1 . The US economy seems strong with high employment, falling inflation (通货膨胀), and growth. However, the reality is far less optimistic for ordinary American workers.

A March 6 survey by the Savings website showed that 47% of US parents financially support their adult children to cope with rising living costs. Gen Zers (18-27) are the most likely to receive such aid, averaging $1,515 per month. Still, even older parents assist their Millennial and Generation X adult children, accounting for 21% of support. Common expenses include groceries, tuition, and health insurance.

Why are so many US adults struggling? Soaring food prices are a major factor. The US Department of Agriculture predicts a 2.5% increase in food prices in 2024. Meanwhile, stable housing remains an elusive dream for many, with the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (抵押贷款) reaching at almost 8% in October 2023, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. This high cost prices many Americans out of homeownership.

The final piece of the puzzle is falling salaries. Previous generations were able to count on graduating from college as the key to landing a job that paid well. But now, young US graduates have found that they earn less than their parents. According to a CNBC analysis, college graduate salaries have decreased more than 10 percent in four decades after adjusting for inflation. In other words, steadily declining salaries make it even harder for young Americans to cope with steadily rising costs.

With Gen Zers in the US struggling under financial pressures, so do the older generations supporting them, as their generosity puts their prospects for retirement at risk. The Savings website discovered that working parents were found to contribute 2.4 times more to support adult children than they contribute to their retirement accounts each month.

Essentially, while the US economy remains floating, we might witness multiple generations of Americans sinking in their own lifeboats in the years ahead.

1. What did the March 6 survey find out about adult children in the US?

A．Nearly half of them are financially dependent.

B．Over half of Gen Zers are financially struggling.

C．21 percent of Generation X receive parental help.

D．A majority of them rely on their parents for education.

2. What does the underlined word “elusive” in paragraph 3 most probably mean?

A．Readily accessible.	B．Difficult to achieve.
C．Often misunderstood.	D．Commonly sought after.

3. What can be inferred from the article about people in the US?

A．Graduates’ financial struggles are temporary.

B．Government policies favor older generations.

C．Financial pressures affect both the young and the old.

D．Salaries for graduates tend to keep pace with inflation.

4. What is the author’s attitude toward the future prospects of Americans?

A．Negative.

B．Positive.

C．Reserved.

D．Ambiguous.

2 . 这些领域的工作岗位可能被人工智能所驱动的技术取代，这一天迟早到来。
The day will come in time when jobs in these fields may be _____ with technology driven by artificial intelligence.

3 . 杰克听到他父亲昨晚去世的消息后，脸色苍白。
Upon hearing the news that his father _________ last night, Jack went deadly pale.

4 . 坐落于一个安静的地方，这个旅馆吸引了许多人居住。
_____ in a quiet spot, the hotel attracts various people to stay.

5 . 假定你是李华，外教David想了解学生对这学期英语课程中使用的合作式学习(cooperative learning)方式的反馈，请你给他写一封邮件，内容包括：①合作式学习在你班的开展情况；②你的体验和感受。
注意：①写作词数应为80左右；②请按格式在答题纸的相应位置作答。
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6 . Grant Village and West Thumb

Yellowstone National Park offers a range of engaging activities for families, nature lovers, and wildlife enthusiasts alike. From exploring the Grant Village and West Thumb regions to participating in interactive programs, visitors can immerse themselves in the park’s natural wonders and learn about its diverse wildlife and geological features.

Experiencing Wildlife in Yellowstone (May 26 to September 2).

Whether you’re hiking a backcountry trail, camping, or just enjoying the park’s amazing wildlife from the road, this quick workshop is for you and your family. Learn where to look for animals and how to safely enjoy your wildlife watching experience. Meet on the back porch of the Grant Visitor Center.

West Thumb Geyser Basin Walk (June 9 to September 2)

Take a guided walk along the beautiful shores of Yellowstone Lake while exploring the origins of glittering geysers, belching mud pots, and emerald hot spring s in West Thumb’s dynamic geyser basin. Meet at the West Thumb Visitor Information Station. Round-trip distance is 1/2 mile. Easy.

Junior Ranger Discovery Program (June 16 to September 2)

Investigate and discover the many curiosities of Yellowstone during this interactive program geared towards kids 4-13 years and up. Meet at the Grant Village Pavilion, located behind the visitor center along the edge of the lake.

Grant Village Evening Program (June 23 to September 2).

