unemployment rates due to slowing of the economy. The fact that many college graduates are finding it difficult to land a job has sparked online discussions on the cost of education and the returns on it, with many agreeing with the notion that “education is useless”.

Stories like a person with a doctorate’s degree from Zhejiang University is delivering food, and overseas-returned graduates are selling hot-pot ingredients have caused many to question the value of education. Moreover, the fact that about 36,000 fewer candidates have applied to take the postgraduate exam in 2024, the first decline in numbers in years, has also fueled the “education is useless theory.

Is education truly worthless? This question has resurfaced due to several factors.

The wide spread of higher education has significantly increased the number of college graduates, reducing the value of college degrees. As the job market becomes over-crowded with graduates, the scarcity of high-level talents has become apparent, particularly in fields such as the humanities. For example, more than 900 institutions in China offer English major, making it the most common degree program, yet there’s a shortage of top talents who are proficient in English and have a good knowledge about the differences in Chinese and foreign approach to fields such as international relations and journalism.

The declining returns on the investment in education have given rise to the “education is useless” theory. Given the challenging job market, many believe college education does not guarantee any sort of employment, let alone a suitable job. And with various economic opportunities available, the notion that one can become financially successful even without formal education is becoming increasingly acceptable.

In light of these developments, combined efforts need to be made to change the situation. For instance, universities must take measures to integrate education, research and industry, while enhancing cooperation with enterprises through tailored talent training programs. Additionally, the authorities need to pay greater attention to vocational education, an important part of China’s educational system. Students, parents and society, on their part, should abandon their bias against vocational training, because it integrates education with career prospects throughout the learning process, offering targeted, technical and practical training which allows students to master their skills which can get them well-paying jobs in the future.

Developing a correct view of employment and career choice is key to abandoning the notion of “education being useless”. People, especially students, must understand the current employment landscape, their positioning, and strengths and weaknesses. While realizing that a college degree is no longer a ticket to employment, college students should leverage education resources to enrich their professional knowledge and competitiveness. And youths should approach vocational education with an open mind in order to make the most of what the job market has to offer.

Education is not synonymous with earning money, nor does a college degree guarantee financial success. The value of education is knowledge, which we need to make informed decisions not only in our professional life but also in our social and other fields of life.

1. What are the main reasons for the recent rise in the belief that ”education is useless”?

A．Economic slowdown and job scarcity.

B．Sad stories about educated individuals.

C．Decline in postgraduate exam applicants.

D．Emphasis on practical skills over qualifications.

2. How can universities contribute to improving the current situation?

A．By focusing solely on academic research.

B．By integrating education, research, and industry.

C．By ignoring cooperation with enterprises.

D．By eliminating vocational education courses.

3. The underlined word leverage in paragraph 7 can be best replaced by___________.

A．limit

B．abandon

C．balance

D．maximize

4. What is the author’s attitude towards the development of vocational education?

A．Negative and pessimistic	B．Positive and supportive
C．Balanced and objective	D．Unclear and ambiguous

3 . When people respect you, they see you in a very positive light. They admire you for your qualities that can be quite inspirational for people. Respectful people are patient and very calm.     1     — they take their time to form opinions and come to a decision that is good for all. Respectful people also have an air of authority and can command a room full of people only with their voice. Here are some of the behaviors of respectful people.

Active listening

Respectful people listen actively to others.    2    . They don’t interrupt the person by asking questions to show that they are focused and interested in what the other person is saying.

Empathy

They are highly empathetic. They put themselves in other people’s shoes. They are considerate of people’s situations. They show kindness and are understanding towards others.    3    .

Reliability

    4    . They are very reliable. They keep their promises and follow through on their commitments. They can be counted on to do what they say they will do. They are ever ready to help people.

    5    

These people communicate in a respectful manner. They are polite even when they disagree with someone. They avoid using critical language and focus on finding common ground with others. They try to find a solution to problems in a very analytical manner.

A．Inner confidence

B．Respectful communication

C．They don’t judge people quickly

D．This alone will not change the views others have of you

E．This is the second feature that makes them well respected among others

F．They are fully present at the moment and give their full attention to the speaker

G．People can depend on these kinds of people without fearing they will leave them

4 . Several years ago, a worldwide heavy rain was predicted, but no one got prepared for what was to come. Then, some areas received over 100 mm of rain. Cars and trucks floated down the streets. Whole buildings were swept away. At least 225 people lost their lives, and millions became homeless.

