1 . What do you say when your boss propose a programme you think is impractical? How do you decide whether it’s worth speaking up? And if you do, what exactly should you say?     1    

Decide whether to wait. Consider whether it’s best to wait before expressing your opinion. Maybe you haven’t fully thought through the problem yet. Maybe you want to know what other people think.     2     They can offer information to your thinking, which would help you have a better understanding of the whole issue.

Find common ground. Before you share your thoughts, understand the goals of your boss.     3     It may be the reputation of the team. It may be to get a project done on time. You’re more likely to be heard if you have a shared goal with your boss.

Stay calm. You might feel your heart racing or your face turning red. When you seem anxious, it weakens the message you’re conveying.     4     Thus your boss will have to choose which signals to read. Do whatever you can to remain calm.

    5     Emphasize that you’re only offering your opinion, not absolute truth. It may be a well-researched opinion, but it’s still an opinion. Instead of saying: “If we set an end-of -quarter deadline, we will never make it,” say, “This is just my opinion, but I don’t see how we will make that deadline.” Tell your boss that this is your point of view, and be open to other views.

A．Stay humble.

B．Consider the risks.

C．Ask permission to disagree.

D．You may even send a mixed message.

E．Seeking opinions from others is helpful.

F．Think about what your boss cares about.

G．Here are tips on how to show your disagreement.

2 . In the digital world of endless comparisons, a thought-inspiring study by a team at Ruhr University Bochum reveals a surprising truth: materialism (物质主义) on social media adds stress and reduces happiness. This research, conducted through an online survey of over 1,200 participants, highlights the unique way social media causes materialistic attitudes and the subsequent impact on mental health.

Conducted with a diverse group of participants, the survey analyzed the social media behaviors and psychological states of individuals, focusing on their materialistic posts. The study employed six questionnaires to understand the participants’ materialistic attitudes, social media habits, stress levels, and life satisfaction. The participants, averaging over two hours a day on social media, revealed a clear pattern: higher levels of materialism on social media are associated with lower life satisfaction, increased stress symptoms, and a higher risk of social media addiction.

The study’s implications extend beyond numbers and charts. It suggests a worrying trend where individuals seeking validation (肯定) through materialistic displays on social media might be sacrificing their mental peace and happiness. Social media addiction is characterized by frequent use of social media platforms, often at the expense of other activities. Stress symptoms can range from anxiety to physical signs like headaches or tiredness. What’s clear is that social media may cause far more harm to users than good.

While the study acknowledges the risks associated with social media, especially for materialistic individuals, Dr. Ozimek, a psychologist, advises against completely abandoning these platforms.

Instead, he suggests a balanced approach of various activities to avoid comparison. Researchers also propose incorporating materialism and social media usage assessments in mental health treatment. Recognizing these factors as potential starting points for interventions offers new methods for addressing modern-day mental health challenges.

1. What does the survey find about the materialistic posts?

A．They produce high life satisfaction.

B．They help to ease stress symptoms.

C．They lead to social media addiction.

D．They bring about high consumption patterns.

2. What is one phenomenon discovered by the study?

A．Some people avoid too much use of social media.

B．Some people try to seek the good of online displays.

C．Some people undervalue mental peace and happiness.

D．Some people pursue recognition through online material shows.

3. What does Dr. Ozimek suggest?

A．Abandoning social media platforms.	B．Keeping a balance among various activities.
C．Assessing social media posts objectively.	D．Searching for potential interventions.

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

A．Turn to Rich Life for Growth

B．Assess Real Life for Mental Health

C．Materialism on Social Media Decreases Happiness

D．Understanding of Materialism Differs among Individuals

3 . A rare snowstorm blanketed our city and transformed it into a magical scene: the square resembled a moonscape, monuments took on an alien appearance, and buildings appeared like castles in the clouds. When I awoke to this sight, I immediately ran outside to build a snowman. Exhausted, I fell onto the ground with my arms and legs spread out. Then I noticed I had an audience—a well-dressed couple observing me with their unspoken question: Don’t you have anything better to do?

A middle-age woman playing by herself in the snow seems strange, but perhaps it shouldn’t be. Recent research suggests that modern adults suppress their human desire to play, and that’s causing all kinds of problems. “The opposite of play isn’t work; it’s depression,” says psychiatrist and play researcher Stuart Brown. “The lack of playfulness is becoming a public health crisis.”

Last summer, scientists found that for mammals, play may be as essential as the need for sleep. The play drive starts in the brain stem—one of the oldest parts of our nervous system. Moreover, adult play has been linked to important discoveries throughout history. Deep in our evolutionary history, a playful early human came up with the concept of stone tools. Even today, the urge to play inspires most of humanity’ s greatest inventions, artworks, and scientific breakthroughs. “When I interviewed Nobel winners, I was struck by how most of them didn’t separate work and play. Their labs were their playgrounds,” says Brown.

