1 . Many people view cities largely in negative terms — as crowded, dirty, unhealthy environments that are breeding (繁殖) grounds for disease and crime. People fear that as cities get bigger, living conditions will get worse. To a growing number of economists, urban planners, and environmentalists, urbanization is good news. Many planners now believe big cities offer a solution to dealing with the problem of Earth’s growing population.

Harvard economist Edward Glaeser is one person who believes that cities bring largely positive benefits. Glaeser’s optimism is reflected in the title of his book The Triumph of the City. Glaeser argues that poor people flock to cities because that’s usually where the money is. Cities are productive because of “the absence of space between people”, which reduces the cost of transporting goods, people, and ideas. While the flow of goods has always been important to cities, what is most important today is the flow of ideas. Successful cities attract and reward smart people with higher wages, and they enable people to learn from one another. In the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street, employees work in one open, crowded space sharing information. “They value knowledge over space. That’s what the modern city is all about.”

Another champion of urbanization is environmentalist Stewart Brand. From an ecological perspective, says Brand, moving people out of cities would be disastrous. Because cities are dense, they allow half of the world’s population to live on about four percent of the land, leaving more space for open country, such as farmland. People living in cities also have less impact per capita (人均) on the environment. Their roads, sewers (下水道) , and power lines are shorter and require fewer resources to build and operate. City apartments require less energy to heat, cool, and light than larger houses in suburbs and rural areas. Most importantly, people living in dense cities drive less. They can walk to many destinations, and public transportation is practical because enough people travel regularly to the same places. As a result, dense cities tend to produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions per person than scattered, sprawling suburbs.

Despite the negative aspects such as pollution and serious problems like urban slums, it is a mistake to see urbanization as evil; instead, we should view it as an inevitable part of development. Rapid growth itself is not the real problem — the larger issue is how to manage the growth.

1. Why does the author mention the New York Stock Exchange in Paragraph 2?

A．To indicate the space there is valuable.

B．To show how goods can be exchanged.

C．To illustrate the importance of information flow.

D．To describe what a modern city should look like.

2. The underlined word “champion” in Paragraph 3 probably refers to a person who ________.

A．advocates something	B．challenges something
C．achieves something	D．protects something

3. Stewart Brand believes that ________.

A．urbanization would be more disastrous

B．life in cities is more economical than in rural areas

C．public transportation consumes more energy in cities

D．people living in rural areas have less impact on the environment

4. How does the author support Stewart Brand’s idea in Paragraph 3?

A．By quoting authorities.	B．By making comparisons.
C．By analysing the causes.	D．By criticizing opposing views.

2 . The fact that gender diversity is something that companies constantly desire highlights the problem in itself. Actually, there are several professional industries where the female to male ratio (比例) is still nowhere close to equal. Across industries, the workforce gender balance is still highly skewed (偏向……的), even in domains which do not conventionally involve laborious work. The tech industry is a case in point, with the workforce imbalance definitely being one of the most prominent on the list.

Diversity and inclusion need to go hand in hand, and women around the world are increasingly assuming important positions and taking core decisions in the tech sector. These women are driving technological change and innovation which impact the industry at large.

Gender diversity, like diversity in general, is important for varied perspectives and thought processes in a company. These perspectives are what help shape advancements and new ideas in technology and overall operations for the success of the business. This is especially true for technologies such as AI. The effects of personal biases on AI can tilt (使……倾斜) the results and, thus, they require a number of inputs and caution on the team’s part, to be able to produce accurate solutions based on diverse and inclusive data.

According to a 2017 report on Higher Education by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, women were at or near parity (对等) among undergraduate degrees in science IT and computer. Most women equal men when it comes to skills, but face discrimination in other areas, thus creating a gap and reducing the will to continue at the company.

According to reports, biased treatment within the workplace is the most frequently cited reason for leaving, followed by poor management. There is still scope for a shift in attitudes at workplaces, which is a major obstacle when it comes to retaining women employees. In order to retain this talent and hire more talent like this, governments, NGOs and leaders from tech organizations need to come together to help close the gender gap further by providing more flexible work options and decision-making opportunities for women.

More and more women across the world are interested in pursuing tech careers or maintaining their existing ones. There is a need to encourage them to take up roles in AI and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) with opportunities that are both fair and equal. Given the computer-driven nature of AI, there is a need for women from diverse backgrounds to balance out the conventionally male-dominated profession to give an accurate representation. Thus, an inclusive and diverse workforce, combined with better HR policies will retain and draw in more women. This, in turn, will help the entire tech industry to develop a more comprehensive, empathetic (感同身受的) way of operations, which will undoubtedly influence the future socio-cultural thread driven by products and services developed by them.

