1 . San-Francisco based OpenAI made its big drop during the Spring Festival holidays. The up-to-one-minute-long realistic videos created by the text-to-video AI generator Sora are so remarkable that they resulted in people imaging the limitless possibilities of this generator could have. Sora is probably able to reshape the entire movie industry.

According to OpenAI’s explainer, Sora is capable of generating complex scenes with accurate details, including multiple characters, specific types of movements, themes, and backgrounds. It understands not only what the user requests, but also how these things exist in the physical world.

Industry observers have noted that the emergence of the video-generation model was highly anticipated. However, there have been comments expressing surprise at the speed of its development, with some individuals excitedly declaring “the arrival of a new industrial revolution.” On the other hand, there are concerns that this advancement may lead to “the disappearance of reality” as we know it, and that it could potentially cause a battle against the dominance of Hollywood in the movie industry.

“When I see Sora, the first word that comes to my mind is ‘shock,’ like the majority in the film industry. As film producers, we understand the potential impact of AI on the various aspects of film production, some positions such as those relating to movie preview would be impacted,” Ma Heliang, a film producer said.

“But the current technology is still far from reaching the levels required for making theatrical films, or to hollow out the entire movie industry. Over the past 100 years, movies have established an emotional connection and a shared social space with the audience. It involves socializing and sharing aesthetics, making it a complex entity. It is not possible to replace this experience with a simple video clip generated by AI,” Ma noted.

But the strong capability of Sora tells us that the direction of relying on AI to assist in human creativity is becoming increasingly clear. It allows creators to be less restricted by industrial processes and enables them to express what they want more freely using AI tools.

1. What is Sora’s function?

A．It can improve holiday atmosphere.

B．It can produce videos based on texts.

C．It can enrich people’s imagination.

D．It can reshape the whole film making tools.

2. What may make people astonished according to Paragraph 3?

A．The arrival of a new industrial revolution.

B．The speed of social media’s development.

C．The emergence of the video-generation model.

D．The rapid advancement of the video-generation model.

3. Which statement will Ma Heliang probably agree with?

A．AI will take over the entire movie industry.

B．Theatrical films have been made by AI currently.

C．Film production can’t be completely replaced by AI.

D．AI can establish an emotional connection with the audience.

4. What would be the best title for this text?

A．Movie industry comes into a new age

B．Sora shows potential of AI technology

C．Sora starts a battle against Hollywood

D．OpenAI’s productions bring shocking news

2 . It was my first day in my school’s Gifted & Talented Program. Just minutes before, I had been called upon by my teacher and told to report to the cafeteria, where classes would be held. Feelings of nervousness seized me as I walked to the cafeteria for the very first time. I knew the most distinguished students would be waiting and, secretly, I wondered if I belonged. At that time in life, I struggled with acceptance.

I quickly found a seat in the back corner. As Mr. Canereli introduced himself, his calm voice settled the butterflies in my stomach.

“Today we will begin with a deductive reasoning puzzle,” he announced, breaking the stillness in the room.

“You will be given five minutes to read the clues and solve the puzzle.”

I quickly read through the clues, failing to come to any conclusions. “Breathe… slow down… you can do this….” I whispered to myself.

At this age, I felt pressure to thrive in all academic subjects. Since my mom and my dad hadn’t completed college, and my older sister did not do her best in school, I always put extra pressure on myself to do well. I refused to accept failure of any kind.

The clues repeated themselves in my head and I picked up my pencil. Before I knew it, X’s and O’s covered my paper. The entire puzzle was completed! I raised my hand and waved in sheer excitement. The assignment, initially associated with fear and doubt, had transformed into a representation of acceptance and personal excellence.

That day, I not only learned how to think but also discovered the potential to achieve anything I set my mind to. Now, my objective is to pass on the invaluable lessons I gained from Mr. Canereli on my first day in the seventh-grade Gifted & Talented Program. As a young woman, I seek to educate, equip, and inspire those in need and, as I enter college, I will use these tools to contribute to my environment.

1. What made the author nervous on the way to the cafeteria?

A．Stress of fitting in with others.

B．Fear of giving a report in public.

C．Doubts about the fairness of the program.

D．Anxiety about being excellent academically.

