1 . One of the most popular therapists (治疗师) in University of Rochester (UR) smells like chips, pees outside, and doesn’t mind eating baby carrots off the ground. Sasha, a five-year-old golden dog, runs her practice out of a second-flour office in the Interfaith Chapel that she shares with her owner-Dr. Denise Yarbrough. During their office hours, which run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m, on Mondays and Fridays, the messy puppy is likely to greet you with tail wags, happy “woof”, and even her two front paws lifting. It’s this patented charm that allows Sasha to meet the needs of a crowd of students who drop in to see UR’s first and most accessible therapy dog in residence.
But the path to her puppy Ph.D still called for three rounds of training. First was a two-week residential camp on the essentials — sit, stay, come, heel, ete. There her natural fondness for “people pleasing” revealed itself on her very first day! That training was followed by the eight- week Canine Good Citizen program, where she learned how to stay calm in crowds, to resist reacting to other dogs, and to be comfortable with Yarbrough leaving her side. A five-week therapy dog specific course was the last step in her journey. There she studied approaching people with mobility aids like wheelchairs, tolerating loud noises, and the importance of the “leave it!” command, among other things.
Sasha passed the therapy dog exams at nine months old but couldn’t get certificated until she was one year old. The pandemic postponed her on-campus arrival, but Yarbrough did eventually get to bring her to work, and students consequently fell in love, “I have this constant stream of students, and obviously this is meeting a need.” Yarbrough said. “This is the third year we’re doing this, and she does get a pretty steady stream of friends coming in on the days that she’s here.” Since then, Sasha’s role in the community has ballooned.
1. What do we know about Sasha from the first paragraph?| A．She works six hours every day. |
| B．She goes to the office as Dr.Yarbrough’s pet. |
| C．She attracts students with improper behaviour. |
| D．She works by actively interacting with students. |
| A．The resisting reaction. |
| B．Ability to aid the disabled. |
| C．Fondness for people pleasing. |
| D．Obeying the commands precisely. |
| A．The popularity of Sasha. |
| B．The expectation of Yarbrough. |
| C．The hardship of Sasha’s work. |
| D．The feedback of the community. |
| A．To present puppy training strategies. |
| B．To introduce a special campus therapist. |
| C．To launch an appeal for animal conservation. |
| D．To highlight the significance of pets’company. |
2 . I was an environmental educator, tasked with instilling nature consciousness in young minds. My boss gave me standards for my nature hikes: “Educate students about river pollution”,“Inform students of regional endangered species”, or “Equip students to understand recycling.” While I did my best to engage with my tag-alongs, and give them an outdoor adventure, I noticed a disturbing tend — when the kids talked about their own relationships with nature, they were full of guilt and fear.
Through the continuous stream of information now available in the modern age, the kids’ young minds were filled with the knowledge of deforestation, forest fires, extinct species, polluted waterways, and celebrities telling them to “do better”. Well-meaning but heavy-handed programs laid these big, scary problems at their feet, and then offered little help for tiny hands. After participating in classes like this for years, I can confidently report that the result of such teaching was often little more than helplessness, and continued disconnection from nature .
Rather than scaring kids, we need to use fun, adventure, discovery, and locally connected efforts to truly educate children about their world. I’ d like to advocate different approaches: Making creative art projects with things that can be found in nature or in daily life to show them the importance of conserving resources, creating a model ocean to teach them about ocean oil spills (泄漏) and pollution: gardening with them and teaching them about how plants grow so as to give them experience with taking care of nature, taking them to a zoo, farm, beach, or forest to see different types of animals.
While it’s important that we all collectively help raise today’s children to be tomorrow’s environimental advocates, it deserves more attention to how to raise an environmentally conscious child to care about the environment without guilt or fear.
