1 . Most glitter(小发光物品), which is made up of tiny pieces of plastic, is a huge danger to the environment. “Everyone talks about the mountain of plastic floating in the ocean. You can grab empty bottles from the water, but with tiny pieces, it’s impossible,” says Victor Alvarez, a chemical engineer who sells an eco-friendly alternative to glitter.

In the early 2,000s, Alvarez worked for Mercedes-Benz in Germany, where he became fond of any technology that protected the environment. A few years after leaving Mercedes-Benz, he founded Blue Sun International in Miami, which makes specialty ingredients for the skin and hair care industries.

Glitter is a popular ingredient in cosmetics, such as eye shadows and lipsticks. So Alvarez began researching an alternative that didn’t contain plastic to make his products safer for the environment. That’s when he came across Ronald Britton Ltd., a company which had developed a plastic-free, biodegradable product called Bioglitter. It is made from regenerative cellulose(纤维素) sourced from hardwoods, primarily eucalyptus(桉树). Alvarez worked with the company to become the first retailer to sell Bioglitter in America. In 2018, he formed Today Glitter in order to sell the biodegradable glitter directly to consumers through its website.

Today Glitter sells two kinds of biodegradable glitter Bioglitter Sparkle and Bioglitter Pure. Both are almost plastic-free and can biodegrade in a short time. Meanwhile, they are as shiny as regular glitter. All these products are third-party tested by TÜV, an international organization that provides testing and certification for compostable (可降解的) and biodegradable products.

Despite its benefits, the hardwoods needed to make biodegradable glitter cause it to cost about twice as much as conventional glitter. A small glass container that contains just 6 grams of Bioglitter costs $10, while the same amount of regular glitter could cost at least half that amount. Alvarez expects the price will come down over time. He also expects the company’s sales to cross $1 million next year. But more importantly, Alvarez says, his main goal is to effect a meaningful change.

1. While at Mercedes Benz, Alvarez        .

A．developed a way to grab glitter in the sea	B．became interested in the environment
C．attempted to live a plastic-free life	D．created a kind of harmless glitter

2. What do we know about Bioglitter?

A．It is a plastic-free ingredient for eye shadows.

B．It will soon be on sale in the American market.

C．It is very difficult to break down in the wild.

D．It was invented by Blue Sun International.

3. Why does the author mention TÜV in the text?

A．To show Bioglitter Sparkle and Bioglitter Pure are popular.

B．To stress it provides a broad range of testing services.

C．To prove Today Glitter’s products are eco-friendly.

D．To explain many plastic products are low-quality.

4. What is the problem faced by Today Glitter at present?

A．The complex process of making glitter.	B．How to expand its overseas market.
C．How to attract potential investors.	D．The high cost of raw materials.

2 . MiG Prize 2022

The Michel Gelrubin Architecture Prize is designed to bring out new talents by giving students an opportunity for international recognition. Open internationally, the Prize is awarded annually to honor students whose work demonstrates a combination of vision and talent in the art of architecture and planning.

This Year’s Challenge

This year’s competition invites proposals for projects that integrate at least 3 different uses into a building. The projects should include private and public spaces, and consider the urban context.

Timeline

Launch: August 1st,2022

Registration Deadline: September 15th,2022(registration is free)

Submission Deadline: November 19th,2022

Result Announcement: December 17th,2022

Prizes

First prize       $5,000

Second prize       $2,500

Third Prize       $1,500

The Jury(评委会)

The projects will be scored based on their originality, design, environmental effects, and presentation.

Participation

The competition is open to any student studying architecture during the academic year2022-2023. Candidates can apply as individuals or as teams.

Materials

Electronic submission of the project files must include:

·   Posters that integrate the documents explaining the project(plans, sections, elevations, photos, renderings (透视图) , illustrations, images, diagrams, and text)

A presentation of the project(max 15 slides)

A video file (max 3 min.) is optional but highly recommended.

All the documents must be written in English and sent in a PDF format(except the videos).

For more information, see https://migprize.com.

1. What do we know about the competition?

A．It offers $1,500 for second prize.

B．It is open to all graduates in architecture.

C．It charges an all-time low registration fee this year.

D．It focuses on designing a mixed-use building this year.

2. By which time should all the project files be handed in?

A．August 1st,2022.	B．September 15th,2022.
C．November 19th,2022.	D．December 17th,2022.

3. Which of the following must be included in the submission?

A．Integrated posters in the English version.

B．A video file of no more than 3 minutes.

C．A presentation of no less than 15 slides.

D．Paper documents explaining the project.

3 . People solve some new problems readily without any special training or practice by comparing them to familiar problems and extending the solutions to the new problems. That process, known as analogical reasoning (类比推理), has long been thought to be an ability only humans have. But now people might have to make room for a new kid on the block.

