1 . Rapid advancements in generative artificial intelligence (AI) have sparked concerns regarding the future of work and human creativity. As AI technologies exhibit remarkable capabilities in tasks requiring originality, there is a growing apprehension about potential job displacement and the redefinition of creativity.

In a recent study published in Scientific Reports, AI programs outperformed the average human in tasks demanding imagination. Participants were tasked with generating imaginative uses for commonplace objects, with AI responses often judged as more creative than those from humans. Although human ideas scored higher in terms of originality, the average scores of AI responses surpassed those of humans, leading to headlines discussing AI’s creativity surpassing human capabilities.

This research has increased anxieties among professionals, particularly those in creative industries. For individuals like Kat Lyons, a background artist in animation, the ascent of AI-generated content poses a risk to their livelihood and prompts concerns about the future of artistry. The adoption of AI tools by entertainment giants such as Marvel and Disney increases these fears, fostering uncertainties regarding the authenticity and sustainability of artistic professions.

The widespread apprehension surrounding AI’s progress extends beyond job displacement to include broader social influences. Mary Alvord, a psychologist, observes that concerns about data privacy, job security, and human out of style contribute to a widespread sense of unease. However, managing AI anxiety necessitates a balanced approach, acknowledging both the potential benefits of AI and addressing its potential dangers.

Experts stress the importance of contextualizing AI advancements within historical and technological frameworks. Sanae Okamoto, a psychologist, points to past instances of technological anxiety, suggesting that understanding AI’s benefits and limitations can lessen fears. By becoming familiar with AI tools and advocating regulatory measures, individuals can transform apprehension into authorization.

1. What does the underlined word “apprehension” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?

A．Excitement.

B．Depression.

C．Amusement.

D．Anxiety.

2. How does AI perform in tasks according to the second paragraph?

A．Human creativity surpasses AI in all tasks.

B．AI scores higher as it creates more original ideas.

C．AI performs better in tasks calling for creativity.

D．The average score of AI is lower than that of humans.

3. Which of the concerns is Not raised in creative industries, according to the passage?

A．The lack of innovation in creative industries.	B．The unstable employment in creative industries.
C．The vague prospects for artistic professionals.	D．The threat to the livelihood of artistic professionals.

4. According to the article, what is Sanae Okamoto’s advice to common people?

A．Knowing the history of AI.	B．Ignoring the existence of AI.
C．Understanding AI’s limitations.	D．Understanding AI in a comprehensive way.

2 . Lce Hui Ling was exposed to environmental and social issues at a young age. Born into a family of artists, she was impressed by the environmental subjects of her mother’s art works and thus developed a pasion for the environment. “As a child, would worry about the ozone layer (臭氧层) expanding, rubbish pollution, and animals going extinct. Very serious topics for a little girl!”

After graduating from the Sarah Lawrence College in New York and moving back to Malaysia, Hui Ling’s conceras for the environment grew. She set up a Greenpeace Malaysia online community on various social media platforms. This was instrumental in the eventual setting up of the Malaysian office in 2017.

Hui Ling helped to organise and lead at meet-ups, as well as run workshops and training. An artist and educator, Hui Ling organised participatory art projects in line with Greenpeace Malaysia campaigns on deforestation, plastic pollution and consumerism. One of them was the Wings of Paradise project, where she led a team of 30 youth volunteers in creating a 64-meter long mural (壁画), showing the essence of the brightly coloured feathers, crazy dances and fantastic behaviours of birds of paradise (天堂鸟). The project aimed to remind the public of the constant threat to this Indonesian wildlife, and inspire people to act to protect it.

“Environmental activism has taught me that doing good is not a sprint, but a marathon, and we need to make ourselves tougher and stronger to keep going through the difficult times,” Hui Ling said. “There is a ray of hope in the youth activism of the last few years. The youths of today are well organised and passionate in expressing their desire for positive change and a green and sustainable future for all.” said Hui Ling.

1. What do we know about Lee Hui Ling?

A．She grew up in a family of educators.

B．She joined Greenpeace out of curiosity.

C．She studied environmental science in college.

D．She was environmentally aware since childhood.

2. What is“Wings of Paradise”intended for?

A．Beautifying local city streets.

B．Furthering researches on the local wildlife.

C．Preserving the beauty of birds of paradise.

D．Training young artists of bird paintings.

3. What is Hui Ling’s opinion on environmental activism?

A．It is a long-term commitment.

B．It lacks involvement from the youth.

C．It is a reflection of social well-being.

D．It allows free expressions about future.

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

A．Journey to the Wild

B．Art for Change

C．The Founding of Greenpeace Malaysia

D．A Green and Sustainable Future

3 . We often hear very bad statistics about the destruction of the Amazon.     1     One Amazonian Indian tribe (部落) every year has disappeared since 1900. Unless something is done to prevent it, the Amazon will be totally destroyed in fifty years’ time.

