1 . A planet that suffers 475 C beneath a thick acid atmosphere may be the last place you'd expect alien (外星的) life in our solar system. But one NASA scientist claims that extraterrestrials (天外来客) are most likely hiding on Venus amid conditions that are unbearable for humans. The new theory was put forward by the research scientist Dr Michelle Thaller. She says that possible signs of life have already been seen within the carbon-dioxide filled atmosphere, adding that she was absolutely certain that life exists somewhere.

Venus is often described as Earth's twin due to its similar size and structure. But their conditions couldn't be further apart, as astronomers believe it would be impossible for humans to exist on Venus. Positioned 67 million miles from the Sun, Venus is the hottest planet in our solar system, suffering temperatures that can even melt lead. Its atmosphere also adds to the uninhabitable situation.

Despite this, scientists have long debated whether Venus' clouds may host microbial (微生物的) life forms that can survive. Many scientists think that photosynthesis (光合作用) is possible on the planet's surface as Venus receives enough solar energy to pass through its thick clouds.

However, Professor Dominic Papineau, a biologist at the University College of London, believes Dr Thaller's views are “difficult to realistically assume”. He explained, “For life-related chemical reactions to take place, liquid water is necessary. Hence, to find extraterrestrial life, we need to find liquid water, and to find extraterrestrial fossils requires looking for special rocks that were associated with liquid water in the past.”

This makes life on Venus today difficult to realistically assume, because its surface is too hot, although Venus might have had liquid water in its past. Even still, both Professor Papineau and Dr Thaller agree that the icy moons of our solar system could also be sites of potential microbial life. NASA suggests there are 290 “traditional moons” in our solar system-excluding 462 smaller minor planets.

1. What can we know about Venus?

A．Its atmosphere is thin acidic.

B．It is much bigger than Earth.

C．It is 77 million miles from the Sun.

D．Venus and Earth are considered as twins.

2. Which statement would Papineau agree with?

A．Photosynthesis can happen on Venus's surface.

B．Thick clouds make photosynthesis in Venus hard.

C．Liquid water is important for the extraterrestrials.

D．Some rocks can prove life exists on Venus.

3. What can we know from the last paragraph?

A．The surface temperature of Venus is high.

B．It's very easy to confirm life on Venus.

C．Venus might have liquid water now.

D．Many icy moons go around Venus.

4. In which section of a newspaper can you find this text?

A．Education.

B．Science.

C．Culture.

D．Sports.

2 . Recent years have seen a small increase in unemployment rates due to slowing of the economy. The fact that many college graduates are finding it difficult to land a job has sparked online discussions on the cost of education and the returns on it, with many agreeing with the notion that “education is useless”.

Stories like a person with a doctorate’s degree from Zhejiang University is delivering food, and overseas-returned graduates are selling hot-pot ingredients have caused many to question the value of education. Moreover, the fact that about 36,000 fewer candidates have applied to take the postgraduate exam in 2024, the first decline in numbers in years, has also fueled the “education is useless theory.

Is education truly worthless? This question has resurfaced due to several factors.

The wide spread of higher education has significantly increased the number of college graduates, reducing the value of college degrees. As the job market becomes over-crowded with graduates, the scarcity of high-level talents has become apparent, particularly in fields such as the humanities. For example, more than 900 institutions in China offer English major, making it the most common degree program, yet there’s a shortage of top talents who are proficient in English and have a good knowledge about the differences in Chinese and foreign approach to fields such as international relations and journalism.

The declining returns on the investment in education have given rise to the “education is useless” theory. Given the challenging job market, many believe college education does not guarantee any sort of employment, let alone a suitable job. And with various economic opportunities available, the notion that one can become financially successful even without formal education is becoming increasingly acceptable.

In light of these developments, combined efforts need to be made to change the situation. For instance, universities must take measures to integrate education, research and industry, while enhancing cooperation with enterprises through tailored talent training programs. Additionally, the authorities need to pay greater attention to vocational education, an important part of China’s educational system. Students, parents and society, on their part, should abandon their bias against vocational training, because it integrates education with career prospects throughout the learning process, offering targeted, technical and practical training which allows students to master their skills which can get them well-paying jobs in the future.

Developing a correct view of employment and career choice is key to abandoning the notion of “education being useless”. People, especially students, must understand the current employment landscape, their positioning, and strengths and weaknesses. While realizing that a college degree is no longer a ticket to employment, college students should leverage education resources to enrich their professional knowledge and competitiveness. And youths should approach vocational education with an open mind in order to make the most of what the job market has to offer.

