1 . Tracks Through Time: Four Stunning UK Train Journeys

The United Kingdom is rightly celebrated as the birthplace of the railway. And there’s no better way to see it than sitting by the window in a train.

Glasgow to Mallaig

Considered by some to be the most scenic railway line in the world, this line takes passengers from the bustling city of Glasgow through Scotland’s wild western highlands to the remote port of Mallaig. Immerse yourself in unforgettable scenery on this journey, and don’t forget to look out for Ben Nevis!

The Caledonian Sleeper

Passengers can enjoy falling asleep to the rhythm of the train on leaving London, then waking up to the serene beauty of the Highlands at dawn right outside your window. Take a trip back in time with all the modern amenities you could want with this iconic train journey!

The Cambrian Line

Wales, with its dramatic landscapes, historic sites and inspiring vistas, offers some magical train journeys to be found in the UK. And perhaps the jewel in the Welsh crown is the Cambrian Line, which weaves its way through Mid Wales to the coast. The route begins in Shrewsbury in England and is famed for its scenery.

The Settle-Carlisle Line

No article on iconic United Kingdom train journeys would be complete without this incredible train line. Opened in 1876, the 73-mile long route takes the traveller from Settle Junction in North Yorkshire to Carlisle in Cumbria. Threatened with closure in the 1980s, the line was saved thanks to the efforts of rail lovers, and passenger numbers have gone from strength to strength.

1. Which place should you go to if you want to visit a harbor?

A．Glasgow.	B．Mallaig.
C．Western highlands.	D．Ben Nevis.

2. What can you do by taking the Cambrian Line?

A．Pick up some precious jewels.

B．Weave magic to enjoy the route.

C．Have a sound and comfortable sleep.

D．Appreciate fantastic views in Wales.

3. Which line was once in danger of being shut?

A．Glasgow to Mallaig.	B．The Caledonian Sleeper.
C．The Cambrian Line.	D．The Settle Carlisle Line.

2 . A Hollywood-quality movie may soon be only a few text prompts away. OpenAI last week revealed its latest, world-shocking technology: a text-to-video app called Sora that can produce photorealistic short videos lasting up to a minute.

The company hasn’t released Sora to the public yet, but the artificially generated videos it created for its demonstration were stunning. In one, the detailed prompt involves people walking through Tokyo while cherry blossoms are flying through the wind. The resulting video was a mind-blowing exercise in world-building, showing a couple walking in a detailed streetscape that is unmistakably Tokyo. Perhaps even more awe-inspiring is that Sora does not merely produce videos that fulfill the demands of the prompts. It improvises (即兴创作) in a way that suggests a talent for storytelling.

“Good grief,” said Loz Blain in New Atlas. “We’d better try to deal with the speed at which this technology is advancing. The wheel, the steam engine, the airplane, the computer, the Internet... None of them ever sped up like this. If you look closely, you can’t tell that these very short videos aren’t real. But it’s impossible to say whether this technology is nearly as good as it’s going to get. Videos made a year ago, using the AI tool Midjourney, couldn’t even display the correct number of fingers on a hand. But Sora now creates a world as you describe. Get ready for the next wave of ‘AI disruption (颠覆)’ as Sora shakes the entertainment industry.”

Yet costs are increasing, too. Estimates of the cost of building out AI systems have varied from hundreds of billions to 7 trillion dollars over the coming years. Where’s the money going to come from? With OpenAI’s current valuation approaching $100 billion, traditional investors are largely priced out. Governments may be one possible solution, but many are likely to have national security concerns about backing this technology.

Such concerns are well founded. It’s simply impossible to know how these systems will be misused until they’re out in the wild. While OpenAI has the ability to prevent violent pictures, disinformation is much harder to police. Faked videos could so w confusion and chaos. At the very least, OpenAI should wait until after November to bring Sora to the public.

1. Why does the author mention the resulting video in paragraph 2?

A．To show Sora has a better gift for writing stories.

B．To show Sora has the potential to create great videos.

C．To show the video is as good as a Hollywood-quality one.

D．To show the video is a stunning result of human wisdom.

2. What is Loz Blain’s attitude towards the future of Sora?

A．Dismissive.

B．Unclear.

C．Optimistic.

D．Objective.

3. What can be inferred about the technology from the last two paragraphs?

A．It is bound to cause confusion and chaos.

B．Traditional investment in it is a possible option.

C．Governments are doubtful about its development.

D．Possible problems related to its use remain to be seen.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Sora: a Rising Star of Video-Making	B．Sora: an Admirable Genius at Storytelling
C．Sora: a Troublemaker of Public Safety	D．Sora: a Potential Promoter of Film Industry

3 . Do you have plastic bottles at home? Did you throw empty plastic bottles into the trash, just because you didn’t know how to use them? However, there are many interesting things you can do with empty plastic bottles!     1    

●Spray for your garden.     2     Then adjust the rubber bracelet to the mouth of the bottle, and make sure the plastic bottle mouth neatly fits through the hole in the lid. When everything is ready, you will have a spray bottle for your garden!

