1 . 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。

In the spring of 1924, Indian poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore began a three-month visit to China at the     1     (invite) of Cai Yuanpei.

Tagore’s first stop was Shanghai and he was     2     (warm) welcomed. He explored the busy Nanjing Road, a lively combination (结合) of Eastern and Western cultures. Next, Tagore traveled to Beijing, the ancient capital of China. He     3     (visit) the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall, and was impressed by their historical significance. Tagore also went to the picturesque city of Suzhou,     4     he was amazed by the beauty of the gardens. He meditated (沉思) to the sound of the bells at Hanshan Temple and poems in the peaceful setting of the Humble Administrator’s Garden. In Nanjing, he gave     5     lecture at Southeast University, joining in discussions with Chinese intellectuals.

Tagore’s tour of China included visits to cities such as Hangzhou, Wuhan, and Guangzhou. He met with     6     (artist), scholars and political leaders, sharing his insights into culture, education, and spirituality. And many valuable photos     7     (take) at that time and have been preserved to this day.

Tagore’s visit to China was not only a cultural exchange     8     also a testament (证明) to the friendship between India and China. His lectures and writings had a long-lasting impact     9     Chinese thought and culture,     10     (strengthen) the connections between the two countries and inspiring generations to come.

2 . Each spring, scientists hide more than 1,600 lunchbox-size recorders across the forests of the Sierra Nevada range in the western U. S.

Until they’re taken back at summer’s end, these recorders record a million hours of audio (音频), which often contains the hoots, barks, and whistles of the California spotted owl — valuable information about where the endangered species spends its time. But it’s a lot of recordings for a human to go through. “There’s no way we can listen to that — not even close,” says Connor Wood, a researcher who co-leads the owl project at the K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, part of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York.

It turns out that this team actually can process this huge amount of data — they just need a little help from BirdNET, an AI-powered system launched in 2018 that can identify more than 6,000 species of birds, including the migration (迁徙) birds, across the globe just by their call.

“We need tools that are really flexible and capable of identifying as many acoustically (听觉上) active animals as possible,” says Wood, whose lab developed BirdNET with the Chemnitz University of Technology in Germany. “I cannot stress enough the significant influence BirdNET has brought to bird research.”

Two years later, the team launched the official BirdNET app, which allows people across the world to upload their own recordings from laptops or smartphones. Since then, BirdNET has gathered roughly 150 million high-quality bird sounds. With funding from the U. S. Forest Service and National Park Service, Wood and his team recently used BirdNET to create the first ecosystem-wide assessment of spotted owl populations across the Sierra Nevada, which increasingly face threats from enemy species or wildfires.

However, like most AI-based technology, these apps are not without drawbacks. In his recent study, ecologist Cristian Pérez-Granados, who works at the University of Alicante in Spain, reviewed a range of scientific literature on BirdNET. His research found that BirdNET didn’t always register a bird’s song, and sometimes misidentified it as another species, which results in “false positives”.

1. What is the main challenge in processing the audio data?

A．The data contain mostly useless background noise.

B．There is too much audio data to handle.

C．The data are too small to provide enough information.

D．The recorders frequently fail to function and record properly.

2. Why do the scientists use the BirdNET app?

A．To play bird sounds.	B．To take photos of birds.
C．To recognize bird species.	D．To track bird migration.

3. How does Connor Wood sound when speaking of the role of BirdNET?

A．Curious.

B．Appreciative.

C．Doubtful.

D．Carefree.

4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．Limitations of the BirdNET application.	B．Benefits of BirdNET for bird conservation.
C．Supporting evidence for the research results.	D．Reasonable doubts about the research process.

3 . Exhibitions (展览) in the USA 2024

For those who are keen on attending various exhibitions and looking for the latest information on certain fields, there is always one exhibition for you.

Annual (一年一度的) Builders St. Charles Home Show, 2024

June 15th, 2024—June 17th, 2024

Saint Charles, USA

The Annual Builders St. Charles Home Show is the only national event that brings remodelers, custom builders, residential architects, and designers together to meet face to face with top producers to preview creative products, information, tools &services.