1. What does the underlined word “tag-alongs” in paragraph 1 refer to?| A．Hikes | B．Surveys. | C．Colleagues. | D．Students. |
| A．They lacked knowledge of climate change. |
| B．Regional species were endangered or dangerous. |
| C．Real information on the environment was inaccessible. |
| D．They were burdened with enormous negative eco issues. |
| A．Unconcerned. | B．Critical. | C．Favorable. | D．Unclear. |
| A．Making crafts out of empty tissue boxes. |
| B．Reading the books about resource recycling. |
| C．Lecturing students on ocean spills and pollution. |
| D．Watching videos about plant growing in the classroom. |
3 . One reason why awaiting news can be so hard is that often the outcome of whatever we are waiting for determines our next steps. If we get the answers we are hoping for, we celebrate and keep moving forward.
Another reason is that people desire certainty.
As it is an inevitability of life, how can we play the waiting game without it taking too much emotional suffering?
Limit how often you check your phone or email for an answer. When we fall into habitual checking, it becomes a cruel cycle of checking, disappointment, and more checking. Check your email on a schedule.
Make a list of affirmations. Write down some words that help with increasing hope and a belief in a positive outcome. Say them out loud, then record yourself saying them, and watch your video as a reminder.
| A．Set boundaries around where you check. |
| B．Do things that cause your flow experience. |
| C．Experience flow to enhance the quality of life. |
| D．They want accuracy not certainty in their lives. |
| E．The need to know is built into our drive to survive. |
| F．If not, we process the loss and disappointment and reroute. |
| G．This can help ease your worry and keep you feeling optimistic. |
4 . The protesters who had gathered on a lawn in Rome’s central Piazz a Venezia came from neighborhoods all around the capital, but they had one concern in common: saving the towering umbrella pine trees that for centuries have decorated the city’s skyline but are disappearing in alarming numbers.
Celebrated in music and art, and admired by the ancient Romans, the trees are as much a part of the city’s identity as its human-made landmarks. “They are in the hearts, photographs and memories of everyone,” said Jacopa Stinchelli, who is helping lead the defense of the pines, which in recent years have taken a turn for the worse.
An attack by an invasive pest, which sneaked into Italy about a decade ago, has killed many trees. In the eyes of some Romans, however, it’s not just the bugs that are to blame but also a city government that has struggled to deliver basic services.
Critics say that the pines have been subjected to indiscriminate removal, with trees that could still have been saved. They claim that during the past two years at least 4,000 potentially curable trees have been chopped down. While it’s hard to lay responsibility on Rome’s municipal government for the invasion of pests, critics say the city could be doing more to preserve the pines.
The primary method to counter the pest in urban areas involves injecting a special insecticide into the tree to kill the female population. But the current costly and high-maintenance approach “can’t be a permanent solution,” said Pio Federico Roversi, the director of a national research center for plant protection. “We’d better introduce natural predators—animals that kill and eat the pests, which doesn’t pose a risk for the Italian environment,” Mr. Roversi said.
Sabrina Alfonsi, the member of Rome’s City Council, said in an interview that the city had set aside 100 million euros, or $110 million, to care for the city’s green spaces. All infected pines had been treated, she added, the city has begun monitoring all its 350,000 trees of various species.
No solution is likely to eliminate the pest problem entirely, Mr. Roversi said, but it could become manageable “so that the plants no longer suffer.”
1. What can we learn about the umbrella pines in recent years?| A．The distribution is hugely uneven. |
| B．They have faded out of Roman mind. |
| C．The number has dropped dramatically. |
| D．They are used to celebrate special occasions. |
| A．Remove the bugs as soon as possible. |
| B．Make efforts to defend curable pines. |
| C．Chop down the trees destroyed by pests. |
| D．Take responsibility for the invasion of pests. |
| A．By using natural enemies. |
| B．By spraying chemical pesticides. |
| C．By replanting pines resistant to pests. |
| D．By establishing a nature reserve for pines. |
| A．Indifferent. | B．Skeptical. | C．Discontented. | D．Approving. |
5 . Andrew McCarthy-stars roles in era-defining movies such as Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo’s Fire and Less Than Zero. But he is also an award-winning travel writer whose books include The Longest Way Home (2012) and Walking With Sam (2021). In the new book, he looks back on an epic adventure, where he walked 500 miles across Spain’s Camino de Santiago with his 19-year-old son, Sam.