Learn more about Yellowstone’s natural and cultural history in this presentation highlighting one of Yellowstone’s wonders. Inquire locally and on bulletin boards for program descriptions. Meet at the Grant Visitor Center Amphitheater. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight.

1. Which program is suitable for a family to learn about safely watching wildlife in Yellowstone?

A．Experiencing Wildlife in Yellowstone.	B．Grant Village Evening Program.
C．West Thumb Geyser Basin Walk.	D．Junior Ranger Discovery Program.

2. Which program lasts for the shortest time?

A．Experiencing Wildlife in Yellowstone.	B．Grant Village Evening Program.
C．West Thumb Geyser Basin Walk.	D．Junior Ranger Discovery Program.

3. What should you do if you are interested in the origin of geysers and mud pots?

A．attend the Grant Village Evening Program.

B．join the Junior Ranger Discovery Program.

C．take a guided walk along Yellowstone Lake.

D．meet at the Grant Visitor Center Amphitheater.

7 . Unlike most of her peers who left their rural hometowns, 34-year-old Ning Fenfang left her job in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province in 2017 and worked as a village official in her hometown— a mountainous village in Cili county in Zhangjiajie, Hunan province. Now she farms over 66.7 hectares of land.

Seeing much of the farmland had been deserted, Ning resigned from her post in 2020 and became a full-time farmer, renting the farmland and hiring villagers to work it. She founded a centre for housewives in the village to work her farmland during busy hours.

“It’s never easy,” said Ning. It is very rare for young people to become farmers in rural areas, as farming is labor-intensive and requires constant work in the mud. What’s more, farming is often seen as a job “unsuitable” for both the post-90s generation and women in general. Her decision to become a farmer confused many of her fellow villagers and farming was much more difficult than she had imagined. She experienced tremendous pain due to the intensive labour. At first, she didn’t farm much through lack of farming knowledge, so she didn’t feel pressured to succeed. Later, she decided to expand the scale and spent millions of yuan. “Most of the money is borrowed from banks, families and relatives, so there is no turning back,” she said. Weighing up the pros and cons, her husband ultimately gave up his business to work with her.

She has tried to turn farming into a “trendy” job. Instead of traditional farming methods which rely on human labor, Ning promotes mechanized farming, such as using harvesters, cultivators and drones. She also plans to explore the agricultural tourism resources in Zhangjiajie for children living in urban areas to experience farming.

Being elected to the 14th National People’s Congress has motivated Ning to feel responsible for fellow farmers. “NPC deputies from the grassroots need to consider rural farmers’ needs and bring their voices to the two sessions,” Ning said.

1. What can be inferred from the passage?

A．Ning facilitated the development of local agriculture.

B．Ning was once elected to the 14th National People’s Congress.

C．Ning was pessimistic about her work and her future in Hangzhou.

D．The locals found her decision to become a farmer realistic at first.

2. What’s Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．Ning gradually expanded the scale of her business.

B．Ning lacked adequate knowledge about agriculture.

C．Ning did what it took to invest heavily in her business.

D．Ning faced more challenges in farming than she had figured.

3. What sets Ning’s farming apart from traditional farming?

A．The expansion of agricultural dimensions.

B．The restriction of agricultural implements.

C．The employment of agricultural machinery.

D．The exploration of agricultural tourism resources.

4. Which of the following can best describe Ning Fenfang?

A．Desperate and considerate.	B．Humble and dynamic.
C．Persevering and innovative.	D．Sensitive and aggressive.

8 . Forty-odd years ago, I sat in my first-grade classroom. The classroom’s speaker suddenly rang out,_________ me to the office of Ms. Susan, my art teacher. I was a _________ kid. I hated to be noticed or singled out. For me, going to a teacher’s office was my worst nightmare.

I _________ open the heavy door. Seated in front of Ms. Susan’s desk were my parents. My father held a pile of my _________. “Why do you only use a black crayon when you draw?” he asked. I couldn’t _________. All I could do was stand still.

“Show me your desk,” said my father. We _________ to my classroom. I pointed to my desk _________ .My father pulled out my crayon box. He emptied the box and a single piece of a crayon _________ in his hand—it was black. Puzzled, my father asked, “Where are the rest of your crayons?”

I quietly _________ that I’d given all the other crayons to friends. My father let out a deep breath in relief, “You were __________.”

I nodded my head. I looked at Ms. Susan—her face was __________. I learned years later that Ms. Susan, who was always a caring person,__________ that I might have __________ issues. To her my crayon choice __________ my “depressed nature”. She had called my parents in to discuss “my problem”.

