2 . 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。

A rural basketball league in China attracted well close to 100 million live views across the country in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

The Village Basketball Association,     1     (base) in Guizhou Province, is better known as “CunBA”, Cun being the word for “village” in Chinese. The grassroots league was established in 2016 but has recently attracted     2     whole new generation of basketball fans nationwide. Amateur basketball players representing their villages compete not     3     cash prizes; instead, the winning team take home live ducks, rice and     4     (tradition) Miao-style silver headdresses.

The CunBA drums up a special kind of emotion and     5     (excite) among spectators (观众). However, none of the 20,000 spectators     6     made their way to the year’s final game had to pay for their tickets, and they were welcome     7     (enjoy) the game in creative ways.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the sport has a long history in the region     8     (date) back to 1930s. Annual games     9     (hold) during the region’s Miao ethnic harvest festival in the sixth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. The CunBA, during the 2022/2023 season,     10     (have) a total of 176 participating teams from the various farming villages in the region, hosting nearly 5,000 grassroots games.

3 . False Memories or Parallel (平行的) Realities?

Here is a common situation: You’re talking with someone about an event, only to discover that you both remember things quite differently. Usually, you’d put it down to a poor memory, but what if it wasn’t just one person who remembered things differently? What if it was millions?

In fact, this isn’t a “what if” situation. It’s known as the Mandela Effect, and it was first noticed in 2009 by paranormal researcher Fiona Broome. Broome was chatting with people about the South African activist Nelson Mandela, and she commented how sad it was that he had died in prison in the 1980s.     1     Actually, he'd been released in 1990, become president of South Africa, and died in 2013.

Broome was so shocked at this that she started an investigation.     2     People have memories of movies that never existed, and famous words that were never spoken. There is even a group who clearly recall seeing maps showing that New Zealand was northeast of Australia (it’s southeast ). So what in the world is going on?

    3     In each reality, history is shaped by different events, and the Mandela Effect occurs when some of us shift from one reality to another. Therefore, those who remember Nelson Mandela dying in the 1980s aren’t wrong. They’re just remembering events from their original reality.

More likely, however, is that the Mandela Effect has to do with how our brains store information.     4     Many people remember Pikachu’s tail having a black tip on the end of it, when in fact it was always yellow. “Aha!” you cry. “Parallel realities!” Probably not. Consider instead that people often ignore unfamiliar details and transform information to make it more understandable. In the Pikachu example, his tail may not have a black tip, but his ears certainly do. Thus, both his ears and tail are misremembered as having black tips.     5    

All things considered, if you’re stuck arguing with someone about whose version of events is correct, it may indeed be easier to agree that neither of you is wrong. You just come from different realities.

A．Before we explain let’s look at an example.

B．It turns out she wasn’t the only one who’d experienced this.

C．If several people make these memory errors, the false memory gets stronger socially.

D．The story of Nelson Mandela is not the only example of this type of false group memory.

E．Some claim the Mandela Effect happens because we live in one of many parallel realities.

F．Many in her group agreed, while others mentioned that Nelson Mandela had not died in prison.

G．As more incidents of the Mandela effect continue to occur, perhaps more research into the origins will tell us the causes.

4 . ChatGPT, a new chatbot model developed by US-based AI research laboratory OpenAI, has quickly become a hit globally due to its advanced conversational capabilities,

It can write emails, computer codes, even academic papers and poems, and has passed a number of tests within seconds. Academicians worldwide are discussing whether AI should be used in education. Some universities have banned it. The New York City’s Department of Education, for example, banned the chatbot from its public school devices and networks, with some people warning that it could encourage more students to cheat, especially in exams.

Many more welcome this app, claiming that, like most technological advances and groundbreaking innovations in history, ChatGPT is a powerful tool for the development of higher education.

Embracing AI as early as possible is advisable. Higher education institutions should make preparations for including AI in their syllabus (教学大纲). They can start by offering related courses, because by understanding how it works, they can make better use of it. Besides, students with good knowledge of AI are more competitive when it comes to getting a good job, as an increasing number of jobs are being done by computer programmes-some in cooperation with humans, AI-powered education technologies can be adopted to make the learning experience more suitable for each student based on his or her strengths and weaknesses. As for professors, AI can free them from doing some dull tasks so they can concentrate on teaching and interacting with students.

Since we cannot avoid ChatGPT and other AI-powered applications from entering the field of higher education, we should make collective efforts to ensure they have a positive impact on society and the future of education Despite AI helping make learning much more interesting and enjoyable, humans need to work very hard to win the race with technology.

1. Why do some higher education institutions forbid ChatGPT?

A．ChatGPT can write emails and computer codes quickly.

