1 . In an increasingly digital world, smartphones have become an essential part of teenage life. A recent Pew Research Center survey of 1,453 U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 and their parents illustrates the complex emotional relationship between teens and their devices.

The survey found that a majority of teens experience positive emotions when separated from their smartphones, with 74% reporting feeling happy and 72% feeling peaceful. However, a significant minority also reported negative feelings, with 44% feeling anxious, 40% feeling upset, and 39% feeling lonely without their phones.

Despite these mixed emotions, most teens believe that smartphones provide more benefits than harm for their age group. Seventy percent of teens said smartphones offer more advantages, while 30% believed the opposite. Younger girls aged 13 to 14 were more likely than older teen girls and boys to say the harms outweigh the benefits.

Teens also recognized the potential of smartphones to facilitate personal growth and academic success. Nearly 70% said smartphones make it easier to pursue hobbies and interest, and 45% believed they help young people perform better in school. However, opinions were divided on the impact of smartphones on social skills and friendships.

The survey also explored the challenges parents face in handling the digital landscape. Half of the parents reported looking though their teen’s phone, and about 40% said they regularly argue with their teen about phone use, Nearly half of the teens said their parents are at least sometimes distracted by their own phones when trying to have a conversation.

As concerns grow about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health, this survey highlights the nuanced (微妙的) relationship between teens and their smartphones. While the devices offer many benefits, they also present emotional and social challenges that both teens and parents must navigate in an increasingly connected world.

1. What is the second paragraph mainly about?

A．The effect of the survey.	B．The process of the survey.
C．The result of the survey.	D．The purpose of the survey.

2. How can smartphones benefit teens from the passage?

A．By increasing their interest in technology.

B．By improving their academic performance.

C．By motivating them to realize their dreams.

D．By enhancing their social skills and friendships.

3. What is the author’s attitude towards teens’ using smartphones?

A．Supportive.

B．Puzzled.

C．Concerned.

D．Pessimistic.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．The Emotional Impact of Smartphones on Teens

B．The Challenges of Smartphone Usage Among Teens

C．The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Digital World

D．The Complicated Relationship Between Teens and Parents

2 . Polar bears in Canada’s Hudson Bay risk starvation as climate change lengthens periods without Arctic Sea ice, despite the creatures’ willingness to expand their diets.

Polar bears use the ice that stretches across the ocean surface in the Arctic during colder months to help them access their main source of prey—fatty seals. In the warmer months when the sea ice recedes (消退), they would be expected to conserve their energy and even enter a hibernation-like (类似冬眠) state.

But human-caused climate change is extending this ice-free period in parts of the Arctic, which is warming between two and four times faster than the rest of the world, and forcing the polar bears to spend more and more time on land.

New research looking at 20 polar bears in Hudson Bay suggests that without sea ice they still try to find food. “Polar bears are creative and clever, and they will search the landscape for ways to try to survive and find food resources to compensate (补偿) their energy demands if they’re motivated,” said Anthony Pango, a research wildlife biologist with the US Geological Survey and lead author of the study.

The researchers found that of the group, two bears indeed rested and reduced their total energy consumption to levels similar to hibernation, but the 18 others stayed active. The study said these active bears may have been pushed to continue to look for food, with individual animals documented eating a variety of foods including grasses, a gull, a rodent and a seal carcass. Some bears even swam long distances to find food.

But ultimately the researchers found that these foods didn’t give them as much energy as their usual prey. So, 19 out of 20 polar bears lost weight when there was no ice, which made them more likely to starve. That means that the longer polar bears spend on land, the higher their risk for starvation.

“As ice goes, the polar bears go, and there is no other solution other than stopping ice loss. That is the only solution,” Pango said.

1. What directly causes the polar bears to risk starvation?

A．Melting sea ice.	B．The loss of land.
C．Human activities.	D．Their increasing population.

2. What can we learn from the new research?

A．Polar bears are willing to stay on land longer.

B．Polar bears can store enough energy more easily.

C．Polar bears prefer to starve rather than search for food.

D．Polar bears are struggling to find alternative food sources.

3. What can be inferred from Pango’s words?

A．Human actions are to blame.

B．Reducing ice loss is an urgency.

C．Relocating polar bears is more practical.

D．Animals relying on sea ice will be extinct.

4. Where can we probably read this text?

A．In a science journal.	B．In a travel website.
C．In a cooking blog.	D．In a fashion magazine.