The weather is always changing. Over the past few years, heavy rains have led to floods in many parts of the world. Droughts have taken place in Brazil and Australia. There have been heat waves in Europe which killed thousands. There have been more powerful hurricanes and tornadoes than ever before. In 2017 alone, the financial cost from global weather events was up to 340 billion dollars.

With more wild weather events happening, people couldn’t help asking questions: What is happening with the weather? And why? Is this natural, or our fault? The answer seems to be: a little of both. Wild weather is natural. But most scientists hold the same view that human activity has made the Earth warmer. It is this global warming that makes heat waves more likely. The higher temperatures also result in more water to go into the air, which causes heavier and more frequent rain. Many scientists also believe global warming makes hurricanes and other storms stronger.

This means we’re likely to see more wild weather. “But we don’t have to just stand there and accept it,” says scientist Michael. He and other experts say we need to stop the Earth from getting warmer. We also need to be prepared, to do things that will help save lives.

1. What’s the main idea of the first paragraph?

A．A past weather event happened in some areas in the world.

B．Some facts are listed about the global warming.

C．A number of recent weather events happened over the world.

D．Wild weather is partly the result of human activity.

2. How does paragraph two develop?

A．By giving a lot of examples of recent wild weather events.

B．By describing a serious flood that once happened.

C．By predicting how the weather will change in a few years.

D．By comparing the former wild weather with what happened now

3. What does scientist Michael’s words mean?

A．People can not do anything to prevent wild weather.

B．If people stop global warming, the weather will be better.

C．It is too late to stop global warming.

D．People have to stand by and accept what will happen to us.

4. Where can you probably find the text?

A．In a tourist brochure	B．In a research paper
C．In a science fiction	D．In a nature magazine

5 . 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。

Are you ready to celebrate World Letter Writing Day on September1? Writing something down may seem like     1     out-of-date idea in this day and age, but it can be one of the most interesting things for you to do. The letter can be a love letter, or even one     2     (simple) written to create memories.

The day     3     (found) by Australian author and photographer Richard Simpkin,     4     loves writing letters. It all started when he began writing to individuals     5     (consider) to be Australian legends, and he also received their    6     (reply). Later, his experience of exchanging ideas with these celebrities (名人) by letter made     7     possible for him to print the book Australian Legends.     8     (honor) handwritten letters, he created World Letter Writing Day in 2014.

Letter-writing itself     9     (be) present for centuries. In ancient times, letters were written on special objects, such as wood and even metal. In the 17^th and 18^th   centuries, letters were a     10     (power) tool for people to communicate. This is why a few letters gathered from the past can serve as documents of personal or diplomatic (外交的) communication for historians.

6 . 听下面一段对白，回答以下小题。
1. Why did Murphy go to a doctor?

A．He failed to see anything.

B．He needed some help.

C．He became deaf.

2. What was Betty doing at home?

A．Cooking a meal.

B．Having dinner.

C．Laying the table.

3. What can we say about Betty?

A．She’s generous.

B．She’s nervous.

C．She’s impatient.

4. What is the speaker doing?

A．Introducing a treatment.

B．Giving a speech.

C．Telling a story.

7 . 听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
1. What will the speakers do first?

A．Buy drinks.

B．Return home.

C．Visit a university.

2. What does Samantha want to order?

A．Water.

B．Coffee.

C．Hot chocolate.

3. How will the speakers go to the museum?

A．By bus.

B．On foot.

C．By bike.

4. Where does the conversation take place?

A．In the street.

B．In a bank.

C．In a coffee shop.

8 . Paris, the capital of France, has some attractive bridges. These are four of the most beautiful bridges in Paris: some in iconic (标志性的) places you’ve seen in the movies, and others in quiet places that you’ll delight in discovering.

Pont des Arts

Connecting the Louvre Museum to the Institut de France, the Pont des Arts, first built by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804 and reconstructed in the 1970s, is a bridge only for people walking that is beloved by tourists and locals alike. In the spring and summer months, Parisians and visitors come here for lazy picnics overlooking the Seine.