B．Some professors might not perform their duties properly.

C．Students would have conversations with each other via it.

D．Students might seek help from it in completing the exams.

2. What is the author’s attitude towards AI applications in education?

A．Fearful.

B．Disapproving.

C．Supportive.

D．Uncertain.

3. How can AI benefit students of higher education?

A．It offers students an increasing number of jobs.

B．It personalizes students’ learning experience.

C．It equips students with competitive skills to cooperate with humans.

D．It handles uninteresting tasks so students can better focus on learning.

4. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．We should guard against AI apps.

B．AI will be more widely used in education.

C．The future of education relies on AI apps.

D．Humans will be left behind by technology.

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。

Walking along the Great Wall is a once-in-a-lifetime dream for many, but Jim Spear has taken it one step     1     (far), spending the last 18 years living in a village beneath the ancient wonder.

    2     68-year-old, a self-taught architect from the US, made the most important decision of his life to move to China in 1986, a year before the Great Wall     3     (list) as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, Spear calls Mutianyu village home. In this quiet place,     4     (locate) at the foot of the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, he lives with his dog in a home with a courtyard garden he tended     5     (he).

As an architect, not only did Spear renovate (翻新) his own dream house,     6     comes with multiple views of the Great Wall, but he also explored ways to boost the local business and support rural residents. Over the years, the architect     7     (help) renovate around 20 households in Mutianyu, most of which now operate     8     hotels or restaurants, while     9     (do) his best to preserve the original structures as much as possible.

In     10     (recognize) of his contributions, Spear was given the Great Wall Friendship Award in 2014.

6 . Do you ever find yourself studying really hard for a test but finally not doing so well? You spent hours reviewing your notes, only to find your hard work doesn’t make you receive a grade you want. It’s not that you’re not smart.     1    . If you want to study in an effective way, below are studying methods that may be suitable for you.

Try explaining the concepts(概念) that you’re studying to family members or friends.     2    

Study with friends. If you’re able to stay focused, studying with a group might be more fun than studying alone.     3    . It is possible that there’s something you miss or misunderstand, so hearing others’ opinions is very important. Pick possible test topics and hold discussions to gain understanding of these topics in different ways.

Use flashcards. Flashcards are a great way to memorize important information! To make it more fun, write your flashcards using colorful pens and mark important parts.

    4    . I personally use learning apps(应用软件), where I can find very useful resources(资料) for foreign language studies. I’ve also used websites in the past. A lot of sites offer expensive versions, so be aware of which features are free.

Try using some of these methods when you study for your next test, and see whether you’ve improved. Studying can be boring.     5    . Don’t lose motivation(积极性), and you’ll succeed!

A．Use online resources

B．Start studying in a more interesting way

C．It’s just that the way you study is wrong

D．This stops us from dealing with information

E．It’s of great help to hear other people’s thoughts

F．Finding ways to make it more fun can really improve your grade

G．Correctly explaining the concepts to others means you understand them

7 . Launched in Singapore last November, Hong Kong-based company Omnifoods has introduced a range of six plant-based seafood to stand in for tuna, crab and whitefish. Similar to their pork substitutes, the new products are said to offer a safe and alternative source of protein while tackling environmental concerns like overfishing and worsening of the seas.

Omnifoods' expansion comes at a time when the market for plant-based products is growing. According to Enterprise Singapore, local interest in sensible consumption doubled in 2021, and flexitarians — people who primarily eat a plant-based diet but occasionally consume meat or seafood — represent the fastest growth. The ocean is another reason cited as the need for plant-based seafood. The average person here consumed 22kg of seafood last year, surpassing the global average of 20kg. The World Wide Fund for Nature(WWF) also observed that three quarters of the seafood served in Singapore is unsustainable. Besides, fish farming involves the use of chemicals to prevent disease and parasites and these chemicals then accumulate in fish tissues, which becomes a serious threat to people's health.

Omnifoods says their products address all these concerns. Made primarily from non-genetically modified soybeans, the plant-based alternatives are free of harmful substances, absolutely safe. The company pointed out that the products share a similar look, feel and taste of the real thing. “We've done pilot taste tests with friends, family, and one sushi restaurant. Many admire the appearance and mouthfeel that our tuna product has as well as its nutritional benefits. Now we are struggling to improve our product until it's an exact match or tastes better than animal-based tuna,” added David Yeung.

Besides Omnifoods, Singapore companies are also exploring the alternative seafood market. Growthwell Group recently raised US $22 million to fund its attempt into shrimp, squid and crab made using chickpea protein. “Global demand for plant-based meats is also shooting up, with the value set to reach US $ 23.2 billion by 2024,” said market research company Euromonitor.

