1 . If staying optimistic (乐观) is something you struggle with, you`re certainly not alone. Here are five ways you can frequently practice to be optimistic.

Be present every day

The majority of negative thoughts are about the past and future, which can`t be changed. To be present, you need to exactly figure out whether they are in the past, present or future and bring them back into the moment.     1    

Give thanks

The thoughts of giving thanks can help improve your body functions and overall happiness. Start by writing down at least three things you`re thankful for each day.     2     This practice could transform into a formal habit of recalling things you`re grateful for and writing them down.

Laugh out loud

Laughter really is fantastic medicine. Loud laughs can calm the brain`s stress center. Watch one of your favorite TV plays or even try laughter yoga. It might be a good choice to reach out to others for help to laugh out loud.     3     It can help lift your mood during difficult times.

    4    

Acts of kindness can increase your sense of well-being. Even something as simple as giving someone a smile can leave you both feeling happier. Challenge yourself to do at least one kind thing for someone else each day, such as buying a stranger a cup of coffee or donating to a cause that matters to you.

Find time to exercise

Exercise produces pleasurable brain chemicals and relieves bad emotions. When you participate in physical activities that bring you joy, your thinking will clear. If it’s hard to find time to get to the gym, there are many exercise videos you can follow online.     5     Then you’ll likely feel more positive afterward.

A．Pay it forward.

B．Acquire spiritual strength.

C．Try to focus on what’s in front of you.

D．The main goal is to break a sweat and do it regularly.

E．It’s unavoidable to feel unhappy with ups and downs all the time.

F．Doing that helps you recognize the little good things surrounding you.

G．Having a positive network of friends or family can really make a difference.

2 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What are the members asked to do?

A．Collect money for the children.

B．Help prepare for the yearly event.

C．Invite teachers to attend the yearly event.

2. Which is the thing that should be done for the party?

A．Cooking the dinner.

B．Making everyone sign up.

C．Cleaning up before the party.

3. Where does the money for the Christmas festival come from?

A．Normal membership fees.

B．The government.

C．Every member.

4. Who will be given the presents?

A．People who attend the party.

B．Children who have no parents.

C．The members of the organization.

3 . OpenAI on Thursday announced its most direct threat yet to its strong Big Tech rivals: a search engine that uses artificial intelligence built in from the beginning.

The company is testing SearchGPT, which will combine its AI technology with real-time information from the web to allow people to search for information in the same way they talk to ChatGPT. The search engine is currently in an early test for a limited number of users. With the new feature, OpenAI will be directly competing with Google, which has for years dominated the online search market. SearchGPT could also pose a threat to Microsoft.

With SearchGPT, users will be able to ask questions in natural language, and they’ll receive answers that they can then follow up on with additional questions. But unlike ChatGPT, which is often reliant on older data to generate its answers, SearchGPT will provide up-to-date information, with online links to what the company says are “clear and relevant sources.” The tool will also show a sidebar with additional links to relevant information.

The OpenAI search engine could promote generative AI after Google has experimented with early efforts to incorporate chatbots and AI-generated answers into the search experience. But Google quickly pulled back on use of the feature after it provided false, and in some cases totally nonsensical information, in response to some users’ queries.

The launch of Google’s tool also raised concerns among some news publishers and similar concerns could arise with OpenAI’s search engine. However, OpenAI said Thursday that it partnered with publishers to build the tool and give them options to “manage how they appear” in SearchGPT’s results.

1. What can be learned about SearchGPT from paragraph 2?

A．It is not well-developed and still under test.	B．It challenges Google, but beats Microsoft.
C．Lots of users have tried it online up to now.	D．It has controlled the online search market for years.

2. Which is the advantage of SearchGPT?

A．Provision of infinite questions.	B．Easy access based on previous data.
C．Natural communication via ChatGPT.	D．Latest information with additional links

3. What is OpenAI’s attitude towards SearchGPT’s result?

A．Dismissive.

B．Positive.

C．Suspicious.

D．Indifferent.