Pont Marle

This lovely but little-known bridge is a gateway between the Marais district on the right bank and a natural island on the Seine River. The current stone structure dates to around 1670, following a fire on its wooden structure that destroyed much of the original bridge and the houses that once stood on it. It has remained much the same since the 18th century, making it one of Paris’ oldest bridges.

Pont Alexandre Ⅲ

The Pont Alexandre Ⅲ is probably the most attractive of Paris’ many bridges. Built between 1896 and 1900, it connects the des Invalides with the gardens of the Petit Palais. It’s after dark that you can best appreciate its delicate statues and other decorative elements.

Pont Neuf

First built in 1578 by King Henry Ⅲ, Pont Neuf has seen numerous reconstructions and changes over the centuries. But it conserves its Roman-inspired arch (拱形) structures. This is a lovely bridge that offers easy and picturesque access to the left and right bank. Have some ice cream, explore the lovely riverside paths and enjoy views of Notre Dame Cathedral.

1. What is special about the Pont des Arts?

A．It has been rebuilt many times.	B．It is one of Paris’ oldest bridges.
C．It is a bridge only for people walking.	D．It is the most attractive bridge in Paris.

2. Which is the oldest among the four bridges?

A．Pont des Arts.	B．Pont Marie.
C． Pont Alexandre Ⅲ	D．Pont Neuf.

3. Where is the text probably from?

A．A guidebook.	B．A health magazine.
C．A news report.	D．A book review.

9 . If you will take a vacation with your family or friends, renting a yacht (游艇) in Cabo is one of the choices you need to consider. A yacht is comfortable and gives you the freedom while on vacation.     1    .

It allows you to explore different destinations.     2    , renting a yacht can allow you to do this often without the need to unload your baggage. It also allows you to reach and see beaches which you can only reach by water.

    3    . Renting a yacht could be great if you are looking for an ideal environment for relaxation. Whether sailing across the coast or in calm waters, it allows you to sit back and enjoy viewing the beautiful scenery.     4    .

It allows you to enjoy your privacy and personal service. Renting a yacht for a vacation guarantees (保证) privacy and provides an opportunity to spend time with your loved ones.     5    . The yacht workers will help you get the best out of your vacation and take care of your personal needs.

These above are the reasons why you may consider renting a yacht when going for a vacation.

A．Of course, there are many choices

B．Since you will visit many places in Cabo

C．It allows you to experience total relaxation

D．Because exploring and privacy are the most important

E．Besides, you have the chance to request personal service

F．Here are some other benefits of renting a yacht for your trip

G．Renting a yacht will, thus, make you get away from the busy world

10 . One winter evening, Kelly was walking home from her favorite bookstore. She had bought two cookery books and three art books, and couldn’t wait to get home to read them in front of a warm fire.

“I read a lot, and love the pleasure of reading something that I want,” she said. But when she reached into her pocket, she realized that her wallet was gone. She looked around and started to retrace (折回) her steps.

“I’m down on my hands and knees, looking in the gutters (排水沟) around the streets. I go back and forth. My wallet is nowhere,” she said.

She went back to the bookstore, but nobody had turned it in. Kelly walked home hopelessly and was about to cancel her credit cards when an email appeared. It was from a man named Adam, who said he had found her wallet.

Through a name card, Adam found a way to contact Kelly and gave her his phone number and home address. Kelly had a taxi sent to Adam’s house and 20 minutes later, a small brown paper bag arrived on her front steps.

“The loveliest detail is that when I’m digging the wallet out of the bag, I suddenly find Adam has dropped a bar of chocolate at the bottom, which he can not have possibly known is my favorite,” Kelly said.

The kindness of Adam’s gesture has stayed with Kelly. She decides to look for chances to pass it on.

1. How many art books did Kelly buy?

A．Two.

B．Three.

C．Four.

D．Five.

2. Why did Kelly go back to the bookstore?

A．To call Adam.	B．To find her wallet.
C．To pay the money.	D．To return her books.

3. How did Adam get the way to contact Kelly?

A．By a piece of news.	B．From one of his friends.
C．Through a name card.	D．With the help of the police.

4. How did Kelly sound when she found a bar of chocolate in the bag?

A．Surprised.

B．Proud.

C．Frightened.

D．Sorry.