1 . HOW TO DO HARD THINGS

It’s an inconvenient truth that the road to success isn’t a secret. Most of us know exactly what we need to do to improve our lives.     1     We prefer things that feel good and avoid things that we know are hard but most effective. Follow these tips to get hard things done with less struggle.

First, you need to make sure you know what the hard, but effective thing is in the skill or job that you want to improve.     2     It’s usually the thing that creates the output. For writers, it’s writing. For musicians, it’s writing a song. For athletes, it’s doing a workout.

Figure out your why. Make sure you know why you want to do this hard thing.     3     So figure out your why and frequently remind yourself of it. Write it down and put it where you can see it. The stronger your why, the better.

    4     Every day at a particular hour, you will do this hard thing. Pure focus, no multi-tasking. Take it easy at first and gradually lengthen the amount of time you spend on this. Enjoy it, too. You’re a winner and you can do it.

Leave the doubts behind. When you’re doing something hard, your brain will try to find ways to stop doing it. You’ll want to look things up or find easy ways of doing the hard thing. Don’t give in to these tempting arguments during your hard work sessions.     5    

If you keep improving yourself by doing hard things, you’ll be getting better at your targeted skill. So don’t spend too much time working around the hard task. Just do the hard thing instead.

A．This should be easy to figure out.

B．Change your thinking so the hard thing looks good.

C．But we don’t do those things because they are hard.

D．Make a commitment and turn the hard thing into a habit.

E．If you are not clear about it, you’ll lose motivation quickly.

F．Do whatever you want after or before, but stay focused during.

G．Life is hard sometimes, and you will have to do hard things at some point.

2 . There’s been an enormous amount of progress in language-generating AI over the past couple of years. OpenAI’s GPT-3, for example, is a language generator that’s been trained on 570 GB of text, and is able to write convincing essays. Google, of course, is working on language generators too, and its latest one helps you write like a legendary poet.

Google’s new AI tool, Verse by Verse, allows users to compose a poem using “suggestions” from classic American poets. The AI generates these suggestions based on what it’s collected from reading the poets’ oeuvres. That is, the program uses machine-learning algorithms (算法) to identify the language patterns of a particular poet’s work, then applies those to text it generates as the suggestions.

The tool works by allowing users to select from 22 American poets for the suggestions, including legends like Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, and Edgar Allen Poe. After a user has selected up to three poets, they then pick the type of poem they’d like to write. The program offers various poetic forms, and even allows users to select the number of syllables per line.

Users then give the program a first line, and AI generates the rest of the poem. The AI makes suggestions line by line, however, making it more interactive than other top language generator s out there. As far as results, they’re interesting, but not nearly as impressive as GPT-3’s writings.

According to Google engineer Dave Uthus, “The system was trained to have a general understanding of what lines of verse would best follow a previous line of verse. So even if you write on topics not commonly seen in classic poetry, the system will try its best to make lines that are relevant. The widely varying degrees of Verse by Verse output quality show that while good lyrical gems (宝石) may occasionally emerge, further work by the AI team remains to be done.”

1. What is the purpose of the first paragraph?

A．To introduce a new AI tool for writing poetry.

B．To compare different language-generating tools.

C．To discuss the progress of langauge-generators.

D．To analyze the latest essays of OpenAI’s GPT-3.

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

A．Suggestions.

B．Works.

C．Messages.

D．Patterns.

3. What can the Verse by Verse tool do?

A．Collect poems for inspiration.

B．Give the program a starting line.

C．Generate different poetic forms.

D．Compose poems as good as GPT-3.

4. What is Dave Uthus’s attitude to the capability of Verse by Verse tool?

A．Doubtful.

B．Objective.

C．Puzzled.

D．Confident.

3 . In a video shared online, a young photographer, Lily, is seen confidently directing a well-known action movie star for a photograph. Even though the actor is very tall, she is not nervous. She tells him what to do like a real professional, even though she’s still quite young.

“Given his size, I asked him to make more pronounced movements,” said Lily, reflecting on the shoot in a recent interview. The young shutterbug (摄影爱好者) has already taken photos of several personalities and has earned a significant following online, with her work receiving millions of likes.

Lily’s journey into photography began when she was just four years old, with a simple point-and-shoot camera. Her father, recognizing her natural ability to connect with people, encouraged her to explore street photography. At the age of five, she captured a portrait of a renowned musician-turned-actress during a chance encounter in a store, which quickly went viral on the social media.

