1 . It’s ________ me why Alice gave up her job and got married.

A．under

B．above

C．over

D．beyond

2 . Don’t let the child who is ________ go to school.

A．so young as to

B．not old enough to

C．not old enough

D．too young to

3 . A recent research suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) could hold the potential for predicting sudden cardiac (心脏的) death and assessing an individual’s risk to potentially prevent future deaths. This development may mark a novel step towards prevention and global health strategies.

Professor Xavier Jouven, lead author of the study, said, “Sudden cardiac death, a public health burden, represents 10% to 20% of overall deaths. Predicting it is difficult, and the usual approaches fail to identify high-risk people, particularly at an individual level. We proposed a new approach.”

The scientific team employed AI to analyze medical data obtained from registries and databases in Paris, France and Seattle. They examined records of 25,000 individuals who had experienced sudden cardiac arrest and compared them with data from 70,000 people from the general population. The matching process involved age, sex and residential area. Using AI, the scientists created about 25,000 personalized health models to evaluate the data and identify individuals at high risk of sudden cardiac death. Additionally, they established a risk file for each participant in the study.

The AI analysis was able to identify people who had more than 90% of risk dying suddenly, and it can predict about more than one-fourth of all cases of sudden cardiac death. “We have been working for almost 30 years in the field of sudden cardiac death prediction. However, we did not expect to reach such a high level of accuracy,” said Jouven, who is the founder of the Paris Sudden Death Expertise Center.

Jouven added. “While doctors have efficient treatments, the use of AI is necessary to detect in a given subject a succession of medical information registered over the years. We hope that with a personalized list of risk factors, patients will be able to work with their clinicians to reduce those risk factors and ultimately decrease the potential for sudden cardiac death.”

1. What can be known about sudden cardiac death?

A．It is hard to predict and prevent.

B．Researchers still can do nothing about it.

C．It accounts for the highest percentage of all deaths.

D．Old approaches can effectively identify its high-risk people.

2. What does paragraph 3 mainly talk about concerning the research?

A．Its result.

B．Its process.

C．Its purpose.

D．Its participants.

3. How does Jouven feel about the Al analysis?

A．Worried.

B．Amazed.

C．Annoyed.

D．Disappointed.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．The Biggest AI Development in 2024	B．Using AI to Stop Future Cardiac Attack
C．Improved Prediction of Death in Patients	D．Predicting Sudden Cardiac Death Using Al

4 . Jack Prelutsky is an American poet. He is known for his humorous and fantastic poetry for children, which has earned him numerous awards.

Jack Prelutsky was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1940. As a child, he did not enjoy poetry, finding it boring and pointless. Instead, Prelutsky expressed his artistry through music, taking voice and piano lessons. While Prelutsky claims he got into poetry almost by accident, he also states that he was always a poet. It just took him some time to realize his love for poetry.

Prelutsky explored quite a few options before he found his niche in poetry. He was a folk singer and guitar teacher in Greenwich Village in his late teens and early twenties. Prelutsky also held a variety of odd jobs. He worked as a furniture mover, piano mover, taxicab driver, coal shoveler, fruit picker, truck driver and photographer, among other jobs.

At the age of 23, Prelutsky decided to try illustrating. Just before presenting his illustrations to a children’s book editor, he added a few lines of poetry to the pictures. The editor told him that the illustrations were not publishable but the poems showed the talent. Over the next months and years, Prelutsky worked with the editor to create a collection of animal poems inspired by his love of the Bronx Zoo. His first book, entitled A Gopher in the Garden and Other Animal Poems, was published in 1967.

In addition to writing, Prelutsky has edited various poetry collections and translated poetry from German and Swedish into English. He currently resides in Seattle, where he writes and performs his work. Prelutsky is considered one of the most popular children’s poets. His work pioneered a new era of children’s poetry. In 2006, the Poetry Foundation named Jack Prelutsky the first Children’s Poet Laureate, a position designed to promote poetry for children and raise awareness of the power and relevance of poetry for young people.

1. Why did Prelutsky dislike poetry in his early years?

A．It was too difficult.	B．He wasn’t good at it.
C．He thought it meaningless.	D．It took up too much of his time.

2. Which of the following can replace the underlined word “niche” in paragraph 3?

A．Mistake.

B．Dream

C．Comprehension.

D．Interest.

3. How old was Prelutsky when he published his first book?

A．23.

B．27.

C．40.

D．66.

4. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To introduce a poet.	B．To attract poetry lovers.
C．To display some excellent poems.	D．To encourage readers to write poems.

5 . As modern cars continue to add new features, the dashboard can become more and more confusing. A variety of lights, buttons, symbols, and switches aren’t easily decoded without referencing the operating manual (手册): Pressing something as harmless as the air recirculation control can become an exercise in suspense.

Then there’s the “A” button. A relatively new option, its purpose is complex, and you might be worried about activating it. So what does it do?

The A button controls the automatic start-stop system in vehicles. Automatic start-stop functionality was designed for fuel economy and cuts the engine when a car comes to a complete stop. If your vehicle is equipped, you’ll likely notice the engine stopping at red lights or in traffic jams and then revving back up again once you begin to accelerate (加速). Depending on how often you drive, the technology might save you anywhere from 3 percent to 12 percent in fuel costs.

