1 . As much as we like to think about nature embodying balance, the universe is actually filled with imbalance, too. Let’s take the supernova (超新星) for example. Two stars orbit each other. One of the stars is older, called a “white dwarf,” while the other star is a bit younger. Their mutual gravitational interaction (相互引力相互作用) pulls material off the younger star and dumps it onto the surface of the white dwarf. If enough material falls onto the dwarf, the stuff dumped on to the white dwarf begins to “burn”.

If the conditions are right, you always burn up the same amount of material that gets added. If the donor star is dumping too much material onto the dwarf, the burning runs out of control. It consumes not just the new material on the white dwarf’s surface but the whole of the dwarf star itself. So much energy is released so quickly that the star finds itself wildly out of balance. In an instant, it becomes a super-hot ball of unbalanced pressure, BOOM! A supernova is born.

Closer to home, a similar but different kind of process happens in volcanoes. Volcanoes are born when magma (熔岩) from deep in the Earth makes its way slowly to the surface through cracks in the planet’s crust (地壳). The heat from the magma builds up a massive pressure imbalance inside the mountain. It’s that imbalance that drives the BOOM, the volcanic eruption that rips a zillion tons of rocks away and sends ash 15 miles into the sky.

But here’s the thing: Supernova, volcanoes and all those other explosions in the universe are not just awesome sights. They are all essential players in cosmic (宇宙的) evolution. Supernova create a lot of the elements in your body that are essential to life. No supernova, no you. And volcanoes are essential to evolution of the planet, including the cycling of greenhouse gases like CO₂ that make Earth habitable. No volcanoes, no you.

1. What does the underlined phrase “the donor star” refer to in paragraph 2?

A．The younger star.	B．The older star.
C．The supernova.	D．The white dwarf.

2. What factor leads to both the birth of supernovas and volcanic eruption?

A．Hot magma.	B．Burning material.
C．Unbalanced pressure.	D．Gravitational interaction.

3. What can we learn about the explosions in the universe in the last paragraph?

A．They evolve as players.	B．They create human bodies.
C．They are awesome sights.	D．They are necessary to life.

4. In which section of a website can you find this passage?

A．Profile.

B．Science.

C．Health.

D．Economy.

2 . How to Develop a Lifelong Leaming Habit

To be perfectly honest, I used to think the only way to learn was in school, but I was not always a big fan of “conventional learning”, unless it was a course that really interested me. It was not until I expanded my own definition of learning that my lifelong learning journey began. My travelling experiences, the books I read, and even my own missteps — all became a means for learning.

Now I cannot learn enough or get my hands on enough information.     1     The more I engage and employ lifelong learning, the more I experience some really cool thing. Not only has lifelong learning improved my brain functions, but also it has supported my professional success and personal growth. Here are some simple ways to begin training your brain to desire lifelong learning.

First of all, you can create an objective for your learning. For example, maybe your objective is to reduce your stress levels or find different ways to relax.     2    

Another important way is to start small. If lifelong learning has not been your “thing”, trying to eat this learning elephant in one bite makes it more difficult to stick with.     3     For example, instead of trying to read a certain number of pages in a book every day, why not start with 15 minutes, two or three times a week?     4    

    5     If learning feels like a duty or something you have to do, you will obviously do it less. Have some fun with your learning. For example, for every new learning opportunity you take, think of some entertaining ways to learn. Give yourself a gold star. Make learning a game. Whatever is going to make learning fun for you, make sure to do it!

A．You lose interest in those things.

B．The most important thing is to make it fun.

C．Try to finish one thing in fewer steps.

D．Lifelong learning is like potato chips to me — I want more.

E．A better way is to break down your learning into bite-sized pieces.

F．After you have fixed that small habit into place, you can then add to it.

G．Having an objective not only makes learning beneficial but gives it a purpose.

3 . The Travel Trends Report for 2024 suggests that engaging in “enrichment travel’ can profoundly impact personal growth and wellbeing by immersing oneself in newt cultures, environments and experiences. The following destinations allow you to explore transformative travel opportunities to rejuvenate body and soul.

Nambin Yoga in Chile

The fascinating Nambin Yoga retreat is in the mountain town of San Pedro de Atacama in Northeast Chile, where it invites guests to experience a seven-day journey including yoga sessions under the sparkling heavens, enlightening stargazing tours, and thoughtfully crafted vegetarian and vegan cuisine.

