1 . The number of universities has grown very fast in recent decades. Higher-education institutions across the world now employ 15 million researchers, up from 4 million in 1980. Governments are also happy to spend on higher education because it is supposed to produce scientific breakthroughs that can be available to all. In theory, therefore, universities should be an excellent source of productivity growth.

In practice, however, the productivity has slowed down during the last decades. In the 1950s and 1960s, workers’ output per hour across the rich world rose by 4% a year. But in the last decade, 1% a year was the norm. Even with the wave of innovation in artificial intelligence (AI), productivity growth remains weak — less than 1% a year, which is bad news for economic growth.

A new paper by Ashish Arora and his team suggests that universities’ rapid growth and the rich world’s slowdown productivity could be two sides of the same coin. The paper suggests that scientific breakthroughs from public institutions “caused little or no response from businesses” over a number of years. A scientist in a university lab might publish brilliant paper after brilliant paper. Often, however, this has no impact on corporations’ own patents, with life sciences being the exception. And this, in turn, points to a small impact on the overall productivity.

Why do companies struggle to use ideas produced by universities?

The paper says that, free from the demands of the market, researchers in university labs focus more on satisfying their curiosity than finding breakthroughs that will change the world or make money. “To some degree, such kind of research is not a bad thing; some breakthrough technologies, such as penicillin, were discovered almost by accident,” it writes, “But if everyone is doing that, the economy suffers.”

Perhaps, with time, universities and the business world will work together more tightly. Tougher competition could force businesses to beef up their internal research. In fact, researchers in companies’ labs, rather than universities, are driving the current AI innovations. At some point, governments will need to ask themselves hard questions. In a world of weak economic growth, huge spending on universities may come to seem an unjustifiable luxury.

1. What are the statistics in paragraph 2 mainly about?

A．The weak economy around the globe.	B．Universities’ contribution to employment.
C．Governments’ spending on higher education.	D．The slow productivity growth in the rich world.

2. Which of the following is benefiting from university labs’ breakthroughs?

A．The investors.

B．The workers.

C．Life sciences.

D．Al industries.

3. What does the new paper imply about the researchers in university labs?

A．They are very eager to make more money.	B．They are less concerned about applications.
C．They usually find breakthroughs by accident.	D．They should be left alone to do their research.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．A Study Suggests Universities Fail to Increase Productivity

B．Universities and the Business World May Work Together Soon

C．It Is Important for Companies’ Labs to Lead the AI Innovation

D．It Is a Big Waste to Spend So Much Money on Higher Education

2 . Learning often requires taking different risks, whether it’s the willingness to try something new or keep trying after a failed attempt. For children, it’s this process of learning how to take risks and becoming comfortable with failure that can help them grow and develop.     1     As research is showing, children’s willingness to take risks in learning can depend on their relationship with their parents.

According to the research, children who viewed their parents as being supportive and reliable were more willing to take risks while learning. “     2     When their parents support them and are trustworthy, the children get a sense of how things work,” said Seth Pollak, the lead researcher of the study.

Here is what you, as parents, should remember.

Creating a supportive learning environment for your children often includes identifying what they struggle with and what they need.     3     Your children can’t necessarily tell you what they need, but they are often showing you. For example, if your children are consistently having a meltdown (崩溃) after school, that could be a sign that they are overstimulated from the school day, and need some extra time to relieve pressure before starting their homework. Other behaviors could include refusing to do something, such as writing with a pencil or doing their math homework.

One way to create reliability is to develop routines with your children.     4     For example, it could be making the effort to give them 10 minutes of undivided attention when they come home from school, making it a habit to play LEGOs with them every Friday evening, or a predictable bedtime routine.     5    

A．That is what they expect from their children.

B．Those routines should be developed by children themselves.

C．That consistent and positive attention can make a big difference.

D．Children from more stable backgrounds perform better in learning.

E．One way to do that is to track certain behaviors over time, looking for patterns.

F．The routines are less about how big or time-consuming, and more about their predictability.

G．However, encouraging children to take these risks can be an extremely difficult task for parents.

3 . The Debate on Drinking Coffee on an Empty Stomach

There’s a popular belief that drinking coffee on an empty stomach can damage the stomach lining (胃粘膜). This article investigates the validity of these claims and explores the broader influences for gut (肠道) health.

    1     But some worry this habit could harm their stomachs. Claims on social media suggest that such a practice could lead to various illnesses. However, Kim Barrett, a physiology professor, assures that the stomach is strong, equipped with protective mechanisms like a thick liquid layer that protects it from potential irritants such as coffee.