Since then, Lily has been receiving numerous requests to photograph top talents. “The more I photograph in public places, the more recognition I get, which in turn leads to more chances to work with well-known figures,” she explained.

Because of her young age, some have questioned how she manages to secure such high-profile shoots. Her father, who assists with minor post-production edits, explained that her unique perspective was what attracted the attention of talent agencies. “Through Lily’s lens (镜头), subjects show a different side,” he said. “Her photos capture a softer, gentler aspect of people, celebrity or not.”

Addressing concerns about the use of filters and heavy editing, Lily insists that her images are minimally processed. Her ultimate goal is to evoke (唤起) emotions through her photography and, eventually, to become a full-time portrait photographer. For now, she continues to hone (磨炼) her craft and enjoys the present moment.

1. What phenomenon is described in the first paragraph?

A．A girl is directing a film.	B．How a girl is photographing.
C．Children need social activities.	D．How a short video is produced.

2. What made Lily gain more attention?

A．She photographed many action movies.	B．A famous actress offered to help her.
C．Her father made her skills known.	D．Social media played a significant role.

3. How does Lily differ from professional photographers in photographing?

A．She is good at adjusting lens.	B．She constantly learns from others.
C．She photographs from a special angle.	D．She gains recognition from celebrities.

4. What is Lily’s attitude to improving her skill?

A．Hesitant.

B．Determined.

C．Pessimistic.

D．Negative.

4 . Southern Africa is home to most of the world’s black and white rhinos. Because of global warming, the weather in this area is changing quickly. People have worked hard to protect rhinos from being hunted, but until now, no one has really looked at how the changing weather might hurt these animals.

A research team from the University of Massachusetts Amherst has recently reported that the area will be affected by both higher temperatures and changing precipitation (降水) and the rhinos are more sensitive to rising temperatures, which will quickly increase above the animals’ acceptable maximum threshold.

Over the last 100 years, Africa’s average monthly temperatures have gone up by 0.5℃ to 2℃. Scientists think that in the next 100 years, it might get even warmer, up to 2 more degrees. This change in weather might also change how much rain we get. But here’s the thing：For animals like white and black rhinos, which people have been trying to protect for a long time, will the heat or the rain changes hurt them more? This is a big question because rhinos don’t have sweat to cool down. They stay cool by taking baths and staying in cool shady spots.

To understand how changing climate will affect rhino populations, lead author Hlelowenkhosi S. Mamba and his colleague, focused their efforts on five large national parks representing diverse landscapes in southern Africa that are home to most of the rhinos. They have found that temperature conditions in all study parks will become increasingly unsuitable for both species, but it is predicted that white rhinos will be affected earlier than black rhinos.

“This research highlights the importance of using climate predictions for both park and rhino management,” says Randhir. “We propose that park managers now think about increasing water supplies, tree cover, watching for stress and planning to allow rhino migration as the world warms.”

1. How are rhinos traditionally protected?

A．By building their living habitats.

B．By saving them from illegal hunt.

C．By monitoring their physical health.

D．By removing their breeding surroundings.

2. Which can best replace the underlined word “threshold” in paragraph 2?

A．range

B．register

C．average

D．content

3. What is a means for rhinos to fight against heat?

A．Cooling heat off by sweating.	B．Drinking much water.
C．Migrating to other places.	D．Bathing in the water.

4. What is the key suggestion for park managers to help rhinos adapt to climate change?

A．Predicting the weather.	B．Buying new species.
C．Boosting habitats.	D．Restricting visitors.

5 . People normally look for a bit of adventure in their lives. They hunt for something new, something unknown, and they learn new things about the world and themselves.     1    . Sailing in the Arabian Gulf, camping in the desert and traveling to Qatar — these could all be called adventures.

Most of the time, adventures can be rewarding, because they make you feel satisfied after doing them.     2    . For example, Ibn Battuta who lived 700 years ago had the courage to travel around the world, visiting new places and meeting new people. His journal, called the Rihla, can still be read today.     3    . There is another example, if you sail to an unknown part of the sea, you can tell people about what you discover in it like new islands or good fishing areas.

    4    . People have died when climbing dangerous mountains, racing cars or sailing ships. That is why staying safe is more important than looking for excitement.     5    . After all, there are plenty of other ways to explore this beautiful world we live in!

