1 . How to Disagree Agreeably

Disagreeing can’t be avoided in our life. However, how things are handled, how you voice the disagreement and how the other party hears it, all make a difference.     1     .

● Pick your moments

    2     . To ensure your ideas are heard, choose the proper time to argue about things which you believe are meaningful and important. When the other party is in a state of pleasure,

your opinions and disagreements will bear more weight.

●     3    

The starting point is to understand the other person’s point ahead of them understanding yours. For instance, active listening is one of the most important skills. It makes the speaker feel respected and valued. The key to listening properly is asking questions.     4     and then know better how to proceed.

● Maintain emotional balance

When talking about topics that are important to you, it’s natural to feel strongly about them. However, when discussing your viewpoint, it is important to keep control over your emotions.     5     The more emotional you become, the less likely someone is to listen to what you are saying.

A．Be Open Minded

B．Understand the other person first

C．High emotions can make the situation even worse

D．Non-verbal communication can show you are listening

E．In this way, you can know exactly what you are disagreeing about

F．Speaking your mind without losing your cool needs the skills below

G．Being mindful about when to voice your disagreement is important

2 . What to Say to Someone Who Is Hard on Their Body

What should you say or do when your friends start criticizing how they look? How can you effectively respond to your friends who are always too hard on their body? The following tips may save you from embarrassment.

Don’t reject their complaints

When you hear your friends criticizing themselves, your immediate response may be to tell them they’re wrong.     1    . Actually it could easily seem like you’re ignoring their concerns, which could do more harm than good.

    2    

While praises about their external beauty are great, insincere ones are generally easy to see through. So don’t overstate it by telling your friends they’re the most beautiful person on the planet.     3    . If admiration about physical appearance comes too often, they’ll strengthen the belief that appearance matters hugely.

Acknowledge their talents

Trying to help your friends focus attention on things they love about their appearance is a worthy goal. But even better is helping them see how great they are outside of how they look. For example, express your appreciation for their athletic ability, incredible cooking skills and so on.     4    .

Help them rediscover what their body can do

Try to help your friends reconnect with how awesome their body is for what it can do. What should you do?     5    . Stick with an option like yoga or Pilates that requires developing a more sensitive awareness. This could help your friends realize there’s more to their body than just the way it looks.

A．Avoid high frequency of praises as well

B．This may seem like the right thing to do

C．They’ll probably stop expressing themselves

D．Be careful of exaggerated evaluation on their looks

E．These praises can help them identify their advantages

F．You can offer to join a sports team or mind-body fitness class together

G．Remind them that the perfect images they see in the media aren’t real

3 . Artificial Intelligence Professional Program

Stanford Online Artificial Intelligence courses let you virtually step into the classrooms of Stanford professors who lead the AI revolution. The courses, beginning on Wednesday May 1,2024, are based on Stanford graduate courses, but adapted for the needs of working professionals.

Before enrolling in your first course, you need to apply for an online interview with your professor (15-20 minutes). The interaction allows you to tell your professor about your interest in joining, as well as confirm that you meet the essential requirements (Proficiency in Python, College Calculus, Linear Algebra and Probability Theory).

The courses will equip you with the skills and confidence to:

Learn basic AI technologies to operate AI models and tools.

Evaluate performance of AI models accurately.

Carry out search algorithms (算法) to find the shortest paths and plan motions for the general-use robots.

Guard against various types of cyber crimes to keep information safe.

What you will earn:

You’ll earn a Stanford Professional Certificate in Artificial Intelligence when you successfully complete either three 10-week courses in the AI professional education program or two courses in the AI professional education program plus one course in the AI graduate program. All the courses in the program will be accessible through Wednesday July 31,2024.

1. What is necessary to enter for the program according to the text?

A．A graduate certificate.

B．A Stanford’s scholarship.

C．An interview on the Internet.

D．A professor’s recommendation.

2. Which of the following skills can be gained from the program?

A．Updating AI models.

B．Maintaining cyber security.

C．Predicting future accurately.

D．Inventing robots with new functions.

3. How long will the program last?

A．Four weeks.

B．Two months.

C．Ten weeks.

D．Three months.

4 . A giant black bear is forcing himself out of a gap under an abandoned house in South Lake Tahoe, California. This is one of the pictures from the “Cities Gone Wild” project launched by photographer Corey Arnold. A series of more images show how the bear slowly but surely moves its big body out of the hole, off to seek for its dinner. Later that night, the camera recorded its returning and stuffing itself back into its home.

The bear’s size results from its diet of human garbage. In parts of the US, where black bears are living in and around cities, both their behaviors and shapes have changed. Urban bears are less active than those in the wilderness and live on a diet of human food rich in sugar. As a result, they are sometimes double in weight.

For three months in the field, Arnold photographed the animals in various cities across the US as they went about their daily life — tracking where they slept, how they found food, and their relationship with humans. It’s these animals that were the stars of his “Cities Gone Wild” series. Initially authorized by National Geographic, the project was recognized in the 2023 Sony World Photography Awards, winning first place in the wildlife and nature category.

