1 . The Sydney Opera House has become, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney’s best-known landmark and international symbol.

The base for the building was started in 1959 — years before the designs were finished. It took four years to design by Danish architect Jorn Utzon and by 1962 the designs were finalized and construction began. In total, it took 14 years to build and was officially opened on the 20th of October 1973 by Queen Elizabeth II.

The Sydney Opera House is a fascinating building and heart of the city’s cultural scene. It opened with a concert hall, an opera theatre, a drama theatre and a recital (音乐演奏会) hall, as well as restaurants and bars. A fifth theatre was added within the structure in 1998.

The Sydney Opera House cost some $160 million to build and was paid for by the public who bought $10 tickets in a series of lotteries with a first prize of $1million.

More information about the Sydney Opera House:

Conducts 3,000 events each year

Provides guided tours to 200,000 people each year

Has an annual audience of 2 million for its performances

includes 1,000 rooms

Is 185 metres long and 120 metres wide

Has 2.194 pre-cast concrete sections as its roof

Has roof sections weighing up to 15 tons

Has roof sections held together by 350 kms of tensioned steel cable

Has over 1 million tiles on the roof

Uses 6,225 square metres of glass and 645 kilometres of electric cable

1. When were the designs of the Sydney Opera House started?

A．In1960.

B．In1962.

C．In1958.

D．In1973.

2. The Sydney Opera House doesn’t consist of ______.

A．a drama theatre	B．an opera theatre
C．a concert hall	D．a reception hall

3. Which of the following is NOT true?

A．The Sydney Opera House has an audience of 2 million per year for its performances.

B．There are about 3,000 events held in the Sydney Opera House each year.

C．The Sydney Opera House is made up of more than 1,000 rooms.

D．The roof of the Sydney Opera House is made of concrete and steel.

2 . 阅读下列短文，根据短文内容填空。在未给提示词的空白处仅填写1个适当的单词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。

Parents often believe that they have a good relationship with their teenagers. But last summer, Joanna and her husband noticed a change in their older son: Suddenly, he seemed to be talking far more to his friends     1     to his parents. “Usually, the door to his room     2     (shut).” Joanna noted.

3 . 阅读下列短文，根据短文内容填空。在未给提示词的空白处仅填写1个适当的单词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。

    1     the night of July 28, 1976, one of the greatest earthquakes in the twentieth century hit Tangshan, Hebei. Strange things were happening, but people thought little of the       2     (warn). Then, at 3:42 a. m., the earth shook

Nearly a       3     (three) of China felt it. In less than one minute Tangshan was in ruins and more than 400,000 people were killed or injured. In the afternoon came another quake. Even more building     4     (fall) down. People began to wonder if the disaster would end.

4 . Beyond the classroom, the US provides various job opportunities that allow students to gain practical experience, earn income and enhance their skill sets. Here are some of the diverse employment avenues available for international students while attending university in the US.

On-campus employment

Many US universities offer on-campus employment opportunities for international students, providing a convenient and accessible way to earn income while pursuing their studies. These positions may include roles in libraries, administrative offices, student centers, or even research assistantships within academic departments. On-campus employment is typically limited to 20 hours per week during the academic year, allowing students to balance work and study commitments.

Off-campus employment

Off-campus employment opportunities are also available, although with certain restrictions. The two primary categories of off-campus employment are optional practical training (OPT)and curricular practical training (CPT). OPT allows students to work in their field of study for up to 12 months (or 24 months for STEM fields)after graduation, providing valuable real-world experience. CPT, on the other hand, permits students to engage in practical training directly related to their academic program while still attending their university.

Internships and cooperative programs

Many US universities have robust internship and cooperative education programs that connect students with industry partners. These programs offer international students the chance to apply classroom knowledge in professional settings, fostering skill development and industry connections. Internships, whether paid or unpaid, are valuable stepping stones that often lead to full-time employment opportunities after graduation.