4. What is a suitable title for the text?

A．OpenAI Will Combine Search Engine and ChatGPT

B．SearchGPT Becomes Popular among Users Currently

C．OpenAI Is Taking on Google with a New Artificial Intelligence Search Engine

D．Google’s Launch of AI Search Engine Was a Failure Due to False Information

4 . In the depths of the ocean, a society grows energetically that has long remained a myth to the human world: the mermaids (美人鱼). Recently, a groundbreaking simulated (模拟的) project — the “Mermaid Society Project” — has been started by a group of high school students in a social science class. This project aims to address real-world environmental concerns from an imaginative viewpoint and this unique social initiative has caught the attention of both students and society.

The project began as school work, where students were tasked with exploring and suggesting solutions to environmental issues. However, the team, led by the far-sighted student, Amelia, took a fearless leap by suggesting communicating with the mythical mermaid civilization to learn about their sustainable practices and apply them to human society.

Amelia and her team set out on a journey to the underwater city of Aquaria, where they were welcomed by the mermaid queen, Marina. The mermaids, known for their harmony with nature, shared their knowledge of marine life preservation, waste management, and energy conservation. The students were surprised by the mermaids’ use of giant algae (海藻) as a renewable resource for food, shelter, and energy.

The project has since expanded beyond the school, with the support of environmental organizations and the local community. The students have organized workshops and seminars to educate people about the mermaids’ sustainable practices. They have also organized an activity to reduce plastic waste, inspired by the mermaids’ zero-waste lifestyle.

The “Mermaid Society Project” has become a symbol of hope for environmental conservation. It has sparked a conversation about the importance of learning from other species and cultures to create a more sustainable future. The project has also opened doors for further research into the mermaid civilization, promoting a new era of interspecies cooperation.

1. What was the original purpose of the project launched by the high school students?

A．To create a documentary about marine life.

B．To study the history of mermaid civilization.

C．To explore and propose solutions to environmental problems.

D．To organize a cultural exchange program with mysterious mermaids

2. How did Amelia and her team approach the mermaid civilization?

A．Through school work.	B．By conducting underwater research.
C．By inviting mermaids to their school.	D．By visiting the underwater city of Aquaria.

3. What sustainable practices did the mermaids share with the students?

A．Using giant seaweed.	B．Hunting marine animals.
C．Giving up using plastics.	D．Burning waste for energy

4. How has the project impacted the local community and the students’ school?

A．It has led to a decrease in school admission.

B．It has caused a decline in the local economy.

C．It has started a talk about environmental protection.

D．It has increased the use of plastic products in the community.

5 . Which animal do you think is the number one pet: cats or dogs? “My cats are incredibly smart and understand things just like humans do,” said Ma Li, owner of two cats aged 13 and 16 in Beijing. “Every time I returned home after work, they would wait at the door to welcome me, easing my work pressure and making me feel wanted,” she said.

Facing heavy work pressure in an urban environment, Ma is among those who find comfort in raising pets, especially cats — a trend that has led to a surge in house cat ownership in recent years.

Liu Lang, deputy head of the Chinese Veterinary Medical Association, confirmed this trend, noting that people born in the 1980s and 1990s may prefer cats over dogs due to their lower maintenance requirements.

“The necessity of walking dogs discourages many urban citizens, especially young and middle-aged people with demanding work schedules. However, those burdened by heavy workloads often seek companionship. In this context, cats emerge as a better choice because they require less space to walk and fewer baths,” Liu explained.

In recent years, the number of pet cats has gradually surpassed that of pet dogs. According to Petdata. cn, a pet industry market observer, the number of pet cats in China reached 69. 8 million in 2023, marking a 6. 8 percent year-on-year increase and surpassing the number of pet dogs by 18. 05 million.

Zhang Haiqiang, secretary-general of the China Small Animal Protection Association, attributed this shift to the different living habits of pets, as the emotional value brought by raising cats and dogs is almost the same.

Chen Haoxing, who owns three cats and a dog, observed that potential pet owners now have more options with cats, as restrictions on raising dogs have tightened due to well-publicized biting incidents. Chen also highlighted the availability of hairless cats as an option for those allergic to animal fur.

1. Why do people need pets?

A．To meet emotional needs.	B．To avoid loneliness.
C．To improve work efficiency.	D．To follow the trend.

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

A．Confidence

B．Necessity

C．Increase

D．Restriction

3. Why do people prefer cats over dogs according to Zhang Haiqiang?

A．Because of their current availability.	B．Because of their potential popularity.
C．Because of their same mental value.	D．Because of their distinct living habits.