1. From the first paragraph we know that ________.

A．gender balance problem remains to be solved

B．laborious work demands more gender balance

C．not all industries have gender balance problem

D．gender balance problem has been more serious

2. Women employees are reported to leave their jobs mainly because of ________.

A．unsatisfying income	B．unfair treatment
C．competitive workplace	D．poor management

3. Which of the following can help to retain and attract more women?

A．Encouraging women to take up all kinds of roles.

B．Treating women employees more kindly than to men employees.

C．Offering women diverse work choices and decision-making opportunities.

D．Providing a tolerant working environment combined with favorable welfare.

4. What is the purpose of writing this passage?

A．To appeal to women to protect their proper rights

B．To present the fact of gender bias in the tech industry

C．To call for more women representation in the tech industry

D．To teach the tech industry how to get rid of gender bias

3 . As a big country, China’s economic and political influence is felt around the world. And its influence in education and culture has been growing too. The Confucius Institute offering free language classes has gained increasing popularity in both Hungary and Serbia. By offering opportunities to learn Chinese language and traditional arts, Confucius Institutes bring Chinese culture closer to interested learners serving as bridges between nations.

During my childhood, I held an unspoken fascination for Asian culture a passion cultivated through watching dramas such as the Monkey King. At the time, the idea of studying this captivating region didn’t occupy my mind. My turning point came when the desire to challenge myself led me to choose China for further education. It was a decision — not only for academic growth, but also to experience the responsibility of looking after myself. Taking the road that is less traveled means less company, less comfort. But it also means forging a life with an entirely different perspective I am seeking.

Undertaking Chinese language training presented a remarkable opportunity for many reasons. I firmly believe that acquiring proficiency in the language of the culture is not merely useful, but is also an effective means to truly understand that culture. The combination of learning the language in a classroom setting and applying it in everyday life offers an enriching experience. I participated in the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations held by my local Confucius Institute, such as trying my hand at Chinese crafts providing me with a first-hand experience of the culture.

If given another chance, I would explore even deeper into the rich cultural tapestry that surrounds me. Exploring renowned landmarks like the oriental Pearl Tower previously unvisited, felt like embarking on a new journey of discovery. I can say that along this path, I am gradually learning that valuable lessons unfold step by step.

1. What is the main function of the Confucius Institute in global cultural exchanges?

A．Offering language courses with a very small fee.

B．Fostering international understanding of Chinese culture.

C．Promoting Chinese tourism and business opportunities abroad.

D．Serving as a platform for economic cooperation between countries.

2. What makes the author decide on further education in China?

A．The TV drama the Monkey King.

B．The Asian cultural fascination.

C．The desire for whole-person growth.

D．The dream to study in a foreign place.

3. Why does the author share her experience with Mid-Autumn Festival?

A．To highlight the challenges of living abroad.

B．To encourage others to participate in local festivals.

C．To criticize the traditional classroom language learning.

D．To emphasize interactive learning in cultural understanding.

4. Which is the most suitable title for the text?

A．The Path Less Traveled

B．Language as a Bridge to Culture

C．Guide to Studying Abroad in China

D．Embracing Art: Beyond the Classroom

4 . Bing, also known as a Chinese pancake, is a traditional Chinese recipe, similar to pancakes. It is commonly made of dough (面团).     1    , be prepared to learn how to make these yummy recipes!

Step 1: Combine the ingredients

Combine the ingredients for the dough (flour, salt, and cooking oil). Knead (揉) the dough until it has a soft consistency that isn’t too wet. During this time, you can adjust the consistency, for example, by adding more oil or flour.     2    .

Step 2: Separate the dough

Separate the dough into different pieces, the size that you want.     3    , don’t separate it too much, and vice versa. You can use a rolling pin to help with making a circle. Chinese Pancake is commonly made in a circle shape, but can be any shape you want!

Step 3: Add spring onions

Add spring onions to the dough.     4     and sprinkle them on the bing. This gives the flavor for the cong you bing. The name “cong” in cong you bing actually refers to the spring onions. These can also be called scallions. green onions, and onions. You can also knead the dough again to mix the onion in.

Step 4: Fry both sides

Fry both sides of the pancake on low-medium heat until the sides are golden brown. It takes 3-5 minutes per side. Remember to take it out before the sides get dark brown. Fry for a short time if you want a soft pancake, and fry it for a longer time to make it crispier.

Step 5: Serve and enjoy!

    5    , but can be served in formal meals as well.