    2     Although it is being destroyed by big farmers and logging (伐木) companies, the biggest cause of its destruction is the cutting down of trees by thousands of small-scale farmers.     3     They cut down trees of the rainforest to grow crops to make money. The soil of the Amazon is perfect for plants as long as there are trees. It is the trees that recycle the nutrients that make the Amazon suitable for growing food. When the farmers cut down the trees, the soil can only support crops for one or two years.     4    

Logging is the second biggest cause of the destruction of the rainforest. A lot of the trees are taken for firewood, charcoal, or for making furniture. Not only are these trees destroyed, but the trees around them are also destroyed to make way for the roads and tracks needed to take the wood away. Large areas of forest have also been cut down to free land for cattle farming.     5     And the ranchers (牧场主) move on. More trees will be sure to disappear because of their cattle.

Most of the rainforest lies within Brazil. Fortunately, it is beginning to bring more laws to protect its rainforest.

A．Again the land cannot support them for long.

B．So they have to move on, and cut down more trees.

C．The problem involves organizations and governments.

D．The trees are often considered important to big farmers.

E．Poverty forces people to leave the cities and look for land.

F．An area of rainforest, the size of Belgium, is cut down annually.

G．The true key factors causing damage to the rainforest is not as you imagine.

4 . Overtourism Is For Real: How Can You Help?

Travel promotes understanding, expands our minds, makes us better people, and boosts local economies and communities, but the rapid growth of travel has led to overtourism in certain regions and destinations.     1     Certainly not. The loss of what travel offers would be unacceptable in today’s world. Here are some tips on making wise decisions to minimize pressure on the places we visit and improve our experience.

●Choose mindfully. Overvisited destinations are that way for a reason: they’re special. With so many online posts featuring the same places, it’s easy to feel like you’re missing out. Go somewhere only when the landscape, culture or food deeply draws you.     2    

●Get creative. The best way to ease pressure on over-touristed destinations is to go somewhere else. Though overtourism is described as a problem affecting the entire world, it’s actually concentrated to a small number of extremely popular spots. That means you have tons of less-visited options to choose from.     3     Why not try a regional alternative or check out a popular destination’s lesser-known sights?

●    4     Minimize impact and maximize experience by skipping major holidays or rush hour. You’ll compete with fewer tourists, save money, experience a different side of a popular place, and boost the economy when tourism is traditionally slower.

Visiting a place that others call home is a privilege (荣幸). Do your part to preserve what makes a destination special in the first place.     5     You may be amazed how much closer you’ll feel to the people there.

A．Visit during off-peak times.

B．So, should we stop traveling?

C．Travel for you and no one else.

D．Can overtourism be avoided then?

E．You can still find relatively undiscovered places.

F．You’ll find yourself virtually alone, or close to it.

G．Consider giving back to the communities you’re visiting.

5 . Do you ever get to the train station and realize you forgot to bring something to read? Yes, we all have our phones, but many of us still like to go old school and read something printed.

Well, there’s a kiosk (小亭) for that. In the San Francisco Bay Area, at least.

“You enter the fare gates (检票口) and you’ll see a kiosk that is lit up and it tells you can get a one-minute, a three-minute, or a five-minute story,” says Alicia Trost, the chief communications officer for the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit — known as BART. “You choose which length you want and it gives you a receipt-like short story.”

It’s that simple. Riders have printed nearly 20,000 short stories and poems since the program was launched last March. Some are classic short stories, and some are new original works.

Trost also wants to introduce local writers to local riders. “We wanted to do something where we do a call to artists in the Bay Area to submit stories for a contest,” Trost says. “And as of right now, we’ve received about 120 submissions. The winning stories would go into our kiosk and then you would be a published artist.”

Ridership on transit (交通) systems across the country has been down the past half century, so could short stories save transit?

Trost thinks so.

“At the end of the day all transit agencies right now are doing everything they can to improve the rider experience. So I absolutely think we will get more riders just because of short stories,” she says.

And you’ll never be without something to read.

1. Why did BART start the kiosk program?

A．To promote the local culture.	B．To discourage phone use.
C．To meet passengers’ needs.	D．To reduce its running costs.

2. How are the stories categorized in the kiosk?

A．By popularity.	B．By length.
C．By theme.	D．By language.

3. What has Trost been doing recently?

A．Organizing a story contest.	B．Doing a survey of customers.
C．Choosing a print publisher.	D．Conducting interviews with artists.

4. What is Trost’s opinion about BART’s future?

A．It will close down.	B．Its profits will decline.
C．It will expand nationwide.	D．Its ridership will increase.

6 . Writing a successful English speech can be a challenging task, but with the following tips, you can create a powerful and engaging speech.

    1    

The first step in crafting a convincing speech is to know who will be listening. Consider the interests and knowledge level of them. Tailor your language, examples and tone to resonate with them and make a connection.