2. What does the underlined word “thrive” in Paragraph 6 mean?

A．Study.

B．Complete.

C．Succeed.

D．Participate.

3. What did the assignment mean to the author?

A．It deepened her fear and doubt.

B．It served as a source of creativity.

C．It relieved her academic pressure.

D．It contributed to building her self-confidence.

4. What can be learned about the author from the last paragraph?

A．She shows her social responsibility.

B．She has managed to obtain anything she wants.

C．She will use tools to beautiful her environment.

D．She aims to be a brilliant teacher like Mr. Canereli.

3 . Writing competitions

Closing date in April

Author of Tomorrow aims to find future adventure writers. Young people under 21 can send entries (参赛作品) between 1,500 and 5,000 words (under 500 words for primary-aged pupils). The prizes are £1,000 for the 16-21 age group, £100 and £150 in book tokens (购书券) for the 12-15 age group, and £100 and £150 in book tokens for the 11 and under age group. The closing date is 29th April.

Tadpole Press is running a worldwide 100-word writing competition open to writers of all ages. Entries of 100 words can be sent in any type. The competition requires a small entry fee and 1st place receives a cash prize, while 2nd and 3rd places get writing coaching and editing packages. The deadline is 30th April.

Closing date in May

The Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize invites young people in the UK aged 11-14 to send under 500 words of “writing that is lively, unusual or otherwise original”. This year’s topic is “The Stranger” and the closing date is 22nd May.

War Through Children’s Eyes is open to children aged 7-17 in the UK and aims to “raise awareness of the impact of wars on the communities caught up in them, and particularly on the most vulnerable members of those communities: their children”: Entries of up to 1,000 words are invited, and full details about the competition are available on its website. The closing date is 10th May.

1. Which competition is suitable for a person good at writing adventure stories?

A．Tadpole Press.

B．Author of Tomorrow.

C．War Through Children’s Eyes.

D．The Martha Mills Young Writers’ Prize.

2. What do we know about Tadpole Press?

A．All types of entries are accepted.

B．It is free of charge for all writers.

C．The winners will receive cash prizes.

D．It welcomes writers across the world.

3. What do the two competitions closing in May have in common?

A．They have specific topics.	B．They close on the same day.
C．They are only for teen writers.	D．They accept entries over 500 words.

4 . World’s Best Spicy Foods

When it comes to the world’s best spicy dishes, we have some of the world’s hottest peppers to thank. The following spicy dishes from around the world bring the heat in the most delicious way.

Piri piri chicken, Mozambique

The Portuguese introduced this spicy dish into Mozambique as far back as the 15th century, when they mixed African peppers with European ingredients. And it’s the red pepper that brings the spiciness to this complex, layered and delicious dish. The dish is also popular in Namibia and South Africa.

Sichuan hot pot, China

The joy of this dish is not only the delightful warming ingredients of the Sichuan peppercorns, but the fact that you can cook exactly what you like in the spicy soup. Duck, seafood, chicken, pork, lamb and seasonal vegetables are all fair game for throwing into the pot to boil in a soup made with Sichuan peppercorns and dried Sichuan peppers.

Som tam, Thailand

From northeastern Thailand, this fresh and spicy salad is a main dish at Thai restaurants around the world. Som tam turns to green papaya(木瓜) for its main ingredient. The papaya is then put with long beans or green beans and a mix of flavorful Asian essentials that include dried shrimp(虾) and fish sauce among other ingredients. Thai peppers give the salad its necessary kick.

Aguachile, Mexico

This raw marinated(腌制) shrimp dish from the western Mexico tastes as good as it looks. Tiny but powerful peppers, grown throughout Mexico, make the spicy magic happen in the aguachile, which means “pepper water” . Marinate the raw shrimp with ingredients including lime(酸橙) juice, red onion and cucumber and enjoy with fried corn pancakes.

1. How does piri piri chicken differ from the other three foods?

A．It goes with vegetables.	B．It uses a variety of ingredients.
C．It is flavored with red peppers.	D．It originated in another country.

2. Which dish gives you the freedom to choose the main ingredients?

A．Piri piri chicken, Mozambique.	B．Sichuan hot pot, China.
C．Som tam, Thailand.	D．Aguachile, Mexico.