McCarthy had hoped the trip would be a way to re-examine their evolving relationship, as Sam was just stepping into his own manhood. “I wanted to get to know my son. Not just in the parent-child, dominant-submissive or unruly roles, but as adults, as equals, as peers (同龄人),” he said. “The Camino gave me the greatest luxury you have with adult children—which is time.” For McCarthy it was a chance to spend time with Sam, and perhaps avoid repeating the history he had with his own father. “My relationship with my dad ended pretty much when I left home at 17 years old, and I didn’t want that happen with my kids,” MeCarthy said.
The book’s structure follows the path of the Camino, with a chapter per day over the course.
It creates a pleasant rhythm of the trail. It also establishes a gradual sense of community and friendship among the other walkers they encounter, and paints a clear picture of McCarthy as somebody extremely in touch with his feelings.
Sometimes physical togetherness and shared experiences are the most you can ask for in a relationship, and there are lovely examples of both here. In one scene McCarthy realizes Sam is suffering from a sugar crash, and offers him a protein bar he’s been saving for just such a moment. “I reach out and rub his shoulder,” McCarthy writes.“He nods softly, gratefully. We sit together as thousands upon thousands of dandelion puffs (蒲公英) float in the air like dancing diamonds.” Walking with Sam captures this encouraging and hopeful expedition as the pair walk across the country and towards one another.
1. What do we know about Walking With Sam according to paragraph 1?| A．A fantasy novel. | B．A travel memoir. |
| C．A prize-winning diary entry. | D．An era-defining movie. |
| A．To honor his father. | B．To help his son fly the nest. |
| C．To bond with his son. | D．To seek for writing inspiration. |
| A．Comparison and contrast | B．Cause and effect |
| C．Facts and opinions | D．Sequence of events |
| A．Plain but functional. | B．Inspiring and touching. |
| C．Brief but informative. | D．Humorous and straightforward. |
6 . When does spring begin? For some, it’s the second Sunday in March, when we turn our clocks forward by an hour in the United States. For others, it’s when they first realize they’ve finished dinner and it’s still light out. This year, impatient as ever for winter to end, I decided to skip my usual routine of calendar watching and see if I couldn’t do something to speed up spring’s arrival.
It’s only a three-hour flight from La Guardia (rainy, cold), New York to West Palm Beach (sunny,81 degrees, slight breeze), Florida and from there an hour’s drive to Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, the spring training home of the New York Mets, where the traffic of more than 7,000 fans descended. Here in Port St. Lucie on a Tuesday afternoon, weeks before the season’s official start, cheery fans were dressed in lightweight clothing, drinking Modelo Especial and snacking on peanuts, heckling(起哄)the players. Here, spring was already happening.
Being outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air, things do feel slower and easier. I love that baseball has long been considered America’s national pastime. A pastime is something that makes the passing of time pleasant. Isn’t that what we’re dying for in the winter months? Something that makes time not just tolerable but enjoyable?
By the time I left Florida, it was pouring rain and even a little chilly. How was I supposed to take springtime home with me, I wondered fiercely. It was still raining in New York when I landed. Spring isn’t just weather, of course, and it certainly makes no promises about rain. I'm trying to resist cliché (陈词滥调), to keep from saying something similar to “spring is a state of mind,” even though I wish it were.
I went looking for spring and I found it where spring breakers find it every year, already in full swing in the Sunshine State. My own official removal of woolen coats will occur on Tuesday, when spring finally arrives. But having experienced 24 hours of spring’s full pageant (盛会), my own little preseason, I feel slightly pacified. Perhaps I can be patient as spring establishes itself, and offer the season a little grace as it clicks into place.