But not everyone is a fan of the feature. When it’s engaged and the engine is off, drivers may have trouble maintaining a comfortable cabin temperature or lose the ability to quickly accelerate when coming onto a highway.

If a vehicle operator wants to disable it, they press the A button. Once the button is engaged, the vehicle’s engine will run uninterrupted. Often, the A button will light up, meaning you’ve elected to disable the function.

The catch? The A button is typically only good for each ride. Every time you start the car, you’ll have to press it to suppress the automatic start-stop function.

Some drivers get into the habit of pushing the A button every time they get in their car; others opt for an aftermarket solution to permanently disable the feature without having to do it during every drive. If you find it disconcerting to have the engine stop every time you're at a light, the A button is the solution.

1. What can be learned from paragraph 1?

A．Cars are becoming more difficult to drive.

B．People can do exercises in cars nowadays.

C．The operating manual is a must for driving.

D．Many new functions are being added to cars.

2. Why is the A button used?

A．To save fuel.

B．To help stop the car.

C．To accelerate the car quickly.

D．To react to traffic lights smartly.

3. What happens if the A button is disabled?

A．The engine is stopped.

B．The A button light is on.

C．The car keeps a constant temperature.

D．The car needs an aftermarket solution.

4. Where is the text most probably taken from?

A．A social survey.	B．A science report.
C．A manual to a car.	D．A magazine about cars.

6 . 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。

For 27 years, Mao Shihua     1     (be) a permanent fixture for the residents of Huangtankou, selling breakfast to schoolchildren from her simple stall (货摊) meters away from a primary school.     2     (fond) nicknamed “Breakfast Nanny”, Mao served food that was both nutritious and cheap. Each item cost just half a yuan,     3     the price was never raised.

Mao’s “day” began at 2 am,     4     she would start preparing the breakfast items. Around 5:30, Mao would ride a tricycle cart to her stall to sell the breakfast, and remained there till 7:30 am.     5     hours of preparing and selling the breakfast, Mao barely made 50 yuan a day. She would often need to dip into her pension (养老金)     6     (cover) costs. Even owners of neighboring stalls would admit that Mao made no money out of her business.

However, Mao didn’t care. The hours she spent serving food to the children living in the mountainous area was the     7     (happy) part of her day.

When 90-year-old Mao died on December 18, 2023, netizens from around the country expressed their     8     (admire) for her and grief over her death, praising her as     9     “ordinary hero”.

In 2019, inspired by Mao, the public service center established the “1-yuan caring breakfast” store. From 7 to 8:30 am every day, the store provides 20 to 30 breakfast sets     10     (price) at 1 yuan for special groups such as sanitation workers and elderly people.

7 . I was waiting in line at the gas bar when two small white cars drove in out of nowhere and _______ right in front of me. I wish I could calmly _______ this new situation, but I can’t. I was overcome with anger.

I got my tank filled up and drove _______ to a snack bar to grab a burger. As I sat in my car _______ an above-average tasty lunch, I was still angry about the gas pump fiends (魔鬼).

Suddenly I remembered something. I was in line at a grocery checkout and my items had been rung up _______ I discovered I had left my card in my car. I apologized and the cashier suggested I go get the card and come back. When I made it through the _______ to her again, she told me my $14 or so in _______ had already been paid for. A young man, who had a young boy with him, seeing my _______, offered to pay for my stuff.

I went into the parking lot to see if I could find my _______. I couldn’t. But as I was about to get into my car, another car ________ beside mine and a young man with a boy got out.

“I heard you were looking for me,” he smiled. “I paid your bill.” I thanked him greatly and apologized for not having any cash on me. ________, my young friend, who had a car older and more ________ than mine, said he didn’t want to be paid back. He was just glad to help out.

He more than ________ the two friends at the gas bar. And I am glad I have my ________ of him and what he ________ did to counteract my anger.

1.

A．broke

B．exploded

C．joined

D．cut

2.

A．cancel

B．accept

C．reject

D．track

3.

A．at random

B．in particular

C．straight

D．slow

4.

A．consuming

B．enjoying

C．buying

D．making

5.

A．until

B．unless

C．before

D．when

6.

A．car

B．line

C．gas bar

D．parking lot

7.

A．purchase

B．reality

C．order

D．place

8.

A．sorrow

B．patience

C．panic

D．curiosity

9.

A．burger

B．fiend

C．cashier

D．donor

10.

A．pulled up

B．passed by

C．drove away

D．pulled out

11.

A．Besides

B．However

C．Therefore

D．Instead

12.

A．expensive

B．insignificant

C．worn-out

D．good-looking

13.

A．met with

B．made up for

C．picked out

D．fit in with

14.

A．memory

B．admiration

C．apology

D．experiment

15.

A．occasionally

B．desperately

C．purposely

D．selflessly

8 . If you’re starting construction on the home of your dreams, consider the benefits of building with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind. Here are a few tips to follow.

Hire the right construction professionals.