While substances like alcohol are known to alter the stomach’s defenses, research, a 2013 study of over 8,000 participants living in Japan, shows no substantial link between coffee consumption and the development of ulcers (溃疡).     2    

The idea that coffee induces stomach acid production is well-established, which could theoretically lead to heartburn, especially if consumed on an empty stomach.     3     A 2014 review found no connection between coffee and heartburn, whereas a 2020 study indicated a possible increase in heartburn symptoms among habitual coffee drinkers.

If you experience discomfort after drinking coffee, consider cutting down the consumption.     4     That means you drink less coffee in a way. For those who tolerate it well, there’s no need to alter your routine.

While the debate on the impact of drinking coffee on an empty stomach continues, the evidence leans more towards its safety rather than harm. Monitoring personal symptoms and making small adjustments can help individuals enjoy coffee without discomfort.     5     And what works for one person might not for another.

A．Adding some milk can also help.

B．However, studies offer mixed results.

C．Remember, individual responses can vary.

D．Nonetheless, coffee does have an effect on the gut.

E．There’s more evidence for coffee’s benefits than harms.

F．Many people start their day with a cup before eating anything.

G．It suggests that coffee doesn’t harm the stomach lining directly.

4 . 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。

Elephant Trunk Hill lies     1     two rivers meet, one of them is the famous Li River of

Guilin city in Guangxi, and it is the symbol of Guilin. The hill was     2     (former) named Li Hill and resembles (像) a giant elephant standing in the river, drinking water through its trunk. Thus, the mountain was named Elephant Trunk Hill.     3     (date) back to as early as the Tang and Song dynasties, the hill has been a famous tourist     4     (attract) over 1,000 years of history. The scenic area combines unique rocks, beautiful waterways, special caves and numerous cliff stone carvings, which make it enjoy a high reputation worldwide.

Ranging     5     historical significance to cultural richness, we are grateful to witness such a breathtaking landscape. The     6     (commerce) value of this site is undeniable, attracting visitors from all corners of the globe who take advantage of its beauty.    7     (be)frank, few places offer such a diverse blend of natural and historical elements. Visitors may occasionally complain about crowds, but     8     response from the authorities has been positive, aiming to enhance the overall experience. The     9     (reject) of modern developments preserves its natural beauty. The site continues to inspire future generations to come. Energetic and flexible, it     10     (adapt) to the changing times while maintaining its essence (本质).

5 . Internet addiction is on the rise. With more people in front of phone s than ever before, being glued to your digital devices (数字设备) is not something new. Here are some tips to help you break Internet addiction and live a healthier life.

Master time management

You can stop Internet addiction by focusing on a time management plan. Your phone will tell you how many hours you spend on it per day. You can test yourself to reduce your time on the Internet by checking whether you reduce your time spent on devices.     1    , you can focus more on being productive when have a time management plan.

    2    

If you want to stop your Internet addiction, spend some time in the open air.     3    . You can try outdoor activities like skiing with friends when it’s cold. Or you can enjoy hot mountain springs if you prefer the heat.

Write in a diary

Have a diary that you pour your heart into. This can be a great way to keep you away from the Internet.    4    , you can stop your Internet addiction. Having an offline and locked document that you type into to share your inner thoughts can be helpful.

Change your nightly routine

    5    , such as checking social media or shopping online, can keep us on a high level of excitement. And we will wake up and feel groggy (昏昏沉沉的) in the next morning. At night, after you brush your teeth, spend some time in bed reading a book. This will help you softly fall to sleep and relax.

A．Get outside

B．Find non-Internet activities

C．Spending time on the Internet before bed

D．Having difficulty in falling asleep at night can be terrible

E．Instead of checking your social media or popular websites

F．By writing down how you feel about your life or relationships

G．You can have wonderful moments by spending some time in nature

6 . Dropping off my three-year-old boy at preschool, I came across Jessica, a fellow mom in pain about the upcoming Valentine’s Day party craft. Despite my exhaustion (筋疲力尽), I offered to deal with it for her. Later that night, my husband Eric found me cutting out construction paper hearts for Jessica’s project, in addition to the one I’d already prepared for our son’s party. Observing my stress, he questioned why I always put myself in such situations. It was a moment of reflection on my tendency to overpromise and please others, even at the cost of my own well-being.

I often did things I didn’t want to do because I was afraid of disappointing someone. It didn’t take long on the Internet to discover that I’m a people pleaser, eager to earn the acceptance of others. Eric was right. I couldn’t go on like this. So I spoke with two experts to find out how to balance a healthier relationship with helping others.

I told psychotherapist Kate Crocco, author of Drawing the Line: How to Achieve More Peace and Less Burnout in Your Life, about offering to do Jessica's craft. “People pleasers sometimes think that if they don’t bend over backward for others, the other person won’t survive. We need to believe that our friends and family can figure out things for themselves,” she says.

