1 . This month, the Internet was flooded with wonderful digital art portraits, thanks to the work of the latest artificial intelligence-assisted application to go viral: Lensa. Users uploaded their photographs to the App and then—for a small fee—it used AI to transform their profile pictures into, say, a magical warrior princess version of themselves, in no time at all.

This year has seen a breakthrough for AI-driven image generators, which are now better than ever in quality, speed and affordability. If that sounds great to you, you might not be one of the millions of humans whose livelihoods depend on being able to exchange those skills for money.

Some artists predicted that a computer would recreate the aura of a masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci in the near future. As long as there are enough data for the AI to train itself, it can copy numerous masterpieces just in several minutes. It seems unavoidable that a large number of artists would lose their jobs.

“I see it less as a threat and more of an opportunity,” the UK-based illustrator Michelle Thompson said, adding, “Like everything else, there will always be artists who can use the tools better.”

These tools are only as good as the data sets they are trained on. Human imagination, on the other hand, has no limit. For Dryhurst, an artist from Germany, AI models “could attempt to make a pale version of something we did years ago”, but that “doesn’t account for what we might do next”.

The kind of artificial intelligence we might imagine replacing artists—an entirely autonomous creative robot—does not yet exist, but it is coming. And as AI becomes more universal, artists, illustrators and designers will ultimately be set apart not by if, but by how, they use the technology.

1. Why does the author mention Lensa in Paragraph 1?

A．To recommend the new App.	B．To inform latest news.
C．To lead in the AI topic.	D．To introduce its new function.

2. What is Michelle Thompson’s attitude towards AI?

A．Concerned.

B．Favorable.

C．Unclear.

D．Critical.

3. What might be a weakness of AI in creating art works?

A．Accuracy.

B．Diversity.

C．Creativity.

D．Efficiency.

4. Which can be the best title for the text?

A．Is AI coming into our daily life?	B．Can AI copy masterpieces of great artists?
C．Shall we welcome new AI technology?	D．Will AI replace artists in the future?

2 . For one week in May, more than 100,000 people in the UK carefully counted their plastic waste at home in a national investigation into plastic use and recycling. It was called the Big Plastic Count, run by organizations Greenpeace and Everyday Plastic.

So how did they get on, and what did they discover about their dependency on a material that has become a part of our everyday lives?

Jules, 41, and her family threw away 124 pieces of plastic during their week of counting. The packaging in party bags and sticker packs for her daughter’s sixth birthday was the most upsetting, she says. She had thought her household was quite low plastic and so was “shocked” by how much they used. “It’s the hidden stuff that isn’t recyclable—like pizza wrappers—that gets you,” Jules explains.

“Every single sheet for the stickers in the party bags came individually wrapped in its own unrecyclable bag, and then they were packed together in a bigger bag,” she says.

Her children are passionate about protecting the environment but Jules says she finds it very hard as a consumer to make the right choices.

“We can only do so much. It’s in the manufacturer’s hands. The whole thing is such a juggle (杂耍).” Taylor, a 25-year-old scheduler, says of the 70 pieces of plastic he counted, it was the cucumber packaging that upset him the most. He has family who live abroad where he says it’s easy to buy fruits and vegetables without any plastic. He’d also like to see more local produce in shops direct from farmers, which would reduce the need for excessive packaging used to transport goods long distances.

“I get progressively more upset with the fact that supermarkets sell so much plastic,” he says. Even if he could find plastic-free alternatives, he says the cost is exorbitant. “The price of everything is going up, but things that are better for the environment are much more expensive,” he says.

1. What was Jules’ reaction to the plastic packaging in her house?

A．Nervous

B．Annoyed

C．Desperate.

D．Tolerant.

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

A．Flexible

B．Reasonable.

C．Low

D．Sky-high.

3. What can we infer from the examples in the text?

A．Consumers can’t control the plastic packaging.