1. What is presented in Paragraph 1?| A．Spring falls on a fixed date. |
| B．Spring came late this year. |
| C．The author was longing for spring restlessly. |
| D．The author was celebrating the end of winter. |
| A．A fast-paced world. | B．Full of a joyful atmosphere. |
| C．The birthplace of baseball. | D．Home to delicious food. |
| A．Puzzled. | B．Disappointed. | C．Curious. | D．Calm. |
| A．In Search of Spring | B．In Praise of Spring |
| C．A Trip to Florida | D．A Farewell to New York |
7 . DREAMING OF A NEW OFFICE?
Are you undisturbed by the chill of the Antarctic winds? Can you adapt to near-constant daylight, subzero temperatures and no flushing toilet (抽水马桶) or running water? Ready to take on the challenges of living and working in one of the most remote corners of the Earth? The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust invites passionate individuals to join our team at Base A on Goudier Island, Antarctica.
As a member of our elite team, you’ll manage a museum, post office, and gift shop as well as conducting penguin counts. You will live and work at Base A at Port Lockroy on Goudier Island, which is about the size of a football pitch. Imagine waking to breathtaking landscapes, surrounded by curious penguins and the vast expanse of untouched wilderness. This is not just a job — it’s an expedition, a chance to make history while living among the impressive beauty of Antarctica.
Applicants must possess resilience, physical fitness, and environmental awareness. Training will begin in August, ahead of the working period from late October or November until March, 2025. Interview s and selection events will be conducted to ensure the best fit for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Join us in our mission to preserve Antarctica’s rich heritage and contribute to global conservation efforts. Apply by 25 April at jobs @ ukaht. Org and become part of an adventure that will leave you forever changed.
1. What’s the challenge of the advertised positions?| A．Extreme heat. | B．Total darkness. |
| C．Tough working conditions. | D．Drinking water shortage. |
| A．Counting penguins. | B．Maintaining a football field. |
| C．Opening a gift shop. | D．Appreciating the scenery. |
| A．5 months or so. | B．Less than 3 months. |
| C．About 13 weeks. | D．Around 7 months. |
8 . It’s easy to worry about your home when you’re away. “Is it safe?” “Did you remember to lock the door?” “Did you leave the lights on?” We’ve tested and reviewed the top systems to make securing your home simpler and less stressful.
The first you should consider when choosing a home security system is how long the monitoring record can be saved. Others to be considered include: Would you prefer to install the system by yourself or by a professional? What do you want to be able to do with your system? How much will you pay? These questions will help you determine which system is right for you.
Ring is a good DIY option, though it also offers professional installing.
It is built around a comprehensive, easy-to-use app and good-quality cameras. Apart from reliable self-monitoring option, additional functions like Neighhors Alerts are icing on the cake.
Vivint has much to recommend it, including greal outdoor cameras and easy-to-use apps. It also offers excellent professional installation by trained installers. What makes it stand out among the list is its entry sensors, proving accurate and reliable throughout our testing.
ADT has systems that are built around excellent indoor and outdoor cameras. It has smart lights, locks and voice assistant integrations. As an added bonus, the sound quality of recordings was among the sharpest and clearest of all of the systems we have tested.
SimpliSafe lives up to its branding by being one of the easiest home security systems to set up. It offers smart locks, lights, built-in Wi-Fi and its cameras are very solid and generally perform well. SmashSafe app will alert police if the equipment is damaged.
1. What is the primary consideration when you choose a home security system?| A．Shipping expenses | B．Product suppliers. |
| C．Record-saving duration. | D．Installation position. |
| A．Entry sensors. | B．Ouidoor cameras. |
| C．Built-in Wi-Fi. | D．Professional installers. |
| A．Ring. | B．Vivint. |
| C．ADT. | D．SimpliSafe. |
9 . Jungle Cruise
Jungle Cruise hits Disney’s streaming service alongside its arrival at cinemas. As such, you’ll have to pay $30 on top of your subscription fee to see it — a high price for a solo viewing, but a great deal for a family session. That’s good news, because this really is a winner of a family movie, thanks to the production values you’d come to expect from a Disney blockbuster (大片) and the chemistry between Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.
