1 . Standing on a school stage, the master swings his arms and moves his body as he conducts an orchestra. The 70 young musicians keep a sharp focus on the master’s white baton (指挥棒) as it shoots upward, downward, and sideways.

Michael Morgan was six years old when his father moved a neighbor’s unwanted piano into their living room. He started piano lessons, but it was when he saw a conductor leading an orchestra on television that he realized what he really wanted to do. At age eight, he began reading The Joy of Music by conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein and figured out how to direct with a baton. After graduating from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, Michael worked under Bernstein. “Conducting is a thing you learn by apprenticing (当学徒). You do more watching than anything else,” Morgan says. Even after Morgan had graduated from Oberlin, Bernstein’s masterful teaching continued to influence him.

Morgan is committed to offering kids a chance to explore classical music. In his hometown, he started to volunteer in local schools, conducting student orchestras and talking with kids about music. Morgan is also the music director and conductor of the Oakland Symphony. He works with teachers in after-school programs to reach students who can’t afford lessons.

Morgan is focused and works very hard. “He’s mastermind behind all of these programs,” says Elizabeth, Oakland Symphony Education Coordinator. “He is in an amazing harmony with students. He is really serious in getting down to his business.”

Morgan says his work is mostly about providing young people with an entrance into music. “Instruments give kids a way of emotional expression, a source of pride, and an interest they can carry with them through life. Young musicians come from many different cultures and communities. But with instruments in hand, their hearts sing as one,” he says.

1. What inspired Morgan to begin his career as a conductor?

A．A gift from his neighbor.	B．The piano lessons he took.
C．The guidance of his teacher.	D．A TV program in his childhood.

2. Which of the following can best describe Morgan?

A．Passionate and honest.	B．Generous and demanding.
C．Ambitious and humorous.	D．Warmhearted and devoted.

3. Why does the author mention Elizabeth?

A．To show recognition on Morgan.	B．To share her cooperation with Morgan.
C．To encourage kids to learn from Morgan.	D．To express people’s expectations for Morgan.

4. What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．Playing music is the best way to relieve people’s tension.

B．Morgan opens a door to music teaching for young musicians.

C．Music has the power to bridge cultural gap and unite people.

D．Young musicians tend to play the same song whole-heartedly.

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。

The first step of ice     1     (fish) is getting the net, which is usually over two kilometers long, ready to put under the ice. Then the workers will put the net down at a     2     (choose) spot, and take it up in the distance of the vast lake.

    3     this is actually achieved is an interesting process. First up, a series of holes are drilled into the ice of about a meter and a half thick. They drill a hole every 50 meters or so and they’ll keep doing that until they’ve drilled the holes the entire way around a circle with a diameter (直径) of two kilometers. Meanwhile, another team gets to work,     4     (extend) the main hole using a     5     (tradition) ice pick. Eventually, a long piece of bamboo will     6     (employ) to thread the rope of the net into the next hole they have drilled 50 meters away. And these guys will continue like that around the entire outside of the circle until the rope     7     (reach) the other side of the circle two kilometers away. At the same time, back at the mother hole, the net is being lowered slowly     8     surely, meter by meter until it’s     9     (complete) submerged under the ice. In the distance, the diggers have reached the other side of the circle and are now working on digging the hole that the net will eventually come out     10    .

3 . 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。

Sitting on a lounge chair (躺椅) in her studio in northwest London, Duan Yiran, the     1     (found) of a handcrafts workshop promoting the traditional indigo dyeing (靛蓝染色) technique, admits actually she used to hate the craft. As a member of the Bai ethnic group, she was born and raised in Dali city, Southwest China’s Yunnan province.     2     one time, in her village, nearly every household boasted members who mastered the tie-dyeing (扎染)technique. Duan’s family also ran     3     company that produced handwoven, hand-dyed fabrics.

To tie-dye pieces of cloth, people use needles and threads to create different     4     (fold) in the fabrics before putting them in dye vats (大缸) several times.     5     (typical), the vats contain sky-blue-colored dye     6     (obtain) from plants. Unfolding the fabric s reveals beautiful patterns, such as geometric shapes and flowers. The areas stitched (缝) by threads remain white     7     they were not immersed in the dye, while other areas turn blue. In 2006, the tie-dyeing technique of the Bai ethnic group     8     (list) into state-level intangible cultural heritages.

Duan never thought about     9     (inherit) the craft until she moved to London in 2015 to study costume design. “When making the Victorian-style costumes, I found     10     (I) unconsciously applying the Chinese embroidery (刺绣) stitching and knotting techniques that I learned from my grandmother,” she says. At that time, she realized that a person may not be entirely separated from his homeland and the cultural imprints (印记) that come with it.