3. What do som tam and aguachile have in common?

A．They are raw foods.	B．They have a long history.
C．They are served with pancakes.	D．Shrimp is their main ingredient.

5 . Food polluted with fungi (真菌) can be an inconvenience at best and life-threatening at worst. But new research shows that removing just one protein can leave some fungal toxins (毒素) high and dry, and that’s potentially good news for food safety.

Some fungi produce toxic chemicals called mycotoxins that not only ruin food such as grains but can also make us sick. “It is a silent enemy,” said fungal researcher Ozgur Bayram of Maynooth University in Ireland, as most people don’t notice when foods like corn or wheat are ruined.

For years, researchers have known that some fungi produce these toxins, but didn’t know all the detail. Now, Bayram and his colleagues have identified a group of proteins responsible for turning on the production of mycotoxins. Genetically engineering the fungus to remove even just one of the proteins prevents the toxins from being made, the researchers reported in the September 23 issue of Nucleic Acids Research.

“The newly identified proteins act like a keystarting a car,” Bayram said. “The researchers wanted to figure out how to remove the key and prevent the starting signal from going through, meaning that no toxins would be made in the first place.”

Bayram and his team identified the proteins in a kind of fungus named A. nidulans, revealing that four proteins come together to make the key. The researchers genetically engineered the fungus to delete each protein in turn. When any of the four proteins are missing, the key does not start mycotoxin ignition(点火装置), the team found.

Fungi and fungi-like organisms are estimated to ruin a third of the world’s food crops each year. If that contamination could be prevented, Bayram estimates the saved food would be enough to feed 800 million people in 2024.

The new research is a good start, but it will still be a challenge to try to understand how this can be operationalized for agricultural purposes. “It’s difficult to apply the technique, and getting US regulatory agencies to approve the use of a genetically modified fungus on key food crops might be difficult,” said Felicia Wu a food safety expert.

1. Why is the mycotoxin called “a silent enemy”?

A．It is hard to be proved.	B．It tends to be unnoticed.
C．Its protein is harmful.	D．Its damage is incurable.

2. What does the underlined word “contamination” in paragraph 6 mean?

A．Pollution

B．Increase

C．Spread

D．Control

3. What is one difficulty according to Felicia Wu?

A．Changing the genes of fungus.	B．Putting the technique to practical use.
C．Enlarging the size of farmland.	D．Using genetically modified food.

4. What is the main idea of the text?

A．Many crops are ruined by fungi each year.	B．Fungi bring great harm to people’s health.
C．Deleting a protein can stop toxin production.	D．Researchers found new proteins producing toxins.

6 . One early morning, I was cleaning the bathroom shower curtain and its liner (衬布) when it hit me. I had to clean a two-dollar plastic liner because I didn’t have a few extra dollars to buy a new one. I couldn’t believe it! Complaining wasn’t how I would start the day, especially when the sun was shining.

To continue the day optimistically, I left the cleaning for my daily walk at the beach. Along the way through the down town area, something on the sidewalk caught my attention. I walked over and picked it up. It was a small paper bag with no markings, so it wasn’t possible to figure out who it belonged to. I assumed someone must have dropped it, perhaps while loading other bags into his/her car. I turned it over for any identification. No store name, but the brand marking on the front clearly specified it was a shower curtain liner!

Speechless, I turned it over many times in my hands. Believe it or not, it was really an unopened shower curtain liner. I just happened to be the person who walked by and found it on the sidewalk. It took me a few minutes to decide what to do next, not wanting to claim something that wasn’t mine. If I brought it to the police station across the street, the police might just share a good laugh over a two-dollar shower curtain liner. I decided to keep it for myself.

But I was still surprised because the worthless plastic liner that had needed cleaning inspired my complaint and an early morning walk had suddenly transformed itself into a gift on the sidewalk for me. How that moment brightened my day!

At home, my focus was on myself, my anxieties, and my limits in being able to fix the problem. Once outside, I relaxed in the perspective of a much bigger picture. My personal complaint changed to thankfulness for the beauty that extended before my eyes in the form of a brand-new shower curtain liner, which matched perfectly with my bathroom!

1. What is the purpose of the author going for a walk on the beach?

A．To seek a replacement for the liner.