Psychologists from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) claim that, astonishingly, the artificial intelligence (AI) language model GPT-3 performs about as well as college undergraduates when asked to solve the sort of reasoning problems that typically appear on intelligence tests and standardized tests.

But the psychologists raise the question: Is GPT-3 copying human reasoning as a by-product of its massive language training data set or using a fundamentally new kind of cognitive (认知的) process? They also say that although GPT-3 performs far better than they expected at some reasoning tasks, the popular AI tool still fails completely at others. “It can do analogical reasoning, but it can’t do things that are very easy for people, such as using tools to solve a physical task,” says Taylor Webb, a UCLA postdoctoral researcher in psychology.

Webb and his colleagues tested GPT-3’s ability to solve a set of problems inspired by a test known as Raven’s Progressive Matrices, which ask the subject to predict the next image in a complicated arrangement of shapes. To enable GPT-3 to “see” the shapes, and make sure that the AI tool had never met the questions before, Webb transformed the images into a text format that GPT-3 could process.

The psychologists asked 40 UCLA undergraduate students to solve the same problems. Surprisingly, not only did GPT-3 do about as well as humans but it made similar mistakes as well. GPT-3 solved 80% of the problems correctly — well above the human subjects’ average score of just below 60%, but within the range of the highest human scores.

1. What is analogical reasoning usually considered?

A．A simple learning skill.	B．A unique human ability.
C．A vital thinking process.	D．A solution to any problem.

2. What did Webb want to stress about GPT-3’s performance at other tasks?

A．Its system has some limitations.	B．Its application hasn’t been popular.
C．It needs to be trained for these tasks.	D．It is good at copying human reasoning.

3. Why were the shapes changed to a text format?

A．To add difficulty to the questions.	B．To enable GPT-3 to see the results.
C．To guarantee the foreignness of the tasks.	D．To test GPT-3’s ability to identify text.

4. What might the psychologists conclude about GPT-3 from their tests?

A．It will replace humans in some cases.	B．It rarely makes mistakes like humans.
C．It is able to do things very easy for people.	D．It runs undergraduates close in reasoning.

4 . When Sergio Peralta,15, started the year as a new student at Hendersonville High School, he tried to keep it a (an) _________ that he was born with a right hand that didn’t fully form. “In the first days of school, I honestly felt like hiding my hand,” Peralta said. “Like nobody would ever _________.”

Eventually, a teacher in the engineering program, Jeff Wilkins, _________ Peralta’s hand, and suggested that his engineering students might be able to _________. “They ended up offering me, like, ‘We could build you a robotic hand’and I never _________ it,” said Peralta.

Though the teens were unsure if the _________ would work, they didn’t let uncertainty stop them from _________.They spent four weeks designing, sizing, and creating a robotic hand with online models and a 3-D printer, _________ discovering first-hand how engineering can be used to make a(an) _________ difference.

Peralta had become__________ at using his left hand to write and do nearly everything else. But there were certain things that weren’t __________, like catching a baseball with his right hand.

So after about a month of building the robotic hand and developing a __________ with Peralta along the way, the students tested the robotic hand with a __________ of catch. For the first time, Peralta was able to play catch with both hands.

“Living without a hand for 15 years, I want to say they actually offered me two. This is actually pretty __________ . No one has ever offered me this stuff,” he said. “They __________ my life.”

1.

A．anxiety

B．evidence

C．secret

D．faith

2.

A．care about

B．find out

C．spy on

D．wrestle with

3.

A．rolled over

B．stared at

C．checked on

D．learned about

4.

A．sponsor

B．contract

C．treat

D．help

5.

A．expected

B．restricted

C．participated

D．claimed

6.

A．test

B．idea

C．belief

D．symbol

7.

A．analyzing

B．advocating

C．trying

D．complaining

8.

A．entirely

B．literally

C．ultimately

D．obviously

9.

A．minor

B．initial

C．academic

D．practical

10.

A．skilled

B．grateful

C．conventional

D．cautious

11.

A．preventable

B．commercial

C．artificial

D．achievable

12.

A．friendship

B．challenge

C．combination

D．commitment

13.

A．rush

B．game

C．reaction

D．pose

14.

A．flexible

B．expensive

C．cool

D．attractive

15.

A．saved

B．valued

C．started

D．changed

5 . Today, being freelancers (自由职业者) is one of the most powerful trends in the way we work. According to a current study, there are 70.4 million freelancers in the US. By 2028, this number will increase to 90.1 million, or54% of the workforce, basically divided equally between genders.