Education is not synonymous with earning money, nor does a college degree guarantee financial success. The value of education is knowledge, which we need to make informed decisions not only in our professional life but also in our social and other fields of life.

1. What are the main reasons for the recent rise in the belief that ”education is useless”?

A．Economic slowdown and job scarcity.

B．Sad stories about educated individuals.

C．Decline in postgraduate exam applicants.

D．Emphasis on practical skills over qualifications.

2. How can universities contribute to improving the current situation?

A．By focusing solely on academic research.

B．By integrating education, research, and industry.

C．By ignoring cooperation with enterprises.

D．By eliminating vocational education courses.

3. The underlined word leverage in paragraph 7 can be best replaced by___________.

A．limit

B．abandon

C．balance

D．maximize

4. What is the author’s attitude towards the development of vocational education?

A．Negative and pessimistic	B．Positive and supportive
C．Balanced and objective	D．Unclear and ambiguous

3 . When I was a little boy growing up, my Mom, Dad, brothers and I lived in my Nana’s old house. It was surrounded by four huge vegetable gardens. And around the house so many flowers were planted. It was so beautiful there in the spring and summer. That wasn’t all, though. On the back porch Nana had dozens of potted plants hanging on hooks. She watered them, talked to them and nurtured them. And in the winter she would carry them all inside and set them on shelves near the windows of our enclosed front porch. There with a little water and a lot of love she kept them alive, green, and growing even during the coldest, darkest months.

As a boy I was puzzled by all the effort she put into them. I understood the vegetable gardens. They helped to feed the family all winter long. I even understood the flowers around the house. They were pretty and smelled so sweet in the summer months. The reason she put so much effort into caring for those potted plants, however, eluded me. They didn’t give us any food and they rarely had any flowers on them. They remained a mystery to my child’s mind.

Now as I’ve grown older I am beginning to understand why my Nana had those potted plants. It is the same reason I have so many pictures of sunrises and forests hanging in my home. They remind me during the dark, cold, winter months full of bare trees and yellow grass that light, love, and growth still exist. They remind me that Spring will come again. They remind me that God loves us and is still with us even when the earth doesn’t show it.

Today I see Nana’s potted plants in a new light. They are worth every bit of the love and care she put into them. But what tells me most about light and love is Nana herself. She is light to my soul even in my darkest times. And her love lives on in my heart even if she is in Heaven. May we all learn to love as she loved, shine as she shined, and live as she lived.

1. Which of the following is close in meaning to the underlined word “eluded” in paragraph 2?

A．Upset.

B．Misguided.

C．Confused.

D．Distracted.

2. Why was Nana fond of potted plants?

A．They were a sign of hope.	B．They resembled sunrise and forests.
C．They constantly kept Nana company.	D．They were portable and easy to nurture.

3. What is the author’s purpose of writing the passage?

A．To advocate growing potted plants.	B．To sing the praise of Nana’s spirit and love.
C．To stress the benefits of a positive lifestyle.	D．To recall beautiful memories spent with Nana.

4. What’s the type of the passage?

A．A non-fiction.	B．A book review.
C．An agricultural leaflet.	D．A celebrity biography.

4 . A brown and dry lawn is not something many gardeners would boast about. But that is exactly the kind of yard competition organizers in Sweden were looking for when they launched the prize for the “World’s Ugliest Lawn”. People from around the world were invited to post pictures of their dehydrated(脱水的)grass to social media in a bid to win the uncertain honor.

The intention, according to those behind the project, was to raise awareness of “saving water on a global scale by changing the norm for green lawns”. Lawns, which can require large amounts of water to maintain, are coming under increasing examination as climate change makes periods of drought more frequent and intense.

The global initiative was launched on the official website for Gotland in Sweden. “Huge amounts of water are used to water lawns for aesthetics(美学). As the world gets warmer, lack of water in urban areas is projected to affect up to 2.4 billion people by 2050. By not watering lawns for aesthetic reasons, we can protect the availability of groundwater,” the competition organizers said.

The unlikely title has been awarded to Kathleen Murray who lives in Sandford in Tasmania, Australia. According to the organizers, Murray’s lawn “boasts deep and dry divots created by three wild bandicoots(袋狸)and not one dust-covered decimeter is wasted on watering”. Murray said in the press release about her triumph, “I am terribly proud! I knew I would have my 5 minutes of fame, even if it was for having the ugliest lawn on the planet! I am now free of ever taking care of my lawn again.”