Rejuvenating in Nevada

Nevada has more hot springs than any other state in the country, with more’ than 300 occurring naturally. For an authentic wilderness experience, venture to Fish Lake Valley; where bathers can soak’ amidst breathtaking views of the mountains in Boundary Peak and enjoy some dark sky stargazing.

Rebooting at Miraval Arizona

Sat within the Sonoran Desert, Miraval offers immersive, technology-free retreats tailored to each guest’s individual needs for a true wellness journey. With innovative program and experts, Miraval empowers guests to design personalized schedule in line; with their wellness intentions, Visitors can gain hands-on experiences like beekeeping and farm work to foster a deeper connection with nature.

Yoga at Aspen Shakti

From June to September the seasoned team at Aspen Shakti hosts open-air Hatha yoga sessions on a picturesque deck, offering something for yoga lovers of all levels. Priced at approximately £. 15 per class, sessions are held from Monday to Friday at 10: 30am, with a portion of earnings dedicated to supporting the Caring for Community Fund mental health program.

1. What can visitors do in both Nambin Yoga in Chile and Rejuvenating in Nevada?

A．Do yoga.	B．Observe stars.
C．Taste cuisines.	D．Admire mountains.

2. Which destination should one choose if he is keen on harvesting vegetables?

A．Yoga at Aspen Shakti	B．Nambin Yoga in Chile
C．Rejuvenating in: Nevada	D．Rebooting at Miraval Arizona

3. What’s special about “Yoga at Aspen Shakti’?

A．It charges the least.	B．It works at weekends.
C．It supports charity! work.	D．It offers yoga sessions.

4 . With the holidays approaching, I sit down at my kitchen table to begin addressing holiday greeting cards.

In front of me are neatly organized piles: red and green cards with shining trees, white envelopes, various colored pens and books of postage stamps. Everything is in place to begin when I’m interrupted by a judgemental “What is that?” from my youngest daughter, Charlotte. Her eyes have just landed on my rather time-worn address book.

My address book is close to 40 years old. Its faded cover was once quite lovely, but now it is crisscrossed with tape (缠满了胶带) , and an elastic band (橡皮筋) just about keeps the bits and pieces of paper together, which are trying their best to escape confinement (束缚) .

“You still use that old thing. You know there are apps for that?”. Charlotte continues.

Written’ on these pages are the names of people who were once important in my life. This includes the names of old friends and contacts for employers and past neighbors. There are people, I came across for a short while and then never saw again, such as a guy who was cycling across Canada to raise. funds for cancer research. And, of course, there are lots and lots of family, contacts.

When I flip through the pages, I wonder what has become of many of the people—I refuse to scratch out any names (even if they have died) . All of these people were once important in. my life, but many of them have been lost to time.

My internal musings finish, I return to the present and respond to my daughter, “Yeah, darling, I know. Why don’t you show me an app to improve this mess sometime?”

“All right, Mom. Maybe next week.”

Just as I thought, she’s already moved on. It’s a good thing I have my contacts down on paper. And no matter what, I will always treasure this old, dog-eared address book as a way to remind me of who I was and the people who shaped who I’ve become.

1. What is the condition of the author’s address book?

A．Old but neat.	B．Colorful but loose.
C．Worn-out and taped together.	D．Messy and disorganized.

2. What is the author’s attitude toward her daughter’s suggestion?

A．She is thankful for it.	B．She is open to it.
C．She is confused about it.	D．She is uninterested in it.

3. How does the author feel about her address book?

A．It might be unreliable.	B．It’s a valuable memory of her past.
C．It’s too old and worthless.	D．It needs to be digitalized.

4. What would be the best title for the passage?

A．Daughter’s Gift	B．My Day Online
C．A World of Digital Distraction	D．Faded Outside, Rich Inside

5 . Maps transport us. They make the landscape fit indoors, make us masters of sights we can’t see and spaces we can’t cover. An award-winning book make the grand journeys taken by wild animals fit indoors, too. Where the Animals Go: Tracking Wildlife with Technology in 50 Maps and Graphics by James Cheshire and Oliver Uberti is an engaging volume, gorgeous in its illustrations and text. Its double intent is brilliant, too — to bring each of us closer to the animal world and to highlight fresh ways to think about conservation.