4 . Parents everywhere praise their kids. Jenn Berman, author of The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy, Confident Kids, says, “We’ve gone to the opposite extreme of a few decades ago when parents tended to be more strict.” By giving kids a lot of praise, parents think they’re building their children’s confidence, when, in fact, it may be just the opposite.     1    

Still, don’t go too far in the other direction.     2     Kids will feel like they’re not good enough or that you don’t care and, as a result, may see no point in trying hard for their accomplishments.

So what is the right amount of praise?     3     If praise is focused on the effort not the outcome, you can give it as often as your kid does something deserving a verbal (口头的) reward. For example, when a kid comes home excited with a great mark, say, “You deserve it! Your devotion and perseverance paid off.”     4    

Besides, remember to praise sincerely. Kids are more perceptive (有感知力的) than many adults realize, and they often can tell the difference between sincere and insincere praise. When kids sense your praise insincere, they assume you feel sorry for them or don’t understand them.     5    

A．By highlighting their hard work, we are teaching them that effort matters.

B．If this is the case, they will dismiss the praise, making it ineffective.

C．Not giving enough praise can be just as damaging as giving too much.

D．Too much praise can backfire and even make kids afraid to try new things.

E．Experts say that the quality of praise is more important than the quantity.

F．If so, they will be convinced that sincere praise is truly vital for their growth.

G．Verbally praising kids can boost their confidence and encourage positive behaviors.

5 . We live in the age of the short attention span. And yet: Finding a recipe in a post requires first scrolling past a “novel” detailing the chef’s personal experience with the dish. Even platforms once known for short-form media are stretching the limits: YouTube videos once were within 10 minutes; now they can and do reach 12 hours. Even TikTok is going long, reportedly testing a new limit of up to 15 minutes for some creators.

Surely some of this is born of genuine audience interest. Length, after all, is sometimes associated with quality. Sometimes, storytelling deserves a surprising length. Other times, it does not. Online media are frequently lengthened not because the subject demands it but because creators are attempting to game algorithms (算法) to make more money. Algorithms, on the most basic level, are supposed to recommend whatever else people post online. Yet in the process, they end up encouraging people to generate a lot of junk.

Some of these apps seem to realize what they’ve done. TikTok and YouTube give users the ability to speed things up. But the solution only underscores the problem. Because it gives rise to all those ads that run before videos or between paragraphs. Any extra real estate for these ads, be it space on a page or time on a podcast, is a chance for platforms to make more money.

Some algorithms may in fact prioritize length as an indicator of quality. But it’s hard to say for sure, because tech companies tend not to give many details about their inner workings. In some ways, whether an algorithm prefers longer videos matters less than whether creators think an algorithm does. If people start believing that longer videos do “better”, they’ll make more of them.

People are afraid that generative AI will pollute the Internet. But social-media and search algorithms have been doing that for years. It’s even cheaper and easier for generative AI to produce long content. All of this is just a taste of what’s to come.

1. How does the author introduce the topic?

A．By telling stories.	B．By referring to studies.
C．By giving examples.	D．By offering personal experience.

2. Why do the online media creators often lengthen their content?

A．To enhance their storytelling abilities.	B．To take advantage of algorithms for profit.
C．To gather data concerning popular subjects.	D．To provide the audience with interesting ideas.

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

A．Highlights.

B．Upgrades.

C．Overlooks.

D．Forecasts.

4. What can be inferred from the last two paragraphs?

A．Algorithms are sure to pick out longer videos.

B．The development of AI will facilitate longer content.

C．The best content is lengthened by video producers.

D．Search algorithms are easily polluted and destroyed.

6 . Clear winners are hard to pick in the race to develop self-driving vehicles, but autonomous trucks have built a convincing lead. Robotrucks have completed thousands of automated journeys and a new era of driverless delivery appears to lie in store for the world.

Big-name vehicle manufacturers like Daimler, alongside AV(autonomous vehicle)innovators like Aurorae have sunk billions of dollars into making self-driving trucks work, which is a solid investment in road freight(货运).

Fitted with complex LIDAR road scanning systems, computer vision, and AI predictive software, the vehicles serve the so-called “middle mile” between distribution centers, where loads are picked up and dropped off for human drivers to complete deliveries to homes and businesses.

Texas, with its spacious highways, prosperous road freight market, and relaxed regulations, provides ideal conditions to road test the trucks. Other states have their own regulations in place to allow AV testing on public roads.