A press release by the Gotland, office added, “For the planet and its declining stockpiles of life-giving liquid, thank you, Kathleen, as well as those naughty bandicoots damaging your lawn for the greater good.” Organizers added, “Gotland aims to show to Sweden and the world that sustainable behavior doesn’t have to be dull.”

1. What can we say about the yard competition organized in Sweden?

A．People had even doubted its authenticity.

B．People worldwide were unwilling to join.

C．Its participants must be professional gardeners.

D．Its entries must agree with the existing aesthetics.

2. What is the purpose of this yard competition?

A．To call on people to protect lawns.	B．To encourage people to be creative.
C．To challenge the norm of aesthetics.	D．To remind people of water shortage.

3. What does the underlined word “triumph” in paragraph 4 mean?

A．Ambition.

B．Success.

C．Sorrow.

D．Barrier.

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

A．People’s Whelming Reaction To A Yard Contest In Sweden

B．Lawns And Rare Bandicoots Calling For Urgent Protection

C．A Lawn Named The Ugliest Globally All For A Good Cause

D．The World’s Ugliest Lawn Unaccepted By The Whole World

5 . Lexi is just a little girl from Canada who found herself in a heart-stopping situation. It started off as a normal car trip. Angela Shymanski, Lexi’s mom, was at the wheel, navigating the tricky roads of the Rockies with her daughter Lexi and her baby Peter in the car. An unexpected animal ran into the road. Angela swerved (突然转向) to avoid the animal. Unfortunately, their car was off the road, falling down a steep embankment (路堤).

The crash was nothing short of terrifying. Angela ended up with a broken back. She was unconscious, and unable to help her babies. Meanwhile, baby Peter’s cries echoed in the chaos. But Lexi, only five years old, didn’t freeze. Instead, she showed courage that would leave many grown-ups in awe.

She quickly jumped into action. The little girl, without even shoes on her feet, wrestled free from her seatbelt and climbed the 40-foot embankment. Once she reached the top, Lexi did everything she could to flag down a passing car in order to get help for her mom and brother.

Lexi’s insistence finally paid off. A car stopped, and the people inside didn’t hesitate to help her call for emergency services. When the paramedics (护理人员) arrived, they found Angela in a severe state, and her heart had stopped. Thankfully, they managed to bring her back.

Lexi’s dad, reflecting on the incident, couldn’t help but be amazed by his daughter’s bravery. He stressed how important it is for kids to be prepared for emergencies, shocked at how Lexi remembered and acted on what she had been taught. It’s a powerful reminder of what kids can do when push comes to shove.

And Lexi’s heroism didn’t go unnoticed. She was awarded a Bronze Medal for Bravery by the police. But for the Shymanskis, the real prize was being back in each other’s arms, safe and sound.

1. What caused the accident?

A．The tough road.	B．The children’s noise.
C．A car that suddenly swerved.	D．An animal appearing suddenly.

2. What was Lexi’s first move after the accident?

A．Putting on her shoes.	B．Managing to get out of the car.
C．Flagging down a passing car.	D．Scaling the 40-foot embankment.

3. What can we learn about Lexi from paragraph 5?

A．Her heroic action deserved recognition.	B．Her dad knew her daughter well enough.
C．She had learned how to deal with emergencies.	D．It was important for her to face some emergencies.

4. Which of the following can best describe Lexi?

A．Brave and honest.	B．Calm and courageous.
C．Thoughtful but stubborn.	D．Caring but naughty.

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。

China’s two elite science and technology institutes on Wednesday announced their results for the new academicians, offering 133 top scientists and scholars nationwide the    1    (high) academic title in the country. The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has selected 59 new academicians     2    the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) has selected 74.

The new academicians are from various fields,    3    (cover) subjects from space technologies to geology, and from medical and life sciences to agriculture and petrochemicals. The average age of the 59    4    (new) elected academicians of the CAS is 54.7 years old,    5     90 percent of them below the age of 60. Five of the 59 academicians are female scientists. Among the 74 academician newcomers at the CAE, 81 percent are below the age of 60.

Yan Ning, head of the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation and a renowned structural biologist     6    works at Tsinghua University’s School of Life Sciences, was selected as    7    CAS academician. Yan, 45, also    8    (write) as Nieng Yan in professional circles,    9    (be) a scientist on the rise in recent years after she left Tsinghua in 2017 to become a professor at Princeton University in the United States where she received her PhD, and returned last year to Tsinghua. She was the youngest professor and PhD     10    (advise)at Tsinghua.

