1 . In a video shared online, a young photographer, Lily, is seen confidently directing a well-known action movie star for a photograph. Even though the actor is very tall, she is not nervous. She tells him what to do like a real professional, even though she’s still quite young.

“Given his size, I asked him to make more pronounced movements,” said Lily, reflecting on the shoot in a recent interview. The young shutterbug (摄影爱好者) has already taken photos of several personalities and has earned a significant following online, with her work receiving millions of likes.

Lily’s journey into photography began when she was just four years old, with a simple point-and-shoot camera. Her father, recognizing her natural ability to connect with people, encouraged her to explore street photography. At the age of five, she captured a portrait of a renowned musician-turned-actress during a chance encounter in a store, which quickly went viral on the social media.

Since then, Lily has been receiving numerous requests to photograph top talents. “The more I photograph in public places, the more recognition I get, which in turn leads to more chances to work with well-known figures,” she explained.

Because of her young age, some have questioned how she manages to secure such high-profile shoots. Her father, who assists with minor post-production edits, explained that her unique perspective was what attracted the attention of talent agencies. “Through Lily’s lens (镜头), subjects show a different side,” he said. “Her photos capture a softer, gentler aspect of people, celebrity or not.”

Addressing concerns about the use of filters and heavy editing, Lily insists that her images are minimally processed. Her ultimate goal is to evoke (唤起) emotions through her photography and, eventually, to become a full-time portrait photographer. For now, she continues to hone (磨炼) her craft and enjoys the present moment.

1. What phenomenon is described in the first paragraph?

A．A girl is directing a film.	B．How a girl is photographing.
C．Children need social activities.	D．How a short video is produced.

2. What made Lily gain more attention?

A．She photographed many action movies.	B．A famous actress offered to help her.
C．Her father made her skills known.	D．Social media played a significant role.

3. How does Lily differ from professional photographers in photographing?

A．She is good at adjusting lens.	B．She constantly learns from others.
C．She photographs from a special angle.	D．She gains recognition from celebrities.

4. What is Lily’s attitude to improving her skill?

A．Hesitant.

B．Determined.

C．Pessimistic.

D．Negative.

2 . Southern Africa is home to most of the world’s black and white rhinos. Because of global warming, the weather in this area is changing quickly. People have worked hard to protect rhinos from being hunted, but until now, no one has really looked at how the changing weather might hurt these animals.

A research team from the University of Massachusetts Amherst has recently reported that the area will be affected by both higher temperatures and changing precipitation (降水) and the rhinos are more sensitive to rising temperatures, which will quickly increase above the animals’ acceptable maximum threshold.

Over the last 100 years, Africa’s average monthly temperatures have gone up by 0.5℃ to 2℃. Scientists think that in the next 100 years, it might get even warmer, up to 2 more degrees. This change in weather might also change how much rain we get. But here’s the thing：For animals like white and black rhinos, which people have been trying to protect for a long time, will the heat or the rain changes hurt them more? This is a big question because rhinos don’t have sweat to cool down. They stay cool by taking baths and staying in cool shady spots.

To understand how changing climate will affect rhino populations, lead author Hlelowenkhosi S. Mamba and his colleague, focused their efforts on five large national parks representing diverse landscapes in southern Africa that are home to most of the rhinos. They have found that temperature conditions in all study parks will become increasingly unsuitable for both species, but it is predicted that white rhinos will be affected earlier than black rhinos.

“This research highlights the importance of using climate predictions for both park and rhino management,” says Randhir. “We propose that park managers now think about increasing water supplies, tree cover, watching for stress and planning to allow rhino migration as the world warms.”

1. How are rhinos traditionally protected?

A．By building their living habitats.

B．By saving them from illegal hunt.

C．By monitoring their physical health.

D．By removing their breeding surroundings.

2. Which can best replace the underlined word “threshold” in paragraph 2?

A．range

B．register

C．average

D．content

3. What is a means for rhinos to fight against heat?

A．Cooling heat off by sweating.	B．Drinking much water.
C．Migrating to other places.	D．Bathing in the water.

4. What is the key suggestion for park managers to help rhinos adapt to climate change?

A．Predicting the weather.	B．Buying new species.
C．Boosting habitats.	D．Restricting visitors.

3 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

My mother, a kind and considerate lady, would help others in need, though our family was not rich. When I was young, she worked as a housekeeper in the home of a wealthy businessman.