A．Divide it into ten equal pieces

B．Cut the onions into tiny pieces

C．It can be eaten as a casual food

D．Make sure you have enough dough

E．If this is already mouthwatering to you

F．If you want to make the pancake bigger

G．Heat up the pan while still working on the dough

5 . Working in an industry that’s constantly evolving is no small feat for musicians. Giving fans a memorable show is crucial, and some artists are looking to virtual reality to do just that. Travis Scott for example, partnered with Fortnite to bring his virtual-reality concert, Astronomical, to a global audience. The event drew in 12 million viewers. But interest in VR concerts came earlier. In 2019, the entertainment-technology company Wave launched a multichannel virtual platform for live concerts through various digital means: video games, live streaming channels, social networks, and more. Wave has since teamed up with the likes of The Weekend, Justin Bieber, and John Legend.

The appeal of such immersive concerts, by placing the audience in a digital world that stimulates both sight and sound to create an experience that makes one feel like they are truly part of the event, lies heavily in their experimental mature. Artists can try new ways to connect with listeners in digital environments. For fans skirting painful concert-ticket prices avoiding large crowds at venues, and experiencing their favorite musicians in an alternate world are convincing benefits.

VR has its downside. Only about 13% of households in the US own a VR headset so the technology isn’t common. In a survey, 67% of respondents who didn’t own a VR headset said its price tag kept them from purchasing one. Some people who paid a pretty penny have returned the headset because they simply didn’t know how to set it up or didn’t think the image quality was worth the cost. Discomfort is another issue: long-term use of a headset could cause discomfort in the neck and eyes, and according to the Food and Drug Administration, motion sickness is the most commonly reported negative side effect of VR. There’s also the possibility of VR separating users too far from reality, which could rewire their brains if they don’t moderate headset use. However, looking ahead. Amy Dorsey, the managing director of Dorsey Pictures, said that developments in advanced digital reality would pave the way for the next version of entertainment.

1. Which artist cooperated with Fortnite to deliver a virtual-reality concert?

A．Justin Bieber.	B．Wave.
C．Travis Scott.	D．Astronomical.

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

A．Cost-effective.	B．Environmentally friendly.
C．Quick and efficient.	D．Engaging and surrounding.

3. Which could be a potential drawback of VR concerts as suggested by the text?

A．VR concerts could cause a decrease in video image quality.

B．They may prevent people from attending live concerts altogether.

C．Long-time standing with VR headsets may lead to motion disability.

D．The high cost of VR headsets could limit accessibility for some fans.

4. What will the text discuss next?

A．The historical development of VR technology.

B．Future directions and innovations in VR.

C．Present market trends in VR headset sales.

D．Comparisons between VR and traditional concerts.

6 . While conquering the world’s swimming pools in the late 1990s and the 2000s, Amanda Beard had already included breathing exercises in her training. Several years after the end of her athletic career, she discovered walking meditation. Today the seven-time US Olympic medalist practices walking meditation in nature, around the house, or while walking the dog. It’s a daily practice with the focused mindfulness of meditation that contributes positively to every aspect of her life, she says.

You don’t need equipment or a designated space to start. The idea of a walking meditation is to pay attention to the way your body feels, noticing things like the sky, trees, tuning into all of your senses. This means you can meditate “on the go” in the countryside, in the city, in your backyard, and virtually anywhere. A simple, 10-minute walking meditation for beginners requires that you just start at ease. Consider what you hear, smell and see. Think about how your feet touch the ground. Fully focus on these feelings.

A report in Health Promotion Perspectives also found that walking meditation can improve your balance, adjust your heart rate, boost your mental focus, and help you battle anxiety and depression. “The benefits of meditation are many,” says Dr. Schramm, a board-certified family physician and meditation teacher. “When we do this over and over again, we train the brain to focus on only one thing at a time and this increases both our blood flow and actual neuronal (神经元) changes within our brains.”

“The magic of meditation is to be able to help you connect with yourself; meditation shouldn’t feel a certain way,” says Tara Stiles, a yoga and wellness expert. It’s a common mistake in meditation: People fear a wandering mind. “A wandering mind is completely normal,” Stiles says. “Even experienced meditators aren’t sitting there never having a thought, but when they have the thought they choose to guide themselves back to their breath instead of getting frustrated.

1. What is walking meditation?

A．Plain walking.	B．Mindful walking.
C．A competitive sport.	D．Deep thought while stationary.

2. Which of the following is recommended to a beginner starting walking meditation?

A．A familiar environment.	B．A 10-minute walking time.
C．A relaxed but observant state.	D．A piece of special equipment.

3. What is the brain’s reaction to walking meditation according to Dr. Schramm?

A．Enhancing the blood flow.	B．Undergoing balance training.
C．Having more active thoughts.	D．Decreasing neuronal changes.

4. What is Tara Stiles’ attitude towards distractions?

A．Carefree.	B．Frustrated.
C．Concerned.	D．Positive.