3 . Best Apps to Practice Language Skills

Babbel

Babbel is a popular online language-learning platform that offers courses in 14 different languages. Babbel’s courses are designed to teach users practical, everyday language skills that can be used in real-life situations. The platform uses interactive lessons that cover topics such as vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and cultural insights to help learners build their language skills. Babbel’s courses are available on desktop and mobile devices, making it easy for users to learn on the go. Babel operates on the subscription based model, which costs $19.99 per month.

Memrise

Memrise use a variety of interactive techniques, including spaced repetition, audio and visual cues, to help learners remember new words and phases more effectively. Memrise’s courses also prioritize practical, everyday language skills over academic language. Additionally, Memrise offers a community feature where users can interact with other learners and native speakers to practice their language skills. A monthly subscription to Memrise will cost $12.99.

Busuu

Busuu offers comprehensive courses in 13 different languages, all of which feature audio recordings of native pronunciations. The lessons are organized into topics. And what’s more, each course even comes with a separate travel course for those who need to quickly get the basics before a trip abroad. Uniquely, Busuu also allows users to engage native speakers in their learning process. However, to access most of the features and course materials, users have to invest $11.99 a month.

Drops

Drops uses engaging visuals and game-like exercises to help learners remember new words and phrases more effectively. The platform offers short, bite-sized lessons that last only a few minutes. This makes it easy for users to fit language learning into their busy schedules. According to Drops, its online courses contain over 20,000 beautiful illustrations and 3,300+ words covering 180+ topics. A subscription to Drops will cut you back by $12 per month.

1. How much will a user pay for a 10-month subscription to Memrise?

A．$119.9.

B．$120.

C．$129.9.

D．$199.9.

2. Which app is suitable for users who will travel abroad very soon?

A．Drops.

B．Busuu.

C．Babbel.

D．Memrise.

3. What sets Drops apart from the other apps?

A．Its community feature.

B．Its personalized learning plans.

C．Its vast library of learning materials.

D．Its fascinating game like learning experience.

4 . After a decade of negotiations, nearly 200 countries have agreed to a new United Nations treaty(条约)to protect the world’s oceans, the first of its kind in 40 years. The High Seas Treaty aims to protect 30% of the open oceans by 2030, setting a plan in motion to preserve this vast area.

Oceans cover about 71% of the Earth’s surface and are home to countless species of animals and plants. They play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy planet. However, overfishing and pollution from ships and other sources have severely impinged on many marine (海洋的)species and ecosystems.

The last major UN sea treaty in 1982 described the “high seas” — the parts of the oceans that aren’t controlled by any country — but it did not protect them. The high seas, which account for two-thirds of the ocean, currently have only 1.2% of their massive area protected. A marine protected area(MPA)is an area in the sea with strict rules about fishing and other activities. While more and more countries have established MPAs in their waters, most are not connected, limiting their effectiveness for migratory(迁徙的)species.

Last December, over 110 countries committed to protecting 30% of their land and ocean areas by 2030．The High Seas Treaty now enables the extension of this goal to the entire ocean. It aims to make 30% of the high seas become protected areas by 2030 and requires that proposed activities on the high seas undergo assessment for their potential impact on the ocean environment.

Reaching the agreement was challenging due to differing views on ocean protection among countries, such as limits on fishing or pollution. Disagreements also arose over sharing resources between rich and poor nations, with the latter seeking an assurance that resources benefit everyone, not just those in wealthy countries.

The treaty is not yet final and must be officially accepted at a UN meeting. Then it must be approved and signed by enough countries before it takes effect.

1. What is the main objective of the High Seas Treaty?

A．To protect 30% of the open oceans by 2030．

B．To allow unrestricted fishing on the high seas.

C．To promote international tourism in marine areas.

D．To establish new shipping routes on the high seas.

2. What does the underlined phrase “impinged on” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Exchanged.

B．Assisted.

C．Impacted.

D．Defended.

3. What does Paragraph 3 highlight?

A．Strict rules of a marine protected area.

B．Current measures to restrict overfishing.

C．The limited number of migratory species.

D．The lack of protection for the high seas.