Every day, after tidying up the rooms at the businessman’s house, she would cross the street to buy groceries. As she passed by a row of low rented houses, she would always have a look at an elderly man who collected scrap (废品). The old man, in his seventies, always carried a bag. He lived in a tiny house with a small window. My mother couldn’t help but feel a sense of sympathy whenever she saw the old man eating dry bread, accompanied by a bowl of water. Thus, she would bring him old newspapers, empty cans and beer bottles, along with some food. To the old man, those were precious gifts. The businessman saw my mother’s good behavior and kept it in mind.

I learned from my mother that the poor old man lived alone. His small room was almost empty except a worn mat and a pile of collected scrap. His only way of showing gratitude to my mother was through a humble smile on his face. I once asked my mother, “Why are you so nice to the old man?” She looked at me and answered affectionately, “Because he looks like my father in the countryside.”

As the New Year approached, the businessman visited his relatives abroad, leaving my mother to watch over his house. He paid my mother double wages for her efforts, and prepared extra money for the old man.

The old man frequently appeared in various neighborhoods with his bag, and his business seemed to be going well. He not only collected plastic and cardboard boxes left at doorsteps but also threw the litter beside them into the bins. Watching him walking away, with his white hair blown in the cold wind, my mother’s heart ached.

My mother told me that she decided to knit (编织) two woolen sweaters, one for her father and the other for the old man. “Perhaps the old man had no children, but it was the New Year, and he deserved a gift, too,” she said.

注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

On the first day of the New Year, my mother approached the old man’s door, with her knitted sweater, food and some money.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“I asked many people to find out where you live,” the old man said, holding the sweater my mother had given to him.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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。

International students from the Beijing Language and Culture University were busy preparing for the 2023 Competition for the Transmission and Promotion of the Beijing Central Axis, with three songs     1     (highlight) heritage sites along its length.

The competition, hosted     2     (annual) by the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau and the Beijing Municipal Office for Conservation and Management of the Beijing Central Axis, includes five categories, one of     3     calls for participants to present the heritage sites using different art forms.

Three groups of international students from 13 countries participated with songs about the Wanning Bridge, the Temple of Heaven and Jingshan Park. The students, most of whom were Chinese language     4     (major), took an elective course that taught songs     5     (adapt) from ancient Chinese poetry.

“I think this song about the Wanning Bridge is very beautiful. When I was learning the lyrics, I got to know about the bridge’s history and architectural style. I feel that I’m very     6     (fortune) to participate in this course and the competition, because they have allowed me     7     (learn) more about Chinese culture and history,” said one of     8     students.

It was the first time Chinese folk music     9     (know) by so many students through these courses. And       10       the competition, they took their instruments home to introduce their friends to Chinese music. Through art, they became international narrators of China’s stories and practitioners of the cultural exchange between China and their homeland.

6 . I’m 19 years old and studying at college. I’m a(n) _______ student on campus. That was because my father once said to me, “Education is a _______ weapon, for one can overcome all difficulties of life using knowledge from books.” Since then, I’ve always encouraged myself.

I used to dislike learning. My parents, who had no college education, always _______ me to study, but I didn’t understand their _______ for my bright future. _______, time taught me that my parents were demanding of me because they expected me to live a good life.

Once I was _______ by my relatives in front of my father because of my poor academic performance at school. They also blamed me. They disliked me as I was the only child in their eyes who showed no _______ in studies. When people started to _______ my family, considering us ignorant, I couldn’t stand it anymore.

From then on, I _______ to study hard to make my parents respected. I tried to read books, which gradually became my hobby. My curiosity for reading never ________. It grew and enriched my mind with priceless knowledge. I also completed my homework on time. I ________ leaving any work for the next day. One of my teachers said, “ ________ leads to success.” I believed in it and formed a ________ of working regularly.

In fact, my parents always help me when I need them. I also help them do housework ________. My parents are my world, and they have taught me ________ values: self-discipline and responsibility.

1.

A．self-motivated

B．warm-hearted

C．fun-loving

D．easy-going

2.

A．worthless

B．horrible

C．powerful

D．temporary

3.

A．allowed

B．troubled

C．invited

D．pushed

4.

A．pity

B．cry

C．explanation

D．protection

5.

A．However

B．Therefore

C．Otherwise

D．Moreover

6.

A．understood

B．mistaken

C．valued

D．criticized

7.

A．involvement

B．interest

C．comment

D．cooperation

8.

A．uncover

B．acknowledge

C．disrespect

D．possess

9.

A．resolved

B．happened

C．failed

D．pretended

10.