4. What is the text about?

A．Features of dogs and cats as pets.	B．Advantage of cats over dogs as pets.
C．Significance of dogs and cats as pets.	D．Comparison between dogs and cats as pets.

6 . Exploring Bandelier

Bandelier National Monument is one of over 390 parks in the National Park System. It is 48 miles northwest of Santa Fe, New Mexico. The park is open year-round except December 25 and January 1. Late spring and summer are the busiest times, and in some days, especially at midday, there may be a 30-to-45-minute wait for parking.

Planning your visit

The park offers a variety of things to see and do. Here are some suggestions, based on the amount of time you have to spend.

●Continue to Alcove House. ●Go through the exhibit room. ●View “The Bandelier Story” at the visitor center. ●Walk the Main Loop Trail, with the self-guiding booklet. ●Return to the visitor center and hike the Falls Trail, with the self-guiding booklet.

Safety Precautions: Bandelier is an archeological area preserved in as natural a condition as possible, and such condition can be hazardous. Remain alert, be cautious, and use common sense.

Stay on trails and do not climb among the dwellings（居所） or enter caves unless they are accessible by ladders. Carry drinking water, even on short trails, especially in hot weather. Do not drink water from streams unless you purify it.

Regulations

●Picking flowers or collecting plants is prohibited. ●Climbing on walls or cliffs is prohibited. Stay on trails. ●Feeding wildlife is prohibited. Squirrels in particular can bite and may carry plague（瘟疫）. ●Collecting archeological or historic artifacts or disturbing archeological sites is prohibited These are offenses. For 24-hour general, recorded information that is updated regularly, call 505-6672-0343.

1. Which is the proper time to explore Bandelier National Monument if you don't like crowds?

A．New Year's Day.	B．October.
C．Christmas Day.	D．Late spring.

2. What is recommended doing while hiking in the park?

A．Drinking stream water.	B．Climbing on cliffs.
C．Feeding wild animals.	D．Walking the Main Loop Trail.

3. Where is the text from?

A．A brochure.	B．A history book.
C．A science report.	D．A newspaper.

7 . Many philosophers and psychologists have argued that empathy (共情) is a natural characteristic, hard-wired into our genes and brains. The reasoning goes that each of us has a “level” of empathy and—like our adult height—we’re stuck there for life. This is all well and good if you’re already empathetic, but also means that if you struggle with empathy, you’ll never improve no matter how hard you try.

Thankfully, this view is incomplete. Through the right practices, such as diverse friendships and even fiction reading, we can grow our empathy on purpose. Empathy is something like a muscle: left unused, it weakens; put to work, it grows.

No emotion is always useful, and that goes for empathy as well. This is especially true for nurses, doctors and other caregivers. These individuals are driven to their work by a deep desire to help others. Patients of empathetic doctors are more satisfied with their care. However, when healthcare professionals care too much, they are at high risk of burnout, tiredness and depression from over-empathizing with others’ suffering.

Some psychologists, including myself, are now exploring how people in these professions might empathize in more sustainable ways. For example, empathetic concern-—feeling for someone—is distant from emotional empathy—feeling as someone else does. If they can develop concern instead, for example, they can care without falling apart.

In another set of studies conducted with Carol Dweek, a Stanford professor of psychology, we found that merely believing empathy is a skill that can be developed inspired people to try harder at it. For instance, people who were encouraged to have a “growth mindset” around empathy, as compared to a fixed mindset, spent more time listening to the suffering of someone of another race and more energy towards trying to understand the opinions of someone from a different part of the political divide.

1. What view do many philosophers and psychologists have about empathy?

A．It grows when practiced often.

B．It is a result of individual experiences.

C．It is inborn and difficult to develop.

D．It varies depending on one’s upbringing.

2. What does the author suggest doctors do?

A．Develop their emotional empathy.

B．Try to erase their patients’ concern.

C．Care for their patients as much as possible.

D．Work on improving their empathetic concern.

3. Based on Carol Dweek’s studies in which situation are people willingly empathetic?

A．If they believe that empathy is flexible.

B．If they are given enough attention.

C．If they listen to the identical political views.

D．If they suffer racial discrimination.

4. In which unit of a textbook does the text most likely appear?

A．Understanding yourself more.	B．Feeling for others.
C．Exploring genes and emotions.	D．Repairing broken relationships.

