1 . The power of human language comes not only from the precision of its signals and the complexity of its grammar but also from its links to cognition (认知). Babies as young as 3 months have begun to link language and core cognitive capacities.

Previous work in the lab had found that for babies aged 3 to 4 months, listening to both human vocalizations (发声) (their native language) and non-human primate vocalizations (calls of monkeys) boosted cognition. It remained unknown whether all human languages would have this advantageous effect.

In a new study, the researchers considered English-acquiring 3-to 4-month-old babies’ responses to two non-native languages (German or Cantonese) — in the context of the classic object categorization task. In this cognitive task, babies first viewed a series of “familiarization” images from one object category (e.g., dinosaurs). Then they viewed two new “test” images at the same time: a new example from the familiarized category (e.g., another dinosaur; “a familiar object”) and a new model from a novel category (e.g., a fish; “a novel object”). Babies’ ability to distinguish between the familiar and novel test images, measured by their looking times, indicates whether they have formed the object category.

Crucially, babies’ success in the task depends upon the sound information that accompanies the visual images presented during familiarization. “We found that German, which is phonologically (音系地) ‘near’ to English, facilitated object categorization. But Cantonese, which is phonologically ‘distant’, did not,” said Danielle Perszyk, lead author of the study.

“Babies’ responses to the two non-native languages tested, considered in combination with their responses to English and to the sounds of monkeys，are consistent with the possibility that babies’ earliest links to cognition originate from two distinct mechanisms. Only one of them is used specifically for human speech,” she added.

When babies are 3 to 4 months old, vocalizations of non-human primates may boost their cognition by engaging another system, one not specialized for speech. However, the cognitive advantage is short-lived: only lasts for 2 to 3months. The study also provides the first evidence that babies’ increasingly precise cognitive tuning to the sounds of their native language sets restrictions on the range of human languages they will link to cognition.

1. What can we know about babies aged 3 to 4 months according to previous work?

A．They get a cognitive bonus after exposure to animal sounds.

B．They can tell human languages from those of animals.

C．They have a gift for mastering diverse languages.

D．They show no interest in non-native languages.

2. What does Paragraph 3 mainly talk about?

A．An evaluation of babies’ learning ability.

B．A story regarding babies’ ability to distinguish images.

C．An experiment on babies’ ways of native language learning.

D．An object categorization experiment on babies’ cognitive link.

3. Which of the following may Danielle Perszyk agree with?

A．People may prefer certain languages at a young age.

B．Babies may adopt different systems to build cognitive links.

C．Babies’ cognitive links are dependent on their learning habits.

D．People can develop early cognitive links through familiar languages.

4. What may babies’ precise cognitive tuning to sounds of their native language bring about?

A．Improving their speech processing system.

B．Enhancing their desire to pick up new languages.

C．Limiting their cognitive associations with other languages.

D．Affecting their ability to distinguish between different languages.

2 . Whales are known for their majestic (雄伟的) songs that travel through the ocean depths, but the reasons behind this behavior have long puzzled scientists. Recent research reveals this mystery, suggesting that whales possess a unique voice box that enables their powerful voice, a feature not found in other animals.

In a study published in the journal Nature, Coen Elemans and his team from the University of Southern Denmark examined the voice boxes. By conducting experiments, the researchers identified the tissues responsible for producing sound.

Whales, whose ancestors were land-dwellers around 50 million years ago, have developed their voice boxes over millions of years to adapt to underwater communication. Unlike humans and many other mammals (哺乳动物) , whales lack vocal cords and instead have a unique U-shaped tissue in their voice boxes. This specialized structure allows them to intake large volumes of air and generate sounds by pushing this tissue against a cushion of fat and muscle, a mechanism essential for their deep-sea sound.

The significance of this research is highlighted by Jeremy Goldbogen, an associate professor at Stanford University, who describes it as the most comprehensive study to date on how whales vocalize. He emphasizes the need for further exploration to these marine giants. For instance, humpback whales are known for their sound that can travel vast distances across oceans, serving as a form of communication within whales.

Joy Reidenberg, a whale expert, says, “More experiments are needed to confirm the study’s conclusions and understand how these creatures use their voice boxes to communicate in the ocean.”

1. What does the research find?

A．Whales may make sound underwater.

B．Whales communicate in a special way.

C．What brings about whales’ strange behavior.

D．What makes whales’ loud sound possible in the ocean.