B．To start her day in an optimistic way.

C．To get energetic for the day’s work.

D．To get relaxed after the heavy cleaning.

2. What stopped the author from reporting the bag to the police?

A．The curiosity of opening the bag.

B．The urge to keep it to herself.

C．The chance to find the owner.

D．The fear of being laughed at.

3. Why did the author feel surprised?

A．It was strange that a free liner should make her day.

B．The worthless liner turned out a gift from friends.

C．There was a special way for her financial support.

D．A chance meeting gave her confidence in life.

4. What did the author try to convey in the last paragraph?

A．Learn to be grateful.	B．Fix the problem timely.
C．Avoid complaints.	D．Broaden your perspective.

7 . Sharon downsized her parents’ home and then cleared out her father’s stuff after he died. “So much of it hadn’t been used in years. So I decided that we wouldn’t do the same thing to our children.” Sharon spent six months looking over each object in her home. Each day, she sold, donated or threw one away. “It was liberating,” she said. “Now, life is much simpler and the clutter (杂乱) is gone.”

This process has its own reality TV show, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. Inspired by a best-selling book by Magnusson, 89, three Swedes travel across the Atlantic to help Americans clean house and face death. “A loved one wishes to inherit (继承) nice things from you,” mentions Magnusson in her book, “not all things from you.” If you’re lucky enough to meet your material needs, then letting go of some of your stuff, or not buying it in the first place, can bring immediate benefits. The clutter is linked to stress and anxiety, even depression. Prioritizing relationships and experience over possessions has been proven to boost our happiness.

What is Swedish death cleaning? It isn’t about clearing out closets. It’s about rethinking your relationship with things. Rather than making do with less, it’s about getting more from the things that make you happy. Death cleaning happens to agree with scientists’ understanding of our relationship with things and why we’re unwilling to part with them. Decades of research has shown that we subconsciously see our possessions as physical extensions of ourselves. For most of us, of course, a degree of attachment is healthy, but it’s not the number of things or the quality that matters. It’s about the symbolic meaning of it. That can bring a lot of happiness.

Things take up space in our minds, well beyond what our storerooms and garages hold. By clarifying what’s important and what’s not, you make room. Your loved ones can receive what they might like before you go, relieving themselves of the burden of cleaning up once you’re gone.

1. Why does the author mention Sharon’s experience in paragraph 1?

A．To lead to the topic.	B．To make a comparison.
C．To support an argument.	D．To reach a conclusion.

2. What is the purpose of Swedish death cleaning?

A．To reduce the waste.	B．To remember their loved ones.
C．To boost their happiness.	D．To make the reality TV show.

3. What should one focus on when cleaning up the old things?

A．The quantity.	B．The popularity.
C．The significance.	D．The degree of attachments.

4. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?

A．Old Stuff: a Heavy Burden or a Sweet Memory.

B．Everyone’s Stuff: Physical Extensions of Himself.

C．The Way to Deal with Your Belongings: Give Away.

D．Swedes’ Secret to Happiness: You Aren’t Your Stuff.

8 . Interlibrary Loan is the service that the Osterhout Free Library offers for free to our patrons (顾客). You can use Interlibrary Loan to borrow an item (books, DVDs, music CDs, etc.) from within the continental 48 states if it is unavailable in the Luzerne County Library System.

How to request an Interlibrary Loan item
·To request an Interlibrary Loan item, you must either call the Osterhout Free Library, or come to our Information Services Desk.
·You must know exactly what item(s) you would like. We do not accept requests for general topics, for instance, “I would like books on antique cars.”
·Be sure to check the Luzerne County Library System’s catalog before asking Interlibrary Loan for an item.
Interlibrary Loan Processing
·When a patron requests Interlibrary Loan items, they are allowed to request more than one item, but there is a maximum of 5 requests in the system per patron.
·When the item comes in, the patron will be contacted via phone to ask him/her to pick it up. If the item is not able to be obtained, the patron will be notified via e-mail.
·If you wish to renew your Interlibrary Loan item, you must call us at least one week before the due date.
Interlibrary Loan Penalties (处罚)
·Interlibrary Loan overdue fees are $0.50/day per item.
·The following actions will result in an additional $3.00 per item fine:

(1)Returning an Interlibrary Loan item to any library other than the Osterhout Free Library.