B．Almost every family has many plastic products.

C．Taylor’s parents don’t like cucumber packaging.

D．Jules’ children like to collect plastic waste.

4. In which section of a newspaper can we read this text?

A．Health.

B．Business.

C．Environment.

D．Entertainment.

3 . It was a relatively calm day in the fishing village of Kalk Bay. Several people were _________ by the window of Brass Bell looking out to the water of the Atlantic ocean. Then the scene changed _________.

“I saw this wave come over the harbor (海港) and it _________ the people, dragging them into the _________. I immediately ran outside, undressed myself, and dived into the water because I saw a child go in as well. I have a very soft spot for kids, and my instinct (本能) just kicked in to see if I could help,” Tongai said, who _________ Brass Bell Restaurant.

37-year-old Clair and her 8-year-old daughter Arya were two of the people _________ away. Clair knew they were being pulled into the water as soon as the _________ rushed over them, and she _________ to wrap her arms around little Arya.

By now Tongai had dropped the drink he was _________, taken off his belt and jumped into the water—followed by an __________ tourist. By then the violence of the waves, even just a few meters from shore, had pulled Clair and Arya apart; he used his belt to __________ Arya who wasn’t able to stay afloat by herself.

“I __________ went to the restaurant to thank the clerk,” Clair said. “My daughter __________ him immediately, and we all embraced (拥抱) each other. We are so thankful to Tongai and the tourist who risked their __________ to save ours, but it’s a pity that we still don’t know the tourist’s name; we’ll forever be __________ to them.

1.

A．rowing

B．swimming

C．walking

D．driving

2.

A．dramatically

B．deeply

C．gradually

D．constantly

3.

A．lifted

B．covered

C．pressed

D．held

4.

A．village

B．bay

C．restaurant

D．ocean

5.

A．headed for

B．worked at

C．lived near

D．ate in

6.

A．swept

B．blown

C．thrown

D．turned

7.

A．people

B．ship

C．life jacket

D．wave

8.

A．learned

B．agreed

C．managed

D．wished

9.

A．producing

B．buying

C．pouring

D．storing

10.

A．unnamed

B．outgoing

C．attractive

D．international

11.

A．fix

B．rescue

C．threaten

D．catch

12.

A．regularly

B．occasionally

C．directly

D．recently

13.

A．recognized

B．comforted

C．interviewed

D．contacted

14.

A．business

B．lives

C．credit

D．health

15.

A．polite

B．generous

C．grateful

D．friendly

4 . Our world is filled with sounds we never hear. But even within our hearing range, we select, focus on, and pay attention to only a few sounds—and block out the rest. We are so disturbed by sound that we continually “turn off”. In the process, however, we shut out the splendid symphony of sound in which the living world is bathed.

Everything becomes more real when it’s heard as well as seen. It is, in fact, quite hard to really know a person by sight alone, without hearing their voice. And it’s not just the sound of the voice that informs. Even the rhythm of footsteps betray (暴露) age and variations of mood—depression, anger or joy. Some people, for example, possess the ability to enter a crowded room and from the sounds know immediately the mood, pace, and direction of the group.

Everything that moves makes a sound, so all sounds are witnesses to events. If touch is the most personal of senses, then hearing—which is a sort of touching at a distance—is the most social of the senses. Sounds warn us of happenings. Even as we sleep, the brain is alarmed by certain key sounds. A mother wakes at the cry of her baby. The average person is quickly aroused by the sound of his own name.

Hearing can also bring calm and comfort. The sound of firewood in the stove, the whisper of a broom, the whistling sound of a drawer opening—all are comforting sounds. In a well-loved home, every window produces a click. The kitchen by itself is a source of many pleasing sounds too.

Unluckily, it’s possible that hearing will weaken even further in the future, as civilisation becomes busier. When too much is going on, we learn to ignore the sound around us and with it, much that could give us pleasure and information. That’s too bad—because there’s a wisdom in hearing.