7 . Any good recipe needs an ingredient list, a cooking method, and if it’s particularly successful, there will be a personal touch describing how the recipe was developed through repeated tests until it was just right. It is a balance of these elements in recipes that ensures good cookbooks are the most important part of any kitchen.

Good communication is just like making a good dish. This is where The Art of Explanation: How to Communicate with Clarity and Confidence steps in. Written by journalist Ros Atkins, it is a recipe book for storytelling, made to be roughly looked through. The “ingredient list” is information required to communicate effectively. The methodology is given according to the different settings.

In this book, Atkins presents a seven-step method for giving a great explanation, from getting the main information to giving information in an easy-to-understand way. Reviewing a book of this nature is a test of how well I have understood the information in this guide. The most important parts of the method include: gathering information effectively; communicating it clearly; and achieving the delivery. But, for me, it is not this method that makes this book interesting but the “personal touch” stories, which draw on Atkins’ life, that give this book its edge.

I was most drawn to the practical examples in The Art of Explanation, because it offered a chance to know more about Atkins’ career, from starting out as a graduate to taking a new approach to explanation on a BBC’s program, Outside Source. As Atkins puts it himself, “Tell a good story, so people will pay attention to your every word.” Stories, and how they are told, are at the heart of journalism. It is no surprise that the stories told in the book are particularly attractive, such as how Atkins began his journalism career as a junior reporter in South Africa. These stories make The Art of Explanation worth reading, moving it from a textbook to something that works like a well-written cookbook.

1. Why does the author mention recipes in the first paragraph?

A．To explain what a good recipe should be like.

B．To compare them to effective communication.

C．To encourage readers to make dishes themselves.

D．To stress the importance of the personal touch in a book.

2. What makes The Art of Explanation interesting?

A．The ingredient list.	B．The seven-step method.
C．The personal stories of Atkins.	D．The way to deliver the message.

3. What does the author think of the book?

A．It should be read word for word.

B．It is written in an easy-to-understand way.

C．The method introduced in the book is boring.

D．The way that it tells stories is quite worth learning.

4. In which section of a newspaper may this text appear?

A．Education.

B．Health.

C．Entertainment.

D．Science.

8 . 阅读下面材料, 根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段, 使之构成一篇完整的短文。

Once upon a time, in a remote village, there lived two friends, Jack and Tom. They were inseparable, sharing every joy and sorrow, and always ready to start up new adventures together.

One day, they heard stories of a hidden treasure buried deep in the forbidden forest. Motivated, they decided to start up a search to find the treasure and make their fortune. Equipped with only a map, a compass, and their courage, Jack and Tom entered into the dense and dangerous forest. The trees towered overhead, blocking out the sun, and the undergrowth was thick and messy. They had to crawl and climb their way through, facing all sorts of barriers and creatures.

As they dug deeper into the forest, they encountered a fierce wolf that bared its teeth at them. They managed to escape by climbing a tall tree, but not before the wolf had torn their bag-pack to pieces, leaving them with only the essentials.

Determined and fearless, they pushed their way onward, following the clues on the map. They crossed swamps (湿地) and scaled cliffs, despite hunger and thirst. Their feet were bleeding and their clothes torn, but their spirits were high and their determination unshakable.

Finally, after days of hardship and danger, they hit on a clearing in the forest. In the center stood an ancient stone altar (祭坛), and beside it, a chest (箱子) that glowed with a mysterious light. They knew they had found the treasure.

注意: (1) 续写词数应为150个左右;
(2) 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

But as they approached the chest, they heard a deep sound from the earth beneath their feet.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Finally, the two friends realized that the true treasure of their journey was not the gold and jewels.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10 . 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。

Professor Yeh Chia-ying was born in 1924. After graduation, she had been working in Taiwan, China, for 15 years since 1954.     1     (start) at 1979, she returned to Chinese mainland every summer to teach at numerous universities. She has a worldwide reputation     2     her study on Chinese classical literature, and she is also a distinguished     3     (represent) for the promotion of Chinese poetry across the world. On her 90th birthday, former Premier Wen Jiabao sent her a congratulatory letter to praise her for her purity of heart and the     4     (strong) of her poetry.

Poetry is almost the whole of Yeh Chia-ying’s life. Now she is all alone in her old age. Giving lectures to young people becomes her favorite thing     5     (do). Over the years, she     6     (invite) to dozens of universities in China to give lectures on classical poetry. She believes that yinsong is an important form of passing on classical Chinese poetry     7     stresses that only China has yinsong while other     8     (country) literature does not. When poetry is coupled with rhyme and the tone, not only is it better remembered, but it is also a step     9     (close) to the author’s emotional world.

“I want to leave the soon-to-be-lost yinsong to the world and to those     10     are true lovers of poetry before I leave the world,” Yeh Chia-ying said.