It would appear to be solid guidance in today’s modern workforce to tell some one who wants the “3Fs”— flexibility, fulfillment, and financial independence — to “just go freelance”, right? The large numbers and data support this direction and suggest that it could be regarded as safe and wise advice.

However, telling someone who is unhappy in their current professional situation to “just go freelance”, is like telling them to climb Mt Qomolangma without oxygen: 5% of climbers have succeeded, so it can be done, but there will be hardship and a much higher chance of failure. Just as one should weigh the risks of attempting to climb the 8848.86m mountain without essential supplies, the idea of being freelancers must be truly understood.

The number is increasingly growing, however, actually three quarters of self-described freelancers in the USare part-time, meaning the vast majority are using freelance work as a side hustle (副业). What’s more, research shows that 70% of full-time freelancers participated in upskilling training. Besides, more than half (58%) of freelancers have experienced non-payment from clients, and most do not have retirement plans or affordable health insurance. Many freelancers fail after the first year as a result of making avoidable mistakes with only a third making it.

We can’t simply tell people to “just go freelance” unless we also tell them to invest in training and cooperate with like-minded, supportive communities to strengthen industry rights before they start their journey to the summit as an individual, but never alone.

1. Which of the following is NOT a benefit as a freelancer?

A．Flexible schedule.

B．Safer environment.

C．Less financial reliance.

D．A sense of achievement.

2. Why does the author mention “Mt Qomolangma” in paragraph3?

A．To indicate a bright future of freelancers.

B．To show the determination of freelancers.

C．To highlight the challenge of reaching the top.

D．To emphasize the importance of weighing risks.

3. What’s the author’s attitude towards the growing number of freelancers?

A．Concerned.

B．Supportive.

C．Understandable.

D．Ambiguous.

4. What’s the main idea of the text?

A．Most of the freelancers meet with failure.

B．Many Americans choose to be freelancers.

C．Being a freelancer is not as easy as imagined.

D．Going freelance brings us a promising future.

6 . 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。

Shichahai is a famous scenic area in the northwest part of Beijing,     1     (surround) places of historic interest and scenic beauty, and remnants(残留) of old-style local residences hutong and courtyard.

Shichahai is always     2     good place for local residents’ recreational life, and in the past 200 years, many government officers and celebrities     3     (choose) to build mansions and temples in it. Thus, the     4     (attract) of Shichahai lies not only in its natural beauty, but also in the historical value of its architecture. The most famous ones among these historical buildings are Prince Gong’s Mansion (Gong Wang Fu), Price Chun’s Mansion (Chun WangFu),     5     the Former Residence of Mei Lanfang, a well known Beijing Opera master.

One of the     6     (great) point s of interest in Shichahai today is its residences hutong and courtyard. Visiting hutongs by pedicab(三轮车) has become a popular activity for     7     (visitor) from China and abroad. The most famous is Jin Si Tao, which     8     (actual) includes 18 hutongs and keeps the original layout.

Some snack streets also lie in Shichahai, and people can find two old brands here. One is Lao Rou Ji, a restaurant selling roast meat,     9     has a history of over 150 years. The other is Bao Du Zhang that has sold     10     (cook) tripe of sheep(羊肚) for four generations.

7 . Everyone wants to keep their kitchen clean and have a healthy pantry(食品储藏室)that offers healthy food options year-round. You already do so much for your family’s health.     1    

You can smarten up your storage. Whenever possible, you can store pepper, grains, and other pantry foods in glass containers.    2     Plastic food storage containers are a good second best, though plastics are always less desirable from an environmental angle.

It’s time to sharpen your knife skills. Grocery stores offer pre-cut vegetables, which is a wonderful innovation for the short-on-time among us. But if you are able, buying a whole vegetable will save you some money-and your produce will last longer if you don’t cook it immediately.

    3     Some foods, like tomatoes, should never be refrigerated, while others, like cucumbers, stay fresh longer if they’re stored in cold conditions. Knowing where each food is happy will help you use your cooling equipment to maximum benefit.

Clean up your cleaning products. Most kitchen cleaning work can be handled without products that have powerful but damaging chemicals which come in plastic containers and put eco-unfriendly substances into the air and near your food.    4     You can use baking soda(小苏打)to clean counters, sinks, and stovetops. Lemon juice, essential oils, and even large pieces of sea salt for cleaning can also help with your cleaning routine.

Share with your local food pantry. A quick online search or phone call can put you in touch with your local food pantry. Learn what they need most and seek out items in your pantry that are not yet past their best-before date or that you aren’t likely to use in the near future.    5     Both sides will get a benefit.

A．You should manage storage temperatures.

B．Then how can you keep just what you need?

C．Extend your foods’ shelf life as long as you can.

D．Seek out some simple and mild solution “recipes”.