Novi Home & Garden Show, 2024

June 18th, 2024—June 20th, 2024

Novi, USA

The Novi Home & Garden Show is the one- stop destination to find home improvement products and services for every type of project imaginable, decorating and landscaping exhibits as well as experienced businesses to provide services.

Acadiana Bird Club-Bird Fair, 2024

June 23rd, 2024—June 24th, 2024

Lafayette, USA

The aim of the Acadiana Bird Club-Bird Fair is the preservation of all bird species through public education on the proper care and breeding (饲养) of birds and to promote the health and well-being of all pet birds.

ACC Annual Scientific Session & Expo, 2024

June 26th, 2024—June 28th, 2024

Atlanta, USA

The ACC Annual Scientific Session & Expo will provide the attendees with the opportunity to gain insights relating to the latest heart disease researches and related treatments. At the exhibition, you can also see the latest and most advanced medical facilities on display.

1. When can you go to the Novi Home & Garden Show?

A．On June 15th.	B．On June 19th.
C．On June 23rd.	D．On June 28th.

2. What is the Acadiana Bird Club-Bird Fair aimed at?

A．Exhibiting and trading pet birds.	B．Promoting research on bird species.
C．Increasing public awareness of bird care.	D．Providing bird entertainment performances.

3. Where can you gain the knowledge about heart trouble at the exhibition?

A．Saint Charles.

B．Novi.

C．Lafayette.

D．Atlanta.

4 . When did Mr. Morgan have a check-up last time?

A．Last year.

B．Five years ago.

C．Six years ago.

5 . Thanksgiving is a time of year when we get together with our families and celebrate peace over a giant feast including roast turkey and pumpkin pie.

There are many reasons why the pumpkin pie is made for Thanksgiving, one of which is related to the season. In the USA, Thanksgiving sits at the beginning of the fall season, and this is celebrated over a feast made up of seasonal food. Pumpkins are harvested in North America and Canada during the fall; therefore, being a seasonal crop, it is in richness at this time.

In 1621 some of the earliest American settlers came across pumpkins for the first time and were new to eating it. Early recipes (食谱) describe ways of cooking pumpkins, which would have included hollowing out (挖空) a pumpkin and filling it with milk and honey. They would have then roasted this on a fire. It became a tradition for the Native Americans to bring the pumpkins to the settlers as gifts, and they showed them how to cook and prepare pumpkins.

Pumpkin pie recipes began to appear in English-written American cookbooks in 1670. Some recipes included adding apples for added flavor (味道). Most recipes have continued to follow the basis of using pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, salt, butter, and so on.

The biggest pumpkin pie in the world was made on September 25, 2010, at the New Bremen Pumpkin Fest in Ohio. To make this large pie, 2,796 eggs, 525 pounds of sugar, and 1,212 pounds of canned pumpkin were used. After baking, the total weight of the pie was 3,699 pounds.

The pumpkin pie was a creation made with the help and guidance of Native Americans and is an important part of celebrating Thanksgiving.

1. Why are pumpkins used to celebrate Thanksgiving according to Paragraph 2?

A．Pumpkins are in season in autumn.

B．People relate pumpkins to being rich.

C．People in North America love eating pumpkins.

D．Pumpkins stand for people’s wish for a happy life.

2. What is the third paragraph mainly about?

A．The celebrations on Thanksgiving.	B．The history of early American settlers.
C．The early recipes for making pumpkin pie.	D．The origin of cooking pumpkin on Thanksgiving.

3. Why are the numbers used in Paragraph 5?

A．To show the pumpkin pie was extremely big.

B．To describe the good taste of the pumpkin pie.

C．To stress the difficulty in gathering pumpkins.

D．To explain the process of making the pumpkin pie.

4. What is the suitable title of the text?

A．Growing Crops for Thanksgiving	B．Eating Pumpkin Pie at Thanksgiving
C．The Biggest Pumpkin Pie in the World	D．Traditions of Celebrating Thanksgiving

6 . The Grammys celebrate the best in music; but behind every songwriter, performer, and producer that makes it to that stage are music teachers and educators who inspired them from a very young age. That’s why the Grammy Awards also hands out a Special Music Award, which recognizes those who have made a significant contribution to music education.