1. Why do we ignore beautiful music around us?

A．It is mixed with other useless sounds.

B．It is too unique to be recognized by us.

C．We have difficulty in enjoying nice music.

D．We are bored to be troubled by unwanted sounds.

2. What does the author intend to do in Paragraph 3?

A．To explain how moves make sounds.

B．To introduce different sounds around us.

C．To show the use of sounds in our daily events.

D．To make a comparison between touching and hearing.

3. What can be inferred about our hearing in the future?

A．It will bring us joy.	B．It will face challenge.
C．It will be improved.	D．It will be more important.

4. What is the main idea of the text?

A．Hearing counts a lot in our daily life.

B．We can develop hearing in different ways.

C．Different sounds around us betray variations of mood.

D．Hearing difficulties can be solved by turning off sounds.

5 . Most young, single Singaporeans live with their parents. But some are moving into their own places as social norms (规范) develop.

When Alan, a civil servant willing to challenge and reform this conventional stereotype (陈规), decided to move out of his family home in Singapore, it still took the 27-year-old a month to talk about the topic with his parents. He feared they wouldn’t understand. After all, Alan’s home was a pleasant place. The family’s three-bedroom condominium (公寓) wasn’t far from the city-state’s central business district. There was homemade dinner on the table each night, and his laundry was always done for him. “There wasn’t a push factor, just pull factors,” he says. “I’d lived with my parents my whole life, so I just wanted to experience what it’s like being by myself, you know?”

In the West, leaving home is just another milestone in adulthood. Yet in most Asian societies, things are different. Culturally, moving out is sometimes considered as showing disrespect to your parents, which makes it even challenging and praiseworthy. In Singapore, living at home until marriage is a common practice; an estimated 97% of unmarried individuals lived with their parents in 2013.

While the trend is in part driven by deep-rooted ideas of filial piety (孝道), it’s also linked to government policies on accommodation for young people. Most Singaporeans live in public housing units, apartments funded by the state that are known as HDBs. About 90% of those who live in HDBs own their home.

Those who can’t buy HDBs can rent via the private property market — but costs are much higher. “These cost restrictions,” says Dr Chua, a professor of sociology, “effectively keep most young, unmarried people living at home with their parents.”

Yet Alan, who now rents a flat in Hougang with two friends from junior college, is among the courageous young pioneers resisting the long-time cultural norm. These commendable young people are deciding that the price of the freedom to organize their own life is worth it and stepping out of their home.

1. What can we know from the second and third paragraphs?

A．The East and the West are very different in most aspects.

B．Alan decided to live separately mainly due to some objective reasons.

C．The majority of single young people followed social customs in living in 2013.

D．In the East, it is culturally acceptable for the young to live separately from the elderly.

2. What mainly causes most single young people to live with their parents in Singapore?

A．Their parents’ expectations.	B．Their personal wish.
C．The home environment.	D．The traditional culture and housing prices.

3. What is the author’s attitude towards the young Singaporeans like Alan moving out?

A．Confused.

B．Positive.

C．Indifferent.

D．Doubtful.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Young Singaporeans’ Relationship with Their Parents

B．Young Singaporeans Fighting Against Old Social Customs

C．Young Singaporeans Striking Out Their Way to Independence

D．Young Singaporeans’ New Way to Solve High Housing Prices

6 . The summer months are fast approaching, and the excitement of new adventures and outdoor experiences are on the horizon (地平线). Now is the time to start booking locations for camping and van sites. But where to go? Which one to choose? Here are some useful tips for you.

Choosing the best campground location

Everyone has different needs when it comes to booking an ideal spot for spending time outdoors. Contact the campground directly and well in advance and ask what campsites and areas tend to be the best fit for what you’re looking for, such as family-friendly, older crowds or quieter grounds. For a less crowded experience, book your stay during the week instead of the weekend. Some of the most popular destinations for camping in America include the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which boasts (拥有) wildflowers, hiking and a scenic 11-mile ring road that can be walked or cycled; Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular places to put up a tent, with 13 campgrounds to choose from, including camping with an RV; the Mojave and the Colorado desert meet at Joshua Tree National Park, an ideal spot to park an RV.