7 . “But I want that blue car!”

The blue car didn’t make it through our checkout line. The tears_________up and streamed down this four-year-old face. I was overwhelmed with_________by the noisy scene we created. I wanted more than anything to_________this screaming child and charge out of there, child under my arm, marching him straight out of the_________and into the car. But I couldn’t do that.

A car accident in my teens left me paralysed (瘫痪) from the chest down. From sixteen on I was_________to create a life with my wheelchair. I relied heavily on my stubbornness and will to do things _________I even accomplished more than I would have done in my long-lost _________world.

It wasn’t until having children that my abandon to independence was forced to_________reasonable and cautious behavior. It was no longer just me that had to own up to the _________of my actions. So like any good Darwinian, I have forced myself to__________.

Kneeling down, I tried my hardest to__________that we were buying groceries and not race cars, but __________.Whether you are Mother Teresa or Judge Judy, sometimes you will not__________a four-year-old over. The kicking and screaming __________with the growing line of shoppers behind.

Becoming a__________, who uses a wheelchair comes with its bumps and bruises(磕磕碰碰) .__________, I’ve learned how to navigate with love and adaptation and be a great__________ to my children.

So, I tried again with a smile. I touched my now __________child’s forehead, from all of the rage and exhaustion of the moment. His wet eyes looked at me like I was the__________person on the planet. But his outburst stopped. And, I__________to get him out the store doors and into his car seat.

1.

A．broke

B．welled

C．went

D．joined

2.

A．embarrassment

B．disappointment

C．fright

D．amusement

3.

A．hand over

B．hold on to

C．pick up

D．throw away

4.

A．nursery

B．office

C．store

D．hospital

5.

A．permitted

B．recommended

C．expected

D．forced

6.

A．repeatedly

B．casually

C．cautiously

D．independently

7.

A．panic-stricken

B．able-bodied

C．carefree

D．misshaped

8.

A．refer to

B．conflict with

C．keep away from

D．make room for

9.

A．consequences

B．availabilities

C．courses

D．intentions

10.

A．approach

B．apologize

C．adapt

D．follow

11.

A．reflect

B．explain

C．admit

D．contradict

12.

A．in detail

B．on demand

C．on agreement

D．in vain

13.

A．win

B．take

C．watch

D．get

14.

A．worked

B．continued

C．faded

D．returned

15.

A．mom

B．babysitter

C．shopper

D．victim

16.

A．Meanwhile

B．Moreover

C．However

D．Otherwise

17.

A．experience

B．example

C．partner

D．leader

18.

A．aggressive

B．lovely

C．sweaty

D．cheerful

19.

A．most desperate

B．most caring

C．greatest

D．worst

20.

A．promised

B．struggled

C．prepared

D．managed

8 . We asked dental professionals to answer five basic questions about how to care for our teeth and keep them healthy. Here’s what they had to say.

How often should I really brush my teeth?

    1    Brushing helps remove plaque, which is the accumulation of biofilms containing microorganisms stuck to your teeth. By brushing each tooth slightly with your brush at a 45-degree angle, you’ll be able to remove plaque particles.

    2    

Brush your teeth first in the morning, before eating breakfast. It breaks up the biofilm and gets it ready to re mineralize(使再矿化) your teeth. Immediately after meals, you can rinse or drink water to remove acids and sugars from the mouth.

Do I really need to floss(剔牙)?

You may not want to hear it, but the answer is yes.    3    Flossing gets to all the areas where toothbrushes don’t. You can’t do one or the other. Floss before brushing to open up areas you may not be able to clean with just the toothbrush, like in between your teeth.

How do I whiten my teeth?

There are all kinds of products and methods to help whiten your teeth. But dental professionals say you should be cautious.    4    Instead, the ideal way to whiten your teeth is to ask your dentist for professional advice.

Do I really have to go to the dentist?

While proactive care at home can help keep your teeth healthy, yes—you still have to see a dentist. There are a lot of factors to deal within your dental health—but you don’t have to do it alone.    5    

A．You should floss at least once a day.

B．That’s what your dental appointments are for.

C．Do I need to brush my teeth immediately after meals?

D．Is there an ideal time of day when I should brush my teeth?

E．Don’t use home solutions like brushing teeth with lemon juice.

F．You should brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time.

G．They can make your teeth sensitive and potentially wear your teeth down.

9 . Ask any business leader what big challenges they face and it’s likely that skills and labor shortages will be high on their list. They’re concerned about how to develop the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow. According to the World Economic Forum’s latest Future of Jobs Report 2023, organizations across all industries identify skills gaps and an inability to attract talent as the key barriers preventing industry transformation.

