1 . “Palace, Mountain, Moon?” has been selected by NASA as the Astronomical Picture of the Day for December 25, 2023.
The photo was taken by Valerio, a young photographer of Turin, Italy. It was shot on the evening of December 15, 2023. While he knew about NASA’s competition, he hadn’t considered participating until receiving much encouragement from his social media followers. Soon after, he received the message, “Your image has been chosen as the astronomical photo of the day.” It was incredible!
In a photo like this, nothing is left to luck. The concept came to him back in 2017. Walking on the hills north of Turin, he found several spots perfect for including both the Basilica of Superga Palace and Mountain Monviso. After numerous visits over several months, he identified four spots where Superga and Monviso line up just right.
After pinpointing these locations, he experimented with shooting them at different times. “I knew I needed something special to perfect the photo. The Sun was a no-go, so I turned to the Moon. Its various phases and position s reach an azimuth angle (方位角) of 230 degrees,” Valerio said. With this in mind, he researched the Moon’s phases, marked potential dates on the calendar, and planned the exact moments when the moon could join the queue.
It was very successful, especially because the Moon was in a waxing phase. This meant that in the photo, not only was its crescent (新月) lit up, but so was the left part, its shadowed side. That part is lit by reflected light, also known as Da Vinci’s glow, named after him because he was the one who theorized about why the Moon’s shadowed side is brightened. During the early days of the waxing Moon phases, the shadowed part is visible because the Sun’s light reflects off the Earth and hits the Moon’s shadowed side, giving it a greyish, silvery color. This allowed the light to outline Monviso on the left as well.
1. Why did Valerio send the photo to NASA?| A．He took an interest in astronomical advances. |
| B．He expected to create an impact on social media. |
| C．He received broad support from enthusiastic fans. |
| D．He wished to make his hometown a tourist hot spot. |
| A．shine light on each other | B．stand in a straight line |
| C．fit each other in size | D．vary from usual in color |
| A．Studying how the Moon phase changes. | B．Calculating the Superga-Monviso distance. |
| C．Analyzing when to adjust the camera angle. | D．Measuring the height of the observation point. |
| A．The outline of the crescent. | B．The outline of Superga. |
| C．The dark side of the Moon. | D．The shadowed side of the Earth. |
2 . What if our bodies had a new way — other than our eardrums — to hear the world around us? That’s what neuroscientist David Eagleman wondered five years ago. Then he looked at the body for answers and saw a huge sound jack (插孔). “We have this huge input channel called our skin,” he says, “and we aren’t using it.”
So Eagleman, along with Scott Novich, his student at Baylor College of Medicine, created the Versatile Extra-Sensory Transducer, or VEST. The VEST is worn like it sounds. Through 32 tiny motors, it translates sound waves into vibrations (振动) on your back.
First, a computer or smartphone picks up sounds from your surroundings and breaks down the sound sample into a set of specific frequencies. Each frequency band in the set sets off one of 32 motors in the VEST. With time and practice, your brain learns to unconsciously interpret the series of vibrations as sound — and individual sounds as words in a language.
“There is no theoretical reason why this can’t be almost as good as the ears,” says Eagleman. So far, he has trained deaf people to recognize single words through the VEST. He hopes to eventually help them understand sentences, and then full conversations. Just like with language, Eagleman discovered, children — whose brains are more shapable — learned to interpret the VEST more easily than adults did.
Eagleman says his device could one day be deployed in dozens of professions to better understand complex environments. A pilot could interpret a plane’s condition through the VEST’s vibrations. An astronaut could literally feel the health of the International Space Station. Eagleman and Novich’s startup, Neo Sensory, plans to develop the VEST for all kinds of uses, so someday we all can experience this sixth sense. “The possibilities are endless for the kind of information we could be streaming in,” says Eagleman.
1. What is the VEST?| A．A huge input channel on the body. | B．A computer-smartphone connector. |
| C．A processing program with tiny motors. | D．A wearable sound-vibration transformer. |
①motors to be activated ②sounds to be decomposed ③words to be interpreted
| A．①②③ | B．②③① | C．①③② | D．②①③ |
| A．Assessed. | B．Employed. | C．Detected. | D．Invented. |
| A．Listen with Your Skin | B．Hear Your Sixth Sense |
| C．To Listen or Not | D．Here to Hear. |
3 . For eight years, Sophie created realistic-looking limbs (肢) for those who wanted to fit in. But she longed to work on more odd designs that would stand out. Then she met Pollyanna Hope, a young amputee (被截肢者).
“She wanted something a little different on her leg: pictures of a cartoon she loved, Peppa Pig,” said Sophie, who is now based in London. So she designed a unique leg covered in tattoo-like images of Peppa and other pigs riding a bicycle and eating ice cream. Working with Hope made Sophie realize there was a potential market for limbs.