The “Cities Gone Wild” project offers a fresh view on the wildlife that inhabits our cities. It demonstrates the potential dangers as cities grow, native habitats are destroyed, and humans and animals live in closer distance. It also throws lights on the life of these animals and hints that the more we understand them, the more likely we are to find ways to get along with them. “There’s always going to be a bit of conflict. We have to strike a middle ground where we’re not eliminating them, but we’re just learning to live with them and keep our distance,” says Arnold.

1. What makes urban bears over-sized according to the text?

A．Free movement in the city.	B．Unlimited amount of food.
C．Insufficient night-time sleep.	D．Intake of sugary human food.

2. What is the focus of the pictures taken by Arnold?

A．The changes of cities.

B．The dangers people face.

C．The urban animals’ routines.

D．The conflicts among animals.

3. Which of the following can be the best title of the text?

A．Black Bears: Our Friends Forever

B．Sony Awards: Lifelong Pursuit of Artists

C．Corey Arnold: An Influential Photographer

D．Cities Gone Wild: The Coexistence Promoter

5 . My father was my hero and my inspiration. People in our town called him a _________ man — martial artist, worker in wood and skilled fly fisherman. The big laughing man was _________ in everything he put his mind to. There was nothing he couldn’t _________ or win. And he taught me to do the same.

But his _________ to life was severely tested when, in his late fifties, Dad’s fishing-buddy doctor sadly shook his head and turned away. The news of sudden _________ scared Dad. It scared me, too. He closed himself at home, _________ the pleasure of his hobbies. To _________ his growing frustration, Dad took up painting. But as his hands became weak, his fingers _________ and twisted, his images on the paper were like wild weeds. There were no dreams on his canvas (画布), no miracles, no hope. However, determined and _________, Dad painted hour after hour.

As the days and years passed, he could __________ paint his images in exact composition. His modesty and perseverance kept him concentrated, enabling him to __________ the beauty of life. He’d found his way to a place __________ pain, where he found himself back. He’d learned to embrace life the way it was, __________ it was not the way he wished it to be. I looked at his smile and realised that he was a real magician of life.

One day, he paused during his work. “I have so little to leave you with, Janet,” he said __________ shaking his head. “Dad, that’s not true. You’ve taught me the right attitude toward life — the art of living. And it’s the most valuable __________.” He looked surprised with the biggest smile I’d ever seen.

1.

A．sports

B．muscle

C．fashion

D．miracle

2.

A．honest

B．expert

C．adaptable

D．cautious

3.

A．tackle

B．understand

C．supply

D．imagine

4.

A．concern

B．attitude

C．impression

D．memory

5.

A．illness

B．exploration

C．dedication

D．communication

6.

A．suffering from

B．keeping on

C．relying on

D．giving up

7.

A．detect

B．exchange

C．relieve

D．respect

8.

A．pressed

B．pointed

C．bent

D．occupied

9.

A．excited

B．surprised

C．inspired

D．focused

10.

A．precisely

B．desperately

C．carefully

D．urgently

11.

A．resist

B．capture

C．master

D．receive

12.

A．full of

B．available to

C．free from

D．fit for

13.

A．though

B．before

C．unless

D．whether

14.

A．happily

B．bitterly

C．vividly

D．proudly

15.

A．chance

B．blueprint

C．goal

D．wealth

6 . One e-toy for every person on Earth — that’s the surprising amount of electric trains, talking dolls, and other children’s devices thrown away every year. People usually consider electronic waste from computers, smartphones, and TVs to be e-waste, but they may not realize that “nontraditional” e-waste materials like power tools, LED lights, USB cables and countless other similar, also need special recycling. In all, people across the world throw out about 9 billion kilograms of e-waste commonly not recognized as such by people.

This “invisible e-waste” is the main focus of the sixth annual International E-Waste Day on October 14, organized by Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Forum. According to the findings, for example, the total weight of all USB cables thrown away every year equals 6 Eiffel Towers. Meanwhile, if all this invisible electronic waste were packed into trucks, it could fill half a million 40-ton trucks, enough to cause a long traffic jam covering about 3,504 miles.

“People are familiar with common e-waste. But many invisible e-waste are ignored. How to have them recycled remains a big problem.” Pascal Leroy, Director-General of the WEEE Forum, said in a statement. Pascal Leroy asks that instead of throwing them away, people should take it to the local recycling facility. He says that a lot of electronic waste is right around us, and we need to raise awareness about this issue. He also refers to past campaigns that successfully made people more aware of plastic pollution and believes the same can happen with e-waste awareness.

1. Which of the following belongs to the "invisible e-waste"?

A．Smartphones.

B．Computers.

C．Talking toys.

D．USB cables.

