1 . Here are some favorite films and TV shows of 2023.
Better Things, Season 5
What Pamela Adlon and her special, Iovable, anxious, sensitive, humorous, weak, rude and brilliant colleagues managed to bring to these characters over five seasons was special. Few shows have made me feel emotions so deeply with every episode. Even fewer have felt truly aspirational, inviting me to dream of having a community as warm and welcoming as the one Sam has created and raised alongside her three children, her mother and the many friends who are basically family.
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Mo
Mo Amo’s half hour comedy is a heartfelt family story with an incredible flavor. The fictional Mo’s endless struggles have led him into a dilemma, which makes him easily to various economic risks and the potential risks that may arise from his decisions. The center of the program is Amir’s sharp and compassionate performance, which is in line with both the elements of comedy and the child’s love for his mother’s homemade olive oil.
Genre: Comedy, Drama
The Last Movie Stars
Directed by Ethan Hawke, this thorough and thoughtful look at the lives of Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman is not just biography; it perfectly illustrates the combination of heroes and art. Hawke’s assembly of contemporary actors to read from old interviews with Hollywood legends works brilliantly, and the result is impressive as well as deeply touching.
Genre: Biography, Documentary, Romance
1. Which of the following movie is a hero biography?| A．Better Things, Season 5. | B．Mo. |
| C．The Last Movie Stars. | D．None of them. |
| A．Both of them were delayed. |
| B．Both of their theme is friendship. |
| C．Both of them will make you laugh. |
| D．Both of them talk about artist’s life. |
| A．Films brochure. | B．Newspaper. |
| C．Science report. | D．Biology textbook. |
2 . For many people, a visit to a wildlife park is an essential must-do activity. Few travel experiences can compare to the chance to observe wild animals free ly exploring in their natural habitats within protected wildlife areas. Here are some of the world’s finest wildlife parks from various corners of the globe.
Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Located in the southwest of Kenya, the Masai Mara is known as one of the world’s most significant and well-known wildlife conservation areas. If you’re seeking an unforgettable traditional wildlife park adventure, look no further than the Masai Mara National Reserve. Famous for its rich diversity of wildlife, you can expect to see vast numbers of leopards, elephants and lions.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Serengeti National Park is a breathtaking landscape and one of the few remaining natural wonders on Earth. Situated in northern Tanzania, it is known for the annual migration of wildlife to permanent water sources. Witnessing this extraordinary event, you’ll get to see vast herds of zebras, buffaloes, and elephants making their way to the waterholes as seasons change, followed closely by predators (捕食者) around.
Tierra del Fuego National Park, Argentina
Situated at the southernmost tip of Argentina, Tierra del Fuego National Park features a diverse ecosystem with forests, mountains, and waterfalls. It is a breathtaking wildlife park, home to beautiful species such as eagles, rabbits and North American beavers. In addition to wildlife viewing, visitors to Tierra del Fuego often engage in hiking and fishing activities among its breathtaking surroundings.
1. Which park favors someone who enjoys a traditional wildlife tour?| A．Masai Mara National Reserve. | B．Serengeti National Park. |
| C．Tierra del Fuego National Park. | D．The three parks mentioned in the text. |
| A．Watch the annual migration of many animals. |
| B．Explore numbers of different landscapes. |
| C．Create a must-have bucket-list. |
| D．Hike and fish in the park. |
| A．Its proximity to urban areas. |
| B．Its extensive network of hiking trails. |
| C．Its representation of diverse ecosystems. |
| D．Its fame as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
1. 活动意义；
2. 提出倡议。
注意：
1. 词数80左右，开头已给出；
2. 为使行文连贯，可适当增加细节。
Dear Friends,
I’m Li Hua, from Class 8. I’m giving this speech today to call on everyone to take part in the Clear Your Plate campaign.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________4 . Be a Junior Ranger (护林员) and Visit Grand Canyon National Park
“Explore. Learn. Protect.” The motto is recited by the junior rangers, all of whom take an oath (宣誓) to protect Grand Canyon National Park, and continue to learn about its nature and history, have fun journeying within, and tell others about their adventures. Here are some great programs to train juniors with nature conservation awareness.