Since then, Sophie founded the Alternative Limb Project (ALP) to make artistic limbs. Her work includes an arm wrapped in sculpted snakes and a leg that looks like porcelain (瓷器) covered in a painted flowery vine. She makes about six limbs per year, always including clients’ ideas so that they receive a personal piece they can celebrate rather than hide.
Of course, a fancy-looking limb won't suit everyone. For Sophie, the basis is that each limb must satisfy a combination of comfort, beauty and functionality, and pushing too hard in one direction can weaken other areas. But for amputees who appreciate novelty, Sophie has some amazing ideas.
“I’d really like to make a candy-dispenser leg with colorful candies inside it” she says. “Or a cuckoo-clock leg with a wooden bird that pops out every hour.” Her goal is to fashion a striking limb.
“It’ll transform the limbs from an elephant in the room into a conversation piece.”
1. Why did Pollyanna Hope come to Sophie?| A．She hoped to have a tailored limb. |
| B．She intended to design a cartoon figure. |
| C．She longed to expand the market for limbs. |
| D．She expected to sell Sophie some odd ideas. |
| A．boost users’ confidence | B．sharpen users’ creativity |
| C．improve Sophie’s sculpture skills | D．extend Sophie’s art business |
| A．The novelty of the pattern tops the list. | B．The balance of multi-needs comes first. |
| C．Fashion is the best policy. | D．Functionality is the key. |
| A．Sophie resolves to lead the fashion of limbs. |
| B．Sophie plans to further transform artistic limbs. |
| C．Amputees will feel at ease to talk about limbs. |
| D．Amputees will have easy access to artistic limbs. |
4 . In the beginning, there was nothing. The vastness of an unborn galaxy was marked by the absence of sound, light and substance. Empty music stood on an empty stage. Then the universe began to form when colors and shapes began to dance across what we would soon come to call the sky, the stars and the planets. Sounds of an orchestra began to play, colorful and clean.
Gustay Holst’s “The Planets, Op. 32”, to put simply, is a magical piece of music. Written between 1914 and 1916, the suite has built a strong legacy. As explained by conductor Peter Bay, Holst found inspiration from a topic that has twisted the human mind for centuries. It cannot be argued how deeply our understanding of the planets has shaped our aesthetics and culture — and Holst takes full creative liberty with this insight.
Each movement proved spectacular. “Clouds” combines a solemn tone with that of peaceful permanence, while “Festivals” follows with blooming joy and loud confidence. “Sirens” features the chorus, with their fascinating calls over the ebb and flow (起伏) of the orchestra itself. Different sections make for an impressive playing and listening experience.
The main event of the evening, to no surprise, proved an excellent journey across the planets that we find so familiar, bringing each to life with persistence and passion. In a world so focused on the digital, it is often easy to forget the power of live performance, particularly that of orchestral music. Yet, the richness and energy that flowed throughout the hall again proved the power of this art form and how fascinating collective sound can be.
1. What does the author describe at the beginning of the text?| A．The setting of the stage. | B．The origin of the galaxy. |
| C．The formation of the universe. | D．The technique of the orchestra. |
| A．By listing examples. | B．By analyzing models. |
| C．By comparing theories. | D．By presenting arguments. |
| A．To praise its integration with music. | B．To reveal the appeal of the live show. |
| C．To show the importance of technology. | D．To emphasize its harm to concentration. |
| A．A Musical Journey across the Galaxy. | B．A Magical Exploration of the Universe. |
| C．A Powerful Piece of Music on the Planets. | D．A Creative Musician with Space Inspiration. |
5 . Must-read New Fiction Books
We all have a few tried-and-true fiction favorites, but there’s something special about a brand-new, hot-off-the-press novel. Whether it’s your favorite author’s new release or a new writer’s first work, great fiction books make the perfect escape from ordinary life. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of the best new books released in February.
Age of Gold by Jerry Lapoor
Jerry Lapoor’s latest action-packed novel unfolds like a crazy movie. This thriller begins when a wealthy man’s car gets out of control. But when the dust settles, the rich man is nowhere to be found. How and to where does he disappear? With an exciting plot that will carry you from old-money houses to small agricultural villages, Age of Cold will take you on an unforgettable ride across a vast land.
City Under One Sky by Rachel Young
In the book, Young presents a crime story set in a small town. Detective Sara Kennedy has been sent to investigate a case. But soon after arrival, Sara gets snowed in with the 205 townsfolk living in the same apartment building. Who is hiding the key to the crime? And is there anyone she can truly trust? The appealing story, strange but distinctive characters and unexpected plot are just a few of the reasons why City Under One Sky gains its popularity.
Lady by Jess George
Lady is an irresistible fiction from Jess George. The story of Mary’s fresh start at adulthood is shot through with themes of family, race and discrimination, womanhood and the immigrant reality of feeling torn between cultures. Though struggling with life in London as an African, Mary jumps at every chance to stand on her own feet.