2. In which paragraph can we know how whales sing?

A．Paragraph 3.

B．Paragraph 4.

C．Paragraph 5.

D．Paragraph 2.

3. What does Jeremy Goldbogen think of the study?

A．Mysterious.

B．Ineffective.

C．Inadequate.

D．Creative.

4. What may be the suitable title for the text?

A．Evolution Of Whale Communication Skills	B．Research On How Whales Make Sounds
C．How Whales Communicate Underwater	D．How Scientists Research Whales’ Sound

3 . Early one morning, servers at an Egyptian restaurant began their usual preparations for the day. They laid out rows of desserts. But the offerings weren’t for customers. Instead, within an hour, staff from an organization called Tekeya had arrived to take away 135 portions of perfectly eatable dishes. The desserts — made a day earlier — weren’t considered fresh enough to eat.

Throughout Egypt, which boasts a rich culinary (烹饪的) history, such views aren’t uncommon. Now, though, with a global reflection on the food chain and its role in the climate crisis, attitudes in Egypt are slowly changing.

The restaurant is one of around a dozen across the Egyptian capital that Tekey’s staff visits each day in a quest to stop fit-for-consumption food from being dumped. Restaurants pay a small annual fee that allows them to alert Tekeya’s staff whenever they have unsold food. Personal users of Tekeya’s app can then buy that food at half price, or either the restaurants or the users can request Tekeya to deliver the food to a food bank or charity of their choosing. In total, up to 40 plates are saved from going to the trash each day.

“I’ve seen several platforms helping fight food waste across Europe. It’s uplifting to find one that does the same here in Egypt, ” says the manager, who has been using the app for three years.

In 2019, Menna Shahin had an idea particularly inspired by a festival, which brings about both celebration and waste. “I would put so much thought into how to deal with food responsibly without harming the environment, and how to minimize my excess (过度的) usage,” Ms. Shahin says. “I thought to myself, why not assist everyone to deal with their excess food wisely?”

Ms. Shahin ended up co-founding Tekeya along with her husband, Max Hartzen. By Tekeya’s second year, some 10, 000 discounted meals were ordered during one month, with users choosing to donate roughly a quarter of those to charities.

1. Why were the desserts in paragraph 1 not for customers?

A．They were sold out.	B．They were not eatable.
C．They had gone sour.	D．They were not fresh enough.

2. What does the underlined word “dumped” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Thrown away.

B．Kept up.

C．Squeezed out.

D．Tracked down.

3. What does paragraph 5 mainly talk about?

A．How a festival is celebrated.	B．How waste comes about.
C．How Tekeya is originated.	D．How food is dealt with.

4. Which best describes Tekeya?

A．It takes ages to see its effect.	B．It has produced good results.
C．It needs to be widely applied.	D．It has received sharp criticism.

4 . You may have read that to stay fit and healthy, you need about 30 minutes of exercise each day, at least five days a week. New research suggests that the time we need to spend on daily workouts could be less than that.

Edvard Sagelv, a researcher at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, was part of a team that found being sedentary (久坐的) more than 12 hours a day was associated with a 38 percent higher death risk. This was only the case for individuals who managed less than 22 minutes of medium to high intensive physical activity a day, however, and it is relatively easy to achieve that minimum by taking a brisk (轻快的) walk.

“In research on physical activity, fast walking is estimated to be four kilometres an hour,” he said. Although it may not seem like a lot, it depends on a person’s fitness level. “It is interesting that 4 km/h — a pace achievable for the vast majority of the population — is what it takes to really invest in your physical health,” he added.

For a walk to positively affect your heart, which will then impact your brain and your circulation, you need to “feel it”. To feel the work your body is doing, you need to walk at 4 to 6 kilometres an hour. If you wear a fitness tracker, aim for more than 100 steps a minute.

A recent study published by researchers at the Cambridge University found that just 11 minutes a day of moderate-intensity physical activities — a brisk walk — was enough to lower the risk of diseases such as heart disease, stroke and a number of cancers.

Lead author Soren Brage was not surprised by the findings. “Doing some physical activities is better than doing none. This is also a good starting position — if you find that 75 minutes a week is manageable, then you could try stepping it up gradually to the full recommended amount,” he said. The point is that a relatively short period of high-intensity exercise isn’t just better than nothing; it has a measurable and positive impact on health.