4. What is the best title of the text?

A．New Plans to Develop Marine Resources

B．A New UN Agreement to Preserve Open Oceans

C．The Treaty Officially Accepted at a UN Meeting

D．The Cooperation on Sharing Resources Equally

5 . Sarkar is a nanotechnologist (纳米技术专家) and assistant professor at MIT. She is conducting her research on brain diseases that _________ the minds of millions of people worldwide.

Born in Kolkata, India, Sarkar credits both of her parents as early _________. Her courage as a researcher comes from her _________, who as a young woman went against social norms (常态) in her village by _________ to fund her own education. Meanwhile, Sarkar’s father _________ her interest in engineering. Sarkar recalls her father finding time for his _________, fashioning devices to make home life more _______, including an electricity-free washing machine. “That got me very _________ in science and technology.” Sarkar says.

After _________ a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Dhanbad, Sarkar __________ California to study nanoclectronics. There, she tested new ways to __________ nanodevices that could reduce the amount of __________ consumed by computers and other everyday electronics. __________, she made a breakthrough by developing a standout nanodevice.

Along the way, Sarkar became fascinated with the __________, which she calls “the lowest energy computer”. She hopes to put nanodevices between human neurons (神经细胞) to improve the computing speed of the processor in our brains. “Our brains are __________, but we could be better than what we are.” she says.

1.

A．enrich

B．read

C．affect

D．poison

2.

A．birds

B．researchers

C．failures

D．inspirations

3.

A．aunt

B．mother

C．sister

D．grandmother

4.

A．working

B．pretending

C．refusing

D．waiting

5.

A．protected

B．switched

C．stimulated

D．supported

6.

A．job

B．holiday

C．discomfort

D．passion

7.

A．complex

B．convenient

C．peaceful

D．meaningful

8.

A．interested

B．honest

C．lucky

D．disappointed

9.

A．starting

B．carning

C．needing

D．introducing

10.

A．adapted to

B．related to

C．headed to

D．belonged to

11.

A．create

B．fix

C．operate

D．sell

12.

A．water

B．money

C．power

D．time

13.

A．Unfortunately

B．Immediately

C．Obviously

D．Eventually

14.

A．computer

B．brain

C．exercise

D．fashion

15.

A．empty

B．busy

C．relaxed

D．remarkable

6 . Recycled, reused and renewable textiles (纺织品) only go so far in solving the fast-fashion crisis, writes Alexandra Carlton. The answer may lie in consumption.

Australia is the world’s second-largest consumer of clothing, generating 800,000 tonnes of textile waste yearly. Individuals consume about 27 kilograms of new clothes annually and cast 23 kilograms of waste. Globally, the situation is even more severe, with an estimated 92million tonnes of clothing waste produced each year. This equates to a truckload of clothes entering landfills every second.

If you want to stop our unwanted clothes from jamming the planet, you’d assume that reusing and recycling would lead the discussion. However, full clothes recycling — breaking clothes down to their base fibres to create new ones — is no simple task. Clothes consist of various fibres, fasteners, and decorations that traditionally require painstaking manual (手工的) separation. Yet, innovation is underway, such as the Swedish large-scale sorting facility Siptex, where textiles can be sorted by color and material using infrared (红外线) technology.

Brands like Adelaide’s Autark focus on minimizing output. “I keep my collections tightly designed and production numbers slim,” says designer Sophia McMahon. Sometimes this means she doesn’t have the exact clothes someone wants in store, but customers are patient while she makes items to order because they understand her brand’s essence.

Startups like AirRobe are giving clothes a second life and could be part of the solution. The clothing resale market is currently worth 49 billion and is expected to reach 103 billion by 2025．AirRobe lets customers add new purchases to their digital wardrobe so they can be resold later without uploading photos or descriptions. “The ‘re-economy’ — the reuse and recycle market sector — will be a real opportunity for us,” says Erica Berchtold, CEO of The Iconic.

Researchers Samantha Sharpe and Taylor Brydges from the University of Technology Sydney advocate a widespread shift among consumers towards buying fewer, higher-quality clothes besides these innovations.

1. Why are the numbers used in Paragraph 2?

A．To encourage factories to produce more clothes.

B．To emphasize the severity of the clothing waste.

C．To present the amount of clothing consumption.

D．To set the stage for discussing how to landfill clothes.

2. What does the author think of full clothes recycling?

A．It is challenging.	B．It is energy-saving.
C．It is unworthy of attention.	D．It is time-efficient.

3. What does Sophia McMahon mean in Paragraph 4?

A．Consumers should be patient to buy high-quality clothes.