Where to set up a tent

Location! This is vital when considering where you will be setting up shop, especially when it comes to a good night’s rest. Find a flat and dry campsite and build the tent on higher ground in case it rains so it won’t get flooded. Look for natural elements to help keep you warm. Trees and large rocks will keep the wind out and the warmth in. Be aware that the campsite should be close to things such as toilets, water, roads and playgrounds.

1. What should you do to have a pleasant camping?

A．Telephone the campground on arrival.	B．Choose to go with friendly families
C．Go camping during the week.	D．Set up the tent on the weekend.

2. Which campground will you choose if you like cycling?

A．The Colorado desert.	B．Joshua Tree National Park.
C．Yosemite National Park.	D．The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

3. Where should you put up your tent on a cloudy day?

A．On the level and warm place.	B．On the high and flat place.
C．Next to large rocks.	D．On the place near big trees.

7 . Ferries (渡船) have clear advantages over cruises: you don’t keep bumping into the same people, and they are more environmentally sustainable. Plus, a passage on a Greek ferry costs just a tiny part of the price of a cruise voyage.

Some trips are economical: Piraeus to Rhodes takes 15 hours, but costs only £58 one-way. It pays to familiarize yourself with Greece using a good map and then start planning with a ferry booking site such as greekferries.gr, ferryhopper.com or UK-based directferries.com. You will see all the main tour operators (公司) and be offered fast boats which compete with traditional, slow-paced ferries; the former are sometimes sealed like aeroplanes, while the latter allow deck walks and views.

If you want to hop around, please have a look at the followings.

Top Tips

Going deck (economy) — which is even available on overnight trips — is a surefire way to save money.

When to go

The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are ideal for a holiday in southern Europe. It isn’t the peak time for holidays; it has fewer tourists and lower accommodation prices.

Do it yourself

Wizz Air (wizzair.com) is offering flights from London to Athens in October from £34 return. A Ferryhopper booking for Athens-Paros-Mykonos-Kea-Athens over eight days in October came in at £101.

Perfect package

Med Experience (020 45717689; medexperience.com) is quoting (要价) £790 for a nine-day island-hopping holiday, including shared B&B accommodation, ferry tickets, tour manager and parties. Flights not included.

1. How many advantages of taking ferries are mentioned compared with cruises?

A．Two.

B．Three.

C．Four.

D．Five.

2. Which of the following can visitors get from the perfect package?

A．Accommodation and flights.	B．Ferry tickets and flights.
C．Souvenirs and ferry tickets.	D．Accommodation and tour manager.

3. What’s the main purpose of the passage?

A．To guide visitors to save money.	B．To compare ferries with cruises.
C．To introduce a travel route to Greece.	D．To recommend a travel agency.

8 . Wang Shun became China’s first Olympic champion in the men’s individual medley event in Tokyo 2020. In a live chat, Wang reveals how years of struggles and setbacks _________ him into a world-beater.

Recalling his childhood, Wang has pleasant _________ of the moment that raised his initial curiosity about _________. After that, Wang set a great goal that he wanted to be an Olympic _________. He always trained seriously and often _________ to stay in the pool for long hours.

During his training, Wang _________ many setbacks and difficulties, and realized it would not be _________ to reach the top of swimming. In 2019, _________, his performances were not ideal and he was really upset at the time about this. Then in June, he injured his ankle, which forced him to _________ two-week training and the recovery process was pretty __________ and he even thought about quitting.