Guided Rim Walk 10 am (1 Hour) Daily — Meet at Verkamp’s Visitor Center
Learn about the natural world on an-hour walk on a paved pathway along the canyon. Topics vary and may include: animals and plants adapting to changing seasons, man’s impact on nature, how nature inspires writers and poets, or local geology.
Ranger’s Choice 12: 30pm (30 Minutes) Daily — Meet at Grand Canyon Visitor Center
Join us for a surprise program. Topics change daily. Come curious, leave inspired! Some of our recent Ranger talks have featured programs about: Geology, Wildlife, History, Grand Canyon’s Trails, and Astronomy, to name a few.
Geology Talk 2: 30 pm (30 Minutes) Weekly — Meet at Yavapai Geology Museum
Learn how Grand Canyon originated in this short introductory talk. Why is it so deep, wide, and grand? Why does it exist only here and nowhere else in the world? Consider walking from the start of Trail of Time following the program.
FAQs:
Do I need a permit to hike into Grand Canyon?
Permits are not required for day hikes, but you must obtain a backcountry permit if you plan on camping overnight.
Does it cost anything to enter Grand Canyon?
Yes, entrance fees to the park is $35 per private vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, $20 per hiker or cyclist. There are no refunds due to the elements.
1. What is the aim of the programs according to the text?| A．To enrich hikers’ experience. | B．To develop spirit of adventure. |
| C．To train juniors to protect nature. | D．To put school subjects into practice. |
| A．Join in it once a week. | B．Pay the entrance fee $20. |
| C．Learn about nature poetry. | D．Apply for a backcountry permit. |
| A．At the Trail of Time. | B．At Verkamp’s Visitor Center. |
| C．At Yavapai Geology Museum. | D．At Grand Canyon Visitor Center. |
| A. reduce B. extinction C. average D. fortunately E. get across |
1. I was late, but
2. A quarter of the earth’s species could be faced with
3. By using visual aids, a speaker can
4. When you go shopping, take a reusable bag to help
5. A student of
6 . Hummingbirds have long held a deep attraction among the public, whether being observed flying at amazing speed around bird feeders or admired as symbols of love and peace. On a practical level, hummingbirds eat hundreds of flying insects each day, and provide pollination (授粉) for reproduction of flowers and plants.
However, this important bird species is dropping in number worldwide. Holly Ernest, a University of Wyoming researcher, tried to find out the reasons as well as possible ways to protect hummingbirds in the future.
Hummingbirds are a group of birds with the second-highest number of species worldwide, ranking only behind flycatchers. Most species are found in South America and Central America. Now 191 hummingbird species are put on the red list of threatened species for falling population trends and 71 other hummingbird species with “unknown” trends as of July 2023, according to Ernest’s paper. Two Caribbean hummingbird species are listed as extinct, and other species likely are never identified to written science before their extinction, the paper says.
Despite several hummingbird species seen at feeders in North America during the summer, a wide range of threats has caused many hummingbird populations to drop, including climate change, wildfires, habitat pollution and loss.
“Climate change affects them in a number of ways that we know about and probably many more that we don’t,” Ernest says. “One example is a mismatch of migration (迁徙) timing with plant flowering that hummingbirds depend on. Some hummingbird species are generalists in that they get nectar (花蜜) from all flowers, but many are specialists, even to one or a few species of flowering plants. If those plants disappear, so do the hummingbirds. Air, land and water pollution is a problem in many ways, including the intersecting threat of large wildfires.”
However, there are some methods that can be useful in leading the best direction for the future protection of hummingbirds, the paper says.