1. What will impress the readers in Age of Gold?| A．The thrilling plot. | B．Traditional cultures. |
| C．The family conflict. | D．Crazy characters. |
| A．She is trapped in the snow. | B．She is to investigate a case abroad. |
| C．She hides the key evidence. | D．She has trouble discovering the truth. |
| A．Self-reliance. | B．Gender equality. |
| C．Domestic violence. | D．Cross-cultural communication. |
6 . The UK’s greatest football grounds
The British football grounds featured in this guide are some of the best in the whole world. Some stadiums have celebrated more success than others, but each ground has its own rich heritage and unique atmosphere.
Craven Cottage, London
Craven Cottage was designed by the Glaswegian architect Archibald Leitch, who built 20 major football stadiums in the UK, including Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge. The“cottage”itself, lying on one corner of the pitch (球场), was added by Leitch because he’d forgotten to have changing rooms in the original design.
Capacity: 25,700.
Tickets: Adult (18+) £19.99 Children under 18 £9.99
Family bonus: 2 adults+1 child £39.97
Visiting time: Mon-Sat, 8:30 — 20:30
Anfield, Liverpool
Anfield saw the fulfillment of many dreams. Located in the solidly working-class area of north Liverpool, it’s another ground built by Archibald Leitch.
It was torn down in 1994 with the coming of all-seated stadiums, but plans are now underway for a £260 m upgrade including a hotel and a “food hub”.
Capacity: 45,500.
Tickets: Adult (18+) £15.99 Children under 18£8.99
Visiting time: Mon-Fri, 9:00 — 20:00
Old Trafford, Manchester
You’d be hard pushed to find any football fan who hasn’t heard of Old Trafford. The stadium, yet another ground designed by Leitch, has been Manchester United’s home since 1910. However, no games were played between 1941 and 1949.
In 2008, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Manchester United’s first European Cup win, a statue of George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton was displayed.
Capacity: 75,800.
Tickets: Adult (18+) £16.99 Children under 18 £8.99
Visiting time: Tue-Sat, 9:00 — 21:00
1. How much will a couple with 3 children pay for entering Craven Cottage?| A．£68.95. | B．£58.95. | C．£59.95. | D．£60.95. |
| A．Anfield. | B．Craven Cottage. | C．Stamford Bridge. | D．Old Trafford. |
| A．They were built at the same time. | B．They are all open on weekdays. |
| C．They are the best stadiums in London. | D．They were designed by the same architect. |
7 . In late summer, Death Valley National Park earns its name. The heat in this region of California and Nevada is unbearable. Despite the heat, there was a slow but steady drop of water into the collection bottle of Omar Yaghi’s device, a group of components resembling a telescope. By the end of the day, this system had collected only a few millilitres of water — barely enough for a refreshing sip. But these results, published in July, represent a landmark in the field of Atmospheric Water Harvesting (AWH).
The key ingredient in this device — a water-absorbing chemical called MOF-303 — has the potential to deliver life-sustaining volumes of clean water to regions that currently struggle to access it. “The vision there is to have something like a village-scale device,” says Yaghi, a chemist at the University of California. “If you’ve got a tonne of MOF-303, you could deliver about 500 litres of water a day.”
By current estimates, roughly two billion people lack access to clean drinking water. Desalinated seawater can meet some of this need, but the technology required remains costly and is limited to coastal regions. This accounts for the growing enthusiasm for alternative solutions that extract clean water from the air.
“It is estimated that Earth’s atmosphere contains nearly 13,000 cubic kilometres of water — over six times the volume of the world’s rivers. We cannot exhaust it — it’s always refilled in the process of natural water cycle,” says Tian Li, a materials scientist at Purdue University. And although many of the most promising AWH technologies are still at the stage of lab demonstrations, the field is quickly developing towards real-world systems that produce plentiful amounts of water at low cost.
1. What can we learn about Omar Yaghi’s device from the text?| A．It uses MOF-303 for water absorption. | B．It requires substantial investment in use. |
| C．It operates like a telescope for water collection. | D．It collects enough water for a day’s use. |
| A．Confirm. | B．Emphasize. | C．Explain. | D．Contradict. |
| A．To reveal the severeness of water shortage. |
| B．To arouse people’s awareness of water conservation. |
| C．To prove the non-renewable nature of atmospheric water. |
| D．To demonstrate a favorable condition for AWH technologies. |
| A．A travel guidebook. | B．A science magazine. |
| C．A psychological novel. | D．An introduction to a book. |
8 . Maybe someone you’ve been friends with for years is kicking up some conflict. Or, a person you’ve really trusted seems a little disappointing. However, we need to give people space to change, grow and readjust their own thinking. Learning to get the “good” out of people usually works.