Karen Ehman, author of When Making Others Happy Is Making You Miserable: How to Break the Pattern of People Pleasing and Confidently Live Your Life, says, “People pleasers are often passive about how they spend their time. They can be easily swayed and fill their time with someone else’s plans and then become overwhelmed (被压垮的).”

I wondered if I could learn to say no without feeling guilty (内疚的). Recently hosting the family Easter celebration posed a significant task for my husband, one of eight children, and I needed to help. Meanwhile, the community leader requested my assistance in teaching the kindergarten class on Easter Sunday. Politely, I turned down. The community leader expressed understanding and mentioned seeking other volunteers. While it wasn’t a completely guilt-free refusal, it marked a long-awaited step in the right direction.

1. What problem did the author have?

A．She wasn’t good at doing crafts.

B．She didn’t know how to use Internet.

C．She struggled with being a people pleaser.

D．She had difficulty getting on with Jessica.

2. What does Kate Crocco suggest?

A．Accepting others’ choices and lifestyles.

B．Allowing others to solve their own problems.

C．Being careful when making friends with people pleasers.

D．Establishing clear limits when managing work and life.

3. What does the underlined word “swayed” in the last but one paragraph mean?

A．Influenced.

B．Frightened.

C．Misunderstood.

D．Cheated.

4. How did the author react to the request of the community leader?

A．She suggested other volunteers.	B．She hesitated for a while.
C．She turned a deaf ear to it.	D．She refused it politely.

7 . The fast development of AI-generated content (AIGC), especially AI translation, is accelerating (加快) the speed at which China's online novels are being introduced to the world, while global online writers tend to flood to a common platform to expand the world's online novel market, according to the 2023 China Online Literature Exporting Overseas Trend Report.

"Online literature not only brings Chinese culture and works to the world, but also witnesses the global development of this Chinese model," said the president of a publisher.

"After going through publishing authorization (授权), overseas translation and exporting models overseas, China's online literature has reached a new stage of global IP co-creation as writers from different countries and regions work together to develop online literature IP, which has led to a new wave of globalization in online literature," he added.

"As of October 2023, an overseas website owned by the publisher, had launched about 3,600 translated works of Chinese online literature," said the report. The platform has been visited by more than 220 million users, who spend more than 1.5 hours daily on reading. More than 150,000 comments are usually made in a single day, including exchanges about works and discussions about the cities, food and culture from various countries.

With the help of AI, the translation efficiency (效率) of online novels has increased by nearly 100 times, and the cost has been reduced by more than 90 percent. "Due to these advantages, the platform WebNovel will introduce AI translation for English, Spanish, French, Japanese and other languages, to help good Chinese and foreign stories to reach a wider international audience," said Yang Chen, editor-in-chief of the publisher.

Chinese online literature has been exported overseas for more than 20 years. It has shared with the world not only excellent cultural works, but also a set of creative mechanisms (机制) and industrial models based on the digital age. As such, global industrial integration has become a significant trend in the development of online literature.

1. What's the value of China's online literature according to paragraph 2?

A．It contributes to regional cooperation.

B．It encourages global development.

C．It benefits overseas translation.

D．It helps spread Chinese culture.

2. What does the writer want to show by listing the data in paragraph 4?

A．To stress the importance of translating Chinese works.

B．To show the popularity of Chinese online literature.

C．To explain why Chinese literature develops so fast.

D．To call on people to read Chinese literature online.

3. What's the advantage of AI translation?

A．It produces better quality works.	B．It enables writers to work together.
C．It provides more language choices.	D．It's more productive and economical.

4. What is a suitable title for the text?

A．China Online Literature Faces New Challenges

B．AI Translation Boosts Global Cooperation

C．AI Helps Chinese Web Novels Sail Overseas

D．Online Literature Goes Viral Globally

8 . 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。

Tai chi is a Chinese martial art often practised with the purpose of     1     (improve) health. The practice forms of tai chi are well known for relaxing, circular movements that work in harmony with breath regulation (调节). It can not only keep your mind calm     2     also make your body strong. As you focus on your breathing and movements, your mind can clear itself of its worries,     3     does your whole body good,

    4     (influence) by Taoist and Confucian thoughts, and the ideas of traditional Chinese medicine, the practice has developed into several styles,     5     (usual) named after a master, such as Chen-style and Yang-style.

Chen Bin, one of the     6     (master) of the Chen-style tai chi, has been practising the martial art since he     7     (be) six years old. More than two decades of practice has made him a master. “One’s understanding of tai chi can develop when the practice continues. As one’s experience grows, it becomes much     8     (easy) to understand its cultural meaning,” Chen Bing explains.