Technology is central to this effort. As Chesire and Uberti explain, a variety of methods including GPS tracking, acoustic tracking, and sunlight-based geolocating have opened. up the scope of the science of animal movement and brought in an era of new precision.

In a stirring passage, Cheshire and Uberti write: “We can see how the lifeblood of the world’s first national park also depends on protecting land outside its borders. And once you see that twice a year some animals are traveling across 23 million acres of state, it’s hard not. to question our reasons for dividing wilderness into so many scraps, each with its own agenda and regulations. Animals use the land as one big, interconnected system. Perhaps we might learn to do the same.”

Cheshire and Uberti hope the book will inspire discourse about the geographic needs of animals. One of their goals for this book is to connect people to the lives and intentional choices of individual animals. People see individuality in their pets; it’s much harder to see in the wild. As a result, to some, animals in the wild may seem like furry robots following a predetermined loop. This is the kind of thinking they hope to shift.

1. What is the function of maps according to the passage?

A．To decorate homes.	B．To educate people.
C．To dominate sights.	D．To display landscape.

2. Why did the two authors write this book?

A．To track wildlife with technology.	B．To bring human closer to wildlife.
C．To begin in a new era of precision.	D．To show their gorgeous illustration.

3. What can we infer about Cheshire and Uberti’s words in paragraph 3?

A．Human needs to see wilderness as a whole.	B．Animals’ agendas are different from man’s.
C．We should protect land outside our borders.	D．The survival of national parks lies in protection.

4. What kind of thinking do the two authors want to change?

A．Wild animals have individuality.	B．Wildlife makes intentional choices.
C．Wildlife follows a predetermined path.	D．Wild animals are as furry as robots.

6 . When I first aspired to become a science writer, I imagined each day would be filled with inspiration and creativity. The reality, of course, is far less enjoyable than my fantasies. Researching a story, for example, often involves reading lots of dry and technical papers before I finally strike gold with the information that I seek.

Most professions, I imagine, include challenging but necessary tasks that sap enthusiasm. But a recent paper from Edward Lai at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and his colleagues may offer us all a way to boost our motivation. It is called the "easy addendum effect", and, as the name suggests, it involves ending each work session with a more pleasant task that will be relatively straightforward to complete.

The strategy was inspired by a phenomenon known as the "peak-end rule", which means we often judge events by the way they finish, rather than the overall experience. In one experiment, Daniel Kahneman and his colleagues asked participants to plunge their hands into water at unpleasantly cold temperatures, the first group simply in 14℃ water for 60 seconds, while the second one were given a further 30 seconds in water at 15℃. Surprisingly, most preferred the second option. It seems their memory of the experiment only focused on the last moments, which was slightly more pleasant in the 90-second set-up.

The research suggests that our impressions of work fall prey to the same preference — and we can use that to our advantage. Lai's team gave participants a series of dull tasks — from flexing their muscles against heavy weights to sorting books into alphabetical order or answering customer complaints. In each case, participants performed the tasks with or without an "easy addendum" attached to the end of the job. Those testing their strength were given a few extra rounds of lighter weights while those answering customer queries with some more straightforward requests.

Much like the ice-bath experiments, there was no logical reason why loading on additional work to an existing task should make it more pleasant overall. But the researchers found that the "easy addendums" significantly reduced the anticipated difficulty and increased participants` satisfaction with their jobs.

Since learning about Lai's research, I have tried applying this strategy to my own work. Writing is still my favourite part of the job, and so this article was a pleasant addendum to an otherwise demanding day of research for another one. By putting these words on the page, I feel far more energised about the work behind me — and readier to enjoy the evening ahead.

1. Which is the author's initial aspiration as a science writer?

A．To enjoy a challenging and enjoyable career.

B．To have a daily routine filled with creativity.

C．To conduct research and write technical papers.

D．To strike gold with every story they research.

2. What does the underlined word "sap" mean in Paragraph 2?

A．Weaken.

B．Boost.

C．Inspire.

D．Refuse.

3. What can we infer from "the ice-bath experiments"?

A．Participants could not bear 14°C longer than those could in 15℃.

B．Participants were unwilling to be loaded on additional work.

C．Participants usually cared more about the end of events.

D．Participants performed the tasks with an “easy addendum”.

4. What message does the author seem to convey in the text?

A．No man is content if he or she is given more work.

B．“Easy addendum” can reduce difficulties in jobs.

C．One's pleasure comes through suffering in jobs.