1. Why do people admire hummingbirds according to the text?| A．They carry good wishes. | B．They can be raised easily. |
| C．They move in a funny way. | D．They draw flying insects. |
| A．Their migration journey. | B．Their rising population. |
| C．Their main food source. | D．Their tough situation. |
| A．Hilly lands. | B．Flowering plants. |
| C．Dead leaves. | D．High temperatures. |
| A．Approaches to finding directions. | B．Tips on where to watch hummingbirds. |
| C．Possible ways to save hummingbirds. | D．The purpose of the study led by Ernest. |
7 . Europe’s historic islands offer travelers insights into the past.
Malta
Though English is still widely spoken as one of Malta’s official languages — set during 150 years of British rule, which also left behind left-hand driving — calls for revival saw Maltese become the official language again in 1934. There’s hardly a time of year when the Maltese aren’t celebrating something, but modern history lovers should head out for 21 September, which marks Malta’s Independence Day. The island nation’s sovereignty (主权) was hard-fought for and finally won in 1964.
Crete, Greece
The Minoans — a Cretan people widely credited as Europe’s first recorded civilisation — are believed to have brought olive oil production to Europe around 4,500 years ago. See for yourself on a cookery experience with Minoan Tastes, where you’ll wolf down the food inspired by old recipes. If you’re hungry for more history, head for the Olive Tree Museum in Vouves, which dives into the history of the industry.
Sardinia, Italy
The Giants of Mont’e Prama — 15 large sandstone heads said to be 3,000 years old — were unearthed in 1974 by two farmers who worked in the field. Their age connects them to the island’s mysterious (神秘的) Nuragic civilisation. See the figures at Cagliari’s National Archaeological Museum. Within the same museum lie other important finds, which help to paint a picture of the civilisation’s livelihoods.
Isle of Skye, Scotland
It’d be a surprise that a lyre said to be about 4,000 years old was found on Scotland’s Isle of Skye in 2012. The discovery tugged (拨动) on the heartstrings of islanders whose past has been underpinned by a love of traditional folk music, often featuring stringed instruments. The islanders host many live music events every year. See a variety of acts at Skye Live, the island’s annual music festival with hours of traditional Scottish songs.
1. When did Malta become independent?| A．In 1814. | B．In 1934. | C．In 1964. | D．In 1974. |
| A．Painters. | B．Local farmers. |
| C．Tourists. | D．Museum workers. |
| A．Isle of Skye. | B．Sardinia. | C．Crete. | D．Malta. |
8 . When I was fifteen, I planned to start my business. But every time I wanted to try something new, I felt there was a
Then I learned about “Rejection Therapy (治疗)”. Basically, the
Once, I thought, “What if I just
Three months later, when I finished teaching that class, I walked out crying with
Honestly speaking, rejection
| A．feature | B．link | C．deal | D．battle |
| A．change | B．ignore | C．destroy | D．recall |
| A．open to | B．sure about | C．interested in | D．afraid of |
| A．price | B．excuse | C．idea | D．news |
| A．embarrassed | B．bored | C．tired | D．confused |
| A．agree | B．decline | C．ask | D．pretend |
| A．grateful | B．impressed | C．envious | D．regretful |
| A．broke down | B．looked at | C．put aside | D．prepared for |
| A．products | B．answers | C．tests | D．lessons |
| A．excitement | B．sympathy | C．forgiveness | D．respect |
| A．suddenly | B．gradually | C．barely | D．casually |
| A．followed | B．challenged | C．accepted | D．assessed |
| A．taught | B．helped | C．bothered | D．understood |
| A．avoiding | B．interrupting | C．forgetting | D．welcoming |
| A．gift | B．issue | C．event | D．record |
9 . The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) is a significant part of the digital transformation bringing challenges and changes to the job descriptions among management. A study shows that integrating AI systems into service teams increases demands on middle management in the financial services field.
Interviewed in the study were 25 experienced managers employed by a leading Scandinavian financial services company. AI systems have been intensely integrated into the tasks and processes of the company in recent years.
The results showed that the integration of AI systems into service teams is a complex phenomenon, putting new demands on the work of middle management and requiring a balance d act in the face of new challenges.