Because I didn’t __________ myself, others misunderstood me.

1.

A．calling

B．taking

C．guiding

D．forcing

2.

A．selfish

B．humble

C．shy

D．careless

3.

A．burst

B．knocked

C．threw

D．pushed

4.

A．crayons

B．books

C．boxes

D．drawings

5.

A．understand

B．speak

C．decline

D．complain

6.

A．marched

B．headed

C．raced

D．escaped

7.

A．nervously

B．curiously

C．proudly

D．angrily

8.

A．rose

B．stuck

C．rested

D．survived

9.

A．repeated

B．declared

C．admitted

D．explained

10.

A．lying

B．sharing

C．hiding

D．joking

11.

A．pale

B．serious

C．red

D．sad

12.

A．supposed

B．predicted

C．claimed

D．concluded

13.

A．moral

B．emotional

C．educational

D．social

14.

A．clarified

B．confirmed

C．reflected

D．matched

15.

A．stand up for

B．keep pace with

C．think highly of

D．look up to

9 . Wilderness Explorers Center Guide

Welcome to the Wilderness Explorers Center, your gateway to the adventure of nature's wonders! With engaging exhibits, wildlife sightseeing, and natural activities, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Discover Nature's Treasures

Don't miss the chance to explore our Nature Gift Shop, located near the entrance of the Wilderness Explorers Center. Here, you'll discover a delightful array of eco-friendly gifts, educational books, and unique handicrafts inspired by the natural world.

Enjoy at Forest Café

After a day of exploration, fuel your energy at the Forest Café. Indulge in a selection of delicious snacks, sandwiches, and beverages sourced from local ingredients. Whether you're craving a refreshing drink or a heart y meal, the Forest Café is the perfect spot to relax and unwind.

Ensure the Accessibility

Ensuring that every visitor can fully enjoy their experience is our top priority. That's why we offer wheelchair and stroller rentals at the entrance, making it easy for everyone to explore our center comfortably. Our staff are also available to ensure that all guests feel welcome.

Support the Conservation

Join us in our mission to protect and preserve the natural world for future generations. Your support plays a crucial role in our conservation efforts. Click our website here to learn more about how you can get involved, from donating to becoming a member of our conservation community. Together, we can make a difference in safeguarding the beauty of our planet.

1. Where can you buy a gift at Wilderness Explorers Center?

A．Near the tranquil pond.	B．At the Forest Café.
C．Near the main entrance.	D．Next to the educational exhibits.

2. What services are available for visitors with special needs?

A．Rental of wheelchairs and strollers.	B．Guided tours of the forest trails.
C．Access to wildlife viewing areas.	D．Participation in conservation workshops.

3. Where might the text be taken from?

A．A brochure.

B．A magazine.

C．A website.

D．A textbook.

10 . The round-up fundraising strategy was first introduced about 15 years ago. Why have round up for charity campaigns proven so successful? Katie Kelting, an associate professor of marketing at Saint Louis University, suggests that there’s some powerful psychology at work.

In 2018, Kelting and her colleagues enlisted the St. Louis Zoo in a field study. Instead of asking people for the usual $1 donation for a wild animal conservation effort, the zoo temporarily tried the round-up approach.     1     As Kelting explains, a lot of it has to do with the “pain” of parting with our hard-earned cash. The perceived pain is less in the consumer’s mind when that round-up request is presented.

    2    Humans, for instance, appear to have a fairly strong preference for round numbers, or figures ending with a zero. A 2013 study noted that at restaurants, many people prefer to leave tips that bring the final bill to a round number. “    3     People are better at and intuitively(直觉地) prefer to deal with round numbers,” Kelting says.

Arguably more important is that at cashier register charitable requests can change an ordinary purchase into a moral dilemma. It becomes an opportunity to signal to others that we care. In the case of the round-up request, it becomes something of a moral test.    4    

Kelting says that customers might also change their behavior and perceptions in public and private settings.    5    However, the same decision in front of a cashier—especially one who adds a verbal(口头的) request for the donation—is something different.

A．It’s like an effort-reduction strategy.

B．There are likely other factors in play.

C．In a private setting, it is easier to decline.

D．During the experiment fundraising jumped by 21%.

E．The round-up fundraising strategy has really taken off recently.

F．It’s such a low-cost ask that saying no starts to make us feel guilty.

G．Customers may become overwhelmed with the round-up fundraising.