Organize your speeches

    2    . Start with a strong opening that grabs the audience’s attention, introduce your main points in the body of the speech, and end with a memorable conclusion that strengthens your message. Use transitions to smoothly guide your audience from one point to the next.

Make your speeches persuasive

To make your speeches persuasive, use powerful and convincing language. Choose words that evoke (唤起) emotion, imagery or action. Use rhetorical devices (修辞手法) like repetition, parallelism and metaphors to enhance your message and make it memorable.     3    .

Practice and get feedback

The key to delivering a successful speech is practice. Rehearse your speeches multiple times to improve your delivery, timing and confidence.     4    . Seek feedback from peers or teachers to get different perspectives and identify areas for improvement.

With these tips, you can deliver a wonderful speech.     5    . Remember, the more you improve your skills, the better you will become at delivering attractive speeches.

A．Understand your audience

B．Collect relevant information

C．Persuade your audience to listen carefully

D．It will leave a lasting impression on your audience

E．A well-structured speech has a clear beginning, middle and end

F．Consider recording yourself in front of a mirror to observe your gestures

G．Support your arguments with examples to add credibility to your speeches

7 . Standing on the South Pole at the start of the year with the wind blowing across the Antarctic, travel blogger Johnny Ward felt a wave of relief.

Just a week before, in early January 2024, he’d struggled through snow and ice to climb to the top of the Vinson Massif, Antarctica’s highest peak. Years before, in 2017, he’d become the first Irish person to visit every country in the world.

Now, after decades of traveling and mountaineering, Ward could claim another world first — the Ultimate Explorer’s Grand Slam (大满贯), which involves reaching the highest peak on every continent, and visiting both the North and South Poles in addition to visiting every country.

“I feel relieved,” Ward recalled as he slowly made his way back to his home in Thailand after climbing to the top of the Vinson Massif and then setting foot on the South Pole. “But also I’m aware I’m a normal guy, not a world-class athlete, so I guess it was more about resilience and determination more than any ability. Although I met with lots of barriers, I overcame them one by one.”

Ward had previously devoted a decade of his life, between 2007 and 2017, to visiting every country in the world. The incredible journey saw him hitchhike (搭便车) a ride on a container ship from Oman to Socotra in Yemen, travel overland from Cairo to Cape Town and travel from South Korea to Australia by bus and boat.

“It had been a huge life goal, over a decade of my life, and then when I finished that I was aimless and had no idea what to do next,” he said. “I started eating badly, drinking too much, putting on weight and I ignored my business.”

Ward decided that the best way to overcome this was to challenge himself again. He began running ultramarathons (超级马拉松) and climbing mountains, and soon found that with extreme purpose and direction, he was back to loving life again.

So where will Ward go next? Space? The bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest point of the ocean? “All good things come after suffering, and I want to share that with people. So that’s the next plan,” he said.

1. What did Johnny Ward achieve in early January 2024?

A．He climbed to the highest peak in Antarctica.

B．He set a new record for traveling in Antarctica.

C．He became the first person to visit the South Pole.

D．He became the first Irish person to visit every country.

2. What does the underlined word “resilience” in Paragraph 4 refer to?

A．The ability to bounce back from difficulties.	B．The quality of being strong and honest.
C．The skill of achieving goals quickly.	D．The power to control one’ s emotions.

3. How did Johnny Ward feel after achieving his life goal in 2017?

A．Relaxed.

B．Satisfied.

C．Lost.

D．Excited.

4. Which of the following can best describe Johnny Ward?

A．Helpful and motivated.	B．Athletic and generous.
C．Proud and self-centered.	D．Determined and strong-willed.

8 . On the day after Thanksgiving, Allison Scott and her boyfriend, Alfred Valdivia, Jr., made the decision to head up to Big Bear Lake in California for a last-minute camping trip. The couple packed up their _________ and brought along their dog for the planned overnight, never once imagining that they were actually setting out on a(n) _________ mission for a man they’d never met.

Allison and Alfred _________ a camping spot between Big Bear Lake and Angelus Oaks. They were relaxing when, suddenly, a low-flying plane _________ their attention. As the plane went by, they heard a man’s voice calling out for help somewhere nearby. _________, they tracked the sound to a ridgeline (山脊线), and at the bottom of the hill, a man named Eric was _________.

“He had a stick with a water bottle on it trying to signal. He couldn’t _________. His feet were extremely swollen and _________ just from walking so much, and possibly the cold where he was,” Allison recalled.

Allison and Alfred climbed down to Eric and learned that he’d _________ from his home in Oceanside two weeks earlier. No one knew where he was, and no one was looking for him. He doesn’t own a cell phone, either. He’d managed to __________ for the past 14 days eating only a half a jar of salsa he’d brought along for the hike.