A．approached

B．multiplied

C．improved

D．stopped

11.

A．risked

B．avoided

C．kept

D．began

12.

A．Regularity

B．Integrity

C．Freedom

D．Reputation

13.

A．party

B．habit

C．record

D．version

14.

A．on board

B．on purpose

C．in return

D．in case

15.

A．religious

B．commercial

C．political

D．moral

7 . Are you longing for a travel experience full of iconic attractions, which is not only immersive but also intimate? Offering attentive guides, unique experiences, and the perfect combination of exploration and friendship, small group travel is redefining the holiday experience.     1     .

●Explore uncharted but safe territories. Take a journey to breathtaking destinations that might otherwise be frightening to explore independently.     2     , ensuring you don't miss out on the essence (精髓) of each destination. It can also offer exciting exclusive experiences. With smaller coaches and personalized schedule, you'll deep into local cultures and taste authentic flavors at every turn.

●Be guided by the local guides.     3     . Small group tours are led by knowledgeable guides who not only speak the language but also offer insights into the culture, history, and hidden treasures of each region. These guides ensure your journey is enriched with authenticity and discovery.

●     4     . Whether you're travelling alone or with friends, small group travel fosters a sense of community. With groups typically including fewer than 30 people, you'll have the opportunity to form meaningful connections and create lasting memories with fellow adventurers. From shared experiences to newfound friendships, it cultivates a sense of friendship that enhances the overall holiday experience.

●Start your adventure with peace of mind. Small group tour operators take care of everything. With convenience at the forefront, you can explore outside your comfort zone, knowing that every detail has been thoughtfully arranged.     5     , offering assistance in case of emergencies and give you peace of mind through licensed and bonded services.

A．Bond with like-minded travelers

B．It is a unique experience to visit a packed place

C．Take a look below to find what you can do on the trip

D．Travel alone to find more opportunity to enjoy yourself

E．A small group tour offers access to off-the-beaten-path places

F．You can experience the true essence of a destination with their guidance

G．Besides, reputable small group travel companies ensure your protection and security

10 . Cloud “engineering” could be more effective for climate cooling than previously thought, because of the increased cloud cover produced, new research shows.

In a study published in Nature Geoscience, researchers at the University of Birmingham found that marine cloud brightening (MCB), also known as marine cloud engineering, works primarily by increasing the amount of cloud cover, accounting for 60% — 90% of the cooling effect.

The practice of MCB has attracted much attention in recent years as a way of offsetting the global warming effects caused by humans and buying some time while the global economy decarbonizes (脱碳). It works by spraying tiny particles, or aerosols (气溶胶), into the atmosphere where they mix with clouds and with the primary aim of increasing the amount of sunlight that clouds can reflect.

However, the ways in which MCB creates a cooling effect, and the ways in which clouds will respond to aerosols, are still poorly understood. To investigate the phenomenon, the researchers created a “natural experiment”, using aerosol injection from the effusive eruption of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii to study the interactions between these natural aerosols, clouds, and climate.

Using machine learning and historic satellite and meteorological (气象学的) data, the team created a predictor to show how the cloud would behave during periods when the volcano was inactive. This predictor enabled them to identify clearly the impacts on the clouds that had been directly caused by the volcanic aerosols.

They were able to show that the cloud cover relatively increased by up to 50% during the periods of volcanic activity, producing a cooling effect of up to — 10 W/m² regionally.

Lead author, Dr Ying Chen, of the University of Birmingham, said, “Our findings show that marine cloud brightening could be more effective as a climate intervention than climate models have suggested previously. Of course, while it could be useful, MCB does not address the underlying causes of global warming from greenhouse gases produced by human activities. It should therefore be regarded as a ‘painkiller’, rather than a solution.”

1. How does MCB help global cooling according to the study?

A．By decreasing the amount of sunlight.

B．By boosting the volume of cloud cover.

C．By reducing the amount of cloud cover.

D．By removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

2. What does the underlined word “offsetting” mean in paragraph 3?

A．Weakening.

B．Destroying.

C．Ignoring.

D．Suspending.

3. What does Dr Ying Chen think of MCB?

A．Perfect.

B．Ineffective.

C．Valueless.

D．Fruitful.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．The Mechanism Behind Marine Cloud Brightening

B．Understanding The Impact Of Aerosols On Clouds And Climate

C．Enhancing Climate Cooling Through Marine Cloud Brightening

D．Marine Cloud Brightening: A Solution To Climate Cooling Strategy