E．You’ll be reducing your waste and feeding your neighbors at one go.

F．The see-through material will show you when things are running low

G．But could you also pay some attention to keeping an eco-friendly pantry?

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。

The Grand Tang Mall in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, offers a fascinating experience that transports visitors back to the Tang Dynasty. Even after 10 p. m. on weekdays, the pedestrian area comes alive     1    vibrant lights and lively music. The main street    2     (line) with Tang-style pavilions, and people dressed in traditional Chinese attire (服装) can be seen     3     (leisure) strolling.     4     sets this modern recreation apart is a series of outdoor performances     5     (feature)cultural elements from the Tang Dynasty presented in a contemporary way. Onstage, acclaimed Tang Dynasty poets,     6     (play) by actors, engage visitors in conversations about ancient Chinese poetry. Within a compact area, captivating musicals and dance performances blend traditional and contemporary elements, providing an     7     (impress) cultural experience. These interactive events     8     (become) the city’s tourism highlight, attracting     9    daily average of 300, 000 tourists to the Grand Tang Mall since June.

Inspired by the glamour of the Tang Dynasty, the Grand Tang Mall continues to create new productions    10    showcase the era’s poetry and art performances. With over 20 regular programs, each lasting 10 minutes, visitors are encouraged to arrive early to secure a good view of these popular shows.

9 . Last year we were stuck in a little restaurant in France on Christmas Eve. My wife ______ for us in French. Somehow, the waiter brought us the wrong meal, so I scolded her angrily. She began to cry and I felt even______. Everything had gone wrong. There was no Christmas ______ in our hearts.

Suddenly, in came an old flower woman who went from table to table but no one ______ any. Tiredly she sat down at a table where a young sailor finished his meal. He stood up and ______ two corsages (小花束), smiling, “How much are they?”   “Two francs, Monsieur.” He then _______ the woman a 20-franc note, leaning over and ______ her ancient cheek.   “My Christmas present to you.” Then, ______, he came to our table, gave my wife a corsage, ______ us a Merry Christmas, and departed.

Everyone had stopped eating. Everyone was silent. A few seconds later, Christmas ______ throughout the restaurant like a bomb. The flower woman jumped up, waving the 20-franc ______, and did a merry dance. She was so _____ and appeared 20 years younger. My wife waved her corsage in time with the rhythm and the______ had left her eyes.

______ the Christmas spirit in his soul, the young sailor released the ______ and joy hidden by anger within us. He gave us Christmas!

1.

A．ordered

B．prayed

C．waited

D．interpreted

2.

A．more concerned

B．worse

C．guiltier

D．more scary

3.

A．holiday

B．service

C．spirit

D．gift

4.

A．admired

B．accepted

C．paid

D．bought

5.

A．checked out

B．picked out

C．brought out

D．carried out

6.

A．dropped

B．handed

C．sent

D．wrote

7.

A．observing

B．touching

C．kissing

D．stroking

8.

A．unexpectedly

B．unfortunately

C．uncomfortably

D．unwillingly

9.

A．sang

B．told

C．gave

D．wished

10.

A．arrived

B．floated

C．happened

D．exploded

11.

A．cheque

B．bill

C．receipt

D．debt

12.

A．quick

B．surprised

C．happy

D．moved

13.

A．excitement

B．fear

C．sadness

D．regret

14.

A．Because of

B．Instead of

C．Apart from

D．As for

15.

A．romance

B．energy

C．life

D．love

10 . It can be hard to stay motivated when you are on a training plan and this can lead to you missing essential sessions.     1     Luckily, we have some tried and tested motivational tricks that will ensure you keep running all year around.

Run with a partner. If you can, ask a friend to run with you, as then you have a reason to go out, even when you don’t want to.     2     You need someone who will help you out of the door on cold winter mornings.

    3    . A fast-track way to lose your motivation is to always run the same route over and over again. Mix it up by changing where you run. Try a new route and you will focus on things like how you are feeling rather than when you hit the next lamppost or tree.

Mix up the training.     4     If you usually go for a long, slow run on a Sunday morning, why not try a little sprint session instead? You can pick a landmark anywhere and run as fast as you can until you get to it, before slowing down again to recover.

Listen to music. The race itself will have plenty of motivational factors to keep you going, with the crowds cheering and other runners to concentrate on, but if you are out on your own, your favorite song can really cheer you up if you’re feeling that lull (低谷期) come over you.     5    

A．Vary your locations.

B．Stimulate your motivation.

C．You also need to vary your training patterns.

D．This is especially the case when it comes to the cold months.

E．Make sure you don’t pick someone who is likely to cancel on you.

F．Some music devices will help you to stay motivated and on target.

G．Music can help keep you going when the running gets a little tough.