Unfortunately, social norms (准则) hold back our urge to let loose. “Being a playful adult is shameful in our society,” says Brown. “You don’t want to feel irresponsible. You don’t want people to think that you’re childish.” Yet, there is hope that playfulness could make a comeback in modern society as we are shifting to a knowledge-based economy. At companies like Apple, workers are encouraged to chat freely during coffee breaks. They understand the value of encouraging adults to play. In the face of global challenges such as climate change, having a playful mindset may be crucial for creative problem-solving and cooperation.

The next time I’m caught playing, I know exactly what I’ll say: “I am not wasting time, or acting immature. I’m playing around for the benefit of all humanity. You’re welcome.”

1. Why does the author mention her personal story in paragraph 1?

A．To introduce the topic of adult play.

B．To illustrate her deep affection for snow.

C．To talk about how unfriendly the couple were.

D．To highlight the city’s magical transformation.

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

A．Encourage.

B．Share.

C．Create.

D．Control.

3. What is paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．Different attitudes to adult play.	B．The significance of adult play.
C．Ways to balance work and play.	D．The reasons for adults lacking play.

4. What is the author’s attitude to adult play in knowledge-based economy?

A．Supportive.

B．Cautious.

C．Unconcerned.

D．Neutral.

4 . There are robot cleaners and robot mops to help us around the house, so why not a robot to build our houses? Wait no longer. Now there is a set of electronics to do just that, build a house from scratch, and fast.

Forget weeks to find a builder and months for house construction; a machine developed in the United States can build a 232 sqm house layer by layer in a single day. University of Southern California’s Professor Behrokh Khoshnevis has designed the giant robot that replaces construction workers with a mouth on an arm of crane, which spits out concrete and can quickly build a house according to a computer pattern. The technology, known as Contour (轮廓) Crafting, could revolutionise the construction industry.

Contour Crafting could greatly decrease the cost of homeowning, making it possible for millions of displaced people to get on the property ladder. It could even be used in disaster relief areas to build emergency and replacement housing. As Prof. Khoshnevis points out, if we look around almost everything is made automatically these days—shoes, clothes, home appliances, cars. The only thing that is still built by hand are buildings.

The Contour Crafting system is a robot that automates age-old tools normally used by hand. These are applied by a robotic crane that builds a three-dimensional object. The nature of the technology means it will also be possible to create curved walls and architecture that is both “exotic (异国情调的) and beautiful” according to Prof Khoshnevis. As a result, it could be ideal to print out expensive houses according to customers’ demands.

Furthermore, Prof. Khoshnevis believes that the technology could be applied beyond our planet. “Contour Crafting technology has the potential to build safe, reliable, and affordable structures, habitats, laboratories, and other facilities on the moon and Mars before the arrival of human beings,” his website reads.

According to the International Labour Organisation, construction employs nearly 110 million people worldwide and “plays a major role in fighting the high levels of unemployment and in absorbing extra labour from the rural areas”. What the implications are for builders is, of course, a major concern. But Khoshnevis says “the reality is that a lot of new jobs can be created in this field as well”. Instead of building the house, workmen are used to maintain the machine.

1. Which advantage does the giant robot have for the consumers?

A．It saves a great deal of time.	B．It decorates houses beautifully.
C．It provides energy-saving apartments.	D．It builds environmentally-friendly houses.

2. The underlined part “to get on the property ladder” in Paragraph 3 means “______”.

A．to print objects	B．to purchase a house
C．to predict disasters	D．to accumulate wealth

3. The new construction technology can satisfy the needs of ______.

A．low-income residents	B．people at different income levels
C．middle-income people	D．wealthy immigrants

4. What influence will Contour Crafting have on construction industry?

A．Many construction workers will lose jobs.

B．Professionals will be hired to make robot builders.

C．More rural people will engage in construction.

D．Construction workers will update their skills.

5 . 阅读下面的材料，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。

As I approached my fortieth birthday, I realized that my life was quite meaningless in the larger scheme of things. I had friends and a loving husband and yet something was missing. With no children, I felt that I hadn’t done anything that would help mankind or change the world. I would have no legacy to leave.

One day I was watching TV and I thought of my desire. It was to be someone who mattered. I wanted to make a difference in the lives of people and in the lives of animals. After all, dogs had always been a large part of my life, from the time when I was a little girl growing up in central Oklahoma. I thought that my “purpose” would somehow include my love of singing, writing, travel, and of course, working with animals.