__________, Wang has a considerate coach Zhu Zhigen, who __________ with Wang and kept helping him improve mentally and physically. Zhu acts like parents toward his __________ —a level of care he displays for Wang to this day. Before the final at the Tokyo Olympics, the coach __________ guarded the door for Wang to ensure he slept well, because 10 athletes shared a room. With the help of his coach, Wang overcame all the __________ and got the first prize in Tokyo 2020.

1.

A．tricked

B．turned

C．put

D．forced

2.

A．challenges

B．stories

C．memories

D．hobbies

3.

A．swimming

B．running

C．jogging

D．skating

4.

A．volunteer

B．champion

C．player

D．coach

5.

A．failed

B．hesitated

C．regretted

D．struggled

6.

A．encountered

B．settled

C．understood

D．ignored

7.

A．rewardable

B．suitable

C．visible

D．straightforward

8.

A．on occasion

B．in general

C．on average

D．for instance

9.

A．give up

B．stick to

C．get through

D．long for

10.

A．slow

B．tough

C．smooth

D．boring

11.

A．Hopefully

B．Eventually

C．Fortunately

D．Obviously

12.

A．competed

B．associated

C．worked

D．accompanied

13.

A．pupils

B．friends

C．assistants

D．colleagues

14.

A．occasionally

B．especially

C．constantly

D．unwillingly

15.

A．anxieties

B．puzzles

C．barriers

D．mistakes

9 . 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 documentary film The Magical Craftsmanship of Suzhou, featuring Chinese intangible cultural heritages, was launched in Australia and New Zealand on July 28, 2022. Before launching, it was released in North America in June,     1     stimulated a wide discussion on the eastern aesthetics(美学)and the intangible cultural heritages. It gave the     2     (local) a close up look at how ancient handicrafts continue to color modern Chinese life.

The film,     3     (joint) produced by Suzhou Broadcasting Cooperation and Suzhou Protection and Management Office of Intangible Cultural Heritage, aims     4     (present) an elegant and fresh Chinese culture to overseas audiences. It mainly focuses     5     nine handicrafts with long-lasting lineages in Suzhou city and     6     (share) the story about Chinese artists, conveying the eastern manufacturing concepts and craftsmanship spirits.

Caitlin Nugent, a 26-year-old teacher from Sydney, attended one of the documentary’s screenings. She said she     7     (draw) by the process behind silk brocades(锦缎)and the film added to her dream of     8     (make) the trip to China that she had never been to. Peter Hannam,     9     writer, said the film gave an insight into the importance of passing     10     (tradition) skills from generation to generation.

10 . Choose What to Remember, What to Forget

I was sorting through some boxes in the drawer last week when I came across a teddy bear from my childhood.     1     when I saw my faded old friend. In an instant I was reconnected with where I lived, who was around and how I felt.

    2    . I once had thrown away a pair of running shoes that reminded me of the difficult days. According to a recent study it’s possible to use thinking tricks to remove negative associations. And, in the process, you can learn a lot about how memory works — including how to get yours under control.

First, volunteers were shown how to create connections between an item and negative emotions. They did this using vivid mental imagery (意象) — linking a child’s sports shoes to images of a playground accident, for example, so that the object became uncomfortable to have nearby.     3    . And this turned out to be more than just a temporary distraction (分心). It gradually weakened the bad memories — in some cases, erasing them altogether.

    4    . And you can strengthen both of these factors when you want to remember. For example: pick up a favourite present and enjoy the pictures it brings to mind. On the other hand, when you want to forget the bad associations, practice pushing away any images.

The pictures you attach to things can connect you to some extremely powerful memories, for good or bad.     5    .

A．Unpleasant past memories flashed through my mind.

B．It shows that recall relies on associations and images.

C．Not all objects make such welcome memories, however.

D．Powerful memories flooded back from nearly 50 years before.

E．But the good news is that you can choose to remember the good things.

F．Again, strengthening the images will continually sharpen the memories.

G．Later, they were shown how to actively forget those feelings by pushing away any pictures.