Inside Out
Just when we thought Pixar was on the decline, it released Inside Out, one of its most thoughtful and powerful movies. Featuring the voices of Amy Poehler, Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling, Inside Out made over $850 million at the box office upon its 2015 release. It wasn’t just a commercial success, as it scored 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Free Solo
Free Solo is one of the best documentaries ever made. Telling the story of Alex Honnold, the first man to “free solo” El Capitan, it’s a character study of a man who makes the impossible look almost ordinary; an Oscar-winning story that culminates (到达极点) — quite literally — in a close-up view of one of humanity’s wildest achievements.
Aladdin
You can agree or you can disagree, but I believe that Aladdin has the best song lineup of any animated movie that Disney has ever produced. A Whole New World, Prince Ali, Friend Like Me, Arabian Nights — banger after banger (一部接一部). That’s reflected in the critical response: Aladdin is one of the best-rated Disney movies ever, with a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
1. What do we know about the movie Jungle Cruise?| A．It takes a total of $30 to see it. |
| B．It doesn’t require a subscription. |
| C．It is mainly intended for children. |
| D．It stars Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt. |
| A．Its music. | B．Its voice actors. |
| C．Its approval rating. | D．Its dialogues. |
| A．Jungle Cruise. | B．Inside Out. | C．Free Solo. | D．Aladdin. |
10 . A team from Newcastle University and Northumbria University in the UK has found that the thin, root-like threads produced by many fungi (真菌) can potentially be used as a biodegradable, wearable material that’s also able to repair itself.
In their tests, the researchers focused on the Ganoderma lucidum fungus, producing a skin from branching thin threads, which together weave into a structure called a mycelium (菌丝体). With a little more work, the fragile skins could serve as a substitute for leather, satisfying environmental and fashion tastes.
“The results suggest that mycelium materials can survive in dry and unfavourable environments, and self-repairing is possible with minimal intervention after a two-day recovery period, ” write the researchers in their published paper. However, the process used to produce these materials tends to kill off the fungal spores (孢子) that help the organism regenerate itself.
A new approach involving a mix of mycelia, proteins, and other nutrients in a liquid encouraged the growth of a skin. The results are currently too thin and delicate to be turned into a jacket. However, the researchers are confident that it’s possible that future innovations could turn it into a tougher skin, possibly by combining layers or plasticizing in glycerol. Crucially, the production process didn’t kill off the fungal spores. Tests on the material showed that it was indeed able to replace holes made in it. The material was as strong as before, though it was still possible to see where the holes had been.
“Due to their functional properties, the ability of this regenerative mycelium material to heal micro and macro defects opens interesting future prospects for unique product applications in leather-goods replacements such as furniture, automotive seals, and fashion wear,” write the researchers.
There’s a long way to go here before you’ll be wearing clothes made out of fungus. The growing and healing processes take several days to happen at the moment for example, something which could be sped up over time.
1. What did the team find in their tests?| A．An alternative to fungal spores. | B．Thin threads shaped like roots. |
| C．Many different fungi. | D．Mycelium materials with self-healing function. |
| A．The recovery period of fungal spores. |
| B．Crises of mycelium materials’ survival. |
| C．Imperfection in producing mycelium materials. |
| D．The method of intervening organisms’ regeneration. |
| A．It speeds up the creation of mycelia. | B．It keeps fungal spores from destruction. |
| C．It makes the holes in materials invisible. | D．It combines the liquid with layers of skin. |
| A．A flash in the pan. | B．Promising but challenging. |
| C．Inspiring but unachievable. | D．A growth and decline cycle. |