Then, something happened that shook my entire core. The “love of my life” dog, my Nicholas, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He died thirteen months later. I became quite concerned for Bear, our remaining dog, who was six years old. Bear had been Nicholas’s shadow and now that Nicholas was gone, Bear wouldn’t even eat. Our vet suggested that we get another dog to see if that would encourage Bear to eat.

I found an online advertisement for a Bichon Frise （卷毛比熊犬） and when we arrived at the place, it was a nightmare, like one of those puppy mills （工厂） you read about or see on the television news. I decided to delay my search for my “purpose” as I needed to tell the world about the horror I had discovered right in my own backyard.

I had even a bigger fight ahead of me than Nicholas’s cancer. This was a fight that would take years. I did research and then I spread the word on the Internet. People began to listen and we formed a small group of Bichon Frise lovers called Small Paws Rescue.

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。

I started out sending the latest news on our rescue efforts to about twenty-five people.\

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

My achievement made me reflect on the past.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6 . Health, as the old saying goes, is over wealth, so it’s of great significance to keep fit. You can take away our money, our house, or our clothes and we can survive.     1     That is why I eat healthfully, exercise regularly, and keep up my social life.

Eating healthfully is important to maintain one’s health. I try to avoid foods high in fat like French fries or cookies. I also try to limit the amount of animal protein I consume.     2     So, it is important to know how to cook these foods so that the nutrients are not lost in the cooking process.

Our muscles must continue to be strong to support our body as we age. Exercise helps the bones build density and helps us maintain our posture.     3     A regular exercise program of cardiovascular training and weight training is an important part of keeping us healthy.

    4     Studies have shown that people with a wide range of social contacts get fewer colds and recover faster from diseases than those who aren’t socially active. For the sake of health, I like to play and interact with my friends and I always feel better when I am with them than when I am alone.

By eating properly and exercising regularly, I can keep my body at an appropriate weight and can maintain my health. By spending time with my friends, I can keep my mind as well as my body happy.     5    

A．It can also strengthen our muscles.

B．Take away our health and we will die.

C．Friends are an important part of one’s health.

D．These are my three secrets to keeping a healthy lifestyle.

E．Besides, I always stay away from junk food which lacks nutrients.

F．By joining in relaxing activities, I can refresh myself to study well.

G．Instead, I eat lots of vegetables and fruit which are rich in fiber and vitamins.

7 . 语义匹配

A food additive is any substance that is added to food. Many people are put off by the idea of “chemicals in food”. The truth is that all food is made up of chemicals. Natural substances like milk, as well as man-made ones like drinks on sale in the market, can be described by chemical formulas. Some chemical substances are indeed harmful, but a person who refuses to consume any chemicals would find nothing to eat.

The things we eat can be divided into natural and man-made substances. Some people feel that only natural foods are healthy and that all man-made ingredients are to be eliminated. But many natural chemicals, found in plants and animals, are harmful when eaten, and some laboratory-made substances increase the nutritional value of food. Other chemicals have natural and man-made forms that are exactly alike: vitamin C is vitamin C, whether it comes from a test tube or from an orange.

1.

A．abuse

B．addition

C．emission

D．policy

2.

A．involved in

B．switched off

C．disgusted with

D．given off

3.

A．absorb

B．release

C．enhance

D．digest

4.

A．withdrawn

B．resisted

C．avoided

D．deleted

5.

A．motive

B．magic

C．desire

D．usefulness

8 . Running marathons is quite a challenge. Yet for Simon Wheatcroft, who ______ his sight at 18, there’s an extra difficulty. However, Simon, now 29, has not only been ______ in marathons for the past two years with the help of ______ runners but has also learned to run alone outdoors.

Simon’s unique ______ involved slowly memorizing a five-kilometre route by repeatedly walking it alone. He used a smartphone app that ______ audio feedback on his pace and distance. It helped him build a mental map of the route and its ______. “I did make a few ______ early on — like running into posts. But I’m going to ______ where that is next time,” he laughs.

At first running was a challenge that required great ______ for Simon. However, it has now become more natural for him. Compared with most runners, he ______ his running style to be more cautious, using shorter and more careful steps to sense the surroundings.

Despite risks of ______ obstacles, Simon values the freedom and ______ running gives him. He believes what he gets from running alone far outweigh any dangers, which has ______ his confidence and provided inspiration to others.

But for Simon the real motivation for his training come from simply ______ competition, giving him an ______ to run with everyone. “I can’t hide the fact I’m blind,” he says, “but meanwhile I would rather compete with everybody else and not be put into a special group.”

1.

A．caught

B．kept

C．set

D．lost

2.

A．competing

B．learning

C．running

D．working

3.