“The productivity of work grows when routine tasks are passed on to AI. On the other hand, the fast pace of change makes work more demanding, and the integration of AI makes it necessary to learn new things constantly. Surprisingly, new kinds of routine work also increase, because the operations of AI need to be monitored and checked,” says Assistant Professor Jonna Koponen.
According to the results of the research, the social features of middle management also changed, because the AI systems used at work were seen either as technical tools or colleagues, depending on the type of AI that was used. Especially when more developed types of AI, such as chatting robots, were included in the AI systems, they were seen as colleagues.
Integrating AI also poses ethical (道德上的) challenges, and managers devoted more of their time to ethical considerations. For example, they were concerned about the fairness of decisions made by AI. Aspects observed in the study showed that managing service teams with integrated AI requires new skills and knowledge of middle management, such as technological understanding and skills, interactive skills and emotional intelligence, problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage and adapt to continuous change.
“AI systems cannot yet take over all human management in areas such as the motivation and inspiration of team members. This is why skills in interaction and empathy (同理心) should be emphasized when selecting new employees for managerial positions which emphasize the management of teams integrated with AI,” Koponen says.
1. What does the study find?| A．AI becomes less popular in the service field. | B．AI makes decisions more fairly than humans. |
| C．AI proves human management is unnecessary. | D．AI makes middle management more demanding. |
| A．Unmentioned. | B．Opposed. | C．Objective. | D．Indifferent. |
| A．AI can’t replace human mangers completely. | B．Few managers in the service field are needed. |
| C．Employees for managerial positions dislike AI. | D．AI devotes more time to ethical considerations. |
| A．The integration of AI into service teams is hard. |
| B．AI takes over human management in many fields. |
| C．AI and human managers are a perfect combination. |
| D．The application of AI influences middle management. |
10 . Four Best Music Festivals Worth Attending This Year
Big Ears
When: March 21 — 24
Where: Knoxville, Tennessee
Named for the open-minded approach to listening it asks attendees to have, Big Ears regularly hosts contemporary classical music performances along with adventurous rock, jazz, metal and electronic music. For four days, Big Ears transforms the city into a paradise (天堂) for music of all kinds, taking over music halls, clubs and churches, all of which are centrally located and within walking distance.
Ultra Music Festival
When: March 22 — 24
Where: Miami, Florida
Considered as one of the best electric music events in the world, Ultra Music Festival features electronic dance music (EDM), techno and house music. Attendees are referred to as “Ultranauts” and come from around the globe to party in downtown Miami. This year’s line-up includes Calvin Harris, Afrojack, David Guetta and Zeds Dead.
Jazz & Heritage Festival
When: April 25 — May 5
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
Held annually since 1970, Jazz Fest is also one of the biggest. Nearly half a million people show up to take in a massive bill of jazz, blues and rock music. While most festivals are content to book the same handful of reunited alt-rock (另类摇滚) bands making the rounds, Jazz Fest always takes pride in hall-of-fame headliners. This year’s line-up goes well beyond jazz with names like the Foo Fighters, Chris Stapleton, Hozier and Earth, Wind & Fire.
SXSW
When: March 8 — 16
Where: Austin, Texas
The first SXSW was held in 1987 and since then the festival has grown both in terms of attendance — by some counts, 280,000 people attended the festival in 2019 — and in terms of influence: SXSW is Austin’s biggest profit-producing event and one of the most important gatherings on the nation’s entertainment calendar. The event is broken down into several parts, including SXSW Music, SXSW Film and SXSW Comedy.
1. What can you do at the festival of Big Ears?| A．Listen to various kinds of music. | B．Enjoy comedy shows every day. |
| C．Watch classical films in a church. | D．Explore a paradise for nature lovers. |
| A．Knoxville, Tennessee. | B．Miami, Florida. |
| C．New Orleans, Louisiana. | D．Austin, Texas. |
| A．Big Ears. | B．Ultra Music Festival. |
| C．Jazz &Heritage Festival. | D．SXSW. |