There’s a potential solution to all of this: a “skills-first” approach. The new report, Putting Skills First: A Framework for Action, launched during the World Economic Forum’s Growth Summit, finds that switching to a skills-first mindset can directly benefit over 100 million people globally who’re currently under-utilizing their existing skills, because they’re under-employed in their current job or because they’re unemployed. The analysis, which covers 18 economies, finds workforce under-utilization ranges from 4% of the working population in Thailand, to 7% in the US, 13% in France, 27% in Brazil and 43% in South Africa.

A skills-first approach focuses on a person’s skills and competencies rather than on their qualifications or job history, so that what someone can do becomes far more important than which university they went to. Crucially, this focus on skills continues long after the worker has been hired, with an emphasis on continually developing their abilities right through their career.

Making skills a priority is fairly advantageous. For businesses, taking a skills-first approach dramatically increases the potential pool of talent from which they can draw on. For individuals, it provides access to good jobs that offer skills building, career progression and higher earning potential which they’d otherwise have been excluded from without the right qualifications.

Delivering such ground-breaking change requires more than simply the involvement of HR teams. It’ll require the commitment of CEOs and policy-makers at the highest level to drive it through. So far a company in UK has introduced a range of degree apprenticeship (学徒制) programs which enable applicants without a degree to gain one while working at the firm. The organization is also developing new career paths to ensure it has the right skills to meet the changing needs of the economy.

1. What plays a key role in industry transformation?

A．Working environment.	B．Employees’ job history.
C．Employees’ competence.	D．Business leaders’ management.

2. What do we know about the new report according to paragraph 2?

A．It was launched by 18 economies.

B．It focuses on a skills-first mindset.

C．It shows the decline of global economy.

D．It points out employment trends.

3. What does the last paragraph convey about the skills-first approach?

A．Further research needs to be done.

B．It depends on global cooperation.

C．Some measures are already underway.

D．It is well accepted around the world.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．A skills-first approach.

B．A more inclusive society.

C．Developing new career paths.

D．Creating a framework for job markets.

10 . Heart in your throat. Butterflies in your stomach. Bad courage feeling. These are all phrases many people use to describe fear and anxiety.

You have likely felt anxiety inside your chest or stomach, and your brain usually doesn’t hurt when you’re scared. Many cultures tie weakness and bravery more to the heart or the guts than to the brain. But science has traditionally seen the brain as the birthplace and processing site of fear and anxiety. Then why and how do you feel these emotions in other parts of your body? Research confirms that while emotions do begin originally in your brain, it’s your body that carries out the orders. While your brain gradually changed and developed to save you from a falling rock or speeding man-eating animals, the anxieties of modern life are often a lot more abstract. Fifty-thousand years ago, being rejected by your tribe could mean death, but not doing a great job on a public speech at school or at work doesn’t have the same consequences. Your brain, however, might not know the difference.

There are a few key areas of the brain that are heavily involved in processing fear. Amygdala (杏仁体) is a small area of the brain located near your ears which detects obvious features, or the emotional connection of a situation and how to react to it. Threat search is a vital part of this process, and it has to be fast.

The hippocampus (海马体) is near and tightly connected to the amygdala. It’s involved in memorizing what is safe and what is dangerous, especially in relation to the environment — it puts fear in conditions.

The prefrontal cortex (前额叶皮质), located above your eyes, is mostly involved in the realization and social aspects of fear processing. For example, you might be scared of a snake until you read a sign that the snake is not poisonous or the owner tells you it’s his friendly pet.

As is described by a singer in his song “Lose Yourself”, the reason his hands sweated, his knees got weak and his arms became heavy was that his brain was nervous.

1. What can we learn from paragraph 2?

A．Emotions can lead to reactions in the body.

B．The brain keeps up with the pace of modern life.

C．Fear and anxiety do much damage to the brain.

D．Nowadays people have more anxieties than before.

2. Which of the following relates to the hippocampus?

A．Receiving outside information.

B．Storing memories.

C．Identifying different features.

D．Adjusting emotions.

3. Why is the song mentioned in the last paragraph?

A．To show the singer’s love for music.

B．To present a common phenomenon.

C．To illustrate the singer’s physical condition.

D．To explain physical discomfort originates from brain.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．The response to fear and anxiety

B．A study about sense of fear

C．What negative emotions affect your body

D．What is the root of fear and anxiety