This year, the award went to Annie Ray, the performing arts department chair and orchestra (管弦乐队) director at Annandale High School in Fairfax County, Virginia—a community with many poor people. With the creation of the Crescendo Orchestra, she works to make music accessible to all students, particularly those with disabilities. Additionally, she created a parent orchestra, in which 200 caregivers learn to play the same instrument as their child every year.

Ray took home both a $ 10, 000 prize and a matching prize for her school’s music program. In an interview following the Merit Award ceremony, Ray credited her pupils for this award. “This is the students’ award,” she said. “I’m just lucky enough to have been a part of their journey and their process and to have been taught by them.”

Now, Ray will use the prize money to buy instruments—something the school has struggled to do. She also plans to create an ongoing scholarship for students who want to become musicians and music educators when they graduate.

For Ray, the moment appears to come full circle, since it was a music teacher who first changed her life at age 5. “The reason I am here is because a teacher changed my life and made me want to be a music educator,” she said. “The work is hard, but it is truly rewarding, and there’s nothing else like it.”

1. Who is the Special Music Award intended for?

A．Songwriters.

B．Music teachers.

C．Music performers.

D．Music producers.

2. Why did Ray set up the Crescendo Orchestra?

A．To let parents learn about music.

B．To provide students with access to music.

C．To make more money to support the community.

D．To enable disabled students to become musicians.

3. What did Ray want to show in the interview?

A．She helped her students a lot.	B．Her students appreciated her teaching.
C．Her students had a great talent for music.	D．She won the award thanks to her students.

4. What does Ray think of her job?

A．Creative.

B．Easy.

C．Worthwhile.

D．Boring.

7 . As Spring Break kicks off across the city, it’s an opportunity for families to explore the museums Houston offers.

Asia Society

Travel to Asia this spring break, without leaving Houston and without a passport. A center-wide treasure hunt helps guests learn about the arts and cultures of China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam. Those who complete the hunt earn a prize! Admission (入场费) is $ 15 for ages 13 and up, $ 9 for ages 7 to 12.

Holocaust Museum

The museum has special Spring Break hours, including being open on Monday, which other museums don’t offer. Visitors can experience the museum’s four permanent (长期的) galleries and the featured exhibition (展览) The Kinsey African American Art＆History Collection, celebrating the achievements and contributions of Black Americans from 1595 to the present day. Admission is $ 22 for adults and free for children and students aged 18 and under.

Houston Zoo

Check out the new dinosaur exhibition at the zoo, where kids and adults can discover what these giant, prehistoric animals were like, take in keeper talks to learn what it’s like to look after the zoo’s animals, and explore the ongoing exhibits that bring wildlife up close. Admission starts at $ 34.70 for adults and children above 12 years old, $27.70 for kids 3 to 12.

Museum of Fine Arts

Join museum educators and artists to explore art-making activities inspired by Multiplicity: Blackness in Contem porary American Collage and experiment with new materials, tools, and processes to create your own works of art. Daily gallery activities, coloring sheets, colored pencils, and knowledgeable educators help families discover and explore art. The museum is closed on Monday. Admission is $ 24 for adults and $ 20 for kids 13 to 18.

1. What happens to visitors experiencing Asian cultures?

A．They go hunting after the visit.	B．They leave Houston and head for Asia.
C．They are given a prize for finding treasures.	D．They don’t need passports when going abroad.

2. What can be learnt about Museum of Fine Arts?

A．Only kids are allowed in.	B．It offers hands-on activities.
C．It holds keeper talks every day.	D．Visitors can visit it on Mondays.

3. Which museum should a couple with their 13-year-old son visit if they want to spend the least on tickets?

A．Asia Society.

B．Holocaust Museum.

C．Houston Zoo.

D．Museum of Fine Arts.

8 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is Jenny’s problem?