1. What is the recommended pace for fast walking?

A．7 kilometres per hour.	B．8 kilometres per hour
C．9 kilometres per hour.	D．4 kilometres per hour.

2. How can people “feel it” when working out?

A．By putting into more effort.	B．By wearing less clothing
C．By walking at a quick pace.	D．By joining a group.

3. What point does the last paragraph try to make?

A．People should exercise 75 minutes a week.

B．It pays to increase the intensity of workouts.

C．People should stop being sedentary immediately.

D．It's important to measure the impact of exercise.

4. What does the text intend to do?

A．Reflect the influence of a new study.	B．Share the findings of a new research.
C．Assess a research process.	D．Clarify a research method.

5 . Yuck! Chicken blood splashes onto the floor and insects fly everywhere in the market. The old Indian woman waves the butcher knife. You’re speechless. Your friend who moved to India a few months before you notices your horror. “It’s just something they do,” he clarifies.

You’ve heard living abroad is good for you. Experiences like this one make you say “Seriously?”

Yes. Seriously.

Researchers William Maddux and Hajo Adam have discovered not only that cultural experiences are good for you, but they’ve also discovered why they’re good for you. Cultural experiences can make you more creative.

Maddux and his team discovered that learning about new cultures you encounter deeply is key to obtaining cognitive rewards. The team did a series of experiments with people who had lived abroad for a long time. They asked the sojourners (旅居者) to recall experiences where they: learned something about the culture they lived in abroad; learned something about their own culture; did something unrelated (like visiting a supermarket). Those who recalled learning something about a new culture did much better on a creative problem-solving task immediately afterward.

Maddux and his team wondered, though. Does learning new cultures always help? Is it enough to just notice that another culture is different? In another experiment they had a group of people recall an experience where they learned something new about a foreign culture but hadn’t been able to learn about the reasons for it.

The people who later were made aware of the hidden reasons for the novel, different, or unexpected behaviors they had come across were much more creative afterward than those who weren’t.

This means that even though discovering cultural differences exist is great, it’s not enough to influence how you think in other situations. You have to learn why a cultural difference exists. That’s what helps you spot new connections later, in other aspects of your life.

1. Why is the scene mentioned in the first paragraph?

A．To show us an appropriate example.

B．To prove the advantages of living abroad.

C．To provide evidence for the writer’s viewpoint.

D．To draw readers’ attention to the following exploration.

2. What did the researchers find by asking the sojourners to recall their experience?

A．What is necessary to be creative.

B．What influence creativity has on people.

C．What benefits cultural experiences bring.

D．What they can learn from their own cultures.

3. From the experiment in Paragraph 6, we can conclude ______.

A．learning new cultures is always of great help

B．it’s not enough just to notice similarities between cultures

C．knowing the reasons for the difference is the key to creativity

D．culture difference has an impact on your way of thinking

4. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A research report.	B．A geography textbook.
C．A travel brochure.	D．A science magazine.

6 . NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORERS

Anand Varma

In the woods near his childhood home in Atlanta, Varma discovered his passion for being immersed in the natural world. Then he picked up his father’s camera and found a way to share that enthusiasm. Now living in Berkeley, California, Varma has spent years developing innovative photography techniques to reveal aspects of science and nature, such as the rapid motions of hummingbirds that normally go unseen.

Katie Orlinsky

During almost a decade of living in and visiting Alaska, Orlinsky has been examining the effects of climate change on the Arctic. Her images of its melting permafrost appeared in the September 2019 issue of National Geographic, and for this issue she hiked solo for days in a remote stretch of Alaska to document migrating caribou. The June 2023 cover story featured her photographs of the world’s first designated wilderness area, in New Mexico.

Neil Shea

Based in Brooklyn, New York, Shea is an award-winning writer who works in print, film, television, and audio. His first book Frostlines: Dispatches From the New Arctic will be published by Ecco in 2025. It covers cultural and environmental shifts in places from Iraqi Kurdistan to East Africa.

Emma Lira

A travel writer and specialist in Spain, Lira has authored historical novels, A Lonely Planet Granada Guide, and A National Geographic Story On Tenerife’s Mummies. She’s a resident of Madrid and the Canary Islands and leads small group tours for women throughout the Islamic world.

These contributors have received funding from the National Geographic Society, which is committed to protecting the wonder of our world.