People unavoidably have some types of flaws (缺陷). For instance, people may keep important truths, but the real truth might be that they have trouble trusting others.
Sam, an employee assistance program counselor says, “People we care about can drive us mad.” He insists that it’s easier to manage a relationship by setting boundaries and learning to draw the good out of people. “Deal with their flaws and accept them if possible” he advises.
To handle the flaws, always focus on the strengths of people in your circle. One friend might be a great babysitter for your kids while another helps you find good vacation deals. While you don’t want to “use” anyone, you do want to count on him for your own needs.
| A．No one can function all by himself. |
| B．Ending a relationship is seldom a good idea. |
| C．Forgiving others is always a good quality to maintain friendship. |
| D．Also, some people may ask too much of you. |
| E．But you can distance yourself and wait to see if someone changes. |
| F．Sometimes flaws may become advantages under certain circumstances. |
| G．To do this, focus on their strengths and how those benefit your own life. |
9 . In the ever-evolving world of robotics, researchers are constantly seeking innovative ways to enhance the capabilities of these machines. One that has captured the attention of scientists is the potential of using legs instead of arms for certain tasks. Four-legged robots normally need an arm attached to their body to open doors or pick up objects, but this can add additional weight and make it harder for the robot to squeeze through narrow spaces.
Philip Smith in Switzerland and his colleagues used a machine-learning model to teach a ready-made robotic dog to use one of its legs to perform tasks while standing still or moving with the other three legs. The robot dog can use a leg to open doors, press buttons and pick up backpacks while balancing on its other three legs.
“We cannot do everything with the legs that we could do with an arm — right now, a hand is far more skillful. But the point is really to make this work for applications where we maybe have mass limits, or we don’t want to have that additional complexity, like for space exploration where every kilogram of such a robot counts,” says Smith.
To train the robot dog, Smith and his team gave the machine-learning model the objective of finding a specific point in space with one of the robot’s legs. The model then worked out by itself how to control the remaining three legs and balance the robot while standing or walking. Smith and his team could then control the robot remotely to carry out movements like picking up a backpack and putting it in a box, or collecting rocks. While the robot can currently only do these tasks while operated by a person, Smith hopes that future improvements will allow the dog to autonomously handle objects with its leg.
1. What is a drawback of four-legged robots with arms?| A．Difficulty in control. | B．Lack of flexibility. |
| C．Complexity in design. | D．Absence of innovation. |
| A．To compare the robot dog with humans. | B．To prove the complexity of the robot dog. |
| C．To explain the limitation of the robot dog. | D．To show the potential uses of the robot dog. |
| A．By balancing on its other three legs. | B．By using a machine-learning model. |
| C．By having an arm attached to its body. | D．By exposing it to diverse environments. |
| A．Its leg will be more skillful than its arms. | B．It can be operated more easily by a person. |
| C．It can handle objects with its leg on its own. | D．It can carry out machine-learning autonomously. |
10 . “Mom, could you read to me?” My son, who was suffering from a virus, was lying on the floor of our living room, where he usually went when he was sick. Fourteen years old might seem old for being read to, but appearing grown-up wasn’t his priority at this point. He was looking for comfort, distraction and wanted to feel cared for.
I’d actually kept reading to him through his childhood and called it quits when we got into the preteen authority fight. When I read to him, I chose books that I loved, often books that he wouldn’t have gotten through on his own. Saying that he didn’t like the fantasy stories I’d adored myself at his age, he expressed an interest in nonfiction. Therefore, I put my own past preferences aside and looked for true stories that would grab his attention, and that he could read on his own. His shifting adolescent interest meant that the book I’d ordered for him yesterday was sometimes dismissed when it arrived, but I just put it aside for later. Its time might come around again.
Now, though, he was asking me again, and I was glad to do anything that might give him relief. The purpose was neither knowledge learning nor a display of authority. He was seeking rest for his unsettled mind and body, and by reading to him, I could see that it supported his healing, as surely as the hot lemon and ginger tea and getting plenty of sleep did.
I am sure that reading to my son has enhanced his school learning — his teacher has been amazed by his writing abilities —but more importantly, it has helped to make our bond stronger, giving us something in common to enjoy together. When the arguments and disagreements erupt, we can always come back to this simple activity of reading and listening, a union of souls that leaves us both completely free.
1. What may the author do when her son asked her to read to him?| A．She read to him. | B．She ignored him. |
| C．She told him to read by himself. | D．She suggested they read together. |
| A．Opposed. | B．Worried. | C．Unconcerned. | D．Acceptable. |
| A．Giving him comfort. | B．Strengthening their ties. |
| C．Helping him grow more rapidly. | D．Promoting his school learning. |
| A．The Importance of Bond | B．The Benefits of Reading |
| C．Reading and Bonding | D．Caring for Your Sick Child |