Research assistantships

For students pursuing advanced degrees, research assistantships provide a unique opportunity to work closely with faculty on cutting-edge research projects. These positions not only contribute to academic and professional growth but also offer financial backing. Research assistantships can be found in various disciplines, including science, engineering, social sciences and humanities.

1. What sets On-campus employment apart from other job opportunities?

A．It is available before graduation.

B．Its work time is no more than 20 hours every week.

C．It can help students earn money and pursue their studies.

D．It provides cutting-edge research projects.

2. Which of the following can pave the way for students’ full-time employment?

A．On-campus employment.	B．Off-campus employment.
C．Internships.	D．Cooperative programs.

3. What can Research assistantships provide for international students?

A．A university degree.	B．Industry connection.
C．Real-world experience.	D．Financial support.

5 . Not many drinks can offer the health benefits of tea, the strength of coffee, and the joy of chocolate like this super brew, yerba mate. Along with supposed benefits of supporting weight loss, concentration, and better digestion, drinking yerba mate continues to symbolize culture and tradition in South America.

Consumed mostly in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil — as well as in Syria and Lebanon — yerba mate (pronounced MAH-tay)is a hot, bitter, caffeinated tea made by steeping the dried leaves of the yerba mate plant. Containing roughly as much caffeine as coffee, about 80 milligrams per cup, mate has gained global popularity — much so that brands like Perrier, Red Bull, and PepsiCo have launched mate drinks.

But in the last couple of decades, mate started experiencing a boom outside of South America. Karla Johan, a mate sommelier (侍酒师) from Argentina, attributes this partly to football players from Argentina and Uruguay bringing the habit to Europe, where they moved to play for local teams. In fact, one might say that mate is the “beverage of champions”. When Argentina’s national football team travelled to Qatar in December 2022 to play and won the World Cup, they carried 240 kg of yerba mate with them.

Yerba mate, of course, eventually migrated over to the U. S. and in recent years has become a popular ingredient in everything from health elixirs (保健药) to energy drinks. Loose leaves can be purchased at most specialty grocery stores to make the drink at home. And if you want to get the full yerba mate experience, you can even order a cup for drinking mate and bombilla online, gather some friends, and enjoy the beauty of the South American ritual for yourself.

Global messaging platform WhatsApp recently introduced a mate emoji, which points to mate’s growing popularity as people aim for a healthier lifestyle. That’s because mate, said Johan, contains a higher level of antioxidants than green tea or red wine, and a powerful combination of vitamins from the clay soil where it grows. In Argentina, mate is common, a faithful companion for matters great and small. Yet, unlike coffee or tea, it is not consumed in cafes: It’s what you have at home and at work, in the park and on the train, during class or at the gym.

1. Which of the following is not the feature of yerba mate?

A．Its bitter flavor.	B．Its long history.
C．Its ingredient of caffeine.	D．Its function of losing weight.

2. What makes yerba mate globally popular?

A．Its unique coffee taste.

B．Its health benefits.

C．The support of famous football players.

D．The launch of mate drinks by famous brands.

3. Which is the following is NOT true about yerba mate according to paragraph 4?

A．It can be easily accessible.	B．It can cure some diseases.
C．It can be made into energy drinks.	D．It can be purchased online.

4. Why do people show preference for yerba mate according to paragraph 5?

A．Because it is a faithful companion.

B．Because it can be enjoyed everywhere.

C．Because it contains some beneficial elements.

D．Because it is better than green tea and red wine.

6 . Smart entertainment is changing how we engage with leisure. By combining cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), augmented reality, and the internet of things with traditional forms of entertainment, this innovation is enhancing users’ experiences.

In 2023, Huawei introduced its Vision Smart TV3, transforming your home into your own amusement park. This innovative technology features groundbreaking AI super-sensing cameras and AI vision chips powered by deep learning and big data. These advanced components see and study your movements, enabling you to control characters through your body gestures. Social media is busy with users sharing their experiences of playing motion-sensing games, which require real-life movements like jumping and squatting instead of simply holding a controller.