1. What is unique to Anand Varma?

A．His exploring passion.	B．His adventurous experiences.
C．His environmental awareness.	D．His new photography techniques.

2. What did Katie do for the images chosen by National Geographic in 2019?

A．She covered a long distance in Alaska alone.

B．She investigated the impact of climate change.

C．She explored the wildness area in New Mexico.

D．She spent 10 years living in and visiting Alaska.

3. What do Neil and Emma have in common?

A．They are both travel enthusiasts.	B．They are both expert in writing.
C．They have both published their books.	D．They both care about climate changes.

7 . There’s a misconception that if you are kind to yourself, then you are not going to be successful. But in fact, being kind to yourself can help you reach your goals.     1     It can leave you burnt out, not thinking clearly, and lacking in energy. Here are some strategies to help you learn how to be kind to yourself.

    2     Do an honest assessment of your strengths and weaknesses. Figure out what you need to do about the self-improvement work. Are you struggling with depression or anxiety? Do you have trouble focusing on your work? If addressing these things on your own is too difficult, you may need the help of a mental health professional.

Change the way you think about failure.     3     If you spend too much time fearing it, you will not live up to your potential. Every failure you have is an opportunity to learn. When you are faced with failure, you should ask yourself questions like, “What can I learn from this experience? ”and “How can I use this to make me better? ”

Be selective about who you allow in your circle. Get rid of people who make you feel bad about yourself, or are hurtful toward you. It is great to have friends around you who care about you and want to see you improve yourself. Get rid of the ones who just enjoy picking on you.     4    

Practice gratitude. It’s impossible to feel grateful and depressed at the same time.     5     Practicing gratitude is an important part of being kind to yourself because the benefits occur in so many different categories. Studies show that people who practice gratitude develop physical benefits like fewer pains, lower blood pressure, and better sleep.

A．Manage your mind.

B．Accept your weakness.

C．The two emotions are at odds with each other.

D．Taking poor care of yourself is not the key to success.

E．You cannot succeed without having lots of experiences with failure.

F．When you are depressed, try to find things that you can be grateful for.

G．Actively work to surround yourself with people who are loving and trustworthy.

8 . Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Shanghai Pudong International Airport is one of the major and popular airports in China. Completed in 1999 with now existing 4 take-off runways and 2 terminals (航站楼) , it serves as the key aviation hub (枢纽) for visiting Shanghai and transferring to other cities in China.

Terminals

Shanghai Pudong International Airport Terminal 1 (Tl) handles both domestic and international flights. It is divided into international (left) and domestic (right) areas. Terminal 1 was opened on September 16, 1999 and it is shaped like a seagull.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport Terminal 2 (T2) was opened on March 26, 2008 and has a similar structure as Terminal 1 although it is slightly larger. It is split into international services, on the left, and domestic flights, on the right.

On September 16, 2019, Shanghai Pudong International Airport Satellite Terminal was opened, which is located south of the airport's existing Tl and T2. This H-shaped satellite hall is the world's largest single-building satellite terminal.

Facilities and services

Currency exchange; restaurants and shops; duty free; ATMs; assistance for passengers with special needs; vending machines.

Parking

Parking lot Pl and P2 (Rates) :

First 20 minutes: Free.

First 2 hours: 10 yuan per hour. If the time is more than one hour but is less than two hours, it is charged as two hours.

Over 2 hours: 5 yuan per hour. If the time is more than two hours but is less than 3 hours, it is charged as three hours.

From 1 hour to 24 hours: Maximum of 130 yuan.

Every 24 hours: Calculated of the standard price.

1. When was Shanghai Pudong International Airport Terminal I opened?

A．On March 26, 2008.	B．On September 16, 1999.
C．On September 16, 2019.	D．On March 16, 2008.

2. What do we know about Shanghai Pudong International Airport Terminal 1?

A．It is shaped like the letter H.	B．It was completed on September 16, 2008.
C．It mainly handles domestic flights.	D．It is a little bit smaller than Terminal 2.

3. How much does it cost to park for one and a half hours?

A．10 yuan.

B．15 yuan.

C．20 yuan.

D．25 yuan.

9 . Teachers worried about students turning in essays written by a popular artificial intelligence chatbot now have a new tool of their own.