1. Which is the highlight of the plant-based seafood?

A．Being reasonably-priced.	B．Being physically-appealing.
C．Being environmentally-friendly.	D．Being personally-tailored.

2. What does paragraph 2 mainly focus on?

A．The recent trend in people's diet.

B．The potential risks of fishing farming.

C．The methods of Omnifoods expanding its business.

D．The factors driving the popularity of plant-based seafood.

3. Which best describes the prospect of the alternative seafood market?

A．Promising.

B．Risky.

C．Worrying.

D．Uncertain.

4. What's the best title of the text?

A．Real Seafood Is to be Replaced	B．Alternative-seafood Has a Long Way to Go
C．Omnifoods: A Pioneer of Plant-based Seafood	D．Next Food Frontier: Seafood Made From Plants

9 . Elite Summer School Program for High School Students

Harvard’s Elite Program for high school students is an intensive two-week summer program designed to give you a glimpse of college life. You will live on the Harvard campus during your two-week session while taking a college-level course with other Elite Program students.

The application for Summer 2024 is now open.

Cost: $5,550+$75 application fee

2024 Session Ⅰ: June 23-July 5, 2024

2024 Session Ⅱ: July 7-19, 2024

2024 Session Ⅲ: July 21-August 2, 2024

Who Can Participate in the Elite Program?

Harvard’s Elite Program is designed for mature, academically motivated students who are interested in exploring a potential major or simply finding out what college is really like.

Our Elite Program is open to rising juniors and seniors. To be qualified for Summer 2024, you must meet both of the following criteria:

●Will graduate from high school and enter college in 2025 or 2026.

●Are at least 16 years old by June 22, 2024, and will not turn 19 years old before July 31, 2024.

Important Deadlines:

●Early Application and Priority Financial Aid Deadline — January 10, 2024

●Regular Application and Financial Aid Deadline — February 14, 2024

●Late Application Deadline — April 10, 2024

See the Elite Program Calendar for all important dates and deadlines.
1. Who can be the applicant for the Elite Program 2024?

A．Lucy, 14, with excellent academic performance.

B．Jerry, 16, expected to enter college in 2025.

C．Tina, 17, a college student with broad interests.

D．Tim, 19, an office worker with motivation to learn.

2. When is Priority Financial Aid Application available?

A．April 10, 2024.	B．February 14, 2024.
C．January 9, 2024.	D．July23, 2024.

3. Where is this text most likely from?

A．A news report.	B．A travel brochure.
C．An academic paper.	D．A college website.

10 . For thousands of years, Chinese writers have travelled all over the country to take down notes about the geographical conditions of each city. Among them, well-known Chinese geographer and writer Li Daoyuan, in the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), composed his book, Commentary on the Water Classics, after studying the original literary version, Water Classics. He later expanded the river records to 1, 252 from the original 137.

The book is now being studied again by Professor Li Xiaojie and his team from Fudan University. They have been using drawing software and 3D modelling to recreate the waterway situations on a map based on the book description. So far, they have completed research on four rivers.

“Ancient people knew really well how to apply the power of nature to technical considerations,”Li said, giving the example of Qianjin’e, one of the most famous ancient water conservation projects in Luoyang, Henan. In order to lead the river into the city for irrigation (灌溉) in ancient Luoyang, the officials built a canal branch by separating a northwest-southeast river. However, the canal water wasn't enough to support the citizens in dry seasons. To solve that, on the northern side of the canal branch, the officials built a reservoir (水库) and a channel to lead the water to the canal branch, where the waterways would converge and flow together to the city.

In Commentary on the Water Classics, a total of 2, 800 cities are recorded with details. Still, the process of recreation takes much effort. After doing a lot of text analysis and fieldwork, the team has gradually created the model with 3D modelling software based on repeated deductions (推论).

For Professor Li, the book is not only a record of the natural landscape over 1, 000 years ago, but also a detailed description of humanity and culture and a treasure for today’s reference.

1. What can we learn about the book Commentary on the Water Classics?

A．It has been out of date.	B．It explains 3D modelling.
C．It keeps records of 137 rivers.	D．It is based on previous studies.

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

A．Join.

B．Pass.

C．Cross.

D．Begin.

3. What does paragraph 4 mainly tell us about model recreation?

A．Its major problems.	B．Its detailed analysis.
C．Its complex process.	D．Its successful application.

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

A．3D Technology Fuels Modern Research

B．Ancient Classics Inspire Modern Research

C．An Effective Approach to Model Recreation

D．A Famous Writer of Chinese Ancient Classics