Tai chi has taught Chen Bing     9     (stay) calm during life’s ups and downs, and to learn about the world with     10     open mind. Moreover, the martial art encourages using gentleness to get over toughness, and making use of weakness to win strength through one’s self-awareness, which shows the wisdom of Taoism.

9 . In a new study, researchers found a link between outdoor education and science grades. The findings indicate outdoor education could be a promising tool to help close gender (性别) gaps in science. “The outdoors is a space where teachers can find tangible ways to make science come alive,” says lead author Kathryn Stevenson, assistant professor of parks, recreation, and tourism management at North Carolina State University.

“The natural environment is also a place that everybody has in common. In a way, it’s also a great context for employing teaching practices like hands-on, inquiry-based learning or group work. These practices can be good for all students, but they may be particularly good for reaching students who aren’t as well-served in classroom settings,” Stevenson says.

The researchers studied the impact of an outdoor science education program called Muddy Sneakers on fifth graders’ science grades and knowledge of, and attitude about, science.

Fifth graders from western North Carolina attended between 6 and 10 days of Muddy Sneakers. They had science lessons in nearby natural areas, including state parks and school grounds, Outdoor lessons followed the standard course of study for science through hands-on activities, hikes, nature exploration, and reflections.

Researchers compared the performance of 237 students who learned about science in the classroom to 403 students who participated in the outdoor program. When researchers evaluated (评估) students’ science grades by gender, they saw that girls who participated in the outdoor science program maintained their science grades on average (平均), while girls’ average grades in the traditional science classes dropped. They also saw that participation in average grades in the traditional science classes dropped. They also saw that participation in the outdoor program helped girls learn more about how science works on average, but traditional classrooms did not.

Boys in the outdoor and traditional class settings had fairly stable science grades on average and saw similar gains in knowledge of how science works. “Outdoor education seems to be one of those contexts that helps everyone learn, but it may be really, really helpful for some students in particular,” Stevenson says.

1. What does the underlined word “tangible” in paragraph l mean?

A．Practical.

B．Ineffective.

C．Challenging.

D．Unfair.

2. What is the purpose of the study?

A．To improve fifth graders’ science grades.

B．To provide part-time jobs for the students.

C．To learn the effect of outdoor education on students.

D．To earn some money from different kinds of courses.

3. How do the researchers reach the findings?

A．By listing numbers.	B．By interviewing students.
C．By explaining the causes.	D．By making a comparison.

4. What is Stevenson’s attitude towards outdoor education?

A．Doubtful.

B．Favorable.

C．Unclear.

D．Objective.

10 . Karla Torres, a recent graduate of Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School in Boyle Heights, designed and created an 18th-century-inspired dress with the support of her mom to enter the yearly “Stuck at Prom” scholarship contest, sponsored by a trademarked brand of duct tape (强力胶带). The Los Angeles teen was named a finalist last week with the grand prize: a $ 10,000 scholarship.

In the beginning, Karla often spent hours online looking for clothing ideas or different styles. But it wasn't until a recent visit to the J. Paul Getty Museum — the only field trip she took in high school — that she found her inspiration from the 18th-century French paintings, featuring impressive, grand dresses.

“We’ve never made a dress, much less out of duct tape,” Karla said. “We didn’t know how much duct tape we needed. We were just doing it by trial and error.” In the end, the college-bound teen and her mom spent at least 120 hours, over many days, working on the dress, and used l4 rolls of tape.

“Tape is so tough and you can’t move it easily,” Karla said. “It was really challenging to make it all come together.” But the fashion-forward teenager overcame that challenge. Of more than 200 entries to the contest, Karla’s work was selected among the top five, judged for color, quality, originality, and the use of the brand tape.

While it’s Karla’s name officially in the contest, this whole process was more of a collective effort by her family. “It means a lot to me. The $ 10,000 prize would go a long way as I plan to attend a California State University school in August. I wouldn’t want my parents to struggle trying to find a way to pay for it,” Karla said. “It would really help my parents.”

1. What inspired Karla to create the dress?

A．Social media.

B．The encouragement of her mom.

C．Her visit to a museum.

D．The impact of other competitors.

2. How did Karla’s work stand out among the other entries in the contest?

A．It showed great skills and originality.

B．It copied the style of modern paintings.

C．It reflected a variety of fashionable ideas.

D．It used expensive and high-quality materials.

3. Why is winning the contest important for Karla?

A．It’s a recognition of her mom’s efforts.

B．It allows her to find a job in the fashion industry.

C．It ensures her admission into the California college.

D．It saves her parents from struggling to pay for her college.

4. Which of the following can best describe Karla?

A．Creative and considerate.

B．Humorous and hardworking.

C．Responsible and brave.

D．Kind and generous.