Edward Tian, a computer science major at Princeton University, has built an App called GPTZero to detect whether a text is written by Chat GPT, which is a popular chatbot that has caused fears over its possibility for immoral uses in American academic circles. His motivation to create the computer program was to fight what he sees as an increase in AI plagiarism (剽窃). Since the release of ChatGPT in 2022, there have been reports of students using the language model to pass off AI-written assignments as their own. Many teachers have reached out to him after he released GPTZero, telling him about the positive results they’ve seen from testing it.

To determine whether an essay is written by a computer program, GPTZero uses two indicators: “confusion” and “burstiness (突发性)”. The first indicator measures the complexity of text; if GPTZero is confused by the text, then it has a high complexity and it’s more likely to be human-written. However, if the text is more familiar to GPTZero — because it’s been trained on such data — then it will have low complexity and therefore is more likely to be AI-generated. Besides, the second indicator compares the variations of sentences. Humans tend to write with greater burstiness, for example, with some longer or complex sentences alongside shorter ones. AI sentences tend to be more uniform.

In a demonstration video, Tian compared the App’s analysis of a story in The New Yorker and a Linked In post written by ChatGPT. It successfully distinguished writing between human and AI. However, GPTZero isn’t foolproof, as some users have reported when putting it to the test. He said he’s still working to improve the model’s accuracy.

Tian is not opposed to the use of AI tools like ChatGPT. GPTZero is “not meant to be a tool to stop these technologies from being used,” he said. “But with any new technologies, we need to be able to adopt it responsibly and we need to have protections.”

1. What have some students done since ChatGPT was released?

A．They have built language models from ChatGPT.

B．They have copied AI-written text from ChatGPT

C．They have accessed their assignments through ChatGPT.

D．They have passed their writing exams through ChatGPT.

2. What can be inferred about the two indicators of GPTZero?

A．The more uniform the text is, the more likely it is to be AI-generated.

B．The less complex the text is, the more likely it is to be human-written.

C．GPTZero sometimes confuses human-written texts with AI-generated texts.

D．GPTZero is more familiar with human-written texts than with AI-generated texts.

3. What does the underlined word “foolproof” mean in the fourth paragraph?

A．User-friendly.	B．Time-efficient.
C．Perfectly legal.	D．Completely reliable.

4. What maybe Tian’s attitude to the use of AI tools?

A．Favorable.

B．Disapproving.

C．Objective.

D．Ambiguous.

10 . Four Universities in Northern Part of China

Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) is a renowned institution located in the heart of China’s capital, Beijing. Established in 1940, BIT has grown into a comprehensive university offering a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, science, management, humanities, and law. With a strong emphasis on practical application and innovation, BIT has become a leader in research and development, contributing significantly to China’s technological advancements.

China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL) is a prestigious institution dedicated to legal education and research. Founded in 1952, CUPL has played a crucial role in shaping China’s legal system and fostering legal professionals. With a focus on interdisciplinary studies and practical training, CUPL prepares students for careers in law, public administration, and international relations.

Dalian University of Technology (DUT) is located in the coastal city of Dalian, known for its strong engineering programs and research initiatives. Established in 1949, DUT has become a key player in China’s industrial and technological landscape. With state-of-the-art facilities and a commitment to innovation, DUT collaborates closely with industry partners to address real-world challenges and drive economic development.

Northeast Normal University (NENU) is situated in the city of Changchun and is recognized for its excellence in teacher education and liberal arts. Founded in 1946, NENU has a long-standing tradition of producing outstanding educators and scholars. With a focus on fostering critical thinking and cultural exchange, NENU offers a diverse range of programs in education, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, making it a vibrant hub for intellectual exploration and academic excellence in Northeast China.

Each of these universities represents a unique facet of China’s educational landscape, contributing to the nation’s development and global competitiveness in different ways. From technological innovation to legal expertise, from engineering excellence to liberal arts education, these institutions play a vital role in shaping the future of China and the world.

1. What do DUT and BIT have in common?

A．Their research focus on social sciences.

B．They are located in provincial capital.

C．They both emphasize the innovation.

D．They are both comprehensive universities.

2. What is Northeast Normal University recognized for?

A．Excellence in engineering programs and research.

B．Strong emphasis on practical application and innovation.

C．Outstanding achievements in teacher education and liberal arts.

D．Commitment to addressing world challenge and driving economic development.

3. If a high school student specializing in physics wants to have an international perspective, which university does he probably choose?

A．Beijing Institute of Technology

B．China University of Political Science and Law

C．Dalian University of Technology

D．Northeast Normal University