There are six levels of vehicle automation(from 0 to 5) and level five—full autonomy, drive anywhere—is the end goal. Autonomous journeys often run at level four, which turns out safe, with a backup driver in the cab ready to take control in case an accident happens. In December 2021 a level 4 semi-truck drove 80 miles on public roads, between a railyard in Tucson, Arizona, and a distribution center in Phoenix.

Analysts say that up to 90 percent of long-distance trucking jobs could be lost to self-driving technology once it becomes widespread. Safety is another concern. Questions of whether authorities are ready to deal with the new technology followed a crash between a Waymo Via class 8 truck and another human-driven semi-truck near Ennis, Texas. The human driver was at fault, but the safety operator in the Waymo truck did not take control during the incident and a report exposed the weaknesses of the way the crash was dealt with.

AV industry representatives say their vehicles with self-driving technology are safer and more efficient than cars driven by people and will improve road safety. But doubts from road safety campaigners, transport workers, and city authorities exist about rapid change without stricter controls. All agree that new laws will be necessary.

1. What is paragraph 3 of the text mainly about?

A．The complex system of the vehicles.

B．The process of picking up and dropping off loads.

C．Ways of completing deliveries to homes and businesses.

D．The function of autonomous vehicles in road freight.

2. What does the example mentioned in paragraph 5 prove?

A．More often than not, trucks running at level 4 are secure.

B．Levels of vehicle automation serve different purposes.

C．“Full autonomy, drive anywhere” is the ultimate target.

D．A backup driver in the cab is crucial in avoiding an accident.

3. What is the author’s attitude toward the self-driving technology?

A．Unclear.

B．Approving.

C．Objective.

D．Dismissive.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．The Evolution and Implications of Self-Driving Vehicles

B．Robotrucks to Deliver a New Era of Driverless Technology

C．A Solid Investment from Big-Name Vehicle Manufacturers

D．The Testing of Autonomous Trucks on Public Roads with Level 4

7 . Zong Qinghou, the rags-to-riches founder of one of China’s biggest beverage makers, who was once China’s richest man, died of an illness on Sunday at the age of 79, his company Hangzhou Wahaha Group said in a brief statement.

In China, Zong was known as a legendary businessman who grew his soft drinks empire from a tricycle cart hawking (沿街叫卖) ice pops to school kids into a large company selling everything from milk drinks to bottled water and canned porridge.

Zong was also recognized as a national hero for wrestling the full control of Wahaha, which means “laughing child”, from its French partner Danone more than a decade ago. Victory in that bitter battle boosted Zong’s wealth to $8 billion, making him China’s richest man in 2010 and again in 2012, according to Forbes.

His death was mourned across China. Condolences (吊唁) poured in from remarkable Chinese entrepreneurs including Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma and Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun. Wahaha employees and residents in the eastern city of Hangzhou laid flowers outside the company.

The beverage giant’s rise came to represent the can-do spirit of China’s first generation of private entrepreneurs, who helped accelerate the country’s explosive economic growth in the years after they capitalized on market reforms in the late 1970s.

Despite his wealth, Zong was known for his simple lifestyle, which set him apart from many of China’s new rich. He was nicknamed “the richest man in cloth shoes” for always sporting plain black shoes.

In an interview with the state-run People’s Daily in 2010, Zong said the title and wealth had brought little change to his life. “Every day, I still smoke two packs of cigarettes that cost 12 yuan (then $1.80) each, have two cups of tea, and eat my three meals at the company canteen,” he said. He was known for starting work around 7 am and not leaving the office until 11 pm, working for more than 12 hours a day long before the tiring “996” work schedule became common.

1. Zong Qinghou was praised as a national hero because of his ______.

A．stimulating China’s economy

B．becoming China’s richest man in 2010

C．teaming up with the French partner Danone

D．completely dominating Wahaha by beating Danone

2. What can we infer from Zong Qinghou’s rags-to-riches legend?

A．His soft drinks empire was established overnight.

B．Embracing the changes in policies benefited him.

C．His perseverance played a decisive role in China’s economic growth.

D．His family background and people skills contributed to his success.

3. The interview with Zong Qinghou in 2010 can show that ______.

A．he stayed true to himself	B．he brought fame and fortune to people
C．he gave in to the temptation of wealth	D．he pioneered the “996” work schedule

4. According to the text, which of the following best describes Zong Qinghou?

A．Respectful and optimistic.	B．Influential and enterprising.
C．Generous and aggressive.	D．Talented and economical.