Eric told the couple it was a “Thanksgiving miracle” they’d __________ him at all when he was extremely weak and hungry. Then, Alfred comforted him and Allison used her cell phone to call 911, and within 15 minutes a rescue helicopter arrived to airlift the __________ man to safety.

Once Eric had been __________ evacuated (撤离), Allison and Alfred continued on their camping trip as planned. Later, Allison __________ Eric down to check on him. He __________ the couple dinner would be on him next time they find themselves in Oceanside!

1.

A．clothing

B．food

C．equipment

D．entertainment

2.

A．fight

B．rescue

C．interest

D．adventure

3.

A．picked

B．noticed

C．fetched

D．observed

4.

A．paid

B．kept

C．gave

D．caught

5.

A．Curious

B．Delighted

C．Frightened

D．Embarrassed

6.

A．called

B．trapped

C．helped

D．absorbed

7.

A．drink

B．eat

C．talk

D．walk

8.

A．infected

B．influenced

C．impressed

D．improved

9.

A．gave out

B．put out

C．set out

D．let out

10.

A．breathe

B．acknowledge

C．compete

D．survive

11.

A．saved

B．discovered

C．assisted

D．comforted

12.

A．starving

B．healthy

C．uneasy

D．confused

13.

A．fortunately

B．happily

C．safely

D．comfortably

14.

A．stuck

B．tracked

C．panicked

D．treated

15.

A．showed

B．pronounced

C．warned

D．promised

9 . With summer fast approaching, it’s time to book your trips.     1     Here is something we can do to avoid them.

Fail to disclose pre-existing medical conditions. It’s crucial that you tell your insurance provider about any medical conditions you have.     2     If you fail to disclose the problems, you won’t be covered for any issues related to the condition while you’re on holiday. If you’re not sure if you need to mention a medical condition you have, it’s worth asking your insurance provider.

Don’t let your insurance provider know if there are any changes to your pre-existing medical conditions. To make sure you’re not out of pocket during your holiday, you need to inform your insurance provider of any developments in your medical history.     3     If anything changes in health, let your insurer know as soon as possible to avoid any complications.

    4     A good rule of thumb is to organize your travel insurance at the same time you book your holiday. Travel insurance covers you for your holiday as well as the period leading up to it. By booking your insurance at the same time as the holiday itself, you’ll be covered if anything changes, or you need to cancel your trip. Make sure you organize insurance well in advance.

Get your details wrong when booking travel insurance. Make sure to check your details carefully. You won’t be covered if you’ve given your insurer the wrong information. Double-check everything you’ve entered before finalizing your travel insurance.     5    

Make sure you compare key features and benefits of travel insurance policies, and not just the price. Insurance is vital for your trip, so make sure you take the time to understand what you’re paying for.

A．Leave buying insurance until the last minute.

B．Taking out an annual policy for a long-stay trip.

C．This includes any medical problems you have experienced.

D．Ensure you check your details as soon as you receive your documents.

E．Insurers ask for medical changes in order to give you the right level of cover.

F．Make sure you have travel insurance and cards to avoid any unexpected payments.

G．However, there are several travel insurance mistakes to stop you from getting a payout.

10 . Tired of having the same old travel experiences that leave you feeling unfulfilled (失望的) and disconnected? Mindful travel is offering a new way to explore the world that is meaningful and sustainable.

Mindful travel is a concept that encourages individuals to fully dive into the present moment while exploring new destinations. Individuals are aware of their surroundings, engaging all the senses, and enjoying the beauty of each experience.     1    

Mindful travel is not just about the destination but also the journey. The goal is to create a positive impact on both individuals and the world around them.     2     It is an opportunity for people to positively contribute to the world.

Mindful travel provides an opportunity to disconnect from the stresses of everyday life.     3     Whether it’s wandering through a busy market, hiking in nature, or simply sitting by the ocean, it allows us to let go of our worries and fully enjoy the beauty of our surroundings.

    4     By stepping out of our comfort zones and experiencing new cultures, we gain a fresh viewpoint on life. We become more open-minded, adaptable, and caring. Through interactions with locals and fellow travelers, we learn about different ways of life and develop a greater understanding of the world.

Mindful travel also has a positive impact on the destinations we visit. Mindful travelers are aware of their impact on the environment.     5     By choosing eco-friendly accommodations, supporting local businesses, and respecting cultural traditions, we can ensure that our travels leave a green footprint.

A．They can deeply appreciate the surroundings through it.

B．Mindful travel promotes self-reflection and personal growth.

C．When traveling, we often leave behind our routines and duties.

D．Mindful travel positively impacts our mental and physical well-being.

E．The demands of daily responsibilities often leave little time for self-care.

F．They try to reduce waste, conserve resources, and support sustainable initiatives.

G．It’s about being mindful of one’s actions and how they affect others and the environment.