●Separate eggs. Do you find it challenging to separate eggs? In some recipes, you just need the yolks (蛋黄) or the whites, but the process is a bit complicated.     3     Break the egg into a bowl. Remove the lid from the bottle and pinch a little. Then continue the pressure, put the ends into the yolks and stop the pressure. In this way, the yolks will be absorbed into the bottle while the whites will remain on the plate.

    4     When making biscuits, you may need tools to cut them. Plastic bottles will do again. Making a homemade biscuit cutter from plastic bottles is the best way to reuse plastic bottles, as you never know the situation when you need to use it. You just need a small or a large plastic bottle depending on your needs.     5     And then take one of two sections to cut the biscuits.

A．Cut off the biscuits.

B．Make biscuits easily.

C．Cut the bottle into half.

D．So next time take advantage of them.

E．Use bottles to kill garden pests effectively.

F．Don’t worry, and you can solve this problem with a plastic bottle.

G．For this trick, you only need to drill a few holes in a plastic bottle.

4 . The community is the basic unit where we share space and resources with others. A harmonious and orderly community not only enhances the quality of life for its residents but also promotes stability and development in society. Therefore, community residents should understand and fulfill their responsibilities and duties to ensure a harmonious and beautiful community environment.

    1    

The cleanliness of the community environment directly affects the health and quality of life of its residents. Residents should avoid littering, actively participate in community cleaning activities, and regularly clean their own doorsteps and surroundings. Additionally, properly sorting waste and participating in recycling are essential duties for every resident.

Observing public order

    2    . Every resident should observe public order and not disturb the peace of the community. This includes controlling noise from household activities, avoiding loud noises at night or on rest days, and following traffic rules by not parking illegally or speeding within the community. Moreover, residents should treasure public facilities and not damage plants or trees, collectively maintaining the community’s beauty and functionality.

Participating in community management

Actively participating in community management is;an important responsibility for residents. This includes voting for community leaders, participating in community meetings, and offering suggestions and feedback on the management and activities of the community. Residents can also join volunteer organizations, take part in community safety patrols, and organize cultural events.     3    .

Promoting neighborly harmony

Good neighborly relations are the foundation of a harmonious community.     4    . Each should be willing to help, and provide extra care and assistance to the elderly, children, and disabled individuals. When facing neighborhood disputes (纠纷), residents should approach the situation with understanding and tolerance and resolve issues through communication and negotiation.

Enhancing safety awareness

Community safety affects everyone’s interests. Residents should increase their safety awareness and report suspicious behavior and safety hazards (安全隐患) promptly.     5    . Using them, residents can protect themselves and assist others in emergencies.

A．Protecting ourselves and others

B．Residents should respect each other

C．Maintaining environmental cleanliness

D．The community is a space for public life

E．Those all contribute to the community’s development

F．Every resident has the opportunity to clean the community park

G．Besides, residents should learn basic safety knowledge and first aid skills

5 . Four Tips to Promote Your Self-Confidence

The following tips might help promote your self-confidence, so you can feel more comfortable with whom you are.

    1     Developing positive thoughts can serve as a good foundation, but the people around you can have a significant influence on your self-confidence as well. Consider surrounding yourself with people who build you up and encourage you to follow what you want in life.

Set goals for yourself. You don’t have to set large goals: you might begin with small goals that you can easily achieve. For example, you might set a goal to take a walk every day after work. It may be helpful to keep a list of the accomplishments that have made you feel proud.     2    

Think about what makes you feel attractive. It can be easy to fall into the trap of looking for imperfections in ourselves, both inside and outside.     3     You might begin with qualities that make you a good friend, parent or coworker. You can also find ways to bring out your natural beauty by making small changes.     4     For example, you might try a new hairstyle, buy an article of clothing that you like, etc.

Do something brave once a week. It can be frightening to put ourselves out there, but sometimes the risk can be worth the reward. Taking risks doesn’t necessarily mean going bungee jumping or mountain climbing.     5     Perhaps you might talk to that person you’re interested in. Even if it doesn’t turn out the way you want it to, just taking the leap shows self-confidence and may make you feel proud of yourself.

A．Make influences on others.

B．Surround yourself with positivity.

C．Achieving large goals is one way to feel confident.

D．You can simply do something to step out of your comfort zone.

E．Instead, you might make a list of things that make you attractive.

F．You can use this list as motivation to get you to achieve your bigger goals.

G．Sometimes, even the simplest change can make us feel good about ourselves.