B．Clothes specially designed for consumers are the most fit.

C．Adelaide’s Autark has enough clothes in store for consumers.

D．Slowing the production cycle is essential to reducing output.

4. What do the researchers suggest doing regarding consumer habits?

A．Buying more clothes.	B．Following the fashion trend.
C．Changing consuming behavior.	D．Concentrating innovation.

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Who is the man?

A．A teacher.

B．A writer.

C．A student.

2. What day is it today?

A．Tuesday.

B．Friday.

C．Sunday.

3. What does the man want to know from the woman?

A．Western table manners.

B．Chinese table manners.

C．Chinese daily life.

4. What will the man and the woman do next?

A．Have breakfast.

B．Wash the dishes.

C．Study chopsticks.

8 . When did Mr. Morgan have a check-up last time?

A．Last year.

B．Five years ago.

C．Six years ago.

9 . Lanrick Jr. Bennett holds a unique title in Toronto: bicycle mayor. He led a Halloween Kidical Mass ride recently, which I attended with my daughter, son-in-law, their two dogs, and my granddaughter. He is working towards making cycling mainstream and safe for all residents in the city. I did not know that Toronto had a bicycle mayor; I surely would have voted for him in an election.

The bicycle mayor program is run by BYCS, an Amsterdam-based global NGO that believes “bicycles transform cities and cities transform the world”. Standing in the strange but wonderful Bentway, a park built under an elevated expressway, Bennett says, “BYCS has 150 bicycle mayors across the world. And through a few friends putting in some really nice letters of encouragement, BYCS offered me a two-year term as an advocate here in the city of Toronto, becoming the first bicycle mayor of the city.”

Bennett says he is boosting the work being done to make cycling more mainstream in Toronto. “I am giving a bit more exposure to the great work that has allowed me to be able to ride a bike throughout the city. It’s getting better, we’re seeing more infrastructure (基础设施), and we’re seeing more people not wanting to depend on cars as their primary piece. I’m happy that I have been part of a fantastic group thus far,” says Bennett.

Since there’s still a lot of work to do, Lanrick Jr. Bennett has been working hard to improve cycling conditions in Toronto, and his efforts have been recognized by the community. He has been advocating for more bike lanes (车道), better lighting, and other safety measures to make cycling a practical option for commuters (通勤者). It’s great to see people like Lanrick.

Jr. Bennett working towards making cycling safe and accessible for all residents.

1. What can we say about the author?

A．She is fond of varieties of outdoor activities.

B．She is supportive of efforts to promote cycling.

C．She is planning to participate in the election for mayor.

D．She is trying to make cycling the mainstream of the city.

2. What message does Paragraph 2 give us?

A．The way Bennett got his position.	B．Transformation of Toronto city.
C．Bennett’s ambition to change the world.	D．Mayor’s deeds throughout the world.

3. How does Bennett feel about his work?

A．Upset.

B．Challenged.

C．Curious.

D．Satisfied.

4. What can we infer about the current state of bicycle infrastructure in Toronto?

A．It is the best in the world due to the presence of BYCS.

B．It has already well-developed and does not require improvement.

C．It is improving, but further work and development are still needed.

D．It is virtually non-existent, making Bennett’s job extremely important.

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。

The “Understanding Contemporary China” Foreign Language Contests were held in Beijing from December 4 to 8．

Nearly one million college students from more than 1,300 universities participated , with about 2,500     1     (enter) the national final. The contests aimed to     2     (deep) college students’ understanding of China, enhance their linguistic (语言的) abilities and intercultural communication     3     (competent), and provide a platform for them to tell China’s stories well.

The champion of the English group     4     (determine) through a simulated (模拟的) “Global Youth Summit”. Three contestants discussed     5     (topic) including cultural diversity and the future development of mankind with Xinhua News Agency’s reporter Simon Keith Robinson,     6     tested their knowledge and ability to handle diverse subjects.

Xu Chengcheng, from Beijing Foreign Studies University, won     7     national championship of the International Communication Contest. She demonstrated a high-level of English proficiency(熟练)and strong communication skills in the prepared speech     8     the Global Youth Summit session(会议).

A special session of “Multilingual Champions Showcase” was part     9     the closing ceremony, where champions used their foreign language skills     10     (share) stories about their understanding of China and communication with the world, showcasing youthful insights.