The Vision Smart TV is not only cutting-edge but also family-friendly. Turning on the kids mode allows the screen to monitor real-time data, offering suggestions for adjusting a child’s viewing distance and posture. This provides a safe and comfortable entertainment experience for the younger audience. TorieZ, a Huawei Vision Smart TV3 owner and a mother of a 3-year-old daughter, shared her experience on Xiaohongshu. “Thanks to the smart screen, my child maintains good posture without constant supervision because her favorite cartoons stop if she slouches (懒洋洋地坐),” she said. When she’s free, TorieZ and her husband enjoy exercising together under the instructions of the TV.

We can not only play video games merely on the screens; now, with smart entertainment, you can get an immersive experience of Mario Kart, a racing video game, put right into your living room. While playing the game, players can control their karts running in their living rooms. Each kart has an onboard camera on it. The camera can record the layout of where they are and upload it to the Nintendo system. After processing it, some settings, like jungles and snowy landscapes, are created based on the layout and shown on the Switch screen. So, things in your living room, like the sofa and table, your feet or even your cat, can be a part of your game.

Step outside and you can also enjoy smart entertainment experiences. Shanghai Disney Resort uses big data analysis to offer personalized services. In the US and South America, VR World, the largest VR club, gives users super real gaming and travel adventures.

Looking forward, cutting-edge technologies will continue to change how we spend our leisure time.

1. How does Huawei’s Vision Smart TV3 improve user interaction in gaming experiences?

A．Through touch-activated screens.

B．Through voice-activated commands.

C．Through thought-based gaming controls.

D．Through immediate responses to motion gestures.

2. According to TorieZ, how does Vision Smart TV3 benefit her child?

A．By limiting overall screen time.

B．By providing exercise instructions.

C．By restricting access to certain content.

D．By offering real-time posture monitoring.

3. What can we know about the video game Mario Kart according to the passage?

A．The settings are fixed and can’t be changed.

B．Physical objects in the room can become part of the game.

C．Players wear VR headsets for a more engaging experience.

D．Players interact with AI characters in the game.

4. What can be the best title of the passage?

A．Having fun in new ways	B．How to spend our leisure time
C．Cutting-edge technologies	D．Innovative video games

7 . 在未给提示词的空白处仅填写1个适当的单词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。

Sue took some paper and a pen into Johnsy’s room and began a pen drawing, in an attempt     1     (raise) Johnsy’s spirits. Johnsy’s eyes were open, but they weren’t watching her. Instead, she stared     2     the window and     3     (count) backwards: “Ten, nine, eight, seven...”

“What are you counting, dear?” asked Sue. “They     4     (fall) faster now,” replied Johnsy. “Three days ago there were almost a hundred. But now it’s easy. There are only five left now. Five leaves on the ivy vine. When the last one falls, I must go, too. Didn’t the doctor tell you?”

8 . 在未给提示词的空白处仅填写1个适当的单词，在给出提示词的空白处用括号内所给词的正确形式填空。

Jobs and occupations come and go at an     1     (amaze) pace these days. If you think you can’t be replaced by software, or your job can’t be outsourced to some robots on the moon, you are wrong. What if your job disappears after working for 10 years in the field? You may have to go back to the classroom and     2     (retrain) in order to qualify to work in another field. In fact, in all likelihood, you will have to do this multiple times. But you can be prepared for developments and changes before you are thrown out of a career. It is     3     (entire) your choice to learn, or to be forced to learn.

9 . 语法填空

More than a third of the world’s population lives in drylands,     1     people are experiencing significant water shortages. Engineers and scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a low-cost gel film (凝胶膜) that can pull water from the air in even the driest climate.     2     (previous), researchers have harvested fresh water from fog and dew, but that only serves areas with high humidity. In fact, this gel is a vast improvement from previous water harvesting technologies. Scientists are planning on making a thicker gel     3     will increase the yield, making this technology a practicable solution to drought.

10 . World Environment Day is a UN Environment-led global event, ______ takes place on June 5 every year and is celebrated by thousands of communities worldwide. （用适当的词填空）