A．Adventures come in many forms

B．That may be followed by disasters

C．However, some adventures are risky

D．It is the best way to live a life of adventure

E．It tells us about what life was like during his time

F．And one’s adventures also provide others with useful information

G．We should weigh the dangers against the rewards before our adventures

6 . A missing woman Emma was found after three days stuck in the mud and her parents are calling it a miracle (奇迹).

The 31-year-old was reported ________ on June 26 by her parents, who said she left her cell-phone behind when she left home on Sunday night. When she didn’t return, they ________ the alarm. “So many times this type of story ends ________ and I didn’t have much hope at all,” the missing woman’s father said.

Local authorities were called to Borderland State Park in Easton, Massachusetts. Emma was ________ found when people hiking reported ________ coming from a swamp (沼泽地). Easton police officers entered the swamp and ________ to pull Emma from the swamp — she was then carried to ________.

Emma’s mom, Barbara Zinaman, said, “She ________ for help. She said ‘I need help.’ I’m still ________ after a week that she could even do that because she didn’t have ________ and she was also pretty dehydrated(脱水的).” “It was awful to be ________ in the swamp for as long as she was,” Zinaman continued. “It’s miraculous that they ________ her.”

Emma’s mother went on to ________: “I want to thank everybody that has texted, called, emailed, showed love and ________. The search and rescue teams and the county.”

Police say Emma will recover. While she is still ________, her injuries are not life-threatening.

1.

A．outstanding

B．missing

C．working

D．recovering

2.

A．sounded

B．canceled

C．improved

D．spotted

3.

A．hopefully

B．strangely

C．sadly

D．suddenly

4.

A．possibly

B．specifically

C．immediately

D．finally

5.

A．screams

B．smiles

C．greetings

D．arguments

6.

A．agreed

B．managed

C．hesitated

D．afforded

7.

A．trouble

B．assistance

C．safety

D．analysis

8.

A．came around

B．got ready

C．called out

D．got along

9.

A．at risk

B．at ease

C．in charge

D．in disbelief

10.

A．money

B．food

C．faith

D．time

11.

A．absorbed

B．hidden

C．pressed

D．stuck

12.

A．challenged

B．forgot

C．found

D．introduced

13.

A．conclude

B．request

C．doubt

D．oppose

14.

A．pain

B．concern

C．excitement

D．anger

15.

A．questioned

B．recognized

C．overlooked

D．hospitalized

7 . You’ve made the decision that you want to travel more this year. You’ve realized that experiences are more important than possessions (财产) and you’ve put together a plan to start saving for your next big trip.     1     Here are my top tips to help you choose your travel destinations.

Be open-minded.

Haven’t heard of a place?     2     Have no idea where a place is? But you’ve found cheap flights to that place…? Search it using the search engine, check whether it’s safe and if so, book that flight! Sometimes you’ll have the best adventures in places you can’t pronounce, Ljubljana, for example.

    3    

You want to travel to a certain destination but flights are really expensive? Don’t let this put you off, unlock your creativity and find a solution. Using the example of Ljubljana again, it’s really expensive to fly direct but flights to Venice are cheap and then there’s a 2-hour shuttle (往返) bus from Venice Ljubljana. Problem solved.

Explore travel websites and blogs.

    4     Visit travel websites and blogs that specialize in the destinations on your route. These websites often feature articles and lists of top attractions, along with detailed descriptions, impressive photos, and helpful tips from experienced travelers. Take the time to look through these websites and complete a list of the attractions that catch your interest.

Seek suggestions from locals.

Locals are often the best sources of information when it comes to discovering hidden destinations. Engage (接触) with locals through conversations, or social media groups related to your destination.     5    

A．Be creative.

B．Can’t even pronounce a place?

C．Avoid the common misunderstandings.

D．Can’t find a way to write your journal?

E．But how are you going to decide where to actually go?

F．The Internet is a place full of valuable information when it comes to travel.

G．Ask for their recommendations that might not be widely known but are worth exploring.

8 . A 2021 York University study showed that weekly dance training improved motor function and daily living for those with mild Parkinson’s disease. So what is it about dance that’s different from other exercises?

Helena Blumen, a scientist at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, says the mental multitasking that dance requires activates various parts of the brain at the same time, which can lead to the building of better connections across different brain regions. Basically, dancing requires more “brain power” than simpler repetitive exercises.

While scientists are still learning how dancing works in the brain, a clearer picture is beginning to take shape. In 2018, researchers at Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg in Germany, did MRI scans (扫描) of older adults who had taken part in one of the two programs over six months: one group practiced dance and the other did a traditional exercise program with cycling and strength training.