D．“Easy addendum” can increase job satisfaction.

7 . Tips for finding your life purpose

What does life purpose mean and, more importantly, how does one find and fulfill it?     1    . Here is what I have learned so far along the way.

Play to your strengths

We are not capable of being all things to all people.     2    . Develop your natural talents into skills by studying, exercising and practicing those talents. There is nothing wrong with trying to learn new things, but the likelihood is that you were born with the abilities needed to fulfill your life purpose.

    3    

For whatever reason, we all feel enthusiastic about certain things in life. In order to live your life purpose, you must become completely immersed in whatever it is, which means it must be something you are highly interested in. Otherwise, it will be impossible to perform at the highest level.

Focus on what you can control

No matter how hard you try, no matter how much your actions may be based on intended or expected outcomes, you absolutely cannot control the results of your actions. The path to living your purpose is paved with good intentions and continual self-improvement.     4    , which means cultivating your mind, body and spirit to achieve your greatest potential and always acting with the best of intentions.

Embrace your creativity

We are all capable of producing something both original and of value to the world. Those two components—originality and value—make up the definition of creativity.     5    , and you will view the world and know the value your perspective can add. Of course, when you focus on cultivating your talents and immerse yourself in what you are passionate about, creativity comes easily.

A．Dig into the unique vision

B．Pursue your inner passions

C．Figure out your potential talent

D．It has been a long journey getting to this point

E．Put forth our best efforts to fulfill the ultimate goal

F．You were born with certain natural talents and abilities—use them

G．Living your life purpose will undoubtedly bring a sense of fulfillment

8 . Having grown up in northern Arizona with the Grand Canyon and the plateaus of Sedona in my backyard, I believed that the southwestern state was home to the most beautiful landscapes on the planet. I spent many a youthful day fantasizing that my cozy valley was a flatland base, protected all around by mountain titans and with an infinite blue sky that promised impossible potential for exploration. These scenes are permanently in printed on my mind, forever the litmus test（试金石）for comparing the beauty of newly discovered sights. Thus far, no landscapes had come close.

That is, until I was invited to explore Guizhou province by the China Storyteller Partnerships Tour. Had someone articulately described how beautiful Guizhou can be in poetic detail, they would not have done it justice. There is no substitute for seeing with one’s own eyes. I will attempt to do so here.

My father used to drag my brothers and me on yearly fishing trips around Arizona. We would compete to catch the largest fish, which we jokingly called “Jeffs”. I recall sitting in a small boat in the middle of the lake, fishing pole limp in my impatient hands while my father attempted to share with me the whispers of the wind, a fish dancing on the surface of the lake or the majesty of a hawk hunting for prey overhead. On my trip to Guizhou I had the opportunity to kayak on Wanfeng lake. At one point I rested, floating at the center of the lake, listening to the spaces between silence and taking in the surrounding karst mountains. I thought about my childhood, and wished I had listened more closely to my father’s fishing musings.

During my trip around the city of Xingyi, in Guizhou, I saw the artwork of the Bouyei ethnic group. They use dyes produced from local plants to make clothing of striking blues and greens, and blankets. Local elders still practice weaving with wooden machines and pass that tradition on to their grandchildren. The history here is palpable, one could reach out and touch it, breathe it, even. My mother loved to decorate our home with paintings, jewelry and pottery. The designs were ancient, and carried tangible wisdom within them. This Earth is our home, and we celebrate its wonders. I caught that same feeling while gazing upon the art on display in Xingyi.

1. What did the author think about the most beautiful landscapes initially?

A．They were highly similar.	B．They were hard to access.
C．They were located in Arizona.	D．They were situated in Guizhou.

2. What does the author learn from his experience in Xingyi?

A．The preservation of cultural traditions.

B．The appreciation of the Earth wonders.

C．The similarity between Arizona and Guizhou.

D．The secret of the Bouyei ethnic group's artwork.

3. Which one can describe the author’s feeling about Guizhou tour?

A．Regretful but excited.	B．Lonely and homesick.
C．Familiar but upset.	D．Surprised and content.

4. What can be a suitable title for the passage?

A．The deepest affection for my parents.	B．A discovery of Chinese ethnic culture.
C．A tour bringing me back to my childhood.	D．My harvest away from my hometown Arizona.