2. Why does the author mention Eiffel Tower in paragraph 2?

A．To make the number exaggerated.	B．To show the destination of the wastes.
C．To prove it also has the same problems.	D．To give a vivid description of the large amount.

3. What’s Pascal Leroy’s attitude towards public e-waste awareness?

A．Hopeful.

B．Unclear.

C．Doubtful.

D．Disappointed.

4. Which of the following can be the best title of the text?

A．Recycle or Not? That’s a Problem

B．New Electrical Wastes that Go Unnoticed

C．The Shocking Amount of Electronic Products

D．The Focus of the Sixth International E-waste Day

7 . I must have been about 8 years old, and we were nearing the end of the first chapter of Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rowl. My mother was reading, and as the words to those first few pages filled the room, I remember the feeling that my heart filled up. The boy, the dogs, the forest: it was all so amazing, so new, and yet somehow so familiar.

It was one of many books my mother read to us as children. She started before I can remember, and continued until she thought we were no longer into it. Actually, I never really did outgrow it. I knew it was special then, and I realize even more so now. I know reading to children has educational benefits that reach beyond childhood.

Perhaps the most important value is one that cannot be easily measured: quality time. We are fortunate in a number of ways if we had an adult in our lives who had the resources and time to read to us. The quality time reading provides is greatly needed in our fast-paced world. I remember how we all cried as we neared the end of Wilson Rawl’s classic children’s tale. I remember lying in a hammock (吊床) together giggling at a spiders artistic creations in Charlotte’s Web. I recall not only the stories but also where we were when we read those stories: the precious moments of childhood, shared with my mother and brother.

When I think back to those moments with my mother, I am filled with memories of long summer afternoons when I sat next to her and the turning of those pages which is the greatest gift from those days. Those pages help a growing, learning young person build a sense of curiosity and a sense of humor. Perhaps most importantly, they introduce me to empathy and they open me to an appreciation of others’ experiences, and this appreciation is sure to impact how I view others and the world around me. I’ll always hold those memories dear.

1. How does the author introduce the topic in paragraph 1?

A．By introducing a famous book.	B．By describing her mum’s personality.
C．By making comments on Wilson Rowl.	D．By relating to her childhood experience.

2. What does the underlined word “outgrow” most likely mean in paragraph 2?

A．Fall in love with.	B．Lose interest in.
C．Get rid of.	D．Pay attention to.

3. What is the text mainly about?

A．The importance of reading.

B．The author’s favorite books.

C．The great impact on one’s life from literature.

D．The benefits of quality time spent on parent-child reading.

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。

My little brother Peter and I got permission from our parents to camp in a field close to our farm. But, being adventurous boys, we knew it would be more exciting to camp in the woods that lay beyond the river. Excited, we went away with our tent and food.

Carrying our heavy load, we walked along the riverbank, hardly noticing the distance or the burning sun. We were eager to reach our destination before lunchtime. Along the way, we saw some birds searching for food around a fallen tree trunk. As we entered the cool, shadowy woods, we began to search for a suitable camping spot. Peter wanted to stay close to the river at the edge of woods, but I insisted that we camp further away. Unwillingly, Peter followed me deeper into the woods. “This is really a wonderful setting! ” I said in excitement. We put up our tent, and settled down to eat the sandwiches we had made. About an hour later, we decided to find our way

back to the river to catch some fish.
注意：1. 续写词数应为100个左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
“Are you sure that this is the right way? ” Peter asked.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Returning home, we couldn’t wait to tell the anxious parents about our adventure story.
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9 . 假定你是李华，你校外语节的演讲主题是“低碳生活，绿色行动”，请你写一篇号召“光盘行动”的英文演讲稿参赛，内容包括：
1. 活动意义；
2. 提出倡议。     
注意：
1. 词数80左右，开头已给出；
2. 为使行文连贯，可适当增加细节。
Dear Friends,

I’m Li Hua, from Class 8. I’m giving this speech today to call on everyone to take part in the Clear Your Plate campaign.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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。

Stinky tofu,       1     (know) as chou doufu in China, is a much-loved street food, sold in night markets and roadside stands as     2     delicious snack. It     3     (invent) by a man named Wang Zhihe, who lived in Anhui Province during the Qing dynasty.     4     (original) , Wang was a scholar, but after     5     (fail) his official exam, he decided to sell tofu in the streets of Beijing. One day, he didn’t sell all his tofu, so he cut it     6     pieces and placed them in a jar for storage. When he reopened the jar several days later, he met with a terrible smell,     7     he decided to taste the tofu anyway. Finding it surprisingly delicious, he began to sell this new, smelly tofu at his store. If people wanted to try some, they just followed the smell,     8     was like a burnt sports shoe, and then they could find his store, where it could be found in     9     (vary) forms, including deep-fried, steamed or served in soups. The fans thought the smellier, the better! Nowadays, stinky tofu, featuring in documentaries and international food     10     (show) , has gained popularity around the world.