8 . 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。

China’s space station, Tiangong, is not only a symbol of national pride     1     is regarded as a guiding light of international cooperation. This platform in space is devoted     2     becoming a shared lab for scientists worldwide, beyond geographical and political boundaries.

In the past few decades, with the scientific development, we     3     (see) a significant improvement in the station’s design and operation. The station has successfully finished many launches and dockings (对接),     4     (expand)its basic equipment to support a continuous human presence in space. One of the impressive     5     (achievement) is that it has welcomed international research suggestions, which has indicated a new age of exploring space.

The station offers     6     unique environment for research in microgravity and promotes progress in various fields such as biology, physics, and astronomy. It is equipped with the most advanced facilities     7     enable both Chinese and international astronauts to do experiments. It stands as an invitation to the     8     (globe) scientific community to join hands in the pursuit of knowledge and the expansion of human understanding of the universe.

As Tiangong continues to welcome international partners, people throughout the world are amazed     9     (find) the spirit of unity and shared ambition. The collective efforts of nations contribute to the common goal of space     10     (explore) and scientific discovery.

9 . 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。

In the small town of Elmsworth, there lived a boy named Daniel, who was often overshadowed by his more outgoing siblings（兄弟姐妹）. He was quiet and thoughtful, preferring the company of books to that of people. Yet, deep inside, there was a burning desire to prove himself, to step out of the shadows and into the light.

One day, a golden opportunity presented itself when his school announced a public speaking competition, an opportunity that Daniel knew he had to seize. The competition represented not just an academic challenge but a personal one. It was a chance to remove his self-doubts and show his true abilities to himself and others. But the thought of standing alone on a stage filled him with fear, a terrible feeling that always kept him in the shadows Daniel didn't tell his mother the news of the speaking competition when he got home after school that day. But his mother sensed his hesitation and pain. Instead of suggesting anything, she took him for a walk in the woods just beyond their backyard. There, among the towering trees, she showed him a tiny acorn（橡子）lying in the soil. “This small acorn,” she bent down and said, “has the potential to become a powerful oak（橡树）. It will push through the soil, fighting against the darkness seeking the light. It's the same with you, Daniel. The strength to grow, to reach for the sky, is already within you.” She paused, allowing the words to sink into his heart, her gaze filled with the belief that he too could achieve greatness.

Daniel looked at the acorn, then at his mother, and felt a spark of determination. It was as if the tiny acorn had whispered to his soul, “You too can rise above the ordinary.” With a newfound sense of purpose, he knew he would face the competition with the same strength that the acorn would one day display as a towering oak.

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。
Paragraph 1:

With renewed courage, Daniel began to prepare for the competition.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2:

The day of the competition arrived.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10 . A Century of Change

The last 100 years have seen major transformations in news reporting. Print newspapers dominated the early 1900s, but in November 1922, the dawn (曙光) of radio news arrived when the BBC launched its first daily radio service. It marketed itself as news by and for social elites (精英).    1    In the 1950s, news shifted to television broadcasting. A dramatic change came in 1980 with the creation of America’s Cable News Network (CNN)—the world’s first 24-hour television news network.

    2    The Internet has become a key site for sharing information, and news is more accessible than it has ever been before. Crises can be reported from on the ground by people who closely understand them. Stories can be shared with the click of a button.    3    In the time it takes for a story to move from a news site to Facebook to your WhatsApp group chat, context is lost and facts go unchecked.

In 2016, we witnessed an important moment for the news landscape. Following a US election dogged by dishonesty and misinformation spread largely on social media, Oxford Dictionaries announced “post-truth” as its international word of the year.    4    

With so much information at our fingertips, the considerable volume of news can be irresistible. Besides, there is increasing uncertainty about what is true and what is not. So it is no wonder that recent years have seen the birth of the “slow journalism” movement, which was first coined in 2007 by Susan Greenberg.    5    

A．However, that can be dangerous.

B．Frequency of the word’s usage rose by 2,000 per cent that year.

C．Besides, it required broadcasters to use “received pronunciation”.

D．The creation of the World Wide Web in the 1990s changed things again.

E．So, the mark of a good story was how soon it was told after it happened.

F．It invites us to slow down and pay attention to what’s happening around us.

G．People still mainly rely on newspapers for local information.