9 . Long weekends in the UK to immerse yourself in science

Mysteries of the universe, Cheshire

30 August—1 September 2024     From £959

Spend the weekend with some of the brightest minds in science, as you explore the mysteries of the universe in a fascinating programme that includes an excursion to UNESCO World Heritage Site Jodrell Bank to see the iconic Lovell Telescope.

·Hear from leading experts in astronomy, cosmology and space science.

·Live link-up with remote telescope in Australia to view the southern hemisphere’s night skies.

·Private tour of Jodrell Bank.

·Stay at the beautiful, Grade 1l-listed De Vere Cranage Estate hotel.

The science of the Jurassic Coast, Dorset and Devon

17—19 May 2024     From £899

Discover the science of the Jurassic coast, from the ever-changing coastal landscapes to the historic beaches and geology with insights from a variety of geology, palaeontology and palaeozoology experts.

·Hunt for fossils along Lyme Regis’s famed ammonite pavement.

·A private tour of Lyme Regis Museum, former home of fossil hunter Mary Anning.

·Explore the Jurassic Coast by sea on a cruise with a local geology expert.

·Hear from leading experts in geology and palaeontology.

The science of rewilding, Coombeshead, Devon

16—18 August 2024     From £749

Stay at the heart of this conservation-in-action project, Rewilding Coombeshead, nestled deep in the beautiful Devonshire countryside. Discover how nature is making a comeback and witness the project’s “rewilding helpers”, such as water buffalo, wild boar, mouflon sheep and Exmoor ponies in action.

·Talks from leading rewilding conservationists and New Scientist staff writer, Graham Lawton.

·Small group guided tours of the 160-hectare site and rewilding areas.

·Guided tour of the species breeding and reintroduction centre.

1. When can you see the Lovell Telescope?

A．18 August.

B．16 April.

C．31 August.

D．17 May.

2. What’s the purpose of “The science of the Jurassic Coast, Dorset and Devon”?

A．To explore the natural beauty of Dorset and Devon.

B．To introduce the science behind the Jurassic Coast.

C．To provide insights into the history of Lyme Regis.

D．To offer a tour of fossil hunter Mary Anning’s home.

3. What is special about “The science of rewilding, Coombeshead, Devon”?

A．Guided tours are offered there.	B．It includes outdoor activities.
C．It discovers nature mysteries.	D．Brightest minds are involved.

10 . In 2019, after retiring from her career as a social worker, Ane Freed - Kernis decided to build a home workshop and devote all of her free time to stone carving. “I might be covered head to to e in dust but I’m happy — it was something I needed more of in my life when I hit 60,” she says.

This appeal has its origins in Freed - Kernis’ childhood. Growing up on her father’s farm in Denmark, she used to wander through the fields with her eyes fixed on the ground, looking for stones to add to her collection. “I’ve always been drawn to the shapes and textures (质地) of stones,” she says.

After moving to England in 1977 and training as a social worker, Freed - Kernis soon became occupied with her busy career and the demands of raising her son. Stones were the last thing on her mind, until her father died in 2005. “He took a stone carving course in his retirement, and I always thought stone seemed so fun but never had the time to look into it myself,” she says. “After he died, I became determined to learn in his honour.”

Signing up for a week-long stone carving course at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Freed-Kernis began to learn how to turn a block of rock into well-designed shapes. “It was really scary at the start because you would spend hours just hammering (锤打).”

Now 65, Freed-Kernis has a thriving small business built largely through word of mouth. She creates 12 to 15 pieces a year that can take anywhere from a few days to three weeks to complete, while her prices range from £ 200 to £ 3,000. “I’m making smaller ones,” she says. “I don’t have to depend on the money much, so I want to keep prices in the range that people can afford, mainly just covering costs and labour (劳动力).”

1. Freed-Kernis was first attracted by stones when ______.

A．she was 60	B．she was a child
C．her father died	D．she moved to England

2. What can we infer about Freed-Kernis from paragraph 3?

A．She never cared about her father.

B．She led a disappointing life in Denmark.

C．She spent lots of time studying stone carving.

D．She learned stone carving under the influence of her dad.

3. How did Freed-Kernis feel when she started stone carving course?

A．Hopeful and proud.

B．Confident and satisfied.

C．Nervous and frightened.

D．Impatient and unprepared.

4. Why is Freed-Kernis making smaller pieces?

A．They are easier to move by her.

B．They are more affordable to people.

C．She wants to save costs and labour.

D．She is too old to focus on making large ones.