Even if you consider yourself handy or a DIY pro, new construction isn’t a project to go at alone. Do your research on local professionals like architects, contractors and others who are experienced in sustainable construction.     1    . You can also read reviews online to gather options before requesting bids or signing contracts.

Start with a sustainable foundation.

    2    . A longer lasting home can begin with strong building materials like insulated concrete forms, such as those from Nudura, which provide superior energy efficiency, sound-proofing and lower utility costs versus traditional wood-frame construction.

    3    

While installing energy-efficient appliances and high-quality windows and doors are obvious examples of eco-friendly materials, there are other solutions to help you go green in your new home. Consider options like countertops made from recycled glass or reclaimed bricks for fireplaces and accent pieces.

Power your home with renewable energy.

If it’s within your budget, you can take your new home to the next level by powering it with renewable energy like solar or wind. Typically installed on the roof, solar panels stop the sun’s rays and convert that energy to power your home.     4    

Prepare for the unexpected.

Project delays, fluctuating costs and more can turn building a new house into an unpredictable process.     5     Be prepared for the unexpected so you aren’t caught off guard. In fact, unanticipated circumstances can sometimes be a good thing, like building materials dropping in price, a new product hitting the market or those flashy eco-friendly appliances going on sale.

A．Select eco-friendly materials.

B．Create a reasonable and flexible budget.

C．Contact trusted friends, family and neighbors for references.

D．Constructing a sustainable home starts with the foundation.

E．You may save money in the long-run on electricity bills.

F．Don’t let potential surprises stop you seeking your dream space or forever home.

G．They even provide architects greater design flexibility to build your dream home.

9 . At age 10, McCullough got a glimpse of her dream job. It sparkled in the eyes of the Packard Children’s nurses who cared for her brother Matthew, who had brain cancer. As a child, McCullough spent hours at her brother’s bedside. “I looked up to the nurses. I found their unconditional commitment to my brother’s care remarkable,” McCullough says.

As a young girl, McCullough practiced nursing by caring for her brother, a desire born out of her intense love for him. She would rub his back, bring him drinks, and even help adjust his lines. She was a natural. Her parents said that she was very caring and always put people first from a young age.

When Matthew passed away, McCullough became even more committed to becoming a nurse. She took steps through the years to make her dream come true. In high school, she volunteered at cancer centers and hospitals. “My becoming a nurse is 100% in honor of Matt. I felt the need to channel my grief and turn that tragic moment into something positive,” McCullough says.

Over time, McCullough realized that she didn’t just want to be a nurse. She wanted to be a pediatric oncology (儿科肿瘤) nurse at Packard Children’s. McCullough wanted to give back to the hospital that had done so much for her brother.

Despite feeling like school never came easy, McCullough persisted (坚持) and got into a respected nursing school. She feels like she worked 10 times harder than other nursing students at the university. She traded going out and spending time with friends for the library.

In college, each step brought McCullough closer to her dream. She worked as a nursing assistant at Stanford Health Care for adults with cancer. Then, she transferred to Packard Children’s and worked as a nursing assistant in the Pediatric Transplant Center.

Today, She’s a nurse on the same unit that cared for her brother years ago. She is one of those nurses she admired so much as a child. She finds the time, even on very busy days, to truly be there for patients and families to make them feel loved and welcomed.

1. What makes McCullough want to be a nurse?

A．Her love for her brother.

B．The pain of cancer patients.

C．Her natural ability of nursing.

D．The desire to give back to society.

2. What is known about McCullough’s college life?

A．She began to work for her dream.

B．She volunteered at cancer centers.

C．She became a nursing assistant for children.

D．She spent much time with friends in the library.

3. What words can be used to describe McCullough?

A．Changeable and respectable.

B．Hardworking and demanding.

C．Professional and adventurous.

D．Considerate and persistent.

4. What can be learned from the text?

A．God helps those who help themselves.

B．Where there is a will there is a way.

C．Behind bad luck comes good luck.

D．He who laughs last laughs best.

10 . 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。

Wang Yaping, China’s second female astronaut who is now on a six-month mission on board the country’s space station, has recently recorded a video message for the United Nations office,     1     (send) her greetings to women around the world.

She said there are no significant differences in the ability of the sexes to adapt and work in space. “I hope all girls who are     2     (passion) about space guard your dreams. In space     3     (explore), women can complete the same training and assessment as men.     4     is predictable that more women will participate in manned spaceflight missions. It will have a very important impact     5     human exploring space. Although our nationalities, ethnicities and     6     (occupation) are different, we are making the world more lively, more harmonious and     7     (warm). I’d like to take this opportunity to thank every female for their selfless devotion,” she said.

Wang went into space on board the Shenzhou-13 Spaceship and entered the space station on Oct. 16, 2021, boarding on the six-month space mission. Wang     8     (be) in orbit for more than 130 days, with Wang setting a record for the most days in space by a Chinese astronaut.

On June 20, 2013,     9     Wang took her first space mission in the Shenzhou-10 Spaceship, she     10     (deliver) a 40-minute open class, China’s first live space lecture, to school children nationwide.