A．volunteer

B．guide

C．competitor

D．top

4.

A．difficulty

B．advantage

C．approach

D．concern

5.

A．provided

B．recorded

C．analyzed

D．received

6.

A．features

B．highlights

C．obstacles

D．landmarks

7.

A．adventures

B．mistakes

C．trips

D．points

8.

A．come across

B．figure out

C．walk into

D．map out

9.

A．concentration

B．ability

C．memory

D．determination

10.

A．recognized

B．adapted

C．described

D．developed

11.

A．dangerous

B．physical

C．unexpected

D．mental

12.

A．independence

B．motivation

C．happiness

D．strength

13.

A．shown

B．developed

C．won

D．shaken

14.

A．fierce

B．friendly

C．casual

D．equal

15.

A．advantage

B．inspiration

C．opportunity

D．objective

9 . One day a small gap appeared in the cocoon (茧), through which the butterfly would come out. A boy, who _______ passed by, stopped and watched how the butterfly was trying to _________ of the cocoon. It _________ several hours. The butterfly was trying very hard, but the _________ was as little as before. It seemed that the power would _______ the butterfly soon.

The boy decided to _________ the butterfly. He took a penknife and cut the cocoon. The butterfly immediately came out, but it was very small and _________, and the wings were _________ moving.

The boy continued to _________ the butterfly, thinking that now its wings would __________ and it would fly. ________, that did not happen.

The rest of its life the butterfly had to drag its weak body and wings that wouldn’t unfold. It was unable to fly because the boy did not realize that a(an) __________ to force itself through the narrow gap of the cocoon was __________ for the butterfly, so that the life-giving fluid would move from the body to the butterfly’s wings and that the butterfly could fly. Life forced the butterfly to leave its shell so hard that it would gain the ________ to grow and develop.

Just like the butterfly, if we were allowed to live without meeting difficulties, we would not survive. Life gives us __________ to make us braver and stronger.

1.

A．independently

B．joyfully

C．accidentally

D．absolutely

2.

A．give out

B．get out

C．work out

D．take out

3.

A．saved

B．wasted

C．lost

D．took

4.

A．entry

B．escape

C．gap

D．vigour

5.

A．leave

B．trip

C．leap

D．settle

6.

A．check

B．help

C．move

D．cure

7.

A．neat

B．scared

C．soft

D．weak

8.

A．barely

B．slowly

C．suddenly

D．sharply

9.

A．tend

B．restore

C．defend

D．observe

10.

A．divide

B．perform

C．spread

D．gather

11.

A．Thus

B．Instead

C．However

D．Meanwhile

12.

A．talent

B．effort

C．motivation

D．approach

13.

A．essential

B．rewarding

C．flexible

D．cruel

14.

A．fortune

B．assistance

C．guidance

D．power

15.

A．challenges

B．accidents

C．chaos

D．restrictions

10 . Hope to have a cultural trip? Why not try these biggest and best exhibitions around the world?

Acts of Creation

The pains and joys of motherhood are not always described with as much care and detail as in this exhibition. With over 100 artworks by over 60 artists, three themes of motherhood — creation, maintenance and loss — will be explored through paintings, photographs, sculptures, sound and films.

Time: Until November 12

Location: Midlands Arts Centre, Bristol

From the Other Side

An exhibition on horror? It might not sound a good one for those who are not brave. However, you needn’t worry: this collection is far different from scary paintings. Instead, these artworks of 19 Australian artists aim to raise questions about horror in the women’s views.

Time: Until December 23

Location: ACCA, Melbourne

Modes and Characters

This museum exhibition is taking a look at the history of modern graphic design and explores how computer-based publishing technology has changed the world of design. Special focus is given to the work of Japanese designers and Japan’s different graphic culture, with individual exhibits ranging from magazine covers to the posters seen on trains.

Time: Until October 30

Location: 21 Design Sight, Tokyo

Hip Hop and Contemporary Art

Hip hop has had an influence on culture over the last 50 years, and this exhibition is taking a deep dive into its history. It ranges from fashion and photography to video and sculpture. Highlights include a large-scale installation from Lauren Halsey, the work of artist Hank Thomas, and photographs from Deana Lawson.

Time: November 5

Location: Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto

1. Where do the artists for the exhibition on horror come from?

A．England.

B．Australia.

C．Japan.

D．Canada.

2. What is the theme of Modes and Characters?

A．The technology of computer.	B．The contribution of Japanese designers.
C．The history of modern graphic design.	D．The importance of magazine covers.

3. Which exhibition should one attend for a knowledge of hip hop culture?

A．Acts of Creation.	B．From the Other Side.
C．Modes and Characters.	D．Hip Hop and Contemporary Art.