8 . FALL PREVENTION

Autumnal weather can be beautiful. Stunning colors, falling leaves — but wetter pavements call for steady feet, which is why Goldster has teamed up with personal trainer and programme coach James Hilton to create a fantastic free online event to help make sure you stay stable, wherever you’re walking.

James prides himself on helping people improve their quality of life and confidence by encouraging them to consciously think more about how they navigate daily tasks from a movement perspective.

Join James as he leads Goldster’s fall prevention free online event, “Finding Renewed Stability” — and stay confident in putting one foot in front of the other.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, 22nd Oct.

Time: 2:00 p. m.— 4:00 p. m.

Place: Online via Zoom — join for free

REGISTER NOW FOR FREE AT

https://bit.ly/goldsterfallprevention

Event schedule

2:00 — 2:15 p. m. Welcome with Goldster Presenter Lee Pycroft.

2:15 — 2:45 p. m. James Hilton, Fitness trainer: The basics of movement and the planes of motion plus setting some basic movement assessments.

2:45 — 3:15 p. m. Claudia le Feuvre, Nutritionist and eating psychology coach: Nutrition for muscle and bone health. (Claudia le Feuvre has 16-year clinical experience helping clients with a wide range of health problems.)

3:15 — 3:45 p. m. Andy Yau, Tai Chi expert: Balance and flow of movement. (Andy Yau helps people find their flow and improve their mobility with this gentle, poetic form of movement.)

3:45 — 4:00 p. m. Interactive Q&A.

1. Whom is the text probably intended for?

A．Tough task handlers.	B．Committed naturalists.
C．Autumn outing lovers.	D．Sustainable life activists.

2. From whom can you receive advice on healthy diet?

A．Andy Yau.	B．Lee Pycroft.
C．James Hilton.	D．Claudia le Feuvre.

3. What can be learned about the event?

A．It lasts for a whole day.

B．It charges an entry fee for participation.

C．It combines poetry appreciation courses.

D．It offers the audience a chance to raise questions.

9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Why has the picnic been cancelled?

A．It has been raining.

B．The man has another plan.

C．The woman dislikes the picnic.

2. What did the man do just now?

A．He watched a game.

B．He played soccer.

C．He did an experiment.

3. How does the woman probably feel about the exhibition?

A．Uninterested.

B．Disappointed.

C．Excited.

4. Which of the following are shown in the exhibition?

A．Jewels.

B．Oil paintings.

C．Sculptures.

10 . Learning to forgive those who have “wronged us” may not always be easy, but it’s definitely worth it. Here’s why.

First, forgiveness has absolutely nothing to do with the other person at all. Forgiveness is about one thing and one thing only: it’s about how you feel. This is why it doesn’t matter if the offense was large or small. When you hold on to the anger, when you get stuck in blaming the other person and refuse to move on, you are hurting no one but yourself.

You may have been taught to “turn the other cheek”, which can be interpreted as letting those who have harmed you in some way walk all over you. Don’t fight back, and just let it happen. But is that really what we’re supposed to do? No. Forgiving is neither about playing the martyr (自我牺牲的人) or victim, nor about being a doormat (忍气吞声的人). You can forgive what others have done to you, but you should not sacrifice your own interests.

For example, should you let your colleague get away with taking credit for your work, while you sit in silence? No. First, you can choose to forgive his action so that you can calm down. Then you can calmly explain to your boss who actually did the work on that project, without seeming overly emotional or like you have any kind of agenda other than to set the record straight.

Of course, if it’s something trivial, you can just choose to forgive and let it go.

It’s important to note that this also (and especially) applies when it comes to forgiving yourself. Since thoughts of self-blame or self-hatred are the worst thoughts we can have, staying stuck in that vibration will cause more harm than any other emotion. Move into anger, stabilize there, and then move up the emotional scale until you gradually but consistently feel better. You owe it to yourself.

1. What is forgiveness mainly about according to the author?

A．Controlling our own feelings.	B．Making ourselves feel better.
C．Lessening the harm of an offence.	D．Repairing relationships with others.

2. How should we react if we’re harmed by others?

A．Turn the other cheek.	B．Calm down and let it go.
C．Ask for help from others.	D．Fight back in a proper way.

3. Which of the following can replace the underlined word “trivial” in paragraph 5?

A．unimportant

B．unique

C．unusual

D．uninteresting

4. What’s the text mainly about?

A．The way to get along well with others.

B．The importance of learning to forgive.

C．The reason to forgive ourselves.

D．The way to fight back against dishonest colleagues.