A．She has high blood pressure.

B．She is under great stress.

C．She can’t get along with her workmates.

2. What mainly makes Jenny look tired?

A．The new job.

B．The medicine.

C．The dog.

3. What did the doctor advise Jenny to do?

A．Take some medicine.

B．Do more exercise.

C．Keep a pet.

9 . World Ocean Day 2023

Our ocean covers 70% of the planet and supports life but is being threatened. So we celebrate World Ocean Day to take action. People need to know the importance of it. This year, World Ocean Day is celebrated on 8 June. And everyone is welcome to join us, the Marine Stewardship Council(MSC), an international non-profit organization on a task to end overfishing.

●World Ocean Day activities:

Learn about the ocean

In Australia, our Saltwater School’s education program features ocean-themed education resources relevant to the Australian curriculum (课程) suitable for Stages 3～5. And in New Zealand, our Te Kawa O Tangaroa ocean-centered learning program focuses on solutions to overfishing and how we can ensure oceans are filled with life.

Explore sustainable (可持续的) fisheries

Experience our sustainable fishery stories about real-life people whose livelihoods depend on fishing and hear from warm-hearted people taking care of our ocean.

Stay informed and inspired

Follow the MSC on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, and we’ll keep you up to date on the latest ocean news, stories, reports and more. And you can also sign up for one of our regular newsletters. Depending on your interests, there’s a lot to choose from.

●Our Contact Information:

If you’d like to know more information, please send your email to kate.jones@msc.org or call 61-2-9527-6883 between the hours of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Mon～Fri.

1. Why is the World Ocean Day celebrated?

A．To give support to the life of the fishermen.

B．To tell the task of an international organization.

C．To raise people’s awareness of protecting the sea.

D．To take action to call for an end to fishing.

2. How can you benefit from the activities?

A．Learn more about sustainable fisheries.	B．Become an important member of MSC.
C．Develop your interest in writing stories.	D．Teach students about the learning program.

3. When can you make a call to MSC?

A．At 8:30 am, Monday.	B．At 10:00 am, Friday.
C．At 3:30 pm, Sunday.	D．At 9:00 am, Saturday.

10 . International Literature Festival Dublin (ILFD) is now seeking plans for its 2024 programme edition responding to the theme of “Words Upside Down”. For this year’s open call, ILFD invites artists, creative practitioners (从业人员) and groups from all arts backgrounds to give in event plans responding to the theme and suitable for showing at ILFD’s new Literary (文学的) Village in one of Dublin City’s finest parks, Merrion Square Park, running from 17th to 26th of May, 2024.

We encourage plans which accept curiosity and wonder, cause conversation or new ways of listening. This year, we are especially interested in work that will bring its audience in close contact with either the natural or the artificial (人工的) world or both. We welcome plans which are suitable for audiences aged 16 and above. Above all, we welcome plans that break away from the forms of traditional literary events. We are only able to accept plans made from artists based in the island of Ireland.

Successful applicants (申请人) will be supported by the festival team to bring their ideas to life during this year’s programme which will be presented in Dublin City’s Merrion Square Park. The closing date for applications is Monday 11th of March, 5 pm.

Conditions:
● The content of the plan must be presented during the festival dates.
● The festival expects that the artist or author is able to work independently and has a clear idea for the operation of their plan.
● The festival will provide access to its technological equipment (projectors, speakers, media players, etc).
● Funds ranging from € 500 to € 1,000 are provided for each project.
1. What do we know about the programme titled “Words Upside Down”?

A．It will run on 11th of March.

B．It is one of ILFD’s 2025 programmes.

C．It will raise money for the new village.

D．It will be shown at Merrion Square Park.

2. What kind of plans are preferred?

A．Plans aimed at primary school students.

B．Plans related to traditional literary events.

C．Plans made by creative artists from Ireland.

D．Plans bringing artists into the natural world.

3. How will the festival team support the applicants?

A．By providing experts’ guidance.

B．By paying applicants for € 2,000.

C．By deciding the content of each plan.

D．By offering technological support.