Both groups improved their level of physical fitness, but the dancers grew more white and grey matter in the parts of the brain that are responsible for cognitive (认知的) processes. What’s more, the dancers showed an increase in blood plasma BDNF, a factor known to play an important role in the development of brain capacity (能力). Together, the researchers suppose, these brain changes contribute to more of the brain’s ability to form new connections and pathways.

In a different study in 2022, Blumen and other researchers from Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that social ballroom dancing, when compared with treadmill walking among adults over 65, was connected with diminished possibility of developing Alzheimer’s disease and improved overall quality of life.

Similar studies have shown the benefits of dance in conditions ranging from MS to Huntington’s disease or other mental illnesses. Dance therapy (疗法) might even help people with brain injuries. A small Finnish study of 11 people with severe brain injury showed that dance-based therapy may improve mobility, cognition and overall well-being.

1. How is dancing different from other exercises according to the text?

A．Dancing is more fun.	B．Dancing is more challenging.
C．Dancing is better for the heart.	D．Dancing requires more brain activities.

2. How was the 2018 study at Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg conducted?

A．By making a detailed survey.	B．By referring to previous studies.
C．By making comparative analyses.	D．By setting up a modeling pattern.

3. What does the underlined word “diminished” in Paragraph 5 mean?

A．Reduced.

B．imagined.

C．Flexible.

D．Existent.

4. What can we infer about the dance therapy in the last paragraph?

A．It’s risky.

B．It’s beneficial.

C．It’s informal.

D．It’s traditional.

9 . Among those history, science and literature for teenagers, Sophie’s World is definitely a classic. The defining theme (主题) of Sophie’s World is, pretty clearly, philosophy. As the book moves along, Sophie Amundsen, a teenaged girl, learns important lessons in the history of Western philosophy from her teacher, Alberto Knox. Alberto, an intelligent man, guides Sophie through the history of philosophy.

It would take too long to summarize every philosophical system that Alberto reviews with Sophie—in fact, doing so would be beside the point. By the end of the book, Sophie certainly hasn’t settled on any one system of ideas. There are things about Plato, Hegel, Kant, and Nietzsche that she admires, and a few moral issues that she’s particularly interested in but she’s not prepared to throw in her lot as a Kantian or a Nietzschean. Even after learning about 3,000 years of Western thought, Sophie continues to wonder what to believe.

The concept of “wonder”—both in the sense of questioning what is true, and in the sense of being continually amazed by the world—is the key to understanding Sophie’s World. One reason why the novel doesn’t end with Sophie arriving at an answer to her questions is that any such answer would be a little unsatisfactory, since it would make the universe seem “fixed”, predictable, and dry. Alberto teaches Sophie about philosophy not to give her answers but to train her to ask questions—to think of herself as an outsider, trying to make sense of what’s right in front of her nose. A good philosopher will never lose her sense of wonder at the universe’s mysteries. One could even say that the goal of philosophy as Alberto understands it is to escape banality (平庸) and boredom.

In this way, Sophie’s World arrives at the strange conclusion (结论) that although it’s important to ask philosophical questions, it’s not particularly important to choose definite answers to these questions. Philosophy is about preserving one’s sense of wonder—this, it’s suggested, is the only real wisdom.

1. What is the main subject matter of Sophie’s World?

A．History.

B．Philosophy.

C．Science.

D．Literature.

2. What prevents Sophie choosing just one philosophical system to believe?

A．She is too young to understand the diverse ideas.

B．She wants to relate science knowledge to philosophy.

C．She finds the philosophical systems too boring to follow.

D．She wants to continue exploring different philosophy ideas.

3. What is the goal of philosophy according to the text?

A．To train people to become critical thinkers.

B．To teach the history of Western philosophical thought.

C．To provide definitive answers about the meaning of life.

D．To help people keep a sense of wonder about the world.

4. What is the text?

A．A book review.

B．A diary entry.

C．A research paper.

D．A short story.

10 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Which is the second most widely used language in New York?

A．Spanish.

B．Russian.

C．Korean.

2. Which neighborhood uses Chinese as the main language?

A．Washington Heights.

B．Flushing.

C．Brooklyn.

3. What is the speech mainly about?

A．Language diversity in New York.

B．Tourist destinations in the US.

C．Translation services in New York.