(2)Returning an Interlibrary Loa n item without the paperwork with the due date.

1. What is a must when you borrow a book from Interlibrary Loan?

A．Renewing the book 3 days in advance.	B．Specifying your desired book.
C．Visiting the Osterhout Free Library.	D．Giving priority to Interlibrary Loan.

2. What’s a privilege for patrons of the Osterhout Free Library?

A．Being reminded of an unavailable item by e-mail.

B．Borrowing at least 5 items at a time.

C．Being given unlimited renewal of an item.

D．Having a free delivery service.

3. How much fine will you pay for just an item’s delayed return for 2 weeks?

A．$4.	B．$6.5.
C．$7.	D．$3.5.

9 . “Man is by nature a social animal,” the famous Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote more than 2,000years ago. From the time you enter this world, you start communicating. Your first cry is your first attempt at verbal (口头的) communication. And as you start growing, you find newer ways of communication. You learn to form words and sentences to communicate.     1    

Verbal communication means effectively presenting your thoughts verbally.     2     Be it a weekly meeting or a presentation to stakeholders (股东), the importance of verbal communication is unparalleled. People always remember a person who speaks clearly, effectively, and confidently. For instance, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’s speech at the iPhone launching ceremony is a classic example of brilliant verbal communication that people remember even today.

    3     Interpersonal communication often happens between two individuals. Reactions and responses from the other person will help you understand if you’re getting your thoughts across clearly. Public communication is also known as “public speaking”. Speeches, election campaigns and presentations are a few examples of this type.

Verbal communication is a broad topic. There are various elements that help us organize our thoughts around it. They include the tone, speed, and volume of your speech.     4     Each of these elements matters in any kind of verbal communication.

A variety of challenges may arise in verbal communication. Although difficulties with verbal communication can’t be entirely avoided, it is possible to increase your chances of communicating successfully. Consider the message you wish to communicate before speaking and communicate with respect for the recipient’s point of view.     5     Pronounce your words clearly and be conscious of nonverbal aspects such as eye contact, posture and facial expressions.

A．Pay attention to what you say and how you say it.

B．Its relevant skills are essential in the world of business.

C．Verbal communication can be classified into two main types.

D．This is the beginning of the real sense of verbal communication.

E．Language barriers are a major cause of confusion in verbal communication.

F．Everyone has a unique style of communicating and understanding messages.

G．Additionally, grammar and vocabulary are critical aspects of verbal communication.

10 . Speed reading is a skill that allows people to process information quickly with skimming techniques.     1     Here’re some efficient speed reading techniques.

Talk to yourself less and avoid sounding out each word.     2     This may help readers remember concepts but can also be a major barrier to speed. Keep in mind that you don’t need to read every single word to understand the sentence’s overall meaning.

Cover words you’ve already read with a card. When you’re reading, your eyes can move back to earlier words. These are typically short habitual movements that don’t improve understanding or speed. Use a card to cover words right after you’ve read them.     3    

Move your eyes less as you read. While reading, your eyes: move, stopping on some words and skipping others. However, you can only comprehend what you’re reading when your eyes stop moving. Learning to move your eyes less can help you read faster. So try staring at one line at a time without gliding your eyes over the words.

    4     Track your progress by timing yourself daily, or each time you do a speed reading exercise. Not only does trying to beat your best speed motivate you, but it can also give you a goal to work towards.

Set obtainable goals to improve your speed reading. Aim to work on n yours pee reading daily by completing speed reading exercises. 200 to 250 words per minute is the expected reading speed for someone 12 or older.     5     At 450 words per minute, you’re reading as fast as a college student skimming for the main points. It typically takes 2 to 4weeks to double your reading speed, so be patient with yourself and keep trying.

A．Point to the words you’re reading on the page.

B．So, how do you learn and master this amazing skill?

C．Time your reading speed so you can track your progress.

D．Some readers sound out every word they read in their heads.

E．This way, you can train yourself not to look back at previous sentences.

F．300 words per minute is the reading speed of the average college student.

G．Reading can seem like such a chore, especially because it can take so long.